Assessment of urinary tract infection and their resistance to antibiotics in diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Diabetic patients are more susceptible to urinary tract infections (UTIs) than non-diabetic patients and due to the development of multidrug resistant uropathogenic strains, the choice of antibacterial agents is being limited. The study was undertaken to determine the influence of diabetes mellitus on the uropathogens and antibiotic sensitivity pattern among patients with UTIs. A cross-sectional study was conducted in which total of 400 patients were studied out of which 150 were diabetics and 250 were non-diabetics. Patients with negative urine culture (n = 240) were excluded from the study and 160 patients with positive culture of UTIs of which 80 were diabetics and 80 were non-diabetics, included in this study. Clinical data were obtained from individual study participant with informed written consent using pre-tested questionnaire. According to the clean-catch procedure, midstream urine samples were collected and cultured for the diagnosis and susceptibility of bacteriuria. Out of 160 uropathogenic isolates, E. coli was found as a leading pathogen i.e. 46.25% followed by Candida spp. 30.62%, S. Faecalis 15.62%, P. aeruginosa 3.13%, Pneumococcus. 1.25%, MSSA 1.25%, MRSA 0.63%, Proteus spp. 0.63% and Vancomycin resistant enterococcus spp. 0.63%. The results indicated that prevalence of UTIs was significantly higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic subjects. E. coli was found to be the most common isolate. It was observed that UTIs in diabetic patients was more in female diabetic patients than in male patients. Investigation of bacteriuria in diabetic patients for UTIs is an important tool for the treatment and prevention of renal complications

Hepatoprotective effects of methanolic extract of Alcea rosea against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of Alcea rosea against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Aqueous methanolic extract of A. rosea were given orally for 7 consecutive days followed by daily toxic dose of acetaminophen. At the end of treatment period, evaluation of hepatoprotective activity of A. rosea was done on basis of levels of liver enzyme markers (aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin) and histopathological examination of liver tissues. Acetaminophen significantly increased serum levels of liver enzyme markers whereas, the extract of A. rosea significantly reduced serum levels of elevated liver enzyme markers in dose-dependent manner compared to acetaminophen treated mice group. Histopathological examination of liver tissues also supported the protective effects of A. rosea on liver enzyme markers. We conclude that extract of A. rosea has strong hepatoprotective effects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity; thereby, affirming its traditional therapeutic role in liver injury

Pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and KidneyDisease as Risk Factors of Pre-eclampsia: A Disease of Theories and Its Association With Genetic Polymorphism

Pre-existing diabetes, hypertension and kidney disorders are prominent risk factors of pre-eclampsia (PE). It is a multifactorial pregnancy disorder associated with high blood pressure, proteinuria, and multiorgan failure, which develops after the 20th week of pregnancy. It is one of the most feared pregnancy disorders, as it consumes thousands of fetomaternal lives per annum. According to clinical and pathological studies, the placenta appears to be a key player in the pathogenesis of PE; however, the exact origin of this disorder is still under debate. Defective placentation and angiogenesis are the hallmarks of PE progression. This angiogenic imbalance, together with maternal susceptibility, might determine the severity and clinical presentation of PE. This article comprehensively examines the mechanisms of pathogenesis of PE and current evidence of the factors involved in its progression. Finally, this article will explore the genetic association of PE, various candidate genes, their proposed mechanisms and variants involved in its pathogenesis

Metabolomics: a promising tool for deciphering metabolic impairment in heavy metal toxicities

Heavy metals are the metal compounds found in earth’s crust and have densities higher than that of water. Common heavy metals include the lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper, manganese, chromium, nickel, and aluminum. Their environmental levels are consistently rising above the permissible limits and they are highly toxic as enter living systems via inhalation, ingestion, or inoculation. Prolonged exposures cause the disruption of metabolism, altered gene and/or protein expression, and dysregulated metabolite profiles. Metabolomics is a state of the art analytical tool widely used for pathomolecular inv22estigations, biomarkers, drug discovery and validation of biotransformation pathways in the fields of biomedicine, nutrition, agriculture, and industry. Here, we overview studies using metabolomics as a dynamic tool to decipher the mechanisms of metabolic impairment related to heavy metal toxicities caused by the environmental or experimental exposures in different living systems. These investigations highlight the key role of metabolomics in identifying perturbations in pathways of lipid and amino acid metabolism, with a critical role of oxidative stress in metabolic impairment. We present the conclusions with future perspectives on metabolomics applications in meeting emerging needs

Effect of Novel COVID-19 Infection on Different Organs of Human Body: A Narrative Review

The COVID-19 (corona virus disease-2019) infection produces detrimental effect on vital organs of the human body leading towards mild to severe organ damage. The most drastic effects associated with COVID-19 infection include respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, liver injury and brain damage. The drugs which are used for the treatment of novel coronavirus are also associated with various side effects, which may prove fatal during treatment. This viral infection also reduces patients’ immunity by binding with ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptors and modulates immune responses. Older people are particularly at a greater risk. The literature selected for this narrative study was searched and collected from two databases, Google Scholar and PubMed by using specific key words, from March 2020 to June 2020. The objective of this study was to increase understanding about COVID-19, particularly its effects on vital organs so that a better treatment strategy can be established

Potential role of medicinal plants for anti-atherosclerosis activity

Atherosclerosis may lead to the death of a number of people. In case of atherosclerosis, stiffness of arteries of the heart is caused by the excess deposition of lipids in the coronary arteries. The mentioned condition produces atherosclerotic plaques. When these plaques are burst then clots of blood are formed that cause coronary issues. To overcome this severe disease, extracts of many medicinal plants or spices like garlic, ginger and onion, and many others that are mentioned in this review are used to treat atherosclerosis

A Prospective Study of Inpatients to Determine Microbial Etiology and Therapeutic Outcome of Antibiotics for Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Pakistan

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is among the common diseases that causes illness and death world-wide. Limited data is available for the treatment of patients with CAP and/or medical outcome of CAP patients in Pakistan. This cross-sectional and prospective study was done to determine etiology of CAP patients and to evaluate the therapeutic effects of antibiotics commonly used in treating CAP patients in two different inner-city hospitals, Pakistan. Methods: The study was conducted on 200 hospitalized patients presenting clinical and radiographic evidences of CAP. The patients were assessed for the causative pathogen and their prescriptions were analyzed for the management and treatment of CAP and associated symptoms of pneumonia. Finally the medical outcomes were evaluated. Results: On establishing the microbial etiology of pneumonia among different CAP causing pathogens, K. pneumoniae was found to be the most identified causative agent (30%) followed by S. pneumoniae (23%). Majority of the patients received cephalosporin antibiotics (80%) followed by aminoglycosides (65%) and penicillins (50%) either as monotherapy or combination treatment. Therapeutic success was observed to occur in majority of the patients. The recovery of CAP patients occurred probably because they received antibiotics which are recommended by WHO and American Thoracic Society. Another reason for successful therapeutic outcome was found to be the significant patient compliance for treatment. Conclusion: There is a great need for such types of investigational studies to be conducted in developing countries which may guide the empirical therapy and help in defining proper treatment guidelines