Anti-diarrheal, anti-secretory, anti-spasmodic and antiulcer activities of Acacia modesta (Mimosaceae) aerial parts

Purpose: To explore the pharmacological basis for folkloric use of Acacia modesta for treating diarrhea and gastrointestinal spasm.Methods: Acacia modesta crude extract (Am.Cr) for antidiarrheal activity (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg) was investigated in terms of reduction in diarrhea droppings in castor-oil induced diarrhea, while antisecretory activity (300 and 1000 mg/kg) was studied in castor-oil induced model in mice. Isolated rabbit jejunum tissues were employed for in vitro experiments. For antiulcer assay, ethanol-induced gastrointestinal ulcer rat model was used.Results: Am.Cr tested positive for alkaloid, tannins and flavonoids. It exhibited protective effect against castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal fluid accumulation in mice at 100 - 1000 mg/kg, similar to the standard drugs, loperamide and atropine respectively. In isolated tissue (rabbit jejunum), Am.Cr concentration-dependently (0.01 - 3.0 mg/mL) produced relaxation of K+ (80 mM)-induced and spontaneous contractions at concentrations to papaverine. Am.Cr significantly inhibited (p < 0.001) ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats. In acute toxicity testing Am.Cr did not produce any mortality up to 5 g/kg dose.Conclusion: These results show that Acacia modesta possesses anti-diarrheal, anti-secretory, antispasmodic and anti-ulcer activities, probably mediated through dual mechanisms, including Ca2+ influx and PDE enzyme(s) inhibition. The presence of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and tannins, suggest the validity of the acclaimed ethnomedicinal effects in hyperactive gut disorders.Keywords: Acacia modesta, Antidiarrheal, Antisecretory, Antispasmodic, Antiulce

Spectrum of Spinal Dysraphism in Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objectives:  To report the spectrum of spinal dysraphism presenting in pediatric patients admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery Lady reading hospital Peshawar. Material & Methods:  A descriptive case series was conducted and total of 89 patients (age between 2 months to 12 years) were included who underwent the surgical treatment. All patients were examined for clinical and radiological diagnosis of spinal dysraphism. Results:  The average age at treatment was 23 ± 39.77 months. The most recurring (52.8%) presenting symptom was the swelling on the back followed by lower limb weakness. Meningocele was reported in 11.2%, myelomeningocele in 47.2%, myelomeningocele & hydrocephalus in 12.4%, tethered cord syndrome in 25.8%, and diastematomyelia 3.4% of patients. Excision combined with the repair was done in 58.4%, release & repair done in 29.2% and endoscopic third ventriculostomy/ventriculoperitoneal shunts with the repair were done in 12.4% patients. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was reported in 3.7%, wound infection in 4.5% and mortality was reported in 3.4% patients. Conclusion:  Overall, a good outcome was reported in the majority of our patients. Surgical procedures like myelomeningocele’s excision & repair, tethered cord’s release & repair, and ETV/VP shunt in patients with hydrocephalus can lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes

Clinical radiology research in Pakistan: from evidence to practice

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical radiology research productivity in Pakistan by type of publication, sources of funding and name of journals. METHODS: A systematic search strategy using key words related to techniques and type of clinical radiology was carried out to identify various studies published in Indexed (Medline) and non-indexed (Pakmedinet) medical journals. RESULTS: Total of 397 studies were identified out of which 173(43%) from Medline (indexed database) and 220 (57%) from pakmedinet (Indexed and non- indexed database of Pakistan Medical journals). Original articles were 294 (74%) but most of them (68%) were published in non-indexed journals and significantly different from other articles types (case reports, short reports, review articles and letter to editors) (p-value \u3c 0.001). No Randomized Controlled Trial was identified. No research was funded by any formal financial agency. As high as 78% of indexed studies were published by radiology centers of Sind province. Private hospitals having radiology department contributed significantly in indexed journals compared to government hospitals (p-value \u3c 0.001). Majority (74%) of the studies were done by radiologists as compared to other non-radiology clinical colleagues (p-value \u3c 0.001). The most preferred journal for publication was the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association (JPMA; N = 43) followed by Annals of King Edward medical college (Ann KEMC; N = 20). Australasian journal of radiology was the most preferred international journal for publication (Australas Radiol N = 3). No significant difference was found in radiology research production in terms of number of publication from and before the year 2000 (p-value 0.51). CONCLUSION: Clinical radiology research production from Pakistan is low in terms of quality and number. Only few studies reach the standard of publication in international medical journals. There is an urgent need of building the foundation of research programmes in radiology and strengthen research capacity building at facility and health policy level

Indoor environmental quality in chemistry and chemical engineering laboratories at Izmir Institute of Technology

AbstractIndoor air pollution in university research laboratories may be important to building occupants, especially for those who work in the laboratories. In this study, indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor environmental comfort were investigated in research laboratories of two departments at a university. PM2.5, PM10, TVOC (total volatile organic compounds), and CO concentrations, and three comfort variables which are temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 were measured. PM2.5 concentration was determined gravimetrically by collecting particles on glass fiber filters, whereas the remaining pollutants and comfort variables were measured using a monitoring device. IAQ measurements showed that levels of all pollutants were under the limits in both of the departments except for TVOC in one laboratory which had a mean concentration of 182ppb. The comfort variables were in the comfort ranges for laboratories in both of the departments except for temperature in one laboratory with a mean value of 30 °C. In conclusion, measures are needed for extensive uses of organic solvents because ventilation may not be sufficient to keep VOC concentrations within the limits, and to provide thermal comfort

Discussion on stakeholders behind unfair drug pricing: A scoping review

An unsettling issue for people worldwide has been the rise in medicine prices. The news routinely reports on surprising drug price increases; however, the general public is less informed about the real reason for increasing medicine prices. Although there are a number of parties involved in the drug price increase, it is unclear to whom the increase can be directly attributed. This study used the scoping review method, to map the literature on the topic. It answers a research question concerning stakeholder responsibility for increased drug prices. To do so, the authors conducted a literature survey of different scientific research databases between 2018 to 2022, using two key phrases: "unfair drug price" and "drug price stakeholders." In the study, a total of 26 papers were full-text reviewed out of 323 papers that were initially identified. The cost-effectiveness of new medications that must go through the pricing and reimbursement procedure is routinely assessed by the pharmaceutical industry. However, because there is a data gap, it is impossible to assess the relationship between drug costs and demand over a longer time period, to identify the drugs that are not covered by health insurance, or to determine the role of health insurance in rising drug prices. Even so, the scoping review reveals more evidence that pharmaceutical corporations have the ability to determine prices, undermining the idea that the health insurance industry is the primary cause of price increases

Pharmacological basis for medicinal use of Ziziphyus nummularia (Rhamnaceae) leaves in gastrointestinal disorders

Purpose: To explore the pharmacological basis for the folkloric use of Ziziphus nummularia for treating diarrhea and gastrointestinal spasm.Methods: Ziziphus nummularia crude extract (Zn.Cr) was investigated for  antidiarrheal activity (50, 100 and 300 mg/kg) in terms of reduction diarrhea  droppings as well as for antisecretory activity (300 and 1000 mg/kg) in castor-oil induced model in mice. The effect of the extract on potassium chloride (KCl, 80 mM)-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum tissues were was also  examined. Furthermore, the antiulcer properties of the extract was assessed in an ethanol-induced gastrointestinal ulcer model.Results: Zn.Cr (50 – 1000 mg/kg) exhibited protective effect against castor  oil-induced diarrhea (p <0.05, p < 0.01 vs saline group) and intestinal fluid  accumulation (p < 0.001 vs. castor oil group) in mice. In isolated rabbit jejunum model, Zn.Cr concentration-dependently (0.01, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 3 mg/mL) caused relaxation of spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions, similar to  verapamil. Calcium antagonistic effect was indicated, as pretreatment of intestinal tissues with Zn.Cr (0.3, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL) produced a rightward shift in Ca2+ concentration-response curves, with suppression of maximum contraction. In ethanol-induced gastric ulceration assay, Zn.Cr (300 and 1000 mg/kg) caused52.5 and 93.6 % inhibition, respectively (p < 0.001 vs. saline group).Conclusion: These results reveal that Ziziphus nummularia possesses anti-diarrheal, anti-secretory, anti-spasmodic and anti-ulcer actions, mediated possibly through voltage-gated Ca2+channel blockade.Keywords: Ziziphus nummularia, Anti-diarrheal, Anti-secretory, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-ulce

Comparative Study of Open Source Verses Closed Source with Respect to User’s Perspectives

Open source (Linux) verses closed source (Windows) is a vital subject of debate since the inception of computers. In This paper we illustrate the pros and cons of both Linux and window operating system. The paper also compares and analyzes both the operating system and suggests that which one is more customizable, easy to use and faster in running for end user. It also explains the key features of both Linux and window operating system

Comparative Study of Open Source Verses Closed Source with Respect to User’s Perspectives

Open source (Linux) verses closed source (Windows) is a vital subject of debate since the inception of computers. In This paper we illustrate the pros and cons of both Linux and window operating system. The paper also compares and analyzes both the operating system and suggests that which one is more customizable, easy to use and faster in running for end user. It also explains the key features of both Linux and window operating system

Population Challenges in a Changing World: An Overview of the 22nd Annual Research Conference of the Population Association of Pakistan

The Population Association of Pakistan (PAP), established in 2000, continues to emphasize the crucial relationship between population and development. The population and development programs in Pakistan have not progressed as steadily as in most of the countries in the region or other Muslim-majority countries such as Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, and Turkey. PAP provides a platform that offers an opportunity to bridge the various social sciences disciplines including economics, public and social policy, statistics, demography, public health, sociology, geography, and anthropology to deliberate upon solutions for pressing population and development related issues of Pakistan in this changing worl

Survey on Window and Linux as Server Operating System

Microsoft Windows and Linux are both increasing in terms of server operating system market share. Windows, which only a few years ago was not considered up to the business of supporting critical system requirements, is now the primary server operating system for many companies--and not just small organizations. Linux, which in the late 1990's was considered a hobbyist toy, now is the leading operating system in some applications such as web servers and is part of the intentional technology platform for major vendors such as IBM and Oracle. With both Windows and Linux improving in their proficiencies, we analyze the relative merits of each operating system. This research paper (survey on Window and Linux as server operating system) which provides detailed results of the survey and our analysis of the findings