Efficacy of leeching (Ta‘līq al-‘Alaq) in patients with vitiligo (baras): a comprehensive case study

Vitiligo is a hypomelanotic skin disorder in white patches appear on the skin surface and also involve the hair. The disease is idiopathic, acquired and effects 1-4 percent of the world population. It is belived that there is immunologic influence in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and there is evidence of early cell death in vitiligo melanocytes related to their increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. In Ayurveda the vitiation of three doshas results deraignment of rasa, rakta, mamsa and medadhuta which results in vitiligo patches on skin. In Unani System of Medicine (USM) the deraignment of body humours result in the Fasad-e-Ikhlat which results in the Baras (vitiligo). Since both in Ayurveda and USM leech has been used for various dermatalogicalailments including vitiligo. In this study leeching (hirudotherapy) were done in vitiligo patients of both sexes with single and multiple patches and successful results were observed

Macroeconomic trends and practice models impacting acute care surgery

Acute care surgery (ACS) diagnoses are responsible for approximately a quarter of the costs of inpatient care in the US government, and individuals will be responsible for a larger share of the costs of this healthcare as the population ages. ACS as a specialty thus has the opportunity to meet a significant healthcare need, and by optimizing care delivery models do so in a way that improves both quality and value. ACS practice models that have maintained or added emergency general surgery (EGS) and even elective surgery have realized more operative case volume and surgeon satisfaction. However, vulnerabilities exist in the ACS model. Payer mix in a practice varies by geography and distribution of EGS, trauma, critical care, and elective surgery. Critical care codes constitute approximately 25% of all billing by acute care surgeons, so even small changes in reimbursement in critical care can have significant impact on professional revenue. Staffing an ACS practice can be challenging depending on reimbursement and due to uneven geographic distribution of available surgeons. Empowered by an understanding of economics, using team-oriented leadership inherent to trauma surgeons, and in partnership with healthcare organizations and regulatory bodies, ACS surgeons are positioned to significantly influence the future of healthcare in the USA

Variations in genomic epidemiology and in-silico screening of potential phytochemicals to cure Monkeypox

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is passed on when people encounter infectious animals. Before April 2022, the Monkeypox virus was reported only in South Africa and its surrounding region but now it has been spread all over the world. This Monkeypox virus consumes an incubation period of five to twenty-one days and can be communicated through direct contact, breathing, contaminated towels, bedding, and so on. The Orthopoxvirus variety is a subfamily of the Poxviridae family that incorporates the Monkeypox infection. Their unique property is to suppress the host defense system and to exploit host immunity. Treatment of Monkeypox involves two vaccines named JYNNEOSTM and ACAM2000. Antiviral medications can be considered for serious diseases, immunocompromised patients, pediatrics, pregnant and lactating ladies, complex sores, and when injuries happen close to the mouth, eyes, and privates. This review article gives a basic information ofA48R, a thymidine kinase, which is involved in DNA replication pathways in the Monkeypox virus. The potential drugs for A48R inhibition like NMCT and rutaecarpine are considered good synthetic drugs. The maximum affinity -18 was shown by phytochemical dictamnine, amentoflavone -7.5, citral -7.8, and naringin – 6.6 which can be isolated from different plants.  The purpose of this review article is to describe variations in genomic epidemiology and in-silico screening of potential phytochemicals to cure Monkeypox.Keywords: Monkeypox virus; Orthopoxvirus; Poxviridae; A48R; Phytochemicals

An Analysis of Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on the Indian Manufacturing Exports

This paper analyses the impact of real exchange rate volatility of Indian on bilateral exports of India’s manufactured commodities. Four major commodities viz Engineering goods, Cotton yarn, fabrics made ups, etc., Chemicals & allied products, and Leather & manufactures, for the period 1999 to 2013. Five major trading partners of India i.e., USA, UK, Germany, Italy, and Hong-Kong are chosen for the panel data analysis. Result shows the statistically insignificant impact of exchange rate volatility on the exports of all commodities except for Chemicals and Allied product. Real GDP found to be positive and significant for all commodities. The real exchange rate has no significance in explaining exports of these commodities. The results support forex market efficiency with regard to exports

Synthesis and characterization of some new organotellurium compounds based on quinoline

A new series of organotellurium compounds based on quinoline were prepared by the reaction of 8-(quinolyl)mercuric chloride (1) with tellurium tetrabromide in 1:1 and 1:2 mole ratio in dry dioxane to obtain 8-(quinolyl)tellurium tribromide (2) and bis[8-(quinolyl)]tellurium dibromide (3), respectively, in good yields. Reaction of compounds 2 and 3 by ethanolic hydrazine hydrate gave bis[8-(quinolyl)]ditelluride (4) and bis[8-(quinolyl)]telluride (5), respectively, in moderate yields. Furthermore, the ligand properties of bis[8-(quinolyl)] telluride (5) will be carried out with K2PtCl4, Na2PdCl4 and RhCl3.3H2O. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic data and elemental analysis

Non-invasive assessment of esophageal varices

The assessment of non-invasive parameters for the prediction of large esophageal varices among patients with liver cirrhosisis is of utmost importance. In this study, non-invasive parameters for prediction of large esophageal varices were retrospectively evaluated. The presence of esophageal varices grade III and IV was classified as large esophageal varices positive while no varices or grade I and II were classified as large esophageal varices negative. There were 473 (90.09%) patients with ascites [mild 38 (8.03%), moderate 257 (54.33%) and severe 178 (37.63%)]. Frequency of esophageal varices was found to be higher (n=415, 79.04%). Whereas, large esophageal varices were found in 251 (47.81%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value, negative predicted value and test accuracy of thrombocytopenia in predicting large esophageal varices were found to be 88.05%, 59.85%, 66.77%, 84.54% and 73.33% respectively. A significant association for large esophageal varices was observed for low platelet counts (AOR : 0.98, 95% CI : 0.97-0.99), high bilirubin level (AOR : 1.22, 95% CI : 1.07-1.39), ascites (AOR : 1.98, CI : 1.02-3.85) and Child score A (AOR : 0.26, 95% CI : 0.09-0.75) and Child Score B (AOR : 0.42, 95% CI : 0.28-0.61). In conclusion, low platelet count, high bilirubin level and ascites are found to be non-invasive predictive factor for large esophageal varices

Electronic and Optical Properties of 3,3´,3´´,3´´´- and 4,4´,4´´,4´´´-Tetraaminophthalocyantocopper(II) Grafted with Different Polymers

Phthalocyanines and other related compounds are an important class of macrocyclic with many commercial applications. Therefore, their electronic and optical properties of  3,3',3'',3'''-tetraaminophthalocyaninatocopper(II), and 4,4',4'',4'''-tetraaminophthalocyaninatocopper(II) compounds and their grafted polymers based on poly(ethylene glycol) with adipic acid or sebacic acid were studied. Their absorption spectra resulted from UV-Visible measurements showed the characteristic phthalocyanine peaks (Q and B bands). In general, the two bands exhibit blue shifts of both bands for polymers grafted-compounds in comparison with 3,3',3'',3'''- (NH2)4PcCu(II) and 4,4',4'',4'''-(NH2)4PcCu(II) alone. The energy gaps of tetraaminophthalocyaninatocopper(II)  compounds and with grafted polymers were calculated from optical measurements and showed an increasing in the energy gap due to grafted polymers in comparison with the ungrafted tetraaminophthalocyaninatocopper(II) and they were affected by their particle size. Keywords: electronic properties, optical properties, tetraaminophthalocyanine, grafting polymer, energy gap

Effect of a Mixture of Plants Extracts on Genomic DNA, Insulin Receptor, and Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Genes in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Rats.

This study was designed to study the effects of methanol-watery extracts mixture of five selective medicinal plants on genomic DNA, insulin receptor, and insulin receptor substrate-1 genes in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. The molecular assays used in this study was DNA fragmentation test and polymerase chain reaction of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1. Phytochemical assays (thin layer chromatography (TLC) and antioxidant activity by ?- carotene spray) were carried out for characterization of methanol-watery extracts of each plants used (Trigonella faenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds, Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds, Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizomes, Olea europeae (olive) leaves, and Fraxinus ssp.(ash) seeds). The results indicate presence of number of antioxidant bands with different retardation factors (Rf).   Molecular study of DNA showed fragmentation in both DNA extracted from WBC and renal cortex in diabetic group while treatment with mixture  of plants extracts significantly reduced DNA fragmentation in both DNA extracted from WBC and renal cortex in all treatment groups except treatment for 45 days which still had lyses level 5000 bp of DNA extracted from renal cortex. On the other hand, insulin receptor gene of diabetic and diabetic-treated groups for different periods (45, 60, 75 days) showed precense of one band (200 bp) compared with normal control which had two bands while insulin receptor substrate-1 has normal band (320 bp) in normal and treated groups. Keywords: alloxan, insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate -1, antioxidant, DNA fragmentatio

INTEGRATED DETERRENCE: RELEVANCE & IMPLICATIONS FOR SOUTH ASIA

The US National Security Strategy of 2022 introduced a relatively new concept of Integrated Deterrence (ID) that will likely impact security discourse amongst global rivals such as the US, China, and Russia while affecting the strategic thinking of relatively smaller powers like India, Pakistan, and others. With an expanded scope and objectives, ID aims to build and integrate the entire spectrum of capabilities of the US, its allies, and partners against the perceived threat from China and possibly Russia. Resultantly, the paper focuses on implications of ID for security and strategic stability in South Asia. India, being a major strategic partner with the will to play a significant role in the US-led China containment strategy, is likely to be a major beneficiary of the new US posture of ID. With enhanced and integrated military capabilities, India is likely to adopt a more hostile posture towards its neighbours, especially Pakistan, thus forcing the latter to develop options in the form of 'Integrated Response', to help maintain strategic stability in the region without indulging in an arms race, and by maintaining neutrality in the evolving US-China great power competition.   Bibliography Entry Sultan, Adil, Faraz Haider and Shayan Hassan Jamy. 2023. "Integrated Deterrence: Relevance & Implications for South Asia." Margalla Papers 27 (2): 71-84

Protective Effect of Plants Extracts Mixture on Sperm Abnormalities, Testicular and Epididymal Tissues in Diabetic Male Rats

Background: Diabetes has been associated with reproductive impairment in both men and women. About 90% of diabetic patients have disturbances in sexual function, including a decrease in libido, impotence and infertility. Attention has been paid to the search of effective drugs in the field of traditional medicine. Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus type 2(T2DM)  on the sperm abnormalities, testicular and epididymal tissues of male rats. Also to evaluate the efficiency of the mixture of methanol-watery extracts composed of five medicinal plants (Trigonella faenum-graecum seeds, Nigella sativa seeds, Zingiber officinale rhizomes, Olea europeae leaves and Fraxinus ssp.seeds) in reducing harmful effect of DM on the percentage of sperm abnormalities, testicular and epididymal tissues. Methods: Twenty-four mature male rats were used in six groups (n=4), the first group kept as a control. The second group received alloxan (120 mg/ kg body weight i.p.) for 3 days to induction of T2DM while the third, fourth, and fifth groups were diabetic rats received the plants extracts mixture orally for 45, 60, 75 days, respectively after induction of T2DM. The sixth group received the plants extracts mixture for 60 days. By the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed and the testis and epididymis were excised and sperm was collected for morphological abnormalities of the sperm shape. Also histopathological examination of the testes and epididymis were examined. Results: The sperm shape abnormalities significantly increased (p<0.05) in alloxan – induced diabetic rats compared with normal control group. Histopathological examination showed degenerative changes of both testes and epididymis in diabetic rats which include significant decrease (p<0.05) in both diameter of seminiferous tubules and their germinal epithelium heights and non-significant decrease (p>0.05) in both diameters of cauda epididymal tubules and height of epithelium of cauda epididymal  tubules. On the other hand, atrophied seminiferous tubules, atrophied spermatogenic cells and the lumen of semineferous tubules free from sperm was detected. Furthermore, expansion of interstitial space between seminiferous tubules were seen . In contrast , oral administration of the plants extracts mixture to the diabetic rats at three period of study 45, 60, 75 days, respectively statistically decreased (p<0.05) most sperms abnormalities compared with diabetic group and caused non-significant differences compared with control group besides enhancing the histological changes of both testes and epididymis. Conclusion: DM has negative effect in male testis and epidydimis of alloxan-induced rats and may contribute in reduction of fertility while the plants extracts mixture used in this study can reduce most degerenative changes occurred in testes and epidydimis in diabetic groups treated with the mixture of plants extracts. Therefore, plants extracts mixture can be effectively used by DM patients for therapeutic purpose. Key words: Alloxan- induced diabetes, Sperm Abnormalities, Histopathological Changes of testis and epididymis, rats