Antioxidants from Natural Sources

Antioxidants are the defense system of the body against the damage of reactive oxygen species, which is normally produced during the various physiological processes in the body. There are various sources of these antioxidants like endogenous antioxidant present in the body and exogenous food source. In recent decades, alternate of synthetic food antioxidants by natural ones has fostered interest on vegetable sources and the screening of inexpensive raw materials particularly from the agriculture for identifying new antioxidants. Polyphenols are the significant plant compounds with antioxidant activity, though not the only ones. Some but not only restricted to biological properties such as anticarcinogenicity, antimutagenicity, antiallergenicity, and antiaging activity have been reported for natural and synthetic antioxidants. Among the sources of natural antioxidants, the most important are those coming from routinely consuming vegetables and fruits; however, antioxidant from other plant and agriculture waste should not be ignored

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON ISLAMIC AND CONVENTIONAL STOCKS IN INDONESIA: A WAVELET-BASED STUDY

The recent literature shows that COVID-19 has impacted stock markets around the world in many ways. In this paper, we examine the reaction of the Indonesian stock market to COVID-19. We apply the continuous wavelet coherence methodology to daily COVID-19 related deaths and daily conventional and Islamic stock indices inIndonesia. We find that COVID-19 negatively impacts the returns of both indices and enhances their volatility. We find the Islamic stock index to be more volatile as compared to its conventional counterpart during the COVID-19 outbreak

The Effect of Telephone Support on the Severity of Nausea and Vomiting in the First Trimester of Pregnancy in the Primiparous Women

Objective: to evaluate the effect of telephone support on the severity of nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy in the primiparous women. Study Design: Randomized Control Trail. Study Place and Duration: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Bahawal Victoria hospital and primary health care facilities Bahawalpur, from January 2018 to June 2018. Material and methods: A total number of 72 patients referred to gynecology department of Nishtar hospital were included in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups. Case group received telephone support while control group received standard care for the complaints of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. There are 36 patients in each group. PUQE (pregnancy unique quantification of emesis\nausea) criterion was used to assess the severity of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Three outcome variables were assessed in order to evaluate the efficacy of the telephone support in case group, PUQE score, PUQE score severity and quality of life score. For continuous data independent t-test was applied, for nominal data chi-square test and for quality of life score Mann Whitney U-test was used. P value less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: PUQE questionnaire was given to each patient and score was calculated. Mean PUQE score was 7.42±3.25 in the cases and 9.94±3.40 in the controls, the difference being statistically significant (p=0.002). Mild NVP, moderate NVP and severe NVP were observed in 20 (55.5%), 10 (27.8%) and 6 (16.7%) of the cases; and 8 (22.2%), 18 (50%) and 10 (27.8%) of the controls, respectively. The difference in PUQE severity was statistically different between the two groups (p=0.015). The quality of life score was also statistically much better (p=0.028) in the cases (8 (6-9)) than in the controls (7 (4.25-8)). Conclusion: Telephone support was significantly associated with better PUQE score and better quality of life score as compared to the standard care. But severity of PUQE score was not statistically significant when case and control groups were compared. Keywords: Nausea, Vomiting, Telephone, Primiparous, Pregnanc

Influence of Feed Supplementation with Cannabis Sativa on Quality of Broilers Carcass

A project was planned to study the effect of feeding powdered seeds of Cannabis sativa on the carcass quality of broiler chicks. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks of equal weight were randomly divided into four equal groups A, B, C and D. Each group was further divided into four replicates with 10 chicks in each replicate. Dried crushed Cannabis sativa seeds were added to the feed of groups B, C and D at the rate of 5, 10 and 20% of offered feed respectively, while group A served as a control. The studied parameters were body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, mortality and economics. After an experimental period of 42 days, the data were analyzed statistically. It was revealed from the results that body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05), while feed intake was significantly lower (P<0.05), in group D compared to the control. FCR was significantly better in birds of group D compared to controls. Differences in dressing percentage and mortality were non significant between the treated and control groups. Return per chick (in rupees) was significantly higher in group D compared to groups A and B (P<0.05). It was concluded from these results that seeds of Cannabis sativa have remarkable impact on growth of broiler chicks and can help in alleviating feed expenditure incurred on raising broiler chicks

Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel mutation in ASPM and ultra-rare mutation in CDK5RAP2 causing primary microcephaly in consanguineous Pakistani families

Background & objectives: Primary Microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare neurogenetic disease, manifesting congenitally reduced head circumference and non-progressive intellectual disability (ID). To date, twenty-eight genes with biallelic mutations have been reported for this disorder. The study aimed for molecular genetic characterization of Pakistani families segregating MCPH. Methods: We studied two unrelated consanguineous families (family A and B) presenting \u3e2 patients with diagnostic symptoms of MCPH, born to asymptomatic parents. We employed whole-exome sequencing (WES) of probands to find putative causal mutations. The candidate variants were further confirmed and analyzed for co-segregation by Sanger sequencing of all available members of each family. This study was conducted at Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne, Germany; during 2017-2020. Results: We identified a novel homozygous variant c.10097_10098delGA, p.(Gly3366Glufs*19) in exon 26 of ASPM gene in family A which presents with moderate intellectual disability, speech impairment, visual abnormalities, seizures, and ptyalism. Family B was found to segregate nonsense, homozygous variant c.448C\u3eT p.(Arg150*) in CDK5RAP2. The patients also exhibited mild to severe seizures without ptyalism that has not been previously reported in patients with mutations in the CDK5RAP2 gene. Conclusion: We report a novel mutation in ASPM and ultra-rare mutation in the CDK5RAP2 gene, both causing primary microcephaly. The study expands the mutational spectrum of the ASPM gene to 212, and also adds to the clinical spectrum of CDK5RAP2 mutations. It also demonstrated the utility of WES in the investigation and genetic diagnosis of genetically heterogeneous disorders like MCPH. These findings would aid in diagnostic and preventive strategies including carrier screening, cascade testing, and genetic counselling

Role of the Gastrointestinal Tract Microbiome in the Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing throughout the world. Although the exact cause of the disease is not fully clear, perhaps, genetics, ethnic origin, obesity, age, and lifestyle are considered as few of many contributory factors for the disease pathogenesis. In recent years, the disease progression is particularly linked with functional and taxonomic alterations in the gastrointestinal tract microbiome. A change in microbial diversity, referred as microbial dysbiosis, alters the gut fermentation profile and intestinal wall integrity and causes metabolic endotoxemia, low-grade inflammation, autoimmunity, and other affiliated metabolic disorders. This article aims to summarize the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Additionally, we summarize gut microbial dysbiosis in preclinical and clinical diabetes cases reported in literature in the recent years

Molecular Interactions Between Innate and Adaptive Immune Cells in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Their Therapeutic Implications

Innate immunity constitutes the first line of host defense against various anomalies in humans, and it also guides the adaptive immune response. The function of innate immune components and adaptive immune components are interlinked in hematological malignancies including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and molecular interactions between innate and adaptive immune components are crucial for the development, progression and the therapeutic outcome of CLL. In this leukemia, genetic mutations in B cells and B cell receptors (BCR) are key driving factors along with evasion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and promotion of regulatory T cells. Similarly, the release of various cytokines from CLL cells triggers the protumor phenotype in macrophages that further edges the CLL cells. Moreover, under the influence of various cytokines, dendritic cells are unable to mature and trigger T cell mediated antitumor response. The phenotypes of these cells are ultimately controlled by respective signaling pathways, the most notables are BCR, Wnt, Notch, and NF-κB, and their activation affects the cytokine profile that controls the pathogenesis of CLL, and challenge its treatment. There are several novel substances for CLL under clinical development, including kinase inhibitors, antibodies, and immune-modulators that offer new hopes. DC-based vaccines and CAR T cell therapy are promising tools; however, further studies are required to precisely dissect the molecular interactions among various molecular entities. In this review, we systematically discuss the involvement, common targets and therapeutic interventions of various cells for the better understanding and therapy of CLL

Antihyperuricemic activity of gum of Calophyllum inophyllum ultra high dilutions in potassium oxonate induced wister albino rats

356-359  Hyperuricemia is a biochemical abnormality and it affects the quality of life. Many medicinal substances are used in lowering the uric acid. The study designed to find hypouricemic effects ofultrahigh dilutions, the gum of Calophyllum inophyllum, Acid benzoicum in oxonate of potassium induced hyperuricemic wistar albinomodel.   The experiment consist of 11 groups of albino rats. All the groups were treated with oxonate of potassium except normal control. Healthy group of animals received only distilled water, hyperuricemic control group were given alcohol mixed in distilled water. A standard allopathic medical substance Allopurinol and Acid benzoicum ultra high dilutions were given in time dependent manner (single dose/day) in different experimental groups. Blood samples were collected by rat tail vein bleeding. The uric acid and creatinine levels of serum were analyzed by using standard measuring kits. The Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis of difference between the groups p ≤ 0.05 was reflected significant.   Oral intake of Acid benzoicum ultrahigh dilutions reduceduric acid levels of hyperuricemic wistar albino rats in time dependent mode. At 3rd day and 7th day administration of Acid benzoicum ultrahigh dilutions decreased the level of uric acid more ominously as compared to one day administration. However, allopurinol a standard allopathic drug normalized the uric acid level in all experimental groups.   The current work showed significant hypouricemic effects of Acid benzoicum ultrahigh dilutions in hyperuricemic wistar albino model. However, clear conclusion of hypouricemic activity of Acid benzoicum needed repetition of experimental work

Neurological disorder burden in Faisalabad, Punjab-Pakistan:data from the major tertiary carecenters of the city

The burden of neurological disorders (NDs) in developing countries is 4-5%, compared to 10-11% in developed countries. This burden is rising in developing countries due to prolonged life expectancy, improved health facilities, easy access to diagnostic facilities, and a trend in urbanization. There is inadequate data about the epidemiology of major NDs in Pakistan and most available information are hospital-based estimations or physicians’ collected data