Analgesics: New Target and Sources

The aim of this chapter is to describe targets for analgesic drugs, including currently available target sites and possible future target sites for pain and information regarding analgesia for complete understanding of pain originating mechanism, pathways and related theories to recognize. This chapter fully describes methods for determination of analgesic effects of synthetic and natural substances by inducing pain in different models and methods of pain induction

A preliminary study for establishing Perna viridis (Mollusca:Bivalvia) as a biological monitor for pollution in Karachi coastal water

Adverse effects of toxic substances on the environmental quality have become a subject of concern in recent years. Toxicity of heavy metals has never been in dispute and therefore their presence in our natural environment is undesirable. This study was undertaken to establish the capability of Perna viridis as a monitor for pollution in the Manora channel. Accumulation of Zinc, Copper, Iron and Manganese by marine mussels, sampled from Manora channel, was determined. Metal load varied markedly between individuals from the same populatin. This variability was partly accounted for systematic relationship between metal load and body weight and age. The distribution of metal between the major organs was considered, but the analysis of separate organs showed no advantage for their use as a biological monitor. comparison between Iron, Manganese, Copper and Zinc concentration in ambient sea water and in the mussel showed no clear correspondence. The results suggest that the mussel is capable of acting as a biological monitor, although may not be a good short term monitor of Iron, Manganese, Zinc and Copper. It may have potential as a long term and site comparison monitor for metals, once inherent variability is taken into accoun

Comparative Effectiveness of Endoloop, Instrumental Tie and Ligaclip in Laparoscopy Appendectomy

Background: Appendectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for patients. To examine the safety, complications, and cost-effectiveness of the instrumental tie, ligaclip and endoloop procedures have been used for the closure of the appendix stump. The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes, as well as to compare the effectiveness of the endoloop, instrumental tie, and ligaclip in laparoscopic appendectomy procedures. Methods: The Sir Syed Medical College Hospital, Karachi was the center of this Randomized Control Study, from June 2020 to December 2020. Acute appendicitis patients (n=120) having age 7-85 years were categorized into three groups: A, B, and C. Ligaclips were applied to those in Group A, Instrumental Tie to Group B, and Endolope to Group C patients. Each group consisted of 40 participants. The Kolmogorov Smirnov test was used to determine the variables for normal distribution. The Chi-square test was used to measure the association between the duration of surgery and hospital stay. Results: The statistical significance (p<0.05) of the relationship between the length of hospital stay and the duration of surgery had been established. The ligaclip demonstrates the shortest hospital stay of 2-3 days and the shortest operation time of 50-60 minutes, whereas the instrumental tie displayed the longest operation time of 72-75 minutes and the longest hospital stay of 4-5 days. Conclusion: Ligaclip application of the appendiceal base showed statistically significant outcomes (p=0.00) regarding technical comfort, cost-effectiveness and operating time compared to endoloop and surgical tie applications. Keywords: Ligaclip; Instrumental Tie; Endoloop; Laparoscopy Appendectomy

The role of natural products and their multitargeted approach to treat solid cancer

Natural products play a critical role in the discovery and development of numerous drugs for the treatment of various types of cancer. These phytochemicals have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic properties by interfering with the initiation, development, and progression of cancer through altering various mechanisms such as cellular proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Treating multifactorial diseases, such as cancer with agents targeting a single target, might lead to limited success and, in many cases, unsatisfactory outcomes. Various epidemiological studies have shown that the steady consumption of fruits and vegetables is intensely associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Since ancient period, plants, herbs, and other natural products have been used as healing agents. Likewise, most of the medicinal ingredients accessible today are originated from the natural resources. Regardless of achievements, developing bioactive compounds and drugs from natural products has remained challenging, in part because of the problem associated with large-scale sequestration and mechanistic understanding. With significant progress in the landscape of cancer therapy and the rising use of cutting-edge technologies, we may have come to a crossroads to review approaches to identify the potential natural products and investigate their therapeutic efficacy. In the present review, we summarize the recent developments in natural products-based cancer research and its application in generating novel systemic strategies with a focus on underlying molecular mechanisms in solid cancer

Where do T cell subsets stand in SARS-CoV-2 infection: An update

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019 and spread so rapidly all around the globe. It\u27s continued and spreading more dangerously in India and Brazil with higher mortality rate. Understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 depends on unraveling of interactional mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 and human immune response. The immune response is a complex process, which can be better understood by understanding the immunological response and pathological mechanisms of COVID-19, which will provide new treatments, increase treatment efficacy, and decrease mortality associated with the disease. In this review we present a amalgamate viewpoint based on the current available knowledge on COVID-19 which includes entry of the virus and multiplication of virus, its pathological effects on the cellular level, immunological reaction, systemic and organ presentation. T cells play a crucial role in controlling and clearing viral infections. Several studies have now shown that the severity of the COVID-19 disease is inversely correlated with the magnitude of the T cell response. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses is of high interest because T cells are attractive vaccine targets and could help reduce COVID-19 severity. Even though there is a significant amount of literature regarding SARS-CoV-2, there are still very few studies focused on understanding the T cell response to this novel virus. Nevertheless, a majority of these studies focused on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that were specific for viruses. The focus of this review is on different subtypes of T cell responses in COVID-19 patients, Th17, follicular helper T (TFH), regulatory T (Treg) cells, and less classical, invariant T cell populations, such as δγ T cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells etc that could influence disease outcome

Interleukin-10 Producing Regulatory B Cells Transformed CD4+CD25− Into Tregs and Enhanced Regulatory T Cells Function in Human Leprosy

Regulatory B cells (Bregs) are known to exhibit their regulatory functions through interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine which suppress inflammation. There are only a few studies explaining the phenotype and functioning of these cells in contribution to host immunity in leprosy. Here, we evaluated the role of IL-10 producing Bregs in the pathogenesis of leprosy and assessed their immunoregulatory effects on Tregs and effector T cells. We found an increased frequency of Bregs and increased expression of their immune modulatory molecules (IL-10, FoxP3, and PDL-1) in leprosy patients. The potential immunoregulatory mechanism of Bregs was also investigated using MACS sorted Teff (CD4+CD25−) and Treg (CD4+CD25+) cells were cocultured with Bregs to elucidate the effects of Bregs on effector T and regulatory T cells. Cell coculture results showed that purified Bregs cells from leprosy patients convert CD4+CD25− cells into CD4+CD25+ cells. Cell coculture experiments also demonstrated that leprosy derived IL-10 producing Bregs enhance FoxP3 and PD-1 expression in Tregs and enhanced Tregs activity. Blocking of IL-10 receptor confirmed that IL-10 producing Breg has immunomodulatory effect on Tregs and effector T cells as effector T cells are not converted into Tregs and enhanced expression of FoxP3 and PD-1 was not observed on Tregs. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that IL-10 producing Breg cells play an important mechanism in controlling the immunopathogenesis of leprosy and have an immunomodulatory effect on Tregs and effector T cells. Our findings may pave way for novel targets of IL-10 producing Bregs for immunotherapy in leprosy patients

Bactiguard, A Useful Tool to Reduce Urinary Tract Infection in Patients Requiring Indwelling Urinary Catheter

Objective: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common types of catheter associated hospital acquired infection. A lot of efforts are being done to reduce catheter-associated infection. Now a day’s catheters are being coated with noble alloys like silver, gold and palladium. This catheter prevents the sticking of bacteria and reduces the chances of infection. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at District Head Quarter Hospital Rawalpindi Neurosurgery Department for a period of 1 year from 1st March 2015 to 31st March 2016. A total of 30 patients of either sex were included in the study. Urine routine examination and urine culture was performed at the start of the study. Bactigaurd catheter was inserted under aseptic measures. After fourteen days of insertion catheter was removed and tip of the catheter was sent for urine culture and sensitivity. Frequency of Urinary Tract Infection was calculated based on the clinical features and urine culture and sensitivity report. Results A total of 30 patients were included in the study, among them 17 (56.66%) were males and 13 (43.33%) were females. Patient’s age ranged between 7-65 years with mean age of 37 years. Out of 30 patients, four patients (13.33%) had urinary tract infection. Conclusion: With use of Bactiguard catheter, the frequency of urinary tract infection was 13.33%. It is thus concluded that Bactiguard catheter should be used in patients requiring indwelling catheter to drain the urinary bladder.&nbsp

A Hybrid Approach to Measure Students’ Satisfaction on YouTube Educational Videos

Every aspect of life has undergone innovation in recent years. Information Technology has revolutionized the concept of teaching and learning. Both educators and students are now utilizing contemporary resources for learning and teaching. One of the primary sources of contemporary educational resources is educational videos posted on various channels on YouTube. This study intends to investigate the opinions voiced in YouTube comments for educational videos with the help of Sentiment Analysis. In this research, three techniques namely SentiStrength, TextBlob, and Naive Bayes Classifier were utilized to analyze the sentiments. According to the results, the majority of the remarks made about the videos have positive sentiments that concluded that students are satisfied with YouTube educational videos and consider YouTube as a beneficial learning tool