Psychological complications of polycystic ovarian syndrome and women’s health

Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 5-10% females of reproductive age worldwide. Recent research shows that this syndrome is associated with psychological upset and devastating effects on women′s mental health and wellbeing.  Lack of clinicians′ awareness of adverse psychological effects is a major concern in developing countries to provide standard care and to improve overall health outcomes.Purpose of study was to determine the frequency of anxiety and depression among women with PCOS in order to promote awareness among clinicians about psychological complications of disease.Methods: Present study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology/ University Medical and Dental College, from October 2018 to March 2019. Sixty patients with diagnosis of PCOD and sixty participants without this disease were included in the study. Participants having other endocrine or metabolic disorders were excluded from study. Hospital anxiety and depression scale was used to detect anxiety and depression among both groups. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis. Chi- square test was applied to compare prevalence of anxiety and depression in both groups, p-value ˂0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results: Women having PCOD exhibited statistically significant prevalence of anxiety (78.3% vs 35%) and depression (60% vs 30%) with p value of 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively.Conclusions: It is highly recommended that initial evaluation of these patients should include assessment of psychological domain of disease to provide more comprehensive treatment to improve overall health related quality of life

Biofilm Forming Bacteria Isolated from Medical Implants

Background: Biofilm formation in indwelling medical devices poses serious risk of infection and increases the likelihood of  recurrence of infections. The study was carried out to identify the microbes which form biofilms on medical implants and are thus involved in nosocomial infections, to assess the potential of biofilm producing ability of these isolated microbes and to determine antibiotic resistance towards ampicillin, vancomycin ceftazidime, streptomycin and tetracycline.Methods: For this, 11 samples of 5 different implants were taken from Tertiary Care Hospital Multan, Pakistan. Bacteria were isolated and identified by culture plate method. Tryptone soy broth (TBS) media was used for biofilm development by microbes in plastic tubes. Developed biofilm in tubes was visualized with crystal violet staining method and then biofilm forming potential was estimated by measuring the optical density through spectrophotometer. Antibiotic susceptibility was done by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method to determine the resistance and susceptibility pattern of biofilm producers.Results: Out of 11 different samples of indwelling medical devices, a total of 131 bacterial strains were isolated. The percentage of bacterial isolates which produced biofilms were Staphylococcus spp. (41%) followed by Escherichia coli (18%), Pseudomonas spp. (4%), Proteus spp. (7.2%), Klebsiella spp. (8.6%), Bacillus spp. (8.6%), Fusobacterium spp. (1.4%) Clostridium spp.(1.4%), Enterococcus spp. (7.2%) and Neisseria spp. (1.4%). Sixty-nine isolates were considered positive for biofilm formation while 58 were considered negative. The resistance was maximum against ampicillin (42%) followed by ceftazidime (17.1%), tetracycline (34%) and streptomycin (30%) while against vancomycin no resistance was observed.Conclusion: Biofilms produced on medical implants by different bacteria are considered to be the major cause of hospital acquired infections and are very difficult to eradicate. These biofilms associated implant infections are challenging to treat because of their resistance towards various antibiotic therapies. Therefore, some efficient methods of prevention of biofilm formation should be introduced.Keywords: Bacterial biofilms; Biofilm associated infections; Medical implants; Hospital acquired infections; Antibiotic resistance  

Oral versus intravenous maternal hydration in isolated third trimester oligohydramnios

Background: To study the effect of oral and intravenous maternal hydration in patients with isolated oligohydramnios in terms of mean change in amniotic fluid.Methods: A total number of 38 patients included in the study which fulfill the selection criteria.  Patients were randomly divided in two groups. Amniotic fluid index (AFI) of all patients was measured before the hydration therapy according to the method of Phelan et al.  In maternal oral hydration (Group A), every patient was instructed to drink two liters of water over two hours daily for 1 week. In intravenous hydration (Group B), every woman infused two liters of 0.9% normal saline in two hour daily for 1 week. After 48 hours and 1 week of oral and intravenous hydration, the AFI was reassessed by the same observer. Patients were monitored closely for sign and symptoms of fluid overload. Data was stratified for mean difference in improvement in amniotic fluid index.Results: After oral hydration therapy AFI was 5.926±0.4593 after 48 hours and 8.286±0.6000 after 7 days in Group A. In Group B AFI was 5.784±0.4622 after 48 hours and 7.868±0.2810 after 7 days of intravenous hydration. P value after 48 hours is 0.348 and p=0.014 after 7 days means oral hydration therapy significantly increase amniotic fluid index.Conclusions: Oral maternal hydration significantly increase the amniotic fluid index in patients with isolated oligohydramnios. It is simple, safe and non-invasive method

Vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant females

Background: Maternal vitamin D insufficiency has been linked with increased risk of preeclampsia. Despite this, the evidence regarding the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in preventing preeclampsia is controversial. The aim of study was to collate the incidence of preeclampsia in high-risk females with vitamin D supplementation versus placebo.Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Madinah Teaching Hospital affiliated with University Medical and Dental College Faisalabad. The study was collected over one year from July 2019 to June 2020. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Patients in group-A were given vitamin D supplementation of 600 IU daily. The control group (group-B) was given placebo. If blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mmHg and proteinuria found positive in urine, then preeclampsia was labeled (as per operational definition). Both groups were compared for preeclampsia by using Chi–square test. P value <0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The incidence of preeclampsia was 4% (n=2/150) in group A and 8% (n=6/150) in group B developed preeclampsia. The difference was (p value=0.3) insignificant difference.Conclusions: Vitamin D addition in pregnancy did not demonstrate a statistically significant effect of vitamin D on the prevention of preeclampsia

Ameliorative Effects of Two Forms of Pomegranate on Glomerular Transvertical Diameter in Steroid- Induced Kidney Damage in Mice

To observe the effects ofPomegranate juice (PJ) and Pomegranate peel extract(PPE) on glomerular transvertical diameter in steroidinduced mice kidney damage.Methods: In this experimental study forty healthyadult mice (BALB/c strain), average weighing 25-30gms were divided into four groups, having ten miceeach. Control group A received only standardlaboratory diet without alteration.Experimentalgroups B, C and D were injected ND (Nandrolonedecanoate) (1 mg/100 gm body weight),intramuscularly (I/M), in the hind limb once a weekfor 8 weeks. Experimental group C was also given PJ(3ml/kg body weight) by oral gavage tube daily for 8weeks and experimental group D was given PPE(200mg/kg body weight) through oral gavagetube,daily for 8 weeks.After the experimental period,the animals were sacrificed and both kidneys of allmice were obtained. Kidneys were processed,embedded and stained for histological study byusing Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and PeriodicAcid Schiff (PAS) stains. The results were compiledand compared.Results: After ND administration, glomerulardiameter was significantly reduced in experimentalgroup B when compared to control groupA.Protective effects were seen when comparison ofexperimental group B was done with PJ and PPEadministered experimental groups C and D,respectively. When results of experimental groups Cand D were compared with each other no statisticalsignificance was present.Conclusion: Both forms of Pomegranate hasameliorative effects on glomerular transverticaldiameter in steroid induced mice kidney disease

Design, synthesis and screening of indole acetic acid-based tri-azo moieties as antioxidants, anti-microbial and cytotoxic agents

Multidrug resistance and infectious disease have enormous spread despite drug discovery and development advancements. 1, 2, 4 -triazoles have been extensively studied, playing an imperative role in many pathologic conditions. A series of Schiff base triazoles; derived from Indole -3- acetic acid with substituted Benzaldehydes (5a-5g) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated through various Spectroanalytical techniques. SwissADME was used to assess physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic drug-likeliness behavior. (5a-5g) were evaluated for their varied biological potential through antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic evaluation. Schiff bases express drug-like nature as they follow Lipinski’s rule of five. 5b showed good antioxidant potential in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total reducing power (TRP) assays and was most active in the library in % free radical scavenging assay (%FRSA), showing 32% inhibition at 50 μg/mL concentration. Compounds showed antibacterial activity against various tested strains. 5e and 5f showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 3.12 μg/mL for P.aeruginosa and K.pneumoniae, respectively. In the antifungal assay, only 5e inhibited one strain with a zone of inhibition >6 mm. These synthetic molecules possess good cytotoxic potential in the Brine Shrimp Lethality screening; 5c, 5d, and 5f exhibited LC50 =5.7 μg/mL. In the protein kinase inhibition assay, 5a, 5b, and 5g demonstrated inhibitory potential, showcasing the zone of inhibition as 7.5–10.5 mm for the bald one and 6–7.5 for the clear zone. These findings suggest that the compounds have antibacterial and cytotoxic potential, and there is a chance for further research and development in this area

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Objective: To determine the sensitivity of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CARP) with the panel of antibiotics according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2020 guidelines. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Duration and Place of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from Pakistan, Apr to Sep 2020. Methodology: All samples received at the Microbiology Department during the study period were included. Various samples such as blood, pus, sputum, Endobronchial washing (EBW), non-directed bronchial lavage (NBL), tissue and urine were processed in the laboratory. Samples were inoculated on appropriate culture media, and bacteria were identified according to their colony morphology, Gram staining characteristics and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion technique according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2020 guidelines. However, for susceptibility to Colistin, the agar dilution method was performed. Results: In our study, fifty-five Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated. Out of these fifty-five isolates,thirteen (23.6%) were sensitive to Tazocin, seven (12.7%) were sensitive to Ceftazidime, fourteen (25.4%) were sensitive to Gentamicin, 7(12.7%) were sensitive to Cefepime, (12.7%) to Aztreonam, 10(18.2%) were sensitive to Amikacin, 7(12.7%) to Ciprofloxacin, 6(11%) to Levofloxacin and forty-two (76.4%) were sensitive to Colistin. Conclusion: The susceptibility of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa to all the antibiotics tested in this study was low. Isolates displayed the highest susceptibility to Colistin. Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility profile, Carbapenems, Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), Disk diffusion technique

Ceratophyllum demersum a Free-floating Aquatic Plant: A Review

Ceratophyllum demersum is a submerged perennial macrophyte normally grow with the base of its stem buried in sandy or silty substrates. It is typically found floating in stagnant and slow moving water. It is a fragile free-floating underwater rootless, but densely leafy, once a year or continuing freshwater aromatic plant, with leaves so crowded at the apices as to give the impression of a bushy animal tail, reproducing vegetatively and by seed. Hornwort flourishes in shaded, warm and gently flowing (1 cm per second) waters at a pH between 7.6 to 8.8, but does not tolerate turbidity or salinity. This plant oxygenates the water, provides food for aquatic herbivores, and rarely causes problems. The volatile oil, whole plant dry extract analysis by GC-MS, 78 components were detected. The major constituents extracted were hexahydro Acacia acetone content accounted for 16.9%, aldehydes and ketones accounted for 21.44%, terpenes accounted for 11.54%, ester hydrocarbons accounted for 20.06% and the other category accounted for 7.21%. Ceratophyllum demersum chemical composition systems pre-test tube method, found that the plant contains: flavonoids and glycosides, lactones, coumarin glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, sugars, tannins, amino acids, peptides, proteins volatile oil; may contain phenolic compounds, alkaloids; without cardiac glycosides. Decoction of leaf is used as a cardiotonic and to regulate bile secretion. Leaf juice is used to stop vomiting, as cooling agent. It is also used as antitoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiulcer, etc

Correlation of bronchial biopsy with bronchoalveolar lavage in lung malignancies

Background: Lung cancer is currently the most frequently diagnosed major cancer in the world and the most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide. It comprises about 17% of the total new cancer cases in males and 23% of the total cancer deaths. The objectives of this study were to compare bronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology and in the diagnosis of carcinoma lung. Study design was comparative study.Methods: The study was done in the Department of Pathology, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS), Srinagar, Kashmir. All patients clinically/radiologically suspected of lung malignancies who presented between April 2004 and May 2012 and underwent both bronchial biopsy and BAL were included in the study.Results: Out of a total of 902 clinically suspected cases of lung cancer tumor was found in 760 cases (84.25%) by biopsy   and in 301 cases (33.37%) by BAL. The total number of false positive cases was 31 and false negative cases were 490.Sensitivity of BAL was found to be 35.5% and specificity 78.16%.Conclusions: In the present study yield of diagnosis was highest with the bronchoscopic biopsies and in maximum number of cases, specific histologic diagnosis was made by biopsies only. Though BAL was inferior to bronchial biopsy in diagnosing lung malignancies but it was effective for peripheral lung malignancies and when the patient was at risk of hemorrhage.

A Review on Strong Impacts of Thermal Stress on Plants Physiology, Agricultural Yield; and Timely Adaptation in Plants to Heat Stress

In this review, we checked the harsh influence of high temperature or heat stress on plant metabolism and crop yield. Plants can bear a minimum range of temperature; temperature more than this optimum range comes in the term of heat stress. Climate changes increase the number and severity of heat waves that reduced the development of plants and resulted in the death of the entire plant. Heat stress is a major stressful environment that destroys plant growth, biochemical reactions, and the yield of crops across the world. High-temperature influences many physiological and chemical reactions in plants. HS is now a big deal for crop production and the essential goal of agriculture is to maintain a high yield of crops. A plant lives in the conditions of high temperature based on its capacity to receive the HT stimulus, generate and change the signal, and then initiate physiological and biochemical changes. The plants show physiological and biochemical responses to heat the stress, is an active area of research. To deal with HT, different molecular techniques are in progress. After thoroughly reviewed of the different discoveries on plants’ responses, adaptation, and forbearance to HT at the cellular, organelles, and entire plant levels, this article described several approaches that could be taken to increase thermo- forbearance in plants