Daily Living Tasks Affected by Sensory and Motor Problems in Children with Autism Aged 5-12 Years

Background:Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder faces sensory and motor problems (Vestibular, proprioceptive, Tactile, Auditory and visual processing). Due to these problems, individuals faces difficulties in performing their daily task properly. Objective(s):The objective of this study was to determine how daily living (DL) tasks affected in children with  autism Spectrum disorder having sensory and motor problems aged 5-12 years. Methodology:The study conducted in Rehab care school for special children and Hamza Montessori School for special children. Data was collected by using purposing sampling technique in the duration of 4 months. Cross sectional study design was used. 60 patients from both genders were included. Sample selection criteria included the children with autism spectrum disorder with age range of 05-12 years. Sensory profile questionnaire based on Ayers sensory integration theory and Standardized Barthel index scale were used and the data was analyzed by SPSS to determine how daily living task are affected by sensory and motor problems. Results:The results showed that Tactile and auditory processing disorders were highly affecting the performance of the children. About 70% of these individuals were having problems in performing their daily living tasks. Conclusion(s):It was concluded that most of the children with autism spectrum disorder have sensory and motor problems. The performance in activities of daily living is affected by sensory and motor problems especially the tactile and auditory processing. Tactile processing shows that children have difficulty in performing activities like dressing, eating and toileting. Keywords: ASD, DL, Sensory and motor problems DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/92-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

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

Compare the Level of Satisfaction Among Smart Phone and Traditional Hearing Aids Users

Hearing is crucial for human life, it undertakes a important job in dissertation and linguistic development, which is the fundamental device for the advancement of human correspondence. People with hearing impedance may endure extreme misfortune in their social, mental and proficient lives, dread, misery, disengagement and further more family strains as a result of the absence of consideration influencing those with hearing disorders.  Objective: To compare the level of Satisfaction between smart phone hearing aids and traditional hearing aids users.  Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted among Hearing aids users with smart phone hearing aids and traditional hearing aids using purposive sampling technique .SADL (Satisfaction with amplification in daily life) was used to measure the satisfaction level between smart phone hearing aids users and traditional hearing aids users.100 applicants by moderate to severe senserineural hearing loss of age range from 18 years to 35 years recommended for hearing aids fitting were included in this research by their consent. Data for this research was collected from Sialkot, Lahore, Narowal, Gujranwala, Pakistan. The data of 100 participants were analyzed through SPSS version 25.O and P-value less than 0.05was considered significant.  Results: A total number of 100 participants were included under which there were 50 males and 50 females.. Out of 100, 53(53%) participants belong to age group of (26+35) years and 47(47%) participants belong to age group of (18+26) years. The participants who were using traditional hearing aids, there the level of satisfaction was 48.0±3.915 and the level of satisfaction in the participants who were using smart phone hearing aids was 53.95±4.17. Smart phone hearing aids users were more satisfied than traditional hearing aids users. Conclusion: It was concluded that smart phone hearing aids users have more satisfaction level as compare to traditional hearing aids users. Keywords: Audiologist, Audible range, Hearing loss, Smart phone Hearing aids, Traditional hearing aids. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/69-05 Publication date: December 31st 201

Immunolocalization of neurokinin 1 receptor in WHO grade 4 astrocytomas, oral squamous cell and urothelial carcinoma

Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) induces inflammatory reactions in peripheral tissues but its regulatory effects in target tissues is dependent on receptor signalling. Substance P (SP) has a high affinity for the NK-1R, to which it binds preferentially. We aimed to investigate the expression of NK-1R in World Health Organization (WHO) grade 4 astrocytomas as well as in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and urothelial carcinoma, and its association with disease progression.The study included tissue samples from 19 brain astrocytomas, 40 OSCCs and 10 urothelial carcinomas. NK-1R expression was quantitatively assessed in the tumour cells using immunohistochemistry. The relationship between NK-1R expression in astrocytomas and recurrence-free interval has been explored.The results showed that the NK-1R was intensely expressed in patients with WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, OSCC and urothelial carcinoma. However, cases clinically diagnosed as a low-grade cancer showed reduced NK-1R expression.NK-1R is overexpressed in all cases of WHO grade 4 astrocytoma, OSCC and urothelial carcinoma. The ubi-quitous presence of SP/NK-1R complex during tumour development and progression suggests a possible therapeutic key strategy to use NK-1R antagonist as an adjuvant therapy in the future

In silico transcriptional regulation and functional analysis of dengue shock syndrome associated SNPs in PLCE1 and MICB genes

YesSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PLCE1 and MICB genes increase risk for the development of dengue shock syndrome (DSS). We used Bioinformatics tools to predict alterations at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels driven by PLCE1 and MICB SNPs associated with DSS. Functional and phenotypic analysis conducted to determine deleterious SNPs and impact of amino acid substitution on the structure and function of proteins identified rs2274223 (H1619R) as deleterious to protein coding as it induces structural change in the C2 domain of PLCε, with the mutant residue more positively charged than the wild-type residue (RMSD score, 1.75 Å).Moreover, rs2274223 condenses the chromatinrepressing PLCε expression in DSS. Briefly, this study presents the impact of a single nucleotide transition at SNPs associated with DSS on differential protein binding patterns with PLCE1 and MICB genes and on protein structure modification and their possible role in the pathogenesis of DSS

Enhanced Neurokinin-1 Receptor Expression Is Associated with Human Dental Pulp Inflammation and Pain Severity

Substance P (SP) is a peptide involved in many biological processes, including nociception and inflammation. SP has a high affinity for its receptor neurokinin-1 (NK-1R). SP/NK-1R complex plays a major role in the interactions going on during the onset of dental pain and inflammation. Objective. To identify the expression of NK-1R in healthy and inflamed human dental pulp, as well as to identify any association with severity of dental pain. Methods. This case-control study included ten irreversibly inflamed samples of dental pulp, which were extirpated from patients presenting with chief complaint of dental pain due to caries. Ten healthy pulps, extirpated from those teeth which were indicated for extraction due to orthodontic reasons, were used as the control group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and modified McGill Pain Questionnaire were used to assess the characteristic and severity of pain. Immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies against NK-1R. Results. The results showed that the NK-1R was expressed intensely in patients with higher pain score. The mean pain score in cases was 7.0±2.0. The healthy dental pulps had negative or mild NK-1R staining of +1 intensity. The NK-1R score in cases was 2.4±0.516 and 0.2±0.4216 in controls. There was significant difference in NK-1R score between both groups (p value <0.05). There was a strong positive correlation between the pain score and NK-1R expression score. As the pain increased, the NK-1R expression score was also increased (0.95∗∗, p value 0.000). Conclusions. NK-1R is overexpressed in inflamed dental pulp. SP/NK-1R modulation may provide a novel approach for the treatment of pulpal inflammation and pain

Deciphering the genetics of antagonism and antimicrobial resistance in Bacillus velezensis HU-91 by whole genome analysis

Bacillus species are well reported plant growth promoting rhizobacteria which play an important role in improving soil fertility, nutrient recycling, and controlling phytopathogens. Their use as biocontrol agents is an ecofriendly strategy but being a rhizospheric community, they could harbor antimicrobial resistance genes. In current study, rhizobacteria were isolated from the mono cropped wheat. Ten out of 50 isolates showed antifungal activity against Fusarium spp., economically important pathogens of wheat. The strain HU-91 with highest antifungal activity showed the biochemical traits of lipopeptide production. It also resisted multiple antibiotics of different classes (index ≥ 0.2) and was categorized as multidrug resistant bacteria. The strain HU-91 was identified as Bacillus velezensis based on its 16S rRNA homology (99 %). Whole genome analysis of B. velezensis HU-91 revealed 76 contigs with a total length of 3,952,697 bp, GC content 46.3 %, and a total of 3912 genes. Functional classification of genome predicted genes involved in drug resistance, and antagonism. A detailed genome analysis identified CAZymes and 10 biosynthetic gene clusters involved in antagonism. Various antimicrobial resistance genes associated with the resistance to different antimicrobial classes such as β lactams, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, sulfonamides, and lincosamides were also found in the genome of HU-91. Furthermore, HU-91 lacked plasmid but harbored a well-developed CRISPR Cas system. The underlying mechanisms involved in the antimicrobial resistance were depicted as intrinsic based on the genes encoding production of antibiotics degrading enzymes and efflux pumps. These findings depict that HU-91 adapts the intrinsic mechanisms of drug resistivity to tolerate environmental stress. The lack of plasmid and presence of CRISPR Cas system advocate its safety to be used as bioinoculant

Polyphenolic characterization and evaluation of multimode antioxidant, cytotoxic, biocompatibility and antimicrobial potential of selected ethno-medicinal plant extracts

Introduction: Scientific evidence about biological profile of natural products can support their traditional uses. The current work was aimed to assess phytochemical and biological profile of nine medicinal plants collected from Herbalists. Methods: Extracts prepared in different solvents were subjected to phytochemical, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. Reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis was performed for the quantification of polyphenols. Results: Results showed methanol extract (M) being potent as compared to others. Gentian lutea M showed maximum extract recovery (15.00 ± 0.11 % w/w) and TFC (30.82 ± 0.21 μg QE/mg extract). Nigella sativa M displayed highest TPC (44.99 ± 0.43 μg GAE/mg extract) and TAC (334.72 ± 0.35 μg AAE/ mg extract). Results showed noteworthy quantities of vanillic acid, rutin, kaempferol, emodin in ethyl acetate (EA) and methanol (M) extracts of plants assessed by RP-HPLC. Gentisic acid was highest (11.75 µg/mg extract) in T. arjuna M extract. Similarly, maximum %FRSA (82.28 ± 0.03 %) and TRP (160.40 ± 0.38 μg AAE/ mg extract) were depicted by Terminalia chebula and Chamomilla recutita, respectively. Moreover, Mentha longifolia and G. lutea M demonstrated noteworthy (p < 0.05) antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (14 ± 0.7 mm) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12 ± 0.3 mm), respectively. Curcuma amada, C. recutita, Murraya koenigii and G. lutea M had significant α-glucosidase activity. Another good solvent for extraction was ethyl acetate (EA), whose extracts were secondary to methanol in producing significant biological profile. For example, EA of N. sativa (TPC: 1.46 ± 0.45 µg GAE/ mg extract), G. lutea (TRP: 160.33 ± 0.52 μg AAE/mg extract: ZOI of 12 ± 0.5 mm in K. pneumoniae) and Mormodica charantia (α-amylase inhibition: 39.5 ± 0.10 %) showed significant bioactivities. All extracts displayed mild antifungal protein kinase inhibition activities and were significantly (greater than80 %: p < 0.05) cytotoxic to brine shrimps with negligible hemolytic activity. Conclusion: Briefly, variable polarity solvent extracts of studied plants will be processed for isolation of antioxidant, cytotoxic, carbohydrate enzyme inhibitory and antibacterial compounds

Carvacrol derivatives as mushroom tyrosinase inhibitors; synthesis, kinetics mechanism and molecular docking studies

<div><p>The present work describesthe development of highly potent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitor better than the standard kojic acid. Carvacrol derivatives <b>4a-f</b> and <b>6a-d</b> having substituted benzoic acid and cinnamic acidresidues were synthesized with the aim to possess potent tyrosinase inhibitory activity.The structures of the synthesized compounds were ascertained by their spectroscopic data (FTIR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR and Mass Spectroscopy).Mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was determined and it was found that one of the derivative <b>6c</b> possess higher activity (IC₅₀ 0.0167μM) than standard kojic acid (IC₅₀ 16.69μM). The derivatives <b>4c</b> and <b>6b</b> also showed good tyrosinase inhibitory activity with (IC₅₀ 16.69μM) and (IC₅₀ 16.69μM) respectively.Lineweaver—Burk and Dixon plots were used for the determination of kinetic mechanism of the compounds <b>4c</b> and <b>6b</b> and <b>6c</b>. The kinetic analysis revealed that compounds <b>4c</b> and <b>6b</b> showed mixed-type inhibition while <b>6c</b> is a non-competitive inhibitor having <i>Ki</i> values19 μM, 10 μM, and 0.05 μMrespectively. The enzyme inhibitory kinetics further showed thatcompounds <b>6b</b> and <b>6c</b> formed irreversible enzyme inhibitor complex while <b>4c</b> bind reversibly with mushroom tyrosinase.The docking studies showed that compound <b>6c</b> have maximum binding affinity against mushroom tyrosinase (PDBID: 2Y9X) with binding energy value (-7.90 kcal/mol) as compared to others.The 2-hydroxy group in compound <b>6c</b> interacts with amino acid HIS85 which is present in active binding site. The wet lab results are in good agreement with the dry lab findings.Based upon our investigation we may propose that the compound <b>6c</b> is promising candidate for the development of safe cosmetic agent.</p></div