Gene expression profiling of HCV genotype 3a initial liver fibrosis and cirrhosis patients using microarray

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver fibrosis that may lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and may partially depend on infecting viral genotype. HCV genotype 3a is being more common in Asian population, especially Pakistan; the detail mechanism of infection still needs to be explored. In this study, we investigated and compared the gene expression profile between initial fibrosis stage and cirrhotic 3a genotype patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Gene expression profiling of human liver tissues was performed containing more than 22000 known genes. Using Oparray protocol, preparation and hybridization of slides was carried out and followed by scanning with GeneTAC integrator 4.0 software. Normalization of the data was obtained using MIDAS software and Significant Microarray Analysis (SAM) was performed to obtain differentially expressed candidate genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 22000 genes studied, 219 differentially regulated genes found with <it>P </it>≤ 0.05 between both groups; 107 among those were up-regulated and 112 were down-regulated. These genes were classified into 31 categories according to their biological functions. The main categories included: apoptosis, immune response, cell signaling, kinase activity, lipid metabolism, protein metabolism, protein modulation, metabolism, vision, cell structure, cytoskeleton, nervous system, protein metabolism, protein modulation, signal transduction, transcriptional regulation and transport activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study on gene expression profiling in patients associated with genotype 3a using microarray analysis. These findings represent a broad portrait of genomic changes in early HCV associated fibrosis and cirrhosis. We hope that identified genes in this study will help in future to act as prognostic and diagnostic markers to differentiate fibrotic patients from cirrhotic ones.</p

Effectiveness of Mckenzie Traction and Exercises on Neck Pain Secondary to Upper Crossed Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES:  To examine the effects of McKenzie traction and exercises on neck pain, cervical ranges, functional activities and posture secondary to upper crossed syndrome. METHODS: Randomized control trial was conducted on patient of neck pain secondary to upper crossed syndrome from physical therapy setups of Lahore and Sargodha in total six months. 120 patients of 20-60 years’ age group were allocated in two groups (experimental and control), both contained 60 respondents, both groups received neck pain exercises with TENS for eight weeks, weekly three times and McKenzie traction and exercises were additionally received by experimental group. Partakers were assessed after eight weeks of treatment. Oswestry questionnaire was used for assessment, reed co scale and goniometer parameters, was used. RESULTS: Collected data was analyzed in SPSS 20. Independent sample t-test was applied to compare mean of quantitative data at the end of treatment in both groups. Mean pre-treatment Oswestry disability score in general exercise group and McKenzie group was 60.37 and 56.82 respectively (with p-value &gt; .05). Mean post treatment Oswestry disability score in general exercise group was 30.63 and in McKenzie group was 26.70 (with p-value.02). Mean pre-treatment flexion, extension, side flexion and rotation means in general group were 36.38, 47.10, 36.32, and 66.37 respectively whereas in McKenzie these values were 38.30, 45.47, 37.47 and 67.38 respectively (with p-value &gt; .05). CONCLUSION: Both general exercises and McKenzie treatment improved neck pain secondary to upper crossed syndrome, however the McKenzie treatment stood significantly better than general exercise. Keywords: Mckenzie Traction, Exercise, Neck Pain, Mckenzie Treatment, Syndrome DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/74-07 Publication date:May 31st 202

Attitude of Medical Students Towards Psychiatry in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Dearth of psychiatrist specialists is evident worldwide. Awareness of undergraduate students towards mental illness has an important role in affecting the quality of care the patient receives and in choosing  psychiatry as a career . Decision to specialize in psychiatry based on many factors, however attitude of undergraduates towards career choice play most important role in this aspect. Objective: This study aims to explore attitude and towards psychiatry among medical undergraduates in tertiary care hospital and factors influencing this decision. Methodology: It was Descriptive cross sectional study done at Nishtar medical University, tertiary care hospital of Multan Pakistan from July to December 2019. The total 384 students from first to final year were enrolled by non probability convenient sampling technique. Participation was voluntary and ensured that response would be kept anonymous. ATP-30 (Attitude towards Psychiatry)   a 30 item self- administered questionnaire was used to measure the attitude of medical students. Data collected on a pre defined questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results pertaining to rates were reported as frequencies and percentages. Result: 47.4% of study respondents were male and 52.6 % were female. 52.3% of our study respondents strongly agree that psychiatry was respected branch of medicine and 56.7% strongly agree that psychiatry should be an important part of medical curriculum. 19.4% of study respondents consider it in the list of the carrier choice while majority didn’t think that it should be in their career list options. Conclusion: Majority of students shows positive attitude. Mostly found it as respected and essential field of medicine. However insufficient knowledge and awareness can also be observed in responses pertaining to available treatment and advancement in the field. There is a need to revise the curriculum and clinical rotation schedule to raise interest of students  regarding  mental health issues of their community and ease their decision in choosing it as a career. Keywords: Attitude, Undergraduate medical students, Psychiatry, Multan, Pakistan DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/63-06 Publication date: January 31st 202

Hypoxic Preconditioning as a Strategy to Maintain the Regenerative Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are non-hematopoietic cells with high proliferative potential and multi-lineage differentiation capacity. MSCs are promising therapeutic candidates for cell-based therapies, and hundreds of clinical trials have been registered using these cells. Potential of stem cells is compromised with the factors such as disease condition and age of donor. Therefore, taking the cells from such patients for autologous use may compromise the benefits of cell-based therapies. It is therefore required to enhance the potential of these cells before use in stem cell-based therapies. Optimization of culture conditions is preferred strategies to enhance the regenerative potential of cells before use. This chapter briefly overviews the benefits of hypoxic preconditioning of stem cells to enhance the regenerative potential of cells in terms of their survival, proliferation, and differentiation

H2O2 Signature and Innate Antioxidative Profile Make the Difference Between Sensitivity and Tolerance to Salt in Rice Cells

Salt tolerance is a complex trait that varies between and within species. H2O2 profiles as well as antioxidative systems have been investigated in the cultured cells of rice obtained from Italian rice varieties with different salt tolerance. Salt stress highlighted differences in extracellular and intracellular H2O2 profiles in the two cell cultures. The tolerant variety had innate reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging systems that enabled ROS, in particular H2O2, to act as a signal molecule rather than a damaging one. Different intracellular H2O2 profiles were also observed: in tolerant cells, an early and narrow peak was detected at 5 min; while in sensitive cells, a large peak was associated with cell death. Likewise, the transcription factor salt-responsive ethylene responsive factor 1 (TF SERF1), which is known for being regulated by H2O2, showed a different expression profile in the two cell lines. Notably, similar H2O2 profiles and cell fates were also obtained when exogenous H2O2 was produced by glucose/glucose oxidase (GOX) treatment. Under salt stress, the tolerant variety also exhibited rapid upregulation of K+ transporter genes in order to deal with K+/Na+ impairment. This upregulation was not detected in the presence of oxidative stress alone. The importance of the innate antioxidative profile was confirmed by the protective effect of experimentally increased glutathione in salt-treated sensitive cells. Overall, these results underline the importance of specific H2O2 signatures and innate antioxidative systems in modulating ionic and redox homeostasis for salt stress tolerance

The association of glutathione S-transferase GSTT1 and GSTM1 gene polymorphism with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma in a Pakistani population

Contains fulltext : 88996.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) in a group of Pakistani patients. METHODS: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was used to study the GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms in 165 PEXG patients and 162 unaffected controls. RESULTS: In the current study we describe a significant gender-specific association of GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes with PEXG. The three null genotype combinations (i.e., T1M0, T0M1, and T0M0) were found at significantly higher frequencies in the PEXG patients as compared to the controls (chi(2)=21.82, p0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there is a significant involvement of the GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms in female Pakistani patients having PEXG, which suggests a possible gender-specific impairment of detoxification in this group

Ziziphus mauritiana leaf extract emulsion for skin rejuvenation

Purpose: To formulate stable water in oil (W/O) emulsion containing hydroalcoholic crude extract of Ziziphus mauritiana leaves for skin rejuvenation.Methods: Placebo (base) without any plant extract and formulation with 4 % Ziziphus mauritiana extract were prepared by mixing. Samples of the emulsions were subjected to varying storage conditions, i.e., 8, 25, 40 oC and 40 oC + 75 % relative humidity for a period of 4 weeks to predict their stability. During this period, stability parameters, including liquefaction, phase separation, color, electrical conductivity, centrifugation and pH were monitored at specified time intervals. Skin rejuvenation was evaluated using 13 healthy human volunteers over a period of 8 weeks. During this period, various skin parameters such as erythema, melanin level, moisture content, elasticity and sebum content of the skin were evaluated at specified intervals.Results: Both the active formulation and placebo were stable in terms of liquifaction, phase separation and color at all the storage conditions of temperature and humidity. Active formulation showed statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) improvement in skin melanin as well as in skin moisture and sebum levels, whereas these properties were reduced or even absent in the placebo formulation (p &gt; 0.05). Both active and placebo formulations changed skin elasticity and erythema significantly (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: İt is evident from the findings that the leaf extract of Ziziphus mauritiana possesses antiaging properties as well as exert skin lightening, moisturizing and viscoelastic effects on human skin.Keywords: Ziziphus mauritiana, Melanin, Erythema, Sebum, Skin-tlightening, Moistirizing, Anti-agin

Cerebellar Manifestation Secondary To Rectal Neoplasia

The condition known as paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is among the most disabling examples of a cancer\u27s remote effects. Serology for paraneoplastic antibodies, clinical suspicion, and a targeted search for malignancy all play a role in the diagnosis. Tests for neuronal autoantibodies aid in diagnosis and point the way for the search for malignancy. Unfortunately, even with an early diagnosis, existing therapeutic approaches only have little success. Here we present the case of a young male who developed cerebellar syndrome secondary to rectal neoplasia

Growth, yield and quality attributes of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) genotypes grown under different planting dates in a semi-arid region of Pakistan

Guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) is grown in semi-arid regions worldwide as a forage, vegetable, and green manure crop. An experiment was conducted to evaluate growth, forage yield and nutritional quality of guar genotypes grown under different sowing dates. To this end, seven genotypes, viz., Desi Punjab, Farmi Punjab, Desi Sindh, Farmi Sindh, BR-90, BR-2017 and Baluchistan were grown at three sowing times (mid-May, late-May and early-June) during the two years 2020 and 2021. Results showed that maximum leaf area and pods per plant were recorded in genotype Farmi Punjab, while maximum fresh and dry forage yield were archived in genotype ‘BR-90’. Similarly, maximum crude protein in the forage and gum content in mature seeds, were also recorded in BR-90. In addition, mid-May was proved to be the best sowing time for guar genotypes studied in view of achieving maximum morphological traits, fresh and dry forage yield and forage quality, compared to later planting times. Moreover, late sowing caused reduction in yield and other related attributes. It is perceived that synthetic guar variety BR-90 and planting time at mid-May are the best for semi-arid region of Punjab, Pakistan

Effect of combined siRNA of HCV E2 gene and HCV receptors against HCV

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Aim</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major threat as almost 3% of the world's population (350 million individual) and 10% of the Pakistani population is chronically infected with this virus. RNA interference (RNAi), a sequence-specific degradation process of RNA, has potential to be used as a powerful alternative molecular therapeutic approach in spite of the current therapy of interferon-α and ribavirin against HCV which has limited efficiency. HCV structural gene E2 is mainly involved in viral cell entry via attachment with the host cell surface receptors i.e., CD81 tetraspanin, low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1), and Claudin1 (CLDN1). Considering the importance of HCV E2 gene and cellular receptors in virus infection and silencing effects of RNAi, the current study was designed to target the cellular and viral factors as new therapeutic options in limiting HCV infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study the potential of siRNAs to inhibit HCV-3a replication in serum-infected Huh-7 cells was investigated by combined treatment of siRNAs against the HCV E2 gene and HCV cellular receptors (CD81 and LDLR), which resulted in a significant decrease in HCV viral copy number.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>From the current study it is concluded that the combined RNAi-mediated silencing of HCV E2 and HCV receptors is important for the development of effective siRNA-based therapeutic option against HCV-3a.</p