Review: Potential of Stem Cells as Regenerative Medicines

Regenerative medicines are used to restore the normal function of the damaged organs and tissues to repair them or replace them with functional ones by using a complex surgical process. Limited number of the organ donors as well as the complex surgical procedure turned this field to use an alternative way. The best alternative way is to use the stem cells. Stem cells are the cells that have self renewal capacity as well as have capability to differentiate into specialized and specific cell lineages to repair or replace the damaged tissue or organ. So, the problems that are faced during transplantation are overcome by using stem cells. There are a number of sources of stem cells and their differentiation abilities are vary according to their sources such as some cells give rise to all cell types while some are not. Sources of stem cells are embryo, adipose tissues, amniotic fluid, bone marrow etc. and cell type specific stem cells such as dental pulp stem cells etc. Stem cells have proved their importance and potential as regenerative medicines form fatal diseases such as damaging of heart, kidney, lung and liver to less fatal diseases such as osteoporosis and damaging of teeth. Stem cells also used in the enhancement of aesthetic value of a person by plastic or reconstructive surgery. Paracrine factors and the surrounding environment also have impact on the working of stem cells. Keywords: Regenerative medicines, stem cells,differentiatio

Review: Potential of Stem Cells as Regenerative Medicines against Liver Diseases

Liver is a vital gland that performs various essential functions in the human body. Injury due to infection, genetic, chemical and physical defects is the major cause in the deterioration of the functions of liver. Only successful treatment for this problem was the transplantation but transplantation has some limitations including shortage of the donor. Regenerative medicines based on stem cells therapies have proved as a best alternative treatment procedure. Stem cells play a key role in the recovery of the normal function of liver. This is done by repairing or by regenerating the liver cells. Some types of stem cells also play a role to protect the liver cells from rejection in a transplantation process or regenerative process by suppressing the immune response or by anti inflammatory activity such as mesenchymal stem cells. This makes the stem cells based therapies successful. Many types of stem cells have been reported to regenerate or repair the liver. Liver itself also has three types of stem cells that are specific to regenerate the liver cells. Recently, work was performed on human dental pulp stem cells to cure liver diseases. Another use of the stem cells is to develop the bioartificial liver devices as well as they play a significant role in the screening of the effective drugs against liver diseases. They also play a role to understand the pathways of the diseases by developing the disease models in the laboratory. This review summarize that regenerative medicines based on the stem cells are the future to cure any type of liver injury with a high rate of success. Keywords: Regenerative medicines, Stem Cells. Cell therapies, Liver treatmen

Outcome of Manual Traction in Patients with Cervicogenic Dizziness and Neck Pain

Objective:  Symptoms of cervicogenic dizziness include instability, unsteadiness, confusion, neck soreness, and limited cervical range of motion (ROM). We evaluated the outcome of manual traction in patients presenting with dizziness and neck pain. Materials and Methods:   50 patients included who had dizziness and neck pain with a reduced range of cervical motion. Patients had sessions of manual traction after pre-treatment evaluation. Patients included in the study after history and physical examination were sent to the otorhinology department to rule out the vestibular cause of dizziness.  Patients were sent to the Physiotherapy department for manual traction. Pain and dizziness were assessed from VAS and DHI scores. Results:  There were 28 male and 22 female patients. The mean age of the patients was 23.92 ± 11.39 years. The mean VAS scores (dizziness) were 46, 31, and 14 before treatment, at one week, and at one month, respectively. The mean VAS scores (pain) were 40, 21, and 8 before treatment, at one week, and at one month, respectively. The mean DHI scores (for dizziness disability) were 47.5, 34, and 21, at one week and at one month, respectively. There existed a significant difference (p < 0.00001) between the VAS and DHI scores before the treatment and post-treatment of follow-up at one week and at one month. Conclusion:  Patients with cervicogenic dizziness who were treated with manual traction improved considerably in terms of dizziness severity, pain relief, and a low score on the dizziness handicap index, indicating better psychological and functional well-being. Keywords:  Cervicogenic Dizziness (CGD), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Manual Traction Protocol

Analysis of morphological traits in different host plants associated with resistance to Phenacoccus solenopsis- an invasive pest in Pakistan

Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera) is a sucking insect pest and is polyphagous in nature. Twenty five (25) different host plants were screened against P. solenopsis and their  physicomorphic traits were determined to correlate their role against pest population. Among the tested plant species, most favorable host plants of mealy bug on the basis of population were Gossypium hirsutum (69.74±10.5), Solamum melongena (62.41±10.0), Helianthus annuus (61.83±10.0), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (61.1±10.0) and Lantana camara (55.83±9.75), but the least preferred plants were tandla Digera arvensis (1.57±1.00) and Conyza bonariensis (3.83±1.75). Significant variations were observed in all the morphological plant characters recorded from different plant species. The maximum leaf thickness per plant was 2.04±0.23 ìm in plant species S. melongena while minimum thickness of leaf was recorded from lehli (0.25±0.02 ìm). Maximum trichome density per plant was 444±72.4 in sunflower followed by 411.6±19.6, 399±52, 391.6±22.0, in C. bonariensis, Abelmoschus esculentus and Withania somnifera respectively but minimum were 2.33±1.45 in Chinopodium morale, followed by 2.66±1.4, and 3±2.08 in Portulaca oleracea and Trianthema portulacastrum respectively. The maximum hair length per plant (2.62±0.07 mm) was of sunflower followed by 2.55±0.03 mm in okra, 2.53±0.06 mm in both S. melongena and G. hirsutum. It was concluded that plant characters including trichome density and hair length favor mealy bug population showing r-values of 0.357* and 0.190 respectively but leaf size and leaf width (leaf area and leaf thickness) exerted negative effect on pest population showing r-values of -0.172 and -0.285 respectively.Key words: Phenacoccus solenopsis, invasive species, physicomorphic traits, resistance

Human Gait Recognition Subject to Different Covariate Factors in a Multi-View Environment

Human gait recognition system identifies individuals based on their biometric traits. A human’s biometric features can be grouped into physiologic or behavioral traits. Biometric traits, such as the face [1], ears [2], iris [3], finger prints, passwords, and tokens, require highly accurate recognition and a well-controlled human interaction to be effective. In contrast, behavioral traits such as voice, signature, and gait do not require any human interaction and can be collected in a hidden and non-invasive mode with a camera system at a low resolution. In comparison with other physiological traits, one of the main advantages of gait analysis is the collection of data from a certain distance. However, gait is less powerful than physiological traits, yet it still has widespread application in surveillance for unfavorable situations. From traditional algorithms to deep learning models, a gait survey provides a detailed history of gait recognition

Determinants of Anxiety in Amputees Owed to Traumatic & Non-Traumatic Causes in Quetta

Objective: To find out the causes and factors of anxiety among amputees suffering from traumatic and non-traumatic causes. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Quetta from the month of May 2018 to July 2018. This study included those clients with amputations as a result of Traumatic & non-traumatic causes and the data was collected from them. This study involved a total of 54 participants. All amputees who visited the three Physical Rehabilitation Centre were included during data collection process. A structured adopted questionnaire using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) according to the inclusion & exclusion criteria & then tabularized and analyzed by applying Chi square test. Results: This study involved a total of 54 participants of whom 7(13%) were females and 47(87%) males. Among amputees 36(66.7 %), amputations were due to Traumatic injuries and 18(33.3%) were due to non-traumatic amputations. In traumatic, the majority was due to RTA with 25(46.3 %) and in non-traumatic causes diabetes stood first with 13(24.1%) amputation. Traumatic are more anxious than non-traumatic. There is a significant relationship between marital status and anxiety level (p-value 0.047). Statistically significant relationships between amputation and anxiety level were noticed, p value=0.049. Conclusion: Amputation has a significant association with anxiety level. Traumatic experiences make people feel more anxious than non-traumatic ones. Socio-demographics has association with levels of anxiety. It is recommended to do regular or annual screening of these patients following amputation

Invitro antimicrobial efficiency of Lawsonia inermis L (Henna) extracts against Multidrug Resistant Microorganisms

Abstract Antibiotics are becoming less effective as drug resistance spreads throughout the world, making it ever more difficult to treat the disease. The effect of biotic stress on antimicrobial activity of Lawsonia inermis L. (Henna) was studied as an alternate to antimicrobial agents against multidrug resistant microorganisms. The study was carried out in Molecular Biochemistry Lab, Department of Biochemistry, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The plant seedlings were given biotic stress with Fusarium solani. The induced extracts were harvested at different time intervals and the antimicrobial activity was investigated by disc diffusion method. The induced plant extracts revealed highest susceptibility against S. aureus (30±0.02) and Pasteurella multocida (30±0.01) at 12 hpi. The least activity was shown against all the strains at 0 hpi. The highest antifungal activity was found against Ganoderma lucidum (55±0.05) at 24 hpi. The results demonstrated a significant difference in the antimicrobial activities of all the strains with and without fungal stress (P<0.05). The fungal induced extracts of Lawsonia inermis L (Henna) with enhanced antimicrobial activity may have the potential of being alternative and cost- effective agents against antimicrobial resistance

Variables predictive of outcome in patients with acute hypercapneic respiratory failure treated with noninvasive ventilation.

Objective: To assess results with NIV in acute hypercapneic respiratory failure and to identify outcome predictors. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study on consecutive patients presenting with acute type II respiratory failure and meeting criteria for NIV use over a 5 year period. Patients presenting with haemodynamic instability, inability to protect their airway, malignant arrhythmias and recent oesophageal surgery were excluded. Univariate and Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the impact on survival. A p value of \u3c 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Software used was SPSS 14. Results: Total numbers of patients included were 119; 52.9% were males. Mean age was 63.4 ± 11.9 years. Overall Survival to discharge rate was 76.5%, intubation rate was 12.6% and mean length of stay was 11.4 ± 10.9 days. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the pH and PaCO2 at 24 hours and 48 hours compared to baseline (7.28 v/s 7.37, p\u3c0.001; 74.2 v/s 65, p\u3c0.001). On multivariate regression analysis, sepsis at admission predicted mortality (adjusted Odds ratio 26.4; 95% CI 2.3, 304, p \u3c 0.009). A serum HCO3 \u3e 35 Meq/L (adjusted Odds ratio 0.9; 95% CI 0.83, 0.98, p \u3c 0.015) identified those less at risk for intubation. Conclusion: NIV was found to be both safe and effective in the management of acute hypercapneic respiratory failure. Sepsis and serum HCO3 at admission identified patients having poor outcome

Biosecurity and Biosafety concerns of Research and diagnostic Laboratory under International Guidelines

Currently, academic research labs and diagnostic laboratories are facing a serious issue of biosecurity and biosafety globally. The high rate of mutations and continuous new emerging infectious diseases with the risk of bioterrorism demands that each lab personnel share equal responsibility for biosecurity & biosafety at their work. The primary job of government authorities is to implement a well-organized detection system and limit the spread of hazardous biological agents by providing a biologically safe setting for lab scientists and for the common man in communities and institutes. The safety of lab personnel, lab environment, and pathogens depends on effective and safe laboratory working and pathogen handling which determines the reliable and accurate results of laboratory experiments. The aim of this article is to address the basic components of laboratory biosafety, laboratory biosecurity, and laboratory management. Further DURC (dual-use research of concern) deals with the commencement of lawful reasons to generate information, knowledge, technology, and products that are used for either harmful or beneficial purposes. The precautions are taken to ensure laboratory biosecurity and biosafety should be a part of the laboratory safety policy manual for guidance and implementation for a safe laboratory environment.Keywords: Antioxidants; tomato; lycopene; β-carotene; reactive oxygen species (ROS)