A REVIEW ON IMMUNOPATHOGENESIS OF VTILIGO

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disease of the skin and mucosa caused due to the destruction of the melanocytes. The white patch leads to social stigma in society and psychological stress in vitiligo patients. The etiopathogenesis of vitiligo is complex interplay of multiple genetic risk factors, environmental factors, neural factors, auto cytotoxicity, oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species, immunological factors, anti-melanocytes and organ-specific auto-antibodies mediated by autoreactive T lymphocytes in a genetically susceptible person. Hence, it is termed polygenic and multifactorial. All these factors, either alone or mixed leads to melanocytes death in a susceptible person leading to formation of depigmented patch. This review is an overview of the different pathomechanism involved in vitiligo

Synthetic studies in tecoma stans alkaloids and related compounds

The chemistry of Tecoma stans and cyclopentanoid monoterpene alkaloids is reviewed. A brief review of the chemistry of the related compounds and of 9-azasteroids is also included. Several methods for the construction of a perhydropyrindane system have been investigated. A synthesis of 2:4-dimethyl-l:2:3:4:5:7-hexahydro-6H-2-pyrindin-2-one is given, together with the syntheses of l:5-dimethyl-3-carboethoxy-4-piperidone and N-phenyl-3-carbomethoxy-4-piperidone. Alkylation of the basic keto-esters (e.g. 1:5-dimethyl-3-carbo­ethoxy-4-piperidone) has been achieved in higher yields than reported in the literature. A synthesis of 1:5-dimethyl-3-cyanomethyl-4-piperidone and its conversion to 1:5-dimethyl-3-cyanomethyl-4-chloropiperidine is described together with a synthesis of the ethylene ketal of N-methyl-3-carboethoxy­methyl-4-piperidone

Eco-friendly synthesis, physicochemical studies, biological assay and molecular docking of steroidal oxime-ethers

The aim of this study was to report the synthesis of biologically active compounds; 7-(2′-aminoethoxyimino)-cholest-5-ene (4), a steroidal oxime-ether and its derivatives (5, 6) via a facile microwave assisted solvent free reaction methodology. This new synthetic, eco-friendly, sustainable protocol resulted in a remarkable improvement in the synthetic efficiency (85–93 % yield) and high purity using basic alumina. The synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial against six bacterial strains by disc diffusion method and antioxidant potential by DPPH assay. The binding capabilities of a compound 6 exhibiting good antibacterial potential were assessed on the basis of molecular docking studies and four types of three-dimensional molecular field descriptors. Moreover the structure–antimicrobial activity relationships were studied using some physicochemical and quantum-chemical parameters with GAMESS interface as well as WebMO Job Manager by using the basic level of theory. Hence, this synthetic approach is believed to provide a better scope for the synthesis of steroidal oxime-ether analogues and will be a more practical alternative to the presently existing procedures. Moreover, detailed in silico docking studies suggested the plausible mechanism of steroidal oxime-ethers as effective antimicrobial agents

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE – A MULTI-CENTER STUDY IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Objective: Chronic kidney disease is growing at alarming rate in developing countries like Pakistan. The aim of the study was to find out the major factors leading to this disease and to carry out the comparative analysis of the effectiveness of allopathic and homoeopathic medicines in treatment of chronic kidney disease.Methods: A multi-center study was carried out in five different centers from 2009-2014. The study was carried out by interviewing the patients, noting down their vitals and reviewing their records. Evaluation of the data was done considering age, sex and co-morbidities associated with renal failure.Results: Significant results were observed. Patients of age groups 46 to 60 (48%) and 30 to 45 (21%) were found to suffer more from chronic kidney disease. Hypertension was found as the most frequently occurring co-morbidity along with chronic renal failure followed by diabetes.Conclusion: The current study will be beneficial in bringing awareness in general public and thereby reducing the increasing burden of end-stage kidney disease

Use of Rape as Weapon against Women by Indian Forces in Occupied Kashmir: A Securitization Perspective

This article is based on the argument that the Indian forces are using rape as a weapon against women in the disputed territory of Kashmir to eliminate the freedom struggle of Muslim population. According to different surveys and reports, more than 11 thousand women have been gang-raped and molested in occupied Kashmir by the Indian forces. The security forces are continuously exercising this weapon of sexual warfare on women as a punishment. The triggering force behind this tactic of sexual abuse is the ideology of Hindutva. Under this ideology, current Indian regime is trying to change the secular status of India into a Hindu State. The Modi government is supporting communal violence on minorities for its political purposes. So, the minority community in India in general and the Muslims in disputed territory of Kashmir in specificare facing state oppression at large. Minorities like the Muslims and the Christians are being termed as “threatening and hostile other” in India. This study investigates how India is securitizing the Kashmir conflict by enforcing sexual assaults against women through its security forces? Secondly, it also tries to find that answer of why the use of rape and sexual abuse are justified as a potent weapon by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir? A large number of security forces have been deployed in Kashmir to suppress the Kashmiri freedom struggle. The security forces are exercising mass rape as a weapon in Kashmir to curb their right to self-realization. Such growing sexual practices have adverse impacts on the physical and mental health of women. In the end, we conclude that such inhumane policies not only undermine the social fiber of the Kashmiricommunity but also it will disrupt the peace of the whole of Southeast Asia

Effects of Seasonal Precipitation on the Amount of Seepage-A Case Study of Tunnel 3 of Bazai Irrigation Project Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Infiltration of water into tunnel within a harsh geological formation is a vital issue in tunnelling. The consequence impacts due to seepage include tunnel rock instability, pore-water pressure imposition and diminution of operational capacity. The spatial variation in rainfall due to climate change intensifies the threat to tunnel stability. Likewise, to understand the impacts of climate change scenarios on the seepage of tunnel 3 of the Bazai irrigation project was numerically simulated in SEEP/W software by manipulating the rainfall data. The net annual precipitation is followed by two sets of rainfall data i.e., dry and wet season precipitation depending upon the magnitude of rainfall. The analysis revealed that most of the seepage occurred in the unlined portion. In order to determine the future impacts of precipitation on seepage quantity, the wet season precipitation was further increased by 10% and 50% for A1B and B2 conditions respectively. The seepage quantity into the tunnel increases with variation in precipitation patterns. To reduce the risk to tunnel stability, the model was also treated with cement-bentonite grout and bentonite slurry containing 6% solids. The performance of both grouting techniques leads to noticeable seepage deduction. The study further suggests that cement-bentonite is more effective in seepage remediation

Blood, men and tears: keeping IUDs in place in Bangladesh.

The Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) is an effective method of contraception, but in Bangladesh is associated with high levels of discontinuation within the first year. This study involved data collection from a retrospective cohort of women who had an IUD inserted 12 months earlier. In the cohort, 330 women were interviewed to identify factors associated with discontinuation. Later, 20 women, of the 103 who reported discontinuing because of excessive menstrual bleeding, were interviewed again and in depth about these issues. Of 330 women who had an IUD inserted, 47.3% had discontinued use one year post-insertion. In univariate and multivariate analyses, IUD discontinuation was strongly associated with side-effects (heavier periods; abdominal pain) and spousal factors (not discussing IUD with husband pre-insertion), but not with service delivery factors. In-depth interviews with women who reported excessive blood loss as the main reason for discontinuation found a doubling of both menstrual days and blood loss after IUD insertion. In Bangladesh, women cannot pray, have sexual intercourse, perform household tasks or participate in community activities during menstruation. Thus, women with menstrual side-effects faced serious physical, social and psychological challenges that made continuation difficult. Among those who discontinued, spouses were generally unsupportive and sometimes abusive, particularly when not involved in the decision to use the IUD

Perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi

Objective: To study the perceptions on bioethics among patients presenting to family physicians at a teaching hospital in Karachi, Pakistan Study design: Questionnaire based cross sectional survey Settings: The study was carried out at the family practice center, the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi Main outcome measures: Perceptions on the broad principles of bioethics Results: Majority of the respondents were young and well educated and better placed socioeconomically. Respondents reported the moral duties of a physician and their reaction in the event of the death of a close relative due to a doctor`s negligence. The majority agreed that a doctor is next to god . Other issues studied include discontinuation of artificial life support, giving of gifts by pharmaceutical companies to doctors, sickness certification, organ donation, human cloning, disclosure of information to cancer patient and patient confidentiality. Conclusion: We have found interesting patient`s perceptions on Bioethics with important implications for clinical practic

Effects of Seasonal Precipitation on the Amount of Seepage-A Case Study of Tunnel 3 of Bazai Irrigation Project Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Infiltration of water into tunnel within a harsh geological formation is a vital issue in tunnelling. The consequence impacts due to seepage include tunnel rock instability, pore-water pressure imposition and diminution of operational capacity. The spatial variation in rainfall due to climate change intensifies the threat to tunnel stability. Likewise, to understand the impacts of climate change scenarios on the seepage of tunnel 3 of the Bazai irrigation project was numerically simulated in SEEP/W software by manipulating the rainfall data. The net annual precipitation is followed by two sets of rainfall data i.e., dry and wet season precipitation depending upon the magnitude of rainfall. The analysis revealed that most of the seepage occurred in the unlined portion. In order to determine the future impacts of precipitation on seepage quantity, the wet season precipitation was further increased by 10% and 50% for A1B and B2 conditions respectively. The seepage quantity into the tunnel increases with variation in precipitation patterns. To reduce the risk to tunnel stability, the model was also treated with cement-bentonite grout and bentonite slurry containing 6% solids. The performance of both grouting techniques leads to noticeable seepage deduction. The study further suggests that cement-bentonite is more effective in seepage remediation