Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of polyherbal formulation and its ingredients in cardiovascular disorders using rodents

A compound herbal formulation (POL4) has been used in the indigenous system of medicine to treat cardiometabolic disorders like diabetes and associated hypertension. POL4 and most of its constituents have not been studied widely for its therapeutic use in hypertension. This study is aimed to determine the efficacy and possible insight into mechanism(s) for the medicinal use of POL4 and its ingredients in hypertension

An Intelligent Healthcare system for detecting diabetes using machine learning algorithms

The human disease prediction is specifically a struggling piece of work for an accurate and on time treatment. Around the world, diabetes is a hazardous disease. It affects the various essential organs of the human body, for example, nerves, retinas, and eventually heart. By using models of machine learning algorithms, we can recommend and predict diabetes on various healthcare datasets more accurately with the assistance of an intelligent healthcare recommendation system. Not long ago, for the prediction of diabetes, numerous models and methods of machine learning have been introduced. But despite that, enormous multi-featured healthcare datasets cannot be handled by those systems appropriately. By using Machine Learning, an intelligent healthcare recommendation system is introduced for the prediction of diabetes. Ultimately, the model of machine learning is trained to predict this disease along with K-Fold Cross validation testing.  The evaluation of this intelligent and smart recommendation system is depending on datasets of diabetes and its execution is differentiated from the latest development of previous literatures. Our system accomplished 99.0% of efficiency with the shortest time of 12 Milliseconds, which is highly analyzed by the previous existing models of machine learning. Consequently, this recommendation system is superior for the prediction of diabetes than the previous ones. This system enhances the performance of automatic diagnosis of this disease. Code is available at (https://github.com/RaoHassanKaleem/Diebetes-Detection-using-Machine-Learning-Algorithms). &nbsp

Anti-acanthamoebic properties of natural and marketed honey in Pakistan

To determine anti-Acanthamoebic activity of natural and marketed honey samples. Natural honey samples were collected directly from the bee hive and marketed honey samples were purchased from the local market in Karachi, Pakistan. Both honey samples were tested for their flavonoid content (quercetin equivalent per g of the extract) and phenolic content (gallic acid equivalent per g). Furthermore, their antioxidant activity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Using amoebistatic and amoebicidal assays, the effects of honey samples were tested against growth and viability of Acanthamoeba parasites. Natural honey exhibited potent amoebistatic and amoebicidal effects, in a concentration-dependent manner. Honey-treated A. castellanii showed loss of acanthopodia, following which amoebae detached, rounded up, reduced in size, decreased in cytoplasmic mass and they were observed floating in the culture medium. Importantly, honey-treated amoebae did not revive when inoculated in fresh growth medium, however glycerol-treated amoebae exhibited viable trophozoite and active growth. In contrast, marketed honey samples varied in their efficacy against A. castellanii. The proportion of flavonoid, as determined by quercetin measurements and the proportion of phenolic, as determined by gallic acid measurements was higher in natural honey compared with marketed honey. Similarly, the antioxidant activity, as determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity was higher in natural honey versus marketed honey. This study shows that natural honey has anti-Acanthamoebic properties and possesses higher flavonoid, phenolic and antioxidant properties compared with the marketed honey. These findings are of concern to the public, health officials, and to the manufacturers regarding production of honey for medical applications

Vasodilator effect of 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1- propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea is predominantly mediated through activation of voltage-dependent K+ channels

Purpose: To determine the mechanism of vasorelaxant effect of 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl – 3 -(1-propionylpiperidin–4-yl) urea (TPPU) in cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension.Methods: Isolated rat thoracic aortic tissue preparations were mounted in an organ bath set up integrated with isometric transducer and a Power Lab assembly. TPPU (0.3 - 100 μM) was tested for vasorelaxant effect against low K+ (25 mM) and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions and its mechanism was determined in the presence of different antagonists (glibenclamide, 4- aminopyridine and tetraethyl ammonium).Results: In rat aortic preparations, TPPU showed a concentration-dependent (0.3 – 100 μM) and significant (p < 0.001) inhibition of low K+ induced contractions with complete inhibition obtained at 100 μM. TPPU produced significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of high K+ induced contractions with maximum relaxation of 15.36 ± 1.95 % and 15.85 ± 3.35 % at 30 and 100 μM, respectively. Glibenclamide (Gb,10 μM) pretreatment partially inhibited the vasorelaxant effect of TPPU against low K+ in a concentration range of 1 - 30 μM. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP, 1 mM) and tetraethyl ammonium (TEA, 10 mM), markedly inhibited the vasorelexant effect of TPPU against low K+ induced contractions with maximum relaxation of 20.09 ± 2.40 and 21.67 ± 0.88 %, respectively, at 100 μM.Conclusion: TPPU possesses marked vasorelaxant properties which provides sound pharmacological evidence for its use as a potential drug candidate in the management of hypertension.Keywords: 1-Trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea, Hypertension, vasodilator, K+- channel activation, Ca+- channel antagonis

Immunomodulatory Effects of Psyllium Extract on Helicobacter pylori Interaction With Gastric Epithelial Cells.

Natural plant product Psyllium has anti-inflammatory activity that can modulate the function of cytokines. We determined the effect of Psylliumhusk extract on interleukin (IL)-8 and NF-κB secretion by gastric epithelial cells in response to Helicobacter pylori Human gastricadenocarcinoma cell line (AGS) cells were pretreated with Psyllium extract in different concentrations before H pylori infection. Cell culture supernatant was analyzed for IL-8 and NF-κB by ELISA. RNA from cells was used for real-time polymerase chain reaction for messenger RNA expression of IL-8. Psyllium extract 5 and 10 μg/mL markedly (P \u3c .001) lowered basal IL-8 by 64.71% and 74.51%, respectively, and H pylori-stimulated IL-8 was also (P \u3c .001) lowered by 41.67% and 66.67%, respectively. Psyllium 5 and 10 μg/mL also reduced (P \u3c .0001) cagA-positive H pylori-induced IL-8 mRNA expression by 42.3% and 67.6%, respectively. Psyllium also reduced (P = .0001) NF-κB in response to H pylori strains confirming its role as an anti-inflammatory agent

The impact of supply chain risk and supply chain integration on organizational performance

Goal: The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating role of supply chain integration for Supply chain risks heading toward organizational performance. This study is mainly focused on the dairy sector of emerging economies. Design / Methodology / Approach: This is quantitative research, in which a multi-item scale web-based survey was conducted to collect primary data. 407 stakeholders of the dairy industry, specifically the customers and the ones dealing with supply chain operations and the planning and integration department were investigated. Confirmatory factor analysis and internal consistency were applied to test the reliability and fitness of the measurement model and structural equation modeling-SEM is used to test the proposed hypotheses. Results: The results suggest that in the dairy sector, both customer and supplier risks, act as barriers to implementing (SCI) supply chain integration and also negatively influence (OP) organizational performance. However, supplier risks, belonging to the dairy industry of an agricultural-based country like Pakistan, have a comparatively less negative impact on organizational performance as compared to customer risk, conversely, supply chain integration helps the organization to achieve better performance. The integration indeed acts as a strong mediator in reducing the negative impact of supply chain risk. Limitations of the investigation: This study utilizes cross-sectional data, which restricts the researchers to depict the entire manifestation of (SCR) supply chain risk, supply chain integration, and organization performance, for businesses operating in the dairy sector of a developing economy, like Pakistan. Practical implications: This study helps managers to use  SCI as a tool to reduce the impact of supply chain risk i.e. supplier risk and customer risk on organizational performance. Also, this study explains the importance of customer risk as compared to supplier risk associated with perishable products. Originality / Value: This paper enriches the literature in an evolving area of SCI and SCR, by investigating the mediating role of SCI. Two key risks i.e. supplier risk and customer risk associated with the supply chain network of dairy sector organizations are addressed, along with the mediating ability of supply chain integration to improve firm performance is investigated

Infective agents in diabetic foot ulcers and their sensitivity patterns

Background: Diabetic-foot syndrome is a difficult & debilitating complication of inadequately regulated Diabetes Mellitus. Attributed to neural & vascular pathology, the condition is further potentiated by glycemic healing impairment.  A wide array of microorganisms have been implicated & sensitivity-guided antibiotics are essential to save both limb as well as to minimize rampant microbial resistance. Present study aims to determine the culture & sensitivity pattern of bacteria in stated cohort of patients at a Surgical Unit. Materials & Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 1 year-duration at a tertiary-care-Hospital. All patients presenting with diabetic-foot who had not been subjected to empiric antibiotic-therapy were enrolled. Demographic & lesion-based variables were studied and the Culture & Sensitivity pattern was evaluated and statistically analyzed. Results:100 patients were included in the study,of which 80 were male (mean-age 60.8±12.7 years) & rest female (mean-age 58.4±11.3-years).35% cultures yielded no growth. Remaining cases showed following pathogens in descending order of incidence. Maximal sensitivity was also reported as mentioned. 1) Staphylococcus-aureus & Klebseilla-Pneumoenae– Piperacillin/Tazobactam,2) Pseudomonas-Aerugionas-Cefotaxime,3)E-coli–Amikacin& Sulbactam,4) Proteus -Gentamicin, 5) Streptococci– Amikacin and 6) Bacteroides – Cefoperazone & Aztreonam. Of 71 cases, 70  had aerobic-organisms isolates & only 1 had anaerobic-isolate.   Conclusions: Six pathogens were identified in present study of which Staphylococcus-Aureus was the most prevalent as well as the most resistant. Streptococci & Gram-negative Organisms were observed in remaining cases. While formulation of an adequate antibiotic regime is rendered difficult by resistance & mixed infections, targeted antibiotic administration is decisively crucial to achieve optimal & timely outcome in diabetic foot. &nbsp