Determinants of Non-Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy in HIV/AIDS Patients of HIV Centre Jinnah Hospital

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus is very harmful to human’s immune system. This virus can further cause specific contaminations and tumors in humans. The HIV-contaminated populace is at a higher danger of AIDS-characterizing tumors, for example, Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical malignant growth. Since the coming of exceptionally dynamic antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in 1996, the endurance of HIV-tainted populace in the United States has expanded significantly (Shiels et al., 2011).Methods: A descriptive study conducted at HIV centre Jinnah Hospital Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore. Data was collected through questionnaire from patients of HIV clinic. Data was analysed by SPSS version 21.0, frequency, percentage and standard deviation was found with statistics of pie charts and histogram.Results: From one hundred participants 100(100%) shows forgetfulness , 29(29%) shows missing appointments, 33(33%) shows run out of medication, 11(11%) shows depression, anger, despair. 78(78%) don’t think that ART helps ,only 4(4%) shows side effects of ART and 1(1%) shows other reason for non-adherence. Conclusions:  The outcomes gave basic and valuable data that will help in decreasing the factors that are causing non-adherence to ART. Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy, Adherence, Determinants, Lahore, Pakistan DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/101-05 Publication date:June 30th 202

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

Molecular diagnostic assays detection of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus

Viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) and dengue virus is endemic in Pakistan. Both CCHF and dengue can occur simultaneously and this poses a problem in patient placement and management in the hospital. Rapid molecular based diagnosis of CCHF based on a reverse-transcription based polymerase chain (RT-PCR) assay is described. The study describes both a nested- conventional PCR based assay for CCHF detection which has a turn-around time of 24- 48 h and also a real-time PCR based assay which has a turn-around time of 4 h. The utility of these tests in diagnosing and managing CCHF infections is reviewed. Rapid identification of positive cases together with screening out of suspected CCHF cases which are CCHF negative have implications for management in the hospital in terms of risk of transmission, nursing, infection control and also costs of treatment

Polyol–mediated synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles through aqueous sol–gel route

Abstract Background In this work, nickel oxide nanoparticles were prepared by polyol mediated aqueous route of sol–gel process using nickel nitrate hexahydrate as precursor, a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water as solvent and glycerol for making polyol medium followed by calcination at various temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 °C. Characterization was carried out using X–ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Results The results confirmed the formation of face-cantered cubic structure of nickel oxide with its complete conversion after calcination at 900 °C; significant variation in the surface morphology was observed with the increasing calcination temperature. Conclusions The study revealed that the aqueous sol–gel route using polyol system followed by calcination at ambient temperatures lead to the successful synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles

Factors affecting accidental toxic ingestion among children younger than 5 years

Introduction: One million children die each year from injuries around the world, with poisoning being the fourth most common cause.Children below five years are at an increased risk because of their exploratory nature and hand to mouth activity, accounting for 15% of accidental poisoning related deaths in this age group.A community oriented study that studiedthe national health survey of Pakistan reported that the incidence of accidental poisoning was 4.3% among children below five years.Objectives: To determine the socio-demographic factors affecting accidental toxic ingestion in children younger than five years at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the emergency Deptof the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistanbetween August 2016 to July 2017. Children with a history of accidental ingestion were included in the study. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square association was used employed using SPSS version 23.Results: A total of 97 children between the age group of 6 months – 5 years were enrolled, amongst 61 (62.88%) male. 74 (76.29%) children had unsafe storage of hazardous chemicals, 34 (35.05%) had large family size, 5 (5.15%), 3 (3.09%), and 3 (3.09%) of participants had lower socioeconomic status, uneducated, and rural residents respectively.Conclusion: Awareness to parents regarding child protective strategies and usage of safe packaging in medicines may avoid accidental toxic ingestion

Synthesis, photochemical and electrochemical studies on triphenyltin(IV) derivative of (Z)-4-(4-cyanophenylamino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid for its binding with DNA: Biological interpretation

(Z)-4-(4-cyanophenylamino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (LH) and its new triphenyltin (IV) derivative (Ph3SnL) were synthesized and further investigated for their binding with ds.DNA under physiological conditions {pH: 4.7 (stomach); 7.4 (blood), 37 °C} using UV–Visible/fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and viscosity measurement techniques. Spectral responses as well as experimental findings from all the techniques i.e., binding constant (Kb), binding site size (n) and free energy change (ΔG) correlated with each other and indicated formation of spontaneous compound–DNA complexes via intercalation of compounds into the DNA base pairs. Values of kinetic parameter, Kb, revealed comparatively greater binding of both the compounds with DNA at stomach pH (4.7). However among both compounds organotin complex (Ph3SnL) showed comparatively greater binding than that of its ligand (LH) as evident from its, Kb, values at both the pH values. In general, Kb values were evaluated greater for Ph3SnL at stomach pH {: Kb: 8.65 × 104 M−1 (UV); 5.49 × 104 M−1 (fluorescence); 8.85 × 104 M−1 (CV)}. Voltammetric responses of both compounds before and after the addition of DNA indicated that diffusion controlled processes are involved. Complex Ph3SnL exhibited the best antitumor activity

Short report: diagnostic testing for hemorrhagic fevers in Pakistan: 2007–2013

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) and dengue virus (DENV) are endemic to Pakistan. Patients presenting with symptoms of fever, bleeding, and rash cannot be distinguished without appropriate testing. We report data on 354 samples tested for CCHFV at The Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan between 2007 and 2013. All samples were tested for the presence of CCHFV RNA. Some samples were also tested for DENV RNA, NS-1 antigen, and/or reactive immunoglobulin M antibodies. Of 354 clinical specimens screened for CCHFV, 52 specimens were positive, with 24 cases in 2013 alone. Most cases were from Sindh and Baluchistan, which border other CCHFV-endemic regions: Iran and Afghanistan. Among CCHFV-negative samples, 168 samples were tested for DENV, and 36% of these samples were found to be DENV-positive. Rapid differentiation of CCHFV and DENV can prevent nosocomial transmission and result in time and cost savings for patients and healthcare workers