Efficacy of Melatonin and Pentoxifylline combination therapy in treatment of endotoxin induced hepatic dysfunction in white albino mice

Introduction: Despite major expansion and elaboration in treatment protocols of septic patients, mortality rate is still very high due to multiple organ damage including hepatotoxicity. We in study evaluated the role of two strong anti-inflammatory agents, melatonin and pentoxifylline, as a combined treatment in lipopolysaccharide induced hepatic dysfunction in white albino mice. Material and Methods: Endotoxemia was reproduced in white albino mice through intraperitoneal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of serotype E.Coli. Therapeutic potential of the both melatonin and pentoxifylline alone and as combined therapy was adjudged by administering agents 2 hours after LPS delivering. The extent of liver damage was evaluated via serum alanine aminotransferases (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) estimation along with histopathological examination of liver tissue. Results: Lipopolysaccharide administration (Group 2) resulted in marked hepatotoxicity as evident by statistically raised serum ALT ((p≤0.01) and AST (p≤0.01) at the end of experimentation. Also liver cross section examination showed marked distortion of liver parenchyma. Melatonin (Group 3) was prosperous in aversion of LPS invoked hepatotoxicity as proved by lessening of augmented ALT (p≤0.01) and AST (p≤0.01) along with restoration of pathological changes on liver sections (p≤0.05). Pentoxifylline generated similar results and serum ALT, AST and histological alteration abated considerably (p≤ 0.05).Combination therapy in animals of Group 5 also tapered LPS evoked hepatic dysfunction statistically considerably. Conclusion: Melatonin and pentoxifylline alone and as combination therapy as effective in countering LPS induced hepatotoxicity. However the combination therapy did not yield synergistic effects. Keywords: Lipopolysaccharides, Endotoxin, Hepatotoxicity, Melatonin, Pentoxifylline

Assessing Nursing Practices Regarding Standard Approaches on Post-Operative Wound Care Dressing

Background and Objective:  Post-operative delay wound dressing causes a wound contamination or delay wound healing process. Wound leakage and smell produce acute wounds changed into chronic wound conditions. This study assessed the nursing practices regarding standard approaches used for post-operative wound dressing and its care. Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional observational study designed with study population n = 150 in female nurses of two intensive care units and three surgical wards units: I-II-III. Data was collectedusing an adopted, observation checklist. Reliability tested by Cronbach alpha, 0.92. The mean scorewas categorized following rules, less than (1.5) was considered low (L), from (1.5-2.5) considered moderate (M), and greater than (>2.5) was considered high (H). Results:  The results indicated that 55.3% of nurses had 32 – 38 of age and 48.7% were BS nursing education. According to the mean score majority of nurses had medium (M) and low (L) wound dressing practices observed. Plaster not present (52%) during dressing. 73.3% of nurses had not ensured privacy. The commonpractices were found, no handwashing before and after wound dressing. Conclusion:  The majority of the nurses were not following the standardized wound dressing checklist. According to the study, findings recommended the education sessions, seminars, frequent departmental observation, and psychomotor simulation practices that need to be discussed with clinical professionals

Hepatitis B virus in Pakistan: A systematic review of prevalence, risk factors, awareness status and genotypes

In Pakistan, there are estimated 7-9 million carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with a carrier rate of 3-5%. This article reviews the available literature about the prevalence, risk factors, awareness status and genotypes of the HBV in Pakistan by using key words; HBV prevalence, risk factors, awareness status and genotypes in Pakistani population in PubMed, PakMediNet, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Google Scholar. One hundred and six different studies published from 1998 to 2010 were included in this study. Weighted mean and standard deviation were determined for each population group. The percentage of hepatitis B virus infection in general population was 4.3318% ± 1.644%, healthy blood donors (3.93% ± 1.58%), military recruits (4.276% ± 1.646%), healthcare persons (3.25% ± 1.202%), pregnant women (5.872% ± 4.984), prisoners (5.75% ± 0.212%), surgical patients (7.397% ± 2.012%), patients with cirrhosis (28.87% ± 11.90%), patients with HCC (22% ± 2.645%), patients with hepatitis (15.896% ± 14.824%), patients with liver diseases (27.54% ± 6.385%), multiple transfused patients (6.223% ± 2.121%), opthalmic patients (3.89% ± 1.004%) and users of injectable drugs (14.95% ± 10.536%). Genotype D (63.71%) is the most prevalent genotype in Pakistani population. Mass vaccination and awareness programs should be initiated on urgent basis especially in populations with HBV infection rates of more than 5%

Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus genotype 3a Hypervariable region 1 in patients achieved rapid virological response to alpha interferon and Ribavirin Combination therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus roots a chronic liver disease. Currently approved treatment strategy includes administration of alpha interferon and ribavirin combined therapy for 24-48 weeks. One of the predictor of sustained virological response is an early virological response to treatment characterized as rapid response. Hyper variable region 1 (HVR1) of E2 protein is responsible for viral entry and acts as a target for neutralizing antibodies. Any mutation in this region would effect virus interaction with target cell and viral persistence.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty one clones of six pre-treatment samples subjected to combination therapy were investigated. Three of the patients were rapid responders (R1, R2 and R3) and two were breakthrough responders (BT1 and BT2). Envelope 2 gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced. Amino acid substitution, frequency, composition and antigenic properties of HVR 1 of E2 protein were studied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In both rapid responders (R.R) (14 amino acid sites) and breakthrough responders (BT.R) (13 amino acid sites) half of the amino acid sites were either conserved or resistant to any physiochemical change due to amino acid substitution. It also indicated that average composition of hydrophilic and basic amino acids were comparatively lower in rapid responders than other samples affecting probable interaction of virus with target cells. A central non antigenic region was constant among the breakthrough responders but differed in length significantly among rapid responders reflecting the adaptive nature of HVR1 to the immune response.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We observed that although HVR1is quite variable region in HCV 3a patients responding differently to treatment it still maintains its physiochemical properties for its proper functioning and viability.</p

Mutations in the E2-PePHD region of hepatitis C virus genotype-3a and correlation with response to interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Pakistani patients

Hepatitis C is a major health problem affecting more than 200 million individuals in the world. Current treatment regimen consisting of interferon alpha and ribavirin does not always succeed in eliminating the virus completely from patient's body. One of the mechanisms by which virus evades the antiviral effect of interferon alpha involves protein kinase (PKR) eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2a) phosphorylation homology domain (PePHD). This domain in genotype 1 strains is reportedly homologous to PKR and its target eIF2a. By binding to PKR, PePHD inhibits its activity and therefore cause virus to evade antiviral activity of interferon (IFN). Many studies have correlated substitutions in this domain to the treatment response and lead to inconclusive results. Some studies suggested that substitutions favor response while others emphasized that no correlation exists. In the present study we therefore compared sequences of PePHD domain of thirty one variants of six hepatitis C virus patients of genotype 3. Three of our HCV 3a infected patients showed rapid virological response to interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy whereas the remaining three had breakthrough to the same combination therapy. It is found that PePHD domain is not entirely conserved and has substitutions in some isolates irrespective of the treatment response. However substitution of glutamine (Q) with Leucine (L) in one of the breakthrough responders made it more identical to HCV genotype 1a. These substitutions in the breakthrough responders also tended to increase average hydrophilic activity thus making binding of PePHD to PKR and inhibition of PKR more favorable

Effect of Water Cooling on the Energy Conversion Efficiency of PV Cell

By receiving the solar irradiance, the photovoltaic solar cell generates electricity. During the absorption of solar radiations, there is a considerable increase in cell operating temperature, that effects upon the electrical efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cell. On the back side of PV panel, water absorption sponge is fixed, the adverse effect can be avoided and wet condition is maintained with the help of passage of water by wipe. Main purpose of this effort is to increase the electrical conversion efficiency by reducing the solar cell’s temperature. Experiments were performed in order to observe the effect of cooling on the efficiency of PV solar cell. It was found that there is a linear relationship between temperature and efficiency of the PV module. From the statistical data it was found that the water cooling drops the temperature of PV panel by 4-5oC, which significantly increase the efficiency from 7 to 12%

Hantavirus: an overview and advancements in therapeutic approaches for infection

Hantaviruses are a significant and emerging global public health threat, impacting more than 200,000 individuals worldwide each year. The single-stranded RNA viruses belong to the Hantaviridae family and are responsible for causing two acute febrile diseases in humans: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Currently, there are no licensed treatments or vaccines available globally for HTNV infection. Various candidate drugs have shown efficacy in increasing survival rates during the early stages of HTNV infection. Some of these drugs include lactoferrin, ribavirin, ETAR, favipiravir and vandetanib. Immunotherapy utilizing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) generated from Hantavirus convalescent patients show efficacy against HTNV. Monoclonal antibodies such as MIB22 and JL16 have demonstrated effectiveness in protecting against HTNV infection. The development of vaccines and antivirals, used independently and/or in combination, is critical for elucidating hantaviral infections and the impact on public health. RNA interference (RNAi) arised as an emerging antiviral therapy, is a highly specific degrades RNA, with post-transcriptional mechanism using eukaryotic cells platform. That has demonstrated efficacy against a wide range of viruses, both in vitro and in vivo. Recent antiviral methods involve using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and other, immune-based therapies to target specific gene segments (S, M, or L) of the Hantavirus. This therapeutic approach enhances viral RNA clearance through the RNA interference process in Vero E6 cells or human lung microvascular endothelial cells. However, the use of siRNAs faces challenges due to their low biological stability and limited in vivo targeting ability. Despite their successful inhibition of Hantavirus replication in host cells, their antiviral efficacy may be hindered. In the current review, we focus on advances in therapeutic strategies, as antiviral medications, immune-based therapies and vaccine candidates aimed at enhancing the body’s ability to control the progression of Hantavirus infections, with the potential to reduce the risk of severe disease

Impact of Environmental Factors on the Working of Photovoltaic Cells

This paper discussed the stimulation of diffused and global sun rays on the site of Pakistan, striking the PV cell, is done for varying environmental conditions. This is done with the help of model used for spectral transmittance. Different effects are examined including efficiency of various types of PV cells, variation in whole intensity and the distribution of spectrum on short circuit current. The outcome shows an inverse relationship between turbidity and short circuit current. In the case of global sun rays the reduction of short circuit current due to turbidity is 4.4% for monocrystalline PV cell, 4.8% for multicrystalline PV cell and 7.33% for amorphous PV cell but in case of diffuse sun rays it increases. The relationship between short circuit current and water vapors is also inverse but this effect shows only in case of global sun rays. The decrement in the short circuit current due to water vapor is 4.6% for moncrystalline, 4.39% for multicrystalline, and 0.19% in case of amorphous. The increment in the air mass causes decrement in the short circuit current for various kinds of PV cells. But in case of monocrystalline and multicrystalline there is an increment in efficiency due to air mass effect while the efficiency of amorphous decreases

Emerging applications of nanotechnology in context to immunology: A comprehensive review

Numerous benefits of nanotechnology are available in many scientific domains. In this sense, nanoparticles serve as the fundamental foundation of nanotechnology. Recent developments in nanotechnology have demonstrated that nanoparticles have enormous promise for use in almost every field of life sciences. Nanoscience and nanotechnology use the distinctive characteristics of tiny nanoparticles (NPs) for various purposes in electronics, fabrics, cosmetics, biopharmaceutical industries, and medicines. The exclusive physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of nanoparticles prompt different immune responses in the body. Nanoparticles are believed to have strong potential for the development of advanced adjuvants, cytokines, vaccines, drugs, immunotherapies, and theranostic applications for the treatment of targeted bacterial, fungal, viral, and allergic diseases and removal of the tumor with minimal toxicity as compared to macro and microstructures. This review highlights the medical and non-medical applications with a detailed discussion on enhanced and targeted natural and acquired immunity against pathogens provoked by nanoparticles. The immunological aspects of the nanotechnology field are beyond the scope of this Review. However, we provide updated data that will explore novel theragnostic immunological applications of nanotechnology for better and immediate treatment