Cytogenetic abnormalities in myelodysplastic syndromes: An overview

Karyotype is one of the main constituents of the International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) and revised-IPSS that are the cornerstones for the prognostication of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Del(5q), -7/del(7q), +8 and -Y are among the most extensively studied cytogenetic abnormalities in MDS. The same applies for normal karyotype. There are hundreds of other rare cytogenetic abnormalities that have been reported in MDS, included but not limited to -X, 3q abnormalities, +13/del(13q), i(17q), +21/-21. However, due to a very low number of patients, their impact on the prognosis of MDS is limited. Knowledge of the molecular consequences of different cytogenetic abnormalities allows us to modify treatment regimens based on drugs most active against the specific karyotype present, allowing for the opportunity to individualize MDS treatment and improve patient care and prognosis

Common Genotypes of Hepatitis B virus prevalent in Injecting drug abusers (addicts) of North West Frontier Province of Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The epidemiological significance of Hepatitis B virus genotypes has been well established and becoming an essential concern day by day however, much little is known about the mixed infection with more than one Hepatitis B virus genotypes and their clinical relevance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Intravenous drug abusers are considered as a major risk group for the acquisition and transmission of blood borne infections like hepatitis B, however, in Pakistan, no such data has ever been reported about the epidemiology of HBV and its genotypes in Injecting Drug Users. 250 individuals were analyzed for hepatitis B virus genotypes after prior screening with serological assay for the detection of HBsAg.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>56 (22.4%) individuals were found positive on ELSIA for HBsAg. The genotype distribution was found to be as: genotype D, 62.5%; genotype A, 8.92% while 28.57% individuals were found to be infected with a mixture of genotype A and D.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is an urgent need of the time to develop public health care policies with special emphasis towards the control of HBV transmission through high risk groups especially Injecting Drug Users.</p

Suitability of various plant derived gelling agents as agar substitute in microbiological growth media

Eleven putative gelling agents were investigated as agar substitutes. These included arrowroot (Maranta arundinaceae), coconut powder (Cocos nucifera), corn flour (Zea mays var. amylacea), gel rite (a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas elodea), glue (Cyanoacrylates), katira gum (Cochlospermum religiosum), guar gum (Cyamopsis tetragonolobus L.), isubgol husk (Plantago ovata), pectin and rice (Oryza sativa L.) powder. Among these, guar gum was found a promising alternate candidate for agar. Media solidified with 2.8% guar gum was transparent and supportive for the growth of three test fungi (Trichoderma harzianum, Alternaria alternata and Alternaria solani) as good as agar. Guar gum also excelled in terms of cost benefit ratio when compared with agar. Guar gum fortified media was found to cost $0.005/L as compared to agar supplemented media costing$ 1.17/L. Further, guar gum is easily available and can be added with ease thereby serving as a suitable and inexpensive substitute of agar and thus, can be adopted for routine microbiological testing in resource poor countries.Key words: Guar gum, media, agar, gelling agents

Detection of Paracetamol as substrate of the gut microbiome

Gut microbiome, a new organ; represent targets to alter pharmacokinetics of orally administered drugs. Recently, in vitro trials endorsed the idea that orally administered drugs interact and some of their quantity may be taken up by normal microbiome during transit through gut. Such transport mechanisms in microbiome may compete for drug with the host itself. Currently, no data confirms specific transport system for paracetamol uptake by gut microbiome. In vivo trial was conducted in normal healthy male rats (n=36). Paracetamol was administered orally in a single dose of 75mg/kg to isolate microbial mass after transit of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours post drug administration. Paracetamol absorbance by microbiome was pursued by injecting extracted microbial lysate in RP-HPLC-UV with C18 column under isocratic conditions at 207nm using acetonitrile and water (25:75 v/v) pH 2.50 as mobile phase. Paracetamol absorbance (14.10±0.75μg/mg of microbial mass) and percent dose recovery (13.16±0.55%) seen at transit of 4 hours was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to other groups. Study confirms the hypothesis of homology between membrane transporters of the gut microbiome and intestinal epithelium. Orally administered drugs can be absorbed by gut microbes competitively during transit in small intestine and it varies at various transit times

Genomic Characterization of Novel Human Parechovirus Type

Using a simple metagenomic approach, we identified a divergent human parechovirus (HPeV) in the stool of a child in Pakistan. Genomic characterization showed this virus was distinct enough from reported HPeV types to qualify as candidate prototype for the seventh HPeV type

Molecular epidemiology of Hepatitis B virus genotypes in Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Eight genotypes of Hepatitis B virus designated A-H, have been known but in Pakistan, no such data is available on the prevalent HBV genotypes. Therefore, the subject study was conducted to determine HBV genotypes in the indigenous Pakistani population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 690 individuals were enrolled for HBV screening with EIA and nested PCR. Positive samples were further analyzed to determine HBV genotypes (A-F) by multiplex-PCR using type specific primers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>110 (15.94%) individuals were positive for HBV, including 64% males and 36% females. Out of these, 66 samples (65.34%) were classified into genotype D, 27 (26.73%) were of genotype B while 5(4.95%) had genotype A. In 3 (2.98%) samples, multiple genotypes were detected (genotype A+B; 2(1.99%) and genotypes B+D; 1(0.99%). Nine (8.18%) samples remained untyable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In Asia, genotypes B and C are the most prevalent but our study reveals that genotype D is predominant and HBV infection constitutes a significant health problem in Pakistan.</p

How to develop research question and select a research topic

The content of the book have systematically been designed starting from history of Medical Writing, Designing/ Planning of a Scientific Study, Literature Search, Data Collection, Basic Statistics, Research Proposal for Funding, multi facets of Medical Writing, Authorship Guidelines, Peer Review, Scientific Misconduct and Predatory Journals. Each of these themes have been elaborated with various dimensions, width-wise and depth-wise. A due attention has also been focused on Medical Ethics wherever pertinent. Each chapter ends with a list of relevant reference to provide ready evidence and to give space of the researchers to explore it further. The inclusion of quotable quotes at places on a good article, rejection of a paper, clinical skills, pressure on an editor, medical editors, the editor’s passport to heaven, peer reviewers and the like have rendered the book palatable and digestible and provided a literary look (social science)

Efficacy of Different Organophosphate Pesticides against Jassid Feeding on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Field studies were conducted for the determination of efficacy of different organophosphate pesticides viz Profenofos, Dimethoate , Acephate and Malathion against jassid (Amrasca devastans) feeding on okra crop. Seeds of okra crop were planted in randomized block design with 3 replicates. The pretreatment observations were recorded at 24 hour before spray, while, the post-treatment observations were taken after 1, 2, 3,4,5,6 and 7 days of treatment. The crop was sprayed four times repeatedly with 7 day interval during the experimental period. The results revealed that all of the tested pesticides reduced the population of Amrasca devastans except Profenofos. Though the Profenofos was unable to reduce the pest population but it was able to somewhat control the further proliferation of pest. In contrary Dimethoate was found as the most effective against the jassid with significant reduction in pest population against the control and other treatments.The results obtained from the research concluded that the organophosphate pesticides including Dimethoate, Acephate, and Malathion were found effective for controlling the jassid population feeding on okra but the low dose of pesticides including Profenfos were found ineffective