Antioxidant Status, C-Reactive Protein and Iron Status in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of acute pulmonary tuberculosis and the effect of drug therapy on markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA] and total antioxidant status [TAS]), C-reactive protein (CRP) and iron body status indices. Methods:Forty patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis from the Advisory Clinic for Chest and Respiratory Diseases in Mosul City, Iraq,were included in this study, with fifty healthy age and sex matched subjects as controls. Assessment of serum concentrations of MDA, TAS, CRP, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, transferring saturation percent and ferritin were done for both patients and controls. After two months of therapy with a daily dose of isoniazid 75 mg, rifampicin 150mg, pyraziamide 400 mg, and ethambutol 275 mg, the same parameters were reassessed for the patients. Results: After two months of therapy, there was a significant reduction in the levels of MDA, CRP, and ferritin, with a significant increase in the TAS, serum iron, and transferring saturation percentage with an insignificant effect on the total iron binding capacity in comparison with the patients’ pre-therapy values. Conclusion: Active pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with oxidative stress; the increase in the levels of CRP indicated that pulmonary tuberculosis is associated with an inflammatory response. The initial two months therapy led to significant improvement in oxidative stress and suppression of inflammatory responses. Newly diagnosed cases of pulmonary tuberculosis often had chronic anaemia of inflammation, but this therapy resulted in a significant correction of such anaemia

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Poultry Feces

Enterococci, especially Enterococcus faecalis and faecium, have emerged as an important nosocomial pathogen and represent a serious threat to patients with impaired host defenses. E. faecalis and faecium are part of the normal intestinal microbial flora of poultry and man under most conditions, they are considered as an opportunistic pathogen. In the current study, an investigation of Enterococcus spp. isolated from poultry feces and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern was studied, due to the worldwide attachment with poultry by human being. Samples were collected from different sites of Allahabad, India, 80 samples collected screened for the presence of E. faecalis and E. faecium and identified based on cultural and biochemical characteristics. Thirty-five isolates were identified as E. faecalis (57.37%), while 26 were E. faecium (42.62%). The pathogens isolated were tested for their susceptibility toward 10 different commonly prescribed antibiotics. Most of the isolates showed resistance toward antibiotics under study. E. faecalis strain suggested a higher percentage of possibility of infection estimated by 15% in comparison with E. faecium as it was found to be less in a screening. The high resistance rate also indicates the negative impact of the antibiotic therapy. To evaluate the extent of transmission and impact of such transmission on the effectiveness of the antibacterial use in human medicine, further study is imperative. Periodic monitoring of antibiotic resistance pattern to detect any change in it would be necessary for the effective treatment against these pathogens. Enterococci revealed an alarming rate of resistance to the standard antimicrobial agents used for therapy and raised MIC values to vancomycin. The importance and infection control were stressed

Effects of Losartan versus Enalapril on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Hypertensive Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

To investigate the effects of losartan and enalapril on serum uric acid in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome, one hundred and twenty six newly diagnosed mild hypertensive patients, having markers of metabolic syndrome included  in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (60 patients) was given losartan (50 mg/ day) and group 2 (66 patients)  enalapril (20 mg/ day) for a duration of 2 months. A control group of seventy apparently healthy individuals were included. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome related to the American National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. Serum uric acid levels were measured before and after drug administration. The results revealed a significant higher levels of uric acid were found in the hypertensive patients as compared with control group and a  significant drop of uric acid was noted after treatment with losartan but not with enalapril.  In conclusions: this study demonstrates significantly higher serum uric acid concentrations in hypertensive patients having markers of metabolic syndrome. Losartan but not enalapril therapy produced a significant fall in the serum uric acid level. Losartan can be useful therapeutic agent to control blood pressure and to reduce serum uric acid level in hypertensive patients having markers of metabolic syndrome and hyperuricaemia. Key words: Hypertension, metabolic syndrome, uric acid, losartan, enalapril

Different Concentrations of Honey's Antimicrobial Activity Against ‎Staphylococcus Aureus by HPLC Determination

Honey has been used in ancient times as a treatment. It is used for healing wounds and also can be used as antiseptic to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of honey as a bactericidal and bacteriostatic and to measure the most active compounds of honey with highly bacterial inhibition zone using HPLC technique. In this experiment and the honey was used to check whether the honey can be used as an antimicrobial agent or not. First by well diffusion method is done by adding different concentrations of honey (25, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, microliter). Th results showed a little inhibition zone for the three types of honey but in different size for each type. The industrial honey showed the largest effect. Different concentrations were used (10 %, 30 % 50%). The antibiotic sensitivity was applied, the result showed only two resistant antibiotics (Azithromycin and Erythromycin). The concentration of Catalase, Amylase, Invertase, Glucose oxidase in honey tested by HPLC and showed the concentration of each substance cons of catalase = (32877 ÷ 170253 ) x 20 = 3.862 u/ml; cons of amylase = (136985 ÷ 180849) x 20 = 15.149 u/ml; cons of Invertase = (58466  ÷ 193624) x 20 = 6.039 u/ml; cons of glucose peroxide = (105204 ÷ 163245) x 20 =12.889 u/ml. Moreover, the presence of gluconic acid ‘Organic acid’ gives the honey its acidic characteristic which is about 3.2 pH

Heading Frequency and Risk of Cognitive Impairment in Retired Male Professional Soccer Players

Importance Although professional soccer players appear to be at higher risk of neurodegenerative disease, the reason remains unknown.Objective To examine whether heading frequency is associated with risk of cognitive impairment in retired professional soccer players.Design, Setting, and Participants A UK nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted between August 15, 2020, and December 31, 2021, in 459 retired male professional soccer players older than 45 years and registered with the Professional Footballers’ Association or a League Club Players’ Association.Exposure Data on heading frequency in 3 bands—0 to 5, 6 to 15, and more than 15 times per match or training session and other soccer-specific risk factors, such as player position and concussion—were collected through a self-reported questionnaire.Main Outcomes and Measures Cognitive impairment was defined using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified as scores of less than or equal to 21. Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, verbal fluency, and independent activities of daily living were also assessed. Test Your Memory and physician-diagnosed dementia/Alzheimer disease were self-reported via the questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% CIs were calculated.Results Of 468 retired male professional soccer players who completed questionnaires (mean [SD] age, 63.68 [10.48]; body mass index, 27.22 [2.89]), 459 reported heading frequency: 114 headed 0 to 5 times, 185 headed 6 to 15 times, 160 headed more than 15 times per match, and 125 headed 0 to 5 times, 174 headed 6 to 15 times, and 160 headed more than 15 times per training session during their careers. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 9.78% (0-5 times), 14.78% (6-15 times), and 15.20% (>15 times) per match (P = .51). Compared with players reporting 0 to 5 headers per match, the AORs were 2.71 (95% CI, 0.89-8.25) for players reporting 6 to 15 headers per match and 3.53 (95% CI, 1.13-11.04) for players reporting more than 15 headers per match (P = .03 for trend). Corresponding AORs for heading frequency per training session were 2.38 (95% CI, 0.82-6.95) for those reporting 6 to 15, and 3.40 (95% CI, 1.13-10.23) for those reporting more than 15 in comparison with those who reported 0 to 5 (P = .03 for trend). Concussion involving memory loss was also associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment (AOR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.08-9.22). Similar results were observed with other cognitive tests and self-reported physician-diagnosed dementia/Alzheimer disease.Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that repetitive heading during a professional soccer career is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment in later life. Further study is needed to establish the upper threshold for heading frequency to mitigate this risk

Experimental and theoretical investigations of Erbium complex: DNA/BSA interaction, anticancer and antibacterial studies

To assess the biological potential of an Er complex that contains a 2,2'-bipyridine ligand, various techniques such as multispectral and molecular modeling procedures were utilized to examine its DNA-binding ability, BSA binding affinity, antimicrobial effects, and anticancer properties. By analyzing fluorescent information and employing the vant’ Hoff equation, important parameters such as the innate docking coefficient (Kb), Stern-Volmer coefficient (KSV), and thermodynamic properties including modifications in liberated energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (∆H°), and entropy (∆S°) were determined. The trial findings suggest that the compound can bind to DNA, primarily through groove binding. Additionally, the engagement between the Er compound and the protein BSA was examined using emission spectroscopy technique, revealing a powerful binding affinity between the compound and BSA. The Er complex binds to BSA primarily via hydrogen links and van der Waals forces, as indicated by the adverse values of ΔH° and ∆S°. Through a static quenching process, the complex significantly reduces the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Molecular binding calculations and rivalrous binding trials confirm that this compound dock to hydrophobic remains found in site III of BSA. Additionally, the Er complex demonstrates promising results in terms of its anticancer and antimicrobial activities based on screening tests

Gabapentin for chronic pelvic pain in women (GaPP2): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Chronic pelvic pain affects 2–24% of women worldwide and evidence for medical treatments is scarce. Gabapentin is effective in treating some chronic pain conditions. We aimed to measure the efficacy and safety of gabapentin in women with chronic pelvic pain and no obvious pelvic pathology. Methods: We performed a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial in 39 UK hospital centres. Eligible participants were women with chronic pelvic pain (with or without dysmenorrhoea or dyspareunia) of at least 3 months duration. Inclusion criteria were 18–50 years of age, use or willingness to use contraception to avoid pregnancy, and no obvious pelvic pathology at laparoscopy, which must have taken place at least 2 weeks before consent but less than 36 months previously. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive gabapentin (titrated to a maximum dose of 2700 mg daily) or matching placebo for 16 weeks. The online randomisation system minimised allocations by presence or absence of dysmenorrhoea, psychological distress, current use of hormonal contraceptives, and hospital centre. The appearance, route, and administration of the assigned intervention were identical in both groups. Patients, clinicians, and research staff were unaware of the trial group assignments throughout the trial. Participants were unmasked once they had provided all outcome data at week 16–17, or sooner if a serious adverse event requiring knowledge of the study drug occurred. The dual primary outcome measures were worst and average pain scores assessed separately on a numerical rating scale in weeks 13–16 after randomisation, in the intention-to-treat population. Self-reported adverse events were assessed according to intention-to-treat principles. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISCRTN77451762. Findings: Participants were screened between Nov 30, 2015, and March 6, 2019, and 306 were randomly assigned (153 to gabapentin and 153 to placebo). There were no significant between-group differences in both worst and average numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at 13–16 weeks after randomisation. The mean worst NRS pain score was 7·1 (standard deviation [SD] 2·6) in the gabapentin group and 7·4 (SD 2·2) in the placebo group. Mean change from baseline was −1·4 (SD 2·3) in the gabapentin group and −1·2 (SD 2·1) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference −0·20 [97·5% CI −0·81 to 0·42]; p=0·47). The mean average NRS pain score was 4·3 (SD 2·3) in the gabapentin group and 4·5 (SD 2·2) in the placebo group. Mean change from baseline was −1·1 (SD 2·0) in the gabapentin group and −0·9 (SD 1·8) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference −0·18 [97·5% CI −0·71 to 0·35]; p=0·45). More women had a serious adverse event in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (10 [7%] of 153 in the gabapentin group compared with 3 [2%] of 153 in the placebo group; p=0·04). Dizziness, drowsiness, and visual disturbances were more common in the gabapentin group. Interpretation: This study was adequately powered, but treatment with gabapentin did not result in significantly lower pain scores in women with chronic pelvic pain, and was associated with higher rates of side-effects than placebo. Given the increasing reports of abuse and evidence of potential harms associated with gabapentin use, it is important that clinicians consider alternative treatment options to off-label gabapentin for the management of chronic pelvic pain and no obvious pelvic pathology. Funding: National Institute for Health Research

Gabapentin for chronic pelvic pain in women (GaPP2):a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BackgroundChronic pelvic pain affects 2–24% of women worldwide and evidence for medical treatments is scarce. Gabapentin is effective in treating some chronic pain conditions. We aimed to measure the efficacy and safety of gabapentin in women with chronic pelvic pain and no obvious pelvic pathology.MethodsWe performed a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial in 39 UK hospital centres. Eligible participants were women with chronic pelvic pain (with or without dysmenorrhoea or dyspareunia) of at least 3 months duration. Inclusion criteria were 18–50 years of age, use or willingness to use contraception to avoid pregnancy, and no obvious pelvic pathology at laparoscopy, which must have taken place at least 2 weeks before consent but less than 36 months previously. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive gabapentin (titrated to a maximum dose of 2700 mg daily) or matching placebo for 16 weeks. The online randomisation system minimised allocations by presence or absence of dysmenorrhoea, psychological distress, current use of hormonal contraceptives, and hospital centre. The appearance, route, and administration of the assigned intervention were identical in both groups. Patients, clinicians, and research staff were unaware of the trial group assignments throughout the trial. Participants were unmasked once they had provided all outcome data at week 16–17, or sooner if a serious adverse event requiring knowledge of the study drug occurred. The dual primary outcome measures were worst and average pain scores assessed separately on a numerical rating scale in weeks 13–16 after randomisation, in the intention-to-treat population. Self-reported adverse events were assessed according to intention-to-treat principles. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISCRTN77451762.FindingsParticipants were screened between Nov 30, 2015, and March 6, 2019, and 306 were randomly assigned (153 to gabapentin and 153 to placebo). There were no significant between-group differences in both worst and average numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores at 13–16 weeks after randomisation. The mean worst NRS pain score was 7·1 (standard deviation [SD] 2·6) in the gabapentin group and 7·4 (SD 2·2) in the placebo group. Mean change from baseline was −1·4 (SD 2·3) in the gabapentin group and −1·2 (SD 2·1) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference −0·20 [97·5% CI −0·81 to 0·42]; p=0·47). The mean average NRS pain score was 4·3 (SD 2·3) in the gabapentin group and 4·5 (SD 2·2) in the placebo group. Mean change from baseline was −1·1 (SD 2·0) in the gabapentin group and −0·9 (SD 1·8) in the placebo group (adjusted mean difference −0·18 [97·5% CI −0·71 to 0·35]; p=0·45). More women had a serious adverse event in the gabapentin group than in the placebo group (10 [7%] of 153 in the gabapentin group compared with 3 [2%] of 153 in the placebo group; p=0·04). Dizziness, drowsiness, and visual disturbances were more common in the gabapentin group.InterpretationThis study was adequately powered, but treatment with gabapentin did not result in significantly lower pain scores in women with chronic pelvic pain, and was associated with higher rates of side-effects than placebo. Given the increasing reports of abuse and evidence of potential harms associated with gabapentin use, it is important that clinicians consider alternative treatment options to off-label gabapentin for the management of chronic pelvic pain and no obvious pelvic pathology.FundingNational Institute for Health Research

Utilization of extracted protein from fish fin and chicken feather waste for alkaline protease production by indigenous bacteria

Environmental pollution is a major problem in the developed and developing countries. Fish fins (FF) and chicken feathers (CF) can be sources of solid waste contamination; hence, both FF and CF were investigated for alkaline protease (AP) production through microbial degradation. Proteins were extracted from these samples and added into the production medium containing the bacterial suspension, and assayed for AP production. The process parameters were optimized by OFAT and the optimum conditions for CF and FF were pH 9.0, temperature of 28°C for CF and 40°C for FF, incubation period was 6 and 10 days for CF and FF, respectively. The optimum carbon source was galactose and glucose for CF and FF respectively, and the optimum nitrogen source was ammonium chloride and beef extract, respectively. The inoculum size of 1.5 mL and a protein volume of 0.5 and 2.0 mL for CF and FF, respectively was recorded. The present study indicates the protein was successfully extracted from the waste used and degraded by AP enzyme that produced and optimized using OFAT by indigenous bacterial isolates

Wpływ preparatów biologicznych na zdrowotność owoców papryki słodkiej i zawartość sacharydów

Sweet pepper is an important vegetable plant, not only because of its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of its fruits, mainly due to the fact that they are an excellent source of natural colours, especially carotenoids, antioxidant compounds and sugars. Saccharides content in the pepper fruits is the most important component of sweet taste of these fruits. In the available literature there are not many information about the influence of biological preparations on the content of the biological compounds and nutritional value of sweet pepper fruits. The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of some biological preparations such as Bioczos Płynny (garlic pulp), Biosept 33 SL (grapefruit extract), Bio-algeen S90 Plus (sea algae Ascophyllum nodosum), Boni Protect Forte (fungi Aureobasidium pullulans), on the health status of pepper fruits and quantitative and qualitative composition of saccharides in the fruits of Roberta F1 cv. in 2010–2012. The effect of tested preparations on health state of fruits was presented as a proportion of the fruits number with diseases symptoms relative to the total number of fruits. In the present study fructose, glucose and sucrose content in sweet pepper fruits was evaluated. During the middle of the harvest period ripe, healthy and typical for cultivar fruits were collected for analysis. Sugars concentrations were determined in the water-soluble fraction, using high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC. The studies showed no significant effect of biological preparations on the average weight of the marketable fruits of sweet peppers. However tested preparations were a significant effect on the health state of pepper fruits. The smallest number of fruits with disease symptoms was obtained from plant protected with Bioczos Płynny. The protective use of biological preparations does not change significantly of saccharides content in sweet pepper fruits. However the results show that the treatment with biopreparation Boni Protect Forte resulted in a slight in- crease the content of glucose and fructose in pepper fruits, but the using of Bioczos Płynny decreased the content of glucose and sucrose.Ze względu na wysoką wartość biologiczną owoców papryka słodka jest warzywem o dużym znaczeniu gospodarczym. Owoce papryki są bogatym źródłem naturalnych barwników, zwłaszcza karotenoidów, wielu związków o właściwościach przeciw-utleniających, a także sacharydów. Wielkość i jakość plonu papryki słodkiej zależy od technologii uprawy, w tym od profilaktycznych zabiegów ochrony roślin. W dostępnej literaturze jest niewiele informacji na temat wpływu preparatów biologicznych stosowanych do ochrony roślin papryki na wartość biologiczną owoców. Celem pracy wykonanej w latach 2010–2012 była ocena wpływu pięciu preparatów biologicznych: Bioczos Płynny (miazga czosnkowa), Biosept 33 SL (ekstrakt z grejpfruta), Bio-algeen S90 Plus (algi morskie Ascophyllum nodosum), Boni Protect Forte (grzyb Aureobasidium pullulans), na zdrowotność owoców oraz masę owocu handlowego i skład jakościowy sacharydów w papryce słodkiej odmiany Roberta F1. Wpływ badanych preparatów na zdrowotność owoców przedstawiono jako udział liczby owoców z objawami chorobowymi w stosunku do liczby owoców ogółem. Do oznaczenia sacharydów wykorzystano owoce zdrowe, typowe dla odmiany i w pełni dojrzałe. Zawartość cukrów określano we frakcji rozpuszczalnej w wodzie za pomocą wysokosprawnej chromatografii cieczowej HPLC. W badaniach nie wykazano istotnego wpływu ochrony roślin preparatami biologicznymi na średnią masę owocu handlowego papryki słodkiej. Wykazano natomiast znaczący wpływ preparatów biologicznych na zdrowotność owoców. Najmniejszym udziałem liczby owoców z objawami chorobowymi w liczbie owoców ogółem odznaczało się plonowanie roślin chronionych preparatem Bioczos Płynny. Profilaktyczne stosowanie preparatów biologicznych nie powodowało istotnych zmian w zawartości sacharydów w owocach papryki słodkiej. Wykazano, jednak, iż zabiegi ochronne biopreparatem Boni Protect Forte wpływały nieznacznie na wzrost zawartości glukozy i fruktozy w owocach papryki, a stosowanie Bioczosu Płynnego na zmniejszenie zawartości glukozy i sacharozy