EUGENOL AMELIORATES RHABDOMYOLYSIS-INDUCED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY IN MICE

ABSTRACT   Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and dangerous consequence of rhabdomyolysis which occurs in 50% of the cases with 5-10% mortality. In recent studies, eugenol has been reported as anti-fungal, antihyperglycemic, analgesic, anti-bacterial, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent. This study aimed to investigate the protective activity of eugenol on rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice.   Methods: Male, 24 BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups (controls, AKI, eugenol and ascorbic acid as positive control). Controls and AKI were given normal saline, Eugenol (100 mg/kg bw) and ascorbic acid (200mg/kg) were given orally eugenol and ascorbic acid respectively for four days. After water deprivation for 24 hours, all animals, except controls, were injected with glycerol (50% - 10 ml/kg body weight intra-muscularly). After another 24 hours, blood samples were collected and kidneys were dissected out for biochemical investigations (serum urea and creatinine) and histopathological examination.    Results: Serum urea and creatinine levels compared to controls were significantly elevated in AKI group (p < 0.001) and significantly decreased, in eugenol and ascorbic acid groups (p < 0.001) compared to AKI group.  Histopathological examination revealed about 44% damage in the AKI group compared to the normal group (p < 0.001). Eugenol and ascorbic acid decreased the damage to 13% and 8% respectively compared to AKI group (p < 0.001). The tested compounds were found to reduce tubular cast formation. Conclusion: Eugenol has protective effects on rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI in mice. Further studies are required for evaluation of protective role of this compound in AKI

HIGH FREQUENCY OF OSTEOPENIA IN YOUNG ADULTS OF KARACHI

Background: Osteopenia or low bone density, generally considered the disease of the old, is now sneaking around the younger generation. The increase in frequency of low trauma fractures is raising an alarm. This study was aimed to explore the frequency of osteopenia amongst young adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: Non-probability consecutive sampling was used to choose 116 subjects at Ziauddin University, Karachi, in January 2018. After informed consent participants underwent bone scans for measurement of bone mineral density on their calcaneus (bone in heel). Tocategorize osteopenia T-score between -1.0 and -2.5 was evaluated. All participants with T-score of -2.5 or below were identifiedas osteoporotic. The data were entered on IBM SPSS statistics version 20.0 and descriptive analysis was done. Results: Osteopenia was detected in 57 (49.1%) of the participants [42 (36.2%) male and 15 (12.9%) female] of which 38 (32.8%) belonged to aged 21 to 35 years. Osteoporosis was found in 20 (17.2%) of this group. In the older participants’ frequency of osteopenia and osteoporosis was 12.2% and 42.9% respectively. Chi square test indicated no significant association between age and bone scan results (p=0.432). Frequency of osteopenia was higher in males (56%) compared to females (36.6%) whereas, osteoporosis was higher in females (53.7%) than males (12%). Results showed statistically significant association (p>0.01) with gender and bone scan results. Conclusion: Almost half the young adults in our study classified for osteopenia. Lifestyle modification factors are hypothesized to play an important role towards this high frequency. Further studies should evaluate risk factors for osteopenia in younger population

Role of Salivary Chemerin in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) Patients with and without Chronic Periodontitis

Background: Chemerin is a multifunctional protein that plays a role in immunological function, chemotaxis, energy metabolism, and basic cell activities. Chemerin dysregulation contributes significantly to tumor angiogenesis and disease progression. The study aimed to assess salivary chemerin levels in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients with/without chronic periodontitis, as well as, investigate the relationship between chemerin levels and OSCC stages. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at the Dental OPD of Ziauddin University Hospital and Liaquat National Hospital Karachi Pakistan from January 2020-2021. A total of n=60 participants, 15 each of OSCC with and without periodontitis and 15 controls of periodontitis alone and 15 healthy controls were included in the study. The salivary levels of chemerin were measured by ELISA. The mean salivary chemerin level was compared using Kruskal–Wallis’s test among the stages, sites and grades of OSCC. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of study participants was estimated as 43.42±13.19 years (range: 20-60 years). The mean salivary chemerin levels in OSCC were highest in the late stages; 18.88±8.8 ng/ml in stage III and 17.63±5.09 ng/ml in stage IV. A statistically significant difference was observed in mean salivary chemerin levels concerning the stage of OCSS (p=0.025). Furthermore, periodontal status was statistically associated with the site of the tumor (p<0.05). Conclusion: In OSCC and periodontitis, salivary chemerin levels were shown to be higher compared to healthy controls (p=0.025). Therefore, it can be utilized as a new therapeutic target for detecting tumorigenesis. Keywords: Chemerin; Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Periodontitis; Periodontal Disease; Saliva; Salivary Chemerin Level

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Assessment of underground water resources of Gharo city, Sindh, Pakistan

This investigation focuses on the extent of public health quality of underground water available in Gharo city, Sindh Pakistan that represents a very poor socioeconomic profile. The city has a very limited piped water supply and the people mostly rely on well water. Underground water samples were collected from 28 different locations and the water quality was assessed through a deterministic sampling programme followed by an intense physicochemical and bacteriological analysis. The results of these analyses disclosed that the underground water is grossly polluted due to domestic and agricultural discharges. The problem is further aggravated by poor sanitation conditions. None of the water samples met the water quality criteria set by NSDWQ and WHO. The groundwater was found to be fecally contaminated and poses serious human health hazards. Effective measures are urgently required for water quality management in the city

Implication of Salivary Chemerin in Diagnosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - A Review

The development of salivary biomarkers of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the area of great interest and research. OSCC is ranked as, the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Most often, its symptoms are not evident during the initial stages or even absent until the cancer has metastasized. If detected early, the rate of cure may be as high as 50%. Hence, there is a dire need to develop diagnostic tools, which may help in early detection and differentiation between high-risk individuals, oral pre-malignant lesions and OSCC. Recently, increased levels of salivary biomarker Chemerin have been shown to be associated with malignant tumors. Since, the validity of any biomarker is the most challenging task for the researcher therefore, there is still debate going about its circulating effects on OSCC growth, whether high levels of Chemerin may act as a valuable biomarker for OSCC. The information was extracted from search engines including Medline, Google Scholar and PubMed through different research papers from 2000-2020. The review emphasized the need to conduct further studies on the significance of Chemerin. Very few studies have shared the association between Chemerin and detection of oral cancer. However, this relationship is strong enough to claim Chemerin as an important diagnostic marker during diagnosis of oral cancer. Keywords: Chemerin; Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma; Biomarker; Neoplasm Metastasis; Proteins

Impact of indiscriminate disposal of untreated effluents in Korangi creek, Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract Korangi creek is one of the major creek of Indus delta which receives both untreated industrial and domestic effluents. It provides an important waterway to approach Port Qasim. A survey of water quality and the sediments along with biodiversity of benthic fauna was conducted. A total of 24 water and 14 sediment samples were collected from February to November 2014. The mean pH of seawater and sediment samples was 7.41 and 7.5, respectively. The mean salinity of seawater was 36‰. The mean BOD5 of seawater and sediments was 288 mg/l and 1645 mg/kg, respectively, while COD was 1231.9 mg/l and 1645.3 mg/kg, respectively. Cyanide content was low in seawater but slightly higher in sediment. Mean phenol level of seawater and sediment was 0.61 mg/l and 8.11 mg/kg. Heavy metals in the seawater was established to be in the order Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > Zn > As. The trend in sediment was slightly different and followed the following pattern Pb > As > Ni > Cu > Cr > Zn. The distribution pattern of the estimated variables for seawater and sediments was examined using the principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Annelida and Arthropoda were the dominant components of biodiversity. Taxa diversity was measured and Shannon index (H) ranged between 1.364 and 1.969 while equitability (J) ranged between 0.549 and 0.862. Dominance (D) was in the range of 0.156–0.436

DEVELOPING INTEREST IN EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE THROUGH BASIC GENETIC RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Objectives: To develop interest in laboratory based genetic research in undergraduate medical students and to identify the effectiveness of hands on laboratory exposure in culminating interest and confidence in students to pursue further skills and evidence based medicine before they begin clinical rotations in the 3rd year of medical college. Methods: A two-month long study was conducted that included lab work and data collection through an online form. Out of 120 MBBS students initially registered, only 100 filled out the form. The experiment was conducted over three hours under faculty supervision. The participating students had no prior experience of the materials/methods, safety precautions, equipment, procedure, expected outcomes and application and relevance to clinical practice. Results: Out of 100 participating students, 81 were second year and 19 from third year. The difference in response to research opportunity between 2nd and 3rd year medical students was highly significant (p value <0.001). Out of 100, 96 students were seeking opportunities to participate in research. However, 73 students had no previous knowledge of bench work. The remaining 27 students had prior laboratory experience at school but were not familiar with DNA extraction or related equipment. The increase in confidence (97%) to handle the equipment was highly significant (p value 0.0008). Conclusion: The introduction to laboratory skills in pre-clinical years was found to be effective as shown by the difference in initiative among 2nd and 3rd year medical students (p value <0.001). Incorporation of laboratory based research module is recommended in preclinical years of the medical undergraduate curriculum

Spatio- temporal analysis of pollutants in Karachi coastal water

Karachi coast is heavily polluted due to the regular discharge of domestic and industrial effluents. The present study discloses the occurrence and distribution of anthropogenic pollutants in samples collected from ten different places along the coastline of Karachi. The extent of pollution load for three consecutive years was estimated through the GIS technique. The results of the analysis revealed that physical parameters (pH, DO, salinity) were within the permissible limits whereas the level of chemical pollutants (except cyanide, As, Cr, and Cd) were exceptionally higher as compared to National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). On average, the study site Creek Avenue showed a higher pollution load of BOD, COD cyanide, TKN, and oil and grease. The average concentration of all heavy metals for three consecutive years (2015-2017) was found to be in an order of As&lt;Cr&lt;Cd&lt;Pb&lt;Ni. The study concluded that Karachi coastal area is overwhelmed with heavy loads of chemical and metallic pollution that requires strict regulations to secure the aquatic ecosystem

Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) – the hormone with clinical significance in gestational diabetes mellitus

This study aimed at determining the association between serum neuregulin 4 (NRG4) and insulin in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their correlation with other metabolic parameters. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019 at Ziauddin University, Karachi. Pregnant women (n = 80), at 24–28 weeks of gestation, were recruited. Demographic data, anthropometric measurements and antenatal history were recorded. The fasting blood was drawn for testing fasting blood sugar (FBS), NRG4, insulin and lipid profile. The subjects were evaluated for glucose challenge test after 50 g glucose ingestion. NRG4 levels (1.00 ± 0.15) were found significantly high (p < .04) in healthy group compared to GDM (0.95 ± 0.11). In GDM females, high levels for FBS (p < .02) and cholesterol (p < .03) were observed. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) had direct weak association with NRG4, inverse relationship with cholesterol and LDL but significant association (p < .05) with insulin. Significantly high NRG4 in healthy females suggests its potential role in regulating insulin sensitivity. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Neuregulin 4 (NGR4) is a batokine which plays a potential role in regulating insulin sensitivity, maintaining energy and metabolic homeostasis. Due to its role in lipid and glucose homeostasis, some studies report its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but the results were controversial. What do the results of this study add? The study showed that NGR4 levels were significantly low in GDM subjects. Other metabolic factors especially insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were found associated significantly (p < .05) with NGR4. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? NGR4 can be a potential biomarker for gestational diabetes. Nevertheless, in order to confirm these findings, further studies, with bigger sample size are required to further ascertain the prospects of NRG4 as a potential biomarker for gestational diabetes