Administration of 5-HT-1B agonist ameliorates pseudodementia induced by depression in rats

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the leading cause of memory impairment in general population. The serotonin hypothesis provides a target model for the treatment of depression and depression-associated memory loss. 5-HT-1B receptor is suggested as a potential candidate in the pathophysiology of depressive illness. Dysfunction of 5-HT-1B receptors has been observed previously in depressive patients. Zolmitriptan, 5-HT-1B agonist is clinically recommended for the treatment of migraine. However, in present study this drug was tested as a potential treatment for depression and associated memory loss by altering the serotonergic function at receptor level. Rats (n=24) were equally divided into unstressed and stressed groups. Depression was induced by 19 days of restraint stress for 4 h which was followed by forced swim test and pattern separation test to assess depressive symptoms and memory impairment, respectively. The initial sign of depression-associated memory loss involves impaired pattern separation which is regarded as pseudodementia. In this study stressed ratsshowed depression- and pseudodementia-like symptoms. After the induction of depression, rats were treated with zolmitriptan at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg which resulted in a significant attenuation of depression and depression-associated memory impairment. Results are discussed with reference to the modulation of function of 5-HT-1B receptor following the administration of exogenous agonist

Identification of heavy metal ions from aqueous environment through gold, Silver and Copper Nanoparticles: An excellent colorimetric approach

Heavy metal pollution has become a severe threat to human health and the environment for many years. Their extensive release can severely damage the environment and promote the generation of many harmful diseases of public health concerns. These toxic heavy metals can cause many health problems such as brain damage, kidney failure, immune system disorder, muscle weakness, paralysis of the limbs, cardio complaint, nervous system. For many years, researchers focus on developing specific reliable analytical methods for the determination of heavy metal ions and preventing their acute toxicity to a significant extent. The modern researchers intended to utilize efficient and discerning materials, e.g. nanomaterials, especially the metal nanoparticles to detect heavy metal ions from different real sources rapidly. The metal nanoparticles have been broadly utilized as a sensing material for the colorimetric detection of toxic metal ions. The metal nanoparticles such as Gold (Au), Silver (Ag), and Copper (Cu) exhibited localized plasmon surface resonance (LPSR) properties which adds an outstanding contribution to the colorimetric sensing field. Though, the stability of metal nanoparticles was major issue to be exploited colorimetric sensing of heavy emtal ions, but from last decade different capping and stabilizing agents such as amino acids, vitmains, acids and ploymers were used to functionalize the metal surface of metal nanoparticles. These capping agents prevent the agglomeration of nanoparticles and make them more active for prolong period of time. This review covers a comprehensive work carried out for colorimetric detection of heavy metals based on metal nanoparticles from the year 2014 to onwards. © 202

Comparison of Parkin Score and New Ballard Score for Gestational Age Assessment in Newborns with Ultrasound Scan as the Standard Reference

Objective: To compare the assessment of gestational age (GA) in newborns using the Parkin Scoring and the New Ballard Scoring methods with the Ultrasound Scan Method as the Standard Reference, conducted at a peripheral military setup. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pediatrics department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Abbottabad from July 2019 to June 2020. A total of 102 newborns were recruited from the CMH Nursery. GA was assessed using ultrasound scan, Parkin Score (PS), and the New Ballard Score (NBS). Pearson correlation coefficient statistics were calculated to evaluate the strength of associations among the three methods. The significance level (p value) was set at 0.05. Results: The study included 47 (46.1%) females and 55 (53.9%) males. The highest GA (days) was calculated by ultrasound scan (268.76 ± 0.83), followed by PS GA (266.65 ± 1.00) and NBS (264.38 ± 1.05). There was no significant difference in GA assessment between PS and the ultrasound scan (2.32 ± 1.37 days; p = 0.208). The GA assessment between NBS and the ultrasound scan was found to be significant (4.38 ± 1.37 days; p = 0.004). However, this difference is not clinically significant. The NBS and PS GA assessment had a strong positive correlation (Pearson Coefficient = 0.80). Conclusions: The PS is a reliable method for assessing GA in newborns and is comparable to the NBS. Further research with a larger sample size should be conducted to validate these findings

Spirulina platensis (Blue-green algae): A miracle from sea combats the oxidative stress and improves behavioral deficits in an animal model of schizophrenia

Spirulina platensis (blue-green algae) is a nutritional supplement. It constitutes of high content of protein, antioxidants, various phytopigments and possesses neuroprotective activities. Schizophrenia (SZ) is recognized as a neuropsychiatric disorder in humans with a reduced lifespan followed with impairments in social as well as vocational functioning. Major psychotic symptoms of SZ cluster into three categories: positive, negative and cognitive dysfunctions. Dizocilpine recognized as one of the best drugs to mimic full spectrum of SZ can develop an animal model of the disorder. Various antipsychotics are considered as approved treatment therapy for the psychotic symptoms of SZ but they also exert adverse effects. Thus, there is an excessive need for novel treatment(s) with negligible adverse effects. Present study was designed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of spirulina in ameliorating the psychosis- like symptoms in dizocilpine-induced rat model of SZ. Spirulina was tested at the dose of 180 mg/kg. Results showed that administration of spirulina improved behavioral deficits and combated the oxidative damage evident by a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant level. Thus, from present findings it may be suggested that spirulina can be used as a therapy for preventive or therapeutic measures

Association between Genetic Polymorphism and Risk of von Willebrand Disease in Pakistan

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is an inherited, genetically and clinically heterogeneous hemorrhagic disorder. The most common cause of this disease is mutation in the gene that encodes protein von Willebrand factor (VWF) which is responsible for blood clotting. The current study was designed to investigate the role of genetic polymorphisms with the onset of VWD in population of Pakistan. Three exonic variants (c.3445T>C; c.4975C>T; c.7603C>T) from VWF gene were used for the genotyping purpose. The current study employed a case-control association design involving 43 VWD patients and 100 healthy controls from Pakistani population. The genetic reason of VWD was investigated using the allele specific PCR. The significant (PC, c.4975C>T, and c.7603C>T, resp.] while genotypes CC (c.4975C>T) and TT (c.3445T>C and c.7603C>T) were having protective effect against the disease. However, replicated studies are needed for elaborating the role of these SNPs

Preventive Effects of Curcumin Against Drug- and Starvation-Induced Gastric Erosions in Rats

The present study was designed to investigate the gastroprotective, analgesic, and antipyretic effects of curcumin (Cur), the major constituent of turmeric. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was used in this study as a standard drug for comparison. The analgesic activity was measured using the Hot-Plate Test. The antipyretic and antiulcer effects were assessed using yeast-induced pyrexia and gastric ulceration, respectively. Curcumin (100 mg/kg) injected intra-peritoneally 1 hr prior to the Hot-Plate Test showed significant analgesic activity expressed by both parameters: an increase in latency time and a reduction in paw licking as compared to the controls. In the animal model of pyrexia, curcumin (100 mg/kg injected intra-peritoneally) exhibited a significant reduction in the rectal temperature after 1 hr, 2 hrs, 4 hrs, and 5 hrs of treatment, indicating the antipyretic effect of curcumin. Rats with orally administered curcumin (200 mg/kg) did not show any lesions on the inner lining of the stomach after a 16 hr fast, indicating the gastroprotective effects of curcumin as compared to saline- and acetylsalicylic acid-administered rats. The significantly low ulcer index in curcumin-treated rats following starvation highlights the gastroprotective characteristics of curcumin

‘Immune-inflammatory markers & clinical characteristics for outcomes in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients of Pakistan: a retrospective analysis’

ABSTRACTObjective Accumulating evidence suggests the role of immune-inflammatory markers in early risk stratification and prognostication of COVID-19 patients. We aimed to evaluate their association with severity and the development of diagnostic scores with optimal thresholds in critical patients.Setting and participants This retrospective case study includes hospitalized COVID-19 patients from March 2019 to March, 2022, in the developing area teaching hospital in Pakistan. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive patients, n = 467 were investigated for clinical outcomes, comorbidities and disease prognosis. The plasma levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), ferritin and Complete blood count markers were measured.Results Majority were males (58.8%) and patients with comorbidities had more severe disease. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the commonest comorbidities. Shortness of breath, myalgia and cough were the main symptoms. The hematological markers NLR, as well as the plasma levels of immune-inflammatory variables, IL-6, LDH, Procalcitonin, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Ferritin were markedly raised in severe and critical patients (p 90% of patients in terms of COVID-19 severity (AUC = 0.93, 91.7%, se; 90.3%sp). Furthermore, positive correlation with all other markers including NLR with cut-off = 2.99 (AUC = 0.87, se = 89.8%, sp = 88.4%), CRP with cut-offs at 42.9 mg/l, (AUC = 0.883, se = 89.3% and sp = 78.6%), LDH cut-off at 267μg/L, evidenced in >80% patients (AUC = 0.834 se = 84% and sp = 80%). Additionally, ESR and ferritin have the corresponding AUC 0.81 and 0.813 with cut-off at 55 mm/hr and 370, respectively.Conclusion Investigating the immune-inflammatory markers can assist physicians in providing prompt treatment and ICU admission in terms of COVID-19 severity. As a result, which may reduce the overall mortality of COVID-19 patients