Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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A Review of the Effects of Omega-3 and Omega-6 on Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
Get PDFNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by fat accumulation in the liver not caused by excessive alcohol consumption. In contrast, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is directly caused by it. Excessive alcohol consumption causes inflammation and liver damage. Specific fatty acids (FAs) may be involved in this liver damage. Anti-inflammatory and blood lipid-lowering effects are the effects of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). NAFLD is the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome because obesity and insulin resistance are the main pathogenic factors of both diseases. NAFLD is a disease associated with metabolic syndrome. Most patients with NAFLD are obese, although the disease can also affect non-obese people. Metabolic and genetic factors play an essential role in the occurrence of this disease. Oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and inflammation play a key role in the development of NAFLD. There is a lot of evidence for the therapeutic potential of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), mainly docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in the treatment of metabolic diseases due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, in this review article, we examined the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 on alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Keywords: Omega-3; Omega-6; NAFLD; EPA; DHAEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language corrections
Antifungal Therapy and Probiotics in Women's Health - A Comprehensive Review
Get PDFCandida-induced infections affect millions of women around the world. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role of antifungal therapy and probiotics in managing one such infection, vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). The study employed a systematic review method to retrieve relevant articles from databases such as PubMed, MDPI, Scopus, and ResearchGate, using specific search criteria. The findings highlight the effectiveness and limitations of traditional antifungal treatment, the emergence of novel treatments targeting new biological pathways, and the potential of probiotics as adjunctive therapy. It is concluded that while traditional antifungals remain fundamental, resistance issues necessitate ongoing development of novel agents. Additionally, alternative therapies hold promise in enhancing treatment outcomes and maintaining vaginal health. The multifaceted approach in VVC treatment highlights the importance of integrating various infection control and treatment strategies into a more effective and holistic approach.Keywords: Candida sp.; Vulvovaginal candidiasis; Antifungal agents; Probiotics
The effect of methanol extract of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) on vimentin expression in the testes of rats (Rattus norvegicus) with induced cryptorchidism
Get PDFBackground: Clove is one of the spices that have strong antioxidant activity among other spices. The high concentration of ROS in cryptorchid testes is a major factor in the risk of developing testicular tumors. The aim of this study is that to determine the effect of methanol extract of cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) on the expression of Vimentin testis of white rats (Rattus norvegicus) with a unilateral cryptorchidism model.Methods: The experimental animals used were 24 male rats aged 21 days which were divided into six treatment groups. The negative control group was conducted sham surgery and it was given aquadest orally for 18 days (K-1) and 36 days (K-2). Meanwhile, the positive control group was induced by cryptorchid surgery and it was given aquadest orally for 18 days (K+1) and 36 days (K+2). Moreover, the treatment group was induced by surgical induction of cryptorchidism and treated with methanol extract of cloves at a dose of 70 mg/kg BW orally for 18 day (P+1) and 36 days (P+2). Vimentin immunostaining was evaluated by using the Index Remmele Scale (IRS) scoring method. Furthermore, data analysis by using Kruskal Wallis followed by Mann Whitney test.Results: The treatment group variables give a significant difference (p<0.05) on the expression of Vimentin, but no significant difference is found between the variable days of treatment and the treatment group on the expression of Vimentin.Conclusion: The addition of cloves methanol extract can reduce the expression of Vimentin in the testes of rats with unilateral cryptorchidism model.Keywords: Cloves; Cryptorchidism; Vimentin; Reproductive health
Effect of Laughter Therapy on Depression among Middle-Aged Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Get PDFBackground: Laughter therapy, known for its health benefits, has become a popular treatment for psychological conditions such as depression over the last ten years. The effectiveness of laughter therapy may differ with the cause of depression and the age of patients. No systematic reviews or meta-analyses have focused on the impact of laughter therapy on middle-aged women's depression. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of laughter therapy on depression in middle-aged women.Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-experimental studies on laughter therapy were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis which compared to the control group. The systematic review included English and non-English articles that were searched in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE electronic databases. Search terms included laugh, qigong, laughter therapy, humor, yoga, intervention, depression, middle age, menopause, and women. The article screening process was conducted by four authors independently and finally agreed upon by all. This systematic review and meta-analysis were reported according to the PRISMA guidelines. JBI critical appraisal tools were used to assess the quality of inclusion studies. The risk of bias was assessed using the risk of bias in non-randomized studies – of Interventions (ROBINS-I) assessment tool.Results: A total of 3102 studies were examined, and two publications (two quasi-experimental studies) were included. Studies were included and evaluated by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results indicated a significant decrease in depression among middle-aged women.Conclusion: Laughter therapy demonstrated cost-effectiveness and exhibited no adverse effects in middle-aged women, making it a viable option for promoting health and reducing depression among middle-aged women.Keywords: Laughter Therapy; Depression; Middle-Aged Women; Meta-Analysis Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about missing record of the Turnitin Originality / AI Reports. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.Editorial Note:28 May 2025: Missing record of the Turnitin Originality / AI Reports has been reconciled by conducting fresh analyses as per the editorial policy. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
Construction of subunit-based DNA vaccines against tuberculosis using five different Mycobacterium specific genes
Get PDFBackground: Tuberculosis remains the major infectious and contagious disease with respect to morbidity and mortality around the globe. The main etiological agent of TB is Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). The cure and/or control of this disease is getting difficult day by day especially due to emergence of drug resistant strains, HIV co-infection and unavailability of good vaccines. BCG is the only available and permitted vaccine against TB, which has variable efficacy only limited to childhood. Therefore, new, well defined, antigen specific and state of the art Molecular Biology based DNA vaccines are required.Methods: The current study is designed to develop subunit-based DNA vaccines against tuberculosis by using five different Mycobacterium specific genes, namely Rv1908c/KatG, Rv0350/DnaK, Rv0440/GroEL2, Rv0934/PstS and Rv3418c/GroES. All the selected genes were amplified through PCR and cloned into mammalian expression pVAX1 vector.Results: All the transformed constructs were confirmed through restriction digestion, colony PCR and sequence analysis. These constructs will be used for various in Vivo immunization studies and also for the challenge studies against TB in future experiments.Conclusion: DNA vaccines, alone or in combination with BCG, have enough potential to be a good therapeutic tool for TB and reduce the treatment time in future.Keywords: DNA vaccine; pVAX1; Tuberculosis; Vaccines
Evaluating the Antioxidant Capacity, Phenolic Contents, and Anticancer Potential of Caralluma europaea Extracts
Get PDFBackground: Caralluma europaea (C. europaea) is a genus of shrubs in the Apocynaceae family, endemic to the Mediterranean region. Assessing the anticancer properties, total phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of different C. europaea extracts were the aim of this study.Methods: To determine antioxidant activity, we used three free radical scavenging assays: DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO) assays. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured using colorimetric methods. The anti-important activity was evaluated by MTT assay.Results: Our findings showed that the efficacy of the extract in MCF7 cells decreased in the system containing chloroform, methanol, ethyl acetate, and water. The strength of the extract for U87 cells decreased according to methanolic, chloroform and water, where ethyl acetate was the strongest. The highest total phenolic and flavonoid content was found in methanol extract. All extracts showed a high scavenging activity of DPPH. Methanol extract showed the highest antioxidant activity in the NO assay of the solution, followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous extract. In the H2O2-based antioxidant activity assay, the methanol extract again showed the highest activity, followed by ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous extracts.Conclusions: Extracts of C. europaea have shown great potential as natural antioxidants and anticancer agents in this study, suggesting that they deserve further investigation into the food and pharmaceutical fields.Keywords: Phenolic content; Flavonoid content; Antioxidant activity; Anti-cancer activity
Exploring the Sequence analysis of the Two-Component System Response Regulator OmpR in Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii
Get PDFBackground: The study focuses on the clinical profiles, antibiotic susceptibility, and genetic characteristics of 25 A. baumannii isolates from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Patient Cohort: Ages range from 18 to 70 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.375. Notable Finding: Some multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates had commonalities with extensively drug-resistant (XDR) variations, showing the evolution of drug resistance.Methods: Analysis of Antibiotic Efficacy: Evaluation of antibiotic efficacy when the variable moved from lower (Bin 1) to higher (Bin 2) levels. Correlation Matrix: An analysis of antibiotic correlations to better identify potential cross-resistance and shared characteristics. Genetic Diversity Analysis: An examination of variants in the OmpR gene, including mutations and polymorphisms. Sequence Analysis is used to identify point mutations in OmpR, with an emphasis on transitions such as adenine (A) to guanine (G).Results: Significant improvement in antibiotic efficacy from Bin 1 to Bin 2. Correlation Findings: Antibiotics have complex interactions, which may indicate cross-resistance. Genetic diversity: Variations in the OmpR gene have implications for virulence and adaptability. Sequence Analysis: The majority of point mutations in OmpR were transitions, with A typically changing to G.Conclusion: In Iraq, the initial evidence has been found that clinical resistance in A. baumannii is possibly brought about through structural changes in the OmpR gene. Genetic diversity in A. baumannii isolates at specific sites implies potential implications in virulence and adaptation.Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; OmpR; Polymorphism; MDR Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:31 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Isolation and identification of a mycotoxin produced by Aphanoascus terreus
Get PDFBackground: Keratinophilic fungi prefer keratin-rich materials such as; horn, hoof, and beak of birds for the purposes of growth and reproduction, they utilize keratin as a source of carbon. Mycotoxins, which are produced as byproducts by fungi, are dangerous to both human and animal health. This research aims to isolate and identify Aphanoascus terreus fungi from the soil as well as determine their potential to create mycotoxins.Methods: In January–April 2022, 45 soil samples were randomly collected from southern Iraq to isolation and identification of keratinophilic fungi, the hair bait method and molecular techniques were used also, detection of mycotoxin achieved by TLC technique then experimental injection in vivo.Results: The findings showed that 12 (66.7%) out of 18 soil samples that tested positive for the genus Aphanoascus belonged to the species A. terreus. When these isolates were compared to NCBI using PCR sequencing, they were 99% matched. In addition, all these isolates show the capacity to create a range of unidentified secondary metabolites with a variety of colors and flow rates. Only one compound was studied that appeared with a turquoise hue, so we named it A. terreus T (ATT), which has an Rf. of 18.7 cm. The analysis of secondary metabolites with the aid of FTIR and GC-MS chemical tests indicated possibilities; the most probable is that the ATT is an acidic compound. Visual examinations of the skin of rats injected with ATT showed no obvious abnormalities. Microscopically, they appeared normal as well, but with mild inflammatory signs around the hair follicles.Conclusion: The outcomes represent the first international registration ever made in accordance with what is known about the production of a mycotoxin from A. terreus. This finding is considered the first reference regarding mycotoxin production from A. terreus.Keywords: A. terreus; FTIR; Mycotoxins; ATT compoundRetraction Note24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.1. The methods section claims that the FTIR test was conducted using "ethidium bromide". Ethidium bromide is a fluorescent intercalating agent used to visualize nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) in gel electrophoresis and has no application in Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which analyzes chemical bonds. This is a fundamental scientific error.2. The evidence for the compound being a "mycotoxin" is extremely weak and overstated.The abstract states that visual examinations of the skin showed "no obvious abnormalities" and microscopy revealed only "mild inflammatory signs".The Results section describes the skin's appearance as "normal-like".Despite this minimal evidence, the Discussion attributes the mild inflammation to "the toxic nature of the ATT compound" and the paper's conclusion claims to be the "first reference regarding mycotoxin production". The conclusion of toxicity is not adequately supported by the presented data.3. The interpretation of the FTIR spectrum is scientifically questionable. The paper assigns a band at 1641.31 cm−1 to a carboxylic acid, using the incorrect general formula R(C=O)R (which is a ketone). This wavenumber is unusually low for a carboxylic acid and the incorrect chemical structure suggests a misinterpretation of the data.4. The abstract contains two nearly identical sentences back-to-back, both claiming the study is a first: "The outcomes represent the first international registration ever made..." and "This finding is considered the first reference regarding mycotoxin production from A. terreus".The authors have not responded to correspondence regarding this retraction
Altered placental expression of genes related to Vitamin D Metabolism and their correlation with spiral artery remodeling in Preeclamptic Women
Get PDFBackground: Several studies reveals the correlation of preeclampsia (PE) with low vitamin D (VD) level due to disturbed trophoblast invasion and failure of spiral artery remodeling. The metabolism of VD is regularized by it signaling molecules expressed by the placenta during pregnancy. Therefore, this study was designed to assess and compare the levels of VD and it signaling molecules in placentae from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies and their correlation with spiral artery remodeling.Methods: This study was carried out at Department of Anatomy at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro after ethical approval on placentae of 122 parturients; 61 from normal and 61 from preeclampsia, data was collected on predesigned proforma and was analyzed on SPSS 23.Results: The mean and standard deviation of maternal age, gestational age, and parity was 32.73±5.9 years, 37.3±3.6 weeks and 3±1 respectively. The wall thickness of SA and VD when compared in two groups found statically significant. Vitamin D signaling molecules were determined by immunostaining compared in two groups by applying Mann Whitney U test and Pearson’s correlation which reveals significant differences in preeclamptic versus controls.Conclusions: Despite extensive research indicating a link between low levels of VD and its signaling molecules in the context of inadequate spiral artery remodeling, there is still a need for further investigation to fully understand the mechanisms underlying this association in preeclampsia.Keywords: Preeclampsia; Remodeling; Spiral artery; Vitamin D; Vitamin D signaling molecules
Revealing Potential Histological Changes of Deltamethrin Exposure on Testicular Tissue in Albino Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Get PDFBackground: The broad-spectrum nature of pesticides raises concerns about its impact on biodiversity, potentially disrupting delicate ecological balances and endangering various species across different trophic levels. Deltamethrin, a widely used synthetic pyrethroid, poses significant risks to both the environment and animals. Its persistence in soil and water can lead to the contamination of ecosystems, affecting non-target insects, aquatic life, and birds.Methods: This study aims to detect the impact of deltamethrin on the testicular tissues of white rabbits treated with 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Thirty rabbits were divided equally into three groups. The first group was the control group and was administered distilled water, while the second group, experimental groups 1 and 2, received deltamethrin at a concentration of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg/day, respectively. Tissue sections were prepared, stained, and tested via a light microscope equipped with a camera.Result: The results obtained revealed that all groups of animals treated with deltamethrin experienced disintegration in the germinal cell layer, detachment of the germinal epithelium from the basal membrane, and slight distortion in spermatozoa. The damage was more severe with increasing the concentration. Moreover, there was an increase in the contraction of some seminiferous tubules, resulting in their irregular and wavy appearance, and many cellular changes were observed, in addition to the absence of spermatozoa in some seminiferous tubule lumina and Leydig cell hyperplasia.Conclusion: The treatment with deltamethrin at different doses for one month caused severe pathological tissue damage in the testes, characterized by congestion, hemorrhage, vacuolation, and detachment of a portion of the germinal epithelium from the basement membrane.Keywords: Albino rabbit; Testes; Deltamethrin; Histological structure; Environmental effectsEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language corrections