Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Bacteriophage Endolysins Antibacterial Effect against S. mutans Isolated from Dental Caries: An In-Vitro Study
Get PDFBackground: Many bacterial infections including dental caries that caused by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) were difficult to be treated due to the unavailability of effective antibiotics. Therefore, it requires to focus the attention on endolysin as an antibacterial agent. This study was designed to evaluate the In-vitro effectiveness of specific bacteriophage endolysins against S. mutans isolated from dental caries.Methods: Twenty-five isolates of S. mutans were collected from patients with dental caries attended to Al-Imamain Al-Kadhimain, Medical City Hospital, and AL-Ameen Health Center, during the period from December 2021 to May 2022. The S. mutans isolates were identified by culturing them on their specific mitis salivarius sucrose bacitracin tellurite media (MS-SBT agar), morphological characteristics, gram staining, biochemical tests and VITEK 2 compact system. Seven of these S. mutans isolates were used for the in-vitro study.Results: The bacteriophage endolysin enzyme extracted from the corresponding S. mutans isolate was effective as In-vitro antibacterial agent with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranging between (13.63 – 17.83) µg/ml and (17.04-22.28) µg/ml respectively.Conclusion: The endolysin was effective as antibacterial agent against multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. mutans upon growing and testing on culture media
Neimann-Pick Diseases: Beyond Lipid Accumulation – Genetic, Diagnostics, and Therapeutic Strategies
Get PDFRare genetic disorders are the group of disorders/diseases that occur in such a low count that they are not considered much active market for therapeutics unless encouraged by appropriate incentives and support. They are too rare to be fully investigated and managed by health professionals. Genetic disorders are caused by change in genes and are often serious and complex. Around the world, most affected individuals are found to be children. They can be progressive and might get worse as children grow older. Niemann-Pick diseases (NPD) is one such group of rare genetic diseases that are characterized by unwanted and abnormal accumulation of lipids within the cells. In this review, we discuss the history, genetic basis, clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches for NPD. We further discuss the pathophysiology of accumulation of lipids and their impact on cellular functions and organ systems and various management strategies.Keywords: Rare disease; Genetic mutation; Lipid metabolism; Cholesterol trafficking; Neurological abnormalities
Identification of Natural Compounds as CTX-M-15 Inhibitors for the Management of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: An in-silico study
Get PDFBackground: Antibiotic resistance is a major global threat to the efficacy of bacterial infection treatment. Resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in bacteria is primarily caused by the production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, with the CTX-M variant, particularly CTX-M-15, being the most common. The need for an effective CTX-M-15 inhibitor is currently pressing.Methods: This study screened a library of natural compounds from the ZINC database against the CTX-M-15 protein using the PyRx 0.8 tool. The SwissADME web platform was used to predict the ADMET properties of the five most promising compounds.Result: The identified hit compounds, ZINC1857626342, ZINC403692, ZINC408773, ZINC57926, and ZINC790938591, exhibited strong binding with CTX-M-15. These compounds interacted with crucial catalytic site residues in the CTX-M-15 protein, particularly Ser70 and Ser130. Notably, the binding energies of these compounds were higher than those of the reference compound avibactam. Furthermore, they exhibited pharmacologically favorable characteristics.Conclusion: These compounds show promise as potential CTX-M-15 inhibitors to combat bacterial resistance. However, more experimental research is needed to optimize these compounds for their role as CTX-M-15 inhibitors.Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; β-lactam antibiotics; CTX-M-15; ESBLs; Virtual screeningEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language and SI unit corrections
Prevention of ear‐looped face mask‐induced pressure injury on ears: A Technical report with review of literature
Get PDFIn modern times, protective masks with flexible loops are commonly used to prevent the spread of microorganisms during surgical procedure the constant contact of the stretching bands caused by wearing a mask for several hours’ daily causes pressure on this cartilage, leading to painful and erythematous lesions on the skin behind the auricles. Patients and the public now wear masks for extended periods of time. Over time, wearing this mask frequently can cause damage to the ear. Consequently, people regularly switch out their masks to alleviate pressure, increasing their chances of getting infected. Doctors and other healthcare professionals should be aware that continued use may cause damage to the ears and auricles. This article addresses a novel method to alleviate stress on the ear loops of surgical masks and examines the typical ear injuries or pressure injuries on the ear mentioned in literature regarding prolonged mask usage and ways to prevent them.Keywords: Pressure injury; Ear injury; Pinna injury; Surgical masks; Elastic ear loops
Isolation of polysaccharide producers and heavy metal-tolerant local rhizobial isolates
Get PDFBackground: Rhizobia are important soil bacteria that enter into a relationship with leguminous plants and fix nitrogen symbiotically. The importance of this relation is not only for soil as a soil fertilizer but also to keep our environment without pollution. Methods: A Survey was conducted to collect different strains of rhizobial from different areas in Nineveh Governorate in Iraq. Isolation and biochemical tests were done under laboratory conditions. Determination of exopolysaccharide and tolerance to heavy metals was also conducted. Data obtained was recorded after cultivation and incubation of rhizobial strains.Results: The rhizobial bacteria were isolated from the following leguminous plants: Vigna unguiculata L., Trifolium alexandrinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Leucaena leucocephala L., Medicago sativa L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Tribulus terrestris L., and Vicia faba L. Maximum exopolysaccharide production was reached at 3.76 gm/L by the isolate R. leguminosarum bv. Viciae RM25, after two days of incubation. The maximum cell dry weight was 3.50 gm/L. by the isolate E. meliloti RM5, after two days of incubation. The maximum reduction in pH was 4.80 by strain E. meliloti RM14, after two days of incubation. All the local isolated rhizobia were tolerant of nickel chloride for the studied concentrations: 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 µg/ ml. Also, we were tolerant to 100 and 500 µg/ ml of zinc sulfate and copper sulfate. All rhizobial isolates also tolerated a 1000 µg/ ml concentration of zinc sulfate.Conclusion: Rhizobium bacteria possess several mechanisms that allow them to tolerate heavy metal exposure. These mechanisms include the expression of efflux pumps, the presence of metal-resistance plasmids, the production of EPS, and the ability to adapt to environmental factors. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the heavy metal tolerance in Rhizobium and to explore the potential applications of these bacteria in the bioremediation of heavy metal-polluted soils.Keywords: Rhizobium; Isolation; Exopolysaccharide production; Heavy metal toleranceEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language and SI units corrections
Geospatial Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Variants during the Fifth Wave of COVID-19 in Punjab, Pakistan
Get PDFBackground: The study was conducted in the various districts of Punjab, Pakistan, to ascertain the incidence and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in the population during the fifth wave of COVID-19.Method: A total of 9603 nasopharyngeal swab samples of suspected patients were collected from the different districts of Punjab from December 2021 to April 2022. In the BSL-3 facility, an auto-extractor (Uni-medica) was used to extract the RNA genome. Viral detection and quantification were performed using real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Multiplex PCR was used to target different mutations of the spike protein in order to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants.Results: 711 samples were found to be positive from a total of 9603. The Omicron variant of concern (VOC) was the predominant lineage of SARS-CoV-2 circulating at the time of sampling. Ninety-one percent proportion of COVID-19 was caused by the Omicron, followed by the wild variant (3.80%) and Delta (68.11%). Men were found to have a greater Omicron prevalence (47.96%) than women (42.05%). Furthermore, compared to older individuals (32.07%) and younger kids (10.55%), adults had the higher percentage of Omicron (47.39%).Conclusion: This study brought attention to the Omicron variant's circulation in Punjab Province, Pakistan, during the COVID-19 fifth wave.Keywords: Coronavirus; Omicron; Delta; Variant of Concern; Multiplex PCR; Punjab; Pandemic
The effect of inflammatory cytokines on occurrence of retained placenta in cattle
Get PDFBackground: In simple terms, retained placenta is a common issue after parturition in cattle that can affect their reproductive ability. In pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR), the placenta has low anti-inflammatory cytokines and high pro-inflammatory cytokines. By looking at variations in cytokine levels in the blood, we can diagnose the condition. The focus of a recent study was to examine the role of some interleukins (Interleukins -10, Interleukins -6, Interleukins -1β), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α, in retained placenta occurrence in cattle.Methods: The study involved 40 cows, aged 3-8 years in the Salah-Din province. Each animal suffered from retained placenta also eleven healthy cows served as the control group in a period of January to August 2022. The blood serum was analyzed using enzyme immunoassay techniques (ELIZA) to measure the levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α.Results: Serum levels of IL-10, IL-6, IL-1β, CRP and TNF-α showed a significant increase in cows experiencing retained fetal membranes compared to healthy cows (2.31±0.11 vs 1.41 ±0.07) (10.48±0.24 vs 5.40±0.19), (13.6±2.1 vs 4±0.9), (0.9±0.02 vs 0.32±0.04) and (60.1 ± 12.79 vs 29.5 ± 16.58) respectively.Conclusion: from the present study we conclude that IL10, IL6, IL1β and TNFα play an essential component in retained placenta incidence, and the estimation levels of these parameters in serum may be considered good indicator for occurrence in cattle. RT-PCR revealed increased expression of SDHA genes in the maternal compartment of the placenta.Keywords: Retained placenta; Cytokines; C-reactive protein
Parenteral lipid nutrition in congenital gastrointestinal malformation operated cases
Get PDFBackground: Congenital gastrointestinal malformation (CGIM) cases require immediate surgical correction after birth and proper nutrition to meet energy demands. Among the macronutrients, lipids are considered the major energy source, playing a vital role in parenteral nutrition. However, the time of their initiation remains unclear. We compared the data of CGIM cases where lipids were given from the first post-surgical day to those where parenteral lipids were initiated on the second or third day of surgery and then reevaluated them on the seventh day of parenteral nutrition.Methods: We collected the data of patients who had undergone surgical correction for CGIM and were kept on parenteral nutrition including lipids from day 1 of surgery labeling them as group 1. Group 2 comprised of neonates having lipid parenteral nutrition started from day 2 or 3 of surgery. Both groups were reevaluated on the 7th day of parenteral nutrition. Statistical analysis was performed.Results: Group 1 had higher total bilirubin (TB) statistically significant (p-value=0.0299), as well as lower lipase (p-value=0.0286), and lower total lipids (p-value=0.0365). The values were lower of triglycerides (p-value=0.0365), and total lipids (p-value=0.0365), on day 1. Comparing both groups, all biochemical parameters were found to be statistically significant.Conclusion: Lipid deficiency and overload should be carefully evaluated, especially in neonates having undergone recent surgical interventions, which increase their nutritional demands. No adverse effects were seen in our study related to parenteral lipid emulsion administration in post-surgical congenital gastrointestinal malformation cases. Early initiation of parenteral lipid regimens can provide better outcomes.Keywords: Congenital gastrointestinal malformations; Intravenous lipid emulsions; Parenteral nutrition; Gestational age; Milk formula
Ameliorative effects of Vitamin E and Urtica dioica against thiamethoxam-induced teratogenicity in embryonated chicken eggs
Get PDFBackground: The purpose of this study was to explore the defensive effects of Vitamin E (Vit. E) and Urtica dioica (UD) in the mitigation of developmental anomalies induced by thiamethoxam (TMX) in chicken embryos.Methods: For this purpose, a total of 140 fertile eggs were equally divided into seven experimental groups (A-G); Groups A and B were kept as negative and sham control, respectively. Group C was exposed to TMX while groups D and E were supplemented with Vit. E and U. dioica, respectively along with TMX. Group F received Vit. E and group G U. dioica, only. The eggs were examined on days 10th and 20th of incubation for the assessment of developmental flaws and musculoskeletal anomalies.Results: The mortality rate was highest (40%) in group C (TMX) followed by groups D and E (20 and 15%), respectively. Developing embryos exposed to TMX showed retarded growth; weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were significantly decreased as compared to the control group. The highest survival rate was recorded in negative control group A. The teratogenic defects recorded in this study include growth retardation, decreased crown-rump length, shortened beak, exencephaly, feather scantiness, and limb deformities. Morphometric analysis revealed improved growth by all parameters in Vit. E and U. dioica supplemented groups.Conclusion: It was concluded that developmental defects are due to induced TMX, can be counteracted with Vit. E and U. dioica, which showed no negative phytochemical effects.Keywords: Teratogenic; Bird embryos; Vitamin E; Urtica Dioica Editorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language corrections
The Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Salvia officinalis Aqueous Extracts on Reproductive Function, Antioxidant Status, and Epididymal Sperm Quality in Male Rats
Get PDFBackground: Phytoestrogens are non-estradiol molecules categorized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which means they can alter the hormonal equilibrium and cause reproductive problems. Studies suggested Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) possible use as alternative to hormone replacement therapy in ovarian hypofunction patients. Salvia officinalis (S. officinalis) contains phytoestrogen steroids and isoflavonoids. The purpose of this research was to examine the estrogenic effects of H. sabdariffa and S. officinalis aqueous extracts on male reproductive hormones and testicular histology and function.Methods: Three groups of six male rats each were utilized as follows: control (distilled water), H. sabdariffa (500 mg/kg aqueous extract), and S. officinalis (500 mg/kg aqueous extract). Blood, epididymis. Testis and serum samples were gathered after 30 days for biochemical analysis, sperm characteristics, and histological evaluations.Results: Compared to the control and S. officinalis groups, H. sabdariffa caused a significant reduction in body weight (BW) and percent BW gain (%BWG). Relative to the control rats, the two extracts dramatically reduced testicular weight, sperm motility, concentration, and viability while raising abnormalities. Furthermore, the herbal extract groups demonstrated a significant decrease in blood testosterone levels while increasing serum prolactin, FSH, and LH levels. Consumption of both herbs also caused testicular histological changes such as degenerated seminiferous tubules, with a diminished number of mature spermatozoa in the tubular lumen, reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules, and the presence of exfoliated cells in the tubular lumen.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the aqueous extracts of H. sabdariffa and S. officinalis may negatively impact male fertility. However, more research is needed to validate these findings and investigate the mechanistic components of these impacts.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa); Salvia officinalis; Male fertility; Testosterone; FSH; LH; Prolactin; Testicular histology Humid subtropical climate; ITS; nrDNA; Taxonomy