Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Anatomical transition of trilaminar cerebellar cortex between reptiles and Aves
Get PDFBackground: Motor coordination in vertebrates is primarily regulated by cerebellum. Divergence of Aves from reptilian ancestors results in noticeable improvement in the motor coordination. This study aims to explore anatomical innovations in the cerebellar cortex during the course of evolution of reptiles and Aves.Methods: Three representative species each from reptilian and avian lineages were selected to represent both vertebrate classes. Complete brain was dissected out from the cranial cavity of each specimen after radiological assessment of its extent. After gross examination, the brains were subjected to detailed histological investigation using conventional and special stains. Micrometry of layer and cellular architecture of cerebellar cortex were undertaken digitally using ImageJ and statistically compared using GraphPad Prism.Results: Grossly, significant increase (p<0.0001) in brain mass, brain volume and cerebellar volume was observed in Aves compared to reptiles. Histomorphometric analyses of granular and molecular layers of cerebellum showed statistically significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the thickness of avian representatives compared to reptilian counterparts. Similarly significant decrease (p<0.0001) in the Inter-Purkinje neuronal distance was observed in Aves compared to reptiles. Conversely, increased cellular and neuronal count (p=0.0332 to <0.0001) was observed in all three layers of avian cerebellum in comparison to reptiles. This suggests increased cellular packaging and/or density in the avian cerebellum compared to reptiles. Conclusion: In summary, significant increase in the cellular density and differentiation in the cerebellum of avian representatives may provide anatomical basis of increased motor coordination in Aves compared to reptiles. Keywords: Cerebellum; Evolution; Granular Layer; Molecular Layer; Purkinje LayerEditorial Note: This article has post-publication language and data presentation corrections
Investigating perceived stress levels and its underpinning in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Region, Morocco
Get PDFBackground: Attitude towards stress remains individual and unique and strongly depends on perception. Our personality traits shape our perception of our resources and environmental constraints. Public service officers are a population under enormous pressure; this is why it is interesting to study the interaction between perceived stress and big five within this population, in the Rabat-Sale-kenitra Region.Methods: The study involved a sample of 387 individuals whose 55.8% (n=216) are male and 44.2% (n=171) are female, with a minimum age of 22 years and a maximum age of 65 years, with an average age of 32.75 9.79. The big five inventory and the PSS10 were used for the collection of information.Results: Our results pointed to a significant and positive relationship between neurosis and perceived stress as well as a negative and significant relationship between the other four big five and perceived stress. Moreover, Neurosis and Extraversion positively and negatively predict a high perception of perceived stress, respectively.Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of this interaction, which could now be taken into account through a primary intervention aimed at eliminating or controlling the risk factors present in the workplace in order to reduce their negative impacts on the individual.Keywords: Health and Epidemiological studies; Personality traits; stress; Occupational healthEditorial Note: This article has post-publication language corrections
Prospects for the Therapeutic Potential of Inhibitors Targeting JNK and p53 in Alzheimer's Disease
Get PDFBackground: It is promising to search for fundamentally new approaches to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) within the framework of creating methods for stimulating neurogenesis and developing a strategy for targeted pharmacological regulation of intracellular signal transduction in regenerative-competent cells (RCCs). Of particular interest in this case are JNK and p53. The purpose of the work was to investigate the possibility of regulating the RCCs functions using JNK and p53 inhibitors in the modelling β-amyloid-induced neurodegeneration (βAIN) in vitro.Methods: The studies were performed using C57BL/6 mice. To model βAIN in vitro, the 25-35 fragment Amyloid β(βA) was used. The effect of the JNK inhibitors (SP600125) and p53 (Pifithrin-a, Cyclic) on the functioning of different types of progenitors and glial cells of the subventricular zone of the cerebral hemispheres (SVZ)was studied. NPCs, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells were isolated from SVZ cells using immunomagnetic separation.Results: We found the ability of the JNK inhibitor to stimulate the proliferation of NSCs and NPCs in βAIN simulation. While the p53 inhibitor is characterized by stimulatory activity in relation to the proliferation of only committed neuronal precursors under conditions of neurotoxic exposure to βA. In addition, inhibition of JNK and p53 resulted in stimulation of the secretion of neurotrophins by oligodendrocytes and microglial cells in the in vitro βAIN model.Conclusion: The results indicate the potential ability of the JNK inhibitor to most consistently stimulate the implementation of the proregenerative properties of progenitor and neuroglial cells in AD.Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Neural stem cells; β-amyloid; JNK; p53Editorial Note: This article has post-publication language corrections
Knowledge, causes and practice of self-medication during COVID-19: A population-based survey in Pakistan
Get PDFBackground: Self-medication (SM) is a public health issue that is on upsurge and its side effects accelerate the burden on healthcare, pharmacists, and the economy. The demand for self-prescribed medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic was found to be on the rise globally.Methods: The survey was conducted during June-August 2021 to analyze knowledge, causes, and practices of self-medication in Pakistan. The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationships between the categorical variables: The Pearson Correlation coefficient determined the relationship between quantitative variables. Age, gender, marital status, education, profession, field, knowledge, causes and practice of SM were variables included in survey.Results: 203 responses were received in the online survey and results from demographic factors were 104 (51.7%) male, 114(56.7%) single, 20-30 years (42.3%) age group, 44.8% were MS/M. Phil, 31.3% were teacher and 74.1% respondents belong to the bioscience field. 20.4% considered it good practice while 42.3% responded to it as acceptable practice. Quarantine was the most significant factor for SM during COVID-19 (68.7%). Fear of discrimination due to infection was a significant factor (37.8%). SM was also practiced due to emergency illness and distance to hospitals (19.9%). Prescriptions were obtained from medical personnel (31.3%), one's self (22.9%), a friend (19.9%), or a pharmacist (15.4%). 52.7% used self-prescribed antibiotics with the appearance of symptoms like fever and chills (37.30%) and tiredness (27.60%). Conclusion: This population-based survey suggested that legislation, awareness campaigns, and the media should work with the community and government to fight misinformation about alleged COVID-19 preventive medicines on different platforms.Keywords: Self-medication; COVID-19; Pandemic; Knowledge; Causes; Practice; Pakistan Editorial Expression of Concern20 June 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:26 June 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
Potential health-related phytoconstituents in leaves of Chenopodium quinoa
Get PDFBackground: Chenopodium quinoa Willd. or quinoa is an important food crop, having many pharmacological properties. It is recently introduced in Pakistan. In the present study, a phytochemical profile of its leaf extract was assessed through GC-MS analysis, and the health-related compounds were identified through a literature survey.Methods: Quinoa was grown in Lahore, Pakistan, and its leaves were collected at maturity, dried, ground, and extracted in methanol. GC-MS analysis of this extract was done that showed the presence of 30 compounds.Results: The most abundant compound was α-linolenic acid (12.13%), followed by n-hexadecanoic acid (11.51%), ergosta-5,7-dien-3-ol, (3β)- (10.99%), phytol (10.25%), and stigmast-7-en-3-ol, (3.beta.,5.alpha.,24S)- (7.33%). Moderately occurring compounds included DL-proline, 5-oxo-, methyl ester (6.01%), hydroxylamine, O-pentyl- (5.38%), neophytadiene (4.36%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (3.96%), 2-isopropoxyethyl propionate (3.84%), vitamin E (2.52%), and linolenic acid, methyl ester (2.46%). The remaining compounds were less abundant, having peak areas of less than 2%.Conclusion: Literature survey revealed that α-linolenic acid; n-hexadecanoic acid; phytol; squalene, vitamin E and linolenic acid, and methyl ester; present in leaf extract of quinoa possess various health-related properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, antihistaminic, antiandrogenic and antieczemic. Keywords: Amaranthaceae; Bioactive compounds; Leaf extract; Pakistan; Quinoa
Simultaneous intratracheal administration of surfactant and budesonide in the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants
Get PDFBackground: Premature birth is an important issue in developing and developed countries. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of budesonide and surfactant in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome and the prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, 296 premature babies with a gestational age of less than 37 weeks and weigh below 1500 grams admitted to Shahid Akbarabadi Hospital in Tehran (Iran) who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome and needed treatment with surfactant were included in the study. In one group (surfactant), 4 cc/kg surfactant (Beraksurf) was injected intratracheally, and in the other group (surfactant + budesonide), in addition to surfactant (Beraksurf), 0.25 mg/kg of budesonide was prescribed along with intratracheal surfactant. Descriptive statistics including Kaplan-Meier, Chi-square test and t-Student test were used for data analysis.Result: In infants who were administered budesonide with surfactant through a tracheal tube, the duration of mechanical ventilation, the duration of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and the need to receive peripheral equipment or through channel The nose was significantly less than the babies who received only surfactant. In the surfactant group, 13 infants (8.7%) and in the surfactant + budesonide group, 4 infants (2.7%) had bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Conclusion: The use of the combination of surfactant (Beraksurf) with budesonide compared to surfactant alone in the treatment of premature infants significantly reduced the need for respiratory support and the need for intubation and duration of hospitalization and bronchopulmonary dysplasia.Keywords: Budesonide; Surfactant; Premature babies; Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Bronchopulmonary dysplasiaEditorial Note: This article has changed sequence of authors from the originally published version and has post-publication language corrections
The effects of vitamin D on Immunoresponsive gene 1 and Krüppel-like Factor 2 protein expression in the lung due to the cadmium poisoning
Get PDFBackground: Cadmium, a well-known hazardous heavy metal and non-essential component, has several negative health effects. The long-term use of cadmium toxin to develop a pulmonary model, evaluation of Irg1 gene expression and KLF-2 protein and serum IL4 levels following model induction, and evaluation of vitamin D's therapeutic effects in reducing pulmonary and hepatic complications in a mice model have not been studied.Methods: A total of 40 healthy female C57 black 6 mice weighing 20–25 g and approximately 6–8 weeks’ old were purchased from animal husbandry, Pasteur Institute of Iran. After induction of the model, the mice were assigned to the following groups such as Group 1 (G1): mice were euthanized the day after induction. Group 2(G2): mice were ethically killed 21 days after induction. Group 3(G3) mice were treated with vitamin D and euthanized 5 days after treatment. Group 4(G4): mice were treated with vitamin D and euthanized 21 days after treatment. Vitamin D3 with a concentration of 300,000 units per milliliter, which is equivalent to 7.5 mg per 1 microliter, and 13.5 μl of the main stock is equivalent to 100 ng, which is used for 1 kg of mice. Blood samples were collected to measure serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase to evaluate liver toxicity.Results: Based on the results obtained, serum SGPT levels in vitamin D treatment groups did not show a significant decrease compared to cadmium groups (p >0.001). The ALP biomarker in the groups treated with vitamin D was decreased significant in comparison to untreated model groups (p<0.001). While any significant differences were not observed between the Cd model and the Cd model treated with Vitamin D.Conclusion: This study proved that administration vitamin D to some extent reduces the toxic effects of cadmium on the liver and lung.Keywords: Ameliorated; Vitamin D; Protein expression; Lung; CadmiumEditorial Expression of Concern20 June 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 suspected plagiarism. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of the errors as we reconcile the records.Editorial Note24 June 2025: Similar usage sequence of commonly used scientific terms, phrases in the 'acknowledgement' and 'competing interests' sections has been found as a major source of total verbatim similarity (23%). Therefore, it may not be considered as plagiarism. Hence, the Editorial Expression of Concern is revoked
Negative staining: a forgotten technique in microbiology
Get PDFElectron microscopy techniques have been well established as a rapid method in examining the basic characteristics of microorganisms such as bacteria as well as viruses and subsequently, exploring biological phenomena in greater detail. Though various staining techniques are available for the accurate identification of bacteria and viruses, the negative staining technique is well known for its simplicity. Negative staining is a fast technique that uses only one acidic stain and the absence of heat fixation of the sample. This stain can produce contrast images when an acidic stain does not infiltrate the cell due to repulsion between negative charges of the stain and the bacteria/viruses’ surface. However, this technique is currently fast disappearing from mainstream microscopy techniques. Thus, this short review is intended to highlight the advantages and applications of the negative staining technique among laboratorians, particularly in the current, fast-paced lab environment.Keywords: Negative staining; Electron microscopy; Microbiology; bacteria; MicroscopyEditor’s Note: This version is different from the first published copy and contains minor changes
Determination of total antioxidant content of methanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus, Echinacea purpurea and Portulaca oleracea
Get PDFBackground: The unique properties of medicinal plants particularly their effects on human health have attracted the attention of many researchers. The antioxidant properties of medicinal plants is a strong reason to use them in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts of Cynara scolymus, Echinacea purpurea and Portulaca oleracea. Aerial parts of C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea were dried and ground.Methods: Then, plant samples were prepared using homogenizing plant powders in methanol solution. Finally, the total antioxidant capacity of the plants was assessed by ferric iron reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay.Results: The results revealed that the total antioxidant capacity was found as 3.45, 1.16 and 1.68 mmol Fe2+/L for C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea, respectively. Based on our results, C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea showed a potent antioxidant activity.Conclusion: It is recommended that utilization of C. scolymus, E. purpurea and P. oleracea in food and pharmaceutical industries could possibly possess beneficial health effects.Keywords: Antioxidant Activity; Medicinal Plants; Cynara scolymus; Echinacea purpurea; Portulaca oleracea
Diseases of the Neuroacanthocytosis Group: A Systematic Review of Clinical Cases and Difficulties in their Diagnosis
Get PDFThis systematic review examines diseases within the neuroacanthocytosis group, including chorea-acanthocytosis (ChAc), McLeod syndrome (MLS), Huntington's-like type 2 disease (HDL2), and other neurodegenerative disorders. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and current understanding of these rare hereditary diseases. Each nosological unit from this group is caused by various genetic mutations and has a different type of inheritance, pathogenetic changes, and clinical picture. Due to the rarity and relatively little knowledge of the pathogenetic foundations of these diseases, their diagnosis is a difficult task, and their treatment, as a rule, is only symptomatic.Keywords: Neuroacanthocytosis; Chorea-acanthocytosis; McLeod syndrome; Huntington's-like type 2 disease; NeurodegenerationEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language and data presentation corrections