Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Awareness of Asthma Genetics in Pakistan: A Review with Some Recommendations
Get PDFAbout 334 million people worldwide have been affected by asthma and additionally 100 million expected to have asthma by the year 2025. Being the sixth most populous and economically developing country and with the increasing trend of urbanization and due to poor health facilities, lacking the knowledge of the causes of the disease, increased pollutant exposures and consanguineous marriages, Pakistani population has greater chances of asthma and allergic diseases. Almost 20% of overall pediatric population of Pakistan is affected by this disease. In the past, only environmental factors were considered responsible for asthma but now it is a well-known fact that genetic factors have major contribution in the development of the disease. Poor knowledge of the possibility of genetics involved in this disease has been very common in both uneducated as well as educated population of this region. There is no doubt today that genetics have a major role in the exhibition of asthma but unlike other Mendelian disorders it cannot easily be identified by a single or a simple set of associated genes, rather small contributions of multiple genes and environmental exposure to asthmatic patients may be found. Our focus in this article is genetic factors of asthma in Pakistan. More than 100 genes associated with asthma have already been reported in different populations worldwide but generally, due to an ignored disease in this region, possible genetic causes, impacts, management and treatment of the disease has rarely been studied in Pakistan. This article was intended to explore some latest developments in asthma genetics, diagnosis, prognosis and management and suggest some recommendations to control this deadly disease
Effect of Propofol on ERK1/2 expression during day times in the rat hippocampus
Get PDFBackground: Anesthetics are responsible for imparting many effects on the central nervous system. We hypothesized that short duration anesthetics may have varied effects at different time of the day. Propofol (short duration anaesthesia) has showed circadian variation in loss of righting reflex during 24 hours of the day.Methods: Characterization of the effects of propofol anaesthesia on ERK1/2 in hippocampus at two different times of the day was performed. Male rats received either an intra-peritoneal injection of 120 mg/kg of propofol to set short-duration anaesthesia state (20-30 minutes) or the equivalent amount of the lipidic solvent as controls. For both groups of animals, anaesthesia or control, the injections were performed either at ZT0 or at ZT12. One hour following the injection, the animals were euthanized; the brains were removed and immediately frozen. The amount of ERK1/2 was assessed by using immunohistochemistry on brain sections.Results: The amount of ERK1/2 density was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in CA1, CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus only when anaesthesia was performed at ZT12.Conclusion: Our current results evidenced that the impact of propofol anaesthesia on hippocampus vary depending on the zeitgeber time
Assessments of kidney function and morphology of tramadol-diclofenac treated albino rats
Get PDFBackground: Tramadol-diclofenac (TD-DF) could be used in chronic pain management. Concurrent use may present renal complications due to their individual nephrotoxic profile. The present study assessed the kidney function and histology of tramadol-diclofenac treated albino rats.Methods: Forty two adult albino rats divided into seven groups A-G were used for this study. Rats were orally administered with TD (12 mg/kg/day), DF (6 mg/kg/day), and TD-DF for 14 days including two recovery groups. Rats were weighed and sacrificed at the termination of drug treatment. Serum was extracted from blood and evaluated for creatinine (Cr), urea (U), uric acid (UA), total protein (TP), albumin (Ab) and serum electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-, and HCO3-). Kidneys were excised weighed and evaluated for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histological damage.Results: The body weight, absolute and relative kidney weights and serum electrolytes were not significantly (p> 0.05) altered in the TD-DF treated rats in comparison to control. However, the levels of Cr, U, UA, AST, ALT, ALP and MDA were significantly (p<0.05) increased whereas Ab, TP, SOD, GSH, GPX and CAT were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the TD-DF treated rats in comparison to treatments with individual doses of TD and DF. Varying degrees of histological damage were observed in the kidneys of TD-DF treated rats. However, nephrotoxic effects due to treatment with TD-DF were reversed in the recovery groups.Conclusion: The use of tramadol-diclofenac could be associated with reversible nephrotoxicity; therefore renal function assessment is advised before tramadol-diclofenac use
Expression level of serum Interleukin-37 in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and its correlation with Disease Activity Score
Get PDFBackground: Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is a member of IL-1 cytokine family. IL-37 immunosuppresses the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis via down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the expression level of IL-37 in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and its correlation with the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS-28).Methods: In the current study, forty-six RA patients, having a ratio of 19 males and 27 females, and twenty healthy controls (11 males and 9 females) were included. DAS-28 was measured on the basis of patients’ clinical observations of the tender and swollen joints, physical examination and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). ESR was measured according to the Westergren method. Serum IL-37 level was measured by ELISA. Depending upon the DAS28 calculations the patients were divided in four groups as; 19 in remission, 6 had mild disease activity, 6 were in moderate state and 15 patients were found with severe disease activity.Results: Serum IL-37 levels were found markedly raised in RA patients (mean = 862.6) than in healthy individuals (mean ± SD = 4.4 ± 1.74 pg/ml). Further, our results suggest that level of IL-37 increased significantly from mild (mean ± SD = 829.17 ± 61.40 pg/ml) to moderate (mean ± SD = 1307.5 ± 165.1 pg/ml) and severe (mean ± SD = 1607 ± 86.8 pg/ml) disease prognosis.Conclusion: Thus we conclude, IL-37 has a positive correlation with DAS28 and thus has a potential role in RA pathogenesis. Keywords: Interleukin 37, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorder, inflammation, disease activity scor
Prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C Virus infections among male to female (MFT) transgenders in Rawalpindi (Pakistan)
Get PDFBackground: Transgenders are the individuals, who due to certain psychological or physical requirement mismatch with their naturally received genders. Among transgender types, male to female (MTF) transgenders are highly prevalent in Indo-Pak and are feared to be at high risk for sexually transmitted viral (human immunodeficiency virus HIV, hepatitis B virus HBV, hepatitis C virus HCV and Epstein Barr virus EBV) and bacterial diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, campylobacter, chancroid, shigella, granuloma inguinale and chlamydia). This sensitive issue, therefore, requires more attention of researchers, policy-makers, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Pakistan.Methods: Prevalence of HCV and HBV infection was studied in 306 transgender males with a median age of 29 years (range 15-64years) living in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Molecular techniques such as ELISA and Nested PCR were performed to confirm the presence of the both viruses in each sample of subjects. Furthermore, logistic regression and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results: This study showed that occurrence of HCV infection was predominant among the studied group; whereas presence of HBV was insignificant and was not included for statistical analysis. PCR confirmed that 25.5% of the test group was HCV positive, with the highest percentage (83.33 %) of HCV positive among the individuals who claimed safe sex practices and had knowledge about the medical condition of their partners. 34.61% of the transgender men who shave outside their homes, were found to be HCV positive.Conclusion: In light of these statistics, ignoring this threat could be dangerous not only for the transgender community but also for the society, in general
An In-Silico Approach for the Prediction of miRNAs in Merkel Cell Polyoma Virus and its Target Genes
Get PDFBackground: For last five years, as technological advancement occurs, novel kinds of human generation viruses’ discovery have been increased. A rare human cancer associated virus Merkel’s Cell polyomavirus (MCPyV or MCV) got remarkable attraction among the newly discovered viruses. As a common human virus MCPyV infection frequently found in skin and also occurs at other anatomical sites. Methods: In this study, the in-silico screening of miRNAs from MCPyV was done, as the computational screening procedures are functionally vital, efficient and inexpensive for the said purpose. Results: Primarily 52 sequences, possessing possible hairpin-like structures, were extracted from MCPyV genome by searching through VMir software using various filters. 17 nominees were confirmed with real pre-miRNA like hairpin organizations by iMiRNA-SSF program. Further seven nominees were excluded by free energy measurement and other parameters. 10 mature miRNAs were affirmed in 10 impending candidates for pre-miRNAs by MatureBayes web server v1.0, among these 10 candidates 2 were reported already by earlier studies. The homologous miRNA for these candidates were searched in mirBase. To find the target gene and its relevant diseases the best homologous miRNAs were then searched in Target Scan. Among all miRNAs Cancer was found to be common. Conclusion: These findings open new avenues for researchers to explore the role of these novel miRNAs in viral pathogenesis as well as in developing new antiviral therapy.
Antioxidant Potential of Lactarius deliciosus and Pleurotus ostreatus from Amanos Mountains
Get PDFBackground: Edible mushrooms are considered as the significant source of minerals and vitamins.Lactarius deliciosus and Pleurotus ostreatus are the two known edible mushroom species because of their distinctive taste as well as nutritional properties.Methods: L. deliciosus and P. ostreatus were collected from the native flora of Amanos Mountains in Turkey. The methanol (MeOH) extract of the L. deliciosus and P. ostreatus was obtained to assess antioxidant potential, Total phenolic, flavonoid, β-carotene and lycopene content.Results: Total phenolic (mg/kg), flavonoid (mg/kg) and β-carotene (mg/100 ml) contents of the MeOH extracts of L. deliciosus and P. ostreatus were 34.55, 6.03, 1.15 and 15.66, 0.16, 0.02, respectively. Lycopene was only detected in L. deliciosus with a content of 0.25 (mg/100 ml). At 5 mg/ml, DPPH (%), RP (Abs.), H2O2 (%), NO (%) and FRAP (mmol Fe2+/L) activities of L. deliciosusand P. ostreatus were 45.33, 0,790, 88.30, 55.51, 0.57 and 17.42, 0,530, 73.77, 33.64, 0.28, respectively.Conclusion: Pearson correlation among the antioxidant results was found to be well correlated (r ≥0.90). Antioxidant results were highly correlated (r ≥0.93) with total phenolic compounds and lycopene. As of date, there has no previous work not only the NO but also H2O2 radical scavenging capabilities of L. deliciosus and P. ostreatus
Prevalence of Hepatitis C and associated risk factors among pregnant women of district Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Get PDFBackground: The epidemiological study of Hepatitis caused by Hepatitis C viruses during pregnancy is absolutely necessary for program managers and health planners. Currently, enough data exist regarding viral hepatitis among pregnant women in various districts of KP, Pakistan, however, proper published data from district Nowshera is not available. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of hepatitis C infection along with its associated risk factors among pregnant women who attended the antenatal clinics at district Nowshera, KP.Methods: One hundred and fifty (150) blood samples were obtained from pregnant women attending antenatal centers at district headquarter hospital Nowshera. Rapid immune-chromatographic technique (ICT) was used for detection of antibodies against HCV. Further confirmation of antibodies was done using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) followed by Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of HCV-RNA.Results: Among 150 pregnant women, 7 (4.66%) were positive for HCV of which 5 (3.33%) were found positive for Anti-HCV antibodies while 2(1.33%) showed positivity for HCV-RNA. A significant association of age (x2 = 9.345, df = 3, P = 0.025), Gravidity (x2 = 9.15, df = 2, P = 0.010), education (x2 = 48.00, df = 5, P = 0.000), and Blood Transfusion (x2 = 4.629, df = 1, P = 0.031) was found with prevalence of HCV.Conclusion: The study revealed 4.66% HCV prevalence among pregnant women of district Nowshera. The age, gravidity, and blood transfusion were the risk factors found significantly associated with HCV positivity in pregnant women. Additionally, the educational level of these women was also linked with the viral infection. Keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Pregnancy, Risk factor association, Nowsher
Genome-Wide Identification of Natural Selection Footprints in Bos Indicus Using Principal Component Analysis
Get PDFBackground: To describe natural selection, numerous analytical methods for ascertaining candidate genomic region have been developed. There is a substantial drive in population genomics to identify loci intricate in local adaptation. A potent method to find genomic regions subject to local adaptation is to genotype numerous molecular markers and look for outlier loci. Methods: In this study, population structure and genome wide footprints scan of natural selection in cattle was performed using principal component analysis based on alternative individual method assumed in the PCAdapt R-package. This method was used on the hypothesis that extremely related population markers are also local population adaptation candidates. To test PCAdaptmethod in cattle, the data of sixty three animals were collected from four different origins or agro-ecological zones (Achai = 18, Cholistani = 13, Lohani = 19, and Tharparkar = 13) and genotyped using the high density SNPs BeadChip.Results: As expected from the sampling from different zones the principal component result indicated the clear division in these animals into three clusters. K=3 was the optimal number suggested by eigenvalues.Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that the genomic regions harboring signals of the candidate genes were associated with immunity system and muscle formation. Signature of selection detecting in this study targeted the historical adaptation in these breeds that will be useful in future to understand cattle origin under different environment
Annotation and curation of hypothetical proteins: prioritizing targets for experimental study
Get PDFCompletely sequenced organisms have some uncharacterized proteins that are gene-encoded products. These proteins can be predicted through in-silico approaches and their biological activities are not proved by experimental evidence and known as hypothetical proteins (HPs). These proteins are important due to their excessive involvement in different cellular and signaling pathways. Structural and functional characterization of HPs reveal crucial roles in microorganisms, especially in pathogens related to human diseases. Here, we discussed all possibilities of in-silico analysis tools and other recently reported methods for hypothetical protein characterization and biomedical applications, including drug and vaccine development. Different methodologies, including meta-proteomics have been used to study protein expression by identification of HPs and comparative genomics have also come under observation due to the emergence of evolutionary study among different organisms. Structural characterization of proteins acts as a base for their functional prediction, novel drug target identification for disease treatment, vaccine production and sero-diagnosis. HPs have played major roles in different vital phenomenon for life including host adaptation, wound healing and chemotaxis. In the current era of drug and antibiotic resistance, HPs can be novel targets to treat related diseases. Identification and characterization of most HPs are under observation and will be the most promising genomic and bioinformatics techniques in structure-based drug designing and vaccine production in future