Effect of Salvia hispanica (Chia seeds) and Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel seeds) against weight-loss and lipid profile in obese human subjects.

Increased levels of bad cholesterol in the body result in increasing blood pressure and weight gain. The rate of mortality in people, especially who are obese, is increasing due to absence of organic sources of fiber in their diets. Chia and fennel seeds are rich sources of fiber. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of Salvia hispanica (Chia seeds) and Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel seeds) against weight-loss and lipid profile in obese human subjects. The research was conducted on obese people aged 25 to 40 years at the Jinnah Hospital Lahore. The study design was randomized control trial (RCT). The sample size was calculated and was divided in-to two groups. With the duration of study being 3 months, pre-testing of all the participants was done. Group 1 was control group, given placebo treatment and Group 2 was an intervention group and given chia and fennel seeds. Post-testing was done and data were analyzed. Results showed that chia and fennel seeds have significant effect (p <0.05) on BMI and lipid profile hence, both are beneficial for lowering body weight and improving LDL, HDL, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels.

Therapeutic Potential of Aloe vera and Aloe vera-Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles on Mice Exposed to Hexavalent Chromium.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is a hazardous heavy metal that induces hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Thus, this study was planned to explore the ameliorating capacity of Aloe vera leaf gel extract (AV) and their conjugated silver nanoparticles (AVNP) against Cr (VI) induced hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity. The organ indices, level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, malondialdehyde, total protein, and creatinine in blood serum were measured. The histopathological and micrometric analysis of the hepatic and renal tissue sections were studied. The hepatosomatic index was raised significantly (0.098 ± 0.13 g) in Cr treated group. The blood serum level of AST (484 ± 10.7 U/L), ALT (163 ± 5.5 U/L), ALP (336.7 ± 9.5 U/L), MDA (642.3 ± 28.3 U/L), and creatinine (4.0 ± 0.1 mg/dL) were increased significantly, whereas total protein level was declined (2.8 ± 0.3 g/dL) significantly in Cr exposed group. In the histopathological study, necrosis, disturbed hepatic cords, impaired glomeruli, and Bowman's capsule were noted. Micrometric data from the liver and kidney revealed a significant surge in the size of hepatocytes and their nuclei (1188.2 ± 467.7 µ2 and 456.5 ± 205.6 µ2) and CSA of glomeruli and Bowman's capsule (9051.8 ± 249.8 µ2 and 11,835.5 ± 336.7 µ2) in Cr (VI) exposed group, whereas the brush border (10.2 ± 4.0 µ) size declined significantly. The administration of AV and AVNP reduced the oxidative stress induced by Cr (VI).

Comparing the web-based and traditional self-reported 24-hour dietary recall data in the PakNutriStudy.

BACKGROUND: The flaws in dietary assessment methods can generate misleading information and thus may impact on the interventions planned based on that information. Context specific digitalization of dietary assessment tools is a potential way forward to reduce biases and resources involved in data handling. METHODS: Two versions of Twenty-Four Hour Recall (24HR) (traditional [24HR Ver-01] and digital [24HR Ver-02]) were tested for data agreement and feasibility by gathering cross sectional paired data on both the versions from 102 participants (18-25 years age). The web based 24HR was setup using the system of Intake24 (New Castle University) with incorporation of South Asian food data base for beverages. RESULTS: The data sets obtained from 24HR Ver-01 and 24HR Ver-02 on beverage consumption (food items as well as portion sizes) were compared for agreement. The highest percentage of agreement of food item reporting between 24HR Ver-01 and 24HR Ver-01 was during the lunch time. The average kappa value (κ =0.375833) for all the meals indicated a fair agreement betweenVer-01 and 24HR Ver-02 The correlation of portion sizes reported using 24HR Ver-01 and 24 HR Ver-02 was statisticallysignificant for morning snack, lunch and dinner (r = 0.465; r = 0.324; r = 0.407 respectively). According to Bland Altman plot, least agreement between the two versions was found in the portion sizes reported for morning snacks. Data collectors found 24 HR Ver-02 easier in terms of data processing but it was regarded time taking and less convenient by the participants. CONCLUSION: The Intake 24 (digital version of 24HR) can be a preferred tool of data collection as the data collected through it may reach fairly good levels of accuracy. Future directions for research like conducting a follow up study with cross over design, expanding the study using food items other than beverages, and testing the digital dietary assessment tool against an objective gold standard of dietary intake can be helpful in reaching more conclusive evidence.

Molecular and functional characterization of protease from psychrotrophic Bacillus sp. HM49 in North-western Himalaya.

In this work, a psychrotrophic bacteria producing cold-active protease, was obtained from Dachigam National Park, an ecologically significant habitat in Western Himalayas owing to its varied endemic and endangered flora and fauna. This isolate was identified as Bacillus sp. HM49 via phenotypic, Gram staining, bio-chemical and 16S rRNA gene identification. Isolate HM49 when tested for proteolytic activity revealed prominent hydrolytic zone with the most production at 20 °C and pH, 8.0 post 72 h incubation. This enzyme was purified, enhancing its specific activity to 61.15 U/mg and its characterization studies revealed it to be a cold-alkaline protease being active in a wide pH (6.0-12) and temperature (5-40 °C) range. Amplification of CAASPR gene of HM49 was performed, followed by enzyme-substrate docking studies and MMGBSA providing details about its type, molecular weight validation as well as functional applications. The purified protease of HM49 was tested for laundry applications and the enzyme was found to be compatible with majority of the detergents tested. Its potential as an eco-friendly detergent additive was further validated by wash performance test as it effectively removed recalcitrant blood stains at a low temperature of 20 °C that could be beneficial for fine garments like silk which preferably need cold washing.

Exploring soil bacterial diversity in different micro-vegetational habitats of Dachigam National Park in North-western Himalaya.

Dachigam National Park (DNP), in Zabarwan mountains of north-western Himalaya constitutes a region of high biodiversity with greater endemism. DNP is known for its unique micro-climate together with distinct vegetational zones providing home to variety of threatened and endemic plant, animal, and bird species. However, studies on soil microbial diversity in fragile ecosystems of north-western Himalaya in general and DNP in particular are lacking. This was thus a maiden attempt to study variations in soil bacterial diversity of DNP with respect to changing soil physico-chemical properties, vegetation, and altitude. Soil parameters depicted significant variations among different sites with highest values for temperature, OC, OM and TN being 22.2 ± 0.75 °C, 6.53 ± 0.32%, 11.25 ± 0.54%, 0.545 ± 0.04% from site-2 (low altitudinal grassland site) in summer and lowest of 5.1 ± 0.65 °C, 1.24 ± 0.26%, 2.14 ± 0.45% and 0.132 ± 0.04% at site-9 (high altitudinal mixed pine site) in winter. Bacterial CFU showed significant correlations with soil physico-chemical attributes. This study led to the isolation and identification of 92 morphologically varied bacteria with the highest (15) from site-2 and lowest (04) from site-9 which post BLAST analysis (via 16S rRNA analysis) depicted presence of only 57 distinct bacterial species under taxonomic phylum, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. Nine species were widely spread (i.e., isolated from > 3 sites), however, most bacteria (37) were restricted to a particular site. Diversity indices ranged between 1.380 to 2.631 (Shannon-Weiner's index); 0.747 to 0.923 (Simpson's index) with highest values for site-2 and lowest for site-9. Index of similarity was highest (47.1%) between riverine sites (site-3 and site-4) whereas two mixed pine sites (site-9 and site-10) showed no similarity.

Profiling Laboratory Biomarkers Associated with COVID-19 Disease Progression: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: There is clinical importance to investigate the disease progression through potential biomarkers of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the significance of inflammatory markers in different categories of COVID-19 in admitted patients. METHODS: In a single-center, observational study of 50 in-hospital patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to the intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, infection biomarkers, including hs-CRP, serum ferritin, serum creatinine, ALT, ALP, cardiac troponin-I, and IL-6 were analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 61.3 years. 70% (35) were male while 30% (15) were female. We noted significantly increased hs-CRP (9.32 mg/dL ± 10.03) and ferritin levels (982.3 ng/ml ± 601.9). A noteworthy increase was observed in neutrophil count (11.05 × 109/L) and a decrease was observed in lymphocyte count (0.27 × 109/L) (P < 0.05), and the platelet count was borderline decreased (244.1 × 109/L). IL-6 levels were markedly increased in all admitted patients (100.2 pg/ml ± 122.2 pg/ml). CONCLUSION: The serum levels of CRP, troponin-I, ALP, ALT, serum creatinine, and ferritin are markedly increased in COVID-19 patients. Increased CRP and ferritin levels were also associated with secondary bacterial infection and poor clinical outcomes.

Biochemical Characterization and Functional Analysis of Heat Stable High Potential Protease of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain HM48 from Soils of Dachigam National Park in Kashmir Himalaya.

A novel temperature stable alkaline protease yielding bacteria was isolated from the soils of Dachigam National Park, which is known to be inhabited by a wide variety of endemic plant and animal species of Western Himalaya. This high-potential protease producing isolate was characterized and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain HM48 by morphological, Gram's staining and biochemical techniques followed by molecular characterization using 16S rRNA approach. The extracellular protease of B. amyloliquefaciens HM48 was purified by precipitating with ammonium sulfate (80%), followed by dialysis and Gel filtration chromatography increasing its purity by 5.8-fold. The SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified enzyme confirmed a molecular weight of about ≈25 kDa. The enzyme displayed exceptional activity in a broad temperature range (10-90 °C) at pH 8.0, retaining its maximum at 70 °C, being the highest reported for this proteolytic Bacillus sp., with KM and Vmax of 11.71 mg/mL and 357.14 µmol/mL/min, respectively. The enzyme exhibited remarkable activity and stability against various metal ions, surfactants, oxidizing agent (H2O2), organic solvents and displayed outstanding compatibility with widely used detergents. This protease showed effective wash performance by exemplifying complete blood and egg-yolk stains removal at 70 °C and efficiently disintegrated chicken feathers making it of vital importance for laundry purpose and waste management. For functional analysis, protease gene amplification of strain HM48 yielded a nucleotide sequence of about 700 bp, which, when checked against the available sequences in NCBI, displayed similarity with subtilisin-like serine protease of B. amyloliquefaciens. The structure of this protease and its highest-priority substrate ß-casein was generated through protein modeling. These protein models were validated through futuristic algorithms following which protein-protein (protease from HM48 and ß-casein) docking was performed. The interaction profile of these proteins in the docked state with each other was also generated, shedding light on their finer details. Such attributes make this thermally stable protease novel and suitable for high-temperature industrial and environmental applications.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Diseasae: An Important Differential of Tuberculous Lymphadenitis.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, also called necrotising histiocytic lymphadenitis, is a rare disease of usually benign outcome. A case of a 21-year female is reported here. She presented with high grade fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. She was started on anti-tubercular treatment (ATT) with suspicion of tuberculous lymphadenitis as she had very strong history of tubercular (TB) contact. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease was diagnosed after cervical lymph node biopsy, thus ATT was stopped. She was treated with oral steroids and complete recovery was made. Of significant note, two of patient's siblings were treated for pulmonary TB, because of which she had strong history of direct TB contact. Although a few cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease have been reported in Pakistan, this is first case being reported in setting of very strong positive history of TB contact. Key Words: Lymphadenitis, Tuberculosis, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease.

Splenic Abscess of an Unknown Etiology.

Splenic abscess is a rare condition, detected in individuals with certain predisposing factors that lead to abscess formation. This is a case report of a 20-year female presenting with high grade fever, weight loss, and left hypochondrial pain. She had an abdominal mass, that was reported as enlarged spleen with multiple abscesses on CT scan. Her laboratory analysis revealed neutrophil leukocytosis with a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and normal peripheral smear, while her blood culture, brucella and viral serologies, transesophageal echo, antinuclear antibody (ANA) profile and hypercoagulability work up, were negative. Hence, no predisposing factor could be found as the cause of splenic abscess. She was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics and recovered.

Lupus Enteritis: An Atypical Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus may rarely present initially with gastroenteric features labelled as lupus enteritis, that may lead to serious complications, if it remains undiagnosed for a long period of time. It is difficult to diagnose because the clinical picture of lupus enteritis mimics gastroenteritis. The diagnosis is made on radiological findings, rather than histopathology, and supported by autoimmune profile. Here is a case of a 40-year lady who presented with diarrhea and vomiting that was unresponsive to treatment with intravenous antibiotics. The diagnosis of lupus enteritis was made on the basis of CT scan abdomen, that showed classic target sign due to bowel edema. There was non-specific inflammation found in the biopsy specimen taken on colonoscopy and her autoimmune workup showed ANA and anti-ds-DNA positive. She was treated with high dose of intravenous steroids and recovered.