ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PISTACIA KHINJUK SUPPORTED BY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION.

Pistacia khinjuk is one of the fifteen known species of Pistacia belonging to Anacardiaceae family. Keeping in view the possible therapeutic utility of this genus and the lack of literature on this plant, this study involves phytochemical investigation of P. khinjuk and its antioxidant activity. The phytochemical investigation was conducted on crude methanolic extract and its fractions namely, n-hexane, chloroform, n-butanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous. Total phenolic contents and flavonoids were also determined by phosphomolybdenum and ferric thiocyanate method in crude extract and its fractions. The results of phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, triterpenoids, cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, proteins and sterols in the crude extract of P. khinjuk. Crude extract and its fractions exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity. This study showed that the crude extract and its fractions have potent antioxidant activity, among all ethyl acetate showed 1.109 ± 0.029 the highest activity. This research concluded that crude extract of P. khinjuk and its fractions contained phenolic and flavonoid compounds that show significant antioxidant activity.

Investigation of Resistance Genes in Genus Vigna Reveals Highly Variable NLRome in Parallel Domesticated Member Species.

Vigna is a unique genus that consist of multiple crop species that are domesticated in parallel fashion between 7-10 thousand years ago. Here we studied the evolution of nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat receptor (NLR) genes across five crop species of genus Vigna. In total identified 286, 350, 234, 250, 108 and 161 NLR genes were from Phaseolous vulgaris, Vigna. unguiculata, Vigna mungo, Vigna radiata, Vigna angularis and Vigna umbellata respectively. Comprehensive phylogenetic and clusterization analysis reveals the presence of seven subgroups of Coiled coil like NLRs (CC-NLR) genes and four distinct lineages of Toll interleukin receptor like NLRs (TIR-NLR). Subgroup CCG10-NLR shows large scale diversification among Vigna species suggesting genus specific distinct duplication pattern in Vigna species. Mainly birth of new NLR gene families and higher rate of terminal duplication is the major determinants for expansion of NLRome in genus Vigna. Recent expansion of NLRome in V. anguiculata and V. radiata was also observed which might suggest that domestication have supported their duplication of lineage specific NLR genes. In short, large scale difference in the architecture of NLRome were observed in diploid plant species. Our findings allowed us to hypothesized that independent parallel domestication is the major drivers of highly divergent evolution of NLRome in genus Vigna.

Impact of internal brand management on sustainable competitive advantage: An explanatory study based on the mediating roles of brand commitment and brand citizenship behavior.

The existing literature on internal branding has often adopted a managerial-based approach and seldom considered employees' perceptions. Therefore, there is a need to understand the perspective of frontline and non-managerial employees. In this context, the current study investigates the impact of internal brand management on brand commitment, brand citizenship behavior, and sustainable competitive advantage for the hotel industry. A survey-based quantitative data was gathered from 390 non-managerial frontline staff working in 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels of Pakistan. The results revealed that internal brand management positively impacts brand commitment, brand citizenship behavior, and sustainable competitive advantage. Besides, brand commitment has a positive impact on brand citizenship behavior and sustainable competitive advantage. Moreover, brand citizenship behavior has a positive impact on sustainable competitive advantage. In addition, the mediating roles of brand commitment and brand citizenship behavior exist between internal brand management and sustainable competitive advantage. The research implications, together with research limitations, have also been discussed.

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in type-1 diabetes mellitus patients and its association with the duration of disease and glycemic control.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) in type-1 Diabetes mellitus patients and its association with the duration of disease and glycemic control. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad/Jamshoro, from December, 2004 to April, 2005. METHODOLOGY: Fifty patients of type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) of >or=10 years duration were selected. CAN was evaluated in terms of presence of resting tachycardia, loss of sinus arrhythmia and heart rate response to Valsalva maneuver by electrocardiogram (ECG). An R-R variation with respiration of >15 beats per minute was taken normal, while 10-15 beats and <10 beats per minute were taken as borderline and definitive CAN respectively. QTc intervals were measured. Patients with HbA1c levels<7% were considered as well-controlled. The associations between CAN, the duration of diabetes and the diabetic control were determined. RESULTS: The mean age was 35.16+/-10.58 years with 32 males and 18 females. The mean values for the known duration of diabetes and HbA1c were 13+/-7.3 years and 9.36+/-2.5 mg/dl respectively. Definitive and borderline CAN were noted in 20% and 24% respectively. Variability of heart rate with respiration was significantly related to the duration but not to the control of the diabetes (p<0.05). QTc showed a significant correlation with the known duration of diabetes and heart rate variability with respiration (p<0.05). Most of the patients had uncontrolled glycemic status. CONCLUSION: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is common in long standing type-1 diabetics. CAN resulted in prolonged QTc interval that may result in cardiac arrhythmias and even death. Intensive glycemic control improves the cardiac autonomic nerve functions.

Suicidal Isoniazid poisoning.

Accidental or intentional Isoniazid poisoning may manifest within half to three hours as intractable seizure, acidosis, and coma. Single high dose of pyridoxine was used as an antidote with good response as reported earlier. Ingestion of more than 80 mg/kg body weight produces severe central nervous system symptoms and a dose of 125 mg/kg is potentially lethal if not promptly treated. We report a case of suicidal attempt with use of Isoniazid, who developed grand mal seizures and was controlled with diazepam and symptomatic treatment.

Thrombocytopenia in plasmodium falciparum malaria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is usually associated with reduced blood cell counts & mild to moderate thrombocytopenia is a common association of malaria. The cause of thrombocytopenia is poorly understood, but the immune-mediated lysis, sequestration in the spleen and dyspoietic processes in the marrow with diminished platelet production have all been postulated. This study was conducted to evaluate thrombocytopenia in the patients suffering from acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria. METHODS: This descriptive case series study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro, over a one-year period. A total of 370 Plasmodium falciparum positive on peripheral blood film were studied. Full blood counts were determined by using automated Coulter analyzer. Thick & thin smears were stained with Giemsa stains and studied by haematologist. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 10.0. RESULTS: Out of 370 patients, 260 were male & 110 were female, with M:F ratio of 2.36:1. Mean age was 34 +/- 1.7 years (range 16-53 years). Haemoglobin values were 12.7 +/- 1.4g% and white blood cells counts were found 12600 +/- 450/microL. Out of 370, 114 (30.81%) had normal platelet counts, and 256 (69.18%) had thrombocytopenia (p < 0.05). The mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia were found in 39 (10.5%), 180 (48.6%) and 37 (10%) respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found high frequency of mild to moderate thrombocytopenia in the Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Finding of thrombocytopenia is of diagnostic help as it raises the suspicion of malaria.

Frequency of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus reporting at a teaching hospital of Sindh.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy (CAN) in patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medicine, Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, Hyderabad from December 2004 to April 2005. METHODOLOGY: Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) of at least 10 years duration were selected. CAN was evaluated in terms of presence of resting tachycardia, loss of sinus arrhythmia and heart rate response to Valsalva maneuver by ECG. A R-R variation with respiration of > 15 beats per minute, 10-15 beats per minute and <10 beats per minute were taken as normal, borderline CAN and definitive CAN, respectively. QTc intervals were measured. The association between CAN, diabetic control and duration of diabetes were determined. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.62+/-8.30 years, with male to female ratio of 1:1. Mean values for known duration of diabetes and HbA1c were 14+/-3.5 years and 11.36+/-3.6 mg/dl respectively. Definitive and borderline CAN was noted in 30% and 40% patients respectively. Variability of heart rate with respiration was significantly related to duration but not to the control of diabetes (p < 0.05). QTc showed a significant correlation with the known duration of diabetes and heart rate variability with respiration (p < 0.05). Most of the patients had very bad glycemic status as evidenced by HbA1c. CONCLUSION: CAN is common in long-standing diabetics, specifically those treated with oral hypoglycemic agents than those with insulin. Intensive glycemic control is associated with a better cardiac autonomic nerve functions.