Demaghi, a polyherbal formulation, mitigates aluminum chloride-induced neurological impairment in mice: Insights from phytochemical analysis and behavioral assessment.

Herbal products have been very popular in Pakistan for their curative significance against various disorders. Demaghi (DEMG) is a widely used herbal product claimed to own natural substances having neuroprotective potential. The current study aims to scientifically validate the chemical composition as well as its neuroprotective claims of this widely used herbal tonic. The commercially available Demaghi product was chemically characterized for its phytocomposition. The mice were treated with two doses of Demaghi (DEMG 50 mg and 100 mg/kg/day), and the effects of its prolonged exposure on animal anxiety, memory, and depression were noted through a series of behavioral tests in the AlCl3-induced memory deficient mice model. Besides that, dissected brains were biochemically analyzed for oxidative stress markers and acetylcholinesterase activity, as well as histopathological changes. The study outcomes showed that DEMG (100 mg/kg/day) has prominent anti-anxiety effects, memory-enhancing properties, and anti-depressants effects observed in the AlCl3-induced memory-deficient mice model. Biochemical assays also showed a greater decrease in oxidative stress of tested animals treated with 100 mg/kg/day of DEMG. The histopathological analysis also revealed that administration of DEMG reduced the AlCl3-induced toxicity. UPLC-MS results revealed the presence of many phytoconstituents, which showed to support cholinergic signaling in in-silico studies. The current research validates the neurological benefits of Demaghi for memory-boosting properties. The phytocompounds present in Demaghi exert neuroprotective effects, possibly by enhancing the cholinergic neurotransmission and combating the neurotoxin-induced oxidative stress.

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life, Medication Adherence, and Prevalence of Depression in Kidney Failure Patients.

BACKGROUND: Kidney failure is a global health problem with a worldwide mean prevalence rate of 13.4%. Kidney failure remains symptomless during most of the early stages until symptoms appear in the advanced stages. Kidney failure is associated with a decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), deterioration in physical and mental health, and an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with decreased HRQOL and other factors affecting the overall health of patients. Another objective was to measure how medication adherence and depression could affect the overall HRQOL in patients with kidney failure. METHODOLOGY: The study used a prospective follow-up mix methodology approach with six-month follow-ups of patients. The participants included in the study population were those with chronic kidney disease grade 4 and kidney failure. Pre-validated and translated questionnaires (Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale Urdu Version, and Morisky Lewis Greens Adherence Scale) and assessment tools were used to collect data. RESULTS: This study recruited 314 patients after an initial assessment based on inclusion criteria. The mean age of the study population was 54.64 ± 15.33 years. There was a 47.6% male and a 52.4% female population. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus remained the most predominant comorbid condition, affecting 64.2% and 74.6% of the population, respectively. The study suggested a significant (p < 0.05) deterioration in the mental health composite score with worsening laboratory variables, particularly hematological and iron studies. Demographic variables significantly impact medication adherence. HRQOL was found to be deteriorating with a significant impact on mental health compared to physical health. CONCLUSIONS: Patients on maintenance dialysis for kidney failure have a significant burden of physical and mental symptoms, depression, and low HRQOL. Given the substantial and well-known declines in physical and psychological well-being among kidney failure patients receiving hemodialysis, the findings of this research imply that these areas related to health should receive special attention in the growing and expanding population of kidney failure patients.

Assessment of the yield loss imparted by Orobanche aegyptiaca in tomato in Pakistan.

Broomrapes (Orobanche sp.) are root holoparasitic plants causing severe damage to various families of horticultural crops. A Preliminary survey was carried in tomato fields infested with orobanche in Potohar plateau of Pakistan. Results indicated that each planting bed comprising10-12 tomato plants contained 7-8 parasitic weeds. Overall survey indicated the 65-70% plants suffered partial or complete yield loss. Further, it was estimated that the number of weeds inhabiting plant-1 was ranged from 2-4. Yield loss was estimated at 57.17 tons/ha while in terms of financial loss, it was 2579.87 $/ha. Hence total estimated loss on the total surveyed area of 16 hectares was 41395.85 $. The high potential of tomato cultivation in Pakistan reinforces the urgent protection measures to resolve this emerging issue.

Assessment of computerized treatment planning system accuracy in calculating wedge factors of physical wedged fields for 6 MV photon beams.

Wedge filters are commonly used in external beam radiotherapy to achieve a uniform dose distribution within the target volume. The main objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the beam modifier algorithm of Theraplan plus (TPP version 3.8) treatment planning system and to confirm that either the beam hardening, beam softening and attenuation coefficients along with wedge geometry and measured wedge factor at single depth and multiple fields sizes can be the replacement of wedged profile and wedged cross-sectional data or not. In this regard the effect of beam hardening and beam softening was studied with physical wedges for 6 MV photons. The Normalized Wedge Factors (NWFs) were measured experimentally as well as calculated with the Theraplan plus, as a function of depth and field size in a water phantom for 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60° wedge filters. The beam hardening and softening was determined experimentally by deriving the required coefficients for all wedge angles. The TPP version 3.8 requires wedge transmission factor at single depth and multiple field sizes. Without incorporating the hardening and softening coefficients the percent difference between measured and calculated NFWs was as high as 7%. After the introduction of these parameters into the algorithm, the agreement between measured and TPP (V 3.8) calculated NWFs were improved to within 2 percent for various depths. Similar improvement was observed in TPP version 3.8 while calculating NWFs for various field sizes when the required coefficients were adjusted. In conclusion, the dose calculation algorithm of TPP version 3.8 showed good accuracy for a 6 MV photon beam provided beam hardening and softening parameters are taken into account. From the results, it is also concluded that, the beam hardening, beam softening and attenuation coefficients along with wedge geometry and measured wedge factor at single depth and multiple fields sizes can be the replacement of wedged profile and wedged cross-sectional data in the TPS. The study also indicated that by ignoring the beam softening and beam hardening will result in an inaccurate dose to the target volume of the patient.