Dietary patterns of Pakistani adults and their associations with sociodemographic characteristics-a community based study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the dietary patterns and understand their association with sociodemographic characteristics among adults. METHODS: The community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta cities of Pakistan from March to November 2018, after approval from the National Bioethics Committee, Islamabad, and comprised adults of either gender. Data was collected using the food frequency questionnaire, and dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. Multivariate regression analysis was used to assess the association of socio-demographic determinants with dietary patterns. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Parallel Analysis criterion (Eigen values) was determined along with Monte Carlo simulation. RESULTS: Of the 448 subjects, 206(46%) were males and 242(54%) were females. The largest age group was 36-55 years 199(47.4%). Six dietary patterns were identified: "Vegetables", "Fruits", "Mixed Junk and Processed food", "Dairy and Fast food", "Discretionary" and "Fish". Regression analysis showed that those aged 36-55 years had higher scores for vegetables, fruit and fish pattern (p<0.05). Females scored more for vegetables, fish and fruits, and a significantly low score for discretionary diet pattern (p<0.05). Participants with high education level and socioeconomic status had raised scores for discretionary diet items (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Six distinct dietary patterns among Pakistani adults were identified, showing significant association with sociodemographic characteristics.

Comparison of vitamin D levels with bone density, calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase - an insight from major cities of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To compare vitamin D levels with bone mineral density, serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase. METHODS: The cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted at Pakistan Health Research Council centres in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi,and comprised subjects coming for either vitamin D testing or bone mineral density examination. Information related to demography, height/weight, skin colour, smoking, use of sun screen, daily milk intake, sun exposure and exercise was taken along with biochemical tests like serum calcium and phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, and 25 hydroxy vitamin D.Bone mineral density was done using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. SPSS 15.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 291 subjects, 100(34.3%) each were enrolled from Islamabad and Lahore, while 91 (31.2%) were from Karachi. Overall, 245(84%) had insufficient vitamin D which was significantly associated with age and dark skin colour (p<0.05 each). Besides, 137(48%) cases had a reduced bone density, and there was a significant difference between age groups, gender and skin colour (p<0.05 each).Vitamin D deficiency did not have any effect on bone mineral density (p>0.05) Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were also similar regardless of vitamin D level (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency did not have any direct impact on bone mineral density and serum calcium, phosphorous and alkaline phosphatase.

Photo-assisted inactivation of highly drug resistant bacteria and DPPH scavenging activities of zinc oxide graphted Pd-MCM-41 synthesized by new hydrothermal method.

A major current biomedical challenge is to find materials that are specific, have high efficiency and with long lasting stability to serve as antimicrobial agents. In this contribution we examined new bifunctional nanostructural materials (ZnO/Pd-MCM-41) which were synthesized by a new hydrothermal procedure. To deposit active cites i.e. ZnO, a new protocol was followed in which catechol was used as a precipitating agent. Results indicated that nanostructures comprising palladium nanocrystals of a small size dispersed consistently within the hexagonal pores of the MCM-41 and also ZnO was successfully coated on mesoporous Pd-MCM-41 and that the mesoporous Pd-MCM-41 structure has been well-maintained upon modification of ZnO. The ZnO/Pd-MCM-41 is promising antibacterial agent and have efficient light inhibition activity towards Escherichia coli (E. coli), Psedomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The inhibition zone of irradiated ZnO/Pd-MCM-41 nanostructure against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were (17 ± 0.4) mm, 18 (±0.4) mm and 22 (±0.2) mm respectively while that in dark were (9 ± 0.5) mm, 11 (±0.3) mm and 13 (±0.4) mm respectively. The production of reactive oxygen species and hemolytic assay were also analyzed. Different parameters affecting the photo-inhibition efficiency of ZnO/Pd-MCM-41 were also studied. Likewise, the antioxidant activity of these nanostructures was studied against DPPH stabilization. Results indicated that the synthesized nanostructures are highly active and stabilized 99 % DPPH at very low concentration i.e. 1.4 mg/mL.

Biomedical response under visible-light irradiation promoted by new hydrothermally synthesized SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 nanofibers.

In the presence of Fe3O4 nano-fibers, we prepared SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 hybrid Nano-fibers through a novel and simple one-pot redox reaction between ZnSO4 & SiO2. The Fe3O4 exterior nano-fibers would be homogenously covered by SiO2 coating to arrange a distinctive core-shell construction and then Zn nanoparticles are intercalated in the covering of SiO2. The synthesized nanofibers were tested for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB). The result showed that 99 % MB was degraded in 60 min. Furthermore, the antibacterial potential of SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 nanofibers was tested against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria both in light and dark. The impact of different analysis such as Reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis, irradiation effect on bacterial inhibition, concentration effect of SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 nanofibers and reduction of DPPH studied. The findings clearly demonstrate that ROS is produced in the presence of SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 nanofibers in bacterial cells and is responsible for their inhibition. Findings have shown that synthesized nanostructures can also increase the stability of DPPH radicals with increasing concentrations of nanomaterials, making them a strong candidate for DPPH reduction. The overall results show that the efficacy of SiO2-Zn@Fe2O3 nanofibers for inhibition was more pronounced than that of individual iron oxides.

Comparison of Rapid Anti-HCV Multi-sure Kit with Gold Standard ELISA.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic yield of Multi-sure rapid HCV (hepatitis C virus) kit with ELISA. STUDY DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Pakistan Health Research Council, specialised research center for gastroenterology and hepatology, from August 2016 to January 2017. METHODOLOGY: A modified rapid anti-HCV kit was compared with ELISA. This rapid kit is multi-parameter qualitative immune chromatographic kit for the in-vitro detection of antibodies to HCV in human blood. Patients who came to PHRC, were tested using anti-HCV ELISA, and their test was run simultaneously on multi-sure HCV rapid kit were included in the study. Each positive and negative sample was included in this study. SPSS software was adapted for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 420 samples were collected. Among them, 255 (61%) were of male and 165 (39%) were of female patients. Mean age was 35 ± 14.33 years. All the samples run for anti-HCV on ELISA were also run on multi-sure rapid kit. It is evident that 22.4% were reactive on ELISA and 23.6% were reactive on rapid kit, while 75.5% were non-reactive on ELISA and 68.1% were non-reactive on rapid kit. Borderline positive results were seen in 2.1% on ELISA and 5.0% on rapid kit. Sensitivity of rapid kit was 87.2%, specificity 89.3% with 82.8% positive predictive value and 98.9% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: Multi-sure kit showed significantly, less non-reactive and more borderline results as compared to ELISA. Comparison of multi-sure rapid kit with ELISA showed that core antibody can be used as an alternate marker for ELISA. Other non-structural proteins including NS3, NS4 and NS5 were found to be less significant. So, it is concluded that this rapid kit may not be recommended as an alternative of ELISA, except for places where ELISA is not available.

Synthesis and characterization of phytochemical fabricated zinc oxide nanoparticles with enhanced antibacterial and catalytic applications.

A "green route" to fabricate nanoparticles has emerged as a revolutionary approach. The reported work presents a green approach to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles using Conyza canadensis plant leaves extract. The synthesis of ZnO was conducted at two different temperatures i.e. 30 °C and 80 °C. ZnO nanoparticles prepared at 80 °C were smaller in size and exhibited spherical morphology. The prepared nanomaterials were examined for the reduction of organic dyes i.e. methylene blue and methyl orange. The fabricated ZnO nanoparticles synthesized at 80 °C were found to be highly active for the reduction of aforementioned dyes with 94.5% reduction of MO and 85.3% reduction of MB in 45 min and 20 min respectively. The rate constant (k) for this reduction of MO was found to be 5.781 × 10-3 s-1 in the absence of a catalyst and 5.843 × 10-2 s-1 in the presence of ZnO NPs catalyst. The rate constant (k) for the reduction of MB was found to be 4.7 × 10-3 s-1 in the absence of a catalyst and 9.936 × 10-3 s-1 in the presence of ZnO NPs catalyst. ZnO nanoparticles synthesized at 80 °C were examined for their antibacterial activity. The biogenic ZnO nanoparticles exhibited strong antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus with a zone of inhibition (16 mm) and (14 mm) respectively. This high antibacterial and catalytic activity of biogenic ZnO nanoparticles can be attributed to its small size, good dispersion, and well-defined morphology.

Antibacterial activity of biochemically capped iron oxide nanoparticles: A view towards green chemistry.

A green approach to fabricate nanoparticles has been evolved as a revolutionary discipline. Eco-compatible reaction set ups, use of non-toxic materials and production of highly active biological and photocatalytic products are few benefits of this greener approach. Here, we introduce a green method to synthesize Fe oxide NPs using Punica granatum peel extract. The formation of Fe oxide NPs was optimized using different concentrations of peel extract (20mL, 40mL and 60mL) to achieve small size and better morphology. The results indicate that the FeNPs, obtained using 40mL concentration of peel extract possess the smallest size. The morphology, size and crystallinity of NPs was confirmed by implementing various techniques i.e. UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy. The bio-chemicals responsible for reduction and stabilization of FeNPs were confirmed by FT-IR analysis. The biogenic FeNPs were tested for their size dependent antibacterial activity. The biogenic FeNPs prepared in 40mL extract concentrations exhibited strongest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa i.e. 22 (±0.5) mm than FeNPs with 20mL and 60mL extract concentrations i.e. 18 (±0.4) mm and 14 (±0.3) mm respectively. The optimized FeNPs with 40mL peel extract are not only highly active for ROS generation but also show no hemolytic activity. Thus, FeNPs synthesized using the greener approach are found to have high antibacterial activity along with biocompatibility. This high antibacterial activity can be referred to small size and large surface area.