Protein aggregation induces profound changes in the structure along with the conformation of the protein, and is responsible for the pathogenesis of a number of neurodegenerative conditions such as Huntington's, Creutzfeldt-Jacob, Type II diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's, etc. Numerous multi-spectroscopic approaches and in-silico experiments were utilized to investigate BSA's biomolecular interaction and aggregation in the presence of quinoline yellow. The present research investigation evaluated the interaction of BSA with the food colorant (QY) at two different pH (7.4 and 2.0). The development of the BSA-QY complex was established with UV visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The quenching of fluorescence upon the interaction of BSA with QY revealed the static nature of quenching mechanism. The Kb value obtained from our result is 4. 54 × 10-4 M-1. The results from the competitive site marker study infer that quinoline yellow is binding with the sub-domain IB of bovine serum albumin, specifically on site III. Three-dimensional fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy were applied for monitoring the alterations in the microenvironment of BSA upon the addition of quinoline yellow. The results from turbidity and RLS studies showed that higher concentrations of QY (80-400 µM) triggered bovine serum albumin (BSA) aggregation at pH 2.0. At pH 7.4, QY couldn't manage to trigger bovine serum albumin aggregation, perhaps because of the repulsion between negatively charged dye (QY) and anionic bovine serum albumin. The results from far-UV CD, Congo Red, and scanning electron microscopy implicate that the QY-induced aggregates exhibit amyloid fibril-like structures. Molecular docking results revealed that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and Pi-Sulfur interactions contribute to QY-induced aggregation of BSA. Further, the amyloid inhibitory potential of ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic acid on QY-induced aggregation of BSA, has also been assessed. The QY-induced amyloid fibrils are FA-soluble, as confirmed by turbidity, RLS, and far-UV CD studies. Far-UV CD results showed that FA retains α helix and inhibits cross ß sheet formation when the BSA samples were pre-incubated with increasing concentrations of FA (0-500 µM). Our findings conclude that QY dye successfully stimulates BSA aggregation, but ferulic acid inhibits QY-induced aggregation of BSA. Thus, FA can serve as a therapeutic agent and can help in the treatment of various amyloid-related conditions.
Coumaric Acids , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Quinolines , Serum Albumin, Bovine , Humans , Serum Albumin, Bovine/chemistry , Molecular Docking Simulation , Spectrometry, Fluorescence , Circular Dichroism , Protein Binding , Binding Sites , Thermodynamics
Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) has emerged as an indispensable tool in the field of biomedicine, offering the ability to obtain quantitative maps of phase changes due to optical path length delays without the need for contrast agents. These maps provide valuable information about cellular morphology and dynamics, unperturbed by the introduction of exogenous substances. In this review, a summary of recent studies that have focused on elucidating the growth dynamics of individual cells using QPI is presented. Specifically, investigations into cellular changes occurring during mitosis, the differentiation of cellular organelles, the assessment of distinct cell death processes (i.e., apoptosis, necrosis, and oncosis) and the precise measurement of live cell temperature are explored. Furthermore, the captivating applications of QPI in theragnostics, where its potential for transformative impact is prominently showcased, are highlighted. Finally, the challenges that need to be overcome for its wider adoption and successful integration into biomedical research are outlined.
Apoptosis , Cell Death , Cell Proliferation
Bilateral persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) is a rare ocular disorder. Its clinical manifestations include bilateral corneal haziness, microphthalmia, and cataract. It is the second most common cause of leukocoria after retinoblastoma. Most cases of PHPV are unilateral. The typical imaging features of PHPV comprise bilateral echogenic masses and a fibrous cord extending from the posterior surface of the lens to the optic disc. In this report, we present a case of bilateral PHPV in an infant who presented with bilateral corneal haziness and watery discharge. A detailed ocular examination and knowledge about its features on imaging can lead to a timely and accurate diagnosis of the condition.
Non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary is a very rare neoplasm. It carries a worse prognosis as compared to gestational choriocarcinoma (GCC). Here, we report a case of non-gestational ovarian choriocarcinoma. The patient initially presented in a medical emergency with abdominal pain, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, cough, and dyspnea. The patient had four healthy children, and the last childbirth was five years ago. There was no history of any abortion or stillbirth in the past four years. A highly vascular left adnexal mass was observed on ultrasound abdomen and pelvis. Compute CT chest, abdomen, and pelvis were performed, which revealed metastatic left ovarian choriocarcinoma features. It also showed vascular metastases of the carcinoma in the kidneys, liver, and lungs. We report this case specifically emphasizing ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and CT angiography findings.
INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and debilitating functional gastrointestinal disorder. Risk factors include infective enteritis, female sex, antibiotic exposure, anxiety, and depression. The aim of this study is to find out the prevalence of IBS in healthy population and determine the characteristics of symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-section study was conducted in the internal medicine unit of a tertiary care hospital in multiple cities of Pakistan. Eight hundred (800) healthy peoples were selected for study from June 2019 to August 2019. Diagnosis of IBS was made by using Rome III criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in general population in our study was 33.2%. IBS was more common in females compared to males (57.7% vs. 42.2%; p value = 0.009). IBS was more common in age group between 20 and 29 years (45.5%). Among patient diagnosed with IBS in this study, the most common was bloating (74.7%) followed by increased stool frequency (54.4%). CONCLUSION: IBS is very prevalent in Pakistan, yet there is very little data and awareness related to it. Any change in stool frequency or consistency in young adults, especially women, shall be evaluated for IBS after ruling out other diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment of IBS will assist in improving the patient's quality of life.
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is one of Pakistan's most common diseases, affecting nearly 27.4 million people. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming quite popular for the management of diabetes. We aim to study the subjects that use alternative medicine in order to assess the effect of alternative therapy on the glycemic control and overall health of the patients. METHODS: This study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 101 diabetic patients who used alternative medicine as part of their diabetes treatment were enrolled in the study after oral informed consent. Patients who were using concomitant conventional therapy were excluded from the study. On day 0, the random blood glucose levels and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were noted. Patients were followed up after 12 weeks, and their blood glucose levels and HbA1c levels were noted again. Out of 101 participants, around 92 of them completed the study and were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: According to the results, 41 (44.5%) participants admitted that they used Herbal medicine, 32 (34.78%) participants used home remedies through dietary modifications, 11 (11.95%) participants used spiritual healing techniques, and 7 (7.60%) participants used cupping therapy. We found no significant reduction of HbA1c levels at the end of 12 weeks in any group. CONCLUSION: This study failed to show any significant reduction in HbA1c levels after 12 weeks in patients taking various alternative medicine forms. There is a need for further large-scale trials to establish this mode of treatment's efficacy and safety.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare entity that usually arises from the malignant transformation of a mature cystic teratoma, an endometrioma, or a Brenner tumor. The de novo occurrence of the pure variety in the absence of a prior lesion is the rarest type, and it arises from the metaplasia of the surface epithelium of the ovary. Because of its rarity, a definitive treatment protocol for treatment is not yet available. We present a case of pure primary SCC of the ovary that was managed by surgery followed by chemotherapy.
Introduction The average life expectancy is increasing with better medical facilities and evolving technology. The ratio of the geriatric population is increasing, which drives a need to invest more in the physical and psychological health of older people. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of depression in community-dwelling healthy older adults. Methods Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) was utilized in this study. Community-dwelling older adults (age 65+ years) were approached in parks, mosques, grocery stores, and waiting areas of banks. Demographic information including age, gender, education, marital status, employment, and financial status, and family structure was recorded. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS v. 22.0. Results Out of the 367 elderly participants, there were 165 (45%) men and 202 (55%) women. Depression was reported in 37% (n = 136) individuals; 29.7% (n = 109) were suggestive of depression, while 33.2% (n = 122) were not depressed. Risk factors for the development of depression included female gender, not living with a spouse (separated/spouse died/single), being financially dependent, being employed, and living alone (not in a joint or nuclear family). Conclusion The incidence of depression is high among healthy community-dwelling elderly individuals in Pakistan. Geriatric health should be taken into consideration. There should be strategies and guidelines to screen the geriatric population for psycho-social symptoms and provide them with psychological counseling.
Introduction Academic pressure and its associated stress are responsible for disturbances in the circadian cycle of the students. Adequate sleep has crucial role in enhancing cognitive skills especially memory retention. Poor night time sleep quality and consequent daytime sleepiness affects physical and cognitive health of the students. In this study, sleep quality among medical students is evaluated. Methods It was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted with undergraduate medical students. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results Of 281 students, 155 (55.16%) were pre-clinical students and 126 (44.83%) were clinical students; 207 (73.66%) were female students and 74 (26.33%) were male. The overall frequency of poor sleepers was 172 (61.2%); 95 (55.2%) of these were clinical sciences and 77 (44.8%) were basic sciences students. Sleep latency, duration, and efficiency were more impaired in clinical students (p-value ≤ 0.05). Use of sleep medications and daytime dysfunction was more common in clinical students (p-value ≤ 0.05). Conclusion Medical students are continuously under high academic stress and pressure. Adequate sleep is essential for them to refresh them every day and help in learning and memory processing. Medical students in advance years of education have worse sleep quality than those in early years. Efforts should be taken to improve their sleep quality in order to protect the psychological and emotional health of future doctors.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and reported practices of medical students regarding infection control measures. METHODS: The cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at one public and one private medical university in Karachi from January to February 2016. The students enrolled were in their clinical years of the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery course and their knowledge, attitude and practice were measured regarding infection control measures. SPSS 19 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: There were 413 medical students with a mean age of 21.78±1.10 years. Overall, 206(49.9%) students were from the private university and 207(50.1%) from the public institution. Students from the private institution had better knowledge compared to those from the public institution regarding hand hygiene (p<0.001), needlestick injuries (p<0.001) and surgical scrubbing (p=0.007), as well as better reported practices regarding hand hygiene (p<0.001) and surgical scrubbing (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and practices of medical students regarding the method of surgical scrubbing and needlestick injury protocols in particular needed improvement.
Attitude of Health Personnel , Hand Hygiene/standards , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Infection Control/standards , Students, Medical , Universities , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective Studies , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young Adult
