Attitudes and understanding of complementary and alternative medicine in cancer care:An exploratory study of patients’perspectives in Karachi,Pakistan

Objective:To evaluate the prevalence and types of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM)modalities among patients with cancer in Karachi,Pakistan.Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to December 2021.Five hundred patients with cancer were invited to participate in the study.Electronic databases,namely,Google scholar,Publons,EMBASE,PubMed,Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database,and ResearchGate was used for questionnaire designed.The self-administered survey included questions on demographic characteristics,education level,socio-economic conditions and information about CAM therapies,prevalence,effectiveness,and common CAM modalities.Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 22.Results:Out of the 500 invited patients,433(86.6%)successfully completed and returned the questionnaires.In contrast to patients who were with younger,highly educated,professionally active,higher income,and had advanced cancer,time since diagnosis,type of treatment,cancer types and family history are significantly associated with CAM use.The results showed that 59.8%of the participants were acquainted with complementary and/or alternative medicine and considered safe owing to its natural ingredients.The prevalence of CAM usage among cancer patients was 40.9%and the most widely used CAM modality was herbal medicine(27.7%)and dietary supplements(28.8%).Patients used CAM as a complementary therapy to improve the morphological parameter(28.2%),strengthen the immune system(6.8%),and to decrease the side effects of conventional treatment(18.1%).Most of the respondents get the information regarding CAM therapy from the electronic media(43.2%)and the family members(48%)rather than healthcare personnel.Conclusions:Participants used CAM modalities along with the conventional health care practices.Further multicentre studies should be conducted to provide information regarding the usage of CAM therapies and their eventual benefits in patients with cancer.

Weathering and accumulation of trace elements in the soils of the Porali Plain, Balochistan: repercussions in agriculture

This study is thefirst attempt to assess the nature of the soil,especially on the western side of the Porali Plain in Balochistan;a new emerging agriculture hub,using weathering and pollution indices supplemented by multi-variate analysis based on geochemical data.The outcomes of this study are expected to help farmers in soil manage-ment and selecting suitable crops for the region.Twenty-five soil samples were collected,mainly from the arable land of the Porali Plain.After drying and coning-quarter-ing,soil samples were analyzed for major and trace ele-ments using the XRF technique;sieving and hydrometric methods were employed for granulometric analysis.Esti-mated data were analyzed using Excel,SPSS,and Surfer software to calculate various indices,correlation matrix,and spatial distribution.The granulometric analysis showed that 76%of the samples belonged to loam types of soil,12%to sand type,and 8%to silt type.Weathering indices:CIA,CIW,PIA,PWI,WIP,CIX,and ICV were calculated to infer the level of alteration.These indices reflect mod-erate to intense weathering;supported by K_(2)O/AI_(2)O_(3),Rb/K_(2)O,Rb/Ti,and Rb/Sr ratios.Assessment of the geo-ac-cumulation and Nemerow Pollution indices pinpoint rela-tively high concentrations of Pb,Ni,and Cr concentration in the soils.The correlation matrix and Principal Compo-nent Analysis show that the soil in this study area is mainly derived from the weathering of igneous rocks of Bela Ophiolite(Cretaceous age)and Jurassic sedimentary rocks of Mor Range having SEDEX/MVT type mineralization.Weathering may result in the undesirable accumulation of certain trace elements which adversely affects crops.

Expansion of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative medicine

BACKGROUND Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that possess the potential for self-renewal with the capacity to differentiate into multiple lineages.In humans,their limited numbers pose a challenge in fulfilling the necessary demands for the regeneration and repair of damaged tissues or organs.Studies suggested that mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs),necessary for repair and regeneration via transplantation,require doses ranging from 10 to 400 million cells.Furthermore,the limited expansion of MSCs restricts their therapeutic application.AIM To optimize a novel protocol to achieve qualitative and quantitative expansion of MSCs to reach the targeted number of cells for cellular transplantation and minimize the limitations in stem cell therapy protocols.METHODS Human umbilical cord(hUC)tissue derived MSCs were obtained and re-cultured.These cultured cells were subjected to the following evaluation pro-cedures:Immunophenotyping,immunocytochemical staining,trilineage differentiation,population doubling time and number,gene expression markers for proliferation,cell cycle progression,senescence-associatedβ-galactosidase assay,human telomerase reverse transcriptase(hTERT)expression,mycoplasma,cytomegalovirus and endotoxin detection.RESULTS Analysis of pluripotent gene markers Oct4,Sox2,and Nanog in recultured hUC-MSC revealed no significant differences.The immunophenotypic markers CD90,CD73,CD105,CD44,vimentin,CD29,Stro-1,and Lin28 were positively expressed by these recultured expanded MSCs,and were found negative for CD34,CD11b,CD19,CD45,and HLA-DR.The recultured hUC-MSC population continued to expand through passage 15.Proliferative gene expression of Pax6,BMP2,and TGFb1 showed no significant variation between recultured hUC-MSC groups.Nevertheless,a significant increase(P<0.001)in the mitotic phase of the cell cycle was observed in recultured hUC-MSCs.Cellular senescence markers(hTERT expression andβ-galactosidase activity)did not show any negative effect on recultured hUC-MSCs.Additionally,quality control assessments consistently confirmed the absence of mycoplasma,cytomegalovirus,and endotoxin contamination.CONCLUSION This study proposes the development of a novel protocol for efficiently expanding stem cell population.This would address the growing demand for larger stem cell doses needed for cellular transplantation and will significantly improve the feasibility of stem cell based therapies.

A review:Health benefits and physicochemical characteristics of blended vegetable oils

Oil blending is the method of choice used worldwide to improve oxidative stability and nutritional value.There is no such edible oil/fat that meets all the recommendations from the health point of view.The fatty acid composition of vegetable oils decides the fate of the oil.Pure single oil is unable to provide a balanced amount of fatty acids(FAs)required/recommended on a daily intake basis.Blending oils/fats is an appropriate procedure of physically mixing multiple oils in suitable proportions which may provide functional lipids with improved antioxidant potential and desirable physical and chemical properties.This review piled up the accessible data on the blending of diverse oils/fats in the combination of binary,ternary,quaternary,or other types of oils into a single blended oil.Blending can be found very convincing towards appropriate FA profile,enhancement in physicochemical characteristics,and augmented stability for the period of storage or when used as cooking/frying processes which could ultimately serve as an effectual dietary intervention towards the health protectiveness.

Statistical and Geospatial Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Megacity of Karachi

Inserting Groundwater quality variability and sources potentially contributing to aquifer recharge was evaluated in metropolitan Karachi. Selected sampling sites were characterized by large waste dumping sites, industrial zones, and the presence of open streams receiving heavy loads of industrial and domestic wastes. Levels of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), fluoride (F-), chloride (Cl-), bromide (Br-), nitrate-N (NO-3-N), sulfate (SO2-4), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), and ammonium (NH+4) were determined and compared with the WHO permissible limits. Concentrations of the measured ions were in the order of Cl- > Na+ > SO2-4 > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > NO-3-N > K+ > F- > Br-. EC values were above the WHO guidelines, representing the presence of high ionic concentration in the groundwater. The health risk index (HRI) for indicated that inhabitants of Karachi are at risk of high exposure. Ingestion of high concentrations of NO-3-N in water can cause methemoglobinemia and birth defects. Results of multivariate statistical analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA), and geographic information system (GIS) map analysis revealed that human activities are leading to adverse effects on the existing groundwater quality in Karachi.

Temporal variations of mesozooplankton abundance and biomass in the mangrove creek area along the Karachi coast, Pakistan

The temporal variations of mesozooplankton abundance and biomass （1-Volumetric method by settling volume and displacement volume and 2- Gravimetric method through wet weight, dry weight and ash-free dry weight） with relation to environmental parameters were studied in the mangrove creek area of Karachi coast, Pakistan. The data of mesozooplankton samples along with environmental parameters （temperature, salinity, pH, etc.） were collected during January 1998 to December 1998 from two creek stations. The abun-dance of mesozooplankton also exhibited seasonal trends at both stations. At Sta. S2, the highest and low-est abundance values were observed during post-monsoon and southwest monsoon respectively whereas, at Sta. S1, a clear trend of high abundance in pre-monsoon to low abundance in southwest monsoon was observed. Mesozooplankton abundance was also positively correlated with settling volume, displacement volume, wet weight and dry weight. The highest biomass value was observed in the northeast monsoon and pre-monsoon periods. The results of the canonical analysis of the output from the discriminate function was tested. Out of fifteen variables, only one was significantly different in single character ratios dry weight/ash free-dry weight （F3,23=4.78,P＆lt;0.005）. The mesozooplankton community was collectively composed of 28 taxa. Among these groups, copepoda （66.3%）, gastropod larvae （9.94%）, evadne （4.60%）, zoea （3.60%）, cypris nauplii （2.56%）, lemellibranch larvae （1.87%）, chaetognaths （1.81%）, ostracods （1.73%）, lucifer （1.15%） and barnacles nauplii （1.35%） contributed the most to the similarities within Sta. S1, while copepoda （74.68%）, cypris nauplii （5.29%）, gastropods （4.87%）, barnacles nauplii （4.81%）, evadne （1.72%）, zoea （1.53%） and ca-ridean larvae （1.18%） at Sta. S2. The remaining mesozooplanktonic group were accounted for less than 5% and 6% at Sta. S1 and Sta. S2 respectively, of the total organisms. Similarity percentage （SIMPER） analysis revealed that copepoda, gastropod larvae and cyprus nauplii contributed most of the similarities within Sta. S2 along Sta. S1.

Combination of Shengmai San and Radix puerariae ameliorates depression-like symptoms in diabetic rats at the nexus of PI3K/BDNF/SYN protein expression

Background:Hyperglycemia is a characteristic feature of diabetes that often results in neuropsychological complications such as depression.Diabetic individuals are more vulnerable to experience depression compared to the normal population.Thus,novel treatment approaches are required to reduce depressive symptoms among diabetic individuals.Traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)such as Shengmai San(SMS)and Radix puerariae(R)are usually widely used to treat ailments such as neurological com-plications since ancient time.Methods:In this study,SMS was combined with R to prepare an R-SMS formulation and screened for their antidepressant activity in diabetic rats.The antidepressant po-tential of the prepared combination was evaluated behaviorally using open field test,novelty-induced hypophagia,and forced swim test in diabetic rats with biochemical and protein expression(PI3K,BDNF[brain-derived neurotrophic factor],and SYN[pr-esynaptic vesicle protein])analysis.Results:Diabetic rats(streptozotocin,45 mg/kg)showed elevated fasting blood glu-cose(FBG)>12 mM with depressive symptoms throughout the study.Treatment with R-SMS(0.5,1.5,and 4.5 g/kg)significantly reverted depressive symptoms in diabetic rats as evinced by significantly(p<0.05)reduced immobility time with an increased tendency to eat food in a novel environment.Treatment with R-SMS also significantly increased the protein expression of PI3K,BDNF,and SYN protein,which play a crucial role in depression.Conclusion:This study showed that R-SMS formulation antagonized depressive symptoms in diabetic rats;thus,this formulation might be studied further to develop as an antidepressant.

Monitoring of Environmental Mercury Exposure Using Hair as Bioindicator and the Study of Potential Factors Affecting on It in Karachi

The World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have recommended the use of hair for worldwide environmental monitoring. Mercury exposure to the inhabitants of Karachi was assessed by using hair as bioindicator. Hair samples of 200 residents of Karachi were collected and analyzed through cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAA) technique for mercury concentration. The effects of age, gender, working status, location, food and smoking habit were investigated. Control region showed a positive correlation between HHg and age of donor while no such correlation was observed for polluted regions. Mercury exposure through cosmetic usage in female was only pronounced in control region. These results indicate that environmental pollution dominates other potential factors. Age and smoking habit were not found to be the influencing factors while an elevated mean level of mercury was noticed for regular fish consumers than rarely fish consumers. 95.33% of the samples contained HHg greater than the permissible level of 2 μg?g?1 set by WHO. An apparently healthy male donor had HHg concentration (28.24 μg?g?1) closer to the high risk concentration of 30 μg?g?1 based on WHO criteria. Whereas, two female donors of the age group of 41-50 years had HHg concentrations (10.82 and 11.84 μg?g?1) higher than the NOAEL (no observed adverse affects level) value (10 μg?g?1) for females which is associated with fetus neurotoxicity. However, no symptoms of mercury toxicity were visible. The results indicate the alarming condition of pollution in the city which should be taken into further consideration.

Study of Physicochemical Parameters of Rainwater: A Case Study of Karachi, Pakistan

The urban centers of developing countries like Karachi city in Pakistan are facing the menace of air pollution and atmospheric wet deposition can be used as a tool for monitoring the quality of air. In this study, rainwater samples from eighteen different towns of Karachi were collected during monsoon season (July to September, 2013) in triplicate and analyzed. Their pH (range 6.2 - 7.9), electrical conductivity (range 0.02 - 0.21 m·S/cm), total dissolved solids (range 32 - 159 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (range 6.3 - 8.2 mg/l) and hardness (23 - 89 mg/l) were immediately monitored within next twenty four hours of sample collections. The samples were then acidified and analyzed for the presence of major cations ammonium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and flame emission spectroscopy. The anions fluoride, chloride, nitrate, carbonate and sulphate were analyzed by ion chromatography. The results of the analysis were compared with the values provided by WHO guidelines in order to access the quality of water. Most of the rainwater samples were completely free from considerable pollution and meet the WHO standard values. However, in Lyari, Gulshan, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Malir and Gadap town the concentration of Mg2+ and in North Nazimabad, Korangi, Gulshan, Saddar, Lyari, SITE and Keamari town the concentration of?N3- is above the WHO standards, indicating their presence from air pollution.

Modeling Breast Cancer Incidence Rates: A Comparison between the Components of Functional Time Series (FTS) Model Applied on Karachi (Pakistan) and US Data

Several studies showed that the breast cancer incidence rates are higher in high-income (developed) countries, due to the link of breast cancer with several risk factors and the presence of systematic screening policies. Some of the authors suggest that lower breast cancer incidence rates in low-income (developing) countries probably reflect international variation in hormonal factors and accessibility to early detection facilities. Recent studies showed that the breast cancer increased rapidly among women in Pakistan (a developing country) and it became the first malignancy among females of Pakistan. Although, the incidence rates may contain important evidence for understanding and control of the disease;however in Pakistan, the breast cancer incidence data have never been available in the last five decades since independence;rather, only hospital-based data are available. In this study, we intend to apply Functional Time Series (FTS) models to the breast cancer incidence rates of United State (developed country), and to see the difference between various components (age and time) of Functional Time Series (FTS) models applied independently on the breast cancer incidence rates of Karachi (Pakistan) and US. Past studies have already suggested that the incidence of US breast cancer cases was expected to increase in the coming decades. A progressive increase in the number of new cases is already predetermined by the high birth rate that occurred during the middle part of the century, and it will lead to nearly a doubling in the number of cases in about 4 decades. We also obtain 15 years predictions of breast cancer incidence rates in United States and compare them with the forecasts of incidence curves for Karachi. Development of methods for cancer incidence trend forecasting can provide a sound and accurate foundation for planning a comprehensive national strategy for optimal partitioning of research resources between the need for development of new treatments and the need for new research directed toward primary preventive measures.

Water Quality Evaluation of Chapurson Valley in Hunza Nagar, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, Based on Statistical Analysis and Water Quality Index

Water borne ailments are of serious public health concern in Gilgit Baltistan’s (GB) region of Pakistan. The pollution load on the glacio-fluvial streams and surface water resources of the Chapurson Valley in the Hunza Nagar area of the GB is increasing as a result of anthropogenic activities and tourism. The present study focuses on the public health quality of drinking water of Chapurson valley. The study addressed the fundamental drinking water quality criteria in order to understand the state of the public health in the valley. To ascertain the current status of physico-chemical, metals, and bacteriological parameters, 25 water samples were collected through deterministic sampling strategy and examined accordingly. The physico-chemical parameters of the water samples collected from the valley were found to meet the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of drinking water. The water samples showed a pattern of mean metal concentrations in order of Arsenic (As) > Lead (Pb) > Iron (Fe) > Zinc (Zn) > Copper (Cu) > Magnesium (Mg) > Calcium (Ca). As, Cu, Zn, Ca and Mg concentration were under the WHO guidelines range. However, results showed that Pb and Fe are present at much higher concentrations than recommended WHO guidelines. Similarly, the results of the bacteriological analysis indicate that the water samples are heavily contaminated with the organisms of public health importance (including total coliforms (TCC), total faecal coliforms (TFC) and total fecal streptococci (TFS) are more than 3 MPN/100mL). Three principal components, accounting for 48.44% of the total variance, were revealed using principal component analysis (PCA). Bacteriological parameters were shown to be the main determinants of the water quality as depicted by the PCA analysis. The dendrogram of Cluster analysis using the Ward’s method validated the same traits of the sampling locations that were found to be contaminated during geospatial analysis using the Inverse Distance Weight (IDW) method. Based on these findings, it is most likely that those anthropogenic activities and essentially the tourism results in pollution load from upstream channels. Metals may be released into surface and groundwater from a few underlying sources as a result of weathering and erosion. This study suggests that the valley water resources are more susceptible to bacteriological contamination and as such no water treatment facilities or protective measure have been taken to encounter the pollution load. People are drinking the contaminated water without questioning about the quality. It is recommended that the water resources of the valley should be monitored using standard protocol so as to protect not only the public health but to safe guard sustainable tourism in the valley.

Zinc enhances the cell adhesion,migration,and self-renewal potential of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND Zinc(Zn)is the second most abundant trace element after Fe,present in the human body.It is frequently reported in association with cell growth and proliferation,and its deficiency is considered to be a major disease contributing factor.AIM To determine the effect of Zn on in vitro growth and proliferation of human umbilical cord(hUC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs).METHODS hUC-MSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord tissue and characterized based on immunocytochemistry,immunophenotyping,and tri-lineage differentiation.The impact of Zn on cytotoxicity and proliferation was determined by MTT and Alamar blue assay.To determine the effect of Zn on population doubling time(PDT),hUC-MSCs were cultured in media with and without Zn for several passages.An in vitro scratch assay was performed to analyze the effect of Zn on the wound healing and migration capability of hUC-MSCs.A cell adhesion assay was used to test the surface adhesiveness of hUC-MSCs.Transcriptional analysis of genes involved in the cell cycle,proliferation,migration,and selfrenewal of hUC-MSCs was performed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.The protein expression of Lin28,a pluripotency marker,was analyzed by immunocytochemistry.RESULTS Zn at lower concentrations enhanced the rate of proliferation but at higher concentrations(>100μM),showed concentration dependent cytotoxicity in hUC-MSCs.hUC-MSCs treated with Zn exhibited a significantly greater healing and migration rate compared to untreated cells.Zn also increased the cell adhesion rate,and colony forming efficiency(CFE).In addition,Zn upregulated the expression of genes involved in the cell cycle(CDC20,CDK1,CCNA2,CDCA2),proliferation(transforming growth factorβ1,GDF5,hypoxia-inducible factor 1α),migration(CXCR4,VCAM1,VEGF-A),and self-renewal(OCT4,SOX2,NANOG)of hUC-MSCs.Expression of Lin28 protein was significantly increased in cells treated with Zn.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that zinc enhances the proliferation rate of hUC-MSCs decreasing the PDT,and maintaining the CFE.Zn also enhances the cell adhesion,migration,and self-renewal of hUC-MSCs.These results highlight the essential role of Zn in cell growth and development.

Dataset of Large Gathering Images for Person Identification and Tracking

This paper presents a large gathering dataset of images extracted from publicly filmed videos by 24 cameras installed on the premises of Masjid Al-Nabvi,Madinah,Saudi Arabia.This dataset consists of raw and processed images reflecting a highly challenging and unconstraint environment.The methodology for building the dataset consists of four core phases;that include acquisition of videos,extraction of frames,localization of face regions,and cropping and resizing of detected face regions.The raw images in the dataset consist of a total of 4613 frames obtained fromvideo sequences.The processed images in the dataset consist of the face regions of 250 persons extracted from raw data images to ensure the authenticity of the presented data.The dataset further consists of 8 images corresponding to each of the 250 subjects(persons)for a total of 2000 images.It portrays a highly unconstrained and challenging environment with human faces of varying sizes and pixel quality(resolution).Since the face regions in video sequences are severely degraded due to various unavoidable factors,it can be used as a benchmark to test and evaluate face detection and recognition algorithms for research purposes.We have also gathered and displayed records of the presence of subjects who appear in presented frames;in a temporal context.This can also be used as a temporal benchmark for tracking,finding persons,activity monitoring,and crowd counting in large crowd scenarios.

Maximum Sustainable Yield Estimates of Ladypees,Sillago sihama(Forsskl),Fishery in Pakistan Using the ASPIC and CEDA Packages

Using surplus production model packages of ASPIC(a stock-production model incorporating covariates) and CEDA(Catch effort data analysis),we analyzed the catch and effort data of Sillago sihama fishery in Pakistan.ASPIC estimates the pa-rameters of MSY(maximum sustainable yield),Fmsy(fishing mortality),q(catchability coefficient),K(carrying capacity or unexploited biomass) and B1/K(maximum sustainable yield over initial biomass).The estimated non-bootstrapped value of MSY based on logistic was 598 t and that based on the Fox model was 415 t,which showed that the Fox model estimation was more conservative than that with the logistic model.The R2 with the logistic model(0.702) is larger than that with the Fox model(0.541),which indicates a better fit.The coefficient of variation(cv) of the estimated MSY was about 0.3,except for a larger value 88.87 and a smaller value of 0.173.In contrast to the ASPIC results,the R2 with the Fox model(0.651-0.692) was larger than that with the Schaefer model(0.435-0.567),indicating a better fit.The key parameters of CEDA are:MSY,K,q,and r(intrinsic growth),and the three error assumptions in using the models are normal,log normal and gamma.Parameter estimates from the Schaefer and Pella-Tomlinson models were similar.The MSY estimations from the above two models were 398 t,549 t and 398 t for normal,log-normal and gamma error distributions,re-spectively.The MSY estimates from the Fox model were 381 t,366 t and 366 t for the above three error assumptions,respectively.The Fox model estimates were smaller than those for the Schaefer and the Pella-Tomlinson models.In the light of the MSY estimations of 415 t from ASPIC for the Fox model and 381 t from CEDA for the Fox model,MSY for S.sihama is about 400 t.As the catch in 2003 was 401 t,we would suggest the fishery should be kept at the current level.Production models used here depend on the assumption that CPUE(catch per unit effort) data used in the study can reliably quantify temporal variability in population abundance,hence the mod-eling results would be wrong if such an assumption is not met.Because the reliability of this CPUE data in indexing fish population abundance is unknown,we should be cautious with the interpretation and use of the derived population and management parameters.

Antibiotic resistance and cagA gene correlation:A looming crisis of Helicobacter pylori

AIM:To determine antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) in Pakistan and its correlation with host and pathogen associated factors.METHODS:A total of 178 strains of H.pylori were isolated from gastric biopsies of dyspeptic patients.Susceptibility patterns against first and second-line antibiotics were determined and trends of resistance were analyzed in relation to the sampling period,gastric conditions and cagA gene carriage.The effect of cagA gene on the acquisition of resistance was investigated by mutant selection assay.RESULTS:The observations showed that monoresistant strains were prevalent with rates of 89% for metronidazole,36% for clarithromycin,37% for amoxicillin,18.5% for ofloxacin and 12% for tetracycline.Furthermore,clarithromycin resistance was on the rise from 2005 to 2008(32% vs 38%,P = 0.004) and it is significantly observed in non ulcerative dyspeptic patients compared to gastritis,gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer cases(53% vs 20%,18% and 19%,P = 0.000).On the contrary,metronidazole and ofloxacin resistance were more common in gastritis and gastric ulcer cases.Distribution analysis and frequencies of resistant mutants in vitro correlated with the absence of cagA gene with metronidazole and ofloxacin resistance.CONCLUSION:The study confirms the alarming levels of antibiotic resistance associated with the degree of gastric inflammation and cagA gene carriage in H.pylori strains.

Vegetation-environment relationships in the forests of Chitral district Hindukush range of Pakistan

We investigated the composition of plant communities to quantify their relationships with environmental parameters in the Chitral Hindukush range of Pakistan. We sampled tree vegetation using the Point Centered Quarter （PCQ） method while understory vegetation was sampled in 1.5-m circular quadrats. Cedrus deodara is the national symbol of Pakistan and was dominant in the sampled communities. Because environmental variables determine vegetation types, we analyzed and evaluated edaphic and topographic factors. DCA-Ordination showed the major gradient as an amalgam of elevation （p〈0.05） and slope （p〈0.01） as the topographic factors correlated with species distribution. Soil variables were the factors of environmental significance along DCA axes. However, among these factors, Mg2＋ , K ＋ and N2＋ contributed not more than 0.054% 0.20% and 0.073%, respectively, to variation along the first ordination axis. We conclude that the principal reason for weak or no correlation with many edaphic variables was the anthropogenic disturbance of vegetation. The understory vegetation was composed of perennial herbs in most communities and was most dense under the tree canopy. The understory vegetation strongly regulates tree seedling growth and regeneration patterns. We recommend further study of the understory vegetation using permanent plots to aid development of forest regeneration strategies.

Antiglycation,antioxidant and toxicological potential of polyphenol extracts of alligator pepper,ginger and nutmeg from Nigeria

Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant and antiglycation potential of polyphenols from three spices;alligator pepper,ginger and nutmeg.Methods:Polyphenol extracts of these spices were subjected to brine-shrimp lethality assay,phyloloxicily test,DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging as well as BSA-glucose antiglycation assay.Results:Results obtained showed that polyphenol extract of ginger has the highest anlioxidant potential with IC_(50)0.075 and 0.070 mg/mL.for DPPH and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay while alligator pepper displayed highest antiglycation activity with IC_(50)0.125 mg/mL.However,nutmeg extract exhibited weakest cytotoxic and phytotoxic potential with LD_(50)4359.70 and 1490μg/mL respectively.Conclusions:It can be concluded that the polyphenol extracts of alligator pepper,ginger and nutmeg displayed good antioxidant as well as antiglycation potential and are,safe for consumption.

Effect of calcium and light on the germination of Urochondra setulosa under different salts

Urochondra setulosa (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard is a coastal halophytic grass thriving on the coastal dunes along the Pakistani seashore. This grass could be useful in coastal sand dune stabilization using seawater irrigation. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that Ca2+ (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 50.0 mmol/L) alleviates the adverse effects of KCl, MgSO4, NaCl and Na2SO4 at 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mmol/L on the germination of Urochondra setulosa. Seed germi- nation was inhibited with increase in salt concentration with few seeds germinated at and above 400 mmol/L concentration. No seed germinated in any of the KCl treatments. Inclusion of CaCl2 substantially alleviated the inhibitory effects of all salts. Ger- mination was higher under photoperiod in comparison to those seeds germinated under complete darkness. Among the CaCl2 concentrations used, 10 mmol/L was most effective in alleviating salinity effects and allowing few seeds to germinate at 1000 mmol/L KCl, MgSO4, NaCl and Na2SO4 solution.

Effect of glycyrrhizic acid and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid on the differentiation of human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocytes

BACKGROUND End-stage liver disease is a global health complication with high prevalence and limited treatment options.Cell-based therapies using mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)emerged as an alternative approach to support hepatic regeneration.In vitro preconditioning strategies have been employed to strengthen the regenerative and differentiation potential of MSCs towards hepatic lineage.Chemical compounds of the triterpene class;glycyrrhizic acid(GA)and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(GT)possess diverse therapeutic properties including hepatoprotection and anti-fibrosis characteristics.They are capable of modulating several signaling pathways that are crucial in hepatic regeneration.Preconditioning with hepato-protective triterpenes may stimulate MSC fate transition towards hepatocytes.AIM To explore the effect of GA and GT on hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord-MSCs(hUC-MSCs).METHODS hUC-MSCs were isolated and characterized phenotypically by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry for the expression of MSC-associated surface molecules.Isolated cells were treated with GA,GT,and their combination for 24 h and then analyzed at three time points;day 7,14,and 21.qRT-PCR was performed for the expression of hepatic genes.Expression of hepatic proteins was analyzed by immunocytochemistry at day 21.Periodic acid Schiff staining was performed to determine the functional ability of treated cells.RESULTS The fusiform-shaped morphology of MSCs in the treatment groups in comparison with the untreated control,eventually progressed towards the polygonal morphology of hepatocytes with the passage of time.The temporal transcriptional profile of preconditioned MSCs displayed significant expression of hepatic genes with increasing time of differentiation.Preconditioned cells showed positive expression of hepatocyte-specific proteins.The results were further corroborated by positive periodic acid Schiff staining,indicating the presence of glycogen in their cytoplasm.Moreover,bi-nucleated cells,which is the typical feature of hepatocytes,were also seen in the preconditioned cells.CONCLUSION Preconditioning with glycyrrhizic acid,18β-glycyrrhetinic acid and their combination,successfully differentiates hUC-MSCs into hepatic-like cells.These MSCs may serve as a better therapeutic option for degenerative liver diseases in future.

Degradation of malathion by Pseudomonas during activated sludge treatment system using principal component analysis (PCA)

Popular descriptive multivariate statistical method currently employed is the principal component analyses （PCA） method. PCA is used to develop linear combinations that successively maximize the total variance of a sample where there is no known group structure. This study aimed at demonstrating the performance evaluation of pilot activated sludge treatment system by inoculating a strain of Pseudomonas capable of degrading malathion which was isolated by enrichment technique. An intensive analytical program was followed for evaluating the efficiency of biosimulator by maintaining the dissolved oxygen （DO） concentration at 4.0 mg/L. Analyses by high performance liquid chromatographic technique revealed that 90% of malathion removal was achieved within 29 h of treatment whereas COD got reduced considerably during the treatment process and mean removal efficiency was found to be 78%. The mean pH values increased gradually during the treatment process ranging from 7.36-8.54. Similarly the mean ammonia-nitrogen （NH3-N） values were found to be fluctuating between 19.425-28.488 mg/L, mean nitrite-nitrogen （NO3-N） ranging between 1.301- 2.940 mg/L and mean nitrate-nitrogen （NO3-N） ranging between 0.0071-0.0711 mg/L. The study revealed that inoculation of bacterial culture under laboratory conditions could be used in bioremediation of environmental pollution caused by xenobiotics. The PCA analyses showed that pH, COD, organic load and total malathion concentration were highly correlated and emerged as the variables controlling the first component, whereas dissolved oxygen, NO3-N and NH3-N governed the second component. The third component repeated the trend exhibited by the first two components.