Evaluation of in vitro anticancer potential of pharmacological ethanolic plant extracts Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha against liver cancer cells

Abstract Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM) are distributed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Both of these plants have different pharmacological properties. This study was designed to evaluate anticancer potential of Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM). Liver cancer cell line HepG2 was used for assessment of anticancer activity. For the evaluation of anti-proliferative effects, cell viability and cell death in all groups of cells were evaluated via MTT, crystal violet and trypan blue assays. For the evaluation of apoptosis ELISA of p53 performed. Furthermore, LDH assay to find out the ability of malignant cells to metabolize pyruvate to lactate and antioxidant enzymes activity (GSH, CAT and SOD) at the end HPLC was performed to find active compound of AM and OM. Cytotoxicity (MTT), Viability assays (trypan blue, crystal viability, MUSE analysis) showed more dead, less live cells in plant treated groups with increase of concentration. Scratch assay for the anti-migratory effect of these plants showed treated groups have not ability to heal scratch/wound. ELISA of p53 for cellular apoptosis showed more release of p53 in treated groups. Antioxidant assay via glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) showed less anti-oxidative potential in treated cancer groups. LDH assay showed more lactate dehydrogenase release in treated groups compared with untreated. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phytochemicals such as steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and amino acids in AM and OM plant extracts. Based on all these findings, it can be concluded that ethanolic extracts of Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha have promising anti-cancer potential.

Prediction of soil seed bank of piedmont and alluvial environments of Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan

The current focus is on the overall pattern of seed storage present in the fragments of the soil of piedmont and alluvial landscapes of the environment. The present study predicted the seed banks of both soils of alluvial and piedmont zones in different ecological conditions and evaluate the potential of seeds in the restoration of both environments. The composition of the seed bank of soil is mainly affected by the alluvial environment and the structure of cleared area shows that more species of germinating annual grasses and growable seeds with the higher total number. Extant vegetation structures have an important role in the diversity of soil seed reservoirs, whose composition corresponded with the openness of the site. When in situ soil seed bank is recruited, it helps to restore only some components of the plant community in an alluvial environment. In our current research, it was confirmed that seed richness was higher in number at lower elevation (alluvial) than that at high elevation (piedmont). Seed richness showed a significant negative correlation with anions, cations, while significantly positive with altitude that suggests the richness pattern of the overall seed bank of the area is influenced by various environmental factors.

Comparative analysis of various sources of selenium on the growth performance and antioxidant status in broilers under heat stress

The supplementation of Selenium-enriched probiotics is effective in reducing oxidative stress and maintaining meat quality stability in broiler chicken especially under heat stress. An experimental study was conducted to perform Comparative analysis of Selenium yeast with inorganic Se in broilers under heat stress. A total of 120 broilers chicks of one day were assigned to 4 groups each consisting 30 chicks fed on same basal diet but different selenium sources. The basal diet of group D1 was not supplemented with Se source (Negative control), group D2 basal diet was supplemented with inorganic selenium (Sodium selenite 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase), group D3 basal diet was supplemented with commercially available organic selenium (Seleno-methionine 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase) and group D4 basal diet was supplemented with self-developed organic selenium (Se-enriched yeast 0.22mg/Kg starter phase and 0.15mg/Kg finisher phase). The performance parameters i.e. feed intake (FI), live body weight (BW) and FCR were not significantly (p>0.05) effected by selenium supplementation in the starter phase but were significantly (p<0.05) effected in the finisher phase. Selenium supplementation significantly (p<0.05) effected serum Se level in different supplemented groups. Higher serum Se value (58.20±0.06) was recorded in D4 group. Similarly significantly lower selenium value was recorded for D4 and higher was recorded for D1 (11.36±0.08). However lower serum Paraoxonase (PON) value was recorded for D4 (13.24±0.01) and higher for D1 (13.33±0.03). Comparatively self-developed Se enriched yeast increased the Se accumulation and improved antioxidant system. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was found higher in D4 (12.333±0.03) followed by D3, D2 and D1 respectively. Whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower (p<0.05) in D4 (0.1437±0.003) followed by D3 (0.1457±0.002). Selenium supplementation increased the bird's survival rate. Birds fed on Se enriched yeast showed higher Se deposition and better antioxidant capacity as compared to other sources of selenium. Se-enriched yeast displayed an improved result on Se deposition in tissues, and oxidative capacity, meat tenderness and immune response level as compared to other sources of selenium.

Reliability of calcium-binding protein S100B measurement toward optimization of hyperosmolal therapy in traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Osmotherapy is a cornerstone for the management of severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Hypertonic saline (HTS) has advantages as being preferred osmotic agent, but there is inadequte knowledge regarding dose and its saftey in comparison to mannitol. S100B, as a specific neuroinflammatory biomarker in TBI might be a reliable therapeutic index following osmotic therapy.

AIM

To compare both administration ways of HTS 5% (bolus and infusion) with mannitol upon S100B as a therapeutic tool for monitoring treatment in TBI patients.

METHOD

Adult patients wih modrate to severe TBI were recruited and have randomly received one of the three protocols: 125 cc of HTS 5% every 6 hrs (N: 11) as bolus; 500 cc of HTS 5% (N: 12) as infusion for 24 hrs; or 1 g/kg mannitol of 20% (N: 10) as a bolus, repeated with a dose of 0.25-0.5 g/kg every 6 hrs based on patient's response for 3 days. Serum S100B, blood pressure, serum sodium and osmolality and Glascow coma score (GCS) were measured at baseline and daily for 3 days.

RESULTS

Initial serum S100B level in TBI patients was higher than control group (p < 0.0001). Levels of measured S100B have decreased for all treatment groups, but reduction wasn't significantly after hyperosmolal therapy. GCS level increased significantly in infusion group (p = 0.002) and there were negative and significant correlation between serum S100B level and GCS level in some days. Mean arterial pressure increased significantly in HTS groups (bolus: p = 0.002, infusion < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

S100B is closely related to the pathophysiological mechanism in TBI and may be useful as a therapeutic tool for treatment monitoring in TBI patients HTS is a safe and effective osmotic agent in TBI setting.  

Clinical features and early diagnosis of typhoid fever emphasizing usefulness of detecting mesenteric lymphadenopathy with ultrasound as diagnostic method

Typhoid fever is endemic in Pakistan. Most patients are children. As the symptoms and signs are often unspecific, it is difficult to diagnose typhoid fever without blood culture. We retrospectively reviewed 51 cases of typhoid fever who were all admitted from 1 June through 31 August 2002. Sixteen cases were positive by blood culture and confirmed as typhoid fever. All cases had Salmonella typhi. Although 16 cases were culture-negative, they were clinically diagnosed as typhoid fever. The remaining 19 cases were clinically diagnosed without blood culture. The clinical features of the culture-confirmed cases were more severe than the culture-negative cases. Mesenteric lymphadenopathy was very frequently detected with ultrasonography, in both culture-confirmed and culture-negative cases. The rates of detecting mesenteric lymphadenopathy were 69% and 63%, respectively. Meanwhile, the rate in non-typhoid fever patients was 5.5%. It was considered that detecting mesenteric lymphadenopathy with ultrasonography was very useful in the diagosis of typhoid fever in endemic areas.

Social support and psychological distress in Kuwaiti boys and girls exposed to the Gulf crisis

Tested hypotheses about the role of social support in the relation between trauma from the Gulf crisis experience and psychological or health distress 2 years after the crisis. Participants were 151 Kuwaiti boys and girls exposed to high or low levels of trauma during the crisis. Participants were administered the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Index (PTSDI), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and measures of social support and health complaints. Children exposed to high levels of trauma had higher PTSDI and CDI scores and more health complaints than controls. Social support did not mediate the relation between trauma and distress. However, social support and sex functioned jointly as moderators of trauma on distress. Social support was shown to buffer the effect of trauma in girls but not in boys. Boys, however, reported lower levels of support than girls. The findings underscore the importance of the appropriate model specification in studies of stress and social support.

Morbidity and mortality in childhood in Afghanistan: a study of 40 492, consecutive admissions to the Institute of Child Health, Kabul

During a three-year period, 336029 children were accorded ambulatory care and 40 492 children were admitted to the Institute of Child Health, Kabul, for in-patient treatment. Sixty-three per cent were boys. Three-quarters (75.3%) were under five years of age and provided 81.7% of the overall mortality. Children with acute gastroenteritis and respiratory infections together accounted for 49.9% of all admissions and 34.5% of all deaths. Malnutrition of varying degrees was a core problem and was seen in 67% of hospitalized children. The infectious diseases as a single group accounted for 70.7% of the morbidity and 71.9% of the mortality. Septicaemia and infections of the central nervous system were associated with the highest case fatality rates, especially among newborn babies. Six-target diseases and accidents accounted respectively for 10.4 and 9.7% of all deaths. Sixty-three per cent of children died within 24 hours of admission and the majority of deaths occurred after regular hospital working hours. In order to safeguard the well being of children in Afghanistan, and to reduce their morbidity and mortality, it will be mandatory to ensure effective delivery of primary health care, improve nutritional standards, provide safe drinking water, immunize the vulnerable population, make free elementary education universal and improve the lot of women and future mothers.

Changes in total lung/thorax compliance following chest physiotherapy

To quantitate and obtain objective assessment of the effect of secretion clearance following chest physiotherapy (CPT), total lung/thorax complicance (CT) was calculated immediately before and for 2 hours after one treatment with CPT. Forty-two patients who were mechanically ventilated because of respiratory failure were studied. Therapy averaged 57 minutes and included postural drainage, percussion, vibration, and endotracheal suctioning. The increase in CT following CPT was statistically significant (p less than 0.01) and remained so for at least 2 hours after CPT. There was no difference in the degree to which CT changed in patients with different indications for CPT or in patients ventilated with positive end-expiratory pressure. Largest mean values for CT were obtained 2 hours following CPT, the duration of our measurement of CT. Chest x-ray identification of affected areas of lung before CPT is necessary to allow the physiotherapist to produce the CT changes noted in this study. CT, which can be readily calculated from many recently designed ventilators, may be monitored during CPT to evaluate the efficacy of treatment and to quantitate the effect of secretion clearance following CPT. Duration of CPT should be determined by CT and auscultation.