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In the present study previously isolated Weissella cibaria CMG DEX3 capable of producing high molecular weight, water soluble dextran (Ahmed et al., 2012) is characterized for most efficient less expensive carbon, nitrogen sources, micro and macro nutrients by utilizing a multifactorial Placket-Burman statistical design for optimization of dextran production. A twelve run Plackett-Burman experimental model with slight modification was utilized to evaluate the impact of ten diverse nutrients on the production of dextran by the bacterial isolate Weissella cibaria CMG DEX3.

Viroids are tiny single-stranded circular RNA pathogens that infect plants. Viroids do not encode any proteins, yet cause an assortment of symptoms. The following review describes viroid classification, molecular biology and spread. The review also discusses viroid pathogenesis, host interactions and detection. The review concludes with a description of future prospects in viroid research.

Naturally occurring viral nanomaterials have gained popularity owing to their biocompatible and biodegradable nature. Plant virus nanoparticles (VNPs) can be used as nanocarriers for a number of biomedical applications. Plant VNPs are inexpensive to produce, safe to administer and efficacious as treatments. The following review describes how plant virus architecture facilitates the use of VNPs for imaging and a variety of therapeutic applications, with particular emphasis on cancer. Examples of plant viruses which have been engineered to carry drugs and diagnostic agents for specific types of cancer are provided. The drug delivery system in response to the internal conditions is known as stimuli response, recently becoming more applicable using plant viruses based VNPs. The review concludes with a perspective of the future of plant VNPs and plant virus-like particles (VLPs) in cancer research and therapy.

Background & Objective: Spontaneous pregnancy loss has always been the frustrating experience for the couples and concern clinician. Chromosomal abnormality in either of the parent is considered to be the one of the leading cause of recurrent spontaneous miscarriages. This study was designed to evaluate the possible chromosomal etiology of miscarriage and the subsequent intimacy of maternal or paternal genetic abnormality. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between January 2016 and October 2016 at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. A total of thirty-two couples were selected who had suffered with recurrent spontaneous miscarriages (RSM). Using conventional cytogenetic technique karyotyping was performed on all of the subjects. For the control twenty couples were also selected with no history of pregnancy loss. All the karyotypes were recorded on the standard method. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 22. Results: Among thirty-two cases nine cases were found to have abnormal karyotype. In which sex chromosomal trisomy=02 (46,XY/47,XXY), marker chromosome=01 (47,XX,+mar), Robertsonian translocation=01 (45,XY,der,(14:21),(q10;q10)), reciprocal translocation=01 (46,XX,t(11;22)(q23;q11.2)), inversion=02 (46,XX,inv(9)(p11q13)) and minor structural abnormalities=02 (46,XX,15PS+) were found. Approximately equal ratio with 1:1.25 was observed among male and female carrier respectively. Non-significant difference was found between the ages of both carriers (p=0.34). Though a significant different value was calculated in the case of number of miscarriage (p=0.004*). Moreover, no significant association was found among spontaneous miscarriage (SM) and recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) with respect to maternal age (p= 0.157). Conclusion: In the recent study possible chromosomal abnormalities suggested the evaluation of the patient with the history of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage must include conventional cytogenetic. Moreover, probe development and extended investigation can ease the prognosis among pregnancy related complication.

Background & Objective: Spontaneous pregnancy loss has always been the frustrating experience for the couples and concern clinician. Chromosomal abnormality in either of the parent is considered to be the one of the leading cause of recurrent spontaneous miscarriages. This study was designed to evaluate the possible chromosomal etiology of miscarriage and the subsequent intimacy of maternal or paternal genetic abnormality. Methods: This case-control study was conducted between January 2016 and October 2016 at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi. A total of thirty-two couples were selected who had suffered with recurrent spontaneous miscarriages (RSM). Using conventional cytogenetic technique karyotyping was performed on all of the subjects. For the control twenty couples were also selected with no history of pregnancy loss. All the karyotypes were recorded on the standard method. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 22. Results: Among thirty-two cases nine cases were found to have abnormal karyotype. In which sex chromosomal trisomy=02 (46,XY/47,XXY), marker chromosome=01 (47,XX,+mar), Robertsonian translocation=01 (45,XY,der,(14:21),(q10;q10)), reciprocal translocation=01 (46,XX,t(11;22)(q23;q11.2)), inversion=02 (46,XX,inv(9)(p11q13)) and minor structural abnormalities=02 (46,XX,15PS+) were found. Approximately equal ratio with 1:1.25 was observed among male and female carrier respectively. Non-significant difference was found between the ages of both carriers (p=0.34). Though a significant different value was calculated in the case of number of miscarriage (p=0.004*). Moreover, no significant association was found among spontaneous miscarriage (SM) and recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) with respect to maternal age (p= 0.157). Conclusion: In the recent study possible chromosomal abnormalities suggested the evaluation of the patient with the history of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage must include conventional cytogenetic. Moreover, probe development and extended investigation can ease the prognosis among pregnancy related complication. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.678 How to cite this:Hanif MI, Khan A, Arif A, Shoeb E. Cytogenetic investigation of couples with recurrent spontaneous miscarriages. Pak J Med Sci. 2019;35(5):1422-1427. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.5.678 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Immunotherapy potentiates a patient’s immune response against some forms of cancer, including malignant tumors. In this Special Report, we have summarized the use of nanoparticles that have been designed for use in cancer immunotherapy with particular emphasis on plant viruses. Plant virus-based nanoparticles are an ideal choice for therapeutic applications, as these nanoparticles are not only capable of targeting the desired cells but also of being safely delivered to the body without posing any threat of infection. Plant viruses can be taken up by tumor cells and can be functionalized as drug delivery vehicles. This Special Report describes how the future of cancer immunotherapy could be a success through the merger of computer-based technology using plant-virus nanoparticles., Lay abstract The nonpathogenic nature of plant viral nanoparticles makes them an ideal choice for therapeutic applications such as cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the immune response to cancer has facilitated the use of nanotechnology as an effective cancer therapy. Biologically active self-replicating plant virus particles can be introduced to the bloodstream of the human body and used as effective drug delivery vehicles. This Special Report describes how a combination of computer-based technology and plant-virus nanoparticles can assist in cancer immunotherapy.

Chromosomal numerical aberration is one of the leading reasons behind spontaneous pregnancy loss. The probability of spontaneous miscarriage increases with advance parental age. After miscarriage patients and their families feel desperate, which consequently create psychological illness. The review evaluates current techniques being used in the diagnosis and focuses toward a recently introduced molecular technique Quantitative Fluorescent-PCR (QF-PCR) which based on the use of fluorescent primers (probes). Several published articles were selected for the review regarding the frequency of spontaneous miscarriages, its reasons, and outcomes. Studies that focus on QF-PCR, karyotyping and their comparison were included. Current situation of management of spontaneous miscarriages was also observed through surveys and consultant views in Karachi. On the basis of the above mentioned piece of information, QF-PCR would be a good addition in the field of prenatal diagnosis. However, karyotyping is also a reliable method of prenatal diagnosis with little limitations.

Several samples of sea water and sea organisms were collected for the isolation of luminescent bacterial strain. The samples were collected from Clifton, Hawksbay, fisheri at Landhi and Jeti at Korangi, Karachi, Pakistan, the sea organisms such as Crab, Prawn, Fish, Eel, Fish Gut, Electric Fish were collected. Three different media were used for enrichment of samples that is BOSS, Luminescent Agar (LA) and nutrient broth. A total of twenty one different bacterial strains were selected for further studies on the basis of different colonial morphologies. They were designated as DGU101 to DGU116, DGU221-DGU224 and DGU227. These strains were checked for luminescent and tolerance against antibiotics and heavy metal salts. Only one strain isolated from sea water (Clifton beach) designated as DGU227 showed luminescent on Luminescent Agar (LA) medium. It also exhibited multiple metal and antibiotic resistances. The two large plasmids were isolated from DGU227 which were more than 10 kb in size. The luminescence, growth, quorum sensing phenomenon of bioluminescent bacteria is affected by the presence of metal and antibiotics in environment, which act as inducer, and substrate in activating and enhancing these natural activities. Mostly Luminescent was observed after 24 hours of incubation it enhanced while growing in presence of antibiotic Ampicillin. The strain DGU227 was further identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis and exhibited 98% homology with Vibrio chigassi bacterial strain.

The objectives of this study was the molecular identification of Leishmania species and evaluate the diagnostic yield of PCR in comparison to the direct microscopy. This study was conducted at Centre for Molecular Genetics, University of Karachi, from March 2007 - December 2011. Samples were taken by means of Saline Aspirate (SA) from 50 patients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) from Dermatology Department, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan from March 2007 - December 2008. Only four samples (8%) had microscopically positive results. Recovery of parasites in cultures was of 09 strains (18%). These strains were maintained in vitro for the purpose of diagnosis by PCR and vaccine preparation. Three strains were vanished due to bacterial contamination. The remaining 06 culture positive samples along with saline aspirate obtained from all 50 patients. Sore were confirmed for the presence of Leishmania species by PCR method. Electrophoresis pattern from each isolates were compared with reference strains for L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER), L. tropica (MHOM/SU/74/K27) and L. infantum (MHOM/TN/80/IPTI). Hundred percent isolates subjected to PCR, were similar to L. major (MRHO/IR/75/ER) reference strain. All of these PCR products showed a single band of approximately 650bp representing Leishmania major specific Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) sequences. This 650bp band was of same size as that of the standard identified Leishmania strain. In conclusion CL caused by L. major infection is prevalent in the Sindh province of Pakistan. This study also proves that PCR method is sensitive diagnostic test in comparison to the direct microscopy.

Drug addiction, relating to both licit and illicit substances, can be defined as an enduring disorder with certain chances of reversion categorised as uncontrollable drug consumption or the obsessive seeking and taking of drugs despite adverse consequences. It is a multifaceted complicated disorder with many inter-related causes, as well as neurobiological, environmental and genetic features. Genetic mutations and polymorphisms can be considered as reasons for instabilities inhuman regulatory systems like brain functioning, which lead to drug addiction. Environmental stimuli such as anxiety, stress and depression also play a crucial role in a person’s addictive behaviours. Therefore, addiction to drugs is caused by neuro-adaptive changes and genetic-environment interactional modifications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/ijptsud.v1i2.7698 International Journal of Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders 2014;1(2):53-62