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Aims: This study was aimed to screen indigenous medicinal plants for their antibacterial potential against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methodology and results: Three indigenous plants (Nigella sativa, Zingiber officinale and Calotropis procera) and thymoquinone were screened for antibacterial activity against MRSA, isolated from septic wounds of patients admitted to Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Isolated bacteria were screened for methicillin and cefoxitin resistance by the Kirby-Bauer method, followed by mecA gene-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Confirmed MRSA was processed for antibacterial activity of plant extracts and thymoquinone followed by cytotoxicity assay of plant extract having least minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value. Out of total samples (n=100), S. aureus (29%), MRSA (26%) and vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA) (21.7%) isolates were recovered based on morphology, biochemical profile and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Nigella sativa showed the highest antibacterial activity (10.06 ± 6.53 mm) against MRSA followed by Z. officinale (4.06 ± 3.72 mm) and C. procera (3.65 ± 3.33 mm) in comparison to standard thymoquinone (17.93 ± 10.14 mm). The least MIC value recorded was for Z. officinale at 36.89 ± 3.75 µg/mL. Zingiber officinale was the most effective antibacterial agent, followed by N. sativa and C. procera and non-toxic for eukaryotic cells at all tested concentrations (1500 µg/mL to 2.92 µg/mL). Conclusion, significance and impact of study: It was concluded that Z. officinale may be used as an effective alternative for treating septic wound infection in local or topical preparations. As pathogenic S. aureus is becoming life-threatening among antibiotic-resistant bacteria and traditional plants are in used for centuries to treat septic wound infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As of 5 August 2022, the ongoing battle against COVID-19 pandemic has resulted 579 million confirmed cases and more than 6.4 million deaths worldwide [1]. With emergence of new variants, the pandemic continues to haunt individuals as well as societies. We expect many new anti-viral treatments in the year three of the pandemic, however, the vaccines remain one of the most effective public health intervention to prevent hospitalization and deaths. Nevertheless, to achieve long-term protection in the form of herd or population immunity, 75-90% of the population should receive a complete course of vaccination [2]. However, not all people accept vaccines and there exists a substantial population that remains against the whole concept of vaccination leading to the social phenomenon of vaccine hesitancy. Although the supply of vaccines was optimal in the last quarter of 2021, low & middle income countries will remain under-vaccinated for much of 2022, due to the major hindrance posed by the rampant vaccine hesitancy. This situation may lead to higher mortality and morbidity rates and weaker economic recoveries [3]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients are at high risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and need a global therapeutic intervention. A fixed-dose combination prescription medication containing anti-diabetic drug (Sitagliptin) and lipid lowering (Simvastatin) has recently been approved. Present study was designed to explore the potential synergistic toxic effects of sitagliptin and simvastatin at cellular level. MTT assay revealed the potential synergistic cytotoxic effect whereas Comet assay spotlighted the genotoxicity. MTT assay conducted on Vero cell lines revealed no significant change in proliferative activity upon treatment with simvastatin but cell survival percentage (CSP) decreased upon treatment with sitagliptin (51% at 1000µg/mL). However, combination of both drugs exhibited a better survival percentage except highest dose combination (1000:500µg/mL) which augmented antiproliferative effects rendering CSP 71.6%. The genotoxic assay spotted that Simvastatin produced less damage to DNA with the threshold of 500µg/ml whereas Sitagliptin significantly damage above the 250µg/mL, However, combination of drugs produced lesser damage than Sitagliptin alone. The findings concluded a non-genotoxic combination of sitagliptin and simvastatin which possess a least cytotoxic potential suggesting the safe use of the combination both in T2DM and CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Around the world, COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities of healthcare systems and whipped out years of progress on poverty alleviation. Nevertheless, the development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines in such a short span of time is truly a triumph of science. World Health Organization (WHO) grades vaccination as "one of the most cost-effective public health interventions to date"[1]. Vaccines work in two distinct ways i.e., directly protecting the one who receives and indirectly, as the vaccinated people could not infect others subsequently. In this way a vaccine reduces the number of hospital admissions and deaths. How swiftly would this combined effect appear at a population level is determined by the duration and the scale of vaccination efforts. To achieve a population level effect of COVID-19 vaccine in a country; different approaches to vaccinate masses are under huge discussion to decide the priority population i.e., who will receive the jab first. From a youth first approach as in Indonesia to textured approaches, as in Pakistan, that prioritize the vulnerable or exposed populations i.e., elderly and healthcare professionals respectively[2]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone marrow suppression is one of the serious consequences of treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX). It is very difficult to treat bone marrow suppression caused by anti-cancer drugs. This study was aimed to evaluate hematological effects particularly the antimyelosuppressant effects of ethanolic extract of papaya seeds at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg daily dose for three weeks in doxorubicin induced hematopoietic suppression in rat model. Hematological parameters were assessed on weekly basis on days 0, 1, 7, 14 and 21. The alcoholic extract was found to cause remission of induced myelosuppression as indicated by a dose dependent increase in WBCs, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, RBCs, Hb, hematocrit & mean corpuscular volume. However, the maximum dose (600mg/kg) of the extract showed maximum activity (p<0.05) in normalizing hematological parameters when compared with group B (induced group) and group A (controlled animals). These effects were compareable with those produced by Filgrastim 5µgm/kg used as standard or reference drug during these experiments. It is concluded from the results that papaya seeds possess myelostimulant activity and can be used to treat myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug can also be used for curing anemia, thrombocytopenia and immunological disorders characterized by myelosuppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmodernism is a late 20th century movement in literature, arts, architecture and criticism. Postmodernism is associated with Poststructuralist approach, Deconstruction and Reader-response criticism. Numerous studies have been done in various genres of literature which embody postmodernism. This research focuses on the representation of various postmodern elements in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" which is a renowned romantic work of fiction, set in 17th century Puritan society. The novel has been investigated in the light of postmodern elements identified by various postmodernists. The results reveal that the author employs many elements of postmodern literature like pastiche, silence, fragmented identities, exhaustion, chaos, play, irony, absence of center, chance, indeterminacy and fabulation. The novel also represents anarchy in the society towards religion. These postmodern elements featured in "The Scarlet Letter" make it a postmodern novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmodernism is a newly emerged literary movement having strong influences of postcolonialism and feminism in it. It deals with various real-life incidents while keeping absurdity, intertextuality, allegory, fragmentation, faction, figures of speech, meta-narratives and reader's involvement at the background. This research has been carried out as a step to put light on the works of Pakistani Urdu writers who are ignored at international level. Basic aim of this research is to see that whether "Muqadas" written by Hashim Nadeem is a postmodern novel. In order to do so, novel "Muqadas" has been investigated in the light of postmodern elements identified by various postmodernists. The research reveals that the novel employs various postmodern elements such as faction, meta-narratives, intertextuality, alienation from emotions, absurdity and fragmentation. After a careful critical discussion, it is evident that "Muqadas" is a postmodern piece of text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]