Search

Background: Radial artery vasospasm is the most frequent complication of transradial cardiac catheterization. It causes discomfort and pain to the patient, prolongs the procedure and even makes it impossible for the interventionist to continue the procedure. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of combined use of nitrate and calcium channel blocker (Verapamil) in prevention of radial artery spasm during coronary angiographies. Study design, settings and duration: It was a case control study conducted among 100 cardiac patients undergoing coronary angiography in Rehman Medical Institute (RMI) Peshawar from the duration of January 2016 to December 2016. Subjects and Methods: Sample selection was done through convenient non probability sampling technique. Written informed consent was taken from the patients included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups control (50) and experimental (50). One group was treated with heparin/nitrate as control group while other group was treated with heparin/nitrates/verapamil (Calcium channel blocker) as experimental group. Both groups were checked for radial spasm, pain and catheter resistance during angiography procedure. All other demography and history were collected through using a predesigned questionnaire. Data was collected, analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: It was found that 63% patients were male, 37% were female and 68% cardiac patients were above the age 50 years. The study provided that using Verapamil as calcium channel blockers with nitrate does not put a significant effect on radial spasm with p value 0.806. The study provided that in comparison of cases and control for different variable, no significant difference was observed for radial spasm, pain, outcome, catheter resistance and time taken by the procedure. However the outcome of procedure was 100% successful among test group than control (98%). Conclusion: Calcium channel blocker (Verapamil) use with nitrate provided no significant difference in lowering radial spasm during coronary angiography. The assumption of using calcium channel blocker against radial artery spasm during angiography nullified. Policy message: Economic burden due to use of calcium channel blockers along with nitrate during coronary angiography should be avoided. There are no additional benefits of using calcium channel blocker (Verapamil) with nitrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: WHO estimates that there are more than 185 million people over the globe infected with hepatitis C. Among these 350,000 die each year with hepatitis. He prevalence of hepatitis in Asia is estimated to be 3.4%. Pakistan has been rated as the second most common country in the world with active hepatitis C infection. This study aims at identifying the frequency of risk factors for hepatitis C irus transmission. Understanding the frequency of common factors of HCV would help to implement strategies in long-term prevention of hepatitis transmission among community. Objectives: To determine the frequency of common factors for transmission of hepatitis C in adult patients. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Saidu Teaching Center, Swat. Period: 01-01-2016 to 01-12-2016. Methodology: 140 patients were observed and evaluated. Detailed medical history was taken.5 ml of venous blood sample was collected under aseptic conditions. Blood was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 5 minutes and serum was transferred to separate test tubes for further testing. The initial screening was carried out by immunochromatography for the qualitative detection HCV antibodies in serum or plasma. Output variable was stratified among age and gender. Chi square test was applied to see effect of modification. All the positive samples on ICT were tested on ELISA (third generation) with signal-to-cut-off ratio ≥ 1.0 for confirmation. Results: Our study shows that mean age was 45 years with SD ± 12.24. Fifty eight percent patients were male and 42% patients were female. Forty two percent patients had hepatitis C due to Injection, infection and-*/transfusions, surgical scars were present in 23% patients with hepatitis C, (2%) patients with hepatitis C had tattoos, 8% patients had hepatitis C due to nose/ear piercing and 25% patients had hepatitis C due to dental procedures. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the most common risk factors responsible for transmitting hepatitis C in adults were infections/transfusions (42%) followed by dental procedures (25%) and surgical scars (23%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their potential application in various fields of science and technology, the eco-friendly bio-synthesis of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) is a growing area for researchers. In this study, we report the green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles and their characterization by using various techniques. For the preparation of Ag particles, aqueous plant extract of ailanthus altissima was used as a reducing medium for Ag+ ions of silver nitrate to Ag0. UV-Vis spectrophotometry was used to trace the formation of Ag particles by noting their surface plasmon resonance peaks (400 nm to 440 nm). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to reveal the chemical composition of Ag nanoparticles which were capped by plant extract. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to get the lattice image, morphology and average size of Ag particles. The average size distribution of Ag NPs dispersed in aqueous media was also measured using dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that DLS results are in good agreement with those obtained from SEM. The synthesized particles were then subjected to the antibacterial and antifungal activities by studying them against various species, such as bacillus cereus, staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and A. parasiticus, A. niger and A. flavus fungi. It was noted from the growth curves of both bacteria and fungi that in the presence of silver nanoparticles they show more in-zone growth as compared to the plant extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen (16) chiral, amides were synthesized from commercially available L-tartaric acid, having two asymmetric centers and C2 axis of symmetry. The diacid functionality of L-tartaric acid was protected as dimethyl ester and dihydroxy groups as acetonoid. The partial hydrolysis of acetonoid of dimethyl ester gave the corresponding monoester. Monoester upon treatment with different substituted aromatic amines gave desired amides (1-8). Amides (1-8) afforded deprotected compounds (9-16) after reacting with acetyl chloride and methanol. All the compounds were characterized by using spectroscopic techniques such as IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and EIMS. The compounds gave reasonable elemental analyses. The structure of compound 6 was unambiguously obtained by X-ray crystallography. Protected (1-8) and deprotected amides (9-16) were tested for their antileishmanial (against Leshmania tropica KWH23 Promastigotes) and antimicrobial activities at different concentrations against different strains of bacteria and fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) has the potential to provide a platform/cargo for such hydrophobic molecules (curcumin) to utilize the full spectrum of such molecules. In this study we have evaluated the antifungal potential of Curcumin loaded SEDDS against Enterococcus faecalis in dental caries model. Two curcumin loaded SEDDS formulations were prepared containing different excipients. Both formulations were physiochemically assessed through zeta sizer. After characterization the antifungal activity of the formulations were determined by agar well diffusion. Afterwards minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), in vitro biofilm and antibiofilm assay were performed both in visible light and dark conditions. Both the curcumin loaded SEDDS formulations were physiochemically accessed and showed good PDI, zeta potential and zeta size values respectively. Both the formulations showed excellent antifungal activity by making zones of inhibition and MICs. MIC and MBC values of both the formulations were same which showed that curcumin loaded SEDDS is bactericidal at lowest concentration. Photoactivated curcumin loaded self-emulsifying drug delivery system is a promising alternative of antibacterial to treat dental caries causing and biofilm producing isolates of E. faecalis with least amount of cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current research work novel bis‐Schiff base products of benzyl phenyl ketone nucleus were synthesized via two step reactions in excellent yields. Using FTIR, EI‐MS and 1H‐NMR spectroscopic procedures, the structures of synthesized derivatives were confirmed and finally evaluated them for DPPH free radical scavenging activity. In the synthetic series, compounds 2 c (IC50=26.11±0.12 μM), 2 b (IC50=30.33±0.22 μM), 2 d (IC50=38.19±0.65 μM), and 2 a (IC50=40.12±0.42 μM) exhibited excellent activity better than standard drug ascorbic acid (IC50=44.01±1.41 μM) while the rest of derivatives revealed good to moderate activity. Frontier molecular orbitals, like HOMO and LUMO, which show charge transfer from molecule to biological transfer, and MEP maps, which show the chemically reactive zone suited for drug action, are calculated using DFT study. Non bonding orbitals (NBO), the electron localization function (ELF) and atoms in molecule (AIM) charges is also calculated. Strong hydrogen bonding interactions with crucial amino acid residues of the peroxidase structure are revealed by the molecular docking analysis of the drug with DPPH for efficient inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H21F1N2O2, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 14.337(3) Å, b = 15.549(3) Å, c = 8.0212(16) Å, β = 103.33(3)°, V = 1740.0(6) ų, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0796, wRref(F²) = 0.2192, T = 170 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H21F1N2O2, monoclinic, Cc (no. 9), a = 14.337(3) Å, b = 15.549(3) Å, c = 8.0212(16) Å, β = 103.33(3)°, V = 1740.0(6) ų, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0796, wRref(F²) = 0.2192, T = 170 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical redox reactions of the oxytocin and fish scale protein which are mainly collagen were exploited for the preparation of a rechargeable protein battery named as fish scale battery. This battery was found to depend upon the concentration of oxidizing and reducing agents, voltage of the charger and the time for charging. Some of these parameters were optimized using a single cell of this battery and some others were optimized by using five cell battery. The five cell protein battery gives a maximum and stable voltage of 8500 millivolt. The way of charging and theoretical aspects of the battery is also discussed in this communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty seven (27) derivatives of bis-Schiff bases of isatins 1-27 were studied for their leishmanicidal potential. Out of twenty seven (27) analogs, five exhibited varying degree of leishmanicidal activity with IC50 values 44.86 ± 0.66, 65.27 ± 0.38, 76.58 ± 0.30, 46.51 ± 0.36, and 84.05 ± 0.23 μM, and rests of the compounds showed no leishmanicidal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzophenone hydrazone analogs 1-25 were synthesized and evaluated for antioxidant (DPPH radical scavenging), and urease inhibitory activities. Out of twenty-five analogs, compounds 8, 23, and 1 showed potent free radical scavenging activities with IC50 values 19.45 ± 1.25, 21.72 ± 1.49, and 26.0 ± 0.52 μM, respectively, while compound 8 (IC50 = 36.36 ± 0.94 μM), and 15 (IC50 = 55.5 ± 0.69 μM), showed good to moderate urease inhibitory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzothiazole derivat ives 1-22 were synthesized from 2-aminothiophenol and all synthetic compounds were screened for in vitro antileishmanial activity. These compound showed different types activities against leishmania with IC50 values ranging between 18.32 - 81.89 μM. Compound 2 (IC50 = 18.32 ± 0.18 μM), 5 (IC50 = 19.72 ± 0.32 μM), and 3 (IC50 = 21.87 ± 0.43 μM) were found to be the most act ive compounds among the series when compared to the standard (Pentamidine, IC50 = 5.09 ± 0.04 μM). Compounds 7 and 11 exhibited weak act ivit ies, while compounds 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, and 16 were also found act ive. However, remaining compounds were found to be inact ive against leishmania [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oily fraction was extracted from the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) using nhexane by both cold and hot extraction in 5.5 ± 0.05% and 9.30 ± 0.05%, respectively, however, no difference was found in the nature of the compounds extracted by the two processes. The analysis of this oil was carried out using GC-FID and GC-MS in separate experiments and the nature of the compounds was investigated by library matching of the spectra obtained through GC-MS. This extract was found to contain 33.267% of the nonadecan-4-ol and 20.51% of a long chain ketone in addition to various quantities of the long chain nitrogenous compounds. The antibacterial activity of the extract was investigated against eight pathogenic bacteria and fungus Candida albican using disc diffusion method. The extract was found to be highly active against all tested bacterial strains except S. typhi. For most of the strains the activity of the extract was near the reference. Ciprofloxacin, clotrimazole and erythromycin were used as reference antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of N,N-dimethyl-arylidene barbiturates 1-22 has been re-synthesized and evaluated against a number of Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacteria and some fungal strains. Most of the compounds were found to be active against a number of Gram-positive, Gram-negative and also displayed anti-fungal activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious diseases caused by micro-organisms are transmissible and infect a large group of population. Investigations were carried out for studying the phytochemistry and biological potential of the leaves of Acacia modesta. Dried and finely ground leaves were extracted with ethanol. Different fractions were obtained by extracting the crude extract with n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. Fractions of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, crude extract and the aqueous layer left behind were evaluated for their anti-microbial potential by determining the zone of inhibition against different bacterial strains. All fractions showed positive anti-bacterial activity except ethyl acetate fraction. However the aqueous layer showed activity which is significantly higher than the standard antibiotics used in this study. In conclusion the more active the compounds found in leaves, the more polar they were in nature. Bioassay guided isolation of these active compounds from aqueous fraction may lead to potential anti-bacterial metabolites from Acacia modesta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of micro-/nanohybrid materials is an emerging area of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Here we report an investigation on the preparation and physicochemical characterization of pure ZnO and hybrid ZnO-porphyrin fine particles systems. ZnO particles were prepared from zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium hydroxide solution in methanol at 60 °C which were then surface functionalized with meso-tetraphenylporphine disulphonic acid dihydrochloride (TPPS2). The particles were characterized by using UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV), fluorescence emission (PL), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Band gap energy of ZnO fine particles was determined from the blue shifting of the absorption peak and found to be equal to 3.47eV indicating significant quantum confinement effect. The presence of some chemical species near the surface of ZnO was observed from FTIR analysis. Using SEM analysis, a clear change in surface morphologies of virgin ZnO as compared to ZnO-porphyrin hybrid materials was observed. The average crystallite size and structure of ZnO particles was determined with the help of XRD. From optical analysis it was investigated that even at low concentration of porphyrin at the surface of ZnO, additional bands in the external quantum efficiency spectra corresponding to Soret and Q-bands absorption can be observed. Therefore, grafting of TPPS2 porphyrin onto the surface of ZnO fine particles leads to very efficient electron injection process into the ZnO particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]