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Worldwide, an estimated 130-170 million people are infected with Hepatitis C. The geographic distribution of HCV infection is highly variable between and within countries. To start the antiviral therapy, it is necessary to find the genotype in order to get better forecast about observed duration of treatment. This also provides the load of virus. Treatments for patients with chronic HCV infection have recently advanced with newly licensed antivirals, which specifically target HCV. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of HCV in Faisalabad region of Pakistan and to evaluate the frequency distribution of various HCV genotypes among those with HCV infection. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional. Settings: Blood samples were received from Biotech Lab, Pinum cancer hospital Faisal Laboratory, Alshafa lab Jaranwala, Mehran Lab, Samundari, Rashid Lab, Shahkot and Molecular care, Human Molecular Diagnostic Department of Biochemistry University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Period: May 2016 to April 2017. Material and Methods: The data for this study included a total of 382 anti-HCV positive blood sera samples, collected from different collection centers. Nested reverse transcription (RT) PCR was done for the qualitative detection of HCV. RNA using primers that correspond to the relatively conservative 5'UTR noncoding region of the highly mutable HCV were used. Data was analysed using the descriptive statistics. Results: 233 samples were found to be confirm positive for HCV RNA by qualitative PCR. 98 (42%) were females and 135 (58%) were males. The age-group of 36-45 years bear the largest number of HCV patients (37.08%) and smallest number of patients was in the 56-65 years age-group. A total of 87.55% patients belong were below 45 years of age. The genotype 3a, 135 (77%) was the most prevalent form of all HCV genotypes in Faisalabad. A peripheral area of Faisalabad almost same distribution has been observed. The other strains detected were 2a, 29% 3b 11% were males and 5% were female), and none of the patient was detected with 2b, 4a, 5a and 6a genotype of HCV. Conclusion: This data analysis shows that there is no specific relationship of age-groups or genders in case of prevalence of different HCV Genotypes but female patients were found to have higher frequency of HCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newborns mortality is the serious problem in all over the world and Diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children in mostly resource-constrained nations like Pakistan. Objectives: The study was aimed to determine causes and frequency of the diarrhea in 1st 6 months of life in term newborns, to study the biochemical characteristics and to further suggest the possible policy proposals. Study Design: Descriptive case series. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Allied Hospital Faisalabad. Duration: Six months. Subjects and Methods: A total of 300 cases fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled to determine the frequency of acute diarrhea in newborns. Data was collected through specially designed Performa. Follow up of patients were also ensured Results: In our study, out of 300 children born by cesarean delivery, 47.67%(n=143) were between 1-3 months and 4-6 months was recorded in 52.33%(n=157), mean+sd was calculated as 3.57+2.92 months, 57.33%(n=172) were male and 42.67%(n=128) were females, frequency of diarrhea was recorded in 20.33%(n=61) while 79.67%(n=239) had no findings of the morbidity. Conclusion: Biochemical investigation showed what kind of diarrhea an infant has. The frequency of acute diarrhea in newborns is high among those who delivered by cesarean delivery. However, it is also required that every setup should have their surveillance in order to know the frequency, reasons and causes of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate specific antigen was identified and characterized first time in 1977. There is no doubt that the PSA has significant role in prostate cancer diagnosis with help of Digital Rectal Examination and biopsy. Study design: This study was designed to assess the level of PSA in prostate cancer patients before and after the treatment given to patients. To determine the specific and precise finding regarding the tumors stages, the cancer biomarkers are handy and helpful. For this purpose researchers monitor changes in the cell on chromosomal level by comparing primary tumor with secondary tumor. The prostate-specific gene kallikrein 3 (KLK3), encodes PSA located on chromosome 19q13.4. KLK2 and KLK4 genes are also present here which are present in a family of fifteen closely related serine proteases. Setting: Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: Jan 2014 to Dec 2014. Material and methods: We use the PSA (Human) CLIA Kit which is a solid phase two site immunoassay. One antibody was coated on the surface of the microtiter wells and another antibody (used as a tracer) was labeled with horseradish peroxidase. The PSA molecules present in the standard solution or serum were "sandwiched" between the two antibodies. Results: All prostate cancer patients had highly variable serum PSA values ranging from 12.90 ng/mL to 193.5 ng/mL. The post treatment PSA analysis revealed that the increase level of PSA (15%) which showed that the PSA level increased after the treatment. Whereas in all other 17 patients the PSA level was found to decreased. Our study also shows that sometime PSA level is increased by non-cancer associated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, medications and environment and diet alterations. Conclusions: This study indicated that PSA serum level has a useful role in diagnosis of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: (1) To investigate the inhibitory effect of Captopril on level of glycation (in vivo). (2) To study glycation inhibition in vivo. Study design: Case study. Period: Sep. 2006 to March. 2008. One year seven months. Setting: Department of Biochemistry University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Methods: Different parameters like fluorescence, total proteins, TBA (thiobarbituric acid) method, periodate borohydride assay were used to check the effect of inhibitor on glycation. Thirty two combinations were made and all these combinations were placed at 37̊C, at same time for five weeks. 3mL of blood sample was drawn after 1st, 3rd and 5th week of incubation to perform the experiments for glycation and glycation inhibition. Along with the same temperature (37̊C), different combinations of glucose and inhibitor were used. Results: Effective concentration of inhibitor helped to decrease the level of glycation. All concentrations of glucose (G , G and G ) showed 1 2 3 glycation with protein. The inhibitor Captopril (all concentrations) showed variations in inhibition of glycation at one temperature (37̊C) with different parameters (Fluorescence, TBA and Periodate) but the most effective concentration of inhibitors at each condition is I (1mM) but I (10 3 1 mM) and I (5 mM) were also equally effective after I . Periodate borohydride Assay is more effective for glycation determination than 2 3 thiobarbituric acid assay. Conclusions: Captopril can be used as glycation inhibitor in future. As it enhances the activity of transketolase, it can produce 3DG compound which can block the AGEs. However, more experimentations should be done on animal or on large scale before its application in diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a chronic metabolic and noncommunicable disease that affects 50% of world population. Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress are interconnected with the obesity and several metabolic disorders, gaining the attention of scientific community to combat this problem naturally. Among various fruits, mango as a yellow fruit is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that act as antioxidants to protect against free radicals produced in the body. The present study was performed to explore in vivo antioxidant potential of mango peels against dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in overweight subjects. The female volunteers (n = 31) between 25 and 45 years of age having a body mass index (BMI) of 25.0-29.9 (overweight) were included in this study, while participants with complications as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular, and liver diseases were excluded. The treatment group consumed 1 g mango peel powder for 84 days. The subjects were analyzed for biochemical analysis, antioxidant status, and anthropometric measurements at baseline and end of the study period. Further, at the end of study, the safety evaluation tests were also performed. The results showed that upon consumption of mango peel powder, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, triglyceride, urea, and creatinine levels were decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased (P ≤ 0.05), while thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) showed increased antioxidant status (P ≤ 0.05) which suggests that mango peels have a strong management potential against oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in obese subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Assessment of upstream levels of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage regulating the development of rheumatoid arthritis. Data Source: All the samples were collected from Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Period: Two years from 18-09-2014 to 24-10-2016. Setting: The Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) in The University of Lahore-Pakistan. Material and Methods: Blood, saliva and synovial fluid of fifty (n=50) individuals diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and fifty (n=50) age-sex matched controls were added in current study. Levels of MDA were determined spectrophotometrically while the concentrations of isoprostanes, 8-OHdG and 4-HNE were measured by the help of commercially available Elisa Kit. Results: Levels of lipid peroxidation products including MDA (μmol/ml), isoprostanes (pg/ml), 4-HNE (μmol/ml) and DNA damage in the form of 8-OHdG (pg/ml) were significantly high (p<0.015, p<0.022, p<0.004 and p<0.036) in patients as relative to normal individuals. Levels of MDA in serum (1.95±0.094 vs. 0.95±0.019), saliva (0.012±0.0034 vs. 0.056±0.0056) and synovial fluid (3.26±0.65 vs. 0.019±0.0016) were differed significantly in each groups. Level of isoprostanes in serum (12.26±5.26 vs. 1.26±0.015), saliva (2.16±0.019 vs. 0.816±0.017) and synovial fluid (34.26±4.26 vs. 0.136±0.019) were recorded higher in RA patients as compared to control. Concentrations of 8-OHdG in serum (0.945±0.014 vs. 0.019±0.0035) saliva (0.0024±0.0003/ 0.0029±0.00017) and synovial fluid (1.33±0.451 vs. 0.055±0.0016) were recorded high in RA patients. Significantly higher concentration of 4-HNE in serum (4.265±1.25 vs. 1.99±0.016), saliva (1.26±0.15 vs. 0.191±0.0091) and synovial fluid (6.35±1.16 vs. 0.094±0.00165) were recorded in patients with RA. Conclusion: Present study concluded the role of oxidative biomarkers and their differential expression in the onset of autoimmunity in patients with RA. Increased stress is involved in the DNA damage and increased lipid peroxidation in the synovial fluid. Therefore, antioxidant therapy may have some prognostic role in the patients with RA by decreasing the intensity of oxidative stress and DNA damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the expression of MMPs and oxidative stress markers in pregnant Asthmatic females. Period: July 2015 to Dec 2015. Design: Cross sectional. Setting: Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Background: Maternal asthma throughout pregnancy unfavorably alters pregnancy outcomes but evaluation of the causes, and the ability to assess interventions, is restricted having inadequate knowledge of complex interactions between underlying inflammation, oxidativestress and structural changes in asthmatic airways. Methods: Total 100 patients were included in study. Fifty ascontrols. Clinically diagnosed asthmatic pregnant females coming to GyneaUnit of Jinnah hospital were included. Females on any medication or suffering from any congenital disease were excluded out of the current study. Matrix metalloproteinase's, TNF-α, 8OHdG, 4-HNE and Isoprostanes are measured by ELISA. Results: Results shows that MMP-7 and MMP-9 have positive correlation with proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α but MMP-8 have significantly positive correlation with it (TNF-α Vs. MMP-8 r=0.946. On the other hand MMP-7 has significant correlation besides other MMPS (MMP-7 Vs.8OHdG r=0.719) indicating a positive correlation between proteinases and marker of DNA damage indicating epithelial shedding in case of Asthma. Conclusion: The sole objective of effective asthma management in pregnancy is to prevent exacerbations. Antioxidants should be added in diet so to ovoid oxidative stress caused to airway epithelial and structural cells and MMP inhibitors may be used as therapeutic agents as well as measuring MMP levels as diagnostic or prognostic markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on the analysis of its genome sequence, the ectomycorrhizal (ECM) basidiomycetous fungus Laccaria bicolor was shown to be lacking many of the major classes of secreted enzymes that depolymerize plant cell wall polysaccharides. To test whether this is also a feature of other ECM fungi, we searched a survey genome database of Amanita bisporigera with the proteins found in the secretome of Trichoderma reesei (syn. Hypocrea jecorina), a biochemically well-characterized industrial fungus. Additional proteins were also used as queries to compensate for major groups of cell-wall-degrading enzymes lacking in the secretome of T. reesei and to substantiate conclusions drawn from the T. reesei collection. By MS/MS-based “shotgun” proteomics, 80 proteins were identified in culture filtrates of T. reesei strain RUTC30 grown on corn cell walls and in a commercial “cellulase” preparation, Spezyme CP. The two T. reesei enzyme preparations were qualitatively and quantitatively similar, the most striking difference being the lack of at least five major peptidases from the commercial enzyme mixture. Based on our analysis of A. bisporigera, this ECM fungus is deficient in many major classes of cell-wall-degrading enzymes, including both glycosyl hydrolases and carbohydrate esterases. By comparison, the genomes of the saprophytic basidiomycetes Coprinopsis cinerea and Galerina marginata (using a genome survey sequence approximately equivalent in depth to that of A. bisporigera) have, like T. reesei, a much more complete complement of cell-wall-degrading enzymes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]