Advancements in Life Sciences, volume 2, issue 4
Published online: 25-August-2015
ISSN 2310-5380
IN THIS ISSUE
Review Articles:
Effective treatment strategies against Ebola virus
Amina Yaqoob, Umara Shehzad, Zarnab Ahmad, Nadia Naseer, Saliha Bashir, pages 176-182
Read Abstract Ebola virus (EBOV), a member of order Mononegavirales is most famous for causing the endemics of hemorrhagic fever in different countries of the world. Various effective treatment for EBOV are available presently but different clinical trials and experimental studies on animal models are ongoing for this purpose. Results from different studies showed that selective vaccines and therapeutic drugs have potential to interfere the viral life events within host cell in order to inhibit its replication. Various pre-clinical trials in this regard are proved successful on non-human primates (NHPs) and found to be significant in inhibiting EBOV infections. It is the need of hour to develop effective vaccines against Ebola virus to combat this problem as soon as possible. The present article is a brief review on potential treatment strategies against Ebola virus.
Full Length Research Articles:
Assessment of salinity tolerance in rice using seedling based morpho-physiological indices
Syed Adeel Zafar, Sajid Shokat, Hafiz Ghulam Muhu-Din Ahmed, Adeel Khan, Muhammad Zeshan Ali, Rana Muhammad Atif, pages 142-149
Read Abstract Background: Salinity is among the most damaging abiotic stresses for rice production which limits its growing area. The present research was conducted to evaluate five rice varieties for salinity tolerance at seedling stage. Methods: Experiment was conducted in triplicate and in two sets. One set was grown as a control (non-stress) and other as salt stressed. Salt stress of 15 dS/m was applied to one set of rice seedlings under controlled conditions. Data for different growth related morpho-physiological traits, i.e. germination percentage, root and shoot length, seedling fresh and dry weight, Na+ and K+ uptake were recorded after 15 days of seedling emergence under control as well as salinity condition. Results: Significant differences were observed among the genotypes under both the treatments and interaction of the evaluated traits suggested a significant variability among the rice genotypes under salt stress. NIAB-IRRI-9, Basmati-198 and KSK-133 were proved to be relatively salt tolerant varieties as they showed good performance for the recorded parameters. However, Basmati-385 was observed a salt sensitive variety due to highest reduction in seedling fresh and dry weight along with the maximum Na+ uptake. Conclusion: Based on obtained results, it was concluded that the evaluated morpho-physiological traits were useful to screen rice cultivars for salinity stress. In addition, NIAB-IRRI-9, Basmati-198 and KSK-133 can be used in breeding programs as tolerant check and Basmati-385 can be used as sensitive check.
Microbial and parasitic contamination on circulating Pakistani Currency
Afshan Butt, Saira Malik, pages 150-157
Read Abstract Background: Fomites are nonliving objects that are capable of imbibing, harboring and spreading infectious microorganisms. Currency notes and coins, as exchangeable fomite, are constantly subjected to contamination. The objective of this study was to determine microbial and parasitic contamination of Pakistani currency thus highlighting the potential of money for spreading pathogens in the Pakistani community. Methods: In the present study, a total of 81 Pakistani currency notes and coins in circulation were randomly collected from different shopkeepers, vendors, canteen owners and restaurant cashiers in Lahore and analyzed for parasitological, fungal, aerobic and anaerobic microbial analyses by using various microbiological techniques. Results: The study revealed 92.5% of Pakistani currency to be contaminated with pathological microorganisms. Potential pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp. (48.05%), Streptococuss spp. (3.89%), Micrococcus spp. (5.19%), Bacillus subtilis (11.68%), Corynebacterium spp. (7.79%),Cronobacter sakazakii (2.59%), Burkholderia cepacia (1.29%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.59%),Serretia rubideae (1.29%), Bacteriodes spp. (34.46%) and Yeast and Mold (3.89) % respectively were isolated. The parasitological analysis of the currency evinces 13.58% of the samples with parasitic ova and cysts. Predominant ova and cysts of Entamoeba histolytica & Giardia lambliawere identified. Conclusion: This study indicates that currency notes and coins are excellent fomites that can harbor the microorganisms very well. The current analyses points out towards the unhygienic practices of the people spending money in the form of currency notes and coins. Launching effective and frequent awareness campaigns in the society can help to stop the spread of microorganisms to a greater extent.
Infants-feeding practices and their relationship with socio-economic and health conditions in Lahore, Pakistan
Saadia Ijaz, Tayyaba Ijaz, Raja Kamran Afzal, Muhammad Masood Afzal, Osama Mukhtar, Nayab Ijaz, pages 158-164
Read Abstract Background: Pakistan, has high infant mortality rate. Among every 1000 live births 0.76% becomes the victim of death due to malnutrition and fatal infections. Therefore, feeding modes and practices may serve as important factors for assessment of an infant's growth and nutritional status. This study was designed to assess the exclusive breast feeding rate, frequency of diseases during breast feeding, status of breast feeding along with weaning, level of education, occupation and socio-economic status of parents. Methods: In the descriptive and cross-sectional study, a total of one hundred (100) infants were included. The sampling technique was non-probability convenience sampling. This study was conducted at vaccination centers and children clinics in different hospitals in city of Lahore -Pakistan. Results: The results showed that 67% of the mothers exclusively breastfed their babies. 64% of the mothers had knowledge of exclusive breast feeding. The practice of breast feeding was found as 81% while artificial feeding was practiced among 19% of the mothers. Majority of the mothers started weaning their babies at the age 4 (31%) and 6 months (32%) whereas 28% mothers started after 6 months. 54% of mothers continued breastfeeding along with weaning. 72% of the mothers were aware of the importance of colostrum. Conclusion: Maternal education and women's employment have been found major determinants for breastfeeding. The result indicates that in Pakistan, mothers receive counseling on breast feeding which is quite satisfactory and feeding practices of infants are found as better in Pakistan.
Comparative in-vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of levofloxacin brands available in Pakistan
Sajid Bashir, Syeda Rabia Nasir, Faisal Usman, Ibrahim Javed, pages 165-170
Read Abstract Background: Antimicrobial susceptibility against marketed antibiotic products is dynamic and changes with development of resistance in microbes. Susceptibility status of antibiotics helps health care practitioners in refining their prescribing trends and selection of suitable antibiotic and its commercial brand. Objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial sensitivity and susceptibility patterns of levofloxacin of different national and multinational brands in Pakistan. Levofloxacin is among the commonly mis-prescribed antibiotic in Pakistan and this study will give an insight of microbial resistance/susceptibility status against quinolones and help prescribing practice. Methods: In this study 29 different brands of levofloxacin from different cities of Pakistan are evaluated for their sensitivity against four microbial strains i.e. Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumonia. Evaluation was performed via disc diffusion method against standard drug discs. Result: Different brands exhibited different antimicrobial status regardless of their price and national or multinational status. In low price range, Levomerc while Tavanic in high price range showed significant antimicrobial activity. Different brands are evaluated and compared statistically with price and activity as variant. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity of different brands of levofloxacin varied regardless of their national/multinational status and price factor. This study refined the suitability of different brands of levofloxacin against respective pathogens and disease indications.
Sero-prevalence of Human Cytomegalovirus among blood donors in Lahore, Pakistan
Chahat Batool Rizvi, Ali Raza, Maria Fareed Siddiqui, Rabail Alam, pages 171-175
Read Abstract Background: Transfusion-transmitted cytomegalovirus (TT-CMV) infection can cause severe illness and even death among immunocompromised patients; therefore, the spread of CMV through blood products should be prevented. To our knowledge, no study has been carried out in Pakistan to determine the seroprevalence of CMV in general population as well as among blood donors. The goal of this study was to determine CMV seropositivity among blood donors at the blood bank of INMOL Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A sero-epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted. Sera from 91 blood donors were screened for CMV specific IgG antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based kit. Results: The CMV-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 89 blood donors, which gave seroprevalence rate of 97.8%. The statistical analysis of results was done using pearson chi-square test and appeared non-significant with values 0.625 and 0.705 for different age groups and blood groups of donors. Conclusion: Because of high seroprevalence in this study area, an adequate supply of CMV seronegative blood is difficult to maintain. Therefore, we propose that the future strategies for the prevention of post-transfusion CMV infection in recipients should include the transfusion of leukoreduced blood products. Further a prospective study with much greater population can be done to identify major causative risk factors for such highest prevalence rate.
