Potential of multi-component antigens for tuberculosis diagnosis.

Tuberculosis is one of the top ten causes of deaths worldwide. The cause of tuberculosis is a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which has been surviving for centuries. Immunological tests based on detecting the presence of antibodies in the sera of active TB patients against various antigens of M.

Presence of novel compound BCR-ABL mutations in late chronic and advanced phase imatinib sensitive CML patients indicates their possible role in CML progression.

BCR-ABL kinase domain (K) mutations are well known for causing resistance against tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In recent years, compound BCR-ABL mutations have emerged as a new threat to CML patients by causing higher degrees of resistance involving multiple TKIs, including ponatinib. However, there are limited reports about association of compound BCR-ABL mutations with disease progression in imatinib (IM) sensitive CML patients.

Comparative study of extrapolative factors linked with oxidative injury and anti-inflammatory status in chronic kidney disease patients experiencing cardiovascular distress.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a group of heterogeneous abnormalities affecting the function and structure of the kidney and mostly further proceeds to cardiovascular damage prior to end stage renal disease (ESRD). The oxidative insult and inflammatory mediators have some undefined role in CKD and cardiovascular complications. It is therefore, aimed at to pin point the predictive factors in the development of cardiovascular disorder in patients with chronic kidney disease.

1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D a potential role player in the development of thyroid disorders in schizophrenics.

Objective: The present study was designed to assess the role of vitamin-D, in the development of autoimmune thyroid dysfunction in newly diagnosed schizophrenics.

Methods: For the present study 100 patients and 100 controls were screened out and studied for their thyroid antibodies, GSH, homocysteine, NOS and vitamin D levels by appropriate protocols to assess the underlying mechanism involved in the schizophrenics susceptible to autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Results: The results of the present study depicted that in schizophrenics, levels of cytokines like IL-6 (7.

Evaluation of Matrix Metalloproteinases, Cytokines and Their Potential Role in the Development of Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the 5th most common cause of deaths in the women among gynecological tumors. There are many growing evidences that stress and other behavioral factors may affect cancer progression and patient survival. The purpose of this study is to determine the key role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and cytokines in the aggregation and progression of ovarian cancer.

Non-coding RNAs in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

Cancer invasion involves a series of fundamental heterogeneous steps, with each step being distinct in its type regarding its dependence on various oncogenic pathways. Over the past few years, researchers have been focusing on targeted therapies to treat malignancies relying not only on a single oncogenic pathway, but on multiple pathways. Scientists have recently identified potential targets in the human genome considered earlier as non-functional but the discovery of their potential role in gene regulation has put new insights to cancer diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutics.

Effect of iron overload on renal functions and oxidative stress in beta thalassemia patients.

To check the amount of cellular damage caused by serial transfusions of blood in thalassemia patients.  Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan between August 2012 and December 2012. A total of 43 thalassemia patients underwent at least 10 blood transfusions.

Role of Natural Radiosensitizers and Cancer Cell Radioresistance: An Update.

Cancer originates from genetic mutations accumulation. Cancer stem cells have been depicted as tumorigenic cells that can differentiate and self-renew. Cancer stem cells are thought to be resistant to conventional therapy like chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

BAD, a Proapoptotic Protein, Escapes ERK/RSK Phosphorylation in Deguelin and siRNA-Treated HeLa Cells.

This study has been undertaken to explore the therapeutic effects of deguelin and specific siRNAs in HeLa cells. The data provided clearly show the silencing of ERK 1/2 with siRNAs and inhibition of ERK1/2 with deguelin treatment in HeLa cells. Additionally, we are providing information that deguelin binds directly to anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and Mcl-1 in the hydrophobic grooves, thereby releasing BAD and BAX from dimerization with these proteins.

Evidence of male hypogonadism at an early age as a familial risk of type 2 diabetes.

Objective: Previous investigations provide evidence of an association of hypogonadism with type 2 diabetes in men, and low testosterone levels have been regarded a risk factor for the disease. Since a strong genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes has been demonstrated, here we investigate a possible tendency towards hypogonadism in young male offspring of diabetic parents.

Material And Methods: The study compares 32 male offspring of diabetic parents with 31 male offspring of nondiabetic parents matched by age.

Determination of potential role of antioxidative status and circulating biochemical markers in the pathogenesis of ethambutol induced toxic optic neuropathy among diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

The present study was designed to explore the antioxidative status and circulating biochemical markers having a potential role in the pathogenesis of ethambutol (EMB) induced toxic optic neuropathy (TON) among diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Fifty patients under complete therapy of EMB for tuberculosis were included in the present study. Inclusion criteria for patients were to receive EMB everyday during treatment, a dose of 25 mg/kg for initial 2 months and 15 mg/kg during the rest of therapy period.

Scope and Applications of Nanomedicines for the Management of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by inflammation, demyelination and lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) that results in the physical and cognitive disabilities in patients. Immune cells get access into the brain region, after infection in the blood brain barrier (BBB) due to bacteria/virus or by genetic predisposition, where the autoimmune response may induce the demyelination, inflammation as well as neurodegeneration in brain areas. Various types of therapeutics are used worldwide approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) for the management of MS.

Assessment of biochemical and antioxidative status in patients suffering from dengue fever.

A multi-centred study was designed to collect dengue epidemiologic data from government and registered private hospitals/clinics and maintained archive of frozen specimens in bio-bank to be used for future dengue epidemic control program, and assess the epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) by evaluating biochemical and oxidative status of patients. ELISA IgM antibodies test was done to confirm DF. From August 2010 to December 2011, 101 confirmed blood samples of DF patients referred to pathology lab of Jinnah Hospital Lahore were subjected to the epidemiologic assessment by evaluating the biochemical and physiological indices and alterations of circulating antioxidants.

The role of epigenetics in personalized medicine: challenges and opportunities.

Epigenetic alterations are considered to be very influential in both the normal and disease states of an organism. These alterations include methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitylation of DNA and histone proteins (nucleosomes) as well as chromatin remodeling. Many diseases, such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, are often associated with epigenetic alterations.

Roles of Natural Compounds from Medicinal Plants in Cancer Treatment: Structure and Mode of Action at Molecular Level.

Every year, cancer takes the life of millions of people. Conventional treatments have produced unsatisfactory results for some types of cancer, and the side effects are extensive, leading to a shift in the focus of treatment towards alternative medicines. Indeed, medicinal plants have long been investigated by scientists for their anti-cancer properties.

Assessment of circulating biochemical markers and antioxidative status in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

Various circulating biochemical markers are indicators of pathological state in leukemia and its subtypes. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant factors portray clear image associated with malignancies during subtypes of leukemia. In this research work we investigated the inter-relationship among the subtypes of leukemia with circulating biochemical markers and oxidative stress in the Pakistani population.

Nanoparticle-Based Therapy in Genomics.

In the modern era, humankind is making daily progress through industrialization. As various types of diseases are prevailing worldwide, scientists are using many approaches to manage these diseases, such as gene therapy. A nanoparticle (NP)-based approach is an example of a modern method used to address several pathologies.

Recent Developments in Nanomedicines for Management of Various Health Issues Via Metabolism and Physico-Chemical Properties.

During the last decade the nanotechnologists began research on applications of nanomaterials for medicine and therapeutics. Various nanoparticles (nanomedicines) are being used worldwide for the diagnosis and management in a number of disorders including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The successful non-viral gene therapy is now possible with the advancements in nanotechnology.

Comparative Studies of Salivary and Blood Sialic Acid, Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidative Status in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC).

Objective : Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered to be a serious life threatening issue for almost two decades. The objective of this study was to evaluate the over production of lipid peroxidation (LPO) byproducts and disturbances in antioxidant defense system in the pathogenesis of oral cancer. Methods : Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in OSCC patients were estimated and compared the sensitivity and specificity of circulating biomarkers (MDA, Sialic acid, Catalase, SOD, GSH and Neuraminidase) with β-2 microglobulin (β-2MG) at different thresholds in blood and saliva using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve design.

Recent updates in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders using natural compounds.

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by protein aggregates and inflammation as well as oxidative stress in the central nervous system (CNS). Multiple biological processes are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as depletion or insufficient synthesis of neurotransmitters, oxidative stress, abnormal ubiquitination. Furthermore, damaging of blood brain barrier (BBB) in the CNS also leads to various CNS-related diseases.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Silybum marianum (Silymarin) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (Glycyrrhizin) in Combination: A Possible Synergy.

Oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and transaminase reactions are some of the mechanisms that can lead to liver dysfunction. A time-dependent study was designed to evaluate the ability of silymarin (SLN) and glycyrrhizin (GLN) in different dosage regimens to lessen oxidative stress in the rats with hepatic injury caused by the hepatotoxin carbon tetrachloride. Wistar male albino rats (n = 60) were randomly assigned to six groups.

New possibilities in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis and treatment has witnessed many major changes and challenges in the past two decades. Increasing incidence of HCC has introduced new monitoring systems and increased the efficacy of screening tests, as well as prognosis of the disease, including the staging system, serological testing and diagnostic imaging. Moreover, surgical resection, liver transplantation and herbal therapy have improved treatment.

Cadmium-resistance mechanism in the bacteria Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Pseudomonas putida mt2.

Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Pseudomonas putida mt2 were used as cadmium (Cd)-resistant and -sensitive bacteria, respectively, to study Cd uptake, sorption, intracellular accumulation, metallothionein (MT) induction, and bioremediation potential of both isolates. According to this research work, Cd had a stimulatory effect on the growth of CH34 cells (OD578 = 1.43) compared with mt2 cells (OD578 = 0.

Swimming, swarming, twitching, and chemotactic responses of Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Pseudomonas putida mt2 in the presence of cadmium.

To use of microorganisms for bioremediation purposes, the study of their motility behavior toward metals is essential. In the present study, Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and Pseudomonas putida mt2 were used as cadmium (Cd)-resistant and -sensitive bacteria, respectively, to evaluate the effects of Cd on their motility behaviors. Potassium morpholinopropane sulfonate (MOPS) buffer was used to observe the motility behavior of both isolates.