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Measles has been a significant public health concern in Pakistan, especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, where sporadic and silent epidemics continue to challenge existing control measures. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and investigate the molecular epidemiology of the measles virus (MeV) in KPK and explore the vaccination status among the suspected individuals. A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and October 2021. A total of 336 suspected measles cases from the study population were analyzed for IgM antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Throat swabs were randomly collected from a subset of positive cases for molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of MeV isolates was performed using the neighbor-joining method. The vaccination status of individuals was also recorded. Among the suspected participants, 61.0% (205/336) were ELISA positive for IgM antibodies, with a higher prevalence in males (64.17%) compared to females (57.04%). The majority of cases (36.0%) were observed in infants and toddlers, consistent with previous reports. The majority of IgM-positive cases (71.7%) had not received any dose of measles vaccine, highlighting gaps in vaccine coverage and the need for improved immunization programs. Genetic analysis revealed that all MeV isolates belonged to the B3 genotype, with minor genetic variations from previously reported variants in the region. This study provides valuable insights into the genetic epidemiology of the MeV in KPK, Pakistan. The high incidence of measles infection among unvaccinated individuals highlights the urgency of raising awareness about vaccine importance and strengthening routine immunization programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dodonaea viscosa grows widely in Saudi Arabia, but studies evaluating its neuroprotective activity are lacking. Thus, this study aimed to isolate and identify the secondary metabolites and evaluate the neuroprotective effects of D. viscosa leaves. The isolation and identification of phytochemicals were performed using chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The neuroprotective potential of the extract was evaluated against focal cerebral ischaemia–reperfusion injury in rat model. Neurobehavioural deficits in the rats were evaluated, and their brains were harvested to measure infarct volume and oxidative biomarkers. Results revealed the presence of three compounds: a novel isoprenylated phenolic derivative that was elucidated as 4-hydroxy-3-(3ʹ-methyl-2ʹ-butenyl) phenyl 1-O-β-D-apiosyl-(1ʹʹʹ → 6ʹʹ)- β-D-glucopyranoside (named Viscomarfadol) and two known compounds (isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside and epicatechin (4–8) catechin). Pre-treatment of the rats with the extract improved neurological outcomes. It significantly reduced neurological deficits and infarct volume; significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde levels; and significantly elevated antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione) activities. These results indicate that D. viscosa is a promising source of bioactive compounds that can improve neurological status, decrease infarct volume, and enhance antioxidant activities in rats with cerebral ischaemic injury. Thus, D. viscosa could be developed into an adjuvant therapy for ischaemic stroke and other oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disorders. Further investigations are warranted to explore other bioactive compounds in D. viscosa and evaluate their potential neuroprotective activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus (ZIKV) is one of the mosquito borne flavivirus with several outbreaks in past few years in tropical and subtropical regions. The non-structural proteins of flaviviruses are suitable active targets for inhibitory drugs due to their role in pathogenicity. In ZIKV, the non-structural protein 5 (NS5) RNA-Dependent RNA polymerase replicates its genome. Here we have performed virtual screening to identify suitable ligands that can potentially halt the ZIKV NS5 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). During this process, we searched and screened a library of ligands against ZIKV NS5 RdRp. The selected ligands with significant binding energy and ligand-receptor interactions were further processed. Among the selected docked conformations, top five was further optimized at atomic level using molecular dynamic simulations followed by binding free energy calculations. The interactions of ligands with the target structure of ZIKV RdRp revealed that they form strong bonds within the active sites of the receptor molecule. The efficacy of these drugs against ZIKV can be further analyzed through in-vitro and in-vivo studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work is an extension of ongoing efforts toward the development and identification of new molecules as monotherapy displaying anti-inflammatory and anti-infective activities and a wide-range of gastrointestinal selectivity. A series of novel set of trisubstituted thiazole compounds ( AR-17a to AR-27a ) have synthesized and evaluated for their in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory activities. Synthesized trisubstituted thiazole compounds were also evaluated for their potential antibacterial activity against clinical pathogens causing infectious disease. The structures of synthesized compounds were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, Mass spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their in-vitro and in-vivo anti-inflammatory effects using the human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization method and a carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema model, respectively, Diclofenac sodium and Ibuprofen were used as standard drugs. The synthesized compounds AR-17a to AR-27a screened for their in-vitro antibacterial activity against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923) and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC29212) and the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC8739) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC9027) using ciprofloxacin and cefdinir as standard drugs. Compounds AR-17a and AR-27a elicited maximum anti-inflammatory activity, providing 59% and 61% protection at 20 mg/kg, respectively, in the inflamed paw model. Among the tested compounds, AR-17a (6.25), (54) and AR-27a (1.56), (52) had the least minimum inhibitory concentration values and the highest zone of inhibition, indicating their marked antibacterial activities. The lowest conc. were observed at 1.56, 6.25 μg/mL for inhibition of bacteria by most of the compounds. Novel set of trisubstituted thiazole compounds ( AR-17a to AR-27a ) have synthesized and characterized successfully. The preliminary screening revealed that these compounds possess promising anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. In addition, the objective of the study was achieved with few of the promising structures like AR-17a to AR-27a, which are prove to be potential monotherapy candidates for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases and bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of any kind is the process of becoming the best. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is rather a requirement for all the employees of an organization. It aims at bringing benefit to the individual as well as to the organization, and to the profession as a whole. The two parties involved in CPD are the individual and the organization. The former makes a commitment to develop herself and the latter actively supports it. This support from the organization is a must in CPD. Bangladesh is in its infancy as far as awareness of CPD is concerned. In the education sector, the country is yet to be adequately aware of, initiate and grow up with CPD. The private universities in Bangladesh seem to have started addressing the idea of CPD seriously in the recent days. This paper aims at finding out the CPD scenario in private universities in Bangladesh both at the individual level and at the organizational level, through a questionnaire that was sent to teachers of different private universities. Finally, recommendations are made on what should and can be done by the faculty members as well as by the organizations, to ensure and boost up CPD process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on the synthesis of Schiff base ligand L [1(pyridine-2-ylimino) methyl) naphthalene-2-ol], and its applications as anticancer agent against human lung (H-460) and breast (MCF-7) cell lines, and as antidepressant agent. The Schiff base ligand L was synthesized by aldol condensation reaction by reacting commercially available 2-hydroxy-1-napthaldehyde with 2-amino-pyridine. The synthesized ligand was characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for its anticancer potential against H-460 and MCF-7 cell lines. The antidepressant activity was evaluated by means of elevated plus maze model using Diazepam as reference drug. A dose dependent inhibitory response was recorded against both the cell line used. For highest tested dose (500 µg/ml), 89.20% of anticancer activity with IC 50 = 23.99 µg/ml against H-460 was observed while an IC 50 of 31.68 µg/ml against MCF-7 indicated the potential of this compound to be used as anticancer agent. A dose dependent response was also recorded for the synthesized ligand when tested as antidepressant in elevated plus maze model. The synthesized Schiff base ligand L exhibited good anticancer and antidepressant activities that could be used as alternative drug to treat the related health complications. However, further toxicological and clinical studies are needed to confirm the safe use of this compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]