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Background and Objective: The SARS-CoV-2 vaccines of Sinopharm and Pfizer have been reported to vaccinate more than 7.3 billion people across the globe. However, the protection offered by these mRNA vaccines wanes with time, which is why the third dose of a different or same vaccine may become necessary. The objective of this study was to compare the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in the post-vaccination phase in the local population after two doses with Sinopharm and Pfizer vaccination. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Medical College and Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 100 adult participants who were completely vaccinated with either Sinopharm or Pfizer, at least 6 weeks before, were included in the study after taking informed consent. Blood samples were collected and SARS-COV-2 virus IgG antibody levels were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The collected data were analyzed while taking a p value < 0.05 as significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.18 ± 1.29 years. Mean antibody titers, six weeks post-vaccination were 5453.73 ± 609.15 units per milliliter (U/ml) and 10786.86 ± 1525.49 U/ml in Sinopharm and Pfizer groups, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0004). Conclusion: Antibody response was considerably higher in Pfizer-vaccinated individuals in comparison to Sinopharm in the local population from Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemorrhage can occur as a consequence of innumerable conditions. It can lead to hemodynamic compromise and death unless treated promptly. Various traditional medicinal plants are being studied for their effects on hemostasis. Justicia adhatoda is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to control both external and internal bleeding such as peptic ulcers, piles, bleeding gums, and menorrhagia. Objective: The objective of this study was to observe the effect of Justicia adhatoda leaf extract on bleeding time in mice. Methods: An experimental study was conducted at PGMI, Lahore. Twenty Swiss albino mice were randomly divided to make four groups. Each group had five animals. Normal saline was administered to Group (I). Group (II) was given 50 mg/kg dose of leaf extract. Group (III) received 100 mg/kg dose of extract and Group (IV) was given 200 mg/kg dose of extract. One hour later, the tail was amputated after anesthetizing the animals. Bleeding time was estimated by gently placing Whatman filter paper on the edge of the incision every 30 seconds. The observation of no adherent blood was defined as bleeding time. Results: Bleeding time decreased in all the extract-treated groups. A maximum decrease was recorded in the group that received 200 mg/kg extract (1.9±1.03 minutes) versus normal control (6.H2.36 minutes), with p<0.01. Bleeding time decreased to 2.6±1.39 minutes with 100 mg/kg dose, withp<0.05. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Justicia adhatoda leaf extract is effective in controlling excessive bleeding. However, further work needs to be performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effect of apple peel extract on serum IgG levels in corticosteroid induced immunosuppression in mice. Methodology: Twenty four Swiss albino mice were divided into four groups, with six animals in each group. Group A was given distilled water. Group B was given prednisolone 4 mg/kg, dissolved in distilled water. Group C and D received prednisolone, followed by 25 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg apple peel extract, respectively, half an hour later. All the doses were given orally as a single morning dose for 14 days. On 15th day, serum IgG levels were measured by mouse ELISA kit. Results: An increase in serum IgG levels was observed in both of the extract- treated groups. However, there was no significant difference between the low dose and high dose extract-treated groups. Conclusions: Apple peel extract has a stimulatory effect on humoral immunity and can be used in adjunct with other drugs in immunocompromised patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Astragalus species have been widely used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Astragalus sarcocolla (ASE) and to rationalize its medicinal use as an antispasmodic drug for the treatment of spasmodic gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders associated with increased intestinal motility. Methods The ethanolic extract of ASE was studied to examine its antispasmodic effect on the isolated rabbit ileum preparations, and the contractions were recorded on PowerLab (ADInstruments, Sydney, Australia). Results ASE was able to inhibit spontaneous ileum contractions. It also completely inhibited K + (25 mM)-induced contractions but was unable to inhibit high K + (80 mM)-induced sustained contractions. Pretreatment of the tissue with glibenclamide, a potassium channel blocker, caused a rightward shift of the dose-response curve when stimulated with K + (25 mM) in the presence of an increasing concentration of the extract. Verapamil at very low doses inhibited both the 25 mM and 80 mM K + -induced contractions. Conclusion The results of our study demonstrated the spasmolytic activity of ASE with the potential mechanism of activation of K + ATP, which provides a strong basis for its medicinal use in motility and inflammatory disorders of the intestine., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Siddiqui et al.)

Objective To record the frequency of malaria-like symptoms in patients who have been given mefloquine as chemoprophylaxis and to determine the effectiveness of antimalarials against these symptoms. Methodology It was an observational study that took place at a United Nations Level 1 hospital, Kaga-Bandoro, Central African Republic. The total duration of the study was three months. Patients presenting to the clinic with multiple symptoms despite chemoprophylaxis with mefloquine were assessed through a physical examination and screening test for malaria. Malaria treatment with a six-dose regimen of artemether (20 mg), along with lumefantrine (120 mg) two tablets BD for three days, was given after informed consent to those patients and post-treatment symptoms were observed and recorded. Results Out of 61 patients, 93% of them presented with body aches, 92% with headache, 52% with shivering, 44% with vertigo, 38% with fever, sweating, and nausea/vomiting, 18% with diarrhea, and 10% with pain in the abdomen. Conclusion It had been seen that patients presented with symptoms despite standard mefloquine prophylactic therapy, which were resolved with other antimalarial drugs. The presentation of the symptoms was also not classical., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2020, Malik et al.)