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Objective: To assess the prevalence of IHD in patients of NAFLD. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital, Sargodha. Period: June 2022 to June 2023. Methods: The present research included sample size of 190 patients, who were checked for presence of IHD. Results: Overall prevalence of IHD among NAFLD patients was found to be 84.2%. Conclusion: NAFLD is associated with higher risk of IHD occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global crop yield and growth are severely impacted by hazardous heavy metal contamination of the soil and water. Hence, this study examined the effects of three different levels of cadmium (Cd) stress (concentrations of 0, 1.5, and 2.25 mM) and the foliar application of a biostimulant, i.e. Moringa leaf extract (MLE), on a range of physiological, biochemical, and morphological parameters of two canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars, Punjab (V1) and Super (V2). More Cd was accumulated in both the aerial and subterranean sections of V1 than in V2. The morphological and physiological indicators showed a substantial (p < 0.05) deterioration as a result of the Cd buildup. The ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels were considerably (p < 0.05) elevated under Cd stress. V1 had considerably higher H2O2 levels than V2, which suggests that the oxidative stress levels were higher. Additionally, the activity of some antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase and peroxidase (POD) (65% and 40%, respectively), were decreased by the higher concentration of Cd (2.25 mM). V2 demonstrated stronger antioxidant defense mechanisms than V1, as seen by a 115% increase in POD activity, a 70% increase in shoot fresh weight, and a 49% increase in amino acids following the MLE application. Despite this, V2 was still able to withstand the Cd. Under Cd stress, the foliar treatment of MLE increased the yield, growth, biochemical, and physiological characteristics of both V1 and V2. The findings indicated that applying MLE foliar spray can improve crop productivity and lessen the impacts of metals on B. napus L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disease (NDD), is characterized by chronic neuronal cell death through progressive loss of cognitive function. Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are considered the hallmarks of AD pathology. Different therapeutic approaches approved by the Food and Drug Administration can only target a single altered pathway instead of various mechanisms that are involved in AD pathology, resulting in limited symptomatic relief and almost no effect in slowing down the disease progression. Growing evidence on modulating the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) proclaimed their neuroprotective effects by reducing neurochemical alterations and preventing cellular dysfunction. Recent studies on AD mouse models have reported that the inhibitors of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol (MAGL), hydrolytic enzymes for N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, might be promising candidates as therapeutical intervention. The FAAH and MAGL inhibitors alone or in combination seem to produce neuroprotection by reversing cognitive deficits along with Aβ-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative responses, and neuronal death, delaying AD progression. Their exact signaling mechanisms need to be elucidated for understanding the brain intrinsic repair mechanism. The aim of this review was to shed light on physiology and pathophysiology of AD and to summarize the experimental data on neuroprotective roles of FAAH and MAGL inhibitors. In this review, we have also included CB1R and CB2R modulators with their diverse roles to modulate ECS mediated responses such as anti-nociceptive, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory actions in AD. Future research would provide the directions in understanding the molecular mechanisms and development of new therapeutic interventions for the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of nosocomial urinary tract infections in patients admitted for spinal cord injury rehabilitation, identify the organisms responsible, and determine their susceptibility to systemic antimicrobials. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Sep 2022 to Apr 2023. Methodology: Samples for urine culture and sensitivity were taken from 47 individuals; 25 of these were excluded due to the growth of mixed organisms. Both male and female patients were included with Spinal Cord injury and admitted to the Inpatient Department for rehabilitation. Spinal cord injuries were classified as acute (<6 months) and chronic (>six months), depending upon the time elapsed since the injury. Symptoms of urinary tract infections were documented. Results: The sample showed a male preponderance, with 18(81.80%) males and 4(18.20%) females. Twelve individuals (54.5%) had symptoms of urinary tract infection. The urine sample yielded microbial growth in 19(86.40%) samples, confirming the diagnosis of UTI. Out of the participants, 9(40.90%) had acute SCI, while 13(59.10%) had chronic SCI. The mean duration since the SCI was 8.04±5.84 months. Conclusion: In patients with urinary tract infections associated with spinal cord injury, Klebsiella and Escherichia coli were found to be the major causative organisms. Meropenem, Fosfomycin, and Gentamicin were found to be the most effective initial choice of antibiotics, exhibiting increased sensitivity against the alleged microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber is one of the important vegetables for nourishing human being due to the presence of nutrients and vitamins throughout the world. However, its production is decreasing due to several environmental stresses. Amongst the abiotic stresses, salinity is the foremost problems for agricultural crops which cause a great loss in crop production in the world. A number of management approaches have been executed to cope with salinity problem. However, the foliar application of amino acids to enhance plant tolerance under salt stress is a cost-effective technology being utilized in all over the world. For this purpose, the experiments were conducted to evaluate the foliar application of two amino acids i.e., phenylalanine (75 and 100 ppm) and methionine (25 and 50 ppm) separately and in combinations on four cucumber genotypes (HC-999, Valley, NSCCM1 and Akbar). Results showed that 25 ppm methionine showed better behavior towards the enhancement of biomass production as compared to 50 ppm methionine and 75 and 100 ppm phenylalanine separately under saline and non-saline conditions. However in combinations, the 25 ppm methionine with 100 ppm phenylalanine showed better performance in nonsaline and saline conditions in biomass production as compared to all other treatments of both amino acids separately and also in combined foliar sprays. The foliar application of 100 ppm phenylalanine showed better results in nutrients uptake as compared to other treatments of both amino acids separately under saline and non-saline conditions. Therefore the application of 25 ppm methionine with 100 ppm phenylalanine may be used to improve the quantity and quality of cucumber to grow in saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is persistent elevation in blood pressure for 3-4 weeks. Estimated global prevalence of hypertension suggested that by the Year 2025 (29%) of adult worldwide are suffering from hypertension (1.56 billion). Hypertension complications are hemorrhage, atherosclerosis, renal artery stenosis, angina pectoris end organ damage, cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and retinopathy. Along with other drug class Calcium channel blocker are also used for the treatment of hypertension. In this study the possible action of the n-hexane leaves fraction of the Androsace foliosa on isolated rabbit aorta was examined. Antihypertensive activity was examined in the existence of standard agonist like phenylephrine and antagonist like Verapamil. Phenylephrine (PE 1µM) high K+ was used to steady the tissue materials. Additionally to observe the calcium channel blocking effect the tissues were treated with n-hexane segment of A. foliosa leaves. Aortic tissues were treated 4-5intervals with Ca+2- free preparation earlier to control calcium reaction curve (CRCs). Verapamil is utilized as standard calcium channel inhibitory mediator and is used as an antagonist. The Af. n-hexane leaves fraction completely inhibited the precontractions induced by Phenylephrine (1µM) and K+ (80 mM) precontractions, with EC50 standards of 1.0mM (0.3-1.0mg/mL) and 4.90mM (1-3mg/mL), respectively. Androsace foliosa n-hexane leaves fraction was tested for calcium channel inhibitory effect on isolated rabbit aorta. A. foliosa nhexane leaves segment at the dosage of 1mg/mL block the calcium channel approximately (35±5%). Consequence indicates that A. foliosa n-hexane leaves segment block calcium channel in the similar manner as compared to the standard calcium channel blocker drug (verapamil). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of eight compounds on nitrification of the applied (NH4)2 SO4 was studied in two soils incubated at high (35°C) and moderate (16°C) temperatures. The tested compounds included: 1H-benzotriazole; 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole; benzothiazole; 3-methylpyrazole-1-carboxamide; 4-bromo-3-methylpyrazole; pyrazole; lignosulfonic acid, molecular weight 52000, 6% S; and lignosulfonic acid, molecular weight 12000, 2% S. In the absence of inhibitors, nitrification of the applied ammonium was complete within one week at 35°C, whereas it took two to three weeks at 16°C. At 35°C, ATC was the most effective compound causing 44-71% inhibition up to four weeks when applied at 10 mg kg-1. The inhibitory effect of ATC increased with increasing application rate to 30 mg kg-1 (92-94% inhibition for four weeks). Although another compound viz. PZ applied at 10 mg kg-1 was also effective at 35°C, the inhibitory effect persisted up to three weeks (44-48% inhibition). At 16 °C, six of the test compounds (BTr, ATC, BTh, MPC, BMP and PZ) effectively inhibited nitrification at least up to four weeks. At 16 °C also, ATC was the most effective compound causing 84-90% inhibition for four weeks when applied at 10 mg kg-1. The results suggested that ATC can be a potential nitrification inhibitor for agricultural use under summer as well as under winter soil temperatures prevailing in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of the South Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]