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Iron homeostasis is vital for normal physiology, but in the majority of circumstances, like iron overload, this equilibrium is upset leading to free iron in the plasma. This condition with excess iron is known as hemochromatosis, which has been linked to many side effects, including cancer and liver cirrhosis. The current research aimed to investigate active molecules from Streptomyces sp. isolated from the extreme environment of Bahawalpur deserts. The strain was characterized using 16 S rRNA sequencing. Chemical analysis of the ethyl acetate cure extract revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins. Multiple ultraviolet (UV) active metabolites that were essential for the stated pharmacological activities were also demonstrated by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Additionally, Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the primary constituents of the extract to compose of phenol and ester compounds. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was used to assess the extract's antioxidant capacity, and the results showed a good half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.034 µg/mL in comparison to the positive control ascorbic acid's 0.12 µg/mL. In addition, iron chelation activity of extract showed significant chelation potential at 250 and 125 µg/mL, while 62.5 µg/mL showed only mild chelation of the ferrous ion using ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as a positive control. Likewise, the extract's cytotoxicity was analyzed through 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using varying concentrations of the extract and showed 51% cytotoxicity at 350 µg/mL and 65% inhibition of cell growth at 700 µg/mL, respectively. The bioactive compounds from Streptomyces sp. demonstrated strong antioxidant and iron chelating potentials and can prolong the cell survival in extreme environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated in patients with blepharitis. StudyDesign: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Oct 2019 to Oct 2021. Methdology: 160 cases of blepharitis, during a period of 2 years, who were not using topical or systemic antibiotics were recruited in this cross-sectional study. After detailed history and slit-lamp examination of eyelids and tears film each patient underwent sample collection under aseptic conditions, from the eyelid margin. The samples were inoculated in a culture of blood agar and chocolate agar (Biomeriux), Then the susceptibility of the identified bacteria to common systemic and topical antibiotics were tested using the disc diffusion method (Rosco Neo-Sensitab). Results: In 160 patients, 118(73.7%) were males and 42(26.3%) were females. According to type of blepharitis, 98(61.3%) had posterior blepharitis and 62(38.7%) had anterior blepharitis. Culture of eyelid sample of 77(48.1%) patients showed growth of coagulase-negative staphylococcus Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) show greater resistance towards Penicillin 77(100%), Ciprofloxacin 55(72.5%) and Erythromycin 33(42.8%) however more susceptibility was shown towards Linezolid (CoNS). 71(45%) had Staphylococcus aureus isolated from their culture. 77(100%), Vancomycin 77(100%), Gentamycin 66(85.8%), Chloramphenicol 56(74.5%) and Cotrimoxazole 55(72.5%). Staphylococcus aureus show greater resistance towards Penicillin 72(100%), Ciprofloxacin 41(56.9%) and Tetracyclins 30(41.6%) however more susceptibility was found towards Gentamycin 72(100%), Linezolid 72(100%), Vancomycin 72(100%) and Chloramphenicol 61(84.7%). Conclusion: Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus have been the main isolated organisms in blepharitis. These bacteria have been shown to be resistant to Penicillin, Ciprofloxacain Erythromycin and Tetracyclins However both are highly Sensitive to Vancomycin and Linezolid along with Significant Sensitivity towards Chloamphenicol, Gentamycin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate and Cotrimoxazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of root canal morphological patterns of mandibular first premolars analyzed by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans among patients reported to a dental hospital in Islamabad Study Design: Retrospective cross sectional analytical study. Place and Duration: From 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019 at Operative Dentistry Department in Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad. Methodology: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans (PLANMECA, Finland) were used with image size 13 x 9cm (651 x 651 x 451 cm³), voxel size 200μm to include mandibular anatomy with 96 KV radiation dose, exposure time of 12.078 seconds and current of 9 MA. Slice thickness of 0.200mm was recorded. Axial, coronal and sagittal planes were used to evaluate root canal anatomy of mandibular first premolars. Root canal configurations as per Vertucci's classification were recorded. Results: Out of 150 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, 206 mandibular first premolars met the inclusion criteria. Total number of teeth having one root and one canal was 99.03%, whereas teeth having two roots and two canals were two and probability of such morphology was very rare i.e. 0.97% only. The most common type of morphology on the basis of Vertucci's classification was type I i.e. 87.4% followed by type V in 9.18%, type III in 2.42%, type IV in 0.96% of the subjects. Conclusion: In a sample of patients visited a dental hospital, majority of mandibular first premolars had one root and type I canal configuration. No significant difference was found between gender and root canal morphology. CBCT is a reliable tool in assessing root canal morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emergence of resistance among Escherichia coli (E.coli) isolates against therapeutic options for UTIs (Urinary tract infections) has led to renewed interest in older antibiotics like Fosfomycin. In this study we evaluated diagnostic accuracy of Rapid Fosfomycin NP test based on glucose metabolism for rapid Fosfomycin susceptibility testing among urinary E.coli isolates. Methods: In a cross-sectional validation study conducted in the Microbiology Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 15th March to 15th September 2020, 149 consecutive urine specimens were included as per selection criteria. Rapid Fosfomycin NP test was performed as per protocol of Nordmann P et al on urinary E.coli isolates for detection of Fosfomycin resistance and results were compared with reference modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results: Out of total 149 E.coli isolates from 149 urine specimens, 80 were classified as Fosfomycin susceptible and 69 as Fosfomycin resistant by reference disk diffusion method. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of rapid Fosfomycin NP test was found to be 94.2%, 98.75%, 98.48%, 95.2% and 96.64%, respectively. In our study reliable results were achieved after 2.5 hours of incubation. Conclusion: The rapid Fosfomycin NP test is valid and user-friendly technique which can be performed with minimal technical expertise. It is less time consuming than disk diffusion and E- test strips and easy to perform as compared to agar dilution method. It can be useful as alternative to agar dilution in urinary E.coli isolates which would help in selecting appropriate therapeutic option for UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute respiratory illness caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) involved the whole globe within no time. Various studies published globally have shown variable severity of disease and mortality. The objective of our study was to describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease in our setup. Methods: in this descriptive case series, individuals with signs and symptoms of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and asymptomatic patients with history of close contact to confirmed COVID-19 patients were considered for SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Epidemiological and clinical features of only PCR positive cases were recorded. Data regarding hospitalization status, exposure to known COVID-19 patients, clinical feature and clinical outcome of patients was collected and interpreted. Results: A total of 266 patients were found to be SARS-CoV 2 PCR positive which were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 39.45±31.9 years and majority of the patients in our study were male, i.e., 238 (89.5%). Most common clinical features among COVID- 19 symptomatic patients were fever and dry cough followed by myalgias and sore throat. Eighteen (7%) out of 266 died in our setup. Time duration of viral shedding after initial positive PCR varied between 11 days to up to more than 55 days. Conclusions: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) can present with wide range of clinical spectrum and disease can be life threatening. Severity of disease, requirement of ICU care and mortality were directly related to age of the patient and underlying comorbidities. Rigorous precautionary measures are of utmost importance particularly in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]