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Polystyrene (PS) was blended with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silver sulfadiazine (SS) with different weight proportions to form polymeric blends. These synthesized blends were preliminary characterized in terms of functional groups through the FTIR technique. All compositions were subjected to thermogravimetric analysis for studying thermal transition and were founded thermally stable even at 280°C. The zeta potential and average diameter of algal strains of Dictyosphaerium sp. (DHM1), Dictyosphaerium sp. (DHM2), and Pectinodesmus sp. (PHM3) were measured to be -32.7 mV, -33.0 mV, and -25.7 mV and 179.6 nm, 102.6 nm, and 70.4 nm, respectively. Upon incorporation of PEG and SS into PS blends, contact angles were decreased while hydrophilicity and surface energy were increased. However, increase of surface energy did not led to decrease of antialgal activities. This has indicated that biofilm adhesion is not a major antialgal factor in these blended materials. The synergetic effect of PEG and SS in PS blends has exhibited significant antialgal activity via the agar disk diffusion method. The PSPS10 composition with 10 w/w% PEG and 10 w/w% SS has exhibited highest inhibition zones 10.8 mm, 10.8 mm, and 11.3 mm against algal strains DHM1, DHM2, and DHM3, respectively. This thermally stable polystyrene blends with improved antialgal properties have potential for a wide range of applications including marine coatings.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered as hypercoagulable state, where hypercoagulability of blood result in acceleration of atherosclerosis and diabetic microvascular complications. Three recognized diabetic microvascular complications include diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate association of plasma fibrinogen levels with other variables in patients with any of the three-recognized diabetic microvascular complications: diabetic neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy or diabetic nephropathy. Methods: 104 patients of T2DM from in Medical unit-II and ophthalmology ward, Services Hospital, Lahore from April to October 2017 were included in present study. The patients were divided into two groups of 52 patients each. Group 1 comprised of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients without any diabetic microvascular complications and Group II: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients with any of three recognized diabetic microvascular complications: diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy (52 patients). Plasma fibrinogen levels, blood sugar fasting (BSF), HbA1c and BMI were evaluated in all patients. Results: Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, applied for measuring correlation of variables, showed statistically significant correlation (P < 0.05) of BSF r = 0.39; HbA1c r = 0.48 to plasma fibrinogen in patients with any of the three diabetic microvascular complications. Conclusion: Higher fibrinogen levels (Clotting factor I) in plasma contribute significantly to establishment of microvascular complications in type-II diabetes mellitus patients. Fibrinogen levels were positively correlated with HbA1c and blood sugar fasting.

Background: TB has been announced as a global emergency of this millennium. It is one of the leading causes of death among adults due to a single infectious agent. Pakistan is fifth among the twenty two Eastern Mediterranean Region countries with the highest burden of disease which is approximately 270 per 100,000. The emergence of drug resistant MTB poses a serious threat to the ongoing efforts to control the disease epidemic. Drug resistance to the first line drugs such as Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) needs to be investigated. In this respect the role of various genes conferring resistance should be studied to find better treatment alternatives. The current practice of drug sensitivity testing requiring approximately three weeks is time consuming and a major cause of treatment delay. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to sequence the mutations in katG gene which contribute towards INH resistance and to study association of katG gene with INH resistance in MTB. Methods: In this research sputum samples were collected in wide mouth transparent containers from suspected TB patients. After decontamination samples were inoculated onto LJ medium. The colonies grown on the slopes were identified as MTB by standard biochemical test. Isolates were tested on LJ medium for in vitro DST (Drug Sensitivity Testing). MDR was described as resistance to INH and RIF with or without resistance to other drugs. DNA was extracted from the grown samples using kit method. After extraction of DNA, the region from base 2714 to 3232 of katG gene was amplified through PCR and the amplified products were sequenced. Analysis of the DNA sequences and mutations was done with the help of BLAST - alignment software. A total of 24 MDR MTB samples were sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed the reported mutation Ser → Thr in katG codon 315 in five samples (21%). In this study, an authentic molecular analysis (test) was developed and validated for identification of INH resistant strains in Pakistani population. Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that mutation of some genes particularly point mutation in codon 315 of katG gene is associated with development of resistance to the drug INH in Multi drug resistant TB. Key words: isoniazid, multiple drug resistant tuberculosis