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This study involves the development and molecular characterization of the isogenic markerless knockout mutant SG Δ purB , a genetically engineered live attenuated strain aimed at controlling Salmonella Gallinarum (SG) infection in poultry. The mutant was generated by deleting the purB gene using λ -Red recombination technology, impairing adenylosuccinate lyase, necessary for purine biosynthesis. An 1,180 bp deletion was engineered within the purB gene, leaving a residual 298 bp genomic scar resulting in a purine auxotrophic mutant. Phenotypically, SG Δ purB showed a 66.5% reduction in growth in LB broth compared to the wild-type strain and failed to grow in minimal media without adenosine. Growth was restored to near wild-type levels with 0.3 mM adenosine supplementation, demonstrating the strain's conditional attenuation. In vivo pathogenicity assessments revealed that oral inoculation of SG Δ purB into 3-day-old chickens at a dose of 2 × 108 CFU resulted in zero mortality, compared to an 80% mortality rate in chickens challenged with the wild-type strain. The SG Δ purB strain exhibited significantly reduced clinical signs and lesion scores, with clinical sign scores dropping from 2.5/3 with the wild-type to 0.4/3 with the Δ purB mutant, and lesion scores decreasing from 2.9/3 to 0.3/3. Additionally, the mutant was efficiently cleared from liver and spleen tissues by 14 days post-inoculation, unlike the wild-type strain, which persisted until the experiment's end on day 21. The SG Δ purB mutant shows potential as a safe alternative for preventing fowl typhoid, highlighting the promise of targeted genetic attenuation in developing effective vaccines for poultry diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Albendazole is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic drug gaining attention for its promising anti-cancer activities in human and animal studies. Breast cancer is among the most prevalent and diverse malignancies affecting women. Conventional chemotherapy faces various limitations, such as development of multidrug resistance. Nanoparticles emerge as a promising alternative to overcome multidrug resistance in targeted cancer treatment. This study examined the anticancer effects of Albendazole combined with Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs). The Albendazole-loaded Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (ALB ZnO NPs) were prepared and a 1:1 ratio was selected for further investigation because of the maximum percentage yield. Entrapment and loading efficacy were estimated at 80.3 and 40.2% respectively. Drug release in gastric media was significantly improved over time. Physicochemical characterization revealed maximum absorbance at 261nm, average size of 128nm with a zeta potential of +28.1mV, and smooth spherical morphology. FTIR spectra shift further confirmed the successful chemical bonding of Albendazole with ZnO NPs. MTT assay revealed ALB ZnO NPs induce dose dependent apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. IC50 of Albendazole was reduced from 84.85 µg/mL to 43.35 µg/mL when combined with ZnO NPs indicated marked increase in therapeutic potency. Furthermore, selective index of 4.057 reveals ALB ZnO NPs have high selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells with a favorable safety profile for normal Vero cells. These findings suggest that ALB ZnO NPs have potential as targeted therapeutic strategy in breast cancer treatment, offering a more effective and selective alternative to conventional chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and safety of sequential extracts of Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. (Gurmar) leaves. Antibacterial activity of chloroformic, hexane, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Gymnema sylvestre leaves was evaluated against five bacterial poultry pathogens i.e. Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens type-A, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Haemophillus paragallinarum by using agar well diffusion method. Stock solutions of 0.1gm/1ml of all the extracts were prepared. Chloroform and ethanolic extracts of Gymnema sylvestre showed better antibacterial activity against all isolates of selected microorganisms, while hexane extract showed antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophillus paragallinarum and Clostridium perfringens type-A, but no activity against Escherichia coli. On the other hand, aqueous extract showed antibacterial activity only against Clostridium perfringens type-A, while no activity against remaining four bacteria. MTT Assay was performed to evaluate in-vitro cytotoxicity of these extracts by using Vero cell line. Cell Survival Percentage was calculated. Results of MTT assay showed that 2900, 3612.50, 4075 and 1562.50μg/ml concentrations of hexane, chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts respectively had no cytotoxic effect. The antibacterial and MTT Assay suggested that sequential extracts of dried leaves of Gymnema sylvestre can be used as a safer antibacterial agent against the above bacteria. All results were compared statistically using DMR (Duncan's Multiple Range) Post hoc test at P≤0.05 which showed that ZOI and MIC values were significantly varied between groups while there was no variation within same group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disinfectants are chemical agents used to eradicate, deactivate or kill microorganisms. Chemical disinfectants especially chlorine compound are extensively used for water sanitization. Among these calcium hypochlorite and chloramines are commonly used now a day. Large number of chemical compounds, drugs and endogenous substances are metabolized by hepatic enzymes known as cytochrome P450 enzyme system. Many chemicals are capable of enzyme induction. Enzyme induction may change the metabolism of other drugs and endogenous substances which may alter the plasma concentration of these chemicals. To evaluate the enzyme inducing ability of calcium hypochlorite and chloramine, sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital was noted in mice. Normal saline was taken as negative control. Rifampicin, chloramphenicol and grapefruit juice were taken as positive control group. On completion of dosing after 4 weeks, alteration in sleep induction and recovery times was noted and compared. Histological evaluation of liver was observed. Asignificant decrease in sleeping time was observed in calcium hypochlorite and chloramine treated groups. Both calcium hypochlorite and chloramine caused a significant change in liver enzymes and in the values of complete blood count. In histological evaluation both caused fat deposition in the hepatocytes. It was concluded from the study that both calcium hypochlorite and chloramine were hepatic microsomal enzyme inducer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytotoxic and antiviral potential of ivermectin and ribavirin was evaluated. Cytotoxicity was checked on chick primary fibroblast cell line through MTT assay. Antiviral potential was determined against Newcastle disease virus on 9-day old chicken embryos. Six different concentrations (200, 100, 50, 25, 12.5 and 6.25µg/mL) of both the drugs were evaluated. The 100µg/mL concentration of ivermectin and higher were cytotoxic. The 25ug/mL concentration of ribavirin and higher were cytotoxic. Comparison of ivermectin and ribavirin showed that ivermectin was safe at 50ug/mL and lower concentrations. Ribavirin was protective for cell at 12.5µg/mL and 6.25µg/mL only. Comparison of antiviral activity indicated that ivermectin has strong antiviral potential at 100µg/niL and higher but same concentrations were cytotoxic. Ribavirin showed strong antiviral potential at all concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study to determine the effectiveness of herbal extracts that are said to contain antiviral activity compared to commercially accessible antiviral drugs against the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H7 type). In the study, three different concentrations of extracts of fresh leaves of opuntia herb, papaya and dried powdered leaves of green tea in distilled water were analyzed. It claims that herbal medicines are mainly used in the Asian region, particularly in Pakistan, because of socio-cultural reasons and poor health care situations.

Ketoprofen (KTP) is a frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in veterinary practice for the treatment of different inflammatory conditions. This work was carried out to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of ketoprofen in healthy beetal goats. Eight goats were administered single intravenous (IV) dose of KTP (3.0mg/kg BW). Blood samples from all the goats were drawn before drug administration and then at different time intervals post administration. The KTP in plasma was estimated by using a high performance liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. Mobile phase was mixture of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile (75:25 v/v). C18 column was used as stationary phase. The flow rate was 1.0ml/minute and temperature of column oven was adjusted to 30°C. Injection volume was 20µl. Wavelength was adjusted to 254nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters of KTP in beetal goats were calculated from plasma concentration-time data with APO MW/PHARM version 3.02 pharmacokinetic software using two compartmental model. The concentration of drug in plasma at different time intervals was calculated with regression/correlation analysis. All data are reported as mean ± SEM. The pharmacokinetic parameters determined are area under the curve (AUC) 7.711±0.60µg.h/ml, maximum concentration (Cmax) 13.64±0.98µg/ml, clearance (Cl) 0.325±0.02L/h/kg, volume of distribution (VD) 1.40±0.132L/kg, steady state volume of distribution (VDss) 0.50±0.09L/kg, half-life (t1/2) 3.10±0.37hrs, and elimination constant (Kel) 2.09±0.29L/hr. Results showed rapid elimination of ketoprofen from goat. Based on pharmacokinetics parameters, KTP at dosage of 2.47mg/kg BW is appropriate in beetal goats and may be repeated after 12 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an efficient and cost-effective wound-healing substance to treat wounds and regenerate skin is desperately needed in the current world. The present study evaluated in vivo wound healing and in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory activities of propolis mediated silver nanoparticles. Extract of Bee propolis from northeast Punjab, Pakistan, has been prepared via maceration and subjected to chemical identification. The results revealed that it is rich in phenolic contents (88 ± 0.004 mg GAE ml -1 , 34 ± 0.1875 mg QE ml -1 ) hence, employed as a reducer and capping agent to afford silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by green approach. The prepared nanoparticles have been characterized by UV-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD). The propolis mediated AgNPs possess cubic face center with spherical shape and measured 50-60 nm in size. Moreover, propolis mediated silver nanoparticles have been studied for various biological activities. The results showed excellent antioxidant (0.4696 μg ml -1 ), anti-inflammatory (0.3996 μg ml -1 ) and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.462 μg ml -1 ) and Proteus mirabilis (MIC 0.659 μg ml -1 ) bacterium. An ointment was prepared by mixing AgNPs with polymeric gels for burn wound treatment in rabbits. We found rapid wound healing and higher collagen deposition in AgNPs treated wounds than in control group. Our data suggest that AgNPs from propolis ameliorate excision wounds, and hence, these AgNPs could be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of burns., (© 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved.)

Objective: To determine the type of pathogens causing bacterial endocarditis, their in vitro drug susceptibility profile and the effect of empirical antibiotic therapy in endocarditis patients., Methods: The prospective study was conducted at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, from January to November 2013. Blood samples of endocarditis patients in the 20-40 age group were collected and culture-positive patients were included in the study. Antibiotics given to patients as empirical therapy were noted. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates against various antibiotics was determined in vitro by using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. The results were interpreted as frequencies and percentages., Results: Of the 110 endocarditis patients initially scanned, 60(54.5%) were culture-positive and represented the study sample. Of them, 31(51.7%) were men and 29(48.3%) were women. The combination of Benzyl Penicillin and Gentamicin was given to 11(18.3%) patients, while combination of Vancomycin and Gentamicin and Vancomycin alone was also given to 3(5%) and 6(10%) patients respectively. Overall, 53(88.3%) isolates were Gram-positive and 7(11.7%) were Gram-negative. Among Gram-positive isolates, 39(65%) were Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, 2(3.3%) were Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 12(20%) were Streptococcus species. Among the Gram-negative group, 5(8.4%) isolates were of Escherichia coli, 2(3.3%) were of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive revealed 100% susceptibility to Vancomycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed 100% in vitro susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin+Tazobactam and Tigecycline, while Escherichia coli showed 60% susceptibility to Amikacin and Co-Amoxiclav., Conclusion: The frequency of Gram-positive organisms causing endocarditis was high. Vancomycin in Gram-positive cases revealed better in vitro efficacy, while in Gram-negative cases, Ciprofloxacin, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin+Tazobactam, Tigecycline Amikacin and Co-Amoxiclav were more effective than other antibiotics.