BioScientific Review

Effects of Hepatitis on Diabetic Profile, Renal Function, and Hematological Factors in HCV Positive Patients Diagnosed via Real-Time PCR

2025-08-16T03:40:27+00:00

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne infection that has spread all over the world. Around 10 million people in Pakistan are impacted by HCV, while over 58 million people worldwide have a chronic HCV infection. HCV is well known for its severe effects on the liver as well as its extra-hepatic manifestations.

Objective. This study assessed the renal profile (urea and creatinine), hematological factors (Hb, HCT, MCV), and diabetic profile (blood glucose fasting, blood glucose random, and HbA1c) of HCV-positive patients confirmed by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). The main aim was to determine the impact of hepatitis infection.

Methodology. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on patients diagnosed as HCV-positive by using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Their diabetic, renal, and hematological association with HCV was observed and analyzed by using SPSS 25.

Results. Out of 296 HCV-positive patients, 174 (58.8%) were male and 122 (41.2%) were female, indicating that HCV was found to be more prevalent in male patients. There was no statistical association found between HbA1c and gender. However, there was found a significant association of blood glucose fasting and blood glucose random with gender. Renal and hematological profiles were also disturbed in HCV-infected individuals.

Conclusion. Health professionals may benefit from this study by managing disrupted profiles more effectively and providing improved patient care. Additional research on the disrupted hematological, renal, and diabetic profiles may improve the treatment conditions for patients since these profiles revealed a variety of extra-hepatic symptoms in this study

Evaluating Cardiovascular Risk: Lipid Profile Changes Due to Pesti-cide Exposure in Agricultural Sprayers - A Case-Control Study

2025-08-20T09:27:14+00:00

Introduction. There are several threats to the human body from the potentially hazardous chemicals used in crop fields, such as pesticides. This investigation aims to assess variations in the serum lipid profile associated with pesticide exposure.

Methodology. For this case-control study, 131 participants were recruited. These included 71 pesticide sprayers and 60 healthy individuals who served as the control group, all from the rural areas of South Punjab, Pakistan. The lipid biomarkers of the participants were evaluated using a biochemistry analyzer and the results were statistically analyzed through GraphPad Prism.

Results. The results indicated that TG (triglycerides) and TC (total cholesterol) levels significantly (p<0.001) increased with a prominent increase in LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and VLDL-C (very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) (p<0.001 and 0.011 respectively). However, a significant decrease in HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) (p=0.006) was observed in sprayers as compared to the control group.

Conclusion. These alterations may be attributed to oxidative stress and hepatic dysfunction induced by prolonged pesticide exposure. The results are based on the hypothesis that significant alterations in the lipid profile anticipate potential health risks associated with pesticide exposure.

HPLC-Based Elucidation of Tannins from the Tissue and Callus Culture Extracts of Selected Medicinal Plants

2025-09-27T04:04:45+00:00

Optimized HPLC profiling is a powerful and effective analytical tool for standardizing plant samples and authenticating plant materials. In this study, three selected medicinal plants: Achyranthes aspera, Ipomoea hederacea, and Ocimum basilicum were subjected to callus induction following seedling, leaf, and stem germination. The induced callus was subsequently dried, finely ground, and extracted using methanol and water for HPLC analysis. A validated procedure was employed to identify and separate the tannin content in seedling leaf, stem, and callus culture extracts. The highest callogenic response was observed in A. aspera leaf explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 4.0 mg/L NAA. These callus cultures exhibited a green color and granular morphology. Conversely, the lowest callogenesis response was noted in I. hederacea stem explants grown on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP, resulting in brown-colored, granular callus.

HPLC fingerprinting was performed using a Shimadzu LC-20A system with a retention time of 2.9 minutes at 270 nm to ensure quality consistency in tannin analysis across different plant parts. Among all explants and callus culture samples, O. basilicum leaf callus culture extract exhibited the highest sample area (9365.56) and the highest tannin content (95.04%). Furthermore, the tannin content of O. basilicum (2.66) and A. aspera (7.81) leaf callus culture extracts demonstrated superior precision and accuracy in relative standard deviation values compared to stem seedling tissues and other callus culture extracts.HPLC profiling proves to be an accurate, efficient, and precise method for evaluating tannin content in selected plant samples. Moreover, these plants hold significant potential for isolating bioactive compounds in pure form, which could be harnessed for pharmaceutical applications. The optimized chromatographic fingerprint serves not only as an alternative analytical tool for authentication but also as a crucial method for standardizing the quality of medicinal plant compounds.

Role of Rhizofungus (Aspergillus terreus) in improving biochemical and physiological parameters effected by lead Stress in Allium sativum L.

2025-09-27T04:05:14+00:00

Background. Lead (Pb) contamination poses significant environmental and health risks, particularly in agricultural soils, affecting both plant growth and human health. Pb disrupts key physiological processes in plants, leading to reduced growth, nutrient uptake, and photosynthesis, while contributing to neurotoxicity in humans. Our study examines the role of symbiotic rhizo-fungi in mitigating Pb-induced stress in Allium sativum L. (garlic), with a focus on improvements in both agronomic and biochemical traits. Our study explores the potential of symbiotic rhizo-fungi to mitigate Pb-induced stress in Allium sativum L. (garlic), focusing on improvements in plant growth and biochemical attributes under heavy metal stress.

Method. Garlic plants were exposed to five Pb treatments (30 ppm, 30 ppm + symbiotic rhizo-fungi, control).

Results. Pb exposure led to significant reductions in root and shoot lengths, fresh and dry weights, and seed germination, with decline in chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. However, co-application of rhizo-fungi improved plant performance, with an 18% increase in shoot length and 25% improvement in chlorophyll content compared to Pb-treated plants. Electrolyte leakage decreased by 15%, while RWC improved by 20%, demonstrating the protective role of rhizo-fungi under Pb stress.

Conclusion. Our study highlights the potential of symbiotic rhizo-fungi to mitigate Pb stress in garlic, improving both growth and biochemical parameters. The findings suggest that rhizo-fungi is an effective bio-remediating agent, enhancing crop resilience in contaminated soils.

Risk Factors and Prevalence of Contrast Sensitivity Impairment among Commercial Motor-Vehicle Drivers in Benin City Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria

2025-09-27T04:05:50+00:00

Background: Contrast sensitivity (CS) is an innate ability of the eyes to discern a variation in luminance or brightness between an object and its background in a certain locations within a space. CS is important for a variety of situations when driving, including recognizing lane markers, road signs, and oncoming traffic especially in low contrast environments—such as at night or in bad weather. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and prevalence of contrast sensitivity impairment among commercial motor-vehicle drivers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 341 commercial motor-vehicle drivers aged ≥ 20 years in Benin City using purposive random sampling technique. Data were collected using a modified National Eye Institute Vision Functioning Questionnaire–25. Pelli-Robson test was done to assess contrast sensitivity. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 29.0, and Chi-square test was used to observe significant differences between contrast sensitivity and associated risk factors.

Results: A total of 341 commercial drivers participated in the study. Males were 326 (95.6%) and females were 15 (4.4%). The prevalence of contrast sensitivity impairment was 21.7%, and increases with increase in age from 7.9% among age groups 20 – 30 years to 48.0% among age group > 60 years. Higher educational level was found to decrease CS impairment.

Conclusion: The high prevalence of CS in this study could be a threat to safe driving especially in low contrast environments. Routine CS assessment of drivers is recommended prior to issuance of driver’s license and relicensing.

Advances in Understanding Candida Species: Mechanisms of Antifungal Resistance and Emerging Therapies

2025-09-20T05:15:02+00:00

Background. The rising incidence of fungal infections and the growing threat of antifungal resistance have heightened the clinical importance of medical mycology. Candida species, particularly Candida albicans, are major contributors to fungal diseases, including vulvovaginal and oral candidiasis.

Methods. This mini review critically analyzed the current literature on Candida infection, primarily Candida albicans, growing antifungal resistance, and therapeutic limitations. Furthermore, this review also explored the emerging therapeutic strategies, including novel antifungal agents and nanotechnology-based strategies to overcome biofilm-related resistance.

Results. Recent studies highlight a rising prevalence of non-albicans Candida species (NAC), many of which exhibit increased antifungal resistance and a tendency for persistent infections. Nevertheless, Candida albicans remains a major pathogenic species, capable of evading the host immune response through robust biofilm formation and other virulence factors.

Conclusion. Infections caused by Candida species pose a significant healthcare challenge due to their rising incidence and increasing resistance to conventional antifungals. The complexity of the infection(s) is due to C.albicans accompanied by non-albicans species. This review emphasized on urgent need of emerging therapeutic strategies for biofilm-associated resistance.

Veterinary Reproductive Ultrasonography: Advances, Applications, and Future Prospects

2025-09-20T09:04:50+00:00

Background. Ultrasonography is a vital imaging tool in veterinary practice, particularly for reproductive assessment and pregnancy monitoring in animals. Modern ultrasound devices are compact, affordable, and efficient, facilitating their widespread clinical use. Initially applied in livestock for early pregnancy detection in the 1980s, this technique now aids in managing reproductive disorders. Despite its benefits, only a limited number of veterinarians utilize it beyond basic pregnancy diagnosis.

Methods. This review examines the current literature on veterinary reproductive ultrasonography, as well as its various applications, types, modes including A-mode (1D), B-mode (2D), M-mode (motion), and Doppler (blood flow), diagnostic purposes, proper probe selection, patient preparation (hair trimming, gel application), and machine settings. Data from several studies are analyzed to summarize the uses of reproductive ultrasonography in domestic animals.

Results. Ultrasonography enables early pregnancy detection (as early as Day 20-25 in small ruminants and Day 23-30 in cattle), fetal viability assessment, and sex determination (Day 55-60). It accurately monitors ovarian structures (follicles, corpus luteum) and detects reproductive disorders (endometritis, pyometra). Doppler ultrasound evaluates blood flow, while M-mode tracks fetal heart activity. This technique is safe, non-invasive, and enhances the efficiency of reproductive management.

Conclusion. Ultrasonography is a safe, non-invasive, and a highly effective tool for reproductive management in veterinary medicine. It enhances early pregnancy diagnosis, fetal monitoring, and infertility management in livestock and companion animals. Despite its advantages, underutilization persists due to limited expertise among practitioners. Further research is needed to explore its long-term biological effects, though current evidence supports its diagnostic safety and reliability.

Influence of energy drinks on different cardiovascular parameters of healthy young males and females

2025-09-27T04:06:24+00:00

Energy drink intake is associated with acute changes in cardiovascular indices. However, amplitudes of electrocardiographic waves are scarcely studied and gender difference is also not very much explored. Purpose of preset study is to observe changes in electrocardiograph under the influence of energy drinks with focus on gender difference. Twenty healthy participants of average age of 22 years were enrolled in this study out of which half were males and half were females. This study was conducted in Department of Physiology, University of Karachi from July to October 2019. Participants were asked to have 500 ml of energy drinks and limb lead electrocardiography was done before (Before ED) and 2 hours after (After ED) drink intake. Recording and data analysis was done through Powerlab. Heart rate corrected QT interval (QTc), R wave and T wave amplitudes and heart rate were calculated and analyzed. Qtc was found increased (10%) in After-ED as compared to Before-ED. In contrast, T wave was found reduced (37%) in After-AD. These results were statistically significant (P < 0.05). These changes in QTc and T waves were similar in both males and females. Heart rate was not found changed in males but in females heart rate was increased from average 82 bpm in Before-ED to 92 bpm in After-ED and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Acute intake of energy drinks produces acute changes in electrocardiogram with no gender difference thus regular intake of these drinks should be avoided.