Objective This study investigates the association of preventive measures with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seropositivity. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Combined Military Hospital Kharian Medical College, Pakistan, in September 2020. A total of 442 participants from three different strata (faculty, students, and administration/technical staff) were enrolled using a convenient sampling technique. A rapid antibody testing method was used to detect antibodies. The Ichroma™ COVID-19 Ab test is an in vitro diagnostic device that helps in the rapid identification of COVID-19 by measuring the levels of IgG and IgM antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the blood. An automated fluorescent immunoassay system (AFIAS-6), with a clinical sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity of 96.7%, was used for qualitative analysis. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, and data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results In total, 442 participants were included in the study: 40 (9%) faculty members, 299 (67%) students, and 103 (23.3%) administrative/technical staff. As many as 14.9% of the participants were symptomatic; 32.4% always used masks, and 14% never wore masks. Furthermore, 69.7% of participants frequently washed their hands for 20 s, and 75.6% were aware of social distancing. A total of 16.96% of participants tested positive for IgG antibodies. Moreover, most of the administration/technical staff who tested positive for IgG were asymptomatic (68.42%). A significant association ( p < 0.001) was found between following the safety guidelines (wearing masks, handwashing, and social distancing) and the occurrence of COVID-19. Conclusion This study showed a higher seroprevalence rate than other studies as it was conducted toward the end of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are still far from achieving herd immunity. Furthermore, strict compliance with preventive measures is the only way to ensure safety until an effective vaccine is developed.
Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) are vascular multifactorial, multigenic ailments with intricate genetic, environmental risk influences. The present study aimed to establish affiliation of CVAs/stroke with blood parameters, differences in prescribed drugs consumption, and with differences in homocysteine pathway genes polymorphisms. The participants in study included controls n = 251, transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients n = 16, and stroke cases n = 122, respectively, (total participants, n = 389). The analyzed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) included C677T(rs1801133), A1298C(rs1801131) of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), A2756G(rs1805087) of methyl tetrahydrofolate homocysteine methyltransferase/methionine synthase (MS), and the A192G(rs662) of paraoxonase 1(PON1) genes, all validated by tetra-primer allele refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR). The insertion deletion (I/D; rs4646994) polymorphism in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene was analyzed using routine PCR. All studied traits were scrutinized through analysis of variance (ANOVA), and later through regression analysis. Through ANOVA and multiple comparison, there was association of CVA with serum homocysteine, cholesterol, and with diastolic blood pressure readings. When data was subjected to regression, serum homocysteine and diastolic blood pressure (significant through ANOVA), as well as two additional traits, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and rs1801133 MTHFR SNP sustained statistical significance and noteworthy odds in relation to CVA and stroke. The ailments affecting cerebral vasculature are mutifactorial, whereby genes, proteins, and environmental cues all exert cumulative effects enhancing CVA risk. The current study emphasizes that SNPs and variation in circulating biomarkers can be used for screening purposes and for reviewing their effects in stroke/CVA-linked risk progression.
Aims: To determine the effect of Ethanolic extract of walnut leaves on lipid profile i.e seum total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low density and high-density lipoprotein. Atherogenic index in Hypercholesterolemic rats was calculated using serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios. Methodology: Total 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were further divided into three groups (C, HC and EE) comprising ten rats per group. Group 1 (Control group, C). Group 2 (Hypercholesterolemic control, HC) and Group 3 (Ethanolic Extract Group EE) were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks before administration of walnut leaf extract. Ethanolic extract (EE) of walnut leaves was given in a dose of (200mg/kg) through gavage needle once daily for four weeks. Blood Sampling was done at the beginning (Baseline, after week 8 and week 12 to perform lipid profile. Results: Serum mid- cholesterol levels (08 weeks) in HC were significantly raised to 164±7.90 mg/dl (p<0.001) as compared to 57.75±6.64mg/dl), which confirmed the development of hypercholesterolemia. Post-cholesterol levels of EE (after 12 weeks) was decreased to 52.8±4.42 mg/dl compared with 153.2±5.92 mg/dl in HC group in (p<0.001). Group 3 had significantly lower levels of of serum triglycerides, LDL and high levels of HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) as compared to HC group 2 and 12 weeks versus 8 weeks of EE of walnut supplementation. The atherogenic index calculated by serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of walnut leaves have hypolipidemic effects decreasing serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios while elevating the good cholesterol HDL. Keywords: Atherogenic ratio, Cholesterol, Dietary Lipids, Lipoprotein metabolism, Walnut supplementation
Objectives: To carry out a comparison between serum BDNF levels as well as enhancement in upper limb motor function in terms of gross movement, pinch, grip, primary grasp, pre and post intervention in the study and control groups. Study design And Setting: It was a Randomized Control Study conducted from March 2015 to March 2016 at Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi in collaboration with the Multidisciplinary research laboratory at Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi. Methodology: In this study; forty stroke patients were randomly designated to either the study group or the control group. Upper limb activity capability which was quantified by Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) and serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) was measured in both control and study group. The control group underwent traditional upper limb physiotherapy for 16 sessions. The study group underwent Constraint Induced Movement Therapy for the upper limb in combination with the use of motion capture video gaming technology for 16 sessions each of twenty minutes duration. Before and after completion of intervention sessions; ARAT and serum BDNF were measured and compared in both control and study groups. Results: Serum BDNF levels was significantly improved in study group as compare to control group (p<0.001). ARAT showed significant improvement in study group participants as compare to control groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: Virtual rehabilitation was an efficacious method for Neuroplastic enhancement in stroke patients
Background: Various medicinal herb plants are being used in place of metformin for treatment of polycystic ovarian disease for their less harmful effects. Withania coagulans (WC) is a herb known for its insulin sensitizing and weight reducing properties. The present study was done to determine the influence of aqueous extract of Withania coagulans (aqWC) and metformin on ovarian weight and ovarian folliculogenesis in polycystic ovarian disease-induced rats. Material and Methods: An experimental animal study was carried out at the Physiology Department of Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi from April 2016 to March 2017. Forty female Sprague Dawley rats were divided initially into two groups. Group A (Normal Control) and Disease induced group. Standardized laboratory diet was fed to Group A while the disease induced group was given standardized laboratory diet and letrozole solution orally (1mg/kg) for 21 days to induce Polycystic ovary syndrome, which was established by observing estrous cycle of rats. Disease induced group was then split into group B (PCOS control), C (Aqueous Withania coagulans treated) and D (Metformin treated) and observed after 14 days. Groups A and B underwent ovarian dissection after 21 days and groups C and D underwent dissection at the end of experiment (after 35 days). Independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the control and disease induced group. Results: Group B showed a significant increase in ovarian weight in comparison to group A rats (P < .05). Treatment with Withania coagulans and metformin significantly decreased ovarian weight (P < .05) and increased primary, Graafian, antral follicular count and corpus luteum along with reduction in cystic follicular count in letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian disease rats. Improved folliculogenesis was also observed in the same groups (groups C & D). Conclusions: Withania coagulans can be a substitute for improvement of ovarian follicular development in polycystic ovarian disease.
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