Background/Aim:The compelling evidence reported that selenium is an essential trace mineral for human beings. Selenium plays a pivotal role in the restoration of immune functions. High rates of hepatitis B and C are present in Pakistan. Epidemiologic surveys demonstrated an inverse association between selenium (Se) level and regional cancer incidence, as well as viral infection. The present study was designed to evaluate the concentration of selenium in the serum of patients suffering from hepatitis B and C.Patients and Methods:In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, serum selenium concentration of 150 patients suffering from hepatitis B and C, along with 26 healthy controls, was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with hydride generation system, model Analytic Jena (Vario III).Results:The mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis C were 101.60±0.55 and 77.43±0.47 μ g/L, respectively, whereas the mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis B were 107.58±0.44 and 137.8±0.36 μg/L. Analysis of t test showed significant difference between C and B (P<0.001) patients in serum selenium concentration, when compared with the control.Conclusion:The obtained results indicate that serum selenium concentration of hepatitis B and C patients is less than serum selenium concentration of healthy individuals. However, serum selenium decline is relative to severity of disease. Based on findings of this study, it is proposed that selenium should be supplemented in such patients in order to optimize nutritional support and to get better treatment response.

High rates of hepatitis B and C are present in Pakistan. Epidemiological surveys demonstrated an inverse association between selenium (Se) level and regional cancer incidence, as well as viral infection. In this cross-sectional descriptive analytical study, serum selenium concentration of 150 patients suffering from hepatitis B and C patients, along with 26 healthy controls, was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with hydride generation system. The mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis C were 101.60 ± 0.55 and 77.43 ± 0.47 μg/l, respectively, while the mean and standard deviation of serum selenium concentration observed in male and female patients with hepatitis B was 107.58 ± 0.44 and 137.8 ± 0.36 μg/l. Analysis of t test showed significant difference between hepatitis C and B (P < 0.001) patients in serum selenium concentration when compared with control.

Theamethanolicoextractsaofffiveeaerial parts ofaMoringa oleifera Lamwwereascreened for their antibacterial, antibiofilm and hemolytic activity."Theaphytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts of aerial parts was also evaluated. The antibacterial, antibiofilmiactivityiof the extractssof various aerial parts of M. oleifera was evaluated by disc diffusion and micro titer plate assay method against two selected bacterial species. Hemolyticaactivity of the methanoliciextracts was screened against normal human erythrocytes. Comparatively the methanolic extracts of all aerial parts were more effective against Gram positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) .The present study suggests that all aerial parts of this plant can be used as an antibacterial, anti-biofilm agent in treating ailments caused by the tested organisms (Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli). Methanolic extracts of aerial parts possessed minimum hemolytic activity. Significant antimicrobial, antibiofilm activity of the extract was found in this study.

Objectives: The persuasive evidence shows that proper Zinc (Zn) nutrition is important for human health. Hence an attempt was made to evaluate the serum Zn levels in children suffering from high respiratory infection in children aged 2-12years in Pakistan. Study Design: Case-control study. Setting: Jinnah Medical Teaching Hospital Peshawar with the collaboration of National Physical Standard Laboratory PCSIR Islamabad. Period: March 2017 to March 2019. Material & Methods: 60 children who were suffering from upper respiratory tract infection and were admitted in the Paediatric ward of Jinnah medical teaching hospital Peshawar. 60 normal controls of the same genders with an age range 2-12 years were selected for this study. Serum zinc levels were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The serum zinc level was found to be low in 80% patients. Mean ±SD of serum zinc were 58.9 ±2.70µg/dl in diseased group and 100 ±2.22µg/dl in controls respectively. In patients serum zinc level was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (P<0.001). Conclusion: We may conclude that Zinc deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of upper tract respiratory infection since most diseased children have low serum Zn level.

Moringa oleifera extracts have been used in herbal medicines by various communities in different parts of the world. It is a multipurpose tree with a magnificent profile of medicinal uses, high nutritional values and pharmacological activities. Various parts of this plant such as the flower, seed, immature pod, stem bark, leaf and root, possesses anti-oxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, anti-hepatotoxic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemia, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, antiepileptic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. An attempt was made to evaluate the healing properties of the methanolic extract of different aerial parts of Ultraviolet light-B was used to induce psoriasisform changes in rats. Irradiated rats were divided into 8 groups (6 rats/groups). The first group left untreated served as a control were given normal lab feed and a second group which served as the standard was administered retinoic acid (0.5 mg/kg) orally. Group III to Group VIII were administered orally with the methanolic extracts from aerial parts of M. oleifera (200 mg/kg bw) and (400 mg/kg bw). Data collected in this study was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 16. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in epidermal thickness of control and drugs treated group. The methanolic extracts from aerial parts of M. oleifera used for treatment, enhanced fibroplasia, reduced inflammation and produced high amounts of scar tissue and enhanced the rate of wound healing and re-epithelisation compared to control. The plant extracts were effective against psoriasiform changes in rats. Though, more studies are required to assess which of its known ingredients are responsible for the antipsoriatic effects. The constituents of M. oleifera should be considered for further studies.

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Objective: The persuasive evidence shows that proper iron (Fe) nutrition has a chief role in human health. Hence a study was designed to estimate the serum iron in psoriatic patients in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: 500 patients (males & females) with different ages and different types of psoriasis were randomly chosen for this study. Similarly 100 non–psoriatic volunteers, sex and age matched were included who served as controls were evaluated for serum iron level. Serum iron level was measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: The serum iron level was found to be low in 80% patients. Mean ± SD of serum iron was 850.40 ± 2.30 µg/dL in disease group and 898.10 ± 1.50 µg/dL in control subjects. In patients serum iron level was notably lower than normal healthy control subjects (p<0.001) Conclusion: It was concluded that deficiency of iron may play a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and routine serum iron estimation in patient with psoriasis will be helpful in evaluating and describing the severity of psoriasis.