BioScientific Review最新文献

{"title":"Investigating the Anti-Tubercular Potential of Novel Non-Antibiotic Agents against Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis","authors":"Muhammad Fayaz Khan, Amjad Ali, Sadiq Noor Khan, Ayesha Obaid, Faryal Mehwish Awan, Anwar Sheed Khan, Abdul Jabbar","doi":"10.32350/bsr.64.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.64.04","url":null,"abstract":"Background. The ever-increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) presents an alarming challenge to existing tuberculosis (TB) treatment stratgies. Hence, the current study explores the potential of dihydroergotamine and abiraterone acetate, two non-antibiotic compounds, as innovative anti-tubercular agents. Methods. In silico analyses were conducted to identify potential drug targets for dihydroergotamine and abiraterone acetate. Subsequently, these compounds were evaluated for their bactericidal efficacy against both the reference H37Rv strain and an MDR-TB strain of M. tuberculosis in vitro. A range of drug concentrations were tested to determine their inhibitory effects. Results. Both dihydroergotamine and abiraterone acetate exhibited substantial inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis. Dihydroergotamine demonstrated efficacy at higher concentrations (128 µg and 256 µg), while abiraterone acetate exhibited potency at lower concentrations (64 µg, 128 µg, and 256 µg). The observed dose-dependent inhibitory effect emphasizes the importance of optimizing drug concentrations in anti-tubercular therapy. Conclusion. Both compounds act as potential anti-tubercular agents by effectively inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis, with abiraterone acetate demonstrating greater potency at lower concentrations. These findings suggest both compounds may be promising candidates for further research and development as potential treatments for tuberculosis.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"6 4","pages":"40-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/download/6124/2782","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147899808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Carcinogenic Effects of Lead (Pb) on Public Health","authors":"A. Chatha, Saima Naz","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.08","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.08","url":null,"abstract":"Lead (Pb) is a potentially hazardous metal that penetrates the bones and blood as well as other major organs including the skin, liver, kidneys, and brain after being absorbed by the body. It is the most abundant heavy metal found in nature and utilized for a variety of industrial purposes. Lead is used in the manufacturing of bearings and printing fonts, as well as in the manufacturing of sulfuric acid, cable coverings, soldering products, guards in nuclear power stations, shields, vessels for radiation emitting materials, paints, ceramics, chemicals, and building structures. It is advantageous for physiological and biochemical processes in living beings in low concentrations. However, when it surpasses a specific threshold, it causes significant health issues. Lead is extremely persistent in nature and its continued use causes serious toxicological impacts, such as renal failure, carcinogenicity, high blood pressure, hematological effects, brain damage, reproductive system complications (in both men and women), bone screening, heart diseases, and liver damage. The available treatments, such as chelation therapy and other types of medicines, can help to reduce its adverse effects. The objective of this review is to delineate the adverse effects of lead on the human body, spanning from childhood to adulthood. Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. The second major goal of this study is to define lead contamination and identify its sources and levels.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"39 S181","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138965350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Nutrition Education Program on Lactating Mothers in Relation to Infant Feeding Practices","authors":"Naima Shirazi, Asma Afreen, Mahnaz Nasir Khan","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.07","url":null,"abstract":"Maternal and child health status is profoundly affected by infant feeding practices. In Pakistan, these practices are sub optimal which may lead to adverse outcomes. The initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, as well as good counseling of lactating mothers regarding infant weaning and introduction of complementary foods to the infants in a hygienic and clean environment, can decrease the risk of malnutrition and infections, leading to a decrease in infant morbidity and mortality. Increasing the awareness of mothers regarding recommended feeding practices is a key to improving this situation, especially in the region of South Asia. The current study was conducted with the aim of assessing the impacts of contextually developed nutrition education sessions on the knowledge and attitudes of women regarding infant feeding. A quasi experiment was conducted for this purpose. A sample of 400 lactating mothers between 20-30 years of age visiting a private post-natal clinic located in Lahore, Pakistan was selected. Half of the sample (200) was included in the experimental group and exposed to 12 weeks of educational intervention based on various audio-visual aids. Pretest and posttest knowledge and attitude scores of the women of both control and experimental groups were recorded. The results showed that women belonging to both control and experimental groups had similar knowledge regarding infant feeding at baseline (pretest). However, experimental group showed significant improvement in knowledge scores after intervention, as compared to control. The results also revealed that simple educational intervention can lead to profound improvements in maternal knowledge and attitudes regarding infant feeding. Increasing awareness is the first step in the translation of knowledge into practice. Therefore, similar interventions may be helpful in improving infant breast and complementary feeding practices. Effective implementation of nutrition education interventions that can improve the breastfeeding rates and also bring about improvement in complementary feeding practices is important for a developing country like Pakistan. This, in turn, may lead to better health outcomes for infants by reducing direct and indirect impacts of undernutrition.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"36 S158","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138965382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endophytic Microbial Community and its Potential Applications: A Review","authors":"Muddasir Khan, Syed Hussain Shah, Fawad Hayat, Sajeela Akbar","doi":"10.32350/bsr.53.08","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.53.08","url":null,"abstract":"Endophytes are present in all plant species across the world. They assist their hosts by producing several chemicals/metabolites that provide protection and, ultimately, survival value to their host plants. In various studies, endophytes have been demonstrated to be a new and potential source of novel natural chemicals for application in modern medicine, agriculture, and industry. Endophytes have developed a variety of natural chemicals that include antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antiparasitic, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, immunosuppressive, antitubercular, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants. These chemicals are involved in biodegradation and biofertilizers that promote the growth of plants. Screening these endophytic metabolites is regarded as a promising technique to combat drug-resistant human and plant disease strains. In this review, the basic concept of endophytes, the variety of endophytic microbiome, as well as the application of endophytes are presented. This knowledge may be used to extract improved bioactive compounds from endophytes and may serve as a foundation for future research.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"16 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138984227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of Wastewater Bodies from Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan for Poliovirus","authors":"Shabab Hussain, Nazish Bostan, Sabir Hussain, Samra Zahra, Amira Mahfoudhi","doi":"10.32350/bsr.53.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.53.07","url":null,"abstract":"Poliomyelitis is a viral disease caused by the poliovirus (PV), globally. This virus is responsible for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) in children in Pakistan. Due to this virus, thousands of children are paralyzed. This virus is transmitted through wastewater in a congested population. The target group of polioviruses comprises the children with no vaccination history. Different factors are involved which create hurdles in the process of vaccination. Some of them are false beliefs, as well as the lack of security for the vaccination team in different areas of Pakistan, especially in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) region. KPK is one of the few remaining regions in the world with a high rate of PV outbreaks. In KPK, District Bannu is among the districts with the highest number of cases of PV.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"33 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138984948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multidrug-Resistant Enteric Bacteria in the Water Sources of Kalgo Metropolis, Nigeria","authors":"Abubakar Maidamma, Usman Umar Liman, Tirmizhi Munkaila, B. Gulumbe, Junaidu Abubakar, U. Aminu","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.06","url":null,"abstract":"The high incidence of diseases, such as diarrhoea, typhoid fever, cholera, and bacillary dysentery among the populace, especially in remote and developing areas, has been traced to the domestic use of contaminated water. This study aimed to isolate enteric bacteria in major drinking water sources situated within the Kalgo metropolis, Nigeria. Three water samples were aseptically collected in triplicates from three different areas of the city. After serial dilution, the samples were inoculated on nutrient agar and each sample's total viable bacterial count was taken. The enteric bacteria were isolated and identified using standard protocols. The isolates were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. The inhibition zones were measured in millimeters(mm). Seven (7) different species of bacteria were isolated from the collected water samples.The isolated organisms included Shigella spp., Serratia spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Proteus spp., Yersinia spp., and Salmonella spp. Among these bacterial isolates, E. coli and Salmonella spp.were found to have the highest frequency of 29.63% and 25.93%, respectively. While, Serratia spp.had the lowest frequency of 3.9%. The sensitivity profile showed that E. coli, Salmonella spp.,Klebsiella spp., Shigella spp., and Serratia spp. were resistant to ampicillin. In contrast, Proteus spp. and Yersinia spp. showed high and intermediate susceptibility, respectively.The presence of multidrug-resistant enteric bacteria in water samples suggests the need to improve water quality through its assessment and treatment before use.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139243475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant Tissue Culture and Formation of Secondary Metabolites - A Review","authors":"Wasiq Ikram, Tooba Sehar, Muhammad Khurshid, Affifa Atta, Abdul Qadeer Wahla, Syed Muhammad Waqas Gillani, Muhammad Adil Rehman","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.02","url":null,"abstract":"Many copies of a single plant can be grown using the plant tissue culture technology. These copies have the right characteristics to satisfy medical and nutritional demands. Secondary metabolites are purposefully synthesized by using the in vitro technique. These metabolites act as protectors for plants during stressful conditions and offer resistance against different organisms and factors, ultimately helping the plant to survive. With the passage of time, the development of new instruments for the improved synthesis of secondary metabolites via the genetic control of biosynthetic pathways has been aided by the speedy development of recombinant DNA technology. Plants generate a wide range of secondary metabolites that have various biological functions, such as fungicide, herbicide, anti-parasitic, and anti- microbial functions. Nanotechnology has the potential to drastically alter conventional plant growing methods and bring about the synthesis of flavonoids, anthocyanin, and diosgenin by using silver nanoparticles and cadmium oxide nanoparticles (CdONPs). The technique of callus cultures is increasingly utilized to produce secondary metabolites. Hence, the main objective of the current review is to increase the synthesis of secondary metabolites.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"19 23","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139275625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigation of Phytoestrogens Found in Sesame Seeds via Computational and Translational Approaches","authors":"Fatima Haider, Sania Riaz, Rafia Shakeel, Khansa Hafeez, Ushna Zainab Qureshi, R. Rehman","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.05","url":null,"abstract":"Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that primarily impacts reproductive-aged women. Phytoestrogens, also known as plant oestrogens, are naturally occurring compounds with a chemical structure similar to that of human oestrogen. In this study, rational and translational approaches were used to check the efficacy of phytoestrogens found in sesame seeds. The objectives included the prediction and comparison of proteins responsible for PCOS, that is, MADH4 and phytoestrogens (ascorbic acid and thiamine) present in sesame seeds. Moreover, their interaction and inhibition of the target protein through molecular docking as a rational layout were recorded. The effects of these phytochemicals were further confirmed by using PCOS induced Sprague dawley rats with standard drug Clomiphene citrate. In the translational study, PCOS was induced in an animal model and ovulation and estrous cycles were observed. Afterwards, the effects of the crude extract of sesame seed were further confirmed by measuring the levels of progesterone, testosterone, and estrogen serum levels in control, positive control, and all the sesame seed and standard drug treated groups. Two lead compounds namely ascorbic acid and thiamine obtained from sesame seeds showed the best results as compared to the standard drug Clomiphene citrate which imparts immunotoxicity against MADH4 protein responsible for the onset of PCOS. Furthermore, different stages of ovulation namely proestrus, metestrus, estrus, and diestrus were observed with vaginal smears obtained in the disease induction time period. The results obtained from the hormonal profile of all the groups indicated that the progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone levels were statistically significant with p-values less than 0.05. The findings indicated that sesame seeds possess the capability to suppress the expression of MADH4, while also maintaining the regulated hormone levels.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139277685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessment of Heavy Metals Concentration in Different Organs of Labeo rohita and Cyprinus carpio","authors":"Amina Zulfiqar, Muhammad Amjad Khan, R. Yasmeen, S. S. Bokhari","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.04","url":null,"abstract":"The current study was conducted to assess the concentration of heavy metals in rohu (Labeo rohita) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio). A total of three sites namely Rawal Lake Islamabad, Head Balloki, and a private fish farm in Muridke were selected. Fish were dissected and tissues from the liver, kidneys, gills, and muscles were separated. Chemical digestion of samples was carried out with aqua regia. Three metals namely chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) were detected by using atomic absorption spectroscopy in the labs of Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PSCIR), Lahore, Pakistan. All metals were found at a higher level in different tissues of both the fish species. The overall trend of metals in the two fish species namely rohu and carp was recorded as Hg > Cd > Cr. It was observed that the level of Hg remained very high as compared to other metals. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and significant differences at p < 0.001 were noticed for the metals in different organs. While, independent sample t test showed non-significant differences at p > 0.483 between the two fish species. The liver was found to have the highest metal load, followed by the kidneys and gills. The metal load was above the permissible limit set by World Health Organization (WHO). However, the heavy metals concentration in muscles was below the permissible limit. It was noticed that heavy metal contamination was higher in Rawal Lake as compared to the private fish farm. It was concluded that contaminated water bodies are affecting the exposed organisms. So, there is a need to save them from pollutants for the best survival of aquatic life.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"124 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139277017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the Antibacterial Activity of Moringa oleifera Leaves Extracts against Pathogenic Bacterial Isolates","authors":"Sadia Batool, Saba Saba, Atia Iqbal, Azka Naveed, Afshan Zia","doi":"10.32350/bsr.54.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.32350/bsr.54.03","url":null,"abstract":"Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections pose a major threat to global health. The emergence of antibiotic resistance is due to the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. To overcome this problem, phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants present an attractive alternative. This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Moringa oleifera leaves extracts against human pathogens. Moringa oleifera leaves were collected and their extracts were prepared in methanol, ethanol, water, and dimethyl sulfoxide solvents. Human pathogenic bacteria were isolated from the urine, sputum, and blood samples of patients from a tertiary care hospital in Lahore. Bacterial isolates were characterized based on their morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. Antibacterial activity of antibiotics was checked through the disc diffusion method. Furthermore, the ability of bacterial strains to form biofilms was observed using qualitative ring test and quantitative microtiter plate assay. Bacterial strains were identified as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera leaves extracts, checked by agar well diffusion assay, displayed maximum inhibitory effect (25 mm) in aqueous extract against the strain E2. All of the bacterial strains were found resistant to almost all tested antibiotics, except fosfomycin and amikacin. All bacterial isolates exhibited the potential of biofilm formation. Among all isolates, E2 and E3 bacterial strains appeared as strong slime producers. It was concluded that the significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of Moringa oleifera leaves extracts present it as a potential source for novel therapeutic compounds. So, it should be purified and characterized further by using advanced techniques.","PeriodicalId":249784,"journal":{"name":"BioScientific Review","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139289521","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}