Immunity Boosting Medicinal Plants to Beat Covid -19 in Seraj Block of Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh

Purpose: This study aimed to document the present status of medicinal plants used to boost the immunity to combat Coronavirus. Materials and Methods: For the assessment and use of herbs during the Covid 19 pandemic, surveys were conducted in different villages of Seraj block. The surveys were conducted during the spread of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021. Local people were interviewed and information on the utilization of local herbs during this pandemic was recorded. Information on parts used, the procedure of use, habit, habitat, etc. was also collected. Results: A total of 58 species of medicinal plants from 27 families and 42 genera were documented. Among them, the most dominant family was Rosaceae. Most of the plants such as Morchella sp, Naustratium officinale,Taraxacum officinale ,Urtica dioica ,Allium sp,Withania foraminifera, Curcuma longa, Cannabis, Mentha, Ocimum sanctum are rich in antioxidants and have a wide range of medicinal values used to treat cough, cold, fever, and bronchitis. All these plants were used traditionally to boost immunity. Due to the covid -19 pandemic, the utilization of these herbal plants has increased many folds in the area. These medicinal plants should be made available to scientists to design clinical trials. Integration of this concept would certainly develop drug therapy in the near future. Conclusion: The study found that the use of medicinal plants has increased during COVID-19 and most of the respondents recommended medicinal plants to prevent COVID-19 and to boost immunity. More studies should be conducted to develop certain formulations.

Clinical Conditions and Risk Factors of Acinetobacter Baumannii Producing Metallo Beta-Lactamases Among Hospitalized Patients

Purpose: The study aimed to determine the clinical conditions and risk factors associated with MBL produced by A.bumannii among hospitalized patients. Subjects and Methods: The clinical samples were collected from inpatients and subcultured on routine culture media for growth. Identification of bacteria along with antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done by VITEK®2 compact (bioMerieux). Isolates that were resistant to Meropenem and/or Imipenem were followed to detection of MBL by using metallo-β-lactamases by imipenem EDTA combined disc test (IMP-EDTA CDT) method. Demographic and clinical data of each patient were collected in terms of the type of infection, hospital-stay, associated factors, and outcome till discharge. Results: A number of 73(86.9%) isolates of A.baumannii were resistant to carbapenem. out of 73 carbapenem-resistant isolates, 64(87.7%) were found to be MBL positive. The patients with age more than 60 years i.e. 35.9% (23/64) were found to be more common in MBL positive isolates of A. baumannii. The difference in the distribution of MBL positive and MBL negative cases with endotracheal intubation and in Surgery during the last 30 days of incubation was found to be statistically significant. The mortality rate of patients infected by MBL positive isolates of A.baumannii was 12.5%. Conclusion: The MBL positive strains among carbapenem-resistant isolates of A.baumannii were high. endotracheal intubation and Surgery during the last 30 days were independently associated with MBL positive cases.

The Comparison Between Reproductive Performance in Synchronized and Spontaneous Estrus Sheep

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to compare the reproductive performance in synchronized and spontaneous estrus sheep raised under farm conditions. Subjects and Method: Two hundred Karadi and Two hundred Awassi were used in this study. Of each breed, 100 ewes were allowed to come in estrus spontaneously and the other 100 ewes were synchronized using intravaginal sponges (ESPONJAVET, HIPRA, Amer, Girona, SPAIN). Ewes were injected with intramuscular injection of 500 IU of PMSG when sponges were removed on day 14. Results: This study revealed that estrus synchronization had a higher rate of lambing (P=0.014), twining (P<0.001), dystocia (P=0.024), and barrenness (P=0.012) in Karadi ewes. Estrus synchronization also had a significantly higher rate of lambing (P=0.018), twining (P=0.017), abortion (P<0.001), barrenness (P=0.012) and productivity (P=0.010) in Awassi ewes. the result of the current study shows that the barrenness rate was higher in spontaneously ovulated ewes compared to synchronized Awassi ewes. The result of the current study shows that the abortion rate was higher in spontaneous ewes compared to synchronized ewes. The twinning rate was higher in synchronized compared to spontaneous Karadi ewes. Conclusion: In both breeds, synchronized ewes had higher reproductive efficiency compared to ewes that had spontaneous estrus.

Efficacy of Hayman Suture in the Treatment of Atonic Postpartum Hemorrhage

Purpose: The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Hayman’s suture in the management of Atonic postpartum hemorrhage. Subjects and Method: The study includes 37 patients who developed severe atonic PPH not responsive to pharmacological measures at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Aswan University hospital, in the period between Mars 2018 and December 2019. This is a case series study of 37 patients upon whom Hayman suture is applied when failed to respond to medical management, step-wise devascularization of the uterus is attempted when the suture cannot control the bleeding alone, reserving hysterectomy as a last resort when all measures are failed. Results: Results of the research None of the 37 patients of our study required hysterectomy to control the bleeding, Hayman suture succeeded solely to arrest the hemorrhage in 30 patients (81.1%), while 7 patients(18.9%) required step-wise devascularization of the uterus with Hayman suture to stop the bleeding. It is not uncommon for complications to be described with the use of uterine compression sutures. In our study, we did not report any complications. Conclusion: The application of Hayman’s suture is a fast, efficient, non-complex, lifesaving and fertility-sparing technique to control atonic postpartum hemorrhage.

Simultaneous Use of Factor XIII and Fibrin Degradation Products in Diagnosing Early Cases of NEC and Neonatal SEPSIS

Purpose: The study examined the use of factor XIII and fibrin degradation products in diagnosing early cases of NEC and neonatal sepsis. Methods: Sixty neonates were divided into two groups. 30 preterm neonates suspected with early NEC Diagnosis of NEC was confirmed by modified Bell’s score and 30 preterm neonates with symptoms of neonatal sepsis; where sepsis was confirmed by blood culture and CRP. Laboratory evaluation of FDPs and plasma factor XIII was done for all the patients. The study was carried out in a tertiary NICU of the pediatric department, Ain Shams University Hospital. All enrolled neonates had a matched mean birth weight and gestational age. They were either moderate preterms >32 weeks, but <34 weeks, and late preterms >34 weeks, but <37 weeks). Results: The results indicate a correlation between FDPs and the laboratory data of group B, and it was found out that FDPs were negatively correlated with TLC, Plate-lets, and CRP, reflecting FDPs increase with bone marrow suppression and progression of sepsis. Factor XIII was significantly lower in the group with NEC as compared to the group of sepsis (p<0.001), while FDPs level was significantly higher in the group with sepsis (p<. 0.001). The correlation between the clinical stages of NEC BELL's score and the level of Initial factor XIII level revealed that the factor level is negatively correlated with stage I of BELL's score. The follow-up revealed that there was no correlation between BELL's score and the level of follow-up factor XIII. On follow-up, the current study demonstrated that TLC, CRP, FDPS, PTT were significantly increased in the sepsis group with p values of 0.021,, 0.001, 0.001 and 0.01. The current study found significantly higher partial thromboplastin time (PTT) in the group with sepsis Conclusion: Factor XIII level can predict early cases of NEC and can differentiate it from neo-natal sepsis.

Assessment of Thyroid Functions in Late Preterm Infants of Mothers on Antenatal Steroids

Purpose: The study examined the effect of antenatal steroids on thyroid functions in late preterm infants on the third to the seventh day of life. Patients and Methods: A comparative Cross-Sectional study was conducted on 75 neonates admitted to NICU in the first week of life. They were divided according to exposure to antenatal steroids into three groups. First group: exposed to complete course of ANS. Second group: exposed to partial course of ANS. The third group: not exposed to ANS. Serum samples were obtained from selected cases free T3, Free T4, and TSH levels in the third day of life, compared to the cut of levels currently available (the TSH reference range is (1.7 to 9.1 mU per L), T4 should be greater than( 10 mcg per dL). Using Eleusis and Cubase analyzers kits (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN, USA) by ELISA (enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay) technique. Results: The study showed that there were significantly higher serum T4 levels in group 1 that was exposed to a complete course compared to group 2 (partial course) and 3 (Third group). There were no significant differences in serum TSH, T3 levels between groups. The current study found a decreased incidence of the ROP, NEC and BPD among group 1 as compared to the other two groups although was non statistically significant. In addition, the complete course of ANS had delayed the date of delivery (P=0.04) as compared to the partial course in the current study. Conclusion: Antenatal corticosteroids can influence thyroid function in late preterm infants as serum T4 was significantly higher in infants exposed to complete course compared to those who were exposed to partial course or did not receive antenatal corticosteroids.

The Role of Diagnostic Laparoscopy in the Unexplained Infertility Cases

Purpose: The study examines how useful laparoscopy is in finalizing the diagnosis of unexplained infertility. Materials: The study included 50 women with 1 year or 2 years of infertility, who had a regular marital life with unprotected intercourse for more than a year, normal husband's semen analysis, normal ovulation by folliculometry, normal hormonal profile, and normal hysterosalpingogram at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Aswan University Hospital from January to December 2019. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study involving 50 women who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy after investigations and imaging failed to reveal the cause of infertility. During the procedure, the pelvis was inspected for any pathology, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, round ligaments, ureterovesical pouch, uterosacral ligaments, Douglas pouch, and ovarian fossae. Results: Diagnostic laparoscopy helped uncover abnormal pathologies such as endometriosis, adhesions, and tubal pathologies in 30 women (60%) of the 50 included in the study, whereas no abnormality was detected in the remaining 20 (40%). Conclusion: Laparoscopy is not only a crucial diagnostic technique in infertility patients, but it can also help with treatment selections. Conducting laparoscopy in cases of unexplained infertility is linked to both peritubular adhesions and pelvic endometriosis. These pelvic disorders might not be appropriately detected or treated without laparoscopy, and hysterosalpingography and basic imaging such as pelvic ultrasonography are frequently ignored.

The Burden of Infectious Diseases: A Trend Appraisal in Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Trade Blocs

Purpose: The study aimed at presenting a comparative appraisal of the trends of the two most prevalent infectious diseases bedeviling the region: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB). Subject & Methods: Data on fourteen ECOWAS member countries and also fourteen member countries of the SADC bloc. This represents about 93.3% and 87.5% membership of the ECOWAS and SADC blocs respectively. Although the choice of sample size is determined largely by the availability of data, the choices were carefully made to maximize available observation. The data were sourced from World Development Indicators online database published by the World Bank. We use two measures of infectious diseases: the prevalence rate of human immunodeficiency virus and the incidence of tuberculosis. Results: The HIV prevalence rates and incidence of TB were uneven in the two selected trade blocs. The magnitude and the severity of the diseases varied. The burden of both diseases was higher for SADC and lesser for ECOWAS. The average prevalence rate of HIV in the SADC bloc over the study period was 600% of the prevalence rate in ECOWAS (SADC = 12.5%, ECOWAS = 2.1%). Likewise, in the same period, the average TB incidence per 100,000 people was 578.8 and 181.7 respectively in the SADC and ECOWAS blocs. Conclusions: The study finds that the magnitude and severity of the diseases vary widely between the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) trade blocs. And, while concerted efforts at curbing the diseases have yielded results, there is still much to be done in both blocs.

Effects of Vitamin D and Simvastatin on Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Markers of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Purpose: This study was aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D and Simvastatin (SIM) on a high-fat diet (HFD) induced-obese rats. Methods: 40 adult male rats were divided into four groups: control group, HFD, HFD + vitamin D, and HFD + SIM for 14 weeks. Vitamin D or SIM supplementation was done for the last 6 weeks. Vitamin D dosage was 500 IU/kg, while SIM dosage was 10 mg/kg. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration and markers of oxidative stress including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reduced glutathione(GSH) concentrations in serum were determined using ELISA kits and spectrophotometry methods, respectively. Results: Treatment with vitamin D or SIM could significantly reduce IL-6 and MDA and increases SOD, GPx activities, and GSH levels. Oxidative stress can result not only from increased ROS production but also from dysfunctional antioxidant defenses. Conclusion: From the experimental results, it was observed that SIM and vitamin D could attenuate oxidative stress and inflammation markers associated with obesity.

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Hibiscus Asper Hook. F. and Hibiscus Sabdariffa L. on some Pathogenic Bacteria

Purpose: The study aims to assess the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of Hibiscus asper and Hibiscus sabdariffa against eight bacterial isolates. Materials and Methods: An in vitro Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of the two plants against eight nosocomical and pathogenic bacteria viz; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE), Proteus vulgaris (PVU), Klebsiella aerogenes (KAE), Staphylococcus aureus (SAU), Bacillus cereus (BCE), Escherichia coli (ECO), Moraxella catarrhalis (MCA) and Salmonella typhi (STY) was carried out using agar well diffusion assay with the concentration range of 3.13 – 100 mg/mL. Results: H. asper and H. sabdariffa showed significant difference (p< 0.05) in antimicrobial activity against BCE over the rest of the isolates. Inhibition zone diameters exhibited by the isolates to ethanolic leaf extract of H. asper was in descending order of BCE (15.00 ± 1.00a) >ECO (11.67 ± 0.58b) >SAU (7.67 ± 0.58c) >PAE (6.67 ± 0.58d) >STY (5.67 ± 0.58e) while that of H. sabdariffa was in the order BCE (15.33 ± 1.15a) > MCA (11.33 ± 1.15b) > SAU (11.00 ± 1.00bc) > KAE (9.67 ± 0.58c) > PAE (8.00 ± 1.00d) >PVU (7.67 ± 0.57e). PVU, KAE and MCA were resistant to the extract of H. asper while only STY was resistant to that of H. sabdariffa. Conclusion: H. sabdariffa extract demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity against the selected bacterial isolates than H. asper. However, the two extracts minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) ranged from 25 mg/mL to 12.5 mg/mL. This is worthy of further exploration by pharmacological industries in the formulation of potent broad spectrum antibiotics for combating the present health challenge due to antimicrobial resistance.