METHODS: DA and DDA (10 μM to 40 μM) induce relaxation in the aortic rings pre-contracted with KCl (80 mM).
RESULTS: The IC(50) values are 40.47 ± 1.44 and 37.43 ± 1.41%, respectively, and this inhibition is antagonized by increasing the Ca(2+) concentration in the Kreb's medium. The results indicate that APCE, DA, and DDA may have a calcium anatgonist property. APCE, DA, and DDA also relax norepinephrene (NE)-induced sustained contractions with IC(50) values 41.63 ± 1.19, 49.22 ± 2.76, and 37.46 ± 1.41% and this relaxant effect is unaffected by the removal of the endothelium or by the presence of indomethacin and Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NAME). Moreover, DA and DDA inhibit the phasic and tonic contractions induced by NE in a concentration-dependent manner and show the most potent inhibition on phasic contraction (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSION: This study shows that APCE, DA, and DDA pre-treatment presents a more potent inhibition compared to post-treatment, after the tension has reached a steady state. These results suggest that the vasorelaxation of APCE, DA, and DDA direct the inhibition of the calcium influx. The vasorelaxant effect is more active in the calcium independent pathway and more sensitive in the intial stage of contraction.
METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental with posttestonly control group design. Twenty-five adult male Swiss Webster mice were randomly divided into five groups: shamoperated group (SO), UUO-control day-7 (U7), UUO-control day-14 (U14), UUO-chlorogenic acid day-7 (UC7), and UUOchlorogenic acid day 14 (UC14). Myofibroblasts were identified by immunohistochemical staining of alphasmooth muscle actin (α-SMA) while collagen fibers were identified by Sirius Red staining. Both data were presented as area fraction. BMP-7 and HGF mRNA expressions were assessed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Data were quantified using ImageJ software.
RESULTS: UUO-control groups (U7 and U14) showed higher α- SMA-immunopositive (6.52±1.33, 18.24±1.39 vs. 0.22±0.01; p<0.05) and Sirius Red-positive area fractions (6.61±0.8, 12.98±2.31 vs. 0.62±0.10; p<0.05), lower BMP-7 (1.02±0.47, 1.18±0.65 vs. 2.09±0.87; p<0.05) and HGF mRNA expressions (1.06±0.31, 0.89±0.14 vs. 1.88±0.81; p<0.05) compared to SO group. UUO-chlorogenic acid groups (UC7 and UC14) showed lower α-SMA-immunopositive (1.24±0.37, 4.58±0.61; p<0.05) and Sirius Red-positive area fractions (4.76±1.03, 3.72±0.54; p<0.05), higher BMP-7 (1.84±0.49, 2.19±0.43; p<0.05) and HGF (1.58±0.38; p>0.05, 1.84±0.42; p<0.05) mRNA expressions compared to UUO-control groups. UUOchlorogenic acid groups showed BMP-7 and HGF mRNA expressions that were not significantly different from the SO group.
CONCLUSION: Chlorogenic acid administration prevents kidney fibrosis in UUO mice model through modulating antifibrotic pathway.
METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at one hospital and 2 community pharmacies in Lahore, Pakistan, from November 2017 to July 2018, and comprised patients using calcium channel blockers. Data was collected using standardised scales to assess lower urinary tract symptoms and quality of life. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
RESULTS: Of the 410 subjects, 315 (76.8%) were males. The overall median age was 50.84 years, IQR 19 with 126 (30.7%) aged 41-50 years. Of the total, 108 (26.3%) patients were on calcium channel blockers alone, while the rest were taking it in combination with other drugs. Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms was 307 (74.9%); mild 103 (25.1%), moderate 201 (49.1%) and severe 106 (25.9%). The symptoms were significantly associated with reduced quality of life (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Majority calcium channel blockers users had clinically significant lower urinary tract symptoms which significantly reduced patients' quality of life.
Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study enrolled consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who were admitted between March 1, 2021, and April 30, 2021, from three District Headquarter Hospitals in the Punjab province of Pakistan. We described patient and clinical characteristics and medications, stratified by COVID-19 severity during hospitalization: mild, moderate, and severe. In addition, an analytical study of drug utilization was conducted.
Findings: A total of 444 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included. Remdesvir, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antithrombotics were administered to 45.0%, 93.9%, 84.9%, and 60.1% of patients, respectively. Specifically, dexamethasone was the most commonly used corticosteroid among the included patients (n = 405; 91.2%), irrespective of their clinical severity. Only 60.1% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our cohort received antithrombotic therapy, and the prevalence of use was especially low (27.8%) in patients with mild illness. Of 444 patientsscreened, 399 (89.9%) patients had been discharged, and 45 patients (10.1%) died.
Implications: We provided an important glimpse into the utilization patterns of several medications of interest for the treatment of COVID-19 in Pakistan, which had not been entirely evidence-based, especially concerning systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics.
Method:: A retrospective, observational study was conducted on adult pre-dialysis patients receiving treatment at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from January 2009 to December 2013.
Results:: A total of 615 eligible cases were included. The mean age of patients was 64.1±12.0 years. The prevalence of anemia was 75.8%, and the severity of anemia was mild in 47.7% of the patients, moderate in 32.2%, and severe in 20%. Based on morphological classification of anemia, 76.9% of our patients had normochromic-normocytic anemia whereas 21.8 and 1.3% had hypochromic-microcytic anemia and macrocytic anemia, respectively. Oral iron supplements were prescribed to 38.0% of the patients and none of the patients was given erythropoietin stabilizing agents (ESA) or intravenous iron preparations. In logistic regression, significant predictors of anti-anemic preparation use were decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit, and advanced stages of CKD.
Conclusion:: The results of the present study suggest that the prevalence of anemia in pre-dialysis patients is higher than currently accepted and it is found to be correlated with renal function; prevalence increases with declined renal function. An earlier identification as well as appropriate management of anemia will not only have a positive impact on quality of life but also reduce hospitalizations of CKD patients due to cardiovascular events.
Objective: To critically examine the literature regarding the involvement of CCB in manifestation of LUTS in humans.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and OpenGrey databases to find all potentially relevant research studies before August 2016.
Results: Five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three out of five studies stated that CCB were involved in either precipitation or exacerbation of LUTS. As for the remaining two studies, one study found out that only the monotherapy of CCB was associated with increased prevalence of nocturia and voiding symptoms in young females, whereas the other study reported an inverse association of CCB with LUTS. The methodological quality of studies was considered high for four studies and low for one study.
Conclusion: Healthcare providers should make efforts for an earlier identification of the individuals at risk of LUTS prior to the commencement of CCB therapy. Moreover, patients should be counselled to notify their healthcare provider if they notice urinary symptoms after the initiation of CCB.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of the Punjab province of Pakistan between January and March 2022. The participants were recruited using convenience sampling. All data were analyzed using SPSS 22.
RESULTS: We recruited 1622 people with the majority aged between 25-45 years. Of these, 51% were female, including 27 pregnant women and 42 lactating mothers. Most participants had received the Sinopharm (62.6%) or Sinovac (17.8%) vaccines. The incidences of at least one side effect after the first (N = 1622), second (N = 1484), and booster doses (N = 219) of the COVID-19 vaccine were 16.5%, 20.1%, and 32%, respectively. Inflammation/erythema at the injection site, pain at the injection site, fever, and bone/muscle pain were common side effects of vaccination. No significant differences were observed in the adverse effect scores between all demographic variables except for pregnancy (P = 0.012) after the initial dose. No significant association was observed between any variable and the side effect scores of the second and booster doses of the vaccine.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a 16-32% prevalence of self-reported side effects after the first, second, and booster COVID-19 vaccinations. Most adverse effects were mild and transient, indicating the safety of different COVID-19 vaccines.
METHODS: Point prevalence survey (PPS) of HAIs in the children's wards of 19 public sector secondary- and tertiary-care hospitals of Pakistan and associated key drivers.
RESULTS: A total of 1147 children were included in the PPS. 35.7% were neonates with 32.8% aged >1-5 years. 35.2% were admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs). Peripheral, central venous and urinary catheters were present in 48%, 2.9% and 5.6% of the patients, respectively. A total of 161 HAIs from various pathogens were observed in 153 cases, giving a prevalence of 13.3%. The majority of HAIs were caused by Staphylococcus aureus (31.7%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.9%) and Escherichia coli (17.4%). Bloodstream infections were identified in 42 cases followed by lower-respiratory-tract infections in 35. Increased length of hospital stays and being admitted to the ICU, 'rapidly fatal' patients under the McCabe and Jackson criteria, central and peripheral catheterization, and invasive mechanical ventilation were, associated with higher HAIs (P<0.001). 99.7% of HAI patients fully recovered and were discharged from the hospital.
CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of HAIs among neonates and children admitted to health facilities in Pakistan. Infection prevention and control measures should be implemented to help prevent future HAIs.