Beenish Khanzada

A significant clinical challenge is posed by wound infections in disease development, therefore, nowadays multifunctional hydrogel dressings have revolutionized

Thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland, is a globally significant health issue, with a prevalence of 5–10% worldwide. In Pakistan, the prevalence of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism is estimated at 4–5%. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, clinical features, and risk factors of thyroiditis in Hyderabad, Pakistan, and to evaluate the drug-protein interactions of commonly used thyroid medications (levothyroxine, methimazole, and propranolol) with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) using molecular docking analysis. Methods: This prospective, observational, cross-sectional study included 72 patients aged 18 to 65 years from Hyderabad. Demographic and clinical data were collected through structured questionnaires. Blood samples were analyzed using ELISA to assess biochemical markers (T3, T4, TSH). Molecular docking was performed using the PyRx virtual screening tool to evaluate drug interactions with TSH. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.0. Results: The majority of patients (68.05%) were between 21–40 years of age, with a predominance of females (81.9%) and rural residents (54.1%). Hypothyroidism was the most prevalent condition (47.2%). Significant risk factors included smoking and autoimmune disorders (P=0.045), whereas family history and iodized salt consumption were not significantly associated (P>0.05). Molecular docking revealed that propranolol had the highest binding affinity to TSH (Kd=-6.3), followed by levothyroxine (Kd=-5.3), while methimazole showed the lowest affinity (Kd=-3.7). Conclusions: The study concluded a high prevalence of thyroiditis (52.78%; 95% CI: 41.3%–64.3%) in females aged 21–40 from rural areas of Hyderabad. Propranolol exhibited the strongest interaction with TSH, suggesting potential therapeutic implications.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus occurs due to high blood glucose levels owing to insulin resistance or insufficiency. The uncontrolled glycemic levels could impact gastrointestinal inflammation indicating a potential link between T2DM and Helicobacter pylori infection. Objective: To study the risk factors and prevalence related to Helicobacter pylori in T2DM and non-diabetic mellitus patients in Hyderabad Pakistan. Methods: A case-control study with a cross-sectional design was done by including 146 participants from Hyderabad, divided into two groups, one with type 2 diabetes mellitus and the other healthy individuals. A 5 mL blood sample was taken to analyze HbA1C levels and Helicobacter pylori infection. A questionnaire was used to collect other demographic and clinical information. The significance of differences in the data were evaluated using t-test and chi-square. Results: Out of 146 participants, Helicobacter pylori was detected in 39.7% (29) of diabetic patients and 45.2% (33) of non-diabetic participants with no statistical significance (p-value > 0.05). Helicobacter pylori positive diabetic patients had higher BMI values and were found to be obese as compared to Non-DM Helicobacter pylori positive participants. In Helicobacter pylori positive non-diabetic patients, it was found statistically significant differences (p-value <0.05) among fast food consumption. Diabetic patients on prolonged use of medications were found to have significant incidence of Helicobacter pylori as compared to non-diabetics. Conclusion: This study revealed that Helicobacter pylori infection was significantly higher in non-diabetic control group than in diabetic patients.

Lactose intolerance is common among diarrheal children due to compromised gut health. Diarrhea can damage the intestinal lining, reducing lactase enzyme production responsible for lactose digestion. Consequently, lactose, a sugar found in dairy products, remains undigested, leading to abdominal discomfort, bloating, and increased bowel movements. Objective: To assess the clinical characteristics of Lactose intolerance (LI) as well as its relationship with demographic factors among diarrheal children below five years of age. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted enrolling 50 diarrheal patients in equal proportion by gender. The present study was conducted over children suffering from profuse diarrhea admitted to the Pediatrics ward at LUMHS and CIVIL hospital Hyderabad, Pakistan during July 2018 to January 2019. The questionnaire-based analysis was conducted to gather information regarding dietary index and manifestation of symptoms after milk consumption. Clinical analysis was performed using lactose tolerance test, Stool pH and reducing substance respectively. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS. Results: 20 children were found to be suffering from lactose intolerance. The clinical symptoms observed among individuals affected by LI included loose motion, weight loss, abdominal distention, and the presence of pus cells in stool indicating the signs of infection. T-test showed statistical significance (p-value ˂ 0.05) over physical attributes such as height and number of pus cells among LI patients as compared to lactose tolerant (LT) patients. The finding of pus cells in the stool simultaneous to the strong statistical correlation between relieve in symptoms with increasing age also affirmed the existence of secondary type hypo-lactasia. The study also highlighted the demographic aspects contributing to the prevalence of the condition. Conclusions: Secondary lactose intolerance was found with shortened heights of patients and increased number of pus cells in stool.

A worldwide increase in the incidence of fungal infections, emergence of new fungal strains, and antifungal resistance to commercially available antibiotics indicate the need to investigate new treatment options for fungal diseases. Therefore, the interest in exploring the antifungal activity of medicinal plants has now been increased to discover phyto-therapeutics in replacement to conventional antifungal drugs. The study was conducted to explore and identify the mechanism of action of antifungal agents of edible plants, including Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Cinnamomum tamala, Amomum subulatum, Trigonella foenumgraecum, Mentha piperita, Coriandrum sativum, Lactuca sativa, and Brassica oleraceae var. italica. The antifungal potential was assessed via the disc diffusion method and, subsequently, the extracts were assessed for phytochemicals and total antioxidant activity. Potent polyphenols were detected using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and antifungal mechanism of action was evaluated in silico. Cinnamomum zeylanicum exhibited antifungal activity against all the tested strains while all plant extracts showed antifungal activity against Fusarium solani. Rutin, kaempferol, and quercetin were identified as common polyphenols. In silico studies showed that rutin displayed the greatest affinity with binding pocket of fungal 14-alpha demethylase and nucleoside diphosphokinase with the binding affinity (K_d, −9.4 and −8.9, respectively), as compared to terbinafine. Results indicated that Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Cinnamomum tamala exert their antifungal effect possibly due to kaempferol and rutin, respectively, or possibly by inhibition of nucleoside diphosphokinase (NDK) and 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51), while Amomum subulatum and Trigonella foenum graecum might exhibit antifungal potential due to quercetin. Overall, the study demonstrates that plant-derived products have a high potential to control fungal infections.