Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands.

Epidemiological studies have revealed that a diet rich in plant-derived foods has a protective effect on human health. Identifying bioactive dietary constituents is an active area of scientific investigation that may lead to new drug discovery. Kaempferol (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) is a flavonoid found in many edible plants (e.g. tea, broccoli, cabbage, kale, beans, endive, leek, tomato, strawberries and grapes) and in plants or botanical products commonly used in traditional medicine (e.g. Ginkgo biloba, Tilia spp, Equisetum spp, Moringa oleifera, Sophora japonica and propolis). Some epidemiological studies have found a positive association between the consumption of foods containing kaempferol and a reduced risk of developing several disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Numerous preclinical studies have shown that kaempferol and some glycosides of kaempferol have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-osteoporotic, estrogenic/antiestrogenic, anxiolytic, analgesic and antiallergic activities. In this article, the distribution of kaempferol in the plant kingdom and its pharmacological properties are reviewed. The pharmacokinetics (e.g. oral bioavailability, metabolism, plasma levels) and safety of kaempferol are also analyzed. This information may help understand the health benefits of kaempferol-containing plants and may contribute to develop this flavonoid as a possible agent for the prevention and treatment of some diseases.

A review on the dietary flavonoid kaempferol.

Triazole compounds containing three nitrogen atoms in the five-membered aromatic azole ring are readily able to bind with a variety of enzymes and receptors in biological system via diverse non-covalent interactions, and thus display versatile biological activities. The related researches in triazole-based derivatives as medicinal drugs have been an extremely active topic, and numerous excellent achievements have been acquired. Noticeably, a large number of triazole compounds as clinical drugs or candidates have been frequently employed for the treatment of various types of diseases, which have shown their large development value and wide potential as medicinal agents. This work systematically reviewed the recent researches and developments of the whole range of triazole compounds as medicinal drugs, including antifungal, anticancer, antibacterial, antitubercular, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anticonvulsant, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anti-obesitic, antihistaminic, anti-neuropathic, antihypertensive as well as other biological activities. The perspectives of the foreseeable future in the research and development of triazole-based compounds as medicinal drugs are also presented. It is hoped that this review will serve as a stimulant for new thoughts in the quest for rational designs of more active and less toxic triazole medicinal drugs.

Recent researches in triazole compounds as medicinal drugs.

1,3,4-Thiadiazole: Synthesis, Reactions, and Applications in Medicinal, Agricultural, and Materials Chemistry

Flavonoids and their glycosides, including anthocyanins

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of seed morphological characters and seed protein composition of two closely related species belonging to the Sida ovata complex (Malvaceae), Sida ovata Forssk. and S. tiagii Bhandari. Seed protein profiling was performed by sodium dodesyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size exclusion‐fast protein liquid chromatography. Our data provide additional information to strengthen the existence of hybridization between Sida ovata Forssk. and S. tiagii Bhandari in Pakistan.

Hybridization in the Sida ovata complex (Malvaceae) III. Evidences from seed micro-morphology and seed protein analysis

Pinus is one of the most economical and ecological important conifers, model specie for studying sequence divergence and molecular phylogeney of gymnosperms. The less availability of information for genome resources enable researchers to conduct evolutionary studies of Pinus species. To improve understanding, we firstly reported, previously released chloroplast genome of 72 Pinus species, the sequence variations, phylogenetic relationships and genome divergence among Pinus species. The results displayed 7 divergent hotspot regions (trnD-GUC, trnY-GUA, trnH-GUG, ycf1, trnL-CAA, trnK-UUU and trnV-GAC) in studied Pinus species, which holds potential to utilized as molecular genetic markers for future phylogenetic studies in Pinnus species. In addition, 3 types of repeats (tandem, palindromic and dispersed) were also studied in Pinus species under investigation. The outcome showed P. nelsonii had the highest, 76 numbers of repeats, while P. sabiniana had the lowest, 13 13 numbers of repeats. It was also observed, constructed phylogenetic tree displayed division into two significant diverged clades: single needle (soft pine) and double-needle (hard pine). Theoutcome of present investigation, based on the whole chloroplast genomes provided novel insights into the molecular based phylogeny of the genus Pinus which holds potential for its utilization in future studies focusing genetic diversity in Pinnus species.

/pdf/novel-insights-into-pinus-species-plastids-genome-through-4iwm0hi5.pdf

Novel insights into Pinus species plastids genome through phylogenetic relationships and repeat sequence analysis

Objective: To determine the frequency of common risk factors in stable COPD patients presented to outpatient department of Pulmonology unit Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar. Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at Pulmonology unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital from July 2010 to July 2011 (One Year). Data was collected by Convenience sampling (non probability. A total of 196 patients with stable COPD were included in the study. Demographic data and common risk factors like gender, smoking status, indoor air pollution exposure, occupational exposure and family history, were recorded and analyzed through an objective oriented proforma. Results: Out of 196 patients 80% were males and 20% were females. Mean age was 55.28 (±8.91SD) years. Among them 137 (70%) were smokers and 59(30%) were non-smokers. Among the smokers 36% were current smokers, 24% were ex-smokers and 10% were passive smokers, while 14% of the nonsmokers were exposed to indoor air pollution, 13% were affected by occupational exposure and3%were having positive family history. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking, indoor air pollution and occupational exposure were the common risk factors for the development of COPD where cigarette smoking being the commonest.

http://www.pjcm.net/index.php/pjcm/article/view/390/337

Frequency of Common Risk factors in Patients with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

OBJECTIVE
To identify various emerging diagnostics parameters of coronavirus disease 2019 related to disease progression and fatality.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex, Khyber Pakhtunkhwah, Pakistan, from February 9, 2021, to April 21, 2021, and comprised patients of either gender aged >18 years diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 on the basis of polymerase chain reaction testing and who were admitted to the hospital using the World Health Organisation interim guidelines. Disease progression was categorised as mild, moderate, severe and critical, and they were monitored closely till the final outcome. Data was analysed using SPSS 26.


RESULTS
Of the 408 patients, 215(52.69%) were male and 193(47.30%) were female. The overall median age of the sample was 55 years (interquartile range: 18-84 years). Symptoms included cough 92(22.54%), fever 80(19.60%), shortness of breath 78(19.60%), fatigue 60(14.70%) and loss of smell and test 52(12.74%), while 46(11.27%) were asymptomatic. Azithromycin was the most used drug 304(74.50%), while antiviral Remdesivir was given to 279(68.38%) patients and hydrocortisone to 143(35.04%). Plasma treatment was given to 55(13.48%) patients and mechanical ventilation to 87(21.32%). Compared to baseline, disease progression was mild in 72(17.64%) patients, moderate 96(23.52%), severe 98(24.01%) and critical in 89(21.81%), while no change was seen 53(12.99%) cases. Severity level was significantly associated with liver and renal function parameters (p<0.05). Overall, 47(11.51%) patients died.


CONCLUSIONS
Different severity levels during hospitalisation among patients of coronavirus disease 2019 were noted, and severity level was significantly associated with liver and renal function parameters.

https://ojs.jpma.org.pk/index.php/public_html/article/download/4100/1125

Estimation of emerging diagnostic parameters for Coronavirus Disease 2019 patients severity and fatality.

Over the last several decades, the amount of international migration has increased dramatically, resulting in enormous cash flows to labour-exporting nations. The importance of remittances in sustaining families in poor nations has been well acknowledged by many researchers but at the same time a well-functioning banking system has been deemed important to increase migrant transfers by lowering prices and improving service availability. Therefore, this study attempts to analyse the role of financial sector development in enhancing the effect of remittances in spurring economic growth. This study uses time series data for the period of 198-2020 to delve into the nexus. Using ARDL approach, this study finds the complementary role of remittances and financial sector in both long run and short run.   

Sajjad Ali

Papers

Hybridization in the Sida ovata complex (Malvaceae) III. Evidences from seed micro-morphology and seed protein analysis

Novel insights into Pinus species plastids genome through phylogenetic relationships and repeat sequence analysis

Frequency of Common Risk factors in Patients with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Estimation of emerging diagnostic parameters for Coronavirus Disease 2019 patients severity and fatality.

Remittances and Economic Growth: Exploring the Role of Financial Development