Objective:To assess the frequency of neuropsychiatric and neurological problems in apparently healthy young vegetarians and estimate serum Vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), and folic acid levels.Methods:This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan, in the years of 2012 and 2013. The data of 100 vegetarians and 100 omnivores were analyzed and compared.Results:The serum concentration of Vitamin B12 was significantly lower in the vegetarian group compared with the omnivore group (238±71 pg/ml vs. 401±170 pg/ml, p<0.001). In the vegetarian group, MMA level was significantly higher compared with the omnivores (285±89.4 nmol/L vs. 191±40.5 nmol/L, p<0.001). Regarding the neuropsychiatric and neurologic problems in the vegetarian group, the frequency of depression was 31% compared with 12% in the omnivore (p=0.002), paresthesias were 11% compared with 3% in the omnivores (p=0.04), peripheral neuropathy was 9% compared with 2% in the omnivores (p=0.05), psychosis was found in 11% subjects compared with 3% in the omnivores (p=0.04).Conclusion:Vegetarians have Vitamin B12 deficiency and are more prone to developing neuropsychiatric and neurological problems.

In order to facilitate the large-scale applications of rechargeable Zn-air batteries, non-noble-metal based materials with high activity for oxygen reduction (ORR) and evolution reactions (OER) are highly needed for replacing noble-metal based materials. Here, a new method is used for developing Cu-doped ZIF-67 (Cu/ZIF-67) nanoparticles and carbonizing at various temperatures (500-900°C). Benefiting from the doping of Cu nanoparticles on the surface of the ZIF-67 and the synergistic interaction between Cu and the underlying Co atoms, the Cu/Co-NC-800 electrocatalyst exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity for both ORR (Eo 0.98, E1/2 0.84 V) and OER (overpotential 0.278 V) and superior alkaline media stability relative to both prepared and commercial Pt/C (Eo 0.96 V). These insightful findings inspire new perspectives for economical-practical bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts to be designed and synthesized rationally.

Objectives:The aim of present study was to investigate serum homocysteine levels in apparently healthy vegetarians and ominvores in Mithi, district Tharparker, Sindh, Pakistan.Methods:This study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi and blood samples were collected from Mithi, district Tharparker, Sindh, Pakistan, in 2012. One hundred vegetarian and one hundred omnivores (age ranging from 20-40 years) were enrolled for this study. Serum homocysteine levels were measured by the chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay method.Results:Serum homocysteine (Hcy) level was considerably higher (p<0.001) in vegetarian group compared to omnivores. We further grouped and analyzed our study subjects according to their gender and according to Hcy level (greater than or lower than 15µmol/L). A considerable number of vegetarian subjects 30% were having Hcy >15µmol/L compared to omnivores 6%, (p<0.001). Gender-wise comparison showed that 27.02% male and 38.46% females had >15µmol/L serum Hcy level in vegetarian group and 6.9% male and 3.5% females had >15µmol/L serum Hcy level in omnivores group, but the difference was not significant in any group.Conclusion:Vegetarians are more prone to develop hyperhomocysteinemia, so they are at high risk to develop cardiovascular disease.

Aim: To compare the levels of HbA1c and lipid profile in type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic complications. Study design: A case-control study Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Bilawal Medical College for Boys at LUMHS Jamshoro Pakistan from September 2020 and September 2021 Methodology: The study sample size was n=140 type 2 diabetic patients. Thirty patients with DM 2 were used as controls, while 110 diabetic patients with problems such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and hypertension were used as cases. Clinicians diagnose based on the patient’s history, clinical examinations, and relevant investigations. The HbA1c level and lipid profile of diabetes individuals with problems were compared to diabetic patients without complications. Results: In this study, n=140 people with DM 2 were included. Males made up 55 % of the total, while females made up 45%. Furthermore, 65.4 % were under the age of 50 years. The average age was 45.544 ± 12.23 years. In this study, HbA1c was higher in DM 2 patients with chronic problems than diabetic patients without complications. Furthermore, the lipid profile of complicated patients was shown to be abnormal compared to the control group. Conclusion: In diabetic individuals, HbA1c levels should be kept within normal limits to avoid long-term consequences. It can also benefit diabetic patients who have an abnormal lipid profile Keywords: Complication, Diabetes, HbA1c, Lipid profile

Coronary artery disease is a complex syndrome to get initiation from formation of atherosclerotic plaques in systemic circulation to cardiac arrhythmia causing morbidity/mortality. This study was conducted to compare hypolipidemic effects of Niacin and Indian date (Jujuba) in hyperlipidemic patients. Study was conducted from July 2019 to December 2019 at National Hospital Lahore- Pakistan. Sixty participants were enrolled of both gender male and female patients’ age range from 25 to 60 years. Consent was taken from all patients. They were divided in two groups. Group-I was advised to take 2 grams Niacin in divided doses for the period of two months. Group-II was advised to take 500 grams of fruit Jujube daily for the period of two months. All patients’ systolic and diastolic blood pressure was noted. Their baseline LDL and HDL cholesterol was determined by conventional method of measuring Lipid Profile. After two months therapy, their post treatment blood pressure and lipid profile was measured and mean values with ± SEM were analyzed biostatistically. Group-I which was on Niacin their blood pressure was reduced but it was non-significant change, LDL cholesterol decreased significantly and HDL cholesterol was increased significantly. In group-II patients LDL cholesterol was decreased significantly but HDL increase was not significant with p-value of >0.05. It was concluded from the research work that Niacin is potent in lowering LDL and increasing HDL cholesterol, while Jujube has significant effect as LDL cholesterol lowering potential, but it does not increase HDL cholesterol significantly. Jujubes and vitamin B-3 did not reduced blood pressure, when analyzed statistically.