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Escalating Research Volume 1 Issue 3

A QUARTERLY SCIENCE NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2012

Awareness of hypertension in Pakistan...

a need of time by Raseen Tariq

Awareness of hypertension in Pakistan

1

Tea and Ramadan 2

Workshop on Clinical Research 3

Kalonji A universal healer 4

Seminar on Cancer and apoptosis

5

Benefits of Fasting 6

Headache and migraine during Fast

7

ICEHSR-2012 & Research Elective session II

8

The vivid 9

Inside Stories:

Hyper t ens io n has

become one of the most

co mmo n d iseases

a f f e c t in g p e o p le

worldwide. It is one of

the most important risk

f a c t o r f o r

cardiovascular diseases

and stroke, the leading

cause of death today. In

Pakistan one out of

every three individuals

over the age of 45 is

hypertensive as re-

vealed by national

health surveys (NHS).

This alarming situation

demands the early

detection, adequate

treatment and control of

hypertension to reduce

the increasing risk of

cardiovascular events.

Knowledge about

hypertension and its

complications is not

only necessary for the

patient but should also

be conveyed to

common people of

both low and high

living standard. It is

vital for all of us to

realize the seriousness

of hypertension as a

disease. In our country

even the medical

students and post

graduate trainees are

not equipped with the

proper knowledge

regarding this disease.

Hypertension is a

multi factorial disorder

so proper information

regarding each of the

necessary, So it is the

need of the time that

proper awareness

campaigns must be

started especially to

increase awareness

a mo n g c o m mo n

people .The theme and

methodology to be for

t hese campa ig ns

should be decided by

health experts. It is the

responsibility of all the

science related people

to play their parts in

this matter.

Marketing Unit AEIRC

Office#04 2nd Floor

B.B Shopping Mall

SB-19/1 Gulistan-e-Jauhar Opposite NED University

Karachi

www.aeirc-edu.com

AEIRC

Managing Editor: Sadaf Ahmed

Assistant Editors: Faheera Asif

Faiza Ahmed

Mehar Rehman

Faheera Asif

Design Editor:

NEWSLETTER

TEAM

depressing activity i.e. they reduces the

level of LDL in body. They perform

preventive actions on heart, liver and

kidneys. Those who consume tea have

a l o w r i s k o f d e v e l o p i n g

c a r d i o v a s c u l a r d i s e a s e s ,

hepatocellular carcinomas, gall stones,

cirrhosis of liver.

Tea is also associated with

analgesic property. It relieves pain.

It helps in subsidizing headaches.

Drinking tea also improves

cognitive performance, besides it

also acts as laxatives or diuretics.

Tannins in coffee and tea prevent

dental caries.

Drinking tea during Ramadan is

beneficial and it will help our

systems to work properly and our

stomach will also be relieved from

overload of food.

“If you are cold, tea will warm you.

If you are too heated, it will cool you.

If you are depressed, it will cheer

you. If you are excited, it will calm

you.”

The month of Ramadan is associated

with fasting. We fast whole day for

about 12 to 14 hours and at the time

of iftar we start bombarding at our

poor stomach with pakoras and other

fried dishes and our stomach

becomes overloaded with high

amount of LDLs and other fats. And

we feel our stomach heavy

due to such overload of food

i n i t .

Many of us crave tea or

coffee to relax their stomach.

About 400 millions cups of

coffee and tea are enjoyed

everyday in the world.

Coffee mainly contains

polyphenols and caffeine. It

contains a high amount of

caffeine as compared to tea.

While besides caffeine and

polyphenols tea also

contains flavanoids, amino

acids, vitamins C, E & K.

These chemical compounds are

known to be beneficial for human

body.

Caffeine stimulates the production of

cortisone and adrenaline. It also

stimulates the nervous system, and

alerts the mind. It reduces the chance

of colon cancer. It acts as a mild

stimulant for the nervous system.

Tea contains many antioxidants which

removes the free radicals from body

and reduces the risk of aging. These

antioxidants also reduce risk of certain

cancers. Chinese research claims that

t ea contains high amount o f

antioxidants than tomatoes and berries.

Another research states that drinking

tea reduces the symptoms o f

Parkinson‟s disease. According to

American and Scandinavian research

they reduce the risk of developing type

2 diabetes.

Overall tea stimulates peristalsis and

improves digestion. They have lipid

TEA AND RAMADAN By Amna Khan

2 ESCALATING RESEARCH

“tea began as a medicine and grew into beverage”

KAKUZO OKAKURA

Interesting About TEA: Camellia Sinensis is the plant from

which all types of tea are made.

More than 5000 years ago tea was

created in China.

Black, White, Oolong and Green are

four main types of tea.

Tea contains caffeine amount half

than coffee.

It has a potency to absorb odors.

explained about the ethics that should be

followed in Clinical research and their

significance. Mrs. Sadaf Khurram in

second session introduced the responsi-

bilities of CRA(Clinical Research

Associate). The final lecture was con-

ducted by Mr. Khurram Zaki on

Pharmacovigilance. After which post test

was taken and results were announced

which was followed by awarding

certificates to attendees.

After receiving tremendous feedback and

request from more professionals to get

the training, AEIRC is again arranging

this workshop on 15 & 16 September in

collaboration with Dimension Research.

New medicinal products cannot be

launched directly into the market. It

is unethical and may cause casualties

on large scale. Hence, to test the

drug efficacy and safety ICH/GCP

Guidelines have been made for the

protection and betterment of human

life. It is the need of time to learn

them as pharmaceutical companies

are flourishing and new drugs are

being produced. As the requirement

of CRA has been augmented AEIRC

has worked together with Dimension

Research an Internationally working

CRO, in conducting two days

workshop on “ICH/GCP Guidelines”

on 12th and 14th of July 2012 to train

more professionals.

Workshop was started with the pre-test.

Mr. Khurram Zaki had conducted the

first day starting session in which he

introduced the Clinical Research and its

scope. He also taught the phases of

clinical trials and their importance. In

second session, Dr. Ali Yasir gave an

overview on ICH-GCP guidelines.

On second day first session, Dr. Obaid

Ali, the guest speaker from Ministry of

Health, he is presently serving as offi-

cer of Drugs Regulatory Affairs and

Quality System at Government of Paki-

stan.

WORKSHOP ON CLINICAL RESEARCH:


Muslim –Ibne Maja, Masnade Ahmed).

(Mafhoom-e-Hadees).

In Persian shoneez means kalonji and

Habatul Sauda in Arabic

Use of Kalonji prevent many type of

diseases and boost body overall

r e s is t anc e . I t has bee n u sed

conventionally for the treatment of

number of conditions.

Anti allergic: The kalonji oil is

beneficial for people lying on front to

allergic condition such as asthma as its

volatile nature decreases the raised

reactivity of airspaces to irritants.

Anti-Inflammatory action: Kalonji oil

prevents production of those elements

that is responsible for inflammatory

reactions and it also lessens the

symptoms of arthritis

Increase Body Immunity: Research on

people with low immunity proved that

that if 1 gram of kalonji is taken twice a

daily for four weeks resulting in increase

activity of T cells.

Anti cancer: Kalonji help in treating

cancer as studies showed that the

development of Ehr lich ascites

carcinoma and Dalton‟s lymphoma

ascites is powerfully reduced by fatty

acids of kalonji.

Lactation promoter: In lactating

females kalonji increases milk

production because it is rich in fatty acid

lipid contents.

Kalonji can be use to cure other

diseases such as Diabetes, Dyspepsia

Indigest ion, Flatulation, Stomach

irritation and stomach ache, Opthalmic

disease General weakness, Blood

pressure, Kidney infect ion, Skin

infection, Piles, Constipation Epilepsy,

Dental disease and so on.

Introduction:

The use of medicinal herbs, also

known as phytomedicine, botanical

medicine or herbal medicine,

indicate the usage of roots, flowers,

bark, leaves, seeds or fruit‟s of a

plant for medic ina l ut ilit y.

Herbalism is transforming into

widely used procedure for the

treatments of ailments. Recently,

according to estimation by World

Health Organization, 80% of people

believe in the use of herbal

medicines for their primary health

care and general well being. Herbal

supplements use has been increased

greatly over past three decades.

According to common Islamic

beliefs Kalonji is regarded as one of

the greatest forms of healing

medicine available.

Kalonji is the harvest plant. Its

leaves are light green and have long

downy hairs. Its stem is branched

and erect. Its flowers are star shaped

blue and white in color and small

black granules are present in branch

on the top of calyx.

The scientific name of Kalonji is a

derivative of Latin niger(black).

In English, Nigella sativa seed

(Kalonji) is variously called fennel

flower, nutmeg flower, Roman

coriander, blackseed or black

caraway. Nigella sativa L. (N.

sativa) ,a spice plant belongs to the

family Ranunculaceae and genus of

about 14 species including Nigella

nigellastrum, Nigella orientalis,

Nigella arvensis, Nigella hispanica,

Nigella integrifolia, Nigella ciliaris,

Nigella damascene, and Nigella

sativa, respectively.

Kalonji has a sharp smell and bitter

taste .It is native to Mediterranean

region and Asia. It is broadly

invest igat ed fo r t herapeut ic

purposes.

Significant constituents:

Kalonji black seeds are rich sources of

calcium, iron, sodium and potassium.

Phytochemical studies of Black Seed

showed the presence of >100 known

health promoting components. The

active constituents of black seed

i n c l u d e s N i g e l l i c i n e ,

Thymohydroquinone, Nigellone,

N ig e l l i d i n e , T h y mo q u i n o n e ,

Nigellimine-N-oxide, dithymoquinone,

Thymol, Arvacrol, oxy-coumarin,

6-methoxycoumarin and 7-hydroxy-

c o u m a r i n A l p h a - h e d r i n ,

Steryl-glucoside as well as large

amounts of Flavinoids Tannins,

essential fatty acids, 15 essential amino

acids, ascorbic acid.

Health Prospective:

Hazrat Abu Hurerah (R.A) says “I

have heard Hazrat Muhammad

(S.A.W) saying that the black

granules (Kalonji) is the remedy for

all diseases except death.” Black

Granules are shoneez. (Bukhari

KALONJI: A Universal healer By Aiman Kanwal


and BCl

- 2.Over

expres-

sion of

BCl-2

blocks

MYC

stimu-

lated apoptosis, and colonel

expansion of tumors that

express MYC and BCl-2

can occurs.

By the early 1990s, p53 was

already recognized as a

tumor suppressor gene and

was known to be mutated in

most human cancers

p53: the guardian of the genome P53

regulated the expression of BAX in

both invitro and invivo systems. In

addition to controlling members of the

Bcl-2 family, p53 controls the

expression of other key

apoptosis-regulating proteins also.

The Future The successful treatment

of cancer is one of the greatest

challenges of modern medicine.

The most promising approach is the

design of antagonists to BCl-2

For example between BCl-2 and BAX,

have been shown to promote apoptosis.

CEO AEIRC gave the concluding

remarks by thanking Dr. Aziz for

giving a highly informative lecture.

And she also believes that there is a

need of more research on apoptosis in

Pakistan.

AEIRC has again set an example to

create awareness and to highlight the

main research areas to reduce this

burden and major cause of mortality

in world i.e. cancer. AEIRC got the

privilege to invite Dr. Syed A. Aziz

Scientist at Health Canada;

adjunct professor Department of

Pathology University of Ottawa

explained the topic of the genesis of

research field in Cancer and

Apoptosis. When we look back at

apoptosis history in 1800s the

concept of natural death was

mentioned by Carl Vogt. What is

really surprising is that the in-

cidence of cancer is as low as it

is when you think of the enor-

mous number of cells that un-

dergo apoptosis on a daily ba-

sis and the opportunity there

informal functions in the

apoptotic process to occur. Dr.

Aziz highlighted the

following topics;

Bcl-2 Proteins: Gatekeepers of

Death was the first protein involved

in the regulation of apoptosis to be

molecularly characterized. He

discussed the Pathways illustrating the

sources of reactive oxygen species and

its role in the development of

cancer. Furthermore, he discussed the

growing family the pro-apoptotic

function of BAX is normally held in

check by its interaction with BCl-2.

Members of the BH3

-only subfamily in-

clude BID and Bcl-2

antagonist of cell

death. Any

Impairment of p53

function leads to

deregulation of

apoptosis sig-

naling pathways

and

increases

tumor genesis.

He also described the use of

knock out mouse:

Bid-knockout mice also develop a type

of myelomonocytic leukemia and

Bim-knockout mice also display a

hyperplasia, which leads to increased

tumor development on a tumor prone

background.

Established tumor genes and

apoptosis &MYC: a key to life and

cell death.

In a publication in 1990, Strasser

showed that MYC and BCl-2

co-operated in the development of l

ymphoid tumors in transgenic mice,

confirming the synergy between MYC

SEMINAR ON CANCER AND APOPTOSIS


Fasting is helpful in epilepsy, however,

it reduces the duration, occasion and

severity of seizures.

Fasting show remarkable improvement

in autoimmune diseases such as lupus,

rosacea, chronic urticaria, and acute

glomerulonephritis .

Fasting increases the activity of

macrophage and cell-mediated

immunity .It also increases

immunoglobulin levels, neutrophil

bactericidal activity and enhance natural

killer cell activity along with decreases

complement factors and

antigen-antibody complexes and also

depresses lymphocyte blastogenesis.

Fasting plays an imperative role in

treating psoriasis, eczema,

psychosomatic disease, varicose ulcers,

neurogenic bladder, fibromyalgia,

irritable bowel syndrome, depression,

neurosis, schizophrenia, duodenal

ulcers, uterine fibroids, intestinal

parasites, gout, multiple sclerosis,

insomnia and osteoporosis

Fasting revealed the remarkable result

in drying up abnormal fluid

accumulations, like edema in the legs

and ankles and swelling in the abdomen.

Fasting makes it easy to get rid of bad

habits and addictions like alcohol,

tobacco and even drug addictions.

Fasting shields the brain against some

of the nastiest effects of Alzheimer's,

Parkinson's and other minor illness.

In conclusion, fasting contributes to long

and healthy life. And fasting in the

month of Ramadan, besides all its health

benefits is the most spiritual and tremen-

dous way to show great love and

affection towards Allah. May Allah give

us strength to fast.

Ramadan is the month of mercy and

blessings for mankind .This is the

month when “The Quran” was

revealed to mankind from ALLAH.

Fasting has its spiritual and religious

importance and dimensions. At the

same time it also has great scientific

and medical benefits that are

disclose as advanced medical

science is researching on it.

Fasting is an old and omnipotent,

approach to cure many common

disease conditions .It is most

appropriately refers as the

„‟operation without therapy‟‟. This

permits the body to rest, detoxify,

and to heal. The same kind of

detoxification cycle occurs in

fasting as it normally occurs during

sleep. Body utilizes its energy, for

eliminating the accumulated toxins

of body, not for digesting food but

healing many parts of it that are ill.

During fast, body utilizes all those

things that are not essential for body

functioning. Such as fibroid tumors,

bacteria, viruses, waste products in

the blood, any build up around the

joints, and stored fat. However,

scientific importance of fasting is

revealed as follows:

Fasting help in clearing the acne

and pigmentation. Dull looking skin

and eyes become shiny.

Fasting can play a noteworthy role in

the recovery from adult-onset diabetes

(Type 2); however, it is contraindicated

for Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetics.

It is helpful in controlling allergies,

asthma and hay fever. A weak immune

system serves as a cause of these

problems. Fasting boost up the activity

of immune system.

It plays an important role in bringing

person out from anxiety, stress and

depression.

Fasting and detoxification serves as a

common natural treatment for arthritis.

It is highly effectual for treating both

osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Fasting causes considerable

anti-inflammatory actions in the body

and because of fasting a remarkable

decrease in ESR, arthralgia, pain, and

stiffness are discovered by researches.

Fasting leads to the calories reduction

that reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.

As it decreasing triglycerides level,

atheromas, total cholesterol, and

increasing HDL levels, therefore, it is

beneficial in chronic cardiovascular

disease and congestive heart failure.

Fasting has been exposed to be the

most effective method for decreasing

blood pressure and normalizing

cardiovascular function.

Fasting has its long-standing effects

on metabolism; it is the most effective

treatments for obesity.

BENEFITS OF FASTING By Alina Hasani


"Everyone has a doctor in him; we

just have to help him in his work.

The natural healing force within each

one of us is the greatest force in

getting well. ...to eat when you are

sick, is to feed your sickness."

Hippocrates

"Fasting is the greatest remedy-- the

physician within." Philippus Paracelsus

membrane leads to the Vasodilation

that further leads toward Migraine.

How to prevent headache and Migraine

in Ramadan?

Try to take plenty of Water

gradually to Prevent Migraine

Headaches.

Do not take chilled juices

simultaneously after breaking the

fast; this could lead yourself

towards migraine due to

simultaneous changes in body

temperature and in normal

physiology.

Migraine could cause by

prevention of caffeine, a strong

cup of tea or coffee might be

helpful. Lemon tea could be

beneficial to prevent headache.

Regulate your sleep pattern

lack of sleep could cause it.

Yogurt could help to

p r e v e n t t h r u s t a n d

dehydrated condition in fast.

Try to take the food enrich

with the magnesium it help in

stabilizing blood vessels to

prevent capillary and muscle

s p a s m s . I n c r e a s e

magnesium-rich foods such as

wheat germ, bananas, garlic,

seafood, spinach, melon to

support the body and prevent

migraine pain.

Foods that are high in the

amino acid tryptophan stimulate the

brain in the production of the

neurotransmitter, serotonin. Low

levels of serotonin are linked to

migraine headaches, depression and

sleeplessness.

At last we can say that by controlling

the diet pattern, proper intake of water,

regulat ion in sleeping patterns

headache and Migraine could be

prevented or control.

The problem of headache and

migraine is quite common in our

population and the ratio of these

headache and Migraine increases in

the month of Ramadan. Headache

could be define as the pain in the any

region of head due to inflammation

of the vessels. It could be a symptom

of other diseases whereas Migraine

is a chronic disorder and it suppose

to be a neurovascular

disease followed by the

change in vascular

permeability.

Fasting is the common

practice performed by

all the Muslims in the

H o l y mo n t h o f

Ramadan. Headache

and minor Migraine in

this month could be

because of changes in

the sleeping and diet

patterns, stress, empty

stomach, withdrawal of

c a f f e i n e a n d

dehydrat ion, other

co nd it io n inc lude

hypoglycemic condition

d u r ing fa s t a nd

h y p e r g l y c e m i c

condition after fasting.

D u r i n g f a s t i n g

condition, specially in

the afternoon and

evening, headache cause by

hypoglycemic condition i.e. lack of

sugar in the blood that lead to the

sign of migraine or headache.

Dehydration could be the other

trigger of it because human brain

consist of 75% of water and shows

the great sensitivity towards the

changes in the amount of water.

Low water supply leads to the

production of histamine by brain It is

essentially a process of water

rationing and conservation that

safeguard the brain in case the water

shortage continues for a long period of

time. This histamine production could

bring about the vasoconstriction causes

sensat ion of pain and fat igue.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can

also trigger headaches in many people.

If a meal with high sugar content is

taken before the day's fast begins, it can

cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels

followed by a fast drop that may trigger

a headache. The meal with low sugar

content before the fast may prevent the

onset of a headache during the day.

Migraine after fast could be cause by

hyperglycemia due to the plenty supply

of water and nutrient in the vessels

which were suffering with the

hypotonic condition previously, they

become hypertonic due to the rapid

transportation of nutrient across the

HEADACHE & MIGRAIN DURING FASTBy Huma Khalid



1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENDORSING HEALTH SCIENCE RESEARCH

RESEARCH ELECTIVE SESSION II

AEIRC has been conducting three month training course of

Research Electives exclusively for the Research Associates

of AEIRC who are working on ongoing research projects.

This course comprises of teaching of research ethics,

training of research writing, statistical analysis of data, how

to design research, methods and survey.

AEIRC believes that dimension is compulsory for the

satisfactory development in Health care and research in our

Country. For the reason we are launching our first

International conference to set a platform for the exchange of

ideas to promote and educate researchers and young

graduates. It is an interactive approach being hosted by the

AEIRC. The aim of this conference is to augment scientific,

social and academic interactions between young and

experienced researchers by involving them in this scientific

research-focused event in Karachi, Pakistan. It will be a

Karachi based two-days conference where internationally

and nationally renowned clinical and basic researchers will

share their latest findings. There will be lectures from

International and national speakers. For the student‟s

convenience pre conference workshop will be conducted on

the research tactics that will be held on 11th October. The

speakers will benefit the attendees on Bio-safety issues,

basics of Epidemiology and Bio-statistics, & Clinical

research‟s basic tools.

9

AEIRC is launching the science oriented magazine “THE VIVID” to provide latest, beneficial, basic

scientific knowledge and information to readers. It includes articles, mini science reports, brain activities

in a form of scientific puzzles, jokes, riddles, poems etc. It is a platform for seniors to show juniors what

they can do and for juniors to show seniors how talented they are, as it will include articles from school

to university students. These healthy mind twisters enhance Readers problem solving and scientific

reasoning power and elevate critical thinking analysis. Creativity corner reinforces creative skills in early

learners. Creativity ideas provided and contributed by readers both attribute to strengthen the talent and

creating skills of the readers, which is a lacking element in most of education curricula. Mini science

reports in the vivid give more opportunities to learn and love science and technology, it establishes a

basic affection in learning and to figure out happenings around and let them spread to others in a

professional way. You can also send us your science related articles at [email protected].

Send us your original articles at [email protected].

You can contact us at Suit#4, BB Shopping Mall 2nd floor Gulistan-e-Johar, University Rd.(Opposite NED University)

Karachi – Pakistan Phone: +923323466993, +923333549258

tel:%2B923323466993

tel:%2B923333549258

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