Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Intriguing Association

Raqshan Wajih Siddiqui,Tabish Wajih Siddiqui,Shiza Wajih Siddiqui 대한소아신경학회 2024 대한소아신경학회지 Vol.32 No.2

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the overall cognitive, emotional, social, and physical health of the affected individual. It is characterised by challenges in social communication and interaction, repetitive and stereotyped behaviours, and narrow interests. The pathogenesis of ASD is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood may contribute to the development of ASD. While studies have indicated that vitamin D supplementation can significantly improve symptoms of ASD, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. This review summarises the association between vitamin D levels and ASD, explores potential mechanisms underlying vitamin D's role in ASD, and examines the effect of vitamin D supplementation on ASD symptoms.

Therapeutic Effect of Majoon Mundi and Qairooti Karnab in Dā al-Ṣadaf (Psoriasis): A Case Series

Siddiqui, Gulnaz Fatima,Siddiqui, Shahid Akhtar,Jabeen, Arzeena,Qamaruddin, Qamaruddin,Kazmi, Munawwar Husain Cellmed Orthocellular Medicine and Pharmaceutical 2019 셀메드 (CellMed) Vol.9 No.4

Introduction: Psoriasis is a major health concern around the world. Physicians of the Unani system of medicine have been treating psoriasis for centuries. Aim: The purpose of our study was to assess the effect of Majoon Mundi (a semisolid Unani medication intended for oral intake used as blood purifier) and Qairooti Karnab (a Unani medication in paste form intended for topical application used as emollient) in the treatment $na{\ddot{i}}ve$ psoriasis cases and to collect data to warrant further clinical trials. Material and Methods: Psoriasis cases were diagnosed clinically. Data were collected during treatment of five patients of psoriasis treated with the Majoon Mundi (oral intake of 5 gm twice daily with 200 ml of water for 12 weeks) and Qairooti Karnab (topical application on affected sites twice a day for 12 weeks). Patients were treated for 12 weeks. Treatment response was seen with clinical improvement in skin lesions and measurement of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI Scoring) before and after treatment. Results: Reduced PASI Score was observed in all five patients after 12 weeks of treatment [PASI before and after treatment was (mean${\pm}$SD) $20.7{\pm}4.6$ vs. $3.2{\pm}1.8$; p-value <0.05.]. Clinical improvement was noticed within an average of 4 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate the potential therapeutic role of Majoon Mundi and Qairooti Karnab in the treatment of psoriasis. Clinical trials based on this Unani pharmacopeial formulation should be conducted to explore the therapeutic potential of this formulation in psoriasis

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of ESBL Producing Enterobacteriaceae from Highly Polluted Stretch of River Yamuna, India

Siddiqui, Kehkashan,Mondal, Aftab Hossain,Siddiqui, Mohammad Tahir,Azam, Mudsser,Haq., Qazi Mohd. Rizwanul The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2018 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.46 No.2

The rapid increase in number and diversity of Extended Spectrum ${\beta}$-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae in natural aquatic environment is a major health concern worldwide. This study investigates abundance and distribution of ESBL producing multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae and molecular characterization of ESBL genes among isolates from highly polluted stretch of river Yamuna, India. Water samples were collected from ten different sites distributed across Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, during 2014-15. A total of 506 non duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production and antibiotic sensitivity for 15 different antibiotics were performed according to CLSI guidelines (Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute, 2015). A subset of ESBL positive Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene and screened for ESBL genes, such as $bla_{CTX-M}$, $bla_{TEM}$ and $bla_{OXA}$. Out of 506 non-duplicate bacterial isolates obtained, 175 (34.58%) were positive for ESBL production. Susceptibility pattern for fifteen antibiotics used in this study revealed higher resistance to cefazolin, rifampicin and ampicillin. A high proportion (76.57%) of ESBL positive isolates showed multidrug resistance phenotype, with MAR index of 0.39 at Buddha Vihar and Old Delhi Railway bridge sampling site. Identification and PCR based characterization of ESBL genes revealed the prevalence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ and $bla_{TEM}$ genes to be 88.33% and 61.66%, respectively. Co-occurrence of $bla_{CTX-M}$ and $bla_{TEM}$ genes was detected in 58.33% of the resistant bacteria. The $bla_{OXA}$ gene was not detected in any isolates. This study highlights deteriorating condition of urban aquatic environment due to rising level of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae with multidrug resistance phenotype.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of ESBL Producing Enterobacteriaceae from Highly Polluted Stretch of River Yamuna, India

( Kehkashan Siddiqui ),( Aftab Hossain Mondal ),( Mohammad Tahir Siddiqui ),( Mudsser Azam ),( Qazi Mohd. Rizwanul Haq ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.46 No.2

The rapid increase in number and diversity of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Enterobacteriaceae in natural aquatic environment is a major health concern worldwide. This study investigates abundance and distribution of ESBL producing multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae and molecular characterization of ESBL genes among isolates from highly polluted stretch of river Yamuna, India. Water samples were collected from ten different sites distributed across Delhi stretch of river Yamuna, during 2014-15. A total of 506 non duplicate Enterobacteriaceae isolates were obtained. Phenotypic detection of ESBL production and antibiotic sensitivity for 15 different antibiotics were performed according to CLSI guidelines (Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute, 2015). A subset of ESBL positive Enterobacteriaceae isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene and screened for ESBL genes, such as bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM and bla_OXA. Out of 506 non-duplicate bacterial isolates obtained, 175 (34.58%) were positive for ESBL production. Susceptibility pattern for fifteen antibiotics used in this study revealed higher resistance to cefazolin, rifampicin and ampicillin. A high proportion (76.57%) of ESBL positive isolates showed multidrug resistance phenotype, with MAR index of 0.39 at Buddha Vihar and Old Delhi Railway bridge sampling site. Identification and PCR based characterization of ESBL genes revealed the prevalence of bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes to be 88.33% and 61.66%, respectively. Co-occurrence of bla_CTX-M and bla_TEM genes was detected in 58.33% of the resistant bacteria. The bla_OXA gene was not detected in any isolates. This study highlights deteriorating condition of urban aquatic environment due to rising level of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae with multidrug resistance phenotype.

Singel Agent DAA in HCV PCR Positive Liver Transplant Patients, Experience from a Developing Country

( Hafiz Abdul Basit Siddiqui ),( Basit Siddiqui ),( Rabeea Azmat ),( Wasim Jafri ) 대한간학회 2018 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2018 No.1

Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is the leading cause of decompensated liver disease and liver transplant indication in Pakistan, which is the second most prevalent country with a prevalence of 3.5% to 5.2%. Being the seventh most populous country in the world, lacking significantly on medical grounds reflected by only one liver transplant centre for more than 10 million chronically affected liver disease patients. Before the era of directly acting antiviral agents (DAAs) most common problem faced in the post liver transplant period was recurrence of HCV and most of the patients were non responders to interferon therapy well before transplantation of liver graft. Aim of this study is to see the outcomes of single agent DAA in HCV PCR positive liver transplant patients. Methods: This cross sectional analysis was carried out in CHC infected post liver transplant patients with high viremia. The effect of DAAs were noted in the form of eradication of virus and achievement of sustained virological response (SVR). DAAs used, were also recored. Also to note the interaction with immunosuppresants and development of side effects notably derangement of liver function test or failure of graft and anemia. And to note the development of acute kidney injury or any other untoward effect. Results: During study period of 24 months, from January 2015 to December 2016, 51 HCV positive liver transplant patients were enrolled in the study. 26 (52%) out of 51 found to have active viral replication with positive PCR. All 26 received combination of Sofosbuvir (only DAA avaialbe till December 2016 in Pakistan) and Ribavirin. Achievement of viral eradication was 100% so was for SVR. There was no interaction with immunosuppressants. Most commonly reported side effect was fatigue and a feeling of nausea. Kidney and liver function tests remained normal. Contrary to recent data, there was no recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who recieved liver graft for HCC on background of CHC cirrhosis. Conclusions: Directly acting antiviral therapy has revolutionized outcomes of HCV infected post liver transplant patients in a country lacking modern and advanced health care system. Even the single agent therapy has done wonders for the economically less privileged.

FROM DETERRENCE AND COERCIVE DIPLOMACY TO WAR: THE 1971 CRISIS IN SOUTH ASIA

SIDDIQUI, ASIF GRADUATE INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AND AREA STUD 1997 Journal of International and Area Studies Vol.4 No.1

This study will try to demarcate the reasons for India and Pakistan shifting from policies of coercive diplomacy and deterrence respectively to one of war. The research puzzle that this essay examines is: Why did two countries that were trying to avoid a war in the early part of 1971 engage in full-scale militaryhostilities before the year was over? Indirectly, this essay also sheds light on another puzzle: Why did the Pakistani leadership, which perceived that it was unlikely to defeat India in war, launch an attack from its western wing on December 3, 1971? The position taken in this study is that the cost/benefit analysis for each country shifted in fervor of war because of the strategic interaction between the two over the course of 1971. In sum, this essay adds to the body of literature elucidating reasons coercive diplomacy and deterrence can fail.

Preventive and Emergency Control of Power System for Transient Stability Enhancement

Siddiqui, Shahbaz A.,Verma, Kusum,Niazi, K.R.,Fozdar, Manoj The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2015 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.10 No.1

This paper presents preventive and emergency control measures for on line transient stability (security) enhancement. For insecure operating state, generation rescheduling based on a real power generation shift factor (RPGSF) is proposed as a preventive control measure to bring the system back to secure operating state. For emergency operating state, two emergency control strategies namely generator shedding and load shedding have been developed. The proposed emergency control strategies are based on voltage magnitudes and rotor trajectories data available through Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) installed in the systems. The effectiveness of the proposed approach has been investigated on IEEE-39 bus test system under different contingency and fault conditions and application results are presented.

Wide range highly sensitive relative humidity sensor based on series combination of MoS₂ and PEDOT:PSS sensors array

Siddiqui, Ghayas Uddin,Sajid, Memoon,Ali, Junaid,Kim, Soo Wan,Doh, Yang Hoi,Choi, Kyung Hyun Elsevier 2018 Sensors and actuators. B, Chemical Vol.266 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In this work, a polymeric material poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and a two dimensional material molybdenum disulfide (MoS<SUB>2</SUB>) 2D nanoflakes have been employed as the active layers of two separate transducers on a single substrate for the detection of relative humidity. The portion with MoS<SUB>2</SUB> based active region showed high responsivity towards low humidity levels while PEDOT:PSS based portion responded well to high humidity levels. These two sensing portions were connected in a series combination to fabricate a single humidity sensing device capable to respond to a wide range of relative humidity with very high sensitivity. 2D MoS<SUB>2</SUB> nanoflakes were obtained by aqueous exfoliation of pristine MoS<SUB>2</SUB>. The transducer electrode pairs were fabricated using reverse offset printing technique on a piezoelectric LiNbO<SUB>3</SUB> substrate. The active thin film of MoS<SUB>2</SUB> flakes was deposited by Electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) while the thin film of PEDOT:PSS was deposited by SAW-EHDA hybrid system. The fabricated sensor is capable of sensing relative humidity with high sensitivity (50 kΩ/%RH or 800 Hz/%RH) in a wide range of 0%RH–80%RH. The response and recovery times are also excellent with values of 0.5 s and 0.8 s respectively. This unique approach of combining multiple transducers in a single sensing device can lead to the development of high performance sensors and can solve the current limitations of single transducer based sensing devices.</P>

Performance Evaluation of Modified Low-Temperature Cascade (MLTC) Type Refrigeration System

Siddiqui Mohd Waseem,Das Nishith Kumar,Sahoo R. K. 대한설비공학회 2021 International Journal Of Air-Conditioning and Refr Vol.29 No.3

An experimental investigation was carried out to study the performance evaluation of Modified Low-Temperature Cascade (MLTC) system, based on two-stage cascade type refrigeration system using the combination of R404A/R23 refrigerants. This system was developed using chilled water (CHW) in the condenser of high-temperature circuit (HTC) and pre-cooler (PC) in the low-temperature circuit (LTC). Isentropic compression efficiency is computed in this work and used here as an important parameter. Performance of MLTC system was compared with or without the introduction of PC into LTC. System’s coefficient of performance (COP) has also been compared with using CHW, cooling tower water (CTW), normal water (NW) into the HTC condenser. It has also been shown that COPs of the system are significantly affected by slight variation in the LTC and HTC evaporating temperatures. Presented parameters and comparisons are likely to help in developing a low-temperature (LT) refrigeration system with higher efficiency for industrial and other applications.

A simplified procedure to incorporate soil non-linearity in missile penetration problems

Siddiqui, N.A.,Kumar, S.,Khan, M.A.,Abbas, H. Techno-Press 2006 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.23 No.3

In this paper, a simplified mathematical procedure is presented to incorporate nonlinearity in soil material to predict the deceleration time history, penetration depth and other relevant parameters for normal impact of missiles into soil targets. Numerical method is employed for these predictions. The results of the study are compared with experimental observations and predictions available in the literature. A good agreement is found with experimental observations and an improvement is observed with existing predictions. A comparison is also made with linear soil model. Some parametric studies are also carried out to obtain the results of practical interest.