PROSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE ANIMAL MODEL USED IN THE PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF ANTI-CANCER DRUG

Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of cells that have transformed from the normal cells of the body. The widely used cancer drugs suffers from the drawback of high toxicity not within the reach of a common man. This urgently necessitating the screening of these compounds. This review focuses on the major contributions of preclinical screening models to anticancer drug development over the years till recent times, from the empirical drug screening of cytotoxic agents against uncharacterized tumor models to the target-orientated drug screening of agents with defined mechanisms of action,, a general transition has been observed. The newer approaches to anticancer drug development involve the molecular characterization of models along with an appreciation of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties of compounds [e. g., the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) in vitro 60-cell line panel, hollow fibre assay, and s. c. xenograft]. In vivo tumor models including orthotopic, metastatic, and genetically engineered mouse models are also reviewed. The preclinical screening efforts of the European are also included. In 2015 with the rapid development of cancer modeling in zebrafish, great opportunities exist for chemical screens to find anticancer drug since 1970 the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer and Cancer Research UK, have been collaborating with the NCI in the acquisition and screening of compounds

An empirical test on the impact of a gender diverse boardroom on agency cost and earnings management in China

Chinese firms have increasingly been in the news for their financial shenanigans. Because women are perceived to be more ethical and risk averse, cracking the corporate glass ceiling by promoting more women to the board seems to be a proper move to solve the governance problems of a male-dominated board. This paper seeks to address whether gender diversity on the board can reduce agency cost and earnings management on 883 listed firms in China for the period of 2008-2015. The results indicate that gender diversity on board does not reduce agency cost or earnings management in China. Other board characteristics like size, number of meetings, and independence are found to have a stronger influence in deterring fraud. As a minority group, women tend to adopt ‘male’ traits to negotiate with institutional barriers and become part of the group. This manner of coping negates the ‘added’ benefits that women can bring to the board

AC ELECTRIC TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF Zn SUBSTITUTED Li FERRITES

The electrical transport properties of ZnxLi0.45-x/2Fe2.55-x/2O4 (where, x=0.0, 0.3, 0.5) synthesized by conventional ceramic method have been investigated as a function of Zn content. The X-ray analysis confirms the formation of single phase cubic spinel structure. The ac resistivity and dielectric constant show opposite trend with increase in Zn content. The ac resistivity and dielectric constant of the samples are found to decreases with increase in frequency, exhibiting normal ferromagnetic behaviour. Dielectric constant of the samples decreases rapidly at lower frequencies and slower at higher frequencies which may be due to the Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization. The electrical properties can be explained on the basis of Fe2+/Fe3+ ionic concentration

The Effect Of Umbilical Cord Milking In Reducing ROP Of Preterm Babies.

Background: Recent advances in neonatal care in the last decade have improved the survival rates for premature infants. Consequently, the incidence of ROP has increased in parallel. ROP is under constant epidemiological study around the world. Prematurity, low birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, prolonged oxygen treatment and blood transfusion increase the risk of ROP. Umbilical cord milking reduces the incidence of ROP in preterm infants by reducing the need for blood transfusions in preterm infants. Objective: To observe effect of ROP with umbilical cord milking. Methodology: This prospective observational study was carried out on neonates, in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU after approval from IRB. Neonates admitted into neonatal intensive care unit of BSMMU satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria was enrolled for the study. A written informed consent was taken from parents and assurance about confidentiality was given. Neonates born before 37 weeks of gestation was assigned to either umbilical cord milking or non-milking group at a 1: 1 ratio according to a computer generated randomized sequence. After delivery of a baby umbilical cord milking was performed by holding the infant at the level of the placenta. First eye evaluation for ROP was done at 20 days of age for gestational age less than 30weeks & weight below 1200gm & at 30 days of age for gestational age more than 30 weeks & above weight 1200gm. Follow-up was continued until retinal vascularization was completed. The follow-up schedules were organized depending on the retinal findings. The retinal finding was evaluated according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. The patients were grouped as no ROP, mild ROP (stages I-II ROP without plus disease, showed regression), and severe ROP (zone 1 or zone 2, stage III, aggressive ROP without stages, stage II with plus disease who required treatment). Data were recorded in a preformed questionnaire and data were analyzed by statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: 114 newborns were enrolled in this study. Then among 114 preterm neonates 57 were randomized to umbilical cord milking group and 57 were randomized to no milking group. Baseline characteristics were almost similar between the two groups. There were significant increase is hematocrit level 57.3 ±3.5 V 47.4 ± 4.5 (P value less than 0.001), reduction in need of blood transfusion 3.5% V 42.1% (P value less than 0.001) & reduction in ROP 3.5% V 19.3% (P 0.007). Conclusion: This study concluded that umbilical cord milking after delivery improves hematocrit level, reduces need of blood transfusion & reduces the incidence of ROP in preterm infant

Screening for cervical cancer (By VIA Test) among selected garments worker in Chattogram, Bangladesh

Background: Bangladesh is a densely populated country of South East Asia with low resource setting where cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of female cancer. In more than 80% cases are diagnosed at advanced and inoperable stage. Regarding socio demographic context of this country VIA has been introduced as a screening method for cervical cancer which is most simple, cost effective, and acceptable test for all women. In Bangladesh among 3 million garment workers more than 80% are women. The objective of this study was to identify prevalence of VIA positive cases among garment workers. So that it can reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in Bangladesh. Methods: It was a cross–sectional observational study conducted in some selected garment factories in Chattogram city of Bangladesh from January 2021 to July 2021, where we enrolled 534 female workers for VIA test. Results: Among all the respondents 56% were 30 years or younger, 38% were aged between 31 to 40 years. Among 534 participants, 44.9% completed primary education, 37.3% were smoker and 34.5% had their children at early age. Majority (86.7%) had excessive whitish discharge. Post coital bleeding and irregular bleeding was 2.6% and 2.2% respectively. Considering awareness, 61.8% had idea about cervical cancer, only 1.1% had undergone VIA test in the past. In our study we found 2.4% of participants were VIA positive cases. Conclusions: It is important to include the garment workers, while making public health policies and implementation of cervical cancer control program

Characterization of Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Yoghurt Available in Bangladesh

Yoghurt is the common fermented dairy product consumed worldwide and it is considered a potential source of probiotic bacteria (Lactobacilli and Lactococci). To assess the in-vitro probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactobacillus plantarum species isolated from yoghurt sold in different local markets of Chittagong region in Bangladesh were examined by morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. In the preliminary test, all isolates were grown well at acidic pH (pH 3-5) while the optimum growth temperature was 37°C and better growth was observed in the presence of 1-8% NaCl concentrations. In addition, the selected isolates were able to survive up to 3% bile salt concentrations while the best tolerance was at 1% bile salt. The strains successfully inhibited the growth of common pathogenic bacteria likely Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella Paratyphi, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis examined by in vitro growth inhibition test. Most of the isolated strains exhibited resistance pattern against ten commonly used antibiotics in foodborne illness in the country. However, the strains in yoghurt sold at Chittagong city have ideal probiotic characteristics and this fermented dairy product could be a potential source of human probiotic bacteria

Factors Associated with Klebsiella

Although Klebsiella bacteremia in children is perceived to be associated with fatal consequences, data are scarce on those children presenting with diarrhea. We evaluated the factors associated with Klebsiella bacteremia in such children. In this retrospective chart analysis, data of all diarrheal children was retrieved from electronic medical record system (named as SHEBA) of Dhaka Hospital of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2012, who had their blood culture done. This was a study having a case-control design where comparison of clinical and laboratory characteristics was done among children with Klebsiella bacteremia (cases = 30) and those without any bacteraemia (controls = 90). Controls were selected randomly. The cases more often had fatal outcome (p<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, after adjusting for potential confounders such as young age, severe dehydration, severe wasting, abnormal mentation, hypotension, and fast breathing, the cases were independently associated with hospital-acquired infection and positive stool growth (for all, p<0.05). The study highlights the importance of obtaining blood cultures in hospitalized children under five years old with diarrheal illness in the presence of either hospital-acquired infection or positive stool culture to have better outcome