A Phylogenetic analysis of Heparanase (HPSE) gene

The Current Study aimed to investigate the possible role of Heparanase protein (HPSE-1, [Entrez Pubmed ref|NP_001092010.1|, heparanase isoform 1 preproprotein [Homo sapiens]) in evolution by studying the phylogenetic relationship and divergence of HPSE-1 gene using computational methods. The Human HPSE protein sequences from various species were retrieved from GenBank database and were compared using sequence alignment. Multiple sequence alignment was done using Clustal-W with defaults and phylogenetic trees for the gene were built using neighbor-joining method as in BLAST 2.2.26+ version. A total of 112 BLAST hits were found for the heparanase query sequence and these hits showed putative conserved domain, Glyco_hydro_79n superfamily. We then narrowed down the search by manually deleting the proteins which were not HPSE-1. These sequences were then subjected to phylogenetic analyses using the PhyML and TreeDyn software. Our study indicated that HPSE-1 is a conserved protein in classes Mammalia, Aves, Amphibia, Actinopterygii and Insecta emphasizing its importance in the physiology of cell membranes. Occurrence of this gene in evolution with conserved sites strengthens the role of HPSE-1 gene and helps in better understanding the biochemical processes that may lead to cancer

Clinicopathological Study of Patients Presenting with Adnexal Masses

Background: To assess the clinicopathological outcome of women with adnexal masses . Method: In this observational study patients with a diagnosis of adnexal mass, who underwent laparotomy, were included. All the patients were evaluated by a complete history, general abdominal and pelvic examination, followed by ultrasonography. Their preoperative findings are then correlated with surgical findings and histopathological diagnosis. Descriptive statistics are applied and results shown in the form of frequencies and percentages. Result: In 50 patients commonest presenting symptom was pain abdomen followed by mass abdomen. Ultrasound features correlate well with histopathological features. Majority (94.6%) patients had benign adnexal pathology and 5.4% had malignant pathology. Most common neoplasms were surface epithelial tumours followed by dermoid cyst. Conclusion:Demographic detail, ultrasonography and CA-125 are good preoperative indicators of malignant nature or benign nature of adnexal masses. Most common adnexal tumours are surface epithelial tumours followed by dermoid cysts and malignant tumours are common in postmenopausal group

Efficacy of high-risk human papillomavirus genotype testing as cervical cancer screening method in a tertiary hospital of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: The fourth most frequent gynecological malignancy worldwide is cervical cancer. Due to the high incidence of risk factors, cervical cancer is a pressing concern in Bangladesh. One of the most prevalent sexually transmitted viruses that can be chronic and can result in cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV). Investigating the epidemiology and clinical traits of this specific kind of HPV requires the identification of the high-risk (HR) HPV type. The aim of the study is to find out High risk HPV genotype (16, 18, and others) distribution among asymptomatic women and compare the diagnostic performance between the test of HR-HPV and visual inspection of cervix with acetic acid. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Gynecological Oncology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka. A total of 300 asymptomatic women, aged 30 to 60 years, fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in this study. Study data was collected by a structured questionnaire designed for interview, clinical examination, HR-HPV genotyping, visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid (VIA), and colposcopy of the women. HR-HPV genotyping was performed by a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among all of the HPV genotypes, HPV 16 (4.7%) was the most prevalent type, followed by HR-HPV (3.7%), HPV 18 (0.7%), and a combination of HPV 16 and other HR-HPV (0.3%). Conclusions: HPV genotype can be used as an effective method for cervical cancer screening, including the identification of women at risk of cervical cancer.

A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN TELANGANA STATE

Objective: To study the Prevalence of urinary tract infections and related risk factors and to study the Management of urinary tract infections. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted in General Medicine Department, Osmania General Hospital (OGH), a tertiary care teaching hospital in Telangana State, where patients presenting or highly suspicious of having UTIs were included in the study. Pregnant women, Children, Patients who are not willing to participate were excluded from the study. Data was collected in predesigned Data collection forms. Results: Over a period of 6 Mo a total of 75 UTI cases were observed in General Medicine Department of OGH, which included 33 Males, and 42 Females. High prevalence of UTI were observed in Females in the middle age group i.e. 31-45 y, whereas in Males, in senior adult group i.e.,>60 y. The age group 18-30 y have shown the dominance of Uncomplicated UTIs(19%) and Primary UTIs (17%) and the age group>60 y have shown the dominance of Complicated UTIs (25%) and Recurrent UTIs(23%). The most common causative organism was found to be E. coli (69.3%). It was confirmed that the most common risk factor was found to be Diabetes Mellitus, followed by Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease. The most common antibiotic prescribed for UTI was Piperacillin+Tazobactum and for fungal UTIs, an antifungal drug i.e., Fluconazole was prescribed. Conclusion: E. coli are the major cause of UTIs among patients It is discovered that UTI is common among females. Hospitalisation, married individuals, Diabetes mellitus, genitourinary tract abnormalities, congestive cardiac failure, hypertension, prostatitis and female gender are the most important risk factors of UTIs. Appropriate measures may help to reduce UTIs due to these associated factors

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a widespread parasitic infection caused by the Leishmania, which is carried by female sandflies. The symptoms include basic ulcer to lethal systemic disease i.e., formation of widely dispersed skin lesions of diverse types. Almost 350 million individuals are at danger and the disease is endemic in more than 98 countries. There are globally 12 million cases, with 2–2.5 million new cases annually. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is considered as critically neglected disease by WHO. Earlier it was difficult to identify the infecting parasite, but modern DNA techniques make it quite simple to identify the Leishmania species, allowing quick treatment decisions. The quick identification of Leishmania is made possible using the PCR method. There is currently no vaccination to prevent leishmaniasis, and pharmacological treatment is frequently ineffectual. There is a need for broad and well-conducted investigations to help its control. Amphotericin B, pentamidine isethionate, paromomycin, and antifungals are some of the drugs recommended for treatment. By organising direct, in-person training, which is a crucial step in improving attitudes and preventative actions toward CL and its control in endemic areas, it is necessary to underline the significance and necessity of teaching this at-risk population

Investigation of biological activities of Xeromphis uliginosa (Retz.) root extracts in Swiss-albino mice model, an extinctive medicinal plant of Bangladesh

Xeromphis. uliginosa (Retz.) is an extinctive Bangladeshi medicinal plant that is locally used for the treatments of pain, diabetes, diarrhea, depressant, and other diseases. The present study was conducted to evaluate the peripheral analgesic activity (PAA), central analgesic activity (CAA), central nervous system antidepressant activity (CNS-AD), antidiarrheal activity (ADA), and hypoglycaemic activity (HGA) of methanolic root extract of X. uliginosa (MREXU) in a mice model. The acetic acid-induced writhing inhibition and tail flick method were applied to determine the PAA and CAA of MREXU. The CNS-AD was measured using the phenobarbitone sodium-mediated sleeping method whereas, the castor oil-induced antidiarrheal method was used to determine the ADA of the crude extracts. To determine the HGA of MREXU crude extract, the tail tipping technique was conducted in a mice model. The MREXU displayed potential PAA and CAA in mice models. The MREXU 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibit the number of writings along with diclofenac sodium. On the other hand, MREXU both doses significantly inhibit thermal stimulus after 60 and 90 minutes respectively. In the CNS-AD study, crude extract of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increase the onset of sleep by decreasing the duration of sleep. Similarly, the dose of 200 mg/kg significantly reduced diarrheal faeces for the whole 4 hours of experiments. The heartiest outcome of MREXU was displayed in the HGA assay. Both doses of MREXU significantly reduced the blood sugar level for the entire 3 hours of the experiments. In this study, it is revealed that the root of MREXU has extremely significant blood sugar-reducing activity, potential CNS-AD and mild to moderate nociceptive activity in the mice mode

Vitamin D Receptor FokI, ApaI, and TaqI Polymorphisms in Lead Exposed Subjects From Saudi Arabia

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms were reported to influence blood lead levels (BLL) and the response of subjects to the symptoms of lead toxicity. However, no studies have been conducted in the Saudi Arabian population which has unique ethnicity and socio-demographic features. This study examined the polymorphisms in exon 2 (allele 1) and intron 8 (allele 2 and allele 3) of VDR gene and their relation to BLLs. As per the CDC guidelines, the recruited lead-exposed workers (N = 130) were categorized to two groups viz., low BLL group (<10 μg/dL) and high BLL group (>10 μg/dL). The low BLL group had a mean BLL of 4.37 μg/dL, while the high BLL group had levels of 18.12 μg/dL (p < 0.001). Overall, the genetic variants, TC and CC in the VDR FokI were significantly associated with a risk of lead toxicity and the allele “C” was a risk factor (p = 0.00026). Furthermore, the TT genotype of VDR ApaI significantly increased the risk of developing lead poisoning (p = 0.0006). The VDR TaqI SNP was not significantly associated with lead toxicity. The highest BLLs for VDR FokI-CC, VDR ApaI-GG, and VDR TaqI-TT genotypes from High BLL group were 18.42, 15.26, and 18.75 μg/dL, respectively. Older age (51–60 years) was found to be a significant confounding factor for BLLs (p = 0.012). Additional studies in larger sample sizes are needed to firmly establish the role of VDR genotypes and genetic susceptibility to lead poisoning

Gemcitabine based combination chemotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer-indirect comparison

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent meta-analyses have found a survival advantage with gemcitabine based combinations over single agent gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. There is paucity of evidence in the form of direct head-to-head randomised controlled trials to determine which combinations are to be preferred.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Using the adjusted indirect comparison method proposed by Bucher et al, we have assessed randomised controlled trials of four gemcitabine based combinations namely gemcitabine plus a platinum compound or 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan or capecitabine.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No particular combination was significantly superior to another, but the indirect evidence suggests some important trends.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The strongest trends on indirect comparison are towards favouring gemcitabine plus capecitabine or gemcitabine plus a platinum compound over gemcitabine plus irinotecan, and to a lesser degree, over gemcitabine plus 5-fluorouracil.</p