MicroRNA: A Signature for Cancer Diagnostics

Various tools and techniques are being used for the diagnosis of cancer, but not a sole technique provides powerful result at the very early stages of cancer. This provides the need for type of tools which could detect cancer at early stages so that survival rate could be augmented. There are various diagnostic ways to identify cancer, but in each case, there are always circumstances to compromise on the sensitivity. In this framework, a new and more advanced approach of diagnosis for cancer is microRNA (miRNA). miRNAs are conserved regions among humans and animals, and their synthesis takes place in the nucleus and cytoplasm. There are several types of microRNAs that could be upregulated and downregulated in various cancers. A cancer cell could be identified by measurement of the expression pattern of miRNA. By examining the expression level for different types of cancers, miRNA can be used as biomarker for early detection of cancer in human beings

Evaluation of Medication Adherence and its Predictors Among Psychiatric Outpatients at a Mental Healthcare Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

The study aimed to assess the level of medication adherence among psychiatric outpatients and to determine the main predictors associated with medication non-adherence. A cross sectional study was conducted among 298 psychiatric outpatients at Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH), Lahore, Pakistan. A designed questionnaire was used as data collection tool and adherence was evaluated using MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Logistic regression was applied to determine the predictors of non-adherence. Medication adherence rate varied from low (39.3%) to high (60.7%) adherence. The impact of demographic factors such as age, gender, diagnosis, employment status and comorbidity on medication adherence were insignificant. Results of chi-square found that marital status, duration of illness from last visit, patient factors, medication factors, disease factors were significantly associated with adherence (p<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression indicated that qualification, marital status, number of tablets per day, duration of illness from last visit, patient factors, disease factors were the main predictors of medication non-adherence.&nbsp

Assessment of fish oil to check the stability and meat quality of some commercially available tin packed fish in Islamabad, Pakistan

Fish contains all the essential nutrients which is important for human health so it is important to analyse all the nutrients present in tin packed fish meat. Keeping in view its importance present study is conducted on the assessment of fish oil to check the stability and quality of fish meat by proximate analysis of commercially available tin packed fish. Four tin packed fish species i.e., Sardine (Sardinella longiceps), Red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) were collected from different supermarkets of Islamabad, Pakistan. Proximate analysis viz., crude protein, crude fat, moisture and ash contents of the fish meat has been done to evaluate the meat quality. The antioxidant activity in oil was also analysed by FRAP assay. The result indicated that maximum percentage of moisture i.e., 78.61% present in Skipjack Tuna meat, Pink Salmon contain highest percentage of crude protein i.e., 70.00%, Red Salmon contain highest percentage of crude fat i.e., 30.00% while Sardine and Skipjack Tuna contains highest percentage of ash contents i.e., 8.00% and the total antioxidant capacity (uM) is higher in oil of Red Salmon (24.35%) followed by Sardines (14.78%), Skipjack Tuna (9.86%) and Pink Salmon (9.48%). It was concluded that the fish meat after thermal processing contains suitable percentage of crude protein, crude fats, and moisture and ash contents

Quality Of Life of Women, Pre- and Post-Operative Breast Cancer Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) of women with breast cancer who came for treatment in surgery department before diagnosis and post-operative time period. Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted at General surgery Department, Islamabad Medical complex, NESCOM, from October 2021 to March 2022. Seventy four diagnosed breast cancer patients, above 18 years of age, who underwent surgical treatment (MRM and Axillary clearance), were selected. QoL was assessed with the help of EORTC QLQ C-30 and EORTC BR-23 questionnaire. Data was collected on opd follow up and through telephone. SPSS 20 was used to analyze the data and Wilcoxon test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed. Results: The QoL assessed at pre and post operative stage showed positive results only in the future prospects and emotional function domain. Whereas, negative results were scored in rest of the domains, which are symptoms in the arm, body image, financial concerns, sexual pleasure, cognitive function and physical function. Conclusion: The need for a multidisciplinary approach for breast cancer patients is required regarding different dimensions that can improve their QoL

Therapeutic potential and bioactive phenolics of locally grown Pakistani and Chinese varieties of ginger in relation to extraction solvents

Current study compares the Therapeutic/nutra-pharmaceuticals potential and phenolics profile of Pakistani grown Pakistani and Chinese varieties of ginger. Crude yield of bioactive components from the varieties tested, using different extraction solvents including chloroform, ethyl acetate, ether, methanol, ethanol and distilled water. The crude bioactives varied from 14.1-82.5%. The highest extraction yield was noted for Pakistani species. The HPLC analysis revalued significant amounts of phenolics including vanillin, protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic, sinapinic and cinnamic acids. The highest anti-inflammatory activity was shown by ethanolic extract of Pakistani variety (IC50: 26.5±1.8) whereas Chinese variety exhibited potent anticancer potential against MCF-7 cell line (Inhibition: 91.38 %). The Chinese variety in general showed higher phenolics and anticancer, while the Pakistani exhibited higher anti-inflammatory activity. Pakistani grown ginger and ethanolic extract of Chinese ginger showed highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa 18.0±0.02 & 15.00±0.02 mm respectively. Minimum results obtained with water for both varieties of ginger with range of 7.2±0.22 and 6±0.07 respectively. Moreover, the phenolics composition, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer activities of both tested varieties of ginger were notably affected as a function of extraction solvents. Our findings advocate selection of appropriate solvent for recovery of effective phenolic bioactive compounds from ginger verities to support the Nutra-pharmaceutical formulation

Drug overdose: a wake up call! Experience at a tertiary care centre in Karachi, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of patients admitted with drug overdose caused either by accidental overdose of the prescribed medications or as an act of deliberate self harm (DSH) at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.METHODS: A retrospective case series review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2002 to October 2006. Three hundred and twenty four adult patients admitted with drug overdose were included in the study.RESULTS: Our sample group revealed mean age of 36.2 +/- 17.0 years, more females (59%), housewives (34%), and students (20%). Fifty six percent of patients committing DSH were married (p = 0.001), 81% needed in-patient psychiatric services (p = 0.016) of whom a significantly high number (38%) refused it. Domestic and social issues were rated highest among DSH group (p = 0.003), depression among females was common (p = 0.028) and Benzodiazepines (41%) was the most frequently used drug (p = 0.021). Sub-group analysis of accidental overdoses revealed mean age of 45.6 +/- 19.6 years, single (75.4%) and males (54.1%). Drugs used were mainly Benzodiazepines (18%) followed by Opioids (11%), Antiepileptics (10%) and Warfarin (10%).CONCLUSION: Our study showed that depressed housewives are at greater risk for DSH. Domestic and social issues were rated highest and Benzodiazepines were the most commonly used agents. Most of our patients refused inpatient psychiatric treatment leading us to believe that general awareness of psychiatric illnesses is imperative in our community. High number of accidental overdoses is alarming in older, single males convincing us to believe that existing pharmacy system needs further evaluation and modification