Clinical Challenges in the Management of Malignant Ovarian Germ Cell Tumours

Nonepithelial ovarian cancers (NEOC) are a group of rare malignancies, including germ cell tumours (GCT) and sex cord-stromal tumours (SCST), along with small-cell carcinomas and sarcomas. GCTs represent 2-5% of ovarian cancers, with a yearly incidence of 4:100,000, and they usually affect young women and adolescents. Precursory germ cells of the ovary form the basis of GCT. They are histologically classified into primitive GCT, teratomas, and monodermal and somatic-type tumours associated with dermoid cysts. A primitive GCT can be either a yolk sac tumour (YST), dysgerminoma, or mixed germ cell neoplasm. Teratomas are either mature (benign) or immature (malignant). Given that malignant GCTs occur rarely compared to epithelial ovarian tumours (EOC), greater focus is required in their diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and molecular biology, along with the management and therapeutic challenges

Mixed convective heat transfer in a power-law fluid in a square enclosure: Higher order finite element solutions

Incorporation of momentum gradients produced due to inertial motion of the lid along with the presence of temperature differences in the configuration make the physical problem more significant. The joint variation of momentum and thermal diffusion in diversified natural liquids is recognized as mixed convection. Valuable attention has been received by such a phenomenon in different areas of science and technology such as in wind current–based solar receivers, electronic instruments, control of emergency shutdown in reactors, thermal exchangers, oceanic currents, control of atmospheric pollution, and so on. So, the main focus is to contemplate hydrothermal characteristics of a power-law fluid contained in a square cavity with the movement of the upper lid and being thermally adiabatic. The other extremities are considered to be at rest, and the base wall is prescribed with uniform/non-uniform temperature distributions. The governing formulation of the problem is handled by executing a finite element approach. Hybrid meshing is performed for domain discretization, and weak variational formulation is utilized for formulation discretization. Second-degree polynomials are employed as the interpolation function, providing information about velocity and temperature distributions at boundary and intermediate nodes. The system of finalized non-linear equations is resolved by using the Paradiso software. The results for velocity and temperature distributions are attained comparatively for uniformly and non-uniformly heated profiles. The kinetic energy and average Nusselt number are also computed against flow concerning variables. From the attained graphical and tabular data, it is deduced that by increasing the Reynolds number, inertial forces dominate over buoyancy forces and the effect of lid movement is prominent on flow characteristics. It is also inferred that for the shear thickening case and for all values of the Reynolds number, the average Nusselt number shows a constant behavior

Development of antibacterial, degradable and pH-responsive chitosan/guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol blended hydrogels for wound dressing

The present research is based on the fabrication preparation of CS/PVA/GG blended hydrogel with nontoxic tetra orthosilicate (TEOS) for sustained paracetamol release. Different TEOS percentages were used because of their nontoxic behavior to study newly designed hydrogels’ crosslinking and physicochemical properties. These hydrogels were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spec-troscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and wetting to determine the functional, surface morphology, hydrophilic, or hydrophobic properties. The swelling analysis in different media, degradation in PBS, and drug release kinetics were conducted to observe their response against corresponding media. The FTIR analysis confirmed the components added and crosslinking between them, and surface morphology confirmed different surface and wetting behavior due to different crosslinking. In various solvents, including water, buffer, and electrolyte solutions, the swelling behaviour of hydrogel was investigated and observed that TEOS amount caused less hydrogel swelling. In acidic pH, hydrogels swell the most, while they swell the least at pH 7 or higher. These hydrogels are pH-sensitive and appropriate for controlled drug release. These hydrogels demonstrated that, as the ionic concentration was increased, swelling decreased due to decreased osmotic pressure in various electrolyte solutions. The antimicrobial analysis revealed that these hydrogels are highly antibacterial against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) and Gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) bacterial strains. The drug release mechanism was 98% in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) media at pH 7.4 in 140 min. To analyze drug release behaviour, the drug release kinetics was assessed against different mathematical models (such as zero and first order, Higuchi, Baker–Lonsdale, Hixson, and Peppas). It was found that hydrogel (CPG2) follows the Peppas model with the highest value of regression (R2 = 0.98509). Hence, from the results, these hydrogels could be a potential biomaterial for wound dressing in biomedical applications

Exploring the perceptions and experiences of female\u27s with ß-thalassemia major in a tertiary care private hospital in Pakistan

Introduction: ß-Thalassemia, a genetic condition which influences both the physical and emotional facets of individuals specially females while also exerting substantial financial strain on families and healthcare systems. Recognizing the pivotal influence of social support, particularly on mental well-being, this study endeavors to delve into the shared psychosocial challenges experienced by females grappling with ß-thalassemia major.Methods: Employing a qualitative-descriptive methodology and purposive sampling, this study conducted in-depth interviews with forty-two young girls, 18.64 ± 4.27, diagnosed with ß-thalassemia major and representing diverse academic backgrounds, using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide. NVIVO-12 software facilitated extended data analysis, encompassing coding, categorization, theme development, and mind-mapping techniques to unravel nuanced insights from the collected data.Findings: This groundbreaking study delves into the psychosocial factors that impact the well-being of female ß-thalassemia patients. The research highlights the key factors that positively contribute to their quality of life by conducting thorough inductive content analysis. These include receiving an education, having robust family support, experiencing overall life satisfaction, and making meaningful societal contributions. The findings of this study can be used to improve the lives of female ß-thalassemia patients and enhance their overall well-being. Contrariwise, notable impediments encompassed depression, social isolation, limited access to insurance services, challenges in educational and employment spheres, as well as difficulties in nurturing social relationships. These findings underscore the multifaceted influences shaping the quality of life for girls navigating ß-thalassemia, shedding light on empowering and challenging elements within their experiences.Conclusion: In conclusion, psychosocial factors supporting or hindering the well-being of young girls with ß-thalassemia major in Pakistan include an inductive environment at homes, organizations, education, institutions with adequate knowledge of thalassemia disease among patients, and society. More research is needed to understand their needs and advocate for societal support and acceptance. Family and friends support are crucial for improving their quality of life, necessitating focused efforts to provide understanding and aid within the community

Clinical challenges in the management of malignant ovarian germ cell tumours

Nonepithelial ovarian cancers (NEOC) are a group of rare malignancies, including germ cell tumours (GCT) and sex cord-stromal tumours (SCST), along with small-cell carcinomas and sarcomas. GCTs represent 2–5% of ovarian cancers, with a yearly incidence of 4:100,000, and they usually affect young women and adolescents. Precursory germ cells of the ovary form the basis of GCT. They are histologically classified into primitive GCT, teratomas, and monodermal and somatic-type tumours associated with dermoid cysts. A primitive GCT can be either a yolk sac tumour (YST), dysgerminoma, or mixed germ cell neoplasm. Teratomas are either mature (benign) or immature (malignant). Given that malignant GCTs occur rarely compared to epithelial ovarian tumours (EOC), greater focus is required in their diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we review the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and molecular biology, along with the management and therapeutic challenges

Efficacy of the Ionic Liquid 1,4-Bis(carboxymethyl)piperazine-1,4-diium Chloride as a Catalyst for Xanthenes/Acridines Synthesis: Spectral Characterization, X-ray Structure, and Nematicidal Activity

In this research paper, a straightforward and efficient approach for synthesizing the 1,4-bis(carboxymethyl)piperazine-1,4-diium chloride [BCMPZ][2Cl] ionic liquid salt (IL) catalyst is introduced. The morphology, thermal stability, and functionality of the synthesized [BCMPZ][2Cl] IL were characterized using spectroscopic, electron microscopy, and thermal analysis. A density functional theory (DFT) study, including infrared spectroscopy (IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM with EDX), were employed. The well-characterized ionic liquid (IL) assisted as a catalyst in the synthesis reaction involving aldehydes, dimidone, and arylamine to yield 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthene and 1,8-dioxo-9-aryl-10-aryl-decahydroacridine derivatives (3a-i and 4a-b) with high yields, getting up to 97%. The structure of the synthesized molecules was confirmed through various physicochemical techniques, including 1H and 13C NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and MS. X-ray single crystal diffraction techniques were also used to elucidate the geometry of one of the synthesized molecules (3f). The heterogeneous catalyst (IL) used in the synthesis of the molecules was successfully recycled and reused without additional treatment of purification. The synthesized xanthines were found to inhibit nematode activity, thus they may act as potential nematicides for crop protection. The present study also identified five different compounds that were effective against Meloidogyne incognita. Compound 3a reduced nematode egg hatching by 65% at a concentration of 2000 ppm, which was the highest efficacy in tested compounds. Compound 3c had a mortality rate of 80% against nematodes. Overall, the developed method has many advantages, including fast reaction time, economic efficiency, and minimal catalyst loading, making it a promising method for future research in the field of heterocycle synthesis and crop protection

Molecular epidemiology of β-thalassemia in Pakistan: Far reaching implications

Background: β -Thalassaemia, an autosomal recessive hemoglobinopathy, is one of the commonest genetically transmitted disorders throughout the world. Collective measures including carrier identification, genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis are required for preventing β-thalassemia. Aim: To achieve this objective, Identification of the spectrum of genetic mutations, especially for various ethnic backgrounds in Pakistan. Therefore, we designed a cross sectional prospective study to identify the frequency of various gene mutations in different ethnic groups of Pakistan. Materials and Methods: Over a 5-year period, DNA from 648 blood samples {including specimens of chorionic villus sampling (CVS)} were analyzed for the twelve most common β-thalassemia mutations found in the Pakistani population by a Multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). Each sample was analyzed for the mutation as well as the normal gene, appropriate with negative and positive controls, and reagent blanks. Results: Out of 648 samples mutations were identified in 640 (98.75%) samples by multiplex ARMS. 8 common β-thalassemia mutations were identified in 8 different ethnic groups accounting for 93.9% of the β-thalasemia alleles. Conclusions: Based on the outcome of this study a cost effective proposal is formulated for detection of β-thalassemia mutations