Oxidation of phenyl alanine by pyridinium chlorochromate in acidic DMF–water medium: A kinetic study

AbstractThe kinetics of oxidation of phenyl alanine by pyridinium chlorochromate in DMF–water (70:30%) mixture in presence of perchloric acid leads to the formation of corresponding aldehyde. The reaction is of first order each in [PCC], [HClO4] and [AA]. Michaelis–Menten type kinetics was observed with phenyl alanine. The reaction rates were determined at different temperatures [25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50°C] and the activation parameters were calculated. The reaction does not induce polymerization of acrylonitrile. With an increase in the amount of DMF in its aqueous mixture, the rate increases. A suitable mechanism for the reaction was postulated

Nanoparticles for hyperthermic therapy: synthesis strategies and applications in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor in humans. Current GBM treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, sometimes supplemented with novel therapies. Despite recent advances, survival of GBM patients remains poor. Major challenges in GBM treatment are drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier, restriction of damage to healthy brain tissues, and limitation of resistance to therapies. This article reviews recent advances in the application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), gold nanorods (GNRs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for hyperthermia ablation of GBM. First, the article introduces GBM, its current treatment, and hyperthermia as a potential modality for the management of GBM. Second, it introduces MNPs, GNRs, and CNTs as inorganic agents to induce hyperthermia in GBM. Third, it discusses different methodologies for synthesis of each inorganic agent. Finally, it reviews in vitro and in vivo studies in which MNPs, GNRs, and CNTs have been applied for hyperthermia ablation and drug delivery in GBM

Can we afford to forget the old killer (tuberculosis) in this COVID-19 pandemic: a case report of scrofula with COVID-19 in a health care worker

In the current scenario of COVID-19 pandemic, we are encountering COVID-19 patients with vague symptoms and in association with many other diseases. We are reporting such a case where neglecting other cause of pyrexia in a patient of COVID-19 would have resulted in disastrous consequences. A young 22 years aged female was admitted to our hospital as COVID-19 with right supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, she was subjected to FNAC of right supraclavicular lymph node. In RT-PCR Mycobacterium Tuberculosis was detected. After three days of starting on Antitubercular drugs she became afebrile. It is important to ensure early diagnosis and continuity of services for tuberculosis along with effective and rapid response to COVID-19 pandemic, so that anticipated increase in TB related deaths during this pandemic can be prevented

IMPACT OF DIABETES ON LABORATORY MARKERS IN NON-ST ELEVATED ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME PATIENTS- A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: The diabetic population is known to be at a significantly increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications, particularly in the context of acute coronary syndromes. The present study sought to examine the impact of diabetes on the primary biochemical and hematological indicators in individuals diagnosed with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study collected data from NSTEACS patients who were admitted and diagnosed using a printed form to record age, comorbidities, and investigation Results. The patients were divided into diabetics and non-diabetics. Results: Ninety-nine patients were enrolled, 39.4% were diabetic, the mean age of diabetics was (60.7 ± 11.0) years vs. (58.3 ± 13.4) years in non-diabetics; diabetic patients were more to be female 22.9% vs 22.3%, more to have IHD history 59.13% vs 34.8%, more be hypertensive 68.8% vs 54.08%, less to be smokers 32.7% vs 37.7% and hyperlipidaemic 29.2% vs 32.7% when compared to non-diabetic counterparts, however, the differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups did not reach statistical significance apart from the more reported history of IHD in diabetics; p=0.019. Conclusion: In the context of non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS), it is noteworthy that diabetes mellitus does not exhibit any significant influence on biochemical and hematological markers, except for elevated blood glucose and serum potassium levels, when compared to individuals without diabetes. Recommendation: Further investigations are warranted to substantiate these findings and evaluate the prognostic implications of laboratory indicators in individuals with diabetes experiencing acute coronary syndromes, particularly in resource-limited regions where the utilization of more advanced markers may not be feasible

DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE VERIFICATION OF NEWLY DEVELOPED DISPOSABLE STATIC DIFFUSION CELL FOR DRUG DIFFUSION/PERMEABILITY STUDIES

Objectives: The present study describes a disposable static diffusion cell for in vitro diffusion studies to achieve better results as compared to well existing Franz diffusion cell (FDC) in terms of the absence of bubbles, variable receptor compartment, ease of handling, and faster results.Materials and Methods: The cell consists of a cup-shaped donor compartment made of semi permeable that could be either cellophane membrane or, animal skin fitted to a rigid frame, which is supported on a plastic plate that contains a hole for the sample withdrawal. The receptor compartment is a separate unit, and it could be any container up to 500ml volume capacity. The most preferred receptor compartment is glass beaker. In the present study, goatskin was used as semi-permeable membrane and verification of its performance was carried out through diffusion studies using gel formulations of one each of the four-selected biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) class drugs. Metronidazole, diclofenac sodium, fluconazole, and sulfadiazine were used as model drugs for BCS Class I, II, III, and IV, respectively.Results: The newly developed diffusion cell (NDDC) was found to provide faster and more reproducible results as compared to FDC. At the time interval of 24 h, the cell was found to exhibit a higher diffusion of metronidazole, diclofenac sodium, fluconazole, and sulfadiazine by 0.65, 0.65, 0.32, and 0.81 folds, respectively. The faster release obtained with NDDC was attributed to a larger surface area of skin as compared to that in FDC.Conclusion: It was concluded that better reproducibility of results could be achieved with NDDC

A strategic assessment of cervical cancer prevention and treatment services in 3 districts of Uttar Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND: Despite being a preventable disease, cervical cancer claims the lives of almost half a million women worldwide each year. India bears one-fifth of the global burden of the disease, with approximately 130,000 new cases a year. In an effort to assess the need and potential for improving the quality of cervical cancer prevention and treatment services in Uttar Pradesh, a strategic assessment was conducted in three of the state's districts: Agra, Lucknow, and Saharanpur. METHODS: Using an adaptation of stage one of the World Health Organization's Strategic Approach to Improving Reproductive Health Policies and Programmes, an assessment of the quality of cervical cancer services was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of stakeholders. The assessment included a review of the available literature, observations of services, collection of hospital statistics and the conduct of qualitative research (in-depth interviews and focus group discussions) to assess the perspectives of women, providers, policy makers and community members. RESULTS: There were gaps in provider knowledge and practices, potentially attributable to limited provider training and professional development opportunities. In the absence of a state policy on cervical cancer, screening of asymptomatic women was practically absent, except in the military sector. Cytology-based cancer screening tests (i.e. pap smears) were often used to help diagnose women with symptoms of reproductive tract infections but not routinely screen asymptomatic women. Access to appropriate treatment of precancerous lesions was limited and often inappropriately managed by hysterectomy in many urban centers. Cancer treatment facilities were well equipped but mostly inaccessible for women in need. Finally, policy makers, community members and clients were mostly unaware about cervical cancer and its preventable nature, although with information, expressed a strong interest in having services available to women in their communities. CONCLUSION: To address gaps in services and unmet needs, state policies and integrated interventions have the potential to improve the quality of services for prevention of cervical cancer in Uttar Pradesh

Lymphoma with tuberculous granulomas

Chronic granulomatous inflammation is a common finding in lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), but it is important to exclude coexisting mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) especially in patients from areas of high endemicity. This case emphasizes the relevance of performing MTB culture on bone marrow exhibiting LPD and concomitant granuloma

Impact of fluid and haemodynamic management in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy on postoperative outcomes – A systematic review

Background and Aims: Cytoreduction surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is an extensive surgery associated with significant fluid shift and blood loss. The haemodynamic management and fluid therapy protocol may impact postoperative outcomes. This systematic review was conducted to find the effect of haemodynamic monitoring and perioperative fluid therapy in CRS-HIPEC on postoperative outcomes. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. All studies published between 2010 and 2022 involving CRS-HIPEC surgeries that compared the effect of fluid therapy and haemodynamic monitoring on postoperative outcomes were included. Keywords for database searches included a combination of Medical Subject Headings terms and plain text related to the CRS-HIPEC procedure. The risk of bias and the certainty assessment were done by Risk of Bias-2 and the methodological index for non-randomised studies. Results: The review included 16 published studies out of 388 articles. The studies were heterogeneous concerning the design type and parameter measures. The studies with goal-directed fluid therapy protocol had a duration of intensive care unit (ICU) stay that varied from 1 to 20 days, while mortality varied from 0% to 9.5%. The choice of fluid, crystalloid versus colloid, remains inconclusive. The studies that compared crystalloids and colloids for perioperative fluid management did not show a difference in clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The interpretation of the available literature is challenging because the definitions of various fluid regimens and haemodynamic goals are not uniform among studies. An individualised approach to perioperative fluid therapy and a justified dynamic index cut-off for haemodynamic monitoring seem reasonable for CRS-HIPEC procedures

Frequency of von willebrand disease and its types: Data from a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction: von Willebrand disease is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. It is classified into 3 main types, type I and III are quantitative defects whereas type II is qualitative defect which is further sub-classified in to II-A, II-B, II-M, II-N. The aim of the present study is to see frequency and types of von Willebrand disease in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan.Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the section of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the Aga Khan University hospital, Karachi, from May 2020 to April 2021 after the approval from Ethical Review Committee (2020-3537-10215). The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.Results: A total of 552 samples for VWF Ag were received. vWD was identified in 47(8.5%) of the samples and 505 patients had no disease. Female to male ratio was 1.5:1. Median age was 11 years (ranges from 10 days to 70 years). Thirty (5.4%) of patients had Type I disease, 11 (2%) patients had type III, and out of 47 patients, 6 (1%) patients were diagnosed to have type II disease while 19 (3.4%) patients had low VWF Ag due to other causes.Conclusion: In the current study, type I vWD was found to be the most common type, whereas other studies from Pakistan have commonly reported type III