An Investigation of Salivary Biomarkers in Acute Leukemia Patients

Background: Leukemia is a fatal disease. A proliferation of immature bone marrow-derived cells is called acute leukemia that may also involve solid organs or peripheral blood. A sampling source for clinical diagnosis is saliva which has been used and it is a promising approach as collecting saliva is relatively easy and non-invasive. Over the past two decades, using saliva as biomarker, specifically for early cancer detection has attracted much research interest. Objective: To estimate the role of some salivary components as biomarkers in patients with acute leukemia. Patients and Methods: A total of 60 individuals with age range 19-56 years, 30 healthy individuals compared with 30 patients with acute leukemia in order to investigate the following salivary parameters: zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu),  iron (Fe), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes. Results: The mean salivary trace elements: Cu, Cr, Fe, and Zn concentrations were significantly raised in patients with acute leukemia when they compared with controls (p<0.005, p<0.05, p< 0.001, and p<0.001 respectively). Also the mean salivary enzymes activities of SOD and LDH were raised significantly in patients with acute leukemia when they compared with healthy subject (p< 0.05 and p<0.001). Conclusion: altered levels in salivary components in this research may be used as a diagnostic tool, especially when a concurrent analysis for significantly raised markers is carried out. This is because salivary diagnosis involves a non-invasive method, and may thus represent an effective alternative to serum testing

Association of Angina Pectoris with Some Heavy Metals Hospital Based Study

Background: Trace elements are essential for life and their concentrations in serum vary with human ecology and different pathological conditions. Several studies have pointed out associations between various metals and cardiovascular disease. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of serum metals such as: nickel, cobalt, cadmium, lead and mercury in patients with angina pectoris and compared to healthy individuals. Materials and methods: The studied consist of 100 volunteers with age range 40-65 years, 50 healthy individuals compared with 50 patients with angina pectoris in order to investigate the following serum parameters: serum lead, nickel, cobalt, cadmium and mercury levels, and lipids profile test [total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglyceride. Results: Circulating levels of serum lead, nickel, cadmium (p<0.001), cobalt (p<0.05) and mercury (p<0.007) were significantly higher in patients with angina pectoris than in healthy controls, while high density lipoprotein was decreased (p<0.05) and triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were increased significantly (p<0.05) in patients angina pectoris compared with normal control. Conclusion: In this study high levels of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, nickel, cobalt, and mercury) were detected, which may play role in the genesis of angina pectoris, and this may be due to the main sources of contamination (dependent on the metal) are industry, traffic, tobacco consumption, and agriculture/nutrition. While lipoprofile such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein which may play role in genesis of angina pectoris

Azo dyes decolourisation by ABTS-oxidases (Laccases) from a fungus from tropical tree

Lignin is an important constitute of the wood and thus the organism like fungi and insects growing on wood produce some extracellular lignolytic enzymes. In fungi these enzymes include different oxidases and peroxidases. Lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases, versatile peroxidases and laccases have been characterised from fungi and their roles in wood decay has been established. Here we report ABTS-oxidases from an unidentified fungus isolated from tree bark sample from Kuantan, Malaysia. After the liquid media cultivation, the crude extracellular protein content was extracted and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. SDS-PAGE, native PAGE and zymography were carried out. Azo dyes, brilliant green, trypan blue, direct red 80 and eriochrome black T were used for decolourisation activity of the isolated fungus on solid medium. The results suggest that the extracellular proteins contain laccase enzyme activity. Out of the four azo dyes that were used for dye decolourisation assay, at least three were decolourised to different extents by the fungus

Expression of anaplastic lymphokinase and HER2/neu immunostaining in patients with breast carcinoma

Background: The diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer is done with various immunomarkers including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu), and Ki-67. The diagnostic utility of Anaplastic Lymphokinase (ALK) and HER2/neu should be explored for better management of breast carcinoma patients. So, the present study was designed to determine the expression of immunostaining with ALK and HER2/neu in patients with breast cancer and to compare the association of ALK expression and HER2/neu with clinicopathological parameters.Methods: This is a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from October 2016 to March 2017. A total of 140 subjects having breast carcinoma by using non-probability purposive sampling technique were selected. After taking informed consent, tissue samples were taken from received specimen of mastectomy for hematoxylin and eosin stain. The immunohistochemistry for ALK and HER2/neu were assessed on the paraffin blocks of the tumor.Results: Out of total 140 cases invasive ductal carcinoma (89%), invasive lobular carcinoma (8%), invasive medullary carcinoma (2.1%) and papillary carcinoma (0.7%) were seen. ALK expression was positive in 81 patients (58%) while HER2/neu expression was positive in 53 cases (38%). Significant association was observed between ALK expression with histological grade, lymph node involvement, skin involvement and necrosis. There was also a significant association was seen between HER2/neu expression with lymph node metastasis and necrosis.Conclusions: Present study shows higher expression of ALK when compared to HER2/neu expression in breast cancer patients

The diagnostic utility of ancillary CD117 immunomarker compared with cell block cytology of thyroid lesions based on Bethesda grading system

Background: This is a cross sectional multicenter study carried out from July 2017 to December 2017. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the fine needle aspiration cytology and cell block of thyroid lesions on the basis of Bethesda grading system. Also, expression of CD117 immunostaining in thyroid lesions was evaluated. Finally, the results of cell block were compared with expression of CD117 immunomarker for diagnostic confirmation of different thyroid lesions.Methods: Total one hundred (100) patients presenting with thyroid swelling underwent fine needle aspiration, cell block preparation to diagnose and categorize thyroid lesion on the basis of Bethesda grading system and finally immunostaining with CD117 was carried out.Results: FNAC results showed 71% patients with benign thyroid morphology and about 23% cases were categorized as atypical to fairly malignant. In cell block study benign lesions diagnosed were 77%, 17% cases as suspicious and 6% were malignant thyroid nodules. Whereas expression of ancillary CD117 immunomarker, confirmed 83% as benign lesions and 17% cases as malignant. Overall ancillary CD117 immunomarker established the better diagnosis to manage and differentiate thyroid lesions.Conclusions: Cell block results are more accurate than FNAC in thyroid patients. The CD117 immunomarkers can be used as better diagnostic tool for confirmation of thyroid lesions and thus it can reduce unnecessary surgical intervention

Fatty Acids Composition of Microalga Botryococcus Sp. Cultured in Synthetic Medium

In response to the crisis of fossil fuel depletion and global climate change, microalgae cultivation has received significant attention as an alternative to sustainable biodiesel production.  In this study, the total fatty acids content was quantified from Botryococcus sp biomass grown in synthetic medium Bold Basal Medium (BBM) under laboratory conditions. The microalgal biomass was harvested through centrifugation in the late logarithmic growth phase and then it was freeze-dried at -40oC and 0.12 Mbar for 86400 s (24 hrs). The lipids were extracted following Soxhlet method, and the fatty acids were analyzed using GC–MS. From the results obtained, the fatty acid composition is; C16:0 (Palmitic acid) contributing 27.950%, followed by C18:3 (stearic acid 22.758%), followed by C 18:2 (linoleic acid17.046) and the lowest is C 15:1 (pentadecanoic acid) with 0.051%. Most of the fatty acids obtained are both saturated and unsaturated which are similar to the conventional biodiesel and diesel properties making this green microalga Botryococcus sp.  a desirable feedstock for biodiesel production. Thus, this locally isolated Botryococcus sp. has a high potential to be used as a source of biodiesel in the future

Frequency of early post operative complications of modified radical mastectomy within period of four weeks

Background: Most of the complications are developed after modified radical mastectomy in breast cancer patients, hence to avoid and reduces the postoperative complications, this study is performed to identify the frequency of early post-operative complications of modified Radical Mastectomy within the period of four weeks.Methods: Cross-sectional case series using non-probability convenient sampling technique was conducted in surgical unit I of Tertiary care hospital, for 1 year from 15 January 2018 to 14 January 2019. 89 patients FNAC proved breast cancer were included, patients that received neoadjuvant chemo or radiotherapy or with inflammatory breast cancer, metastasis and with co-morbid were excluded. After taking consent patients were operated by senior consultant. Follow up was taken daily 7th post-operative day and then followed in OPD on weekly basis fourth week and final outcome was noted. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Quantitative data was reported as frequency in percentages.Results: Total 31 patients developed complications during the study, accounts 34% of total patients. The most common complication was breast seroma in 12(13.48%) of cases with an increased risk in cases of age >50 yr, size of tumor >8 cm, weight >70 kg and increased number of lymph nodes [3 or above] palpable after wards hematoma in 6(6.74%), lymphedema in 5(5.62%), wound infection 4(4.49%) and shoulder dysfunction in 4(4.49%) patients, no patient was found scar hypertrophy.Conclusions: Seroma formation, hematoma were found most common early complications after modified radical mastectomy, lymphedema, wound infection and shoulder dysfunction were observed in small number of patients

Techno-economic and environmental analysis of renewable energy integration in irrigation systems: A comparative study of standalone and grid-connected PV/Diesel Generator systems in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Water is an essential requirement for agricultural productivity. In the agriculture sector, electricity generated by conventional sources contributes to a substantial amount of carbon footprints for pumping water through tube wells. Over the past few decades, a transitional shift towards renewable resources has increased leading to decarbonizing the environment and is considered as a viable solution for electricity production. To assist and provide a road map for this paradigm shift, the proposed study presents a techno-economic and environmental analysis of irrigation systems by carrying comparative analysis of both standalone and grid-connected systems based on four independent sites in a developing country. PV system integrated with grid enabling both energy purchase and sale (PV + G(P+S)), proved to be the most optimal configuration with cost of energy (COE) of $0.056/kWh,$0.059/kWh, $0.061/kWh, and$0.068/kWh while having net present cost (NPC) of $7,908,$20,186, $25,826, and$34,487 for Peshawar, Khyber Agency, Mardan, and Charsadda respectively, over a useful life span of 25 years. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis has been carried out based on uncertain variables such as Grid power purchase (GPP) and average solar radiation (GHI) to check the optimality behavior of the system. Results from environmental analysis revealed that (PV+ G(P+S)) system has a relatively low carbon impact as compared with conventional sources. This configuration also has the ability to prevent excess water extraction by selling any excessive solar PV energy to the grid. This study provides a policy framework insight for the entities for future optimization