Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) in colorectal cancer

Previous studies identified a distinct region of interstital deletion at c8p12 locus in colorectal cancer. Deletions at c8p12 were more frequent in early than advanced colorectal tumours. Further studies defined more closely this interstitial deletion, implicating a cluster of genes close to marker D85259 in early colorectal tumours. Although interstitial deletions normally correspond to tumour suppressor genes, the above findings suggest that this region contains genes with tumour suppressive and oncogenic effects. We investigated NRG1, one of the genes in this region in colorectal tumourigenesis. To determine the expression profile of NRG1 , multiple approaches were utilised. Results from these studies identified deletion (loss of one allele) of $NRG1$ in early colorectal tumours. Increased expression of NRG1 protein was identified in advanced tumours compared to early colorectal tumours and adenomas. A significant correlation between NRG1 protein expression and erb82 protein overexpression was identified. Although the range of NRG1 isoforms expressed was qualitatively similar throughout tumour progression, semi-quantitative real-time RT -PCR, showed overall decreased expression in early tumours compared with normal tissue. In advanced cancers, the results were more heterogeneous, but no consistent pattern emerged between the cases investigated. Although these studies did not demonstrate any functional relationship, the data strengthens the candidacy of a role for NRG1 in colorectal tumour progression

5th Skill in English Language Learning and Teaching: A Pakistani Perspective

This dissertation explores the beliefs of students on the relevance (if at all) of addressing the Fifth skill, culture, in English education in a Pakistani context, with sub question that aims to answer what definitions of the Fifth skill (Tomalin, 2008) could be appropriate to English education in a Pakistani context? So far the research done on English language teaching in Pakistan and anything related to it is based on teachers’ beliefs alone, therefore it was important for me as an English Language teacher to find out what the students attitudes were towards the integration of 5th skill in the classroom. However, I did not limit the research to students’ beliefs alone; my research also includes the perception of the teachers. This is not only to give validity to the research, but also to realize any differences regarding the teachers’ beliefs on the issue in previous researches. To explore the role of 5th skill in teaching English languages in a Pakistani classroom, at the secondary level, this dissertation collected the responses elicited from both the students and the teacher through a semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion, and a thematic analysis was carried out. The results of this study highlight a number of issues regarding cultural acceptance, language acceptance and integrating of 5th skill in language teaching. Certain interesting contradictions regarding English culture(s) and English language and their status in Pakistani society also emerged. The findings suggest that students regarded the 5th skill as an essential source for better understanding the concepts and their functional use of English language, as it presents them with real life situations. However, where the 5th skill was seen as an important tool to enhance language competence, the students also supported that both the students’ culture as well as the culture associated with English Language be incorporated in the language class. The students saw integrating 5th skill in a language class as a means to express their ideas, values and experiences, and an opportunity to make others understand them and their point of view, and not restrict the use of Fifth skill to a one way cultural awareness stream only. The dissertation also questioned the current status of English as a second language as perceived by the students and its implications on the future of English Language teaching in Pakistan

Plants as Useful Vectors to Reduce Environmental Toxic Arsenic Content

Arsenic (As) toxicity in soil and water is an increasing menace around the globe. Its concentration both in soil and environment is due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Rising arsenic concentrations in groundwater is alarming due to the health risks to plants, animals, and human beings. Anthropogenic As contamination of soil may result from mining, milling, and smelting of copper, lead, zinc sulfide ores, hide tanning waste, dyes, chemical weapons, electroplating, gas exhaust, application of municipal sludge on land, combustion of fossil fuels, As additives to livestock feed, coal fly ash, and use of arsenical pesticides in agricultural sector. Phytoremediation can be viewed as biological, solar-driven, pump-and-treat system with an extensive, self-extending uptake network (the root system) that enhances the natural ecosystems for subsequent productive use. The present review presents recent scientific developments regarding phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated environments and its possible detoxification mechanisms in plants

Multicentre randomised controlled trial of a group psychological intervention for postnatal depression in British mothers of South Asian origin (ROSHNI-2): study protocol

Background: In the UK, postnatal depression is more common in British SouthAsian women than White Caucasion women. Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line treatment, but there is little evidence for the adaptation of CBT for postnatal depression to ensure its applicability to different ethnic groups.Aims: To evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a CBT-based positive health programme group intervention in British South Asian women with postnatal depression.Method: We have designed a multicentre, two-arm, partially nested, randomised controlled trial with 4- and 12-month follow-up, comparing a 12-session group CBT-based intervention (positive health programme) plus treatment as usual with treatment as usual alone, for British South Asian women with postnatal depression. Participants will be recruited from primary care and appropriate community venues in areas of high South Asian density across the UK. It has been estimated that randomising 720 participants (360 into each group) will be sufficient to detect a clinically important difference between a 55% recovery rate in the intervention group and a 40% recovery rate in the treatmentas-usual group. An economic analysis will estimate the costeffectiveness of the positive health programme. A qualitative process evaluation will explore barriers and enablers to study participation and examine the acceptability and impact of the programme from the perspective of British South Asian women and other key stakeholders

Efficacy of a culturally adapted, cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention for postnatal depression in British south Asian women (ROSHNI-2): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BackgroundPostnatal depression necessitates timely and effective interventions to mitigate adverse maternal and child outcomes in the short term and over the life course. British south Asian women with depression are often underserved and undertreated due to stigma, language barriers, and cultural barriers. This trial aimed to test the clinical efficacy of a culturally adapted, group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based intervention, the Positive Health Programme (PHP), delivered by non-specialist health workers for postnatal depression in British south Asian women.MethodsThis study was a randomised controlled trial, with culturally adapted recruitment and an internal pilot, comparing the PHP (intervention group) with treatment as usual (control group) in British south Asian women with postnatal depression. The study was conducted at five centres across the UK. Participants were aged 16 years or older, met the DSM-5 criteria for depression, and had infants aged 0–12 months. Randomisation (1:1) was stratified by centre, with a block size of 18, and was done through an independent remote telephone service. The PHP was delivered over 12 group sessions in 4 months. The primary outcome was recovery from depression (defined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HDRS] score ≤7) at 4 months after randomisation, and an assessment was also done at 12 months. Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis including only participants with non-missing outcome data; we used a random-effects logistic regression model including fixed covariates for study site, baseline depression severity (HDRS score), parity, and years in education and a random coefficient for therapy group. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN (ISRCTN10697380).FindingsOf the 9136 individuals approached for recruitment between Feb 8, 2017, and March 29, 2020, 4296 women were eligible for and consented to screening, among whom 732 screened positive and were randomly allocated: 368 (50%) to the PHP group and 364 (50%) to the control group. Participants were mostly of Pakistani (397 [55%] of 719 with available data), Indian (176 [24%]), or Bangladeshi ethnicity (127 [18%]), with an overall mean age of 31·4 years (SD 5·2), with their youngest infants having a mean age of 23·6 weeks (14·2). At 4 months from randomisation, the proportion of participants who showed recovery from depression on the HDRS was significantly higher in the PHP group (138 [49%] of 281) than in the control group (105 [37%] of 281; adjusted odds ratio 1·97 [95% CI 1·26–3·10]). At the 12-month follow-up, this difference was no longer significant (1·02 [95% CI 0·62–1·66]).InterpretationIn British south Asian women with postnatal depression, a culturally adapted group CBT-based intervention could aid in quicker recovery from depression compared with treatment as usual. Further research is needed to identify how to sustain the treatment effect and establish strategies for scale-up.FundingUK National Institute for Health and Care Research

Efficacy of a culturally adapted, cognitive behavioural therapy-based intervention for postnatal depression in British south Asian women (ROSHNI-2): a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

Background: Postnatal depression necessitates timely and effective interventions to mitigate adverse maternal and child outcomes in the short term and over the life course. British south Asian women with depression are often underserved and undertreated due to stigma, language barriers, and cultural barriers. This trial aimed to test the clinical efficacy of a culturally adapted, group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based intervention, the Positive Health Programme (PHP), delivered by non-specialist health workers for postnatal depression in British south Asian women. Methods: This study was a randomised controlled trial, with culturally adapted recruitment and an internal pilot, comparing the PHP (intervention group) with treatment as usual (control group) in British south Asian women with postnatal depression. The study was conducted at five centres across the UK. Participants were aged 16 years or older, met the DSM-5 criteria for depression, and had infants aged 0–12 months. Randomisation (1:1) was stratified by centre, with a block size of 18, and was done through an independent remote telephone service. The PHP was delivered over 12 group sessions in 4 months. The primary outcome was recovery from depression (defined as a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale [HDRS] score ≤7) at 4 months after randomisation, and an assessment was also done at 12 months. Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis including only participants with non-missing outcome data; we used a random-effects logistic regression model including fixed covariates for study site, baseline depression severity (HDRS score), parity, and years in education and a random coefficient for therapy group. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN (ISRCTN10697380). Findings: Of the 9136 individuals approached for recruitment between Feb 8, 2017, and March 29, 2020, 4296 women were eligible for and consented to screening, among whom 732 screened positive and were randomly allocated: 368 (50%) to the PHP group and 364 (50%) to the control group. Participants were mostly of Pakistani (397 [55%] of 719 with available data), Indian (176 [24%]), or Bangladeshi ethnicity (127 [18%]), with an overall mean age of 31·4 years (SD 5·2), with their youngest infants having a mean age of 23·6 weeks (14·2). At 4 months from randomisation, the proportion of participants who showed recovery from depression on the HDRS was significantly higher in the PHP group (138 [49%] of 281) than in the control group (105 [37%] of 281; adjusted odds ratio 1·97 [95% CI 1·26–3·10]). At the 12-month follow-up, this difference was no longer significant (1·02 [95% CI 0·62–1·66]). Interpretation: In British south Asian women with postnatal depression, a culturally adapted group CBT-based intervention could aid in quicker recovery from depression compared with treatment as usual. Further research is needed to identify how to sustain the treatment effect and establish strategies for scale-up

A Multi-Mode Bioactive Agent Isolated From Ficus microcarpa L. Fill. With Therapeutic Potential for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder, characterized by hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance. Natural products and its derived active compounds may be achievable alternatives for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In present study we investigated the antidiabetic potential of Ficus microcarpa and isolated bioactive compounds i.e., Plectranthoic acid (PA) and 3,4,5,7-Flavantetrol (FL). Anti-hyperglycemic potential was evaluated via α-glucosidase, α-amylase and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) assays. 5’AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activation potential was assessed by using primary hepatocytes. Distribution of PA in different parts of Ficus microcarpa was evaluated by using rapid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Ethyl acetate fraction (FME) exhibited significant inhibition of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and DPP-4, therefore, was selected for isolation of bioactive compounds. Among isolated compounds PA was more potent and possessed pleotropic inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 39.5, 55.5, and 51.4 μM against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and DPP-4, respectively. Our results showed that PA is also a potent activator of AMPK which is a central hub of metabolic regulation. Molecular docking studies confirmed the activity of PA against α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and DPP-4. Rapid HPLC method revealed that maximum concentration of PA is present in the stem (2.25 μg/mg dry weight) of Ficus microcarpa. Both in vitro and in silico studies proposed that Ficus microcarpa and its isolated compound PA could be an important natural source for alleviating the symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus and we suggest that PA should be explored further for its ultimate use for the treatment of type 2 diabetes

Plants as Useful Vectors to Reduce Environmental Toxic Arsenic Content

Arsenic (As) toxicity in soil and water is an increasing menace around the globe. Its concentration both in soil and environment is due to natural and anthropogenic activities. Rising arsenic concentrations in groundwater is alarming due to the health risks to plants, animals, and human beings. Anthropogenic As contamination of soil may result from mining, milling, and smelting of copper, lead, zinc sulfide ores, hide tanning waste, dyes, chemical weapons, electroplating, gas exhaust, application of municipal sludge on land, combustion of fossil fuels, As additives to livestock feed, coal fly ash, and use of arsenical pesticides in agricultural sector. Phytoremediation can be viewed as biological, solar-driven, pump-and-treat system with an extensive, self-extending uptake network (the root system) that enhances the natural ecosystems for subsequent productive use. The present review presents recent scientific developments regarding phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated environments and its possible detoxification mechanisms in plants