Clinico-pathological profile of female breast cancer in Kashmir: an institutional experience

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the most important causes of death among them. The present study tries to evaluate the demographic, clinical, and pathological profile of female breast cancer patients in Kashmir Methods: This study was done in government medical college Srinagar, department of radiation oncology. A retrospective review of 84 patients of breast cancer treated between January 2021 and March 2023 was done. Results: A total of 84 patients were taken for this study. Most patients presented in the 4th and 5th decade of life with a mean age of 45.5± 8.58. 50% of the patients were having T2 followed by 19.04% having T4 and 16.66% having T1 while 14.28 % had T3 stage. 32.1% of patients were having N0 nodal status, 25.0% were having N3 followed by 23.80% had N1 and 19.04% had N2 nodal disease.52.38% were having stage II and 36.90% were having stage III and 4.76% were having stage IV. 85.71% were having invasive ductal carcinoma, 9.52% were having invasive lobular carcinoma and 4.76% were having medullary carcinoma. 23.80% of patients were Triple +, 27.38 % of patients were Triple Negative, 25.0% were ER+/ PR+. Conclusions: The incidence of female breast cancer was more in the age group of 41–50 years. Stage II was more followed by Stage III. The most common histopathology type was invasive ductal carcinoma. Triple negativity was seen more in our patients.

Evaluation of Different Insecticide Formulations Against \u3ci\u3eLipaphis erysimi\u3c/i\u3e (Hemiptera: Aphididae), a Pest on Oil Seed Crop, \u3ci\u3eCamelina sativa\u3c/i\u3e in Pakistan

False flax, German sesame and Siberian oilseed are the names used for oil seed crop, Camelina sativa L. Crantz of the family Brassicaceae. Camelina sativa is a flexible, summer annual oilseed crop that can be raised in different climatic and soil conditions. The objectives of this study were to test the efficacy of different insecticides against aphid, Lipaphis erysimi on Canadian and Australian Camelina sativa varieties. Insecticides were tested at their field recommended doses using knapsack sprayer. The data on adult mortality of Lipaphis erysimi were recorded after 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h. Acetamiprid and mospilon were found more effective in controlling aphid. For Canadian variety, after 5 days of application, maximum mortality was recorded for acetamiprid (98.70%) while least was observed for diafenthiuron (53.52%). In case of Australian camelina, maximum mortality (98.26%) of aphid were found using acetamiprid. Acetamiprid was the most effective insecticide to control aphid in both varieties of Camelina sativa

Side effect profile of hepatitis C treatment with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavarin

Background: The major types of side effects include fatigue, influenza-like symptoms, gastrointestinal disturbances, neuropsychiatric symptoms and hematologic abnormalities. These side effects may be treatment limiting and require dose reduction or drug discontinuation objectives of the study was to assess the side effect profile of hepatitis C treatment (peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavarin) in Kashmiri patients attending the Department of Gastroenterology skims.Methods: In this study, all consecutive patients of hepatitis C infection on peginterfron and ribavarin treatment were enrolled after written consent. The patients underwent intervention treatment taking pegylated interferon α-2b (Viraferon, Schering Plough Corp., Kenilworth, NJ) and ribavirin in accordance with the standard protocol. Patients were monitored through weekly referrals while taking the medications. A detailed history was taken and complete physical examination done each time the patient presented to the hospital necessary blood sampling was taken.Results: During the study period of 2 years,105 Patients were enrolled 55 (52.4%) were males with a male:female ratio of 1.1:1.0. and mean age 37.6 years with a range of 13-75 years 7 patients (6.6) had a history of needle pricks, 4 patients (2.2%) of sharing same razors at barber’s shop. 4 (3.8%) patients of drug abuse; out of which 3 (2.8%) were intravenous drug abusers, Anemia occurred in 17 (16.2%) patients with requirement of dose modification w in 11 (10.4%) patients and dose stoppage in 1 (0.95%) patient in whom Hb dropped to less than 7, thrombocytopenia occurred in 27 (25.7%) patients with requirement of dose modification in 13 (12.3%) patients and dose stoppage in 1 (0.95%) patients due to platelet count decreasing to less than 30,000. Neutropenia as defined by ANC less than 1500 occurred in 22 (20.9%) patients.Conclusions: Dose modification was required in 48 (45.7%) patients, 30 (28.5%) patients required dose modifications due to labortory abnormalities and 18 (17.1%) due to other side effects. In 8 (7.6%) patients dose was discontinued due to adverse events (including psychosis in 1, severe flu like symptoms in 3, dermatitis in 1, depression in 3)

Recent advancements in oxadiazole-based anticancer agents

Oxadiazole ring system occupies a significant position among heterocyclic templates for medicinal compounds due to its wide spectrum of biological activities. This article entails an in-depth review of the ability of oxadiazole derivatives to induce apoptosis of cancer cells. FDA has approved a number of drugs for the treatment of different types of cancer. There is, however, a continuing need for the development of new anticancer agents due to increasing cases of drug resistance. Moreover, medicinal chemists are continuously struggling to invent selective cytotoxic agents with minimum side effects. This work reviews the significance of oxadiazole ring system and its potential to act as a template for novel anticancer agents.Keywords: Oxadiazole ring system, Anticancer activity, Antitumor activity,  Cytotoxicity, Apoptosi

Imaging Evaluation of Mesenteric Ischemia: Is There a Golden Period for This Entity?

Background.The study was aimed at assessing the role of ultrasonography and multidetector computed tomography angiography in evaluating patients with suspected mesenteric ischemia, as well as assessing the effect of the time from presentation to management on mortality and morbidity. Materials and Methods. Patients with clinically suspected mesenteric ischemia underwent Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. On ultrasonography, we assessed any filling defect in the superior mesenteric artery/vein, narrowing or occlusion of the proximal superior mesenteric artery, ascites, bowel wall thickening, and pneumatosis/portal venous gas. Computed tomography angiography was performed looking for any filling defect in the superior mesenteric artery/vein, superior mesenteric artery/vein calibre, bowel wall thickening, calibre and enhancement and pneumatosis/portal vein gas. Most of our patients underwent emergency surgery and the findings correlated with imaging. All the patients were divided into Group A (n=30) and Group B (n=17) based on the time from presentation to management: within 48 hours of presentation and 48 hours after presentation, respectively. Results. On computed tomography scan, mesenteric vascular involvement was seen in 27 (55%) patients, mesenteric/intestinal twist was observed in 12 (25%) patients, and non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia was found in 6% of patients. The computed tomography findings were found to have a sensitivity of 86%, a specificity of 94% and an accuracy of 90% in cases of mesenteric ischemia. Among 35 patients operated on, those presenting within 48 hours, had a significantly less mortality (63%) in comparison to those presenting after 48 hours (90%). Conclusions. Clinical, laboratory and ultrasound features are non-specific in diagnosing mesenteric ischemia. Computed tomography angiography is a sine qua non in mesenteric ischemia diagnosis. Patients with venous ischemia respond well to conservative management. Early intervention within the first 48 hours is associated with better prognosis

Stability and safety analysis of statin-loaded nano-films for the treatment of diabetic wound

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease that delays the regular stages of the wound’s healing process due to delayed inflammatory stages. Due to foot pressure points, chronic foot wounds are ultimately considered the primary cause of lower leg amputation. Diabetic patients have vascular dysfunction and neuropathy, leading to inadequate oxygen supply to the wound area. Statins have a crucial role in the regulation of angiogenesis that could increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis. By offering a localized treatment approach while minimizing systemic side effects associated with oral medication, this study aimed to develop statin-loaded nanofilms to determine their stability and safety among healthy individuals as a potential procedure for diabetic wound healing. Simvastatin (SIM) loaded nanofilms formulations (F1-F10) were prepared using the solvent casting method. The formulation was optimized based on tests such as physical appearance, tensile strength, microscopic photographs, morphology, and drug content uniformity. ICH guidelines were followed to determine various parameters (physical appearances, tensile strength, microscopic photographs, morphology, and drug content uniformity) for six-month stability study at three different storage conditions. Safety analysis of the nanofilms was performed on healthy human skin using the Draize skin irritation test. Results showed F7 formulation was considered an optimized formulation as well as stable through the storage period at 4 ± 2°C, 25 ± 2°C, and 40 ± 2 °C. Furthermore, Primary Irritation Index results (PII was 0 showed no irritation in case and control groups) indicate its safety and biocompatibility to skin. Thus, the optimized statin-loaded nanofilm is stable, safe, and non-toxic, which may be used as a potential diabetic wound healing agent

Development and validation of a spectroscopic method for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone acetate in pharmaceutical dosage form

Purpose: To develop a new analytical method for the quantitative analysis of miconazole nitrate (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA) in pharmaceutical creams.Methods: The study was accomplished in three steps. In the first stage, a spectroscopic method was developed for the simultaneous analysis of miconazole (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA). For this purpose, serial dilutions of both drugs were prepared using ethanol: water (50:50) as the solvent system. All solutions were analyzed for absorbance spectrophotometrically at 205 and 249 nm for MCN and HCA, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, range, accuracy, precision and robustness. A commercial formulation was also assayed by the proposed method.Results: The absorbance data were linear over a concentration range of 1 to 12 μg/mL for MCN and 1 to 40 μg/mL for HCA, with correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and 0.9984, respectively. Limit of detection (LOD) and of quantification (LOQ) of MCN were  0.49 and 1.49 μg/mL, respectively, and for HCA, 1.50 and 4.57 μg/mL, respectively. The assay results for the commercial  formulation were within the limits specified in British Pharmacopoeia.Conclusion: Simultaneous quantification of miconazole (MCN) and hydrocortisone (HCA) by UV spectroscopy provides a simple, reliable and robust method for the characterization of a mixture of the drugs in a dosage form.Keywords: Simultaneous analysis, Miconazole nitrate, Hdrocortisone acetate, UV-visible spectroscopy, Method validatio

The Role of Neighborhood Environment in Promoting Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease among Young Adults: Data from Middle to High Income Population in an Asian Megacity

Background: Modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have their triggers in the neighborhood environments of communities. Studying the environmental triggers for CVD risk factors is important to understand the situation in a broader perspective. Young adults are influenced the most by the environment profile around them hence it is important to study this subset of the population.Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted using the EPOCH research tool designed by the authors of the PURE study. The study population consisted of young adults aged 18-25 in two areas of Karachi. The study setting was busy shopping malls frequented by young adults in the particular community being studied.Results: Our total sample size was 120 individuals, who consented to be interviewed by our interviewers. Less than 50% of the population recognized some form of restriction regarding smoking in their communities. The largest contributor to tobacco advertising was actors smoking in movies and TV shows with 89% responses from both communities. Only 11.9% of the individuals disapproved of smoking cigarettes among men with wide acceptance of \u27sheesha\u27 across all age groups. Advertising for smoking and junk food was more frequent as compared to smoking cessation, healthy diet and exercise in both the areas. Unhealthy food items were more easily available in contrast to healthier options. The cost of healthy snack food options including vegetables and fruits was higher than sugary drinks and foods.CONCLUSION: This assessment showed that both communities were exposed to environments that promote risk factors for cardiovascular diseases

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin