DNA ploidy analysis of borderline epithelial ovarian tumours

Objective: Borderline epithelial ovarian tumors not uncommonly pose a great difficulty to surgical pathologists as morphologically they may show very similar features as those of malignant epithelial tumors except invasion. However it is important to separate these from their invasive counterparts because of their superior prognosis. Recently, attention has been focussed on the prognostic value of flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy in borderline epithelial ovarian tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether flow cytometric analysis of cellular DNA content acts as a useful adjunct to the histopathological diagnosis of borderline malignancy. Materials and Methods: Fifteen histologically confirmed borderline serous epithelial tumors of the ovary were selected. Samples were analyzed on a FACScan flow cytometer using the software MODFIT. A total of 10,000 nuclei were counted each time. Results: The mean CV for the 15 cases was 3.67 (Range 2.4-5.0). In the DNA histograms a diploid sample was defined as one that had a single Go/Cl peak. An aneuploid tumour was defined as one that displayed an additional distinct peak. All 15 cases of borderline serous epithelial tumors showed a diploid stemlinc with DNA index between 0.9-i .10 Conclusion: This study suggests that aneuploidy if ever demonstrated in histological confirmed borderline tumors should prompt extensive sampling of the tumor and a close follow up

The Impact of Barrier Factors on the Effectiveness and Development of Intelligent Transportation System in Pakistan

Pakistan is one of the third-world countries where technological adaptation is in its initial stages, with several initiatives/projects in the pipeline and others awaited to accomplish for setting the benchmark in their respective areas. Similarly, to meet the dire need for time, the communication sector is also working on advancements and automation in transportation by implementing Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) along its major highways. However, shifting from traditional to modern practices in the transportation sector has shown minimal progress; it has proven a tiresome and laborious process, putting the interest of foreign investors at stack as well. This research, therefore, is meant primarily to elaborate on the Barrier factors hindering the Effectiveness and Development of the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Projects in Pakistan and their addresses prudently by measuring their impact in terms of system, function ability, and potential benefits. The analysis will be made using the Partial Least Square technique of the "Structural Equation Modeling" method (PLS-SEM) by constructing and analyzing the data collected from various sources with the help of a questionnaire; the reliability will be established using the Crone batch alpha technique. The results demonstrated remarkable dependence on the Effectiveness & Development (E&D) of ITS on the failure of Policy & Governance, Financial and Technical drought, lack of Exposure and Infrastructure integration, and Rapid urbanization

ANTI-NEUROINFLAMMATORY AND NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFICACY OF N-(2-HYDROXY PHENYL) ACETAMIDE IN RESPONSE TO LPS-STIMULATED PRIMARY CELL CULTURE

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>The irreversible and continuing loss of neurons is the fundamental cause of neurodegenerative diseases (ND). The most common age-associated neurodegenerative condition is Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its etiology appears to have a chronic inflammatory component. The stimulation, proliferation, phenotypic and functional modifications in glia can be brought on by a variety of stresses in the central nervous system (CNS), and these modifications are modulated by anti-neuroinflammatory substances. This study evaluated the anti-neuroinflammatory and pro-neurogenic effects of N-(2-hydroxy phenyl) acetamide (NA-2) in primary neuronal and glial co-cultures using in vitro model of neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Neurons and glial cells were co-cultured from the pup's brain of wistar rats. In primary neuronal/glial co-culture, the MTT assay was performed to assess the pro-neurogenic and anti-neuroinflammatory properties of test compound. The proportion of viable cells were increased at 50μM dose of NA-2 as compared to the untreated control, which shows its proneurogenic potential at low dose. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce the neuroinflammatory response. It was observed that treatment group at 50μM of NA-2 followed by LPS stimulation demonstrated anti-neuroinflammatory potential when compared to the LPS treated cells. Furthermore, it reduces oxidative stress induced by H2O2 and significantly inhibits the generation of ROS. These results demonstrated that NA-2 possesses anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties in in-vitro model of neuroinflammation and could potentially be an important neuroimmunomodulatory compound in the management of neurodegenerative disorders.</p&gt

Effects of 6cm versus 2cm Resection Margin from Pylorus on Excess Weight Loss & Complication Rate for Laparo- Scopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Nine-Year Experience

Introduction: LSG is the gold standard sole bariatric procedure for morbid obesity. Small (2cm) and large (6cm) distance of resection margin from pylorus are both being used for neogastric sleeve formation however what is optimal distance remains controversial. Aims & Objectives: To assess excess weight loss results and complication rate with 6cm and 2cm distance of staple line from pylorus during a prolonged surveillance period. Place and Duration of Study: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital from Dec 2013 to Dec 2022 spanning 9 years. Material & Methods: Medical records of 50 morbidly obese patients aged 41- 50 yrs were segregated into two groups of 25 each based on the LSG procedure conducted. Group 1 had LSG with 6cm resection margin from pylorus while group 2 had a staple line distance of 2cm from pylorus for neogastric sleeve formation. The patients were subsequently followed up for excess weight loss (EXL) and BMI at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years & 4-year interval. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.P value ? 0.05 was considered significant. Results: EWL in Group 1 & 2 was 39.2± 6.77kg & 41.9± 4.35kg at 6 months,73.64± 6.49kg & 71.06± 7.77kg at 1 year, 65.52± 5.53kg & 63.92± 7.07kg at 2 years,58.16± 4.97kg & 57.28± 5.75kg at 3 years and 55.48± 3.39kg & 55.36± 3.72kg for 4 years were, not significant statistically. BMI in group 1 & 2 were 39.47± 5.11 & 35.88± 4.40 at 6 months, 29.22± 2.68 & 29.12± 2.00 at 1 year, 25.44± 1.96 & 24.73± 2.86 at 2 years, 22.84± 1.79 & 22.40±2.20 at 3 years and 21.66± 1.32, 21.67± 1.62 at 4 years were found to be statistically insignificant. Conclusion: With regards to extra weight loss, distance of resection margin from pylorus of 2cm or 6cm have identical effects but the latter has lowest complication incidence after 4 yrs of surveillance. Hence, a distance of 6cm is favoured to ensure safety of LSG for morbidly obese patients. And the findings of this study will help bariatric surgeons to improve technique of LSG in a safe and successful way for effective weight loss in morbidly obese patients

Randomized phase 3 trial of ruxolitinib for COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

Objectives: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Janus kinase (JAK)1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation. Design: Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Ruxolitinib in Participants With COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Who Require Mechanical Ventilation (RUXCOVID-DEVENT; NCT04377620). Setting: Hospitals and community-based private or group practices in the United States (29 sites) and Russia (4 sites). Patients: Eligible patients were greater than or equal to 12 years old, hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and mechanically ventilated with a Pao2/Fio2 of less than or equal to 300 mm Hg within 6 hours of randomization. Interventions: Patients were randomized 2:2:1 to receive twice-daily ruxolitinib 15 mg, ruxolitinib 5 mg, or placebo, each plus standard therapy. Measurements and main results: The primary endpoint, 28-day mortality, was tested for each ruxolitinib group versus placebo using a mixed-effects logistic regression model and one-tailed significance test (significance threshold: p \u3c 0.025); no type 1 error was allocated to secondary endpoints. Between May 24, 2020 and December 15, 2020, 211 patients (age range, 24-87 yr) were randomized (ruxolitinib 15/5 mg, n = 77/87; placebo, n = 47). Acute respiratory distress syndrome was categorized as severe in 27% of patients (58/211) at randomization; 90% (190/211) received concomitant steroids. Day-28 mortality was 51% (39/77; 95% CI, 39-62%) for ruxolitinib 15 mg, 53% (45/85; 95% CI, 42-64%) for ruxolitinib 5 mg, and 70% (33/47; 95% CI, 55-83%) for placebo. Neither ruxolitinib 15 mg (odds ratio, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.201-1.028]; one-sided p = 0.029) nor 5 mg (odds ratio, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.171-1.023]; one-sided p = 0.028) significantly reduced 28-day mortality versus placebo. Numerical improvements with ruxolitinib 15 mg versus placebo were observed in secondary outcomes including ventilator-, ICU-, and vasopressor-free days. Rates of overall and serious treatment-emergent adverse events were similar across treatments. Conclusions: The observed reduction in 28-day mortality rate between ruxolitinib and placebo in mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome was not statistically significant; however, the trial was underpowered owing to early termination

Landslide inventory and susceptibility modelling using geospatial tools, in Hunza-Nagar valley, northern Pakistan

A comprehensive landslide inventory and susceptibility maps are prerequisite for developing and implementing landslide mitigation strategies. Landslide susceptibility maps for the landslides prone regions in northern Pakistan are rarely available. The Hunza-Nagar valley in northern Pakistan is known for its frequent and devastating landslides. In this paper, we have developed a landslide inventory map for Hunza-Nagar valley by using the visual interpretation of the SPOT-5 satellite imagery and mapped a total of 172 landslides. The landslide inventory was subsequently divided into modelling and validation data sets. For the development of landslide susceptibility map seven discrete landslide causative factors were correlated with the landslide inventory map using weight of evidence and frequency ratio statistical models. Four different models of conditional independence were used for the selection of landslide causative factors. The produced landslides susceptibility maps were validated by the success rate and area under curves criteria. The prediction power of the models was also validated with the prediction rate curve. The validation results shows that the success rate curves of the weight of evidence and the frequency models are 82% and 79%, respectively. The prediction accuracy results obtained from this study are 84% for weight of evidence model and 80% for the frequency ratio model. Finally, the landslide susceptibility index maps were classified into five different varying susceptibility zones. The validation and prediction result indicates that the weight of evidence and frequency ratio model are reliable to produce an accurate landslide susceptibility map, which may be helpful for landslides management strategies