Effects of dietary protein levels on the growth, feed utilization and biochemical parameters of freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio specularis

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Significance of Tumor Marker CA15-3 in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Secondary spread of cancer to bones is commonest and frequent phenomenon and enhances the need of special care for sufferers. Bone metastases mostly are the first complication of different variety of cancers which increase the need of care and expensive facilities. Blood dissemination is another common route, might be due to the venous drainage from visceral organs directly into the axial bones. CA 15-3 is a mucinous tumor markers derived from MUC1 gene, provides better guide line about the treatment, recurrence and prognosis. Aim: Aim of the study was to signify the role of tumor marker CA15-3 in metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Hundred females of breast cancer (any age) with different stages of breast cancer with and without bone metastasis were tested for their serum level of CA 15-3 (biomarker of breast cancer). Bone scan was done to check the secondary metastasis to bones. Intravenous dye Ttechnicium 99 MDP has been used. Serum levels of ca15-3 were measured with the help of Gama Counter with computerized system and IRMA kit (Immunoradiometric Assay) by IMMUNOTECH. Ultrasound of whole abdomen and X ray/CT scan were used to detect liver and pulmonary metastasis respectively. Results: Results indicate a high statistical significant relationship between bone metastasis and elevated levels of tumor marker CA 15-3 in breast cancer patients. Elevated levels of tumor marker CA 15-3 is strongly correlated with positive bone scan. An elevated level of tumor marker CA 15-3 is also correlated with positive pulmonary metastasis CA 15-3 is highly sensitive to detect bone metastasis and also sensitive to detect pulmonary metastasis. A lesser extent of high CA 15-3 serum levels is determinant of liver metastasis. Bone scan is essential tool to detect bone metastasis but need assistance of chemical biomarkers. Conclusions: CA 15-3 as a tumor marker proved a help full determinant of tumor burden in metastatic breast cancer. Its significance is more to detect bone metastasis than to pulmonary and then to liver metastasis. Future studies upon CA15-3 in association with imaging techniques and other organ related specific tumor markers to detect specific metastasis or overall body tumor burden will be blessing for patients and physicians

A REVIEW OF BREAST CANCER RISK FACTORS

Breast cancer is a commonly diagnosed neoplastic ailment in females particularly near menopause. This ailment signifies a substantial health problem as it has influenced a large number of women. Several risk factors are associated with breast cancer that cannot be altered, but certain can be modified. The existence of risk factors of breast carcinoma does not mean that cancer is unavoidable; numerous females having risk factors not ever developed the disease. The risk factors aid in identifying the females who may get help at maximum from screening or other precautionary measures. It is noteworthy that breast carcinoma can also ensue in females with no recognizable risk factors. The augmented occurrence of breast cancer worldwide revealed by several epidemiological investigations indicates the need of aiming multidirectional investigations so as to ascertain risk factors linked with the incidence of this disease. Peer Review History: Received 16 September 2017;   Revised 2 October; Accepted 22 October, Available online 15 November 2017 Academic Editor: Dr. DANIYAN Oluwatoyin Michael, Obafemi Awolowo University, ILE-IFE, Nigeria, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Tanveer Ahmed Khan, Hajvery University, Lahore, Pakistan, [email protected] Dr. Sabah Hussien El-Ghaiesh , Tanta University, Egypt, [email protected] Similar Articles: TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE - LONG TERM FOLLOW UP OF 75 CASE

A new species of the ant genus Leptogenys Roger, 1861 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from India

There are no well defined Leptogenys species groups based on the worker morphology from the Oriental region Arimoto (2017). Leptogenys chinensis forms a complex species group with closely related species having little morphological changes Wilson (1958), Sarnat and Economo (2012). From the Oriental region, there are currently 9 species belonging to the L. chinensis group. The group is diagnosed by having edentate masticatory margin of the mandible, smooth body surface, elongate antennae and metallic green cuticle. The species included are: L. assamensis; L. chinensis; L. confucii; L. kraepelini; L. laeviterga; L. pangui; L. peuqueti; L. stenocheilos and L. sunzii. Leptogenys bhartii sp. n., a new ponerine ant species from Western Himalayas, India, is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. The new species belongs to the Leptogenys chinensis group and mostly resembles Leptogenys chinensis (Mayr, 1870). In the L. chinensis group, the original description of L. stenocheilos is insufficient as it lacks information about type material. As there is no further detailing of this species in the available literature, it is difficult to ascertain its valid status Xu and He (2015) and is therefore, considered a species inquirenda herewith. A revised key to the known species of chinensis-group in the Oriental Region is provided

Alteration of hepatocellular antioxidant gene expression pattern and biomarkers of oxidative damage in diazinon-induced acute toxicity in Wistar rat

In the present survey, the plasma level of diazinon after acute exposure was measured by HPLC method at a time-course manner. In addition, the impact of diazinon on the expression of the key genes responsible for hepatocellular antioxidative defense, including PON1, GPx and CAT were investigated. The increase in oxidative damages in treated rats was determined by measuring LPO, protein carbonyl content and total antioxidant power in plasma. After administration of 85 mg/kg diazinon in ten groups of male Wistar rats at different time points between 0-24 hours, the activity of AChE enzyme was inhibited to about 77.94 %. Significant increases in carbonyl groups and LPO after 0.75 and 1 hours were also observed while the plasma antioxidant power was significantly decreased. Despite the dramatic reduction of GPX and PON1 gene expression, CAT gene was significantly upregulated in mRNA level by 1.1 fold after 4 hours and 1.5-fold after 24 hours due to diazinon exposure, compared to control group. Furthermore, no significant changes in diazinon plasma levels were found after 4 hours in the treated rats. The limits of detection and quantification were 137.42 and 416.52 ng/mL, respectively. The average percentage recoveries from plasma were between 90.62 % and 95.72 %. In conclusion, acute exposure to diazinon increased oxidative stress markers in a time-dependent manner and the changes were consistent with effects on hepatic antioxidant gene expression pattern. The effect of diazinon even as a non-lethal dose was induced on the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. The change in antioxidant defense system occurs prior to diazinon plasma peak time. These results provide biochemical and molecular evidence supporting potential acute toxicity of diazinon and is beneficial in the evaluation of acute toxicity of other organophosphorus pesticides as well

Patient delay in breast cancer diagnosis in two hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan: Preventive and life-saving measures needed

Purpose: Patients with breast cancer in Pakistan commonly present with advanced disease. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency and length of delays in seeking medical consultation and to assess the factors associated with them.Methods: Four hundred ninety-nine patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer were enrolled and interviewed over the period from February 2015 to August 2017. Information on sociodemographic factors, delay to medical consultation, stage of breast cancer at presentation, and tumor characteristics of the breast cancer were collected through face-to-face interviews and medical file review.Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of patients with breast cancer was 48.0 (12.3) years. The mean (standard deviation) patient delay was 15.7 (25.9) months, with 55.2% of women detecting a breast lump but not seeking a medical consultation because of a lack of awareness about the significance of the lump. A total of 9.4% of the women decided to seek treatment initially using complementary and alternative medicine and traditional treatment; 9.4% of the women presented to a health care provider with a breast lump but no action was taken, and they were wrongly reassured about the lump without mammography or biopsy. For 26% of the women, the delay in presentation was caused by anxiety, fears and misconceptions regarding diagnosis and treatment, and other social factors including possible adverse effects on their relationship with their husband. Multivariable analysis showed a strong association of lower socioeconomic status (odds ratio [OR], 8.11 [95% CI, 2.46 to 26.69]) and late stage of breast cancer (OR, 4.83 [95% CI, 1.74 to 13.39]) with a patient delay of ≥ 3 months.Conclusion: Patient delay is a serious problem in Pakistan. There is an urgent need for intensive and comprehensive breast cancer education that addresses the myths and misconceptions related to breast cancer

Breast Cancer: Impact of Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors Among Premenopausal Women of Karachi, Sindh

Objective: The goal of present study was to probe the interplay between modifiable and non-modifiable factors and breast cancer (BC) risk. Methodology: Two hundred and twenty-eight (228) BC cases and 503 healthy volunteers with 20-45years of age without history of BC were recruited from tertiary hospitals located in Karachi, a metropolitan city ofPakistan. Major risk factors for the BC were evaluated using pretested self-structured questionnaire. Results: The adjusted regression analysis showed that Balouchi (OR=12.93, 95%CI=4.26-39.17) and Sindhi (OR=9.41, 95%CI=4.72-18.77) ethnicity, familial history of BC (OR=1.83, 95%CI=1.16-2.91), low socioeconomic status (OR=26.81, 95%CI=17.56-40.94), marital age >30yrs (OR=20.99, 95%CI=4.15-106.24),hormone replacement therapy (OR=1.95, 95%CI=1.03-3.69), being obese (OR=1.589, 95%CI=1.03-2.46),high waist-to-Hip ratio (WHR) (OR=2.69, 95%CI=1.67-4.32), apple shape body (OR=2.62, 95%CI=1.63-4.21), consanguineous marriages (OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.15-2.29) and sun exposure <1 hr/day (OR=7.56,95%CI=3.002-19.04), daily intake of beef (OR = 1.544, 95%CI=1.004-2.373), dry fruits (OR=1.922,95%CI=1.233-2.996), rice (OR= 2.412, 95%CI=1.17-4.973), tea and coffee (OR=2.299, 95%CI=1.246-4.24)and less consumption of milk (OR=1.942, 95%CI=1.344-2.807) and fruits (OR=2.952, 95%CI=1.505-5.792) were increased the BC risk among premenopausal women. Conversely, first pregnancy <24yrs (OR=0.53,95%CI=0.33-0.85), WHR <0.85 (OR=0.296, 95%CI=0.15-0.59), avocado body shape (OR=0.31,95%CI=0.16-0.61), excessive chicken (OR=0.403, 95%CI=0.206-0.791) and eggs (OR=0.479, 95CI=0.304-0.755) consumption were considered a protective factor. Conclusion: Ethnicity, SES, marital age, HRT, breast cancer family history, overweight and obesity,intermarriages and sun exposure may be the major risk factors for BC among premenopausal women of Sindh, Pakistan. Diet may also play a role in developing BC

A multicenter case control study of association of vitamin D with breast cancer among women in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and breast cancer are both high among women living in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A matched case control study was conducted in two hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan to evaluate the association of vitamin D (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) concentrations, vitamin D supplementation and sun exposure with breast cancer among Pakistani women. A total of 411 newly diagnosed histologically confirmed primary breast cancer cases were enrolled and 784 controls, free of breast and any other cancers, were matched by age (year of birth ± 5 years), residence in the same geographic area and study site. Information was collected on sociodemographic history, history of vitamin D supplementation, past medical and obstetrical history, family history of breast cancer, sun exposure history, histopathology reports and anthropometric measurement and venous blood was collected to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration. Results: Compared to patients with sufficient serum vitamin D (\u3e30 ng/ml), women with serum vitamin D deficiency (\u3c20ng/ml), had a higher risk of breast cancer (OR = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.10, 2.50). Women with history of vitamin D supplementation one year prior to enrollment, had significant protective effect against breast cancer (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24, 0.43). Conclusions and Recommendation: Serum vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of breast cancer, while vitamin D supplementation was associated with decreased risk of breast cancer. In Pakistani women, where vitamin D deficiency is common, raising and maintaining serum vitamin D at population level is a safe and affordable strategy. It may play a role in reducing the incidence of both vitamin D deficiency and breast cancer, particularly among poor women where the breast cancer mortality is highest due to limited resources for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The effects of vitamin D with regard to breast cancer risk in Karachi Pakistan should be further evaluated

Beta1-Adrenoceptor Polymorphism Predicts Flecainide Action in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Antiarrhythmic action of flecainide is based on sodium channel blockade. Beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)AR) activation induces sodium channel inhibition, too. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of different beta(1)AR genotypes on antiarrhythmic action of flecainide in patients with structural heart disease and atrial fibrillation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In 145 subjects, 87 with atrial fibrillation, genotyping was performed to identify the individual beta(1)AR Arg389Gly and Ser49Gly polymorphism. Resting heart rate during atrial fibrillation and success of flecainide-induced cardioversion were correlated with beta(1)AR genotype. The overall cardioversion rate with flecainide was 39%. The Arg389Arg genotype was associated with the highest cardioversion rate (55.5%; OR 3.30; 95% CI; 1.34-8.13; p = 0.003) compared to patients with Arg389Gly (29.5%; OR 0.44; 95% CI; 0.18-1.06; p = 0.066) and Gly389Gly (14%; OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.03-2.07; p = 0.17) variants. The single Ser49Gly polymorphism did not influence the conversion rate. In combination, patients with Arg389Gly-Ser49Gly genotype displayed the lowest conversion rate with 20.8% (OR 0.31; 95% CI; 0.10-0.93; p = 0.03). In patients with Arg389Arg variants the heart rate during atrial fibrillation was significantly higher (110+/-2.7 bpm; p = 0.03 vs. other variants) compared to Arg389Gly (104.8+/-2.4 bpm) and Gly389Gly (96.9+/-5.8 bpm) carriers. The Arg389Gly-Ser49Gly genotype was more common in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to patients without atrial fibrillation (27.6% vs. 5.2%; HR 6.98; 95% CI; 1.99-24.46; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The beta(1)AR Arg389Arg genotype is associated with increased flecainide potency and higher heart rate during atrial fibrillation. The Arg389Gly-Ser49Gly genotype might be of predictive value for atrial fibrillation

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial