Antioxidant associated chemoprophylaxis effect of natural spice and green vegetable on hepatotoxicity.

This is a case control and cohort study, conducted at Department of Biochemistry in FUAST, compressing 24 number of albino Wistar rats. Illicium verum (star anise) natural spice and green vegetable broccoli are used for chemo-preventive herbal treatment in relation with vitamin C antioxidant activity. Hepatotoxicity was induced in liver of model rats by giving interperitoneally single injection of 200 mg/kg bod weight (B.W) of N-nitrosodiethylamine and orally giving 1 mg/kg BW phenobarbital for 14 days during disease prorogation period. The vitamin C analysis from Illicium verum (star anise), green broccoli, orange juice, orange peel and orange pulp was done by iodometric quantitative and qualitative titration method. Rats were given compound according to their bodyweight as 1 mg/kg B.W. After 14 days (Disease Promotion and Propagation Period) and 28 days (Disease cure period) of treatment behavioral activity was monitored by locomotors activity in open field experiment, stimulatory activity in home cage and anxiolytic effects observed in light and dark apparatus and also in T maze. Behavioral activity were significantly increased in Illicium verum and green broccoli treated rats. Hematological study including hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW) and Platelets was done by abbot laboratory analyzer cell. The value of Hb and RBC was also significantly increased in star anise and broccoli treated rats, showed proper function of RBC in microcirculation. WBC was also in normal range revealed that no disease regards to bone marrow and leukemia's. The biochemical activity of rats including urea, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, amylase and calcium in blood serum were analyzed while, liver health or performance was also determined by LFT (liver function test). Behavioral and laboratorial variables were analyzed by using SPSS v. 20 and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study report noticeable significant effect of Illicium verum and broccoli on hepatotoxicity of experimental model. Recent experimental study statistical outcomes show reciprocal relationship between the consumption of vegetable diet and natural spice with the risk of Hepatotoxicity. Thus, the aim of the study is to enhance the function of star anise or illicium verum natural spice and green vegetable broccoli as an anticancer or chemoprophylaxis agent.

Assessment of heavy metals in cyprinid fishes: Rivers of district Khuzdar Balochistan Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to measured heavy metals in cyprinid fishes in rivers of District Khuzdar Balochistan, Pakistan. In the present study, 25 fish samples were collected that belonged to 8 order of 13 families, The Cyprinidae family had the largest number of eight fish species. Present study is focused on Heavy metals in cyprinid fishes. Heavy metals accumulation like Zinc, Manganese, Copper, and Nickel was evaluated in water and various organs of fishes. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for the identification of these heavy metals in fish species and water bodies. The average concentration (mg/L) of Zn 0.26-0.41, Mn 0.030- 0.073, Cu 0.017-0.080 and NI 0.14-0.79 were observed in water. The Concentration (mg/L), of Zn Conc 0.383-.028 Mn Conc .073- .030 Cu Conc 080-.017 NI Conc .79-.14. The concentration of heavy metals was found both similar and varied simultaneously across the whole research area. Zinc concentration was reported highest, whereas Copper was at the lowest concentration in all fish species .The concentration of heavy metals, in all the fish species under this study, was above the threshold of WHO limits.

Bacteriological profile of wound infections and antimicrobial resistance in selected gram-negative bacteria.

Background: Managing wound infections is a challenging task. Understanding their resistance pattern is an essential step at reducing its burden in hospital settings. Objective: To determine the bacteriological diversity of wound infections and the antimicrobial resistance exhibited by a selected Gram-negative bacterium in the Aljouf region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study retrospectively analysed the antibiograms of wound infections from hospitalized patients for the year 2019. The European Centre for Disease Control guidelines were adopted for the classification of resistant bacteria. Multidrug-, extensive drug-, and carbapenem-resistant isolates are presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 295 non-duplicate wound swab antibiograms were retrieved, 64.4% (190) and 35.6% (105) isolates were Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial infections respectively. Predominant pathogens included Staphylococcus species 21.0% (62), E. coli 16.3% (48) and K. pneumoniae 13.5% (40). 148 (77.9%), 42 (22.1%) and 43 (22.6%) of the Gram-negative isolates were multidrug-, extensively drug- and carbapenem-resistant. The antibiotic resistance exhibited by gram-negative bacteria was 43.4% (234/539), 59.1% (224/379) and 53.7% (101/188) towards carbapenems, 3rd - and 4th - generation cephalosporins. Conclusions: The majority of wound infections are caused by multidrug-, extensively drug- and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Further studies should focus on the molecular basis of this resistance.

Targeted therapies for ROS1-rearranged non-small cell lung cancer.

ROS1 gene fusions account for approximately 1-2% of all cases of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Similarly to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive NSCLC, patients with ROS1+ NSCLC tend to have minimal smoking and be of the female sex. In most cases, adenocarcinoma is the dominant histology. The ROS1 gene has homology to ALK and this structural similarity formed the basis for utilizing ALK inhibitors for ROS1+ NSCLC. On the basis of impressive progression-free survival of 19.2 months from the PROFILE 1001 trial, crizotinib obtained Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval as first-line therapy for treatment of ROS1+ NSCLC. Since then, there has been a growing appreciation of the incidence of brain metastases in ROS1+ NSCLC and rates of central nervous system progression on crizotinib. Additionally, appreciation of novel resistance mechanisms to crizotinib has led to the development of newer tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In this review, we highlight known and emerging TKIs for the management of ROS1+ NSCLC.

Update on multikinase inhibitor therapy for differentiated thyroid cancer.

Curative therapies for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer remain lacking. However, oral multikinase inhibitors often allow for disease control and improved progression-free survival. Two agents, lenvatinib and sorafenib, have been approved for radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer on the basis of phase III clinical trials showing marked response rates and improved progression-free survival over placebo. Several other multikinase inhibitors, including apatinib, axitinib, cabozantinib, pazopanib, sunitinib and vandetanib, have also been studied in phase II clinical trials, with varying response rates and comparable progression-free survival. Selective kinase inhibitors, including dabrafenib, vemurafenib, selumetinib and gefitinib, offer a more targeted approach and have also been studied in phase II clinical trials. While the emergence of these treatments has changed the landscape of management of advanced thyroid cancer, clinical challenges remain, and there are many areas of ongoing research.

Effect of short chain fatty acids on the expression of free fatty acid receptor 2 (Ffar2), Ffar3 and early-stage adipogenesis.

Adipose tissue has a major influence on insulin sensitivity. Stimulation of free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) has been proposed to influence adipocyte differentiation. We hypothesised that exposing preadipocytes to short chain fatty acids would induce earlier expression of nuclear receptors that co-ordinate adipogenesis, triglyceride accumulation and leptin secretion. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated in the presence of 1 µM acetate, 0.1-10 µM propionate or vehicle control. In experiment 1, expression of Ffar2 and nuclear receptor mRNA was measured by quantitative PCR over 48 h following onset of differentiation. In experiment 2, extracellular leptin concentration and intracellular triglyceride content were measured at days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 following the onset of differentiation. Control cells exhibited similar temporal dynamics of gene expression, triglyceride accumulation and leptin secretion as reported previously. We were unable to detect expression of Ffar3 mRNA at any stage of differentiation. Consistent with a lack of Ffar2 expression in the first 24 h of differentiation, acetate and propionate had no significant effect on nuclear receptor expression. Furthermore, acetate or propionate treatment did not alter leptin concentration or triglyceride content. In conclusion, we observed no significant effect of propionate or acetate on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells using validated quantitative techniques.

Prevalence of arsenic exposure and skin lesions. A population based survey in Matlab, Bangladesh.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of arsenic exposure through drinking water and skin lesions, and their variation by geographical area, age, sex, and socioeconomic conditions. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Skin lesion cases were identified by screening the entire population above 4 years of age (n = 166,934) living in Matlab, a rural area in Bangladesh, during January 2002 and August 2003. The process of case identification involved initial skin examinations in the field, followed by verification by physicians in a clinic, and final confirmation by two independent experts reviewing photographs. The tubewell water arsenic concentrations (n = 13,286) were analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Drinking water history since 1970 was obtained for each person. Exposure information was constructed using drinking water histories and data on water arsenic concentrations. MAIN RESULTS: The arsenic concentrations ranged from <1 to 3644 microg/l, and more than 70% of functioning tubewells exceeded the World Health Organisation guideline of 10 microg/l. Arsenic exposure had increased steadily from 1970s to the late 1990s, afterwards a decrease could be noted. In total, 504 skin lesions cases were identified, and the overall crude prevalence was 3/1000. Women had significantly higher cumulative exposure to arsenic, while men had significantly higher prevalence of skin lesions (SMR 158, 95% CI 133 to 188). The highest prevalence occurred in 35-44 age groups for both sexes. Arsenic exposure and skin lesions had a positive association with socioeconomic groups and achieved educational level. CONCLUSIONS: The result showed sex, age, and socioeconomic differentials in both exposure and skin lesions. Findings clearly showed the urgency of effective arsenic mitigation activities.

Blood pressure distribution in a school age population of Quetta, Pakistan.

Standardized measurements of blood pressure, height and weight were obtained in 8-11 years old children, attending school in Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 427 individuals (219 boys and 208 girls). The blood pressure was measured by auscultatory method. To calculate the body mass index (BMI), the weight (kg) of each subject was divided by the square of the subject's height. Association between various variables and blood pressure was judged through correlation coefficient. The net and joint effect of selected variables on blood pressure variability was calculated using simple/multiple regression. The correlation coefficients with that of systolic blood pressure were 0.365, 0.427 and 0.341 whereas these were 0.397, 0.430 and 0.320 for diastolic blood pressure. Height had a regression coefficient of 0.475 mmHg/cm with systolic pressure and 0.419 mmHg/cm with diastolic blood pressure. Weight had a regression coefficient of 0.878 mmHg/kg and 0.717 mmHg/kg with systolic and diastolic pressure respectively whereas BMI had a regression coefficient of 2.35 mmHg/BMI unit with systolic pressure and 1.79 mmHg/BMI unit with diastolic blood pressure.

Genetic studies in some ethnic groups of Pakistan (Southern Punjab): colour blindness, ear lobe attachment and behavioural traits.

Frequency distributions of colour blindness, adherent ear lobe, hand clasping, arm folding and leg folding are reported for different ethnic groups (Balochs, Rajputs, Syeds, Pathans, Araeen and Jats) for Pakistan (Southern Punjab). The F-analysis suggests an insignificant difference between these groups, though the LSD value indicates a significant difference of Balochs with the other groups. The association Chi-square values suggest the independence of the three behavioural traits.