Domination of Filamentous Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria and Prediction of Metabolic Pathways in Microbial Mats from the Hot Springs of Al Aridhah.

Microbial mats in hot springs form a dynamic ecosystem and support the growth of diverse communities with broad-ranging metabolic capacity. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyse microbial communities in mat samples from two hot springs in Al Aridhah, Saudi Arabia. Putative metabolic pathways of the microbial communities were identified using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt). Filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria associated with phylum Chloroflexi were abundant (> 50 %) in both hot springs at 48 °C. Chloroflexi were mainly represented by taxa Chloroflexus followed by Roseiflexus. Cyanobacteria of genus Arthrospira constituted 3.4 % of microbial mats. Heterotrophic microorganisms were mainly represented by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Archaea were detected at a lower relative abundance (< 1 %). Metabolic pathways associated with membrane transport, carbon fixation, methane metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and degradation of aromatic compounds were commonly found in microbial mats of both hot springs. In addition, pathways for production of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial compounds were predicted to be present in microbial mats. In conclusion, microbial communities in the hot springs of Al Aridhah were composed of diverse bacteria, with taxa of Chloroflexus being dominant.

Rhizosphere-associated Alcaligenes and Bacillus strains that induce resistance against blast and sheath blight diseases, enhance plant growth and improve mineral content in rice.

AIMS: To examine the biocontrol activities of five rhizobacterial strains (i.e. Alcaligenes faecalis strains Bk1 and P1, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain Bk7 and Brevibacillus laterosporus stains B4 and S5), to control the rice blast and sheath blight diseases in greenhouse and to study their possible modes of action. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains isolated from rice rhizospheres were tested for in vitro antifungal activities against Magnaporthe oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani, Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium graminearum. In vitro trials showed that three strains, Bk1, P1 and Bk7, were able to unanimously suppress the mycelial growth of the target pathogens. In greenhouse, the application of these three PGPR strains significantly suppressed the incidences of rice blast and sheath blight diseases. At 2 weeks after pathogen inoculation, the highest percentages of disease suppression were noted for Alc. faecalis strain Bk1 (72%) for rice blast, Alc. faecalis strain P1 (71%) for sheath blight, followed by B. amyloliquefaciens strain Bk7. Moreover, these strains significantly improved the plant growth, enriched the content of mineral nutrients in seedlings and increased the expression of major defence-related rice genes. All three strains were marked positive for phosphate solubilization, the production of indoleacetic acid, ammonia and siderophores and catalase activity. In addition, these strains were able to form biofilms and carried multiple lipopeptide biosynthetic genes as revealed by multiplex PCR. CONCLUSION: This study reports new potential biocontrol agents for blast and sheath blight diseases of rice. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study contributes to better understanding of the mechanisms involved in interaction between beneficial rhizobacteria, fungal pathogens and host plants.

A randomised, phase II trial of the DNA-hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (decitabine) in combination with carboplatin vs carboplatin alone in patients with recurrent, partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our previous laboratory and clinical data suggested that one mechanism underlying the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer is the acquisition of DNA methylation. We therefore tested the hypothesis that the DNA hypomethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytodine (decitabine) can reverse resistance to carboplatin in women with relapsed ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients progressing 6-12 months after previous platinum therapy were randomised to decitabine on day 1 and carboplatin (AUC 6) on day 8, every 28 days or carboplatin alone. The primary objective was response rate in patients with methylated hMLH1 tumour DNA in plasma. RESULTS: After a pre-defined interim analysis, the study closed due to lack of efficacy and poor treatment deliverability in 15 patients treated with the combination. Responses by GCIG criteria were 9 out of 14 vs 3 out of 15 and by RECIST were 6 out of 13 vs 1 out of 12 for carboplatin and carboplatin/decitabine, respectively. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was more common with the combination (60% vs 15.4%) as was G2/3 carboplatin hypersensitivity (47% vs 21%). CONCLUSIONS: With this schedule, the addition of decitabine appears to reduce rather than increase the efficacy of carboplatin in partially platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer and is difficult to deliver. Patient-selection strategies, different schedules and other demethylating agents should be considered in future combination studies.

Acute fasting-induced repression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis is reversed by RF-9 administration in the adult male macaque.

Recently, hypothalamic RFRP-3 (a mammalian ortholog of avian GnIH) signaling has been proposed as an important negative modulator of the reproductive axis. The current study examined whether repression of reproductive hormonal expression during short-term fasting conditions in higher-order primate is influenced by altered RFRP-3 signaling. Eight intact postpubertal male macaques (Macaca mulatta) were administered a single intravenous bolus of RF-9 (n = 4), a potent and putative RFRP-3 receptor antagonist, or vehicle (n = 4) following a 48-h fasting condition. Intermittent blood samples were collected every 30 min during the 4-h post-bolus period, and blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and testosterone concentrations were measured. Relative to fed conditions, fasting reduced glucose and testosterone levels (p < 0.005) and increased cortisol levels (p < 0.05). Relative to baseline, mean testosterone levels were elevated 150 min after RF-9 (p < 0.05) but not vehicle administration. In addition, elevated mean plasma testosterone levels following RF-9 administration were equivalent to levels observed in normal fed monkeys. These results suggest an important role for RFRP-3 signaling in conveying metabolic state information to the reproductive axis in higher primates.

Percentage Incidences of Bacteria in Mahseer (Tor putitora), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Fish Collected from Hatcheries and Local Markets of District Malakand and Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Fish is the main source of animal protein for human diet. The aim of this study was to find out prevalence of pathogenic bacteria of two selected economically important fish of Pakistan namely Mahseer (Tor putitora) and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Live fish samples from hatcheries and dead fish samples from different markets of study area were randomly collected. The fish samples were analyzed for isolation, identification and prevalence of bacteria. The isolated bacteria from study fish were identified through biochemical test and about 10 species of pathogenic bacteria were identified including the pathogenic bacteria to human and fish namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus iniae, Serratia spp. Citrobacter spp. Stenotrophomonas spp. Bacillus spp. and Salmonella spp. The bacterial percentage frequency of occurrence in Silver carp and Mahseer fish showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa 21.42%, Staphylococcus epidermidis 17.85%, Escherichia coli 11.90%, Staphylococcus aureus 9.52%, Citrobacter spp. 9.52%, Serratia spp. 8.33%, Streptococcus iniae 7.14%, Stenotrophomonas spp. 5.95%, Bacillus spp. 4.76% and Salmonella spp. 3.57%. The study revealed that Fish samples of Mahseer and Silver carp that were collected from markets have found more isolates (10 bacterial species) than did the fresh fish pond samples (03 bacterial species) of hatcheries. The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in study fish showed risk factor for public health consumers.

Beneficial effects of coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) on hematobiochemicl and histopathological markers in CCL4-intoxicated rabbits.

The study was designed to investigate the effect of Coconut Oil on the levels of some liver and hematological parameters in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rabbits. Also the antioxidant capacity of Coconut Oil for various concentrations was assessed on the basis of percent scavenging of (DPPH) free radical. Experimental animals were divided into five groups, eight rabbits in each group. These were: group A (Normal control), group B (Toxic control), group C (Standard control), group D (Treated with Coconut Oil 50 mL/kg body weight after CCl4 intoxication), group E (Treated with Coconut Oil 200 mL/kg body weight after CCl4 intoxication). The effects observed were compared with a standard hepatoprotective drug silymarine (50 mL/kg body weight). The Coconut Oil (200 mL/kg body weight) significantly (P<0.05) reduced the elevated serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) when compared to a toxic control rabbits. The results of extract treated rabbits were similar to silymarine administered rabbits group. Treatment with Coconut Oil root and silymarine caused no significant changes in RBC, Platelets, (Hb), (MCH) concentration and (HCT) values. However, significant (P<0.05) increase was observed in the total WBC count. The present study suggested that Coconut Oil can be used as an herbal alternative (need further exploration i.e to detect its bioactive compound and its efficacy) for hepatoprotective activity.

Association of genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferases with colorectal cancer susceptibility in snuff (Naswar) addicts.

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in detoxifying (GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1) genes and their association with colorectal cancer (CRC) in tobacco addicts of Pashtun ethnicity. Polymorphisms in the selected genes were genotyped in a case-control study consisting of 100 histologically confirmed male CRC patients and 100 birth-year and gender-matched healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method. The GSTM1 null, and GSTT1 null genotypes were significantly contributed to the risk of CRC in the cases (OR= 3.131, 95% CI: 1.451-6.758, P = 0.004, and OR= 3.541, 95% CI: 1.716-7.306, P = 0.001, respectively), whereas the association observed for GSTP1 Val/Val (1.139, 95% CI: 0.356-3.644, P = 0.826) did not show statistical significance. The combined GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null showed a 41-fold increased risk (95% CI: 4.945-351.950, P = 0.001), while, the combined GSTM1 null and GSTP1 Ile/Val or Val/Val variant genotypes exhibited about 3-fold (95% CI: 1.196-7.414, P = 0.019) increased risk to CRC. Similarly, the combined GSTT1 null and GSTP1 Ile/Val or Val/Val variant genotypes showed about a 3-fold (95% CI: 1.285-8.101, P = 0.013) increased risk of CRC. In the combination of three GST genotypes, the GSTM1 null, GSTT1 null, and GSTP1 Ile/Val or Val/Val variant genotypes demonstrated a more than a 22-fold (95% CI: 2.441-212.106, P = 0.006) increased risk of CRC. Our findings suggest that GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphism and its combination with GSTP1 may be associated with CRC susceptibility in the Naswar addicted Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Bioaccumulation of lead in different organs of Ctenopharyngodon Idella (grass fish) and Tor putitora (Mahseer) fish.

Bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals in the human body can give rise to adverse health effects, the severity of which depends upon their dosage and duration of exposure. In this study, yearlings of two different species of edible fish, i.e., Tor putitora (Mahseer) and Ctenopharyngodon Idella (grass carp), were exposed to different concentrations of lead nitrate in a controlled environment of aquarium for three different lengths of duration (14, 28, and 60 days). The bioaccumulation of lead in different organs, including gills, skin, muscles, liver, intestine, and swim bladder of the fish, was assessed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Generally, the highest lead concentration was observed in the gills and lowest in the muscles for both species at each experimental dosage and duration. In 14-days exposure, the relative pattern of bioaccumulation in different organs was observed as gill > liver > skin > intestine > swim bladder > muscle for both fish species. Similarly, the pattern of bioaccumulation observed in 28-days exposure was as: gill > liver > intestine > skin > swim bladder > muscle in both species. Whereas, pattern in 60-days exposure was observed as gill > liver > intestine > swim bladder > muscle > skin. The data shows that grass carp had stored higher concentrations of lead than Mahseer, which may be attributed to the fact that they are omnivorous. Furthermore, the lowest bioaccumulation was recorded in the muscles until the 56th day of the exposure, after which the concentration steadily increased in the muscles. The observed pattern highlights the importance of exposure's duration to lead; chronic exposure could result in its bioaccumulation at toxic concentrations in the muscles, which is particularly of concern because the fish muscles are heavily consumed as food worldwide.

Efficacy of pentamidine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles as a novel drug delivery system for Leishmania tropica.

The present study compares the in vitro effects of nanoparticles loaded pentamidine drug and conventional pentamidine on Leishmania tropica. Herein, pentamidine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (PTN-CNPs) have been synthesized through an ionic gelation method with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Next, the physical characteristics of PTN-CNPs were determined through the surface texture, zeta potential, in vitro drug release, drug loading content (DLC), and encapsulation efficacy (EE) and compared its efficacy with free pentamidine (PTN) drug against promastigotes and axenic amastigotes forms of L. tropica in vitro. The PTN-CNPs displayed a spherical shape having a size of 88 nm, an almost negative surface charge (-3.09 mV), EE for PTN entrapment of 86%, and in vitro drug release of 92% after 36 h. In vitro antileishmanial activity of PTN-CNPs and free PTN was performed against Leishmania tropica KWH23 promastigote and axenic amastigote using 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyletetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. It was observed that the effect of PTN-CNPs and free PTN on both forms of the parasite was dose and time dependent. Free PTN presented low efficacy even at higher dose (40 µg/ml) with 25.6 ± 1.3 and 26.5 ±1.4 mean viability rate of the promastigotes and axenic amastigotes, respectively after 72 hrs incubation. While PTN-CNPs showed strong antileishmanial effects on both forms of parasite with 16 ± 0.4 and 19 ± 0.7 mean viability rate at the same higher concentration (40 µg/ml) after 72 hrs incubation. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PTN-CNPs toward promastigotes and amastigotes were obtained as 0.1375 µg/ml and 0.1910 µg/ml, respectively. In conclusion, PTN-CNPs effectively inhibited both forms of the L. tropica; however, its effect was more salient on promastigotes. This data indicates that the PTN-CNPs act as a target drug delivery system. However, further research is needed to support its efficacy in animal and human CL.

Cadmium (Cd) influences calcium (Ca) levels in the skeleton of a freshwater fish Channa gachua.

Environmental contamination with heavy metals is a threat to the organisms due to their toxicity, persistence and bioaccumulation in food chains. The study was aimed to assess cadmium (Cd) effect on calcium (Ca) level in bones of a freshwater fish Channa gachua. 42 fish individuals were kept into six (6) aquaria; labelled aq.0, 1, 2, 3,4 and 5 in the laboratory for treatment. Aq.0 was control group and aq.1, 2,3,4,5 were experimental with treatment solution of Cd 0, 0.1ppm, 0.5ppm, 1ppm, 2.5ppm and 5ppm respectively for three months. After exposure, bones tissue were examined for Cd accumulation and Ca concentration. Highest accumulation of Cd were recorded in aq.5 mean 46.86 ± 0.46 mgkg-1 .and lowest in the control group with mean 0.61 ± 0.06 mgkg-1. The order of Cd bioaccumulation in bones were aq.5 > aq.4 >aq.3 > aq.2 > aq.1 > aq.0. Highest concentration of Ca were noted in aq.0 (Control group) mean 7888.06 ± 4827.22 mgkg-1 and lowest were 1132.36 ± 203.73 mgkg-1 in aq.5 (at 5.0 ppm). Generally a pattern of decreasing Ca level were observed with each rise of Cd bioaccumulation aq.0 > aq.1 > aq.2 > aq.3 > aq.4 > aq.5. Current study indicated that Cd accumulation have substantial effect on Ca level in bones and hence on skeleton system. Strict rules must be implemented by government to control metals pollution and exploitations of biota.

Biodiversity, distributions and isolation of microplastics pollution in finfish species in the Panjkora River at Lower and Upper Dir districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

The basic aim of this study was aimed to determine the ichthyofaunal diversity of River Panjkora in both upper and lower Dir districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.Fish samples were collected by using fishnets from March to September 2020. A total of 724 specimens were collected and classified into 5 families, 14 genera, and 18 species. The overall results revealed that most fish fauna of river Panjkora contains 8 species of family Cyprinidae (56.49%) followed by 4 species of Nemacheilidae (24.44%), 2 species of Channidae (10.63%), and Sisoridae (7.04%), and 1 species of Mastacembelidae (1.38%), respectively. Among all kinds of fish species, Schizothorax plagiostomus (16.57%) was highly dominated and followed by Carassius auratus (11.87%) and Racoma labiata (9.66%) and were reported as highly abundant, especially during April, May, and June. The least abundant species were Glyptothorax punjabensis, Glyptothorax sufii, and Mastacembelus armatus, that constituting 2.48%, 2.20%, and 1.38% of the total fish samples. The Overall Simpson's diversity (1-D= 0.919) and Simpson's Reciprocal index values (1/D= 12.3876), and Shannon's index (H= 2.68) were indicating that river Panjkora contains a quite rich and diverse group of fish species. The highest microplastics observed in site 7 compared to other study area. Conservation steps should be taken as a top priority to protect and conserve the marine environment and natural heritage from further loss, extinction and stop or minimize losses incurred through irresponsible fishery practices.

Oblique-incidence Sagnac interferometric scanning microscope for studying magneto-optic effects of materials at low temperatures.

We describe an oblique-incidence zero-area Sagnac interferometric microscope for studying spatial and temperature dependence of magneto-optic (MO) effects in samples under cryogenic conditions. The microscope is capable of independently measuring Kerr effects from three Cartesian components of a magnetization and thus can be used to map out the magnetization vector across the sample. For illustration, we present MO Kerr effect images of magnetic domains at 77 K of a LaCrGe3 crystal terminated with an a-c plane (the plane that contains the lattice a-axis and c-axis). We further present measurements of magnetization in these domains from 90 to 77 K during zero-field cooling and field cooling in an external magnetic field from 20 to 150 Oe. The inherently high sensitivity and the capability of detecting a magnetization without external modulation makes such a Sagnac interferometric microscope particularly useful for studying magnetic effects in novel materials at low temperatures.

A review of telephone consultations for head and neck cancer follow up: a patient satisfaction survey.

OBJECTIVE: To review patient satisfaction with the change in practice towards telephone consultations during and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic for head and neck cancer follow up. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted of head and neck cancer telephone appointments during a six-month period in a tertiary referral centre. RESULTS: Patients found the telephone consultations beneficial (98 per cent), with 30 per cent stating they were relieved to not have to attend hospital. Patients who travelled further, those with lower stage disease and patients with a greater interval from initial treatment were most satisfied with the telephone consultations. Sixty-eight per cent of patients stated they would be happy to have telephone consultations as part of their regular follow up after the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Patients found the telephone consultations beneficial and 30 per cent considered them preferable to face-to-face appointments. This study demonstrates that telephone consultations can be used as an adjunct to face-to-face appointments in an effort to reduce hospital attendances whilst maintaining close follow up.

Taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan.

The present study was conducted for the taxonomic, morphometric and limnological assessment of the commercially important ichthyofauna of Sakhakot Stream, Malakand, Pakistan. The study area was divided into three sites along the water course namely Dargai Stream, Sakhakot Stream and Shergarh Stream. Fish samples were collected randomly during January to August 2017 with the help of fish gears. A taxonomic key was designed for the collected fish specimens. Ten fish species were identified belonging to 3 orders and 4 families. Family Cyprinidae was the dominant family with seven representative species while families Siluridae, Nemacheilidae and Mastacembelidae were represented by one species each. Lower mean total length and standard length was recorded in Puntius conchonius (Hamilton, 1822) as 9.2 ± 0.6 cm and 7.3 ± 0.6 cm respectively, while highest mean total length and standard length was recorded in Mastacembelus armatus (Lacepede, 1800) as 28.1 ± 1.7 cm and 15.9 ± 2.4 cm respectively. Mean pH of the water ranged from 6.1 at Shergarh Stream in August to 8.7 at Sakhakot Stream in January. Average temperature range was recorded from 10.9 °C in January at Dargai Stream to 18.7 °C in August at Shergarh Stream. No statistically significant difference was found for temperature (p = 0.96) and pH (p = 0.14) in the three water streams. The present study will provide a baseline for the rearing and enhancement of wild stock of the commercially important ichthyofauna in the field of aquaculture and fisheries.

Honey as a bioindicator of environmental organochlorine insecticides contamination.

Honey is a suitable matrix for the evaluation of environmental contaminants including organochlorine insecticides. The present study was conducted to evaluate residues of fifteen organochlorine insecticides in honey samples of unifloral and multifloral origins from Dir, Pakistan. Honey samples (5 g each) were extracted with GC grade organic solvents and then subjected to Rotary Evaporator till dryness. The extracts were then mixed with n-Hexane (5 ml) and purified through Column Chromatography. Purified extracts (1µl each) were processed through Gas Chromatograph coupled with Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD) for identification and quantification of the insecticides. Of the 15 insecticides tested, 46.7% were detected while 53.3% were not detected in the honey samples. Heptachlor was the most prevalent insecticide with a mean level of 0.0018 mg/kg detected in 80% of the samples followed by ß-HCH with a mean level of 0.0016 mg/kg detected in 71.4% of the honey samples. Honey samples from Acacia modesta Wall. were 100% positive for Heptachlor with a mean level of 0.0048 mg/kg followed by ß-HCH with a mean level of 0.003 mg/kg and frequency of 83.3%. Minimum levels of the tested insecticides were detected in the unifloral honey from Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Methoxychlor, Endosulfan, Endrin and metabolites of DDT were not detected in the studied honey samples. Some of the tested insecticides are banned in Pakistan but are still detected in honey samples indicating their use in the study area. The detected levels of all insecticides were below the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) and safe for consumers. However, the levels detected can cause mortality in insect fauna. The use of banned insecticides is one of the main factors responsible for the declining populations of important insect pollinators including honeybees.

Molecular detection and prevalence of Rotavirus with acute gastroenteritis among the children of rural and urban areas.

Rotavirus is the main infective agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children under the age of five years and causing significant morbidity as well as mortality throughout the world. The study was carried out to detect the prevalence rate, genotypes strain and risk factors of Rotavirus among the children of rural and urban areas of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 180 stool samples were collected from children under the age of 5 years from two major hospitals of Bannu from January to December (2015). The samples were analyzed by Reverse-transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Rotavirus, positive samples were further processed for genotyping (G and P type) through specific PCR. Of the total, 41 (23%) samples were positive for Rotavirus. The most prevalent G genotypes found were: G3, G8, G9 (each 29%), followed by G10 (15%), and G11 (10%). Whereas the prevalent P genotypes were: P-8 (25%), P-4 and P-10 (each 20%), P-9 (15%), followed by P-6 and P-11 (each 10%). Moreover, Rotavirus infection was more prevalent in summer (23.73%) and winter (22.7%) than spring (20%) and autumn (21.4%). Rotavirus infection exhibited high frequency in June (14%), October (8%) and November (6%). It is concluded that Rotavirus is more prevalent in children and various genotypes (G and P) of Rotavirus are present in the study area. Lack of studies, awareness and rarer testing of Rotavirus are the principal reasons of virus prevalence in district Bannu, Pakistan.

Draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant emerging pathogenic isolate of Vibrio alginolyticus from the Red Sea.

The marine ecosystem is a growing reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and thus an emerging risk to human health. In this study, we report the first draft genome sequence of multidrug-resistant Vibrio alginolyticus strain OS1T-47, isolated from an offshore site in the Red Sea. The draft genome of V. alginolyticus OS1T-47 is 5 157 150 bp in length and has DNA G + C content of 44.83%. Strain OS1T-47 possesses 22 antimicrobial resistance genes, including those associated with multidrug-resistant efflux pumps.

Unrecognized HIV infection in asymptomatic volunteer blood donors at district Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a global epidemic that impacts the lives of many individuals each year. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects human CD4+ T helper cells and macrophages thereby causing severe immune disease. The current study aimed to examine the prevalence of HIV among the blood donors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at Peshawar. In this study, a total of 8634 volunteers who donated blood were carefully screened for HIV using ELISA and RT-PCR techniques. Among the volunteers (n = 8634), 63 were positive by both ELISA and RT-PCR; which shows a prevalence of 0.73%. Both diagnostic techniques exhibited similar results. All the positive individuals were informed immediately and advised to start treatment to control the progression of the infection. It was concluded that HIV is on the rise in Peshawar, and routine screening and preventive measures are immediately required to address the urgent situation of HIV infection.

Cytokeratin 18 in plasma of patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma as a biomarker of tumour response.

BACKGROUND: Plasma biomarkers may be particularly useful as a predictor or early marker of clinical response to treatment in addition to radiological imaging. Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) is an epithelial-specific cytokeratin that undergoes cleavage by caspases during apoptosis. Measurement of caspase-cleaved (CK18-Asp396) or total cytokeratin 18 (CK18) from epithelial-derived tumours could be a simple, non-invasive way to monitor or predict responses to treatment. METHODS: Soluble plasma CK18-Asp396 and CK18 were measured by ELISA from 73 patients with advanced gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas before treatment and during chemotherapy, as well as 100 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Both CK18-Asp396 and total CK18 plasma levels were significantly higher in patients compared with the healthy volunteers (P=0.015, P<0.001). The total CK18 baseline plasma levels before treatment were significantly higher (P=0.009) in patients who develop progressive disease than those who achieve partial response or stable disease and this correlation was confirmed in an independent validation set. The peak plasma levels of CK18 occurring in any cycle following treatment were also found to be associated with tumour response, but peak levels of CK18-Asp396 did not reach significance (P=0.01, and P=0.07, respectively). CONCLUSION: Plasma levels CK18 are a potential marker of tumour response in patients with advanced gastrointestinal malignancy.

Second primary lung cancer following laryngeal cancer: retrospective study of incidence and multivariate analysis of risk factors in 209 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the incidence of second primary lung cancer following treatment for laryngeal cancer and to identify risk factors for its development. METHOD: Retrospective case series. RESULTS: The five-year actuarial incidence of second primary lung cancer was 8 per cent (1.6 per cent per year). This was associated with a very poor median survival of seven months following diagnosis. Supraglottic tumours were associated with an increased risk of second primary lung cancer compared to glottic tumours in both univariate (hazard ratio = 4.32, p = 0.005) and multivariate analyses (hazard ratio = 4.14, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Second primary lung cancer occurs at a rate of 1.6 per cent per year following a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer, and this is associated in a statistically significant manner with supraglottic primary tumour. The recent National Lung Cancer Screening Trial suggests a survival advantage of 20 per cent at five years with annual screening using low-dose computed tomography scanning of the chest in a comparable cohort to ours. These findings have the potential to inform post-treatment surveillance protocols in the future.