Preliminary investigation of MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) polymorphisms association with breast cancer risk in pashtun women of Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP8 and MMP9 have been widely associated with breast cancer risk in different ethnicities with inconsistent results. There is no such study conducted so far in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Therefore, this study was conducted to check MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) polymorphism with breast cancer risk in the selected population. METHODS: This study, consisting of 300 breast cancer patients and 168 gender and age-matched healthy controls was subjected to confirm MMP8 and MMP9 polymorphisms. Clinicopathological data and blood samples were taken from all the participants. DNA was extracted and SNPs were confirmed using the T-ARMS-PCR protocol. RESULTS: Based on our study results, significant associations were observed between the MMP8 rs11225395 risk allele (G) and increased breast cancer risk, with the G allele frequency higher in patients (65%) compared to controls (51%) (OR = 1.752, 95% CI = 1.423-3.662, p = 0.002). Genotypes GG (OR = 4.218, p = 0.005) and AG (OR = 7.286, p = 0.0001) of MMP8 rs11225395 were also significantly associated with elevated breast cancer risk. Similarly, MMP9 rs3787268 exhibited a higher frequency of the risk allele (A) in breast cancer cases (81%) compared to controls (41%), correlating strongly with increased risk (OR = 6.320, p = 0.0001). Genotypes AA (OR = 14.500, p = 0.0001) and AG (OR = 2.429, p = 0.077) of MMP9 rs3787268 containing the risk allele showed significant associations with heightened breast cancer risk. Subgroup analyses based on age, disease progression, tumor size, and grade revealed noteworthy associations for both MMP8 rs11225395 and MMP9 rs3787268. MMP8 rs11225395 genotypes displayed significant correlations with age (p = 0.066), disease progression (p = 0.0001), larger tumor size (p = 0.005), and higher tumor grade (p = 0.006). Similarly, MMP9 rs3787268 genotypes were significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), disease progression (p = 0.010), larger tumor size (p = 0.018), and higher tumor grade (p = 0.037). Logistic regression analyses further underscored these genetic variants' potential role as biomarkers in breast cancer, particularly in relation to specific hormone receptor statuses such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity. CONCLUSION: The results revealed significant associations between the mutant alleles and genotypes of MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) with increased breast cancer risk in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. However, more investigation will be required on large data sets to confirm the selected SNPs and other SNPs in the selected and other related genes with the risk of breast cancer.

Green synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles in Callistemon viminalis extracts and their antimicrobial activities.

In the current study, the bottlebrush [Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G. Don] plant was selected for the green synthesis of silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles and to evaluate its antibacterial and antifungal activities. Phytochemical screening of C. viminalis confirmed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, tannins, betacyanins, phlobatanins, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, and proteins. To characterize the synthesized Ag and Au NPs, UV-Visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy for functional group identification, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) for particle size, and elemental analysis were performed using EDX. The UV-Visible absorption spectra of the green-synthesized Ag and Au nanoparticles were found to have a maximum absorption band at 420 nm for Ag NPs and 525 nm for Au NPs. FE-SEM analysis of the synthesized NPs revealed a circular shape with a size of 100 nm. Elemental analysis was performed for the synthesis of Ag and Au NPs, which confirmed the purity of the nanoparticles. The greenly synthesized Ag and Au NPs were also evaluated for their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities, which exhibited prominent inhibition activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, C. krusei, Aspergillus sp., and Trichoderma species. The highest zone of inhibition 15.5 ± 0.75 and 15 ± 0.85 mm was observed for Ag NPs against E. coli and P. aeruginosa. Similarly, Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus sp. were inhibited by Ag NPs up to 13.5 ± 0.95 and 13 ± 0.70 mm. This work will open doors for the development of new antimicrobial agents using green chemistry.

Innovative ways of student engagement for active learning in science courses of nursing in the four year baccalaureate programme.

Active learning strategies with innovative ways are used in the teaching and learning for the engagement of students in classroom settings. A number of studies talk about the benefits the students have shown while using the active learning methods in their science courses, like Biochemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology and Pathophysiology. Active learning helps to retain material, motivate students and to develop thinking skills. In the science courses of nursing education, these are very much in use for developing critical thinking qualities. By applying active learning strategies in science courses of nursing education, one may clearly see how the students get engaged with the content. Some of these activities are interactive simulations, games, small group discussions, videos, blended learning, role-playing, pair share, flipped classroom, mini research projects, formative evaluations, quizzes, hands-on activities, etc.

Antibacterial activity of the crude extracts from medicinally important Thuja occidentalis.

The present research was carried out at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, KPK Pakistan. In this study crude methanolic extracts from Thuja occidentalis were tested for their antimicrobial activity against five different bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Xanthomonas sp. and Staphylococcus aureus) at two different concentrations (10 and 20 mg/ml) using disc diffusion assay. The results showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was most sensitive to crude extracted sample from leaves at both low and high concentrations measuring 37 and 57% zone of inhibition respectively and Xanthomonas and Staphylococcus aureus was found to be more resistant to the crude extracted samples from leaves at both concentrations. Similarly, Klebsiella pneumoniae was most sensitive to crude extracted samples from seeds at high concentration followed by E. coli at both concentrations. Staphylococcus aureus on the other hand was found to be more resistant to the crude extracted samples at low and high concentrations. These results suggested that extracts prepared from the leaves and seeds of Thuja occidentalis can be used as natural remedy for the treatment of various bacterial infections.

Antinociceptive, antimicrobial potential and phytochemical screening of different solvent extracted samples from the stem of Acer pentapomicum.

The present study investigates the antinociceptive, antimicrobial activity and phytochemical assessment of samples from A. pentapomicum. Different microbes were tested using disc diffusion assay at three concentrations (1, 2 and 3 mg/disc). Antinociceptive activity was determined by acetic acid induced and hot plate methods. The tested plant extracts revealed significant antinociceptive activity at dose dependent manner when measured by acetic acid induced method. The growth of all the tested microbes was inhibited by methanol, butanol, and ethyl acetate extracted samples at all concentrations. Chloroform, n-hexane and aqueous extracts inhibited the growth of the different microbes at high concentration. The most susceptible microbe was P. aeruginosa measuring 94% and 79% zone of inhibition by butanol and ethyl acetate extracts at 3mg /disc. C. fruendii, however, was the most resistant bacterium followed by S. aureus. The presence of alkaloids, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and fats were confirmed in phytochemical screening of different extracts.

In Vitro antimicrobial activity of Allium cepa (dry bulbs) against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi.

The present research was carried out at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, the University of Agriculture Peshawar KPK Pakistan. Analysis of the data revealed that all the extracts from dry bulbs showed different ranges of antimicrobial activities. Ethyl acetate fractions showed inhibitory activities against all tested eight microbes including bacteria and a fungus while chloroform fractions inhibited all the microbes except Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Butanol fractions showed second highest activity at both lower and higher concentrations. Ethanol and water fractions were found least effective or ineffective. Among Gram positive microbes, Staphylococcus aureus was the most susceptible bacteria and the most resistant Gram negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeurginosa and Salmonella typhi.

Development of students' critical thinking: the educators' ability to use questioning skills in the baccalaureate programmes in nursing in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To enhance the Critical Thinking skills of educators associated with the nursing baccalaureate programmes in Pakistan. By focusing on the type and level of questions asked by the educators. METHODS: Ninety-one faculty members from 14 out of 17 schools participated in the study. Data on the faculty's questioning skills was obtained through classroom observations and field notes. The duration of the observations was 45-60 minutes. Using Bloom's Taxonomy for cognitive thinking, questions were categorised into high and low categories. RESULTS: Most of the questions (68.9 %) asked by the participants were of lower levels, while some (5.37 %) were ambiguous. In many instances, the participants did not allow a sufficient wait-time for students to think and respond. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that educators must learn to use the questioning strategy effectively. They should ask higher level questions if they wish to inculcate Critical Thinking in students.

Comparative efficacy of 5flourouracil/calcium leucovorine versus 5flourouracil/calcium leucovorine plus oxaliplatin in the adjuvant treatment of colonic carcinoma in Kashmir.

AIM: This prospective, randomized comparative study conducted in Kashmir evaluated the clinical profile of colonic carcinoma and the efficacy, side effects and survival advantage of adjuvant treatment with 5FU/CLV versus FOLFOX7. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2007 and 2009, the clinical profiles of 50 patients enrolled and randomized equally into Arm A receiving 5FU/CLV alone (Mayo Clinic Regimen) and Arm B receiving the FOLFOX7 regimen (including oxaliplatin) were evaluated. RESULTS: Majority of the patients were in the 5(th) and 6(th) decade of life (males 70% versus females 30%), and most were from urban dwellings. Consumption of red meat, obesity and physical inactivity were common risk factors. A family history of colonic carcinoma was reported in 12% of the patients. Event-free and disease-free survival for the two arms were: Arm A - 12.8 ± 5 months and 14.2 ± 6 months; Arm B - 13.0 ± 6.7 months and 13.1 ± 6 months, respectively. Treatment-related morbidity was significant in Arm B whereas general well being and surrogate laboratory markers including a hemogram, favored Arm A. CONCLUSION: The clinical profile, risk factors and familial predisposition of Kashmiri colonic carcinoma patients matches that of colon cancer patients elsewhere. There was no added survival advantage by adding oxaliplatin to 5FU and CLV. Although the interim results showed that the Mayo Clinic Regimen has a better total survival advantage compared with the FOLFOX7 regimen, the results were not statistically significant. The Mayo Clinic Regimen was better than the FOLFOX7 regimen in terms of the toxicity profile. However, this finding needs to be studied further. The main idea of conducting this study was to reveal that there is no added advantage of adding oxaliplatin to 5FU and CLV, thereby (a) reducing the toxicity (b) and lowering cost of therapy.