Care for breast cancer survivors in Asian countries: A review of sexual dysfunction.

Breast cancer accounts for one in three new cancer cases in women each year. Despite having a higher survival rate than other cancers, it is associated with various side effects, including anorgasmia, vaginismus, hair loss, and decreased libido. This review aims to explore trends in the incidence of sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors, the etiology of sexual dysfunction, and the role of factors such as family history, age, duration of marriage, and depression in predisposing patients. We summarize the limitations of the treatment modalities already used to cater to sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors and patients. The authors conducted searches on databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant search terms: sexual dysfunction, breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, chemotherapy, dyspareunia, vaginismus, and anorgasmia from 1997-2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed all types of articles with abstracts or titles indicating research on sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors in Asia. A total of 64 articles were included out of which 10 were systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The literature search yielded results showing high incidence rates of breast cancer in Asia (45.4%), with 31.6%-91.2% of breast cancer survivors likely to experience sexual dysfunction. Regional differences were noted, as female sexual dysfunction occurred in 74.1% of Asian breast cancer women. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to assess the effectiveness of treatment modalities. Personalized approaches should be tailored to address beliefs, such as the potential impact of sexual activity on disease recovery. Utilizing a family history of breast cancer as a preemptive tool can help reduce the risk of developing female sexual dysfunction in survivors, and factors such as age and depression should be considered when formulating solutions.

Briumvi: a breakthrough in the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis: a review.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by plaques of demyelination, autoimmune inflammation, and astrocytic gliosis. The primary cells involved in the pathophysiology of MS are T cells. However, B cells have recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, researchers have been exploring B cell therapy as an alternative treatment option for MS. B cell therapy is based on the targeted depletion of CD20-positive B cells. Rituximab, ocrelizumab, and ofatumumab are anti-CD20 antibodies already approved. Briumvi, the fourth type of anti-CD20 antibody was approved by FDA in December 2022, for the treatment of relapsing types of MS, including relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, and clinically isolated syndromes after the drug was tested in two randomized, double-blind, phase III, ULTIMATE I, and II trials which compared Briumvi (ublituximab) with Aubiago (teriflunomide). Ublituximab was found to have a much lower annual relapse rate in the ULTIMATE II trials than teriflunomide. Briumvi is a chimeric recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody directed against human CD20 with potential antineoplastic activity. Its mechanism of action involves several distinct processes that collectively lead to the depletion of B cells and suppression of the immune response. The primary mode of action of Briumvi is its high-affinity binding to CD20. Infusion-related reactions are the most common side effects encountered following intravenous administration of ublituximab.

Monkeypox outbreak amidst COVID-19 reemergence in the European Region: Challenges, efforts, and recommendations.

Monkeypox (MPX), caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), is an endemic disease in African countries and is currently causing outbreaks in several European regions, amidst a recent surge in new COVID-19 cases. This can significantly impact already exhausted healthcare services, adding on to the economic and social burdens in the region. A lack of sufficient laboratory diagnostics, antivirals, vaccines may hinder effective clinical management of affected patients. Therefore, it is essential to increase awareness about MPX and its transmission among the general population, to ensure necessary precautions are taken and new cases are reported swiftly. This article discusses the impact of MPXV on the current reemergence of COVID-19 in Europe, lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommendations to address potential challenges.

Activity of plant essential oils against antibiotic resistant Enterococcus faecalis isolated from diarrheic children.

Activity of plant essential oils and their fractions was evaluated against characterized isolates of antibiotic resistant Enterococcus faecalis recovered from diarrheic children. The isolates were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S rRNA gene amplification followed by nucleotide sequencing and accession numbers retrieved were MW349990.1, MW349859.1, MW332122.1, MW356805.1, MW349975.1, MW349988.1, MW356790.1, MW356244.1, MW341593.1 and MW332549.1. These isolates were screened for antibiotic susceptibility to a wide range of antibiotic groups and mean zone of inhibition (ZOI) of all antibiotics were recorded. Antibacterial activity of plant essential oils (n=05) was checked against three antibiotic resistant isolates of E. faecalis. Three plant essential oils having higher ZOI including Cinnamomum verum, Syzygium aromaticum and Nigella sativa were used against resistant E. faecalis isolates to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The lowest MIC observed was of S. aromaticum (11.39±3.94 mg mL-1). The S. aromaticum n-hexane plus chloroform fraction displayed higher mean ZOI (16.67±2.51 mm), while the lowest MIC was of n-hexane oil fraction. Based upon gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, the most effective fatty acid was eugenic acid which is present in higher proportion in both fractions. These fractions of essential oils proved safe for the treatment of antibiotic resistant diarrheic cases of children caused by E. faecalis.

Molecular markers for the detection of pathogenic and food poisoning potential of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wounds of hospitalized patients.

Pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus are mostly resistant to methicillin and they can cause severe infections. The current study was planned to assess the food poisoning potential of pathogenic, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus by molecular detection of enterotoxin A (Eta) gene. A total of 100 septic wound samples from patients admitted in surgical ward (n=50) and burn unit (n=50) of Mayo Hospital Lahore were collected aseptically. These samples were processed primarily for bacterial growth on nutrient agar and purified on mannitol salt agar where twenty (20) samples showed pin-point colonies with yellow discoloration of media. Moreover, isolates were further characterized on the basis of microscopic appearance and biochemical assays where fourteen (14) isolates were declared Staphylococcus. DNA of these isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequences of S. aureus were submitted to NCBI GenBank viz., MW344063.1, MW341438.1, MW344064.1, MW344065.1, MW341439.1, MW341440.1, MW345971.1, MW345972.1, MW345973.1, MW716458.1. All the isolates (n=10) demonstrated molecular confirmation of pathogenicity and methicillin resistance by amplification of Coa and mecA gene. Out of these ten isolates, three amplified enterotoxin A (Eta) gene were confirmed. It is concluded that enterotoxin A of S. aureus which causes food poisoning is present in pathogenic, methicillin resistant S. aureus isolated from various wounds infections.