Platinum(IV)-Gold(I) Agents with Promising Anticancer Activity: Selected Studies in 2D and 3D Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Models.

New heterometallic binuclear and trinuclear platinum(IV)-gold(I) compounds of the type [Pt(L)n Cl2 (OH){(OOC-4-C6 H4 -PPh2 )AuCl}x ] (L=NH3 , n=2; x=1, 2; L=diaminocyclohexane, DACH, n=1; x=2) are described. These compounds are cytotoxic and selective against a small panel of renal, bladder, ovarian, and breast cancer cell lines. We selected a trinuclear PtAu2 compound containing the PtIV core based on oxaliplatin, to further investigate its cell-death pathway, cell and organelle uptake and anticancer effects against the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cell line. This compound induces apoptosis and accumulates mainly in the nucleus and mitochondria. It also exerts remarkable antimigratory and antiangiogenic properties, and has a potent cytotoxic effect against TNBC 3D spheroids. Trinuclear compounds do not seem to display relevant interactions with calf thymus (CT) DNA and plasmid (pBR322) even in the presence of reducing agents, but inhibit pro-angiogenic enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) in TNBC cells.

Incidence of endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti VEGF injections at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the rate of infectious endophthalmitis with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injection, and to evaluate institutional procedure protocol in this regard. METHODS: The retrospective consecutive case series was conducted at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from August 2018 to January 2019, and comprised 5-year data from August 2014 to July 2019 related to patients who underwent intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 7,542 injections administered to 2,734 patients, 5,976(79.2%) were bevacizumab, 1,081(14.3%) ranibizumab and 485(6.4%) aflibercept. There was 1(0.01%) case of infectious endophthalmitis which was treated with 25 gauge pars plana vitrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The institutional procedure protocol was found to be effective as the rate of infectious endophthalmitis was lower than what is reported in literature.

Evaluation of practices of macular ganglion cell complex scan in early detection of glaucoma.

The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the level of awareness and practices regarding macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) scans for early detection of glaucoma. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional and the sampling technique was non-probability convenient method. Data was collected through an online survey, from 100 practicing ophthalmologists and optometrists of Pakistan in two weeks, from January 20 to February 03 2019. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016. From the results it is strongly evident that significant number of respondents recorded the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) to be the first layer affected as glaucoma progresses, which depicts lack of knowledge among eye care practitioners. Furthermore, both the groups (ophthalmologists and optometrists), used macular GCC scan the least as compared to the RNFL (optic nerve head) scan and visual field tests for early diagnosis of glaucoma. It demonstrated lack of knowledge and practices of macular GCC scan for glaucoma among eye care practitioners.