Evaluation of prevalence of different types of cancer and its chemotherapy in various ethnic groups of Pakistan: A retrospective study

The objective of the study was to evaluate different types of cancer and its chemotherapy in various ethnic groups of Pakistan. Ethnic groups includes, Pukhtoons, Punjabis, Sindhis, Muhajirs, Siraikis, Memoons, Hazaras, Hindkos, Baltis, Gilgitis, Kashmiris, and Afghanis. The data was collected from well reputed hospitals located in the different provinces of Pakistan. The collected data was taken from 15 hospitals where around 8500 patients visited during 2010 to 2017. From the visited patients, 8356 were analyzed for their ethnicity, age and sex while, 144 patients (male 77 and female 67) were excluded from analysis due to incomplete information or loss of follow-up. Among 8356 patients, 3762 were male (45%) whereas, 4594 were female (55%). The chemotherapy was carried out as per National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines (NCCN- guidelines). The most common five prevalent cancer among these ethnic groups were Head and Neck, Blood, Respiratory, Genito-urinary and Breast cancer. The most common cancer in female was breast cancer while, head and neck cancer was more prevalent in male. It can be concluded that the prevalence of cancer in Pakistan is very alarming, which may be due to lack of awareness, illiteracy, lack of national cancer control programs, and economics issues.

Investigation of transmigrated mandibular canines

ABSTRACT Introduction: Canine transmigration is a rare orthodontic condition and it is relevant to perform the proper diagnose at an early age. Objective: The aim of the current study was to find out the frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines (TRC) in orthodontic patients obtained from South Asian population of Pakistan origin. Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 2,550 untreated orthodontic patients (1,248 males; 1,302 females) were included, to investigate the presence, site, and type of TRC. Any permanent mandibular canine that was found to be crossing the midline in panoramic radiographs was considered as TRC. Results: The frequency of TRC was found to be 0.98%. TRC were only found unilaterally. No significance regarding gender and side was found. Nineteen TRC displayed a type 1 transmigratory pattern, while type 2 and type 5 transmigratory patterns were encountered in three patients. Conclusion: Frequency of transmigrated mandibular canines in the studied sample was 0.98%.

RESUMO Introdução: a transmigração de caninos é uma condição ortodôntica rara, e é importante realizar seu adequado diagnóstico ainda em idade precoce. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores (TCI) em pacientes ortodônticos de origem paquistanesa. Métodos: com o objetivo de analisar a presença, o local e o tipo de TCI, foram avaliadas 2.550 radiografias panorâmicas pré-tratamento (1.248 homens, 1.302 mulheres) de pacientes ortodônticos. Foram considerados como TCI os caninos inferiores permanentes que, na radiografia, estivessem cruzando a linha média. Resultados: a frequência de TCI foi de 0,98%. Os achados demonstraram a presença de apenas TCI unilaterais, sem diferenças significativas em relação ao sexo e ao lado da arcada. O tipo 1 de transmigração foi encontrado em 19 pacientes e os tipos 2 e 5, em três pacientes. Conclusão: na presente amostra de origem paquistanesa, a frequência da transmigração de caninos inferiores foi de 0,98%.

Failure rates of miniscrews inserted in the maxillary tuberosity

ABSTRACT Introduction: Anchorage conservation in orthodontics has always been a challenge. Objective: The aim of this current study was to find out the failure rate of miniscrews inserted in the maxillary tuberosity (MT) region. Methods: This pilot study consisted of 40 patients (23 female, 17 male; mean age = 20.1±8.9 years) that had received 60 MT miniscrews for orthodontic treatment. Clinical notes and pictures were used to find out the primary outcome of miniscrew failure. Independent failure factors were also investigated. Logistic regression analysis was done for predictor's relation with MT miniscrews failure. Results: There was no significant correlation in failure rate according to various predictor variables, except for miniscrews installed by lesser experienced operators, which showed significantly more failure. The odds ratio for miniscrew failure placed by inexperienced operators was 4.16. Conclusion: A 26.3% failure rate of mini-implants inserted in the MT region was observed.

RESUMO Introdução: a manutenção da ancoragem sempre foi um desafio na Ortodontia. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi descobrir a taxa de falhas dos mini-implantes instalados na região da tuberosidade maxilar (TM). Métodos: o presente estudo piloto avaliou 40 pacientes (23 mulheres, 17 homens; idade média = 20,1 ± 8,9 anos) que receberam 60 mini-implantes na TM durante o tratamento ortodôntico. Anotações clínicas e fotografias foram usadas para investigar o principal motivo para a falha do mini-implante. Fatores de insucesso independentes também foram investigados. Uma análise de regressão logística foi realizada para medir o impacto de cada fator preditivo sobre a falha na instalação dos mini-implantes na TM. Resultados: as diferentes variáveis preditivas não demonstraram correlação significativa com a taxa de falhas, com exceção da instalação dos mini-implantes realizada por operadores inexperientes, que mostrou quantidade significativamente maior de falhas. A razão de chances para a falha dos mini-implantes instalados por operadores inexperientes foi de 4,16. Conclusão: observou-se uma taxa de falhas de 26,3% para os mini-implantes instalados na região da TM.

Effectiveness of electric toothbrush as vibration method on orthodontic tooth movement: a split-mouth study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of application of vibratory stimuli, using an electric toothbrush, on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement during maxillary canine retraction. Methods: A split-mouth study was conducted in 28 subjects (mean age = 20.8 years; ranging from 18 to 24 years) whose bilateral maxillary first premolars were extracted with subsequent canine retraction. On the Vibration side, light force (100 g) was applied to the canine for 90 days, in combination with vibratory stimuli provided by an electric toothbrush; only orthodontic force was applied to the canine on the non-vibration side. Amount of canine movement was measured monthly. Related to electronic toothbrush usage, a diary was provided to each patient for recording discomfort during experimental period, having 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The paired t-test was used to assess the differences in amount of tooth movement between canines of the vibration and non-vibration sides. Results: The amount of tooth movement was similar for canines on the vibration side and on the non-vibration side (mean 0.81 ± 0.10 mm and 0.82 ± 0.11 mm, respectively, p> 0.05). Plaque accumulation was minimal in any subject throughout the study. No subject reported discomfort as a result of using the electric toothbrush. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that application of vibratory stimuli using an electric toothbrush, in combination with light orthodontic force, do not accelerate orthodontic tooth movement.

Resumo Objetivo: investigar os efeitos da aplicação de estímulo vibratório, usando escova elétrica, sobre a taxa de movimentação dentária ortodôntica durante a retração dos caninos superiores. Métodos: um estudo de boca-dividida foi realizado em 28 pacientes (idade média de 20,8 anos, variando entre 18 e 24 anos) cujos dois primeiros pré-molares superiores foram extraídos, com subsequente retração dos caninos. No lado Com Vibração, uma força leve (100g) foi aplicada no canino durante 90 dias, em combinação com o estímulo vibratório gerado por uma escova de dentes elétrica; enquanto os caninos do lado Sem Vibração foram submetidos apenas à aplicação da força ortodôntica. A quantidade de movimentação dos caninos foi aferida mensalmente. Quanto ao uso da escova de dentes elétrica, diários foram fornecidos aos pacientes para que esses anotassem, em Escalas Visuais Analógicas (EVA) de 100 mm, o desconforto sentido durante o período experimental. O teste t pareado foi utilizado para avaliar as diferenças na quantidade de movimentação dos caninos nos lados Com Vibração e Sem Vibração. Resultados: os valores da movimentação dentária foram semelhantes nos lados Com Vibração e Sem Vibração (médias de 0,81 ± 0,10 mm e 0,82 ± 0,11 mm, respectivamente, p> 0,05). O acúmulo de placa dentária nos pacientes dessa amostra foi mínimo, ao longo de todo o estudo. Nenhum paciente relatou desconforto durante o uso da escova elétrica. Conclusões: o presente estudo demonstrou que a aplicação de estímulo vibratório usando uma escova elétrica, associada a forças ortodônticas leves, não foi capaz de acelerar a movimentação dentária ortodôntica.

Harnessing Natural Colorants for Sustainable Textile Dyeing an Eco-Friendly Approach Using Sweet Cane (Saccharum Bengalense Retz.) Inflorescence

ABSTRACT The excessive industrial use of dye producing plants has threatened the existence of these species and biodiversity. Exploration of abundantly available natural dye sources not only provide industrial benefits but also share the load of dye yielding plants. In the present study we used the inflorescence of munj sweet cane (Saccharum bengalense Retz.) to extract natural colorant for textile industry. This easily available plant is cheap source of natural colorants and good alternative of synthetic dyes. The munj sweet cane inflorescence extract and fabric was treated with microwave radiations. The dyeing aspects like temperature, time, fabrics to extract ratio, salt type and salt concentrations were optimized. Pre-and post mordanting was carried out and optimized using copper, iron, moringa and turmeric. All the samples were analyzed by spectra flash D65 10 Deg to determine the color strength (%) value. Results proved inflorescence extract of munj sweet cane (RS, two minutes) using aqueous media as a good source of natural dye. Three grams of sodium chloride as exhaustion agent was observed to be the best while 70 0C temperatures gave best colour strength. Among chemical mordants, iron proved to be good one for producing varying shades and better colour strength. Bio mordanting with turmeric was proved to be more beneficial for getting best color strength and new shades.

Effects of season (summer & winter) on electrical characteristics of skeletal muscle membranes of the spiny-tailed lizard, uromastix hardwickii.

This study deals with the observation of changes with temperature variations of the seasons in the muscular electrical excitability in the reptile Uromastix hardwickii. Freshly captured adult animals of both the sexes were used in all the experiments, and the gastrocnemius (skeletal) muscles were dissected out. The muscle samples were digested with digestive fluid (pepsin & Hcl), stirred, settled and supernatant was removed, till whitish fluid having clear cells obtained for patch clamp recording of ionic currents and potentials. Resting membrane potentials and action potentials of reptilian cell membranes were measured in whole cell current mode. The glass microelectrodes, with a tip diameter 2–3 μm and tip resistance 5–6 MW (when filled with intracellular solution) were used in these experiments. The present study was carried out to investigate the electrical characteristics of the skeletal muscles of this species of Uromastix, which are not studied earlier. The average mean values of resting membrane potential, action potential and its durations showed no significant changes with the change in the season, but other components of action potential including threshold potential, after-potential and its duration were found to be increased significantly (P<0.05) in summer as compared to winter. Temperature dependency of these parameters with seasonal variation, are studied for the first time in the gastrocnemius (skeletal) muscles of Uromastix hardwickii. Hence seasonal changes in the components of action potential are invariably associated with changes in environmental temperature, and may be responsible for changes in the activities and homeostasis of these animals; and possibly indicating underlying mechanism of hibernation.

Anti-schistosomiasis triterpene glycoside from the Egyptian medicinal plant Asparagus stipularis

Bioassay-guided isolation using an in vitro assay testing for anti- schistosomiasis yielded a novel triterpene saponin, asparagalin A, from the n-butanol extract of the roots of Asparagus stipularis Forssk., Asparagaceae. The structure was elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformations. Administration of asparagalin A resulted in a retardation of worm growth and locomotion at the first day and showed a significant activity of egg-laying suppression at 200 µg/mL concentration.