Epidemiology, risk factors and tumor profiles of breast cancer in Bangladeshi underprivileged women

Similar to cancer statistics in developed countries, breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related death in the women population of Bangladesh particularly the poor and underprivileged. The objective of this study was to study the socio-demography, tumor patterns and risk factors that affect these women from Dhaka and Bangladesh in general. This cross-sectional study involved 250 patients who presented to NICRH, Dhaka for treatment. These patients were interviewed, physically examined and vital information were gathered using approved questionnaires. Various personal, social, reproductive and tumor related factors were recorded and analyzed. The mean age of the study group was 44.7 years, standard deviation [SD] was 9.82 [range: 21-67], 87% have children, 57.2% were postmenopausal, 92% were housewives, 51.4% were illiterate, 62% attended 6 months after initiation of symptoms, 72% of the patients' yearly family income were less than US[dollar sign]1000/year. Almost 100% of the patients gave history of cooking from wooden fire source in the rural areas. In our study group, 79.7 percent women were within the group of BMI 20 kg/m[2]or more. Locally advanced breast cancer patients [T3 and T4] were 52.6%, axillary lymph node involvement was present in 80% of cases, 61.6 % patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In the elderly group [>40 years] Estrogen receptor was positive in 53.2% cases, 26.6% were Triple negative breast cancer patients. Women with poor socio-economic status and have none or low educational level are often victims of late presentation and tend to have a higher stage at diagnosis. Poverty, literacy and assorted risk factors have influenced the outcome of breast cancer cases among Bangladeshi women

Diuretic and analgesic effects of the methanol extract of phoenix sylvestris root

The analgesic and diuretic activities of the methanol extract of Phoenix sylvestris root on Swiss albino mice were observed. The extract showed significant [p<0.001] analgesic activity by reduction of percent inhibition of writhing induced by acetic acid [0.5% v/v] in 20.07% and 32.57% at a dose level of 150 mg/kg and 300-mg/kg body weights respectively. The methanol extract also showed diuretic effect at 1st hour of the study at 300-mg/kg and 2nd and 4th hour of the study at 150-mg/kg-body weight on swiss albino mice. The onset of diuretic effect was faster at a dose of 300-mg/kg body weights than 150 mg/kg body weight. The obtained results may give a clue for extensive phytochemical investigation of the plant for the development of herbal medicine

Effects of Plant Extracts on Conidial Germination, Mycelial Growth and Sporulation of Fungi Isolated From Poultry Feed

Effect of ethanolic extracts of Lawsonia inermis, Azadirachta indica, Vinca rosea, Tagetes patula, Ocimum sanctum, Colocasia antiquorum, Adhatoda vasica, Moringa oleifera, Datura metel and Curcuma longa leaf on conidial germination, mycelial growth and sporulation of Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and A. fumigatus were examined. The conidial germination of A. flavus and A. fumigatus were most inhibited by the extract of L. inermis, while that of A. niger was inhibited by A. indica. Other tested plant extracts have a good effect on conidial germination on the selected fungi. The highest mycelial growth of A. flavus (37 mm) was found in V. rosea, but in case of A. niger and A. fumigatus it (38 and 39 mm) was found in D. metel. The lowest (4, 9 and 6 mm) respectively mycelial growth of these fungi found in L. inermis. The highest sporulation (75 x 10(4)/ml) of A. flavus was counted in V. rosea, but in case of A. niger and A. fumigatus those (45 x 10(4) and 55 x 10(4)/ml) were in D. metel and the lowest (5 x 10(4), 12 x 10(4) and 9 x 10(4)/ml) respectively sporulation of these fungi counted in L. inermis plant extract medium.