ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the prognostic significance and clinicopathological correlations of the Wnt pathway genes in a cohort of surgically treated patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Settings and Design: A prospective genetic study on patients with OSCC was carried out during the period from July 2014 to January 2016. Informed consent from patients and institutional ethical approval for the study was obtained and the guidelines were strictly followed for collection of samples. Subjects and Methods: Clinical data and mRNA expression analysis of ten genes in the canonical Wnt pathway were evaluated and their relationships with clinical and demographic variables were studied in 58 tissue samples. Wnt-3a, β-catenin, secreted frizzled-related proteins sFRP-1, sFRP-2, sFRP-4, sFRP-5, Wnt inhibitory factor 1, dickkopf-1, c-MYC, and cyclin-D1 from cancer (n = 29) and normal (n = 29) tissue samples were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sample characteristics and clinical variables. If the data were normal, then parametric tests were used; otherwise, nonparametric alternatives were used. All the analyses were carried out using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., USA). Results: Expression of sFRP-1, sFRP-2, and sFRP-5 in control samples and expression of c-MYC and cyclin D1 in cancer samples showed statistical significance. Significant expression of Wnt3A was observed among patients who had recurrence and were deceased. Conclusion: Wnt3A, β-catenin, and cyclin D1 are recognized as key components of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. However, in this study, there was no significant expression of all the three genes in OSCC. The proto-oncogene c-MYC showed statistically significant upregulation in cancer tissue samples suggesting that the OSCC among South Indian population is primarily not mediated by the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
Infections caused by Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) in human are generally asymptomatic, however in immunocompromised individual, hyperinfection may develop with dissemination of larvae to extra-intestinal organs. The diagnosis could be easily missed due to asymptomatic presentation and insufficient exposure towards the infection itself, which may lead to low index of suspicion as a consequence. In this report, a case of a Malaysian male with underlying diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular ac-cident, bullous pemphigus and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion who initially complained of generalized body weakness and poor appetite without any history suggestive of sepsis is presented. However, he developed septicemic shock later, and S. stercoralis larvae was incidentally found in the tracheal aspirate that was sent to look for acid fast bacilli. Regardless of aggressive resuscitation, the patient succumbed due to pulmonary hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome. It was revealed that the current case has alarmed us via incidental finding of S. stercoralis larvae in the tracheal aspirate, indicating that the importance of the disease should be emphasized in certain parts of the world and population respectively.
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Aims: The aim of this study was to enhance the solubility and dissolution rate of sparingly soluble drug ibuprofen using glucosamine HCL as a carrier by solid dispersion technique. Methodology: As Ibuprofen is sparingly water-soluble drug and has low bioavailability, so to enhance its solubility and improve bioavailability solid dispersions with different drug to carrier ratios (1:1, 1:2 and 1:3) were prepared, as solid dispersion is the most effective method for enhancing the solubility and improving the bioavailability of poorly or sparingly water- soluble drugs. In this study Glucosamine HCl was used as a potential hydrophilic carrier to improve the solubility, dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drug, Ibuprofen from physical mixtures and solid dispersions. Solid dispersions with different drug to carrier ratios were prepared, using solvent evaporation method. Physical mixtures of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine HCl were also prepared for comparison. Results: All solid dispersions of Ibuprofen and Glucosamine showed considerably higher dissolution rate than corresponding physical mixtures and pure Ibuprofen. Different techniques such DSC, FT-IR, XRD and SEM were used to study the properties of pure Ibuprofen, solid dispersions and physical mixtures. These results confirmed that Glucosamine HCl can increase the solubility and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug, Ibuprofen. Conclusion: The study shows that the dissolution rate and solubility of sparingly soluble drug Ibuprofen can be improved and enhanced to great extent by solid dispersion technique, using Glucosamine HCl as a carreir. The current study also showed that amino sugar could be used as new carrier for solid dispersion formulations of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
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The main objective of this study was to generate perception in community regarding pollution of heavy metals contained in Aloe vera and Tamarix aphylla plants which have wide range of medicinal use but having toxic concentration of heavy metals. The plant samples were collected at three different areas referred as spots i.e. polluted (spot 1), less polluted (spot 2) and non- polluted (spot 3) from District Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In the present study, essential heavy metals such as Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) and non-essential heavy metals Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) were analyzed in Aloe vera leaves and Tamarix aphylla by using Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Heavy metals concentration in different spots were found to be in order as Spot 1> Spot 2>Spot 3 with the concentration range of found heavy metals., Cd 0.25-0.51 mg/kg, Pb BDL-15.23, Co 1.90-3.31mg/kg, Ni 2.98-4.01 mg/kg, Cr 4.86- 6.01 mg/kg, Cu 2.32-3.01 mg/kg, Fe 12.42-22.47 mg/kg, Zn 34.53-53.08 mg/kg for Aloe vera leaves and concentrations of the same heavy metals like Cd 0.13-0.31 mg/kg, Pb 1.00-18.01 mg/kg, Co 0.25-2.90 mg/kg , Ni 3.75-5.93 mg/kg , Cr 3.83-5.32 mg/kg , Cu 1.01-1.90 mg/kg, Fe 23.65-30.10 mg/kg , Zn 13.70-25.63 mg/kg were observed in the bark of Tamarix aphylla. Thus it was concluded from the present study that the samples collected from polluted area were found more contaminated with heavy metals as compared to less polluted and nonpolluted area.
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Recent technological advances in cataract surgery with small incision ensure less surgically induced astigmatism and faster visual rehabilitation .Manual small incision non phaco surgery has added advantage of low cost and less machine dependence. We present a series of 115 patients who were operated upon using manual small incision cataract surgery and studied for visual recovery. 95.65% of patients achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better and the mean surgically induced astigmatism at 3 months was 0.69 Diopters .
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Forty patients who were operated upon for chronic dacryocystitis six months to two years before presented with history of persistent watering and discharge. Repeat DCR with silicone tube intubation was performed in all the patients. Post-operative follow-up for a period of 12-18 months revealed absence of symptoms in 38 patients while 2 patients persisted with watering and discharge despite uncomplicated surgical procedure.
ABSTRACT
Localized orhital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal lymphoma. which has 1101 been reported much in the literature. The orbit differs from the rest 01" the body. excluding the central nervous system. as concerns lymph drainage. This ma) be possible to explain some of the peculiar features in lymphoid orbital lesions. A localized orbital non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in an elderly man is hereby presented for its entry.