Patterns of Failure in Breast Cancer Patients of Kashmir Valley

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women and also the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. The patterns of failures in carcinoma breast seem to differ by cell type, pathological stage and by the treatment modality instituted. Breast cancers can recur locally, regionally and distantly. Survival rates decrease progressively as the stage of the disease increases. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the patterns of failure in patients with Breast Carcinoma after definitive treatment modalities. Methods: We conducted an analytical, nonrandomized, cross-sectional study on the Patterns of Failure in 1238 patients with primary breast cancer who reported to our Regional Cancer Centre from 2002 to 2010. Results: A total of 1238 patients with 1189 females and 49 males were evaluated. Most of the patients were above fifty years of age with breast lump being the most common presentation. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma was the most common histology and stage II being the commonest stage of presentation. Most of the patients were hormone receptor positive and Her 2 neu receptor negative. Overall local failure was 3.9%, regional failure 2.7% and distant failure 22.5%. Overall 5 year disease free survival was 78.4%. Conclusion: The most common form of local failure is chest wall recurrence, regional failure is supraclavicular lymphadenopathy and distant failure is bone metastasis. The 5 year disease free survival is lower for all the stages when compared to world scenario. This may be attributed to more aggressive disease behaviour in our patients.

Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus among patients attending Dental clinics in Kashmir Valley

Introduction: Hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV) infections are considered an occupational risk for dental professionals and other health care workers. It is a risk that includes the possibility of dental personnel getting HBV or HCV infection from an infected patient and the potential transmission of HBV to susceptible patients from infected dental personnel. There is dearth of consensus prevalence data on HBV & HCV infections among patients attending dental clinics in Kashmir Valley, and no prevalence study is available. The aim of this study to detect the presence of HBsAg and HCV antigen, and the relation of it‘s presence with other factors such as gender, age, social status, history of surgical operation and blood transfusion among patients attending dental clinics in Kashmir Valley. Materials and methods: Serum from 2000 patients who attended Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar was screened for detection HBV surface Ag and HCV Ag using the Rapid Card Diagnostic Test (SD Bioline rapid immunochromatographic test for antibody IgG). All rapid test positive samples were further tested at SMHS Hospital, Kaksarai, Srinagar by a third-generation Enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Data was analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package of Social Science) software program version 16 and the prevalence and percentage of all variables were calculated. Chi-square test was applied to see difference by gender. Results: The overall sero-prevalence of HBV and HCV among dental patients was 4.4% and 4.3 % respectively. There was no statistical significant difference in prevalence of HCV and HBV in male and females. A high sero-positivity was prevalent in the age group of 51-60 years (12% for HBV and HCV respectively). Most of positive results were observed from District Anantnag especially villages Suhail Latoo, Mohammad Shafi, Humaira Nazir. Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus among patients attending Dental clinics in Kashmir Valley. IAIM, 2017; 4(2): 53-59. Page 54 of Kokernag (77.3 % of total no. of serologically HBV positive cases and 82.6% of total no. of serologically HCV positive cases). There was a significantly high prevalence of dental procedures among cases as compared to controls (p < 0.001) for both HBV and HCV results. Conclusion: The sero frequency of hepatitis B and C is high among Kashmiri patients especially from rural population of South Kashmir attending Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar, dental malpractice being major source of cross infection.

Morphological, molecular characterization and taxonomic status of Triplophysa marmorata and Triplophysa kashmirensis (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from Kashmir valley, India

AbstractIn India the distribution of genus Triplophysa has been reported only in the upper drainage of the Indus River in Jammu and Kashmir and Lahul and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh. There is no study on the taxonomic characterization of this genus from Kashmir Himalaya. Therefore the present study was aimed to characterize two important fish species Triplophysa marmorata and T. kashmirensis from Kashmir valley, by using morphometric and molecular tools. It is difficult to discriminate these two species due to the poor quality of original descriptions, and the lack of good reviews. Keeping this in view, a morphometric and molecular study was conducted. Morphometric data were analyzed by using univariate analysis of variance (ANOvA) and multivariate analyses (Principal component analysis) and mtDNA marker Cytochrome oxidase 1 was used for molecular support. Altogether, 22 morphometric characters were used and 15 characters were found significantly variable (P < 0.05). First two components of principal component analysis (PCA) i.e. PC1 and PC2 grouped these two species into separate clusters. The Cytochrome oxidase 1 analysis showed that the mean intraspecific nucleotide divergence (K2P) was 0.001 and interspecific nucleotide divergence was 0.007. Despite having low K2P divergence, these two species got separated into two distinct clades in both Neighbour joining (NJ) and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) tree building methods. But the pattern of clade formation showed that these species were recently radiated from each other and may have the same ancestor. Furthermore, these two species were found closer to Nemacheilidae than to Balitoridae family in the phylogenetic analysis. The molecular divergence between these species was also supported by variance in morphometric data. This work may build the base for the revision of taxonomic identity of these two important fishes of genus Triplophysa. The present investigation formulated that, based on morphological and mtDNA COI sequences analysis, these two taxonomic Triplophysa species should be considered as valid. The results may further assist to enhance the knowledge of the ichthyologists in understanding the ichthyofauna of Kashmir valley and will help them in planning strategies for conservation and management of these less studied small indigenous species along their natural range of distribution. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (2): 473-482. Epub 2016 June 01.

ResumenEn la India, la distribución del género Triplophysa se ha reportado solo en la parte superior del río Indus en Jammu, Kashmir, Lahul y Spiti en el área de Himachal Pradesh. No existen publicaciones acerca de la caracterización taxonómica de este género en Kashmir Himalaya. Por lo tanto, en este estudio se caracterizaron dos especies del valle de Kashmir: Triplophysa marmorata y T. kashmirensi, mediante el uso de herramientas morfométricas y moleculares. Es difícil diferenciar entre estas dos species debido a las vagas descripciones originales y a la falta de buenas revisiones. Debido a esto se realizó un estudio morfométrico y molecular. Los datos morfométricos se analizaron mediante un ANOvA y un análisis de componentes principales y el marcador del gen de la citocromo oxidasa 1 se usó para apoyo molecular. En general, se usaron 22 caracteres morfométricos y 15 fueron significativos (P < 0.05). Los dos primeros componentes del análisis de components principales (PCA), PC1 y PC2, agruparon estas dos especies en clusters separados. El análisis con citocromo oxidasa 1 mostró que el promedio de divergencia del nucleótido intraespecífico (K2P) fue de 0.001 y la divergencia del nucleótido intraespecífico fue de 0.007. A pesar de la baja divergencia de K2P, estas dos species se separan en dos clados diferentes tanto por el método NJ como por el método UPGMA. Sin embargo, el patrón de formación del clado mostró que estas species radiaron recientemente una de la otra y que podrían tener un ancestro en común. Además, en el análisis filogenético estas dos especies se encontraron más cerca de la familia Nemacheilidae que de Balitoridae. La divergencia molecular entre estas dos especies también fue respaldada por la varianza en los datos morfométricos. Este estudio puede establecer la base para una revisión taxonómica de estos dos importantes peces del género Triplophysa. Esta investigación postuló que, basada en análisis morfológicos y de secuencia de ADNm COI, estas dos especies taxonómicas de Triplophysa deben considerarse válidas. Los resultados pueden contribuir a mejorar el conocimiento de los ictiólogos en la comprensión de la ictiofauna del valle de Kashmir y les ayudará a planear estrategias de conservación y manejo de estas dos pequeñas especies indígenas y poco estudiadas en su rango de distribución natural.

Prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness in persons ≥50 years of age in Pulwama district, Jammu & Kashmir, India.

Rapid assessment of cataract blindness has been accepted as a robust tool to help planners in developing countries. Prevalence of cataract blindness can give important information about the impact of a cataract intervention programme. A study in this direction was carried out in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir. Our results clearly showed that with the increase in age, the prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness increases manifold. However, gender did influence the prevalence of cataract in the present survey. The prevalence of bilateral cataract decreases considerably, with the increase in education of both the genders. Among both male and female respondents examined, 89 percent were having both eyes phakia. Similarly 79 percent of study population were not having lenticular opacity either in R/E or L/E in both males and females. Results show that the prevalence of bilateral cataract blindness in district Pulwama is 4.16 percent.

Effect of available nutrients on yield and quality of pear fruit Bartlett in Kashmir Valley India.

Pear is one of the most important commercial crops grown in the Kashmir valley of India. A study was conducted during 2008 to find out the effect of available nutrients on yield and quality parameters of pear cultivar “Bartlett” which revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.882, 0.856, and 0.482 mm, respectively), diameter (0.869, 0.794 and 0.458 mm, respectively), weight (0.876, 0.825 and 0.439 g, respectively), volume (0.908, 0.806 and 0.404, Cm3 respectively) and yield (0.908, 0.764 and 0.702 kg tree-1, respectively) however, only nitrogen and phosphorus showed similar relationship with total sugars (0.833 and 0.838 % respectively). The calcium indicated significant and negative relationship with fruit diameter (-0.433) and yield (-0.589), while as it showed significant and positive correlation with fruit firmness (0.442) only. The sulphur revealed significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.440), diameter (0.434), TSS (0.482) and yield (0.729) whereas zinc, copper, iron and manganese exhibited significant and positive relationship with fruit length (0.889, 793, 0.671 and 0.619, respectively), diameter (0.875, 0.807, 0.653 and 0.576, respectively) weight (0.881, 0.784, 0.669 and 0.615, respectively), volume (0.885, 0.832, 0.692 and 0.572, respectively) TSS (0.858, 0.761, 0.735 and 0.609, respectively), total sugars (0.853, 0.890, 0.705 and 0.517, respectively) and yield (0.777, 0.618, 0.789 and 0.701, respectively). It is therefore suggested that nutrients have effect on quality and yield of pear fruits.

A six-nucleotide deletion polymorphism in the casp8 promoter is associated with reduced risk of esophageal and gastric cancers in Kashmir valley.

BACKGROUND: Caspase-8 (CASP8) is a key regulator of apoptosis or programmed cell death, an essential defense mechanism against hyperproliferation and malignancy. To evaluate the role of CASP8 polymorphisms in esophageal (EC) and gastric cancers (GC) in the Kashmir valley, we examined the risk due to -652 6N ins/del polymorphism (rs3834129) in the promoter of CASP8 in a case–control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genotypes of the CASP8 polymorphisms (-652 6N ins/del; rs3834129) were determined for 315 patients (135 EC and 108 GC) and 195 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction. Data was statistically analyzed using Chi-square test and logistic regression model by using the SPSS software. RESULTS: Carriers for the del allele of rs3834129 single nucleotide polymorphism were associated with decreased risk for both EC (odds ratio [OR] = 0.278; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.090–0.853; P = 0.025) and GC (OR = 0.397; 95% CI = 0.164–0.962; P = 0.041). Also, in a recessive model, our results showed that CASP8 -652 6N ins/del “del/del” allele was conferring significant low risk for both EC (OR = 0.380; 95% CI = 0.161–0.896; P = 0.027) and GC (OR = 0.293; 95% CI = 0.098–0.879; P = 0.029). However, interaction of CASP8 -652 6N ins/del genotypes with smoking and high consumption of salted tea did not further modulate the risk of EC and GC. CONCLUSIONS: Polymorphism in CASP8 -652 6N ins/del polymorphism modulates the risk of EC and GC in Kashmir valley.