Assessment of Tumor Angiogenesis by Expression of CD 105 in Ameloblastoma, Odontogenic Keratocyst and Central Giant Cell Lesion.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is critical for tumor growth and reflects the aggressive behavior of invasive odontogenic lesions [like Ameloblastoma (AM), Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) and Central giant cell lesion (CGCL)]. Mean vascular density (MVD) shows the angiogenic potential and CD105 is an ideal endothelial biomarker due to its specificity to new blood vessels for MVD detection. The aim of the study was to compare the MVD (angiogenic potential) among AM, OKC and CGCL in comparison to Pyogenic Granuloma (PG) using CD105 biomarker. METHODS: Sixty-four primary cases of odontogenic invasive tumors (AM, OKC and CGCL) and PG, diagnosed clinically and histologically were included in the study, with 16 samples in each group. Tissue samples of peripheral AM, Peripheral GCL of jaws, malignant AM, and specimen with insufficient tissue were excluded. Tissue sections were embedded, processed and stained using Hematoxylin and Eosin (H and E). Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against CD105, with positive brown cytoplasmic staining in the endothelial cells of neo-vasculature. Distinct countable, positively stained endothelial cell or clusters were evaluated under light microscope for identification of MVD. ANOVA and t-test were applied for statistical analysis of data. RESULTS: Highest MVD was displayed in CGCL (32.99±0.77) and the minimum was observed in OKC (7.21± 0.75) respectively. CGCL showed significantly higher MVD to AM, OKC and PG lesions (p <0.05). AM (8.07± 0.36) and Odontogenic Keratocyst (7.21± 0.75) showed comparable MVD, which was lower than PG (14.7± 0.96) and CGCL vascular density (p < 0.01) respectively. CONCLUSION: CGCL was most aggressive, with highest MVD among the investigated odontogenic lesions (OKC, AM and PG). The proliferative aggressive behavior of Odontogenic Keratocyst is comparable to AM due to comparable mean vascular density.
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Smoking Cessation After Counselling In Patients Presenting With Acute Coronary Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The long-term cardiovascular health risks associated with cigarette smoking are well established. It is a major risk factor for all manifestations of coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, who quit smoking, reduce their risk of cardiovascular events immediately and significantly when compared to those who continue smoking. The study was conducted to determine the frequency of smoking cessation after counselling in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Patients of age 35-80 years of either gender presenting with Acute coronary syndrome presented in emergency within 12 hours of symptoms having history of smoking (>1pack year for >5 years) were included in the study. A total 225 patients were enrolled in the study from emergency of Punjab institute of cardiology, Lahore for the duration of six months. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. Their demographic information was also noted. Then patients under went counselling session with researcher himself in presence of psychiatrist from Department of Psychiatry, Services hospital, Lahore. After admitting patients in ward, patients received standard in-hospital treatment for smoking cessation which consisted of an assessment of their smoking behaviour and a personalized brief quit advice. Then patients were followed-up for 12 weeks. On weekly visit, patients were counselled for smoking cessation. After 12 weeks, patients were assessed for cessation of smoking. RESULTS: Smoking cessation was seen in only 37 (16.4%) in ACS patients. Highest frequency of smoking cessation was seen in patients >65 years of age, i.e., 35.1%. Highest frequency for smoking cessation was seen in patients whose BMI was <30 (70.3%), patients with low socioeconomic status (45.9%) and patients with educational status as under matric (40.5%). None of these factors were significantly associated with smoking cessation in patients who presented with ACS. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study demonstrate low frequency of smoking cessation among patients presenting with ACS. However, there is a strong need to identify those factors that were associated with failure to reduce smoking.

Preparation and characterization of a green nano-support for the covalent immobilization of glucoamylase from Neurospora sitophila.

The preparation of green nano supports for the covalent immobilization of enzymes is of special interest both from the economic and environmental point of view. In this contribution, we report on the synthesis of phytochemicals coated silver nanoparticles, which were used as a novel green support for the covalent immobilization of glucoamylase isolated from Neurospora sitophila. The aqueous extract of Fagonia indica was used as a source of reducing and capping agents for the reduction of silver ions into silver nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by various analytical techniques. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to detect the characteristic surface plasmon resonance bands (426, 438nm) of the silver nanoparticles. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles were mostly spherical in shapes with an average particle size of 30-40nm (TEM and DLS measurements). X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray studies confirmed the face centered cubic crystalline form and elemental composition of the biogenic silver nanoparticles respectively. FTIR study revealed that plant polyphenolics and protein were mainly involved in the reduction and capping of silver ions. Glucoamylase from Neurospora sitophila was covalently immobilized to these nanoparticles via EDC (1-(3-(dimethylamino) propyl) 3-ethylcarbodiimidehydrochloride) coupling reaction. The immobilized enzyme exhibited higher pH and thermal stabilities as compared to the free enzyme. The kinetic constant (KM) value for the immobilized glucoamylase was higher (0.73mg/mL) than its free counterpart (0.44mg/mL), whereas the Vmax value was slightly higher for the immobilized glucoamylase. The findings of this study conclude that the newly developed green method for the synthesis of green nano-support is simple, cost effective and could be successfully used for the immobilization of various enzymes and other macromolecules.

Socio-demographic Risk Factors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to report the socio demographic risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This study was conducted in the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar. In this study 103 GDM and 97 healthy pregnant women (HPW) were registered in Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Peshawar, Pakistan. Women with gestational diabetes were diagnosed with 75mg Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Data was collected through questionnaire which had information about sociodemographic risk factors. RESULTS: Maternal age, BMI and parity of GDM were significantly higher at P<0.05 as compared to HPW. Previous history of gestational diabetes and family history of diabetes of GDM women were also significantly higher at P<0.001 as compared the control group. Socioecnomic status, education level and occupations of GDM and HPW were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Maternal age, BMI, parity, previous history of gestational diabetes and family history of diabetes are the high risk factors of GDM. Socioecnomic status does not affect the prevalence of GDM.

Effect of gestational diabetes on blood sugar, liver and renal function tests.

OBJECTIVE: Type 2 diabetes adversely affects the liver and kidney function tests. This study was conducted to determine that either the liver and kidney functions are disturbed in the patients having gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: One hundred and three women with GDM, and 97 healthy pregnant women (HPW) in their third trimester were registered in the Obs/Gyn Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar in the time period Apr-Sep 2012. Blood sugar level, glycosylated haemoglobin status HbAlc, haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, liver function tests including alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin, renal function tests including urea and creatinine were determined. RESULTS: Blood glucose level and HbAlc of GDM was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than HPW. Fasting and random blood glucose and HbA1c of GDM and HPW were 110.90 +/- 9.10 vs 84.68 +/- 7.01 mg/dl, 148.53 +/- 7.21 vs 124.42 +/- 9.46 mg/dl and 6.49 +/- 1.20 vs 4.99 +/- 0.55 respectively. Haemoglobin percentage, platelet count, ALT, ALP, serum bilirubin and urea were not significantly different among the two groups. However, mean serum creatinine (0.82 +/- 0.32 mg/dl) in GDM was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in HPW (0.74 +/- 0.15 mg/dl). CONCLUSION: In gestational diabetes the LFTs may not be disturbed, however serum creatinine value is increased.