In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial potential of lithium complex against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

IMPORTANCE: Multi-drug resistance (MDR) by virtue of evolving resistance and virulence mechanisms among A. baumannii is a global concern which is responsible for lethal hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new therapeutics against it. Metal complexes are compact structures with diverse mechanisms that the pathogens cannot evade easily which make them a strong drug candidate. In this study, we assessed the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of lithium complex {[Li(phen)2 sal]} against biofilm-forming MDR A. baumannii. The lithium complex displayed strong antimicrobial activity and reduced the pre-formed mature biofilm which is key barrier for antimicrobial action. Moreover, it employs oxidative stress as one of its mode of actions and causes cellular rupturing. Lithium complex was non-toxic and was significantly effective to overcome pneumonia in mice model. These results highlight the untapped potential of metal complexes that can be explored and utilized for combating notorious A. baumannii infections.

Approaches and perspectives for online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and future chaos.

BACKGROUND: Online learning (OLL) methodology has been incorporated in higher education extensively on the mount over the last few decades and with the onset of COVID-19 situation, the virtual method in academia became essential. After observing worldly destructions and death due to coronavirus, the WHO declared a high alert emergency, and since Pakistan started to follow lockdown since March 2020 to prevent high penetration and consequently, the online teaching method was adapted to keep the learning atmosphere alive. The study is aimed to identify the influencing factors and compliance for the implementation of the OLL system in COVID-19 and, in the future, nonpandemic state as well. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is designed to observe the adaptability and hurdles among pharmacy students, and for the purpose of the study, a questionnaire on the Likert scale was developed and asked to respond from pharmacy undergraduate and postgraduate students after taking consensus, which further analyzed through IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26. RESULTS: The outcomes of the study were analyzed with a high level of conformity; however, the gender-based reservations were observed, and moreover, merits of OLL were observed with high jeopardy. CONCLUSION: The adaptation of OLL, though proved as the only troubleshooter in an uncontrollable situation and enabled universities, professors, and students for patience, resilience, and hopefully, will serve as swift safeguard for future challenges of epidemic and pandemic disasters. According to the evolution theory, brain adaptability and plasticity of human organisms grow the capacity to adjust itself with an advanced characteristic.

Gastric adenocarcinoma expressing human epidermal growth factor receptor in South Asian population.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Gastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Human epidermal growth factor (Her-2/neu) has shown strong therapeutic implication in breast cancer. Although the prevalence of Her-2/neu over-expression in gastric cancer has been reported across the world, it is still unknown from South Asia. The aim of this study is to evaluate Her-2/neu expression in gastric adenocarcinomas and to correlate with various clinicopathological variables. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 95 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic biopsy or gastrectomy were recruited in this study. Clinicopathological parameters of all patients were recorded and hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining was performed. Over-expression of Her-2/neu was investigated by immunohistochemistry using α-Her-2 antibody. To quantify Her-2/neu over-expression, the Hofmann validation scoring system was used and further its association was seen with age, gender, histopathological type, grade, and stage of the tumor. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. A P value of <0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: Overall, 21 (22.1%) cases were positive for Her-2/neu overexpression from the total of 95 gastric adenocarcinomas. Her-2/neu was significantly expressed in low-grade gastric cancer (grade I = 50%, grade II = 34.5%, grade III = 14.5%; P = 0.030). Although there was insignificant difference between Her-2/neu over expression and other variables, Her-2/neu score 3+ was predominantly seen in females, age >60 years, Laurens intestinal type, and IIIC stage tumors. CONCLUSION: Her-2/neu is over-expressed in a limited group of gastric cancer patients in our population and indicates a significant strong association with low grades of gastric cancer.