Exploring the molecular subclasses and stage-specific genes of oral cancer: A bioinformatics analysis

The rate of people getting affected by Oral cancer in Sri Lanka is growing rapidly since the root cause of such cancer, betel quid chewing is tightly coupled with the tradition of the country. The five-year survival rate of the disease is also pretty low as it is typically detected at advanced stages. This urges a comprehensive study on the marker genes of oral cancer for the successful therapeutic revisions that would potentially identify cancer in its early stages. Further, the identification of molecular subclasses can assist in individualizing the treatment for this type of fatal disease. This study uses the bioinformatics analysis on the gene expression dataset of 56 oral cancer patients from Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom to identify the differentially expressed genes where these genes are later clustered and classified into molecular subclasses. Molecular subclasses are found by clustering the genes that stratify together and the stages were identified with the use of gene co-expression networks. Five molecular subclasses of oral cancer were identified and the genes associated with each tumour stage. Out of the genes that are clustered and classified, TAGLN2, CCND2 and CCL8 were well-known tumour suppressor genes and GPX3, GRN and ITGB4 genes are involved in several carcinomas. Putative marker genes of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma were identified which could facilitate the medical practitioner in the early detection of oral cancer and also in the improvement of treatment methods

Skin protection from solar ultraviolet radiation using natural compounds: a review

Skin exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation and pollutants causes several skin disorders, calling for protection methods such as sunscreen application. However, common sunscreen contains chemicals that have displayed toxicity when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, alternatives approaches have been recently developed, such as the use of natural phytochemicals as active ingredients in photoprotection preparations. Here, we review skin protection with focus on the physics of ultraviolet radiation and photoprotection by ultraviolet filters. We present sensors for measuring ultraviolet radiation and ultraviolet radiation in ecosystems. We discuss the phototoxicity of drugs, preservatives, personal care products, and pollutants. Photocarcinogenesis, photoallergy, photostability, and toxicity of sunscreen ingredients and their impacts on human health and skin, are also reviewed. We observed that phytochemicals are promising for photoprotection due to their ability to absorb photon energy, and thus act as antioxidants

ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF MALAYSIAN FRUIT EXTRACT (MYRISTICA FRAGRANS)

The aim of this experiment is to study the phytochemical content of Malaysian fruit (Myristica fragrans), commonly known as nutmeg. This study also includes the optimization of extraction conditions for both soxhlet and ultrasonic extraction to yield the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity of nutmegs using Response surface methodology. Soxhlet extraction is carried out with different extraction time and type of solvent. However, ultrasonic-assisted extraction is carried out with different extraction time, concentration of solvent and temperature of ultrasonic water bath. It has been shown that the optimum value of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity of soxhlet extraction on nutmegs are 12.290 mg, 17.09 mg and 95.837%, respectively with a desirability of 0.671. The optimum condition for soxhlet extraction of nutmegs to obtain optimum yield of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2-diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging are by using methanol as solvent at 184 minutes extraction time. However, for the optimization value of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2- diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging activity for ultrasonic- assisted extraction of nutmegs are 28.722 mg, 46.600 mg and 98.565%, respectively with a desirability of 0.977. The optimum condition for ultrasonic assisted extraction of nutmegs to obtain optimum yield of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and 2, 2- diphenyl picryl hydrazyl scavenging are by extracting nutmeg at 40 minutes at 50 ℃ and at 40% ethanol concentration

Cancer-Immunity Marker RNA Expression Levels across Gynecologic Cancers: Implications for Immunotherapy.

Our objective was to characterize cancer-immunity marker expression in gynecologic cancers and compare immune landscapes between gynecologic tumor subtypes and with nongynecologic solid tumors. RNA expression levels of 51 cancer-immunity markers were analyzed in patients with gynecologic cancers versus nongynecologic cancers, and normalized to a reference population of 735 control cancers, ranked from 0 to 100, and categorized as low (0-24), moderate (25-74), or high (75-100) percentile rank. Of the 72 patients studied, 43 (60%) had ovarian, 24 (33%) uterine, and 5 (7%) cervical cancer. No two immune profiles were identical according to expression rank (0-100) or rank level (low, moderate, or high). Patients with cervical cancer had significantly higher expression level ranks of immune activating, proinflammatory, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte markers, and checkpoints than patients with uterine or ovarian cancer (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). However, there were no significant differences in immune marker expression between uterine and ovarian cancers. Tumors with PD-L1 tumor proportional score (TPS) ≥1% versus 0% had significantly higher expression levels of proinflammatory markers (58 vs. 49%, P = 0.0004). Compared to patients with nongynecologic cancers, more patients with gynecologic cancers express high levels of IDO-1 (44 vs. 13%, P < 0.001), LAG3 (35 vs. 21%, P = 0.008), and IL10 (31 vs. 15%, P = 0.002.) Patients with gynecologic cancers have complex and heterogeneous immune landscapes that are distinct from patient to patient and from other solid tumors. High levels of IDO1 and LAG3 suggest that clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors or LAG3 inhibitors, respectively, may be warranted in gynecologic cancers

Vrijednost citološkoga i histološkoga nalaza za dijagnosticiranje prenosivoga veneričnoga tumora u pasa

The study was aimed at diagnosing transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) initially using cytological techniques and later the results were compared with routine histopathology. Two Spitz and one Labrador bitches with tumour masses of about 4-7.5 cm in diameter seen on the vagina and vulva were used as material for the study. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with various cytological stains and routine histopathology with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed. Grossly, the tumour masses appeared irregular, cauliflower like and had a tendency to bleed. Cytologically, the tumour yielded a homogenous, sheet-like high cellular mass. Cytoplasm with punctate vacuoles, anisokaryosis with anisonucleoliosis and coarse to reticulate nuclear chromatin were prominent features. Histopathology showed sheets of round cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic variations. The study concluded that cytology could be used as a quick, rapid, field diagnostic technique in combination with histopathology for the diagnosis of TVTs.Istraživanje je provedeno radi uvođenja citološke metode za dijagnosticiranje prenosivoga veneričnoga tumora u pasa. Citološki nalazi uspoređeni su s patohistološkim nalazima. U istraživanje su uzete dvije kuje pasmine špic i jedna pasmine labrador s tumorima stidnice i rodnice promjera od 4 do 7,5 cm. Nakon aspiracije tankom iglom proveden je citološki postupak bojenja različitim bojama te uobičajeno patohistološko bojenje hematoksilinom i eozinom. Tumori su patomorfološki bili nepravilne građe poput cvjetače sa sklonošću krvarenju. Citološki su se doimali homogeno, s gustim staničnim nakupinama posloženim u pločastom obrascu. Ustanovljene su točkaste vakuole u citoplazmi, zatim anizokarioza s anizonukleoliozom i grubim nakupinama jezgrenoga kromatina. Patohistološki ustanovljene su okrugle stanice s promjenama u jezgri i citoplazmi. Citološka metoda može se rabiti kao brzi terenski dijagnostički postupak u kombinaciji s patohistološkim nalazom

Assessment of stroke volumeindex with three different bioimpedance algorithms: lack of agreement compared to thermodilution

Objective: The accuracy of bioimpedance stroke volume index (SVI) is questionable as studies report inconsistent results. It remains unclear whether the algorithms alone are responsible for these findings. We analyzed the raw impedance data with three algorithms and compared bioimpedance SVI to transpulmonary thermodilution (SVITD). Design and setting: Prospective observational clinical study in a university hospital. Patients: Twenty adult patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Interventions: SVITD and bioimpedance parameters were simultaneously obtained before surgery (t1), after bypass (t2), after sternal closure (t3), at the intensive care unit (t4), at normothermia (t5), after extubation (t6) and before discharge (t7). Bioimpedance data were analyzed off-line using cylinder (Kubicek: SVIK; Wang: SVIW) and truncated cone based algorithms (Sramek-Bernstein: SVISB). Measurements and results: Bias and precision between the SVITD and SVIK, SVISB, and SVIW was 1.0± 10.8, 9.8± 11.4, and -15.7± 8.2ml/m2 respectively, while the mean error was abundantly above 30%. Analysis of data per time moment resulted in a mean error above 30%, except for SVIW at t2 (28%). Conclusions: Estimation of SVI by cylinder or truncated cone based algorithms is not reliable for clinical decision making in patients undergoing CABG surgery. A more robust approach for estimating bioimpedance based SVI may exclude inconsistencies in the underlying algorithms in existing thoracic bioimpedance cardiography devices

Wounded Patients, Wounded Doctors, Wounded Healers: Healing Our Fragmented Medical System

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of physicians in the process of healing within the context of our current medical system. As an autoethnographic study, it explores the healing process from wounds the researcher experienced as a physician, teacher, student, and at times a sick patient. This study reflects on the experiences, insights, and observations that have molded the researcher’s spirit toward that of a healer not only of patients but also of the fragmented medical system. This study explores the early childhood experiences and wounds that were instrumental in the researcher’s initial pursuit of a medical career. In addition, this study explores how the researcher’s journey of over 40 years, dedicated to practicing high tech, high risk, intensive care medicine of critically ill patients has deeply shaped the researcher’s persona as a healer. Since the time of the researcher’s initial specialization in medicine, other areas of medicine as well as other disciplines relating to the humanities have been explored. This study incorporates the lessons, knowledge, experiences, and perspectives from those disciplines and thereby expands the scope of this research study. The autoethnographic approach is appropriate for gaining a greater understanding of self, others, and the culture. The essence of healing necessitates the integration of mind, body, spirit, and consciousness, which encompass multiple therapeutic approaches. In summary, the healing process incorporates aspects of both art and science that optimally benefit not only the patient, doctor, and healer, but also the medical system