Category: Nevin Manimala

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1731-1735. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1731.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptor in the tumour cells of primary pleomorphic adenomas and recurrent pleomorphic adenomas.

METHODS: A retrospective study of data including 30 cases of primary pleomorphic adenomas (PA) without recurrences and 15 cases of recurrent pleomorphic adenomas were examined (RPA). RPA included 8 males and 7 females. Immunohistochemical expression of estrogen, progesterone and androgen receptor was examined in the selected cases. The percentage of slides was semi-quantitatively assessed by two independent observers and scores were given. The statistical analysis included the use of descriptive statistics and proportional frequencies.

RESULTS: AR expression was identified in 12 (40. %) out of 30 cases of (PA) pleomorphic adenomas and 7 of 15 cases recurrent pleomorphic adenomas (RPA) (46 %). The results showed that ER and PR expression were negative in PA and RPA.

CONCLUSION: Androgen receptors might have role in pathogenesis of PA and RPA. Estrogen and progesterone receptors have no role in development of recurrent pleomorphic salivary adenoma.

PMID:37247295 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1731

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1717-1723. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1717.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the immune response and malondialdehyde levels in irradiated rats supplemented with Curcuma xanthorriza Roxb extract as a candidate for mitigating radiation exposure.

METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were grouped into eight treatment groups, then Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb extract was administered orally and irradiated at 6 Gy. Measurement of rats IL-6 and INF-γ was performed using a sandwich ELISA Kit, while the MDA concentration was quantified according to the method of Wills (1971). The statistical test is determined by one way ANOVA test. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULT: The concentration of IL-6 in all groups showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.18). There was an increase in the concentration of IL-6 in the group of rats irradiated with 6 Gy for 7 days and 14 days. Meanwhile, the INF-γ concentration also showed no significant results in all treatment groups (P=0.28). The average of MDA concentration showed a significant difference in the liver and spleen of irradiated rats at 6 Gy for 14 days compared to the control (0.044 nmol/mg vs 0.008 nmol/mg, P=0.03 and 0.032 nmol/mg vs 0.014 nmol/mg, P=0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The administration of Curcuma xanthorriza Xorb extract was able to reduce MDA concentrations in the liver and spleen although not statistically significant. In addition, exposure to ionizing radiation at a dose of 6 Gy significantly increased lipid peroxidation in the liver and spleen by 5.5 times and 2.3 times, respectively.

PMID:37247293 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1717

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1695-1700. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1695.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anti-carcinogenic effect of Centella Asiatica on to evaluate the Anti-Carcinogenic Effect of Centella Asiatica on Oral Cancer Cell Line oral cancer cell line.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral Cancer cell line and normal oral keratinocyte cell line were procured.Centella asiatica extract was prepared. The cells were then subjected to the test herbal specimens -Centella asiatica extract in succeeding concentrations of 25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, 100 µg/ml at time intervals of 24,48 and 72 hours. Cisplatin (2 µg/ml, 4 µg/ml, 6 µg/ml, 8 µg/ml) was used as a positive control. This experiment was done in triplets.

RESULTS: The study revealed that the p values were less than 0.05 at concentration 12.5µg/ml, 25µg/ml, 50 µg/ml,100 µg/ml and time period of 24hrs,48hrs,72hrs, thus implying that at these concentrations and time period, the obtained data were statistically significant, thus indicating that there is a statistically significantly decreases in the viable cells as the concentration of the drug as a time period increases The results reveals that centella asiatica possess potential effect of anti-carcinogenic, effect when compared to positive control (Cisplatin).

CONCLUSION: The current study reveals that Centella asiatica has an potential anti-carcinogenic effect on oral cancer cell line. So this can be used to treat oral cancer with minimal crippling as compared with allopathic drugs.

PMID:37247290 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1695

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1677-1685. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1677.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Dose calculation accuracy between Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB) for various megavoltage (MV) photon beams for both flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter free (FFF) beams and to validate the accuracy of these dose calculations using inhomogeneous phantom in volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A Cheese Phantom having 20 holes that can be filled with all virtual water plugs or set of density calibration plugs was used for VMAT planning using two different algorithms using either single or double arc. Further phantom was used irradiate plan in linear accelerator and the point doses measured using a 0.053 cc A1SL ionization chamber along electrometer . Different plans, cylindrical shape, C-shaped and donut targets were planned 6MV, 10MV, 6FFF MV and 10FFF MV beam energy.

RESULT: The minimum average mean dose difference was 1.2% for PTV structures between AAA and AXB (p=0.02). Apart from these structures, the following density plugs have a more than 2% difference in maximum dose with statistical significance. (i) Solid water (MD=6.1%, p=0.016), (ii) Bone 200 (2.3%, p=0.029), (iii) CB_30% (MD=2.4%, p=0.050) and (iv) Cortical bone (MD=4.3%, p=0.018). In 6MV FFF and 10 MV FFF plans, the difference between AAA and AXB was not statistically significant (Fig 3). The Conformity index for the AAA less than that of AXB, in all energies and for all the PTVs. The CI was better in AXB than AAA, but the CI was not having much variation due to changes in beam energies, particularly for Cylinder shaped PTV.

CONCLUSION: All combinations of beam energy AAA showed higher values in the maximum dose than the Acuros XB, except for the lung insert. Nonetheless, AAA showed a higher mean dose than the Acuros XB. Differences between these two algorithms for most of the beam energies are minimal.

PMID:37247288 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1677

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1601-1610. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1601.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy associated with rapid progression and an abysmal prognosis. Previous research has shown that chronic pancreatitis can significantly increase the risk of developing PDAC. The overarching hypothesis is that some of the biological processes disrupted during the inflammatory stage tend to show significant dysregulation, even in cancer. This might explain why chronic inflammation increases the risk of carcinogenesis and uncontrolled proliferation. Here, we try to pinpoint such complex processes by comparing the expression profiles of pancreatitis and PDAC tissues.

METHODS: We analyzed a total of six gene expression datasets retrieved from the EMBL-EBI ArrayExpress and NCBI GEO databases, which included 306 PDAC, 68 pancreatitis and 172 normal pancreatic samples. The disrupted genes identified were used to perform downstream analysis for ontology, interaction, enriched pathways, potential druggability, promoter methylation, and the associated prognostic value. Further, we performed expression analysis based on gender, patient’s drinking habit, race, and pancreatitis status.

RESULTS: Our study identified 45 genes with altered expression levels shared between PDAC and pancreatitis. Over-representation analysis revealed that protein digestion and absorption, ECM-receptor interaction, PI3k-Akt signaling, and proteoglycans in cancer pathways as significantly enriched. Module analysis identified 15 hub genes, of which 14 were found to be in the druggable genome category.

CONCLUSION: In summary, we have identified critical genes and various biochemical processes disrupted at a molecular level. These results can provide valuable insights into certain events leading to carcinogenesis, and therefore help identify novel therapeutic targets to improve PDAC treatment in the future.

PMID:37247279 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1601

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1521-1532. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1521.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to study the trends of lung cancer (LC) incidence in the regional context in Kazakhstan.

METHODS: The retrospective study was done using descriptive and analytical methods of oncoepidemiology. The extensive, crude and age-specific incidence rates are determined according to the generally accepted methodology used in sanitary statistics. The data were used to calculate the average percentage change (APС) using the Joinpoint regression analysis to determine the trend over the study period.

RESULTS: Over the 10 years under study, 36,916 new cases of LC were registered in the country (80.5% – in men and 19.5% – in women). During the studied years the average age of patients was 64.2±0.1 years (95%CI=63.9-64.4). The highest incidence rates per 100,000 in the entire population were found in the age groups 65-69 years (147.6±2.7), 70-74 years (159.3±2.5), and 75-79 years (147.1±3.2). The incidence of LC tended to increase only at the age of 80-84 years (APC=+1.26) and the most pronounced average annual decline rates were observed in the age groups of 45-49 years (APC=-4.09), 50-54 years (APC=-4.20) and 85+ years (APC=-4.07). The average annual standardized incidence rate was 22.2 per 100,000, and in dynamics tended to decrease (APC=-2.04). There is a decrease in incidence in almost all regions, with the exception of the Mangystau region (APC=+1.65). During the compilation of cartograms, incidence rates were determined on the basis of standardized indicators: low – up to 20.6, average – from 20.6 to 25.6, high – above 25.6 per 100,000 for the entire population.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of lung cancer in Kazakhstan is decreasing. The incidence among the male population is six times higher than among the female, while the rate of decline is more pronounced. The incidence tends to decrease in almost all regions. High rates were found in the northern and eastern regions.

PMID:37247271 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1521

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 May 1;24(5):1477-1486. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1477.

ABSTRACT

PROPOSAL: A distinct epidemiology, etiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes characterize nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from other head and neck cancers. An actualized analysis of NPC patients’ features enables a global view of NPC management. Accordingly, the current study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Moroccan patients with NPC, as well as their 4-years survival outcomes and influencing prognostic factors.

METHODS: We prospectively analyzed data of 142 histologically confirmed Moroccan patients with NPC between October 2016 and February 2019. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess predictive prognostic factors related to NPC. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 21 statistical software.

RESULTS: In the present study, a net male predominance was found, with a mean age of 44±16.3 years old. Advanced stages of NPC were observed in 64.1% of patients, and 32.4% of patients presented with distant metastasis at diagnosis. The 4-years overall survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival and progression-free survival were 68.0%, 63.0%, 53.9%, and 39.9%, respectively. Age, N category and distant metastasis were identified as the most important independent prognosis factors for NPC in this cohort (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, NPC affects young adults and is frequently diagnosed at advanced disease stages, impacting therefore negatively patients survival; which is in line with data from endemic areas for NPC. The current study clearly highlights that a greater attention should be directed to improving the management of this aggressive malignancy.

PMID:37247266 | DOI:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1477

New Microbiol. 2023 May;46(2):170-185.

ABSTRACT

The effects of clinical symptoms, laboratory indicators, and comorbidity status of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients on the severity of disease and the risk of death were investigated. Questionnaires and electronic medical records of 371 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were used for data collection (demographics, clinical manifestation, comorbidities, laboratory data). Association among categorical variables was determined using Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (P-value ≤0.05). Median age of study population (249 males, 122 females) was 65 years. Roc curves analysis found that age ≥64 years and age ≥67 years are significant cut-offs identifying patients with more severe disease and mortality at 30 days. CRP values at cut-off ≥80.7 and ≥95.8 significantly identify patients with more severe disease and mortality. Patients with more severe disease and risk of death were significantly identified with platelet value at the cut-off ≤160,000, hemoglobin value at the cut-off ≤11.7, D-Dimer values ≥1383 and ≥1270, and with values of neutrophil granulocytes (≥8.2 and ≤2) and lymphocytes (≤2 and ≤2.4). Detailed clinical investigation suggests granulocytes together with lymphopenia may be a potential indicator for diagnosis. Older age, several comorbidities (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension) and more laboratory abnormalities (CRP, D-Dimer, platelets, hemoglobin) were associated with development of more severity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.

PMID:37247238

New Microbiol. 2023 May;46(2):146-153.

ABSTRACT

Since the outbreak of the 2019 pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19), great attention has been given to identifying the main clinical features of the disease. Identification of laboratory parameters able to classify patients based on their risk is mandatory to improve their clinical management. We retrospectively evaluated twenty-six laboratory tests measured in COVID-19 positive patients admitted to the hospital in March and April 2020 to find any correlation between their changes and the risk of death. We divided them into surviving and non-surviving patients. A total of 1587 patients were recruited, 854 males with median age of 71 (IQR 56-81) and 733 females with median age of 77 (IQR 61-87). On admission, death was found to be positively correlated with age (p=0.001), but not with sex (p=0.640) or with hospitalization in days (p=0.827). Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP), INR, leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, and procalcitonin (PCT) demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p<0.001), suggesting their role as markers of disease severity; only lymphocyte count resulted as an independent risk factor for death.

PMID:37247235

JMIR Med Educ. 2023 May 29;9:e47394. doi: 10.2196/47394.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Graduate students in medical fields must learn about epidemiology and data analysis to conduct their research. R is a software environment used to develop and run packages for statistical analysis; it can be challenging for students to learn because of compatibility with their computers and problems with package installations. Jupyter Notebook was used to run R, which enhanced the graduate students’ ability to learn epidemiological data analysis by providing an interactive and collaborative environment that allows for more efficient and effective learning.

OBJECTIVE: This study collected class reflections from students and their lecturer in the class “Longitudinal Data Analysis Using R,” identified problems that occurred, and illustrated how Jupyter Notebook can solve those problems.

METHODS: The researcher analyzed issues encountered in the previous class and devised solutions using Jupyter Notebook. These solutions were then implemented and applied to a new group of students. Reflections from the students were regularly collected and documented in an electronic form. The comments were then thematically analyzed and compared to those of the prior cohort.

RESULTS: Improvements that were identified included the ease of using Jupyter R for data analysis without needing to install packages, increased student questioning due to curiosity, and students having the ability to immediately use all code functions. After using Jupyter Notebook, the lecturer could stimulate interest more effectively and challenge students. Furthermore, they highlighted that students responded to questions. The student feedback shows that learning R with Jupyter Notebook was effective in stimulating their interest. Based on the feedback received, it can be inferred that using Jupyter Notebook to learn R is an effective approach for equipping students with an all-encompassing comprehension of longitudinal data analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of Jupyter Notebook can improve graduate students’ learning experience for epidemiological data analysis by providing an interactive and collaborative environment that is not affected by compatibility issues with different operating systems and computers.

PMID:37247206 | DOI:10.2196/47394