One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of a carbon quantum dot/CaFeO hybrid nanocomposite for carcinogenic Congo red dye degradation.

Semiconductor materials show a restricted degradation response to organic pollutants due to limited photocatalytic activity under visible light. Therefore, researchers have devoted much attention to novel and effective nanocomposite materials. For the first time, herein, a novel nano-sized semiconductor calcium ferrite modified by carbon quantum dots (CaFeO/CQDs) photocatalyst is fabricated simple hydrothermal treatment for the degradation of aromatic dye using a visible light source.

Comparison of the effects of perioperative and adjuvant chemotherapy on outcomes of operable gastric cancer: A retrospective cohort experience from a tertiary cancer center.

Objective: To compare the overall survival and disease-free survival rates with perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in operable gastric cancer cases.

Methods: The retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised date from January 2015 to December 2020 of operable gastric cancer patients who had perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival and disease-free survival were evaluated.

Impact of processing methods on the dissolution of artemether from two non-ordered mesoporous silicas.

Poor aqueous solubility is often linked with a poor dissolution rate and ultimately, limited bioavailability of pharmaceutical compounds. This study describes the application of mesoporous materials (Syloid 244 and Syloid AL1) in improving the dissolution rate of a drug with poor aqueous solubility, namely artemether, utilising different processing methods including physical mixing, co-grinding and solid dispersions prepared by solvent evaporation and the lyophilisation technique. The prepared formulations were extensively characterised for their solid-state properties and the drug release attributes were studied.

Docetaxel-resistance in prostate cancer: evaluating associated phenotypic changes and potential for resistance transfer via exosomes.

Background: Hormone-refractory prostate cancer remains hindered by inevitable progression of resistance to first-line treatment with docetaxel. Recent studies suggest that phenotypic changes associated with cancer may be transferred from cell-to-cell via microvesicles/exosomes. Here we aimed to investigate phenotypic changes associated with docetaxel-resistance in order to help determine the complexity of this problem and to assess the relevance of secreted exosomes in prostate cancer.

Challenges of drug resistance in the management of pancreatic cancer.

The current treatment of choice for metastatic pancreatic cancer involves single-agent gemcitabine or a combination of gemcitabine with capecitabine or erlotinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor). Only 25–30% of patients respond to this treatment and patients who do respond initially ultimately exhibit disease progression. Median survival for pancreatic cancer patients has reached a plateau due to inherent and acquired resistance to these agents.

A role for mu opioid receptors in cocaine-induced activity, sensitization, and reward in the rat.

Rationale: Considerable evidence suggests that the endogenous opioid system plays a role in mediating the behavioral effects of psychostimulants. Opioidergic drugs have been shown to have profound effects on cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization and conditioned reward. However, the role specifically of the mu opioid receptor in this regard is unclear as most previous pharmacological studies have used nonselective opioid receptor ligands.

Evaluation of nutritional status of patients on haemodialysis.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients on haemodialysis for chronic renal failure.

Design: Single center cross-sectional hospital based study.

Place And Duration Of Study: This study was carried out at haemodialysis unit of Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from March to May 2000.

Regulation of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor and receptors in rabbits exposed to hyperoxia.

Purpose: To evaluate the molecular responses of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors to dexamethasone (Dex) and celecoxib (Cel) during hyperoxia and during hyperoxia followed by recovery in room air, in newborn rabbit retinas.

Methods: Newborn rabbits at 3 days postnatal age (n = 96) received room air or oxygen (80%-100%) for 4 days, during which they were administered saline (Sal), Dex, vehicle (Veh), or Cel (n = 12/treatment group). Six animals from each group were killed immediately after hyperoxia (or room air) and the remainder exposed to room air for 5 days.