Latest Edition Highlights (Issue 39)
Featured articles from our most recent publication
DETECTION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV) IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN IRAQ USING IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES
Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has recently been identified in human breast cancer globally, potentially contributing to the initiation and progression of this malignancy, as well as gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and bladder cancer. It has been newly associated with breast cancer. Globally, breast cancer affects more women than any other type of cancer. In Iraq, the prevalence of breast cancer is comparable. Aims: The study examined Iraqi women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) to detect Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and encoded RNA (EBER). Methods: A total of 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (92%) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) (8%) biopsy samples constituted the case group, while 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from non-cancerous breast tissue served as the control group. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus protein (EBER) in breast tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) methods. Results: EBER RNA signals were found in 31 (62%). EBER RNA signals were seen in 3 (10%) control group participants. Significant differences (P<0.04) were seen in EBV EBER RNA positive signals among study groups. Immunohistochemistry showed nuclear brown staining in 34 (68%) breast cancer patients. Control group: 3 (10%). Discussion: The research identified a statistically significant correlation between EBV positivity and breast cancer among Iraqi women, especially concerning invasive ductal carcinoma. The results corroborate previous reports of elevated EBV levels in malignant breast tissues relative to controls. Although detection approaches such as CISH and IHC provide complementary insights, additional studies are needed. Conclusions: The study concludes that EBNA-1 and EBV EBER RNA were overexpressed in our population group.
Read ArticleTREATMENTS FOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TISAGENLECLEUCEL AND CLOFARABINE
Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy predominantly affecting individuals under 20 years of age. Traditional chemotherapy, such as clofarabine, has shown efficacy; however, novel immunotherapeutic strategies like tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah®) have significantly altered the treatment paradigm. Aim: This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of tisagenlecleucel, a CAR-T cell therapy, and clofarabine, a second-generation purine nucleoside analog, evaluating their mechanisms of action, therapeutic benefits, limitations, and clinical applicability across diverse patient populations. Methods: A systematic comparative evaluation was conducted, encompassing pharmacological characteristics, mechanisms of action, treatment protocols, efficacy, safety profiles, and clinical indications of both agents. The analysis considered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data and included patient demographic variables. Results: Tisagenlecleucel demonstrated high efficacy in refractory B-cell ALL, with durable responses and a blood half-life of 128 days, but with notable immune-related adverse effects such as cytokine release syndrome. Clofarabine, effective across a broader patient population, acts via multiple antitumor mechanisms but carries significant toxicity risks, including infection and sepsis. Discussion: The therapies present distinct clinical profiles: tisagenlecleucel offers targeted immunotherapy with high specificity but requires specialized infrastructure and management of immune toxicities. Clofarabine is more widely accessible and applicable, but is associated with conventional chemotherapy-related side effects. Treatment accessibility and cost differ markedly between the two. Conclusions: Therapy selection should be personalized based on patient-specific factors and institutional resources. Tisagenlecleucel is ideal for pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL in CAR-T-capable centers, while clofarabine remains a viable option for broader ALL populations, particularly when genetic therapies are not feasible. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve access to advanced treatments.
Read ArticleINQUIRY FOR SUITABLE LOCATIONS FOR A DRILLING REGIME AT AN UPSLOPE ROCKY KNOLL OF LAWU ESTATE, WESTERN BYPASS, MINNA, NIGERIA
Background: A client requested that the study group help determine locations that would be suitable for a drilling regime at his lot, located at an upslope rocky knoll of Lawu Estate, Minna, Nigeria. Aim: The aim of this study is to carry out a purpose-specific survey to pinpoint the best locations in a built-up property at the upmarket Lawu Estate that would be suitable for a drilling regime targeted for household consumption. Methods: The study area was reconnoitered by the survey crew in order to georeference the locations that would be occupied for the vertical electrical sounding survey in the 30 m x 20 m lot. Owing to the extensive build-up at this lot, only a four-point traverse along the 30-metric dimension traverse of the frontage of the building was demarcated in the northeasterly direction, thereby limiting the desire of the survey crew to define an appropriate survey grid. The data-acquisition pattern at the 4 x 1 survey stations of the frontage-traverse of the lot followed the “traditional” sequence of Schlumberger array layout measurements, whence the survey crew progressed with current-electrode spacing either end of a survey point located at this frontage-traverse targeting a maximum survey depth of 100 m. Result: The acquired vertical electrical-sounding data set for this study was recorded on purpose-specific data sheets. Discussion: Based on empirical rules-of-thumb procedures for interpreting vertical electrical sounding data at the Nigerian Basement Complex geological province, “assured” groundwater location and “strongly aquiferous” location, deductive inferences were drawn with regards to only vertical electrical sounding Station 4. Conclusion: Thus, it is recommended that VES Station 4 be exploited in the planned drilling program of the client, especially since this survey point checks off 100 percent of the constraints imposed by the rules-of-thumb interpretation procedures.
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