A study of therapy targeted EGFR/ALK mutations in Indian patients with lung adenocarcinoma: A clinical and epidemiological study

Background

Established predictive biomarkers for Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) include sensitizing Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) fusion oncogene. The primary aim of the study is to ascertain the prevalence of EGFR mutation and ALK gene rearrangement in patients of lung adenocarcinoma in Indian population and the second objective is to impress upon the importance of adequate processing of limited tissue samples.

Evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic and hypoglycemic effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn, Ocimum sanctum Linn and Pterocarpus marsupium Linn in normal and alloxanized diabetic rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous (Aq) extract of the bark of Pterocarpus marsupium (PM) and alcoholic (Alc) extract of seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (FG) and leaves of Ocimum sanctum (OS) was investigated in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The Aq extract of PM (1 g/kg PO) significantly (P<0.001) reduced the blood sugar levels from 72.32+/-5.62 to 61.35+/-1.2 mg% 2 h after oral administration of the extract and also significantly lowered the blood glucose in alloxan diabetic rats from 202.91+/-5.44 to 85.22+/-11.28 mg% 21 days after daily oral administration of the extract (P<0.001). Similarly, reduction was seen with Alc extract of FG (74.33+/-4.77 to 60.56+/-1.9 in normal rats and 201.25+/-7.69 to 121.25+/-6.25 in diabetic rats) (P<0.001) and OS (204.48+/-11.0 to 131.43+/-7.86 in normal rats and 73.54+/-3.7 to 61.44+/-2.3 in diabetic rats) (P<0.001). In addition, the extract also showed a favorable effect on glucose disposition in glucose fed hyperglycemic rats.     

Measuring domestic violence in human immunodeficiency virus-positive women

Background

Violence affects the lives of millions of women worldwide, in all socioeconomic classes. Violence and the fear of violence are emerging as important risk factor contributing to the vulnerability to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection for women. The objective of the present cross sectional study is to compare the experiences of domestic violence between HIV-positive and HIV-negative married women seeking treatment in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

The study is conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Pune on a randomly selected 150 married women (75 HIV-positive and 75 HIV-negative). Informed consent was obtained from all the women and also a trained counsellor was present during the process of data collection. The data was collected by interview method by taking precautions as laid down in the World Health Organization's ethical and safety recommendations for research on domestic violence and using modified conflict tactics scale (CTS). The definition of violence followed is as per the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993.

Results

The percentage of women reporting domestic violence is 44.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 36.84–52.68). The proportion of physical, emotional and sexual violence reported is 38% (95% CI = 30.49–45.96), 24% (95% CI = 17.67–31.31), and 14.7% (95% CI = 9.66–21.02), respectively. The odds of reporting violence of all forms is significantly higher among HIV-positive women than among HIV-negative women (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression is carried out to examine the possible predictors of domestic violence.

Conclusion

The findings suggest high proportion of HIV-positive women report violence then HIV-negative women which must be addressed through multilevel prevention approaches.     

D-dimer in the diagnostic workup of suspected pulmonary thrombo-embolism at high altitude

Background

Pulmonary thrombo-embolism (PTE) is relatively common in high altitude areas where radiological diagnostic facilities are usually not available. So this study was undertaken to use the results of D-dimer assay to determine the need for imaging studies in patients suspected of having PTE at high altitude.

Methods

A total of 101 patients at an altitude of > 3,000 m suspected of having PTE were evacuated. D-dimer and imaging studies were carried out to confirm the diagnosis.

Results

A total of 101 patients suspected of having PTE underwent D-dimer level estimation and imaging studies for PTE. Sixty-eight of these had negative findings) on D-dimer assay. All these patients with negative findings on D-dimer assay had negative findings on pulmonary imaging studies also. So this test is very sensitive with very high negative predictive value (NPV). Whereas, 17 out of 33 patients positive for D-dimer, had positive findings on imaging studies, indicating a relatively less specific test.

Conclusion

Clinical assessment in combination with D-dimer assay can be used for timely differentiation of PTE from other conditions such as high altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) especially at isolated high altitude areas/military posts, so that patients could be evacuated as early as possible by fastest means to save the precious lives and in hospital settings this test identifies patients to whom anticoagulant therapy should not be given or patients who should not be subjected to invasive imaging tests.Key Words: D-dimer test, PTE