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Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is a non-cutaneous malignancy in males with wide variation in incidence rates across the globe. It is the second most reported cause of cancer death. Its etiology may have been linked to genetic polymorphisms, which are not only dominating cause of malignancy casualties but also exerts significant effects on pharmacotherapy outcomes. Although many therapeutic options are available, but suitable candidates identified by useful biomarkers can exhibit maximum therapeutic efficacy. The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) reported in androgen receptor signaling genes influence the effectiveness of androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and androgen deprivation therapy. Furthermore, SNPs located in genes involved in transport, drug metabolism, and efflux pumps also influence the efficacy of pharmacotherapy. Hence, SNPs biomarkers provide the basis for individualized pharmacotherapy. The pharmacotherapeutic options for PCa include hormonal therapy, chemotherapy (Docetaxel, Mitoxantrone, Cabazitaxel, and Estramustine, etc.), and radiotherapy. Here, we overview the impact of SNPs reported in various genes on the pharmacotherapy for PCa and evaluate current genetic biomarkers with an emphasis on early diagnosis and individualized treatment strategy in PCa.

Background: Malaria during pregnancy may affect the course adversely. The physiological changes of pregnancy and pathological changes due to malaria have a deleterious effect on each other. This trial was conducted to study the complications and outcome of malaria during pregnancy. Material & Methods: It was a prospective study carried out at District Headquarter Teaching Hospital, D.I.Khan, Pakistan, from 1st April 2005 to 31 December 2006. Patients with malaria and pregnancy were included in the study. Results: One hundred and twenty-nine pregnant patients with malaria were included. Regarding parity and stage of pregnancy, malarial infestation was more common in multipara and majority 52(40%) of patients were in second trimester of pregnancy. The commonest pathogen found was Plasmodium falciparum in 99(76.75%). Most of the infected patients 77(59.70%) with Plasmodium falciparum were multigravida. Regarding complications, 81(62%) patients were having hemoglobin 8-10g/dl and 48(38%) less than 8g/dl. Three (2%) patients were having cerebral malaria. Regarding pregnancy outcome, 39(30%) developed puerperal pyrexia, 18(14%) had spontaneous abortion, 11(9%) babies of infected mothers died in neonatal period and 8(6%) patients had pre-term labor. Conclusion: Maternal malaria adversely affects the pregnancy outcome. It increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirths, premature delivery and low birth weight.

Background: Government of Pakistan launched National Program for Family Planning and Primary Health Care in 1994. Lady Health Worker has a key role in providing these services. This study was designed to assess the quality of these services. Material and Methods: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted at District Kohat, Pakistan, in July 2005. Lady Health Workers with a job experience of more than 24 months were interviewed to assess their knowledge, attitude and skills, in terms of variables according to their job description. These variables included home visits, antenatal care, family planning, newborn care, vaccination, growth monitoring, common diseases, medicines and referrals. Results: Fifty lady health workers were interviewed. Knowledge of lady health workers was above 36%, attitude score above 88% and skill assessment score above 86%. Sixty four percent lady health workers had established their health houses. Seven lady health workers showed non-satisfactory results with poor health house management. Much improvement in skills was required in the use of contraceptives. There was poor display of knowledge regarding vaccination schedule and insufficient knowledge 36% for the doses of common medicines. Conclusion: This study opened a window to peep through deficiencies of health system. It showed that most of the LHWs had optimum knowledge and an optimistic attitude. Deficiencies were seen in vaccination and contraception. It is recommended to arrange workshops and courses for LHWs on regular basis to refresh their knowledge.

Experimental work and finite element techniques were used to analyze the tensile and buckling characteristics of carburized low carbon steel columns for different diameters.The back of carburization consists of hardwood charcoal mixed with barium carbonate as the energizer. The specimens were carburized using (30%) of energizers at temperature equal to (900ºC) for 5 five hours.The modulus of elasticity as measured experimentally was used in FEM (ANSYS) to calculate the buckling load. The results of the study showed that the Vickers micro hardness increased from (HV=210) to (HV=525), the tensile strength increased from (708 MPa) to (1065 MPa) and critical buckling load increased from (18.37 kN) to (19.6 kN) for d=8mm. Also critical buckling load increased from (5.8 kN) to (19.2 kN) as the diameter of the carburized low carbon steel column increased from 6mm to 8mm respectively for FEA analysis.

Recycled waste industrial cellulose triacetate (TAC) film, which is one of the key materials in polarizers, was used to produce nanofiber membranes by electrospinning and synergistic assembly with graphene oxide (GO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) for oil-water separation. In this study, GO and TiO2 coated by an electrophoretic deposition method introduced super hydrophilicity onto the recycled TAC (rTAC) membrane, with enhanced water permeability. The results indicate that when the outermost TiO2 layer of an asymmetric composite fiber membrane is exposed to ultraviolet irradiation; the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic layer is more effectively promoted. Moreover, this coating could efficiently repel oil, and demonstrated robust self-cleaning performance during the cycle test, with the aid of the photocatalytic properties of TiO2. The rTAC membrane of networked hydrophobic fibers could also increase the speed of the filtrate flow and the water flux of the oil-water emulsion. The permeate carbon concentration in the water was analyzed using a total organic carbon analyzer. Incorporation of TiO2/GO onto the rTAC membrane contributed greatly towards enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and antifouling performance. Therefore, the novel TiO2/GO/rTAC asymmetric composite fiber has promise for applications in oil-water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]