Asma Haque

Bio: Asma Haque is an academic researcher from Government College University, Faisalabad. The author has contributed to research in topics: Medicine & Epitope. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 18 publications receiving 138 citations.

HBV induced HCC: major risk factors from genetic to molecular level.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a deadly and emerging disease leading to death in Asian countries High hepatitis B virus (HBV) load and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection increase the risk of developing HCC HBV is a DNA virus that can integrate DNA into host genome thereby increase the yield of transactivator protein HBxAg that may deregulate many pathways involving in metabolism of cells Several monogenic and polygenic risk factors are also involved in HCC development This review summarizes the mechanism involved in HCC development and discusses some promising therapies to make HCC curative

Detection of high levels of resistance to linezolid and vancomycin in Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract: Both methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) are rapidly overcoming the current array of drugs. One hundred and fifty isolates from a hospital were studied for resistance towards linezolid and vancomycin. Fifty-four (36.0 %) isolates were MRSA. Both MRSA and MSSA showed high resistance towards linezolid when using the disc diffusion method, with the figures being 48.1 and 29.2 %, respectively. The figures for the E-test were 46.3 and 27.0 %, respectively. The vancomycin resistance was remarkable in MRSA (14.8 %), but relatively low in MSSA (3.1 %). The E-test results were 13.0 and 4.16 %, respectively. The cfr gene was detected in 78 % of linezolid-resistant isolates and the vanA operon was detected in 74 % of vancomycin-resistant isolates. This level of resistance against linezolid and vancomycin is unprecedented. These results are alarming and highlight the threat of non-treatable S. aureus strains.

Preparation, biodistribution, and scintigraphic evaluation of (99m)Tc-clindamycin: an infection imaging agent.

Abstract: Bacterial infection is found to be the cause of death throughout the world. Nuclear medicine imaging with the help of radiopharmaceuticals has great potential for treating infections. In the present work, clindamycin, a lincosamide antibiotic, was labeled with technetium-99 m (~380 MBq). Clindamycin has been proven to be efficient for treating serious infections caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. Quality control, characterization, biodistribution, and scintigraphy of radiolabeled clindamycin were done, and labeling efficiency was determined by ascending paper chromatography. More than 95 % labeling efficiency with technetium-99 m (99mTc) was achieved at pH 6–7 while using 2.5–3 μg SnCl2 · H2O as a reducing agent and 100 μg of ligand at room temperature. The characterization of the compound was performed by using electrophoresis, HPLC and shake flask assay. Electrophoresis indicates the neutral behavior of 99mTc-clindamycin. HPLC analysis confirms the single specie of the labeled compound, while shake flask assay confirms high lipophilicity. The biodistribution studies of 99mTc-clindamycin were performed Sprague Dawley rats bearing bacterial infection. Scintigraphy and biodistribution studies showed a high uptake of 99mTc-clindamycin in the liver, heart, lung, and stomach as well as at S. aureus-infected sites in rabbits.

Degradation of Reactive Blue 19 Dye Using CopperNanoparticles Synthesized from Labeo rohita Fish Scales: a Greener Approach

Abstract: Our current study deals with the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using extract of Labeo rohita fish scales. There is no need to add any external reducing and stabilizing agents as the gelatin found in fish scale extract possesses plenty of reducing and stabilizing properties. The synthesized copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were characterized by Zeita sizer and SEM. Cu-NPs were applied to decolorize Reactive Blue 19 dye. Different experimental conditions like concentration of reactive Blue 19 dye, concentration of copper nanoparticles, pH and temperature were optimized. The degrading potential of copper nanoparticles increased their applicability for the decolorization of Reactive Blue 19 dye. Reactive Blue 19 dye was maximum decolorized (90.18%) at aconc. of 0.03%, 4 mg Cu-NPs, pH 10 at 50oC. The effectiveness of the method was evaluated by water quality assurance parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The reaction products were characterized by FTIR spectral studies.

Relationship of oxidative stress with elevated level of DNA damage and homocysteine in cardiovascular disease patients.

Abstract: Amounts of DNA damage and homocysteine (Hcy) in heart patients blood may have strong function in the causation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main objective of this work was to know experimentally the role of total oxidants (produced by Reactive Oxygen species (ROS), clinical biochemical indices, their oxidized products and total antioxidant status (TAS) among such patients to find the association of homocysteine, total oxidation status (TOS) and oxidative DNA damage with other clinical parameters in sixty positive CVD patients compared with those of 60 normal subjects. As compared to healthy individuals, CVD patients had significantly higher concentrations of homocysteine (p<0.0001), total oxidants stress (TOS) (p<0.0001), serum total lipids (p<0.04), malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p<0.0001), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.01), than those of healthy individuals. Plasma Hcy content, TOS and amount of DNA were positively and significantly associated with cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, urea, and albumin (p values<0.01). TOS, Hcy and oxidative DNA damage were negatively correlated with HDL-c, TAS and proteins. It is suggested that these parameters have pivotal role in diagnostic process of determining severity in CAD patients. Oxidized products of macromolecules in blood of CVD patients impart major functions in causing CVD disease.

Hepatocellular carcinoma: A comprehensive review.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rapidly becoming one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. With a rising rate, it is a prominent source of mortality. Patients with advanced fibrosis, predominantly cirrhosis and hepatitis B are predisposed to developing HCC. Individuals with chronic hepatitis B and C infections are most commonly afflicted. Different therapeutic options, including liver resection, transplantation, systemic and local therapy, must be tailored to each patient. Liver transplantation offers leading results to achieve a cure. The Milan criteria is acknowledged as the model to classify the individuals that meet requirements to undergo transplantation. Mean survival remains suboptimal because of long waiting times and limited donor organ resources. Recent debates involve expansion of these criteria to create options for patients with HCC to increase overall survival.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Etiology and Current and Future Drugs.

Abstract: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is swiftly increasing in prevalence globally with a high mortality rate. The progression of HCC in patients is induced with advanced fibrosis, mainly cirrhosis, and hepatitis. The absence of proper preventive or curative treatment methods encouraged extensive research against HCC to develop new therapeutic strategies. The Food and Drug Administration-approved Nexavar (sorafenib) is used in the treatment of patients with unresectable HCC. In 2017, Stivarga (regorafenib) and Opdivo (nivolumab) got approved for patients with HCC after being treated with sorafenib, and in 2018, Lenvima (lenvatinib) got approved for patients with unresectable HCC. But, owing to the rapid drug resistance development and toxicities, these treatment options are not completely satisfactory. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new systemic combination therapies that target different signaling mechanisms, thereby decreasing the prospect of cancer cells developing resistance to treatment. In this review, HCC etiology and new therapeutic strategies that include currently approved drugs and other potential candidates of HCC such as Milciclib, palbociclib, galunisertib, ipafricept, and ramucirumab are evaluated.

Molecular mechanism of hepatitis B virus-induced hepatocarcinogenesis

Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health problem with approximately 2 billion people that have been exposed to the virus. HBV is a member of a family of small, enveloped DNA viruses called hepadnaviruses, and has a preferential tropism for hepatocytes of mammals and birds. Epidemiological studies have proved a strong correlation between chronic hepatitis B virus infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the fifth most common malignancy with about 700000 new cases each year, and more than 50% of them arise in HBV carriers. A large number of studies describe the way in which HBV can contribute to HCC development. Multiple mechanisms have been proposed, including the accumulation of genetic damage due to immune-mediated hepatic inflammation and the induction of oxidative stress. There is evidence of the direct effects of the viral proteins HBx and HBs on the cell biology. Integration of HBV-DNA into the human genome is considered an early event in the carcinogenic process and can induce, through insertional mutagenesis, the alteration of gene expression and chromosomal instability. HBV has also epigenetic effects through the modification of the genomic methylation status. Furthermore, the virus plays an important role in the regulation of microRNA expression. This review will summarize the many mechanisms involved in HBV-related liver carcinogenesis.

Targeted imaging of bacterial infections: advances, hurdles and hopes

Abstract: Bacterial infections represent an increasing problem in modern health care, in particular due to ageing populations and accumulating bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Diagnosis is rarely straightforward and consequently treatment is often delayed or indefinite. Therefore, novel tools that can be clinically implemented are urgently needed to accurately and swiftly diagnose infections. Especially, the direct imaging of infections is an attractive option. The challenge of specifically imaging bacterial infections in vivo can be met by targeting bacteria with an imaging agent. Here we review the current status of targeted imaging of bacterial infections, and we discuss advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Indeed, significant progress has been made in this field and the clinical implementation of targeted imaging of bacterial infections seems highly feasible. This was recently highlighted by the use of so-called smart activatable probes and a fluorescently labelled derivative of the antibiotic vancomycin. A major challenge remains the selection of the best imaging probes, and we therefore present a set of target selection criteria for clinical implementation of targeted bacterial imaging. Altogether, we conclude that the spectrum of potential applications for targeted bacterial imaging is enormous, ranging from fundamental research on infectious diseases to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.