Abstract Background Globally, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women. The ongoing pursuit of early detection has driven interest in identifying and validating novel diagnostic biomarkers that could enhance prognosis and therapeutic outcomes. Humanin, a mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP) with reported cytoprotective properties, has been implicated in cancer biology and may play a role in breast cancer pathogenesis. Methods A total of 75 female patients with primary non-metastatic breast cancer and 70 age-matched healthy controls of comparable age were enrolled in this study. Serum concentrations of humanin were quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Serum humanin concentrations were significantly elevated in breast cancer patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that humanin effectively differentiated breast cancer patients from controls, with a sensitivity of 78.7% and specificity of 62.9%. Conclusion These findings suggest that humanin could serve as a promising biomarker for breast cancer screening and early detection. Further large-scale studies are warranted to validate its diagnostic potential and establish its clinical utility. Keywords Breast cancer, Humanin, Mitochondrial-derived peptides, Biomarker
Background and objectives
Excision of tumors from pelvis causing severe pain postoperatively. Hemodynamic stability, and better analgesia were documented when MgSO4 was used as an adjuvant to local anesthesia. We aimed to investigate the effect of using intrathecal MgSO4 with different doses as an adjuvant to LAs on postoperative acute pain, hemodynamics, and chronic pain.
Methods
Ninety patients scheduled for pelvic surgery for excision of tumors have been included in this study and divided into three groups; all patient received general anesthesia (GA) plus intrathecal fentanyl (group A), while the second (group B) and the third (group C) received intrathecal magnesium sulfate 50 mg and 100 mg, respectively; intra- and postoperative outcomes such as hemodynamics, (LANSS) pain score, (NRS) and postoperative complications have been measured.
Results
The results revealed that MgSO4 in the (group B) had significant effect on decreasing the postoperative pain during the first 24 hours; the result of the three groups revealed that there was statistically significant difference between the group A and groups (B-C) (P-value >0.05), while there was insignificant statistical difference between the group B and group C. Patients in the fentanyl group requested analgesic after 6 to 8 hours (mean ±SD 8.4817 ± 0.819 mg), while patients in group B after 12 to 14 hours postoperatively (13.7450 ± 0.86477 mg) and patients in group C requested analgesia 16 hours postoperatively (13.7800 ± 1.00272 mg). LANSS score was significantly improved in groups B-C, but fewer complications such as itching, nausea and shorter time of recovery after the surgery in group B than other groups.
Conclusion
When comparing IT magnesium sulfate at doses of 50 and 100 to fentanyl 50 mg, we found superiority of MgSO4, in decreasing pain after surgery and ITMgSO4 50 mg achieved a reasonable balance between postoperative analgesia and side effects. In addition, ITMgSO4 has shown significant effect in decreasing the chronic pain postoperatively
Pharmaceutical active compounds such as diclofenac (DCF) pose serious risks to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the development of safe and inexpensive phytoremediation strategies is essential. This study assessed the effect of foliar-applied biological gibberellin (BG; 0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L−1), produced by Fusarium proliferatum, on the remediation capacity of Atriplex lentiformis halophyte grown hydroponically under DCF contamination (0, 15, and 30 μg L−1). A. lentiformis effectively removed DCF from the medium, while BG implementation further boosted the DCF removal efficiency, bioaccumulation, and translocation factors. The application of 150 mg L−1 BG to 30 μg L−1 DCF achieved up to 80 % DCF removal and the maximum accumulation of DCF by 154.8 % over the control. BG also promoted plant growth and photosynthetic pigments while mitigating DCF toxicity by enhancing non-enzymatic antioxidants (AsA, GSH, phenolics, and proline) and antioxidant enzymes (APX, GPX, PPO, GR, and PAL), and reducing stress biomarkers (MDA, H2O2, and electrolyte leakage). BG treatments modified protein patterns and induced new isozyme profiles, reflecting a strengthened antioxidant system. Overall, BG is a promising solution that serves as an eco-friendly biostimulant to enhance phytoremediation efficiency. Extending this approach to soil systems may provide a sustainable strategy for managing pharmaceutical pollution.
Thoracic segmental spinal anesthesia (SA) may be a good alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for abdominal operations and laparoscopic procedures, especially in high-risk patients.
The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of thoracic segmental SA vs GA during abdominal operations and laparoscopic procedures.
This study was conducted at our university hospital and involved a total of 46 patients who underwent abdominal operations and laparoscopic procedures. The study period spanned from January 15, 2022, to October 15, 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (n = 23) received standard GA, and group 2 (n = 23) received thoracic segmental SA. A combination of 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and 25 μg of fentanyl was injected through the spinal needle. The epidural catheter was then threaded through the Tuohy needle after withdrawal of the spinal needle to keep only 4 cm up in the epidural space. Demographic data, both intra and postoperative hemodynamic parameters, were monitored. Postoperatively, pain in both groups was treated with intravenous (IV) morphine by patient controlled analgesia (PCA), PCA settings were 1 mg morphine/mL, no background infusion, bolus dose 2 mL and lockout interval 15 min. Postoperative, both resting VAS and VAS during cough were measured for all patients at fixed intervals, and all patients were followed up for postoperative complications.
No significant variation was found in demographic data. Intra and postoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) measurements were higher in group 1 than in group 2 but without a statistically significant difference (P < 0.029). Early postoperative VAS values and discharge time from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) were significantly reduced in group 2 than in group 1 (P < 0.001). The number of patients asked for analgesia and total opioid consumption were substantially reduced in group 2 than in group 1. Also, the time of the first analgesia request and patient satisfaction were substantially greater in group 2 than in group 1.
Combined thoracic spinal/epidural block results in stable hemodynamics, longer postoperative analgesia with fewer side effects, and greater surgeon and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing abdominal operations and laparoscopic procedures.
Keywords: Combined Thoracic Spinal Epidural, General Anesthesia, Laparoscopic Surgeries, Acute Pain, VAS Scores
Exploring Hepatitis C as a Relapse Risk Factor in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Study From a Resource‐Limited Egyptian Setting
Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is commonly used by children with cancer alongside conventional treatments. However, data on its use in Jordan remain limited. This study aimed to assess the current prevalence, types, motivations, and disclosure rates of T&CM use in Jordan, and to compare these findings with those from the original 2008 study conducted in the same setting.
