LIAQUAT MEDICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL

Childhood exposures and deficiencies as determinants of cancer risk in adulthood

2026-03-24T12:33:11+05:00

Cancer development is increasingly recognized as a life-course process influenced by early-life exposures and nutritional status. During critical periods of growth and development particularly first 1000 days, biological systems are particularly susceptible to carcinogenic insults and epigenetic modifications that may predispose individuals to malignancy later in life. Deficiencies in key nutrients such as folate and vitamin D can impair DNA repair and immune function, while early exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants contributes to genomic instability and endocrine disruption. Additionally, persistent infections—including Hepatitis B (HBV), Human papillomavirus (HPV), and Helicobacter pylori infection—play a significant role in infection-related cancers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Socioeconomic disparities further exacerbate these risks by limiting access to nutrition, healthcare, and preventive interventions. Addressing these early determinants through integrated public health strategies—such as improved childhood nutrition, vaccination programs, and environmental regulation—offers a critical opportunity for cancer prevention. A shift toward early-life interventions is essential to reduce the long-term global cancer burden and advance equitable health outcomes.

The Color vision defect in phakic vs pseudophakic eye group

2025-08-28T12:32:58+05:00

This study was aimed to determine the color vision defect in pseudophakic and phakic groups.This was a cross-sectional study with non-probability convenience sampling. The patients’ age ranged between 45 and 60 years, and they had a follow-up after one month of surgery. The visual acuity recorded ranged from 6/6 to 6/18 after refraction. All types of refractive errors after phacoemulsification surgery (acrylic IOL) were included. Posterior subcapsular opacity and other types of cataract surgery were excluded. The Panel D-15 test was used to assess color vision defects. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional Research Ethical Committee (REC). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0.A total of 160 eyes were enrolled in this study. Among these, 70 (44%) and 90 (56%) eyes belonged to males and females, respectively. The eyes were categorized into two groups: 80 (50%) were phakic and 80 (50%) were pseudophakic. Among the 80 pseudophakic eyes, 32 eyes had tritanopia (40%), 10 eyes had deuteranopia (13%), 8 eyes had protanopia (10%), 6 eyes had combined tritanopia and protanopia (8%), 4 eyes had combined deuteranopia and tritanopia (5%), 2 eyes had protanopia and deuteranopia (3%), and 18 (23%) had no defect. Among the 80 phakic eyes, 72 (90%) had no defect, while deuteranopia was found in 1 (1.25%) eye and tritanopia in 7 (9%) eyes. Tritanopia was most commonly observed in the pseudophakic group, while the majority of the phakic group did not show any color vision defect.

Synthesis of Taverniera nummularia-mediated Silver Nanoparticles for Enhanced Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities

2025-09-15T14:27:21+05:00

This study was designed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Taverniera nummularia leaf extract through a green synthesis approach and to evaluate their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extracts of Taverniera nummularia leaves as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Characterization of the synthesized nanoparticles was carried out using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial activity was evaluated against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. The UV–visible spectrum showed a characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak at 407 nm, confirming the formation of AgNPs. FTIR analysis revealed hydroxyl functional groups from plant biomolecules responsible for the reduction of silver ions. SEM analysis confirmed spherical nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 120–200 nm. XRD patterns demonstrated the crystalline structure of the synthesized nanoparticles. The green synthesized AgNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial species. Additionally, significant free radical scavenging activity was observed in DPPH, ABTS, and hydrogen peroxide assays, indicating notable antioxidant potential. Taverniera nummularia leaf extract is an effective reducing and stabilizing agent for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The synthesized AgNPs demonstrate promising antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and may have potential applications in biomedical research, particularly in the development of nano-drug delivery systems and other clinical applications.

Effect of Yogic Ocular Exercises on Convergence Insufficiency

2025-10-23T20:24:09+05:00

Objective: To assess the effect of yogic ocular exercises on convergence insufficiency

Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital from July -August 2025. Forty-seven participants (31 females, 16 males) aged 18–26 years with convergence insufficiency were recruited after taking approval from the IRB committee UOL/IREB/25/0009. RAF ruler was used to measure near point of convergence (NPC) at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks. Participants performed a set of yogic ocular exercises (palming, blinking, sideways viewing, rotational viewing, diagonal viewing, nose-tip gazing, near-distant viewing, concentrated gazing, candle flame viewing, acupressure stimulation) for 30 minutes daily over six weeks. Data were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.

Physicochemical Analysis and Cost Comparison of Different Local and Multinational Brands of Sitagliptin Available in Pakistan

2026-03-10T16:35:07+05:00

The main objective of this study was to determine that various generic sitagliptin products from local and multinational brands competing in the local market are pharmaceutical equivalents. A physicochemical comparison was conducted on local and international brands of sitagliptin tablets gathered from local drug outlets of Hyderabad, Pakistan. A total of 5 sitagliptin brands were taken and globally accepted in-vitro tests were performed at Industrial pharmacy laboratory of Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sindh, Jamshoro Pakistan, during period August 2021 to August 2022. All the sitagliptin products obtained from local market were fulfilling the quality standards required by BP for tests of weight uniformity, diameter, thickness, hardness, friability, disintegration, and World Health Organization (WHO) standards for tests of dissolution and content uniformity/assay. All sitagliptin generics from different local and multinational manufacturing companies are pharmaceutical equivalents and may be prescribed as an alternate to each other.

No significant association between 40bp ins/del promoter polymorphism of MDM2 and breast cancer susceptibility in Pakistani women

2025-11-23T18:40:33+05:00

Breast cancer remains the most prevalent malignancy among women, and is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Genetic heterogeneity in the MDM2 promoter region has been associated with increased cancer susceptibility. The study was designed to assess the impact of a 40-bp deletion/insertion mutation of the MDM2 gene (at position 1518, which has a putative TATA pattern) in both breast cancer patients and healthy participants. A total of 200 female participants were included in the present study, comprising 100 histologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 100 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patient samples were obtained from Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) and the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (CENAR), Quetta, Pakistan. Along with blood sample collection, information regarding demographic, reproductive, and clinical characteristics was recorded. Genotyping of the MDM2 gene 40-bp insertion/deletion (ins/del) polymorphism was carried out using specific forward and reverse oligonucleotide primers. The genotype frequencies of the MDM2 polymorphism among breast cancer patients were 57% for ins/ins, 36% for ins/del, and 7% for del/del, whereas in the control group they were 59%, 35%, and 6%, respectively. The calculated odds ratio for the deletion allele was 1.208, with a 95% CI ranging from 0.383 to 3.812 (p = 0.939). No statistically significant associations were observed between breast cancer and menopausal status, age at menopause, parity, number of children, use of oral contraceptives, or history of breastfeeding (p > 0.05). These results suggest that the 40-bp ins/del polymorphism in the promoter region of the MDM2 gene is not significantly associated with the development of breast cancer in the studied population

Exploring the Association Between Psychological Distress and Cannabis Edible Use Among U.S. Adults: A Short Review

2025-11-07T08:56:34+05:00

Cannabis edibles have become increasingly popular in the United States (U.S), however, limited research has explored their relationship with mental health. This study examined whether adults experiencing past-month psychological distress were more likely to use cannabis edibles compared with those without distress. Data were drawn from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Adults aged ? 18 years were included. Past-month cannabis edible use (IRMJMONEAT) was the dependent variable, and past-month psychological distress (SPDPSTMON) was the primary predictor variable. Weighted prevalence estimates and survey-weighted logistic regression models were applied, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic and behavioral factors. The Weighted prevalence of edible use was 5.6% (95% CI 5.2–5.9) among adults without distress and 13.5% (95% CI 12–15) among those with distress. In the adjusted regression models, psychological distress was significantly associated with edible use (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.21–1.71, p < 0.001). In conclusion the psychological distress was independently associated with hight cannabis edible use among U.S. adults. These findings underscore the importance of integrating mental-health screening and harm-reduction strategies into cannabis prevention and treatment frameworks.