Faqir Muhammad

Breast cancer: major risk factors and recent developments in treatment.

Breast cancer is the most common in women worldwide, with some 5-10% of all cases due to inherited mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Obesity, hormone therapy and use of alcohol are possible causes and over-expression of leptin in adipose tissue may also play a role. Normally surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy allow a good prognosis where screening measures are in place. New hope in treatment measures include adjuvant therapy, neoadjuvant therapy, and introduction of mono-clonal antibodies and enzyme inhibitors.

Comparative In Vivo Toxicity of Topical JP-8 Jet Fuel and Its Individual Hydrocarbon Components: Identification of Tridecane and Tetradecane as Key Constituents Responsible for Dermal Irritation:

Despite widespread exposure to military jet fuels, there remains a knowledge gap concerning the actual toxic entities responsible for irritation observed after topical fuel exposure. The present studies with individual hydrocarbon (HC) constituents of JP-8 jet fuel shed light on this issue. To mimic occupational scenarios, JP-8, 8 aliphatic HC (nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane) and 6 aromatic HC (ethyl benzene, o-xylene, trimethyl benzene, cyclohexyl benzene, naphthalene, dimethyl naphthalene) soaked cotton fabrics were topically exposed to pigs for 1 day and with repeated daily exposures for 4 days. Erythema, epidermal thickness, and epidermal cell layers were quantitated. No erythema was noted in 1-day in vivo HC exposures but significant erythema was observed in 4-day tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, and JP-8 exposed sites. The aromatic HCs did not produce any macroscopic lesions in 1 or 4 days of in vivo exposures. Morphological observations revealed slight intercellular and intracellular epidermal edema in 4-day exposures with the aliphatic HCs. Epidermal thickness and number of cell layers significantly increased (p < 0.05) in tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, and JP-8-treated sites. No significant differences were observed in the aromatic HC-exposed sites. Subcorneal microabscesses containing inflammatory cells were observed with most of the long-chain aliphatic HCs and JP-8 in 4-day exposures. Ultrastructural studies depicted that jet fuel HC-induced cleft formation within intercellular lipid lamellar bilayers of the stratum corneum. The degree of damage to the skin was proportional to the length of in vivo HC exposures. These data coupled with absorption and toxicity studies of jet fuel HC revealed that specific HCs (tridecane and tetradecane) might be the key constituents responsible for jet fuel-induced skin irritation.

Immunostimulatory and protective effects of Aloe vera against coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens

This paper reports the immunostimulatory and protective effects of Aloe vera extracts (aqueous and ethanolic) against coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens. The study was divided into two experiments. Experiment-I was conducted for the evaluation of immunostimulatory activity of A. vera and experiment-II demonstrated the protective efficacy of A. vera extracts against coccidiosis in chickens. Results of the experiment-I revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) lymphoproliferative responses in chickens administered with ethanolic extract of A. vera as compared to those administered with aqueous extract and control group. Microplate haemagglutination assay for humoral response on day 7th and 14th post primary and secondary injections of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) revealed significantly higher (p<0.05) anti SRBC antibody (total Igs, IgG and IgM) titers in chickens of experimental groups as compared to the control group. None of the extracts, however, demonstrated significant effects on the development of lymphoid organs. Results of experiment-II revealed maximum protection (60%) in chickens administered with aqueous Aloe extract as compared to the ethanolic extract administered chickens (45%). Mean oocysts per gram of droppings in the control group was significantly higher (p<0.05) as compared to the chickens in both the experimental groups. Chickens administered with aqueous Aloe extract showed a minimal mean lesion score (2.3) followed by those administered with ethanolic Aloe extract (2.6) and control chickens (3.05) for caeca, and a similar pattern was observed for intestinal lesion scoring. Further, significantly higher weight gains and antibody titers (p<0.05) were observed in chickens administered with A. vera extracts as compared to those in the control group. It was concluded that A. vera may be a potential and valuable candidate to stimulate the immune responses and can be used successfully as an immunotherapeutic agent against coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens.

Seasonal prevalence of coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

The present paper reports the prevalence of coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan to determine the occurrence of different species of Eimeria in the area and to assess their correlation with the environmental conditions including temperature, humidity and rainfall. The study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2010. Examination of chicken guts revealed 43.89% (n = 3,283/7,480) prevalence of coccidiosis. The highest prevalence (27.04%) was recorded of Eimeria tenella followed by Eimeria maxima (22.42%), Eimeria acervulina (19.89%) and Eimeria necatrix (4.02%). The prevalence of disease was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in autumn (60.02 ± 4.38) followed by summer (47.42 ± 2.92), spring (36.92 ± 2.27) and winter (29.89 ± 3.43). Likewise, prevalence of different species of Eimeria also varied (P < 0.05) in different seasons of the year except that of E. necatrix. A strong correlation (P < 0.05) of environmental conditions with the overall and species-wise prevalence of coccidiosis was recorded except E. necatrix.

Effect of in vivo jet fuel exposure on subsequent in vitro dermal absorption of individual aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon fuel constituents.

The percutaneous absorption of topically applied jet fuel hydrocarbons (HC) through skin previously exposed to jet fuel has not been investigated, although this exposure scenario is the occupational norm. Pigs were exposed to JP-8 jet fuel-soaked cotton fabrics for 1 and 4 d with repeated daily exposures. Preexposed and unexposed skin was then dermatomed and placed in flow-through in vitro diffusion cells. Five cells with exposed skin and four cells with unexposed skin were dosed with a mixture of 14 different HC consisting of nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, ethyl benzene, o-xylene, trimethyl benzene (TMB), cyclohexyl benzene (CHB), naphthalene, and dimethyl naphthalene (DMN) in water + ethanol (50:50) as diluent. Another five cells containing only JP-8-exposed skin were dosed solely with diluent in order to determine the skin retention of jet fuel HC. The absorption parameters of flux, diffusivity, and permeability were calculated for the studied HC. The data indicated that there was a two-fold and four-fold increase in absorption of specific aromatic HC like ethyl benzene, o-xylene, and TMB through 1- and 4-dJP-8 preexposed skin, respectively. Similarly, dodecane and tridecane were absorbed more in 4-d than 1-dJP-8 preexposed skin experiments. The absorption of naphthalene and DMN was 1.5 times greater than the controls in both 1- and 4-d preexposures. CHB, naphthalene, and DMN had significant persistent skin retention in 4-d preexposures as compared to 1-d exposures that might leave skin capable of further absorption several days postexposure. The possible mechanism of an increase in HC absorption in fuel preexposed skin may be via lipid extraction from the stratum corneum as indicated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This study suggests that the preexposure of skin to jet fuel enhances the subsequent in vitro percutaneous absorption of HC, so single-dose absorption data for jet fuel HC from naive skin may not be optimal to predict the toxic potential for repeated exposures. For certain compounds, persistent absorption may occur days after the initial exposure. This work was supported by U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, grant F49620-01-1-0080.

Immunotherapeutic effects of some sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) extracts against coccidiosis in industrial broiler chickens.

Present paper reports the effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice and bagasse, respectively on protective immune responses in industrial broiler chickens against coccidiosis. Immunotherapeutic efficacies of the extracts were measured by evaluating their effect on body weight gain, oocyst shedding, lesion score, anti-coccidial indices, per cent protection and elicited serum antibody responses against coccidiosis. Results revealed a significantly lower (P<0.05) oocyst shedding and mortality in chickens administered with sugar cane extracts as compared to control. Further, significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight gains and antibody responses were detected in chickens administered with sugar cane extracts as compared to chickens of control group. Moreover, ethanolic extract showed higher anti-coccidia index (227.61) as compared to aqueous extract (192.32). The organ body weight ratio of the lymphoid organs of experimental and control groups were statistically non-significant (P>0.01). These results demonstrated that both ethanolic and aqueous extracts of sugar cane possess immune enhancing properties and their administration in chickens augments the protective immunity against coccidiosis.

Field evaluation of Eimeria tenella (local isolates) gametocytes vaccine and its comparative efficacy with imported live vaccine, LivaCox®

The present paper describes the field evaluation of local gametocyte vaccine and its comparative efficacy with commercial anticoccidial vaccine, LivaCox®, used in breeder and broiler flocks in Pakistan. Humoral immune response in vaccinated and control chickens was monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results demonstrated significantly elevated antibody titres in vaccinated groups as compared to control groups conducted both in Laboratory and field experiments. Significantly (P < 0.01) higher antibody titres in local gametocyte-vaccinated group as compared to LivaCox®-vaccinated chickens were recorded. Splenic cell migration inhibition assay was used to detect the cell-mediated immune (CMI) response, and results were expressed in terms of per cent migration index. Lower per cent migration index in LivaCox®-vaccinated chickens indicated the higher CMI response, as compared to local gametocyte-vaccinated chickens, although the difference was statistically non-significant (P > 0.05). Results of the challenge studies in laboratory experiments revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) oocyst count in LivaCox®-vaccinated group as compared to local gametocyte-vaccinated chickens.Maximum protection (75%) against mixed species of genus Eimeria was recorded in chickens vaccinated with gametocyte vaccines as compared to LivaCox®-vaccinated group. The mean body weight gains in chickens vaccinated with local gametocyte vaccine were significantly better (P < 0.05) than in chickens vaccinated with LivaCox® vaccine, both in laboratory and field experiments. Majority of the chickens (70–72%) in control group demonstrated severe lesions (3.0–4.0), while 20–26% chickens showed moderate lesions (2.0). On the other hand, local gametocyte- and LivaCox®-immunized chickens developed 78% and 85% mild to moderated lesions (1.0–2.0), respectively. Results of the present study provide a probable explanation for cross-protection induced by Eimeria tenella gametocyte vaccines against other species of genus Eimeria.

Studies on wheat bran Arabinoxylan for its immunostimulatory and protective effects against avian coccidiosis

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) bran derived polysaccharides, Arabinoxylans (AXs), were evaluated for their immunostimulatory and protective efficacy against Eimeria infection in chickens. Humoral response revealed significantly higher (P<0.05) total Igs, IgG and IgM titers at days 7th and 14th post primary and secondary injections of sheep red blood cells in the experimental chickens administered with AXs as compared to those of control group. The percent protection and daily weight gains were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the chickens of experimental groups as compared to control; whereas, mean oocyst per gram of droppings and lesion scores were significantly higher (P<0.05) in control group as compared to chickens in the experimental groups. The differences in organ body weight ratio of all the lymphoid organs were statistically non-significant (P>0.05) between experimental and control groups except thymus and cecal tonsils. In conclusion, AXs showed both immunostimulatory and protective effects against coccidiosis in broiler chickens.

Quantitative structure activity relationship and risk analysis of some pesticides in the goat milk.

The detection and quantification of different pesticides in the goat milk samples collected from different localities of Faisalabad, Pakistan was performed by HPLC using solid phase microextraction. The analysis showed that about 50% milk samples were contaminated with pesticides. The mean±SEM levels (ppm) of cyhalothrin, endosulfan, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin were 0.34±0.007, 0.063±0.002, 0.034±0.002 and 0.092±0.002, respectively; whereas, methyl parathion was not detected in any of the analyzed samples. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models were suggested to predict the residues of unknown pesticides in the goat milk using their known physicochemical characteristics including molecular weight (MW), melting point (MP), and log octanol to water partition coefficient (Ko/w) in relation to the characteristics such as pH, % fat, specific gravity and refractive index of goat milk. The analysis revealed good correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.985) for goat QSAR model. The coefficients for Ko/w and refractive index for the studied pesticides were higher in goat milk. This suggests that these are better determinants for pesticide residue prediction in the milk of these animals. Based upon the determined pesticide residues and their provisional tolerable daily intakes, risk analysis was also conducted which showed that daily intake levels of pesticide residues including cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in present study are 2.68, 5.19 and 2.71 times higher, respectively in the goat milk. This intake of pesticide contaminated milk might pose health hazards to humans in this locality.

Quantitative structure activity relationship and risk analysis of some heavy metal residues in the milk of cattle and goat

Milk of cattle and goat was collected from various localities of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Heavy metal concentration in milk was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Milk from both of the species was found richly contaminated with cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). Lead concentration in the milk of goat was significantly higher as compared to cattle milk. Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) models were suggested to predict the residues of unknown heavy metals in the milk of cattle and goat using their known physicochemical properties such as molecular weight (MW), melting point (MP), and boiling point (BP) as well as the milk characteristics such as pH, % fat, and specific gravity (SG) of both of these species. The analysis revealed good correlation coefficients (R 2 = 0.759) and (R 2 = 0.876) for cattle and goat QSAR models, respectively. This analysis indicates the need to construct species specific QSAR models for residue prediction. The coefficients for SG for the studied metals were higher in both cattle and goat milk. This suggests that SG is a better determinant for heavy metal residue prediction in the milk of these animals. Risk analysis was conducted based upon the determined heavy metal residues and their provisional tolerable daily intakes. The daily intake of Cd, Cr, and Pb was found to be 1.6, 27, and 116 times higher, respectively, in cattle milk and 1.8, 29, 262 times higher respectively, in goat milk. This intake of heavy metal contaminated milk might pose health hazards to humans in this locality.