Search

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignancy of the endocrine glands, and during last couple of decades, its incidence has risen alarmingly, across the globe. Etiology of thyroid cancer is still debatable. There are a few worth mentioning risk factors which contribute to initiation of abnormalities in thyroid gland leading to cancer. Genetic instability is major risk factors in thyroid carcinogenesis. Among the genetic factors, the Src family of genes (Src, Yes1, Fyn and Lyn) have been implicated in many cancers but there is little data regarding the association of these (Src, Yes1, Fyn and Lyn) genes with thyroid carcinogenesis. Fyn and Lyn genes of Src family found engaged in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis in different cancers. This study was planned to examine the effect of Fyn and Lyn SNPs on thyroid cancer risk in Pakistani population in 500 patients and 500 controls. Three polymorphisms of Fyn gene (rs6916861, rs2182644 and rs12910) and three polymorphisms of Lyn gene (rs2668011, rs45587541 and rs45489500) were analyzed using Tetra-primer ARMS-PCR followed by DNA sequencing. SNP rs6916861 of Fyn gene mutant genotype (CC) showed statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P 0.0001). In case of rs2182644 of Fyn gene, mutant genotype (AA) indicated statistically significant 17-fold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P 0.0001). Statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer was observed in genotype AC (P 0.0001) of Fyn gene polymorphism rs12910. In SNP rs2668011 of Lyn gene, TT genotype showed statistically significant threefold increased risk of thyroid cancer (P 0.0001). In case of rs45587541 of Lyn gene, GA genotypes showed statistically significant 11-fold increased risk in thyroid cancer (P 0.0001). Haplotype analysis revealed that AAATAG*, AGACAG*, AGCCAA*, AGCCAG*, CAATAG*, CGCCAG* and CGCCGA* haplotypes of Fyn and Lyn polymorphisms are associated with increased thyroid cancer risk. These results showed that genotypes and allele distribution of Fyn and Lyn are significantly linked with increased thyroid cancer risk and could be genetic adjuster for said disease.

Maize flour was infested with fresh emerged Tribolium castaneum adults, and its nutritional composition was evaluated after 0, 45, and 90 days of the infestation. Furthermore, 99% carbon dioxide was applied to different developmental stages of T. castaneum for its management. There were six treatments and five replicates; for each replicate, maize flour (150 g) was taken in a 250-ml plastic jar container, insects were released in the flour, and jars were placed into the incubator at a temperature of 28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH. Similarly, the application of 99% CO2 was done with four exposure times of 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, at 35 °C 65 ± 5% RH. Present results showed major fluctuations in the nutritive composition of maize flour. Increase in the moisture, fat, fiber, protein, and ash contents was directly proportional to the increase in infestation level and time, contrary to the depletion of carbohydrates and total weight loss. The results of CO2 treatment indicated that pupa was the most resilient stage as compared with larvae and adult stage. The observed susceptibility order was as follows: adult > larvae > pupae. The maximum mortality of adult, larval, and pupal stages was recorded after 24, 48, and 72 h of CO2 application, respectively. These findings might be helpful to develop an ecofriendly technique to manage this crucial pest.

In this article, we present results obtained from a radiometric survey that was conducted in the Leepa Valley of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan. The purpose of current study is to appraise the radioactivity levels and the associated health hazards due to the terrestrial radionuclide in soil and rock samples. In this regard, 16 soil and 17 rock samples were collected from different locations of the Leepa Valley. After processing the samples, activity concentrations of primordial (232Th, 226Ra and 40K) and anthropogenic (137Cs) radionuclides were determined using a P-type coaxial high purity germanium detector. From the results obtained the mean activity concentrations of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were found to be 31.25 ± 0.46, 44.1 ± 1.07 and 575 ± 8.89 Bq kg−1 respectively. Whilst, in rock samples 226Ra, 232Th and 40K mean activities were found as 28.46 ± 0.45, 48.63 ± 1.12 and 666.7 ± 9.39 Bq kg−1, respectively. The 137Cs concentration level in soil and rock samples is found to be 15.04 ± 0.29 and 5.7 ± 0.16 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average radium equivalent activity (R aeq) was found as 143.16 and 142.93 Bq kg−1 in soil and rock samples, respectively. These findings are less than the recommended safe value of 370 Bq kg−1 as given in OECD report (1979). The values of external (H ex) and internal hazard index (H in) are also less than unity. Mean value of absorbed dose rate was found as 69.78 nGy h−1 for the soil samples, which is in good agreement with the world wide average value (70 nGy h−1). Mean value of absorbed dose rate from rock samples was found as 70.01 nGy h−1. Mean values of the annual effective dose is also lower than the values reported for different other countries of the world.