Abstract Introduction Parapharyngeal space tumors with complex anatomy and diverse histology have remained a challenging phenomenon for treating physicians. Objectives We have conducted a comprehensive web search on the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Clinicaltrials.gov databases to determine the factors that are associated with postoperative complications in parapharyngeal space tumors. Data Synthesis Two researchers reviewed all identified articles independently with a third reviewer for adjudication. Patient demographics and other clinicopathological characteristics were explored. The systematic review has identified 631 benign parapharyngeal space tumors with neurogenic and salivary tissue histology in 13 studies, with a mean age of 42.9 ± 7.76 years old and a median follow-up of 40.98 ± 19.1 months. Salivary gland (50.8%) and neurogenic (49.1%) tumors were the most common histological entities. Tumor size, location, histology, deep parotid lobe involvement, and proximity to great vessels or to the skull base were the deciding factors in selecting the surgical approach. The factors considered to select the surgical approach do not seem to have a correlation with the outcome in terms of neurological sequalae (p = 0.106). Tumors with neurogenic histology have significantly increased chances of developing neurological complication (OR 6.07; p = 0.001). Conclusion Neurologic complications are significantly associated with neurogenic benign tumors rather than surgical approach.

Abstract Introduction Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the maxillary alveolus is a relatively rare disease. There is lack of data on this subsite as compared with other sites. The factors that affect survival in cases of maxillary alveolar SCC are tumor stage, local and cervical metastases, histological grading, and the margin status. Objectives To evaluate the overall survival (OS), the disease free survival (DFS), and the complex interaction and effects of margin status, histological differentiation, habits (such as smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco products), and cervical and distant metastases based on clinicopathological data. Methods We examined the electronic database at our hospital from 2003 to 2017. We included all cases with a histopathological diagnosis of SCC of the maxillary alveolus. Tumors originating primarily from the maxillary alveolus were included, while those originating from adjacent subsites, like the hard palate, the buccal mucosa or the maxillary sinus were excluded. We also excluded all the patients who were not operated on with a curative intent. Results More than half of the patients had stage-IV tumors at the time of presentation, while only one fourth of them had nodal metastasis. The rate of recurrence increased in cases of primary tumors in advanced stages and the degree of histological differentiation. The 2-year and 5-year OS rates were of 54.5% (18 patients) and 30.3% (10 patients) respectively. Conclusion Primary tumors in advanced stages, histological grade, and presence of nodal metastasis are poor prognostic markers in terms of long-term survival.

Abstract Introduction Age and lymph node ratio have been attributed as independent predictors for survival and recurrence in carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP). Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic value of p16 overexpression for CUP in the absence of true primary (TP). Methods The study involved 43 patients who underwent therapeutic lymph node dissection (LND) from 2000 to 2015 after all the diagnostic work up for CUP. Immunohistochemistry for p16 overexpression was performed. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to analyze the prognostic impact on 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results The male-to-female ratio was 5.1:1, with a median age of 62 years. The clinicopathological data, except for p16 overexpression, did not differ significantly in terms of 5-year OS and RFS. The Cox regression analysis proposed p16 positivity to be an independent prognosticator of regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) (hazard ratio [HR] 6.180, p = 0.21). The median time to recurrence and death were 10 and 25 months, respectively. Conclusion Cervical metastasis with p16 overexpression is a significant prognostic factor of improved RFS after surgery in CUP. The prognostic significance of lymph node p16 positivity should be further studied.

Abstract The present study aimed to evaluate the role of bioactive components in Solanum nigrum fruit, its phytochemical screening, and in vivo antioxidant potential against liver injury. The HPLC analysis of an ethanolic extract of Solanum nigrum fruit revealed the presence of bioactive components that showed its significant in vitro antioxidant activity. Moreover, The Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups for in vivo analysis: G1 (negative control), G2 (positive control), G3 (rats receiving standard drug), and G4 (rats receiving Solanum nigrum fruit extract). The Solanum nigrum fruit reduced the level of liver enzymes, and bilirubin. An opposite trend was seen in the case of albumin, catalase, creatinine, and superoxide dismutase. Histology slides also showed the normal cell structure of hepatocytes. Conclusively, Solanum nigrum fruit bioactive components have the ability to reduce oxidative stress.

Abstract Ricinus communis L. and Withania somnifera L. have traditionally been used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory remedies. The current study was aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential and anti-inflammatory activity of hydroalcoholic extract of R. communis leaves (RCE) and W. somnifera roots (WSE) in Wistar rats. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were quantified and in vitro antioxidant activity of extracts was determined through DPPH* scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging and reducing power activities, while anti-inflammatory activity was observed by xylene-induced ear edema and paw edema induced by egg albumin and carrageenan. RCE and WSE demonstrated considerable antioxidant activity in DPPH* scavenging (IC50: 250.10 and 309.42 µg/mL), superoxide anion scavenging (IC50: 193.42 and 206.81 ug/mL), and reducing power (maximum absorbance: 1.47±0.01 O.D and 1.28±0.01 O.D at 500 ug/mL) activities, respectively, with high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Both extracts showed dose-dependent edema inhibition in inflammation models. A maximum ear edema inhibitions by RCE (51.49±2.54%) and WSE (49.28±1.90%) at 500 mg/kg were observed when compared to indomethacin (56.42±13.17%) in xylene-induced ear edema. RCE and WSE showed a maximum percentage of paw edema inhibitions of 46.62±8.98% and 43.00±12.44%, respectively as compared to chlorpheniramine (62.02±12.21%) after 4 h in the egg albumin model. In carrageenan-induced paw edema, RCE (72.88±13.79%) significantly inhibited paw edema in comparison to WSE (57.81±17.43%) against diclofenac (89.93±18.53%). Conclusively, both plants have shown plausible antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that might be due to high phenolic and flavonoid contents. Moreover, RCE demonstrated more promising effects than WSE.

Two thermophilic Bacillus cereus strains (B. cereus-TA2 and B. cereus-TA4) used in the present study were isolated from the geothermal spring of Hunza valley, Gilgit, Pakistan. They showed the ability to withstand and grow at high temperature (85°C). Both these strains could resist multiple metals (copper, cadmium, mercury, manganese, zinc, arsenic, chromium and selenium). Strain B. cereus-TA4 reduced Cr (VI) at pH 5.0 to 9.0 but maximum reduction (83%) was observed at pH 7.0 after 48 h when initially supplied with 200 µg mL-1of K2CrO4. Lower initial concentrations such as 100 µg mL-1 supported higher reduction (90 to 95%) than that of high concentration such as 500 µg mL-1 (20 to 30%). Both the strains reduced nearly 70% of Se (IV) after 48 h of growth at pH 7.0 when initially supplied with 200 µg mL-1 of Na2SeO3. The optimum temperature for maximum Se (IV) reduction was 45°C for both the strains.

Eleven salt tolerant bacteria isolated from different sources (soil, plants) and their transformed strains were used to study their influence on Triticum aestivum var. Inqlab-91 growth under salt (100 mM NaCl) stress. Salt stress caused reduction in germination (19.4%), seedling growth (46%) and fresh weight (39%) in non-inoculated plants. In general, both wild and transformed strains stimulated germination, seedling growth and fresh weight in salt free and salt stressed conditions. At 100 mM NaCl, Staphylococcus xylosus ST-1 caused 25% increments in seedling length over respective control. Soluble protein content significantly enhanced (49%) under salt stress as compared to salt free control. At 100 mM NaCl parental strain PT-5 resulted about 32% enhancement in protein content over respective control treatment. Salt stress induced the promotion of auxin content in seedlings. Overall, Bacillus subtilis HAa2 and transformed E. coli-SP-7-T, caused 33% and 30% increases in auxin content, respectively, were recorded under salt stress in comparison to control.