Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2026 in |
Background: Multivisceral surgical resections (MVR) are highly specialised procedures involving the surgical resection of multiple organs or tissue groups within the thorax, abdominal and pelvic cavities. Here we describe a series of patients who underwent complex major mutivisceral resections unique in their type in the world literature. Materials and Methods: Case 1: Patient underwent Subtotal Sternectomy with en-bloc 3rd-6th partial rib resection with sternal reconstruction by Sandwich technique (2 layers of Prolene mesh with PMMA cement interposition) & Pectoralis Myocutaneous flap. Postoperative histopathology was suggestive of Epithelioid Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath tumor arising in a Schwannoma. Case 2: Patient underwent enbloc radical resection of the retroperitoneal tumor with right nephrectomy, subtotal cholecystectomy, partial right hemidiaphragm resection with vascular dissection following 5 cycles neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postoperative histopathology showed features suggestive of Extra skeletal Ewing’s sarcoma, Grade III. Case 3: Patient underwent left radical nephrectomy with left colectomy with para –aortic lymph node dissection with pancreatic and extensive retroperitoneal dissection with colocolic anastomosis and omentectomy. Postoperative histopathology was suggestive of Fumarate...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2026 in |
Cancer presents an escalating public health crisis and a significant barrier to life expectancy in Zimbabwe. Conventional oncological treatments face severe constraints in domestic healthcare facilities due to limited funding, diagnostic equipment deficits, and unreliable medicine supply chains. This study evaluates the phytochemical profile, in-vivo acute oral safety, and in-vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactivities of crude bark extracts from Cassia abbreviata Oliv. Cassia abbreviata bark was sustainably harvested from Murehwa, Mashonaland East, using the selective bark stripping method to ensure cambium regeneration. Hydro-ethanolic extracts were prepared via a standardized three-day maceration process and concentrated under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator. Preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted via colorimetric tube tests (Wagner’s, Ammonia, Ferric Chloride, Salkowski’s, and Foam tests) to identify key secondary metabolites. Metabolic constituents were further mapped using Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) on silica gel plates developed with a dichloromethane and ethanol (96:4) mobile phase. Biosafety profiling was rigorously executed through an in-vivo acute oral toxicity study in rat models following OECD Guideline 425 over a 14-day monitoring period....
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2026 in |
Background: In Zimbabwe, green synthesis of nanoparticles has recently drawn much attention due to its eco-friendliness, biocompatibility, and capability to augment the healing properties of medicinal plants. Cassia abbreviata (Muremberembe) is a cardinal Zimbabwean traditional medicinal plant used to manage various conditions. However, there is limited scientific evidence on the antiproliferative activity of both C. abbreviata extracts and C. abbreviata-mediated nanoparticles against cancer cell lines. Therefore, this study compared the in-vitro antiproliferative efficacy of an aqueous bark extract of C. abbreviata and biosynthesized copper-doped magnesium oxide nanoparticles mediated by C. abbreviata against the human breast cancer cell line HCC1937. Methods: Cytotoxicity assays were performed using the well-known and standardized Sulforhodamine B (SRB) colorimetric assay method over a concentration range (1). IC50 values were calculated using dose-response curve trend-line equations. Results: Both treatments significantly inhibited proliferation of HCC1937 breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P < 0.0001). Cu₂O–MgO NPs showed higher antiproliferative activity than the aqueous bark extract with a lower IC₅₀ value (35.08 μg/mL vs. 61.43 μg/mL). Conclusion:...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2026 in |
Background: Conventional ophthalmic dosage forms are associated with rapid precorneal clearance, tear dilution, blinking, nasolacrimal drainage, and short ocular residence time, which may reduce ocular drug bioavailability. Polymeric ocuserts are laboratory-scale ocular inserts designed to provide comparatively prolonged residence and controlled drug release under in-vitro conditions. Objective: The present study aimed to formulate and evaluate Norfloxacin-loaded polymeric ocuserts using HPMC, PVP K30, and sodium alginate by the solvent casting method. Materials and Methods: Nine formulations, F1–F9, were prepared by varying polymer concentrations. Ocuserts were evaluated for preformulation properties, thickness, weight variation, folding endurance, surface pH, drug content, moisture absorption, moisture loss, in-vitro drug release, release kinetics, sterility observation, and accelerated stability. Norfloxacin showed λmax at 269.6 nm. The UV calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 2–12 µg/mL, with equation y = 0.078x + 0.006 and R² = 0.9991. FTIR analysis showed retention of major characteristic peaks of Norfloxacin in the drug–polymer mixture. Results: Thickness ranged from 0.21 ± 0.01 to 0.27 ± 0.01 mm, surface pH...
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Posted by admin on Sep 30, 2026 in |
Introduction: Many antimicrobials have been developed for eye infections in the past years. The purpose of drug utilization studies is to examine the prescribing habits of ophthalmologists in a tertiary care teaching hospital. They are a subset of pharmaco-epidemiological exercise. Aim and Objective: To analyze pattern of antimicrobial drugs at ophthalmology OPD. Method: This was observational study for prescription pattern of outpatient and analyzed over a period of 3 months from June 2025 to August 2025 using a predesigned case record form for each patient. Patient consent and Institutional Ethics Committee approval were obtained. Result: A total of 266 participants were enrolled in the study among them the most common complaint was blurred vision in 92(34.58%) followed by eye watering in 64(24.06%). Most common indication for antimicrobial was infective conjunctivitis in 112 (42.11%). Total number of drugs prescribed was 578 so the average number of drugs per prescription is 2.17. Out of 578 drugs 156(26.99%) were antimicrobials. Fluoroquinolones (FQ) 128(82.05%) out of 156 antimicrobials was maximum prescribed antibacterial, and...
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