Firstly, I would like to welcome all the readers, authors, editorial team and management of Pakistan Biomedical Journal (PBMJ) to this new journal in Biomedical Sciences. It is an international peer reviewed, open-access journal that merges the basic and clinical research for the better outcome in terms of diagnosis and therapeutics. This approach will update and upgrade the existing knowledge among the researchers and clinicians, regarding the patient care and practice as well as understanding of underlying mechanisms of diseases. The ultimate beneficiary is patient and community as a whole. PBMJ is led by an outstanding Editorial Board comprising of national and international members with multidisciplinary research background. Our goal is to promote the basic and clinical research, health and disease perspectives. We receive original studies, review articles, case reports, systemetic reviews on medical, biomedical, basic and therapeutic research. We welcome scientific contributions from all over the world. It is the need and demand of the recent world scenario to focus on biomedical research. In the current world, basic and medical science cannot be considered as two separate and independent entities. There should be coherent efforts to unveil the basic understandings of pathologies at physiological, cellular and molecular level. Furthermore, the therapeutic strategies should also be explored on regional and global levels, by keeping in mind the different genetic makeups and considering the individual identities. It leads to the field of ‘personalized medicine’. There are many other recent therapeutic regimens such as regenerative medicine, exosomes, gene silencing and gene editing technologies. The world has also advanced in diagnostic modalities. Much focus has been emphasized on rapidness, accuracy and cost-effectiveness of these techniques. Imaging, scanning, histopathological, biochemical and hematological techniques have been much advanced than before. World has been changing rapidly in medical profession. Hence, it is important to be aware of these advancements worldwide and also to share the health related researches at local level. We hope this new journal will be a good addition in this perspective of sharing the recent knowledge, advancements and create awareness among masses.

Herbal medicines, complementary or alternative medicines is a wide term for the therapies that are not part of standard care but it has many theories regarding efficacy based on personal experiences, history and common knowledge. It has long been used since ancient times since the beginning of human civilization. Its use had caught much attention in the early 1800s, with the development in the science of chemistry, a new era in pharmacotherapeutics and the use of active chemical ingredients in plants which were known to produce favorable therapeutic effects, were explored, active compounds were extracted, purified and their structure was revealed. This advancement paved the way towards modern pharmaceutical therapy. The modern drugs are based on these herbal medicines, after extracting the active and pure chemical compounds. Pharmacokinetics and physicochemical properties of the active ingredients was explored. It lead to the better understanding of efficacy and safety profile of these drugs and first choice for treatment of various diseases. At the same time, the herbal medicines were considered as secondarily important. After approximately two centuries, the use of herbal medicines have seen a revival globally both in developing as well as developed countries. In the past few years, the practice of using herbal medicines as an alternative and complementary health medicine has gained more importance. Herbal medicines are common for treatment of various ailments including cancer, digestive disorders, pain related disorders, neuropathic ailments and cardiac arrhythmias etc. Even it has been used by pregnant females and mostly perceived as safe. Its use has gained more attraction due to its ‘natural’ approach and lesser side effects. Their use if often overlooked but physicians should pay attention to these medicines. There is lack of familiarity, standardization of the drug components, unproven therapeutic effects in various diseases, unexplored toxicology, pharmacokinetics, drug-drug interactions, and compatibility in patients with varying medical, genetic and demographic history. There are serious concerns regarding the safety, efficacy and quality of herbal products and nutraceuticals. Accidental contamination and deliberate adulteration are assumed to be the main cause of the side effects. Much of the herbal medical knowledge is scattered in different regions of the world and mostly available at family, community and local level and mostly in any native languages. There is need of coherent sources, knowledge, and exploration of these medicines across the world. The herbal medicine has varying diversity in different geological regions and they should be investigated. There should be a regional or national body to control and approve the herbal medicines. Proper documentations on these medicines and food supplements should also be done.

Breast carcinoma is among the most common malignancy in women. Abstract: Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of iron expression in the biopsies of patients with breast cancer. Objective: 24 breast biopsies were studied. 19 cases were poorly differentiated, 5 cases were moderately differentiated and there was no well differentiated case. Iron, Estrogen receptor (ER), Progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 and Ki-67 immunohisto chemical staining was performed for all these cases. Methods: Among the 5 moderately differentiated cases, 3 (60%) were positive for iron staining and among 19 poorly differentiated cases, 11 cases (57.89%) were positive. More iron positive cases (7 out of 14) were triple positive belonging to Luminal B class. Out of 14 iron positive cases, 11 were positive for HER2, 10 for ER, 9 for PR and all positive for Ki-67. Results: Iron deciency in premenopausal and overload in post-menopausal women can contribute to the development of breast carcinoma. So, iron can be considered as a cheap and effective marker for the prognosis of breast cancer. Association between a rise in iron levels and HER2 expression may provide new strategy for breast cancer treatment.

Human papilloma virus (HPV) related head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) has varying etiology, genetic as well as environmental factors involved and differential clinicicopathological features. HNSCC came in the limelight recently due to increased incidence rate and insucient diagnostic methods. This review will comprehensively focus on the characteristics of HPV associated HNSCC. It will provide an updated review of our understanding of HPV role in Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) known to date. Currently, three vaccines are available (Gardasil, Gardasil 9 and Cervarix). These vaccines prevent infections with HPV types 16 and 18 HPV-16 is most common type associated with HNSCC. HPV related HNSCC has better prognosis, does not mutate but inactivates tumor suppressor genes and therefore has comparatively better treatment options. However, there is still a need to improve our methods of sampling, HPV molecular assay and type of specimen to be used.

Uses of tetra pack juices enhances the risk of diabetes and obesity. People were unaware of impact of fresh fruit juices on health Objective: To compare the effect of tetra pack juices and fresh fruit juices on blood glucose levels among healthy individuals Methods: 10 participants were selected using an international standard Glycemic Index (GI) test protocol. After getting their fasting blood sample they were instructed to consume all the juice served in a period of 5 min. Further blood samples were taken at different intervals of time that is 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 minutes after consumption. Participants were remained sedentary during each session. Blood was obtained by finger-prick and tested by the glucometer Results: The glycemic index of Apple juice Nestle has the glycemic index of 95.87, Orange juice Nestle has the GI value 93.78, Apple juice fresh has the GI value of 92.17 and Orange juice fresh has the glycemic index value of 99.07, respectively Conclusions: Detailed study of glycemic index of tetra pack juices (Nestle Apple and Orange juice) and fresh fruit juices (Apple and Orange juice) showed similar impact on the blood glucose level of healthy individual. In the study, both types of juices were found to be equally hyperglycemic (GI 70+) causing a fast rise in blood-sugar levels, hence should not be given to diabetic patients.

Rotifers are zooplanktons that react more sharply to the environmental changes. Objective: To better understand the community composition of rotifers in Safari Zoo Lake, Lahore, Pakistan Methods: We collected 16 water samples on monthly basis, dividing lake into four major sites: northern, southern, eastern, and western sites. Each of these was further subdivided into four locations, for a total of 16 sampling sites. A total 23 rotifer species were recorded from the lake with Brachionus calyciorus having maximum abundance. A species abundance curve was plotted between months and number of species of rotifers indicating their lowest and highest abundance through the study period. Results: A Cluster Analysis yielded three main groups of closely related species including species like Brachionus quadridentatus, Synchaeta stylata and Brachionus calyciorus etc. We used a Principal Component Analysis (I and II) to study variation in the rotifer community on a seasonal basis and among sampling sites. A biplot of Principal Component Analysis (PCA I) reected the relationship of rotifers with the months. Some of the species showed a positive positive relationship, while others showed negative one. PCA II was plotted between months and physico-chemical parameters showing their negative and positive relations. Conclusion: We conclude that a lesser replacement of fresh water, increased density of waterfowl, reptilia and solid waste left over during boating has resulted in eutrophication of lake leading to overall low diversity of rotifers observed.

Chronic myelogenous Leukemia is (Clonal stem cell disorder) cancer which starts in bone marrow a soft tissue inside bones that aids to form blood cells. It is rst form of cancer that was rstly recognize to associate strongly with the chromosomal abnormality and the chromosome [t (9; 22) translocation] called Philadelphia chromosome. Objective: Philadelphia chromosome is a characteristic chromosomal marker that is associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Methods: More than one hundred patients of either sex were selected for the experiment. RNA was isolated from whole blood of patients so can use exclusively in RT-PCR. Results: Philadelphia chromosome in blood samples of patients with suspected diagnosis of CML was detected in 63% of patients. During our experimental studies on CML patients we do not encounter any complex translocation involving chromosome 8, 9 and 22. Conclusions: Philadelphia chromosome is a precise cytogenetic marker the detection of which is significant for differential diagnosis and clinical organization of patients with clinical diagnosis of CML. It is of significant that Ph chromosome occurs in pre-leukemic stage and has great diagnostic signicance.

Chronic Liver Disease (CLD) progresses from hepatocyte inammation to brosis, regeneration, cirrhosis and in some cases to Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). In general, the main etiologies of Liver Cirrhosis (LC) are viral infections (hepatitis C and B viruses), chronic alcohol abuse and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), including Non-Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis (NASH). Major complications of CLD are ascites, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice (acute or chronic) and hepatic encephalopathy. Objectives: This study assesses the etiological factors and complications of CLD in a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Study was carried out in indoor and Accident & Emergency Departments of Mayo Hospital Lahore. 100 clinically diagnosed CLD cases were chosen through “Convenient Sampling” technique during 3 months. Observations: Most common complications of CLD were upper GI variceal Bleeding (48%) & hepatic encephalopathy (34%) and acute or chronic hepatitis (AVH) (33%). Other less common complications observed were hepatorenal syndrome (10%), Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (15%), Ascites (5%) and HCC (10%). Hepatitis C was found as main etiological factor of CLD. Bleeding and hepatic encephalopathy are the common complications. Awareness programmes regarding CLD and its complications are mandatory in our society to improve human health.