Can Induction Chemotherapy before Concurrent Chemoradiation Impact Circumferential Resection Margin Positivity and Survival in Low Rectal Cancers?

Bhatti, Abu Bakar Hafeez,Waheed, Anum,Hafeez, Aqsa,Akbar, Ali,Syed, Aamir Ali,Khattak, Shahid,Kazmi, Ather Saeed Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.7

Background: Distance from anal verge and abdominoperineal resection are risk factors for circumferential resection margin (CRM) positivity in rectal cancer. Induction chemotherapy (IC) before concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) has emerged as a new treatment modification. Impact of IC before concurrent CRT on CRM positivity in low rectal cancer remains to be independently studied. The objective of this study was to determine CRM positivity in low rectal cancer, with and without prior IC, and to identify predictors of disease free and overall survival. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups. Group 1 received IC before CRT and Group 2 did not. Demographics, clinicopathological variables and CRM status were compared. Actuarial 5 year disease free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and independent predictors of survival were determined. Results: Patients in the IC group presented with advanced stage (Stage 3=89.2% versus 75.4%) (P=0.02) but a high rate of total mesorectal excision (TME) (100% versus 93.4%) (P=0.01) and sphincter preservation surgery (54.9 % versus 22.9%) (P=0.001). Patients with low rectal cancer who received IC had a significantly low positive CRM rate (9.2% versus 34%) (P=0.002). Actuarial 5 year DFS in IC and no IC groups were 39% and 43% (P=0.9) and 5 year OS were 70% and 47% (P=0.003). Pathological tumor size [HR: 2.2, CI: 1.1-4.5, P=0.01] and nodal involvement [HR: 2, CI: 1.08-4, P=0.02] were independent predictors of relapse while pathological nodal involvement [HR: 2.6, CI: 1.3-4.9, P=0.003] and IC [HR: 0.7, CI: 0.5-0.9, P=0.02] were independent predictors of death. Conclusions: In low rectal cancer, induction chemotherapy before CRT may significantly decrease CRM positivity and improve 5 year overall survival.

Conductive and transparent submicron polymer lens array fabrication for electrowetting applications

Hafeez, Hassan,Ryu, Heon-Yul,Paluvai, Nagarjuna Reddy,Park, Jin-Goo Informa UK (TaylorFrancis) 2018 Journal of adhesion science and technology Vol.32 No.18

<P>In this study, we have demonstrated a simple and inexpensive process to fabricate electrowetting lens arrays with various curvatures (micron to submicron) on conductive and transparent polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds without additional metal layers. The microlens arrays were fabricated using one-step dual diffuser lithography process, which utilizes a pair of diffusers to diffract the incident rays of UV light at wide angles before approaching the photoresist. Dimensional control and high fill factor was achieved by just varying the exposure energy and gap between the patterns in the photomask, respectively. The patterns were replicated in conductive and transparent Ag(n)-PDMS (5-20% Ag) with 15 mu m thickness. High conductivity of 4.6 x 10(-1) S/m and high transmission efficiency of 90% was demonstrated by Ag(n)-PDMS molds. Micro-nanolens arrays fabricated by the optimized corelation were utilized to demonstrate switchable wettability behavior of water droplet at different applied voltages. The electrowetting microlens array fabrication method introduced in this work has high potential to be incorporated in optoelectronics and biomedical devices.</P>

Association of Financial Distress and Predicted Bankruptcy: The Case of Pakistani Banking Sector

Hafeez ULLAH,Zhuquan WANG,Muhammad Ghazanfar ABBAS,Fan ZHANG,Umeair SHAHZAD,Memon Rafait MAHMOOD 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.1

The banking sector is one of the most important sectors in Pakistan’s struggling economy. Recent studies have recommended that suitable methods can be applied to predict bankruptcy. In this context, this work analyzes Pakistan’s banking sector’s financial status through the five-factor Altman Z-score model, which determines the probability of bankruptcy for an organization. Banking data has been collected through the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in the period 2013-2017. The Z-score assessment criteria is defined as: Z> 2.99 - “safe” zone; Z> 1.8 Z>2.98- “grey” zone; and Z <1.8 - “distress” zone. Results show good predictions for the local banking industry, while most foreign Pakistani banks were found bankrupt with the Z-score below 1.1. One of the financial risks investors face when investing in any company is the risk of bankruptcy. One of the most used models for predicting financial distress for any company is Altman’s Z-score model. On the other hand, the Z-score analysis suggests that all banking establishments are not bankrupt because they have sufficient ability to control bankruptcy. At the same time, foreign banks failed financially and would not be able to be sustained in the future because they do not have the ability to pay the short-term and long-term debt.

Improving temperature stress resistance in spring maize by seed priming

Hafeez ur Rehman,Irfan Afzal,Muhammad Farooq,Tariq Azii,Shahzad Maqsood Ahmad Basra 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 2012 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 학술대회 Vol.2012 No.1

Chilling resistance at sowing is pre-requisite to avoid high temperature stress at terminal stage of spring planted maize crop. Seed priming offers promising solution to improve crop resistance against low or high temperature stress. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the role of seed priming in improving the performance of spring planted maize under various sowing dates. Seeds of hybrid maize FH-810 were soaked in aerated solution of CaC}z (2.2%), moringa leaf extracts (MLE, 3.3%) and salicylic acid (SA, 50 mg L- 1 ) while dry and water soaked seeds (hydropriming) were used as controls. Both primed and untreated seeds were planted on 02 and 22 Feb, and 14 March. Late planted maize observed notable decline in mean emergence time than early planted crop owing to high temperature at planting. Both low and high temperature in early (02 Feb) and late (14 March) planted maize resulted in reduced seedling growth and tissue water status accompanied with elevated membrane electrolytes leakage. Moreover all the priming techniques improved the studied parameters of crop compared with control at all planting dates. Seed osmopriming with SA improved crop stress resistance by earlier emergence, increased seedling dry weight, tissue water status and improved membrane stability followed by osmopriming with CaC12.

Down-Regulation of CYP1A1 Expression in Breast Cancer

Hafeez, S.,Ahmed, A.,Rashid, Asif Z.,Kayani, Mahmood Akhtar Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.5

Breast cancer is a major cause of death in women worldwide. Mammary tissue expressing xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes metabolically activate or detoxify potential genotoxic breast carcinogens. Deregulation of these xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes is considered to be a major contributory factor to breast cancer. The present study is focused on the expression of the xenobiotic metabolizing gene, CYP1A1, in breast cancer and its possible relationships with different risk factors. Twenty five tumors and twenty five control breast tissue samples were collected from patients undergoing planned surgery or biopsy from different hospitals. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western-blotting were used to investigate the expression of CYP1A1 in breast cancer control and disease samples. mRNA expression of CYP1A1 was down-regulated in 40% of breast tumor samples. Down-regulation was also observed at the protein level. Significnat relations were noted with marital status and tumour grade but not histopathological type. In conclusion, CYP1A1 protein expression was markedly reduced in tumor breast tissues samples as compared to paired control tissue samples.

Prolonged Systole in a Patient with Hypothermia

Hafeez Ul Hassan Virk,Faisal Inayat,Muhammed Waqas Athar,Ghazi A. Mirrani,Ali Raza Ghani,Muhammad Rizwan Sardar 대한심장학회 2017 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.47 No.1

Complete Heart Block in Association with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

Hafeez Ul Hassan Virk,Faisal Inayat,Zia Ur Rahman 대한심장학회 2016 Korean Circulation Journal Vol.46 No.6

Dengue virus infection affects the heart structurally and functionally. Clinical manifestations of cardiac complications secondary to dengue virus infection vary from self-limiting arrhythmias to severe myocardial infarction, leading to hypotension, pulmonary edema, and cardiogenic shock. However, we report a case of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) complicated by a complete heart block. A female with DHF due to dengue virus serotype 2, presented to the emergency department with fever, headache, rash, and fatigue followed by an episode of syncope. She was found to have a third-degree atrioventricular block, with pulseless polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Patient was resuscitated and a temporary trans-venous pacemaker was placed. She reverted back to normal sinus rhythm after 4 days of syncope and was subsequently discharged from the hospital after complete resolution of symptoms, without the need for a permanent pacemaker. Physicians are warranted to have high index of suspicion for dengue virus infection as an etiology in patients with acute cardiovascular compromise, especially in tropical areas.

Image Based 3D Reconstruction of Texture-less Objects for VR Contents

Hafeez, Jahanzeb,Lee, Seunghyun,Kwon, Soonchul,Hamacher, Alaric The Institute of Internet 2017 Journal of Advanced Smart Convergence Vol.6 No.1

Recent development in virtual and augmented reality increases the demand for content in many different fields. One of the fast ways to create content for VR is 3D modeling of real objects. In this paper we propose a system to reconstruct three-dimensional models of real objects from the set of two-dimensional images under the assumption that the subject does not has distinct features. We explicitly consider an object that is made of one or more surfaces and radiant constant energy isotropically. We design a low cost portable multi camera rig system that is capable of capturing images simultaneously from all cameras. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed system, comparison is made between 3D model and a CAD model. A simple algorithm is also proposed to acquire original texture or color of the subject. Using best pattern found after the experiments, 3D model of the Pyeongchang Olympic Mascot "Soohorang" is created to use as VR content.

Projector Calibration for 3D Scanning Using Virtual Target Images

Hafeez Anwar,박강,Irfanud Din 한국정밀공학회 2012 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol. No.

In this work we propose a novel method to calibrate the projector. Calibration of the projector deals with the calculation of geometric parameters of the projector which are intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. An un-calibrated camera assists the process of finding the geometric parameters for projector. This method exploits the fact that a projector can be treated as inverse camera. The camera captures the scene and saves it as an image while the projector projects an image on the scene. Camera to projector transformation is used to make the projector able to see the calibration pattern. Then the projector is calibrated in a similar fashion like camera. Real data is used to evaluate the proposed method of projector calibration and good results are obtained.

Novel one-step route to induce long-term lotus leaf-like hydrophobicity in polyester fabric

Hafeez, Hassan,Cho, Si-Hyeong,Han, Dong-Ho,Seo, Young-Gill,Choa, Yong-Ho,Park, Jin-Goo VNU Science Press 2015 Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology Vol. No.