1.Plant-derived anticancer agents: A green anticancer approach
Iqbal JAVED ; Abbasi Ahsan BANZEER ; Mahmood TARIQ ; Kanwal SOBIA ; Ali BARKAT ; Shah Afzal SAYED ; Khalil Talha ALI
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2017;7(12):1129-1150
Cancer is a frightful disease and represents one of the biggest health-care issues for the human race and demands a proactive strategy for cure.Plants are reservoirs for novel chemical entities and provide a promising line for research on cancer.Hitherto,being effective,chemotherapy is accompanied by certain unbearable side effects.Nevertheless,plants and plant derived products is a revolutionizing field as these are Simple,safer,ecofriendly,low-cost,fast,and less toxic as compared with conventional treatment methods.Phytochemicals are selective in their functions and acts specifically on tumor cells without affecting normal cells.Carcinogenesis is complex phenomena that involves many signaling cascades.Phytochemicals are considered suitable candidates for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners.The research is in progress for developing potential candidates (those can block or slow down the growth of cancer cells without any side effects) from these phytochemicals.Many phytochemicals and their derived analogs have been identified as potential candidates for anticancer therapy.Effort has been made through this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in cancer therapies using phytomolecules with their mechanism of action on nuclear and cellular factors.Furthermore,drags for cancer treatment and their limitations have also been discussed.
2.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
3.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
4.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
5.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
6.Network Structure of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Asian Patients With Depressive Disorders: Findings From REAP-AD3
Seon-Cheol PARK ; Kiwon KIM ; Jeongsoo PARK ; Sun CHOI ; Seonhwa LEE ; Seungwon CHO ; Eunkyung KIM ; Tian-Mei SI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Andi J. TANRA ; Amir Hossein Jalali NADOUSHAN ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Afzal JAVED ; Kang SIM ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Norman SARTORIUS
Psychiatry Investigation 2025;22(5):552-563
Objective:
The clinical presentation of depressive disorders might be influenced by age, and its diagnosis and treatment can be affected by ageism-related bias. A network analysis can reveal symptom patterns unrecognized by the reductionistic approach. Therefore, this study explores the network structure of depression and anxiety symptoms in older Asian patients with depressive disorders and examines age-related differences in the context of ageism.
Methods:
We used data from the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants, Phase 3 study and included 2,785 psychiatric patients from 11 Asian countries. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7. Network analyses were conducted to identify symptom interconnections and centrality among older (>65 years), middle-aged (35–64 years), and young (18–34 years) adult groups. The network structures were also compared using a network comparison test.
Results:
Depressed mood was the most central symptom across all age groups. Network comparisons revealed no significant structural differences among the three age groups, despite several variations in terms of global strength. The network structure of the older group was characterized by strong interconnections between somatic symptoms (insomnia-energy) and core depressive symptoms (little interest or pleasure-feelings of hopelessness).
Conclusion
This study reveals that the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms have relatively consistent interconnections across age groups, despite subtle age-based differences. Specifically, older adults tend to present anxiety and depression symptoms as physical complaints. These findings challenge ageist stereotypes and advocate for inclusive, age-neutral approaches to treatment.
7.Thoracic impalement injury: A survivor with large metallic object in-situ.
Randhawa MUHAMMAD AFZAL ; Muhammad ARMUGHAN ; Muhammad Waqas JAVED ; Usman Ali RIZVI ; Sajida NASEEM
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2018;21(6):369-372
Impalement injuries, is a severe form of trauma, which are not common in civilian life. These injuries rarely occurs in major accidents. Abdomen, chest, limbs and perineum are often involved due to their large surface area. Thoracic impalement injury is usually a fatal injury, due to location of major vessels and heart in the thoracic cavity. These injuries are horrifying to site, but the patients who are lucky enough to make it to hospital, usually survive. Chances of survival are larger in right sided impalement injuries while central injuries are always died at the scene. Our patient, 25 years old male, was brought to the emergency room (ER) with large impaled metallic bar (about 2.5 feet long) in situ, in right sided chest. The patient was immediately shifted to operation room (OR) and was operated, his recovery was uneventful without any sequelae. Such patients should be treated and resuscitated according to advanced trauma life support (ATLS) protocols and operated without any delay for further investigations. Such operations are carried out by the most experienced surgeon team available. The impaled objects should not be processed if not necessary to avoid major hemorrhage and damage to vital structures, until the patient is in operation room. Large size and unusual position of impaled objects, makes the job difficult for surgeons/anesthetists. Although horrifying at scene, patients with thoracic impalement injuries are mostly young and healthy, and those who survive the pre-hospital phase are potentially manageable with proper resuscitation. Usually these patients make recovery without any further complications.
Accidents, Traffic
;
Adult
;
Advanced Trauma Life Support Care
;
Foreign Bodies
;
surgery
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Metals
;
Resuscitation
;
Survivors
;
Thoracic Injuries
;
surgery
;
Thoracic Surgical Procedures
;
methods
;
Thorax
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Wounds, Penetrating
;
surgery
8.Prescription Patterns for Bipolar Disorder in Asian Countries:Findings from Research on Asian Prescription Pattern-Bipolar Disorder
Shih-Ku LIN ; Shu-Yu YANG ; Seon-Cheol PARK ; Ok-Jin JANG ; Xiaomin ZHU ; Yu-Tao XIANG ; Wen-Chen OUYANG ; Afzal JAVED ; M. Nasar SAYEED KHAN ; Sandeep GROVER ; Ajit AVASTHI ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Kok Yoon CHEE ; Norliza CHEMI ; Takahiro A. KATO ; Kohei HAYAKAWA ; Pornjira PARIWATCHARAKUL ; Margarita MARAMIS ; Lakmi SENEVIRATNE ; Sim KANG ; Wai Kwong TANG ; Tin OO ; Norman SARTORIUS ; Chay-Hoon TAN ; Mian-Yoon CHONG ; Yong Chon PARK ; Naotaka SHINFUKU
Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience 2022;20(1):61-69
Objective:
Pharmacotherapy including mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are frequently used in bipolar disorder (BD); however, the lack of consensus regarding the definition of polypharmacy hinders conducting comparative studies across different settings and countries. Research on Asian Prescription Pattern (REAP) is the largest and the longest lasting international collaborative research in psychiatry in Asia. The objective of REAP BD was to investigate the prescription patterns of psychotropic medications across Asian countries. The rates of polypharmacy and psychotropic drug load were also analyzed.
Methods:
The data collection was web-based. Prescription patterns were categorized as (1) mood stabilizer monotherapy: one mood stabilizer; (2) antipsychotic monotherapy: one antipsychotic; (3) simple polypharmacy: one mood stabilizer and one antipsychotic; and (4) complex polypharmacy: ≥ 2 mood stabilizers or/and antipsychotics. The psychotropic drug load in each patient was calculated using the defined daily dose method.
Results:
Among 2003 patients with BD (52.1% female, 42.4 years) from 12 countries, 1,619 (80.8%) patients received mood stabilizers, 1,644 (82.14%) received antipsychotics, and 424 (21.2%) received antidepressants, with 14.7% mood stabilizer monotherapy, 13.4% antipsychotic monotherapy, 48.9% simple polypharmacy, 20.3% complex polypharmacy, and 2.6% other therapy. The average psychotropic drug load was 2.05 ± 1.40. Results varied widely between countries.
Conclusion
Over 70% of psychotropic regimens involved polypharmacy, which accords with the high prevalence of polypharmacy in BD under a permissive criterion (2 or more core psychotropic drugs) worldwide. Notably, ≥ 80% of our sample received antipsychotics, which may indicate an increasing trend in antipsychotic use for BD treatment.
9.A Call for a Rational Polypharmacy Policy: International Insights From Psychiatrists
Yukako NAKAGAMI ; Kohei HAYAKAWA ; Toru HORINOUCHI ; Victor PEREIRA-SANCHEZ ; Marcus P.J. TAN ; Seon-Cheol PARK ; Yong Chon PARK ; Seok Woo MOON ; Tae Young CHOI ; Ajit AVASTHI ; Sandeep GROVER ; Roy Abraham KALLIVAYALIL ; Yugesh RAI ; Mohammadreza SHALBAFAN ; Pavita CHONGSUKSIRI ; Pichet UDOMRATN ; Samudra T. KATHRIARACHCHI ; Yu-Tao XIANG ; Kang SIM ; Afzal JAVED ; Mian-Yoon CHONG ; Chay-Hoon TAN ; Shih-Ku LIN ; Toshiya INADA ; Toshiya MURAI ; Shigenobu KANBA ; Norman SARTORIUS ; Naotaka SHINFUKU ; Takahiro A. KATO
Psychiatry Investigation 2021;18(11):1058-1067
Objective:
Recently, rational polypharmacy approaches have been proposed, regardless of the lower risk and cost of monotherapy. Considering monotherapy as first-line treatment and polypharmacy as rational treatment, a balanced attitude toward polypharmacy is recommended. However, the high prevalence of polypharmacy led the Japanese government to establish a polypharmacy reduction policy. Based on this, the association between the policy and psychiatrists’ attitude toward polypharmacy has been under debate.
Methods:
We developed an original questionnaire about Psychiatrists’ attitudes toward polypharmacy (PAP). We compared the PAP scores with the treatment decision-making in clinical case vignettes. Multiple regression analyses were performed to quantify associations of explanatory variables including policy factors and PAP scores. The anonymous questionnaires were administered to psychiatrists worldwide.
Results:
The study included 347 psychiatrists from 34 countries. Decision-making toward polypharmacy was associated with high PAP scores. Multiple regression analysis revealed that low PAP scores were associated with the policy factor (β=-0.20, p=0.004). The culture in Korea was associated with high PAP scores (β=0.34, p<0.001), whereas the culture in India and Nepal were associated with low scores (β=-0.15, p=0.01, and β=-0.17, p=0.006, respectively).
Conclusion
Policy on polypharmacy may influence psychiatrists’ decision-making. Thus, policies considering rational polypharmacy should be established.
10. Plant-derived anticancer agents: A green anticancer approach
Javed IQBAL ; Banzeer Ahsan ABBASI ; Tariq MAHMOOD ; Barkat ALI ; Sayed Afzal SHAH ; Sobia KANWAL ; Ali Talha KHALIL ; Ali Talha KHALIL ; Ali Talha KHALIL
Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine 2017;7(12):1129-1150
Cancer is a frightful disease and represents one of the biggest health-care issues for the human race and demands a proactive strategy for cure. Plants are reservoirs for novel chemical entities and provide a promising line for research on cancer. Hitherto, being effective, chemotherapy is accompanied by certain unbearable side effects. Nevertheless, plants and plant derived products is a revolutionizing field as these are Simple, safer, eco-friendly, low-cost, fast, and less toxic as compared with conventional treatment methods. Phytochemicals are selective in their functions and acts specifically on tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Carcinogenesis is complex phenomena that involves many signaling cascades. Phytochemicals are considered suitable candidates for anticancer drug development due to their pleiotropic actions on target events with multiple manners. The research is in progress for developing potential candidates (those can block or slow down the growth of cancer cells without any side effects) from these phytochemicals. Many phytochemicals and their derived analogs have been identified as potential candidates for anticancer therapy. Effort has been made through this comprehensive review to highlight the recent developments and milestones achieved in cancer therapies using phytomolecules with their mechanism of action on nuclear and cellular factors. Furthermore, drugs for cancer treatment and their limitations have also been discussed.