Violacein, a purple pigment first isolated from a gram-negative coccobacillus Chromobacterium violaceum, has gained extensive research interest in recent years due to its huge potential in the pharmaceutic area and industry. In this review, we summarize the latest research advances concerning this pigment, which include (1) fundamental studies of its biosynthetic pathway, (2) production of violacein by native producers, apart from C. violaceum, (3) metabolic engineering for improved production in heterologous hosts such as Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and Yarrowia lipolytica, (4) biological/pharmaceutical and industrial properties, (5) and applications in synthetic biology. Due to the intrinsic properties of violacein and the intermediates during its biosynthesis, the prospective research has huge potential to move this pigment into real clinical and industrial applications.

Introduction: Second hand smoke (SHS) is reported to cause 890,000 deaths annually worldwide. It is also a known cause of serious complications in pregnancy. The current study intends to fill in some of the knowledge gap for further research & effective public health interventions. Objective: To estimate the magnitude of exposure to second hand smoke and assess awareness about it among pregnant women visiting four selected tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. Materials & Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at four tertiary hospitals of Peshawar from 1st January to 1st March 2018. Non-probability serial sample of 410 pregnant women was taken. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analysed for descriptive statistics using SPSS version 22. Results: A total of 410 pregnant women were included. The mean age was 21 + 4 years; 149 (36.3%) of the total subjects were exposed to SHS, highest frequency (49%) being in age group 26-35 years. Exposure to SHS was highest (39%) among illiterate ladies; 92% of the subjects were exposed to SHS at home, the main source being their husbands (46%); 40.7% of the subjects were aware of the adverse effects of SHS on fetus, younger (p=0.01) & more educated women (p=0.001) being more likely to be aware. Conclusions: Exposure of pregnant women to second hand smoke is a public health concern in Peshawar, being more likely among younger, less educated, unaware women, and housewives.

The retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology, Nishtar Medical Hospital, and Bakhtawar Amin Trust Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 to evaluate risk factors and surgical approach for posterior dislocation of the intraocular lens into vitreous requiring pars plana vitrectomy. A total of 30 eyes of 30 patients (20 male and 10 female) were included in the study. Standard PPV vitrectomy was performed in all patients. The Iris fixation technique was used in patients having a 3-piece lens design. A sclera fixation technique was performed to secure the lens and prevent it from falling onto the retina. IOL (Intra-Ocular Lens) was exchanged in eyes in which it was previously damaged. Results showed that in 28 (93.3%) eyes, the original lens was conserved and positioned on the scleral wall, iris, or both. The existing lens could not be preserved in 2(6.6%) eyes. 92.1% of cases had a single risk factor for IOL dislocation. After surgery, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) improved from 20/400 on the initial visit to 20/80 on the final (P=0.001). UCVA remained unchanged in 3 (10%) patients and improved in 27 (90%) patients. It can be concluded that the incidence of posterior IOL dislocation has been increasing. Intravitreal substance injections, myopia, and previous vitrectomy are the major risk factors. In most cases, the existing lens can be preserved and secured in the posterior chamber through pars plana vitrectomy.

The prospective study was conducted in the Department of Ophthalmology from January 2022 to January 2023 to compare the effectiveness of two doses of TA on DME using central macular thickness (CMT) as the primary criterion. A total of 30 patients were included in the study. Participants were randomly divided into a 4mg TA group (n=16) and a 2 mg TA group(n=16).  The injection was given in the eye with higher CMT. Patients were followed up until 6 months after injection. Results showed that regarding mean CMT and change in macular thickness, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups during the whole study period. After 1 month of injection, the ETDRS score in the 4 mg group increased significantly from 37.7±14.1 to 51.3±14.3 (P=0.0012) and from 41.9± 13.3 to 49.4± 13.7 in the 2mg group (P=0.002). Based on the results it can be concluded that the intravitreal 2 mg or 4 mg TA injection had a similar effect on both VA and CMT in patients with DME.

The retrospective study was conducted in Bakhtawar Amin & Nishtar Medical Hospital from January 2022 to January 2023 to evaluate the accuracy of three new-generation formulas, using measurements from IOL-Master 700, in patients with vitreomacular interface disorders undergoing combined phacovitrectomy. A total of 110 patients (110 eyes) were included; Group I had 110 eyes, and Group II had 100 eyes. Group I had patients with normal phacoemulsification, and Group II had normally combined phacovitrectomy. For both groups, predictions from 8 IOL power calculation formulas were recorded. Results showed insignificant differences between Group I (P=.934) and Group II (P=.971). Regarding the mean prediction error of formulas In Group I, the Kane formula had the best outcome.in Group II, the Kane formula has the lowest MAE. The Kane formula had the lowest MAE in Group III, though the difference was not statistically significant. It is concluded that the Kane formula consistently had the best rank, independent of the Group.