Saima Younas

Ms. Saima Younas

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 July 2023 in Antiviral Therapy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
QMQuratulain Maqsood
Quratulain Maqsood
ASAleena Sumrin
Aleena Sumrin
MIMaryam Iqbal
Maryam Iqbal
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
NHNazim Hussain
Nazim Hussain
AWAbdul Wajid
Abdul Wajid
In endemic areas, hepatitis C virus (HCV)/hepatitis B virus (HBV) coinfection is common, and patients with coinfection have a higher risk of developing liver disease such as hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In such cases, HCV predominates, and HBV replication is suppressed by HCV. HCV core proteins and interferons that are activated by HCV are responsible for the suppression of HBV. Immunosuppression is also seen in patients with HCV and HBV coinfections. A decrease in HCV-neutralizing antibody response and circulation of Th1-like Tfh cells is observed in patients with HCV and HBV coinfection. Both viruses interacted in the liver, and treatment of HCV/HBV coinfection is genotype-based and complex due to the interaction of both viruses. In HCV-dominant cases, direct-acting antiviral drugs and peg interferon plus ribavirin are used for the treatment, with continuous monitoring of AST and ALT. HBV-dominant cases are less common and are treated with peg interferon and nucleoside nucleotide analogues with monitoring of AST and ALT. The SVR rate in HCV-HBV coinfection is higher than that in monoinfection when treated with direct-acting antiviral drugs. But there is a risk of reactivation of HBV during and after therapy. The rate of reactivation is lower in patients treated with direct-acting antiviral drugs as compared to those treated with peg interferon plus ribavirin. Biomarkers of HBV such as HBcrAg, HBV DNA and HBVpg RNA are not effective in the prediction of HBV reactivation; only the hepatitis B surface antigen titre can be used as a biomarker for HBV reactivation. HCV can also be reactive, but this is found in very rare cases in which HBV is present and is treated first.

31 October 2022 in Journal of Basic Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
RSRafia Shakoor
Rafia Shakoor
NHNazim Hussain
Nazim Hussain
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
MQM Qammar
M Qammar

27 October 2025 in PLOS ONE
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
ZMZaryab Ikram Malik
Zaryab Ikram Malik
MKMuhammad Umer Khan
Muhammad Umer Khan
SMSadia Manzoor
Sadia Manzoor
HRHafiz Muzzammel Rehman
Hafiz Muzzammel Rehman
Shahina AkterShahina Akter
Shahina Akter
Human Papilloma Virus type 16 (HPV-16) is highly oncogenic with the E6 and E7 oncogenes playing crucial roles in the pathogenesis of HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis. Targeting these oncoproteins with specific inhibitors offers a promising approach for therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to identify potential inhibitors of the HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins through an in silico approach, providing a foundation for the development of targeted therapies against HPV associated malignancies. We performed virtual screening on a library of 1000 compounds to identify promising candidates. Subsequent molecular docking studies were conducted to assess the binding affinities of the promising candidates. The top-scoring compounds for oncoproteins were then subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate their stability and interaction profiles. The virtual screening identified 14 promising candidates followed by docking studies. Among these Galangin was identified as a promising inhibitor for the E6 oncogene, while Neoechinulin showed potential as an inhibitor of the E7 oncogene. Our findings suggest Galangin and Neoechinulin with high potential as therapeutic inhibitors of HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncogenes respectively. These inhibitors could contribute significantly to the development of targeted therapies against HPV associated malignancies. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations are required to use these phytochemicals as antiviral agents against HPV-16.

7 April 2025 in Medical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
ANAtiqa Nosheen
Atiqa Nosheen
ZMZaryab Ikram Malik
Zaryab Ikram Malik
NHNazim Hussain
Nazim Hussain
MKMuhammad Umer Khan
Muhammad Umer Khan
Hafiz Muhammad HammadHafiz Muhammad Hammad
Hafiz Muhammad Hammad

18 April 2025 in bioRxiv
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
ZMZaryab Ikram Malik
Zaryab Ikram Malik
MKMuhammad Umer Khan
Muhammad Umer Khan
SMSadia Manzoor
Sadia Manzoor
HRHafiz Muzzammel Rehman
Hafiz Muzzammel Rehman
Shahina AkterShahina Akter
Shahina Akter
Background Human Papilloma Virus type 16 (HPV-16) is highly oncogenic with the E6 and E7 oncogenes playing crucial roles in the pathogenesis of HPV-related cervical carcinogenesis. Targeting these oncoproteins with specific inhibitors offers a promising approach for therapeutic intervention. Objective This study aimed to identify potential inhibitors of the HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncoproteins through an in silico approach, providing a foundation for the development of targeted therapies against HPV associated malignancies. Methodology We performed virtual screening on a library of 1000 compounds to identify promising candidates. Subsequent molecular docking studies were conducted to assess the binding affinities of the promising candidates. The top-scoring compounds for oncoproteins were then subjected to molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate their stability and interaction profiles. Results The virtual screening identified 14 promising candidates followed by docking studies. Among these Galangin was identified as a promising inhibitor for the E6 oncogene, while Neoechinulin showed potential as an inhibitor of the E7 oncogene. Conclusion Our findings suggest Galangin and Neoechinulin with high potential as therapeutic inhibitors of HPV-16 E6 and E7 oncogenes respectively. These inhibitors could contribute significantly to the development of targeted therapies against HPV associated malignancies. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations are required to use these phytochemicals as antiviral agents against HPV-16.

12 August 2026 in Molecular Biology Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
MQMuhammad Luqman Qadir
Muhammad Luqman Qadir
SASamreen Arshad
Samreen Arshad
NHNazim Hussain
Nazim Hussain
SYSaima Younas
Saima Younas
RARabia Arooj
Rabia Arooj
AHAhmer Bin Hafeez
Ahmer Bin Hafeez