Analysis of Mucosal- Associated Invariant T Cell Levels And Their Correlation With Tumor Immune Status In Patients With Brain Tumors

Introduction: Primary brain tumors refer to a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from cells within the CNS, and can be benign or malignant. In recent years, experimental evidence suggests that, despite the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and lack of discrete lymphoid tissue, there are immunocompetent cells (TILs-Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) within the brain parenchyma. Many of these cells are T-Lymphocytes known as CD8+ Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, which proliferate with stimulation, and are cytotoxic to tumor cells in vitro. To evaluate the frequency of unconventional MAIT cells in the setting of brain tumors by expression analysis of their three defining markers CD3D, KLRB1 (CD161) and a TCR a-chain variant Va7.2 (TRAV1-2 gene). Methodology: The study involved collecting EDTA blood samples and fresh brain tissue biopsies from selected population followed by RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis for measurement of relative expression analysis in blood and tissues samples. Expression data was generated by semi-quantitative real time PCR. Results: The outcome of this study demonstrated higher expression level of  CD3D, KLRB1 (CD161) and a TCR a-chain variant Va7.2 (TRAV1-2 gene) in the blood of patients compared to the tissue samples showed little to no transmigration of these MAIT cells in the diseased tissues. Also, the expression of genes under-investigation was observed decreasing in both blood and tissue samples with the progression of tumor. Conclusion: MAIT cells might undergo depletion in the tumor micro-environment due to chronic activation induced exhaustion of these cells

Administration of Glycine Following Immobilized Stress Produces Neurobehavioral And Biochemical Effects in Rats

Introduction: Glycine is the simplest amino acid. Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter, stimulating and inhibiting brain cells affecting cognition, mood and appetite. Other biochemical molecules that have an impact on bodily functions are metabolized with the help of glycine. All species have evolved coping methods to deal with stress, which is often encountered in everyday activities. Stressful situations that last for an extended period of time can cause anxiety and affective disorders like depression, which in turn cause an excessive amount of free radical generation and oxidative stress. Methodology: Current research is planned to evaluate how glycine may affect in rats expose to repeated restraint stress. Two test groups and a control group of rats were used, test 1 animals were treated with immobilized stress for 14 days and test 2 were treated with immobilized stress following glycine administration at a dose of 200mg/kg/ml. The effect of immobilized stress and glycine on anxiety was assessed by elevated plus maze test while open field was used for evaluating locomotor activities and depression like symptoms assessed by forced swimming test. Results: Anxiogenic effects, depression like symptoms and hyperlocomotor activity observed in restraint stress rats while counter effects seen in case of test 2 animals. Biochemically glycine also produces counter effects against restrain stress. In conclusion glycine significantly improves anxiety and depression like symptoms in stressed rats

Comparison of hormones levels in response to OGTT between healthy and newly diabetic subjects.

Introduction With an epidemic of diabetes, pathophysiological role of insulin, glucagon and incretin secretion and insulin resistance (IR) can be obtained by intermediate measures to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). To compare hormones levels in response to oral glucose tolerance tests and related biochemical parameters between healthy and newly diagnosed diabetics (NDD). Methods This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Karachi University-Pakistan with collaboration of Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Karachi-Pakistan and Kansai Electric Power Medical Research Institute, Osaka-Japan from March 2019 to May 2020. Baseline details were noted on predesigned questionnaire. Blood samples for baseline parameters and hormones were obtained during OGTT. Results Out of 34 participants, 17 were NDD and 17 were healthy subjects. The study found rise in insulin levels at fasting and decreased at 30 and 60minutes in NDD subjects when compared with healthy subjects. It was found that glucagon levels were increased at 30 and 60 minutes, GLP-1 at 0 and 60 minutes in NDD group in comparison to healthy subjects. Higher HOMA IR and lower HOMA-β were observed in the NDD group. Insulin levels were significantly associated with age and RBC in NDD subjects. Moreover, levels of GLP-1 were significantly correlated with cholesterol, LDL, HDL and non-HDL, while GIP with age, LDL and non-HDL in NDD subjects. Conclusion Pattern of insulin, glucagon and incretins levels with HOMA-IR and glucose metabolism sensitivity indexes during an OGTT strongly predict development of T2DM

Indication of Hyperhomocysteinemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Cardiovascular Complications

Introduction Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the prominent causes of mortality in cases of chronic Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and necessitates improving risk categorization. There are few available biomarkers that can assess preceding or current glycemic and cardiac status, but not prognosis. Serum homocysteine (Hcy) has been indicated and reported to be a likely biomarker that can detect cardiovascular complication in patients with T2DM. Methodology Present study details the comparative analysis of several biochemical and metabolic biomarkers including Hcy in T2DM patients with and without CVD complications. A total of eighty patients, n = 40 each in T2DM with CVD and T2DM without CVD, were included in the study.  Patient’s preparation, blood sample collection and analyses of all biochemical, metabolic markers including Hcy were performed as per standard protocols.  One way ANOVA was used for independent measures including Tukey HSD with level of significance at P< 0.05. Results Indication of hyperhomocysteinemia, was significantly apparent in patients with T2DM who have CVD, as compared to those with T2DM without CVD.  All other biochemical and metabolic parameters manifested marked significant (P< 0.00001) elevations, which was more perceptible in T2DM CVD as compared to T2DM non CVD. Clinical relevance of high Hcy in blood in patients with T2DM CVD thus suggested being prominent risk factor for proceeding renal and cardiac complications

Investigating The Molecular Aspects of Theileria Annulata In Naturally Infected Animals, Alongside A Mention of Tick Distribution In Hyderabad And Karachi

Introduction: The Theileria annulata is a haemo protozoan parasite that causes economically significant fatal tick-borne diseases in domesticated and wild animals. Methodology: The research focused on identifying Theileria annulata infection in both cattle and buffalo through molecular methods. To achieve this, DNA extraction was conducted using whole blood samples, followed by the design of specific primers for Theileria annulata and subsequent PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis. Results: Data were also collected on tick infestation and host-parasite relationship. A total of 2400 Cattle and Buffaloes were evaluated during the study. District-wise detection indicated that the highest rate of infected samples was recorded from Peri-Urban (Cattle=88.33%, Buffalo= 61.94%) and Urban areas (Cattle=65.38%, Buffalo=54.10%) of district Hyderabad, while the lowest rate was recorded from Peri-urban (Cattle=24%, Buffalo=17.9%) and Urban (20.38%, Buffalo=16.66%) areas of district Karachi, Month wise detection of Theileria annulata indicated the highest rate in July (Cattle= 74.0%, Buffalo=47.5%) and the lowest rate in December (Cattle=11.7%, Buffalo=18.1%). The prevalence of parasitic infection showed a notable increase (P<0.05) in the areas of the Suburban region than in Cityscape areas. Conclusion: In the molecular identification of Theileria annulata, the infection rate exhibited a notable difference between District Hyderabad and District Karachi, with a higher prevalence in the former and a lower incidence in the latter. Additionally, cattle displayed greater susceptibility to tick infestation in comparison to buffalo

Heat Inactivation of Avian Influenza (H7N3) Virus In Experimentally Infected Chicken Meat

Introduction Avian influenza virus (H7N3) cause severe systemic disease in chickens and can be persisted in infected chicken meat that cause public health concern. Influenza viruses are heat liable but parameters for heat inactivation have not been known. Methodology The study investigated the quantitative heat inactivation of H7N3 virus from experimentally infected chicken meat. Twenty (20) sero-negative broiler chickens of 04 weeks age were divided into two group viz A (control) and B artificially infected by giving 0.1ml of 106 embryo infectious dose 50 (EID50) (H7N3) virus through intranasal route. Birds were slaughtered on day 9 post infection and tissues (trachea, kidney, lungs and liver) were collected. Inactivation curves were determined at temperature 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64°C. Results Based on D values, time to inactivate H7N3 virus depends on viral titers and inversely related to temperature. This study investigated confirmed that H7N3 virus was effectively inactivated in chicken meat at 60°C in 4 minutes while at 64°C in 1 minutes. Moreover, protocols per log EID50/g reduction in terms of D values at 60 and 64°C were noted 120 and 30 sec, the coefficient of regression ranged as 0.941 to 0.889

Comparing Prophylactic Vaginal Progesterone & Cervical Cerclage In Preventing Preterm Birth: A Systematic Review

Preterm birth complicates at-risk singleton pregnancies, and this is associated with a poor prognosis for pregnant mothers. When comparing cervical cerclage to vaginal progesterone, the rationale is clear, but its effectiveness remains a mystery.It is the goal of this systematic review to shed further light on this well-known conundrum. To find research on preventive vaginal progesterone usage vs cervical cerclage, PubMed, PubMed Central, Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched. There were three randomized control trials, three systematic reviews and meta-analyses, two cohort studies, and two conventional reviews. It was determined that both strategies for managing preterm delivery were equally effective in terms of preterm birth prevention when applied to pregnant women. We found that vaginal progesterone had less side effects than cervical cerclage, but it has no influence on a woman's ability to function and does not improve her life expectancy. The systematic reviews and randomized controlled studies unequivocally confirmed these findings. Cervical cerclage was shown to be more risky than preventive vaginal progesterone in a comprehensive study. However, prophylactic application of cervical cerclage still remains a superior treatment modality if serial transvaginal ultrasound scans are pointing towards cervical shortening. Therefore, more research is required to understand this relationship to identify populations at risk

Assessment of CT-KUB as A Diagnostic Tool for Renal Stone Assessment in the Pediatric Population

 Introduction Pakistan possesses a larger stone burden in paediatric patients. In the paediatric population, proper and timely diagnosis of renal stones to get the best stone-free rates is essential. This study aims to assess CT-KUB as a diagnostic tool for renal stones in the paediatric population before PCNL. Methodology This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients between 1 – 15 years with a diagnosis of renal stones were included in the study.  Radiological investigations including Ultrasound KUB, X-ray KUB, and before the procedure, CT-KUB were documented. Pre-operative, per-operative, and postoperative complications are used to assess the success of the procedure. The statistical package of Social Sciences 22 was used to enter, sort, and analyze the data. Variables were analyzed in mean ± standard deviation and frequency and percentages. The chi-square test was used to assess the significance of mean differences keeping the p-value as ≤ 0.05. Results The mean age was 4.7 ± 3.8 years with a range of 1 -14 years. After the procedure, 104 (86.6%) were rendered stone-free after the first setting. Only 1 (0.8%) was converted to an open case (Pyelolithotomy). The mean stone size encountered was 1.3 ± 0.7 cm in greatest dimension as measured on the CT scan. Postoperatively, there was a hemoglobin drop of 2.3 ± 0.5 g/dl noted, mean operative time was 94.8 ± 17.4 minutes. Conclusion CT KUB proves to be an important and accurate preoperative diagnostic tool in assessing patients with renal stones in the paediatric population

Consanguineous Marriages and Congenital Heart Disease in Pakistan

Objective: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a set of isolate or combination of heart malformations that may or may not cause cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin) indicating poor oxygen status in effected patients. CHD represents a wide range of heritability from chromosomal abnormality to single gene defects to multifactorial pattern of inheritance particularly VSD, ASD, and AVSD. Consanguinity may increase the homozygosity of recessive genes causing copy number variation (CNV) in the disease. Methods: The present study was conducted in National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) during the year 2010 - 2015. Ethical approval was obtained before initiation of the study. A total 1640 diagnosed patients with CHD were included. Patients or their guardians were interviewed using a written questionnaire and their consents were obtained. Data collection form included detailed history regarding relationship of marriage, dietary, medical status during pregnancy such as smoking, infection (e.g. rubella), diabetes mellitus or hypertension etc. Pedigrees were drawn for selected families for further analysis. Results: The relative risk of CHD in first degree relatives is 3.2 and the tendency of having higher frequency (3-4 times) than in general population the consanguinity was found to be the highest in Punjabi (47.3%), followed by Balochi (40.28%) patients of unknown ethnicity (36.8%), Sindhi (34.2%) and Urdu speaking (31.4%). Conclusion: Our study will help provide some clues to the direction of exploration of this malformation especially in Pakistani population, where higher rates of consanguinity and higher prevalence of various forms of CHDs.

Exploring the Relationship Between Obesity and Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi

Objective: Obesity and depression are highly prevalent and have a significant effect on morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between obesity and depression at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), Karachi, from January 23 to June 23. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 157 obese and 157 non-obese participants, aged 18 to 70, selected using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data collection included demographic variables and the Beck Depression Inventory-II questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS version 20, employing the Chi-square test to examine associations with depressive episodes. Statistical significance was established with a p-value of < 0.05. Results: The study found that 43.31% of obese participants suffered from depression, with varying frequencies of depression, compared to 5.73% of non-obese individuals. A significant association was found among obese and non-obese individuals and their BIDS scores with p-values < 0.005 and < 0.001, respectively. BIDS score indicated a high prevalence of borderline clinical depression among obese individuals compared to non-obese. Age, gender, education, marital status, occupation, and socioeconomic status were also assessed, revealing a significant association with obesity status except for marital status (p-value = 0.249) with p-values 0.001, 0.041, 0.002, 0.249, and 0.049, respectively. In addition, obesity was more prevalent among alcohol consumers 11 (07.01%)  compared to smokers 28 (18.47%). Conclusion: A significant association was found between obesity and depression. This association persisted even after considering factors like age, gender, education, marital status, occupation, and socioeconomic status. Furthermore, alcohol consumers were more prone to obesity