Correlation of Immunoglobulin G With Severity Of Psoriasis

Objectives:  To find the correlation of immunoglobulin G with severity of psoriasis. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore/Niazi Teaching Hospital Sargodha. Study duration was six months from January 2020 to June 2020. One hundred patients of psoriasis (confirmed by Dermatologist) were included in the study. Questionnaire based on age, gender, duration of illness, type and severity of problem etc and biochemical test including immunoglobulin G were filled by consented patients. The study comprised into patients and controls groups. Fifty age matched Subjects with no history of skin disease were taken as controls. For immunological assessment, IgG was measured by the technique of ELISA. Results: Mean age of developing of disease was in the range of 36 to 43 years. A few patients have family history with a problem of asthma. High severity of index (59 to 61) in both genders with duration of disease was 4 to 6 years. A direct correlation between level of IgG and disease severity was observed. Conclusion: Increased level of immunoglobulin G and its direct correlation with severity of psoriasis may suggest an activation of 2nd immune defense that try to reduce the severity of disease

Phosphorylation sites of HER2/c-erbB-2: role in cell growth and in disease

The protein kinase c-erbB-2 belongs to the family of receptor tyrosine kinase and is involved in oncogenesis. The present study predicts different phosphorylation sites of HER2/c-erbB-2 which are important in preventing or developing cancer, especially breast cancer. Sequence homology showed highest homology (77%) with epidermal growth factor receptor kinase domain. According to PROSITE search result, active sites of c-erbB-2 are N-lobe (glycine rich phosphate binding loop). Catalytic loop with presumptive catalytically active of Asp108 is phosphorylated by tyrosine protein kinase. A-loop, activation loop, becomes phosphorylated and activates the substrate binding. The study strengthens our knowledge regarding HER2 signaling by the detection of uncharacterized signaling proteins, establishing phosphorylation of an activation loop and helps us to make assumptions about the role of such previously unidentified proteins. On the basis of importance of HER2 in breast cancer as well as in other diseases, this study provides fruitful information for designing new therapeutic strategies

Maternal near miss, mortality and their correlates at tertiary care hospital

OBJECTIVE:  To determine the frequency and causes of maternal near miss and mortality among pregnant women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted Jan 2016 - Dec 2018. All near miss cases, admitted in Gynecology department of Services Hospital Lahore during the study period, were prospectively recruited. WHO criteria was used to identify maternal near miss cases. Primary outcome measures were frequency and causes of near miss and maternal mortality to near miss ratio. Secondary outcome measures were delays, need for massive blood transfusion, ICU admission, obstetric hysterectomy and hospital stay> 7 days. RESULTS: During the study period, there were 10,739 live births, 305 near miss cases and 29 maternal deaths. Frequency of near miss was 28.4/ 1000 live births and maternal mortality to near miss ratio was 1:10.5. There were 215(70.4%) unbooked patients and 23(79.3%) of them died (p<0.001). Hemorrhage accounted for 150 (49.18%), hypertensive disorders 102 (33.44%),cardiac disease 25 (8.28%) and infection for 12 (3.97%) near miss cases respectively. Maternal mortality was significantly low for hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis and cardiac disease; 6 vs 150, 8 vs102, 3vs 12 and 10 vs 25 respectively (p<0.001). Massive blood transfusion was given to 20.98%patients, 15.74% underwent hysterectomy, 32.13% required ICU admission. First and second delay was seen in 78.6% of patients with 86.2% deaths (p<0.001) CONCLUSION: Hemorrhage and hypertension are major reasons for near miss but timely intervention can prevent mortality. Strengthening care at primary and secondary level can reduce the burden of maternal morbidity.  Continuous...