Human papilloma virus 16/18: Fabricator of trouble in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aim: To find out the association between Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) genotypes 16/18 in Pakistani patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: DNA from oral rinse of 300 subjects was taken. The subjects included 100 cases with OSCC and 200 controls. Samples were analyzed by both conventional and real time PCR using “HPV consensus Gp5+/Gp6+ and HPV 16, 18 specific primers”. Results: Out of 300 persons, 74/300 (25%) were found to be infected with HPV: “46/100(46%) from cases and 74/200(14%) from controls”. The distribution was: HPV16, 6/300 (8%): 4/100 (9%) from OSCC group and 2/200 (8%) from controls while HPV 18 was 9/300(12%): 5/100(11%) from cases and 4/200(16%) from controls. Out of 300 subjects, 26(35%) were infected by “both HPV 16/18 (23(50%) from cases and 3(12%) from controls”. Persons who were infected with HPV 16&18 had higher chances to develop OSCC as compared to those who didn’t have HPV 16/18 (AOR: 21.4, 95% CI: 5.73 – 80.8). Conclusion: The exposure to high risk strains of Human papilloma virus (16/18) in combination can be fabricotor of trouble (p < 0.001, Adjusted odds ratio; 21.42) in OSCC. Keywords: Human papilloma virus 16/18, Oral squamous cell carcinoma, Real time PCR, Pakista

The Assessment of Self Care Practices amongst Diabetic Patients of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease and with rapidly increasing prevalence, it requires continuous diabetic care beyond just glycemic control. It needs continuous self-management and multi factorial risk reduction strategies. This study aims to assess the self-care practices of diabetic patients living in Rawalpindi and to determine the relationship of sociodemographic characteristics with their self-care practices. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two private diabetic clinics of Rawalpindi from February to July 2022. A validated structured questionnaire using Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) scale was administered to assess self-care practices of the study participants. A total of 230 participants through convenience sampling aged 25 to 86 years were recruited in the survey. SPSS version 22 was used to carry out the statistical analysis. Results: The current study comprised of 107(46.5%) males and 123 (53.5%) females with mean age of 54.85 ±12.41 years.&nbsp; Among them, 65.2% had adequate self-care practices. It was found that marital status (p=0.004), educational status (p=0.002), monthly income (p=0.001) and duration of diabetes (p=0.006) were significantly associated with self-care practices of the participants. Conclusion: More than half of the participants had adequate self-care practices. Sociodemographic variables like marital status, education, monthly household income and duration of diabetes were significantly associated with the self-care practices of diabetic patients. Key words: Diabetes Mellitus, Pakistan, Self-Care, Self- Management, Surve

Candida-Candida and Candida-Staphylococcus species interactions in in-vitro dual-species biofilms

Objective: In present study, interaction between different Candida species and also their interaction with Staphylococcus species were investigated in mono and dual-species biofilm model. Methods: Resistant and weak biofilms former Candida(C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. krusi) and Staphylococcus species (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. saprophyticus) alongwith ATCC isolates were used in mono and different dual-species combinations for estimation of biofilms by crystal violet (CV) biofilm biomass assay and XTT reduction assay. Aspartyl proteinase activity of Candida species was also measured in these developed biofilms. Results: CV assay showed increased in biofilm biomass after 48 h of incubation in developed mono and dual-species biofilms. XTT reduction assay showed overall decreasing trend in metabolic rate in biofilms after 48 h of incubation. All three Candida species with each other in dual-species in-vitro biofilms showed antagonistic behaviour. Biofilm biomass production was raised for C. albicans and C. glabrata dual-specie biofilm with allStaphylococcus species except with clinical isolate of S. aureus and in C. glabrata-S. epidermidis dual-specie biofilm. ATCC and clinical isolate of Candida showed markedly decrease aspartyle proteinase activity when co-cultured withStaphylococcuscompared to when it was cultured alone.&nbsp

COVID 19 Vaccination Related Misconceptions and Myths

Background: Mass vaccination is the most effective way to fight against COVID 19 but a significant number of people are unwilling to be vaccinated, mainly due to misinformation and false beliefs, associated with this drive. The objective of this study was to identify these misconceptions and myths and associate them with sociodemographic factors. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was conducted on 562 residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad from July 2021 to November 2021. Data was collected through structured questionnaire both in English and Urdu, analysed by SPSS version 23. χ2-test was used to check the association of categorical data with sociodemographic factors. Results:&nbsp; Out of all the participants, 328 (58.4%) had received COVID19 vaccination. Among these vaccinated individuals, 81.8% were graduates or above and 74.2% had family income more than Rs.50,000. Out of total, 40.7% respondents believed that, vaccine is harmful for diabetics, hypertensive and heart patients, 40.6% agreed that it is not safe for pregnant or lactating women and 40.4% assumed that they have acquired immunity through natural infection. A strong association of misconceptions and myths was found with residence (p value 0.0001), educational level (p value 0.0010) and monthly income (p value 0.0001). Conclusion: Several misconceptions and myths are related with COVID 19 vaccination, strongly influenced by various socio demographic. Hence, there is a need to launch various campaigns regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccination. Key words: COVID-19, Misinformation, Vaccin