Ascorbic acid-immobilized zinc selenide for electrochemical monitoring of hydrogen peroxide in liver cancer samples.

Liver cancer is globally the most frequent fatal malignancy, and its identification is critical for making clinical decisions about treatment options. Pathological diagnostics and contemporary imaging technologies provide insufficient information for tumor identification. Hydrogen peroxide (HO), an emerging biomarker is a powerful oxidant found in the tumor microenvironment, and stimulates the invasion, proliferation, and metastasis of liver cancer cells.

Metabolomics in Pakistan: A Comprehensive Analysis of Availability, Practices, and Challenges in Clinical Laboratories.

Objective: To comprehensively analyse the current state of metabolomics in clinical laboratories across Pakistan.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, from June to November 2022.

From Practice to Proficiency: Evaluation of a Novel Workplace-Based Assessment (WBA) in a Postgraduate Chemical Pathology Residency Program in Pakistan.

Introduction: A workplace-based assessment (WBA) model was implemented in the postgraduate (PG) residency program of Chemical Pathology at the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University (AKU). PGs were assessed using direct observation of practical skills (DOPS), evaluation of clinical events (ECE) and case-based discussion (CBD) on a virtual learning environment (VLE) platform.

Objectives: To evaluate WBA frequency, case mix, feedback, and satisfaction levels of faculty and PGs of Chemical Pathology at AKU.

Reference Intervals for Blood Chemistry Parameters in the Pakistani Population: A Systematic Review of Published Literature.

Background: Reference intervals (RI) are a vital part of information provided with laboratory results. It is recommended that RI should be established by each laboratory following pre-laid guidelines. In this systemic review, we aim to comprehensively analyze and summarize all the published literature about establishment of RI for biochemical parameters in Pakistani population.

Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of a Metalloprotease from Thermophilic Bacterium .

Proteases hydrolyze proteins and reduce them to smaller peptides or amino acids. Besides many biological processes, proteases play a crucial in different industrial applications. A 792 bp protease gene () from the thermophilic bacterium was cloned and expressed in BL21 using pET 50b (+).

Choosing the right equation for calculating indirect LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) in adult Pakistani population: Evaluation of seven equations using big data analytics.

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) contributes to the atherogenic process. However, direct LDL-C (d-LDL) has rarely been estimated by the gold standard method because it is cumbersome and expensive.

Structure based screening and molecular docking with dynamic simulation of natural secondary metabolites to target RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of five different retroviruses.

Viral diseases pose a serious global health threat due to their rapid transmission and widespread impact. The RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) participates in the synthesis, transcription, and replication of viral RNA in host. The current study investigates the antiviral potential of secondary metabolites particularly those derived from bacteria, fungi, and plants to develop novel medicines.

Harnessing the Power of Big Data Analytics-Estimation of Reference Intervals for Neonatal Serum TSH in Pakistan Using RefineR Algorithm.

Objective: To estimate the population-specific reference intervals (RIs) for neonatal thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in Pakistani neonates, utilising the refineR algorithm.

Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from 17th May to 30th November 2023.

Clinico-Biochemical Spectrum of Pakistani Patients with Glutaric Aciduria Type 1 (GA1): Experience from a Specialised Biochemical Genetics Laboratory in Pakistan.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical, radiological, and biochemical features of glutaric aciduria Type 1 (GA1) patients identified through urine organic acid testing at a biochemical genetics laboratory (BGL) in Pakistan.

Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2013 to December 2022.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Explore the Potential Mechanism of for the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a prevalent and potentially life-threatening disease that affects women worldwide. Natural products have gained attention as potential anticancer agents due to their fewer side effects, low toxicity, and cost effectiveness compared to traditional chemotherapy drugs. In the current study, the network pharmacology approach was used following a molecular docking study to evaluate the therapeutic potential of -derived phytochemicals against breast cancer.

Artificial Intelligence - Perception of Clinical Laboratories' Technical Staff a Nationwide Multicentre Survey in Pakistan.

Introduction: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology continues to assimilate into various industries, there is a huge scope in the healthcare industry specifically in clinical laboratories. The perspective of the laboratory professionals can give valuable insight on the ideal path to take for AI implementation.

Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design and was conducted at the section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi, Pakistan in collaboration with Consultant Pathologists of 9 clinical laboratories associated with teaching hospitals across Pakistan from October-November 2023.

Spurious Hyperphosphatemia in a Patient with Chronic Kidney Disease - a Rare Case of Alteplase Contamination.

Spurious hyperphosphatemia, a rare occurrence, typically arises from substances in a patient's blood interfering with the colorimetric method for serum phosphate measurement. We present a case of factitious hyperphosphatemia caused by alteplase-contaminated blood samples in an 88-year-old CKD patient on hemodialysis, leading to misleadingly high phosphorus levels. Thorough investigations ruled out other etiologies, highlighting the necessity of stringent adherence to blood collection protocols to prevent sample contamination and avert erroneous laboratory results.

Insights from semi-structured interviews on integrating artificial intelligence in clinical chemistry laboratory practices.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually transforming the practises of healthcare providers. Over the last two decades, the advent of AI into numerous aspects of pathology has opened transformative possibilities in how we practise laboratory medicine. Objectives of this study were to explore how AI could impact the clinical practices of professionals working in Clinical Chemistry laboratories, while also identifying effective strategies in medical education to facilitate the required changes.

Developing and piloting an online course on osteoporosis using a multidisciplinary multi-institute approach- a cross-sectional qualitative study.

Introduction: Postgraduate medical trainees (PGs) in developing nations face various educational hurdles due to limited access to quality resources and training facilities. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of e-learning, particularly Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), within postgraduate medical education. It involved the development of a customized online course focused on osteoporosis for PGs and an examination of their perspectives and preferences concerning online learning methods like Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) platforms.

Reporting Practices of Serum Protein Electrophoresis in Pakistan - a Multicenter Survey.

Background: Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPE) is crucial for the diagnosis and follow-up of monoclonal gammopathy (MG), as it helps to separate and identify these paraproteins. Currently, Pakistan lacks standardized guidelines for SPE reporting and analytical performance. This survey aims to analyze reporting variations from Consultant Chemical Pathologists in Pakistani laboratories.

Exploring the Potential of Plant Bioactive Compounds against Male Infertility: An In Silico and In Vivo Study.

Infertility is a well-recognized multifactorial problem affecting the majority of people who struggle with infertility issues. In recent times, among infertility cases, the male factor has acquired importance, and now it contributes to approximately half of the infertility cases because of different abnormalities. In the current study, we used natural phytochemicals as potential drug-lead compounds to target different receptor proteins that are involved in the onset of male infertility.

Assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice of osteoporosis among Pakistani women: A national social-media based survey.

Background: There are numerous risk factors for osteoporosis and understanding and recognizing these risk factors is critical when deciding whether to take preventive measures. It is critical to reduce the healthcare expenditure burden of the Pakistani population by raising awareness and implementing osteoporosis-preventable measures. This survey aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of Pakistani women as well as their misconceptions about osteoporosis.

Factors Associated With Awareness Of Literate Mothers About Newborn Screening: A Cross-Sectional Study From A Low-Middle-Income Country.

Objectives: To explore the awarenesslevel of literate mothersregarding newborn screening programmes, and to evaluate the associated factors.

Methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology andLaboratoryMedicine,AgaKhanUniversity,Karachi,fromJanuary toSeptember 2021, andcomprisedmothers aged 18 years or more. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire about newborn screening, and the subjects were compared in terms of age, residential background, education and parity.

Underlying Mechanisms of spp. to Treat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using an Integrated Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common and fatal cancer reported, representing 72.5% of malignancies around the world. The majority of HCC incidents have been associated with infections caused by hepatitis B and C viruses.

Sequence variants in the BTD underlying biotinidase deficiency in families of Pakistani origin.

Background: Biotinidase deficiency (BTD) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disease, which develops neurological symptoms because of the impaired biotin recycling. Pathogenic mutations on BTD gene cause BTD deficiency. The clinical features and mutation analysis of Pakistani children with BTD deficiency have rarely been described.

Indirect Reference Intervals of Serum Calcium in Pakistani Children Using KOSMIC, Bhattacharya, and Hoffman Approach.

Background: Reference intervals (RIs) of serum calcium vary based on age, population demographics, and methods of assessment. However, conventional approaches to establish serum calcium (Ca)RIs pose ethical and practical challenges, especially in the pediatric population. Hence, the use of indirect approaches is beneficial.