Malignant and Non-Malignant Causes of Hypercalcemia: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Hypercalcemia is a common electrolyte abnormality presenting with a variety of symptoms. The common causes are primary hyperparathyroidism and malignancy associated with hypercalcemia. However, iatrogenic hypercalcemia with the overzealous use of vitamin D has now emerged as another important cause of hypercalcemia over the past decade.

Development, Characterization, and Evaluation of SLN-Loaded Thermoresponsive Hydrogel System of Topotecan as Biological Macromolecule for Colorectal Delivery.

Background: Chemotherapeutic drugs cause severe toxicities if administered unprotected, without proper targeting, and controlled release. In this study, we developed topotecan- (TPT-) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for their chemotherapeutic effect against colorectal cancer. The TPT-SLNs were further incorporated into a thermoresponsive hydrogel system (TRHS) (TPT-SLNs-TRHS) to ensure control release and reduce toxicity of the drug.

Synthesis, spectral analysis and biological evaluation of 2-{[(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl]thio}-5-phenyl/aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives.

A series of new derivatives of 4-(2-chloroethyl)morpholine hydrochloride (5) were efficiently synthesized. Briefly, different aromatic organic acids (1a-f) were refluxed to acquire respective esters (2a-f) using conc. HSO as catalyst.

Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma: the youngest case reported.

Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) is a rare variant of the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. It has an aggressive clinical course and a high rate of recurrence. EIMS primarily affects children and young adults.

Latcripin-7A from Lentinula edodes C induces apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in human gastric cancer cells via inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Gastric cancer (G.C) is one of the most lethal cancer types worldwide. Current treatment requires surgery along with chemotherapy, which causes obstacles for speedy recovery.

Exogenous silicon and hydrogen sulfide alleviates the simultaneously occurring drought stress and leaf rust infection in wheat.

Silicon (Si) and hydrogen sulfide (HS) are known to enhance plant defense against multiple stresses. Current study was conducted to investigate the application of Si and HS alone as well as in combination, improved physiological resilience of wheat plants to drought stress (DS) and pathogen-Puccinia triticina (Pt) infection. We aimed to increase the wheat plant growth and to enhance the DS tolerance and Pt resistance with the concurrent applications of HS and Si.

Chitosan-anthracene hydrogels as controlled stiffening networks.

In this study, we report the synthesis of single and dual-crosslinked anthracene-functional chitosan-based hydrogels in the absence of toxic initiators. Single crosslinking was achieved through dimerization of anthracene, whereas dual-crosslinked hydrogel was formed through dimerization of anthracene and free radical photopolymerization of methacrylated-chitosan in the presence of non-toxic initiator riboflavin, a well-known vitamin B2. Both single and dual-crosslinked hydrogels were found to be elastic, as was determined through rheological analysis.

Energy storage properties of hydrothermally processed ultrathin 2D binder-free ZnCoOnanosheets.

High energy-density supercapacitors (SCs) with long operating life, cost-effective, and competitive cycling performance is attracted great research attention to competing in the requirements of the modern age. However, despite these benefits, SC hampers inadequate rate-capability and structural deterioration, which primarily affects its commercialization. Herein, ultra-thin two-dimensional (2D) ZnCoOnanosheets areanchored on the conductive surface of nickel foam (denoted as ZCO@NF) by hydrothermal process.

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Menin Localization in Developing Murine Brain: Co-Expression with the Elements of Cholinergic Synaptic Machinery.

Menin, a product of (multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1) gene is an important regulator of tissue development and maintenance; its perturbation results in multiple tumors-primarily of the endocrine tissue. Despite its abundance in the developing central nervous system (CNS), our understanding of menin's role remains limited. Recently, we discovered menin to play an important role in cholinergic synaptogenesis in the CNS, whereas others have shown its involvement in learning, memory, depression and apoptosis.

Tailoring the bandgap of MnO for visible light driven photocatalysis.

The photocatalytic activity of pure MnO and silver (Ag) modified MnO nanoparticles have been investigated. The nanoparticles were prepared by using co-precipitation technique. The structural analysis showed that the Ag modified MnO was successfully synthesized.

Neural Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells-An Approach to Profile DNA Methylation of Reprogramming Factor Sox2-SRR2.

Sox2 is one of the core transcription factors maintaining the embryonic stem cells (ES) pluripotency and, also indispensable for cellular reprogramming. However, limited data is available about the DNA methylation of pluripotency genes during lineage-specific differentiations. This study investigated the DNA methylation of Sox2 regulatory region 2 (SRR2) during directed differentiation of mouse ES into neural lineage.

In Silico Validation, Fabrication and Evaluation of Nano-Liposomes of Bistorta amplexicaulis Extract for Improved Anticancer Activity Against Hepatoma Cell Line (HepG2).

Background: Bistorta amplexicaulis of the genus Polygonum (Polygonaceae) has been reported for its antioxidant and anticancer activities. However, the low cellular uptake of the compounds in its extract limits its therapeutic application.

Objectives: The present study aimed at developing a nanoliposomal carrier system for B.

Experience of physicians during COVID-19 in a developing country: a qualitative study of Pakistan.

COVID-19 spread rapidly and jeopardised the physicians with not only treatment but also with limited resources and new working style. This study aimed to investigate the experience of physicians in Pakistan as frontline workers for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The study employed a qualitative design and used Haas's adaptation of Colaizzi method for analysis.

A synthetic peptide rescues rat cortical neurons from anesthetic-induced cell death, perturbation of growth and synaptic assembly.

Anesthetics are deemed necessary for all major surgical procedures. However, they have also been found to exert neurotoxic effects when tested on various experimental models, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Earlier studies have implicated mitochondrial fragmentation as a potential target of anesthetic-induced toxicity, although clinical strategies to protect their structure and function remain sparse.

Macrophage targeting with the novel carbopol-based miltefosine-loaded transfersomal gel for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: and analyses.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop novel carbopol-based miltefosine-loaded transfersomal gel (HePCTG) for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) efficient targeting of leishmania infected macrophages.

Methods: Miltefosine-loaded transfersomes (HePCT) were prepared by ethanol injection method followed by their incorporation into carbopol gel to form HePCTG. The prepared HePCT were assessed for physicochemical properties including mean particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, morphology, and deformability.

Structural Morphology of Rabbit Patella and Suprapatella Cartilage by Microscopic MRI and Polarized Light Microscopy.

Objective: In order to appreciate the roles articular cartilage of sesamoid bones and sesamoid fibrocartilage play in anatomy and pathology, the articular cartilage of the patella ( = 4) and suprapatella ( = 4) (a sesamoid fibrocartilage) of 12 to 14 weeks old New Zealand rabbits were studied qualitatively and quantitatively.

Design/method: The intact knee joints and block specimens from the joints were imaged using microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (µMRI) at a 97.6-µm pixel resolution for the former and 19.

Aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates in community acquired pneumonia patients at Asir region, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Community acquired pneumonia is a commonly presenting respiratory tract infection around the world. Its treatment is problematic at times because of diversity of infecting organisms and change in susceptibility pattern to commonly prescribed antimicrobials.

Methods: This was a single centred prospective cross sectional study.

A Case Report Emphasizing the Importance of Early Diagnosis and Management of Intracranial Germinoma.

Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) account for 3%-5% of all intracranial tumors. They commonly manifest during first two decades of life. We are reporting a case of a young female, who presented with progressive visual loss, polyuria and polydipsia, harboring an intracranial GCT.

Prediction of putative epitope-based vaccine against all corona virus strains for the Chinese population: Approach toward development of vaccine.

Currently, the whole world is facing the coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. As of now, approximately 0.15 million people around the globe are infected with the novel coronavirus.

Scattering of Light from the Systemic Circulatory System.

There are many factors of methodological origin that influence the measurement of optical properties of the entire circulatory system which consists of blood as the basic component. The basic idea of this review article is to provide the optical properties of the circulatory system with all those factors of influence that have been employed in biomedical optics for different applications. We begin with the available optical properties, i.

Prevalence of inflammatory back pain and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in a semi-urban community of Lahore, Pakistan.

Aims: To determine the prevalence of inflammatory back pain (IBP) and radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in a semi-urban community of Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: This cross-sectional household survey was designed as per the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) model. In Phase 1, the subjects were interviewed for musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in the last 7 days by clinical assistants.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of impact of baseline thrombocytopenia on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Thrombocytopenia (TP) is associated with higher incidence of bleeding in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of baseline thrombocytopenia (bTP) on cardiovascular outcomes in patients undergoing PCI.

Methods: Literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library and clinicaltrials.

Role Of Alteration Of Ck5\6 Profile In Dysplastic Progression Of Oral Mucosa In Tobacco Users.

Background: To determine staining expression of CK5\6 in healthy oral mucosa and various grades of oral dysplasia and to find out possible association of CK5\6 expression in dysplastic transformation of clinically normal oral mucosa to various grades of oral dysplasia.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was done at Al-Tibri Medical College and Hospital and Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi from March 2018 to November 2018. It included 120 diagnosed paraffin embedded tissue samples of normal oral mucosa and various grades of oral epithelial dysplastic lesions.