The pertinence of resistin gene single nucleotide polymorphism G > A and its expression in oral cancer.

Background/aim: Oral cancer (OC) is the leading cause of fatalities in Pakistan among males due to inadequate oral hygiene and chewing habits. However, genetic susceptibility patterns also play a critical role in disease progression. Since the frequency of Resistin (RETN) SNP (Single nucleotide polymorphism) rs3219175 is unknown; there is a requirement for early diagnosis of the OC.

BRAF mutations and the association of V600E with CD133 and CDX2 expression in a Pakistani colorectal carcinoma cohort.

Background: Despite a high incidence of colorectal carcinoma, data regarding genetic aberrations in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients in Pakistan is scarce. This study aimed to determine the frequency of BRAFV600E mutations in colorectal carcinoma tissue in the Pakistani population and to associate BRAFV600E expression with CD133, a marker of colorectal stem cells, and CDX2 marker of differentiation.

Methods: Sanger Sequencing of exon 15 (426 bp) including the hotspot V600E was performed on formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CRC tissue samples of 115 patients.

Inflammatory markers and COVID-19 disease progression.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global humanitarian crisis. Despite ongoing research, transmission risks and many disease characteristics remained unclear. Most patients have displayed elevated levels of certain inflammatory markers, which we sought to investigate further in relation to disease severity.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) polymorphisms and susceptibility of severe SARS-CoV-2 in a subset of Pakistani population.

Science is digging for the varied presentation of COVID-19 patients exposed to the same risk factors, and medical conditions may be influenced by the presence of polymorphic genetic variants. This study investigated the link between ACE2 gene polymorphisms and the severity of SARS-CoV-2. This cross-sectional study recruited COVID-19 PCR-positive patients by consecutive sampling from Ziauddin Hospital from April to September 2020.

A rare case of intraoral schwannoma in gingiva.

Background: Schwannomas are benign, slow-growing encapsulated nodular lesions. As for the most benign encapsulated lesions, the treatment of choice is complete removal of the entire tissue with preservation of surrounding tissue.

Methods And Results: The case presented is that of a 35-year-old female with the chief complaint of swelling on her gums in the lower left posterior region.

Hormonal and genetic risk factors for breast cancer in a subset of the Karachi population.

Objective: Appraisement of vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms is thought to be crucial to detect and make approaches targeting groups at risk for breast cancer (BC). Moreover, an understanding of genetic susceptibility can allow us to foresee several risk factors. The objective of our research is to evaluate the T to C base shift within TaqI (rs731236) in exon 9 and the A to G transition within Bsm1 (rs1544410) in intron 8 of the VDR gene as risk factors among BC patients.

Evaluation of serum neuron specific enolase levels among patients with primary and secondary burning mouth syndrome.

Introduction: Burning mouth syndrome is a painful condition of the oral cavity with ambiguous pathogenesis and diagnosis. Neuron-specific enolase is increased in several conditions including peripheral neuropathy of diabetes, ophthalmopathies, spinal cord injuries and tumors. Evidence on association of burning mouth syndrome and neuron-specific enolase is limited.

Life-time tobacco consumption and oral cancer among citizens of a high incidence metropolis.

Objective: To analyse dose-response relationship between the common risk factor of tobacco consumption and oral lesions like squamous cell carcinoma and pre-cancerous lesions.

Methods: The cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Ziauddin University, Karachi from 2011 to 2016, and comprised histologically-confirmed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma in group A, clinically-diagnosed oral pre-cancerous lesions in group B, and habit-matched controls in group C. The subjects were enrolled from 2011 to 2016.

Evaluation of Osteocalcin Levels in Saliva of Periodontitis Patients and Their Correlation with the Disease Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives:  The present study aimed to investigate osteocalcin levels in saliva of healthy and periodontitis patients and correlate these levels with periodontitis severity.

Materials And Methods:  This cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital setup. A total of 95 individuals participated in the study with 46 subjects in group I (healthy individuals) and 49 subjects in group II (mild, moderate, and severe chronic periodontitis patients).

Bone Turnover Markers in Chronic Periodontitis: A Literature Review.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is a multifactorial oral inflammatory disease characterized by progressive destruction of bone and ultimate tooth loss. The alarming rise in the prevalence of periodontitis has led to the development of innovative diagnostic techniques. Several quantifiable biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva of chronic periodontitis patients have been detected in the field of oral fluid diagnostics.

The GlucoCoper - An Exploratory Study to Assess Coping Mechanisms of Women Diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes distress can be managed effectively by coping-skill training. To improve coping skills, one must begin by analysing current coping styles of an individual. The GlucoCoper has been developed as a brief, simple, easy-to-administer tool for assessing the coping mechanism of people with diabetes mellitus.

Cytokine levels and their role in the etiopathogenesis of Burning Mouth Syndrome: A systematic review.

Introduction: Burning Mouth Syndrome is characterized by variable symptoms that include pain, burning and paraguesia in an otherwise healthy-appearing oral mucosa. Although the etiopathogenesis of Burning Mouth Syndrome is unknown, some studies provide evidence of subclinical inflammation leading to disrupted cytokine levels.

Aim: To investigate the expression of cytokines and role in the etiopathogenesis of Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Serum Metabolomic Profiles for Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Grading and Staging by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Detection of metabolic signature for breast cancer (BC) has the potential to improve patient prognosis. This study identified potentially significant metabolites differentiating between breast cancer patients and healthy controls to help in diagnosis, grading, staging and determination of neoadjuvant status. Serum was collected from 152 pre-operative breast cancer (BC) patients and 155 healthy controls in this case-controlled study.

Correlation of Hormone Receptor and HER2/neu Expression with Clinicopathologic Parameters in Primary Breast Tumors.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a major health issue worldwide as well as in Pakistan. All women belonging to any race, ethnicity or lineage are in danger of developing breast cancer. Significant factors influencing the development of breast malignancies are the genetic background, environmental conditions, reproductive parameters, the consequences of female hormones both intrinsic and extrinsic, alteration of immune status, and biologic determinants.

Do VDR Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the first or second leading cancer among females across the globe. A large number of studies have been conducted to assess any relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and breast cancer development. Epidemiological studies have indicated that ethnic traits exhibited by a group of people with a common ancestry and culture, alter the link between VDR gene and breast cancer.

Differential expression of phophatase and tensin homologue in normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic endometrium.

Objectives: To observe the differential expression of phophatase and tensin homologue in normal proliferative, hyperplastic and malignant endometrial lesions.

Methods: .The retrospective study was based on the analysis of endometrial samples, both hysterectomies and curettage, received at the department of pathology Basic Medical Sciences Institute at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010.

Key to successful vesico-vaginal fistula repair--an experience of urogenital fistula surgeries and outcome at gynaecological surgical camp-2005.

Background: Vesico-vaginal fistula is not life threatening medical problem, but the woman face demoralization, social boycott and even divorce and separation. The aetiology of the condition has been changed over the years and in developed countries obstetrical fistula are rare and they are usually result of gynaecological surgeries or radiotherapy. Urogenital fistula surgery doesn't require special or advance technology but needs experienced urogynaecologist with trained team and post operative care which can restore health, hope & sense of dignity to women.