Assessment of the proteome profile of decellularized human amniotic membrane and its biocompatibility with umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Extracellular matrix-based bio-scaffolds are useful for tissue engineering as they retain the unique structural, mechanical, and physiological microenvironment of the tissue thus facilitating cellular attachment and matrix activities. However, considering its potential, a comprehensive understanding of the protein profile remains elusive. Herein, we evaluate the impact of decellularization on the human amniotic membrane (hAM) based on its proteome profile, physicochemical features, as well as the attachment, viability, and proliferation of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSC).

The role of epigenetic modifiers in the hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Human umbilical cord (hUC) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be progressively differentiated into multiple lineages including hepatic lineages, and thus provide an excellent in vitro model system for the study of hepatic differentiation. At present, hepatic differentiation protocols are based on the use of soluble chemicals in the culture medium and provide immature hepatic like cells. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi) are two important epigenetic modifiers that regulate stem cell differentiation.

Genetic reprogramming of cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells towards human induced pluripotent stem cells using episomal plasmids.

Objective: This study aimed to isolate human umbilical cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) followed by their integration free reprogramming towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and molecular characterization of both cell types using multicolour flowcytometery and immunofluorescence respectively.

Methods: The cord blood was collected from 37-39 weeks of gestational ages after C-section ex-utero from Dow University Hospital. The ECFCs isolated after ficoll based separation of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMNCs) which on emergence characterized through flow cytometry and reprogrammed towards induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using episomal vectors, the iPSCs were characterized using immunofluorescence.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Correlation between clinical hyperandrogenism, anthropometric, metabolic and endocrine parameters.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between clinical hyperandrogenism-hirsutism assessed by modified Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) score, anthropometric, metabolic and endocrine parameters among PCOS infertile women.

Methods: This observational study after approval of FRC & ERC of BUMDC was conducted from September 2018-March 2019. It included seventy women aged 20-40 years who presented in infertility clinic of a local Hospital in Karachi.

Metformin for preventing gestational diabetes in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Objective: To assess the effect of metformin in controlling Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Study Design: Comparative cohort study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Gynecology Clinics of Mamji Hospital, Karachi, from 2008 to 2010.

Metformin treatment in type 2 diabetes in pregnancy: an active controlled, parallel-group, randomized, open label study in patients with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy.

Aims: To assess the effect of metformin and to compare it with insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy in terms of perinatal outcome, maternal complications, additional insulin requirement, and treatment acceptability.

Methods: In this randomized, open label study, 206 patients with type 2 diabetes in pregnancy who met the eligibility criteria were selected from the antenatal clinics. Insulin was added to metformin treatment when required, to maintain the target glycemic control.