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.

Mortality in Patients of COVID-19 Infection: Biochemical Markers and its Cut-off Values for Predicting Outcome.

Objective: To determine the efficacy and cut-off values of C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum ferritin, and D-dimer for predicting mortality of COVID-19 infection.

Study Design: Observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Medicine, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore from January to May 2021.

Effect of adding daclatasvir in sofosbuvir-based therapy in genotype 3 hepatitis C: real-world experience in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine real-world effect of adding daclatasvir (DCV) to chronic hepatitis C treatment by comparing sustained viral response of sofosbuvir (SOF)/DCV±ribavirin (RBV) and SOF+RBV combination in patients with genotype 3 hepatitis C.

Patients And Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis C, genotype 3, presenting at the DHMC Hepatology Clinic from October 2014 till March 2018 were treated initially with 6 months of SOF/RBV, and once DCV was available, with SOF/DCV±RBV for 3 or 6 months. Negative hepatitis C virus RNA by PCR, sustained viral response 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12), was the primary end point for per-protocol analysis.

Cephalosporin resistance in community acquired spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Objective: To determine 3 generation cephalosporin resistance in patients with community-acquired spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) using early response assessment.

Methods: This prospective quasi-experimental study was carried out at Doctors Hospital & Medical Center from January 2016 to September 2018. Patients with cirrhosis and SBP were included.

Perception of educational environment: Does it impact academic performance of medical students?

Objective: To compare environmental perception as measured by the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure of students with high and low academic performance.

Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala, Pakistan, and comprised medical students. Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure questionnaire with 50 items was used to determine students' perception of the institutional environment.