Esophageal cancer patient survival: A retrospective study from a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the pattern, tumor characteristics of esophageal cancer (EC) and survival of esophageal carcinoma patients presenting to upper GI Unit at Dr. Ruth K.M.

Three-staged minimally invasive esophagectomy with end-to-end esophago-gastric anastomosis for thoracic esophageal cancers: An experience from a low middle-income country.

Background: Esophageal cancer is on a steady rise and carries significant mortality and morbidity. Depending upon the clinical stage at presentation, either chemotherapy, radiotherapy with or without surgical resection is the treatments in practice. Traditionally, open esophagectomy was performed but over time, the importance of minimally invasive esophagectomy has been established.

Comparison of the Disease Severity and Outcome of Vaccinated COVID-19 Patients with Unvaccinated Patients in a Specialized COVID-19 Facility: A Retrospective Cohort Study from Karachi, Pakistan.

We compared the clinical characteristics and outcome of vaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients with unvaccinated hospitalized COVID-19 patients. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Center, Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 1407 hospitalized COVID-19 positive patients were included from April 2021 to March 2022, of which 812 (57.

Design and Immunoinformatic Assessment of Candidate Multivariant mRNA Vaccine Construct against Immune Escape Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

To effectively counter the evolving threat of SARS-CoV-2 variants, modifications and/or redesigning of mRNA vaccine construct are essentially required. Herein, the design and immunoinformatic assessment of a candidate novel mRNA vaccine construct, DOW-21, are discussed. Briefly, immunologically important domains, N-terminal domain (NTD) and receptor binding domain (RBD), of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) and variants of interest (VOIs) were assessed for sequence, structure, and epitope variations.

Hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 IVIG (C-IVIG) treatment in severe and critical COVID-19 patients: A phase I/II randomized control trial.

Background: Hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) is an unexplored therapy amidst the rapidly evolving spectrum of medical therapies for COVID-19 and is expected to counter the three most life-threatening consequences of COVID-19 including lung injury by the virus, cytokine storm and sepsis.

Methods: A single center, phase I/II, randomized controlled, single-blinded trial was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Participants were COVID-19 infected individuals, classified as either severely or critically ill with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Production of hyperimmune anti-SARS-CoV-2 intravenous immunoglobulin from pooled COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

This study assesses the feasibility of producing hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 intravenously administrable immunoglobulin (C-IVIG) from pooled convalescent plasma (PCP) to provide a safe and effective passive immunization treatment option for COVID-19. PCP was fractionated by modified caprylic acid precipitation followed by ultrafiltration/diafiltration to produce hyperimmune C-IVIG. In C-IVIG, the mean SARS-CoV-2 antibody level was found to be threefold (104 ± 30 cut-off index) that of the PCP (36 ± 8.

Hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 IVIG (C-IVIG) Therapy for Passive Immunization of Severe and Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: The aim of this trial is to investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of passive immunization therapy through Hyperimmune anti-COVID-19 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (C-IVIG: 5% liquid formulation), on severe and critically ill patients with COVID-19.

Trial Design: This is a phase I/II single centre, randomised controlled, single-blinded, superiority trial, through parallel-group design with sequential assignment. Participants will be randomised either to receive both C-IVIG and standard care or only standard care (4:1).

Atypical Presentation of Hydatid Cyst in the Thigh.

To emphasise that hydatid cyst disease can present as a soft tissue mass even in an unusual site like the thigh, we report the case of a 21-year male patient who presented to Surgical Unit IV, Civil Hospital, Karachi, with a slow growing cystic swelling on the medial aspect of the left thigh. Based on serology and imaging, a diagnosis of solitary subcutaneous hydatid cyst thigh was made and cystopericystectomy was performed. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis.

Pancreas Divisum.

Objective: To evaluate the complications, technical success, diagnostic evaluation and various endoscopic management options in patients with pancreas divisum.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Endoscopy Suite, Surgical Unit 4, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from January 2007 to December 2013.

Frequency and risk factors in the post-ERCP pancreatitis in a tertiary care centre.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and associated factors in the post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Endoscopy Suite of Surgical Unit IV, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from December 2009 to November 2010.

Endoscopic management of post operative bile duct injuries.

Objective: To evaluate the pattern of post-operative bile duct injuries and their subsequent endoscopic management.

Methods: The prospective, non-randomised, cross-sectional study was conducted at the endoscopic suite of Surgical Unit-IV of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, over a period of three years. A total of 97 patients were included in the study.

Flexible sigmoidoscopic findings in patients with fresh rectal bleeding.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy can diagnose majority of pathologies in patients with rectal bleeding and is less demanding than colonoscopy. Frequency of different findings in patients with rectal bleeding on flexible sigmoidoscopy was considered. Out of a total of 215 patients, 133 (61.