Establishment of a patient and public involvement and engagement group to support clinical trials in Pakistan: Initial lessons learned.

Background: Patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) in clinical trials is increasingly recognized as vital for ensuring research relevance and accessibility. Despite its proven benefits, PPIE remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and more examples of effective strategies for involvement are needed. This commentary outlines the establishment of a PPIE group for clinical trials in a lower-middle-income country setting with limited research infrastructure.

TUSC3, p53 and p21 genetic association with development of oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma among addictive tobacco chewers of Pakistan.

Background: This study delves into the intricate landscape of oral cancer, a global concern with a high incidence in Asian countries. We focus on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), primarily driven by the consumption of betel nut and its derivatives. OSCC often arises from premalignant lesions like oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

Decreased muscle strength in adjuvant-induced rheumatoid arthritis animal model: A relationship to behavioural assessments.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder with unknown aetiology. Patients suffering from RA face persistent pain due to joint inflammation, and tissue destruction. Behavioural phenotyping is an approach to target the role of different behavioural traits associated with disease progression.

Mutations in PGRN gene associated with the risk of psoriasis in Pakistan: a case control study.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, papulosquamous skin disorder, characterized by the formation of drop-like papules and silvery-white plaques surrounded by reddened or inflamed skin, existing predominantly on the scalp, knees and elbows. The characteristic inflammation and hyperproliferation of keratinocytes in psoriasis is regulated by progranulin (PGRN), which suppresses the expression and release of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α.

Methodology: In this study mutation analysis of the PGRN gene was performed by extracting the genomic DNA from blood samples of 171 diagnosed psoriasis patients and controls through standard salting-out method, followed by amplification and sequencing of the targeted region of exon 5-7 of PGRN gene.

Bioaccumulation of Chloropyrifos Organo-pesticide and Its Toxicogenic Association with Antioxidant GSTP1 in Pakistani Pest Control Workers.

Synthetic pesticides are employed to enhance agricultural production. Chronic exposure to organophosphate (OP) pesticides may be a source of health problems. The present study was designed to examine an association of GSTP1 (rs1695) polymorphism with OP pesticide chronic exposure.

Hyperfunction variant rs708035 of interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinases 2 gene involved in the predisposition of leprosy infection.

Background: Mycobacterium leprae (slow-growing bacteria) is the etiological agent for leprosy infection, which is a chronic granulomatous disease. Symptoms initiate with the loss of sensation in the affected areas, which can lead to severe injuries, cuts and burns. IRAK2 (interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases 2) is reported to function in the regulation of the NFκB pathway.

Association of serum vitamin D levels and TaqIrs731236 among patients with hypertensive coronary heart disease.

The development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is influenced through multiple risk factor and hypertension. It may increase the risk of cardiac events, and has a significant impact when combined with other risk factors including low levels of vitamin D and genetic variations like single nucleotide variations (SNV) (TaqIrs731236) in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Blood samples from 500 study participants gathered including 250 hypertensive coronary heart disease patients, 250 age and gender matched healthy controls.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs3736228 and rs4988321) in low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-5 gene with predisposition to rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: LRP5 (Lipoprotein Receptor 5) is one of the representatives of the low-density lipoprotein receptors family that play a crucial role in the process of bone homeostasis and bone remodeling. The role of LRP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs3736228 and rs4988321 has been associated with the susceptibility to osteoporosis and bone fracture. The frequency of mentioned LRP5 SNPs is unknown among RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) patients.

The role of institutional factors and cognitive absorption on students' satisfaction and performance in online learning during COVID 19.

With the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a severe negative impact on all aspects of life, whether it be a job, business, health, education, etc. As a result, institutions, schools, colleges and universities are being shut down globally to control the spread of Covid-19. Due to this reason, the mode of education has a dramatic shift from on-campus to online learning with virtual teaching using digital technologies.

Insights of OPs and PYR cytotoxic potential Invitro and genotoxic impact on PON1 genetic variant among exposed workers in Pakistan.

Different pesticide chemicals are used to enhance crop yield by protecting from pests. Organophosphate (OPs) and Pyrethroid (PYR) are used in fields of Sanghar, Sindh Pakistan. PON1 an antioxidant enzyme implicated in OPs detoxification may predispose by OPs chronic exposure.

Multi-locus SNP analyses of interleukin 1 receptor associated kinases 2 gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: The genetic polymorphisms (rs708035, rs3844283) of Interleukin-1 receptor associated kinases 2 (IRAK2) is involved in the NFκB regulatory pathway. The frequencies of IRAK2 gene are unknown in Pakistani population. Therefore, the study was designed to examine the association of targeted single nucleotide polymorphism(s) in IRAK2 gene of RA patients.

Effect of soft and prolonged Graeco-Arabic massage in low back pain - A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Low back pain (waja-uz-zahr) due to lumbar spondylosis affects approximately 60-80% of the population at any point of life. The present study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy of soft and prolonged massage with roghan-i-suranjan on low back pain.

Material And Methods: Clinically and radiologically diagnosed patients of low back pain were randomized into test and control groups consisting 20 patients in each group.

Bibliometric Analysis of Post Covid-19 Management Strategies and Policies in Hospitality and Tourism.

The strategic perspective of management policies gained utmost importance during the post-Covid era. The researchers are trying to introduce strategies that can help organizations cope with post-crisis destruction. Yet, the research on the topic is fragmented, mainly related to the hospitality and tourism industry.

Students' Performance in Online Learning Environment: The Role of Task Technology Fit and Actual Usage of System During COVID-19.

The 2019 Pandemic has forced students to take online classes, increasing their stress levels and negatively impacting their academic performance. This issue urges the development of a mechanism to make online learning more effective in this nerve-racking time. Therefore, the present study has integrated the task technology fit (TTF) model and the DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success (DMISM) to address the stated issue.

Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism TaqI (rs731236) and its association with the susceptibility to coronary artery disease among Pakistani population.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of mortality in Pakistan and also worldwide. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates the transcription of many genes and has a significant impact on inflammation and the morphology of cardiac cells. Genetic variation in the VDR gene such as the TaqI polymorphism (rs731236) may have an impact that causes adverse effects.

Effect of Arjun āl on cardiovascular risk factors - a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases have a multifaceted, it causes modern epidemic; Recognizing in the risk factor stage, is crucial, given the risk of progression to cardiovascular disease. Ibn Sīnā, described CVDs as a resultant of gradual derangement of (Nutritive faculty); in which management with (diet), (regimens), (drug) has been received. To evaluate the effect of Arjun Chāl () in CVD risk factors.

Addiction of tobacco chewing and smoking in the patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A descriptive epidemiological study in Pakistan.

Objective: The associated risk factors for the majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are tobacco and betel nut abuse, while there also seems to be a rising proportion of patients who report no history of tobacco or betel nut usage. Therefore, objective of the study was to find out potential risk factors and demographics of HNSCC patients addicted to tobacco and/or betel nut, as well as non-addicted patients.

Methods: This epidemiological study was conducted in Karachi Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi, and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) from January to December 2016.

Association analysis and allelic distribution of deletion in CC chemokine receptor 5 gene (CCR5Δ32) among breast cancer patients of Pakistan.

Chemokine CC receptor type 5 (CCR5) is a cell surface receptor that has high affinity for chemotropic cytokines called chemokines. The CCR5 gene contains a 32 base pairs (bp) deletion (CCR5Δ32). This deletion may result in a malformed and nonfunctional receptor, reported to be responsible for the development and dissemination of different cancers.

Association and implications in triple negative and triple positive breast cancer: Relationship with sociodemographic and reproductive factors in Pakistan.

Background & Objectives: Triple negative and triple positive breast cancer have adverse effects than other types of breast cancer. However, triple negative has poor prognosis with short survival as compared with triple positive breast cancer. Good prognosis is one of the key factors for successful treatment trial.

Serum Interleukin-15 and its relationship with adiposity Indices before and after short-term endurance exercise.

Objective: The myokine interleukin-15 (IL-15) is capable of modifying the metabolism of both skeletal and adipose tissue. This study compares the change in serum levels of IL-15 in obese and non-obese after a single session of submaximal exercise.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Karachi, during Aug-Dec 2015, comprising of 133 medical students (aged 17-24 years).

Out of pocket (OOP) cost of treating hypertension in Karachi, Pakistan.

Pakistan is categorized to below to middle income countries where two third of the national annual health expenditure is in the form of out of pocket (OOP) cost. A prevalence based study was conducted to determine the OOP cost treatment of hypertension in Karachi by interviewing 350 hypertensive patients aged >30 years through a validated questionnaire. Hypertension (HTN) was classified into stage 1 and stage 2 and was found to be common in females (53.

Drug utilization and prescribing pattern of antibiotics in a tertiary care setups; trends and practices.

Irrational, over and misuse of antibiotics arise as global concern in both hospital and community settings and lead to adverse events including antimicrobial resistance, associated health problems, amplified hospitalization stay and cost. Hence, Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) studies are designed to evaluate and improve the prescribing, administration and the rational use of medications. The present study was designed to assess the pattern of antimicrobial drug utilization in in-patients cohort of tertiary care setup in Karachi, Pakistan.

Prospective memory in first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: Among various cognitive impairments in schizophrenia, prospective memory (ProM) deficit is unequivocally established. However, there is a paucity of research examining whether ProM impairment can be considered a cognitive endophenotypic marker in schizophrenia. An important step toward this is to assess the status of ProM in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of patients with schizophrenia.

Helicobacter pylori outer membrane protein Q genotypes and their susceptibility to anti-adhesive phytotherapeutic agents.

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative organism. Its outer membrane protein Q (HopQ) mediates host-pathogen interactions; HopQ genotypes 1 and 2 are found associating with gastroduodenal pathologies. The authors measured the anti-adhesion effects of the extracts of Abelmoschus esculentus, Zingiber officinale, Trachyspermum ammi, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa and Capsicum annum against HopQ genotypes and H.