Psychological Impact on the Orthodontic Postgraduate Residents and Their Anxiety Level during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: COVID-19, a viral infection, has negatively impacted the physical and psychological health of the people worldwide. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, which aimed to investigate orthodontic postgraduate residents' knowledge regarding COVID-19, its association with anxiety around quality of their training, and performance of routine orthodontic procedures during the pandemic. A questionnaire was circulated online through WhatsApp to the orthodontic residents enrolled in the four-year postgraduate training program across the country which comprised the following sections: demographic data, questions to test knowledge of COVID-19, self-grading of anxiety around performing routine orthodontic procedures, academic aspects of the training program, and residents' thoughts on the current status of their training program in general during the pandemic.

Role of microRNAs in non-functioning pituitary adenoma.

Non-functioning pituitary adenomas account for 30% of anterior pituitary tumours. Based on their inability to secrete hormones, these are often diagnosed incidentally or due to pressure symptoms. Understanding the pathogenesis of these adenomas can provide insight into factors leading to its progression and serving as biomarkers for early recognition.

A Functional Polymorphism (rs6265, G>A) of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene and Breast Cancer: An Association Study.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (Val66Met, rs6265, G>A) polymorphism and breast cancer (BC) among females of Southern Pakistan.

Methods: This case-control study consisted of 300 females (BC cases [n = 100] and controls [n = 200]) with age range of 18 to 45 years. All participants were recruited during January to December 2014 and were screened for depression using Zung depression scale.

Human Papillomavirus and Human Cytomegalovirus Infection and Association with Prognosis in Patients with Primary Glioblastoma in Pakistan.

Objective: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common adult primary brain tumor. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been studied for the past decade, and conflicting results have been reported with no conclusive role established yet. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is involved in the pathogenesis of many cancers and has a high prevalence in patients with cervical and oral cancer in Pakistan.

Colostrum and mature breast milk analysis of serum irisin and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins-1c in gestational diabetes mellitus.

We aimed to evaluate irisin and SREBP-1c levels in serum, colostrum and mature breast milk in women with and without gestational diabetes (GDM); and to relate them with maternal glucose, lipid profile and weight status of babies. GDM positive women ( = 33) and normal glucose tolerant women (NGT) ( = 33) were recruited. Maternal blood samples were collected at 28th week of gestation and later at 6-week post-partum while breast milk samples of the lactating mothers were collected within 72 hours of birth (colostrum) and at 6 weeks post-partum (mature milk).

Exploratory study into awareness of heart disease and health care seeking behavior among Emirati women (UAE) - Cross sectional descriptive study.

Background: Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2010. Heart attacks usually happen in older women thus symptoms of heart disease may be masked by symptoms of chronic diseases, which could explain the delay in seeking health care and higher mortality following an ischaemic episode among women. This study seeks to a) highlight the awareness of heart diseases among Emirati women and b) to understand Emirati women's health care seeking behaviour in UAE.

Effects of bomb blast injury on the ears: The Aga Khan University Hospital experience.

Objective: To evaluate the frequency and effects of blast-related otologic injuries.

Methods: his retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised charts of patients who were victims of bomb explosions between January 2011 and July 2013. Frequency and percentages were reported using cross tabulation with size of bomb, distance of person from blast and the presence of victim in open or closed space.

Comparison of Polymerase Chain Reaction and Immunohistochemistry Assays for Analysing Human Papillomavirus Infection in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) are two well-known techniques used for the diagnoses of genetic diseases, tumours and different pathogens. PCR basically amplify regions of DNA within a single molecule which may have etiologic significance, it is a method for in vitro amplification of specific DNA or RNA sequences, whereas IHC is used to verify tissue constituents (the antigens) with the utilization of specific antibodies that can be visualized through staining.

Aim: To compare and analyse PCR and IHC for their sensitivity to detect Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC).

An interquartile relationship between polyherbal extract based lozenges linkus a phase IV comparative randomised control trial.

The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy of polyherbal linkus with the other pharmaceutical marketed syrup having Acefyllin Piperazine, Diphenhydramine group and Aminophylline Diphenhydramine group on the basis of interquartile ranges on children. It was open label multi centric randomize control trial. The study was conducted on different private schools of East and West Malir, Karachi Pakistan with the special approval from the school's honors .

Eating disorders in medical students of Karachi, Pakistan-a cross-sectional study.

Background: To assess the incidence of high-risk population of medical students with eating disorders in Karachi by using validated self-administered questionnaires. The earlier these disorders are diagnosed and assessed, the better the chances are for enhanced treatment and fuller recovery. Therefore, we intended to undertake a study to find out the frequency of such disorders among medical students of Karachi and design strategies to overcome them.