Drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation in primary schools of Pakistan: the impact of WASH-related interventions and policy on children school performance.

The United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals include the target of ensuring access to water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH) for all; however, very few studies have assessed comprehensive school WASH service in Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to identify WASH services in primary schools of Pakistan, and to assess how recent WASH interventions and policies are associated with the school's academic performance. A representative cross-sectional study was conducted in primary schools in the Sindh province of Pakistan.

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.

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).

The novel effect of propranolol in glibenclamide induced hepatotoxicity.

Glibenclamide (GBC) has been associated with hepatotoxicity in humans. This study conducted on rabbits to evaluate the hepatotoxicity of GBC alone and in combination therapy with propranolol (PPL). Liver enzymes like alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and bilirubin (BRB) are used to evaluate hepatotoxicity associated with GBC.

Direct differentiation of cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells into keratinocytes without feeder layers and cAMP inducers.

Objectives: The purpose of our study was isolation of umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem (UCB-MSCs), their direct differentiation towards keratinocytes without using feeder layers, cAMP inducers and hormones known for morphological maintenance and proliferation of keratinocytes and characterization of UCB-MSCs through flowcytometry and keratinocytes through immunofluorescence.

Methods: We have isolated and cultured UCB-MSCs (n=4) following critical parameters for successful isolation like sample processing within an hour of collection, gestational age not more than 38 weeks, no co-morbid and blood volume at least 80 ml. Cord blood mononuclear cells were isolated through ficoll based density-gradient centrifugation then cultured to isolate MSCs, defined by minimum criteria of International Society for Cellular Therapy.

Presentations and Outcomes of Thyroid Storm.

The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics and outcome of thyroid storm patients presenting at two tertiary care centres of Karachi, i.e. at Dow University of Health Sciences; and Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from December 2018 to May 2019.

Structural investigation of human dectin-1 receptor; A novel gateway in drug discovery.

Stimulation of C-type lectin domain of human dectin-1 receptor by fungal β-glucans causes conformational changes in its cytoplasmic domain which initiates various cellular responses mediated by downstream signaling components. We aimed to build the three-dimensional structures of the cytoplasmic domain as well as C-type lectin domain of human Dectin-1along with their potential ligands through homology modeling.The overall three-dimensional fold of cytoplasmic domain was found to consist of mixed β-sheet whereas,in case of C-type lectin domain antiparallel β-sheets flanked by α-helices were observed.

Evaluation of Microleakage in Single-Rooted Teeth Obturated with Thermoplasticized Gutta-Percha Using Various Endodontic Sealers: An In-Vitro Study.

Objective: To compare apical microleakage of extracted, single-rooted teeth obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha using two different endodontic sealers (calcium-hydroxide and resin based).

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Dental Clinics and Laboratory from June to September 2015.

Use of fibular bone graft and cancellous screw fixation in the management of neglected femur neck fractures in young patients.

Objective: To present the clinical outcome of patients with neglected femur neck fracture treated with fibular bone graft.

Methods: During May 2010-February 2013, 15 patients younger than 35 years of age with neglected fracture neck of femur were managed with non-vascularized fibular graft and cannulated screws. Fractures were classified according to Sandhu Classification.

Repair of large and giant incisional hernia with onlay mesh: perspective of a tertiary care hospital of a developing country.

Purpose: Ventral incisional hernias, especially large and giant, carry significant post repair complications. This retrospective review is undertaken to determine the outcomes of large and giant incisional hernia repair as well as the risk factors of recurrence and surgical site infection at a tertiary care hospital in developing country.

Method: This case series included adult patients, operated between January 2001 and June 2009 for incisional hernia of size ≥ 10 cm (vertical or horizontal dimension) at our institute with follow up of at least one year.