Circulating MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Accelerated Sarcopenia in Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: Sarcopenia is a critical finding in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). However, the search for a definitive biomarker to predict muscle and functional decline in CHF remains elusive.

Objectives: We aimed to correlate the circulating levels of selected miRs with the indexes of sarcopenia during healthy aging and in patients with CHF.

Intestinal permeability marker zonulin as a predictor of sarcopenia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Purpose: Sarcopenia or age-related muscle loss is a common finding in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and may lead to functional compromise. The contribution of an increased gut permeability to muscle decline in COPD may be of primary relevance. We measured the plasma zonulin levels (a marker of intestinal permeability) as potential predictors of sarcopenia in COPD patients during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Sarcopenia in pulmonary diseases is associated with elevated sarcoplasmic reticulum stress and myonuclear disorganization.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with age-related muscle loss or sarcopenia. However, the exact molecular mechanism of muscle loss in COPD remains elusive. We investigated the association of chronic dysregulation of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein homeostasis (a condition called SR stress) and myonuclear disorganization with sarcopenia in patients with COPD.

Prediction of Sarcopenia Using Multiple Biomarkers of Neuromuscular Junction Degeneration in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) present with an advanced form of age-related muscle loss or sarcopenia. Among multiple pathomechanisms of sarcopenia, neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degradation may be of primary relevance. We evaluated the circulating biomarkers of NMJ degradation, including c-terminal agrin fragment -22 (CAF22), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) as predictors of sarcopenia in COPD during pulmonary rehabilitation (PR).

Prediction of sarcopenia using a battery of circulating biomarkers.

Loss of muscle mass and strength with aging, termed sarcopenia is accelerated in several comorbidities including chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). However, the effective circulating biomarkers to accurately diagnose and assess sarcopenia are not known. We recruited male healthy controls and patients with CHF and COPD (n = 81-87/group), aged 55-74 years.

Reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca ATPase activity underlies skeletal muscle wasting in asthma.

Aims: Skeletal muscle mass and strength are reduced in asthma and contribute to compromised functional capacity in asthmatic patients. However, an effective pharmacological intervention remains elusive, partly because molecular mechanisms dictating muscle decline in asthma are not known.

Materials: We investigated the potential contribution(s) of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca ATPase (SERCA) to muscle atrophy and weakness in asthmatic patients.

Nasal carriage of highly resistant methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains by hospital staff in Hazara region of Pakistan.

Objective: To isolate and characterise multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus from healthcare workers who are at potential risk of nosocomial infections.

Methods: The observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 at different hospitals of Haripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan, and comprised ward and operation theatre staff. The isolates were identified on the basis of microbiological and biochemical tests and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Expression analysis of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and alkaline phosphatase in occupational workers exposed to low dose of X-radiation: A case-control study.

Objectives: To evaluate liver and inflammatory biomarkers in occupationally exposed radiology workers.

Methods: The descriptive study was conducted at Mufti Mehmood Memorial Teaching Hospital and Gomal Centre of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan, from September 2017 to May 2018, and comprised X-ray technicians working 48-72 hours per week, and a group of age- and gender-matched unexposed healthy controls. The exposed group was divided into three sub-groups based on their radiation work duration.

Haematological outcomes in progression of malaria: A cohort study from district Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan.

Malaria is the second highest reported disease from public health sector which affects about 4 million people each year in Pakistan. The study sought to evaluate the haematological changes in malarial patients in order to find any relation of these changes with malarial pathogenesis. This cross sectional descriptive study was designed at the pathology department of Gomal Medical College, Dera Ismail Khan during March 2015 to February 2017.

Circulating Biomarkers of Accelerated Sarcopenia in Respiratory Diseases.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a critical finding in many respiratory diseases. However, a definitive biomarker to assess muscle decline in respiratory diseases is not known. We analyzed the association of plasma levels of glycoprotein Dickkopf-3 (Dkk-3), c-terminal agrin fragment-22 (CAF22) and microRNAs miR-21, miR-134a, miR-133 and miR-206 with hand-grip strength (HGS) and appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) in male, 54-73-year-old patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), asthma or pulmonary TB ( = 83-101/group).

A Novel Method of Quantifying the Choriocapillaris in Normal and Post-inflammatory Eyes.

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of gray level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) in the quantification of choriocapillaris and describe GLCM features in normal and eyes with resolved acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE) and serpiginous choroiditis (SC).

Methods: In this, multicenter, reliability, validity and comparative study; OCTA was performed on eyes with resolved APMPPE and SC and normal individuals. CC texture classification, low flow area measurements and GLCM feature extraction were performed.

Plasma CAF22 Levels as a Useful Predictor of Muscle Health in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction and reduced physical capacity are characteristic features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the search for a reliable biomarker to assess muscle health in CODP remains elusive. We analyzed the course of hand-grip strength (HGS) and appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) in COPD in relation to spirometry decline and plasma extracellular heat shock protein-72 (eHSP72) and c-terminal fragment of agrin-22 (CAF22) levels.

Circulating Biomarkers of Handgrip Strength and Lung Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Purpose: COPD is a multisystem disease and there is a need for clinical serum markers that can assess the decline in lung and muscle function in COPD. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential association of serum club-cell protein 16 (CC16), α-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP) and total sialic acid (TSA) with spirometry, hand-grip strength and quality of life to assess important disease outcomes.

Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study and data were collected from the patients at teaching hospitals of Gomal University and the University of Health Sciences in Pakistan.

Health system preparedness in Pakistan for crisis management: a cross-sectional evaluation study.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has strongly advocated health systems' preparedness for effective management of crisis situations globally for more than two decades. Pakistan is known for its high vulnerability to hazards and lack of coping and adaptive capabilities. Health systems' preparedness for locales with such high-risk profile is essential, yet there is a dearth of studies addressing the status of such preparedness in the country.

Outcome Of Dynamic Compression Plate With Dorsal Radial Sliding Graft Technique For Wrist Arthrodesis In Brachial Plexus Injury Patients.

Background: The incidence of brachial plexus injuries have shown to increase over the years. It is 1- 2% worldwide according to the WHO. In global brachial plexus injuries and lower root injures when the wrist and hand functions are lost, wrist arthrodesis is a viable option.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of quetiapine fumarate controlled release hybrid hydrogel: a healthier treatment of schizophrenia.

The current study aimed to rationally develop and characterize pH-sensitive controlled release hydrogels by graft polymerization of gelatin (Gel) and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) in the presence of glutaraldehyde (GA) using quetiapine fumarate for the treatment of schizophrenia. The prepared hydrogels discs were subjected to various physicochemical studies including: swelling, diffusion, porosity, sol-gel analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Three different pH values (1.

High incidence of malaria along the Pak-Afghan bordering area.

Objective: To check the epidemiology of malaria along Pak-Afghan bordering area..

Methods: The prospective study was conducted at Hatmi Medical Centre, Barmal district, Afghanistan, from March 2014 to February 2016, and comprised patients living in bordering areas between Pakistan's North Waziristan Agency and Afghanistan's Paktika province.

Evaluation of five discriminating indexes to distinguish Beta-Thalassemia Trait from Iron Deficiency Anaemia.

Objective: To assess the reliability of different red blood cell indices-based formulae in the indexes formula in differential diagnosis of beta thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anaemia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and October 2015 in Dera Ismail Khan in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Patients of beta thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anaemia were registered irrespective of age and gender.

Genetic analysis of consanguineous families presenting with congenital ocular defects.

Anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M) are a group of rare developmental disorders that affect the size of the ocular globe. A/M may present as the sole clinical feature, but are also frequently found in a variety of syndromes. A/M is genetically heterogeneous and can be caused by chromosomal aberrations, copy number variations and single gene mutations.

Peritonsillar abscess: clinical presentation and efficacy of incision and drainage under local anaesthesia.

Background: Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is one of the most commonly encountered abscess in the head and neck region. The aims of this study were to list the frequency of the disease by age, sex and laterality, and to list the presentation of the disease by symptoms, signs and complications, and to determine the efficacy of incision and drainage (I&D) procedure under local anaesthesia (LA) in terms of hospital stay and recurrence.

Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, District Headquarters Hospital, Lakki Marwat, from 1st June 2007 to 30th May 2010.

Analysis of homicidal deaths in district DI Khan: an autopsy study.

Background: One of the oldest crimes in human civilization is homicide which started from murder of Abel by the hands of Cane. With the passage of time manner of homicide have been changing. Study of pattern of homicide in any civil society is the first step towards development of intervention to reduce the impact of homicidal crimes.

Foreign body inhalation--site of impaction and efficacy of rigid bronchoscopy.

Background: Foreign body inhalation is a relatively commonly encountered emergency in otolaryngology. Foreign body can get lodged at any site from the supraglottis to the terminal bronchioles. Rigid bronchoscopy is one of the well established methods of removing inhaled foreign body with fewer complications.

Analysis of tracheobronchial foreign bodies with respect to sex, age, type and presentation.

Background: Foreign body inhalation is one of the life threatening emergencies. It may happen at any age, however, most of these accidents occur in children especially below the age of five.

Methods: This prospective study was done at Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2005.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan.

Leishmaniasis is a major health problem worldwide. It is also a particular problem in the rural areas of Pakistan. The disease occurs in varying presentations, from the self-limited and even self-healing cutaneous forms to fatal systemic disease.