Lethal toxic Dose (i.p LD50), total protein contents and comparative hemolytic potential of (99mTc labeled & non-labeled) Naja naja karachiensis venom.

Recent recognition about snake bite envenomation on June, 2017 as neglected tropical disease under category-A by World Health Organization advocated again its undeniable importance. Present circumstances reasoned to work on a neglected subspecies of Naja naja, i.e.

Leptin Replacement Reestablishes Brain Insulin Action in the Hypothalamus in Congenital Leptin Deficiency.

Objective: Human obesity is associated with impaired central insulin signaling, and in very rare cases, severe obesity can be caused by congenital leptin deficiency. In such patients, leptin replacement results in substantial weight loss and improvement in peripheral metabolism.

Research Design And Methods: In a leptin-deficient patient, we investigated the impact of leptin substitution on central insulin action, as quantified by changes in neuronal activity after intranasal insulin application.

Antihyperlipidemic effect of Pistacia khinjuk.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder that is caused by high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in blood. Using of plants for the treatment of various ailments is a traditional practice in developing countries. The main objective of the study is to analyse the nutritional composition of Pistacia khinjuk and to assess its anti-hyperlipidemic activity.

A mutation in IFT43 causes non-syndromic recessive retinal degeneration.

The aim of this work is to identify the molecular cause of autosomal recessive early onset retinal degeneration in a consanguineous pedigree. Seventeen members of a four-generation Pakistani family were recruited and underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination. Exomes of four affected and two unaffected individuals were sequenced.

Genetic perspective of uniparental mitochondrial DNA landscape on the Punjabi population, Pakistan.

To investigate the uniparental genetic structure of the Punjabi population from mtDNA aspect and to set up an appropriate mtDNA forensic database, we studied maternally unrelated Punjabi (N = 100) subjects from two caste groups (i.e. Arain and Gujar) belonging to territory of Punjab.

Problems in Mitochondrial DNA forensics: while interpreting length heteroplasmy conundrum of various Sindhi and Baluchi ethnic groups of Pakistan.

The insight heterodox genetics of mtDNA infer new perspectives at the level of human mitochondrial control region heteroplasmy, which is substantial in evolutionary as well as forensic interpretation. The main goal of this study is to interrogate the recurrence and resolve the ambiguity of blurry spectrum of heteroplasmy in the human mtDNA control region of 50 Baluchi and 116 Sindhi unrelated individuals. Sanger sequencing was employed classically, that was further investigated by minisequencing.

SOCS3 mRNA expression and polymorphisms as pretreatment predictor of response to HCV genotype 3a IFN-based treatment.

Aim: Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) gene belongs to SOCS family as one of the negative regulators of cytokine signaling and IFN response that function via the JAK-STAT pathway in antiviral response. SOCS3 expression and genetic polymorphism influences the pathogenesis and outcome of antiviral treatment in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. This study was designed for analysis of SOCS3 gene expression and polymorphism in Pakistani HCV patients.

Genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA control region variations in four tribes of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Due to its geo strategic position at the crossroad of Asia, Pakistan has gained crucial importance of playing its pivotal role in subsequent human migratory events, both prehistoric and historic. This human movement became possible through an ancient overland network of trails called "The Silk Route" linking Asia Minor, Middle East China, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. This study was conducted to analyze complete mitochondrial control region samples of 100 individuals of four major Pashtun tribes namely, Bangash, Khattak, Mahsuds and Orakzai in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Phenotypic Detection of Metallo-Beta-Lactamases in Carbapenem Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Pediatric Patients in Pakistan.

Multidrug resistant A. baumannii has emerged as an important and problematic human pathogen as it is the causative agent of several types of infections especially in neonates and immunocompromised patients because they have least capacity to fight against infections. Carbapenems are used as last resort antibiotics for treating these infections but currently resistance against carbapenems due to MBL production is on the rise.

A missense mutation in ASRGL1 is involved in causing autosomal recessive retinal degeneration.

Inherited retinal dystrophies are a group of genetically heterogeneous conditions with broad phenotypic heterogeneity. We analyzed a large five-generation pedigree with early-onset recessive retinal degeneration to identify the causative mutation. Linkage analysis and homozygosity mapping combined with exome sequencing were carried out to map the disease locus and identify the p.

Effect Of Sitagliptin On Glycemic Control, Body Weight, Blood Pressure And Serum Lipid Profile In Type 2 Diabetic Hyperlipidemic Patients.

Backround: Dyslipidaemia is a global health issue in developed as well as in developing countries. People with type 2 Diabetes mellitus are more susceptible to develop dyslipidaemia and its related complications. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of sitagliptin a (DPP-4 inhibitor) oral antidiabetic drug on blood sugar, body weight, blood pressure and dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Non-O1Vibrio cholerae bacteremia in an infant, first case report from Pakistan.

To the best of our knowledge, Non-O1 Vibrio cholerae (NOVC) bacteremia has never been documented in Pakistan. This case report is the first reported case of bacteremia in an infant due to NOVC in Pakistan. A neonate was admitted to a hospital with fever and no history of diarrhea.

The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI): Translation, Validation, and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Urdu Version "FSFI-U".

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common problem, and many self-report questionnaires are available for its evaluation. Pakistani women with sexual problems feel shy to consult with their physician. A validated self-report questionnaire, in the local language with modest expressions is required for these women.

Homozygous missense mutation in the LMAN2L gene segregates with intellectual disability in a large consanguineous Pakistani family.

Background: Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 1%-3% of the population worldwide. It is characterised by high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity and in most cases the underlying cause of the disorder is unknown. In our study we investigated a large consanguineous family from Baluchistan, Pakistan, comprising seven affected individuals with a severe form of autosomal recessive ID (ARID) and epilepsy, to elucidate a putative genetic cause.

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of selected Pakistani honeys against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi.

Background: The development of resistance to conventional anti-typhoid drugs and the recent emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance have made it very difficult and expensive to treat typhoid fever. As the therapeutic strategies become even more limited, it is imperative to investigate non-conventional modalities. In this context, honey is a potential candidate for combating antimicrobial resistance because it contains a broad repertoire of antibacterial compounds which act synergistically at multiple sites, thus making it less likely that the bacteria will become resistant.

Effect of nanoclay dispersion on the properties of a commercial glass ionomer cement.

Objective. The reinforcement effect of polymer-grade montmorillonite (PGV and PGN nanoclay) on Fuji-IX glass ionomer cement was investigated. Materials and Method.

Causes of short stature identified in children presenting at a tertiary care hospital in Multan Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the frequency of common causes of short stature in children presenting to the Children's Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Multan.

Methodology: This cross sectional study was done in Pediatric Endocrinology department, the Children's Hospital & the Institute of Child Health, Multan, from March to September, 2011. One hundred and sixty nine children with short stature presenting to the outpatient department meeting inclusion criteria were recruited after taking an informed consent.

Dual behavior of HCV Core gene in regulation of apoptosis is important in progression of HCC.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis which can lead to HCC (Hepatocelluar carcinoma) via oxidative stress, steatosis, insulin resistance, fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Apoptosis is essential for the control and eradication of viral infections. In acute HCV infection, enhanced hepatocyte apoptosis is significant for elimination of viral pathogen.

Surgical treatment of the cardiometabolic syndrome and obesity.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached a pandemic proportion worldwide and is increasingly contributing to premature morbidity and mortality. Lifestyle changes including behavioral modification, exercise, different dietary plans, and medications have very poor outcome on long-term weight loss. Bariatric surgery has shown to be very effective for morbidly obese patients.

'Gastro' of Mirpur Khas (Sindh) is resolved.

Background: Diarrhoeal disease is a common cause of major public health concern in many parts of the world including Pakistan.

Methods: Eighteen stool samples were received from Civil Hospital Mirpur Khas (Sindh). All the specimens were processed for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility according to Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.

Rapid isolation of Mycobacteria--need of the hour in our settings.

Background: To compare Bactec MGIT 960 with LJ media in terms of time taken for the initial isolation of mycobacteria.

Methods: A total of 100 AFB (acid fast bacillus) positive sputum samples were processed and inoculated in both the Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) media and mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) tubes.

Results: Of the 100 samples, positive growth was obtained from all the samples on both the MGIT and LJ media.