COVID-19-Induced Mesenteric Thrombosis.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea (most common among gastrointestinal symptoms), nausea/vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, abnormal liver enzymes, and pancreatitis, are being increasingly recognized in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Moreover, COVID-19 has also been implicated in coagulopathy, especially in patients with severe disease. Here, we report a case of acute intestinal ischemia secondary to superior mesenteric thrombosis in a young female patient with mild COVID-19.

Interferon-λ rs12979860 genotype association with liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients in the Pakistani population.

Risk and progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients is significantly influenced by host genetic factors in a polygenic manner. The rs12979860 genetic polymorphism in the interferon-λ3-interferon-λ4 (IFNL3-IFNL4) region has been found to be a major determinant of hepatic inflammatory and fibrotic progression in CHC patients of mainly Caucasian origin; however, it is not known if this association applies to other ethnicities, including Pakistani CHC patients. Here, we genotyped IFNL3-IFNL4 rs12979860 genetic variants in a sample set of 502 Pakistani patients with CHC and used logistic regression analysis to determine its association with the risk and progression of HCV-related fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Advances in tuberculous meningitis diagnosis.

: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most devastating form of central nervous system tuberculosis (TB) and causes high mortality worldwide. Nonspecific clinical manifestations and limited sensitivity of existing laboratory methods make the diagnosis elusive due to the paucibacillary nature of the infection. : We reviewed current literature on the adequacy and limitations of globally existing laboratory methods for diagnosing TBM.

Association between Acute Pancreatitis and COVID-19: Could Pancreatitis Be the Missing Piece of the Puzzle about Increased Mortality Rates?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 commenced in Wuhan China in 2019 and soon spread worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 enters the cell by binding to the ACE II receptor and begins viral replication. The effects and clinical findings of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal (GI) system and especially lungs have been widely discussed.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on general surgical emergencies: are some emergencies really urgent? Level 1 trauma center experience.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on general surgical emergencies as well as analyzing the effectiveness of measures taken in reducing the incidence of COVID-19 in patients and healthcare professionals.

Methods: Patients who underwent emergency surgery between the pandemic period of March 14th to May 15th 2020 and within the same period from the previous year were reviewed retrospectively. COVID-19 incidence in patients and health professionals working in the general surgery department during these periods was questioned.

Diagnosis of tuberculosis by nanoparticle-based immuno-PCR assay based on mycobacterial MPT64 and CFP-10 detection.

To improve the diagnostic accuracy of immuno-PCR (I-PCR) in tuberculosis (TB) patients by using functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) coupled with detection antibodies and oligonucleotides, and magnetic beads (MBs) conjugated with capture antibodies in the liquid phase. MB-coupled AuNP-based I-PCR (MB-AuNP-I-PCR) assay was designed to detect a cocktail of MPT64 and CFP-10 proteins in bodily fluids of TB patients. The sensitivities of 89.

Identification of significant risks in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) through machine learning (ML) approach.

Pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) through machine learning (ML) technique was analyzed to determine the significance of clinical and phenotypic variables as well as environmental conditions that can identify the underlying causes of child ALL. Fifty pediatric patients (n = 50) included who were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Clinical variables comprised of the blood biochemistry (CBC, LFTs, RFTs) results, and distribution of type of ALL, i.

Detection of mycobacterial CFP-10 (Rv3874) protein in tuberculosis patients by gold nanoparticle-based real-time immuno-PCR.

Timely and reliable diagnostic test for tuberculosis (TB) is immediately required. Attempts were made to improve the technology and diagnostic potential of real-time immuno-PCR (RT-I-PCR). We designed gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based RT-I-PCR (GNP-RT-I-PCR) assay for the detection of CFP-10 (Rv3874) protein in clinical samples of TB patients.

An Attempt Towards Lab And Clinical Combine Appraised, Including Future Concerns Regarding Dengue Infection.

Background: Dengue infection is a deadly global pandemic due to its fatal nature, being emerged from mild stage to turn into more severe stages and consequently causing casualties. it upsurges various phases, namely subclinical infection, undifferentiated febrile fever, Dengue fever (DF) and devastating states which often ends to life, they are Dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and Dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Dengue infection is a mosquito born disease which has engulfed many regions in general and tropical zone in particular, causing many casualties and has posed a threat to humanity, demanding strategies to resolve the global issue.

Effectiveness of basic training session regarding the awareness of Ebola virus disease among nurses of public tertiary care hospitals of Lahore.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of basic training session regarding the awareness of ebola virus disease among nurses of public tertiary care hospitals.

Methods: The quasi-experimental study was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, from November to December 2015, and comprised nurses working at three public tertiary care hospitals. Baseline and post intervention data was collected through a questionnaire, and was compared using SPSS 20 .

Assessment of dual practice among physicians in Cambodia.

Background: Dual practice and multiple job holding are widespread among health workers throughout the world. Although dual practice can help the financially strained public sector retain skilled workers, there are also potential negative consequences if it is not regulated. In Cambodia, there is substantial anecdotal evidence of dual practice among physicians but there is very little data on the extent and prevalence of the practice.

Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan and CFP-10 (Rv3874) from urinary extracellular vesicles of tuberculosis patients by immuno-PCR.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), the small circulating vesicles released from urine samples of tuberculosis (TB) patients, contain a pool of biomarkers. We recently detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (LAM) and CFP-10 (Rv3874) biomarkers from the urinary EVs of pulmonary TB (PTB) and extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients by immuno-polymerase chain reaction (I-PCR) assay and the results were compared with the analogous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The detection limits of both purified LAM and CFP-10 were determined to be 1 fg/mL with I-PCR, which was 106 times lower than ELISA.

Should We Prefer Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Physical Examination in Meniscal Tears.

The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and clinical examination in the diagnosis of meniscus tears with the findings obtained from the knee joint arthroscopy. A retrospective study was made of 452 patients who underwent knee arthroscopy due to meniscus tears between 2012 and 2017. Physical examination was performed using the Thessaly's, McMurray's, and Joint line tenderness tests (JLTT).

Tyrosinase (TYR) gene sequencing and literature review reveals recurrent mutations and multiple population founder gene mutations as causative of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) in Pakistani families.

Purpose: To investigate eight previously unreported Pakistani families with genetically undefined OCA for mutations in TYR.

Methods: Sanger sequencing of TYR has been performed in eight families with OCA phenotype. Mutation analysis was performed to establish the pathogenic role of novel mutation.

Immune System Activation in Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Objective: To assess activation of immune system in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients in the form of AECA, ACL and anti GBM antibodies.

Study Design: Descriptive, observational study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, and Outpatient Department, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, from February 2015 to January 2016.

Role of Immuno-Polymerase Chain Reaction (I-PCR) in Resolving Diagnostic Dilemma Between Tuberculoma and Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Tuberculoma and neurocysticercosis (NCC) often show similar clinical and neuroimaging features. Differential diagnosis of these 2 diseases is imperative, as tuberculoma is an active infection that requires immediate anti-tubercular therapy (ATT). CASE REPORT We present the case of a 17-year-old Indian girl with fever, severe headache, and right 6th cranial nerve palsy.

Positive Virological Outcomes of HIV-Infected Patients on Protease Inhibitor-Based Second-Line Regimen in Cambodia: The ANRS 12276 2PICAM Study.

Background: Assessment of virological outcomes among HIV-infected patients receiving protease (PR) inhibitor-based second-line regimen are uncommon in Cambodia. The objective of this study is to assess the virological effectiveness of this regimen as well as impact of adherence boosting for patients experiencing virological failure.

Methods: The 2PICAM study (Clinicaltrial: NCT01801618) is a cross-sectional study of HIV-infected adults on PR inhibitor-based second-line regimen since at least 6 months, conducted in 13 representative sites, comprising more than 90% of the target population.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Evaluation of Pathogen Burden and Drug-Resistance Trends in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Objective: To evaluate the pathogen burden and antibiotic-resistance trends of Pseudomonas aeruginosa among hospitalised patients at a tertiary care hospital.

Study Design: Retrospective, hospital record-based, cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Microbiology Laboratory, Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from January 2014 to December 2016.

False Negativity of Ziehl-Neelsen Smear Microscopy: Is the Scale-up the Worth It in Developing Countries?

Objective: To evaluate the false negative results of Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Mycobacteriology Laboratory, Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) and Jinnah Hospital, Lahore (JHL), Pakistan, from February 2014 to August 2016.

Comparative evaluation of GeneXpert MTB/RIF and multiplex PCR targeting mpb64 and IS6110 for the diagnosis of pleural TB.

Aim: Diagnosis of pleural TB poses serious challenges due to paucibacillary nature of specimens and there is an urgent need to devise a reliable diagnostic test.

Methods: We compared GeneXpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampin assay and the multiplex PCR (M-PCR) targeting mpb64 (Rv1980c) and IS6110 in pleural fluids (n = 78) of pleural TB patients and non-TB controls.

Results: The sensitivities of 89.

Molecular detection of Isoniazid, Rifampin and Ethambutol resistance to M. tuberculosis and M. bovis in multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in Pakistan.

The various aspects of MDR-TB, type of pathogen, different drug sensitive methods and mutation (s) in specific genes were determined. The histone-like protein (hupB) gene of M. tuberculosis was targeted by using primer sets: N & S and M & S (produced 645 bp & 318 bp fragment respectively).

The association of urinary interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP10/CXCL10) levels with kidney allograft rejection.

Background: Interferon-gamma inducible protein-10 (IP-10/CXCL10) is a chemokine involved in the alloimmune response against kidney allograft. We aimed to investigate the association of urinary CXCL10 protein levels with rejection in renal transplant patients.

Methods: A total of 273 urine samples from (biopsy-proven) rejection and non-rejection patients and controls were included in this study.

Development of real-time immuno-PCR for the quantitative detection of mycobacterial PstS1 in tuberculosis patients.

A novel indirect real-time immuno-polymerase chain reaction (RT-I-PCR) assay, an evolution of I-PCR, was developed for the quantitative detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PstS1 (Rv0934) with a wide dynamic range of 10ng/mL to 1pg/mL in body fluids of tuberculosis (TB) patients, which may monitor the dynamics of disease.

Analysis of the glutathione S-transferase genes polymorphisms in the risk and prognosis of renal cell carcinomas. Case-control and meta-analysis.

Background: The Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) genes deletion polymorphisms have been associated with the progression of several cancers. The association studies between the 2 GSTs (GSTM1 and GSTT1) null polymorphisms with the susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been inconclusive. Therefore, with the inclusion of our own data, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to assess the association between these 2 polymorphisms and the risk of RCC.