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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Effect Of Hospital Volume On Outcomes Of Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Syed Hamza Mufarrih, Muhammad Owais Abdul Ghani, Russell S. Martins, Nada Qaisar Qureshi, Sayyeda Aleena Mufarrih, Azeem Tariq Malik, Shahryar Noordin Dec 2019

Effect Of Hospital Volume On Outcomes Of Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Syed Hamza Mufarrih, Muhammad Owais Abdul Ghani, Russell S. Martins, Nada Qaisar Qureshi, Sayyeda Aleena Mufarrih, Azeem Tariq Malik, Shahryar Noordin

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: A shift in the healthcare system towards the centralization of common yet costly surgeries, such as total hip arthroplasty (THA), to high-volume centers of excellence, is an attempt to control the economic burden while simultaneously enhancing patient outcomes. The "volume-outcome" relationship suggests that hospitals performing more treatment of a given type exhibit better outcomes than hospitals performing fewer. This theory has surfaced as an important factor in determining patient outcomes following THA. We performed a systematic review with meta-analyses to review the available evidence on the impact of hospital volume on outcomes of THA.
Materials and methods: We conducted …


Fingolimod Plays Role In Attenuation Of Myocardial Injury Related To Experimental Model Of Cardiac Arrest And Extracorporeal Life Support Resuscitation, Naseer Ahmed, Abid Laghari, Bashar Albkhoor, Sobia Tabassum, Sultan Ayoub Meo, Nazeer Muhammad, Daniele Linardi, Abeer A. Al-Masri, Guido Fumagalli, Giovanni Battista Luciani, Giuseppe Faggian, Alessio Rungatscher Dec 2019

Fingolimod Plays Role In Attenuation Of Myocardial Injury Related To Experimental Model Of Cardiac Arrest And Extracorporeal Life Support Resuscitation, Naseer Ahmed, Abid Laghari, Bashar Albkhoor, Sobia Tabassum, Sultan Ayoub Meo, Nazeer Muhammad, Daniele Linardi, Abeer A. Al-Masri, Guido Fumagalli, Giovanni Battista Luciani, Giuseppe Faggian, Alessio Rungatscher

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: Sudden cardiac arrest is a major global health concern, and survival of patients with ischemia-reperfusion injury is a leading cause of myocardial dysfunction. The mechanism of this phenomenon is not well understood because of the complex pathophysiological nature of the disease. Aim of the study was to investigate the cardioprotective role of fingolimod in an in vivo model of cardiac arrest and resuscitation.
Methods: In this study, an in vivo rat model of cardiac arrest using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation resuscitation monitored by invasive hemodynamic measurement was developed. At the beginning of extracorporeal life support (ECLS), animals were randomly treated …


Burnout, Job Dissatisfaction, And Mental Health Outcomes Among Medical Students And Health Care Professionals At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan: Protocol For A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study, Syed Hamza Mufarrih, Aeman Naseer, Nada Qaisar Qureshi, Zohaib Anwar, Nida Zahid, Riaz Hussain Lakdawala, Shahryar Noordin Nov 2019

Burnout, Job Dissatisfaction, And Mental Health Outcomes Among Medical Students And Health Care Professionals At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan: Protocol For A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study, Syed Hamza Mufarrih, Aeman Naseer, Nada Qaisar Qureshi, Zohaib Anwar, Nida Zahid, Riaz Hussain Lakdawala, Shahryar Noordin

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Burnout, a state of vital exhaustion, has frequently been related to work-related stress and job dissatisfaction. Given the emotionally and physically challenging nature of their work, high rates of burnout have been reported among health care professionals. This may put them at a higher risk for of suffering from adverse mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety and stress. In our study, we aim to assess the prevalence i of and associations among burnout and job dissatisfaction and adverse mental health outcomes in a developing country, where the challenges faced by the health care system are unique. Facilities are over-burdened and …


Changes In Ventricular Depolarisation Vectors During Exercise Caused By Regional Myocardial Ischaemia, Cameruddin Vellani, Satwat Hashmi, Sadia Mahmud, Mohammad Yusuf, Safia Awan, Khawar Kazmi Nov 2019

Changes In Ventricular Depolarisation Vectors During Exercise Caused By Regional Myocardial Ischaemia, Cameruddin Vellani, Satwat Hashmi, Sadia Mahmud, Mohammad Yusuf, Safia Awan, Khawar Kazmi

Section of Cardiology

Research at the Aga Khan University for several years has been directed to find a reliable, low-cost, portable, non-invasive method for identification of coronary artery disease, its location and extent. A new method has been devised to measure the magnitude and direction of cardiac electrical vectors in three perpendicular planes during physical exercise to identify reduction in myocardial excitability as the electrophysiological marker of hypoxia. This report shows that changes in electrical forces due to exercise-induced regional hypoxia serve as indicators of reversible myocardial ischaemia. Changes in the magnitude and direction of vectors at stages of the Bruce protocol were …


Teaching "Shock Pathophysiology" By Flipped Classroom, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Satwat Hashmi, Rehana Rehman, Rozmeen Akbar Nov 2019

Teaching "Shock Pathophysiology" By Flipped Classroom, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Satwat Hashmi, Rehana Rehman, Rozmeen Akbar

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To assess usefulness of flipped style of teaching conducted as small-group format in Cardiovascular and Respiration module for Year-I undergraduate medical students at Aga Khan University.
Methods: The study was planned and conducted over a period of eight months from March to October 2017 including the time taken for planning, mock run, execution followed by analysis and dissemination. It was carried out at the Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi. Pre and post test scores of students after flipped class room sessions was compared. Moreover, perception of students was assessed on Likert scale (0-4) by a pretested validated questionnaire. …


Prevalence Of Malaria Reported During Summer And Winter At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Fazal M. Arain, Aisha Memon, Roohi Jamal, Ahmed Raheem Buksh, Mohammad Asim Beg Nov 2019

Prevalence Of Malaria Reported During Summer And Winter At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Fazal M. Arain, Aisha Memon, Roohi Jamal, Ahmed Raheem Buksh, Mohammad Asim Beg

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

This study was designed to determine the prevalence and type of malaria cases that presented throughout the year 2014 in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 1099 cases, (377 females, 722 males) were reported. Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) was discovered in 93.7% cases compared to 6.3% Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum). Based on the highest and lowest weather temperatures, in summer (June, July and August) and in winter (December, January and February) were differentiated. The number of cases were greater during summer months compared to winter. Interestingly, the ratio of P. falciparum to P. vivax during winter …


Relationship Between Smoking Habit And Sperm Parameters Among Patients Attending An Infertility Clinic, Rehana Rehman, Nida Zahid, Sofia Amjad, Mukhtiar Baig, Zohair Jamil Gazzaz Oct 2019

Relationship Between Smoking Habit And Sperm Parameters Among Patients Attending An Infertility Clinic, Rehana Rehman, Nida Zahid, Sofia Amjad, Mukhtiar Baig, Zohair Jamil Gazzaz

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: This study aimed to estimate stress markers, oxidative stress (OS), reproductive hormones and sperm parameters in male smokers and non-smokers and observe the impact of oxidative stress markers and smoking on sperm count, motility and morphology in a selected population of Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2017 to July 2018 at Aga Khan University (AKU), in Karachi, Pakistan. The subjects were recruited from the Sindh Institute of Reproductive Medicine (SIRM), Karachi based on defined inclusion criteria. The subjects were categorized into fertile and infertile based on cut off values of sperm parameters as recommended …


Perceptions Of Health Professionals Regarding Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (Mits) To Identify The Cause Of Death In Stillbirths And Neonates: Results From A Qualitative Study, Anam Shahil Feroz, Anum Shiraz Ali, Mohsina Noor Ibrahim, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Sayyeda Reza, Zahid Abbasi, Afia Zafar, Sameen Siddiqi, Sarah Saleem Oct 2019

Perceptions Of Health Professionals Regarding Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (Mits) To Identify The Cause Of Death In Stillbirths And Neonates: Results From A Qualitative Study, Anam Shahil Feroz, Anum Shiraz Ali, Mohsina Noor Ibrahim, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Shiyam Sunder Tikmani, Sayyeda Reza, Zahid Abbasi, Afia Zafar, Sameen Siddiqi, Sarah Saleem

Community Health Sciences

Background: Pakistan is considered to be one of the riskiest places in the world for childbirth as measured by its high stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates. Complete diagnostic autopsy remains the gold standard to determine the cause of death (CoD); however, it is not routinely implemented due to religious objections, sociocultural beliefs, limited resources and low demand from physicians and families. Recently, minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) using needle biopsies of multiple tissues to obtain tissue for histological examination and organism identification with PCR has been developed and promoted to determine CoD in low-resource areas. To ensure successful implementation of …


Intestinal Permeability And Inflammation Mediate The Association Between Nutrient Density Of Complementary Foods And Biochemical Measures Of Micronutrient Status In Young Children: Results From The Mal-Ed Study, Benjamin J J. Mccormick, Laura E. Murray-Kolb, Gwenyth O. Lee, Kerry J. Schulze, A Catharine Ross, Aubrey Bauck, Aldo A M. Lima, Bruna L L. Maciel, Ali Turab, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Mal-Ed Network Investigators, Shahida Qureshi, Muneera Rasheed, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Anita K. M. Zaidi Oct 2019

Intestinal Permeability And Inflammation Mediate The Association Between Nutrient Density Of Complementary Foods And Biochemical Measures Of Micronutrient Status In Young Children: Results From The Mal-Ed Study, Benjamin J J. Mccormick, Laura E. Murray-Kolb, Gwenyth O. Lee, Kerry J. Schulze, A Catharine Ross, Aubrey Bauck, Aldo A M. Lima, Bruna L L. Maciel, Ali Turab, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Mal-Ed Network Investigators, Shahida Qureshi, Muneera Rasheed, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Anita K. M. Zaidi

Woman and Child Health

Background: Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) is thought to increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies, but few studies adjust for dietary intakes and systemic inflammation.
Objective: We tested whether EED is associated with micronutrient deficiency risk independent of diet and systemic inflammation, and whether it mediates the relation between intake and micronutrient status.
Methods: Using data from 1283 children in the MAL-ED (Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interactions of Enteric Infections and Malnutrition and the Consequences for Child Health) birth cohort we evaluated the risk of anemia, low retinol, zinc, and ferritin, and high transferrin receptor (TfR) at 15 mo. We …


Colostrum And Mature Breast Milk Analysis Of Serum Irisin And Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins-1c In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Erum Khalid, Asma Akbar Ladak, Syed Adnan Ali Sep 2019

Colostrum And Mature Breast Milk Analysis Of Serum Irisin And Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins-1c In Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Erum Khalid, Asma Akbar Ladak, Syed Adnan Ali

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background: 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.
Methods: GDM positive women (n = 33) and normal glucose tolerant women (NGT) (n = 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). Irisin and SREBP-1c levels were analyzed …


Three-Dimensional Visualization Software Assists Learning In Students With Diverse Spatial Intelligence In Medical Education, Zehra Jamil, Amna A. Saeed, Sarosh Madhani, Safia Baig, Zahra Cheema, Syeda Sadia Fatima Sep 2019

Three-Dimensional Visualization Software Assists Learning In Students With Diverse Spatial Intelligence In Medical Education, Zehra Jamil, Amna A. Saeed, Sarosh Madhani, Safia Baig, Zahra Cheema, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

This study evaluated effect of mental rotation (MR) training on learning outcomes and explored effectiveness of teaching via three-dimensional (3D) software among medical students with diverse spatial intelligence. Data from n = 67 student volunteers were included. A preliminary test was conducted to obtain baseline level of MR competency and was utilized to assign participants to two experimental conditions, i.e., trained group (n = 25) and untrained group (n = 42). Data on the effectiveness of training were collected to measure participants' speed and accuracy in performing various MR activities. Six weeks later, a large class format (LCF) session was …


The Phosphatase Ubash3b/Sts-1 Is A Negative Regulator Of Bcr-Abl Kinase Activity And Leukemogenesis, Afsar Ali Mian, Ines Baumann, Marcus Liebermann, Florian Grebien, Giulio Superti-Furga, Martin Ruthardt, Oliver G. Ottmann, Oliver Hantschel Sep 2019

The Phosphatase Ubash3b/Sts-1 Is A Negative Regulator Of Bcr-Abl Kinase Activity And Leukemogenesis, Afsar Ali Mian, Ines Baumann, Marcus Liebermann, Florian Grebien, Giulio Superti-Furga, Martin Ruthardt, Oliver G. Ottmann, Oliver Hantschel

Centre for Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research

No abstract provided.


Vitamin D Status And Risk Of Incident Tuberculosis Disease: A Nested Case-Control Study, Systematic Review, And Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Omowunmi Aibana, Chuan-Chin Huang, Said Aboud, Alberto Arnedo-Pena, Mercedes C. Becerra, Juan Bautista Bellido-Blasco, Ramesh Bhosale, Roger Calderon, Rabia Hussain, Najeeha Talat Iqbal Sep 2019

Vitamin D Status And Risk Of Incident Tuberculosis Disease: A Nested Case-Control Study, Systematic Review, And Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Omowunmi Aibana, Chuan-Chin Huang, Said Aboud, Alberto Arnedo-Pena, Mercedes C. Becerra, Juan Bautista Bellido-Blasco, Ramesh Bhosale, Roger Calderon, Rabia Hussain, Najeeha Talat Iqbal

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Few studies have evaluated the association between preexisting vitamin D deficiency and incident tuberculosis (TB). We assessed the impact of baseline vitamins D levels on TB disease risk.
Methods and Findings: We assessed the association between baseline vitamin D and incident TB in a prospective cohort of 6,751 HIV-negative household contacts of TB patients enrolled between September 1, 2009, and August 29, 2012, in Lima, Peru. We screened for TB disease at 2, 6, and 12 months after enrollment. We defined cases as household contacts who developed TB disease at least 15 days after enrollment of the index patient. …


Cardioprotective Effects Of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Immunomodulator Fty720 In A Clinically Relevant Model Of Cardioplegic Arrest And Cardiopulmonary Bypass, Naseer Ahmed, Adeela Mehmood, Daniele Linardi, Soban Sadiq Sadiq, Maddalena Tessari, Sultan Ayoub Meo, Rehana Rehman, Waseem M. Hajjar, Nazeer Muhammad, Mohammad Iqbal, Anwar Gilani, Giuseppe Faggian, Alessio Rungatscher Jul 2019

Cardioprotective Effects Of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Immunomodulator Fty720 In A Clinically Relevant Model Of Cardioplegic Arrest And Cardiopulmonary Bypass, Naseer Ahmed, Adeela Mehmood, Daniele Linardi, Soban Sadiq Sadiq, Maddalena Tessari, Sultan Ayoub Meo, Rehana Rehman, Waseem M. Hajjar, Nazeer Muhammad, Mohammad Iqbal, Anwar Gilani, Giuseppe Faggian, Alessio Rungatscher

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: FTY720, an immunomodulator derived from sphingosine-1-phosphate, has recently demonstrated its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, FTY720 might be a key pharmacological target for preconditioning. In this preclinical model, we have investigated the effects of FTY720 on myocardium during reperfusion in an experimental model of cardioplegic arrest (CPA) and cardiopulmonary bypass.
Methods: 30 Sprague-Dawley rats (300-350 g) were randomized into two groups: Group-A, treated with FTY720 1 mg/kg via intravenous cannulation, and Group-B, as control. After 15 min of treatment, rats underwent CPA for 30 min followed by initiation of extracorporeal life support for 2 h. Support …


Pregnant Women In Four Low-Middle Income Countries Have A High Prevalence Of Inadequate Dietary Intakes That Are Improved By Dietary Diversity, Rebecca L. Lander, K Michael Hambidge, Jamie E. Westcott, Gabriela Tejeda, Tshilenge S. Diba, Shivanand C. Mastiholi, Umber S. Khan, Ana Garcés, Sumera Aziz Ali, Sarah Saleem, On Behalf Of The Women First Preconception Nutrition Trial Group Jul 2019

Pregnant Women In Four Low-Middle Income Countries Have A High Prevalence Of Inadequate Dietary Intakes That Are Improved By Dietary Diversity, Rebecca L. Lander, K Michael Hambidge, Jamie E. Westcott, Gabriela Tejeda, Tshilenge S. Diba, Shivanand C. Mastiholi, Umber S. Khan, Ana Garcés, Sumera Aziz Ali, Sarah Saleem, On Behalf Of The Women First Preconception Nutrition Trial Group

Community Health Sciences

Background: Up-to-date dietary data are required to understand the diverse nutritional challenges of pregnant women living in low-middle income countries (LMIC). To that end, dietary data were collected from 1st trimester pregnant women in rural areas of Guatemala, India, Pakistan, and Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) participating in a maternal lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) Randomized Controlled Trial to examine dietary diversity (DD), usual group energy and nutrient intakes, and prevalence of inadequate dietary intakes.
Methods: Two 24-h dietary recalls were conducted in ~240 pregnant women/site (total n = 966) prior to 12-week gestation. Adequate DD was assessed, i.e., ≥5 …


Evaluation Of Kidney Injury Molecule-1 As A Disease Progression Biomarker In Diabetic Nephropathy, Fatima Abid Khan, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Sana Shahid Jul 2019

Evaluation Of Kidney Injury Molecule-1 As A Disease Progression Biomarker In Diabetic Nephropathy, Fatima Abid Khan, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Ghulam Mustafa Khan, Sana Shahid

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Background & Objective: Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a peptide whose release into circulation is specific to tubular injury. This study aimed to estimate levels of kidney injury molecule-1 in diabetic patients with and without kidney disease. And evaluate the role of KIM-1 as an early screening marker of progressive kidney injury.
Methods: This follow-up study included n=85 subjects from the diabetic clinic of Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center (JPMC) in collaboration with Aga Khan University from November 2016 till September 2017. They were divided as: i) Group A1 (n=30) participants with diabetes for <5 years without microalbuminuria ii) Group A2 (n= 30) subjects with diabetes for 6-10 years with microalbuminuria; iii) Group B (n=25) subjects as healthy control group. All study participants were followed for 6 months and their blood glucose, urea, creatinine, electrolytes, albuminuria and serum KIM-1 were assayed.
Results: High KIM-1 at baseline was …


Can Low Vitamin D Binding Protein Levels Be A Cause Of Infertility In Females?, Bisma Badr, Sadia Cassim, Rehana Rehman Jul 2019

Can Low Vitamin D Binding Protein Levels Be A Cause Of Infertility In Females?, Bisma Badr, Sadia Cassim, Rehana Rehman

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Abstract are not provided by the author/publisher


Nrxn1 Deletion And Exposure To Methylmercury Increase Astrocyte Differentiation By Different Notch-Dependent Transcriptional Mechanisms, Marilena Raciti, Salma Jahan, Stefan Spulber, Giulia Gaudenzi, Zahra Khalajzeyqami, Mirko Conti, Britt-Marie Anderlid, Anna Falk, Ola Hermans, Sandra Ceccatelli Jun 2019

Nrxn1 Deletion And Exposure To Methylmercury Increase Astrocyte Differentiation By Different Notch-Dependent Transcriptional Mechanisms, Marilena Raciti, Salma Jahan, Stefan Spulber, Giulia Gaudenzi, Zahra Khalajzeyqami, Mirko Conti, Britt-Marie Anderlid, Anna Falk, Ola Hermans, Sandra Ceccatelli

Centre for Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research

Controversial evidence points to a possible involvement of methylmercury (MeHg) in the etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In the present study, we used human neuroepithelial stem cells from healthy donors and from an autistic patient bearing a bi-allelic deletion in the gene encoding for NRXN1 to evaluate whether MeHg would induce cellular changes comparable to those seen in cells derived from the ASD patient. In healthy cells, a subcytotoxic concentration of MeHg enhanced astroglial differentiation similarly to what observed in the diseased cells (N1), as shown by the number of GFAP positive cells and immunofluorescence signal intensity. In both …


Antimicrobial Susceptibility Against Metronidazole And Carbapenem In Clinical Anaerobic Isolates From Pakistan, Kauser Jabeen, Yusra Shafquat, Joveria Farooqi, Kiran Mehmood, Seema Irfan, Rumina Hasan, Afia Zafar Jun 2019

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Against Metronidazole And Carbapenem In Clinical Anaerobic Isolates From Pakistan, Kauser Jabeen, Yusra Shafquat, Joveria Farooqi, Kiran Mehmood, Seema Irfan, Rumina Hasan, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Globally metronidazole and carbapenem resistance in anaerobic organisms is increasing necessitating continuous surveillance to guide selection of empirical treatment. In this study we have determined metronidazole resistance in anaerobes using MIC Evaluator strips (M.I.C.E strips). Carbapenem resistance was evaluated only in metronidazole resistant isolates.
Material and methods: The study was conducted at the Aga Khan University (AKU) Hospital laboratory, Karachi, Pakistan (2014–2017). Metronidazole and imipenem resistance was evaluated using M.I.C.E strips and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were interpreted using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) criteria. Clinical details including demographics, prolonged hospital stay, malignancy, transplant, dialysis, diabetes, site of infection …


Role Of Ajwa Date (Phoenix Dactyl L) Derived Polyphenols In Male Infertility, Naseer Ahmed, Rehana Rehman, Anwar Gilani Jun 2019

Role Of Ajwa Date (Phoenix Dactyl L) Derived Polyphenols In Male Infertility, Naseer Ahmed, Rehana Rehman, Anwar Gilani

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Madam, prevalence of male infertility with its associated social and health problems calls for an insight for its elucidation.1 Over the past few decades, there have been many experimental and clinical studies on the pathophysiology of oxidative stress and its impact on fertility disorders, both in men and women. Oxidative stress impairs sperm function and count, damage to DNA and accelerates the cellular apoptotic functions leading to the inability to achieve conception or lack of development of the embryo. 234563


Mutational Landscape Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas In A South Asian Population, Kulsoom Ghias, Sadiq S. Rehmani, Safina Abdul Razzak, Sarosh Madani, M Kamran Azim, Rashida Ahmed, Mumtaz J Khan Jun 2019

Mutational Landscape Of Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas In A South Asian Population, Kulsoom Ghias, Sadiq S. Rehmani, Safina Abdul Razzak, Sarosh Madani, M Kamran Azim, Rashida Ahmed, Mumtaz J Khan

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type globally and contributes significantly to burden of disease in South Asia. In Pakistan, HNSCC is anmong the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and females. The increasing regional burden of HNSCC along with a unique set of risk factors merited a deeper investigation of the disease at the genomic level. Whole exome sequencing of HNSCC samples and matched normal genomic DNA (n=7) was performed. Significant somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified and pathway analysis performed to determine frequently affected signaling pathways. We identified significant, novel …


Medical Students: A Reflective Journey Over Time, Saniya Sabzwari, Kulsoom Ghias, Anjiya Sulaiman May 2019

Medical Students: A Reflective Journey Over Time, Saniya Sabzwari, Kulsoom Ghias, Anjiya Sulaiman

Department of Family Medicine

Experiences in medical education have changed significantly in the last two decades. This evolution is apparent in the teaching/ learning environment, types of education resources and learners. In this article two students provide a reflective account of their individual journeys in medical education spanning across 20 years. While some things remain unchanged, significant differences emerge that stress upon the educators and institutions to stay mindful of these transitions in order to develop learning environments that nurture the growth of future physicians.Experiences in medical education have changed significantly in the last two decades. This evolution is apparent in the teaching/ learning …


Implications Of Genetic Variation Of Common Drug Metabolizing Enzymes And Abc Transporters Among The Pakistani Population, Nasir Ali Afsar, Henrike Bruckmueller, Anneke Nina Werk, Muhammad Kashif Nisa, H R. Ahmad, Ingolf Cascorbi May 2019

Implications Of Genetic Variation Of Common Drug Metabolizing Enzymes And Abc Transporters Among The Pakistani Population, Nasir Ali Afsar, Henrike Bruckmueller, Anneke Nina Werk, Muhammad Kashif Nisa, H R. Ahmad, Ingolf Cascorbi

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Genetic polymorphism of drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters may influence drug response. The frequency varies substantially between ethnicities thus having implications on appropriate selection and dosage of various drugs in different populations. The distribution of genetic polymorphisms in healthy Pakistanis has so far not been described. In this study, 155 healthy adults (98 females) were included from all districts of Karachi. DNA was extracted from saliva and genotyped for relevant SNVs in CYP1A1, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 as well as ALDH3A1, GSTA1, ABCB1 and ABCC2. About 64% of the participants were born to parents who were unrelated …


Gastric-Type Enteric Duplication Cyst In The Tail Of A Bifid Pancreas In Association With Complete Intestinal Malrotation, Muhammad Awais, Abdul Rehman, Noor Ul-Ain Baloch May 2019

Gastric-Type Enteric Duplication Cyst In The Tail Of A Bifid Pancreas In Association With Complete Intestinal Malrotation, Muhammad Awais, Abdul Rehman, Noor Ul-Ain Baloch

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Abstract are not provided by the author/publisher


Blended Learning: Call Of The Day For Medical Education In The Global South, Zehra Jamil, Azra Naseem, Eman Rashwan, Sumrah Khalid Apr 2019

Blended Learning: Call Of The Day For Medical Education In The Global South, Zehra Jamil, Azra Naseem, Eman Rashwan, Sumrah Khalid

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Blended learning (BL) is an e-learning approach that combines the strengths of both online and face-to-face learning, creating meaningful interactions between students, teachers, and resources. This paper explores students’ expectations and satisfaction with, and participation in, a basic science course offered through BL approaches in an undergraduate medical education programme in Pakistan. Developmental anatomy (embryology) was redesigned as a BL course and offered to a hundred first-year students. Both online activities and technology-assisted face-to-face interactive discussions were used in each topic. Students’ expectations were gathered at the start of the course and perceptions regarding their satisfaction with the course was …


Serum Anti Mullerian Hormone And Renalase Levels In Predicting The Risk Of Preeclampsia, Zehra Jamil, Sana Shahid, Erum Baig, Rida Ahmad, Faryal Subhani, Syeda Sadia Fatima Mar 2019

Serum Anti Mullerian Hormone And Renalase Levels In Predicting The Risk Of Preeclampsia, Zehra Jamil, Sana Shahid, Erum Baig, Rida Ahmad, Faryal Subhani, Syeda Sadia Fatima

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the association of serum AMH and Renalase with the risk of preeclampsia thereby assessing them as screening tools, reducing the risk of gravid consequences of preeclampsia.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited n = 95 pregnant women between 14 and 32 gestational weeks. They were categorized as a) women with gestational hypertension (n = 45); b) women with pre-eclampsia (n = 20) and c) normotensive pregnant women (n = 30) according to the ACOG criteria. Anthropometrics data and blood and urine samples were collected. AMH and Renalase levels were measured …


Longer Trinucleotide Repeats Of Androgen Receptor Gene: Infertility In Males, Mussarat Ashraf, Hemaila Tariq, Rehana Rehman Mar 2019

Longer Trinucleotide Repeats Of Androgen Receptor Gene: Infertility In Males, Mussarat Ashraf, Hemaila Tariq, Rehana Rehman

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.


Comparison Of Serum Levels Of Vitamin D And Vitamin D-Binding Protein In Normal, Osteopenic And Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women, Rafat Murad, Tabassum Mahboob, Rehana Rehman, Rozeena Baig Mar 2019

Comparison Of Serum Levels Of Vitamin D And Vitamin D-Binding Protein In Normal, Osteopenic And Osteoporotic Postmenopausal Women, Rafat Murad, Tabassum Mahboob, Rehana Rehman, Rozeena Baig

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Objective: To compare the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) calcium and phosphate in normal, osteopenic and osteoporotic postmenopausal women categorized on the basis of bone mineral density (BMD) scores.
Methods: A cross sectional study carried out from May 2017 to August 2018. BMD measured by Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry categorized women (aged 20- 70 years) into normal (n=37) (T score ≥ -1.0) osteopenic (n=25) (-2.5< T score, < -1) and osteoporotic (n= 26) (T score < -2.5) according to WHO classification. Serum concentrations of vitamin D, VDBP, calcium, phosphate analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were compared by Analysis of Variance.
Results: In normal females higher levels of vitamin D and VDBP were observed [15.82 (8 - 69.18), 469.9 (269.57 - 875.55)] vs. osteopenic [(7.45 (4.66 - 15.1), 296.05 (232.58 - …


Use Of 3d Imaging For Providing Insights Into High-Order Structure Of Mitotic Chromosomes, Mohammad Yusuf, Kohei Kaneyoshi, Kiichi Fukui, Ian Robinson Mar 2019

Use Of 3d Imaging For Providing Insights Into High-Order Structure Of Mitotic Chromosomes, Mohammad Yusuf, Kohei Kaneyoshi, Kiichi Fukui, Ian Robinson

Centre for Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Research

The high-order structure of metaphase chromosomes remains still under investigation, especially the 30-nm structure that is still controversial. Advanced 3D imaging has provided useful information for our understanding of this detailed structure. It is evident that new technologies together with improved sample preparations and image analyses should be adequately combined. This mini review highlights 3D imaging used for chromosome analysis so far with future imaging directions also highlighted.


Association Between Leptin, Obesity, Hormonal Interplay And Male Infertility, Sofia Amjaad, Mukhtiar Baig, Nida Zahid, Sundus Tariq, Rehana Rehman Feb 2019

Association Between Leptin, Obesity, Hormonal Interplay And Male Infertility, Sofia Amjaad, Mukhtiar Baig, Nida Zahid, Sundus Tariq, Rehana Rehman

Department of Surgery

Male infertility is a major health problem worldwide. We investigated a possible association between leptin, obesity, hormonal interplay and male infertility. This cross-sectional study of 313 males (178 infertile and 135 fertile) was carried out in 2017. The subjects were categorised by body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) into normal weight, overweight and obese. Significantly higher levels of BMI and BF% (p-value < 0.001) and lower levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, and SHBG (p-value < 0.001) were found in infertile males. However, no significant difference was observed in leptin levels (p-value = 0.35). Leptin levels were significantly higher, and all the sex hormones were significantly lower (p-value < 0.001) in obese subjects, whereas according to BF% only leptin, FSH and SHBG were significantly different. Leptin showed a significant positive correlation with BMI and BF% (p < 0.001). A strong positive link to serum testosterone was found with age, FSH, and LH (p < 0.001) and a negative one with BMI and BF% (p < 0.001). In mutivariable anlaysis, after adjusting for the other covariates, a significant association between FSH and testosterone (p-value <0.001) was found. Serum leptin levels did not differ significantly in fertile and infertile groups, and no association was found with infertility. Furthermore, male obesity was found to be associated with infertility with the decrease in levels of sex hormones.