Diagnostic Accuracy of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP), for Cartilage Damage in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background:Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), is an extracellular matrix (ECM) non-collagenous glycoprotein that is mainly localized within the cartilage, and also be found in tendon and synovium.RecentstudiesinwestandAsiaPacificregionhasshownthatCOMP, is a prognostic marker in Rheumatoid arthritis(RA).Objective:To correlate serum COMP levels with disease severity and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:The study was conducted in Department of Pathology and Rheumatology, Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi from June 2018 to May 2019. Patients were recruited as per American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2010 classification criteria. The study populationconsists of 88 healthy subjects and 88 RA patients. Sandwich ELISA technique was used to assess serum COMP level. Other inflammatory markers such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) antibodies like rheumatoid factor, and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (anti-CCP) were also assessed. Results were analyzed using SPSS-20 and P-value ≤0.05 was considered as significant.Results: Serum COMP levels were significantly higher in RA patients 51.35ng/ml than controls 21.454ng/ml with significant p value=<0.0001. There was strong positive correlation between COMP level and disease severity in RA patients with moderate as well as high disease activity score (DAS) with significant p value. Serum COMP showed 96% sensitivity and 83% specificity at level of 27.01ng/ml for diagnosis of RA.Conclusions:COMP has significant positive correlation with severity of RA. Serum COMP can be utilized as a biomarker to quantify cartilage destruction in RA patients

Effects of Diabetogenic Agent Streptozotocin on Hematological Parameters of Wistar Albino Rats “An Experimental Study”

Background:Diabetes mellitus has remained the major concern for medical sciences researches duetoits deleterious effects on general, physical and mental health of patients. To understand the pathophysiology and to explore better treatment options for such kind of metabolic disorders it is necessary to generate the experimental animal models. To create diabetic animal models, streptozotocin has shown predominance in selectivity as a diabetogenic agent. While studying effects of any intervention in the diabetic animal models, being a cytotoxic drug streptozotocin may affect the study results by inhibiting highly replicating cells especially hematopoietic cells.Original ResearchArticle Aims:The aim of study was to analyze the effects of streptozotocin on various cellular components of blood such as RBCs, WBCs (Lymphocytes, Neutrophils, Eosinophils), Hb%, HCT and Platelets, at baseline,5thday and 15thday without any intervention.Study Design:Animal based Experimentalstudy.Place and duration of Study:The study was conducted at animal house of faculty of Pharmacy Ziauddin University Karachi, while laboratory work was performed at MDRL-1 Ziauddin University.Methodology:In Group A normal saline and in group B and C 60mg / kg streptozotocin diluted in normal saline was administered intraperitoneally. After the confirmation of induction of Diabetes in rats, on fifth day blood samples were drawn from Group A and B and were analyzed. While blood samples from group C weredrawn on fifteenth day.Results:Analysis of various hematological parameters on 5thday revealed that there was a decrease in the levels of Hb, HCT, RBCs and WBCs with an increase in platelet count in group B in comparison to group A (control). On the other hand, in Group C (15th day), blood cell counts (Hb, HCT, RBCs, WBCs, Lymphocytes, Neutrophils and platelets) seemed to recover from streptozotocin induced decline that was observed in group B, however did not reach the baselines as in group A(control).Conclusion:It is concluded that change in hematological parameters of rats after administration of streptozotocin is reversible. The blood parameters may recover near to base line values without any intervention within two weeks

Variation in serum vitamin D levels in healthy population of Islamabad

Objective: To determine the levels of Vitamin D in apparently healthy population of Islamabad

Study design: A Descriptive Study

Place and duration: From March 2012 to April 2013 at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences, Islamabad

Methodology: Two hundred and ninety nine healthy subjects were selected between the age of 10-85 yrs. Convenient sampling was done. Subjects with complain of bone pain, musculoskeletal or rheumatologic problems, pregnant and lactating mothers, smokers or alcoholics were excluded from the study. History was taken and Blood samples were collected and stored at -80[degree]C for estimation of Vitamin D levels in batches. Vitamin D level was determined by ELISA technique [Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay] after standardizing it and controls were run simultaneously. The data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 17.Percentage was determined and Chi square test applied on data

Result: Vitamin D levels of 299 subjects were categorized according to deficiency and insufficiency criteria specified [Roche]. The study shows that 65.2% [n =195] subjects were deficient in Vitamin D, 26.09% [n = 78] were insufficient and only 8.7% [n=26] had normal 25 OH Vitamin D levels

Conclusion: The subjects in the population are suffering from hypovitaminosis D. The cause of vitamin D deficiency remains an area of concern, when availability of sunlight is adequate especially in asian population

Nephrin: an emerging biomarker for detecting damage of glomerular filtration barrier

Nephropathy due to damage of filtration barrier is a primary origin of end stage renal disease in Diabetics. It is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Mostly clinicians rely on urine analysis of Albumin. In the recent years extensive research has been conducted to find out a novel biomarker which can help in the early diagnosis of nephropathy. A search was conducted regarding publications of new diagnostic biomarkers for nephropathy. Among many renal biomarker researched lately, Nephrin was identified as the one that can become an early predictor of nephropathy and the levels of which can also ascertain the severity of the disease

Procedure for prolapsed haemorrhoids versus excisional haemorrhoidectomy a systematic review and meta-analysis

To assess the efficacy of Procedure for prolapsed haemorrhoids versus excisional haemorrhoidectomy to treat haemorrhoids. Randomised controlled trials comparing EH and PPH with >/= 15 patients. This study was conducted at Nishtar Medical College, Multan from December 2011 to May 2012. All articles addressing haemorrhoidectomy were identified using the Medline and Pubmed Web sites with the period of review extending from December 2011 to May 2012. Articles addressing PPH and EH were then reviewed. The search included in English language. All randomised controlled comparative trials and patient samples of >/= 15 patients were considered for the meta-analysis. The primary endpoints assessed were pain and time taken to return to normal activity. Secondary endpoints were bleeding, complications and residual symptoms, recurrence rates and re-interventions PPH was associated with less postoperative pain, earlier return to normal activities compared with EH. There was no difference between the two procedures in terms of complications. There were more recurrences after PPH. Compared with EH, PPH is associated with less postoperative pain, earlier return to normal activity. The rate of recurrence appears higher with PPH

Rhomboid flap in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease

The aim of our study was to present our experience with the Rhomboid flap technique in the management of pilonidal sinus disease and to evaluate the morbidity and recurrence. Cross-sectional, observational study. This study was conducted in the surgical department of Nishtar Hospital Multan Ward 4 surgical unit 1, October 2011 to March 2012. Eleven patients were included, eight had previous surgical drainage of multiple natal cleft abscesses, and three had acute disease at the time of surgery. Nine patients had complex, recurrent pilonidal sinus. By using the Rhomboid transposition flap, we were able to excise the diseased area and close the defect. Operative time, hospital stay, healing time, wound infection, wound breakdown, return to normal activity and recurrence were assessed. There were 10 males and one female with a median age of 23 years [range 17-32 years]. Mean follow-up was 6 months [range 5-6 months]. Mean operative time was 63.2 minutes [range 55-75 minutes]. Hospital stay was 3.4 days [range 2-5]. Postoperative morbidity involved superficial wound infection in two patients, superficial gangrene of wound edges in one patient and partial wound breakdown in one patient that settled with dressing in the out-patient clinic. All wounds healed and the median healing time was 15 days. There was no recurrence in our series. Median time to return to normal activity was 17.8 [range 10-27] days. Rhomboid flap is a useful technique in the treatment of advanced, difficult cases of pilonidal sinus disease. It has relatively low morbidity, allows early return to full activity and does not necessitate prolonged postoperative care. A larger series and longer follow up time is needed to assess the recurrence rate more adequately

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with harmonic scalpel

To compare results in terms of thermal injuries and biliary complications with use of monopolar hook and ultrasonic harmonic scalpel Inlaparoscopic cholecystectomy. Quasi-experimental study. This study was conducted at Surgical Unit I and III, Nishtar Hospital Multan from November 2011 to July 2012. During a 9 months period, in a personal series of 95 consecutive patients, the Harmonic scalpel was used as the sole instrument for both division and dissection of the cystic artery and duct. The average length of inpatient stay, procedure duration, and complications were compared with the data of a homogenous control group of patients who were treated using monopolarelechosurgery and clips. Measurements of the percentage were made using SPSS 15. Statistical significance level was at p <0.001. Neither major complications nor bile duct injuries were detected in either group, and no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the incidence of postoperative complications. However, the mean operative time was significantly shorter in patients treated with the Harmonic scalpel. The Harmonic scalpel is not only a safe and effective instrument but also a reliable substitute for clips because it provides complete hemobiliary stasis. Even if the study revealed no differences with regard to postoperative complications, the Harmonic scalpel represents a viable alternative because of the shorter operation time and cost savings that are inherent in a procedure using it as a single instrument

Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil: antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities

The aim of this work was to investigate and compare the antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil, native to Pakistan. The essential oil content from the leaves of R. officinalis was 0.93 g 100g-1. The GC and GC-MS analysis revealed that the major components determined in R. officinalis essential oil were 1,8-cineol (38.5 percent), camphor (17.1 percent), α-pinene (12.3 percent), limonene (6.23 percent), camphene (6.00 percent) and linalool (5.70 percent). The antiproliferative activity was tested against two cancer (MCF-7 and LNCaP) and one fibroblast cell line (NIH-3T3) using the MTT assay, while, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the reduction of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and measuring percent inhibition of peroxidation in linoleic acid system. The disc diffusion and modified resazurin microtitre-plate assays were used to evaluate the inhibition zones (IZ) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of R. officinalis essential oil, respectively. It is concluded from the results that Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil exhibited antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial activities.

Somatic embryogenesis in wild relatives of cotton (Gossypium Spp.) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Wild cotton species can contribute a valuable gene pool for agronomically desirable cultivated tetraploid cultivars. In order to exploit diploid cotton a regeneration system is required to achieve transformation based goals. The present studies aimed at optimizing the conditions for regeneration of local varieties as well as wild species of cotton. Different callus induction media were tested with varying concentrations of hormones in which sucrose was used as nutritional source. Different explants (hypocotyls, cotyledon, root) were used to check the regeneration of both local cotton plants and wild relatives using T & G medium, BAP medium, CIM medium, EMMS medium, and cell suspension medium. Different stages of embryogenicity such as early torpedo stage, late torpedo stage, heart stage, globular stage and cotyledonary stage were observed in wild relatives of cotton. The results of this study pave the way for establishing future transformation methods.