Model studies of transmembrane interaction of FcEpsilonRIAlpha/FcRGamma reveal novel strategies to inhibit allergic responses

The high-affinity IgE receptor complex plays an essential part in allergic responses and involved in downstream signaling, released inflammatory mediators that cause allergic responses. The transmembrane region of the high-affinity IgE has a conserved motif [LFAVDTGL] where a polar aspartate [D194] is important for the ligand binding. This modeling study proposes novel potential binding sites between high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor Alpha subunit [FcEpsilonRIAlpha] and FcRGamma and as a consequence, we propose a new model of FcEpsilonRIAlpha and FcRGamma interaction [T194] which can mediate downstream signaling in allergic response. The docking of FcRGamma with wild-type [D194] and mutant human high affinity immunoglobulin E receptor Alpha subunit [D194T, D194I, D194L, D194A, D194V, D194E, D194S and D194R] has been performed on Autodock Vina. This modeling study is based on lab data obtained by carrying out sitedirected mutagenesis done at residue D194 of FcEpsilonRIAlpha to assess its functional importance for the mediation of intracellular signal cascade. HuFcEpsilonRIAlpha D194 residue was replaced with threonine, leucine, serine, arginine, alanine, asparagine and glutamic acid. FcRGamma docking on mutated huFcEpsilonRIAlpha [D194T] indicated a new site of interaction and emphasizes the significance of the charge and size of an amino acid at position 194 in huFcEpsilonRIAlpha subunit. Amino acids D and T at position 194 are important for cell surface localization, interactions, distribution and downstream signaling of IgE receptor subunit. These proposed models may herald in better therapeutic interventions to combat unfavorably allergic diseases

Correlation between genotoxicity and interleukin-6 in smokers: a rodent model

Objective: to investigate the relation between genotoxicity and interleukin-6 in rats exposed to cigarette smoke

Study Design: an experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: army Medical College, Rawalpindi and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, in 2016

Methodology: seventy healthy Sprague Dawley rats were placed in smoke chambers at animal house of National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Cigarette smoke was given to them for 3 months. Genotoxicity was assessed by Cytokinesis Block Micronucleus [CBMN] assay. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] kit was used to determine Interleukin-6 in study samples. Pearson correlation was used to find the correlation between genotoxicity and IL-6

Results: the mean IL-6 and micronuclei frequency was 49.48 +/- 19.69 ng/L and 6.77 +/- 0.73, respectively. Weak positive association was found between micronuclei frequency and IL-6 in smoke exposed rats [r=0.266, N=70, p=0.026]

Conclusion: genotoxicity and inflammation are associated in smokers. The present study concluded that smoke exposure elicited a proinflammatory profile, which might have promoted DNA damage in smokers

Expression analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-9gene in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs

Objective: to evaluate matrix metalloproteinase-9gene expression in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic agents with the objective to further modify the current treatment regimen if indicated in order to prevent progression to deforming rheumatoid arthritis

Study Design: cross-sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: cream Lab [Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine] and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, in collaboration with Rheumatology Department at Military Hospital Rawalpindi from November 2015 to November 2016

Methodology: a total of 60 patients of both genders were taken, among which 30 were patients and 30 were controls. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. RNA was extracted from respective blood sample and cDNA was synthesised and after optimisation, expression analysis of matrix metalloproteinase-9gene was seen on real time PCR

Results: mean age of rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy controls was 49.27 +/- 12.11and 42.10 +/- 9.02 years, respectively. Among controls, 50% were males [15] and 50% were females [15]; whereas, among patients, 30% [9] were males and 70% [21] were females. The mean cycle threshold [Ct] value of MMP-9expressions in patients was 27.9147 +/- 2.953; whereas, mean Ct of controls was 23.84 +/- 2.845. Down regulation of this gene was found in patients in comparison to controls

Conclusion: downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9was observed in patients as compared to controls indicating that current treatment regimen did not require further modification

Correlation between serum amyloid a-low density lipoprotein and genotoxicity in smokers

Objective: To investigate the relation between serum amyloid A-low density lipoprotein [SAA-LDL] and genotoxicity in smokers

Study Design: An experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad, from June 2014 to February 2015

Methodology: Seventy healthy Sprague Dawley rats were purchased from NIH and exposed to cigarette smoke in smoke chamber for three months. Blood samples were drawn from each rat at the end of the study period. SAA-LDL was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Genotoxicity was assessed by cytokinesis block micronucleus [CBMN] assay. Pearson correlation was used to find correlation between SAA-LDL and genotoxicity

Results: Strong positive correlation was found between SAA-LDL and micronuclei frequency in smoke-exposed rats [r=0.799, N=70, p <0.01]

Conclusion: Statistically significant strong positive correlation between SAA-LDL and genotoxicity in smoke-exposed rats shows that changes in one is associated with changes in other and vice versa

Expression analysis of glyoxalase I gene among patients of diabetic retinopathy

Objectives: To study expression of glyoxalase I in patients of diabetic retinopathy

Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine [CREAM], Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology [AFIO] from January 2015 to November 2015. Sampling technique was non- probability purposive sampling. Total 60 subjects were enrolled in two groups. Group-I comprised 30 patients of diabetic retinopathy and Group-II of 30 normal healthy controls. Clinical and demographic data was collected and fasting venous blood samples [2 ml] were drawn. RNA was extracted and subjected to cDNA synthesis. Expression analysis for glyoxalase I was carried out and relative quantification done by double delta Ct method

Results: Mean age of the patients was 61.30 +/- 7.06 years and mean age of controls was 59.60 +/- 6.43 years. There were 17 [56.7%] males and 13 [43.3%] females in Group-I while Group-II comprised 14 [46.7%] males and 16 [53.3%] females. There was down regulation of glyoxalase I among patients of diabetic retinopathy in comparison with controls when relative gene expression was calculated

Conclusion: Down regulation of glyoxalase I in patients of diabetic retinopathy suggests it to be a contributory factor in the development of disease

Effect of smoking on interleukin-6 in Sprague Dawley rats

Objective: To investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on interleukin-6 in Sprague Dawley rats. Study Design: Randomized controlled study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Army Medical College Rawalpindi, from Jan to Apr 2015

Material and Methods: Seventy healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups at National Institute of Health [NIH]. Group-I rats were not exposed while group-II rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 months. Interleukin-6 [IL-6] was determined using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] kit. Data was analyzed using t-test

Results: Higher levels of IL-6 were observed in exposed than in non-exposed. The mean of IL-6 levels of control and smoker groups was 40.84 +/- 9.09 and 49.48 +/- 19.69 respectively. The difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]

Conclusion: Positive association was found between cigarette smoking and IL-6. This shows that IL-6 may be used as a biochemical marker to assess inflammatory damage in smoke related diseases

Association of inflammatory markers with physical activity, family history and other diabetic complications in patients of diabetic retinopathy

Objective: To study the association of inflammatory markers with physical activity, family history and other complications among patients of diabetic retinopathy

Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology [AFIO] and Military Hospital Laboratories, Rawalpindi from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016

Material and Methods: A total of 90 diagnosed patients of diabetic retinopathy of ages 40-70 years were enrolled from Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi. Their inflammatory markers [ESR and CRP] were assessed and their levels were compared with their physical activity, family history and other complications of diabetes already developed in them. These were then compared with those of 90 normal healthy controls enrolled from general population using independent student's t test and one way Anova test for scale variables and Chi square test for nominal variables

Results: Both patients and controls were age and gender matched with mean age of 60 +/- 8.9 years in patients and 59 +/- 13.02 years in controls. Among 90 patients enrolled 51[56.7%] were males and 39 [43.3] were females. And among 90 controls 49 [54.4%] were males and 41[45.6%] were females. An inverse association was observed between inflammatory markers and physical activity with ap-value of 0.001. On the contrary a strong positive association was observed between inflammatory markers and family history and complications of diabetes with a p-value 0.001

Conclusion: There is an inverse association of inflammatory markers with physical activity and a direct association of these with family history and complications of diabetes among patients of diabetic retinopathy

Study of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To study the erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide [anti-CCP] antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy

Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine [CREAM-I], Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Rheumatology Department, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016

Material and Methods: Study sample was seventy in number and was divided into two groups. Group I consisted of thirty five patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, while group II consisted of thirty five healthy individuals who were not suffering from any chronic illness. Non probability purposive sampling was done. ESR was measured using Westergren method, while anti-CCP was estimated by enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay [ELISA]

Results: Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 version. Mean age of patients of rheumatoid arthritis was 49.69 +/- 11.5 years and that of control group was 47.4 +/- 10.4 years. Among the study population 30 [43%] individuals were males and 40 [57%] were females. In patient category, there were 10 [29%] males and 25 [71%] females. In control group 20 [57%] males and 15 [43%] females were present. Independent t-test was applied between the two variables i.e. ESR and anti-CCP, with showed significant p-value of less than 0.001

Conclusion: There was significant increase in both ESR and anti-CCP levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as compared with control group

Association of dyslipidemia and other risk factors with diabetic retinopathy among patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To study the association of diabetic retinopathy [DR] with dyslipidemia in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate other associated risk factors

Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine-1 [CREAM-1], Department of Biochemistry and Molecular biology Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology [AFIO] from Apr 2016 to Jun 2016

Material and Method: Total 180 subjects were enrolled in two groups. Group I comprised of 90 patients of diabetic retinopathy and group II of 90 healthy normal controls. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Fasting venous blood samples [5 ml] were drawn and checked for blood glucose, HbA1c and lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins]. Data collected was analyzed by SPSS version 22

Results: Mean age of the patients was 56 +/- 6 years and that of controls was 53 +/- 7 years. Mean duration of DM was 14 +/- 5 years. Mean systolic blood pressure of group-I was 146 +/- 15 mm Hg compared to 127 +/- mm Hg of group-II. Mean diastolic BP of patients was 93 +/- 8 mm Hg while that of controls was 77 +/- 6 mm Hg. Mean body mass index [BMI] of subjects of group-I was 28.8 +/- 2.9 while for group-II, it was 25.1 +/- 1.4. Mean fasting plasma glucose was 10.2 +/- 3.4 mmol/l for group-I and 5.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/l for group-II. HbA1c was also considerably higher for group-I with a mean of 7.2 +/- 0.8% while for group-II, its mean was 5.2 +/- 0.5. Total cholesterol [group-I 5.7 +/- 0.9 mmol/l versus group-II 4.8 +/- 0.6 mmol/l], triglycerides [group-I 3.7 +/- 0.9 mmol/l and group-II 2.0 +/- 0.2 mmol/l], and low density lipoproteins [group-I 3.08 +/- 0.49 mmol/l and group-II 2.17 +/- 0.3 mmol/l] of both the groups were compared and found significantly higher among patients of diabetic retinopathy. DR was positively correlated with poor glycemic control, hypertension, increasing age and dyslipidemia at highly significant p-value. There was no statistically significant difference for high density lipoproteins between the two groups

Conclusion: Our study established statistically significant association of DR with increasing age, duration of DM, poor glycemic control, and BMI. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins were associated with diabetic retinopathy at a highly significant p-value. No significant association between high density lipoproteins and diabetic retinopathy was found

Intrahepatic detection of insulin receptor substrate 2 in chronic hepatitis C patients

Objective: To detect hepatic insulin receptor substrate 2 in chronic hepatitis C patients. Study Design: Comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Center for research in experimental and applied medicine [CREAM], Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College and Holy Family Hospital Rawalpindi, from Dec 2011 to Nov 2012. Diagnosed patients of chronic hepatitis C were included in the study. Known cases of diabetes mellitus, patients with pancreatic disease and liver pathology other than hepatitis C were excluded from the study

Material and Methods: Twenty seropositive non diabetic HCV infected patients and 10 control subjects were recruited. Liver biopsy specimen was obtained from seropositive HCV patients while blood samples were obtained from controls as biopsy sample was not possible from normal controls. Both types of specimens were studied for detection of insulin receptor substrate 2 [IRS-2]

Results: No alteration in the content of insulin receptor substrate 2 in both seropositive patients and control samples were detected

Conclusion: Hepatitis C virus has no effect on insulin receptor substrate 2 content thus indicating absence of hepatic insulin resistance in patients with HCV infection

relation of c-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and body mass index with diabetic retinopathy in patients enrolled from a tertiary care hospital

Objective: To study the relation of C-Reactive Protein [CRP], Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR] and Body Mass Index [BMI] with diabetic retinopathy in patients enrolled from a tertiary care hospital

Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine [CREAM-1] at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology [AFIO], Rawalpindi over a period of 6 months from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016

Material and Methods: There were 90 patients of diabetic retinopathy enrolled from AFIO. Their ages were in range 40-70 years. Their levels of ESR, CRP and BMI were assessed. These were then compared with 90 normal healthy controls from general population. Independent student's t-test was applied for scale variables and Chi square test was applied for nominal variables

Results: Patients and controls were age and gender matched. Their mean ages were 60 +/- 8.9 years in patients and 59 +/- 13.02 years in controls. In 90 patients enrolled 51 [56.7%] were males and 39 [43.3] were females. And in 90 controls considered 49 [54.4%] were males and 41 [45.6%] were females. Both scale variables gave following results ESR= 27.9 +/- 6.96 in patients and 16.02 +/- 7.6 in controls with a p-value of <0.001 and BMI = 28.9 +/- 2.94 in patients and 26.02 +/- 4.16 in controls with a p-value of <0.001. CRP being a nominal variable gave p-value <0.001. Diabetic retinopathy gave a significant positive association with all the three variables under study

Conclusion: There is a direct relationship of ESR and CRP with retinopathy signifying that inflammatory processes may be one of the underlying biochemical mechanisms in development of retinopathy. Moreover a direct relationship also exists between BMI and retinopathy indicating the contribution of weight gain in development of retinopathy

Comparison of acute phase reactants in rheumatoid arthritis patients and healthy adults

Objective: To analyze the acute phase reactants in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and compare them to healthy controls

Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Rheumatology department Military Hospital [MH] Rawalpindi and Military Hospital Laboratories, from Jan 2016 to Jun 2016

Material and Methods: Approval of this study was given by Ethical Review Committee, Army Medical College [AMC] Rawalpindi. Two groups i.e., group I: normal healthy subjects [n=100] and group II: rheumatoid arthritis patients [n=100] were included in the study. Demographic data: age, gender, ethnicity and marital status of the healthy subjects as well as RA patients was recorded on proforma. Blood sample was collected and patients were monitored for acute-phase response i.e. by evaluating the levels of C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR]

Results: In this study 100 RA patients with 29 males and 71 females were enrolled. Hundred healthy controls included 50 males and 50 females. The mean CRP value of RA patients was 8.44 +/- 4.28mg/l i.e. higher as compared to that of controls whose mean CRP value was 6.2 +/- 4.6mg/l [p<0.001]

Among RA patients, the mean ESR value was 29.0 +/- 16.9mm/ hr of and among controls, the mean ESR value was 20.0 +/- 9.42 mm/hr [p<0.001]

Conclusion: Both CRP and ESR are important disease assessment biomarkers. They were significantly elevated among RA patients as compared to healthy subjects in our study. Moreover due to cost effectiveness these [CRP and ESR] are preferred tests for routine assessment. CRP and ESR provide the much desired information about RA activity and severity that cannot be provided by either of them alone

Awareness of hepatitis 'B' among people of khyber pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan

Hepatitis B virus is causing serious health concerns in countries like Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, 0.6 milion people were estimated to be infected with this virus in 2008. The authors aimed to assess knowledge regarding vaccination, testing and routes of transmission of hepatitis B virus among people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as such knowledge among masses will help limit the infection. People belonging to 12 different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were interviewed over a period of 5 months from October 2013 to February 2014. A pre-tested questionnaire was used and in-person survey of randomly selected 1,938 people was carried out throughout the province. Ninety-nine percent people said they knew about hepatitis B virus and 42% said they had got tested for it too. Out of them, 63.2% knew that a vaccine is available for hepatitis B virus. The proportion of respondents, who said hepatitis B virus can spread by sharing razors, toothbrush, syringes or sexual contact, was 97.94%, 95%, 99.3% and 77%, respectively. Only 28.7% knew, it can also spread vertically from mother to child during childbirth. People were quite aware of the routes of transmission of this disease, but they lacked knowledge regarding vaccination and prevention of this menace. Settings should be set up where routine preventive care and immunization services are provided

Detection of stat-1 in patients co-infected with hepatitis b and c resistant to interferon

Objective: Current study was designed to determine the STAT-1 in co-infected patients of hepatitis B and C resistant to interferon therapy

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Gastroenterology departments of various hospitals of Rawalpindi

Material and Methods: The study included 15 co-infected patients of hepatitis B and C resistant to interferon therapy and 15 healthy individuals as control

Methodology: Detection of STAT-1 was done by conventional PCR technique

Results: Sixty seven percent of the patients were expressing STAT-1 in their blood while 33% of the patients did not have STAT-1. Controls showed 57% detection of STAT-1 and 43% did not exhibit STAT-1. Mean age of the patients and controls was 35.90 +/- 8.95.Comparison between patients and controls was done by chi square test. Fisher exact probability value obtained was 0.287 which was not significant

Conclusion: Patients suffering from hepatitis B and C co-infection resistant to interferon therapy revealed higher detection of STAT-1 which indicate greater liver damage, fibrosis and an extensive and severer disease course in co-infection

IL-6 dependent effect of oral warfarin in heart valve replacement patients by measuring interacting clinical and demographic variables

Objective: To examine an inflammatory effect of warfarin and comparing with IL-6 levels along with different demographic and clinical variables

Study Design: Qusai experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Center of Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine [CREAM], Army Medical College/National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad from Oct 2013 to Oct 2015

Material and Methods: The study design was Quasi Experimental study. Samples were collected by Nonprobability convenience sampling. Total 76 patients were included according to warfarin dose response in warfarin therapy patients, i.e. 32[42%] were taking <5mg/day, 37[49%] had been put on dose 5-10mg/day and 7[09%] were taking>10mg/day of warfarin dose. Patient's demographic and clinical variables were noted i.e. age, gender, BMI, duration of therapy, INR history, hepatic, gastrointestinal and diabetic complications. Human IL-6 ELISA assay was performed

Results: The statistically significant difference was found between age groups [in years] and different levels of warfarin dose [p=0.046] along with IL-6 production. There is a negative correlation between warfarin dose and age group i.e. as age increases, the dose of warfarin decreases. Among the inter and intra-patient variability age and serum IL-6 levels were found to be statistically significant with warfarin dose response. BMI and warfarin dose were found to be weak positively correlated

Conclusion: A marked immunomodulatory response of warfarin was noted by measuring IL-6 levels. IL-6 levels retained a significant association with warfarin dose

Detection of STAT-1 in blood specimens of interferon resistant hepatitis C patients

Objective: To evaluate the expression of STAT-1 [Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription-1] in HCV patients non responder to interferon treatment

Study Design: Case control study

Place and Duration of Study: The research was carried out at Army Medical College Rawalpindi from January to July, 2012

Patients and Methods: The study after approved by institute's ethics committee was conducted on 15 HCV infected patients who were non responder to interferon therapy and 5 controls responder to interferon therapy. Their age, sex, body mass index [BMI] and marital status was noted. PCR based detection of STAT-1 mRNA was carried out in blood of HCV infected patients resistant to interferon therapy as well as controls. Data was presented in the form of frequencies and percentages and p values were calculated using Fisher exact test and student t-test

Results: Results showed that more males were resistant to interferon therapy as compared to females. The mean age was less in responders as compared to non responders. Forty percent of the HCV infected patients non responder to interferon therapy were positive for STAT-1 expression

Conclusion: STAT-1 blood expression can predict treatment response in HCV patients undergoing interferon treatment

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] awareness among medical students in Rawalpindi

To assess HCV awareness level among medical students. Cross sectional descriptive study. The study was conducted at Army Medical College Rawalpindi from March to October 2012. A structured questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted including male and female medical students from 3rd and 4th year of both MBBS and BDS classes. The data was reported in the form of frequencies and percentages of correct answers and p value was calculated for the difference in level of correct answers regarding HCV routes of transmission, between male and female students using chi-square test. Survey showed that male students were more knowledgeable about HCV than females. Regarding possible transmission routes for HCV, it is evident that most of the students knew that main spreading cause is blood products, injection drug users and reuse of syringes as compared to other risks. Misconceptions observed are of significance especially at the level of health care providers as this can hinder their professional duties, interaction with the patient and treatment. Knowledge regarding HCV among medical students is inadequate and it can influence HCV prevalence, treatment and management in society

Effect of cardiac rehabilitation on strength and balance in patients after coronary artery bypass graft

The most common method for improving the quality of life especially in chronic heart disease is rehabilitation. For increasing the level of knowledge about effect of rehabilitation and its' impression on improving the quality of life in patients. This study evaluates effect of one month cardiac rehabilitation on lower limb strength and the static and dynamic balance of CABG patients. This study is based on clinical trial before and after rehabilitation. the exercise protocol lasted for one month, three times per week, each session lasting 1 hour, on 30 male patients in two groups in control [N=15] and experimental group [N=15] after CABG in the centre of rehabilitation in Javad-Alaeme Heart Hospital, Mashhad. The strength of lower limb by chair standing test, the static balance by standing on one leg and dynamic balance by time up and go [TUG] test, was evaluated before and after 1 month rehabilitation in training group and detraining in control group. Data were analyzed with SPSS-16 and used t-test analysis [p

High affinity IgE-Fc receptor alpha and gamma? subunit interactions

To explore the relationships between the subunits [alpha, beta and gamma] of the high affinity IgE receptor [Fc epsilon RI] and its ability to mediate transmembrane signaling. Experimental study. Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, UK, from 2008 to 2009. The approach employed was to create a chimera [human alpha gamma] using the extracellular [EC] domain of the human high affinity IgE receptor. The alpha subunit [huFc epsilon RI alpha] of IgE receptor was spliced onto the rodent gamma TM and cytoplasmic domain [CD]. This was transfected into the Rat Basophilic Leukemia cell line in order to assess the possibility of selectively activating cells transfected with this single pass construct for antigen induced mediator release. The RBLs cell lines transfected with the huFc epsilon RI alpha/gamma/gamma cDNA constructs were assessed for the cell surface expression of the huFc epsilon RI alpha subunit and the response to the antigenic stimulus by looking for degranulation and intracellular Ca[2+] mobilisation. The results obtained showed the absence of huFc epsilon RI alpha subunit expression on the surface of transfected cells as seen by flow cytometric studies, beta-hexosaminidase assays and intracellular calcium mobilisation studies. In the present study the grounds for non-expression of huFc epsilon RI alpha/gamma/gamma cDNA remains elusive but may be due to the fact that the human-rodent chimeric receptors are assembled differently than the endogenous rodent receptors as seen in study in which COS 7 cells were transfected with human/rat chimeric complexes

Dengue hemorrhagic fever/ dengue shock syndrome

To study the clinical spectrum of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever [DHF] and Dengue Shock Syndrome [DSS] in children admitted in a tertiary care center during 2011 dengue epidemic in Lahore. This study was conducted in department of Pediatrics Lahore General Hospital [LGH] / Postgraduate Medical Institute [PGMI] Lahore, Pakistan. Retrospective descriptive study. 1st August to 31st October 2011. All the children [<18 years] with clinical features of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue shock Syndrome [DHF/DSS] admitted to the Pediatric ward Lahore General Hospital, Lahore during the period of 1st August to 31st October 2011 were enrolled in the study. The clinical manifestation were recorded on a standard questionnaire form. Clinically DHF/DSS cases were confirmed in the laboratory by different investigations. All the patient were diagnosed, managed and discharged according to WHO protocol. A total of 254 patients were admitted in the ward labeled as dengue fever [DF] clinically. Out of these 142[55.9%] were confirmed by serology. Of 254 DF cases 37[14.57%] were labeled as DHF and 02[0.79%] as DSS on their clinical manifestations and fulfilling the WHO criteria. 55% were male and 45%females. Common symptoms were fever seen in 100%, headache 71.79% and vomiting seen in 58.97% of the cases. The most common bleeding manifestations were epistaxis seen in 69.23% of the cases. Positive IgM was noted in 53.9% and IgG in 36.6% cases. A decrease in platelet count and increase in Heamatocrit [Hct] during stay in ward was noted. Out of 39 patients only one patient expired [2.56%]