Etiology of Pancreatitis in Patients at a Tertiary Care Center

Objective: To compare etiological frequencies in patients of acute pancreatitis presenting to our setup with international data. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gastroenterology, Pakistan Emirates Military Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2020 to Jan 2022. Methodology: Patients over 12 years suffering from pancreatitis were recruited using a convenience sampling technique based upon predefined criteria for diagnosis of pancreatitis on a questionnaire. Relevant basic lab tests, including chemistries and imaging, including Ultrasound abdomen and CECT abdomen, were analyzed to establish aetiology. Data were continuously uploaded into an electronic data sheet. International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC) algorithms were applied to diagnose autoimmune pancreatitis. Results: Out of 120 patients, 74(61.7%) were males, and 46(38.3%) were females. Biliary pancreatitis was the most common aetiology 50(41.7%), followed in descending order by idiopathic 36(30%), drug-induced pancreatitis (DIP) 9(7.5%), Post ERCP Pancreatitis (PEP) 8(6.7%), tumours 5(4%), Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), Hypertriglyceridemia and alcohol-induced pancreatitis each 2(1.7%). Conclusion: Biliary pancreatitis has the highest frequency, followed by idiopathic and drug-induced pancreatitis.

Blood prestin levels in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have found that viral infections affect different tissues, including the inner ear. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a viral infection, is a significant health problem worldwide. Prestin is a motor protein with important functions both in the outer hair cells of the inner ear and in cardiac tissue. In addition, prestin is promising as an early biomarker in the detection of ototoxicity. To determine the severity of infection in COVID-19 patients and to determine whether other tissues are affected by the infection, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), biochemical markers such as ferritin and D-dimer are used. This study aimed to compare prestin levels in patients with COVID-19 and healthy volunteers. METHODS: In blood samples taken from 45 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 40 healthy volunteers, prestin levels were determined with the kit that used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and was commercially available. At the same time, LDH, CRP, ALT, AST, CK-MB, ferritin, and D-dimer levels were also detected in both patients and healthy control groups and correlations with prestin levels were examined. RESULTS: The main result of our study is that serum prestin levels in COVID-19 patients are significantly higher than in healthy controls ( p < 0.001). In addition, a statistically significant strong positive correlation was found between prestin-LDL ( r = 0.537, p = 0.001), prestin-CRP ( r = 0.654, p = 0.001), and prestin-D-dimer ( r = 0.659, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The levels of prestin, a motor protein in inner ear outer hair cells and cardiac myocytes, were found to be higher in COVID-19 patients than in healthy volunteers. It also showed a positive correlation with CRP and D-dimer. This may be associated with systemic dysfunction.

Beyond Acute COVID-19: A Review of Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes.

Statistics Canada estimated that approximately 1.4 million Canadians suffer from long COVID. Although cardiovascular changes during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection are well documented, long-term cardiovascular sequelae are less understood. In this review, we sought to characterize adult cardiovascular outcomes in the months after acute COVID-19 illness. In our search we identified reports of outcomes including cardiac dysautonomia, myocarditis, ischemic injuries, and ventricular dysfunction. Even in patients without overt cardiac outcomes, subclinical changes have been observed. Cardiovascular sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection can stem from exacerbation of preexisting conditions, ongoing inflammation, or as a result of damage that occurred during acute infection. For example, myocardial fibrosis has been reported months after hospital admission for COVID-19 illness, and might be a consequence of myocarditis and myocardial injury during acute disease. In turn, myocardial fibrosis can contribute to further outcomes including dysrhythmias and heart failure. Severity of acute infection might be a risk factor for long-term cardiovascular consequences, however, cardiovascular changes have also been reported in young, healthy individuals who had asymptomatic or mild acute disease. Although evolving evidence suggests that previous SARS-CoV-2 infection might be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, there is heterogeneity in existing evidence, and some studies are marred by measured and unmeasured confounders. Many investigations have also been limited by relatively short follow-up. Future studies should focus on longer term outcomes (beyond 1 year) and identifying the prevalence of outcomes in different populations on the basis of acute and long COVID disease severity.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Stress: Where Do We Stand in This Journey and Where Are We Leading to!

Coronavirus (COVID-19) being a pandemic has affected us by affecting our mental health, creating confusion and uncertainties. Every human being is different and thus each of us reacts differently. It can be a positive or negative feeling. It is important to understand what we are feeling and how do we lead to a change. A simple understanding of how every action will have a positive side toward it will lead us to a happier and healthier place to live. Certainly, this COVID-19 has given us a cleaner and greener environment and that is a positive takeaway from this pandemic.

Flexible Fuzzy Goal Programming Approach in Optimal Mix of Power Generation for Socio-Economic Sustainability: A Case Study

The demand for cost-efficient and clean power energy cannot be overemphasised, especially in a developing nation like India. COVID-19 has adversely affected many nations, power sector inclusive, and resiliency is imperative via flexible and sustainable power generation sources. Renewable energy sources are the primary focus of electricity production in the world. This study examined and assessed the optimal cost system of electricity generation for the socio-economic sustainability of India. A sustainable and flexible electricity generation model is developed using the concept of flexible fuzzy goal programming. This study is carried out with the aim of achieving the government’s intended nationally determined contribution goals of reducing emission levels, increasing the capacity of renewable sources and the must-run status of hydro and nuclear, and technical and financial parameters. The result shows an optimal cost solution and flexibility in how increased electricity demand would be achieved and sustained via shifting to renewable sources such as solar, wind and hydro.