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Objectives: To explore the experience of and satisfaction with workplace-based assessment tools among dental postgraduate trainees. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted from March to October 2022 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised all Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics postgraduate trainees. A questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended questions was used to record the experiences and satisfaction level of the dental residents who had earlier been subjected to workplace-based assessment. Data was analysed using SPSS 20, while thematic analysis was used for open-ended questions. RESULTS: Of the 20 Subjects, 15(75%) were females. Also, 11(55%) participants had received prior training for workplacebased assessment. There were 16(80%) residents who were satisfied with workplace-based assessment tools in the dental residency programme, 15(75%) agreed that the tools improved their clinical skills and helped them identify their weak areas, all the 20(100%) participants said the feedback given to them was constructive, 18(90%) reported that they were allowed to put in their views. However, 7(35%) participants reported that being observed adversely affected their performance. CONCLUSIONS: Dental residents generally gave positive feedback related to workplace-based assessment tools in a clinical setting.
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Competencia Clínica , Educación de Posgrado en Odontología , Internado y Residencia , Lugar de Trabajo , Humanos , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Evaluación Educacional/métodos , Pakistán , Satisfacción Personal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Ortodoncia/educación , Operatoria Dental/educación , Prostodoncia/educaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The whole life of a plant is regulated by complex environmental or hormonal signaling networks that control genomic stability, environmental signal transduction, and gene expression affecting plant development and viability. Seed germination, responsible for the transformation from seed to seedling, is a key initiation step in plant growth and is controlled by unique physiological and biochemical processes. It is continuously modulated by various factors including epigenetic modifications, hormone transport, ROS signaling, and interaction among them. ROS showed versatile crucial functions in seed germination including various physiological oxidations to nucleic acid, protein, lipid, or chromatin in the cytoplasm, cell wall, and nucleus. AIM: of review: This review intends to provide novel insights into underlying mechanisms of seed germination especially associated with the ROS, and considers how these versatile regulatory mechanisms can be developed as useful tools for crop improvement. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: We have summarized the generation and elimination of ROS during seed germination, with a specific focus on uncovering and understanding the mechanisms of seed germination at the level of phytohormones, ROS, and epigenetic switches, as well as the close connections between them. The findings exhibit that ROS plays multiple roles in regulating the ethylene, ABA, and GA homeostasis as well as the Ca2+ signaling, NO signaling, and MAPK cascade in seed germination via either the signal trigger or the oxidative modifier agent. Further, ROS shows the potential in the nuclear genome remodeling and some epigenetic modifiers function, although the detailed mechanisms are unclear in seed germination. We propose that ROS functions as a hub in the complex network regulating seed germination.
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Objectives: To compare efficacy of 10-mg of vonoprazan daily & on alternate days by Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Symptom Assessment Scale (GSAS). Method: This prospective interventional cohort was done at Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology Dow Medical College, Karachi, Pakistan during the period August 2022 & January 2023. Potential participants fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were asked to fill out GSAS questionnaires after their written consent. Patients were allocated in to two groups using random tables. Group-A was given Tab Vonoprazan 10-mg daily for two weeks. Group-B was given Tab Vonoprazan 10-mg on alternate day. GSAS was scored by totaling scores across symptoms and then they are divided by the total number of non-missing symptom scores. Both groups were assessed week-0 & week-2. Results: Only 90 proformas that were completely filled were included, Group-A had 30 males and 15 females while Group-B had 29 males and 16 females. No significant difference in score was found in GSAS score at week-0 except that in item 'gurgling' while at week two there was no significant difference between any of the items. Total GSAS score were significantly lower at Week-2 than at week-0 (p = <.001). Conclusions: Vonoprazan of 10-mg on alternate day is equally effective as 10-mg daily in maintenance of GERD patients at two weeks.
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Objectives: To assess medical students' perceptions regarding learning, teachers, academics, atmosphere at campus and social self-perceptions at Dow University of Health Sciences using Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) Inventory. Method: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted from March 1st, 2022 to September 30th, 2022. All medical students at Dow University of Health Sciences were offered to participate. All students were given the choice to respond to DREEM questionnaire via online Form or printed copy anonymously. The DREEM Inventory measures five domains of students' perceptions of a given institution. Comparison of responses between different years and institution was carried out by χ2 test. Means scores were compared by Student's t-test and ANOVA, p-value of ≤.05 was taken as significant. Results: Total of 1054 out of 1750 (60.23%) students submitted fully completed forms and were included, out of these 632 (60.0%) belonged to Dow Medical College & 422 (40.0%) belonged to Dow International Medical College. The mean ±SD of total score of DREEM by DMC students was 100.07 ±31.46 and that of DIMC was 100.52 ±32.73. According to DREEM Global scoring both colleges scores fell into category of "many problems". Analysis according to domains showed that maximum score was given to 2nd domain of their "perception regarding teachers" and minimum score was allocated to 5th domain regarding "social self-perceptions". Conclusion: Overall Students perceived environment at DUHS as "many problems" category. This needs to be investigated for betterment of Educational Environment (EE) at campus.
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ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Snake bites are a critical health issue in many parts of the world particularly in Asian countries lacking efficient health facilities in rural areas. Cobra is the most common snake type in Asia and is responsible for a large number of mortalities particularly in rural areas. Plants are usually considered the most effective and easy-to-approach treatment for snake bites in rural areas of various countries. Vitex negundo L. is an important medicinal plant traditionally used to treat snake bite envenomation in many countries of Asia. AIM OF THE STUDY: From literature survey of plants traditionally used in the treatment of snake bites in Asian countries including India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, roots of V. negundo were selected for the present study. Anti-snake venom potential of its roots was assessed through various in vitro assays targeting the phospholipase A2 enzyme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: V. negundo roots were sequentially extracted in different organic solvents to get fractions and in methanol to get total extract. The extracts were evaluated for phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitory potential through inhibition of venom-induced hemolysis, ADP-induced platelet aggregation, PLA2-induced fatty acid hydrolysis and anticoagulant effect of cobra venom. Antioxidant power was determined using DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays. GC-MS and HPLC analysis was performed for the total methanol extract. RESULTS: Strong PLA2 inhibitory effect was observed for all the extracts. The ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol fractions significantly inhibited toxic effects of cobra venom under in vitro conditions. Radical scavenging potential of these fractions was also significantly high as compared to non-polar fractions in both DPPH and superoxide scavenging assays. Phytochemical analysis indicated high phenolic and flavonoid contents in these fractions. GC-MS and HPLC analysis of total methanol extract confirmed the presence of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, phenol, o-Guaiacol, palmitic acid-methyl ester, methyl stearate, quercetin and kaempferol in the plant. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that the roots of V. negundo, particularly their polar extracts, have strong PLA2 inhibitory effect against cobra venom confirming their traditional use to manage snake bites. The roots of this plant can be further studied for isolation of plant-based antisera.
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Mordeduras de Serpientes , Vitex , Humanos , Mordeduras de Serpientes/tratamiento farmacológico , Extractos Vegetales/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/uso terapéutico , Extractos Vegetales/química , Metanol/uso terapéutico , Antivenenos/farmacología , Venenos Elapídicos , Fosfolipasas A2 , Fitoquímicos/farmacología , Fitoquímicos/uso terapéutico , Fosfolipasas , PakistánRESUMEN
Background: Numbing the area of oral mucosa with cold application prior to administration of regional anesthesia has been widely used by various dentists in alleviating pain caused by needle prick. Cryoanesthesia using Endo-ice as topical anesthesia has been studied as a replacement to prevail the fallibility of topical anaesthetics. This study aimed to evaluate and compare effectiveness of ethyl chloride spray with 5% lidocaine gel in alleviating buccal anesthesia injection pain. Methods: Total of 90 outpatients were randomly divided into 3 groups as follows: Group 1 - cryotherapy with ethyl chloride at the anesthetic site preceding before administration of local anesthesia; Group 2 - topical application of 5% LIDOCAINE GEL preceding before administration of local anesthesia; and group 3 - control that did not receive any topical agent preceding before administration of local anesthesia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to document pain immediately after injection prick. Results: About comparison of pain scores, significant difference was found between group 1 (ethyl chloride) and group 2 (topical lidocaine) patients (P=0.001). For group 1, about 15 (50%) patients suffered from mild pain, followed by 14 (46.67%) patients suffering from moderate pain. However, majority of the 21 (70%) patients in group 2 suffered from moderate pain. All the patients in group 3 suffered from severe pain. Conclusion: Importance of alleviating fear of needle injection phobia amongst patients is of paramount importance. Ethyl chloride was found to be more effective than topical lidocaine in alleviating needle injection pain before administration of local anesthetic injection.
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Objective: To determine correlation of HbA1c with serum iron and transferrin saturation in non-diabetic patients with iron deficiency. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi from 15th September 2021 to 14th March 2022, on non-diabetic patients based on fasting blood sugar (FBS) of <100 mg/dl. Patients were divided into two groups. Group one included patients having iron deficiency anemia (ID), whereas group two included same number of age and sex matched healthy subjects taken as controls, without ID. Blood sample was taken for HbA1c, CBC, serum iron and total iron binding capacity. Transferrin saturation (TSAT) was calculated. Comparison of quantitative variables with ID and non-ID group was done by Student's t-test. Correlation of HbA1c with iron &TSAT was done in both groups using Kendal tau-b test, as data was not normally distributed. Results: Out of 230 patients, 83 (36.1%) were males while 147(63.9%) were females. Mean age of patients was 43.7±13.28 years. Mean HbA1c level was significantly high in ID group (5.89±0.43) as compared to non-ID group (5.52±0.50) with a p-value <.001. The HbA1c levels correlated negatively with hemoglobin, serum iron levels and transferrin saturation with a p-value <.001. Conclusion: Low serum Iron and TSAT was related to elevation in HbA1c value. Iron deficiency needs to be corrected before HbA1c interpretation.
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Objective: To determine the effect of Remdesivir on liver enzymes and renal functions in SARS-CoV-2 patients. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at Dr. Ruth KM Pfau, Civil Hospital Karachi between 1st December 2021 to 31st January, 2022. All patients of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection who received Inj. Remdesivir for five days as per protocol of SARS-CoV-2 management were included. Biodata of selected patients including age, gender, diabetic, hypertensive status was recorded. Patients Liver Function Tests and Serum Creatinine were performed on days 0, 3, 5, 7 and 14. Result: This study included 85 patients, out of which 55 (64.7%) were males and 30 (35.3%) were females. Out of 85 patients, Remdesivir was stopped in 3 (3.5%) patients. Among these three patients Remdesivir was stopped in one patient on day three because of decrease in CrCl to <30 ml/min. His CrCl improved after stopping Remdesivir. In the remaining two patients, Remdesivir was stopped due to increase in ALT to greater than 10 times from normal values on day three. Similarly, in these two patients the ALT improved after stopping Remdesivir. Conclusion: Only three patients developed adverse effects resulting in stopping of Remdesivir, however these were reversible on stopping the drug. Therefore, Remdesivir is a relatively safe drug and well tolerated in SARS-CoV-2 patients.
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Objectives: To evaluate the role of cancer stem cell biomarkers in diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC patients. METHODS: The search strategy was entered into PubMed NLM, EBSCO CINAHL, EBSCO Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Wiley Cochrane Library, and Scopus. The full text eligible studies (n=7) were assessed for their quality using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist to evaluates the methodological quality of the studies based on possibility of bias in its design, conduct, and analysis. Selected studies were further analysed based on different parameters such as publication year, sample size, and outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 432 studies were identified through the search strategy. A total of 306 records were removed before screening either because of duplication or marked ineligible by the automation tools. The screened records were 126 out of which 104 were removed as they were not conducted on OSCC. Twenty-two reports were sought for retrieval, however, we could not find the full text of 3 studies and12 studies were excluded because the biomarkers were not associated with cancer stem cells. The most common cancer stem cell biomarkers associated with OSCC were MCT1,VEGF-A, GD15, HIF1 α, Ki67, Hsp 70, Cyclin D1, and CD44. CONCLUSIONS: Various stem cell biomarkers have been found to have diagnostic and prognostic role in oral squamous cell carcinoma such as Cyclin D1, VEGF-A, GD15, and CD44. They can be used to predict the overall survival rate, local progression-free survival rate, and distant metastasis-free survival rate in Head and Neck cancer patients.
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Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , Neoplasias de la Boca , Humanos , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello , Neoplasias de la Boca/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Boca/patología , Ciclina D1/análisis , Pronóstico , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular , Biomarcadores de Tumor , Células Madre Neoplásicas/química , Células Madre Neoplásicas/patologíaRESUMEN
Objective: To present and validate psychometric properties of Urdu version CLDQ, yet another objective was to do exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) of CLDQ Urdu version. Methods: This Cross-sectional Analytical Study was conducted at Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi during the period Nov. 15, 2021 to Jan. 30, 2022. CLDQ Urdu questionnaire was self-administered by the patients. The questionnaire consisted of 29 items and responses were recorded on 7-point Likert type scale. Reliability testing was done by Cronbach's α, test value of >0.7 is taken as reliable. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted with principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Adequacies for conduction of EFA depended on Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) value of ≥0.5 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity (BTS) of ≤0.05. Mean CLDQ Urdu scores were also compared with Child Class using ANOVA and post-hoc analysis was done. Results: A total of 320 patients were selected after informed consent. All conditions for adequate EFA were met (Cronbach's α =.949; KMO = .846; BTS ≤.001). Mean CLDQ Urdu score was 156.74 in male and 133.27 in female (p<.001). Child Class-A had best quality of life with score of 186.63 ±6.91 and Child Class-C had the worst with scores of 109.78 ±21.33. EFA resulted in reduction of domains to 4 (Muscular Symptoms, Emotional Symptoms, Abdominal Symptoms & Somnolence) & reduced the number of items from 29 to 11. Conclusion: Urdu CLDQ version is validated in our settings. EFA resulted in reductions in number of domains and items. CLDQ Urdu showed that quality of life decreases significantly with Child Class.
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Arsenic exposure is associated with the induction of hepatotoxicity. Current study was aimed to investigate the hepato-protective ability of polyphenolic components of Tamarix aphylla (TA) ethanolic extract against sodium arsenite (SA)-induced liver injury of rats. Significantly higher quantities of phenolic (318.7±2.5 mgg-1GAE) and flavonoid (250.69 ±3.3 mgg-1QE) contents were present. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) exhibited an excellent potential for antioxidant (IC50= 25.99 µg/mL) assay. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) confirmed the existence of myercetin (10.40ppm), sinapic acid (2.131ppm), kaempferol (0.486ppm), caffeic acid (5.094 ppm). Forty-two rats were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 received normal saline (2 mL/kg/day, orally for 21 days), Group 2 received SA (10mg/kg/day for 21 days), and Group 3 received SA alone for 7 days (10mg/kg) and continues with silymarine for 21 days (25mg/kg orally). Group 4, 5, 6 received SA alone for 7 days and continue with TA extract up to 21 days (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, and 500mg/kg orally) respectively, and Group 7 received TA extract (500mg/kg) for 21 days. SA was administered to all treated groups for 21 days. Treatment with polyphenolic ethanolic extract of TA restored the hepatic indices and oxidative markers in a dose-dependent manner. The upregulation in tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and cyclooxygenase-2 upon SA treatment suggesting inflammation was normalized by the treatment of rats. Above mentioned biochemical findings were supported well with histopathological screening. Present findings suggest that TA polyphenolic ethanolic extract could mitigate the oxidative stress and inflammation induced by SA in liver tissue.
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Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas , Tamaricaceae , Ratas , Animales , Tamaricaceae/metabolismo , Polifenoles/farmacología , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo , Hígado/metabolismo , Enfermedad Hepática Inducida por Sustancias y Drogas/prevención & control , Componentes Aéreos de las Plantas/metabolismo , Inflamación , Extractos Vegetales/farmacologíaRESUMEN
Objectives: To determine the frequency of vaccination status in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, Pakistan between September 2021 to October 2021. All patients who had positive PCR on nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 infection were included. Information regarding vaccination status and brand of vaccination administered and duration between the last dose of vaccine and positive PCR was noted. The disease status of patients was classified on admission into severe and non-severe disease. Results: Study included 143 patients, out of which 58 (40.6%) were males and 85 (59.4%) were females. Majority of our patients (78.3%) were unvaccinated. Frequency of Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection in fully vaccinated patients was less than in unvaccinated patients. The odds of developing severe COVID infection in unvaccinated patients versus vaccinated was 8.55 times higher (OR = 6.23, 95% CI 2.58-28.35). Proportion of vaccinated females was less as compared to males. Significant differences were found in severity between hypertension (p<.001), diabetes (<.001) and age (p<.001). Conclusion: The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection was greater in unvaccinated patients. The odds of developing severe COVID infection in unvaccinated patients versus vaccinated was 8.55 times higher.
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INTRODUCTION: With the emergence of SARS-Cov-2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined mandatory guidelines for donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE) among dental healthcare professionals. The study's objective was to improve the compliance of the donning and doffing protocols for PPE among dental practitioners by the Plan, Do, Study, and Act (PDSA) cycle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted on a sample of dental healthcare professionals using the non-probability purposive technique. In the first planning stage, compliance with CDC-approved donning and doffing was assessed on the clinical premises. In the second stage, an educational session was arranged with all the healthcare professionals to explain stepwise guidelines of donning and doffing to improve the quality of donning and doffing compliance. In the third stage, improvement in the quality outcome was then assessed after the session. Data were normally distributed. Qualitative variables for all the steps of donning and doffing are reported as frequency and percentages. Pareto charts were made to assess the non-compliance rate for donning and doffing protocols among dental healthcare professionals. RESULTS: There was an improvement of 44.55% in the hand hygiene practices before wearing the PPE after the second step of the PDSA cycle. A percentage improvement of 7.4% was recorded for removing jewellery, wearing the gown and wearing a surgical cap. No improvement was seen in securing the mask/ respirator ties, washing hands after wearing the respirator, placing the goggles or face shield practices. CONCLUSIONS: PDSA cycle improved the overall compliance to PPE donning and doffing practices. Most of the protocols were followed by the dental healthcare professionals; however, some of them remained the same or worsened due to ease in SARS-CoV 2 restrictions.
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COVID-19 , Equipo de Protección Personal , Atención a la Salud , Odontólogos , Humanos , Pandemias/prevención & control , Rol Profesional , Mejoramiento de la Calidad , SARS-CoV-2 , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylation is one of the most important epigenetic modifications and plays diverse roles in plant development. However, the detailed functions and mechanisms of histone deacetylation in fiber development of cotton are still unclear. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have been commonly used to study the molecular mechanism underlying histone deacetylation or to facilitate disease therapy in humans through hindering the histone deacetylase catalytic activity. Trichostatin A (TSA)-the most widely used HDACi has been extensively employed to determine the role of histone deacetylation on different developmental stages of plants. RESULTS: Through in vitro culture of ovules, we observed that exogenous application of TSA was able to inhibit the fiber initiation development. Subsequently, we performed a transcriptomic analysis to reveal the underlying mechanisms. The data showed that TSA treatment resulted in 4209 differentially expressed genes, which were mostly enriched in plant hormone signal transduction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and carbon metabolism pathways. The phytohormone signal transduction pathways harbor the most differentially expressed genes. Deeper studies showed that some genes promoting auxin, Gibberellic Acid (GA) signaling were down-regulated, while some genes facilitating Abscisic Acid (ABA) and inhibiting Jasmonic Acid (JA) signaling were up-regulated after the TSA treatments. Further analysis of plant hormone contents proved that TSA significantly promoted the accumulation of ABA, JA and GA3. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, histone deacetylation can regulate some key genes involved in different phytohormone pathways, and consequently promoting the auxin, GA, and JA signaling, whereas repressing the ABA synthesis and signaling to improve the fiber cell initiation. Moreover, the genes associated with energy metabolism, phenylpropanoid, and glutathione metabolism were also regulated by histone deacetylation. The above results provided novel clues to illuminate the underlying mechanisms of epigenetic modifications as well as related different phytohormones in fiber cell differentiation, which is also very valuable for the molecular breeding of higher quality cotton.
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Objectives: To assess frailty in cirrhotic by calculating Liver Frailty Index (LFI) using bedside clinical tests and correlate it with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP), MELD, MELD Na, Fib- 4 and Transient Elastography (TE) scores. Methods: This cross-sectional observational comparative study was carried out in Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi from August 2020 to September 2021. Patients were subjected to three performance-based testing including dominant hand grip strength (HGS), Chair to Stand (CTS) Time & Three Position Balance (TPB). LFI was calculated using the online LFI calculator, available at http://liverfrailtyindex.ucsf.edu and classified as 'Robust' if LFI <3.2, 'Prefrail' LFI between 3.2 and 4.4, and 'Frail' as LFI ≥4.5. Correlation of frailty with MELD, MELD-Na and CTP Scores was done. Means of MELD & MELD-Na Scores and CTP scores were calculated in all 3 classes of frailty using one way ANOVA. A p-value of ≤.05 was taken as significant. Results: Out of 118 patients, 62 (52.5%) were males. Mean MELD score was 11.4 ±3.3, MELD-Na was 15.97 ±8.54, CTP 8.25 ±2.21, Fib-4 was 2.79 ±1.034 and TE score was 18.20 ±9.17. Mean LFI was 3.87 ±1.07; mean HGS was 18.12 ±4.68; mean of CTS was 9.62 ±3.55. LFI Class distribution in our cohort showed Robust were 36 (30.5%), Prefrail 34 (28.8%) and Frail were 48 (40.8%). Correlation of all these variables with LFI showed significant correlation with LFI, but highest correlation coefficient was seen with MELD-Na. Conclusion: Significant correlation between frailty score in cirrhotic with cirrhosis severity scores highlights the need for frequently assessing LFI in all cirrhotic at regular follow up visits.
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Objective: To find out the association of physical activity, dietary habits and factors associated with depression among medical students of Sindh, Pakistan, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August, 2020, on medical students from three medical institutions of Sindh, Pakistan. The study comprised three structured questionnaires related to demographic details, physical activity, dietary and sleep habits, COVID-19 pandemic-associated factors and patient health questionnaire, PHQ-9. A total of 864 students completed the questionnaires and participated in the study. The data was analysed on SPSS version 23. Results: Our study showed that 244 (28.2%) medical students had mild depression, 192 (22.2%) had moderate depression, 80 (9.3%) had moderately severe depression and 80 (9.3%) had severe depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 864 students, 268 (31%) had no depression. Socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), chronic disease/comorbidity, addiction and non-medical prescription drug use were found to be statistically significant predictors of depression among medical students. On multilogistic regression analysis, physical activity, social media/app use and sleeping habits during COVID-19 were associated with depression (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected physical activity and sleeping habits in association with depression among medical students. Promoting healthy eating habits, adequate physical activity, and a healthy lifestyle, particularly among students during lockdowns, is a critical component of coping with mental stress and depression. The findings of this study will aid in future research and campaign design in preparation for future pandemics and lockdowns.
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Objectives: To compare the efficacy of Vonoprazan based dual treatment versus PPI based treatment for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital, DMC during the period of 22 June to 21 September 2021. Sample size was calculated as 96 in each Group. All patients of age 18-75 years with Helicobacter Pylori Infection were inducted and randomly allocated to two groups. Group-A: were given Capsule Amoxicillin 1 gm; Tablet Clarithromycin 500 mg; Capsule Omeprazole 20 mg all medications were given twice daily for two weeks. Group-B were given Capsule Amoxicillin 1 gm; Tablet Vonoprazan 20 mg (Vonozon©, m/s Getz Pharma, Pakistan) twice daily for two weeks. Confirmation of Hp eradication was done by stool Hp antigen test four weeks after completion of treatment. Nine and four patients were lost to follow-up in Group-A & B respectively. Analysis was conducted on 87 patients in Group-A and 92 patients in Group-B. Results: Out of eighty-seven patients in Group-A and ninety-two patients in Group-B, 73 (83.9%) patients in Group-A and 86 (93.5%) patients in Group-B had negative H pylori result respectively after treatment (p = .042). Significantly higher frequencies of adverse events were observed in Group-A as compared to Group-B in nausea/vomiting (p = .035) and bloating (p = .045). Conclusion: VA-dual provides an acceptable eradication rate with fewer adverse events.
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BACKGROUND: Cotton fiber is an important natural resource for textile industry and an excellent model for cell biology study. Application of glabrous mutant cotton and high-throughput sequencing facilitates the identification of key genes and pathways for fiber development and cell differentiation and elongation. LncRNA is a type of ncRNA with more than 200 nt in length and functions in the ways of chromatin modification, transcriptional and post-transcriptional modification, and so on. However, the detailed lncRNA and associated mechanisms for fiber initiation are still unclear in cotton. RESULTS: In this study, we used a novel glabrous mutant ZM24fl, which is endowed with higher somatic embryogenesis, and functions as an ideal receptor for cotton genetic transformation. Combined with the high-throughput sequencing, fatty acid pathway and some transcription factors such as MYB, ERF and bHLH families were identified the important roles in fiber initiation; furthermore, 3,288 lncRNAs were identified, and some differentially expressed lncRNAs were also analyzed. From the comparisons of ZM24_0 DPA vs ZM24_-2 DPA and fl_0 DPA vs ZM24_0 DPA, one common lncRNA MSTRG 2723.1 was found that function upstream of fatty acid metabolism, MBY25-mediating pathway, and pectin metabolism to regulate fiber initiation. In addition, other lncRNAs MSTRG 3390.1, MSTRG 48719.1, and MSTRG 31176.1 were also showed potential important roles in fiber development; and the co-expression analysis between lncRNAs and targets showed the distinct models of different lncRNAs and complicated interaction between lncRNAs in fiber development of cotton. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, a key lncRNA MSTRG 2723.1 was identified that might mediate some key genes transcription of fatty acid metabolism, MYB25-mediating pathway, and pectin metabolism to regulate fiber initiation of ZM24 cultivar. Co-expression analysis implied that some other important lncRNAs (e.g., MSTRG 3390.1, MSTRG 48719.1, and MSTRG 31176.1) were also showed the different regulatory model and interaction between them, which proposes some valuable clues for the lncRNAs associated mechanisms in fiber development.
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Diferenciación Celular/genética , Proliferación Celular/genética , Fibra de Algodón , Gossypium/crecimiento & desarrollo , Gossypium/genética , ARN Largo no Codificante/genética , Factores de Transcripción/genética , China , Productos Agrícolas/genética , Productos Agrícolas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Genes de Plantas , Variación Genética , Genotipo , Mutación , RNA-SeqRESUMEN
Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a histone demethylase that contributes to the etiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in part by promoting cancer stem cell phenotypes. The molecular signals regulated by LSD1, or acting with LSD1, are poorly understood, particularly in the development of OSSC. In this study, we show that conditional deletion of the Lsd1 gene or pharmacologic inhibition of LSD1 in the tongue epithelium leads to reduced development of OSCC following exposure to the tobacco carcinogen 4NQO. LSD1 inhibition attenuated proliferation and clonogenic survival and showed an additive effect when combined with the YAP inhibitor Verteporfin. Interestingly, LSD1 inhibition upregulated the expression of PD-L1, leading to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy responses. IMPLICATIONS: Collectively, our studies reveal a critical role for LSD1 in OSCC development and identification of tumor growth targeting strategies that can be combined with LSD1 inhibition for improved therapeutic application.
Asunto(s)
Carcinoma de Células Escamosas , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello , Neoplasias de la Boca , Histona Demetilasas/genética , Humanos , Inhibidores de Puntos de Control Inmunológico , Neoplasias de la Boca/inducido químicamente , Neoplasias de la Boca/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de la Boca/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/tratamiento farmacológico , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/genéticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to validate Baveno-VI recommendations for variceal screening in cACLD in our region and proposed our own cutoff values. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on cACLD patients from August 2020 till April 2021. Patients segregated into Group-A, having Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of ≥ 20 kPa and platelet of ≤ 150 × 109 cells/L; and Group-B having LSM of < 20 kPa and PLT of > 150 × 109 cells/L. Gastroscopic findings were segregated into three categories, VNT, Varices Not Needing Treatment (VNNT) and No Varix (NV). ROC plots were generated for LSM and Platelet for VNT for sensitivity, specificity, Negative and Positive Predictive Values were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients of cACLD were included. Group-A had 72 (53.7%) patients and Group-B had 62 (46.3%) patients. Group-A had 6 (8.3%) NV; 18 (25.0%) VNNT and 48 (66.7%) VNT. Group-B had 26 (41.9%) NV, 24 (38.7%) VNNT and 12 (19.4%) VNT. The sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 80.6% and NPV of 67.56% was obtained. Thus 19.4% VNT were missed on following Baveno VI recommendations. ROC in our study suggested cutoff value of 11.5 kPa with sensitivity of 100% and 1-sepcifity pf 78% (AUROC = 0.865; p < .001) of LSM below which screening gastroscopy could be avoided. The positive and negative predicted values for 84.85% and 100% respectively. Cut off value of platelet count for VNNT came out to be ≥ 97.5 × 109 cells/L with AUROC 0.891 (p < .001), having sensitivity of 100 % and 1-specificity of 83.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial number of VNT in cACLD patients are missed by following Baveno-VI recommendations and these needs to be revised on regional basis.