Correlation between serum leptin level and Body mass index (BMI) in patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate serum leptin levels in obese and non-obese type 2 diabetic patients and compare them with healthy individuals. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, and the Rehman Medical College, Peshawar, Pakistan, from June to November 2017, and comprised type 2 diabetic patients and and an equal number of healthy controls. Fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin, serum leptin, and body mass index were assessed in obese and non-obese subjects. Relation between body mass index and serum leptin level was explored. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 96 subjects, 48(50%) were in each of the two groups. Among the cases, there were 23(48%) men and 25(52%) women with an overall mean age of 51.27±11.7 years. The control group had 28(58%) men and 20(42%) women with an overall mean age of 49.3±12.1 years. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in obese 9.42±1.87ng/ml and non-obese 7.21±3.78 ng/ml patients than the controls 5.38±2.20 ng/ml (p<0.05). Serum leptin concentration was significantly correlated with body mass index, fasting blood glucose and BMI, FBG and glycated haemoglobin (p<0.001 each). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of serum leptin could be used as a risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Frequency of human papilloma virus in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

To determine the frequency of human papilloma virus (HPV) in patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A descriptive, cross-sectional method was adopted and the study was conducted in the histopathology department of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January to June 2017, and included patients with Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Non-probability consecutive sampling technique was used. SPSS v.22 was used for data analysis. Out of 121 patients, 67(55.37%) were male and 54(44.62%) were female. The overall mean age was 50±1.72 years. Most of the patients were in the age group of over 50 years and only 12% were in the age group below 40 years. In our study patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinma, human papillomavirus was found in 3%.

Chronic myeloid leukaemia presenting as priapism: A case report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Priapism is known as a very rare complication of leukaemia. We report a 16-years boy who presented with the persistent painful erection of the penis for eleven days. He had aspiration without achieving sustained detumescence. The patient underwent an emergency irrigation and decompression of priapism by a consultant urologist. During the hospital stay blood morphology, bone marrow aspiration and BCR-ABL were done to confirm the diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Our report thus explains the relevance of all physicians in the diagnosis and management of patients with priapism.

Clinical manifestations of patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine major symptoms and signs in patients of systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan, from January 15, 2014, to August 15, 2016, and comprised patients of systemic lupus erythematosus. Data was collected through an interview-based questionnaire containing questions about different symptoms. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 663 patients, 606(91.4%) were females and 57(8.6%) males. The overall mean age of patients was 33.09 ± 12.40 years and the mean age of diagnosis was 31.85 ± 12.40 years. The most common general symptom in our study was fatigue which was present in 524(79.03%) patients. Other constitutional symptoms were fever 334(50.04%), body aches 443(66.08%) and weakness 411(62%). The most common clinical manifestation in our study was arthritis 518(78.1%). Malar rash was found in 487(73.5%) patients. Dry eye was in 227(34.2%) patients, followed by conjunctivitis 156(23.5%). Anaemia was present in 444(66.96%) patients, followed by leukopenia 166(25.03%) and thrombocytopenia 42(6.33%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant regional differences existed in the clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa compared to other regions.

Frequency and Severity of Thrombocytopenia in Neonatal Sepsis.

Background Neonatal sepsis includes numerous systemic illnesses such as septicemia, meningitis, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia. In developing countries, the major reason for neonatal mortality is septicemia, which accounts for almost 50% of overall deaths. Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common hematological problems during the neonatal period, affecting the majority of sufferers admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The aim of our study was to find the frequency of thrombocytopenia and its severity in neonates with sepsis. Methods The study was conducted at the Department of Hematology at Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 170 neonates with an age of fewer than 28 days, both genders, and positive blood cultures were included in the study using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Data was recorded in predesigned questionnaires after taking informed consent. Data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 26 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). Results Of the 170 neonates, 104 (61.2%) were males, with a mean age of 12.12±8.88 days. The majority of the babies 73 (42.9%) were in the age group of 0-7 days. Most of the neonates 72 (42.4%) were born via normal vaginal delivery (NVD). Of the neonates, 117 (68.82%) presented with fever, and 105 (61.76%) were reluctant to feed. Furthermore, 65.29% of the neonates had thrombocytopenia, of which 34 (20%) had mild, 43 (25.3%) had moderate, and 34 (20%) had severe thrombocytopenia. In neonates with positive blood culture, the platelet level was low (p<0.001). In the case of gram-negative organisms, the level of platelets was lower as compared to gram-positive organisms (p<0.001). Conclusion Sepsis is still a common cause of newborn thrombocytopenia. The fact that it is present in more than half of all culture-positive sepsis episodes indicates the severity of the condition. This condition is further defined by higher percentages of early-onset gram-negative septicemia compared to gram-positive sepsis.

Retraction: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Cellular Homeostasis and Cell Survival.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18316.].

The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Cellular Homeostasis and Cell Survival.

This review article has been necessitated by the limited number of studies on the role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in cellular functions. The analysis is performed by reviewing evidence in various literary works concerning the topic. The main function of HSPs is to prevent the formation of non-functional proteins and facilitate protein folding. They also enhance the survival of cells in addition to being clinically significant. HSPs protect proteins from stress factors such as temperature, pH, and low levels of oxygen. Some of the common types of HSPs include HSP70, HSP90, HSP27, and HSP100. These proteins have different weights and other features which make them suit for different cellular functions. However, they have numerous similar features which make them perform almost the same functions, yet they vary in the degree of protection that they provide for the cells. The release of HSPs is controlled by four types of HSF depending on the type of stress that a cell is subjected to. HSF1 is responsible for identifying stress factors, especially heat. HSF2 performs almost similar functions as HSF1 in addition to cellular development. HSF3 is released when the stress conditions are extreme and, hence, cannot be effectively controlled by HSF1 and HSF2. HSF4 functions by inducing negative DNA transcriptions. Other tasks of HSPs include enhancing the immune system. The cells help in the management of Alzheimer's disease and other similar complications by forming protective tissues around brain cells. The cells also help in controlling cancer and heart diseases. However, their roles are more enhanced in managing cancer, extending to diagnosis and prediction. Further research on the HSPs and HSFs may extend their application to curing tumorous cells.

Correction: The Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Cellular Homeostasis and Cell Survival.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18316.].