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Background. Tuberculosis (TB) coinfection in human immunodeficiency virus- (HIV-) infected patients is considered a risk of antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure. Coadministration of antitubercular therapy (ATT) with ART is another challenge for TB management. Objective. The study was aimed at investigating contributing factors affecting treatment outcomes in HIV-/TB-coinfected patients. Design. Cross-sectional. Setting. Samples were collected from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital Islamabad. Subject and Methods. Clinicodemographic and immunovirological factors between the two groups were compared. The Student t -test and chi-square test were applied to compare outcome variables, and logistic regression was applied to determine the effect of TB on virological failure (VF). Main Outcome Measures. TB coinfection did not increase VF even in univariate (p = 0.974) and multivariate analysis at 6 and 12 months of 2nd-line ART start. ARV switching was significant (p = 0.033) in TB-coinfected patients. VF was significantly high in ATT-coadministered patients along with a viral load of ≥1000 (p = 0.000). Sample Size and Characteristics. We recruited seventy-four HIV patients on 2nd-line ART; 33 coinfected with TB were followed for at least 12 months. Conclusion. In HIV-/TB-coinfected patients, CD4 count, CD4 gain, and VF remained comparable to HIV patients with no TB infection. ATT significantly affects the treatment outcome, suggesting drug-to-drug interactions. These factors are important to revisit the therapeutic guidelines to maximize the benefit of dual therapy in resource-limited settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cause of tumorigenesis and several pathogenic bacteria have been correlated with aggressive cases of cancer i.e., genotoxin (colibactin) producing Escherichia coli (E. coli). This study was designed to investigate the genetic diversity of clb+clb+E. coli strains and their association with CRC. Pathogenic E. coli isolates from colorectal biopsies were characterized based on phylotypes, antibiotic resistance pattern, and (Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Sequence-based Polymerase Chain Reaction) ERIC-PCR. Furthermore, isolates were screened for the presence of the Pks (polyketide synthase) Island specifically targeting colibactin genes A and Q. The selective clb+clb+ isolates were subjected to cytotoxicity assay using Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cell lines. We revealed that 43.47% of the cancer-associated E. coli isolates were from phylogroup B2 comparatively more pathogenic than rest while in the case of healthy controls no isolate was found from B2. Moreover, 90% were found positive for colibactin and pks (polyketide synthase) island, while none of the healthy controls were found positive for colibactin genes. All healthy and cancer-associated isolates were tested against 15 antibiotic agents, we observed that cancer-associated isolates showed a wide range of resistance from 96% against Nalidixic acid to 48% against Doxycycline. Moreover, E. coli isolates were further genotyped using ERIC-PCR, and selected clb+clb+E. coli isolates were subjected to cytotoxicity assay. We recorded the significant cytotoxic activity of clb+clb+ E. coli phylogroup B2 isolates that might have contributed towards the progression of CRC or dysbiosis of healthy gut microbiota protecting against CRC pathogenesis. Our results revealed a significant p<0.023 association of dietary habits and hygiene p<0.001with CRC. This is the first study to report the prevalence of E. coli phylogroups and the role of colibactin most virulent phylogroup B2 among Pakistani individuals from low socioeconomic setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian tumors, or ovarian neoplasms, are benign or malignant tumors arising from the ovaries. They may arise from any of the three components of ovary i.e. surface epithelium, germ cells and the stroma of the ovary including sex cords. Tumors in the ovary can also be secondary or metastatic tumors. Objective: To determine the frequency of Ovarian Tumors according to WHO Histological classification and their relation to age at diagnosis in almost one year. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, that included all the consecutive cases of ovarian neoplasms diagnosed at the Pathology department of a public sector university in Lahore from 1 January 2015 to 13 February 2016. Results: In 95 female patients diagnosed with ovarian tumors, the mean age was found to be 29.58 ± 11.493 with a range of 3-65 years. Tumors were most common between the ages of 15 to 30 years. The highest rates of malignancy were in the 0-15 and 45-60 age groups (Figure 1). About 78.9% of the tumors (75/95) were benign, 1.1% (1/95) were borderline and 20% (19/95) were malignant (Figure 3), 72.6% (69/95) were epithelial tumors, 23.2% (22/95) were germ cell and 4.2% (4/95) were sex cord stromal tumors (Figure 4). Among the 95 cases, serous tumors were the most common (49.5%), followed by mucinous (16.8%) and teratomas (15.8%). Conclusion: According to our study, ovarian tumors were common between the age of 15 to 29 years. Benign neoplastic lesions were more common than malignant neoplastic lesions. The frequency of malignant and benign ovarian neoplasms found in our research differed from other studies conducted in Pakistan. There is a significant association of ovarian tumors in age less than 30 year as compared to older age groups (P < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/background Metacarpal fractures comprise approximately 35.5% of cases in daily emergencies, mostly due to road traffic accidents (RTA), fall, and assault. The classification is based on the site and pattern of fracture. High-level evidence is lacking for the management of metacarpal fractures. The primary goals of treatment are to achieve acceptable alignment, stable reduction, strong bony union, and unrestricted motion. It can be managed by non-operative methods like close reduction and splintage. Operative management will be required if there is shortening, rotation, and angulation in different planes including close reduction and fixation with percutaneous intramedullary pining/k-wires and open reduction and fixation with screws, plates (compression/locking), and external fixators. This study was done to compare the efficacy of k-wire, screws, and plates in the management of metacarpal fractures and their outcomes based on their union, postoperative pain, range of movement, and grip strength in a tertiary care center, i.e., Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College. Methods It was a retrospective study conducted at the Department of Plastics and Reconstruction Surgery, of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 113 patients who were operated upon for metacarpal fracture were included in the study (open/close) without soft tissue loss or tendon injury, were divided into three groups according to the technique of fracture fixation, i.e., group 1 (k-wire), group 2 (screw), and group 3 (plates). The data like post-operative pain (visual analog scale, VAS) and radiological evidence of union were extracted from the registry. All the patients were called for follow-up in the outpatient department. Out of 113, 97 patients showed up for follow-up and were examined by a hand surgeon, and range of movement (goniometer) and grip strength (sphygmomanometer method) were assessed. Results A total of 97 patients were included in the study (male 66%, female 34%). Group 1 (K-wire) includes n = 61 (62.9%), group 2 (screw) n = 15 (15.5%), and group 3 (plate) n = 21 (21.6%). The mean follow-up time was 12 + 2 weeks after the surgery for post-operative pain and radiological evidence of union while 24 + 6 months for a range of movement and grip strength. Less post-operative pain was noted in group 1 patients while no significant difference was noted in the evidence of radiological union in all groups. Range of movement was better in group 1 patients (89.74 + 0.750) than in group 2 (80 + 0.37°) or group 3 (80.2 + 0.62°). The grip strength (compared to the normal contralateral hand) was normal in the majority of the patients in group 1, i.e., 94% while it was 80% in group 2 and 82% in group 3. Conclusion The significance of these reported findings suggests that open reduction and internal fixation with screw or plate might be a less preferable surgical technique in comparison to k-wire fixation in the treatment of a metacarpal fracture., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Fatima et al.)