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Abstract Objective MicroRNAs are known to regulate 60% of genes at post translational level. MicroRNAs including Micro RNA-29 family play a vital role in cellular activities and have validate role in numerous metabolic disorders inclusive of diabetes mellitus and its complications. While micro RNA profile changes years before the occurrence of disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted in non-diabetic adults of diabetic and non-diabetic parents to explore the early changes in expression of micro RNA-29 family as it can be served as early biomarker of type 2 diabetes in non-diabetic adults. This study was conducted from January 2019 to January 2021. Micro RNA was extracted from plasma of 50 participants and expression was compared through qPCR. While data was analyzed through SPSS version 21.0. Results 29a and 29b had lower expression in participants with family history of DM compared to those having no family history of DM (P

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CyclinD1 as a bio-marker for Squamous cell carcinoma and to see it’s prognostic role in disease outcome. METHODOLOGY: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology & Microbiology at Aga Khan University hospital from September 2016 till August 2017. Convenient sampling technique was used and 85 resection specimens (Paraffin Blocks) of invasive Squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx of stage III & IV as per TNM classification were included in the study and Immunohistochemical staining for Cyclin D1was performed. Data analysis was done on SPSS version 19.0. Mean, standard deviation, frequencies and Chi square test were applied and p value less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: More than 50% staining for Cyclin D1 was seen in 78.6%(n=67) of the cases while, 21.2%(n=18) samples showed < 50% staining. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results showed that cyclin D1 is overexpressed in majority of patients with oral SCC and is associated with aggressive clinicopathological features.

Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE), a rare pathological subtype of ependymoma which shows predilection for middle-aged adults between third and fifth decades of life. It is a benign tumor that primarily occurs at filum terminale of spinal cord with a rare possibility to metastasize to the brain. Primary intracranial MPEs have been reported only rarely. Two-year-old child presented with a space-occupying lesion in fourth ventricle. Based on clinical and radiological findings, particularly owing to patient’s age differential diagnosis of medulloblastoma was considered. Biopsy followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis yielded diagnosis of primary intracranial myxopapillary ependymoma. In conclusion, MPEs can occur anywhere in intracranial space and in any age group. Despite their indolent behavior, their metastatic potential necessitates thorough investigation to rule out former before establishing diagnosis of primary intracranial MPE.

Objective: To illustrate congenital cystic lesions of the extra hepatic biliary tract on the idea of information of embryologic development through the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Methods: Patients that were suspected to have been suffering from biliary disease were referred to the MRI units, there the patients were narrowed done to confirm with the inclusion and exclusion cri- teria, thereafter written and informed consent was obtained from them and the procedure was ex- plained to them in detail. MRCP was performed on a 1.5 Tesla in MR unit, using phased-array coil for signal detection. Heavily T2 weighted images were obtained with SSF-SE technique. The axial sec- tions were used for pancreatic and bile ducts whereas the coronal sections were used for the pancreatobiliary tract, axial and coronal source images and reformatted images were evaluated to- gether for the possibility of any anomaly in extra hepatic biliary tract. This was an observational, cross sectional, prospective study with a sample size of 377 patients. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. Results: Choledochal cyst was found in 11 of the 377 patients with a gender separate frequency of 6 out of 196 females and 5 out of 181 males, with a total frequency of 2.9% and a p-value at

Background: Anaemia is a global public health problem. Prevalence of deficiency anaemias in healthy teenage population can be an important indicator of general nutritional status. The aim of this study was to assess haemogram values of medical students in Karachi and correlate it with WHO parameters. Material & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2010 on 518 apparently healthy subjects of both genders, who presented for fitness test prior to admission in medical college. Anti-coagulated whole blood samples were collected and tested on automated haematology cell counter and an 18 parameter haemogram was obtained. Peripheral smear was prepared using Leishman’s stain. Results: The mean age was 18.1 years with male to female ratio of 1:3. The mean haemoglobin was 14.7 g/ dl in males and 12.8 g/dl in females. Mean MCV 83.3 fl in males and 82.4 fL in females. Mean MCHC 33.4 g/dl in both genders. Mean platelet count 247.4x109/l in males while 289.6x109/l in females.. Normochromic-normocytic morphology was found in 478(92.2%), hypochromia with aniso and poikilocytosis in 38(7.3%) and macrocytosis in 2(0.4%) persons. These frequencies were consistent to WHO reference ranges. Conclusion: The blood indices of medical students fall within the specified range as set by WHO parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate CyclinDI as a bio-marker for Squamous cell carcinoma and to see it's prognostic role in disease outcome. METHODOLOGY: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology & Microbiology at Aga Khan University hospital from September 2016 till August 2017. Convenient sampling technique was used and 85 resection specimens (Paraffin Blocks) of invasive Squamous cell carcinoma of oropharynx of stage III & IV as per TNM classification were included in the study and Immunohistochemical staining for Cyclin D1was performed. Data analysis was done on SPSS version 19.0. Mean, standard deviation, frequencies and Chi square test were applied and p value less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: More than 50% staining for Cyclin D1 was seen in 78.6%(n=67) of the cases while, 21.2% (n=18) samples showed < 50% staining. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results showed that cyclin D1 is overexpressed in majority of patients with oral SCC and is associated with aggressive clinicopathological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D is an anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory secosteroid. Previous studies showed strong link between childhood and adult onset asthma with vitamin D. Interleukin 17 is an inflammatory cytokine and plays a major role in the worsening of asthma. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of serum vitamin D on serum IL 17 and pulmonary function test (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) before and after oral vitamin D supplementation. Fifty severe asthmatic patients were selected from out patient department of Chest Medicine Ward, Jinnah post graduate medical center, Karachi. Spirometry was performed by vitalograph compact. Baseline values were as follows: serum vitamin D=13.19±2.37ng/ml, IL-17=20.70±2.13ng/ml, FVC=2.31±0.40L, FEV1=1.40±0.28L,FEV1/FVC=60.15±4.61%. Subjects were given 1000 IU of oral vitamin D capsule per day for six weeks. After this trial all values were found as serum vitamin D=19.03±1.26ng/ml (p<0.001), IL 17=15.40ng/ml (p<0.001), FVC=2.90±0.60 L (p<0.001), FEV1=2.01±0.10L (p<0.001), FEV1/FVC=63.79% ±1.45 (p<0.001). It may be concluded that improvement in serum vitamin D levels improves the status of lung functions, decreases the airway inflammation and hence may decrease the asthma severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To illustrate congenital cystic lesions of the extra hepatic biliary tract on the idea of information of embryologic development through the magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Methods: Patients that were suspected to have been suffering from biliary disease were referred to the MRI units, there the patients were narrowed done to confirm with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, thereafter written and informed consent was obtained from them and the procedure was explained to them in detail. MRCP was performed on a 1.5 Tesla in MR unit, using phased-array coil for signal detection. Heavily T2 weighted images were obtained with SSF-SE technique. The axial sections were used for pancreatic and bile ducts whereas the coronal sections were used for the pancreatobiliary tract, axial and coronal source images and reformatted images were evaluated together for the possibility of any anomaly in extra hepatic biliary tract. This was an observational, cross sectional, prospective study with a sample size of 377 patients. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 16. Results: Choledochal cyst was found in 11 of the 377 patients with a gender separate frequency of 6 out of 196 females and 5 out of 181 males, with a total frequency of 2.9% and a p-value at <0.001 which was significant. Conclusion: By identifying the inherent anomalies that present themselves during the visualization of the biliary tract through MRCP and MRI, while coupled with information regarding the clinical significance of every entity, is vital for establishing an accurate diagnosis and in guiding acceptable clinical intervention and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE), a rare pathological subtype of ependymoma which shows predilection for middle-aged adults between third and fifth decades of life. It is a benign tumor that primarily occurs at filum terminale of spinal cord with a rare possibility to metastasize to the brain. Primary intracranial MPEs have been reported only rarely. Two-year-old child presented with a space-occupying lesion in fourth ventricle. Based on clinical and radiological findings, particularly owing to patient's age differential diagnosis of medulloblastoma was considered. Biopsy followed by histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis yielded diagnosis of primary intracranial myxopapillary ependymoma. In conclusion, MPEs can occur anywhere in intracranial space and in any age group. Despite their indolent behavior, their metastatic potential necessitates thorough investigation to rule out former before establishing diagnosis of primary intracranial MPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]