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Background: Acute alcohol poisoning, particularly from methanol ingestion, remains a critical public health issue worldwide. In regions where illicit alcohol production thrives, methanol poisoning cases are prevalent, posing severe risks of mortality and long-term morbidity. Aim and objective was to analyze the forensic profiles of deaths due to acute methanol poisoning in Hyderabad, identifying the main causes and contributing factors to fatalities associated with methanol intoxication. Methods: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study reviewed 198 autopsy records from a hospital in Hyderabad, focusing on cases identified as methanol intoxication deaths. The study analyzed demographic data, autopsy findings, and toxicological reports. Results: A total of 198 fatalities were recorded, with a significant male predominance (91.9%). The age range of the deceased was 21-58 years, with a notable concentration in the 31-40 years age group. High blood methanol concentrations were observed with many cases exceeding the lethal threshold. Autopsy findings highlighted the severe impacts of methanol on the brain, heart, and lungs. Conclusion: The study underscores the grave impact of methanol poisoning in the Hyderabad region, with a high rate of fatalities, particularly among young to middle-aged men. It calls for stricter regulation of alcohol production, increased public awareness, and improved medical recognition and treatment of methanol poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exhumation of bodies for forensic purposes serves as a pivotal tool in medico-legal investigations, yet there is scant data on the practice within the Pakistani context, particularly in the District of Hyderabad. Aim & Objective were to investigate the prevalence and outcomes of exhumations in Hyderabad, contributing to the knowledge base and understanding the cultural and legal factors influencing post-mortem examinations. Methods: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective analysis of 95 medicolegal exhumations carried out over two years, examining demographic data, the interval between death and exhumation, putrefactive changes, and the determination of the cause of death. Results: Of the 95 exhumations, 58 were male and 37 were female, with the majority of the deceased being under 40 years of age. Nearly half of the exhumations occurred within three months post-mortem, and advanced decomposition was a significant obstacle in determining the cause of death, which remained undetermined in 61.05% of cases. Conclusion: The study revealed a need for timely forensic interventions and highlighted the impact of decomposition on determining the cause of death. It underscores the necessity of advanced forensic methods to improve post-mortem examinations' outcomes. Advance technics are virtual autopsy but we are using old conventional autopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate students' perspective on the virtual teaching and learning of human anatomy during COVID-19 pandemic. Study type, settings & duration: This was a cross-sectional study and was conducted by the Department of Anatomy, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi from August to September 2021. Methodology: A self-designed questionnaire was prepared and distributed among the students of 1st and 2nd year MBBS, who were exposed to the online teaching methodology during lock down imposed by government. This questionnaire was composed of demographic details of participants, their reflection on virtual learning and problems faced during the online sessions. The data was later translated on excel and SPSS 23 was used to analyze the results. Results: The findings of the present study revealed majority of the participants (47.8%) were laptop users for seeking the virtual classes. They do not find this learning experience as effective as face-to-face classes and expressed that neither theoretical nor practical aspects of anatomy could be learnt effectively online. They listed technical issues like slow internet speed and connectivity errors as barriers during the course of study. However, the respondents (3.33±0.94 & 3.01±1.07) found that the sessions were well-organized, they saved students time and continued the process of learning despite of the strict COVID-19 restrictions. Conclusion: Virtual teachings continued the learning process during the pandemic but they cannot be a replacement of real class-room experience. The traditional anatomy teaching remains the most preferred and effective teaching modality among students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal contamination of soil is a serious environmental problem due to mining and use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, and industrial wastes), which are serious threat to human life. The current research is aimed at the remediation of soil contaminated with lead (II) and chromium (VI) using indigenous fungal strains through the comparative study of bioleaching and chemical leaching methods. The removal efficiencies of Pb (II) and Cr (VI) in bioleaching were higher than chemical leaching, where 99% Cr (VI) and 36% Pb (II) were removed by Aspergillus flavus (F3) in bioleaching through the production of approximately 332 mg L-1 malic acid, 213 mg L-1 succinic acid, and 35 mg L-1 citric acid. The removal efficiencies in chemical leaching were 21.30% for Pb (II) and 1.92% for Cr (VI) by malic acid, 29.30% for Pb (II) and 72% for Cr (VI) by succinic acid, 22.21% for Pb (II) and 60.70% for Cr (VI) by citric acid, and 2.20% for Pb (II) and 2.47% for Cr (VI) by oxalic acid. The sequential extraction procedure for Pb (II) and Cr (VI) before and after bioleaching showed that Pb (II) and Cr (VI) mostly bound to stable fractions after bioleaching. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) helped to identify the characteristic changes in the morphology and elemental composition of A. flavus (F3) biomass before and after bioleaching, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that fungal biomass contain hydroxyl, carboxyl, fatty acids, and amine groups on its surface. The results implied that the fungal strain A. flavus (F3) can be used to remediate soils contaminated with Pb (II) and Cr (VI).

Metal contamination of soil is due to mining, manufacturing and use of synthetic products (e.g. pesticides, paints, batteries, industrial waste and industrial or domestic sludge) which is a serious environmental problem. Hence, determining chemical forms of metals in soils is important to evaluate their mobility or bioavailability. Both artificial and contaminated soils were sequentially extracted to fractionate metals into the water soluble fraction (WSF), exchangeable fraction (EF), bound to carbonate fraction, bound to metal oxide fraction, organically bound fraction (OBF) and residual fraction (RF). In the case of contaminated soil, Pb and Cr are found to be associated with the carbonate fraction while in artificial soil, Pb bound to WSF and Cr with the Fe/Mn fraction. Chemical properties such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and textural classification of concerned soils were also analyzed. Percentage recovery was calculated to check the reliability of processes both in Pb and Cr, and it was found to be more in Cr (66% and 84%) in both artificial and contaminated soil than Pb (5% and 34%) in both soils. Analyses of extracts were carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results were interpreted in terms of environmental mobility or bioavailability of metals.

Objective: To determine an association of single nucleotide polymorphism of the NRF2 gene (RS6721961) with semen parameters of primary male infertility patients in the Pakistani population. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with two private infertility clinics (American Infertility Center, Rawalpindi and Mother and Child International Hospital and Research Institute, Mirpur, AJK) from Oct 2020 to Sep 2021. Methodology: A total of 288 participants were included in this study. There were 144 diagnosed cases of primary male infertility and 144 healthy fertile males, age and ethnicity matched controls. Blood samples were collected from participants after obtaining written informed consent. DNA was extracted by the Chelex TM Methodoogy. Multiplex PCR was done to determine the respective allelic frequencies of NRF2 (RS6721961) genotypes using specific primers. Results: There was no significant association between NRF2 genotypes and semen volume and semn colour in infertile males (p-value 0.32 and 0.84, respectively). Out of 144 cases, 111 (77%) had normal sperm count, 29 (20.1%) had oligospermia, while 4 (2.7%) patients had azoospermia. A significant association was observed between NRF2 genotypes and sperm concentration of infertile males (p-value <0.001). Out of 144 cases, 80 (55.5%) had normal motility, 57 (39.5%) had asthenospermia while 7 (8.4%) patients had necrospermia. A strong association was observed between NRF2 genotypes and sperm motility in infertile males (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Single nucleotide polymorphism (RS6721961) of the NRF2 gene is significantly associated with sperm concentration and sperm motility in infertile males in the studied Pakistani population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine frequency of positive Hepatitis C virus in lichen planus patients. Methods It was a cross-sectional survey which was carried out from 06-08-2014 to 05-02-2015 at the Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Total 100 patients of lichen planus were enrolled. Antibody titre of Hepatitis C were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay of third generation. Results Patients of age between 20-70 years were selected. Mean age was 40.55±14.38 years. Out of total 100 patients, 58 were male (58%) while remaining 42 were female (42.0%). Skin involvement was seen in 96 patients (96.0%), mucous membrane involvement in 21 patients (21.0%) and nails involvement in 8 patients (8.0%). Distribution of patients by type of lesions was as follows: nonerosive mucosal 13%, hypertrophic 80%, annular 1%, follicular 8%, nonerosive palmoplantar 5%, nail lesions 6%, atrophic 9%, erosive mucosal lesions 10%, guttate form 6%, actinic 8% and erosive palmoplantar lesions 1%. Hepatitis C antibody was positive in 23 patients (23.0%). Conclusion We discovered high frequency of positive HCV in lichen planus patients. We need a case-control study on a larger population to clarify our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]