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Objective: The present study aims to investigate the relationship of these factors and major depressive disorder in a sample of patients presenting to the psychiatry department of the teaching hospital of a private medical college in Islamabad, Pakistan. Methods: Using convenience sampling a total of 50 participants were included in the study which comprised of 25 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 25 matched healthy controls (HC). The severity of depression was determined with the help of Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) while the demographic details of the participants were collected with the help of a proforma. The pro-inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6 and IL-1â) were measured in the serum by taking peripheral venous samples from both cases and controls. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS, version 22. Results: Patients with MDD had significantly higher levels of the proinflammatory factors as compared to healthy controls. In HC the levels of proinflammatory cytokines were not raised to any significant degree, while these were consistently higher in MDD patients with acute depressive episodes (two sample t test 2-tailed significance d" 0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that sensitive indicators of inflammation were higher in the local patients with MDD. Our study lends support to the inflammatory hypothesis of major depression, so that there is a further need to investigate this avenue. In this manner it would be possible to discover much needed biomarkers, while opening new paths to more effective therapeutics of this recalcitrant disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the comparison of isometric exercises and active range of motion in neck pain of female sewing machine operators. STUDY DESIGN: A Randomized controlled trial. PLACE AND DURATION: At Physiotherapy Department of The University of Faisalabad from 1st March till 30th August 2017. METHODOLOGY: Data was collected from all the female sewing machine operators that were currently working over there. Patients were divided into two groups i.e. control group and treatment group. Stretching exercises given to both groups. Control group received Active range of motion exercises and Treatment group received isometric exercises for four weeks at alternate days. Data was gathered from thirty workers using Northwick Park neck pain Questionnaire, Numeric rating scale for pain and goniometer for ranges by getting signed consent form earlier. RESULTS: By comparing outcomes of Isomeric exercises and Active range of motion exercises, Isometric exercises were more effective as compared to Active range of motion exercises in improving pain, percentage disability and ranges of motion as p Value <0.05 at the end of treatment session. CONCLUSION: Isometric exercises were more effective than active range of motion exercises of neck related to sewing machine operators as compared to active range of motion exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To assess the comparative effectiveness of Ischemic Compression and muscle energy technique for the treatment of Myofascial trigger point in the Upper Trapezius muscle. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized comparative trial PLACE AND DURATION: The study was conducted in University of Faisalabad, in six months from 1st March 2017 to 1st August 2017. METHODOLOGY: Thirty Subjects were randomly placed into two group's i.e. G1- received ischemic compression and G2- received muscle energy technique. Passive stretching was the baseline treatment. Cervical flexion, extension, bilateral side bending and rotations measured with Goniometer; pain level measured with numeric pain rating scale and limitations in activities of daily living was measured by neck disability index. RESULTS: Both interventions are significantly effective but ischemic compression showed more reduction in pain then muscle energy technique as p value=0.000 after 12 sessions of both interventions. There is also significant difference in both groups related to range of motion. Muscle energy technique is more effective than ischemic compression as p value is 0.000 after 12 sessions of both interventions. After 12 sessions of intervention, measurements showed 9% and 13.67% disability rate of ischemic compression and muscle energy technique group respectively on neck disability index. CONCLUSION: The treatment program consists of ischemic compression and muscle energy technique may be effective in reducing pain, but for range of motion, muscle energy technique is more effective than Ischemic compression in upper trapezius myofacial trigger points to reduce pain and improve the range of motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is increasing rapidly affecting half billion adult's population. Pathophysiology of obesity involves low grade inflammation sustained by Toll like receptor 2 (TLR-2) the innate immune adapters. This study was conducted for detection and association of TLR-2 gene mutations with obesity. In this case-control study 228 individuals with obesity and 228 controls were enrolled based on Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥25 and 18-24 kg/m2 respectively. The variations in TLR-2 gene were detected by Sanger sequencing. These identified TLR-2 variants were further analyzed in silico for change in miRNA binding and mRNA strucutre. Four novel single base substitutions (153688371 T >C, 153702295 T >C, 153703504 T >C and 153705074 C >A) were identified in exon 3 and 4 of TLR-2 gene affecting splice site and poly-A tail. The genotypic and allelic frequencies of the variants were strongly associated with increasing obesity susceptibility. Only variant 153703504 T >C was significantly associated with preobesity. Despite variations in gene sequence, no change in miRNA binding except for variant 153688371 T >C of Exon 3 where a novel binding site for hsa-miR-4523 was created. Furthermore, mRNA stability and secondary structure were also compromised in identified variants. All detected variants of TLR-2 gene were significantly associated with and posed risk for development of obesity. Furthermore, in silico analysis revealed generation of new miRNA (hsa-miR-4523) binding site and change in mRNA structure/stability which needs to be further investigated for possible role in altering TLR-2 gene regulation/expression in obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotype of human placental extravillous trophoblast (EVT) at the end of pregnancy reflects both first trimester differentiation from villous cytotrophoblast (CTB) and later gestational changes, including loss of proliferative and invasive capacity. Invasion abnormalities are central to two major placental pathologies, preeclampsia and placenta accreta spectrum, so characterization of the corresponding normal processes is crucial. In this report, our gene expression analysis, using purified human CTB and EVT cells, highlights an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism underlying CTB-EVT differentiation and provides a trophoblast-specific EMT signature. In parallel, DNA methylation profiling shows that CTB cells, already hypomethylated relative to non-trophoblast cell lineages, show further genome-wide hypomethylation in the transition to EVT. However, a small subgroup of genes undergoes gains of methylation (GOM) in their regulatory regions or gene bodies, associated with differential mRNA expression (DE). Prominent in this GOM-DE group are genes involved in the EMT, including multiple canonical EMT markers and the EMT-linked transcription factor RUNX1 , for which we demonstrate a functional role in modulating the migratory and invasive capacities of JEG3 trophoblast cells. This analysis of DE associated with locus-specific GOM, together with functional studies of an important GOM-DE gene, highlights epigenetically regulated genes and pathways acting in human EVT differentiation and invasion, with implications for obstetric disorders in which these processes are dysregulated., Competing Interests: Competing interests All authors assert that they have no competing interests to declare

Objective: To determine the coronavirus disease-2019-related risk perception and altruistic response among undergraduate medical students post-lockdown., Methods: The analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, at the Baqai Medical University, Karachi, and comprised undergraduates aged 16 and above, studying in medical, dental, physiotherapy, pharmacy and Information technology departments. Data was collected using a structured and standardised online questionnaire. Positive responses led to a perceived risk score ranging 0-9, with a higher score indicating a greater perception of risk. The score was corelated with demographic variables. Data was analysed using SPSS 21., Results: Of the 743 subjects, 472(63.5%) were females. The overall mean age of the sample was 21.34±1.8 years. The mean risk perception score was 3.8±2.5, and it was significantly associated with disease exposure (p<0.001). Altruism had a strong association with the perceived risk score (p<0.001), indicating lower risk perception., Conclusion: The risk perception among the students was low, pointing towards a need of psychological assistance programme for the students.