Youngmays5173

Our results provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to explain the physiological functions of OXT in the brain.

Licensure of a Group B streptococcus (GBS) polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine for protecting infants against invasive GBS disease (IGbsD) will likely need to be based on demonstrating vaccine safety in pregnant women, and benchmarking immunogenicity against a serological threshold associated with risk reduction of IGbsD. learn more We investigated the association between naturally-derived GBS serotype-Ia and III IgG and risk reduction of IGbsD in infants' ≤90 days of age.

In a matched case-control study (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02215226), IGbsD cases were identified from a cohort of 38,233 mother-newborn dyads. Mothers colonized vaginally with serotype-Ia or III at birth, and their healthy infants were eligible as matched controls. GBS serotype-specific anti-capsular IgG was measured on maternal and cord blood/infant sera by multiplex Luminex assay; and the IgG threshold associated with 90% risk reduction of IGbsD derived by estimating absolute disease risk.

In infants born ≥34 weeks gestational age, cord-blood IgG geometric mean concentrations (GMC) were lower in cases than controls for serotype-Ia (0.05 vs. 0.50µg/ml; p=0.004) and III (0.20 vs. 0.38µg/ml; p=0.078). Cord-blood IgG concentration ≥1.04 and ≥1.53µg/ml were associated with 90% risk reduction of serotype-Ia and III IGbsD, respectively. The maternal sera IgG threshold associated with 90% risk reduction was ≥2.31 and ≥3.41µg/ml for serotype-Ia and III, respectively.

The threshold associated with a reduced risk for serotype-Ia and III IGbsD identified on infant sera supports the case for licensure of a GBS polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine based on immunogenicity evaluation benchmarked against the defined thresholds.

The threshold associated with a reduced risk for serotype-Ia and III IGbsD identified on infant sera supports the case for licensure of a GBS polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine based on immunogenicity evaluation benchmarked against the defined thresholds.Inferring how gene expression in a cell is influenced by cellular microenvironment is of great importance yet challenging. In this study, we present a single-cell RNA-sequencing data based multilayer network method (scMLnet) that models not only functional intercellular communications but also intracellular gene regulatory networks (https//github.com/SunXQlab/scMLnet). scMLnet was applied to a scRNA-seq dataset of COVID-19 patients to decipher the microenvironmental regulation of expression of SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 that has been reported to be correlated with inflammatory cytokines and COVID-19 severity. The predicted elevation of ACE2 by extracellular cytokines EGF, IFN-γ or TNF-α were experimentally validated in human lung cells and the related signaling pathway were verified to be significantly activated during SARS-COV-2 infection. Our study provided a new approach to uncover inter-/intra-cellular signaling mechanisms of gene expression and revealed microenvironmental regulators of ACE2 expression, which may facilitate designing anti-cytokine therapies or targeted therapies for controlling COVID-19 infection. link2 In addition, we summarized and compared different methods of scRNA-seq based inter-/intra-cellular signaling network inference for facilitating new methodology development and applications.Environmental hazards increase the health morbidity and mortality burden. This study compared the knowledge and perceptions about the health effects of environmental hazards among medical and engineering students of Hamdard University Karachi. A total of 263 (44.1%) engineering students, and 333 (55.9%) medical students participated in the study. Cumulatively, the three most commonly identified environmental hazards included tobacco smoking 561 (94.1%), global climate change 518 (86.9%), and solar ultraviolet radiation 511 (85.7%). The study results suggest the need for better quantifying the magnitude of understanding environmental hazards, and for health education and promotion programmes at the graduate level for medical and engineering students in Karachi.Metastasis to umbilicus is often defined as Sister Mary Joseph's (SMJ) nodule. These nodules may be a manifestation of various underlying malignancies, about 50% arising from abdominopelvic cavity most frequently from the gastrointestinal tract. Pancreatic cancer is the predisposing cause in only about 6% of cases and the most common histopathology is adenocarcinomas. We present the case of a 64-year-old male who was found to have a SMJ nodule on staging F18 FDG PETCT scan.Craniopharyngiomas are common but complex paediatric brain lesions that present interesting management challenges. Quality of life is an important consideration while choosing management options. In this review, we have discussed the existing literature on various aspects of quality of life in patients treated for craniopharyngioma, assessed by variety of measurement tools.Psychiatry and Endocrinology share a deep rooted, multifaceted bidirectional relationship. Both have seen a surge in cases due to change in lifestyle. Time has come where these two rapidly growing fields interact and exchange knowledge leading to emergence of Psychocrinology. This communication describes the rationale behind using the term psychocrinology, and provides an overview of it's vast spectrum.Diabetes is on the rise, and has become a major public health issue. In view of limitations of available glucose lowering therapy, there is a need to explore and develop natural remedies with anti-diabetic properties. Spices such as cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and turmeric display insulin-enhancing activity in vitro. link3 Cinnamon or Dalchini is popularly use as a spice for its fragrance and flavour in wide variety of traditional foods. Among various types of cinnamon, C. zeylanicum is well known as effective substitute for diabetes. Cinnamaldehyde is one of the major constituents (65-80%) of bark oil extracted from C. Zeylonicum which seems to reduce plasma blood glucose concentration more effectively when it is compared with metformin. It enhances the expression of proteins involved in glucose transport, insulin signalling, and regulates dyslipidaemia. This review describes the basic and clinical pharmacology of cinnamon.A retrospective study was conducted for prenatal diagnosis and selective foetal reduction, which included 41 beta thalassemia carrier couples with twin pregnancy. Chorionic villi sampling was carried out at 12-14 weeks of gestation. Thirty-three couples presented with dizygotic while eight had monozygotic twins. Molecular analysis for beta thalassemia revealed similar results in both the twins in 27 cases, while different results were obtained in 14 cases. Selective foetal reduction was offered to couples with discordant results. One miscarriage occurred due to the procedure. The results of prenatal molecular analysis were confirmed by postnatal molecular analysis. This series of trans-abdominal Chorionic villi sampling in twin pregnancies with the option of selective foetal reduction of the affected foetus was found to be useful as well as acceptable by the at-risk couples.To determine the frequency of need for mechanical ventilation and dialysis in children admitted with septic shock to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), this descriptive case series was conducted from August 2015 to February 2016. A total of 100 children from 1 month to 15 years of age of both sexes having septic shock diagnosed within 24 hours of admission were enrolled from the PICU of Children's Hospital Lahore after informed consent from parents of the patients. The standard guideline for the treatment of septic shock was followed. Patients were followed throughout the stay in the hospital to assess the need for mechanical ventilation or the need for dialysis. Arterial blood gases and urea, creatinine were assessed daily or more frequently (if needed) till discharge or death. Of the 100 patients recruited in the study, with a mean age of 2.16±3.26 years, 63 (63 %) were male while 37 (37%) were females. The frequency of need for mechanical ventilation was recorded in 75 (75%) while 22 (22%) required dialysis. We concluded that the frequency of dialysis in children admitted to PICU with septic shock is significantly lower as compared to frequency of mechanical ventilation.Bickerstaff Brainstem Encephalitis, a rare variant of Guillain- Barre Syndrome has an estimated prevalence of eight per 100 million individuals. It presents with the classic triad of ataxia, ophthalmoplegia and altered consciousness. We report the case of a 10-year-old child who presented with low grade fever, hypersomnia and inability to walk. Central nervous system examination revealed ophthalmoplegia and multiple cranial nerve palsies. However, CSF examination showed lack of albuminocytological dissociation with no previous history of respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection. Unavailability of Anti-GQ1b antibodies led to a diagnosis based on suggestive clinical features, abnormal MRI signals and prompt response to corticosteroid administration. Intravenous Methyl Prednisolone in a dose of 30mg/kg/day was administered for 10 days followed by oral Prednisolone 2 mg/kg/day. After complete recovery the patient was discharged, Prednisolone was tapered gradually and eventually discontinued after four months.Primary Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in females but secondary involvement of breast is very rare. The Most common sites of primaries for breast metastasis are breast carcinoma of contra lateral side, Lymphoma and leukaemia. Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) itself is rare and commonly metastasises to liver, lung and bones. Secondary breast involvement by MTC is very rare with only few case reports in literature. Clinically and radiographically breast secondaries mimic benign lesions and may cause diagnostic challenges. To avoid unnecessary surgery and for appropriate treatment decision,accurate diagnosis is important. We present here our experience of a similar case of secondary breast carcinoma from MTC seen at MINAR cancer hospital Multan. The patient presented clinically and radiologically with benign breast lumps. Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) showed atypical cells and Ultra sound guided Trucut biopsy confirmed it to be a secondary from MTC. Patient is under treatment of an oncologist, has been treated with chemotherapy and is on follow up till date.Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-related disorder involving multiple organ systems and characterised by an increase in hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. The study aimed to determine the role of coagulation factors and ferritin in relation to PE susceptibility in Pakistani women. Blood samples of 100 normotensive and 100 preeclamptic women, including 73 with mild PE and 27 with severe PE were taken for the study to evaluate activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), international normalising ratio (INR), fibrinogen levels, platelet count (PLT) and ferritin levels. Prolonged aPTT, PT and INR were recorded in both PE groups with a decrease in platelets and fibrinogen levels, compared to the control groups. Ferritin levels were not significantly (p=0.23) different in any of the groups. In conclusion, coagulopathic disorder should be clinically suspected and the coagulating factors in PE patients should be examined for early detection, effective antenatal care and for the proper management of this disorder to decrease maternofoetal mortality, morbidity and perinatal mortality.