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Background: Identification of risk factors for urolith stones formed in the urinary tract could help in preventing the recurrence. Urolith stones analysis utilized modern technology which is unfortunately not done in Pakistan on a routine basis. Development of renal failure may occur due to complications and urinary tract affected by uroliths. Objective: The current study aims to determine the composition of urolith stones seen in patients admitted in single Centre in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on urolithstones composition surgically removed through minimum access procedure at Urology department of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad for period of six months from October 2020 to March 2021. Urinary stones composition was measured through qualitative tests such as infrared and crystallography spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 82 patients with mean age ± SD 45.3±11.7 years having urinary stones were investigated in this cross-sectional study. Male to female ratio was 1.9:1. Male patients (54) (65.85%) were dominant over females (28) (34.15%) in term of stones removal. A high occurrence for urinary stones was bladder or upper urinary tract (81.6%) irrespective of their gender. Calcium containing stones were predominant in ureter, urethra and renal followed by struvite stones (56.8%). Two-third stones in struvite stones were in lower tract while uric acid, calcium phosphates and calcium oxalate were found in upper tract. Calcium oxalate account for 92.60% with mixed composition stones. Conclusion: Our study concluded that the majority of uroliths constitute calcium oxalate or phosphates and struvite stones in our setting. Uroliths formation is caused by urinary tract infection as indicated in our study. Calcium oxalate was the most common among these stones. Struvite stones were the least common one. The prevalence of stones was dominant in male patients compared to female patients. The anatomical location for calcium oxalate and struvite stones was lower tract and bladder respectively. Keywords: Uroliths, Composition, Calcium oxalate, Struvite stone

Background Viral resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) can develop in the setting of DAAs therapy (i.e., emerging RASs). Long-term monitoring of fibrosis regression after achieving SVR to simiprevir (SMV)/sofosbuvir (SOF) is essential. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of baseline and emerging NS34A RASs in chronic HCV patients in Upper Egypt and to assess the impact of SMV/SOF therapy on liver stiffness. Results The enrolled 59 patients had HCV genotype 4a without any baseline RASs in the NS34A region. 96.6% (57/59) of patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR12). Of the two patients who failed to achieve SVR12, one of them developed emerging RASs Q80K in the NS34A region. Seventy-two weeks after SMV/SOF therapy, the percentage of patients with liver fibrosis stage (F2, F3, and F4) decreased from 75.4% before treatment to 42.1% after treatment. The combination of SOF and SMV appeared to be well tolerated. Conclusions All patients had HCV genotype 4a without any baseline RASs in the NS34A region. In addition, there was improvement of non-invasive measures of liver fibrosis in patients who achieved SVR, 72 weeks after SMV/SOF therapy.

Objective The serological testing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is mandatory under the blood safety legislation of Pakistan; hence, data exist on the prevalence of HIV in blood donors. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology of HIV in the blood donor population. Therefore, the current study was designed to study the genetic diversity of HIV-1 infection in a population of apparently healthy treatment-naive blood donors in Islamabad, Pakistan. Material and Methods A total of 85,736 blood donors were tested for HIV by the chemiluminescence immunoassay. All positive donor samples were analyzed for the presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes). Viral ribonucleic acid was extracted from blood samples of HIV positive donors and reverse transcribed into complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA). The cDNA of all positive donors was then analyzed for the presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes) by employing subtype-specific primers in a nested polymerase chain reaction. The amplified products were run on ethidium bromide-stained 2% agarose gel and visualized using a ultraviolet transilluminator. A particular subtype was assigned to a sample if the subtype-specific reaction made a band 20% highly intense compared with the band made by the subtype-independent reaction. Results A total of 85,736 blood donors were screened for the presence of antibodies to HIV. Out of them, 114 were initially found reactive for HIV. The repeat testing resulted in 112 (0.13%) positive donors, 95% confidence interval 0.0014 (0.0011–0.0018). These 112 samples were analyzed for molecular typing of HIV-1. The predominant HIV-1 subtype was A (n = 101) (90.1%) followed by subtype B (n = 11) (9.9%). Conclusion These findings are key to understand the diversified HIV epidemic at the molecular level and should assist public health workers in implementing measures to lessen the further dissemination of these viruses in the country.

The paper analyzes Leslie Marmon Silkos’ Ceremony (1977) from Buell's theoretical perspective of eco-cosmopolitanism. In Native American worldview, nature holds a special place. The Natives not only identify themselves with nature but also have a life sharing bond of interdependence with it. European colonization displaced Native Americans from their homeland. Their natural resources have been mercilessly exploited since contact resulting in fatal diseases and poverty. The colonial exploitation of nature reached its climax during the WWII. The colonial insensitivity to the environment renders them callously indifferent to non-human life. The earth as a source of life is sacred for American Indians but it was commodified by Euro-Americans who dug up uranium mines for war which destroyed human habitat. The findings of the study reveal that European colonizers wreaked havoc in the Native Americans' life by destroying their environment and mental peace.

Objectives: Of all work settings, hospitals carry the greatest risk of workplace violence, with 73% of doctors suffering the abuse. The scenario in Pakistan is also not so bright. This increase in incidences of workplace violence is affecting significantly on work efficiency of doctors۔Thus this study was undertaken to know the exact prevalence of such incidences in teaching hospitals of Faisalabad city. Study Design: Community based cross-sectional study. Setting: Three government teaching hospitals of Faisalabad. Period: From January 2019 to February 2019. Material & Methods: All the doctors who were willing to be included in the study were interviewed to know their experiences about episodes of workplace violence (WPV) during last 12 months and about the post-violence effect on work efficiency. Results: The prevalence of workplace violence in the last 12 months was found to be 73%, whereas 97% of participants who experienced violence said that it had an impact on their work efficiency significantly. Workplace violence and post-violence effect on work efficiency were seen to be significantly more associated with younger doctors. Conclusions: Workplace violence is emerging as a bane to the medical profession and has to be dealt with urgently.

Background& aim: HCV infection is one of the major health problems in our country. Prevalence of DM is higher among patients with chronic HCV infection. Insulin resistance (IR) is common in such and its impact on sustained virological response (SVR) is not well studied. This work was designed to assess impact of IR on SVR. Patients & methods: Between July 2016 and June 2017; 200 patients with chronic HCV infection were enrolled in a prospective study. Exclusion criteria included decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma or extrahepatic malignancy, co-infection with HBV or HIV infection. HOMA and IR were assessed at baseline of therapy and 3-months post-therapy. Patients received sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for 3 months (chronic hepatitis) and for 6 months in (liver cirrhosis). Results: Mean age of patients was 49.89 ± 9.01 years, 111 (55.5%) patients were male and 180 (90%) achieved SVR. Baseline IR had insignificant difference between responders and non-responders (93% v. 90%; P = 0.45), while baseline HOMA was significantly higher in non-responders (10.11 ± 3.03 vs. 8.48 ± 2.98; P = 0.01). Also, post-therapy IR had insignificant difference between both groups (73.3% vs. 85%; P = 0.05), while post-therapy HOMA was significantly higher in non-responders (7.12 ± 2.31 vs. 5.06 ± 1.34; P = 0.01). Predictors of non-responders were age (> 40 years), low serum albumin and post-therapy IR. Conclusion: Baseline IR had no impact on SVR but it showed significant improvement in presence of SVR.

This study was performed to measure arsenic (As) contents in groundwater/drinking water of high schools and its effects on human health. Chronic daily intake, hazardous quotient (HQ), carcinogenic ...

Background Changes in hematological parameters, such as neutrophils, leukocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, platelet lymphocyte ratio, and mean platelet volume, have been observed during laparoscopic surgeries. Objectives The objectives of this research were to assess the changes in hematological parameters and liver enzymes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods This prospective observational study included patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Patients with comorbidities, including hepatitis, diabetes, and where laparoscopic cholecystectomy was converted to open cholecystectomy, were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative baseline hematological parameters and liver function tests (LFTs) were recorded. Characteristics like age, gender, body mass index (BMI), indication for surgery, duration of surgery, the pressure of pneumoperitoneum, and the duration of hospital stay were noted. A paired sample t-test was applied to assess the difference between the mean pre and postoperative values of different hematological parameters. Results It was observed that hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), platelets, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decreased postoperatively. However, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean platelet volume (MPV), leukocytes, and alanine transaminase (ALT) increased postoperatively. The difference in mean Hb, MCV, Hct, leukocytes, MPV, and ALT was statistically significant (p

Covid-19 is a systemic viral respiratory illness that can cause gastrointestinal manifestations. There is evidence that Covid-19 can infect liver tissue and may cause transaminemia. A prognostic model is needed to aid clinicians in determining disease severity. The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium (MELD-Na) score is a mortality assessment tool in liver transplant patients that has been found to be prognostic in other clinical situations. This study aimed to determine if the MELD-Na score was associated with disease severity in patients with Covid-19, as assessed by multiple clinical outcomes including death within 30 days of discharge and development of an acute kidney injury (AKI). This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzed patients admitted to a community academic hospital with the diagnosis of Covid-19. The 30-day MELD-Na score was found to be significantly higher in those who died (14.38 ± 6.92) relative to those who survived (9.68 ± 5.69; p = 0.03). Additionally, patients with a MELD-Na score greater than 10 were found to have higher risk of developing an AKI (odds ratio (OR) 3.31 (1.08, 10.17); p = 0.03), need for hemodialysis (OR 9.69 (1.74, 53.96); p = 0.007), require vasopressors (OR 4.55 (1.22, 16.99); p = 0.02), and have a longer hospital stay (OR 4.17 (1.05, 16.47); p = 0.03). The MELD-Na score may serve as a useful clinical scoring system for prognosis in patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the aetiological agent of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis globally. Beta thalassaemia major individuals are at greater risk of contracting HBV infection due to multiple blood transfusions required for the medical management of these patients. Based on HBV genetic variability, it is divided into 10 genotypes. The determination of HBV genotypes has significant implications for clinical management and treatment regimens. Aim: This study was performed to assess the HBV epidemiology and circulating genotypes in multi-transfused β-thalassemia major patients with the aim to be considered while formulating the treatment pattern taking into account particular needs of thalassaemia patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed from September 2018 to June 2019, at the Department of Pathology and Transfusion Medicine, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (SZAB) Medical University, Islamabad. A total of 2,260 thalassaemia patients were enrolled in the study. The study was endorsed by the Ethics Committee of the SZAB Medical University, Islamabad. The samples were serologically screened for HBsAg on the LIAISON® XL Murex HBsAg Quant assay (DiaSorin S.p.A., Italy) a chemiluminescence based immunoassay (CLIA). HBV quantitative PCR kit was used to measure the HBV DNA in serum samples. The HBV genotypes were determined using universal primers targeting the P1 and S1 region amplification. Results: Of 2,260 thalassaemia patients, 64.6% were males while 35.4% were females. The HBsAg was identified in 98 individuals (4.33%). The PCR analysis was done for these 98 patients and in this cohort, genotype D was 59.18% (n = 58), genotype A was 21.42% (n = 21) while genotype C was 19.38% (n = 19). Conclusion: The determination of HBV genotypes in the multi-transfused patients is key to the effective management of chronic HBV patients as the severity and course of the disease is dependent on a specific type of genotypes. Quality assured screening of donated blood will prevent the incidence of HBV in thalassaemia patients.

Introduction Prognostic factors are needed to aid clinicians in managing Covid‐19, a respiratory illness. Lymphocytopenia has emerged as a simply obtained laboratory value that may correlate with prognosis. Methods In this article, we perform a retrospective cohort review study on patients admitted to one academic hospital for Covid‐19 illness. We analyzed basic demographic, clinical, and laboratory data to understand the relationship between lymphocytopenia at the time of hospital admission and clinical outcomes. Results We discovered that lymphocyte count is lower (P = .01) and lymphocytopenia more frequent by an odds ratio of 3.40 (95% CI: 1.06‐10.96; P = .04) in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a marker of disease severity, relative to those who were not. We additionally find that patients with lymphocytopenia were more likely to develop an acute kidney injury (AKI), a marker of organ failure, during admission by an odds ratio of 4.29 (95% CI: 1.35‐13.57; P = .01). Conclusion This evidence supports the hypothesis that lymphocytopenia can be an early, useful, and easily obtained, prognostic factor in determining the clinical course and disease severity of a patient admitted to the hospital for Covid‐19.

Prognostic markers are needed to understand the disease course and severity in patients with Covid-19. There is evidence that Covid-19 causes gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormalities in liver enzymes. We aimed to determine if hepatobiliary laboratory data could predict disease severity in patients with Covid-19. In this retrospective, single institution, cohort study that analyzed patients admitted to a community academic hospital with the diagnosis of Covid-19, we found that elevations of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) at any time during hospital admission increased the odds of ICU admission by 5.12 (95% CI: 1.55–16.89; p = 0.007), 4.71 (95% CI: 1.51–14.69; p = 0.01) and 4.12 (95% CI: 1.21–14.06, p = 0.02), respectively. Hypoalbuminemia found at the time of admission to the hospital was associated with increased mortality (p = 0.02), hypotension (p = 0.03), and need for vasopressors (p = 0.02), intubation (p = 0.01) and hemodialysis (p = 0.002). Additionally, there was evidence of liver injury: AST was significantly elevated above baseline in patients admitted to the ICU (54.2 ± 15.70 U/L) relative to those who were not (9.2 ± 4.89 U/L; p = 0.01). Taken together, this study found that hypoalbuminemia and abnormalities in hepatobiliary laboratory data may be prognostic factors for disease severity in patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19.

Only a single study investigated erectile dysfunction (ED) among patients with chronic brucellosis without including a control group. Our study objective was to determine the prevalence of ED among patients with chronic brucellosis compared to normal subjects, and to explore the predictors of ED. We included 93 chronic brucellosis patients and 92 subjects as a control, from June 2013 to August 2017. Chronic brucellosis was diagnosed based on persistent symptoms for ≥1 year with positive immunoglobulin G antibody titer (≥1:160) by standard tube agglutination test; the mean duration was 21 ± 6.2 months. Clinical evaluation (including an Arabic validated version of the five-item International Index of Erectile Function to diagnose ED; score of 5–21 was diagnostic), imaging studies (including scrotal ultrasonography) and laboratory investigations (including estimation of fasting serum level of glucose (after fasting for 8 h), lipids profile (after fasting for 14 h), and serum level of testosterone) were conducted. A fasting serum glucose level of ≥ 7 mmol/L defined diabetes mellitus (DM). Predictors of ED were identified using multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression). The mean age of patients was 35.4 ± 13.7 years; 24.7% of them had DM, while low serum level of testosterone was detected among 54.8%. Among the patients, ED was significantly more frequent compared to the control subjects (69.9% vs. 19.6%, p

Maslinic acid (MA), a natural pentacyclictriterpene, displays cytotoxic activity on various types of cancer cells. However, its underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we assessed the effect of MA on autophagy of human pancreatic cancer cells, and the potential autophagic pathway was presented. MA inhibited the proliferation and induced autophagy of Panc-28 cells by altering the expressions of autophagy related proteins. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that one protein band was significantly down-regulated in cells treated with MA, and the band was identified as heat shock protein HSPA8 as analyzed using Western blot and MS, MS/MS approaches. HSPA8 knockdown could significantly inhibit cell viability and enhance the cytotoxic effects of MA, whereas HSPA8 overexpression was able to enhance cell viability, diminishing the effects of MA. Western blot analysis indicated that the effect of MA on the expression of autophagy related genes was increased significantly in cells treated with HSPA8 inhibitor VER-155008, whereas HSPA8 inducer geranylgeranylacetone antagonized the effects of MA. Our study provides evidence that MA is able to induce of autophagy via down-regulation of HSPA8 in Panc-28 cells.

Background & Aims Heavy alcohol consumption is a common cause of acute pancreatitis; however, alcohol abuse does not always result in clinical pancreatitis. As a consequence, the factors responsible for alcohol-induced pancreatitis are not well understood. In experimental animals, it has been difficult to produce pancreatitis with alcohol. Clinically, alcohol use predisposes to hypophosphatemia, and hypophosphatemia has been observed in some patients with acute pancreatitis. Because of abundant protein synthesis, the pancreas has high metabolic demands, and reduced mitochondrial function leads to organelle dysfunction and pancreatitis. We proposed, therefore, that phosphate deficiency might limit adenosine triphosphate synthesis and thereby contribute to alcohol-induced pancreatitis. Methods Mice were fed a low-phosphate diet (LPD) before orogastric administration of ethanol. Direct effects of phosphate and ethanol were evaluated in vitro in isolated mouse pancreatic acini. Results LPD reduced serum phosphate levels. Intragastric administration of ethanol to animals maintained on an LPD caused severe pancreatitis that was ameliorated by phosphate repletion. In pancreatic acinar cells, low-phosphate conditions increased susceptibility to ethanol-induced cellular dysfunction through decreased bioenergetic stores, specifically affecting total cellular adenosine triphosphate and mitochondrial function. Phosphate supplementation prevented ethanol-associated cellular injury. Conclusions Phosphate status plays a critical role in predisposition to and protection from alcohol-induced acinar cell dysfunction and the development of acute alcohol-induced pancreatitis. This finding may explain why pancreatitis develops in only some individuals with heavy alcohol use and suggests a potential novel therapeutic approach to pancreatitis. Finally, an LPD plus ethanol provides a new model for studying alcohol-associated pancreatic injury.

Background Our objective in this study was to evaluate the role and benefits in terms of local toxicity and biochemical disease-free survival (bDFS) following escalated-dose conformal radiation therapy in prostate adenocarcinoma. Methods The study population was composed of 53 patients with histologically proven T1b-T4, NO, MO prostate adenocarcinoma, having any Gleason score with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of less than 50 ng/mL at diagnosis, given escalated dose EBRT (74 Gy) during the period between January 2011 and December 2013, retrospectively and evaluated for a period of 2 years post-radiation. Patients were followed up for a period of 2 years, beginning after completion of escalated dose external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for biochemical failure as defined in ASTRO consensus committee guidelines 1996 and investigated for gastrointestinal, genitourinary skin toxicity. Results Out of 53 patients, 35 showed no biochemical failure at the end of 2 years following the completion of definitive escalated dose conformal radiotherapy while 18 were observed to have biochemical relapse. Acute gastrointestinal grade 1 toxicity was found in 26 patients, grade 2 in 24, and grade 3 only in 3 patients. Late gastrointestinal grade 0 toxicity was found in 16 patients, grade 1 in 28, grade 2 in 7 and grade 3 only in 2 patients. Grade 1 acute genitourinary toxicity was the highest in frequency observed in 28 of the total population followed by grade 2 in 21, grade 0 and grade 3 each, only in 2 patients. Late genitourinary Grade 0 toxicity was observed in 32 patients, grade 1 in 19, grade 2 and 3 only in 1 patient of the total population, respectively. Conclusion Our data were comparable to international studies of dose escalation using 3D and beneficial as compared to conventional radiation therapy delivered by 2D in terms of biochemical failure rate and treatment related toxicity.

Background and study aims There is a lack of studies on erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ED in patients with NAFLD and to determine the independent predictors of ED in these patients. Patients and methods We conducted a prospective, hospital-based study of 192 consecutive male patients with NAFLD. All patients underwent clinical evaluation; abdominal ultrasonography; test for viral hepatitis markers; and estimation of liver chemistry panel, complete blood count, prothrombin time, serum lipids panel, serum testosterone, and fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, and C-peptide. Results The mean age of the study population was 42.4 ± 7.7 years (79.1% ≥ 40 years). Of the 192 patients with NAFLD, 88 (45.8%) had ED, 28 (14.6%) had metabolic syndrome, 25 (13%) had type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 131 (68.2%) had insulin resistance (IR). The mean level of serum testosterone was 3.17 ± 2.94 ng/mL, while the mean insulin resistance index was 2.9 ± 1.7. Mild ED (38.6%) was the most frequent grade of ED. Age ≥ 40 years (odds ratio [OR] 6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–24.1; p- 0.006), IR (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.7–20.6; p- 0.005), and low serum testosterone (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.5–17.1; p- 0.009) were the predictors of ED. Conclusions ED is a common disorder in male patients with NAFLD; both IR and low serum testosterone contribute to its development. Treatment of IR may carry a dual benefit of improving erectile function and decreasing the grade of hepatic steatosis.

Background: Patients in countries endemic for chronic viral hepatitis are more vulnerable to antituberculosis therapy-induced liver disorders (ATT-LDs). The aim of this study was to explore the role of cholecalciferol in prophylaxis against ATT-LD among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) receiving ATT. Material and Methods: We conducted a hospital-based, prospective, randomized, comparative study which included 300 consecutive, naive patients with pulmonary TB eligible for ATT. The patients were randomly allocated to Group A (150 patients who received ATT) and Group B (150 patients who received ATT with cholecalciferol) who had clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations, and imaging studies. Statistical analysis used student's t-test and Chi-square test were used as appropriate to compare the variables between the study groups. Results: The study population mean age was 35.6 ± 15.3 years. The overall incidence rate of ATT-LD among the study population was 9.3%; the incidence rate was significantly higher among Group A patients compared to those of Group B (13.3 vs. 5.3%;P = 0.001). The onset of ATT-LD was significantly earlier among patients of Group A compared to those of Group B (31.4 vs. 58.7 days,P = 0.027), while the duration of ATT-LD was significantly longer among patients of Group A compared to those of Group B (34.8 vs. 16.9 days,P = 0.009). No adverse effects related to cholecalciferol use were observed. Conclusions: Adjuvant cholecalciferol supplementation may be protective against ATT-LD without extra adverse effects. Before recommending the routine use of cholecalciferol supplementation for prevention of ATT-LD, larger scale studies are recommended.

INTRODUCTION: Prognostic markers are needed to understand the disease course and severity in patients with Covid-19, a viral respiratory illness that causes systemic symptoms However, there is no model to date that evaluates the complexity of this illness We hypothesized that the MELD-Na score would be associated with disease severity in patients with Covid-19 METHODS: This is an IRB approved, retrospective, single institution, cohort study that analyzed patients admitted to a community academic hospital with the diagnosis of Covid-19 between March, 1st 2020 and June 11th, 2020 The primary outcome was mortality at 30 days based on MELD-Na score calculated at the time of admission Secondary outcomes included the development of an Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), need for hemodialysis (HD), need for vasopressor hemodynamic support, need for intubation and hospital stay lasting longer than 7 days RESULTS: The sample size consisted of 99 patients: admission data to calculate a MELD-Na score was available for 63 patients (63%) The MELD-Na score was found to be significantly higher in those who died at 30 days (14 38±6 92) after discharge relative to those who survived (9 68±5 69;P = 0 03);the odds of death at 30 days with a MELD-Na score greater than 10 was 9 00 (95% CI: 2 29, 35 50;P = 0 001) Patients with a MELD-Na score greater than 10 were more likely to have an AKI by an odds ratio (OR) of 3 31 (95% CI: 1 08, 10 17, P = 0 03), need HD by an OR of 9 69 (95% CI: 1 74, 53 96, P = 0 007), need vasopressor support by an OR of 4 55 (95% CI: 1 22, 16 99, P = 0 02) and stay in the hospital longer than 7 days by an OR of 4 17 (95% CI: 1 05, 16 47;P = 0 03) CONCLUSION: The MELD-Na score was found to be higher in patients with Covid-19 who died relative to those who survived at 30 days after discharge A MELD-Na score greater than 10 was prognostic of multiple clinical outcomes, including 30-day all cause mortality, development of an AKI, need for HD, need for vasopressors and longer hospital stay Thus, the MELD-Na score serves as a useful clinical scoring system for prognosis in patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 (Table Presented)

INTRODUCTION: Prognostic markers are needed to understand the disease course and severity in patients with Covid-19, a respiratory viral illness There is evidence that Covid-19 causes gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormalities in liver enzymes We aimed to determine if hepatobiliary laboratory data could predict disease severity in patients with Covid-19 METHODS: This is an IRB approved, retrospective, single institution, cohort study that analyzed patients admitted to a community academic hospital with the diagnosis of Covid-19 between March, 1st 2020 and May 5th, 2020 The primary outcome was the need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission based on elevations in transaminases, Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) and Total Bilirubin (TB) Secondary outcomes included mortality, development of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or hypotension and need for supplemental oxygen RESULTS: Sixty patients were included in the analysis Elevation of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) increased the odds of ICU admission by 5 12 (95% CI: 1 55,16 89;P = 0 007), 4 71 (95% CI: 1 51,14 69;P = 0 01) and 4 12 (95% CI: 1 21,14 06, P = 0 02), respectively Hypoalbuminemia was associated with increased mortality by an odds ratio of 6 79 (CI: 1 27-36 34, P = 0 02) Additionally, there was evidence of liver injury: the change in AST during admission above baseline was significantly higher in patients admitted to the ICU (54 2±15 70 U/L) relative to those who were not (9 2±4 89 U/L;P = 0 01) CONCLUSION: This study found that hypoalbuminemia and abnormalities in hepatobiliary laboratory data are prognostic factors for disease severity in patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 Additionally, there may be evidence of liver injury in Covid-19 patients that is more severe in those admitted to the ICU (Table Presented)

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been well studied in the treatment of acetaminophen-induced and select non-acetaminophen-induced liver failure. However, its role in the management of sickle cell hepatic crisis resulting in acute liver failure (ALF) is unknown. We describe and discuss the novel and beneficial use of NAC in a 25-year-old man with ALF due to sickle cell hepatic crisis. We further review ALF in sickle cell disease and NAC in the treatment of non-acetaminophen-induced liver failure. Our case highlights the promising role of NAC in sickle cell-related liver injury.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of therapeutic failure among patients with acute and subacute brucellosis and to explore the predictors of failure. METHODS The study included 213 consecutive, naive patients with acute and subacute brucellosis. All participants underwent clinical evaluation, chest radiography, stool microscopic examination and interferon-gamma release assay. Patients received the WHO-recommended therapy of doxycycline 200 mg/day and rifampin 900 mg/day, for 6 weeks. RESULTS Mean age of the study population was 39.8 ± 12.2 years; 64.8% of them were males. The therapeutic failure rate was 16.4%. Adverse effects were reported by 13.1%. Multivariate analysis of factors associated with therapeutic failure revealed latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) (OR 3.1, 95% CI, 1.9-24.6, P: 0.009), ascariasis (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-17.9, P: 0.012), and the use of acid suppressive therapy (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-19.5, P: 0.037) as the predictors of therapeutic failure. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of therapeutic failure among the Egyptian patients with acute/subacute brucellosis is increasing. Predictors of therapeutic failure are LTBI, ascariasis, and the use of acid suppressive therapy.

Background Aging population, is a reality in many countries because of improvement in the health care, patient safety and other supplemental factors. Pharmacotherapy in this population must be evaluated due to their higher susceptibility to adverse drug outcomes, like potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs). Research in this regard is limited particularly in developing countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors in this population. Methods The multicentered study evaluated the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions and associated factors in elderly population at critical care units in Peshawar, Pakistan. Potential drug-drug interactions were evaluated using Micromedex DrugReax, while statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results A total of 70.17% elderly patients were observed to have at least one PDDI. A significant association was observed between presence of PDDIs and number of prescribed drugs, duration of stay and age (p

To explore the role of cholecalciferol for the prophylaxis against recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our randomized, uncontrolled prospective study included 389 naive BPH patients with moderate/severe symptoms, consecutively. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups; group-A included 193 patients who received tamsulosin, while group-B included another 196 patients who received tamsulosin with cholecalciferol. The study population was followed up for 2 years after the start of the treatment. For all the patients enrolled, clinical evaluation, imaging studies (abdominal and trans-rectal ultrasonography), and laboratory investigations [including urinalysis, urine culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing for positive cultures and estimation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level] were provided. The incidence rate of recurrent UTI was 9% among the study population; it was significantly higher among group-A patients compared to those of group-B (13.5% vs. 4.6%, p 0.003, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.5–4.3). Compared to patients of group-A, those of group-B developed a significantly lower level of PSA at the end of treatment period (0.16 ± 0.03 ng/mL vs. 0.27 ± 0.08 ng/mL, p 0.043, OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2–6.8). Adjuvant cholecalciferol supplementation may be protective against recurrent UTI among patients with BPH receiving tamsulosin therapy without extra adverse effects.

Background/objective Vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the therapeutic failure of antituberculosis therapy (ATT). The aim of this study is to explore the role of adding cholecalciferol to the standard ATT in improving the therapeutic outcome among the naive patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods A randomized, controlled, clinical study, which included 496 naive patients with pulmonary TB, was carried out. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group-A included 247 patients who received ATT, while group-B included 249 patients who received ATT with cholecalciferol. Results The rate of therapeutic failure among the study population was 29.4%; it was significantly lower among patients of group-B compared to those of group-A (22.1% (95% CI 14.7–26.2) vs 38.1% (95% CI 31.5–46.1), p 0.036). In addition, the rate of early therapeutic response was significantly higher among patients of group-B compared to those of group-A (35.3% (95% CI 29.6–42.3) vs 19.4% (95% CI 15.1–24.6), p 0.041). Incidence rate of adverse effects was 19.3%; it was higher (although not statistically significant) among patients of group-A compared to those of group-B (21.9% vs 16.9%). Conclusions In conclusion, cholecalciferol-augmented ATT can be more efficacious in treating naive patients with pulmonary TB compared to the standard ATT. In addition, adding vitamin D3 to ATT provides extra protection against the hepatic and muscular adverse effects of ATT.

No previous studies have investigated the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) or its contribution to the development of high-grade ED through a process of chronic inflammation-induced atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of LTBI among patients with erectile dysfunction and to explore the contribution of LTBI to high-grade ED. For all the study sample, clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and laboratory investigations were provided. Evaluation included, but was not confined to, scrotal ultrasonography, tuberculin skin test, and QuantiFERON-TB Gold test. The study sample mean ± SD age was 47.9 ± 13.6 years. Approximately 30% of the patients had LTBI and 43% had high-grade ED. After a multivariate analysis, it was found that older age (≥40 years) (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.9–54.6; p 0.004), metabolic syndrome (MS) (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3–48.2; p 0.016), and LTBI (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.7–61.3; p 0.021) were significantly, independently associated with high-grade ED as opposed to low-grade ED. In conclusion, the prevalence of LTBI among patients with high-grade ED is higher than among those with low-grade ED. In addition to LTBI, older age and MS are associated with high-grade ED as opposed to low-grade ED.

Background & Aims The NACHT, LRR, and pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome induces inflammation in response to organ injury, but little is known about its regulation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) provide the first signal required for activation of the inflammasome and stimulate aerobic glycolysis to generate lactate. We examined whether lactate and the lactate receptor, G i -protein–coupled receptor 81 (GPR81), regulate TLR induction of signal 1 and limit inflammasome activation and organ injury. Methods Primary mouse macrophages and human monocytes were incubated with TLR4 agonists and lactate and assayed for levels of pro-interleukin (IL)1β, NLRP3, and caspase-1 (CASP1); release of IL1β; and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and caspase-1. Small interfering RNAs were used to reduce levels of GPR81 and arrestin β-2 (ARRB2), and an NF-κB luciferase reporter transgene was transfected in RAW 264.7 cells. Cell lysates were analyzed by immunoprecipitation with an antibody against GPR81. Acute hepatitis was induced in C56BL/6N mice by administration of lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine. Acute pancreatitis was induced by administration of lipopolysaccharide and cerulein. Some mice were given intraperitoneal injections of sodium lactate or small interfering RNA against Gpr81. Activation of NF-κB in tissue macrophages was assessed in mice that expressed a reporter transgene. Results In macrophages and monocytes, increasing concentrations of lactate reduced TLR4-mediated induction of Il1B , Nlrp3 , and Casp1 ; activation of NF-κB; release of IL1β; and cleavage of CASP1. GPR81 and ARRB2 physically interacted and were required for these effects. The administration of lactate reduced inflammation and organ injury in mice with immune hepatitis; this reduction required Gpr81 dependence in vivo. Lactate also prevented activation of NF-κB in macrophages of mice, and, when given after injury, reduced the severity of acute pancreatitis and acute liver injury. Conclusions Lactate negatively regulates TLR induction of the NLRP3 inflammasome and production of IL1β, via ARRB2 and GPR81. Lactate could be a promising immunomodulatory therapy for patients with acute organ injury.

The ability of tissue injury to result in inflammation is a well-recognized phenomenon and is central to a number of common liver and pancreatic diseases including alcoholic steatohepatitis and pancreatitis, as well as drug-induced liver injury, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and pancreatitis from other causes. The requirements of extracellular damage-associated molecules and a cytosolic machinery labeled the inflammasome have been established in in vitro culture systems and in vivo disease models. This has provided a generic insight into the pathways involved, and the challenge now is to understand the specifics of these mechanisms in relation to the particular insults and organs involved. One reason for the excitement in this field is that a number of therapeutic candidates such a toll-like receptor antagonists and interleukin-1R antagonists are either approved or in clinical trials for other indications.

The core objectives of the current study are to generate human DNA profiles from used lipsticks and blush sticks of various brands available in Pakistan. A total of 12 international and local brands of lipsticks and blush sticks were selected. The lipsticks and blush sticks were applied by twenty different healthy female volunteers of 21-30 years of age. The heads of used lipsticks and blush sticks were swabbed with dry sterile cotton swabs. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was done by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using a Quantifiler® Duo DNA Quantification Kit on Real Time PCR ABI™ 7500. Samples were amplified for 16 STR loci using an AmpFlSTR® Identifiler® PCR amplification kit on Thermocycler ABI 9700. The amplified product was run on Applied Biosystems 3130™ Genetic Analyzer. The genetic profiles were analyzed on GeneMapper® ID-X software version 1.0. The quantification results showed that the yield of DNA obtained from lipstick samples was greater than that of DNA obtained from blush stick samples. The real-time PCR results showed that only 16% of cosmetic samples had shown inhibition. The DNA profiles obtained from all blush stick samples were of good quality compared to those from lipstick samples. No profile was obtained from one blush stick sample (DNA 0.001 ng/μL) and four lipstick samples (DNA 0.001-0.003 ng/μL) because the amount of DNA in each of these samples was less than the amount required for successful amplification. DNA profiles were successfully generated from most of the samples of various available brands of lipsticks and blush sticks. This is the first study proving that DNA profiles can be generated from various lip and face cosmetics.

Question: A 60-yearold obese (body mass index of 50 kg/m2) woman was admitted through the emergency department with a history of severe colicky abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and constipation. She was known to have diverticular disease of sigmoid colon, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. here was no history of any previous abdominal operations. On examination, she was found to have distended abdomen with severe enderness and guarding in the left iliac fossa. Her bowel sounds were increased. She had an elevated white cell count (18,000/mm3) and normal liver function tests. Her plain abdominal film showed large bowel dilatation with cutoff in the sigmoid colon. With the clinical impression of large bowel obstruction with possible acute diverticulitis she underwent an emergency abdominal (Figure A) and pelvic (Figure B) computed tomography (CT). What is the complete diagnosis? Look on page 2279 for the answer and see the GASTROENTEROLOGY web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information n submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI. Conflicts of interest: The authors disclose no conflicts. © 2011 by the AGA Institute 0016-5085/$36.00 doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2010.11.042

Background/Aim: Both nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are common in Egypt, and their coexistence is expected. There is controversy regarding the influence of NAFLD on chronic HCV disease progression. This study evaluates the effect of NAFLD on the severity of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) (necroinflammation and fibrosis) and assesses the relative contribution of insulin resistance syndrome to the occurrence of NAFLD in patients with chronic HCV infection. Patients and Methods: Untreated consecutive adults with chronic HCV infection admitted for liver biopsy were included in this study. Before liver biopsy, a questionnaire for risk factors was completed prospectively, and a blood sample was obtained for laboratory analysis. Results: Our study included 92 male patients. Their mean ± SD age and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level were 42 ± 7.7 years (range 20-56) and 68 ± 41.7 U/L (range 16-214), respectively. The mean insulin level and insulin resistance index were 15.6 ± 18.3 mIU/mL (range 5.1-137.4) and 5.9 ± 15.2 (range 0.9-136.2), respectively. Fifty four percent of patients had steatosis and 65% had fibrosis. In multivariate analyses, steatosis was associated with insulin resistance and fibrosis was associated with high AST level, age ≥40 years, and steatosis. Conclusions: Steatosis is a histopathologic feature in >50% of patients with chronic HCV infection. Insulin resistance has an important role in the pathogenesis of steatosis, which represents a significant determinant of fibrosis together with high serum AST level and older age.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare both the efficacy and safety profile of the WHO-recommended, dual therapy (doxycycline–rifampin) to a quinolone-based, triple therapy (doxycycline–rifampin–levofloxacin) for treating acute/subacute brucellosis. Patients and methods: We studied 107 consecutive, naïve patients with acute/subacute brucellosis admitted to Assiut University Hospital. Patients were randomly allocated to receive the dual therapy of doxycycline–rifampin (group-A) or to receive the triple therapy of doxycycline–rifampin–levofloxacin (group-B). Acute/subacute brucellosis was diagnosed based on the presence of: (1) contact with animals or fresh animal products, (2) suggestive clinical manifestations of less than one-year duration, and (3) positive antibody titer (1:160) by standard tube agglutination test. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their demographic data. Fever was the most frequent manifestation (96.3%). Epigastric pain was the most frequent adverse effect of treatment (12.1%). Group-A patients had a significantly higher relapse rate compared to group-B patients (22.6% versus 9.3%, p-value = 0.01). The rate of treatment adverse effects was higher among group-B patients, although not reaching statistical significance (20.4% versus 11.3%, p-value = 0.059). Conclusions: Adding levofloxacin to the dual therapy for acute/subacute brucellosis (doxycycline–rifampin) may increase its efficacy in terms of lowering the relapse rate of the disease. Further, larger scale studies are needed before considering modifying the standard, dual therapy for brucellosis. Keywords: Brucellosis, Doxycycline, Rifampin, Levofloxacin

Objective/background The aim of this study is to determine the rate of hookworm infection among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to find out if there is a relation between hookworm infection and the therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB. Methods We carried out a prospective, hospital-based study. The study included 231 naive patients with pulmonary TB, consecutively. Patients were evaluated at the 4th month of therapy for persistence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. All patients had clinical evaluation, laboratory investigations (including sputum culture and stool microscopic examination), and imaging studies (abdominal ultrasonography and chest radiography). Results The study population mean age was 42.7 ± 13.9 years old with 26.8% of them 40 years old or more. Out of 231 patients, 133 (57.6%) were men. Therapeutic failure rate of pulmonary TB was 29.4%. Hookworm infection was diagnosed among 16.5% of patients and 27.7% had diabetes mellitus (DM). Using multivariate analysis, it was found that age of 40 years or more (odds ratio [OR] 8.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–41.3; p = .009), hookworm infection (OR 7.6; 95% CI 1.2–49.9; p = .034), and DM (OR 5.9; 1.2–28; p = .027) were independently associated with therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB among the study population with pulmonary TB. Conclusion In conclusion, the rate of therapeutic failure of pulmonary TB is high. Besides older age and DM, hookworm infection can reduce the therapeutic response of pulmonary TB. Screening for and control of DM and hookworm infection among patients with pulmonary TB may improve their therapeutic response.