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Several studies have been conducted by antioxidant properties of the Beta-carotenes in relation to their ability like prevention to coronary diseases. Similarly, 3 out of 4 randomized studies have shown that higher intakes or higher blood concentrations of β-carotenes are associated with the reduced risk of the Predictive Heart Disease (PHD). As vitamin A functions as an epithelial membrane regulator and provides immunity. In spite beta-carotene is the precursor of the vitamin A in the body, which also shows proportional relation to the body vitamin A concentration. However, beta-carotene is mostly addressing through its antioxidant properties. Similarly, a direct relation to the PHD by the pupil response effected by the pro-vitamin A have not been studied.

OBJECTIVES: To assess plasma vitamin D status and its association with dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) in primary gravida women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Gynecology, Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar from January to March 2016. Primary gravida women (n=88) in their first trimester attending antenatal clinic at LRH were included. Socio-demographic and anthropometric measures were recorded using standard methods. Nutritional intake was assessed using 24-hours dietary recall. Blood samples were collected to assess plasma vitamin D status through ELISA. RESULTS: Median plasma 25-OH vitamin D levels were 41.71 ηg/mL (IQR=17.29). Only 8 (9.09%) women had vitamin D deficiency (30 ηg/mL) levels of plasma vitamin D. Dietary intake of vitamin A and thiamine were significantly different between the three groups (sufficient/insufficient/deficient). No significant correlation was found between plasma vitamin D and anthropometric and dietary variables. Only socioeconomic status (p=0.03) was significantly associated with plasma vitamin D status. CONCLUSION: In our study, plasma vitamin D status was not significantly associated with dietary intake and BMI in primary gravida women. However, due to relatively small sample size, results may be taken with caution and large-scale study is recommended to establish the relationship of plasma vitamin D status with dietary intake and BMI in antenatal women.

Despite the availability of plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin, the mortality and long-term morbidity from Guillain–Barré Syndrome (GBS) remains significant. This study aimed to determine the short-term outcomes in patients with GBS admitted to an intensive care unit. A total of 27 patients with a mean age of 31.67 ± 15.88 years were prospectively followed for 4 weeks after admission. Overall muscle power was graded using Medical Research Council (MRC) score 0–5, GBS disability was graded according to the Hughes scale, and tendon reflexes and features of dysautonomia were also noted. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biochemical parameters were analysed. Plasmapheresis sessions were done in all except one patient. Seven patients (26%) who died during follow-up showed a significantly higher proportion of dysautonomia features compared to those who survived. However, muscle power and plasma and cerebrospinal fluid biochemical features were similar between the two groups. Increasing age was associated with poor outcome [Unadjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.9270, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8598–0.9995, p = 0.027]. Plasmapheresis had no impact on the improvement of overall MRC score. Platelet count reduced significantly with plasmapheresis sessions (p = 0.014). Survival rate of patients decreased with prolonged preceding illness, hospital stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation >10 days. Only three patients were capable of independent survival at the end of 4 weeks’ follow-up. Plasmapheresis-only treatment does not improve overall MRC score in the short term in patients presenting with low MRC score.

Introduction Dietary zinc (Zn) deficiency is a global problem, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries where access to rich, animal-source foods of Zn is limited due to poverty. In Pakistan, Zn deficiency affects over 40% of the adult female population, resulting in suboptimal immune status and increased likelihood of complications during pregnancy. Methods and analysis We are conducting a double-blind, randomised controlled feeding study with cross-over design in a low-resource setting in Pakistan. Households were provided with flour milled from genetically and agronomically biofortified grain (Zincol-2016/NR-421) or control grain (Galaxy-2013). Fifty households were recruited. Each household included a woman aged 16–49 years who is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding, and not currently consuming nutritional supplements. These women were the primary study participants. All households were provided with control flour for an initial 2-week baseline period, followed by an 8-week intervention period where 25 households receive biofortified flour (group A) and 25 households receive control flour (group B). After this 8-week period, groups A and B crossed over, receiving control and biofortified flour respectively for 8 weeks. Tissue (blood, hair and nails) have been collected from the women at five time points: baseline, middle and end of period 1, and middle and end of period 2. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval was granted from the lead university (reference no. STEMH 697 FR) and the collaborating institution in Pakistan. The final study methods (including any modifications) will be published in peer-reviewed journals, alongside the study outcomes on completion of the data analysis. In addition, findings will be disseminated to the scientific community via conference presentations and abstracts and communicated to the study participants through the village elders at an appropriate community forum. Registration details The trial has been registered with the ISRCTN registry, study ID ISRCTN83678069.

Zinc is an important constituent of diet that regulates gut epithelial wall and modify gut microbiome in humans as well as animals. Zinc deficiency may affect 39% children in Pakistan, according to the recent National Nutritional Survey 2011. Although zinc has been used in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea, the relationship of plasma zinc status with potentially pathogenic bacteria has not been studied. In this review, we have discussed evidence suggesting the impact of zinc on gut microbiota and its interaction with gut epithelium. Furthermore, animal and human studies suggesting the role of zinc in modifying gut microbiota have been presented.

The aetiology of obesity has been attributed to several factors (environmental, dietary, lifestyle, host, and genetic factors); however none of these fully explain the increase in the prevalence of obesity worldwide. Gut microbiota located at the interface of host and environment in the gut are a new area of research being explored to explain the excess accumulation of energy in obese individuals and may be a potential target for therapeutic manipulation to reduce host energy storage. Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain the role of gut microbiota in the aetiology of obesity such as short chain fatty acid production, stimulation of hormones, chronic low-grade inflammation, lipoprotein and bile acid metabolism, and increased endocannabinoid receptor system tone. However, evidence from animal and human studies clearly indicates controversies in determining the cause or effect relationship between the gut microbiota and obesity. Metagenomics based studies indicate that functionality rather than the composition of gut microbiota may be important. Further mechanistic studies controlling for environmental and epigenetic factors are therefore required to help unravel obesity pathogenesis.

Objective: We investigated the relationship of body mass index at presentation and pituitary status with long-term changes in BMI over a period of 5 years. Study Design: Craniopharyngioma patients (n = 25) attending a tertiary pediatric endocrine center were divided into three groups based on their BMI at presentation [BMI ≥2 standard deviation scores (SDS), 0-1.99 SDS, and Results: Median (interquartile range) BMI SDS and hypopituitarism at presentation versus at the 5-year follow-up were as follows: BMI SDS ≥2 group (n = 10): 3.55 (0.68), 6/10 versus 3.76 (1.13), 8/10; BMI SDS 0-1.99 group (n = 11): 1.68 (1.05), 3/11 versus 1.64 (2.04), 7/11, and BMI SDS Conclusions: Our data indicate that obesity at presentation, rather than panhypopituitarism either at or after presentation, predicts obesity 5 years after diagnosis. However, obesity at presentation is not always associated with the subsequent development of panhypopituitarism. Pediatric craniopharyngioma subjects who have BMI SDS ≥2 at presentation require early and aggressive intervention to help prevent the complications of obesity.