Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises of extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cancers as a result of inflammation of epithelium cell lining of the bile duct. The incidence rate is increasing dramatically worldwide with highest rates in Eastern and South Asian regions. Major risk factors involve chronic damage and inflammation of bile duct epithelium from primary sclerosing cholangitis, chronic hepatitis virus infection, gallstones and liver fluke infection. Various genetic variants have also been identified and as CCA develops on the background of biliary inflammation, diverse range of molecular mechanisms are involved in its progression. Among these, the Notch signalling pathway acts as a major driver of cholangiocarcinogenesis and its components (receptors, ligands and downstream signalling molecules) represent a promising therapeutic targets. Gamma-Secretase Inhibitors have been recognized in inhibiting the Notch pathway efficiently. A comprehensive knowledge of the molecular pathways activated by the Notch signalling cascade as well as its functional crosstalk with other signalling pathways provide better approach in developing innovative therapies against CCA.

: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), primarily inflammatory cardiomyopathy, are characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the myocardium. It has a relatively high risk of deteriorating heart function and has heterogeneous etiologies. Inflammatory cardiomyopathy is mainly mediated by viral infections but can also be mediated by protozoa, fungal or bacterial infections. Besides that, there are a wide variety of drugs, toxic substances, and systemic immune-mediated diseases that result in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Despite broad research, inflammatory cardiomyopathy has a poor prognosis. The roles of the pathogens, host genomic counterparts and environmental triggers in the progression of disease are still under consideration, including the role of some viruses as active inducers and others as bystanders. In this review article, we review the available evidence on the types, pathogenesis and treatment of myocarditis, inflammatory cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerosis with a particular focus on virus-associated cardiac diseases.

Objectives: The objective of the present study is to investigate the role of cystatin C as an early marker of glomerular dysfunction in thalassemia major. Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study. Setting: Department of Biochemistry Post Graduate Medical institute with the Thalassemia Center in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore. Period: July 2017 and July 2018. Material & Methods: This study examined 90 male children all between the ages of 5-11, using non probability sampling techniques. The children were grouped as 21 healthy male children as control group I and 69 diagnosed male thalassemia major children further subdivided on the basis of serum ferritin level as group II, serum ferritin level <2500ng/ml, group III, serum ferritin level 2500-5000ng/ml and group IV serum ferritin level >5000ng/ml respectively. Individuals with hereditary renal diseases, on steroid therapy, or other co-morbid renal diseases were excluded from the study. Complete blood analysis, serum ferritin, creatinine and cystatin C were measured by Micro lab 300 and solid phase enzyme linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) respectively. The results were compared by using SPSS version 20. Results: Group I: n=21 healthy children with ferritin between normal range 105.33 ± 30.03, serum creatinine 0.41 ± 0.05, serum cystatin C 0.57 ± 0.14. eGFR-creatinine 133.38±7.63, eGFR-cystatin C 122.9±17.63. Group II: n=20 (β-TM with ferritin <2500ng/ml). Mean ferritin was 1997.5±300.68 ng/ml (P<0.001), creatinine was 0.43± 0.05, serum cystatin C 0.66 ± 0.05 (P<0.05). eGFR-creatinine 121.45±4.89 P<0.05, eGFR-cystatin C 105.15±6.49 P<0.001. Group III: n= 25 (β-TM with ferritin 2500-5000 ng/ml). Mean ferritin level was 3850.0± 718.18 ng /ml (P<0.001), creatinine was 0.5±.07, cystatin C 0.96±0.13 (P<0.001). eGFR-creatinine 103.29±8.26(P<0.001), eGFR-cystatin C 75.75±10.67 (P<0.001). Group IV: n=24 (β-TM with ferritin >5000 ng/ml). Mean ferritin level was 6311.67±1060.61 ng/ml P value (P<0.001), creatinine was 0.57 ± 0.07, cystatin C 1.11 ± 0.09 (P<0.001). eGFR-creatinine 94.42±8.69 (P<0.001), eGFR cystatin C 64.67±4.23(P<0.001). Conclusion: A highly significant positive relation was found between serum ferritin-cystatin C as compared to creatinine among the study groups II, III and IV and significant inverse relationship between cystatin C and eGFR that concluded cystatin C as an early marker of glomerular dysfunction than creatinine in thalassaemia major children.

Aim: To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the multiple mini interviews for selecting medical students for admission in a medical institution. Methods: The current cross-sectional descriptive study is a 12-item questionnaire-based survey with a four-point Likert scale to record the anonymous responses of the candidate students’ and the interviewer faculty perceptions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data quantitatively with IBM SPSS Version 25. The study evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of the utility of multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) as an assessment tool for the medical students’ selection in the admission process at Avicenna Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. Results: A total of 438 candidate students and 42 interviewer/assessor faculty members participated in the study. Most of the candidate students (92.2%) of candidates and 97.6% of interviewer faculty regarded MMIs better than the traditional interviews for the selection of medical students. Further, 99.4% of candidate students and 97.6% of interviewer faculty were satisfied with the MMI process’s general arrangements. Finally, a hundred percent interviewer faculty and 96.8% of candidate students perceived MMIs as a feasible assessment tool for the admission process of the medical institutions. Conclusion: The overall positive responses of the candidate students and the interviewer faculty for the acceptability and feasibility of the MMI process as an assessment tool in the admission process to select medical students provide evidence for future research on the use of MMIs. In addition, other medical institutions can adapt or modify the MMI process per the available finances and resources within their local settings. Keywords: Multiple mini-interviews, Medical college admission process, acceptability, feasibility.

Aim: The assessment of serum electrolytes at the time of initial presentation of the patient with respiratory tract infection possibly causing lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature damage and serial monitoring during the stay could be beneficial in order to determine when and how to take remedial action when necessary. Methodology: A non-probability sampling was done on 139 subjects with suspected respiratory tract infection. For confirmation, culture, MTB PCR, COVID-19 testing was done to diagnose the nature of infection. Serum electrolytes were tested on chemical analyses Alinity instrument. Results: Most common infections found were COVID-19 and bacterial (n=59) collectively in a co-morbid state. Mycobacterium tuberculosis and fungal infections were also found in (n=8) each. Electrolytes imbalance was markedly observed in high prevalence amongst Tuberculosis and COVID-19 patients but also showed significant association with other respiratory investigated infections. Conclusion: A robust association of electrolyte imbalance was found in all cases presented with upper or lower respiratory tract infections. Keywords: Respiratory tract infections, electrolyte imbalance, Covid-19, MTB, Sodium, Potassium