Objective Serum Vitamin-D plays pivotal role in inflammatory and infectious diseases; among them liver infections are more distinct. This study was aimed to determine Vitamin-D status in HCV-infected patients and healthy controls in Faisalabad, Pakistan. Methods We performed randomized cross-sectional study of 74 individuals from 20th August, 2017 to 20th February 2018 at The University of Faisalabad and Dar us Shifa Clinic, Faisalabad. Fifty-one patients were hepatitis C RNA-PCR positive (22 compensated cirrhotic and 29 decompensated cirrhotic patients). In addition, 23 subjects without liver disease were recruited as healthy control. HCV RNA-PCR was performed by ARTUS ® HCV QS-RGQ V1. Vitamin-D levels were measured by chemiluminescence. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis. Results The mean level of Vitamin-D was significantly lower in HCV patients in compensated and decompensated cirrhotic patients (26.85 ng/mL & 20.65 ng/mL respectively) as compared to healthy controls (30.41 ng/mL). This study showed sub optimal level of Vitamin-D in 76.5% of HCV patients. Vitamin-D insufficiency (21-29 ng/mL) as prevalent among healthy individuals (47.8%) as well as in HCV patients (39.2%) (P less then 0.001). In addition, Vitamin-D levels showed inverse relationship with more severe conditions of liver disease as 55.2% of decompensated cirrhosis patients were sufferer of Vitamin-D deficiency as compared to 13.6% deficiency of Vitamin-D in compensated cirrhotic group (P less then 0.0001). Conclusion Suboptimal levels of Vitamin-D (deficiency or insufficiency) are prevalent in patients having hepatitis C infection as compared to healthy controls. Deficiency of Vitamin-D was directly associated with severity of disease. Copyright © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of internal fixation with support plates and cannulated screws via the posterolateral approach on supination external rotation stage IV ankle fracture. Methods Eighty-five patients with SER-IV° ankle fracture and large posterior malleolar fracture treated from June 2016 to June 2018 in our hospital, were randomly divided into a support plate group (n=47) and a cannulated screw group (n=38). The treatment outcomes were compared regarding surgical time, amount of bleeding, time of fracture healing, postoperative complications, as well as the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score and excellent rate one year later. Results The surgical time and intraoperative blood loss of cannulated screw group were significantly lower than those of support plate group (P0.05). The AOFAS scores of cannulated screw ((81.71 ± 12.39) points) and support plate groups ((86.62 ± 10.12) points) were significantly different (P less then 0.05). Conclusion For patients with posterior malleolar fracture or osteoporosis, fixation using support plate is recommended. Cannulated screw fixation is suitable for for patients with poor conditions of skin soft tissues or basic diseases such as diabetes intolerant to long surgery. Copyright © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.Background and Objective GLP-one receptor agonists are amongst the unique antidiabetes medications that have significant metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in addition to glucose lowering effect. To best of our knowledge, there is no published data on efficacy of liraglutide use among Pakistani population.Our objective was to ascertain the efficacy of liraglutide use among type two diabetes patients. Methods This retrospective study was conducted at the Endocrinology Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi, Pakistan during the period from July 01, 2016 to 30th June, 2017. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/GSK1904529A.html Liraglutide was prescribed to 68 obese type two diabetes patients with uncontrolled diabetes taking more than one oral medication ± insulin. Starting dose of Liraglutide was 0.6 mg, which was increased to 1.2 mg after 1-2 weeks with further increment to 1.8 mg/day based on tolerance and individual patient preference. Dose of other diabetes medications was adjusted according to clinical judgment whereas Dipeptidyl peptidase-4(DPP-4) inhibitors were discontinued. Results Mean age of cohort was 55 years (SD=10.94 years) with median body mass index of 36.45 kg/m2 and majority (57.35%) were on a dose of 1.2 mg of Liraglutide per day. Median HbA1c reduced to 7.50% and 7.40% at three months and six months respectively vs 8.45% at baseline. Mean reduction in weight after three month was two kilograms and at six months, it was 1.38 kilograms respectively. Conclusion Liraglutide as add on therapy demonstrated favourable HbA1c and weight reduction in obese uncontrolled type two Diabetes Pakistani subjects. Copyright © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.Objective To determine efficacy of diclofenac suppository in reducing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and identify risk factors for PEP. Methods This is a placebo-based prospective study at Department of Medicine & Gastroenterology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences / Services Hospital, Lahore performed from January 2018 to June 2019. Patients were randomized to receive diclofenac suppository or glycerine suppository before ERCP. Both groups were compared for PEP using chi square x2 test while risk factors for PEP were determined using binary logistic regression. Results Total of 165 patients with mean age 49.1(±15.2) and male to female ratio 1/1.6 (63/102) were included. Among 82 (49.7%) patients in diclofenac group, 8 (9.7%) developed pancreatitis while 19(22.9%) of 83(50.3%) in placebo group had PEP (p value 0.02). After multivariate analysis, age>45 years (p value 0.014, OR 3.2), Bilirubin >3 mg/dl (p value 0.004 OR 3.58), time to cannulation> 5 minutes (p value 30 minutes are risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis. Copyright © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.Objective To determine the risk factors, presentation and outcome of meningomyelocele repair. Methods We reviewed 150 cases operated for meningomyelocele (MMC) at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi between May 2015 and May 2018. Data of infants operated for MMC repair was extracted including socioeconomic status, maternal folate intake during pregnancy, head circumference, location and width of the defect, accompanying bladder and limb anomalies and treatments administered. Patients were followed up for a mean period of six months. Results A total of 150 children were evaluated, out of which there were 83(55.3%) males and 67(44.7%) females. All belonged to low socio economic group and prenatal maternal folate intake as risk factor was positive in 103(68.7%) cases. Mean head circumference was 37.4 cm (range, 30.7 to 50 cm). Based on their location, 83(55%) of the defects were lumbosacral, 38(25.4%) were lumbar, 16(10.7%) were thoraco lumbar, 10(6.7%) were thoracic and three (2%) were cervical. Mean size of the meningomyelocele sac was 4.