Medication adherence and self-management were found to be dependent on mature defence mechanisms.
  To determine the frequencies of mucocutaneous manifestations of chikungunya fever, and to determine the association of positive serology with manifestations.
 
  The observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from May 15, 2018, to January 15, 2019, and comprised patients who presented with early and late manifestations of chikungunya fever.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BIBF1120.html  Different cutaneous manifestations were confirmed by a consultant dermatologist. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.
 
  Of the 67 patients, 46(68.7%) were females and 21(31.3%) were males. The overall mean age was 30.24±7.89 years. Hyperpigmentation was the most frequent finding 31(46%), followed by maculopapular rashes and oral ulcers in 17(25%) each, and diffuse hair fall in 14(20%). There was no significant association between clinically suspected cases and serology-positive patients.
 
  Chikungunya fever presented with unusual mucocutaneous findings, some of which remained present months or even years after the onset of chikungunya fever.
 Chikungunya fever presented with unusual mucocutaneous findings, some of which remained present months or even years after the onset of chikungunya fever.
  To investigate the association of C-reactive protein and procalcitonin with commonly used prognostic scoring systems, hospitalisation and mortality in cases of community-acquired pneumonia.
 
  The prospective study was conducted from April 2014 to April 2015 at the emergency department of Marmara University Pendik Research and Training Hospital, Turkey, and comprised community-acquired pneumonia patients diagnosed according to the British Thoracic Society criteria. Prognosis was estimated using confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age >65, Pneumonia Severity Index-Pneumonia Patient Outcome Research Team score, and severe community-acquired pneumonia scores. Data was analysed using MedCalc 15.8.
 
  Of the 203 patients assessed, community-acquired pneumonia was confirmed in 152(74.8%). Procalcitonin had moderate correlation with the three scales used (p<0.001), while C-reactive protein had weak correlation with them (p<0.004).
 
  Both procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were found to be correlated with prognostic risk scores.
 Both procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were found to be correlated with prognostic risk scores.
  The Aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of 3 common polymorphisms in the HFE gene (C282Y, H63D and S65C) with high body iron status in a population of Pakistani subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to explore if there is any novel mutation in HFE gene in a sample of Pakistani subjects with type 2 DM.
 
  In a case-control design, 200 healthy controls and 200 consecutive adult subjects with type 2 DM (both gender; age range of 30-70 years) were enrolled with informed consent. Their serum samples were analyzed for body iron status (ratio of concentration of soluble transferrin receptor to ferritin concentration). DNA from blood was screened for HFE gene polymorphisms via polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism or via Sanger sequencing to identify any novel mutation(s) in HFE gene.
 
  We found that there was lack of any association between HFE polymorphism and body iron status in Pakistani subjects with type 2 DM and healthy controls. H63D was the most common polymorphism found in this population. Single base substitution of G nucleotide instead of C at the codon position 187 in the HFE gene exon 2 was discovered in one subject with DM. There was also a lack of association between D allele (variant allele of H63D) and type 2 DM. A significant relationship was found between CG genotype and abnormal albuminuria in subjects with type 2 DM (p = 0.036).
 
  In conclusion, HFE gene polymorphism is not associated either with high body iron status or type 2 DM in a hospital based Pakistani population and variant allele of H63D polymorphism appears to be associated with diabetic nephropathy.
 In conclusion, HFE gene polymorphism is not associated either with high body iron status or type 2 DM in a hospital based Pakistani population and variant allele of H63D polymorphism appears to be associated with diabetic nephropathy.
  To compare upper versus lower calyceal approaches in percutaneous nephrolithotomy for managing renal calculi.
 
  The retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Urology, The Kidney Centre Post-Graduate Training Institute, Karachi, and comprised data of patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy from January 2014 to January 2015. Patients were divided into upper pole puncture group A and lower pole puncture group B. Data was analysed using SPSS 17.
 
  Of the 198 patients, 147(74.2%) were males and 51(25.8%) were females. The overall mean age was 40.64±14.02 years. Of the total, 69(34.84%) were in group A and 129(65.15%) were in group B. Inter-group difference was significant in pre- and post-operative haemoglobin (p<0.05). Post-operative outcomes showed that blood transfusion, stone clearance and complication like tube thoracostomy had significant association with both the groups (p<0.05). Complete clearance was seen in 152(76.8%) patients; 40(74.1%) in group A and 102(81.6%) in group B.
 
  The success rate was found to be better in lower calyceal puncture group than upper calyceal puncture group for the management of renal calculi.
 The success rate was found to be better in lower calyceal puncture group than upper calyceal puncture group for the management of renal calculi.
  To evaluate Pakistan's progress in the context of health-related Millennium Development Goals.
 
  The cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2016 to March 2017 at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and National Institution of Health, assessed the chronological landscape of health conditions with temporal limit of 2000 to 2015 while measuring progress in 5, 10 and 15 years of Millennium Development Goals in the Public Sector Health Care Segment. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
 
  No significant difference in infrastructure was observed during the 2000-2015 era of Millennium Development Goals (p>0.05) except in the number of dispensaries (p=0.001). There was a significant increase in workforce (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in health expenditure (p>0.05). Family planning sector was also without any significant change (p>0.05).
 
  There was no significant difference in most healthcare segments during 2000-2015 and Millennium Development Goals remained underachieved.
 There was no significant difference in most healthcare segments during 2000-2015 and Millennium Development Goals remained underachieved.