Pakistan BioMedical Journal

Factors Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulceration among Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 Patients at Dow University Hospital, Karachi

Syed Muhammad Adnan — 2024-09-30

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the important problems related to diabetes which affects the quality of life of the diabetic patients. Objective: To determine the factors (demographic characteristics, glycemic control, CVD or CKD) associated with diabetic foot ulceration among diabetic patients. Methods: A registered patient’s data taken from Dow University Hospital (DUH), Karachi.The multiple risk factors which includedphysical activity, smoking status, dietary intakes, duration of diabetes and co-morbidities. Multiple logistic regression and STATA version 15 was used to analyze the overall results and p value < 0.05 was considered to statistically significant.Results: In DM Type 2 patients, 664(71.4%) were male and 266 (28.6%) were female and the median age was 53.23 years.The hypertensive patients were 4.33 times higher risk of developing DFU (OR=4.33, 95% CI: 2.11-8.89, p<0.001) and the CVD patients was 2.67 times higher risk of developing DFU (OR=2.67, 95% CI: 1.25-5.68, p=0.011). The diabetic patients who did regularly exercises were 68% less chances of risk of developing DFU (OR=1.68, 95% CI: 0.16-0.74 p=0.006). On the other hand, the diabetic patients for regular foot checkup were 2.02 times less chances of developing DFU (OR=2.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.11 p<0.001).According to evaluation of HADS, the anxiety (p=0.023) and depression (p<0.01) score were more increased in DFU patients as compare to without DFU patients. Conclusion: Risk factors (age, BMI, duration of diabetes, physical activity, co- morbidities and anxiety and depression) were highly connected with DM type 2 diabetic foot ulcers patients.

Effect of Moderate Intensity Exercise on Serum Ferritin Concentration

Aqib Ashraf — 2024-09-30

An iron-containing blood protein is called ferritin. The amount of iron stored in the body may be determined with this test. Objective: To evaluate the changes in serum ferritin concentration induced by moderate-intensity exercise for 12 weeks. Methods: Participants (n=20) for this study were selected through the developed inclusion and exclusion criteria which included age (18-25 years), BMI (18.5-24.9), and no chronic disease in participants and non-athletes. After the selection of participants, the participants were divided into two groups which were the control group (n=10) and the experimental group (n=10). After division only the experimental group was allowed to follow the 12-week exercise plan (intervention). Fresh blood samples of around (2-5 ml) were obtained in Ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic Acid (EDTA) vacutainers using 5cc syringes with the help of the hospital paramedic staff. After the sample was collected, the sample was sent to a laboratory for further process of examination of serum ferritin concentration, which was done by professionals. Results: The data were analyzed and evaluated statistically using Version 22 of IBM SPSS software. Different tests including mean, paired sample t-test and independent samples t-test were applied to calculate the p-values of all studied groups. Conclusion: It was concluded that based on data analysis and findings, the researcher concluded that moderate-intensity exercise has a significant impact on serum ferritin concentration among the respondents

The Future of Regenerative Medicine: Stem Cell Research in Pakistan

Anna Maria Lavezzi — 2024-09-30

The landscape of medicine is being revolutionized by the recent breakthroughs in stem cell research that offer new possibilities for treating diseases that were once deemed degenerative, incurable, or irreversible. In low and middle-income countries like Pakistan stem cell therapy holds promise for cost-effective solutions to non-communicable diseases. However, these advancements are hindered by ongoing debates, legal challenges, and public controversies.

Stem cells can differentiate into various cell types and self-renew themselves, making them appealing for regenerative medicine. Unlike traditional therapies, regenerative medicine focuses on the restoration of optimal functioning of the damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells can be categorized as embryonic and adult stem cells. Adult stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into various cell types. These can be obtained from bone marrow, adipose tissue, umbilical cord tissue, and amniotic fluid.

Research shows that stem cells have the potential to treat cancers and advance regenerative medicine. Genetically modified stem cells can act as delivering systems for the treatment of genetic disorders and the development of therapeutic agents directly targeted to organs. Successful differentiation of stem cells into neurons, cardiomyocytes, insulin-producing cell clusters, hepatocytes, and hematopoietic precursors. These achievements are powerful tools that can help in combating human diseases.

In Pakistan, while the potential of stem cell therapy has generated significant excitement, the progress is hindered by regulatory and infrastructure challenges. Addressing these concerns and fostering a supportive research environment is essential for advancing stem cell and regenerative medicine in the country. According to the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry, there are over 3000 trials on adult stem cells in progress [1]. These trials are essential in advancing the knowledge of stem cell therapies and for the establishment of realistic expectations for their outcomes. The transplantation of stem cells into non-native environments can pose risks, including tumor formation and other complications. These risks underscore the importance of rigorous evaluation and monitoring to ensure that these promising therapies are both safe and effective before they become widely available.

In conclusion, stem cell research has great potential to revolutionize healthcare in Pakistan, but ethical, regulatory, and infrastructure challenges must be overcome before its benefits can be fully realized in regenerative medicine. An environment that is supportive and safe is imperative for clinical trials and research to ensure safe and effective therapies in the future.