Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal loss, extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and intracellular neurofibrillary tau tangles. A diagnosis is currently made from the presenting symptoms, and the only definitive diagnosis can be done post-mortem. Over recent years, significant advances have been made in using ocular biomarkers to diagnose various neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. As the eye is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), reviewing changes in the eye’s biology could lead to developing a series of non-invasive, differential diagnostic tests for AD that could be further applied to other diseases. Significant changes have been identified in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), cornea, ocular vasculature, and retina. In the present paper, we review current research and assess some ocular biomarkers’ accuracy and reliability that could potentially be used for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, we review the various imaging techniques used in the measurement of these biomarkers.

<p><strong>Objectives:  </strong>Anemia is a frequent disorder in patients with end stage renal disease. Erythropoietin is advised in these patients; however, this therapy is not effective in patients who are iron deficient. So, diagnosis of iron deficiency which is traditionally based on ferritin and other iron parameters becomes difficult in these patients, as chronic kidney disease is a chronic inflammatory condition which affects these markers and masks the iron deficiency. In present study, we assessed the reliability of another indicator of body iron supply; serum transferrin receptor, in hemodialysis patients. It is not affected in case of inflammation unlike other markers of iron status.</p><p><strong>Patients and Methods:</strong><strong>  </strong>Eighty Patients with end</p><p>stage renal disease, 20 to 60 years of age and both sexes were included. All cases were examined for complete blood count, serum iron, serum ferritin, serum total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and serum soluble transferrin receptor. Data was analysed by using independent sample <em>t</em> test and Pearson’ correlation. A <em>p </em>value of ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results:  </strong>The results of our research showed that mean values of serum soluble transferrin receptor and serum ferritin were 3.28 ± 0.83 µg/ml and 286.31 ± 165 ng/ml respectively which were significantly higher than the upper normal limit (<em>p </em>&lt; 0.001). Levels of sTfR were statistically different (<em>p </em>= 0.002) between iron replete group (SF &gt; 100 ng/ml) and iron deplete group (SF &lt; 100 ng/ml). Additionally, there was negative and significant correlation between sTfR and Hemoglobin.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:  </strong>Levels of serum soluble transferrin receptor can be used as a reliable marker of iron defi-ciency in hemodialysis patients.</p>

Key Clinical MessageHemoglobin S is known to protect against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, there is paucity of the literature regarding interaction of HbS and other malaria species. Usually, P. vivax malaria is a relapsing condition, and without radical cure with primaquine, recurrence may be observed even with hemoglobin S.

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Background: Hamstring flexibility is an essential variable because decreased extensibility can cause injuries, non-specific low back pain and altered lumbopelvic rhythm. Flexibility training is an important component in preventing or rehabilitation of injuries and also a method of improving one’s performance in everyday activities and sports.  Objectives: To compare the effects of static stretching & muscle energy techniques on hamstring shortness in females. Methods: A randomized controlled trial conducted at Department of Health Sciences, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan on 50 asymptomatic females. In this study, 50 females were randomly allocated in two groups strictly following the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Group A received hamstring static stretching, while group B muscle energy techniques (Autogenic inhibition). Informed written consent was taken from each participant. 90-90 test, SLR, Sit and reach test were used as outcome measurement tools of hamstring tightness. 6 sessions in 2 weeks were given to each participant. Baseline as well as follow-up data after 2 consecutive weeks was recorded. Results: Mean age of participants of Groups A & B were 26±1.2, 26±0.9 years respectively. Group B participants showed marked improvement at 90-90 test, SLR, Sit and reach outcome measurement tools compared to group A as p-value was found less than 0.05 which is considered significant. Conclusion: Muscle energy techniques particularly autogenic inhibition have better treatment outcome as compared to hamstring static stretching alone in asymptomatic females with hamstring shortness.