Summary. -This study investigated the anti-neoplastic potential of avian reovirus σC (sigma C) protein on Rous sarcoma virus-induced fibrosarcoma in chicken. The recombinant vector expressing σC protein was injected intra-tumorally into specific pathogen free chicken with fibro-sarcoma at the dose 100µg per bird, while control birds were mock-treated with 100µg of empty vector per bird. Recombinant σC protein induced apoptosis in tumors of treated birds resulting in progressive tumor regression, while similar changes were absent in tumors of mock-treated controls. The σC protein-induced apoptosis in tumors was quantified by flow cytometry and the mean level of apoptosis up to 66% was observed in treated tumors, whereas any significant level of apoptosis was absent in mock-treated controls.Keywords: avian reovirus; Rous sarcoma virus; tumors; σC protein; apoptosis E-mail: uma@kvasu.ac.in; phone: +91-487-2370344-275. Abbreviations: ARV(s) = avian reovirus(es); AO/EtBr = acridine orange/ethidium bromide; CEF = chicken embryonic fibroblast; H&E = hematoxylin and eosin; MRV = mammalian reovirus; MAb = monoclonal antibody; σC = sigma C, σ1 = sigma 1; SPF = specific pathogen free; RSV = Rous sarcoma virus

Introduction: Coronavirus has spread rapidly in Pakistan. These patients were kept at quarantine facilities on suspicion, even before RT-PCR was done. We were able to collect clinical, laboratory, and management features from them.  Objective: To assess the features of Corona confirmed and unconfirmed patients, and compare them. It could help in deciding if confirmed and unconfirmed patients were correctly identified and managed appropriately. Material and Methods: Retrospective, Descriptive, Crossectional study between 8th April to 30th April 2020. Patient data was collected from different sites retrospectively, on a Performa. Clinical, Laboratory, and Management data as collected. It was analyzed on SPSS 23. All patients in quarantines and ICU were included, irrespective of their corona PCR status, if the treating physicians had a strong suspicion. Home quarantine and less than 15-year old patients were excluded. Results: Clinical features showed more preponderance for males and smokers. Chronic disease patients were also significantly involved. Fatigue, nasal congestion, runny nose, sickness, and vomiting were more common in confirmed patients. CURB 65 scores 3 and 4 were more in unconfirmed patients. CT involvement was more common in unconfirmed patients as was high white cells and neutrophils. More patients had mechanical ventilation in the unconfirmed group, and they also had more secondary infections and shock. Antibiotic use was more common in the confirmed group. Conclusion: Corona was more common in males and smokers. Though fever and cough were common, the presence of fatigue, runny nose, nasal congestion sickness, and vomiting discriminated confirmed patients. Antibiotics should be used irrespective of RT-PCR results, especially if CT showed an abnormality.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has emerged as a major public health problem worldwide over the last two decades. Many complications and problems are associated with HIV like lipodystrophy, retarded growth in young patients, impaired endocrine and renal functioning and cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To determine the frequency of adrenal insufficiency among patients of human immunodeficiency virus presenting to HIV clinic in a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross Sectional Study. Setting: HIV clinic, Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Study Duration: August, 2019 to February, 2020. Material and Methods: A total of 180 patients of HIV presenting to HIV clinic of Jinnah hospital Lahore and fulfilling the selection criteria were approached after approval from ethical review board an informed consent was taken from the subject and an ACTH stimulation test was performed and adrenal Insufficiency was diagnosed. Intramuscular injection of 0.25 mg of synthetic ACTH was administered to all patients; and after 60 minutes serum cortisol was measured. A peak stimulated cortisol of less than 20 mcg/dl was labeled as adrenal insufficiency. Results: Mean and standard deviation of the age was 42.16 ± 17.31 years. Male patients were 56.1% while female patients were 43.9%.  Adrenal insufficiency was present in 38.3% patients while it was absent in 61.7% patients. No significant association found between age and presence of adrenal insufficiency (p=0.280). Also no significant association found between duration of disease and adrenal insufficiency (p=.557). There was a significant association found between intake of antiretroviral therapy and presence of adrenal insufficiency having (p<0.005) Conclusion: Adrenal insufficiency was found in significant number of HIV patients but effect modifiers like age, duration of disease did not show significant association except intake of antiretroviral therapy.