Anatomical variations in pneumatization types and volume of sphenoid sinus in a subset of Pakistani people.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between volume and pneumatization pattern of sphenoid sinus using computed tomography images.

Methods: The prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from October 2020 to February 2021, and comprised patients of either gender aged 20-70 years who were subjected to computed tomography of paranasal sinuses. The scans were analysed for sphenoid volume and four pneumatization types of sphenoid sinus, including Type-I conchal, Type-II presellar, Type-III sellar and Type-IV postsellar.

Reusable Ni-Immobilized MOF Catalyst for Dehydrogenation of N-Heterocycles Under Milder Conditions.

Herein, we have demonstrated the design and synthesis of a novel Ni-immobilized MOF as heterogeneous catalyst for the dehydrogenation of N-heterocycles. A series of five and six-membered N-heteroarenes bearing one or more heteroatoms were synthesized in up to 98 % yield (>33 examples). Late stage functionalization to the synthesis of β-glucuronides inhibitor, antimalarial drug quinine, and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) indomethacin were obtained under milder reactions conditions.

Aflatoxins in cereal based products-an overview of occurrence, detection and health implication.

Aflatoxins are naturally produced toxins by specific molds, namely Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These toxins can be found in various agricultural products, including crops like maize, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts. They have the potential to contaminate the food supply during different stages of production, processing, and storage.

Role of immunotherapy in gastroesophageal cancer with liver metastasis.

The role of immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with gastroesophageal cancer with liver metastasis remains unclear. Our objective was to investigate whether immune checkpoint inhibitors are beneficial in patients with gastroesophageal cancer with liver metastasis. We searched PubMed, Embase, European Society for Medical Oncology, and American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting abstracts for phase 3 randomized clinical trials testing immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic/advanced gastroesophageal cancer from 2017 to 2023.

Outcomes of frail patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma.

In patients with multiple myeloma (MM) not-eligible for autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation (autoHCT), a simplified frailty index (SFI) identifies frail patients at risk for poor outcomes, but data are limited for transplant-eligible patients. In this registry-based retrospective study, we used an adapted version of the SFI to determine the prevalence of frailty in patients ≥65 years of age with MM undergoing autoHCT. Out of 5563 patients, 37.

Understanding disparities in cardiovascular death rates among older adults with sick sinus syndrome in the US.

Background: Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) increases with age, and approximately one in 600 patients above 65 develop this condition. In this study, the authors assessed trends in mortality related to SSS among older adults ≥65 years of age in the United States from 1999 to 2019.

Methods: Trends in cardiovascular mortality related to SSS were identified by analyzing the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) database, where cardiovascular deaths were listed as the underlying cause of death and SSS was listed as the contributing cause of death between 1999 and 2019.

Anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus in terms of volume and protrusions of optic nerve/internal carotid artery in a subgroup of Pakistani population.

Objective: To compare the volume of sphenoid sinus with protrusions of optic nerve and internal carotid artery in both males and females.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to February 2021 at the Radiology Department of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, and comprised males and females aged 20-60 years having no sphenoid sinus bony abnormality. Sphenoid volume and optic nerve and internal carotid artery protrusions were examined in the computed tomography scans of the paranasal sinus.

Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Outpatient Radiology No-shows Versus Cancellations.

Rationale And Objectives: To assess prevalence of missed outpatient radiology appointments and sociodemographic factors associated with no-shows vs. cancellations.

Methods: Adults with outpatient radiology appointments in 2022 and January 2023 at a single tertiary academic health center were included.

Unveiling Mysteries of Quid-Induced Lichenoid Reactions: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Lichenoid reactions occur exclusively in people who chew tobacco, areca nut, or both, in raw or any manufactured or processed form. The lesion is described as a lichen-planus-like lesion and is termed as quid-induced lichenoid reaction (QILR). In this cross-sectional study, amongst 935 quid consumers, 82 patients were diagnosed with QILR and it was seen that 65 patients used processed forms of tobacco and areca nut.

Clinical Correlation of Vitamin D Deficiency and Early Childhood Caries: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Rajasthan.

Objectives: To ascertain whether a link exists between vitamin D insufficiency and early childhood caries or not.

Method: From the out patient department (OPD) of the Pedodontics Department at Vyas Dental College, a random sample of 40 kids between the ages of 8 months and 5 years old was chosen. Each kid had blood drawn to check their serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels.

Single-Atomic Co-N Sites with CrCo Nanoparticles for Metal-Air Battery-Driven Hydrogen Evolution.

Designing highly active and robust earth abundant trifunctional electrocatalysts for energy storage and conversion applications remain an enormous challenge. Herein, we report a trifunctional electrocatalyst (CrCo/CoN@CNT-5), synthesized at low calcination temperature (550 °C), which consists of Co-N single atom and CrCo alloy nanoparticles and exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance for the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and oxygen reduction reaction. The catalyst is able to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm in an alkaline electrolytic cell at a very low cell voltage of ∼1.

Comparative Safety and Efficacy of Low/Moderate-Intensity Statin plus Ezetimibe Combination Therapy vs. High-Intensity Statin Monotherapy in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Aim: Statin therapy is considered the gold standard for treating hypercholesterolemia. This updated meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a low/moderate-intensity statin in combination with ezetimibe compared with high-intensity statin monotherapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

Methods: A systematic search of two databases (PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL) was conducted from inception to January 2023 and a total of 21 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were identified and included in the analysis.

Unraveling the challenges in the diagnosis and management of desmoplastic fibroma of the mandible-a case report.

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is an uncommon bone tumor that originates from the mesenchymal tissue and despite being benign, exhibits aggressive behavior locally. The following report describes the case of a 7-year-old boy with a rapidly enlarging swelling on the right side of the mandible. After a thorough clinical examination, radiographic imaging, and histopathological analysis, the diagnosis of DF was confirmed.

Comparing the efficacy of corticosteroids among patients with community-acquired pneumonia in the ICU versus non-ICU settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Despite the potential of corticosteroids in treating community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), conflicting evidence exists regarding their effect on mortality. To address this gap and provide new insights, we conducted a pre-specified subgroup meta-analysis of corticosteroid use in CAP patients, focusing on the ICU versus non-ICU subsets.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and SCOPUS from inception to May 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Feasibility of Screening for Financial Hardship and Health-Related Social Needs at Radiology Encounters.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of financial hardship and health-related social needs (HRSNs) among outpatients undergoing advanced imaging services and assess the feasibility of screening for financial and social needs during radiology encounters.

Methods: Adult patients receiving CT, MRI, or PET/CT at outpatient imaging centers of an academic tertiary center were asked to complete a 15-minute survey with adapted validated questions inquiring about their experience of financial hardship related to imaging and HRSNs, and the appropriateness of screening for financial and social needs at radiology encounters. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with perceived appropriateness of screening and level of interest in meeting with financial counselors.

Neurofibroma: Case Series with Clinical Features and Recommendations.

Neurofibroma is an autosomal benign disorder. It can be localized, diffuse or invasive like plexiform neurofibroma that involves the nerves, muscle, tissues, skeleton. It represents itself as a destructive variant of neurofibroma, mostly present as orbital or periorbital neurofibroma or may be associated with autosomal dominant disease.

Fibrosis in burns: an overview of mechanisms and therapies.

Scar development remains a common occurrence and a major healthcare challenge affecting the lives of millions of patients annually. Severe injuries to the skin, such as burns can lead to pathological wound healing patterns, often characterized by dermal fibrosis or excessive scarring, and chronic inflammation. The two most common forms of fibrotic diseases following burn trauma are hypertrophic scars (HSCs) and keloids, which severely impact the patient's quality of life.

Dual Single-Atomic Co-Mn Sites in Metal-Organic-Framework-Derived N-Doped Nanoporous Carbon for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction.

Synthesizing dual single-atom catalysts (DSACs) with atomically isolated metal pairs is a challenging task but can be an effective way to enhance the performance for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, well-defined DSACs of Co-Mn, stabilized in N-doped porous carbon polyhedra (named CoMn/NC), are synthesized using high-temperature pyrolysis of a Co/Mn-doped zeolitic imidazolate framework. The atomically isolated Co-Mn site in CoMn/NC is recognized by combining microscopic as well as spectroscopic techniques.

Relationship of maxillary third molar root to the maxillary sinus wall: A cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) based study.

Background: The relationship of the root of the maxillary third molars and the maxillary sinus (MS) is an important predictor of the anticipated difficulty in extraction. The aim of this study was to assess the location of maxillary third molars to the inferior wall of the MS in a sample of Pakistani population evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and to assess if age or gender has any influence on third molar to MS distance.

Methods: The CBCT scans of adult patients, carried out keeping image volume at 8 cm×8 cm, and the voxel size 0.

Is endovascular treatment alone as effective and safe as that with preceding intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke? A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of direct endovascular therapy (EVT) and bridging therapy (EVT with preceding intravenous thrombolysis i.e. IVT), in acute anterior circulation, large vessel occlusion stroke.

Coupling Single-Ni-Atom with Ni-Co Alloy Nanoparticle for Synergistically Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Developing nonprecious metal-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts with superior activity and durability is crucial for commercializing proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Herein, we report a metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived unique N-doped hollow carbon structure (NiCo/hNC), comprising of atomically dispersed single-Ni-atom (NiN) and small NiCo alloy nanoparticles (NPs), for highly efficient and durable ORR catalysis in both alkaline and acidic electrolytes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the strong coupling between NiN and NiCo NPs, favoring the direct 4e transfer ORR process by lengthening the adsorbed O-O bond.

A Comprehensive Computed Tomographic Analysis of Pneumatization Pattern of Sphenoid Sinus and Their Association with Protrusion/Dehiscence of Vital Neurovascular Structure in a Pakistani Subgroup.

Aim: To determine the clinically significant association between pneumatization types of the sphenoid sinus (SS) and protrusion/ dehiscence of the optic nerve (ON) and the internal carotid artery (ICA).

Material And Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and April 2021 at the Dow Institute of Radiology, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. This study examined 300 computed tomography (CT) PNS patients aged 18-60 years.

Association between type of fixation and a length of stay amongst maxillofacial fracture patients: A retrospective charts review.

We aimed to explore the predictors of hospital length of stay for patients admitted and with maxillofacial injuries. Patients presenting with maxillofacial trauma were included. Poly-trauma involving neurosurgery and/ or needing orthopaedics intervention were excluded.