Standardized CT KUB Protocols for Nephrolithiasis: A Retrospective Analysis of Radiation Exposure and Cranial Extent Guidelines.

Background and aim Non-contrast computed tomography of kidneys, ureters, and bladder (CT KUB) is the gold standard radiological imaging for nephrolithiasis. It significantly contributes to the total radiation exposure of a population. This is well known to be linked to increased cancer risk over time and as such should be minimized in line with Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IR{ME}R).

An efficient image encryption algorithm using 3D-cyclic chebyshev map and elliptic curve.

With the development of internet technologies, it is now usual to communicate enormous amounts of text and visual data over networks, which calls for stringent procedures to guarantee confidentiality and integrity throughout transmission. An important part of safeguarding image communication over secure channel is cryptography. This study proposes an effective way to secure sensitive data by creating tamper-proof cryptosystems and authentication mechanisms.

Cross-sectional assessment of perception and attitude of pharmacy students towards pharmaceutical promotion: a study from developing country, Pakistan.

Background: The pharmaceutical promotion is "all informational and persuasive activities by manufacturers and distributors, the effect of which is to induce the prescription, supply, purchase and/or use of medicinal drugs. These promotional activities affect the dispensing behavior of physicians and pharmacists and influence begins from educational institutes.

Objective: Our study's main aim was to evaluate opinion and attitude of pharmacy students towards pharmaceutical promotion.

Cutaneous Metastasis in Breast Cancer: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant disease in females and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Its treatment plan includes a long-term follow-up and close surveillance, as recurrence is a well-acknowledged concern. BC can recur either locally or as a metastasis, and skin metastasis is a common complication in advanced breast cancer patients.

Global Trends in Halal Food Standards: A Review.

The demand for ethical foods is rising, with halal foods playing a significant role in this trend. However, halal standards vary globally, which can have substantial implications. Multiple Halal Certification Bodies (HCBs) can approve food products but they often prioritize national regulations over international alignment.

Spin-Selective Angular Dispersion Control in Dielectric Metasurfaces for Multichannel Meta-Holographic Displays.

Angle-dependent next-generation displays have potential applications in 3D stereoscopic and head-mounted displays, image combiners, and encryption for augmented reality (AR) and security. Metasurfaces enable such exceptional functionalities with groundbreaking achievements in efficient displays over the past decades. However, limitations in angular dispersion control make them unfit for numerous nanophotonic applications.

Outcome Evaluation of Burn Injury Management: A Study of Selective Traditional Home Remedies.

Background Clinicians classify burns as epidermal, partial thickness (superficial and deep), or full thickness, according to the depth of tissue damage. Although skin is considered the largest organ in the human body, studies investigating burns, their types, and their management has revealed that the background knowledge of burn aid the community possesses remains unsatisfactory. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of various traditional home remedies, taking into account the type of burns and the nature of the remedies used from a cosmetic point of view.

Millimeter-wave generation based on a monolithic dual-wavelength DFB laser with four phase-shifted sampled gratings and equivalent chirp technology.

A dual-wavelength DFB laser array based on four phase-shifted grating and equivalent chirp technology is first proposed, fabricated, and experimentally demonstrated. The dual-wavelength emitting is achieved by symmetrically introducing two π phase shifts into a chirped four phase-shifted sampled grating cavity. Meanwhile, the beating signal of the dual-wavelength output is stabilized by applying an electro-absorption modulator integrated at the rear of the cavity.

Dielectric chiral metasurfaces for enhanced circular dichroism spectroscopy at near infrared regime.

Numerous applications of chiro-optical effects can be found in nanophotonics, including imaging and spin-selective absorption, particularly in sensing for separating and detecting chiral enantiomers. Flat single-layer metasurfaces composed of chiral or achiral sub-wavelength structures offer unique properties to manipulate the light due to their extraordinary light-matter interaction. However, at optical wavelengths, the generation of strong chirality is found to be challenging conventional chiral metasurface approaches.

Trends in antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates in Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has provoked a global health issue. Antimicrobial stewardship programs should be implemented to overcome this issue. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity patterns of the WHO Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) group of antibiotics that assists in the selection of appropriate empiric antibiotic therapies.

Spin-isolated ultraviolet-visible dynamic meta-holographic displays with liquid crystal modulators.

Wearable displays or head-mounted displays (HMDs) have the ability to create a virtual image in the field of view of one or both eyes. Such displays constitute the main platform for numerous virtual reality (VR)- and augmented reality (AR)-based applications. Meta-holographic displays integrated with AR technology have potential applications in the advertising, media, and healthcare sectors.

Standardised ido-BR1 Cucumber Extract Improved Parameters Linked to Moderate Osteoarthritis in a Placebo-controlled Study.

Background: According to the World Health Organization, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the 10 most disabling diseases in developed countries, with worldwide estimates of 9.6% prevalence in men and 18.0% in women over 60 years old.

Development of Ion Character Property Relationship (IC-PR) for Removal of 13-Metal Ions by Employing a Novel Green Adsorbent .

The novel absorbent was applied for the removal of thirteen selected metal ions from a distilled water solution of each metal by the batch adsorption method. The optimization remediation parameters of the metal ions for the batch adsorption approach were developed, which were the initial concentrations (60 ppm), contact time (60 min) and pH (7). The basic properties of metal ion affected the adsorption results; therefore, 21 properties of metal ions were selected, which are called "descriptors".

Spin-Dependent First-Principles Study on Optoelectronic Properties of Neodymium Zirconates Pyrochlores NdZrO in Fd-3m and Pmma Phases.

Rare-earth zirconate pyrochlores (REZrO) are of much fundamental and technological interest as optoelectronic, scintillator and thermal barrier coating materials. For the first time, we report the detailed optoelectronic properties of rare-earth zirconates NdZrO in both, i.e.

Effects of copper nanoparticles on performance, muscle and bone characteristics and serum metabolites in broilers.

Three hundred and twenty day old Hubbard broilers were randomly allocated to four treatments (8 replicates, 10 birds/pen) and were raised under standard management conditions. Birds in the first group served as control and were fed a corn based diet, while birds in the remaining three groups i.e.

Knowledge on Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens, Antibiotic Use and Self-Reported Adherence to Antibiotic Intake: A Population-Based Cross Sectional Survey From Pakistan.

Surveying public awareness of antibiotic use and antibiotics can identify factors relevant to the design of effective educational campaigns. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to antibiotic use and multidrug-resistant pathogens in the general population in Pakistan. Cross-sectional survey was conducted, using a 60 itemed structured questionnaire and recruited individuals by convenient sampling from the general population in the four provinces of the country.

How Prepared Are the Health Care Professionals for Disaster Medicine Management? An Insight from Pakistan.

Countries need healthcare professionals who are competent first responders with a positive attitude and prepared to deal with catastrophes. The study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, and readiness of the practice of healthcare professionals towards disaster management. A survey was carried out among hospital healthcare professionals using a self-administered validated questionnaire.

Marginal Integrity of CAD/CAM Ceramic Crowns Using Two Different Finish Line Designs.

Objective: Research on evaluation of crowns made by the latest contemporary dental computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems for their marginal adaptation is scarce. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal integrity of crowns fabricated by the latest Chairside Economical Restorations of Esthetic Ceramic (CEREC) system using 2 different finish line preparation designs: chamfer and shoulder.

Materials And Methods: Typodont teeth were divided equally into 2 groups, A and B.

Single-layered meta-reflectarray for polarization retention and spin-encrypted phase-encoding.

Broadband communication with high data rates is a dire need for state-of-the-art wireless technologies. For achieving efficient wireless communication (particularly in an indoor environment), the electromagnetic (EM) waves should maintain their state of polarization despite encountering multiple reflections. Metasurfaces provide a unique platform to design subwavelength-featured meta-reflectarrays which enable the desired retention of the polarization state of an EM wave upon reflection.

Evaluation of a Technique for Reducing Chairside Occlusal Adjustment of Crowns.

Purpose: To assess whether the occlusion of metal-ceramic crowns, as received from the laboratory, and the time taken to adjust the occlusion of crowns not deemed acceptable, can be reduced by fabricating the crowns with controlled amounts of infra-occlusion during the laboratory phase.

Material And Methods: An opposing set of typodonts, articulated in maximum intercuspal position served as the patient in an in vitro simulation. Seventy-five metal-ceramic crowns were fabricated for the mandibular right second molar with three different occlusal contact specifications: A, control group had occlusal contacts shared evenly by the crown and the neighboring teeth (n = 25); B, first experimental group had the occlusion relieved until 2 shimstock foils were able to be pulled from between the crown and the opposing tooth without tugging (n = 25); C, second experimental group had the occlusion relieved until 4 shimstock foils were able to be pulled from between the crown and the opposing tooth without tugging (n = 25).

Evaluation of Disaster Medicine Preparedness among Healthcare Profession Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan.

: Disasters are devastating incidents, especially when occurring suddenly and causing damage, great loss of life, or suffering. Disasters can affect health and the social and economic development of a nation. The article analyzes the knowledge (K), attitude (A), and readiness to practice (rP) of healthcare professional students in universities in Pakistan.

Analysis of anti-microbial and anti-biofilm activity of hand washes and sanitizers against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.

Objective: To analyse the biofilm-forming potential of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to assess antimicrobial activity of commonly used sanitizers in hospital and laboratory settings.

Methods: The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Karachi from August 2016 to January 2017. The biofilm-forming potential of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates were evaluated qualitatively using air-liquid interface tube method, and air-liquid interface cover slip assay.

Factors Associated with Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Common Eye Diseases in General Population: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan.

High prevalence of blindness coupled with low public awareness of eye diseases is a severe problem in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness, attitude and practices related to common ocular problems and eye care use among general population of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected cross-sectionally, using random selection of participants from five districts of Punjab, Pakistan.