Green synthesized AgNPs of the aqueous extract resulting in impressive protein kinase, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities.

This study focused on analyzing the pharmacological activities of AgNPs synthesized from an aqueous plant extract of . The effectiveness of AgNPs was evaluated for protein kinase inhibition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. The AgNPs and plant were used to regulate the protein kinase activity using the liquid TSB and ISP4 medium protein kinase inhibition study demonstrated that nanoparticles exhibited a larger zone of inhibition (9.

Clinical outcomes of patients with deferred revascularisation based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) negative coronary artery lesions in Pakistani population.

Objective: To assess long-term clinical outcomes and factors associated with target vessel revascularisation in patients with deferred revascularisation based on negative fractional flow reserve and negative instantaneous wave-free ratio.

Methods: The longitudinal, retrospective study was conducted from July 1, 2020, to January 1, 2022, at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised medical records from January 2012 to January 2020 of patients with deferred revascularisation having intermediate to severe coronary lesions on coronary angiogram and had negative fractional flow reserve >0.80 or instantaneous wave-free ratio >0.

Comparative study of the sequential extraction methodologies for fractionation analysis of mercury in coal of Thar coalfield.

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the bound fractions of mercury (Hg), physicochemical parameters, and mineral composition of coal. Coal samples were collected from various depths within Block-VII of the Thar coalfield in Pakistan. The Hg associated with different chemical fractions of coal was extracted using a sequential extraction scheme as per the community bureau of reference (BCR) protocol.

Real-world Treatment Sequencing and Outcomes With Cabozantinib After First-line Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-based Combination Therapy For Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: CARINA Study Results.

Introduction: Real-world data are limited on treatment sequencing and outcomes after first-line (1L) immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI)-based combination treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (aRCC).

Patients And Methods: In this real-world, UK-based, retrospective study (CARINA; NCT04957160), data were obtained from hospital and electronic prescribing records. Patients were aged ≥ 18 years at aRCC diagnosis and had received 1L CPI-CPI or tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-CPI combination therapy before second-line (2L) therapy including cabozantinib.

Determination of chromium in foodstuffs by using novel adsorbent in vortex assisted-dispersive solid phase micro-extraction method: An application of multivariate techniques.

A new graft copolymer composed of polystyrene and polylinoleic acid (PLinas) with the sodium salt of iminodiacetate (Ida) was synthesized and used as an adsorbent. The vortex-assisted dispersive solid-phase micro-extraction (VA-dSPµE) method was used for the extraction and pre-concentration of chromium. Multivariate methodologies, such as factorial design and 3D surface plots, were applied for screening and optimizing effective extraction parameters.

A bibliometric and systematic review of the Methods for the Improvement of Vulnerability Assessment in Europe framework: A guide for the development of further multi-hazard holistic framework.

Unlabelled: Conceptual frameworks are vital for identifying relevant components, dimensions and indicators to assess vulnerability to natural hazards and climatic change. Given the fact that vulnerability is applied and used in various disciplines and by multiple schools of thought, several conceptual frameworks to assess and conceptualise vulnerability have been developed. Even though these frameworks have been widely cited in research, the range and context of application and contextual use of such frameworks have rarely been explored.

A novel block copolymer containing gadolinium oxide nanoparticles in ultrasound assisted-dispersive solid phase microextraction of total arsenic in human foodstuffs: A multivariate optimization methodology.

A new poly(3-hydroxy butyrate)-b-poly(dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) amphiphilic block copolymer containing gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (PHB-PDMAEMA-GdO-NPs) were synthesized and used as composite adsorbent for extraction of total arsenic. Characterization of the composite adsorbent material PHB-PDMAEMA-GdO-NP was studied using spectroscopic techniques. Plackett-Burman design and central composite design were employed to screening and optimization of the experimental parameters.

Road map for sustainable and effective carbon pricing: bridging the gap of realities and ambitions.

An increase in policy ambition is needed to close the gaps related to climate change mitigation and those required to meet the targets of Paris Agreement. This article examines the contemporary situation of carbon pricing and suggests how carbon costs would help countries adopt comprehensive climate policies. This paper explores the carbon pricing imitative across different regions and the associated issues and proposes how to format holistic, ambitious approaches for effective implementation of carbon pricing.

Comparison of the effects of perioperative and adjuvant chemotherapy on outcomes of operable gastric cancer: A retrospective cohort experience from a tertiary cancer center.

Objective: To compare the overall survival and disease-free survival rates with perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in operable gastric cancer cases.

Methods: The retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised date from January 2015 to December 2020 of operable gastric cancer patients who had perioperative or adjuvant chemotherapy. Overall survival and disease-free survival were evaluated.

The Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Outcomes of Gastroentero-pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors - Experience from A Tertiary Cancer Center.

Objective: Gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (GEP NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors with variable behaviors. Our aim was to study the baseline characteristics and outcomes of GEP-NETs and to establish the impact of tumor grade and resectability on the survival.

Methods: A single center retrospective review of patients registered at SKMCH &RC Pakistan with the diagnosis of GEP-NETs was carried out from the Hospital Information System.

Comparison of three standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens based on pathological tumor response in breast cancer patients.

We compared the efficacy of different neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens and pathological factors related to higher pCR in localized breast cancer. This comparative retrospective study included 313 patients with breast carcinoma who received neoadjuvant therapy from January 2017 till July 31, 2019 at our institute. Patients were grouped in 3 different categories according to the treatment arms.

Impact of COVID-19 on Cardiovascular Disease Presentation, Emergency Department Triage and Inpatient Cardiology Services in a Low- to Middle-Income Country - Perspective from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Pakistan.

Aims: To identify the changes in cardiovascular disease presentation, emergency room triage and inpatient diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. We collected data for patients presenting to the emergency department with cardiovascular symptoms between March-July 2019 (pre-COVID period) and March-July 2020 (COVID period).

Clinical Outcomes of Physiologically-guided Revascularisation.

Objective: To assess the clinical outcomes of revascularisation based on fractional flow reserve (FFR) and/or instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR).

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study:  Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from January 2012 to January 2020.

COVID-19 BBIBP-CorV vaccine and transient heart block - A phenomenon by chance or a possible correlation - A case report.

Importance: Bradyarrhythmia during COVID19 illness carries prognostic significance. Electrophysiological side effects of COVID19 vaccine remain largely unknown. It is imperative to report nature of cardiovascular side effects of the vaccine.

Understanding human vulnerability to climate change: A global perspective on index validation for adaptation planning.

Climate change is a severe global threat. Research on climate change and vulnerability to natural hazards has made significant progress over the last decades. Most of the research has been devoted to improving the quality of climate information and hazard data, including exposure to specific phenomena, such as flooding or sea-level rise.

Comparing sensitivity and specificity of pacemaker ID application and cardiac rhythm management device-finder application in identifying cardiac implantable electronic device manufacturer using chest radiograph - An observational study.

Background: Smartphone-based applications to identify cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) are extremely useful in circumstances, where urgent device interrogation is needed, and a device identification card is not available. Few studies have provided insights regarding the utility of these applications. We have studied two widely available applications i.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19-Infected Cancer Patients in Pakistan: Differences Between Survivors and Non-Survivors.

Background: Cancer patients are considered as highly vulnerable individuals in the current COVID-19 pandemic. We studied the clinical characteristics of survivor and non-survivor COVID-19-infected cancer patients in Pakistan.

Patients And Methods: We did a retrospective study of 70 cancer patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore and Peshawar, Pakistan between April 13 and July 09, 2020.

COVID-19 risk perception and coping mechanisms: Does gender make a difference?

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged as a real threat to humans, drastically disrupting everyday life in 2020-21. Although the pandemic affected people from all walks of life, irrespective of age or gender, the way the risk is perceived varies from one person to another. The pandemic risk reduction strategies can only be effective if individuals and communities respond positively to them, and for that, it is important to understand how the risk is perceived and responded to, differently by different groups of people.

COVID-19-positive cancer patients undergoing active anticancer treatment: An analysis of clinical features and outcomes.

Background: Cancer patients, particularly those on active anticancer treatment, are reportedly at a high risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and death. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 whilst on anticancer treatment in a developing country.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of all adult cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Pakistan, from March 15, 2020 to July 10, 2020, diagnosed with COVID-19 within 4 weeks of receiving anticancer treatment, where a purposive sampling was performed.

Drug-Eluting Balloon for Management of Coronary In-Stent Restenosis in a South Asian Population: Experience From a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that the South Asian (SA) population has an increased rate of in-stent stenosis (ISR) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when compared with other ethnicities. Drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) have emerged as a viable option for the treatment of ISR. However, data describing the outcomes of DEB-PCI in the SA population are limited.

Determination of trace levels of selenium in natural water, agriculture soil and food samples by vortex assisted liquid-liquid microextraction method: Multivariate techniques.

A green vortex assisted based liquid-liquid microextraction (VA-LLME) method was developed for preconcentration of selenium. Ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) was used to form a hydrophobic complex with selenium in natural water, agricultural soil and food samples by GFAAS. Whereas Triton X-114, a nonionic surfactant and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid were used for Se extraction as a dispersing medium.

How do rural-urban linkages change after an extreme flood event? Empirical evidence from rural communities in Pakistan.

Extreme flood events can lead to dramatic changes in societal processes, disrupt rural-urban linkages and affect rural vulnerabilities. Changes in rural-urban linkages due to extreme flooding have been theoretically discussed with limited empirical evidence. Therefore, this study investigates the impacts of a flood event on linkages between rural and urban areas of Pakistan.

Measuring education sector resilience in the face of flood disasters in Pakistan: an index-based approach.

School resilience is characterized as risk management techniques to build a safe environment for students. Recognizing the need of building disaster resilience for the education sector, this study is aimed at assessing flood disaster resilience of elementary schools in four extremely vulnerable districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This paper established the assessment tool by incorporating climate resilience indices and 16 tasks of the Hyogo Framework for action designed for the education sector.

Green and innovative technique develop for the determination of vanadium in different types of water and food samples by eutectic solvent extraction method.

A green and innovative eutectic solvent based extraction method was proposed for the determination of trace level vanadium in water and food samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In this extraction technique magnetic stirrer was used for preparation of eutectic solvent by mixing of zinc chloride and acetamide at different molar ratios. Extraction capability of eutectic solvent was increased by adding a non ionic surfactant (Triton X-114) to enhanced phase transfer ratio, to significantly increase the recovery of hydrophobic complex of vanadium with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate.

Frequency and causes of anemia in Lymphoma patients.

Objective: Purpose of this study was to find out frequency of anemia and its causes in newly diagnosed treatment naive lymphoma patients.

Methods: We retrospectively studied all lymphoma patients (> 18 years age) diagnosed and treated at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, from January 2016 till January 2017. The data was collected from electronic Hospital Information System.