Phenotypic and Genetic Heterogeneity of a Pakistani Cohort of 15 Consanguineous Families Segregating Variants in Leber Congenital Amaurosis-Associated Genes.

Background: Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a congenital onset severe form of inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) and a common cause of pediatric blindness. Disease-causing variants in at least 14 genes are reported to predispose LCA phenotype. LCA is inherited as an autosomal recessive disease.

Characterization of Thrombocytopenia in Pediatric Patients in Noncritical Hospital Setting: An Institutional Review From Pakistan.

Pediatric thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in critical care and oncology settings with an increased risk of bleeding and platelet transfusions. However, little is known about low platelets in childhood during seasonal influence. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and severity of pediatric thrombocytopenia in the postflood period.

Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of quality-of-life outcome in children and young people with primary brain tumour in Karachi, Pakistan: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Children and young people (CYP) with primary brain tumour (PBT) are at high risk for developing late effects, potentially affecting long-term quality of life (QoL). In low-income and middle-income countries, QoL has not been studied in depth in CYP. In the present study, CYP treated for PBTs in Pakistan were evaluated regarding (A) mean change in QoL scores pretreatment and 12 months post-treatment and (B) predictors of change in QoL scores 12 months post-treatment.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF VICRYL RAPIDE SUTURE VERSUS CHROMIC CATGUT SUTURE FOR EPISIOTOMY REPAIR.

Background: An episiotomy is a perineal incision performed to facilitate childbirth by enlarging the diameter of the vulvae outflow. This study used vicryl rapide suture, a polyglactin analogue that causes less tissue reactivity and is removed through hydrolysis (as opposed to chromic catgut suture), because long-term complications after episiotomy repair are common. Made of collagen, chromic catgut is broken down by proteolytic enzymes and phagocytosis, which causes an inflammatory response in the tissues.

Extended Intraocular Drug-Delivery Platforms for the Treatment of Retinal and Choroidal Diseases.

To review sustained-release intraocular platforms used to treat diseases of the retina and choroid. A literature review of the current applications of biomaterials for sustained-release therapy in retinal and choroidal diseases was performed. Retinal and choroidal diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), and uveitis, are commonly treated using intravitreal (IVT) therapies that require frequent IVT injections.

pH-Sensitive Tacrolimus loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the chronic tissue inflammation of the lower part of the Gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Conventional therapeutic approaches face numerous challenges, often making the delivery system inadequate for treating the disease. This study aimed to integrate a pH-sensitive polymer and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) to develop a hybrid nanocarrier system.

Addressing the critical gap: conscious sedation for pediatric oncology patients in LMICs.

Most newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients reside in LMICs. These countries face challenges in providing quality treatment, particularly with procedures requiring stillness or causing pain. Conscious sedation (CS) is underutilized in LMICs due, causing treatment delays and adverse outcomes.

Continued Intravenous Versus First Week Transition to Oral Antibiotic Therapy in Bloodstream Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major public health concern worldwide, requiring prompt and effective antibiotic therapy. Traditionally, intravenous (IV) antibiotics have been preferred for their rapid action and consistent absorption. However, interest is growing in transitioning to oral (PO) antibiotics when suitable, due to similar pharmacokinetics, improved patient outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs.

Initiation of Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation With Post-Transplant Cyclophosphamide in Children: A Low-Middle-Income Country Institutional Experience.

Background: Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is a curative treatment especially for countries where bone marrow registries are nonexistent. We present our experience with haploidentical HSCT in pediatric patients.

Methods: Retrospective data collected and analyzed for patients ≤18 years, from January 2017 to December 2022.

Cyber-Physical Distributed Intelligent Motor Fault Detection.

This research paper explores the realm of fault detection in distributed motors through the vision of the Internet of electrical drives. This paper aims at employing artificial neural networks supported by the data collected by the Internet of distributed devices. Cross-verification of results offers reliable diagnosis of industrial motor faults.

Cannabis policy bundles and traffic fatalities in the American States over time.

Background And Aim: Since 1996, 38 US states have legalized access to cannabis (medical and/or adult-use recreational). We aimed to estimate the effect of three dimensions of state cannabis policy design - pharmaceutical, permissive and fiscal - on levels of overall, alcohol-impaired, occupant, light truck and pedestrian fatality rates.

Design And Setting: Observational study of US states' overall, alcohol-impaired, occupant, light truck and pedestrian fatalities between 1994 and 2020.

Quality assurance for cancer patient safety: Clinical assessment for precise angles in linac during radiation therapy.

Purpose: Quality assurance for stereotactic body radiation treatment requires that isocentric verification be ensured during gantry rotation at various angles. This study examined statistical parameters on Winston-Lutz tests to distinguish the deviation of angles from isocenter during gantry rotation using machine learning.

Method: The Varian TrueBeam linac was aligned with the marked lines on the Ruby phantom.

Factors associated with changes in the quality of life and family functioning scores of primary caregivers of children and young people with primary brain tumors in Karachi, Pakistan: a prospective cohort study.

Background: There are limited data available, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), on the long-term quality of life (QoL) and family functioning of primary caregivers of children and young people (CYPs) affected by primary brain tumors (PBTs). This study aimed to assess the factors associated with the mean change in QoL and family functioning scores of primary caregivers of CYP patients with PBTs 12 months posttreatment.

Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled CYPs aged 5-21 years with newly diagnosed PBTs and their primary caregivers.

Relationship between personality traits and postpartum depression in Pakistani fathers.

The previous studies have found an association between Big Five personality traits and postpartum depression in women. The present study aimed to find out an association between Big Five personality traits and postpartum depression in a sample of Pakistani fathers. A total of 400 Pakistani fathers who had birth of a child in the past 1 month to 1 year period and had been living with their married partners were recruited purposively by using Google Form based survey from the major cities of Pakistan.

Disparities with global standards about growth references of mid-upper arm circumference-for-age for Pakistani children aged 6-60 months.

Aim: Growth reference values about mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) are vital for assessing children's nutritional status. However, Pakistan lacks these reference values and growth charts. This study aims to develop these for children aged 6-60 months and compare them with global standards.

Socio-demographic and antenatal risk factors of brain tumor in children and young people: A matched case-control study from Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Brain tumors are a common cause of morbidity, disability, cognitive deterioration and mortality in children, even after treatment. Little is know about the specific causes. The study aimed to assess potential socio-demographic and antenatal factors in primary brain tumor (PBTs) in children and young people (CYP) in Karachi, Pakistan.

Age Estimation using Cephalometrics-A Cross-Sectional Study among Teenagers of Salem District, Tamil Nadu.

Background: Age estimation is important not only in identifying dead body of a person but also in living persons since there is an increasing rate of juvenile delinquencies recorded every year. To avoid foul play by age fabrication, legal age estimation becomes important. Facial growth alteration takes place in the jawbones as age advances which can be observed with lateral cephalometry.

Effects of Virtual Reality Training Using Xbox Kinect on Balance, Postural Control, and Functional Independence in Subjects with Stroke.

To determine the effects of virtual reality training using Xbox Kinect on balance, postural control, and functional independence in subjects with stroke. The parallel double-blind randomized control trial was conducted on 41 individuals based on selection criteria. Participants were divided into two groups by concealed envelope method.