Heart-breaking tumours: a case series of malignant pericardial effusion.

Background: Malignant pericardial effusions are often linked to metastases from solid tumours, such as those in the lung or breast, or haematological diseases. Primary cardiac tumours are rare, occurring in only 0.02% of cases, with pericardial tumours comprising 6.

Conv-MTD: A CNN Based Multi-Label Medical Tubes Detection and Classification Model to Facilitate Resource-constrained Point-of-care Devices.

Computer-aided detection through deep learning is becoming a prevalent approach across various fields, including detection of anomalies in medical procedures. One such medical procedure involves the placement of medical tubes to provide nutrition or other medical procedures in critically ill patients. Medical tube placement can be highly complex and prone to subjective errors.

Term infant formula macronutrient composition: An update for clinicians.

Protein, carbohydrates, and fats comprise the macronutrient components of infant formulas. While all infant formulas in the United States meet specific nutrition standards, the macronutrient composition of formulas is diverse. Each macronutrient in the formula may play a role in treating or managing the disease.

Changes in glutamate levels in anterior cingulate cortex following 16 weeks of antipsychotic treatment in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis patients.

Background: Previous findings in psychosis have revealed mixed findings on glutamate (Glu) levels in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). Factors such as illness chronicity, methodology, and medication status have impeded a more nuanced evaluation of Glu in psychosis. The goal of this longitudinal neuroimaging study was to investigate the role of antipsychotics on Glu in the dACC in antipsychotic-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients.

Factors Influencing Expatriate Adjustment in Qatar's Healthcare Workforce: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The healthcare industry in the Middle East significantly depends on expatriate professionals, whose ability to adjust to the local socio-cultural environment is critical for job satisfaction and, ultimately, the quality of patient care. This study aims to identify factors influencing expatriate adjustment within Qatar's healthcare sector.

Methodology: A comprehensive cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 385 healthcare workers in Qatar, utilizing expatriate-focused WhatsApp groups for dissemination.

Lymphadenopathies: A Retrospective Study of Epidemiology, Characteristics, Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes of Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Mogadishu-Somalia.

Introduction: Lymphadenopathies, which can be caused by infections, malignant diseases, autoimmune disorders, and many other diseases, pose a challenge to clinicians in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as all over the world. The purpose of this research was to identify the clinical and diagnostic characteristics of Somalian patients suffering from swollen lymph nodes.

Methods: Under the purview of this study, the diagnoses, patient clinical courses, and treatment outcomes were ascertained retrospectively by analyzing the biochemical, microbiological, radiological, and pathological data of the cases in all age groups who underwent therapy for lymphadenitis at Mogadishu Somali Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital between January 2016 and September 2023.

Hydroxyurea Therapy and Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children With Sickle Cell Disease.

Bidirectional relationships exist among sickle cell disease (SCD), sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), and hydroxyurea therapy, and this complex interplay poses challenges to research attempting to elucidate causal mechanisms and determine therapeutic targets. We therefore set out to study all three components of this clinical triad simultaneously (SCD, SDB, and hydroxyurea therapy), documenting correlations and suggesting underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Hydroxyurea therapy was associated with improved SDB and with decreased inflammation, implicating the anti-inflammation effects of hydroxyurea as a plausible mechanism driving these correlations.

A Digital Tool (Technology-Assisted Problem Management Plus) for Lay Health Workers to Address Common Mental Health Disorders: Co-production and Usability Study in Pakistan.

Background: Mental health remains among the top 10 leading causes of disease burden globally, and there is a significant treatment gap due to limited resources, stigma, limited accessibility, and low perceived need for treatment. Problem Management Plus, a World Health Organization-endorsed brief psychological intervention for mental health disorders, has been shown to be effective and cost-effective in various countries globally but faces implementation challenges, such as quality control in training, supervision, and delivery. While digital technologies to foster mental health care have the potential to close treatment gaps and address the issues of quality control, their development requires context-specific, interdisciplinary, and participatory approaches to enhance impact and acceptance.

Three episodes of basilar tip occlusion necessitating thrombectomies and a vertebral artery sacrifice in a patient with subclavian artery dissection distal to the vertebral artery origin: a case report.

Background: While acute occlusion of the subclavian artery (SCA) proximal to the vertebral artery (VA) origin is an uncommon but recognized cause of embolic stroke, an occlusion distal to the VA is rare and can be easily overlooked.

Case Description: We describe the clinical presentation and evaluation of a previously healthy 56-year-old woman who experienced four life-threatening posterior circulation strokes within 1 month, three of which led to basilar artery (BA) occlusions requiring thrombectomies. Workup revealed an occlusion of the right SCA located less than 1 cm distal to the VA origin.

Hot-melt extruded-FDM 3D-printed polyethylene oxide tablets: Dissolution imaging analysis of swelling and drug release.

Recent developments in pharmacogenetics have emphasised the importance of customised medication, driving interest in technologies like FDM 3D-printing for tailored drug delivery. FDM 3D-printing is a promising technique for the on-demand manufacturing of customised oral dosage forms, providing flexibility in terms of shape and size, dose and drug release profiles. This study investigates the fabrication and characterisation of 3D-printed oral dosage forms using PEO as the primary polymer and PEG 6 K as a plasticiser.

Expression of Agrobacterium Isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene in wheat improves drought tolerance.

Drought, as an abiotic stressor, globally limits cereal productivity, leading to early aging of leaves and lower yields. The expression of the isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene, which is involved in cytokinin (CK) biosynthesis, can delay drought-induced leaf senescence. In this study, the Agrobacterium Isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene was introduced into two local hexaploid wheat cultivars, NR-421 and FSD-2008.

Orientin: a natural glycoside with versatile pharmacological activities.

Orientin is one of the flavonoid glycosides with diverse biological properties such as anticancer, antioxidant, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory. It is found in several plants like rooibos tea, , , , and species. This review aimed to summarise the various medicinal properties of the orientin focusing on its underlying molecular mechanism reported based on and studies.

Effects of RARα ligand binding domain mutations on breast fibroepithelial tumor function and signaling.

Point mutations in the ligand binding domain of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) are linked to breast fibroepithelial tumor development, but their role in solid tumorigenesis is unclear. In this study, we assessed the functional effects of known RARα mutations on retinoic acid signaling using biochemical and cellular assays. All tested mutants exhibited reduced transcriptional activity compared to wild-type RARα and showed a dominant negative effect, a feature associated with developmental defects and tumor formation.

Activating the Basal Planes of TiC MXene for Accelerated Ammonia Electrosynthesis: Role of Surface Terminations.

Altering the edge sites of 2D MXenes for electrochemical dinitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR) is widely reported, whereas activation of its relatively inert basal planes is neglected. Herein, the activation and the optimization of the basal planes of TiCT (T = *F, *O, and *OH) MXenes toward enhanced ENRR to ammonia is reported. The balanced surface functionalization in TiCT regulates the ENRR kinetics by regulating the potential of zero charge (E) and the electrochemical work function ( ).

Insights into Rock Wettability Influencing Factors: A Review.

Wetting characteristics of a hydrocarbon reservoir are generally quantified for cost-effective field development. The wetting process of rock by oil is a complex process involving reactions among compounds (rock, oil, and brine), the impact of environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.), and treatment history (coring, transportation, etc.

Elsberg syndrome - A systematic review of existing scientific literature from 2000 - 2023.

Objective: To assess the clinical presentation, causative agents, and treatment outcomes in patients diagnosed with Elsberg syndrome (ES).

Methods: A thorough literature search was conducted on the mentioned topic using PRISMA guidelines via PubMed, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS. Articles published between 2000 and 2023 were included using advanced search and Boolean strategy.

K-line guided approach selection and outcomes assessment for Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL): A case series with literature review from Pakistan.

Objectives: To analyze the efficacy of K-line in surgical planning of approach selection for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and outcomes assessment by Nurick grading and Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series study conducted at the Departments of Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore in the months of January and February 2024. Patients with complete records were considered.

Effect of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on drug reduction for Parkinson's Disease: A retrospective observational study from Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the effect of Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus (STN) Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) on drug reduction for Parkinson's disease (PD) in a low-middle-income country.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 49 patients following interview based questionnaires who underwent bilateral STN DBS at the Department of Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Pakistan over five years (July 30, 2018 to June 29, 2023). Patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria (49 patients) were selected and the effect of bilateral STN DBS on drug reduction was evaluated.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy in Epilepsy: A Systematic insight into the Existing Literature from 2000-2023.

Background & Objective: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM), manifests as left ventricular dysfunction triggered by physical or emotional stress. It leads to higher morbidity in epileptic patients and can progress to complications. To find out the correlation between Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and epilepsy and to investigate pathophysiology and associated types of epilepsy.

Free-hand Frameless Pinless Electromagnetic-Navigation (AXIEM™)-Guided Brain Lesion Biopsies: An Institution Based Experience from a Low-Middle-Income Country.

Objectives: To evaluate the precision and safety of a novel technique of free-hand frameless pinless AXIEM™-based navigation guided biopsy of deep-seated brain lesions in a low-middle income country.

Methods: This retrospective study included 45 patients who underwent free-hand frameless pinless AXIEM™-based navigation guided biopsy of deep-seated brain lesions using the Medtronic-Stealth S7 system over a 5-year period (January 2019 to December 2023) at the Department of Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, Lahore, Pakistan.

Results: A total of 45 patients were included in this study.

Incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leaks in endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas without sellar floor reconstruction: A retrospective observational study from a low-middle-income country.

Objectives: To determine the incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgery (EETS) for pituitary adenomas without sellar floor reconstruction (SFR).

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Punjab Institute of Neurosciences (PINS), Lahore, Pakistan from January, 2018 to December, 2022. It is a non-probability based consecutive case series.

Knowledge, Attitude and Perception of Research Ethics and Research Ethics Committees among Post-Graduate Residents of Neurosciences - A Nationwide Analysis from Pakistan.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and perception of post-graduate residents of neurosciences towards research ethics (RE) and research ethics committees (RECs).

Methods: This prospective cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted by the Punjab Institute of Neurosciences, targeting post-graduate neuroscience residents throughout Pakistan during January and February, 2024. An English-language general questionnaire, designed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of RE and RECs, was adapted to reflect local conditions.

Complexity of arachnoid adhesions dictating the outcome of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.

Objective: Multiple techniques have been used to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), including pharmacotherapy, radiosurgery, rhizotomy and microvascular decompression (MVD). Blood vessels are considered to be the most common cause of offense and compression to trigeminal nerve. We aimed to determine the causes of classic TGN and efficacy of MVD.