Loneliness, a complex and multifaceted global issue, often affects individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD), characterized by unstable relationships, poor self-image, and impulsive behavior. This paper explores the experience of loneliness among Arab patients with BPD, highlighting sociocultural challenges and barriers to seeking help. Cultural stigma, often tied to religious beliefs, significantly impedes mental healthcare in Arab societies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Lumbar radicular pain occurs due to irritation or compression of the nerve roots in the lower back. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) in reducing pain and improving functional outcomes in a diverse patient population with lumbar radicular pain. Methodology This quasi-experimental trial was performed at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Unit 1, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from October 2021 to September 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOlanzapine, a second-generation antipsychotic widely used for schizophrenia, is primarily known for its efficacy in managing both positive and negative symptoms. While its metabolic side effects are well-documented, hematologic complications such as thrombocytopenia are rare and often underrecognized. A 30-year-old Middle Eastern male with a longstanding history of schizophrenia developed persistent thrombocytopenia after several years of olanzapine use, with platelet counts consistently below the normal range.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder marked by severe disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior. Long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics, such as paliperidone, are widely used to promote sustained remission and ensure medication adherence, especially in patients prone to relapse. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced unique challenges, with studies indicating that infections like COVID-19 may exacerbate psychiatric symptoms through neuroinflammatory pathways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnastomotic leaks (ALs) remain a serious postoperative complication in colorectal surgery, often resulting in significant morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and increased mortality risk. This systematic review aims to evaluate the role of predictive biomarkers in the early detection of ALs, focusing on their diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Scopus, CENTRAL, and Web of Science, identifying studies that examined biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and white blood cell (WBC) count in the context of AL.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis case report discusses the treatment of a 42-year-old male with over a decade of treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD). The patient underwent various pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatments, including multiple antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), yet experienced only partial symptom relief. At baseline, the patient's depressive symptoms were severe, with a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) score of 28, and his obsessive-compulsive symptoms were marked, with a Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) score of 34.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCefotaxime is a broad-spectrum antibiotic targeting Gram-negative bacteria used for diverse infections, but it can be toxic to the stomach, liver, and kidneys. This study explored the protective effects of geranium oil against cefotaxime-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats, employing biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical evaluations. Thirty rats were divided into five groups of six animals each one.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSolitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare mesenchymal tumors characterized by a fusion of the NGFI-A-binding protein 2 (NAB2) gene and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) gene, immunohistochemically resulting in nuclear expression of STAT6 - an immunohistochemical hallmark essential for diagnosis, as outlined in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Tumors. Dedifferentiation, where low-grade tumors transform into high-grade forms, has been observed in SFTs, with documented cases involving sarcomatous or rarely epithelial transformations. We report the first case of a CNS SFT exhibiting "transdedifferentiation" into epithelioid neuroendocrine differentiation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumors (PHNETs) are rare, accounting for approximately 0.3 % of all neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and are often difficult to diagnose due to their nonspecific symptoms and imaging features. Standard diagnostic and treatment protocols are lacking due to their rarity, but imaging and immunohistochemistry (IHC) remain key tools for diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSchizophrenia is a complex psychotic disorder characterized by positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and negative symptoms, including emotional withdrawal and apathy. Its profound impact on an individual's functioning requires meticulous and sustained management, typically through the use of antipsychotic medications. While these treatments aim to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life, long-term therapy often necessitates careful balancing to mitigate potential side effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOculogyric crisis (OGC) is an acute dystonic reaction characterized by involuntary upward deviation of the eyes, often linked to the use of antipsychotic medications. While commonly associated with first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) due to their higher propensity to cause extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), OGC remains a rare but documented occurrence with second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs). SGAs, including olanzapine, are generally preferred in clinical practice due to their reduced risk of EPS; however, they are not completely devoid of such adverse effects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: Previous studies exploring the relationship between dietary potassium and magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have yielded inconsistent results.
Objective: The present study was designed to compare the effect of magnesium, potassium and both (potassium and magnesium combined) on cholesterol levels and quality of life (QoL) among patients with T2DM.
Methods: A randomised controlled trial (single blinded) was conducted at The University of Lahore and Lahore Medical Research Center (LMRC).
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has emerged as a significant global health concern, closely linked to the obesity epidemic and metabolic syndrome. This review explores emerging therapies for NASH that go beyond traditional lifestyle modifications. The complex pathophysiology of NASH, involving insulin resistance, lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, offers multiple targets for therapeutic intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAutoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a rare yet critical neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the brain, typically triggered by an abnormal immune response. The early detection and diagnosis of AE are crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. However, the diagnostic process is often complicated by the diverse clinical presentations of AE, which can mimic other neurological and psychiatric conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntipsychotic medications, while crucial in managing severe psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, are frequently associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD, characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, especially of the face and limbs, poses a substantial clinical challenge due to its often irreversible nature. Conventional management strategies, including dose reduction and switching to atypical antipsychotics, frequently offer limited success, prompting exploration of alternative therapies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe exclusion of organic causes for psychiatric symptoms is a routine practice in mental healthcare. Brain tumors can elicit a range of mood, behavioral, or cognitive symptoms that mimic mental health disorders, significantly altering a patient's personality and behavior if left undiagnosed or untreated. This case report presents a 56-year-old Middle Eastern male with no prior history of mental illness who exhibited a three-week history of depressive symptoms, social withdrawal, and poor self-care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnilateral pulmonary hypoplasia (UPH) is a rare congenital disorder that presents rarely in adulthood. Most patients succumb to complications at a young age, and those who survive are rare and susceptible to frequent lifelong pulmonary infections. It has a high infant mortality rate.
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