Symptomatic central nervous system tuberculoma, a case report in the United States and literature review.

Intracranial tuberculoma is one of the rare central nervous system manifestations of (MTB), seen in only 1% of tuberculosis patients. It can manifest as single or multiple lesions, most commonly located in the frontal and parietal lobes. Clinical features are similar to any space-occupying lesion in the brain and can present in the absence of MTB symptoms in other parts of the body.

Directly compressed rosuvastatin calcium tablets that offer hydrotropic and micellar solubilization for improved dissolution rate and extent of drug release.

The objective was to use caffeine and Soluplus® to improve the dissolution rate and to maintain a concentration of BCS Class II rosuvastatin calcium that exceeds its solubility. Caffeine and Soluplus® together substantially improved the dissolution rate and the extent of rosuvastatin release. Formulations for direct compression tablets included Formulation F1, a control with drug but with neither caffeine nor Soluplus® present; F2 with drug-caffeine complex; F3 with drug and Soluplus® and F4 with drug-caffeine complex and Soluplus®.

Efficacy and Safety of Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin for Treating Chronic Hepatitis C, Genotype 3: Experience of a Tertiary Care Hospital at Karachi, Pakistan.

Background It is estimated that approximately 10 million individuals in Pakistan are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Historically, it was very difficult not just to cure but even treat HCV as available options did not have desirable outcomes. However, the approval of directly acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has revolutionized treatment and management.

Post-surgical antibiotic prophylaxis: Impact of pharmacist's educational intervention on appropriate use of antibiotics.

Background: Guidelines assisted appropriate use of prophylactic antibiotics can lower the prevalence of surgical site infections (SSIs). The present study was conducted to evaluate the impact and cost-benefit value of pharmacist's educational intervention for antibiotic use in post-surgical prophylaxis.

Methods: A prospective quasi experimental study was conducted by enrolling 450 patients from tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan, 225 patients in each, control and intervention, arm using non-random convenient sampling.

Using Fidelity Measurement to Assess Quality of Early Psychosis Intervention Services in Ontario.

Objectives: The First Episode Psychosis Services Fidelity Scale (FEPS-FS) is a validated measure of program delivery in relation to international standards. This study assessed fidelity in Ontario programs and the utility of the FEPS-FS for program improvement.

Methods: Assessments were conducted in a volunteer sample of nine early psychosis intervention (EPI) programs.

A Patient-Specific Single Sensor IoT-Based Wearable Fall Prediction and Detection System.

Falls in older adults are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and are a key class of preventable injuries. This paper presents a patient-specific (PS) fall prediction and detection prototype system that utilizes a single tri-axial accelerometer attached to the patient's thigh to distinguish between activities of daily living (ADL) and fall events. The proposed system consists of two modes of operation: 1) fast mode for fall predication (FMFP) predicting a fall event (300-700 msec) before occurring and 2) slow mode for fall detection (SMFD) with a 1-sec latency for detecting a fall event.

Effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy on septal perfusion and septal thickening: Association with left ventricular function, reverse remodelling and dyssynchrony.

Background: We evaluated the effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on septal perfusion and thickening at 6 months post implantation assessed on Tc99m-MIBI Gated myocardial perfusion SPECT (GMPS).We also studied the association of change in septal perfusion and thickening with primary outcome defined as at least one [improvement in ≥1NYHA class, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by ≥ 5%, reduction of end-systolic volume (ESV) by ≥ 15%, and improvement ≥ 5 points in Minnesota living with heart failure questionnaire (MLHFQ)].

Method: One hundred and five patients underwent clinical and GMPS evaluation before and at 6 months post CRT.

Presence of Newcastle disease viruses of sub-genotypes Vc and VIn in backyard chickens and in apparently healthy wild birds from Mexico in 2017.

Virulent Newcastle disease viruses (NDV) have been present in Mexico since 1946, and recently, multiple outbreaks have been reported in the country. Here, we characterized eleven NDV isolated from apparently healthy wild birds and backyard chickens in three different locations of Jalisco, Mexico in 2017. Total RNA from NDV was reverse-transcribed, and 1285 nucleotides, which includes 3/4 of the fusion gene, was amplified and sequenced using a long-read MinION sequencing method.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS): an alternative treatment option for chronic therapy resistant anal fissure.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for treatment resistant chronic anal fissure.

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure were treated with neuromodulation via the posterior tibial nerve between October 2013 and January 2014. Patients had PTNS for 30 min on 10 consecutive days.

bacteremia in an immunocompetent host.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria can cause catheter associated blood stream infections. The causative agents are generally rapid growers that belong to the Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium mucogenicum groups. A 65 year hospitalized patient with temporary central venous catheter who developed Mycobacterium smegmatis bacteremia.

Evaluation of Hyponatremia in Ischemic Stroke Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction Electrolyte disturbances are commonly found in acute stroke settings. Hypernatremia, hyponatremia and hypokalemia are the commonest types of electrolyte disturbances. Data on electrolyte changes in neurological disorders like stroke is insufficient in Asia.

Correction: Hormonal contraceptive use and risk of pancreatic cancer-A cohort study among premenopausal women.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Epidemiology, Clinical Characteristics, and Management Status of Hepatitis B: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital at Karachi, Pakistan.

Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious health problem in Pakistan. In view of the serious socioeconomic consequences, identifying patient characteristics and the current treatment for the disease will enhance HBV regulation and its medical management. Aims To describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and current management status of patients infected by HBV.

Trends in incidence, mortality, and causes of death associated with systemic sclerosis in Denmark between 1995 and 2015: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: To investigate the incidence and the mortality-rates of systemic sclerosis (SSc), its primary causes of death, and the temporal trends in events in Denmark during the last decades.

Methods: Using the Danish National Patient Registry, we identified all persons aged ≥18 years with a first-time diagnosis of SSc (ICD-10 code M34, excluding M34.2) between 1995 and 2015.

Exploiting Layered Multi-Path Routing Protocols to Avoid Void Hole Regions for Reliable Data Delivery and Efficient Energy Management for IoT-Enabled Underwater WSNs.

The key concerns to enhance the lifetime of IoT-enabled Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (IoT-UWSNs) are energy-efficiency and reliable data delivery under constrained resource. Traditional transmission approaches increase the communication overhead, which results in congestion and affect the reliable data delivery. Currently, many routing protocols have been proposed for UWSNs to ensure reliable data delivery and to conserve the node's battery with minimum communication overhead (by avoiding void holes in the network).

Value of intraventricular dyssynchrony assessment by gated-SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging in the management of heart failure patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (VISION-CRT).

Background: Placing the left ventricular (LV) lead in a viable segment with the latest mechanical activation (vSOLA) may be associated with optimal cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) response. We assessed the role of gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (gSPECT MPI) in predicting clinical outcomes at 6 months in patients submitted to CRT.

Methods: Ten centers from 8 countries enrolled 195 consecutive patients.

Quantifying the differences in structure and mechanical response of confectionery products resulting from the baking and extrusion processes.

Extrusion has potential advantages over baking in terms of throughput, asset cost and flexibility. However, it is challenging to achieve through extrusion the "light, crispy" texture of a more traditional baked confectionery. This study compares and contrasts for the first time confectionery products produced through these two processes, i.

Rapid virulence prediction and identification of Newcastle disease virus genotypes using third-generation sequencing.

Background: Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks are global challenges to the poultry industry. Effective management requires rapid identification and virulence prediction of the circulating Newcastle disease viruses (NDV), the causative agent of ND. However, these diagnostics are hindered by the genetic diversity and rapid evolution of NDVs.

Systematic Review of Real-World Studies Evaluating Characteristics Associated With or Programs Designed to Facilitate Outpatient Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Select patients with acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be managed as outpatients. We sought to conduct a systematic review of real-world studies describing either (1) the clinical characteristics associated with outpatient DVT treatment in all-comers or (2) emergency department (ED) programs designed to facilitate outpatient DVT treatment. MEDLINE and SCOPUS were searched (January 1, 2012, to May 1, 2018) to identify citations meeting the aforementioned criteria.

Hormonal contraceptive use and risk of pancreatic cancer-A cohort study among premenopausal women.

Importance: The association between the use of hormonal contraceptive and pancreatic cancer among premenopausal women has until now been unclear. This is the first study to investigate the risk of pancreatic cancer in pre-menopausal women.

Objective: To determine whether hormonal contraception increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in pre-menopausal women.

Association of cognitive impairment with sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression among Pakistani physicians.

Previous literature has highlighted a high burden of a variety of psychopathologies such as anxiety, depression, and poor sleep quality among Pakistani physicians. These psychopathologies are associated with a poor quality of life and cognitive difficulties, affecting empathy levels, doctor patient relationship, and work performance. It is a cross sectional study in which 300 Pakistani physicians aged 45 and above, were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising hospital anxiety and depression scale, cognitive difficulties scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.