Geochemical evolution, geostatistical mapping and machine learning predictive modeling of groundwater fluoride: a case study of western Balochistan, Quetta.

Around 2.6 billion people are at risk of tooth carries and fluorosis worldwide. Quetta is the worst affected district in Balochistan plateau.

Healing wounds with plasma-activated hydrogel therapy.

Chronic wound infections are a silent pandemic in danger of becoming a global healthcare crisis. Innovations to control infections and improve healing are required. In the context of this challenge, researchers are exploiting plasma-activated hydrogel therapy (PAHT) for use either alone or in combination with other antimicrobial strategies.

Effect of Body Mass Factors on Setup Displacement in Gynecologic Tumors and Subsequent Effect on PTV Margins.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the effect of body mass factors (BMFs) on setup errors in gynecologic tumors, and whether the planned tumor volumes (PTVs) are adequate for obese patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 46 consecutive female patients with gynecologic tumors who were treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy. Setup accuracy was verified using daily cone beam computed tomography.

Site-Specific Education Using Digital Media to Improve Patient Understanding of the Radiotherapy Trajectory: An Interventional Study.

Purpose: The study assessed the effectiveness of a site-specific video educational material in improving patient understanding and confidence regarding radiation therapy trajectory.

Methods And Materials: A quasi experimental longitudinal pretest posttest study was conducted at a referral radiation therapy center from May 2020 to September 2020. It included 52 adult patients admitted for a first course radical radiation therapy.

The prevalence of seizures in children with developmental delay.

Objectives: To study the prevalence of seizures in children with GDD and identify the characteristics of such patients; to examine the association of GDD with epilepsy and to determine the effect of certain risk factors on this association.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at the pediatric neurology and developmental assessment clinic at King Fahad specialist hospital (KFSH), Saudi Arabia. All data were collected by reviewing the electronic medical records of 200 pediatric patients who presented with global developmental delay from February 2016 to April 2018.

Identifying pattern in global developmental delay children: A retrospective study at King Fahad specialist hospital, Dammam (Saudi Arabia).

Global developmental delay (GDD) and intellectual disability are relatively common in pediatric neurology conditions. A retrospective study was designed to analyze risk factors and clinical features in children with GDD at our hospital. No previous data is available on GDD from Saudi Arabia.

3-M Syndrome: A Local Case Report.

BACKGROUND 3-M syndrome is an uncommon disease characterized by severe growth retardation, dysmorphic features, and skeletal abnormalities. Radiographic images may show delayed bone maturation long slender tubular bones, and tall vertebral bodies. Due to the inheritance mode of 3-M syndrome disease, early diagnosis is vital for genetic counseling.

The Relationship between Sleep and Cognitive Performance in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Pilot Study.

Background: Sleep concerns are common in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The impact of poor sleep on cognitive performance in ASD children is not well-established. We investigated the possible correlation between sleep quality in ASD children and cognitive performance.

High-speed spiral imaging technique for an atomic force microscope using a linear quadratic Gaussian controller.

This paper demonstrates a high-speed spiral imaging technique for an atomic force microscope (AFM). As an alternative to traditional raster scanning, an approach of gradient pulsing using a spiral line is implemented and spirals are generated by applying single-frequency cosine and sine waves of slowly varying amplitudes to the X and Y-axes of the AFM's piezoelectric tube scanner (PTS). Due to these single-frequency sinusoidal input signals, the scanning process can be faster than that of conventional raster scanning.

Does task shifting in tuberculosis microscopy services to non-certified technicians in Afghanistan affect quality?

Setting: Tuberculosis microscopy centres in 30 provinces in Afghanistan.

Objective: To compare the quality of sputum smear examinations in microscopy centres with microscopists who are fully certified as laboratory technicians with those performed in centres with technicians who do not have such certification (high school graduates).

Design: Cross-sectional record review of sputum smear microscopy slides examined by technicians and cross-checked by trained assessors as part of routine external quality assurance between July and September 2009.