Chromatin regulator HELLS mediates SSB repair and responses to DNA alkylation damage.

The SNF2 family chromatin remodeler HELLS has emerged as an important regulator of cell proliferation, genome stability, and several cancer pathways. Significant upregulation of HELLS has been reported in 33 human cancer types. While HELLS has been implicated in DNA damage response, its function in DNA repair is poorly understood.

A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Opioid Dispensing Competencies in Final-Year Pharm-D Students: A Multicenter Study from Punjab, Pakistan.

Background: The opioid crisis continues to be a public health concern worldwide due to the high rates of misuse and associated mortality. Opioid dispensing competencies are critical for pharmacy graduates to promote the rational use of opioids.

Purpose: To evaluate the opioids dispensing competencies among the final year Pharm-D students in Punjab, Pakistan.

The Hematological and Social Factors Affecting Length of Stay in Acute Stroke Patients: A Quality Assessment Study From a Single Institute.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the common causes of mortality. The length of stay (LOS) for a stroke is a quality indicator and affects mortality. However, there are no large studies evaluating the LOS in an acute inpatient setting for stroke patients, mainly hematological and social parameters.

Novel homozygous SPAG17 variants cause human male infertility through multiple morphological abnormalities of spermatozoal flagella related to axonemal microtubule doublets.

Male infertility can result from impaired sperm motility caused by multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF). Distinct projections encircling the central microtubules of the spermatozoal axoneme play pivotal roles in flagellar bending and spermatozoal movement. Mammalian sperm-associated antigen 17 (SPAG17) encodes a conserved axonemal protein of cilia and flagella, forming part of the C1a projection of the central apparatus, with functions related to ciliary/flagellar motility, skeletal growth, and male fertility.

Anti-Ro-Positive Dermatomyositis Presenting as a Clinical Mimic of Guillain-Barré Syndrome: A Case Report.

Dermatomyositis is a multi-system, connective tissue immune-mediated inflammatory condition characterised by myositis and distinct skin manifestations, with a higher prevalence in women. Symptoms typically appear in adulthood, though a juvenile form exists. Early signs may include Gottron's papules and heliotrope rash, with proximal muscle weakness as the second most common initial symptom.

Securing consensus in fractional-order multi-agent systems: Algebraic approaches against Byzantine attacks.

This paper investigates the behavior of fractional-order nonlinear multi-agent systems subjected to Byzantine assaults, specifically focusing on the manipulations of both sensors and actuators. We employ weighted graphs, both directed and undirected, to illustrate the system's topology. Our methodology combines algebraic graph theory with fractional-order Lyapunov techniques to develop algebraic requirements for leader-following consensus, providing a robust framework for analyzing consensus dynamics in these complex systems.

Isolation, characterization and pharmacological investigations of secondary metabolites from experimental and computational techniques.

Fungal metabolites are known for their broad therapeutic effects. In this context, the fungal strain of (FCBP-DNA-1266) was examined for its secondary metabolites and activities. This led to the isolation of naphtho-gamma-pyrone (aurasperone B) and a sterol (ergosterol), characterized using advanced spectroscopic techniques such as H NMR and C NMR.

evaluation of favipiravir-associated potential new drugs against polymerase enzyme of SARS-CoV-2.

Millions of lives have been lost to the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccines and antiviral drugs are essential scientific tools in combating viral infections. This study focused on the RdRp inhibitor favipiravir, exploring new analogs by substituting the fluorine atom on the pyrazine ring with both homocyclic and heterocyclic moieties.

Evaluating the Quality of Primary Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor: A Nine-Year Review at a Tertiary Healthcare Center.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the quality of primary transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) procedures performed at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) over nine years, focusing on proper documentation, completeness of tumor resection, quality of histopathology reports, complication rates, and adherence to European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients aged 25-75 who underwent primary TURBT at AKUH between 2010 and 2019 was done. Patients with incomplete records, concomitant procedures, or those who underwent emergency TURBT were excluded.

Peripherally-restricted recurrent infection by engineered E. coli strain modulates hippocampal proteome promoting memory impairments in a rat model.

Commensal bacteria that breach endothelial barrier has been reported to induce low grade chronic inflammation producing disease symptoms in major peripheral tissues. In this study, we investigated the role of genetically modified cellular invasive form of commensal E. coli K12 (SK3842) in cognitive impairment.

Urinoma: A Rare but Potential Differential of Acute Abdomen.

Urinoma is an encapsulated collection of extravasated urine in the retroperitoneal space. This rare and potentially dangerous event can occur spontaneously or iatrogenically varying from asymptomatic cases to acute abdomen. The initial diagnostic modality is ultrasound.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour presenting as pathological fracture of proximal femur in neurofibromatosis type-1: a case report with brief literature search.

Neurofibromas, in association with NF-1, can undergo a malignant transformation, giving rise to Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs), a relatively rare entity. Clinically, it presents with non-specific symptoms like pain and numbness, distinguishing it from other nerve lesions difficult. There is a lack of data on the occurrence of MPNST in NF-1 in children and adults, and distant metastasis to the brain and bones is reported only in a few cases.

Orbital Lesions: A bird's eye view of series of 2068 cases in 27 years in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the relative frequency of orbital lesions based on the site of origin and histopathology at a Tertiary care hospital (Mayo Hospital, Lahore Pakistan) from 1996 till 2022 (27 years).

Methods: This descriptive case series included 2651 patients of all age groups presenting with orbital lesions who initially got enrolled at Institute of Ophthalmology Mayo Hospital, Lahore from 1996 till 2022. Of these, 583 patients left against medical advice.

Improving Shape-Sensing Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy Outcomes with Mobile Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Guidance.

Background: Computed tomography to body divergence (CTBD) is one of the main barriers to bronchoscopic techniques for the diagnosis of peripherally located lung nodules. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) guidance is being rapidly adopted to correct for this phenomenon and to potentially increase diagnostic outcomes. In this trial, we hypothesized that the addition of mobile CBCT (m-CBCT) could improve the rate of tool in lesion (TIL) and the diagnostic yield of shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (SS-RAB).

Effectiveness of bedaquiline containing all oral longer regimens in treating multidrug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis in Pakistan.

Background: Despite the introduction of bedaquiline (Bdq) containing all-oral regimens for treating patients with rifampicin resistant/multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in 2019, data on its effectiveness in Pakistan, which has the fifth highest MDR-TB burden, is lacking. This study evaluates treatment outcomes and identifies factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes among MDR/RR-TB patients treated with an all-oral longer treatment regimen (LTR).

Methods: This retrospective record review included all microbiologically confirmed pulmonary MDR/RR-TB patients treated with an all-oral LTR between August 2019 and February 2021 across nine PMDT centres in Pakistan.

Factors influencing faculty job satisfaction: A quantitative study of private medical colleges in Karachi.

Objective: To identify key factors influencing academic job satisfaction among faculty members of private medical colleges in an urban setting.

Methods: The cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted from October to November 2021 at the Department of Community Health Sciences, Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College, Karachi, and comprised faculty members associated with 13 private medical colleges in Karachi. Data was collected using a 32-item questionnaire that was scored on a 5-point Likert scale.

Initial Experience of Pancreaticoduodenectomy in a Newly Developed Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Unit Serving in a Lower-Middle-Income Country.

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the only potentially curative treatment for pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. This study aimed to determine the short-term outcomes of PD performed over 1 year at a newly established hepato-pancreatico-biliary unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained hospital information system (HIS) was undertaken of all patients referred to the unit between May 2021 and August 2022.

Direct synthesis, characterization, and studies of simple chalcones as potential antimicrobial and antileishmanial agents.

Chalcone represents a vital biosynthetic scaffold owing to its numerous therapeutic effects. The present study was intended to synthesize 17 chalcone derivatives (-) by direct coupling of substituted acetophenones and benzaldehyde. The target chalcones were characterized by spectroscopic analyses followed by their antimicrobial, and antileishmanial investigations with reference to standard drugs.

Neuromodulation for Vasovagal Syncope and Bradyarrhythmias.

Catheter-based neuromodulation of intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system is increasingly being used to improve outcomes in patients with vasovagal syncope and bradyarrhythmias caused by vagal overactivity. However, there is still no consensus for patient selection, technical steps, and procedural end points. This review takes the reader on a practical exploration of neuromodulation for bradyarrhythmias, concentrating on the critical aspects of proper patient selection, evidence-based insights, and anatomic intricacies within the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system.

Gravity- vs Wall Suction-Driven Large-Volume Thoracentesis: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Prior studies have found no differences in procedural chest discomfort for patients undergoing manual syringe aspiration or drainage with gravity after thoracentesis. However, whether gravity drainage could protect against chest pain due to the larger negative-pressure gradient generated by wall suction has not been investigated.

Research Question: Does wall suction drainage result in more chest discomfort compared with gravity drainage in patients undergoing large-volume thoracentesis?

Study Design And Methods: In this multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial, patients with large free-flowing effusions of ≥ 500 mL were assigned at a 1:1 ratio to wall suction or gravity drainage.

Management of post-traumatic ankle deformities in children.

The objective of this clinical appraisal was to assess the clinical-radiological results of ankle deformity correction secondary to physeal injury, utilizing the methods based on the age of the child, site & severity of the deformity, remaining growth potential, condition of the soft tissue envelop and integrity of neurovascular status. Fifteen subjects ≤ 16 years of age, with angular deformities of the ankle secondary to physeal injury, were included. Deformities secondary to infection and pathological fractures were excluded.

The dual role of photodynamic therapy to treat cancer and microbial infection.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment showing promise against cancer and microbial infections. PDT targets tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue, reducing side effects. It induces immunogenic cell death, potentially stimulating antitumor immune responses and reducing cancer recurrence.