Implementing Early Rehabilitation Strategies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients Undergoing Mechanical Ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Patients afflicted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently manifest acute respiratory failure (ARF), characterized by hypercapnia, hypoxia, malnutrition, muscle weakness, heightened work of breathing (WOB), recurrent acute exacerbations, reliance on mechanical ventilation (MV), and difficulties in the weaning phase. Early implementation of rehabilitation interventions holds promise in mitigating prolonged MV and, consequently, reducing intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality.

Methodology: A prospective study was undertaken involving COPD type 2 respiratory failure patients receiving MV in an ICU setting.

The genetic cause of neurodevelopmental disorders in 30 consanguineous families.

Objective: This study aims to clinically and genetically assess 30 unrelated consanguineous Pakistani families from various ethnic backgrounds, all exhibiting features of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).

Methods: We conducted clinical, genetic, biochemical, and molecular analyses on 30 consanguineous families with NDDs enrolled from various regions of Pakistan. The likely molecular causes of primary microcephaly and NDDs were identified.

Assessing the Quality and Readability of Online Patient Information: ENT UK Patient Information e-Leaflets versus Responses by a Generative Artificial Intelligence.

Background:  The evolution of artificial intelligence has introduced new ways to disseminate health information, including natural language processing models like ChatGPT. However, the quality and readability of such digitally generated information remains understudied. This study is the first to compare the quality and readability of digitally generated health information against leaflets produced by professionals.

Evaluation of magnetic resonance imaging for bladder cancer detection following transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of MRI for detection of bladder cancer following transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

Methods: This single-centre retrospective study included forty-one consecutive patients with bladder cancer who underwent bladder MRI after TURBT. Two uroradiologists retrospectively assessed the presence of tumour using bladder MRI with and without DWI (diffusion weighted imaging) using a five-point Likert scale.

Paris classification of colonic polyps using CT colonography: prospective cohort study of interobserver variation.

Background: The Paris classification categorises colorectal polyp morphology. Interobserver agreement for Paris classification has been assessed at optical colonoscopy (OC) but not CT colonography (CTC). We aimed to determine the following: (1) interobserver agreement for the Paris classification using CTC between radiologists; (2) if radiologist experience influenced classification, gross polyp morphology, or polyp size; and (3) the extent to which radiologist classifications agreed with (a) colonoscopy and (b) a combined reference standard.

Effectiveness of septoplasty compared to medical management in adults with obstruction associated with a deviated nasal septum: the NAIROS RCT.

Background: The indications for septoplasty are practice-based, rather than evidence-based. In addition, internationally accepted guidelines for the management of nasal obstruction associated with nasal septal deviation are lacking.

Objective: The objective was to determine the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of septoplasty, with or without turbinate reduction, compared with medical management, in the management of nasal obstruction associated with a deviated nasal septum.

Cysteine induces mitochondrial reductive stress in glioblastoma through hydrogen peroxide production.

Glucose and amino acid metabolism are critical for glioblastoma (GBM) growth, but little is known about the specific metabolic alterations in GBM that are targetable with FDA-approved compounds. To investigate tumor metabolism signatures unique to GBM, we interrogated The Cancer Genome Atlas for alterations in glucose and amino acid signatures in GBM relative to other human cancers and found that GBM exhibits the highest levels of cysteine and methionine pathway gene expression of 32 human cancers. Treatment of patient-derived GBM cells with the FDA-approved single cysteine compound N-acetylcysteine (NAC) reduced GBM cell growth and mitochondrial oxygen consumption, which was worsened by glucose starvation.

The role of a mobile hearing application in secondary care ENT (HAppENT).

Objective: Sudden hearing loss is a common presentation to ENT. In the authors' practice, patients often wait many weeks for formal hearing testing. This study aimed to assess whether a tablet-based hearing test, hearTest, could aid clinical decision-making within secondary care ENT.

The post-operative tonsillectomy (POPT) study: A multi-centre prospective paediatric cohort study.

Objectives: Tonsillectomy is the most common operation performed by otolaryngologists in the UK, despite this we have a poor understanding of the post-operative recovery. We aimed to investigate post-operative bleeding and pain following paediatric tonsillectomy using a patient diary.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Clinical effectiveness of septoplasty versus medical management for nasal airways obstruction: multicentre, open label, randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness of septoplasty.

Design: Multicentre, randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 17 otolaryngology clinics in the UK's National Health Service.

Variations in growth performance of Catla (Cattla cattla), Rohu (Labeo rohita) and Mrigal (Cirhinus mrigala) fed with varying levels of fishmeal based diets in intensive farming.

A one year feeding trial was conducted on carps i.e. Catla (Cattla cattla), Mrigal (Cirhinus mrigala) and Rohu (Labeo rohita) to find out appropriate level of fishmeal in diet and their effects on growth, survival and biomass in intensive polyculture.

Prevalence and risk factors associated with human Intestinal Parasitic Infections (IPIs) in rural and urban areas of Quetta, Pakistan.

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are endemic worldwide and more prevalent in countries with unhygienic conditions. The objective of the research was to identify the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in rural and urban areas of Quetta, Balochistan and to check their associated risk factors including; age, gender, educational status, sanitary system and any other immunodeficiency. For this instance 204 stool samples were collected from the urban and rural population of Quetta, Balochistan.

A low-cost prosthetic orbital simulation model for endoscopic anterior ethmoid artery ligation.

Objective: This study aimed to develop and evaluate a low-cost orbital prosthesis for simulation of endoscopically assisted intra-orbital anterior ethmoidal artery ligation.

Methods: A low-cost orbital prosthesis was built and evaluated by ENT surgical trainees. Feedback was given following the assessment in the form of a face validity questionnaire.

Multidisciplinary management of laryngeal pathology identified in patients with COVID-19 following trans-laryngeal intubation and tracheostomy.

Background: COVID-19 disease often requires invasive ventilatory support. Trans-laryngeal intubation of the trachea may cause laryngeal injury, possibly compounded by coronavirus infection. Fibreoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) provides anatomical and functional assessment of the larynx, guiding multidisciplinary management.

Length-weight relationships of farmed major carps (Cattla cattla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala) fed with different sources of protein in an intensive polyculture.

The present findings provide information regarding the length-weight relationships (LWRs) of Indian major carps viz Cattla cattla, Labeo rohita and Cirhinus mrigala in an intensive polyculture system. Much work has been done in Pakistan with respect to fish LWRs, much of such work has been ignored. Carps were fed with twelve different formulated diets containing four different sources of protein i.

Assessment of aquatic macro-invertebrates communities and water quality parameters of River Zhob, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Environmental stress caused by pollution is often assessed by diversity of macro-invertebrate species in specific aquatic habitat. To find out seasonal fluctuations in various macro-invertebrates communities and different water quality parameters of River Zhob, a research trial was conducted on River Zhob, Balochistan. Samples of macro-invertebrates and water were taken from four different stations of River Zhob.

The COVANOS trial - insight into post-COVID olfactory dysfunction and the role of smell training.

Background: Olfactory dysfunction is a cardinal symptom of COVID-19 infection, however, studies assessing long-term olfactory dysfunction are limited and no randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of early olfactory training have been conducted.

Methodology: We conducted a prospective, multi-centre study consisting of baseline psychophysical measurements of smell and taste function. Eligible participants were further recruited into a 12-week RCT of olfactory training versus control (safety information).

Early expression of mature αβ TCR in CD4CD8 T cell progenitors enables MHC to drive development of T-ALL bearing NOTCH mutations.

During normal T cell development in mouse and human, a low-frequency population of immature CD4CD8 double-negative (DN) thymocytes expresses early, mature αβ T cell antigen receptor (TCR). We report that these early αβ TCR+ DN (EADN) cells are DN3b-DN4 stage and require CD3δ but not major histocompatibility complex (MHC) for their generation/detection. When MHC - is present, however, EADN cells can respond to it, displaying a degree of coreceptor-independent MHC reactivity not typical of mature, conventional αβ T cells.

Evaluation of the persistent organic pollutants association with type 2 diabetes: A prospective study from Karachi, Pakistan.

The aim of this study is to determine the association between environmental organic pollutants with type 2 diabetes. This prospective study was conducted in Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) Gulshan-e-Iqbal Campus Karachi in duration from January 2016 to June 2017. This study was ethically approved from the Institutional Review Board of FUUAST.

Assessment of heavy metals in cyprinid fishes: Rivers of district Khuzdar Balochistan Pakistan.

The present study was conducted to measured heavy metals in cyprinid fishes in rivers of District Khuzdar Balochistan, Pakistan. In the present study, 25 fish samples were collected that belonged to 8 order of 13 families, The Cyprinidae family had the largest number of eight fish species. Present study is focused on Heavy metals in cyprinid fishes.

Performance of Xpert MTB/RIF and Xpert Ultra for the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children.

To assess Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert) and Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) performance in diagnosing pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM). We conducted a study among children with suspected meningoencephalitis in Pune, India. Clinical, radiological, laboratory, and treatment data were analyzed to classify disease as definite, probable, possible or no TBM, using microbiologic or composite reference standards.

Randomized Clinical Trial of High-Dose Rifampicin With or Without Levofloxacin Versus Standard of Care for Pediatric Tuberculous Meningitis: The TBM-KIDS Trial.

Background: Pediatric tuberculous meningitis (TBM) commonly causes death or disability. In adults, high-dose rifampicin may reduce mortality. The role of fluoroquinolones remains unclear.

Liver Transplantation Outcomes From Controlled Circulatory Death Donors: SCS vs in situ NRP vs ex situ NMP.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of livers donated after circulatory death (DCD) and undergoing either in situ normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) or ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) with livers undergoing static cold storage (SCS).

Summary Of Background Data: DCD livers are associated with increased risk of primary nonfunction, poor function, and nonanastomotic strictures (NAS), leading to underutilization.

Methods: A single center, retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 233 DCD liver transplants performed using SCS, NRP, or NMP between January 2013 and October 2020.