Impact of Sex on Clinical Outcomes of Tandem Occlusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy. A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

Background: Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) represents the standard of care for ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO), the impact of sex on outcomes in tandem occlusions remains unclear. We investigated sex-based differences in outcomes after MT for tandem occlusions.

Methods: This multicenter observational study included consecutive patients with tandem occlusion treated with MT across three stroke centers (2021-2023).

Transforming agri-food value chains in Bangladesh: A practical application of blockchain for traceability and fair pricing.

The agricultural sector is a vital component of Bangladesh's economy, but its agri-food supply chain faces signifi-cant inefficiencies primarily due to the involvement of numerous intermediaries. This complexity not only reduces the profits for farmers but also affects the overall transparency and efficiency of the supply chain. This study aims to em-ploy blockchain technology to transform the traditional agri-food supply chain in Bangladesh, focusing on increasing transparency, enhancing efficiency, and improving profitability for farmers, thus potentially bolstering the entire agri-food ecosystem in the country.

A comparative study on the effects of doxycycline, nalidixic acid and meropenem on Escherichia coli in inducing urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections are widely recognized as prevalent bacterial infections frequently encountered in both hospital and community settings. The most common gram-negative bacterial pathogen in humans, extra-intestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, causes these diseases. A retrospective cross-sectional study in Karachi, Pakistan examined Escherichia coli's susceptibility to doxycycline, nalidixic acid and meropenem.

Clinical Characteristics and Cytogenetics of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Single Center in Pakistan.

This study aimed to find the association between clinical characteristics, cytogenetics, and post-induction outcomes of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The study was conducted at the Indus Hospital in Karachi. Initial total leukocyte count (TLC), cytogenetics, CNS status, and post-induction remission status were recorded.

Predictors of futile recanalization in nonagenarians treated with mechanical thrombectomy: a multi-center observational study.

Background: There is a lack of data regarding patients aged 90 years or older undergoing mechanical thrombectomy and their predictors of futile recanalization.

Aims: We sought to evaluate the predictors of futile recanalization in patients ≥ 90 years with large vessel occlusion undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods: This multi-center observational retrospective study included patients ≥ 90 years consecutively treated with mechanical thrombectomy in four thrombectomy capable centers between January 1st, 2016 and 30th March 2023.

Atypical multiple evanescent white dot syndrome presenting with peripheral retinal lesions.

Multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) is a rare inflammatory eye condition. We report an atypical case of MEWDS in a man in his 30s who presented with blurred vision (visual acuity 6/9), floaters and photopsia in his left eye. Funduscopy examination showed mild peripheral nasal vascular sheathing with subtle grey-white dots highlighted on fundus autofluorescence.

Distinct functional neutrophil phenotypes in sepsis patients correlate with disease severity.

Purpose: Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with distinct phenotypes that impact immune function and response to infection. To develop targeted therapeutics, immunophenotyping is needed to identify distinct functional phenotypes of immune cells.

Knowledge, Attitude and Factors associated with Self-efficacy in Screening and Treatment of Hepatitis C among Primary Care Doctors in Selangor.

Introduction: Primary care doctors (PCDs) play an increasingly important role in the management of hepatitis C. It is essential for PCDs to have good self-efficacy in screening and treating hepatitis C to achieve good outcomes. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude towards and other factors associated with self-efficacy in screening and treating hepatitis C.

Generative pretrained transformer-4, an artificial intelligence text predictive model, has a high capability for passing novel written radiology exam questions.

Purpose: AI-image interpretation, through convolutional neural networks, shows increasing capability within radiology. These models have achieved impressive performance in specific tasks within controlled settings, but possess inherent limitations, such as the inability to consider clinical context. We assess the ability of large language models (LLMs) within the context of radiology specialty exams to determine whether they can evaluate relevant clinical information.

Chromosome-1 abnormalities in Childhood B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia - An analysis with reference to clinical variables and survival outcome.

Background: Chromosome-1 abnormalities (C1As) are common genetic aberrations in hematological malignancies. We sought to evaluate significance of these abnormalities with reference to clinical characteristics and survival outcome in a pediatric B-Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) cohort.

Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in cytogenetic section of Indus Hospital and Health Network.

An IoT-Based Road Bridge Health Monitoring and Warning System.

Recent earthquakes worldwide have led to significant loss of life and structural damage to infrastructure, especially road bridges. Existing bridge monitoring systems have limitations, including restricted detection capabilities, subjectivity, human error, labor-intensive inspections, limited access to remote areas, and high costs. Aging infrastructures pose a critical concern for organizations and government funding policies, showing signs of decay and impending structural failure.

Multiple Genomic Alterations, Including a Novel Fusion Gene, in a Treatment-Refractory Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic-Cell Neoplasm: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematologic malignancy with an aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis. The genetic abnormalities in BPDCN are heterogeneous; therefore, its molecular pathogenesis and the prognostic importance of genomic alterations associated with the disease are not well defined. Here we report a case of BPDCN with a novel AFF4::IRF1 fusion predicted to lead to a loss-of-function of the IRF1 tumor suppressor, somatic mutations of ASXL1, TET2, and MYD88, as well as multiple intrachromosomal deletions.

Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia, T/megakaryoblastic: does it really exist?

Mixed-phenotype acute leukemias (MPAL) account for < 4% of all cases of acute leukemias. These are a heterogeneous group of leukemias grouped together by the WHO classification as "rare subtypes." The diagnosis and treatment of MPAL is extremely challenging particularly for low middle income countries.

Degree of blood safety of voluntary non-remunerated versus replacement blood donations: A multi-centre study of the large cohort of blood donors from two provinces of Pakistan.

Background And Objectives: Voluntary non-remunerated blood donors (VNRBDs) are recognized as being crucial for the safety and sustainability of national blood supplies. Systems based on replacement donors (RDs) pose high risks of transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). Currently, only 10%-13% of blood donations are voluntary in Pakistan.

The Seroprevalence of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Hemodialysis Patients in Oman: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: HCV infection in hemodialysis units is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of HCV infection among dialysis patients is higher compared to the general population due to high potential blood exposures in hemodialysis settings. This study aims to assess the national HCV seroprevalence in selected dialysis units and to determine the risk factors for acquiring HCV infection.

Plasmablastic Lymphoma in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Child With a Suspicion of Concomitant Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) occurs in the setting of immunodeficiency, in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, in elderly patients, and in the posttransplantation state. It is exceptionally rare in children. PBL is an aggressive lymphoma with a poor prognosis.

Cytogenetic Profiling In Paediatric Acute Leukaemia; A Report On 746 Newly Diagnosed Paediatric Cases Analyzing The Spectrum Of Recurring Chromosomal Rearrangements In B Cell Lymphoblastic And Acute Myeloid Leukaemia.

Background: Cytogenetics is evolving and different molecular mechanisms we know now have proved to be of diagnostic and prognostic significance in both acute lymphoid (ALL) and myeloid leukaemia (AML). This study aims to find out and compare the occurrence of different cytogenetics in paediatric acute leukaemia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of diagnosed B-ALL and AML patients presenting at The Indus Hospital.

Early Outcomes of the Pipeline Vantage Flow Diverter : A Multicentre Study.

Purpose: The recently introduced Pipeline Vantage Embolization Device with Shield Technology is the fourth generation of Pipeline flow diverter devices. Due to the relatively high rate of intraprocedural technical complications, modifications were subsequently made to the device after a limited release of the device in 2020. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the modified version of this device.