Experiences and beliefs related to sleep paralysis among the general population of the twin cities: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Sleep paralysis (SP) is a rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnia that occurs during the transition between wakefulness and sleep. During this brief state, a person is conscious but unable to move or speak, often experiencing hallucinations. It is 'isolated' when it occurs without other symptoms of narcolepsy or sleep disorders.

Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry Scanning for Osteoporosis Detection: Analysis of Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Introduction: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanning is a rapid and accurate noninvasive procedure utilized to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and diagnose osteoporosis. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of osteoporosis in different regions of the body using DEXA scanning in patients attending a tertiary care private hospital. Additionally, we aimed to raise awareness about approved diagnostic methods for osteoporosis.

End Treatment Response and Sustained Viral Response in Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Receiving Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir.

Objective The main purpose of this study was to determine the end treatment response (ETR) and sustained viral response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients receiving sofosbuvir and daclatasvir daily for 12 weeks. Methods This is a prospective open-label interventional study conducted from March 2018 to December 2020 in the outpatient departments of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, Karachi. Patients with chronic infection of HCV, confirmed with ribonucleic acid (RNA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (qualitative analysis) were invited to participate in the study.

Determining critical gaps in implementation of WHO and UNICEF's 7-point plan in diarrhoea control and prevention strategy: A cross sectional study in District Swabi, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the critical gaps in knowledge and practices of mothers/caregivers in the management of diarrhoea in children at home.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to August 2020 at primary health centres across Swabi district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and comprised mothers/caregivers presenting with children aged <5 years suffering from diarrhoea. Barriers to childhood diarrhoea prevention and control were identified in accordance with the 7-point plan adopted by the federal government in 2009.

Predictors of sleep paralysis and relationship of sleep paralysis with sleep quality in university students of Islamabad.

Objective: To determine the frequency of sleep paralysis among university students, and to determine the association between sleep paralysis and sleep quality along with different predictive factors leading to sleep paralysis.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan, from June to October, 2019, and comprised adult students of either gender who had experienced at least one episode of sleep paralysis in the past. Demographic variables were obtained using Google Form, while experiences of sleep paralysis were assessed using the Waterloo Unusual Sleep Experience Questionnaire, and sleep quality was assessed with the Sleep Condition Indicator.

GABRA1 and GABRA6 gene mutations in idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients.

The GABA receptor is an important epilepsy-associated candidate gene, and has always been a focus in etiology and in the treatment of epilepsy. This study explores the genetic association between GABA receptor gene polymorphisms and epilepsy in a cohort of the Pakistani population. A case-control study was conducted on 150 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and 150 controls.

Psychological impacts of COVID-19 and satisfaction from online classes: disturbance in daily routine and prevalence of depression, stress, and anxiety among students of Pakistan.

The present study investigated the (i) socio-demographic predictors of psychological distress, (ii) socio-demographic predictors of satisfaction from online classes, and (iii) the relationship between psychological distress and satisfaction from online classes among university students of Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A total of 2220 respondents that was enrolled at the University of the Punjab (PU), University of Management and Technology (UMT), and the University of Central Punjab (UCP) were involved in the current study.

NON-COMPLIANCE TO ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HYPERTENSIVES.

Background: Non-compliance to anti-hypertensive drugs can have negative impact on cardiovascular outcome. Various studies have been conducted on the issue but the factors are not yet explored properly, particularly in Pakistan. This study was conducted to determine the frequency and factors associated with non-compliance to anti-hypertensive medications in Karachi.

Isolation and characterization of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater.

The present study proposed the isolation of arsenic resistant bacteria from wastewater. Only three bacterial isolates (MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6) were able to grow in high concentrations of arsenic. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of arsenic against MNZ1, MNZ4 and MNZ6 were 300 mg/L, 300 mg/L and 370 mg/L respectively.

An overview of triple infection with hepatitis B, C and D viruses.

Viral hepatitis is one of the major health problems worldwide, particularly in South East Asian countries including Pakistan where hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are highly endemic. Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is also not uncommon world-wide. HCV, HBV, and HDV share parallel routes of transmission due to which dual or triple viral infection can occur in a proportion of patients at the same time.