Blazing the Trail for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: Why Microbial Infection Imaging Should Be a Pressing Priority in Pakistan.

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Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography (CT) Coronary Angiography Compared to Invasive Coronary Angiography for Detecting Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the prevalence is continually rising. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) has been considered the gold standard in CAD diagnosis as it offers precise information about the presence and severity of coronary artery blockages. However, computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has emerged as a preferred noninvasive imaging technique from the viewpoint of patient risk because it provides high-resolution coronary images.

Regional insights on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of carbapenem and colistin-resistant gram-negative bacteria: an observational cross-sectional study from Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Colistin is used to treat multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. Rising colistin resistance worldwide has created challenges in effective treatment and raised treatment costs. Our study aimed to understand the prevalence of colistin resistance in carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria, associated pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern at our institute, to help limit further development of resistance.

Photobiomodulation therapy: Ushering in a new era in personalized supportive cancer care.

The human body can utilize light for a broad range of pathophysiological responses, such as circadian rhythm, Vitamin D metabolism, and vision, among others. The therapeutic use of light has spanned many ancient health practices. Recent advances in using low-dose light therapy, termed photobiomodulation (PBM), have made tremendous progress in unravelling precise biological mechanisms and clinical dosimetry, enabling this treatment modality's clinical safety and effectiveness.

Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Treating Plantar Fasciitis.

Introduction Plantar fasciitis, a common cause of heel pain, is often treated conservatively. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have emerged as a promising treatment option. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of autologous PRP injections for plantar fasciitis.

Beyond the Ordinary: Paeniclostridium sordellii Osteomyelitis in a Young Male Patient From Pakistan.

, a spore-forming anaerobic Gram-positive rod commonly found in soil samples, is rarely associated with human disease. The authors report a rare case of osteomyelitis of the left distal femur in a young male patient, which is the first reported case of from Pakistan. A 21-year-old male, laborer by profession, presented with low-grade fever, fatigue and lethargy since more than a month, which progressed in severity over the last 2 weeks.

Safeguarding Accuracy: The Impact of Interventions on Reducing Blood Culture Contamination.

Introduction: Blood culture is the gold standard for diagnosing bacteremia and direct the physicians to select appropriate antimicrobials. In hospitals, blood culture contamination (BCC) is a common problem that has a detrimental effect on patient outcomes. Hence, we implemented strategies in our tertiary care setup, for training phlebotomists and nurses in proper blood sampling techniques, and assessed their effectiveness in reducing BCC rates.

Pediatric Uropathogens and their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern: Experience from an Impoverished District of Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection of the pediatric age group. Several factors linked to higher prevalence include poor personal hygiene, improper sanitation, lower socioeconomic status, and malnourishment. In addition to having a worse quality of life, the 1.

Robotic Postural Training With Epidural Stimulation for the Recovery of Upright Postural Control in Individuals With Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study.

Activity-based training and lumbosacral spinal cord epidural stimulation (scES) have the potential to restore standing and walking with self-balance assistance after motor complete spinal cord injury (SCI). However, improvements in upright postural control have not previously been addressed in this population. Here, we implemented a novel robotic postural training with scES, performed with free hands, to restore upright postural control in individuals with chronic, cervical ( = 5) or high-thoracic ( = 1) motor complete SCI, who had previously undergone stand training with scES using a walker or a standing frame for self-balance assistance.

From mosquitoes to menace: Unveiling the dangers of West Nile virus in Pakistan.

Pakistan, a subtropical nation, has seen a rapid rise in Arboviral transmission in the past decade. Environmental hazards such as intense monsoon rains and yearly floods in addition to unsanitary living conditions pose an increased risk of arboviral infections. In recent years, the emergence and spread of West Nile virus (WNV), which can lead to a life-threatening meningoencephalitis, in Pakistan has alarmed the health care authorities of an impending outbreak.

Daptomycin MICs by Broth Microdilution Method Against Staphylococcus aureus in Clinical Specimens: A Cross-Sectional Study from Pakistan.

Objective: To explore the distribution of daptomycin (DAP) minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from complicated skin, soft tissue, and bloodstream infections collected from the Pakistani population using broth microdilution (BMD).

Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, from May to October 2021.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Hemoglobin Level in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients on Hemodialysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on hemoglobin levels (Hb) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis. A systematic search was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) from inception to April 21, 2023. Inclusion criteria were applied to select relevant studies.

Dulaglutide (Trulicity)-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report.

The article discusses the use of dulaglutide (Trulicity) in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus. Dulaglutide is a synthetic analog of glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) that binds to GLP-1 receptors, enhancing insulin secretion and reducing postprandial glucagon and food intake. Dulaglutide has a longer half-life than GLP-1, making it more clinically useful.

Screening for arboviruses in healthy blood donors: Experience from Karachi, Pakistan.

• DENV, WNV and JEV status was investigated in healthy blood donors at the Aga Khan University July to December 2018. • ELISA for IgM antibodies and RT-PCR for viral RNA detection were performed. • IgM antibodies for DENV and WNV were positive in 3.

Robotic upright stand trainer (RobUST) and postural control in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Context/objective: Assessed feasibility and potential effectiveness of using a novel robotic upright stand trainer (RobUST) to deliver postural perturbations or provide assistance-as-needed at the trunk while individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) performed stable standing and self-initiated trunk movements. These tasks were assessed with research participants' hands on handlebars for self-balance assistance (hands on) and with hands off (free hands).

Design: Proof of concept study.

Efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of non-acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim Of The Study: N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the treatment of choice for acetaminophen-induced liver injury. However, recent years have witnessed growing interest in its role in the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF) due to other aetiologies. This study aims to determine both its safety and efficacy by pooling data from multiple studies.

Postural Control Strategies in Standing With Handrail Support and Active Assistance From Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST).

In people with severe neuromotor deficits of trunk and lower extremities, regaining balance in standing is often performed in rehabilitation with manual assistance, rigid body supports or by the use of handrails. To investigate and further expand postural control training in standing, we developed a Robotic Upright Stand Trainer (RobUST). In this study, we used RobUST to deliver trunk perturbations while simultaneously providing postural assistive forces on the pelvis in 10 able-bodied adults.

Exploring New Potential Applications for Hand Exoskeletons: Power Grip to Assist Human Standing.

Hand exoskeleton potential applications reach further than grasping or assistance during manipulation. In this paper, we present a preliminary study of how this technology can be applied in order to improve performance during standing to help the user to keep balance under perturbations. Non-impaired users wearing a hand exoskeleton gripping a hand rail were pushed by a cable-driven robot, so that their standing equilibrium was perturbed.

Promoting Functional and Independent Sitting in Children With Cerebral Palsy Using the Robotic Trunk Support Trainer.

Seated postural abilities are critical to functional independence and participation in children with cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels III-IV. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated the feasibility of a motor learning-based seated postural training with a robotic Trunk-Support-Trainer (TruST) in a longitudinal single-subject-design (13y, GMFCS IV), and its potential effectiveness in a group of 3 children (6-14y, GMFCS III-IV). TruST is a motorized-cable driven belt placed on the child's trunk to exert active-assistive forces when the trunk moves beyond stability limits.

Low-level laser therapy for the treatment of early stage cutaneous leishmaniasis: A pilot study.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been investigated for the treatment of various dermatological disorders. Here, we investigate the efficacy of LLLT for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study comprised of 53 patients (total 123 lesions) with a confirmed diagnosis of CL via positive smear of LD-bodies.

Biomechanical differences during ascent on regular stairs and on a stairmill.

Stair climbing is an intense physical activity and requires large range of motion at the joints, adequate muscle strength, and balance control. A powered stairmill, integrated with a gait rehabilitation device, can potentially be used for training those who have difficulty climbing stairs. In order to assess the effectiveness of such an approach, it is necessary to understand the similarities and differences in walking on regular stairs and on a stairmill.