Reviving medical tourism in Pakistan - A narrative review.

Medical and health care traverse geographical boundaries in the form of "Medical Tourism" with patients travelling from low and middle-income countries to developed nations and vice versa as well. Affordable medical care is also attracting patients from developed nations to countries like India, Thailand, UAE and others with international accreditation playing a key role. This also yields economic benefits for the recipient countries.

Smoking has detrimental effects on voice related Quality of Life of University Teachers.

Objective: To compare voice related quality of life of smoker and non-smoker university teachers.

Method: This Cross-Sectional descriptive study was conducted at Riphah International University over a period of six months January to June, 2022. A sample of N=352 University teachers of both genders, aged 25 to 65 years, who were faculty members and working at least 8 hours per day in teaching positions with at least one-year experience were included in the study.

Association Between Tea Drinking and Anemia in Women of Reproductive Age: A Cross-Sectional Study From the Mekran Division, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Background: Anemia in females of the reproductive age group is an area of concern globally, but its prevalence is high in developing countries. Dietary habits and lifestyle impact the hematological parameters. It is important to evaluate the impact of tea drinking on hematological parameters in females of the reproductive age group.

Enhancing sequencing batch reactors for efficient wastewater treatment across diverse applications: A comprehensive review.

This review explores recent progress in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) and hybrid systems for wastewater treatment, emphasizing their adaptability and effectiveness in managing diverse wastewater compositions. Through extensive literature analysis from 1985 to 2024, the integration of advanced technologies like photocatalysis within hybrid systems is highlighted, showing promise for improved pollutant removal efficiencies. Insights into operational parameters, reactor design, and microbial communities influencing SBR performance are discussed.

Common practices of Speech and language pathologists about partner oriented training to treat aphasia.

Objective: To find the common practices among speech language pathologists regarding partner-oriented training for aphasic patients.

Methods: The exploratory, qualitative study was conducted at Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan, from March 1 to May 31, 2021, and comprised speech language pathologists working with aphasic patients for at least 5 years in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Data was collected using a structured interview guide that were conducted online.

Urdu Receptive Language Scale (URLS): Modification & development of protocol for administration in Urdu.

Objective: To conduct pretesting of Urdu Receptive Language Scale (URLS) for scale modification and development of protocol for administration on children.

Methods: This exploratory research was conducted from December 2021 to June 2022 in Lahore, Pakistan. Objective was achieved by pretesting in three steps including literature review, expert review and pilot testing on infants, toddlers and children aged 0-6 years utilizing purposive sampling technique.

Plasma neurological biomarkers as a measure of neurotoxicity in pediatric dental general anesthesia: a prospective observational feasibility study.

Purpose: Neurotoxicity concerns have been raised over general anesthesia and sedation medication use in children. Such concerns are largely based on animal studies, historical anesthetic agents, and assessment tools, thus warranting further investigations. Blood biomarkers in detecting neuronal inflammation and apoptosis are novel methods for detecting neuronal damage.

Treatment approaches to Motor Speech Disorders: A step towards Evidence Based Practice.

Motor Speech Disorders is an umbrella term for a set of separate dysfunctions of speech outcome associated with neurological disorders. Motor speech disorders (MSD) are classified as Speech Motor delay (SMD), Childhood dysarthria (CD), Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), and Concurrent CD and CAS. The incidence and prevalence of MSD in population is uncertain.

Fillers and methods to improve the effective (out-plane) thermal conductivity of polymeric thermal interface materials - A review.

The internet of things and growing demand for smaller and more advanced devices has created the problem of high heat production in electronic equipment, which greatly reduces the work performance and life of the electronic instruments. Thermal interface material (TIM) is placed in between heat generating micro-chip and the heat dissipater to conduct all the produced heat to the heat sink. The development of suitable TIM with excellent thermal conductivity (TC) in both in-plane and through-plane directions is a very important need at present.

Identification of Candidate mRNA Genes and Their Potential MicroRNA Targets in Lung Cancer Induced by Smoking Tobacco.

Background: Smoking is considered the single highest risk factor for lung cancer and has been suggested to be associated with accelerated somatic mutations in respiratory mucosa that lead to the development of lung cancer. MicroRNAs serve as modulators in smoking-induced mRNA gene expression changes in the human airway epithelium and are linked to the development of lung cancer. The thermodynamics in the microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA interactions may be affected in tobacco smokers, consequently, leading to phenotypic variations in lung cancer patients.

Self-reported Vocal symptoms among speech language pathologists dealing with children with hearing impairment and cerebral palsy.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Ripah International University, Lahore, Pakistan from January to April, 2022 to evaluate and compare the Self-Reported Vocal symptoms among Speech Language Pathologists (SLP) practicing with children having Hearing Impairment (HI) and Cerebral Palsy (CP). The sample included 141 participants of both genders, aged 25 to 60 years, practicing with children with hearing impairment and cerebral palsy for at least one year. Vocal Tract Discomfort Scale (VTDS) and Voice Activity Participation Profile (VAPP) were utilised for data collection which was analysed using SPSS Ver-23.

World Health Organization Success In Rehabilitation 2030 Including Refugees' Rehabilitation Across South Asia: A Narrative Review.

Despite acknowledging the inadequacy of rehabilitation systems to meet the ever-increasing burden of disability, the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation 2030 initiative has not highlighted nor adequately analysed the deficiencies of the rehabilitation care structures of populous countries in South Asia. The pragmatic and operational realisation of the initiative is not high in terms of visibility in developing countries with fragmented rehabilitative care structures. Hence, the current narrative review was planned to highlight the spectrum of rehabilitation healthcare in the perspective of Sustainable Development Goal-3 with reference to the most populous South Asian countries, including Pakistan.

Effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on spasticity, walking and quality of life in poststroke lower limb spasticity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To determine the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) on lower limb function, walking, and quality of life in patients with lower limb poststroke spasticity.

Data Sources: A comprehensive and systematic electronic database search of PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest thesis Dissertation checks, Google Scholar was conducted from January 2010 to March 2022.

Review Method: Initially, the bibliography was screened to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of ESWT on lower limb spasticity and functional outcomes in stroke patients.

Fabrication, Thermo-Mechanical, and Morphological Characterization of Hydroxyapatite-Reinforced Polyurethane Biocomposites as Dye Adsorbent for Effluent.

Petrochemical costs, limited fossil fuel reserves, and concerns about greenhouse gas emissions have raised interest in developing renewable approaches for synthesizing biobased polyurethanes. This study aims to solve these problems by making nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) reinforcement from waste chicken eggshells and adding it to polyurethane synthesis through in situ polymerization. The novelty of the research lies in the utilization of HA as a reinforcement material and renewable resources for polyurethane production.

Post-Stroke Swallowing And Communication Complications: Prevalence And Association With Comorbid Conditions And Risk Factors.

A cross sectional study utilising convenience sampling was conducted to determine the co-morbidities and risk factors in post stroke patients with swallowing and communication complications. The study recruited 150 diagnosed cases of stroke with no gender and age limitation from Combined Military Hospital, Fatima Memorial Hospital, and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from January to June 2015. Glasgow coma scale, Modified Massey Bedside Swallow Screener, informal clinical assessment by SLP, and medical history sheet were employed for data collection, while the data was analysed using SPSS -23.

Vocal health of parents of children with hearing assistive devices.

Background & Objectives: VH (Vocal health) is the need of the hour. VH of parents of children with hearing assistive devices (HAD) reveals a literature gap, during the habilitation process of their children. To explore the vocal health of parents of children with hearing assistive devices.

Health care providers' perspectives on challenges and opportunities of intercultural health care in diabetes and obesity management: a qualitative study.

Background: Migrants often face worse health outcomes in countries of transit and destination because of challenges such as financial constraints, employment problems, lack of a network of social support, language and cultural differences, and difficulties accessing health services. As understanding how the migrant context affects patient-provider engagement is critical to the provision of contextually appropriate care, this study aimed at understanding primary health care provider perspectives on challenges and opportunities of the intercultural care process for migrant patients with diabetes and obesity.

Methods: This qualitative study within a multimethod, participatory research project involved primary care providers in clinics and primary care networks in Edmonton, Alberta, between September 2019 and February 2020.

Weed infestation and productivity of wheat crop sown in various cropping systems under conventional and conservation tillage.

Introduction: Climate change, pest infestation, and soil degradation are significantly reducing wheat ( L.) yield. Wheat is cultivated in rice-wheat and cotton-wheat cropping systems and escalating global population is exerting substantial pressure on the efficiency of these systems.

International and national perspective of disability and policy disconnect in Pakistan: A narrative review.

In the developed societies, supportive environmental, physical and social conditions enable participation of persons with disabilities in the mainstream through actions, like provision of ramps and reserved parking. In contrast, in the developing countries like Pakistan, with focus on visual disability, years lost to disabilities compromise and restrict the productive life span of the disabled. The current narrative review was planned to highlight the perspective of disability in the context of Pakistan to bring to limelight the issues requiring immediate focus of the health authorities and the government through a holistic and sustainable approach.

Dysphagia and obstructive sleep apnoea in post-extubated intensive care unit patients.

Objective: To determine the relationship between dysphagia and obstructive sleep apnoea and its association with age, gender and Glasgow Coma Scale in post-extubated patients in an intensive care setting.

Methods: The correlational study was conducted from July 1 to October 31, 2021, at the intensive care unit of Evercare Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised post-extubated patients of either ender aged 45-70 years within 72 hours following extubation and having Glasgow comma scale score 11-15. Gugging Swallowing Screen and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea questionnaires were used for data collection.

Association of social and psychological aspects of quality of life and educational level of patients with different orofacial cleft.

Objective: To determine the social and psychological domains of quality of life of children with orofacial clefts in the context of different types of clefts and educational levels.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Clapp Hospital and Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from September 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021, and comprised subjects of either gender aged 6-18 years having orofacial clefts. Data was collected using the CLEFT-Questionnaire along with a basic demographic sheet.

COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Literature Review From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) took the world by storm after the first case of COVID-19 emerged in China on December 8, 2019. The disease is generally considered as an infection of the respiratory system, but serious life-threatening myocardial injuries have been reported with this infection. Coronavirus can damage cardiac myocytes by entering the cell through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor binding.

Hearing impairment and its impact on children and parents in Pakistan.

Background: Hearing impairment and its consequences in children are often worsened by late identification in Pakistan. Deep-rooted cultural beliefs make some parents reluctant to seek clinical treatment, making adaptable solutions that traverse levels of socio-ecological model necessary.

Aims: To determine the impact of hearing impairment on children's participation in social activities, and the financial burden on their parents.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Pakistan, 2022: A warning bell amidst unprecedented floods and COVID 19 pandemic.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an infection caused by a tick-borne virus (genus: , family: ). The most important vector for CCHF is the ixodid tick. Along with tick bite, direct contact with the virus-affected animal is responsible for its spread.