Utilisation and barriers of social health protection program among its enrolled population of federally administrative areas, Pakistan.

Objectives: The objective of this research is to analyse the extent of utilisation and identify the barriers faced by individuals in the Federally Administrative Area of Pakistan concerning the Social Health Protection Programme.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out, enrolling permanent residents from Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. The sampling frame was provided by the Sehat Sahulat Programme (SSP) office in Islamabad, using a simple random sampling method.

Umbilical cord blood culture for early onset sepsis in preterm infants.

Background: Umbilical cord blood culture (UCBC) may have a diagnostic utility for early onset sepsis (EOS) detection in preterm infants. It may prevent sampling the newborn and collect a higher volume of blood for pathogenic identification.

Methods: Retrospective analysis at a tertiary care center in Canada of preterm infants ≤ 34 0/7 weeks' gestation with UCBC taken at birth.

Supine versus Prone Position during Delayed Cord Clamping in Infants ≥36 Weeks: A Randomized Trial.

Objective: There is no recommendation in the literature on optimal positioning of the newborn immediately at birth during delayed cord clamping. To evaluate if prone positioning on the mother's chest at birth during delayed cord clamping leads to a higher hematocrit at 30 hours of life compared to supine positioning.

Study Design: A randomized unblinded trial comparing prone and supine position of the newborn before umbilical cord clamping.

The effect of evolocumab alone and in combination with atorvastatin on atherosclerosis progression and TLRs expression.

Evolocumab, a PCSK-9 inhibitor, is known for its ability to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). This study aimed to investigate the effects of evolocumab, alone or in combination with atorvastatin, on the progression of atherosclerosis. Fifty male domestic rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups: control, high cholesterol diet, evolocumab vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO), evolocumab alone, and evolocumab plus atorvastatin.

Elucidating the Role of Santalol as a Potent Inhibitor of Tyrosinase: In Vitro and In Silico Approaches.

This research work focuses on the potential application of an organic compound, santalol, obtained from santalum album, in the inhibition of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is actively involved in the biosynthesis of melanin pigment. Over-production of melanin causes undesirable pigmentation in humans as well as other organisms and significantly downgrades their aesthetic value. The study is designed to explain the purification of tyrosinase from the mushroom , followed by activity assays and enzyme kinetics to give insight into the santalol-modulated tyrosinase inhibition in a dose-dependent manner.

Identification of Thermostable Xylose Reductase from : A Biochemical Characterization Approach to Meet Biofuel Challenges.

The constant rise in energy demands, costs, and concerns about global warming has created a demand for new renewable alternative fuels that can be produced sustainably. Lignocellulose biomass can act as an excellent energy source and various value-added compounds like xylitol. In this research study, we have explored the xylose reductase that was obtained from the genome of a thermophilic fungus while searching for an enzyme to convert xylose to xylitol at higher temperatures.

A novel hybrid approach to develop bioresorbable material.

The need for bioresorbable implants that are able to dissolve within the body is rising, unlike their traditional counterparts. Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) can perhaps serve this need, since they possess incredible properties, including high biocompatibility by virtue of their amorphous structure and absence of dislocations. However, the fabrication of BMGs is challenging, since, to achieve an amorphous structure, fast cooling is a pre-requisite which is very difficult to achieve for casting due to the fact that fast cooling rate and adequate rate of filling of the mold possess a trade-off relationship.

The role of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis progression: the effect of Atorvastatin.

Inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the role of inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis. Forty local breed domestic male rabbits were divided randomly into 4 groups, 10 rabbits each.

THE EFFECT OF EVOLOCUMAB ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH ATORVASTATIN ON LIPID PROFILE.

Objective: The aim: In this study, we try to investigate whether evolocumab or its combination with atorvastatin has potent effect on lipid profile?

Patients And Methods: Materials and methods: Forty local domestic male rabbits were included in this study, and categorized into four group, two untreated group (nohypercholostermic and untreated hypercholostermic) and treated groups (evolocumab treated group at dose 6.1mg/kg/2Wk and atorvastatin treated group at dose 3.5 mg/kg/day),the blood samples were analyzed at base line and after 5week and at the end of the study after 10 weeks for lipid profile by standard enzymatic methods.

EEG feature fusion for motor imagery: A new robust framework towards stroke patients rehabilitation.

Stroke is the second foremost cause of death worldwide and is one of the most common causes of disability. Several approaches have been proposed to manage stroke patient rehabilitation such as robotic devices and virtual reality systems, and researchers have found that the brain-computer interfaces (BCI) approaches can provide better results. Therefore, the most challenging tasks with BCI applications involve identifying the best technique(s) that can reveal the neuron stimulus information from the patients' brains and extracting the most effective features from these signals as well.

Cold-Injection Molded Gentamicin-Impregnated Polymethyl Methacrylate Implants for Cranioplasty.

Background: Cranioplasty can be carried out using either fresh, frozen autologous bone or synthetic substitutes. Ordering artificial 3 dimensional (3D) implants is challenging and time consuming depending on geographical location. In this article, we share our experience using a streamlined process of producing 3D computer-assisted design (CAD) implants using commercially available 3D printers and silicone molds that can be easily replicated with consistent results and are associated with good outcomes.

Parkinson's Disease: A Current Perspectives on Parkinson's Disease and Key Bioactive Natural Compounds as Future Potential Drug Candidates.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common types of neurological disorder prevailing worldwide and is rapidly increasing in the elderly population across the globe. The cause of PD is still unknown, but a number of genetic as well as environmental factors contributing to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease have been identified. The hallmark of PD includes dopamine deficiency (neurotransmitter imbalance) due to the gradual loss of dopaminergic nerves in the substantia nigra in the midbrain.

Observational Study of Pulse Transit Time in Children With Sleep Disordered Breathing.

Pulse transit time (PTT) is a non-invasive measure of arousals and respiratory effort for which we aim to identify threshold values that detect sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children. We also compare the sensitivity and specificity of oximetry with the findings of a multi-channel study. We performed a cross-sectional observational study of 521 children with SDB admitted for multi-channel sleep studies (pulse oximetry, ECG, video, sound, movement, PTT) in a secondary care centre.

Clinically important associations of pleurodesis success in malignant pleural effusion: Analysis of the TIME1 data set.

Background And Objective: Chemical pleurodesis is performed for patients with MPE with a published success rate of around 80%. It has been postulated that inflammation is key in achieving successful pleural symphysis, as evidenced by higher amounts of pain or detected inflammatory response. Patients with mesothelioma are postulated to have a lower rate of successful pleurodesis due to lack of normal pleural tissue enabling an inflammatory response.

Purification, modeling and structural insights of calmodulin-binding receptor like cytoplasmic kinase 2 from Oroxylum Indicum.

Calmodulin binding receptor like cytoplasmic kinase 2 (CRCK2) belongs to the family of receptor like kinases (RLKs) which is mainly implicated in pathways associated with the stress responses in plants. The protein from the stem of Oroxylum indicum was isolated and purified using anion-exchange followed by gel filtration chromatography. The purity of protein was checked using SDS-PAGE, which showed a single band of 50 kDa.

Effect of an audience on trainee stress and performance during simulated neonatal intubation: a randomized crossover trial.

Background: Neonatal intubation is a stressful procedure taught to trainees. This procedure can attract additional observers. The impact of observers on neonatal intubation performance by trainees has not been studied.

Resilience Rather than Medical Factors: How Parents Predict Quality of Life of Their Sick Newborn.

Objective: To assess the influence of resiliency and stress on parental perspectives of the future quality of life (QOL) of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) newborns at high risk of neurodevelopmental disability.

Study Design: We conducted a prospective multicenter questionnaire study. Perspectives from parents of newborns at high risk of disability as per neonatal follow-up criteria were compared with a low-risk group consisting of parents of all other NICU newborns.

Efficacy of minimally invasive surfactant therapy in moderate and late preterm infants: A multicentre randomized control trial.

Background: Minimally invasive surfactant therapy (MIST) is a new strategy to avoid mechanical ventilation (MV) in respiratory distress syndrome. The primary aim of this study was to test MIST as a means of avoiding MV exposure and pneumothorax occurrence in moderate and late preterm infants (32 to 36 weeks' gestational age).

Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial including three Canadian centres.

Using geospatial techniques to develop an emergency referral transport system for suspected sepsis patients in Bangladesh.

Background: A geographic information system (GIS)-based transport network within an emergency referral system can be the key to reducing health system delays and increasing the chances of survival, especially during an emergency. We employed a GIS to design an emergency transport system for the rapid transfer of pregnant or early post-partum women, newborns, and children under 5 years of age with suspected sepsis under the Interrupting Pathways to Sepsis Initiative (IPSI) project.

Methods: A GIS database was developed by mapping the villages, roads, and relevant physical features of the study area.

24/7 in house attending staff coverage improves neonatal short-term outcomes: A retrospective study.

Objectives: to compare short-term outcomes of newborns over 36 weeks with Apgar scores≤3 at 1min, following the adoption of a 24/7 in house coverage schedule STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review comparing two 12-month epochs. Epoch 1: coverage provided by residents with availability on call at home of attending staff. Epoch 2: On site coverage by attending staff.

Temperature Probe Placement during Preterm Infant Resuscitation: A Randomised Trial.

Background: Hypothermia on admission to intensive care is associated with poor outcomes in preterm infants. The neonatal resuscitation program recommends the use of servo-control thermoregulation during resuscitation. Very little evidence exists to guide optimal temperature probe placement in the delivery room.

Assessment of patient-reported outcome measures in pleural interventions.

Introduction: There is a lack of data evaluating the clinical effect on symptoms of pleural intervention procedures. This has led to the development of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to define what constitutes patient benefit. The primary aim of this paper was to prospectively assess the effect of pleural procedures on PROMs and investigate the relationship between symptom change and clinical factors.

Interrupting pathways to sepsis: Effectiveness of an intervention to reduce delays in timely care for sick children in rural Bangladesh.

Rationale: The time it takes for a child with suspected sepsis to receive care is critical.

Objective: We evaluated care-seeking practices for sick children under 5 years in rural Bangladesh, following interpersonal communication to inform households of newly introduced supports for quality care. Based on the Delays Framework, we assessed length and source of care-seeking delays, use of formal providers, and autonomous decision-making among mothers.

Effect of Opioids vs NSAIDs and Larger vs Smaller Chest Tube Size on Pain Control and Pleurodesis Efficacy Among Patients With Malignant Pleural Effusion: The TIME1 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: For treatment of malignant pleural effusion, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are avoided because they may reduce pleurodesis efficacy. Smaller chest tubes may be less painful than larger tubes, but efficacy in pleurodesis has not been proven.

Objective: To assess the effect of chest tube size and analgesia (NSAIDs vs opiates) on pain and clinical efficacy related to pleurodesis in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

Newborns Referred for Therapeutic Hypothermia: Association between Initial Degree of Encephalopathy and Severity of Brain Injury (What About the Newborns with Mild Encephalopathy on Admission?).

Objective: The aim of this article was to describe the severity of brain injury and/or mortality in a cohort of newborns referred for therapeutic hypothermia, in relation to the degree of encephalopathy on admission, and to especially look at the ones with initial mild encephalopathy.

Study Design: Term newborns with perinatal depression referred to our neonatal intensive care unit for possible hypothermia treatment from 2008 to 2012 were enrolled prospectively. The modified Sarnat score on admission was correlated with severity of brain injury on brain imaging and/or autopsy.