Morusin regulates the migration of M2 macrophages and GBM cells through the CCL4-CCR5 axis.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive tumor in the central nervous system. Tumor-associated macrophage (TAMs) represent a major immune cell population in tumor microenvironment (TME) and exert immunosuppressive effects that impede GBM treatment. Morusin is a flavonoid extracted from mulberry trees and has anti-tumor properties against various cancers, including glioma.

Genetic Characterization of HIV-1 Gene from Virologically Controlled Aging Individuals with HIV on Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy.

Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) that reduces the viral load to undetectable levels and improve CD4 T cell counts, viral eradication has not been achieved due to HIV-1 persistence in resting CD4 T-cells. We, therefore, characterized the gene, which is essential for HIV-1 replication and pathogenesis, from 20 virologically controlled aging individuals with HIV (HIV) on long-term ART and improved CD4 T-cell counts, with a particular focus on older individuals. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell genomic DNA from HIV were used to amplify gene by polymerase chain reaction followed by nucleotide sequencing and analysis.

Incidence, types and predictors of adverse events and their impact on treatment outcomes in multidrug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis patients receiving all oral treatment regimens.

Background: Patients suffering from multidrug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) are treated for prolonged periods with a complex regimen comprised of relatively less effective and more toxic anti-TB drugs, consequently resulting in high incidence of adverse events (AEs).

Study Aim: The current study evaluates the incidence, types, management and predictors of AEs, and their impact on treatment outcomes in MDR/RR-TB patients receiving all oral treatment regimens.

Study Design: A total of 242 eligible MDR/RR-TB patients treated at two different study sites from June 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study.

Rapid Thermal-Driven Crystal Growth and Defect Suppression in Antimony Selenide Thin Film for Efficient Solar Cells.

Antimony selenide (SbSe) has demonstrated considerable potential and advancement as a light-absorbing material for thin-film solar cells owing to its exceptional optoelectronic characteristics. However, challenges persist in the crystal growth, particularly regarding the nucleation mechanism during pre-selenization process for SbSe. The defects originating from this process significantly impact the quality of the absorber layer, leading to the degradation in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the device.

Meridional Amblyopia and Spectacle Correction: A Prospective Interventional Study of Children Aged 4-11 Years.

Background Amblyopia, often linked to high astigmatism in children, presents challenges in understanding the contributing factors and visual outcomes. Methods A total of 132 samples were included in this prospective pre- and post-interventional study using the purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics were applied for age, gender, uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, type, and magnitude of astigmatism.

Effectiveness of bedaquiline containing all oral longer regimens in treating multidrug/rifampicin resistant tuberculosis in Pakistan.

Background: Despite the introduction of bedaquiline (Bdq) containing all-oral regimens for treating patients with rifampicin resistant/multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) in 2019, data on its effectiveness in Pakistan, which has the fifth highest MDR-TB burden, is lacking. This study evaluates treatment outcomes and identifies factors associated with unsuccessful outcomes among MDR/RR-TB patients treated with an all-oral longer treatment regimen (LTR).

Methods: This retrospective record review included all microbiologically confirmed pulmonary MDR/RR-TB patients treated with an all-oral LTR between August 2019 and February 2021 across nine PMDT centres in Pakistan.

Plasma Levels of Secreted Cytokines in Virologically Controlled HIV-Infected Aging Adult Individuals on Long-Term Antiretroviral Therapy.

HIV-infected (HIV) aging adult individuals who have achieved undetectable viral load and improved CD4 T cell counts due to long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) may continue to experience inflammation and immunosenescence. Therefore, we evaluated the plasma levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in 173 HIV aging adult individuals with age ranging from 22 to 81 years on long-term ART with viral load mostly <20 HIV RNA copies/mL and compared with 92 HIV-uninfected (HIV or healthy controls) aging individuals. We found that the median levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 were higher ( < 0.

Isotopic evidence of autochthonous organic matter acting as a major sink of anthropogenic heavy metals in modern lacustrine sediments.

The knowledge of major sources, sinks, and the burial fate of various pollutants added to modern aquatic ecosystems under changing environmental conditions is limited but crucial for our sustainability. In this context, the spatial distributions and causative factors of organic matter (OM) and heavy metal accumulations have been explored in modern lacustrine sediments of a large urbanized and protected wetland (ULB: Upper Lake Bhopal) in Central India. For this purpose, geochemical properties, in particular, stable isotopes (δC and δN) were measured in the ULB surficial sediments (core depth ∼0-1 cm; n = 19), and additionally collected riverbed sediments (n = 2) and atmospheric free-fall dust samples (n = 3) from the lake periphery.

Frequency, management and impact of adverse events on treatment outcomes in patients with multidrug resistant tuberculosis in Balochistan, Pakistan.

Background: Early detection, monitoring, and managing adverse events (AEs) are crucial in optimising treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients.

Objectives: To investigate the incidence, factors, management, and impact of AEs on treatment outcomes in MDR-TB patients.

Methods: This study reviewed the medical records of 275 MDR-TB patients at Fatimah Jinnah Institute of Chest Diseases in Quetta, Pakistan.

Identifying patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis who may benefit from shorter durations of treatment.

Objective: Studying treatment duration for rifampicin-resistant and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) using observational data is methodologically challenging. We aim to present a hypothesis generating approach to identify factors associated with shorter duration of treatment.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted an individual patient data meta-analysis among MDR/RR-TB patients restricted to only those with successful treatment outcomes.

Effect of spin polarization on electron acceleration in magnetized quantum plasma by a surface plasma wave.

The effect of spin-up and spin-down exchange interaction on electron acceleration by a surface plasma wave (SPW) propagating in magnetized quantum plasma has been studied. The SPW was excited over the metal-vacuum interface with maximum amplitude at the interface. The effective dielectric constant was evaluated, considering the effects of quantum Bohm potential, degenerate Fermi pressure, and electron spin.

Unsuccessful treatment outcome and associated risk factors. A prospective study of DR-TB patients from a high burden country, Pakistan.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB), a curable and preventable infectious disease, becomes difficult to treat if resistance against most effective and tolerable first line anti-TB drugs is developed. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the treatment outcomes and predictors of poor outcomes among drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients treated at a programmatic management unit of drug resistant tuberculosis (PMDT) unit, Punjab, Pakistan.

Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a a PMDT unit in Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Public awareness regarding the manufacturer provided information about medicine usage, safety, and adverse drug reactions in Balochistan, Pakistan.

This study aimed to analyze the general public's awareness of medicine information, safety, and adverse drug reactions in Quetta, Pakistan. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using random sampling from April 2020 to April 2021 in Quetta. Samples were collected from respondents who met the inclusion criteria and had visited community pharmacies.

A Binary Solution Strategy Enables High-Efficiency Quasi-2D Perovskite Solar Cells with Excellent Thermal Stability.

Quasi-two-dimensional (2D) perovskites are highly promising light-harvesting materials for commercialization of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) owing to the excellent materials stability. However, the coexistence of multiple -value species in 2D perovskites often causes increased complexities in crystallization that can negatively affect the eventual photovoltaic performance. Herein, we present a binary solution based strategy via introducing nontoxic and widely accessible CHCOOH (HAc) as a co-solvent for preparing high-quality 2D perovskite films.

Evaluation of hypertension control among hemodialysis patients in Pakistan: a prospective follow-up study.

Background: Hypertension is highly prevalent and uncontrolled among hemodialysis patients. In Pakistan published data does not provide enough information about the management and factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing the pharmacotherapeutic management and control of hypertension in hemodialysis patients.

Cadmium-Free Kesterite Thin-Film Solar Cells with High Efficiency Approaching 12.

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) buffer layer is commonly used in Kesterite Cu ZnSn(S,Se) (CZTSSe) thin film solar cells. However, the toxicity of Cadmium (Cd) and perilous waste, which is generated during the deposition process (chemical bath deposition), and the narrow bandgap (≈2.4 eV) of CdS restrict its large-scale future application.

Pattern, frequency and factors associated with inappropriate high dosing in chronic kidney disease patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) are susceptible to the toxic drug effects if given unadjusted doses. Although Pakistan harbors a high burden of CKD patients, there is limited information available on the frequency, pattern and factors associated with unadjusted drug doses among CKD patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted at Sandeman Provincial Hospital, Quetta included 303 non-dialysis ambulatory CKD patients (glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.

Frequency, types and predictors of drug therapy problems among non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Background: Drug therapy problems (DTPs) are common among patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, there is a lack of information about DTPs and its predictors among CKD patients from Pakistan.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency, type and predictors of various types of DTPs among CKD patients at a tertiary-care hospital in Pakistan.

Cudraflavone B induces human glioblastoma cells apoptosis via ER stress-induced autophagy.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant intracranial tumor with a low survival rate. However, only few drugs responsible for GBM therpies, hence new drug development for it is highly required. The natural product Cudraflavone B (CUB) has been reported to potentially kill a variety of tumor cells.

Perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients on the role of the pharmacist in TB management in Pakistan: A qualitative study.

Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is the second major cause of death from infectious diseases, particularly in developing countries. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of TB may help to curb the disease burden. The objective of this study was to outline the perceptions of healthcare professionals and patients regarding the potential role of pharmacists in TB management in Pakistan.

Combined effects of vitamin C and cold atmospheric plasma-conditioned media against glioblastoma via hydrogen peroxide.

Glioblastoma is the most lethal intracranial malignant tumor, for which the five-year overall survival rate is approximately 5%. Here we explored the therapeutic combination of vitamin C and plasma-conditioned medium on glioblastoma cells in culture and as subcutaneous or intracranial xenografts in mice. The combination treatment reduced cell viability and proliferation while promoting apoptosis, and the effects were significantly stronger than with either treatment on its own.

Treatment Outcomes of Childhood TB Patients in Four TB High Burden States of Malaysia: Results from a Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Data regarding treatment outcomes among childhood TB patients are lacking in Malaysia. The present study aimed to evaluate the treatment outcomes and predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes among childhood TB patients in four TB high-burden states of Malaysia. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at 13 healthcare centers in four states of Malaysia, namely, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, and Penang.

Doctors' adherence to guidelines recommendations and glycaemic control in diabetic patients in Quetta, Pakistan: Findings from an observational study.

Background: Poor control of diabetes mellitus (DM) is partly attributed to doctors' poor adherence to guidelines.

Objective: To evaluate doctors' adherence to pharmacotherapeutic recommendations of DM management guidelines and factors associated with guidelines adherence and glycaemic control.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 30 doctors who were treating DM patients in their private clinics in Quetta, Pakistan.