Role of climate change in economic uncertainty of Pakistan: New approach with qualitative comparative analysis.

Globally, the effects of climate change are becoming more pronounced. Simultaneously, concerns associated with climate change effects have garnered widespread attention. The motive of this study is to know about the prominent antecedents of climate abnormalities in Pakistan, which may lead to economic abnormality and instability.

Incidence and Outcomes of Emergency Presentation With Complicated Abdominal Wall Hernias: A Retrospective Study.

Aims This study aims to analyse the type of repair and post-op outcomes for individuals who underwent surgical intervention and presented with symptomatic abdominal wall hernia as an emergency. It highlights the importance of timely elective hernia management in lowering emergency presentations and any related complications. Background Abdominal wall hernias are common surgical conditions that can present electively or as emergencies, with emergency cases being associated with higher complication rates.

The review of the genus (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Pakistan.

Background: The genus is reviewed with seven species found in Pakistan: (Mulsant, 1866), Kapur, 1973, Dobzhansky, 1926, Fabricius, 1781, Linnaeus, 1758, Faldermann, 1835 and Linnaeus, 1758. Information on prey, host plants, distribution and an identification key for species in Pakistan is provided. Additionally, newly-sequenced partial COI (cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit I) for and were used to determine their phylogenetic positions within the genus .

An integrated photocatalytic redox architecture for simultaneous overall conversion of CO and HO toward CH and HO.

Solar-driven overall conversion of CO and HO into fuels and chemicals shows an ultimate strategy for carbon neutrality yet remains a huge challenge. Herein, an integrated photocatalytic redox architecture of Zn NPs/GaN Nanowires (NWs)/Si is explored for light-driven overall conversion of CO and HO into CH and HO simultaneously without any external sacrificial agents and additives. The as-designed architecture affords a benchmark CH activity of 189 mmol g h with a high selectivity of 93.

Discovery of a Novel Public Antibody Lineage Correlated With Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine and the Resultant Neutralization Activity.

While the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine offers 70%-95% protection effectiveness against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a portion of recipients do not produce adequate protective immune responses, particularly, neutralizing antibodies (nAbs). Previous studies of COVID-19 patients have identified several public antibody lineages, such as IGHV3-30, IGHV3-33, IGHV3-53, IGHV1-58, and IGHV1-24. However, it remains unclear how these public antibodies evolve during vaccination or whether there are any special antibody lineages correlated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Out-of-Pocket and Catastrophic Health Expenditures in Pakistan.

Objectives: In Pakistan, healthcare utilization is linked to out-of-pocket payments (OOP) which disproportionately affect low-income households. We investigated socioeconomic inequality in OOP and catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs), and the contribution of sociodemographic factors to these inequalities.

Methods: Socioeconomic inequalities were quantified using the concentration index (CI), and the slope (SII) and relative (RII) indices of inequality using data from three rounds of Household Integrated Economic Survey (2007-08, 2011-12, and 2018-19).

Phytochemical Characterization and Assessment of Crude Extracts from for Phytotoxic and Cytotoxic Activity.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity, and proximate and phytochemical analysis of methanolic extracts of the leaves of .

Methods: Methanolic leaf extract of was screened for phytotoxic activity by using root length inhibition and seed germination assays. Cytotoxic activity was calculated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay.

Valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement versus redo-surgical mitral valve replacement for degenerated bioprosthetic mitral valves: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bioprosthetic mitral valve degeneration is traditionally treated with Redo-SMVR, but the latest ViV-TMVR procedure offers a less invasive and lower risk alternative. A systematic literature search was conducted on Cochrane Central, Scopus, and Medline (PubMed interface) electronic databases from inception till 15th April 2024. We used risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes.

Development and validation of informed consent for blood transfusion questionnaire.

Introduction: Blood transfusion warrants written informed consent from the patient. However, patients have poor knowledge regarding blood transfusions as evidenced by nonstandardized information retained by patients from the informed consent discussion. The problem stems from suboptimal patient knowledge on the elements of informed consent.

Safety and Efficacy of Camostat Mesylate for Covid-19: a systematic review and Meta-analysis of Randomized controlled trials.

Background: Camostat mesylate, an oral serine protease inhibitor, is a powerful TMPRSS2 inhibitor and has been reported as a possible antiviral treatment against COVID-19. Therefore, we aim to assess the safety and efficacy of camostat mesylate for COVID-19 treatment.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, clinical trials.

Evaluating the impact of efpeglenatide on cardiometabolic and safety outcomes in individuals with diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Efpeglenatide, a novel GLP-1 receptor agonist, has shown promise in improving glycemic control and inducing weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This meta-analysis assessed its therapeutic potential and safety profile.

Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane Central from inception until September 2023.

Investigation of mechanical and thermal behavior of fiber-reinforced silica xerogel composites.

Silica aerogels or xerogels are renowned dried gels with low density, high surface area, higher porosity, and better thermal stability which makes it suitable for aerospace, light weight structures, thermal insulation, and hydrophobic coatings. But brittle behaviour, low mechanical strength, and high manufacturing cost restrict its usage. Recently, the addition of various fibres like glass or carbon fiber is one of the best reinforcement methods to minimize the brittle behaviour.

The effect of oral anticoagulants on the incidence of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dementia is a recognized complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). Oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy can potentially be protective against this complication.

Methods: A comprehensive search of MEDLINE and Embase for comparative observational studies reporting the efficacy of OAC therapy for the incidence of dementia in patients with AF was conducted from its inception until March 2023.

Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Versus Redo-Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Aortic Stenosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aortic stenosis is a common and significant valve condition requiring bioprosthetic heart valves with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) being strongly recommended for high-risk patients or patients over 75 years. This meta-analysis aimed to pool existing data on postprocedural clinical as well as echocardiographic outcomes comparing valve-in-valve (ViV)-TAVR to redo-surgical aortic valve replacement to assess the short-term and medium-term outcomes for both treatment methods. A systematic literature search on Cochrane Central, Scopus, and Medline (PubMed interface) electronic databases from inception to August 2023.

Association between exposure to ambient air pollution, meteorological factors and atopic dermatitis consultations in Singapore-a stratified nationwide time-series analysis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting approximately 20% of children globally. While studies have been conducted elsewhere, air pollution and weather variability is not well studied in the tropics. This time-series study examines the association between air pollution and meteorological factors with the incidence of outpatient visits for AD obtained from the National Skin Centre (NSC) in Singapore.

Spontaneous Preterm Births in Malaysia: Are There Modifiable Antenatal Risk Factors?

Background Spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) is a global public health concern with devastating health effects on SPB survivors. This study aimed to determine modifiable antenatal risk factors associated with SPB among women attending government healthcare facilities in Malaysia. Methodology A retrospective record review of 49,416 national obstetrics registry data from 2015 was conducted and analyzed using binary logistic regression based on six antenatal factor divisions.

From Skin to Solution: Exploring Epicutaneous Immunotherapy for Peanut Allergy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Peanut allergy is a leading cause of severe food reactions. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of epicutaneous immunotherapy (EPIT) compared to placebo for peanut-allergic individuals. After prospectively registering on PROSPERO, we searched three databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane CENTRAL) and 2 trial registries till September 2023.

Characterization and plant-based control of hindgut bacteria isolated from Rambur (Termitidae) and Wasmann (Rhinotermitidae).

Termites cause a serious menace to wooden structures all over the world. They rely mostly on entozoic fauna residing in their hindgut for the digestion of cellulosic and hemicellulosic materials. One of the ways to control termites is through their gut symbionts.

Phenolic compounds of Theobroma cacao L. show potential against dengue RdRp protease enzyme inhibition by In-silico docking, DFT study, MD simulation and MMGBSA calculation.

Background: Currently, there is no antiviral medication for dengue, a potentially fatal tropical infectious illness spread by two mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The RdRp protease of dengue virus is a potential therapeutic target. This study focused on the in silico drug discovery of RdRp protease inhibitors.

Evaluating sustainable municipal solid waste management scenarios: A multicriteria decision making approach.

Due to increasing urbanization and population growth, municipal solid waste management (MSWM) is a significant environmental concern in developing countries. Inadequate waste management systems lead to environmental pollution, health hazards, and economic losses. While considering the challenges and limitations, policymakers and authorities need to opt for such waste management scenarios that are environmentally friendly and resolve energy issues.

Innovative technologies for removal of micro plastic: A review of recent advances.

Plastics are becoming a pervasive pollutant in every environmental matrix, particularly in the aquatic environment. Due to increased plastic usage and its impact on human and aquatic life, microplastic (MP) pollution has been studied extensively as a global issue. The production of MP has been linked to both consumer and commercial practices.