Outcomes of Low-Risk Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (DTC) without Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Ablation Therapy Post-Thyroidectomy: An Experience from a Tertiary Centre in Karachi.

Objective: To assess the outcomes of low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with tumour size 1 to 4 cm post-thyroidectomy in patients who never received radioactive iodine (RAI) ablation and to compare the outcomes with those who received RAI therapy.

Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Karachi Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (KIRAN) Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2016 to December 2020.

Persistent Müllerian Duct Syndrome Diagnosed Incidentally: A Case Report.

Persistent Müllerian Duct syndrome is a rare male disorder of sexual development. The phenotypically and genotypically male patient presents with female internal organs (i.e.

Post COVID sequelae among COVID-19 survivors: insights from the Indian National Clinical Registry for COVID-19.

Introduction: The effects of COVID-19 infection persist beyond the active phase. Comprehensive description and analysis of the post COVID sequelae in various population groups are critical to minimise the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This analysis was conducted with an objective to estimate the frequency of post COVID sequelae and subsequently, design a framework for holistic management of post COVID morbidities.

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis during Covid-19 pandemic- a prospective observational study.

Objective: An unprecedented rise in mucormycosis cases; apparently called 'an epidemic within a pandemic' was seen worldwide. Therefore, the following study was conducted to know the epidemiology, underlying risk factors, diagnostic approach, and possible outcome of mucormycosis during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on patients with a high index of clinical suspicion of mucormycosis Data about demographics, co-morbidities, laboratory investigations, radiology, management, and outcomes were collected.

Satellite Epidemic of Covid-19 Associated Mucormycosis in India: A Multi-Site Observational Study.

Background: Sudden upsurge in cases of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) following the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was recorded in India. This study describes the clinical characteristics, management and outcomes of CAM cases, and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: Microbiologically confirmed CAM cases were enrolled from April 2021 to September 2021 from ten diverse geographical locations in India.

Face masks for respiratory viral illness prevention in healthcare settings: a concise systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: There are conflicting views regarding face mask guidelines amongst healthcare staff to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), influenza and other respiratory viral infections (RVIs). We conducted a thorough meta-analysis to statistically compare mask use versus no mask use efficacy for RVIs in healthcare settings.

Materials And Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were used for selecting researches published between 2003 and June 2022 from different databases, including Publisher Medline (PubMed), Web of Science, etc.

Levothyroxine absorption test followed by directly observed treatment on an outpatient basis to address long-term high thyrotropin levels in a hypothyroid patient: a case report.

Background: For the treatment of hypothyroidism, patients are usually placed on lifelong levothyroxine replacement therapy. Achieving clinical and biochemical euthyroid status is sometimes difficult because of several factors, including poor compliance or poor absorption of levothyroxine in the gut mucosa.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 45-year-old South Asian female with hypothyroidism on lifelong levothyroxine replacement.

A case control investigation of COVID-19 associated mucormycosis in India.

Background: Increased occurrence of mucormycosis during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2021 in India prompted us to undertake a multi-site case-control investigation. The objectives were to examine the monthly trend of COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) cases among in-patients and to identify factors associated with development of CAM.

Methods: Eleven study sites were involved across India; archived records since 1st January 2021 till 30th September 2021 were used for trend analysis.

Evaluation of role of interferon gamma release assays in the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. The risk of eventually developing active TB from latent TB infection (LTBI) is about 10% per year in HIV-positive patients in contrast to 10% lifetime risk in HIV-negative patients. Until recently, the tuberculin skin test (TST) was the only tool available for diagnosing LTBI.

Socio-Economic Implications Of A Younger Aged Female Predilection In Malignant Transformation Of Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis.

Background: This study was conducted to determine the age, gender and pattern of associated chewing habits among cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presenting with, (OSMFCa) and without, (Ca-OSMF) pre-existing clinical oral submucous fibrosis in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross sectional, multi centric study of (n=1009) cases with histologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma seen at both public, private tertiary care hospitals and clinics over a period of eight years. A non-probability convenience sampling was used for selection of cases.

Profile of drug-resistant-conferring mutations among new and previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis cases from Aligarh region of Northern India.

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant-tuberculosis (MDR-TB) among new and previously treated cases is increasing worldwide as well as in India. Rapid detection of MDR-TB allows the establishment of an effective treatment regimen; minimizes the risk of further resistance, and limits the spread of drug-resistant strains. Early diagnosis of MDR-TB is the need of the hour in high-TB burden countries like India, and GenotypeMTBDRplus is quite sensitive and specific in determining the molecular resistance in drugs such as rifampicin and isoniazid.

Comparing the profile of respiratory fungal pathogens amongst immunocompetent and immunocompromised hosts, their susceptibility pattern and correlation of various opportunistic respiratory fungal infections and their progression in relation to the CD4+T-cell counts.

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections are increasingly common in the nosocomial setting.

Materials And Methods: The patients were divided into two groups immunocompetent and immunocompromised that is, patients with significant neutropenia <500 neutrophils/μl for longer than 10 days. microscopy, culture, identification of isolates were done and some specilised tests on serum and BAL for antigen detection were performed.

Evaluation of genotype MTBDRplus line probe assay in detection of rifampicin and isoniazid resistance in comparison to solid culture drug susceptibility testing in a tertiary care centre of western Uttar Pradesh.

Background: Isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (Rif) are the key first-line antituberculosis drugs, and resistance to these drugs i.e., multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), is likely to result in treatment failure and poor clinical outcomes.

High risk of malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis in Pakistani females: A potential national disaster.

Objective: To determine the relationship of age, gender and other associated risk factors linked with malignant transformation of oral submucous fibrosis into oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: This cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted at both public and private tertiary care hospitals and clinics of Karachi, Pakistan, from 2004 to 2012, and comprised patients with oral submucous fibrosis and/or oral squamous cell carcinoma. Out of the total sample, malignant transformations of oral submucous fibrosis to oral squamous cell carcinoma were included.

In Vitro Comparative Study of Two Different Bleaching Agents on Micro-hardness Dental Enamel.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of home-use bleaching agent containing 16% Carbamide Peroxide (CP) and in-office bleaching agent containing 38% Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) on enamel micro-hardness.

Study Design: An in vitroexperimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Operative Dentistry and Science of Dental Materials at Dr.

In-Vitro Comparative Study of In-office and Home Bleaching Agents on Surface Micro-morphology of Enamel.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of home-use bleaching agent containing 16% Carbamide Peroxide (CP) and in-office bleaching agent with 38% Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) on surface micro-morphology of enamel.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The discs were prepared at Material Engineering Department of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, and surface morphology was analyzed at Centralized Science Laboratory of Karachi University, Pakistan.

Association Between Grading of Oral Submucous Fibrosis With Frequency and Consumption of Areca Nut and Its Derivatives in a Wide Age Group: A Multi-centric Cross Sectional Study From Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a chronic, premalignant condition of the oral mucosa and one of the commonest potentially malignant disorders amongst the Asian population. The objective of this study was to investigate the association of etiologic factors with: age, frequency, duration of consumption of areca nut and its derivatives, and the severity of clinical manifestations.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multi centric study was conducted over 8 years on clinically diagnosed OSMF cases (n = 765) from both public and private tertiary care centers.

Influence of extended light exposure curing times on the degree of conversion of resin-based pit and fissure sealant materials.

Purpose: The aim of present study was to evaluate extended curing times on the degree of conversion (DC) of filled and unfilled resin-based materials used as pit and fissure sealants.

Materials And Methods: The materials examined were a flowable composite (Filtek™ Z350 XT Flowable) and a pit and fissure sealant (Clinpro™ Sealant). Thirty disks of each material were prepared.

Aspergillus colonization in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.

Background: Aspergillus antigens such as galactomannan antigen, a cell wall polysaccharide, can be detected in patient's serum or bronchoalveolar lavage. To study the prevalence of Aspergillus infection in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma, we measured galactomannan antigen in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.

Methods: The study was conducted on 45 bronchogenic carcinoma patients.

Effect of different tetra pack juices on microhardness of direct tooth colored-restorative materials.

Purpose: To examine the effect of apple and orange juices on the surface hardness of direct tooth-colored restorative materials.

Materials And Methods: The materials included resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer 3M™ ESPE™ Core buildup restorative) and composite resin (Filtek™ 3M™ ESPE™ Z350). A total of 45 disks of each restorative material were prepared.

Effectiveness of commonly available surface protecting agents in maintaining microhardness of two cements.

Objective: To estimate the microhardness of glass ionomer cement (vitrofil) and resin modified glass ionomer cement (vitremere) in the presence and absence of different surface protections.

Study Design: An in-vitro experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: The Department of Operative Dentistry, Dr.

Broncho pleuro subcutaneous fistula with subcutaneous emphysema: A rare presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Subcutaneous tissue emphysema is observed in a several clinical settings but spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema in the absence of pneumothorax with broncho pleuro subcutaneous fistula is rare. We report a case of spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema secondary to cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis in the absence of pneumothorax.

Rapid development of IRIS in the form of cryptococcal meningitis after beginning ART.

Around one fourth of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and given antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience inflammatory or cellular proliferative disease associated with a preexisting opportunistic infection. Many such infections are subclinical or quiescent before the patient begins ART. Cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome may present as a clinical deterioration or new presentation of cryptococcal disease following initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and is believed to be caused by recovery of Cryptococcus-specific immune responses.