Seasonal Variations in Potable Water Quality of Bahawalpur City: A Comprehensive Assessment of Major Ions, Organic Matter, and Disinfection Byproducts.

Industrialization and population explosion are ultimately affecting freshwater resources. Bahawalpur is a rapidly growing city in Pakistan where groundwater is the major source of drinking water. However, groundwater is also being contaminated due to various anthropogenic sources.

The Effects of Pomegranate Supplementation on Markers of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Pomegranate supplementation has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, with some evidence suggesting it may accelerate recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), including metabolic, mechanical, and neuromuscular recovery.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate supplementation on markers of EIMD.

Methods: A systematic search of Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science up to January 2024 identified studies evaluating pomegranate supplementation and exercise recovery.

Comparative Efficacy of Abdominal Exercises and Abdominal Binding on Diastasis Recti Abdominis Reduction in Postpartum Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background And Purpose: Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is a separation of the rectus abdominis muscles which often results from pregnancy. This meta-analysis aims to identify the most effective non-surgical treatment to reduce post-partum DRA.

Methods: A comprehensive search was performed on electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for RCTs involving abdominal or pelvic muscle exercises, and abdominal binding for DRA Reduction.

Estrogen receptor subtypes and survival outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer.

Aim: Estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, are frequently detected in lung cancers, yet their prognostic impact on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) outcomes remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the pooled prevalence and prognostic significance of ERα and ERβ in NSCLC, with a focus on gender differences.

Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, identifying studies from major databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase, that reported ERα and ERβ expression and survival outcomes in NSCLC.

Abortion and unintended pregnancy in Pakistan: new evidence for 2023 and trends over the past decade.

Background: Despite induced abortion being highly legally restricted in Pakistan, studies in 2002 and 2012 showed that many women rely on abortion when faced with an unintended pregnancy. Following the 2012 study, concerted efforts were made to improve contraceptive services and to strengthen postabortion care. The availability and use of misoprostol also expanded in the past decade.

A Preliminary Study to Evaluate the Immune Response to a Booster Dose of the Adult Tetanus-Diphtheria Vaccine (Td) Available in Iran.

Background: Despite the availability of tetanus-diphtheria (TD) vaccines in Iran, the seroconversion rate of these products as a booster dose is unknown.

Objectives: This study evaluates the seroconversion rate of the Iranian Td vaccine in adults who have not been vaccinated in the past decade.

Methods: In this study, 20 adult volunteers aged 18 to 60 who had not received the Td vaccine in the past decade received a booster dose of the Iranian Td vaccine.

AZD2693, a PNPLA3 antisense oligonucleotide, for the treatment of MASH in 148M homozygous participants: two randomized phase I trials.

Background & Aims: A common genetic variant (rs738409) encoding isoleucine to methionine at position 148 in the PNPLA3 protein is a determinant of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver-related mortality. AZD2693 is a liver-targeted antisense oligonucleotide against PNPLA3 mRNA. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) studies.

Aging and voluntary exercise's effects on Aβ1-42 levels, endoplasmic reticulum stress factors, and apoptosis in the hippocampus of old male rats.

Within the aging cortex, amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) is a crucial element of the senile plaques, a hallmark feature often observed in cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The UPR (unfolded protein response), a cellular mechanism for protein folding, is switched on by Aβ accumulation. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been identified as playing a role in aging and the development of neurodegenerative diseases.

An interpretable framework for inter-observer agreement measurements in TILs scoring on histopathological breast images: A proof-of-principle study.

Breast cancer, a widespread and life-threatening disease, necessitates precise diagnostic tools for improved patient outcomes. Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs), reflective of the immune response against cancer cells, are pivotal in understanding breast cancer behavior. However, inter-observer variability in TILs scoring methods poses challenges to reliable assessments.

The predictive power of conventional and novel obesity indices in identifying metabolic syndrome among the southern Iranian populations: findings from PERSIAN cohort study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) contributes to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Traditional metrics like body mass index (BMI) have limitations in discerning fat distribution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of traditional and novel anthropometric indices in metabolic syndrome and its components in the south coast of Iran.

Exploring the host response in infected lung organoids using NanoString technology: A statistical analysis of gene expression data.

In this study, we used a three-dimensional airway "organ tissue equivalent" (OTE) model at an air-liquid interface (ALI) to mimic human airways. We investigated the effects of three viruses (Influenza A virus (IAV), Human metapneumovirus (MPV), and Parainfluenza virus type 3 (PIV3) on this model, incorporating various control conditions for data integrity. Our primary objective was to assess gene expression using the NanoString platform in OTE models infected with these viruses at 24- and 72-hour intervals, focusing on 773 specific genes.

Synergistic electrochemical performance of textile sludge based activated carbon with reduced graphene oxide as electrode for supercapacitor application.

The procedure for disposing of textile waste sludge requires sustainable solutions due to numerous environmental issues associated with its disposal. The majority of textile manufacturers incinerate the waste sludge to meet their heating demands, which is harmful to the environment. It can also be used in soil amendment, biodegradable products, construction material and water treatment process as absorbent to remove the heavy metals etc.

Outcomes of Adjunct Emergent Stenting Versus Mechanical Thrombectomy Alone: The RESCUE-ICAS Registry.

Background: Underlying intracranial stenosis is the most common cause of failed mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion. Adjunct emergent stenting is sometimes performed to improve or maintain reperfusion, despite limited data regarding its safety or efficacy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter observational international cohort study.

Exploring the factors affecting career progression in informal faculty mentoring sessions within mentor and mentee relationships: a qualitative study.

Background: Mentoring plays a pivotal role in mentees' professional advancement. However, the factors that affect career progression in informal mentoring relationships, especially with respect to faculty members, have not been extensively explored. This study aimed to explore the factors that affect career progression in informal faculty mentorings within mentor and mentee relationships.

Computational Pathology for Accurate Prediction of Breast Cancer Recurrence: Development and Validation of a Deep Learning-based Tool.

Accurate recurrence risk stratification is crucial for optimizing treatment plans for breast cancer patients. Current prognostic tools like Oncotype DX (ODX) offer valuable genomic insights for HR+/HER2- patients but are limited by cost and accessibility, particularly in underserved populations. In this study, we present Deep-BCR-Auto, a deep learning-based computational pathology approach that predicts breast cancer recurrence risk from routine H&E-stained whole slide images (WSIs).

Machine learning-based analysis of Ebola virus' impact on gene expression in nonhuman primates.

Introduction: This study introduces the Supervised Magnitude-Altitude Scoring (SMAS) methodology, a novel machine learning-based approach for analyzing gene expression data from non-human primates (NHPs) infected with Ebola virus (EBOV). By focusing on host-pathogen interactions, this research aims to enhance the understanding and identification of critical biomarkers for Ebola infection.

Methods: We utilized a comprehensive dataset of NanoString gene expression profiles from Ebola-infected NHPs.

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Associated Cardiovascular Outcomes in a Hospital Setting-A Fresh Perspective.

There is a paucity of data on the cardiovascular implications of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, especially among hospitalized patients. Our study aimed to investigate the association between MGUS and cardiovascular outcomes in a hospital setting using the National Inpatient Sample database. MGUS patients were sampled using ICD-10 codes.

Cross-Attention-Based Saliency Inference for Predicting Cancer Metastasis on Whole Slide Images.

Although multiple instance learning (MIL) methods are widely used for automatic tumor detection on whole slide images (WSI), they suffer from the extreme class imbalance WSIs containing small tumors where the tumor may include only a few isolated cells. For early detection, it is important that MIL algorithms can identify small tumors. Existing studies have attempted to address this issue using attention-based architectures and instance selection-based methodologies but have not produced significant improvements.

Association Between Time From Surgery to Radiation Therapy and Multimodality Treatment Outcomes in HPV+ Head and Neck Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Cohort Experience.

Purpose: Oropharyngeal squamous cell cancers (OPSCCs) are traditionally managed with surgery and, if indicated, adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy. NCCN recommends keeping the time from surgery to the start of RT (TSRT) within 6 weeks to avoid possibly compromising patient outcomes. HPV+ OPSCCs behave more favorably than HPV- OPSCCs.

Complete Response to Pembrolizumab in Stage IV Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma After Failure of Four Lines of Treatment: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant tumor that manifests as a slow-growing soft tissue mass and frequently presents with distant metastasis. The prognosis is variable, and complete remission of metastatic disease has rarely been reported. Our patient was diagnosed with metastatic ASPS at the age of 17, with a primary forearm lesion and metastasis to the lungs.