Toward a Better Understanding of Metal Nanoparticles, a Novel Strategy from Plants.

Nanotechnology is a promising tool that has opened the doors of improvement to the quality of human's lives through its potential in numerous technological aspects. Green chemistry of nanoscale materials (1-100 nm) is as an effective and sustainable strategy to manufacture homogeneous nanoparticles (NPs) with unique properties, thus making the synthesis of green NPs, especially metal nanoparticles (MNPs), the scientist's core theme. Researchers have tested different organisms to manufacture MNPs and the results of experiments confirmed that plants tend to be the ideal candidate amongst all entities and are suitable to synthesize a wide variety of MNPs.

Prevalence of rhabdochoniasis in snow trout of river Swat and river Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan.

This research was aimed to explore the helminth parasitic diseases in Schizothorax plagiostomus (the snow trout) from river Swat and river Panjkora, Pakistan. Collection of 360 fish specimens have done from the lower, middle and upper reaches of both the rivers through gill nets, cast nets, dragon nets and hooks. All the samples were examined in the University of Malakand, Zoology Department for helminth parasites during the months from January 2015 to December 2016.

Delayed intensive care unit admission from the emergency department: impact on patient outcomes. A retrospective study.

Objective: To study the impact of delayed admission by more than 4 hours on the outcomes of critically ill patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study in which adult patients admitted directly from the emergency department to the intensive care unit were divided into two groups: Timely Admission if they were admitted within 4 hours and Delayed Admission if admission was delayed for more than 4 hours. Intensive care unit length of stay and hospital/intensive care unit mortality were compared between the groups.

Can disseminated intravascular coagulation scores predict mortality in COVID-19 patients?

Objectives: Complications related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which has been reported to be among the known causes of mortality in such patients. This study aims to analyse the incidence of DIC in COVID-19 non-survivors and to assess the association between DIC and its comorbidities.

Methods: The medical records of 154 non-survivors of COVID-19, hospitalised between April 2020 and July 2020, were retrospectively analysed.

Role of SCO-792, A Novel Enteropeptidase Inhibitor, In the Prevention of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is the most common iatrogenic dilemma of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, and preventive measures were practiced accordingly. This study aims to refine the potential mechanisms that trigger post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and define the role of enteropeptidase in the pathogenesis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

Seasonal variation of respiratory viral infections: a comparative study between children with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and children without cancer.

Respiratory viral infections (RVIs) affect children year-round, with seasonal-specific patterns. Pediatric oncology patients are uniquely vulnerable to infection, but whether this predisposes them to different patterns of RVIs than healthy children is unknown. There is also limited data on the impact of RVIs on cancer patients.

Imaging Somatostatin Positive Tumors with Tyr-Octreotate/Octreotide Conjugated to Desferrioxamine B Squaramide Radiolabeled with either Zirconium-89 or Gallium-68.

Radiolabeled derivatives of Tyr-octreotide and Tyr-octreotate, synthetic analogues of the peptide hormone somatostatin, can be used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of somatostatin receptor expression in neuroendocrine tumors. In this work, a squaramide ester derivative of desferrioxamine B (HDFOSq) was used attach either Tyr-octreotide or Tyr-octreotate to the metal binding ligand to give HDFOSq-TIDE and HDFOSq-TATE. These new peptide-HDFOSq conjugates form stable complexes with either of the positron-emitting radionuclides gallium-68 ( = 68 min) or zirconium-89 ( = 3.

Feeding habit of Brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) in upper parts of river Swat, Pakistan.

Salmo trutta fario is the most important fish species of family Salmonidae inhibited in cool waters all over the world including the nortern parts of Pakistan. This study was aimed to find out the prey selection and feeding habits of the species. One hundred and eighty five Salmo trutta fario were captured from March 2016 to April 2017.

Why are Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at Increased Risk of Depression? Exploring the Etiological Maze.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and common multisystemic disorder. Women with PCOS have up to eight times higher prevalence of depression than control groups. This paper aims to explore the underlying risk factors for developing depression in this high-risk group.

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, derived Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio as risk factors in critically ill COVID-19 patients, a single centered study.

Background: A lot remains anonymous about the characteristics and laboratory findings that may evaluate poor outcomes in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019.The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of change in the peripheral blood factors of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, derived-Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio, Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio, and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and its severity.

Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study was performed at Department of Haematology in Pak Emirates Military Hospital affiliated with Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from March-July 2020.

Decoding of Ankle Joint Movements in Stroke Patients Using Surface Electromyography.

Stroke is a cerebrovascular disease (CVD), which results in hemiplegia, paralysis, or death. Conventionally, a stroke patient requires prolonged sessions with physical therapists for the recovery of motor function. Various home-based rehabilitative devices are also available for upper limbs and require minimal or no assistance from a physiotherapist.

Application of spore morphology to solve identification problems in certain species of family Dryopteridaceae from Malakand Division, Pakistan.

Here we investigate the morphology of the spores of 12 native taxa of Dryopteridaceae that grow in Malakand division, Pakistan; most of these species not fully described before. This study intends to survey the taxonomic significance of spore morphological features and their variation useful for species identification in 7 species of Polystichum and 5 taxa of Dryopteris. The spores examinations were accomplished utilizing a light microscope (LM), and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Recent Advances in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review.

A silent monster, breast cancer, is a challenging medical task for researchers. Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women with respect to other cancers. A case of breast cancer is diagnosed among women every 19 seconds, and every 74 seconds, a woman dies of breast cancer somewhere in the world.

International, multicenter retrospective trial comparing the efficacy and safety of bi-flanged versus lumen-apposing metal stents for endoscopic drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

Background: To compare fully covered bi-flanged metal stents (BFMS) and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage/debridement of pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON).

Methods: Patients with WON managed by EUS-guided therapy were divided into those who underwent: 1) drainage using BFMS; and 2) drainage using LAMS and scheduled direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN). Clinical success (resolution of the WON), technical success (successful stent placement), and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

Neurochemical effects of sleep deprivation in the hippocampus of the pilocarpine-induced rat model of epilepsy.

Objectives: The present study aims to investigate the pathological mechanisms mediating the effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) for 48 hr on the spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) stage of the pilocarpine rat model of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Materials And Methods: This was carried out through assessment of amino acid neurotransmitter levels, the main oxidative stress parameters, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the hippocampus. The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: control, epileptic, PSD, and epileptic+PSD groups.

Behavioral Changes in Gym Attending Due to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Descriptive Survey.

Introduction: On the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown clearance in Saudi Arabia, the high-profile precautions were applied as a major step to resume the normal life activities and to coexist with the pandemic. One of those resumed activities is the reopening of the gym and fitness centers. The perception and the commitment with safe precautions in terms of personal hygiene and sterilization have dramatically changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prion protein oligomers cause neuronal cytoskeletal damage in rapidly progressive Alzheimer's disease.

Background: High-density oligomers of the prion protein (HDPs) have previously been identified in brain tissues of patients with rapidly progressive Alzheimer's disease (rpAD). The current investigation aims at identifying interacting partners of HDPs in the rpAD brains to unravel the pathological involvement of HDPs in the rapid progression.

Methods: HDPs from the frontal cortex tissues of rpAD brains were isolated using sucrose density gradient centrifugation.

Role of zonulin and GLP-1/DPP-IV in alleviation of diabetes mellitus by peptide/polypeptide fraction of Aloe vera in streptozotocin- induced diabetic wistar rats.

Ethno-pharmacological Relevance: The genus Aloe has a long history of usage in medicine. Aloe barbadensis Miller, commonly known as Aloe vera, is said to possess anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, immunomodulation, wound healing properties.

Aim Of The Study: In diabetes mellitus, loss in intestinal permeability is observed with high levels of zonulin and low levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) leading to hyperglycemia.

Prospect of microbial food borne diseases in Pakistan: a review.

Nowadays food borne illness is most common in people due to their epidemic nature. These diseases affect the human digestive system through bacteria, viruses and parasites. The agents of illness are transmitted in our body through various types of food items, water and uncooked.

Peer-led surgery education: A model for a surgery interest group.

We present a systematic, sustainable, student-led model for a Surgery Interest Group in a low and middle-income country setting to encourage other medical students to establish similar groups in their institutions. Our model was developed at the Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, and is comprised of medical students, teaching associates, residents, faculty and alumni. The group focuses on connecting medical students with an interest in surgery with opportunities to help them match in surgery training programs.

An Overview of the Ongoing Clinical Issues of COVID-19.

Childhood cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are on the rise as the pandemic continues to rage across the globe. Most children acquire infection from an adult household member. Children may stay asymptomatic, have a pre-symptomatic stage, or present with symptoms (fever, cough, and difficulty breathing being the most common).

Leadless and Wireless Cardiac Devices: The Next Frontier in Remote Patient Monitoring.

In the last decade, advances in wireless and sensor technologies, and the implementation of telemedicine, have led to innovative digital health care for cardiac patients. Continuous monitoring of patients' biomedical signals, and acute changes in these signals, may result in timely, accurate diagnoses and implementation of early interventions. In this review, we discuss commonly used wireless and leadless cardiac devices including pulmonary artery pressure sensors, implantable loop recorders, leadless pacemakers and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Neurodegenerative Proteinopathies in the Proteoform Spectrum-Tools and Challenges.

Proteinopathy refers to a group of disorders defined by depositions of amyloids within living tissue. Neurodegenerative proteinopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and others, constitute a large fraction of these disorders. Amyloids are highly insoluble, ordered, stable, beta-sheet rich proteins.

Prevalence of Bandemia in Respiratory Viral Infections: A Pediatric Emergency Room Experience.

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of bandemia in confirmed respiratory viral infections in febrile infants and children presenting to the emergency department. An observational retrospective study from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2016, was conducted in patients between the ages of ≥ 1 month and ≤ 5 years presenting to the emergency room with fever and who had a complete blood cell count performed. Patients were separated into seven groups based on the type of respiratory viral infection.

Sequencing batch reactor technology for landfill leachate treatment: A state-of-the-art review.

Landfill has become an underlying source of surface and groundwater pollution if not efficiently managed, due to the risk of leachate infiltration into to land and aquifers. The generated leachate is considered a serious environmental threat for the public health, because of the toxic and recalcitrant nature of its constituents. Thus, it must be collected and appropriately treated before being discharged into the environment.