Common pediatric surgical conditions and associated health-seeking behaviors in Pakistan: An urban and rural comparative assessment.

Approximately five billion people do not have access to necessary surgical treatment globally and up to 85% of children in LMICs are affected with conditions requiring surgical care by the age of 15 years. It is crucial to identify common surgical conditions in children in Pakistan to inform healthcare professionals and policymakers for effective resource allocation. This representative cross-sectional household survey conducted on children aged 5-10 years assessed existing surgical diseases and healthcare-seeking behaviors in the two largest provinces (Sindh and Punjab) of Pakistan.

Correction: A cross-sectional survey of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus parasitizing domestic animals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) represent a heterogeneous group of inherited metabolic lysosomal disorders characterized by neurodegeneration. This study sought to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of NCLs in Saudi Arabia and determine the most common types in that population.

Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records was conducted for 63 patients with NCL (55 families) from six tertiary and referral centers in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2022.

Parkinsonism-dystonia-2: Case-series study from Saudi Arabia.

Parkinsonism-dystonia-2 PKDYS2 is an autosomal-recessive disorder, caused by pathogenic biallelic variants in SLC18A2 which encodes the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2) protein. PKDYS2 is a treatable neurotransmitter disease, and the rate of diagnosis of this disorder has increased significantly with the advance of genomic technologies. Our report highlights a novel pathologic variant in one case and a novel finding on MRI Brain, consisting of a normal symmetrical signal intensity in the dorsal brainstem and pons, and it substantiates the significance of genetic testing in the evaluation of children with developmental delays, which influences clinical decisions to enhance patient outcomes.

The mutational analysis of mitochondrial DNA in maternal inheritance of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Introduction: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a globally prevalent condition that leads to infertility in women. While environmental factors contribute to PCOS, maternal genetics also play a significant role. Currently, there is no definitive test for identifying predisposition to PCOS.

Effectiveness of an Educational Intervention on Status Epilepticus Among the Caregivers of Children With Epilepsy: An Interventional Study.

Background Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common and well-known neurological emergencies in pediatrics, especially among kids under two years of age. Early identification and treatment are crucial in the prevention of neurological complications and morbidities. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention about SE among caregivers of pediatric patients with epilepsy.

Assessment of pediatric surgical needs, health-seeking behaviors, and health systems in a rural district of Pakistan.

Surgical conditions are responsible for up to 15% of total Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALY) lost globally. Approximately 4.8 billion people have no access to surgical care and this studies aim is to assess the surgical disease burden in children under the age of five years.

Congenital Insensitivity to Pain With Anhidrosis: A Case Report and Review of the Pertinent Literature.

Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis, or hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN) type IV, is an exceedingly rare neurogenetic disorder. Reported causes are homozygous or compound heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase 1 gene (). Characteristically, patients with this disorder exhibit a complete diminution of pain and temperature sensations over the body disrupted sweat gland functioning, and variable degrees of sensation and cognitive impairments.

Hereditary Hyperekplexia in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Hyperekplexia is a rare disorder characterized by exaggerated startle responses to unexpected sensory stimuli, recurrent apneas, and stiffness. Only few studies have been published on this disorder in populations with high rates of consanguinity.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed Saudi patients with genetically confirmed hereditary hyperekplexia using a standard questionnaire that was sent to nine major referral hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

Epidemiology and molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus causing bovine mastitis in water buffaloes from the Hazara division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Buffalo represent a major source of milk in Pakistan. However, production is impacted by the disease bovine mastitis. Mastitis causes significant economic losses, with Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Toxicological impact of Zinc Nano Particles on tilapia fish ().

In this study we investigated the acute toxicity of Zinc Nano Particles (ZnO NPs) and bulk ZnO on tilapia fish (). was exposed to the different concentration of ZnO NPs, ZnO and mixed solution of both ZnO NPs and ZnO (20 ppb, 20 ppb, 20 ppb) respectively for 96 h. A very high impact was recorded in hematological parameters which shows significant increased (p < 0.

Risk Factors for Acute Brucellosis in Patients on the Day of Admission at Selected Hospitals of Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Brucellosis is a neglected zoonotic disease of ruminants. It causes severe health problems in humans and significant economic loss. Only a limited number of studies have been conducted in Pakistan to determine the prevalence of human brucellosis and related risk factors.

Perception and practices of Operative and Endodontic specialists in Pakistan towards the use of dental magnification.

Background: The perceptions and trends of magnification use in dentistry need to be determined since magnification significantly enhances clinical practice.

Objective: To assess perception and practices of Operative and Endodontic specialists currently working in Pakistan, regarding use of magnification.

Methods: A structured questionnaire administered for this analytical cross-sectional study recorded demographics, trends of magnification devices used in practice and their perceived advantages and disadvantages by the specialists with close-ended questions and three-point Likert scale.

A cross-sectional survey of hard ticks and molecular characterization of Rhipicephalus microplus parasitizing domestic animals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Background: In tropical and subtropical countries, tick infestation causes major public health problems and considerable financial losses to the livestock industry. This study was aimed to assess the species composition of richness and analyze the phylogeny of Rhipicephalus microplus in the District Bannu of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Methods: Collected ticks were identified morphologically and DNA extracted from R.

Amelioration of Levetiracetam-Induced Behavioral Side Effects by Pyridoxine. A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Study.

Background: Levetiracetam is a relatively new-generation antiseizure drug approved for the treatment of focal and generalized seizures. Despite its favorable side effect profile and minimal drug-drug interactions, neuropsychiatric side effects are reported in up to 13% of children. A few case series have suggested that supplementation of pyridoxine may mitigate these side effects, but controlled trials are lacking.

Adverse effects of atrazine on blood parameters, biochemical profile and genotoxicity of snow trout ().

This study was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of atrazine on hematology, biochemistry and genotoxicity of snow trout (). Almost all treated groups presented considerably ( < 0.05) lesser values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, WBC, RBC, MCH, MCHC, monocytes and lymphocytes while significantly higher values of HCT and platelets are observed.

A comparative study on the effects of selected pesticides on hemato-biochemistry and tissue histology of freshwater fish (Hamilton, 1822).

The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative effects of pesticides Chlorfenapyr, Dimethoate and Acetamiprid on the health of under long term exposure. Eighty were divided in four equal groups; one control and three treated groups. The blood was collected from both control and treated groups at intervals of 10th, 20th and 30th days for hemato-biochemistry and histopathological alterations.

Staphylococci in poultry intestines: a comparison between farmed and household chickens.

Both pathogenic as well as nonpathogenic species of staphylococci have been reported in poultry, but these studies have not compared staphylococcal flora of both farmed and household broiler chickens. Staphylococci from farmed (n = 51) and household chicken intestines (n = 43) were isolated and tested for resistance to antimicrobials, presence of resistance genes, and inhibitory activity against other bacteria; correlation of resistance phenotype and genotype was also evaluated. At least 12 staphylococcal species were identified; Staphylococcus carnosus subspecies carnosus was the predominant species from both sources.

Effectiveness of Hall Technique for Primary Carious Molars: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: The objective of the present systematic review was to assess the outcomes of Hall technique (HT) on primary carious molars and compared it with the conventional dental restorations.

Materials And Methods: The systematic review was registered with Prospero registry (CRD42015020445) to answer the following research question: Is HT a better restorative option compared to other techniques for restoration of carious primary molars? In addition to exploring various health sciences databases, hand search was also done using following key terms in different permutations: (Hall technique OR Hall's technique OR preformed metal crown OR stainless steel crown) AND (caries OR carious molar OR deciduous tooth OR baby tooth OR milk tooth OR primary tooth). The outcome of interest was success of the restoration achieved with either method.

Comparison of the Depth of Cure of Flowable Composites Polymerized at Variable Increment Thicknesses and Voltages: An Study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to compare the depth of cure of two composite materials (SDR and Filtek bulk-fill) cured at variable increment depths (2, 4, and 6 mm) and voltages (180 and 220 volts).

Materials And Methods: Each sample of the composite material was packed in a mold of 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm and curing light (quartz tungsten halogen) of optimal intensity was exposed for 20 s at 2 different voltages on each specimen. After curing, the specimens were removed and the composite on the nonexposed end was scraped with a plastic instrument.

Nickel-Titanium Rotary File Systems: What's New?

Ever since their introduction, nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys have continued to revolutionize the field of endodontics. They have considerable advantages over the conventional stainless steel file in terms of mechanical properties. However, despite of their superior mechanical properties, NiTi alloys still pose some risk of fracture.

Topical Fluorides for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Subjected to Surgical Resection and Radiation Therapy in Resource Restraint Settings.

Patients undergoing surgical resection and ionizing radiations for the treatment of head and cancer may lead a challenging life even after the cure of the disease; because these procedures can adversely affect the oral mucosa, salivary gland, bone, masticatory musculature, and the dentition. Especially, if major salivary glands are exposed to high dose radiation, an irreversible xerostomia may occur that can lead to rampant dental caries. Treatment of these complications demands high cost and time; and is often unaffordable for the patients in the resource constraint setting rendering them to compromise on their quality of life.

Genotyping of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from sepsis patients in Pakistan and detection of antibodies against staphylococcal virulence factors.

In order to obtain more information on the MRSA population structure in the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we collected and genotyped MRSA causing bloodstream infections from a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, that serves the local population as well as Afghan immigrants and refugees. Thirty-one MRSA isolates from 30 patients were included and characterized by microarray hybridisation. For 25 patients, serum samples were tested using protein microarrays in order to detect antibodies against staphylococcal virulence factors.

Detection and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococci from Eggs of Household Chickens.

Eggs are a healthy and nutritious food source, but may be contaminated by bacteria. Previous studies have reported the presence of staphylococci in eggs of farmed chickens, but no study has evaluated the staphylococcal population of eggs from household chickens. In this study, staphylococci from eggs ( = 275) of household chickens collected from November 2016 to March 2017 from different villages of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, were characterized.