Discriminative features of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) and associated autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) in a nationwide observational cohort: study from the Egyptian College of Rheumatology.

Objective: The objective of this study is to present the clinical characteristics of immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RD) patients and describe associated overlap with autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs).

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 81 patients with IgG4-RD who were recruited from 13 specialized rheumatology departments and centers across the country in collaboration with the Egyptian College of Rheumatology (ECR). Patients underwent a thorough history-taking and clinical examination.

Extracellular vesicles epitopes as potential biomarker candidates in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a heterogeneous group of cell-derived, membrane-enclosed vesicles bearing cell-specific epitopes, have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in neuronal-glial communication and the orchestration of neuroinflammatory processes. However, the existing evidence regarding their function as biomarkers and their role in the pathobiology of traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI), particularly in humans, is scarce.

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether a distinct pattern of EV surface epitopes detected in the plasma of individuals suffering from spinal cord injury is indicative of tSCI.

RETRACTED: External pop-out versus classic technique for delivery of the fetal head during elective cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).

Impact of implant removal on quality of life and loss of correction in the treatment of traumatic fractures of the thoracolumbar spine.

Background: Benefit of implant removal in spine surgery remains unclear. While there is mostly consensus about necessity of implant removal in posterior-only stabilized patients, the effect of this measure in cases with combined anterior-posterior stabilization is undetermined. With this work we present a retrospective analysis of 87 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures concerning quality of life (QOL), loss of correction (LOC) and range of motion (ROM).

Injury patterns of the spine following blunt trauma: A per-segment analysis of spinal structures and their detection rates in CT and MRI.

Rationale And Objectives: To provide a detailed analysis of injury patterns of the spine following blunt trauma and establish the role of supplementary MRI by evaluating discrepancies in the detection rates of damaged structures in CT and MRI.

Method: 216 patients with blunt trauma to the spine who underwent CT followed by supplementary MRI were included in this study. Two board-certified radiologists blinded to clinical symptoms and injury mechanisms independently interpreted all acquired CT and MRI images.

Shifting Norms in Faith Communities to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence: Results from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Nigeria.

Programs aiming to reduce intimate partner violence (IPV) increasingly seek to shift social norms. Few interventions have been rigorously evaluated for their impact on norms and incidence of IPV, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Shifting norms at the community level and subsequent pathways to behavior change remain poorly understood.

Assessment of knowledge, perception, practices and drivers of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial usage among veterinarians in Pakistan.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and irrational antimicrobial usage (AMU) are a global problem, particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries including Pakistan. Our study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and prescribing practices (KAP) of field veterinarians regarding AMR and AMU.

Methods: A questionnaire-based online survey was conducted using Google forms to collect data on AMR and AMU from veterinary practitioners in Pakistan between July 25, 2020, and February 2, 2021.

Early Onset Rapidly Progressive Osteoarthritis of the Hip in a Young Athlete.

We report and discuss a very rare case of early-stage rapidly progressive osteoarthritis (RPO) in a 33-year-old female athlete. The etiopathology of RPO remained unclear, although in this case mechanical overloading due to constant joint overuse appeared to be the only significant contributing factor to the very early development of RPO. Key words: rapidly progressive osteoarthritis, rapid destructive arthrosis, hip arthrosis, total hip arthroplasty, athlete, osteoarthritis.

Small rodent communities and their associated damage to wheat-groundnut agriculture systems.

Rodents can cause significant damage to wheat-groundnut crops in developing countries, as well as to stored produce and infrastructure, affecting food security and income of small-holder farmers. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and groundnuts (Arachis hypogea) are important cash crops for local farmers in Pakistan. Field experiments were performed to assess the extent of rodent damage to wheat-groundnut crops throughout their growth stages (i.

Outbreak investigation and identification of risk factors associated with the occurrence of foot and mouth disease in Punjab, Pakistan.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of domesticated and wild ruminants and pigs that causes enormous economic losses through morbidity, mortality, and trade restrictions. Although the disease is endemic in Pakistan, seasonal outbreaks occur every year throughout the country. This study aimed to investigate FMD outbreaks and to identify the risk factors associated with FMD outbreaks between January and April 2019 in the Punjab province.

Dietary habits of lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota Bengalensis) in an agro-ecosystem, Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan.

Dietary habits of bandicoot rats (bandicota bengalensis) were investigated in the agricultural crops of the Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan by analysing stomach contents. The research activities were conducted in major field crops including wheat-groundnut and in the fallow lands during non-crop season at the field boundaries. The specimens were captured from the fields using kill/snap traps, and dissected to collect their stomach samples for laboratory analysis.

Motor Vehicle Accident during Pregnancy with Two Lifes at Risk: A Case Report.

Introduction: Major trauma is the leading non-pregnancy-related cause of maternal and fetal deaths. In particular, traffic accidents account for the majority of accident causes and present the highest mortality for the mother and fetus. Seat belt use has reduced mortality rates for both the mother and the unborn child, however, certain potential patterns of injury occur due to the restraining mechanical forces of the worn seat belts on the body.

Wideband Channel Characterization for 6G Networks in Industrial Environments.

Wireless data traffic has increased significantly due to the rapid growth of smart terminals and evolving real-time technologies. With the dramatic growth of data traffic, the existing cellular networks including Fifth-Generation (5G) networks cannot fully meet the increasingly rising data rate requirements. The Sixth-Generation (6G) mobile network is expected to achieve the high data rate requirements of new transmission technologies and spectrum.

The Inverse Spacer-A Novel, Safe, and Cost-Effective Approach in Routine Procedures for Revision Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: A major disadvantage of current spacers for two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty (R-TKA) is the risk of (sub-) luxation during mobilization in the prosthesis-free interval, limiting their clinical success with detrimental consequences for the patient. The present study introduces a novel inverse spacer, which prevents major complications, such as spacer (sub-) luxations and/or fractures of spacer or bone.

Methods: The hand-made inverse spacer consisted of convex tibial and concave femoral components of polymethylmethacrylate bone cement and was intra-operatively molded under maximum longitudinal tension in 5° flexion and 5° valgus position.

Consensus Statement on the Management of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Saudi Arabia During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused overwhelming challenges in healthcare worldwide. During such an outbreak, some needs of high-risk groups who require regular follow-ups and long-term management are not met. The vulnerable populations include patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

External pop-out versus classic technique for delivery of the fetal head during elective cesarean section: A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: This study aims to compare two techniques (External pop-out versus classic technique) for delivery of the fetal head during elective cesarean section (CS).The potential clinical predictors associated with unintended uterine incision extension during fetal head delivery among women delivered by elective CS were also assessed.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial conducted at a tertiary University hospital between February 2017 and January 2019.

A minimally invasive, 3D-fluoroscopy-navigation-guided, 3D-controlled pedicle approach in spine surgery: first reliable results and impact on patient safety.

Purpose: Safe pedicle screw placement is a daily challenge to every spine surgeon. Introduction of minimally invasive approaches in spinal surgery led to an impaired facility of inspection of the surgical field increasing the importance of intraoperative imaging and navigation. During the past years, we established a minimally invasive, navigated approach in our clinical setting.

Transumbilical Vaginoplasty Through Fractionated Miniports: A Sutureless Procedure.

Background: Vaginal agenesis is a müllerian anomaly characterized by congenital absence of the vagina. In this case series, the authors describe a novel, minimally invasive technique using microport entry for treatment of complete vaginal agenesis.

Technique: A balloon catheter is passed through a fenestrated perfluoroalkoxy polymer resin-supporting platform, then tied by a silk suture over the caudal end of the inserter.

Current management of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the Middle East: expert report.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe and rare X-linked neuromuscular childhood disorder that results in functional decline, loss of ambulation and early death due to cardiac or respiratory failure. The objective of this paper is to address different aspects of the current management of DMD in the Middle East, north Africa (MENA) region, and to gather experts' recommendations on how to optimally diagnose and treat patients suffering from this disease. A group of experts (neuromuscular medicine, neuropediatricians and geneticists) convened to discuss the diagnosis and management of DMD in the MENA region.

Classification of Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: Recommendations of the Spine Section of the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma (DGOU).

Study Design: Expert opinion.

Objectives: Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are of increasing medical importance. For an adequate treatment strategy, an easy and reliable classification is needed.

The effect of ethylene oxide sterilization on electrospun vascular grafts made from biodegradable polyesters.

The study describes the detailed examination of the effect of ethylene oxide sterilization on electrospun scaffolds constructed from biodegradable polyesters. Different fibrous layers fabricated from polycaprolactone (PCL) and a copolymer consisting of polylactide and polycaprolactone (PLCL) were investigated for the determination of their mechanical properties, degradation rates and interaction with fibroblasts. It was discovered that the sterilization procedure influenced the mechanical properties of the electrospun PLCL copolymer scaffold to the greatest extent.