Investigating tissue factor pathway inhibitor and other protease and protease inhibitors and their association with major adverse aortic events in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is characterized by the proteolytic breakdown of the extracellular matrix, leading to dilatation of the aorta and increased risk of rupture. Biomarkers that can predict major adverse aortic events (MAAEs) are needed to risk stratify patients for more rigorous medical treatment and potential earlier surgical intervention.

Objectives: The primary objective was to identify the association between baseline levels of these biomarkers and MAAEs over a period of 5 years.

Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease Using Circulating Immunomodulatory Proteins.

The leading cause of death for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attacks and strokes. However, research into biomarkers that could help predict MACE in patients with PAD has been limited. Immunomodulatory proteins are known to significantly influence systemic atherosclerosis, suggesting they could be useful prognostic indicators for MACE in patients with PAD.

Identification and Evaluation of Angiogenesis-Related Proteins That Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease.

Background: The most common cause of death in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. However, data on biomarkers that could be used to help predict MACEs in patients with PAD to guide clinical decision making is limited. Angiogenesis-related proteins have been demonstrated to play an important role in systemic atherosclerosis and may act as prognostic biomarkers for MACEs in patients with PAD.

Decorin alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Endocrine multisystem defect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes hyperandrogenism and infertility. Half of PCOS women have (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) NAFLD, which increases metabolic disease risk. We tested decorin's effect on NAFLD and related processes in PCOS.

Prediction of Major Adverse Limb Events in Females with Peripheral Artery Disease using Blood-Based Biomarkers and Clinical Features.

The objective of this study was to identify a female-specific prognostic biomarker for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and develop a prediction model for 2-year major adverse limb events (MALE). Patients with/without PAD were recruited (n=461). Plasma concentrations of 68 circulating proteins were measured and patients were followed for 2 years.

Fecal Microbiome Composition Correlates with Pathologic Complete Response in Patients with Operable Esophageal Cancer Treated with Combined Chemoradiotherapy and Immunotherapy.

: Preclinical and clinical data indicate that chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in combination with checkpoint inhibitors may prime an anti-tumor immunological response in esophageal cancer. However, responses to neoadjuvant therapy can vary widely and the key biomarkers to determine response remain poorly understood. The fecal microbiome is a novel and potentially modifiable biomarker of immunotherapy response, and both fecal and tumor microbes have been found to associate with outcomes in esophageal cancer.

Imaging, Pulmonary Function, and Histopathologic Findings of Persistent Fibrosis in a Longitudinal Cohort Three Years after Severe COVID-19 Infection.

Fibrotic-like abnormalities are present in 60% of a single-center, longitudinal, multi-ethnic cohort 3-years after severe COVID-19. They are independently associated with male sex, low BMI, shorter telomere length, increased severity of illness, and mechanical ventilation; Black race and asthma are protective. Participants with fibrotic-like abnormalities are more likely to have reduced diffusion capacity and 6-minute walk distance.

The pertinence of resistin gene single nucleotide polymorphism G > A and its expression in oral cancer.

Background/aim: Oral cancer (OC) is the leading cause of fatalities in Pakistan among males due to inadequate oral hygiene and chewing habits. However, genetic susceptibility patterns also play a critical role in disease progression. Since the frequency of Resistin (RETN) SNP (Single nucleotide polymorphism) rs3219175 is unknown; there is a requirement for early diagnosis of the OC.

Validation testing of OUTPATSAT-35RT questionnaire to assess satisfaction in patients on outpatient radiotherapy in a large Indian cohort.

Background: This study reports the psychometric properties of OUTPASAT-35RT questionnaire from a large Indian cancer cohort treated with ambulatory radiotherapy (RT) at a tertiary-care comprehensive cancer center.

Materials And Methods: Adults with a pathologically proven diagnosis of cancer undergoing fractionated RT (≥10 fractions) with the ability to read and understand English, Hindi, or Marathi were accrued after written informed consent. Patients were administered a language-appropriate version of OUTPATSAT-35RT along with European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) generic quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ-C30) at conclusion of RT (±3 days).

Pharmacokinetic, Safety, and Pharmacodynamic Profiles of Saroglitazar Magnesium in Cholestatic Cirrhosis With Hepatic Impairment and Participants With Renal Impairment.

Saroglitazar magnesium, a dual PPAR α/γ agonist, currently in Phase III for treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), was evaluated for its pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, safety, and pharmacodynamics in participants with cholestatic liver disease (CLD) across different levels of hepatic impairment (HI) and participants with severe renal impairment (RI). Three PK studies comparing saroglitazar with healthy controls were conducted: Study 1 involved daily oral doses of 1 or 2 mg for 4 weeks in 12 PBC cirrhosis participants with mild or moderate HI; Study 2 assessed single-dose PK (2 or 4 mg) in eight non-cirrhotic CLD participants; Study 3 evaluated single-dose PK (2 mg) in eight participants with severe RI. On day 1, saroglitazar exposure increased by 14.

Assessing the quality of ChatGPT's responses to questions related to radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of information provided by ChatGPT, in response to frequently asked questions about radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. A set of 18 frequently asked questions regarding RFA for varicose veins were compiled from credible online sources and presented to ChatGPT twice, separately, using the new chat option.

Investigating the Prognostic Potential of Plasma ST2 in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: Identification and Evaluation.

Soluble interleukin 1 receptor-like 1 (ST2) is a circulating protein demonstrated to be associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, it has not been studied as a biomarker for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Using a prospectively recruited cohort of 476 patients (312 with PAD and 164 without PAD), we conducted a prognostic study of PAD using clinical/biomarker data. Plasma concentrations of three circulating proteins [ST2, cytokine-responsive gene-2 (CRG-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] were measured at baseline and the cohort was followed for 2 years.

Artificial intelligence-enhanced electrocardiogram for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is often delayed due to variability in clinical presentation. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most common and widely available tools for assessing cardiovascular diseases. Artificial intelligence (AI) models analyzing ECG have recently been developed to detect CA, but their pooled accuracy is yet to be evaluated.

BRAF mutations and the association of V600E with CD133 and CDX2 expression in a Pakistani colorectal carcinoma cohort.

Background: Despite a high incidence of colorectal carcinoma, data regarding genetic aberrations in colorectal carcinoma (CRC) patients in Pakistan is scarce. This study aimed to determine the frequency of BRAFV600E mutations in colorectal carcinoma tissue in the Pakistani population and to associate BRAFV600E expression with CD133, a marker of colorectal stem cells, and CDX2 marker of differentiation.

Methods: Sanger Sequencing of exon 15 (426 bp) including the hotspot V600E was performed on formalin-fixed-paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CRC tissue samples of 115 patients.

Uncovering the hidden health burden: a systematic review and meta-analysis of iron deficiency anemia among adolescents, and pregnant women in Pakistan.

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most prevalent diet-related disorder and mainly affects women and children. To determine the trend of anemia incidence in Pakistan, a current review was carried out. This review aimed to estimate the prevalence of anemia among pregnant women and adult/adolescent nonpregnant women in Pakistan and to provide a 15-year trend analysis.

Inflammatory Protein Panel: Exploring Diagnostic Insights for Peripheral Artery Disease Diagnosis in a Cross-Sectional Study.

Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), a cluster of differentiation 95 (CD95), fractalkine, and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) are circulating proteins known to be involved in inflammation. While their roles have been studied in neurological conditions and cardiovascular diseases, their potential as peripheral artery disease (PAD) biomarkers remain unexplored. We conducted a cross-sectional diagnostic study using data from 476 recruited patients (164 without PAD and 312 with PAD).

Lower li1mb mesenchymal hamartoma masquerading as hemangioma: a case report of AA2 atypical presentation and diagnostic challenges.

Introduction And Importance: Hamartomas are abnormal growths that consist of various types of mesenchymal tissues, including cartilage, fat, connective tissue, and smooth muscle. These tumors can occur in almost any organ system within the body. While head and neck hamartomas have been frequently documented, cases involving the lower limbs are relatively rare.

Eliciting patient past experiences of healthcare discrimination as a potential pathway to reduce health disparities: A qualitative study of primary care staff.

Objective: To understand whether and how primary care providers and staff elicit patients' past experiences of healthcare discrimination when providing care.

Data Sources/study Setting: Twenty qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare staff in primary care roles to inform future interventions to integrate data about past experiences of healthcare discrimination into clinical care.

Study Design: Qualitative study.