Endocannabinoid dysregulation and PTSD in urban adolescents: Associations with anandamide concentrations and FAAH genotype.

Background: The endocannabinoid system, which regulates fear- and anxiety-related behaviors, is dysregulated in adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as indicated by higher circulating anandamide (AEA) concentrations. The C385A (rs324420) polymorphism in the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) gene, which catabolizes AEA, is linked to higher AEA concentrations and greater PTSD symptoms in adults. Given that adolescence is a critical period during which trauma and psychiatric disorders emerge, understanding this relationship in youth is essential.

Clinical applications of handheld robotic devices in general surgery: A mini-review.

Laparoscopy has evolved the surgical field around the world. Although this has defined minimally invasive surgery, there are limitations. Lack of articulating instrument tips restricts their use in difficult cases.

The surgical metaverse.

Recent developments have seen acceleration in the development of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology. Through these developments, the metaverse has emerged. Within the metaverse, users create an avatar to experience an immersive, interactive extended reality.

Management of urolithiasis in pregnancy.

Urolithiasis is the most common cause of nonobstetric abdominal pain, resulting in 1.7 admissions per 1000 deliveries. Urolithiasis most commonly occurs in the second and third trimesters, with an incidence between 1:125 and 1:2000.

1H-MR spectroscopy in grading of cerebral glioma: A new view point, MRS image quality assessment.

Background: Noninvasive preoperative prediction of histological grading is essential for clinical management of cerebral glioma.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between the image quality assessment of 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and accurate grading of glioma.

Materials And Methods: 98 glioma patients confirmed by pathology were retrospectively recruited in this single-center study.

Percutaneous Cholecystostomy for Acute Cholecystitis: A Three-Year Single-Centre Experience Including During COVID-19.

Introduction Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a recognised treatment modality for acute cholecystitis. Traditionally, its use was reserved for patients deemed unfit for surgery. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a detrimental effect on both elective and emergency surgery.

The Role Of Rs12901499 Polymorphism In Association With Smad3 Gene And Osteoarthritis Susceptibility: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis.

Background: Osteoarthritis is regarded as one of the most frequent disorders of musculoskeletal, which is characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage and loss of cartilage of the joints. However, the relationship of OA susceptibility with rs12901499 polymorphism in SMAD3 is controversial. Although multiple studies have investigated the correlation of rs12901499A/G polymorphism in SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3) andosteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility, the results from previous studies remain controversial and unsolved.

Diffusion tensor imaging revealed different pathological processes of white matter hyperintensities.

Background: Although increasing evidence showed the correlations between white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and cognitive impairment, the relationship between them is still modest. Many researchers began to focus on the variation caused by the heterogeneity of WMH. We tried to explore the pathological heterogeneity in WMH by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), so as to provide a new insight into the future research.

Lessons for Emergency Surgery in the Second Wave: One-Month Single-Centre Experience During the First Wave of COVID-19.

Introduction The global COVID-19 pandemic had a deleterious effect upon elective and emergency surgery. Focus of patient care was directed to emergency services. Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Northern Ireland guidelines advised a trend towards conservative management.

Chondroblastoma Of The Lumbar Vertebra.

Chondroblastoma is an uncommon and benign bone tumour. No more than 10 cases of lumbar chondroblastoma have been reported in the past 20 years. To describe the clinical presentations and radiological features of a rare case of chondroblastoma of the lumbar spine, this study reports one case involving the third lumbar vertebrae.

An evidence-based approach to assess the accuracy of intravoxel incoherent motion imaging for the grading of brain tumors.

Background: Differentiation of high-grade gliomas (HGGs) and low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is an important clinical problem because treatment strategies vary greatly. This study was performed to investigate the potential diagnostic value of incoherent intravoxel motion imaging (IVIM) to distinguish HGG from LGG by meta-analysis.

Methods: A computerized search of the literature was performed using the free-access PubMed database, Web of Science, and Chinese biomedical database, and relevant articles until September 18, 2018 that used IVIM to distinguish HGG from LGG were included.

Intraspinal bronchogenic cyst: Series of case reports and literature review.

Purpose: Spinal bronchogenic cysts (SBCs) are rare congenital lesions. The clinical and imaging characteristics and treatment of SBCs are not well known. We studied three cases of SBCs retrospectively, which were registered in our department and analyzed eight case reports which were all published in English, focusing on providing a deeper knowledge of SBCs.

The alteration of gray matter volume and cognitive control in adolescents with internet gaming disorder.

Objective: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been investigated by many behavioral and neuroimaging studies, for it has became one of the main behavior disorders among adolescents. However, few studies focused on the relationship between alteration of gray matter volume (GMV) and cognitive control feature in IGD adolescents.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants with IAD and twenty-eight healthy age and gender matched controls participated in the study.

Effect of Helicobacter pylori and its virulence factors on portal hypertensive gastropathy and interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels.

Background/aim: We aimed to assess the influence of Helicobacter pylori and its virulent factors, cytotoxin associated gene (cag) A and E, on portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) and the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Patients And Methods: The patients with cirrhosis underwent screening endoscopy and the lesions related to PHG were graded. Biopsies were obtained for histology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of H.

Consensus interferon plus ribavirin for hepatitis C genotype 3 patients previously treated with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.

Background: Not enough data are available about the effectiveness of consensus interferon (CIFN) among HCV genotype 3 patients who failed to respond to pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of CIFN and ribavirin in non-responders and relapsers to pegylated interferon with ribavirin therapy.

Patients And Methods: This open-label investigator-initiated study included 44 patients who received CIFN 15 µg /day plus ribavirin 800-1200 mg daily.

An exploration of the potential mechanisms and translational potential of five medicinal plants for applications in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, and represents a vast worldwide socio-economic burden, and in the absence of a current cure, effective therapeutic strategies are still needed. Cholinergic and cerebral blood flow deficits, excessive levels of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and glutamate excitatory mechanisms are all believed to contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Scoparia dulcis, Catharanthus roseus, Sesamum indicum, Erythrina senegalensis and Vigna unguiculata represent five plants that have been used as traditional medicines for the treatment of AD in certain cultures.

The constant threat of terrorism: stress levels and coping strategies amongst university students of Karachi.

Objectives: To assess the levels of stress in the face of terrorism and the adopted coping strategies, amongst the student population of universities in Karachi.

Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted on undergraduate students from four universities of Karachi. Self-administered questionnaires were filled out by 291 students.

Clinical spectrum of systemic lupus erythematosus at the Aga Khan University Hospital.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus is a disease of unknown etiology, which at onest may involve only one organ system or be multisystemic. The aim of our study is to determine the clinical presentation of SLE patients presenting to AKUH to establish whether guidelines laid down about this disease are in agreement with our experience.

Methods: A retrospective log review was carried out at AKUH, based on data obtained from 165 files of individuals admitted to the hospital over a period of 12 years with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE.

Results of surgical treatment of oesophageal cancer.

Oesophagogastrectomy is the best available treatment for patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus or cardia. A retrospective analysis of our experience with 485 patients who were treated surgically forms the basis of this report. Of the 317 patients who underwent resection (resectability rate of 65%) only 210 were considered to be potentially curative.