Publications by authors named "Siddiqui K"

Article Synopsis
  • The study focuses on how isomerisation in photochromic spirocompounds affects their functionality, particularly in crystalline forms.
  • Advanced femtosecond spectroscopy shows that when crystalline spiropyran is excited with a 266 nm pulse, rapid bond breaking and isomerisation occur, forming merocyanine in less than 2 picoseconds.
  • These findings indicate that the process is highly reversible and could lead to new ultrafast technologies using spiropyran-based materials.
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Objective: To map the practice of paediatric perioperative pain assessment and management among consultant anaesthetists working in teaching institutions in the two provinces of Pakistan.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anaesthesiology, Teaching institutions of Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, from January to October 2022.

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This case report details a rare presentation of neuroblastoma in an adult patient. The patient, a 22-year-old female, presented with a right-sided abdominal mass and discomfort for the last 12 months. Imaging studies revealed a huge adrenal mass occupying the right quadrant of the abdomen with displacement of the surrounding structures.

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  • The study investigates the challenges and complications associated with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) in elderly patients, often with multiple health issues, emphasizing the complexity of the procedure and post-operative care.
  • It analyzed the medical records of patients suffering from severe aortic stenosis who were deemed high-risk for traditional surgeries, focusing on their demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes after one year.
  • Results showed the patients had a low rate of complications, including minimal anesthesia-related issues, and outcomes comparable to leading global centers, indicating that TAVI might be a safe option for high-risk individuals.
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In today's era of modern healthcare, the intersection between medical practices and environmental responsibility has gained significant attention. One such area of focus is the practice of anesthesia, which plays a crucial role in various surgical procedures. Anesthetics such as nitrous oxide and volatile halogenated ethers (desflurane, isoflurane, sevoflurane) are examples of medical gases that are strong greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

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  • The study focuses on the anxiety experienced by parents of children undergoing surgery, specifically tonsillectomy, highlighting its negative impact on both parental care and child outcomes.
  • It involved a survey of 147 parents using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Information Scale (APAIS) to measure anxiety levels, revealing that 40.1% of respondents reported significant anxiety before their child's surgery.
  • Findings indicated certain factors increased anxiety, such as the child's age being under 5, the parent's education level, and whether the parent was the mother, prompting recommendations for targeted support for anxious parents.
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  • Surgical removal is usually the main way to treat brain tumours, but radiosurgery is a less invasive option that can also be effective.
  • The goal of the study was to understand how radiosurgery can help treat brain tumours, especially in countries that don't have as many medical resources.
  • Even though radiosurgery is becoming more popular in these regions, problems like not having clear guidelines and trained doctors make it harder to use widely.
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Almost any primary or metastatic brain tumour can manifest in intraventricular (IV) locations. These tumours may either originate within the ventricular system or extend into the IV space through growth. Such neoplasms represent a broad spectrum, with supratentorial IV tumours forming a heterogeneous group.

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Article Synopsis
  • The posterior fossa is a small area in the brain that, when affected by tumors or lesions, can lead to severe neurological issues due to pressure on vital structures and fluid buildup (hydrocephalus).
  • Urgent surgical intervention is typically necessary, and neuro-oncologists play a crucial role in helping patients and families navigate treatment options and understand long-term outcomes.
  • Advances in molecular classifications and high-dose radiation therapy have the potential to enhance survival rates and quality of life, with different tumors commonly affecting children (like ependymomas and medulloblastomas) versus adults (who often have metastatic disease).
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Metastatic tumours are among the most common types of brain tumours. However, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the numbers are considerably lower. This does not necessarily indicate a decreased incidence but rather points to decreased survival rates or limited access to healthcare.

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The understanding of brainstem gliomas and diffuse midline gliomas has significantly increased in the last decade. However, the management paradigm remains a dilemma. The critical location is the foremost factor dictating the outcome.

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Intra-cranial meningiomas represent the most common type of extra-axial brain tumour in adults. Characteristically slow-growing and often asymptomatic, these tumours may only require observation in some cases. However, lesions that cause a significant mass effect necessitate intervention, primarily through surgical means.

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Article Synopsis
  • * These tumors often cause obstructive hydrocephalus and symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and impaired gait due to mass effect.
  • * Diagnosis primarily relies on imaging, while biopsy is required for histologic confirmation, except for germinomas, which can be identified through specific tumor markers; treatments vary from surgery for benign tumors to additional chemotherapy and radiotherapy for malignant ones.
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Article Synopsis
  • Vestibular Schwannoma (VS), also known as acoustic neuroma, is the most common tumor in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), with most management guidelines coming from high-income countries (HICs).
  • These HIC guidelines are often not suitable for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan, where healthcare challenges like workforce shortages, poor infrastructure, and limited resources complicate their application.
  • The article aims to provide tailored recommendations for the screening, diagnosis, and management of VS specifically for LMICs, addressing the unique circumstances and constraints these regions face.
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High-grade glioma (HGG), a formidable and often incurable disease, presents an even greater challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where resources and medical expertise are scarce. This scarcity not only exacerbates the suffering of patients but also contributes to poorer clinical outcomes. Particularly in LMICs, the underrepresentation of the population in clinical trials and the additional hurdles posed by financial constraints underscore an urgent need for contextspecific management strategies.

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Guidelines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are needed in complex, multidisciplinary areas such as oncology, requiring mobilising considerable resources and specialists for coordinated care. Neuro-oncology guidelines have been primarily established in countries where technological advancements and robust care pathways facilitate broad resource utilisation. In contrast, LMICs require complex and region-specific interventions to provide equitable care.

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The incidence and prevalence of brain tumours have steadily increased within low- and middle-income countries, similar to patterns seen in high-income countries. In addition to the epidemiological landscape of brain tumours in Pakistan, it is important to consider the economics of brain tumour diagnosis and management to inform policy on neuro-oncological healthcare service delivery. The challenges associated with conducting economic evaluations in LMICs include the ability to receive funding for country-specific estimates, dearth of existing data and methodological development, and the need for investment in economic evaluations of health.

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Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have historically been under-represented in clinical trials, leading to a disparity in evidence-based recommendations for the management of neurooncological conditions. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a scoping review to assess the current literature on clinical trials in neuro-oncology from LMICs. The eligibility criteria for inclusion in this review included clinical trials registered and conducted with human subjects, with available English language text or translation, and focussed on neuro-oncological cases.

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Brain tumour diagnosis involves assessing various radiological and histopathological parameters. Imaging modalities are an excellent resource for disease monitoring. However, manual inspection of imaging is laborious, and performance varies depending on expertise.

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Approaches to brain tumour diagnosis and detecting recurrence after treatment are costly and significantly invasive. Developing peripheral-sample liquid biopsy tools is the key to enhancing our ability to prognosticate brain tumour subtypes and molecular heterogeneity. The present scoping review was designed to discuss current updates in liquid biopsy tools for diagnosis and guiding clinical management of brain tumours; we evaluated the literature within the context of low-and-middle-income country challenges.

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Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a leading urological malignancy with an age-standardised incidence rate of 2.5 per 100,000 per year in Oman. Experts are inclined towards the early detection and use of minimally invasive technology for the treatment of RCC.

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Introduction And Importance: Redo aortic valve replacement in twin pregnancy presents significant challenges because of the elevated risks for both maternal and fetal health. Mortality rates range from 12 % to 21 % in specialised centres, with previous cardiac surgeries further elevating the risk. Pregnancy complicates cardiac surgery, with fetal mortality rates as high as 16-33 %.

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Duration of overall survival in patients with cancer has lengthened due to earlier detection and improved treatments. However, these improvements have created challenges in assessing the impact of newer treatments, particularly those used early in the treatment pathway. As overall survival remains most decision-makers' preferred primary endpoint, therapeutic innovations may take a long time to be introduced into clinical practice.

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Measures of physical growth, such as weight and height have long been the predominant outcomes for monitoring child health and evaluating interventional outcomes in public health studies, including those that may impact neurodevelopment. While physical growth generally reflects overall health and nutritional status, it lacks sensitivity and specificity to brain growth and developing cognitive skills and abilities. Psychometric tools, e.

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