Outcomes of Direct-Acting Antivirals Versus Interferon-Based Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.

This systematic review evaluates the outcomes of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) compared to interferon-based therapies in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. DAAs consistently demonstrate higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates and better safety profiles across various patient populations, including those with cirrhosis and treatment-experienced individuals. The studies included highlight the superior efficacy of DAAs, with fewer adverse events such as anemia and fatigue, making them more tolerable and suitable for long-term treatment.

Morphological Features Influence the Drug Loading and Delivery Efficacy of Photoactivatable Gold Nanocarriers for Antitumor Photo/Chemotherapy.

Photoactivatable gold nanocarriers are transforming antitumor therapies by leveraging their distinctive physicochemical properties, enabling targeted drug delivery and enhanced therapeutic efficacy in cancer treatment. This study systematically investigates how surface topography and morphology of gold nanocarriers influence drug loading capacity, light-to-heat conversion efficiency, and overall therapeutic performance in photo/chemotherapy. We synthesized four distinct morphologies of gold nanoparticles: porous gold nanocups (PAuNCs), porous gold nanospheres (PAuNSs), solid gold nanocups (SAuNCs), and solid gold nanospheres (SAuNSs).

Optimized extraction, identification and characterization of the mosquitocidal surface layer protein from a local bacterial isolate Lysinibacillus sphaericus Q001.

Surface layer (S-layer) is an extracellular proteinous layer consisting of two-dimensional lattice. It is typically present on archaea and also found on some bacteria. S-layer proteins from some bacteria are reported to be toxic to mosquito larvae.

Dairy-based multi-strain probiotic community successfully mitigated obesity-related gut microbiota dysbiosis (CoMiniGut).

Obesity is a global health concern, affecting individuals of all ages and genders. One promising strategy to combat obesity is by addressing gut microbiota dysbiosis, with probiotics being a reliable intervention. However, single-strain probiotics may not effectively modulate the complex microbial communities in the gut, suggesting the need for multi-strain approaches.

COMPARISON OF POSTOPERATIVE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT WITH AND WITHOUT LONG CPB TIME.

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is frequently observed after cardiac surgery, and duration of Bypass Time (CPB) is an independent risk factor for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). The main objective of the current study was to compare new onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft with and without long CPB time.

Methods: A prospective comparative study design was used and conducted at the Cardiac Surgery Department in Bahawalpur- Pakistan which is a tertiary care health centre for the period of April 2020 to February 2021, a total of 110 patients were enrolled after getting institutional approval and informed consent from patients.

Incidence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in humans during the COVID-19 pandemic in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan.

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the neglected tropical diseases that affects impoverished communities throughout the world. In Pakistan CL is an endemic disease.

Aims And Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of CL infection in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan from January 2020 to March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Group B Streptococcus Persistently Colonizing the Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Lung: A Blessing in Disguise?

(GBS), also known as , is a gram-negative, beta-hemolytic facultative anaerobe that causes neonatal pneumonia and sepsis. The neoplastic epithelial cells in adults, especially those of squamous origin, can show special adhesive properties toward GBS, which tends to reside within these tumors. There are some animal and human studies proving this association.

Synthesis, Characterization, DPPH Radical Scavenging, Urease Enzyme Inhibition, Molecular Docking Simulation, and DFT Analysis of Imine Derivatives of 4-formylpyridine with Selective Detection of Cu+2 Ions.

This study aimed to prepare three imine derivatives (1, 2, and 3) via a condensation reaction of phenyl hydrazine, 2-hydrazino pyridine, and 4-methoxy aniline with 4-formyl pyridine. Electron impact mass spectrometry (EIMS), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were utilized for the characterization. The chemosensing properties of [4((2-phenyl hydrazono)methyl) pyridine] (1), [2-(2-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)hydrazinyl) pyridine] (2), and [4-methoxy-N-yl methylene) aniline] (3) imino bases have been explored for the first time in aqueous media.

Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) based meditation has been shown to help increase relaxation and decrease anxiety and depression in younger adults. However, this has not been studied in Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) in the older adult population. The aim of this RCT is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-guided meditation intervention for community-dwelling older adults and its effect on stress and mental health.

Cefiderocol as a Treatment Option for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Causing Hospital-Acquired/Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria have been causing havoc for the healthcare system because of the rarity of the treatment options available.  is a non-fermenting gram-negative bacterium that causes different infections, particularly respiratory tract infections. It displays resistance to many antibiotics (e.

Abdominal Tuberculosis Presenting With Small Bowel Obstruction: A Case Report.

Abdominal tuberculosis (TB) is a common form of extrapulmonary TB (EXPTB). It is being reported increasingly, especially in high-burden regions of the world. We present a case of a 37-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with clinical features suggestive of bowel obstruction.

The Effects of Moxifloxacin and Gemifloxacin on the ECG Morphology in Healthy Volunteers: A Phase 1 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin are the two newer broad-spectrum 8-methoxy-quinolone derivatives that are used to treat various bacterial infections in cardiac patients. In this research study, we assessed the impact of moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin on the QT intervals of electrocardiograms in normal adult doses and draw a comparison, in a controlled environment, on healthy volunteers. Additionally, the effect of both test drugs on the QRS complex was checked.

Comparison of exergaming and vestibular training on gaze stability, balance, and gait performance of older adults: A single blind randomized control trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of exergaming and vestibular training on gaze stability, balance and gait performance of older adults.

Methods: The single-blind randomised controlled trial was conducted from August to October 2020 at the Doctor Raza Clinic, Swabi, Pakistan, and comprised individuals of both genders aged 60-75 years. The subjects were randomised into two groups using the sealed envelope method.

Isolating together during COVID-19: Results from the Telehealth Intervention Program for older adults.

Background: A pressing challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond is to provide accessible and scalable mental health support to isolated older adults in the community. The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) is a large-scale, volunteer-based, friendly telephone support program designed to address this unmet need.

Methods: A prospective cohort study of 112 TIP-OA participants aged ≥60 years old was conducted in Quebec, Canada (October 2020-June 2021).

Prevalence and predictors of thyroid dysfunction amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan.

Introduction: Diabetes and thyroid disorders are the two most common disorders amongst endocrine diseases. Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (DM) may disturb thyroid metabolism by disturbing the levels of thyroid hormones in the plasma. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and thyroid dysfunction in type 2 diabetic population presenting in a public sector tertiary care teaching hospital.

Biodiesel from Dodonaea Plant Oil: Synthesis and Characterization-A Promising Nonedible Oil Source for Bioenergy Industry.

In this work, Dodonaea oil was studied as a potential biodiesel source. Dodonaea ( Jacq.) is an evergreen shrubby plant that thrives in tropical and subtropical conditions.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of nitrobenzene by copper-doped TiO: kinetic study, degradation pathway, and mechanism.

Cu-doped TiO (0.1, 0.25, and 0.

Insulinotropic Potential of and An In Vivo Rabbits Model Study Followed by Randomized Phase I Clinical Trial.

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have been reported to cause dysglycemia in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. However, diabetic patients are usually on polypharmacy, so we cannot attribute the dysglycemia specifically to FQs. To answer the question as to whether and influence blood glucose levels and serum insulin levels or otherwise, rabbits were used as experimental animals in an in vivo model followed by a phase I randomized clinical trial in euglycemic healthy volunteers.

Supramolecular lipid nanoparticles as delivery carriers for non-invasive cancer theranostics.

Nanotheranostics is an emerging frontier of personalized medicine research particularly for cancer, which is the second leading cause of death. Supramolecular aspects in theranostics are quite allured to achieve more regulation and controlled features. Supramolecular nanotheranostics architecture is focused on engineering of modular supramolecular assemblies benefitting from their mutable and stimuli-responsive properties which confer an ultimate potential for the fabrication of unified innovative nanomedicines with controlled features.

Moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin mediates its antispasmodic profile via ATP-sensitive potassium channels: An in-vitro bioassay study.

Moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin were tested on isolated rabbits' jejunal preparations as little is known about its effects on gastrointestinal tissues. Moxifloxacin and gemifloxacin were tested in concentrations 0.01-10μg/mL for possible effect(s) on isolated rabbits' jejunal preparations.