Association Between Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Sepsis Severity in ICU Patients.

Background Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition that necessitates prompt identification and assessment of its severity for effective management. However, evaluating sepsis severity using the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores can be complex and costly. This study aimed to assess the association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and sepsis severity, as well as the role of NLR as a predictive indicator of sepsis severity in ICU patients.

Predictors of Ischemic Stroke After Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background Ischemic stroke (IS) is a fatal complication of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Factors that speed up IS development after ACS are understudied, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Thus, this study was designed to identify the potential risk factors of IS in patients with a preceding episode of ACS.

The Efficacy of Intra-articular Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Versus Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Comparative Analysis.

Background Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most typical cause of knee pain and impairment worldwide. It is typified by slow and progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage of the knee joint. Although KOA is being managed with a variety of therapies, the comparison of the effectiveness of different intra-articular injections in KOA treatment in Pakistan is still not thoroughly investigated.

Economic expansion and innovation: A comprehensive analysis of Pakistan's path to technological excellence.

To encourage technological and industrial innovation, nations worldwide implement "re-industrialization" and "manufacturing return." This study investigates the relationship between GDP growth, expenditure on research and development, and medium- to high-tech as a percentage of manufactured exports on technological innovation in Pakistan. We evaluated long-run and short-run causal relationships using the ARDL, bound-F test, and ECM regression.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Intra-articular Infiltration of Hyaluronic Acid and Corticosteroids in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Comparative Study.

Background Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic and progressive disease of the knee joint characterized by articular cartilage destruction. It is the most common cause of knee disability and pain globally. Various treatments are used for the management of KOA; however, the role of intra-articular injections in KOA management in Pakistan remains understudied.

Reducing the risk of denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: a quality improvement initiative.

Unlabelled: Denosumab can improve bone health in advanced kidney disease (CKD) but is associated with hypocalcemia. We created a clinical care pathway focused on the safe provision of denosumab in advanced CKD that reduced the risk of hypocalcemia by 37% at our hospital. Similar pathways could be adopted and tested in other centers.

Incidence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association With Microalbuminuria in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background Vitamin D (VD) deficiency is common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). VD deficiency and its associated factors are understudied in Pakistan. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of VD deficiency and its association with microalbuminuria in patients with T2DM.

Deranged Liver Function Test After COVID 19 Vaccination: A Rare Presentation With Review Of Literature.

Word Health Organization declared COVID 19 infection as pandemic in 2020. Since then different countries had started working on vaccination. After multiple trials different vaccinations got approved.

Bones of contention: Predicting and preventing fractures in patients receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Low bone density is common among those individuals receiving peritoneal dialysis. While cross-sectional studies support an association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalent fracture, relying on bone density alone, particularly at the lumbar spine and in those with high degrees of hyperparathyroidism may underestimate fracture risk. Commonly used risk calculators in the general population have been shown to perform reasonably well in those receiving dialysis although they do not include any risk factors for high turnover bone disease that may play a role in increased fracture risk.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists in end-staged kidney disease and kidney transplantation: A narrative review.

Aims: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) improve glycemic control and promote weight loss in type 2 diabetes (DM2) and obesity. We identified studies describing the metabolic benefits of GLP-1RA in end-staged kidney disease (ESKD) and kidney transplantation.

Data Synthesis: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that investigated the metabolic benefits of GLP-1RA in ESKD and kidney transplantation.

Repair of Aerospace Composite Structures Using Liquid Thermoplastic Resin.

In this study, two types of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite scarf geometries were created using two scarf angles, i.e., 1.

Graphene nanoparticles as data generating digital materials in industry 4.0.

One of the potential applications of 2D materials is to enhance multi-functionality of structures and components used in aerospace, automotive, civil and defense industries. These multi-functional attributes include sensing, energy storage, EMI shielding and property enhancement. In this article, we have explored the potential of using graphene and its variants as data generating sensory elements in Industry 4.

Hypocalcemia Risk of Denosumab Across the Spectrum of Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Denosumab can be used in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) but has been linked with cases of severe hypocalcemia. The incidence of and risk factors for hypocalcemia after denosumab use are not well established. Using linked health care databases at ICES, we conducted a population-based cohort study of adults >65 years old with a new prescription for denosumab or a bisphosphonate between 2012 and 2020.

To repeat or not to repeat? Measuring bone mineral density during anti-resorptive therapy or a drug holiday.

An initial bone mineral density (BMD) measurement is used to diagnose osteoporosis and decide whether patients need treatment, but the utility of repeating this test in those on treatment or on a drug holiday (ie, during a pause in bisphosphonate treatment) is controversial. Here, we present evidence for and against the use of BMD monitoring in patients receiving antiresorptive therapy or on a drug holiday, and give our recommendations, arguing against a one-size-fits-all approach.

A secure and dependable trust assessment (SDTS) scheme for industrial communication networks.

Due to tamper-resistant sensor nodes and wireless media, Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are susceptible to various security threats that severely affect industrial/business applications. The survival of sensor networks is highly dependent on the flourishing collaboration of sensor nodes. Trust management schemes seem to be realistic and promising techniques to improve security as well as cooperation (dependability) among sensor nodes by estimating the trust level (score) of individual sensor nodes.

Incidence of Microalbuminuria and Factors Affecting It in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background and objectives Microalbuminuria prevalence is high in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) all over the world and its prevalence is affected by several factors. In Pakistan, microalbuminuria and factors that play a role in its development in patients with T2DM are under-researched. This study aimed to determine the incidence of microalbuminuria and the factors affecting it in patients with T2DM.

Risk Factors of Nephrolithiasis in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Nephrolithiasis (renal stones) is the most common urological disease. Its prevalence is high in every part of the world. Several factors lead to renal stone formation.

Diabetes and Ramadan: Practical guidelines 2021.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all healthy Muslims from the age of puberty. Though individuals with some illness and serious medical conditions, including some people with diabetes, can be exempted from fasting, many will fast anyway. It is of paramount importance that people with diabetes that fast are given the appropriate guidance and receive proper care.

Occurrence and Health Risk Assessment of Aflatoxins through Intake of Eastern Herbal Medicines Collected from Four Districts of Southern Punjab-Pakistan.

Eastern herbal medicines (HMs) are plant-derived naturally occurring substances with minimum or no industrial processing that have long been used in traditional medicine. Aflatoxins are frequent contaminants of plants. Therefore, these mycotoxins are likely to contaminate HMs and pose a health risk to individuals using them on a regular basis as preventive or curative treatments of various diseases.

Denosumab in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review of treatment efficacy and safety.

Unlabelled: People with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of bone fractures. In this review, we summarize the complexity of fracture prevention in CKD, describe the usefulness of a medication called denosumab, and review its safety in this population. Our article will help doctors manage brittle bones in CKD and encourage researchers to conduct more studies to improve bone health in CKD.