The Cost-Effectiveness of Early Invasive Procedures for Acute Coronary Syndrome in Low-Income Regions: A Prospective Cohort Study in Pakistan.

Background Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity globally, necessitating effective intervention strategies. Early invasive procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are often recommended for high-risk patients. However, their cost-effectiveness in low-income regions remains uncertain, particularly in Pakistan, where healthcare resources are limited.

Ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent-based liquid-liquid microextraction for simultaneous determination of Ni (II) and Zn (II) in food samples.

A new approach was developed for the simultaneous pre-concentration and determination of Ni (II) and Zn (II) in food samples. This method is based on ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid micro extraction using hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (DES) and 1,10-phenanthroline as chelating agent. The effect of several parameters, such as pH, selection and volume of DES, amount of chelating agent, time of sonication and centrifugation, was studied.

SLC4A11 mutations causative of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) progressing to Harboyan syndrome in consanguineous Pakistani families.

Background: Autosomal recessive corneal hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) is a rare congenital disorder of cornea. Mutations in SLC4A11 gene are associated with CHED phenotype. CHED is also an early feature of Harboyan syndrome.

Topical Ocular Anesthetic Use among Welders of Rawalpindi City, Pakistan.

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was done from January to June 2018 in welding shops of Rawalpindi city, Pakistan. The objectives of the study were to determine the frequency of topical ocular anesthetic use among welders and to assess the knowledge and practices of welders regarding safety measures. One hundred and fifty-eight welders from age group of 20 years and above, having welding work experience of more than one year, were included in the study.

Is Pterygium Morphology Related to Loss of Corneal Endothelial Cells? A Cross-Sectional Study.

Purpose: To determine the difference in mean corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) between the healthy and diseased eyes of the patients with unilateral pterygium with different morphology patterns by using a non-contact specular microscope (SP2000: Topcon Corporation, Japan) and to find out any relationship between severity of pterygium and daily sunlight exposure with the CECD loss.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional prospective study was carried out at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital (ASTEH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 21st January 2019 to 22nd January 2020. Two hundred eyes (n= 100 patients) of age range18 -68 years with unilateral pterygium were selected.

Utility of teleconsultation in accessing eye care in a developing country during COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of teleconsultation in the provision of eye care services during the COVID-19 lockdown. Disparities in the consultation burden of sub-specialities and socio-demographic differences in teleconsultation utilization were also assessed.

Methods: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital Rawalpindi began audio and video teleconsultation using broadband telecommunication services during the lockdown.

Nanomaterials-based solid phase extraction and solid phase microextraction for heavy metals food toxicity.

In the last few years, nanomaterials are widely used sorbents for the extraction of heavy metals in food samples. The nanomaterials have a larger surface area and show high selectivity, fast adsorption capability, and high efficiency for food contaminants (heavy metals). Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), nano-imprinted polymers (NIPs), nano-based metal-organic frameworks (N-MOFs), and silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are most prominent nanomaterials used in the preconcentration and determination of heavy metals.

Hollow fiber-based liquid phase microextraction followed by analytical instrumental techniques for quantitative analysis of heavy metal ions and pharmaceuticals.

Hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) and electromembrane extraction (EME) are miniaturized extraction techniques, and have been coupled with various analytical instruments for trace analysis of heavy metals, drugs and other organic compounds, in recent years. HF-LPME and EME provide high selectivity, efficient sample cleanup and enrichment, and reduce the consumption of organic solvents to a few micro-liters per sample. HF-LPME and EME are compatible with different analytical instruments for chromatography, electrophoresis, atomic spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and electrochemical detection.

Comparison of Changes in Central Corneal Thickness During Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking, Using Isotonic Riboflavin Solutions With and Without Dextran, in the Treatment of Progressive Keratoconus.

Purpose: To compare intraoperative changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) during corneal cross-linking, using 2 different isotonic riboflavin solutions either with dextran or with hydroxy propyl methylcellulose, in the treatment of progressive keratoconus.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed records of corneal thickness measurements, taken during various steps of cross-linking. Cross-linking was performed using either isotonic riboflavin with dextran (group A) or isotonic riboflavin with hydroxy propyl methylcellulose (without dextran) (group B).

TNF-α Genetic Predisposition and Higher Expression of Inflammatory Pathway Components in Keratoconus.

Purpose: To date keratoconus (KC) pathogenesis is undefined; however, the involvement of inflammatory pathways in disease development is becoming apparent. In the present study, we investigated the role of a promoter region polymorphism rs1800629 (-308G>A) in the inflammatory pathway component TNF-α and its effects on the expression of TNF-α and downstream molecules tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and 2 (TNFR1 and TNFR2), v-rel avian reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homolog A (RELA), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in KC development.

Methods: TNF-α promoter polymorphism rs1800629 (-308G>A), was genotyped in 257 sporadic KC patients and 253 healthy controls.

Variants in the ASB10 Gene Are Associated with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma.

Background: Recently nonsynonymous coding variants in the ankyrin repeats and suppressor of cytokine signaling box-containing protein 10 (ASB10) gene were found to be associated with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in cohorts from Oregon and Germany, but this finding was not confirmed in an independent cohort from Iowa. The aim of the current study was to assess the role of ASB10 gene variants in Pakistani glaucoma patients.

Methods: Sanger sequencing of the coding exons and splice junctions of the ASB10 gene was performed in 30 probands of multiplex POAG families, 208 sporadic POAG patients and 151 healthy controls from Pakistan.

Corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus: results of 3-year follow-up in Pakistani population.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of corneal collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A (UV-A) light in arresting the progression of keratoconus.

Design: Prospective, nonrandomized experimental study.

Participants: Seventy-one eyes of 66 patients with progressive keratoconus.

Association of known common genetic variants with primary open angle, primary angle closure, and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma in Pakistani cohorts.

Purpose: Despite the different etiology of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG), and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG), several studies have suggested that these forms of glaucoma have overlapping genetic risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of genetic variants recently associated with POAG in different types of glaucoma in Pakistani POAG, PACG, and PEXG patient cohorts.

Methods: Six variants in CDKN2B-AS1 (rs4977756), CDKN2B (rs1063192), ATOH7 (rs1900004), CAV1 (rs4236601), TMCO1 (rs4656461), and SIX1 (rs10483727) were genotyped using TaqMan assays.

Assessment of serum lipids in patients with age related macular degeneration from Pakistan.

Objective: To determine serum lipids in patients with age related macular degeneration from Pakistani population.

Methods: The study was a cross sectional, randomized and case-control. Selected subjects ages were > or = 50 years and were normotensive, non-diabetic with no family history of any such disease and no complication of posterior ocular chamber other than age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinases MMP1 and MMP9 are associated with primary open-angle and angle closure glaucoma in a Pakistani population.

Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in remodeling of the extracellular matrix during development and growth of various tissues including the eye. Various functional polymorphisms in MMPs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of different types of glaucoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of various polymorphisms in Pakistani patients with glaucoma.

MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and homocysteine levels in primary open angle and primary closed angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To investigate the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C genotypes and plasma concentrations of total homocysteine (tHcy) in Pakistani patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed angle glaucoma (PCAG).

Methods: This was a prospective case-control study. A total of 295 patients (173 POAG, 122 PCAG) and 143 age- and sex-matched controls were subdivided into two ethnic groups, Punjabis (Punjab province, central Pakistan) and Pathans (North-West Frontier Province, northern Pakistan).

Enhanced binding of circulating SLE autoantibodies to catecholestrogen-copper-modified DNA.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease characterized by circulating and tissue fixed autoantibodies reactive with self-antigens, including nucleic acid and other nuclear components. The pathways by which these autoantibodies act as a pathogenic factor remain elusive. Present study has investigated the role of estrogens in SLE etiopathogenesis.

C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is associated with primary closed angle glaucoma.

Purpose: To determine whether or not there is an association of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism with disease in cohorts of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and primary closed-angle glaucoma (PCAG) from Pakistan.

Methods: This was a prospective study consisting of 150 patients (90 POAG and 60 PCAG) and 70 control subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of the peripheral blood.

Clinical and microbiological diagnosis of trachoma in children living in rural areas in the district of Attock, Punjab, Pakistan.

Background: Trachoma is a sight-threatening process triggered by infection of the conjunctiva with Chlamydiae. When this infection becomes chronic and is associated with poverty it triggers trachoma, the prime cause of infectious blindness in the world. Since the 1958 report indicating that the highest incidence of trachoma in Pakistan was found in the province of Punjab, no new trials have been published.