On the role of epigenetic modifications of HPA axis in posttraumatic stress disorder and resilience.

Stress is a fundamental adaptive response that invokes amygdala and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis along with other brain regions. Extreme or chronic stress, however, can result in a multitude of neuropsychiatric disorders, including anxiety, paranoia, bipolar disorder (BP), major depressive disorder (MDD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite widespread exposure to trauma (70.

Dengue virus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: A case series and comparative literature review from dengue endemic region.

This case series describes the wide spectrum of clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and morbidity/mortality associated with dengue fever in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, treated in a dengue endemic region. The risk of acquiring viral infections increases manifold after transplant due to the severely immunocompromised state amid conditioning toxicity and immunosuppressive therapy. The classical warning signs of dengue viremia are often masked in posttransplant patients, leading to a missed diagnosis of dengue and grave consequences observed in some of the patients.

Unveiling the Moderating Factors in the Relationship between Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life among University Students during COVID-19: A Mixed Study Design.

This study examines the moderating effects of various factors on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among 287 female college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected through an online questionnaire covering health issues, PA, self-esteem, HRQoL, and sociodemographic information, supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus groups with six participants. Results showed that 46% of respondents had good HRQoL, and 38% were physically active.

Impact of MLL::AF9 Gene Rearrangement on Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Patients: An Insight into Pakistani Population.

Objective: To ascertain the frequency of the MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement and its association with survival in Pakistani patients suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Study Design: Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan, from 2015 to 2020.

Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Trends in Pakistan: Activity Survey from Pakistan Bone Marrow Transplant Group.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country with a population of 225 million and has health expenditure accounting for only 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Accordingly, there are a limited number of haematology-oncology and transplant centers in the country.

Reticulated Platelet Count as a Diagnostic Tool in Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Objective: This study aimed to compare the reticulated platelet count between patients having thrombocytopenia secondary to autoimmune destruction (immune thrombocytopenia {ITP}), bone marrow failure, and healthy controls who presented to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2021 to October 2022 in the Department of Hematology, National Institute of Blood Disease (NIBD) Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, that involved examining three groups: 30 patients with immune thrombocytopenia, 30 patients with thrombocytopenia secondary to reduced production from bone marrow, and 30 healthy controls. The study utilized the Sysmex XN-1000 (Hyogo, Japan: Sysmex Corporation) automated hematology analyzer to perform a complete blood count (CBC) test.

Perception of Healthcare Providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Method Survey in an Integrated Healthcare Delivery System in Saudi Arabia.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was broadly adopted for patient care. Considering this experience, it is crucial to understand the perceptions of teleclinic healthcare professionals. In Saudi Arabia, telemedicine literature was restricted to physicians working in government and private hospitals.

Moderating Effects of Self-Esteem on the Relationship between Communication Anxiety and Academic Performance among Female Health College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Unprecedented quarantine due to COVID-19 exposes individuals to withdraw from face-to-face interactions, which may influence communication and self-esteem (SE). Therefore, the overarching aims of this study are to examine the communication apprehension levels among female college students, and thus to investigate the moderating role of self-esteem on the relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement. In this cross-sectional study, 287 female college students completed the survey, which was circulated through email.

Fludarabine/Cyclophosphamide Conditioning Regimen in Aplastic Anemia Patients Receiving Matched-Sibling Donor Transplant Is Non-inferior to ATG/Cyclophosphamide: A Single-Center Experience from Pakistan.

The successful outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) in aplastic anemia patients is driven by suitable donor selection, appropriate conditioning regimen, early intervention, and optimal supportive care after transplant. Pakistan, being a developing country, faces grave economic challenges due to meager health care budget; therefore, cost constraints remain the foremost impediment in optimizing transplant facilities for socioeconomically deprived patients. We conducted a single-center retrospective analysis of aplastic anemia patients ( = 130), who received matched sibling donor transplants from 2011 to 2019, treated with either fludarabine/cyclophosphamide (Flu/Cy) or antithymocyte globulin/cyclophosphamide (ATG/CY) conditioning regimen.

Attitudes of Female Health Science Students and Recent Graduates toward the Care of the Dying in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Positive and professional attitude of health professionals toward the palliative care issues of patients is crucial and challenging for fresh graduates. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of health science graduates about providing care for dying patients and their families.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, graduates of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Saudi Arabia ( = 113) have participated.

Influence of cytochrome P450 and glutathione S transferase polymorphisms on response to nilotinib therapy among chronic myeloidleukemia patients from Pakistan.

Background: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) and glutathione S transferases (GSTs) are important biotransforming enzymes responsible for detoxification of anticancer drugs and carcinogens. Polymorphisms in these enzymes may greatly influence the susceptibility to CML and overall efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This study was aimed to estimate the possible influence of the polymorphisms of GSTs and CYP in the occurrence of CML as well as in predicting therapeutic outcome of nilotinib therapy in Pakistani CML patients.

A novel case of lupus nephritis and mixed connective tissue disorder in a COVID-19 patient.

Introduction: Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune condition characterized by Scleroderma, Polymyositis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE). Though a possible relationship between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases has been recently reported, its pathophysiological mechanism behind flares in Lupus Nephritis (LN), a complication of SLE, remains unknown.

Case Presentation: A 22-year-old COVID-19 positive female presented with anemia, bilateral pitting edema, periorbital swelling, and posterior cervical lymphadenitis.

Thrombocytopenia in Pregnancy: Identification and Management at a Reference Center in Pakistan.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the causes of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy and its management along with the outcome in the COVID-19 era.

Methods: Recruitment for this prospective, cross-sectional observational study of thrombocytopenia in pregnancy (platelet counts <100x10/L) was done from January 2017 to August 2020 at the National Institute of Blood Diseases (NIBD) after taking the patients' informed consent. Complete clinical and lab profile of patients was also collected.

Highly specific functional equivalence of XN-HPC for optimum CD34+ cell count in harvested allogeneic bone marrow stem cell products.

Objectives: To establish a reliable XN-HPC cutoff, for an effective CD34 + cell count of ≥2 × 10cells/kg of the recipient's body weight, in harvested bone marrow products in allogenic transplantation.

Methods: The study was carried out in two phases. In retrospective Phase 1, data from 47 donors were analyzed.

P-Loop mutations-Negative prognosticators in tyrosine kinase inhibitors resistant chronic myeloid leukemia patients.

Introduction: P-Loop mutations in CML patients prevent the conformational change in BCR-ABL1 necessary for drug binding. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of mutations in this domain on the prognosis of the disease and also to associate the baseline Sokal relative risk score with the overall survival in non-responding CML patients.

Methods: Blood samples were analyzed using ARMS-PCR and then an association was assessed between presence/absence of mutations, hematological and molecular response, disease progression, overall survival, and Sokal score.

Frequency and Risk Factors of Cyclosporine-Induced Neurotoxicity in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients.

Background and objective The calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporine A is routinely used for prophylaxis against graft-versus-host-disease (GvHD) in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched allogeneic stem-cell transplant patients and is a major etiological factor for neuropathological symptoms that are reversible in most cases. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency and risk factors of cyclosporine-induced neurotoxicity (CIN) in HLA-matched allogeneic stem cell transplant patients. Methods The study spanned the period from January 2016 to December 2019.

Diagnosis and Management of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Society of Medical Oncology, Pakistan Society of Hematology, and Pakistan Society of Clinical Oncology Joint Clinical Practice Guideline.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the commonest non-Hodgkin lymphoma encountered by hematopathologists and oncologists. Management guidelines for DLBCL are developed and published by countries with high income and do not cater for practical challenges faced in resource-constrained settings. This report by a multidisciplinary panel of experts from Pakistan is on behalf of three major national cancer societies: Society of Medical Oncology Pakistan, Pakistan Society of Hematology, and Pakistan Society of Clinical Oncology.

Effect of Resilience on Health-Related Quality of Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The unprecedented outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a huge global health and economic crisis. The aim of the study was to examine the extent to which the resilience of a person is associated with the quality of life (QoL) of adults amongst Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of adults in Saudi Arabia.

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Harvest HPC Count Is an Effective Surrogate Marker for CD34+ Cell Count in Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant Setting.

Objective: We assessed the predictive potential of XN-HPC for CD34+ cell count as obtained through Sysmex automated hematology analyzers (XN-1000).

Methods: This study was conducted at the National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation in 84 donors between December 2012 and December 2017 in the first phase and later validated in 112 donors between December 2017 and December 2018. Sysmex XN-1000 and BD FACS Calibur estimated XN-HPC and CD34+ cells of peripheral blood apheresis product, respectively.

A distinct molecular mutational profile and its clinical impact in essential thrombocythemia and primary myelofibrosis patients.

Background: Classical MPNs including ET and PMF have a chronic course and potential for leukaemic transformation. Timely diagnosis is obligatory to ensure appropriate management and positive outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the mutational profile, clinical characteristics and outcome of ET and PMF patients in Pakistani population.

Health and Rehabilitation Science specialities, physical activity and dimensions of wellness among the students of PNU.

Introduction: The dimensions of wellness and engagement in physical activity both are crucial for a healthy lifestyle, adjustment, and attainment of professional excel among young female health students.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to determine adherence to physical activity and dimensions of wellness among students of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (n = 198).

Design: This study is based on a Cross-sectional design.

Coagulation abnormalities in dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess abnormality of coagulation and anticoagulation parameters in dengue fever patients and the impact of these tests on the management of patients.

Background: Dengue fever is endemic in Pakistan with seasonal rise in cases. Morbidities and mortalities are proportionately reported to be increasing and associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation resulting in haemorrhagic or thrombotic manifestations in patients having deranged coagulation profiles.