Drug Repositioning for Scorpion Envenomation Treatment Through Dual Inhibition of Chlorotoxin and Leiurotoxin.

Scorpion envenomation, a grave public health concern, is primarily driven by the potent neurotoxins chlorotoxin and leiurotoxin present in Leiurus species venom. Developing effective treatments is crucial to mitigate its impact. Utilizing a drug-repositioning bioinformatics-based approach, potential inhibitors of these neurotoxins were identified from Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs.

Experience in prenatal genetic testing and reproductive decision-making for monogenic disorders from a single tertiary care genetics clinic in a low-middle income country.

Objectives: Explore health-care seeking behaviour among couples with pregnancies at-risk of monogenic disorders and compare time duration for obtaining Prenatal Genetic Test (PGT) results based on (i) amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) (ii) in-house testing and out-sourced testing. Report the spectrum of monogenic disorders in our cohort.

Methods: Medical records of women consulting prenatal genetic counselling clinic at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from December-2015 to March-2021 with history of miscarriage or a monogenic disorder in previous children were reviewed.

Diabetes mellitus, maternal adiposity, and insulin-dependent gestational diabetes are associated with COVID-19 in pregnancy: the INTERCOVID study.

Background: Among nonpregnant individuals, diabetes mellitus and high body mass index increase the risk of COVID-19 and its severity.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether diabetes mellitus and high body mass index are risk factors for COVID-19 in pregnancy and whether gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with COVID-19 diagnosis.

Study Design: INTERCOVID was a multinational study conducted between March 2020 and February 2021 in 43 institutions from 18 countries, enrolling 2184 pregnant women aged ≥18 years; a total of 2071 women were included in the analyses.

Preeclampsia and COVID-19: results from the INTERCOVID prospective longitudinal study.

Background: It is unclear whether the suggested link between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia is an independent association or if these are caused by common risk factors.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify any independent association between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia and to determine the effect of these variables on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Study Design: This was a large, longitudinal, prospective, unmatched diagnosed and not-diagnosed observational study assessing the effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on mothers and neonates.

Electrospun carbon nanofibers with multi-aperture/opening porous hierarchical structure for efficient CO adsorption.

Hypothesis: Carbonaceous materials are believed to be excellent source for developing essential vessels for carbon dioxide (CO) adsorption. However, most of the carbonaceous materials used for CO capture have particle form, which is hard to recycle and also may cause choking of the gas pipes. Additionally, they also either require chemical activation or attachment of any functional groups for proficient CO capture.

Deep clinical and biological phenotyping of the preterm birth and small for gestational age syndromes: The INTERBIO-21 Newborn Case-Control Study protocol.

INTERBIO-21 is Phase II of the INTERGROWTH-21 Project, the population-based, research initiative involving nearly 70,000 mothers and babies worldwide coordinated by Oxford University and performed by a multidisciplinary network of more than 400 healthcare professionals and scientists from 35 institutions in 21 countries worldwide. Phase I, conducted 2008-2015, consisted of nine complementary studies designed to describe optimal human growth and neurodevelopment, based conceptually on the WHO prescriptive approach. The studies generated a set of international standards for monitoring growth and neurodevelopment, which complement the existing WHO Child Growth Standards.

Image-scoring system for umbilical and uterine artery pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound measurement.

Objectives: To develop an objective image-scoring system for pulsed-wave Doppler measurement of maternal uterine and fetal umbilical arteries, and evaluate how this compares with subjective assessment.

Methods: As an extension to the INTERGROWTH-21 Project, we developed a scoring system based on six predefined criteria for uterine and umbilical artery pulsed-wave Doppler measurements. Objective evaluation using the scoring system was compared with subjective assessment which consisted of classifying an image as simply acceptable or unacceptable.

Flexible FeO@Carbon Nanofibers Hierarchically Assembled with MnO Particles for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrodes.

Increasing use of wearable electronic devices have resulted in enhanced demand for highly flexible supercapacitor electrodes with superior electrochemical performance. In this study, flexible composite membranes with electrosprayed MnO particles uniformly anchored on FeO doped electrospun carbon nanofibers (FeO@CNF) have been prepared as flexible electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. The interconnected porous beaded structure ensures free movement of electrolyte within the composite membranes, therefore, the developed supercapacitor electrodes not only offer high specific capacitance of ~306 F/g, but also exhibit good capacitance retention of ~85% after 2000 cycles, which certify that the synthesized electrodes offer high and stable electrochemical performance.

Anticipated and unanticipated complications of severe dengue in a primigravida.

As the incidence of dengue is rising among adults more cases of dengue fever are being reported during pregnancy. Physiological changes of pregnancy mask the pathognomonic features of severe dengue such as increased hematocrit, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia and a high index of suspicion are required in endemic areas. Massive hemorrhage may complicate operative deliveries in unsuspected patients.

Fetal outcome of cases with diaphragmatic hernia.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the short-term morbidity of congenital diaphragmatic hernia at a tertiary referral center in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: It is a retrospective cohort study of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia from January 2001 to December 2011. This includes all cases with prenatal diagnosis and those presenting in the postnatal period.

Morbidities of cervical cerclage: experience at a tertiary referral center.

The Perinatal morbidity and mortality associated with pre-term delivery is well known. Cervical incompetence or short cervix is a risk factor for the condition and cervical cerclage is the management option for such cases. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of operative morbidities of cervical cerclage.