Enhanced brain tumor detection and segmentation using densely connected convolutional networks with stacking ensemble learning.

- Brain tumors (BT), both benign and malignant, pose a substantial impact on human health and need precise and early detection for successful treatment. Analysing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image is a common method for BT diagnosis and segmentation, yet misdiagnoses yield effective medical responses, impacting patient survival rates. Recent technological advancements have popularized deep learning-based medical image analysis, leveraging transfer learning to reuse pre-trained models for various applications.

A global review on perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the riverine systems: Environmental behaviours and risks implications.

This review provides a comprehensive global overview of the occurrences, distribution, emissions, and associated risks of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in riverine systems across both developed and developing countries including the United States (US), Spain, France, Netherlands, Germany, Pakistan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Italy, and Japan. Data for this review were systematically gathered through a comprehensive and structured search process using various databases, search engines, and academic repositories to identify relevant literature and studies. Human health risks were assessed using recommended United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) models, including estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard risk (HR), and hazard index (HI) for each reported PFAA compound in the studied countries.

Frequency and Predictors of Conversion From Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy: A Single-Center Observational Study.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the rate of conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open cholecystectomy (OC) in our population and determine the potential risk factors associated with it. Understanding these factors helps surgeons predict complex cases and plan surgeries, reducing patient risks and improving outcomes.

Methodology: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, at Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, on 349 patients undergoing elective LC.

Antibiotic Stewardship in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia.

Background Antimicrobial resistance and incorrect use of antibiotics may worsen hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), which is a serious illness associated with healthcare and is related to higher rates of morbidity and death. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) in optimizing the treatment of HAP, focusing on improving patient outcomes and reducing resistance. Methodology A prospective cohort study was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023.

Podocarpane and cleistanthane diterpenoids from Strophioblachia glandulosa: structural elucidation, anti-hypertrophy activity and network pharmacology.

In the present investigation, fourteen unprecedented podocarpane diterpenoids strophiolosas A-J, L-N and P (1-10, 12-14, 16), two new cleistanthane derivatives strophiolosas Q-R (17-18), two new dibenzopyroan-ones and one new tetralone strophiolosas S-U (19-21), were isolated from the whole plant of Strophioblachia glandulosa. The structures were elucidated via various spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemistry calculations, and X-ray diffraction. Bioactivity test indicated that compounds 5 and 17 possessed promising anti-cardiac hypertrophy effect in vitro (IC values of 16.

Multi-Epitopic Peptide Vaccine Against Newcastle Disease Virus: Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Validation.

Background: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a highly contagious and economically devastating pathogen affecting poultry worldwide, leading to significant losses in the poultry industry. Despite existing vaccines, outbreaks continue to occur, highlighting the need for more effective vaccination strategies. Developing a multi-epitopic peptide vaccine offers a promising approach to enhance protection against NDV.

Challenges in the Concurrent Management of Severe Mitral Stenosis With LAA Thrombus and Symptomatic Adenomyosis.

A 49-year-old woman with untreated severe mitral stenosis faced complex management challenges in a resource-limited setting. Initially presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding, her cardiac condition was discovered during a preoperative work-up for a planned hysterectomy. This case emphasizes the necessity for tailored and transdisciplinary management approaches.

New nor-ent-halimane and nor-clerodane diterpenes from Callicarpa integerrima with anti-MRSA activity.

Two new nor-ent-halimane diterpenes and three previously unreported nor-clerodane diterpenes, designated callicaintides A-E (1-5), were isolated from Callicarpa integerrima. Compounds 1 and 2 feature a distinctive 5/6-membered ring system, while compounds 3-5 are characterized by progressively truncated carbon skeletons, containing 18, 17, and 16 carbons, respectively. In addition, four known compounds 6-9 were also identified.

Six new prenylated flavonoids from Dodonaea viscosa with anti-Zika virus activity.

Six new prenylated flavonoids, named visconaeas A-F (1-6), and eleven known isopentenyl flavonoids (7-17) were isolated from Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. The structures of the separated compounds were determined through comprehensive spectral analysis and quantum chemical calculations.

Molecular characterization and antibiotic susceptibility of Shiga toxin- producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolated from raw milk of dairy bovines in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

This study investigated the virulence potential and antibiotic susceptibility analysis of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups, which are significant cause of food borne diseases. A study collected 800 samples of dairy bovine raw milk through various sources, 500 from milk shops, 200 from dairy farms, 26 from milk collection centers, and 74 from street vendors. Using a standard method, E.

A review of heavy metals pollution in riverine sediment from various Asian and European countries: Distribution, sources, and environmental risk.

Riverine sediments are important reservoirs of heavy metals, representing both historical and contemporary anthropogenic activity within the watershed. This review has been conducted to examine the distribution of heavy metals in the surface sediment of 52 riverine systems from various Asian and European countries, as well as to determine their sources and environmental risks. The results revealed significant variability in heavy metal contamination in the world's riverine systems, with certain hotspots exhibiting concentrations that exceeded the permissible limits set by environmental quality standards.

Six new quassinoids from Picrasma chinese P·Y. Chen and their cytotoxicity activity.

In the present study, six new compounds namely, picralactones CH (1-6) along with nine known compounds (7-15) were isolated from the branches and leaves of Picrasma chinese P.Y. Chen.

Drug Release and Stability Study of Innovated Losartan Potassium and Rosuvastatin Calcium Fixed-dose Combination Tablet.

Background: Patient adherence to therapy and compliance is always a challenge for care providers in the management of chronic disorders with multiple medications.

Objective: Our study focused on formulating concurrently prescribed ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker), i.e.

Vegetation-edaphic correlation and importance value index in himalayan 'ecotone' temperate conifer forest using the multivariate technique.

Himalayan 'Ecotone' temperate conifer forest is the cradle of life for human survival and wildlife existence. In spite of the importance of these areas, they have not been studied in depth. This study aimed to quantify the floristic structure, important value index (IVI), topographic and edaphic variables between 2019 and 2020 utilizing circular quadrant method (10 m x 10 m).

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome with polyps in the stomach, duodenum, and small and large intestine: a case report.

Background: Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare hereditary condition characterized by gastrointestinal polyps and pigmented oral lesions. The case contributes to a deeper understanding of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and underscores the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration for accurate diagnosis and tailored therapeutic strategies.

Case Description: We present a case of a 15-year-old Afghan female patient with multiple polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract and mucocutaneous pigmentation.

Non-Obstructive Coronaries In Patients Presenting With The Non St-Elevation Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases are the major cause of mortality and morbidity with acute coronary syndrome as the most common clinical manifestation. In a typical clinical setup, around 30% of the patients presented with "ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI)" caused by the complete occlusion of the coronary artery and the remaining 70% with intermittent or partial occlusion of the coronary termed as non-ST elevation The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of non-obstructive coronary arteries among patients presenting with non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) at a tertiary care cardiac center of Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi.

Enhancing Breast Cancer Detection and Classification Using Advanced Multi-Model Features and Ensemble Machine Learning Techniques.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women, making it essential to have an accurate and dependable system for diagnosing benign or malignant tumors. It is essential to detect this cancer early in order to inform subsequent treatments. Currently, fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and machine learning (ML) models can be used to detect and diagnose this cancer more accurately.

The Imposter Syndrome In Surgical Residents.

Imposter syndrome (IS) is an internal sensation of intellectual phoniness in persons who feel fraudulence and worthlessness. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of imposter syndrome among surgical residents. A web-based survey was conducted among all surgical residents of PGMI, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from May 1, 2022 to May 30, 2022.