Changes in Lifestyle, Health Practices, and Perceived Anxiety amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Conducted on the General Population of Pakistan.

The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created unprecedented challenges across the globe. In addition to its debilitating impacts on health, the pandemic has also resulted in sudden changes in the quality of life. Our study aims to assess and highlight the alterations in lifestyle, health practices, and perceived anxiety in amongst the Pakistani denizens during the categorical lockdown across the country.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of valproic acid among Pakistani and South Korean patients: A population pharmacokinetic study.

Purpose: The pharmacokinetics of valproic acid have been evaluated in a variety of populations however, the comparison in two different populations was yet to be reported. This study is aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of valproic acid in Pakistani and South Korean patients.

Method: The therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) data of valproic acid from 92 Pakistani patients with 218 samples was combined with the data of 99 South Korean patients with 335 samples in order to form a pooled dataset of 191 patients with 553 samples.

The educational use of social networking sites among medical and health sciences students: a cross campus interventional study.

Background: In recent years, social networking sites (SNSs) have evolved beyond connection and networking to become a powerful instructional tool. There is still a dearth of knowledge on the professional use of SNSs for education particularly among students from diverse backgrounds. This study examined the extent and pattern of SNSs usage for education across six institutions and then conducted an interventional workshop to fortify and regulate the educational use of SNSs.

Outcomes of Ublituximab compared to Teriflunomide for relapsing multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis.

Ublituximab is an anti-CD20 antibody that immunomodulates B-cells for relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). With limited therapeutics available, this original meta-analysis seeks to determine the effect size (using RevMan 5.4.

Prevalence of gaming addiction and its impact on sleep quality: A cross-sectional study from Pakistan.

Background: Gaming addiction has become a topic of increasing research interest worldwide but little research has been carried out in Pakistan.

Aims: The present study assessed the prevalence of gaming addiction among a Pakistani sample of adults in the general population. It also explored the effects of online gaming addiction upon sleep quality.

Tocilizumab in severe COVID-19 - A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: The therapeutic effectiveness of interleukin-6 receptor inhibitor in critically ill hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is uncertain.

Methods: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the outcome as recovery or death of tocilizumab for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in critically ill COVID-19 adult patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 4:1 ratio to receive standard medical treatment plus the recommended dose of either tocilizumab or the placebo drug.

Microbiological Impacts of Decontamination of Stethoscopes and Assessment of Disinfecting Practices among Physicians in Pakistan: A Quality Improvement Survey.

The study was conducted to determine bacterial contamination of stethoscopes used by doctors before and after disinfecting with isopropyl alcohol and analyze their practices of disinfecting stethoscopes. Samples from stethoscopes were taken before and after disinfecting with 70% isopropyl alcohol swab with the help of a sterile swab. All swabs were inoculated on Blood and MacConkey agar plates and were examined for growth.

KRD vs. VRD as induction before autologous hematopoietic progenitor cell transplantation for high-risk multiple myeloma.

Bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) induction is standard prior to autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (auto-HCT) in newly diagnosed, high-risk multiple myeloma (ND-HRMM). Carfilzomib (K) is another proteasome inhibitor approved for MM. In this single-center, retrospective analysis, we compared outcomes in ND-HRMM with pre-transplant KRD or VRD induction.

Serum albumin levels monitoring in ICU in early days and mortality risk association in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objective: To establish correlation between serum albumin during early days of ICU admission and risk of death in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we included 76 patients hospitalized in ICU, who stayed for at least four days with COVID-19 pneumonia, from May 1, 2020 to June 30, 2020 in Lahore Health Care Hospital and Al-Shafi Hospital. Patients were labelled as COVID-19 pneumonia on radiological basis as bilateral 'ground-glass opacity' in lower zones and RT-PCR positive result in nasopharyngeal swab.

Outcomes of Uretero-ileal Anastomosis in Bladder Cancer Cystectomies: Bricker vs. Wallace 1.

Background The two commonly used methods for uretero-ileal anastomosis (UIA) during radical cystectomy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) are the Bricker and Wallace 1 techniques. Published data on the incidence of strictures at anastomotic sites is limited. This study compares both anastomotic techniques in terms of uretero-ileal stricture (UIS) rates and the factors that govern it in the patient group.

Impact of Induction With VCD Versus VRD on the Outcome of Patients With Multiple Myeloma After an Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Induction therapy with a triplet regimen, followed by high-dose therapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT), is the standard of care for newly diagnosed, transplant-eligible patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Bortezomib-dexamethasone with cyclophosphamide (VCD) or lenalidomide (VRD) are the most used induction regimens. However, previous studies comparing VCD and VRD showed disparate results.

Medical Students' Online Learning Perceptions, Online Learning Readiness, and Learning Outcomes during COVID-19: The Moderating Role of Teacher's Readiness to Teach Online.

This study determined the direct and indirect effects of medical students' online learning perceptions on learning outcomes via their readiness for online learning. It also determined the moderating effect of teachers' online teaching readiness on medical students' online learning perceptions and learning outcomes. We apply the theoretical lens of self-determination theory and constructivist theory to formulate hypotheses.

The utility of remdesivir in SARS-CoV-2: A single tertiary care center experience from a developing country.

Background: Remdesivir is a monophosphoramidate prodrug of an adenosine analog, and it has a broad-spectrum antiviral activity against paramyxoviruses, flaviviruses, and coronaviruses. Remdesivir is associated with decreased hospital stay and improved outcomes in coronavirus- disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methodology: Of 846 suspected COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital, 612 SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal RT-PCR positive patients were evaluated for enrollment in this prospective cohort study.

SLC11A1 genetic variation and low expression may cause immune response impairment in TB patients.

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Host genetic factors are important for the detection of TB susceptibility. SLC11A1 is located in monocyte phagolysosomes that help to limit M.

Transarterial Embolization of Intracranial Arteriovenous Fistulas with Large Venous Pouches in the Form of Venous Outlet Ectasia and Large Venous Varix or Aneurysm : Two Centers Experience.

Objective: There are different types of cerebral vascular malformations. Pial arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs) and dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are two entities; they consist of one or more arterial connections to a single venous outlet without a true intervening nidus. The high turbulent flow of PAVFs and aggressive DAVFs with cortical venous reflux can result in venous outflow varix and aneurysmal dilatation.

COVID-19 Fear Among Pakistanis: Psychometric Evaluation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Using Item Response Theory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) assesses the fear of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has been translated and validated into over 20 languages. The present study conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and item response theory (IRT) analyses on the FCV-19S among a sample of 937 Pakistani adults (mean [SD] age of 25.83 [11.

Dose Tailoring of Vancomycin Through Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling Among Surgical Patients in Pakistan.

Vancomycin is a narrow therapeutic agent, and it is necessary to optimize the dose to achieve safe therapeutic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify the significant covariates for vancomycin clearance and to optimize the dose among surgical patients in Pakistan. Plasma concentration data of 176 samples collected from 58 surgical patients treated with vancomycin were used in this study.

Global acceptance and hesitancy of COVID-19 vaccination: A narrative review.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a major global health threat to human civilization and has disrupted many aspects of the community around the globe. Vaccination is one of the prominent measures to control the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 120 vaccines have entered human clinical trials and at least 8 vaccines have been fully approved.

Internet addiction and sleep quality among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational cross-sectional survey.

Background: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many people, including medical students. The present study explored internet addiction and changes in sleep patterns among medical students during the pandemic and assessed the relationship between them.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in seven countries, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Sudan, using a convenience sampling technique, an online survey comprising demographic details, information regarding COVID-19, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT).

Real-world long-term outcomes in multiple myeloma with VRD induction, Mel200-conditioned auto-HCT, and lenalidomide maintenance.

Standard-of-care for newly-diagnosed, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HCT)-eligible, multiple myeloma (MM) patients includes bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) induction followed by melphalan 200 mg/m (Mel200)-conditioned auto-HCT and lenalidomide maintenance. We completed a retrospective case series assessing outcomes of 187 MM patients who received this regimen at our institution. The 100-day non-relapse mortality incidence was zero.

Challenges of continuation of live liver donor programme during COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan: outcomes and lessons learned.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has globally affected healthcare including the transplantation programmes.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively studied the impact of COVID-19 on live liver donor (LLD) programme at liver transplant centre in Gambat, Pakistan. Standard operative procedures (SOPs) including COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab PCR, CT scans, personal protective equipment use, 6-feet distancing were developed for LLD and transplant team to mitigate COVID-19 exposure.

Cross-cultural prevalence of sleep quality and psychological distress in healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Poor quality sleep and emotional disturbances are expected in times of crisis. COVID-19 has severely impacted healthcare worldwide and with that comes the concern about its effects on healthcare workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess sleep quality and psychological distress in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perception of Parents of Thalassemic Child to Thalassemia in Pakistan.

Background Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder characterized by reduced hemoglobin synthesis. Aim of our study is to assess the parental knowledge of thalassemia patients and their awareness regarding treatment and preventive measures against thalassemia. Methods It is an observational study done at Ali Zaib Foundation Thalassemia Center in Sahiwal, Pakistan, in May 2019.

Insufficient Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social distancing and isolation which leads to insufficient physical activity and thereby increases sedentary behaviors. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviors among medical students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan, and to determine their associated factors. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among 407 medical students from the Punjab and Sindh provinces between May and June 2020.