Thrombocytosis and Thrombocytopenia in Treatment-Naïve Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Single-Centre Retrospective Data-Based Study From Pakistan.

Background and objective This study aims to investigate thrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia in treatment-naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, addressing the lack of data on their prevalence and clinical significance. By focusing on untreated patients, this study seeks to clarify the disease's natural course without confounding factors from prior therapies. The research is particularly important in the Pakistani context, where regional variations in RA presentation are underexplored.

PREVALENCE OF EXHUMATION IN DISTRICT HYDERABAD: A LOCAL EXPERIENCE.

Background: Exhumation of bodies for forensic purposes serves as a pivotal tool in medico-legal investigations, yet there is scant data on the practice within the Pakistani context, particularly in the District of Hyderabad. Aim & Objective were to investigate the prevalence and outcomes of exhumations in Hyderabad, contributing to the knowledge base and understanding the cultural and legal factors influencing post-mortem examinations.

Methods: A descriptive, observational, and retrospective analysis of 95 medicolegal exhumations carried out over two years, examining demographic data, the interval between death and exhumation, putrefactive changes, and the determination of the cause of death.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Relationship With Disease Activity: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study From Pakistan.

Objective This study aims to determine whether disease activity was associated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the Pakistani population with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Rheumatology Department of the National Hospital & Medical Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, from April 2021 to June 2022. A sample of 60 patients, both male and female, diagnosed with a case of SLE was collected through the purposive sampling technique.

Relationship of microvascular density and tumor-associated macrophages with orofacial squamous cell carcinoma progression.

Objective: The current study aimed to investigate the characteristics of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and their association with microvascular density (MVD) in tumor progression in different grades of orofacial squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the Pakistani population.

Study Design: This prospective study included 234 patients with oral cancer reported at different hospitals in Pakistan diagnosed with OSCC. Tumors were graded on the Anneroth grading system and the association between the frequency of TAMs and MVD was examined in vivo.

Post-infectious Moyamoya Syndrome: A Review of Existing Scientific Literature From 2000 to 2023.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is considered a primary disorder of an unknown etiology. In contrast, Moyamoya syndrome (MMS) refers to MMD associated with other underlying diseases, such as meningitis in childhood, neurofibromatosis type II, Down syndrome, cranial irradiation, and different types of anemias, particularly hemoglobinopathies. We aimed to provide a comprehensive clinicopathological overview of MMS.

Knowledge of BRCA gene among young Pakistani adults: A short report.

A total of 271 young Pakistani adults responded to a selfdesigned multiple choice-based questionnaire (α = 0.83) which was then used to assess the levels of knowledge regarding breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) gene mutation. Overall knowledge levels were assessed using the sum score of each response; any possible significance between knowledge scores and educational backgrounds as well as gender were also tested.

Frequency of Restless Legs Syndrome in Pakistani Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective To determine the frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from January 2024 to May 2024. The National Institute of Health (NIH) diagnostic criteria were used to diagnose RLS.

Comparison of Rifaximin Alone and With Quinolones in the Primary Prevention of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients With Decompensated Chronic Liver Disease.

Background In cirrhotic patients with ascites, primary prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a key strategy to lower morbidity and death. Rifaximin and fluoroquinolone used alternately as main prophylaxis are as effective as reported. This study aimed to compare the frequency of occurrence of SBP in patients with decompensated chronic liver disease treated with rifaximin alone and in combination with fluoroquinolone.

CDCA8, a mitosis-related gene, as a prospective pan-cancer biomarker: implications for survival prognosis and oncogenic immunology.

Background: Human cell division cycle-associated protein 8 (CDCA8), a critical regulator of mitosis, has been identified as a prospective prognostic biomarker in several cancer types, including breast, colon, and lung cancers. This study analyzed the diagnostic/prognostic potential and clinical implications of CDCA8 across diverse cancers.

Methods: Bioinformatics and molecular experiments.

Refractory Sarcoidosis.

A multi-organ granulomatous disease with characteristic lung manifestations, sarcoidosis generally responds well to glucocorticoid therapy but 10% of cases are refractory necessitating immunosuppressive therapy. A 58-year-old lady presented with a dry cough and progressively worsening shortness of breath for the last 12 months. On investigation, her ESR was raised but cultures, malignancy screen and TB quantiferon were negative.

Lupus Vasculitis.

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman who presented with 8-month history of intermittent fever, joint pains with morning stiffness, recurrent oral ulcers, photosensitivity, weight loss and hair fall. For the last 2 months, she had developed a dry cough with progressive shortening of breath. On examination, a cachexic lady with malar hyperpigmentation, alopecia, pallor, nail dystrophy and erythema over her hands and feet were noted.

Correlation of serum kisspeptin and leptin with non-obstructive azoospermia: A cross-sectional study in a subset of Karachi population.

Objective: To determine the association of serum kisspeptin, leptin, and other hormonal profile with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) in infertile male subjects.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center, and Ziauddin University, Karachi from March 2018 to March 2020. The duration of the study was two years.

Antibiotic resistance genes prevalence prediction and interpretation in beaches affected by urban wastewater discharge.

Background: The annual death toll of over 1.2 million worldwide is attributed to infections caused by resistant bacteria, driven by the significant impact of antibiotic misuse and overuse in spreading these bacteria and their associated antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). While limited data suggest the presence of ARGs in beach environments, efficient prediction tools are needed for monitoring and detecting ARGs to ensure public health safety.

Synthesis, characterization and biological investigation of zinc nanoparticles using Acacia modesta Wall. leaves.

The study aimed to synthesize zinc nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) using an aqueous extract derived from Acacia modesta Wall. leaves. Several characterization techniques were employed to confirm the successful formation of zinc nanoparticles.

Phytochemical, Geographical, and Pharmacological Retrospect of Genus .

Background: Genus (Apiaceae) known as hedge parsley, encompasses 11-13 species distributed worldwide and shows potential pharmacological uses. Its phytochemical pattern is highly diversified including many phenolic and terpenic compounds.

Objective: This research-review provides new highlighting of structural organizations, structure-activity trends, taxonomical, tissue and geographical distribution of phytocompounds of genus from extensive statistical analyses of available data.

Rare serosal cystic gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor with extensive intestinal metaplasia in an adherent gastric mucosa; a case report in a 65-year-old male.

Gastrointestinal (GI) intestinal stromal tumors account for 60% of mesenchymal GI tract tumors commonly located in the stomach and small intestine, predominantly solid tumors that rarely undergo cystic degeneration. A 65-year-old patient with increasing upper abdominal swelling and a computed tomography scan abdomen showed a large unilocular 17 × 16 × 15 cm lesion. A colossal cystic swelling in the lesser omentum, anterior to the stomach, was found upon exploration.

Giant Meckel's Diverticulum as a Cause of Post-traumatic Hemoperitoneum in a 25-Year-Old Male: An Extremely Rare Phenomenon.

Following the "rule of 2", Meckel's Diverticulum (MD) is 2 inches or 5cm long. However, we report the case of an extremely large MD. To the best of our elucidated literature search, it is the first case of Giant Meckel's Diverticulum (GMD) from Pakistan presenting with post-traumatic hemoperitoneum.

Mental health outcomes in health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: an umbrella review.

As we head into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increasing need to consider the long-term mental health outcomes of health care workers (HCWs) who have experienced overwhelming work pressure, economic and social deprivation, burnout, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This scoping umbrella review summarizes the mental health outcomes of published evidence syntheses on HCWs worldwide. We analyzed 39 evidence syntheses representing the findings from 1297 primary studies.

Proteus Syndrome: A Rare Disease Of Disproportionate And Asymmetric Overgrowth Of Connective Tissue.

Proteus syndrome is a rare disease manifested by progressive segmental overgrowth involving the skeletal, Cutaneous, subcutaneous, and nervous systems. We report the case of a 24-year-old female who was born with no obvious abnormality at birth. From the age of 1 year, she developed asymmetric enlargement of her left upper limb and bilateral lower limbs leading to enlargement of the right-hand phalanges with radial deviation, enlargement of the right big toe, lateral deviation of left foot, and discrepancy in the length of lower extremities and kyphoscoliosis.

Dog bite management practices by general practitioners; where are we standing in ASIA; a narrative review.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease endemic worldwide and is fatal after the onset of clinical symptoms. In 99% of cases, dogs contribute to infectious viral transmission in humans. It causes approximately 10,000 deaths per year, mainly in Asia and Africa, with 95% of deaths occurring in Asia alone.

The Association of Periodontal Disease with Low Birth Weight Infants: A Case Control Study.

Objective: To determine the association between periodontal disease and low birth weight among pregnant women.

Methods: Data for this case-control study was collected from June 2019 till February 2020. All women in the Gynecology Department of Lady Willingdon Hospital, Lahore, who had delivered a baby within the last 24 h were invited to participate.

Biomechanical effects of high heeled shoes on neck pain among females: A narrative review.

Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, and is the most common musculoskeletal disorder. High-heel shoes, one of the significant identities of females, cause pain in the neck as well as in feet and ankle regions. The current narrative review was planned to explore evidence to highlight the biomechanical factors of high-heel shoes as the source of neck pain, which mostly remains undiagnosed.