The morphology of a smartphonopathic hand - smartphone use and the median nerve cross-sectional area.

Objective: To investigate and compare the median nerve-cross sectional area at the wrist region of the dominant and non-dominant hands of high- and low- smartphone users.

Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was based on 128 human subjects conducted at Bahria University Health Sciences Karachi Campus from January to June 2022. The sample size was calculated using the method of sample size for frequency in a population www.

Association of hip dysplasia in newborns with ethnicity using graf method ultrasound.

Objectives: To determine gender and ethnic distribution of developmental dysplasia of hip in newborns using Graf method for ultrasound. To determine the significance of association between developmental dysplasia of hip with ethnicity in newborns using Graf's method ultrasound.

Method: This analytical cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Karachi from January through June 2022 .

Monster of the Night: Identifying Pakistani Gender-Based, Religious, and Cultural Influences on Sleep Paralysis Among University Students.

The present study has explored the folk knowledge about the phenomenon of sleep paralysis in Pakistani society. The research aimed to gain a nuanced glimpse focusing on three major factors, culture, religion, and gender, that influence the lived experiences of those who face sleep paralysis. In this qualitative research, to have a holistic perception of indigenous knowledge about it, we selected both male and female participants who have experienced sleep paralysis.

Realist evaluation of the AKU-SONAM mentorship program.

Background & Objectives: The context, mechanism, and outcome (CMO) framework is meant to identify specific contextual factors (C) related to organizational and program structure that trigger certain mechanisms (M) involving the unique characteristics of a program, leading to specific outcomes (O). The purpose of this study was to explore the contextual underpinnings, operational processes, and resultant effects of the faculty mentorship program at AKU-SONAM. This exploration involved the context in terms of organizational culture, mechanisms examining processes such as communication between mentors and mentees, quality of relationships, the challenges encountered, and the program's adaptability to cope up while, outcomes encompassed improvements in interpersonal relationships, career advancement, and skill development.

Efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for phantom limb pain- a meta analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is a neuropathic syndrome experienced by the majority of amputees. Various treatment options are available for amputees suffering from PLP including pharmacological, psychological and neuromodulation techniques. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has proven its efficacy in alleviating PLP.

Retraction: Neurological Manifestations of Infectious Diseases: Insights From Recent Cases.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.51256.

Effect of economic recession on the food purchasing behaviour of people of Karachi.

Economic recessions, extending beyond macro indicators, profoundly impact individual consumers and their foodpurchasing behaviour. This study examines how people in Karachi, Pakistan, purchase food and how the recession has affected that activity. Data from 384(100) participants were gathered using the cross-sectional study method in a survey.

Microfluidic chip systems for color-based antimicrobial susceptibility test a review.

Clinical bacteria pose a significant public health threat, underscoring the need for reliable and rapid diagnostic methods for early disease detection, which can facilitate patient recovery. Current diagnostic methods for rapid pathogen detection often take hours to days and require numerous reagents and lengthy protocols. Microfluidic chip system offers a promising solution for clinical microbiology detection by reducing detection time with minimal setup and providing a point-of-care solution for patients.

Exploring Neurohormonal Modulation by Acetazolamide in Heart Failure.

Background Heart failure (HF) is commonly managed by addressing water and sodium (Na) balance, with arterial circulation playing a major role in influencing renal Na and water excretion. Recently, chloride (Cl) has been recognized as an important factor in HF, associated with volume regulation and its modulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activity through macula densa signaling, which impacts Na retention and neurohormonal activation. Acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, can enhance decongestion in HF by increasing urinary Na and Cl excretion when added to loop diuretics, a mechanism supported by prior studies demonstrating improved urine output and decongestion.

Trends in the levels, causes, and risk factors of maternal mortality in Pakistan: A comparative analysis of national surveys of 2007 and 2019.

Background: Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) has decreased worldwide but Pakistan is still striving towards achieving the SDG targets for maternal health. This study highlights the trends in maternal mortality levels and risk factors in Pakistan between 2007 and 2019.

Methods: This study compares the results of secondary data analysis of the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey 2019 with the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2007.

Impact of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease on the Prognosis of Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Radical Resection: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction Although metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is becoming more common in individuals with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it is still unknown how this condition relates to postoperative complications of HCC. While hepatitis B/C virus (HBV/HCV) infection and alcohol use are primary risk factors, MAFLD has emerged as a significant contributor to HCC incidence. Understanding the prognostic impact of MAFLD on HCC outcomes, particularly post-radical resection, is essential.

Inferring effects of mutations on SARS-CoV-2 transmission from genomic surveillance data.

New and more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2 have arisen multiple times over the course of the pandemic. Rapidly identifying mutations that affect transmission could improve our understanding of viral biology and highlight new variants that warrant further study. Here we develop a generic, analytical epidemiological model to infer the transmission effects of mutations from genomic surveillance data.

Efficacy of Intravenous Versus Oral Administration of Levocarnitine in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating Therapeutic Approaches to Renal Anemia.

Background And Aim: Carnitine deficiency contributes to various comorbidities in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. This study aims to assess the impact of levocarnitine supplementation on hematological and serum iron profile parameters, comparing the efficacy of oral versus intravenous (IV) administration in these patients.

Materials And Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial was conducted on patients undergoing MHD at the hemodialysis unit of our study center in Karachi, Pakistan.

A cross-sectional study to correlate nasal profile and chin position with cephalometric lip profile.

Objective: To determine the effect of the nose and chin on the cephalometric lip profile.

Methods And Material: The pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of 177 adult patients with no history of orthodontic treatment were manually traced. The sample size was divided into three vertical and horizontal groups using angle ANB and MMA to assess the difference in nose and chin forms.

Ultrasound-guided embolization for renal artery pseudoaneurysm in solitary kidney.

Introduction: Renal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare yet serious complication following percutaneous nephrolithotomy, especially in patients with solitary kidneys. Effective management is crucial to prevent further renal damage.

Case Presentation: We report a case of a 41-year-old male with a solitary kidney who experienced gross hematuria and renal insufficiency 3 months after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Clinical characteristics of dengue virus infections in Karachi from 2019 to 2023: a cross-sectional study.

Dengue fever is a vector-borne, acute, febrile, and self-limiting systemic viral infection that affects tropical and subtropical regions, including Pakistan. Karachi has a significant burden of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus due to suitable breeding sites, weather, and rapid and unplanned urbanization of squatter areas. The country has limited surveillance studies on circulating serotypes of the dengue virus and the patient's clinical features evolving over temporal changes.

Insight into the Environmental Health Consciousness of Medical Students Regarding the Perceived Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health.

Climate change represents an unprecedented global public health crisis with extensive and profound implications. The Lancet Commission identified it as the foremost health challenge of the 21st century. In 2015, air pollution alone caused approximately 9 million premature deaths worldwide.

Efficacy and safety of misoprostol compared with dinoprostone for labor induction at term: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Labor induction is a common obstetric intervention, increasingly performed worldwide, often using prostaglandins like misoprostol and dinoprostone.

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of intravaginal misoprostol versus dinoprostone for inducing labor, examining their impact on various maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using four databases-PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO, and the Cochrane Library-from January 2000 to April 2023.

Access and knowledge of contraceptives and unmet need for family planning in Pakistan.

Background: Family planning facilities provide an extensive choice of assistance that is beneficial for women and the society. It may limit the fatality risk for mothers and babies by reducing the rate of pregnancies and abortions. The Government of Pakistan has been continuously trying to persuade the people about the importance of family planning.

Problematic smartphone use in a representative sample of US adults: Prevalence and predictors.

The exponential growth in worldwide smartphone adoption has led to mounting concerns about problematic smartphone use (PSU), with some studies of variably defined PSU yielding prevalence rates as high as 20 to 30%. The present study aims to (a) estimate the prevalence of PSU while emphasizing functional impairment, and (b) examine the degree to which a set of demographic, contextual, behavioral and mental health variables can predict PSU. A representative U.

Assessing the Efficacy of Modified CT Severity Index Versus Conventional CT Severity Index in Determining Severity and Clinical Outcomes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using the computed tomography severity index (CTSI) and the modified CTSI (MCTSI) and to assess their correlation with clinical outcome measures. Additionally, the study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of these indices in predicting moderate to severe COPD, based on patient outcomes. Materials and methods In this prospective study, conducted between November 2023 and March 2024, two radiologists, blinded to clinical outcomes, independently assessed CTSI and MCTSI.

Association Between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Bronchial Anthracosis.

Introduction Anthracosis is black discoloration of the bronchi, which can sometimes cause anthracofibrosis. Usually, exposure to biomass fuel, air pollution, or smoke at the workplace causes it. The objective of the current study was to determine the association between tuberculosis and anthracosis.

Automated lesion detection in cotton leaf visuals using deep learning.

Cotton is one of the major cash crop in the agriculture led economies across the world. Cotton leaf diseases affects its yield globally. Determining cotton lesions on leaves is difficult when the area is big and the size of lesions is varied.

Role of Supplementation with Selenium and Myo-Inositol Versus Selenium Alone in Patients of Autoimmune Thyroiditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The main objective was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of selenium alone versus a combination of myo-inositol and selenium (MI + Se) in treating patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). The study aims to determine which treatment option is more effective in restoring euthyroid state, as indicated by changes in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, T4, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb).

Methods: Google Scholar and PubMed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies that reported outcomes of combined treatment (MI + Se) in restoring a euthyroid state, specifically comparing it with selenium-only (Se-only) treatment.