Photolysis of tolfenamic acid in aqueous and organic solvents: a kinetic study.

Tolfenamic acid (TA) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that was studied for its photodegradation in aqueous (pH 2.0-12.0) and organic solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol).

Optimisation of a Method for the Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Toward Renal Epithelial-like Cells.

Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell lineages, but few methods have been developed to generate kidney lineage cells. Due to their human origin, pluripotent nature and immunomodulatory properties, these stem cells are attractive candidates for clinical applications such as the repair or regeneration of damaged organs. This study evaluated the renal differentiation potential of hucMSCs, when exposed for 10 days to optimised concentrations of retinoic acid, activin-A and bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in various combinations, with and without the priming of the cells with a Wnt signalling pathway activator (CHIR99021).

Efficacy and safety of finerenone in chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: The incidence of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is substantially correlated with cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. The current guidelines recommend the use of renin-angiotensin system blockers, but recent studies probed into the effects of finerenone to mitigate the risk of cardiorenal events. This meta-analysis was performed to demonstrate the effects of finerenone on cardiorenal events, comprising cardiovascular mortality, heart failure, change in estimated glomerular filtration rate, and serum potassium levels.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population of Pakistan regarding typhoid conjugate vaccine: findings of a cross-sectional study.

Typhoid fever, a common enteric disease in Pakistan, caused by , is becoming an extended drug-resistant organism and is preventable through the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV). Public adherence to preventive measures is influenced by knowledge and attitude toward the vaccine. This study investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the general population of Pakistan toward TCV.

Analysis of Tolfenamic Acid using a Simple, Rapid, and Stability-indicating Validated HPLC Method.

Background: Tolfenamic acid (TA) belongs to the fenamates class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Insufficient information is available regarding the availability of a reliable and validated stability-indicating method for the assay of TA.

Objective: A relatively simple, rapid, accurate, precise, economical, robust, and stabilityindicating RP-HPLC method has been developed to determine TA in pure and tablet dosage forms.

Normal preoperative levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase predict the absence of common bile duct stones in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, nowadays, is considered the gold standard option for management in patients diagnosed with symptomatic cholelithiasis. Nevertheless, some patients may have coexisting choledocholithiasis, which manifests later in life with grave complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of preoperative gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in predicting choledocholithiasis in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Heavy migration of flood affectees in Pakistan and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children: a call to action.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to various neurodevelopmental disabilities generally seen in kids. Pakistan, being vulnerable to natural disasters, faced one of the most devastating floods in July 2022 due to which many individuals were displaced. This not only affected the mental health of growing children but also the developing fetus of migrant mothers.

Outcomes of COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury and longitudinal analysis of laboratory markers during the hospital stay: A multi-center retrospective cohort experience from Pakistan.

The frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients can be varied and related to worse outcomes in the disease population. AKI is common among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly the ones needing critical care. This study was conducted in order to determine the outcomes of hospitalized patients with prolonged hospital stays who suffered from COVID-19 associated AKI.

Ophthalmic manifestations of nutritional deficiencies: A mini review.

Balanced nutrition is crucial for a healthy eye and vision. Many nutritional deficiencies can result in vision impairment. This article reviews the ocular manifestations of vitamin deficiencies, including vitamin A, vitamin B1 and B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E, and minerals such as zinc.

Self-medication dilemma in dengue fever.

This paper focuses on the trends of self-medication practices in treating symptoms that may lead to fatal complications in dengue. As dengue is a viral infection with increasing incidence, decision regarding its treatment is mostly affected by public health believes and practices to self-treat the condition by different home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or using outdated prescription drugs that proved beneficial in the past experience. Poverty, lack of education, and poor access to health facilities pave the way for making such decisions.

Relation of salivary MMP-8 with oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma: a cross sectional analytical study.

Objectives: We aim to evaluate salivary matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-8) levels in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) for the purpose of diagnosis at the early stage via non-invasive method.

Setting: The study was multicentre, carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Participants: A total 60 participants of any age, sex and ethnicity were randomly selected for the purpose of this study.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy accompanied with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and encephalopathy: A case report.

Acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare condition associated with other common liver manifestations such as hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets syndrome (HELLP). We present a 27-year-old pregnant woman who developed hepatic encephalopathy and DIC after being diagnosed with Acute fatty liver disease of pregnancy.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pandemic on menstrual health of women: A systematic review.

Background: The menstrual cycle in women is the main indicator of their reproductive health which is affected by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This review aims to summarize the effects of the COVID-19 infection and the global pandemic on the menstrual health of women.

Methods: The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar using keywords "COVID-19," "Menstrual Cycle," "Menstrual Cycle Irregularities," "Amenorrhea," "Polymenorrhea," and "Dysmenorrhea.

Dengue outbreak in the times of COVID-19 pandemic: Common myths associated with the dengue.

With the sharp rise in dengue cases across the state and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to pay attention to the common misbelieves among the population about dengue. It should be considered to actively spread awareness about the disease to bust the common myths associated with it. A few common myths include that it is a contagious disease, or it is a milder infection than COVID-19, so it's not taken more seriously, or that one cannot be coinfected with both dengue and COVID-19 at one time.

Disseminated hydatid cyst disease; a rare presentation in a tertiary care hospital of Azad Jammu Kashmir.

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the many neglected animal-based diseases also called zoonotic, it has been highlighted by the World Health Organization. It is a human and animal health issue in numerous endemic regions around the globe. CE is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.

SVR achievement in triple therapy treated hepatitis C induced cirrhosis: A dual center retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objective: Multiple prospective and retrospective cohort studies from the West have demonstrated the conflicting results about the efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) by sustained virologic response (SVR) achievement rate in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. But there is limited to no data about the effectiveness of triple therapy ribavirin-sofosbuvir-daclatasvir in cirrhotic hepatitis C infected patients from Pakistan.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study by retrieving records of 359 hepatitis C infected patients treated with triple therapy from two tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan [Cirrhotic = 187 (53%); non-cirrhotic = 172 (47%)] from February 18, 2018, to June 29, 2019.

Pattern of novel psychoactive substance use among patients presented to the poison control centre of Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are relatively new substances in the illicit drug market, not previously listed in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). Strox and Voodoo are considered some of the most popular blends of NPS in the Egyptian drug market.

Objectives: The current study was conducted to assess NPS's use pattern: Voodoo and Strox among acutely intoxicated patients presented to the poison control center of Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCC- ASUH).

Meckel's diverticulum containing enterolith mimicking acute appendicitis.

Introduction: Meckel's diverticulum is a vestige of the vitello-intestinal duct. It is one of the most common congenital abnormality of the GI tract.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a male patient who presented with pain in the peri-umbilical region and in right iliac fossa.

Assessment of quality of life determinants in hemodialysis patients of a developing country: A cross-sectional study during ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Objectives: Patients of end-stage renal disease are prone to have a very low quality of life (QoL). Variety of factors influence the QoL among sufferers of chronic kidney disease comprising of type of dialysis, sufficiency/adequacy of dialysis, and associated burden of disease. We conducted this study amidst the pandemic to determine the associated factors for poor QoL in hemodialysis patients during the ongoing pandemic.

A case of McKusick-Kaufman syndrome with perinatal diagnosis: Case report and literature review.

Introduction: and importance: McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKS) is a rarely reported autosomal recessive syndrome characterized by hydrometrocolpos (HMC), polydactyly and various gastrointestinal and renal manifestations.

Case Presentation: We present a case of suspected MKS in a prenatal ultrasound with dilated lateral ventricles of the brain and HMC.

Clinical Discussion: Main differential diagnosis includes Bardet-Beidel syndrome (BBS) which can present with HMC and polydactyly but retinal manifestations are a differentiating feature from MKS.