Laparoscopic-assisted versus ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Laparoscopic-assisted (LTAP) and ultrasound-guided (UTAP) transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are widely used for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), yet their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to systematically evaluate and compare postoperative outcomes of LTAP and UTAP in LC.

Materials And Methodology: A comprehensive literature search of five electronic databases was conducted from the inception of the paper till 2 June 2024 following PRISMA guidelines.

Developing entrustable professional activities for undergraduate operative dentistry clerkship.

Objective: In many dental schools worldwide, theoretical knowledge is prioritized over comprehensive training in essential clinical procedures. This leads to graduates with insufficient hands-on experience who are not fully "ready to practice", thereby failing to meet the demands of the job market and community needs. This study aimed to address this critical gap by developing and validating a set of core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) specifically for operative dentistry clerkships to enhance the practical competencies and readiness of dental graduates for effective and independent practice.

Trends in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality in Texas.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with high mortality in the United States, but the burden of CVD mortality is unevenly distributed between demographic and geographic subgroups, with poor characterization of state-specific trends. In this study, the disparities in CVD-related mortality trends in Texas and the United States from 1999 to 2019 were assessed.

Methods: Trends in CVD-related mortality were evaluated through analysis of the Multiple Causes of Death Files from the National Center for Health Statistics.

Evaluating quality of life changes in patients with cleft lip or palate: a mixed method pre- and postsurgical analysis in Karachi.

Background: Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is the most common orofacial congenital disability, presenting significant medical, psychological, and social challenges. In Pakistan, the incidence of CLP is high, estimated at one in 523 live births, but accurate data are lacking due to the absence of a birth registry. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes.

Rising mortality rates linked to type-2 diabetes and obesity in the United States: An observational analysis from 1999 to 2022.

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are increasing in the United States. However, population-level data for mortality trends due to T2D and obesity are limited. This study aims to assess these death trends among adults in the United States categorized by sex, race, and geographical location.

Exploring medical educators' perspectives on teaching effectiveness and student learning.

Background: Medical education in resource-constrained settings such as Pakistan faces significant challenges, including large class sizes, limited resources, and reliance on traditional teacher-centered pedagogies. These factors hinder effective learning and fail to equip students with the critical thinking and practical skills essential for modern medical practice. Educators play a fundamental role in shaping student experiences but often struggle to adopt student-centred methodologies due to insufficient training, resource limitations, and institutional constraints.

Analgesic efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block versus serratus anterior plane block in breast surgery-a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery are key interventions for breast cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women. Many undergoing breast surgery experience postoperative pain compromising their functionality and quality of life. While multiple pain management strategies are available, evidence comparing the erector spinae (ESPB) and serratus anterior plane blocks (SAPB) for improving post-surgical pain management in breast cancer surgery patients is limited.

Rising Mortality of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Among Older Adults in the United States: An Analysis of Demographic and Regional Trends.

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most frequent primary liver malignancy after hepatocellular carcinoma. Contemporary mortality trends due to ICC are largely unknown. We aim to examine the temporal trends of ICC-related deaths among older adults in the United States from 1999 to 2022.

Complications due to HIV in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: HIV infection in patients undergoing Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) results in adverse postoperative outcomes. However, there are uncertain data regarding the extent of involvement of HIV in TJA and the individual complications associated with it. Therefore, we planned to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the risk of HIV in causing complications after TJA.

Assessing the relationship of recommended diarrhea case management practices with the nutritional status of children aged between 0 to 59.9 months.

Background: Paediatric diarrhoea and malnutrition have a bidirectional relationship, which in turn augments the presence of each other. The diarrhoeal diseases in children can be prevented by using (ORS) and . The relationship between paediatric diarrhoea treatment guidelines with the nutritional status is not yet investigated, and this study primarily aims to examine the relationship of recommended diarrhoea case management practices with paediatric undernutrition (wasting, stunting and underweight) among children aged between 0 to 59 months.

Disentangling faculty development: A scoping review towards a rich description of the concept and its practice.

Background: There is wide variation in how faculty development (FD) is practiced globally and described in the literature. This scoping review aims to clarify how FD is conceptualised and practiced in health professions education.

Methodology: Using a systematic search strategy, 418 papers, published between 2015-2023, were included for full text review.

Empowering cancer prevention with AI: unlocking new frontiers in prediction, diagnosis, and intervention.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing our world at an exponential rate and its transformative power has extensively reached important sectors like healthcare. In the fight against cancer, AI proved to be a novel and powerful tool, offering new hope for prevention and early detection. In this review, we will comprehensively explore the medical applications of AI, including early cancer detection through pathological and imaging analysis, risk stratification, patient triage, and the development of personalized prevention approaches.

Trimethylamine N-oxide in cardiovascular disease: Pathophysiology and the potential role of statins.

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with the total number of cases increasing to 523 million in 2019. Despite the advent of new drugs, cardiovascular mortality has increased at an alarming rate of 53.7 % from 12.

Chest Wall Injury Society recommendations for long-term follow-up after nonoperatively and operatively managed traumatic rib and sternal fractures.

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Efficacy and safety of Donidalorsen in Hereditary Angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency: a systematic review and a meta analysis.

Hereditary angioedema with C1 inhibitor deficiency (HAE-C1-INH) is a rare disorder characterized by recurrent, potentially life-threatening swelling in various parts of the body, including the limbs, face, and airways Current treatments focus primarily on symptomatic relief and the management of acute attacks, without targeting the underlying genetic cause or the dysregulated bradykinin production. Donidalorsen, a novel antisense oligonucleotide, addresses a key driver of HAE-C1-INH by targeting prekallikrein (PKK) to reduce bradykinin levels. This meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy and safety of Donidalorsen versus placebo, focusing on two dosing regimens: 4-week and 8-week intervals.

A systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of early vs. delayed pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) poses significant health challenges, often leading to complications such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and increased mortality rates. The administration of early post-traumatic prophylaxis (PTP) is intended to mitigate these risks and enhance overall patient recovery. This study aims to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing clinical outcomes associated with early versus late pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in TBI patients.

Anatomical variations in pneumatization types and volume of sphenoid sinus in a subset of Pakistani people.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between volume and pneumatization pattern of sphenoid sinus using computed tomography images.

Methods: The prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from October 2020 to February 2021, and comprised patients of either gender aged 20-70 years who were subjected to computed tomography of paranasal sinuses. The scans were analysed for sphenoid volume and four pneumatization types of sphenoid sinus, including Type-I conchal, Type-II presellar, Type-III sellar and Type-IV postsellar.

Comparison of Chlorhexidine Gluconate, Sodium Hypochlorite, Neem Extract, and Microwave Radiation for Disinfection of Type IV Dental Stone.

Objective:  The present study evaluated the effect of chemical disinfectants and microwave sterilization on the removal of biofilm containing , , and from type IV dental stone.

Materials And Methods:  One hundred twenty-eight ( = 128) type IV dental cast stone specimens were prepared, and biofilms of microorganisms were cultured. Dental stone samples were subjected to disinfection protocols, including 0.