Prevalence of Transaminitis and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Among Young Indian Adults-A Population-Based Study.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) with onset in youth may be more consequential for adverse outcomes than that detected later in adulthood. Transaminitis in the general population is a marker of the prevalence of MASLD. There are no previous community-based studies in Indian youth assessing the prevalence of transaminitis.

Associations between degree of food processing and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a multicentre prospective cohort analysis in 9 European countries.

Background: Ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption has been linked with higher risk of mortality. This multi-centre study investigated associations between food intake by degree of processing, using the Nova classification, and all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Methods: This study analyzed data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

Identifying targets for antibiotic stewardship interventions in pediatric patients in Punjab, Pakistan: point prevalence surveys using AWaRe guidance.

Introduction: Surveillance of antibiotic use is crucial for identifying targets for antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs), particularly in pediatric populations within countries like Pakistan, where antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is escalating. This point prevalence survey (PPS) seeks to assess the patterns of antibiotic use in pediatric patients across Punjab, Pakistan, employing the WHO AWaRe classification to pinpoint targets for intervention and encourage rational antibiotic usage.

Methods: A PPS was conducted across 23 pediatric wards of 14 hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan using the standardized Global-PPS methodology developed by the University of Antwerp.

Integrating e-learning into the educational framework for undergraduate medical training: a Nigerian survey on trainers´ perception and readiness.

Introduction: given the significant disruption in educational activities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties about the post-pandemic future, coupled with increasing demand for the healthcare workforce, e-learning may bridge the gap in training medical students. It was imperative to survey the perception and readiness of the trainers on the use of e-learning for undergraduate medical training in Nigeria.

Methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted among teachers of medical students in Nigeria.

Readability of informed consent documents and its impact on consent refusal rate.

Introduction: Informed consent documents (ICDs) are integral to a research project and must provide all required information to the participant. We undertook a 6-year retrospective cross-sectional analysis of ICDs to assess the same.

Methods: We accessed 300 ICDs from studies submitted to institutional ethics committee.

Effect of labor analgesia using programmed intermittent epidural boluses on postpartum depression symptoms: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious concern with multifactorial etiology. Association between prenatal anxiety, pain, and depression has been theorized.

Aim: In this randomized controlled trial, we studied the effect of pain relief by combined spinal epidural (CSE) and other factors influencing PPD.

MAFLD: Exploring the Systemic Effects Beyond Liver.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global health concern which is driven by the increasing prevalence of diabetes and obesity. MAFLD is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, which encompasses a range of conditions, from simple hepatic steatosis to more severe forms. This condition is associated with various complications, including chronic kidney disease (CKD), Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), liver cirrhosis, and even malignancy.

A Complex Presentation of Multiple Myeloma With Renal Complications in a Young Female: Diagnostic Challenges and Treatment Approach.

A previously healthy 30-year-old woman experienced worsening back pain, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and facial puffiness. After 18 months of these symptoms, she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which was also damaging her kidneys. The treatment involved a combination of medications and blood transfusions, leading to improved kidney function.

Carotid intima medial thickness and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in children with overweight and obesity: A hospital based cross-sectional study.

A hospital based cross sectional study involving children aged 2-15 years attending the obesity clinic of a tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to March 2018 was carried out to study carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) and its association with cardiometabolic risk factors in children with overweight and obesity. Secondary objective was to compare children with elevated (EcIMT) and normal cIMT (NcIMT). Out of 223 patients enrolled for the study, 102 (45.

Recent Advances in Nanotherapeutics and Theranostics for Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comprehensive Review.

Recent advancements in nanotherapeutics have revolutionized cancer treatment through the integration of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, known as theranostics. This critical review examines the current landscape of nanotherapeutics for various cancers, such as bladder and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, highlighting current advancements in nanotherapeutics and challenges. Key approaches discussed include biomimetic smart nanocarriers, polymeric smart nanocarriers, inorganic-based smart nanocarriers, and nanorobots.

Eosinophilic dermatitis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Hematological malignancies are known to have cutaneous manifestations, either in the form of direct infiltration of skin by malignant cells or as a result of paraneoplastic syndrome. Many hematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), are known to cause malignancy-induced Eosinophilic Dermatoses. We present a case of an elderly woman who presented with multiple pruritic patches.

Evaluating the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective potential of fruiting body and mycelium extracts from edible yellow morel (Morchella esculenta L. Pers.).

Scope: This study aimed to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and acetylcholinesterase activities of fruiting bodies (FB) and mycelium (M) extracts of Morchella esculenta L. collected from various regions of Pakistan. The samples included Skardu fruiting body (SKFB) and mycelia Skardu (SKM), Malam Jaba fruiting body (MJFB) and Malam Jaba mycelia (MJM), Krair Mansehra fruiting body (KMFB) and Krair Mansehra mycelia (KMM), and Thandiani fruiting body (TFB) and Thandiani mycelia (TM).

Current Landscape of Adoptive Cell Therapy and Challenge to Develop "Off-The-Shelf" Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a type of immunotherapy in which autologous or allogeneic immune cells, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or engineered lymphocytes, are infused into patients with cancer to eliminate malignant cells. Recently, autologous T cells modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 showed a positive response in clinical studies for hematologic malignancies and have begun to be used in clinical practice. This article discusses the current status and promise of ACT research in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focusing on challenges in off-the-shelf ACT using primary cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with or without genetic engineering.

Noninvasive in vivo imaging of macrophages: understanding tumor microenvironments and delivery of therapeutics.

Macrophages are pivotal in the body's defense and response to inflammation. They are present in significant numbers and are widely implicated in various diseases, including cancer. While molecular and histological techniques have advanced our understanding of macrophage biology, their precise function within the cancerous microenvironments remains underexplored.

Evaluating H2BC9 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Histone H2B is highly expressed in many types of cancers and is involved in cancer development. H2B clustered histone 9 (H2BC9), a member of the H2B family, plays critical roles in gene expression regulation, chromosome structure, DNA repair stability, and cell cycle regulation. However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of H2BC9 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains unclear.

Digital transformation project risks assessment using hybrid picture fuzzy distance measure-based additive ratio assessment method.

Digital transformation (DT) has become vital for companies trying to remain competitive in the recent ever-changing technological environment. DT is the integration of digital technologies into all disciplines of business from regular activities to strategic decision making. Risk management planning requires projects to assess possible risks that may negatively or positively affect a DT project.

Assessing the capacity to implement the international health regulations to control COVID-19 at points of entry in Eswatini.

Introduction: Significant challenges to implementing international health regulations (IHR) at points of entry (PoEs) have been highlighted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Better assessment of the capacities of the PoEs may promote focused interventions. This study aimed to assess the capacities and practices at PoEs.

Expansion of medical school admission quotas in Korea, is it really necessary?

Background: In 2024, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare enforced a policy to increase the number of medical school students by 2,000 over the next 5 years, despite opposition from doctors. This study aims to predict the trend of excess or shortage of medical personnel in Korea due to the policy of increasing the number of medical school students by 2035.

Methods: Data from multiple sources, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Health Insurance Corporation, and the Korean Medical Association, were used to estimate supply and demand.

Reduction in bacterial culture positivity rates at a human milk bank facility of a tertiary care hospital: a quality improvement initiative.

Background: Human milk banks (HMBs) offer the best feed for neonates after mother's own milk (MOM), especially when MOM is insufficient. Although HMBs are founded on standard protocols, contamination and wastage of milk due to positive milk cultures remain a problem. Present study was planned as a quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce culture rates at the HMB.

Energy metabolism, antioxidant defense system, metal transport, and ion homeostasis are key contributors to Cd tolerance in SSSL derived from wild rice.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity poses major challenges to rice cultivation, affecting plant growth and development. Wild rice and nanoparticles offer promising strategies to enhance Cd tolerance, yet little is known about their combined effects. This study evaluates the single segment substitution line (SG004) from Oryza glumaepatula (wild rice) and its response to Cd stress compared to cultivated rice (HJX74).

Mild behavioral impairment and its relation to amyloid load in isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

Introduction: In isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), the evidence of cognitive impairment and co-existing amyloid pathology suggests that mild behavioral impairment (MBI) may be associated with disease progression. In this study, we investigated MBI and its association with cognitive function, brain amyloid load and glucose metabolism in iRBD patients to evaluate the utility of MBI as a predictive marker of disease progression.

Methods: Patients with iRBD underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, F-florbetaben (FBB) PET, and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET.

Ensuring Medical Device Safety: The Role of Standards Organizations and Regulatory Bodies.

Medical devices significantly enhance healthcare by integrating advanced technology to improve patient outcomes. Ensuring their safety and reliability requires a delicate balance between innovation and rigorous oversight, managed through the collaborative efforts of standards development organizations, standards accrediting organizations, and regulatory agencies such as the U.S.