Effect of combination therapy of methylfolate with antidepressants in patients with depressive disorder.

Objective: To determine the relative effectiveness of combination therapy of antidepressants with low-dose methylfolate versus antidepressant monotherapy in patients with depressive disorder.

Methods: In an open-label clinical trial, forty-four patients with depressive disorder (6A70, 6A71, and 6A72 according to ICD-11) received an evidence-based antidepressant therapy (either escitalopram 10-20 mg, sertraline 50-100 mg, fluoxetine 20-40 mg, duloxetine 30-60 mg, mirtazapine 15-30 mg, venlafaxine 75-150 mg, trazodone 50-100 mg, amitriptyline 25-75 mg, or clomipramine 25-75 mg orally daily for 4 weeks). The experimental group, Group B was additionally given a dose of methylfolate 800 µg daily for four weeks.

Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in the Management of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Systematic Review.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a challenging and potentially life-threatening medical condition that often necessitates prompt intervention. In the quest to improve patient outcomes, one therapeutic agent has garnered significant attention - tranexamic acid (TXA). The basic aim of the study is to systematically review the role of TXA in LGIB.

Role of HbA1c in Mortality Among Patients With a Medical History of Ischemic Stroke and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review.

Elevated HbA1c, a marker of poor glycemic control, is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. HbA1c influences outcomes through distinct mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis in ischemic stroke, during atrial remodeling and thrombus formation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Optimal HbA1c thresholds are generally below optimal levels, with levels above this being linked to higher mortality in both populations.

Molecular profiling of BRCA1/BRCA2 gene variants in Pakistani breast cancer patients.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of genetic variants in breast cancer types 1 and 2 gene in breast cancer Pakistani patients.

Methods: The case-control study was conducted at the Islamic International Medical College and Pakistan Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from October 2022 to August 2023, and comprised females with breast cancer in group A, with an age range of 23-83 years (mean 51.9 ± 10.

Trends in Mortality Due to Cardiovascular Diseases Among Patients With Parkinson's Disease in the United States: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Parkinson disease (PD) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) present significant health burdens, particularly among older adults. Patients with PD have an elevated risk of CVD-related mortality. Analyzing mortality trends in this population may help guide focused interventions.

Efficacy and safety of polatuzumab-vedotin plus bendamustine and rituximab in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtype, relapses or becomes refractory (R/R) in 40 % of cases after initial treatment. Among the second-line treatments for these patients is CAR T-cell therapy, which is considered the gold standard and treatment better than SCT. For these patients, polatuzumab vedotin in combination with bendamustine and rituximab (Pola-BR) is a novel treatment.

Evaluating the impact of faculty development programs at the workplace by using reflective critique writing technique.

Background: The professional development of faculty members is essential for improving the quality of education. Faculty development programs play a very vital role in continued professional development of faculty. Reflective Critique writing is an important tool for evaluation of faculty development programs, as it provides opportunities for self-reflection, self-critique and self-awareness.

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.

Efficacy of Amitriptyline in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background/aims: Amitriptyline is prescribed off-label for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess its efficacy.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted until November 10, 2023, using MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to study the efficacy of amitriptyline in patients with IBS.

Temporal Trends in Mortality Related to Stroke and Atrial Fibrillation in the United States: A 21-Year Retrospective Analysis of CDC-WONDER Database.

Aims: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is one of the most strongly associated risk factors for stroke. Our study aims to analyze changes in mortality from 1999 to 2020 in patients with AF and stroke.

Methods: Using the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC-WONDER), we retrospectively analyzed annual age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) per million from 1999 to 2020 in stroke patients with AF.

The impact of psychological well-being on academic performance among undergraduate dental students.

Objective: To assess the relationship between psychological wellbeing and academic performance among undergraduate dental students.

Methods: The analytical, cross-sectional study was done at a dental college in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to July 2023, and comprised dental students after getting approval from Ethical Review Committee. Data on psychological wellbeing was collected using a short version of the Psychological Wellbeing Scale, assessing autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relations with others, purpose in life, and selfacceptance.

Letter to Editor Regarding "Use of Artificial Intelligence Software to Detect Intracranial Aneurysms: A Comprehensive Stroke Center Experience".

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly significant in neurosurgery, enhancing differential diagnosis, preoperative evaluation, and surgical precision. A recent study in World Neurosurgery evaluated AI's role in aneurysm detection, comparing conventional computed tomography angiography images with AI analysis. AI identified 33 potential aneurysms, with 16 confirmed by radiologists, demonstrating a sensitivity of 36%, specificity of 97.

Challenges in Diagnosing SAPHO Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Perspective.

SAPHO syndrome (synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis syndrome) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by a combination of both osteoarticular and dermatological manifestations. We encountered an interesting case of a 54-year-old female patient who presented with symptoms of recurrent chest infections. Extensive investigations, including laboratory tests and imaging, were conducted with an initial suspicion of malignancy, but the patient was ultimately diagnosed with SAPHO.

Dysregulated renal tubular handling of filtered glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A descriptive study.

Objective: To determine the frequency of suspected dysregulated renal tubular handling of filtered glucose, and its association with blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to June 2023 at the Department of Medicine along with the Department of Pathology and Biochemistry, Pakistan Railway Hospital, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and comprised diabetics aged 19-80 years. Blood and urinary glucose were assessed at the point of contact.

Acute pediatric appendicitis in black and white: clinical disparities, impact and future recommendations.

Racial and ethnic disparities have long been studied in the delivery of healthcare. One such avenue is acute pediatric appendicitis, which continues to be an area of significant and continual research. Because of its routine clinical presentation and standardized management, acute pediatric appendicitis serves as an appropriate proxy for studying discrepancies in healthcare.