An Analysis of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL) Performed at the Institute of Kidney Disease, Pakistan: Stone Clearance and Complications.

Background: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is the preferred treatment for large renal stones, yet variability in outcomes arises from patient-specific factors and institutional practices. Understanding complications and predictors of success is essential to improving procedural efficacy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate stone clearance rates, complications classified using the Clavien-Dindo system, and predictors of PCNL outcomes, with a focus on improving lower calyx stone clearance.

Long-Term Cardiovascular Outcomes of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have emerged as a promising class of medications for type 2 diabetes (T2D) management. While their glucose-lowering effects are well-established, their long-term impact on cardiovascular outcomes remains a subject of ongoing research and debate. This systematic review aims to assess the long-term cardiovascular effects of GLP-1 RAs in adults with T2D compared to placebo, standard care, or other glucose-lowering medications.

Biomarkers for Early Detection of Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide. Identifying reliable biomarkers for stroke diagnosis and risk prediction could significantly improve patient outcomes through earlier intervention and better risk management. The objective of this systematic review is to systematically review recent studies investigating biomarkers for stroke diagnosis and risk prediction and to synthesize the most promising findings.

Sticky Floor, Broken Ladder, and Glass Ceiling in Internal Medicine Academic Ranking, Leadership, and Research Productivity.

Background: Despite more women entering medicine, substantial gender disparities remain in various medical disciplines. This study explores the extent of these disparities in Canadian academic internal medicine, particularly in academic ranks, leadership positions, and research productivity.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Impact of complete versus culprit-only revascularization on major adverse cardiovascular event in diverse subpopulations.

Myocardial infarction management relies on pharmaceuticals and interventions like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). While complete PCI has shown noninferiority to culprit-only PCI, its impact on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) outcomes in multiple subpopulations has been unknown. A systematic literature search (from January 2000 to May 2024) identified four relevant randomized controlled trials involving ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Innovative continuum of care to promote exclusive breast feeding in Pakistan: protocol of a pilot randomised controlled trial.

Background: Breastmilk being the ideal nutrition from birth to 2 years and beyond has many health benefits for both newborn and mothers. This study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of a continuum of care programme, which is a health facility and community based till 6 months post partum to encourage ideal breastfeeding practices.

Methods And Analysis: A pilot randomised control trial having two-parallel arms of intervention and control groups was conducted in gynaecology and obstetrics department of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital with a community outreach component of 6 months.

Comparative Analysis of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy and Conventional Radiation Therapy in Cancer Pain Control: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Approximately 55% of patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic cancer endure pain directly attributable to the disease. Consequently, it becomes imperative to address pain management through a comparative analysis of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and conventional radiation therapy (CRT), especially in light of the less efficacious improvement achieved solely through pharmacological interventions.

Materials And Methods: A systematic exploration was undertaken on PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier's ScienceDirect databases to identify studies that compare Stereotactic Radiotherapy to Conventional radiation therapy for pain management in individuals with metastatic bone cancer.

From Antibodies to Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnostic Challenges in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) poses diagnostic challenges due to its diverse clinical presentation and the intricacies of autoimmune thyroid diseases. This comprehensive narrative review explores the evolving landscape of diagnostic challenges in HT, aiming to provide a thorough understanding of the complexities involved in its diagnosis. The diagnostic criteria for HT involve a multifaceted approach, including clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging studies.

silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrocolloid film for enhanced diabetic wound healing in rats.

Objective: To investigate the role of silver nanoparticle-loaded carbopol gel for enhanced wound healing in a diabetic rat model. This research further aims to explore bioactive compounds derived from obtained from high altitude.

Method: Methanolic extracts of (MP), (MS) and (ML) were used to synthesise silver nanoparticles (AgNP).

Unraveling Catechol-O-Methyltransferase rs4680 SNP's Role in Patients' Response to Tramadol and Its Adverse Effects: A Pharmacogenetics Insight into Postoperative Pain Management.

Effective postoperative pain management is essential for patient well-being and an efficient healthcare system. Variations in the Catechol O-Methyltransferase (COMT) gene, specifically rs4680, play a crucial role in pain perception and opioid response. This study seeks to elucidate the impact of rs4680 polymorphism on tramadol efficacy and adverse reactions in post-surgical patients.

Insights Into Cystic Fibrosis Gene Mutation Frequency, Clinical Findings, and Complications Among Pakistani Patients.

Background Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder with diverse symptoms. Understanding its genetic basis and prevalence is crucial for effective management and treatment. Objective The study aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the frequency of CF gene mutations, clinical presentations, and complications among the Pakistani population.

Dimensions of challenges in transformation from traditional to integrated modular curriculum - Experiences from Pakistan.

Objective: The scarcity of successful implementation of integrated modular curriculum in Pakistan created a lack of evidence-based insight into the process of curriculum transformation. We explored the issue by exploring challenges faced by faculty in implementing integrated modular curriculum.

Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in 2019-2020, data collected from November 2019 to August 2020, at undergraduate medical colleges in Lahore and Rawalpindi, with semi-structured online interviews of well experienced 11 faculty members.

Designing of banana shaped chromophores via molecular engineering of terminal groups to probe photovoltaic behavior of organic solar cell materials.

To meet the rising requirement of photovoltaic compounds for modernized hi-tech purpose, we designed six new molecules (DTPD1-DTPD6) from banana shaped small fullerene free chromophore (DTPR) by structural tailoring at terminal acceptors. Frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs), density of states (DOS), open circuit voltage (V), transition density matrix (TDM) analysis, optical properties, reorganization energy value of hole and electron were determined utilizing density function theory (DFT) and time-dependent density function theory (TD-DFT) approaches, to analyze photovoltaic properties of said compounds. Band gap contraction (∆E = 2.

Exploring the natural products chemical space through a molecular search to discover potential inhibitors that target the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD).

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes are major therapeutic targets of anemia and ischemic/hypoxia diseases. To overcome safety issues, liver failure, and problems associated with on-/off-targets, natural products due to their novel and unique structures offer promising alternatives as drug targets. In the current study, the Marine Natural Products, North African, South African, East African, and North-East African chemical space was explored for HIF-PHD inhibitors discovery through molecular search, and the final hits were validated using molecular simulation and free energy calculation approaches.

Sustained virological response to antiviral drugs in treatment of different genotypes of HCV cirrhotic patients.

Cirrhosis and liver cancer are both caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of the liver. Patients with HCV cirrhosis may be treated with one of many antiviral medications, depending on their specific genotype. Samples of cirrhotic HCV were obtained from 190 people at the Khyber Teaching Hospital and the Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Synthesis, characterization and biological investigation of zinc nanoparticles using Acacia modesta Wall. leaves.

The study aimed to synthesize zinc nanoparticles (Zn-NPs) using an aqueous extract derived from Acacia modesta Wall. leaves. Several characterization techniques were employed to confirm the successful formation of zinc nanoparticles.

Predictive biomarkers for colorectal cancer: a state-of-the-art systematic review.

Introduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a substantial health burden, with early detection paramount for improved prognosis. This study aims to evaluate potential CRC biomarkers and detection techniques.

Materials And Methods: This systematic review, reported in adherence to PRISMA Statement 2020 guidelines, collates the latest research on potential biomarkers and detection/prognosis methods for CRC, spanning the last decade.

Analysis of folate and curcumin-conjugated cadmium sulfide cystein quantum dots for targeted cancer therapy.

The aim of this study was to develop the ranostic nanocomposite by conjugating quantum dots with functional, therapeutic and targeting moieties. The quantum dots nanoparticles were used to diagnose and deliver anti-tumor drugs in a controlled manner to cancerous cells by fusing with tumor cell surfaces. To enhance the attachment of the nano-composite to specific tumor cells without harming neighboring normal cells, folic acid was conjugated with the nano-composite as folate receptors are over expressed in different kinds of tumors.

Evaluation of chemical characterization and antihyperlipidemic potential of orange peel powder (Citrus sinensis) in male human subjects.

Citrus sinensis is an important member of the genus Citrus which contains phenolic compounds and bioflavonoids which have antihyperlipidemic and antiatherogenic effects. It also has the potential to reduce oxidative stress. To investigate the antihyperlipidemic effect of orange peel powder was encapsulated and analyzed in hyperlipidemic patients.

Inhibition of cMYC-MAX transcription factors hetero-dimerization with structurally engineered omoMYC to downregulate oncogenic pathways in renal carcinoma.

In the current study, we employed, structural informatics, and molecular simulation-based methods to engineer OmoMyc, a c-Myc dominant negative protein, to design novel mutants that could abrogate the c-MYC-MAX complex in Renal Carcinoma (RC). Among the total 472 mutations, only six mutations A61Q, Q64E, Q64K, N77R, Q64E-N77R, and Q64K-N77R were reported to increase the binding affinity and subjected to subsequent analysis such as protein-protein docking. The docking results revealed that the predicted mutants improve the functionality of the OmoMyc by not only increasing the binding affinity but also vdW and electrostatic energy in each complex that consequently increase the binding of the engineered OmoMyc by establishing extra hydrogen bonds, salt-bridges, and non-bonded contacts.

The role and mechanism of action of microRNA-122 in cancer: Focusing on the liver.

microRNA-122 (miR-122) is a highly conserved microRNA that is predominantly expressed in the liver and plays a critical role in the regulation of liver metabolism. Recent studies have shown that miR-122 is involved in the pathogenesis of various types of cancer, particularly liver cancer. In this sense, The current findings highlighted the potential role of miR-122 in regulating many vital processes in cancer pathophysiology, including apoptosis, signaling pathway, cell metabolism, immune system response, migration, and invasion.