Haplotype Phasing of Biallelic WNT10B Variants Using Long-Read Sequencing in Split-Hand/Foot Malformation Syndrome.

Split-hand/foot malformation syndrome (SHFM) is a congenital limb malformation that is both clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Variants in WNT10B are known to cause an autosomal recessive form of SHFM. Here, we report a patient born to unrelated parents who was found to be a compound heterozygote for missense variants in WNT10B: c.

A Rare Encounter: Diagnosing and Managing Congenital Malaria in a Neonate.

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Teaching and Learning During the Time of Turbulence: Faculty and Residents Perspective.

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Gaps and Barriers to the Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes in Hospitals of Pakistan.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are particularly prevalent in Southeast Asia, mainly due to inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) and the widespread and uncontrolled use of antibiotics. Pakistan is the third largest low-middle-income country (LMIC) user of antibiotics. Antibiotic consumption increased by 65%, from 800 million to 1.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Mothers of Visually Impaired Children.

Objective: To assess the factors that affect mothers' quality of life (QOL) and the association of various demographic variables with QOL of the respondents.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from April to September 2023.

Pattern of Referral of Patients with COVID-19 for Psychiatric Consultation: Experience at a Multidisciplinary Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To determine referral patterns for psychiatric consultations among COVID-19 patients encompassing both the in-patient and Emergency Department of a multidisciplinary hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review. Place and Duration of the Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from March 2020 to December 2021.

Management of Mandibular Condylar Fractures: A Comparison of Closed versus Open Reduction.

Objective: To compare the closed reduction approach with open reduction (transparotid approach) in the management of condylar fractures for parameters such as postoperative facial nerve injury, trismus, and malocclusion.

Study Design: An analytical comparative study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 10th January 2022 to 1st October 2023.

Frequency and Patterns of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms among Ventilated Patients During the Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To determine the frequency of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates in respiratory specimens obtained from ventilated patients admitted to critical care units at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), along with COVID-19-positive cases.

Study Design: An observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, between November 2021 and March 2022.

Prediction of In-Hospital Mortality after Emergency Laparotomy Using Glasgow Coma Scale, ASA Physical Status Classification, and P-POSSUM Score.

Objective: To determine the importance of the Glasgow Coma scale (GCS), ASA physical status classification system, and P-POSSUM score in predicting mortality among patients undergoing emergency laparotomies.

Study Design: An analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of General Surgery, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, from October 2020 to January 2022.

Assessment Implementation Measures (AIM): The Journey Towards the Tool Validity.

Objective: To establish the construct validity of the Assessment Implementation Measures (AIM) tool to accurately assess faculty perspectives on implemented assessment systems, facilitating the alignment with set standards.

Study Design: Qualitative Study. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was carried out at RIPHAH International University and data were collected from participants (senior faculty members) involved in teaching and assessment of undergraduates from various medical and dental colleges in Pakistan.

Quackery in Health is Still Around: Pseudoscientific Healing Practices Across the Globe.

Fraudulent medical practices remain prevalent globally, fueled by digital platforms spreading false claims. This study analysed 3,327 published studies and 400 grey literature sources, selecting 38 studies and 19 excerpts for detailed examination. It identified 126 distinct quackery techniques and products used throughout history.

Clinical Outcomes of Definitive Radiotherapy Delivered by Helical Tomotherapy.

Objective: To assess the disease response and patient survival outcomes for cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy.

Study Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of the Study: The Tomotherapy Unit of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan, from October 2020 to August 2023.

Clinical-Microbial Synergy: Mapping Microbiological Profiles to Clinical Attributes in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Objective: To determine the clinical microbial synergy in skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) based on bacterial groups and explore the likelihood ratios of clinical parameters.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, University of Karachi in collaboration with Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, and Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, from June 2023 to May 2024.

Chicago Sky Blue Stain, Calcofluor White Stain, and Potassium Hydroxide Mount for Diagnosis of Dermatomycosis.

Objective: To evaluate Chicago Sky Blue (CSB) stain, Calcofluor white (CW) stain, and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) mount for rapid diagnosis of dermatomycosis, using fungal culture as the gold standard.

Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology / National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 2023 to February 2024.

Serum Thyroglobulin as a Marker for Differential Diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism.

Objective: To evaluate the role of serum thyroglobulin (TG) as a biochemical marker for differential diagnosis of common aetiologies of hyperthyroidism.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from October 2023 to March 2024.

Effect of Intravenous Paracetamol on Postoperative Recovery in Children Undergoing Hypospadias Repair under General Anaesthesia with Caudal Block: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the impact of perioperative intravenous (IV) paracetamol, administered with caudal ropivacaine on the quality of postoperative recovery in children undergoing hypospadias repair.

Study Design: Double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Place and Duration of the Study: The operating room, post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU), and paediatric surgical ward at the Aga Khan University Hospital, from 31st January 2019 to 1st May 2022.

Ethics in Surgical Practice and Research.

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Teachers' academic motivation and student procrastination behaviour: mediating effects of emotion regulation and study habits.

Purpose: The present study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of external and personal regulatory mechanisms in reducing procrastination behavior among university students. For this purpose, the role of teachers' academic motivation is worthwhile in shaping the learning environment and reducing procrastination, with a focus on the mediating roles of emotion regulation and study habits considered imperative.

Research Design/method: By employing a quantitative, cross-sectional research design, data were collected from a sample of 210 teachers working in universities located in Multan-Pakistan via convenient sampling, yielding a usable response rate of 70.

Potential antihyperlipidemic effects of myrcenol and curzerene in high-fat fed rats.

The study evaluated the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of myrcenol and curzerene on a high fat diet induced hyperlipidemia rat model. Thirty male albino rats were fed on a high-fat diet for four months. The HFD-induced hyperperlipidemia rats were treated with rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg), curzerene (130 mg/kg) and myrcenol (100 mg/kg) for four weeks.

Integrating malaria vaccine and CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive: a comprehensive strategy for accelerated malaria eradication.

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, despite ongoing efforts to eradicate the disease. Recent advancements, including the rollout of malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M™, offer new avenues for prevention. However, the rise of resistance to anti-malarial medications necessitates innovative strategies.

Perceptions and practices of dental faculty members of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan regarding smartphones as an adjunct teaching tool.

Background: It is high time we acknowledged that the IT industry will determine our destiny given its rapid development. The demand to use smartphones and other forms of technology into healthcare is growing in tandem with the population. A great deal has been accomplished because of developments in computer science.

Potentially probiotic NPL 1334 strain of Enterococcus durans benefits rats with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Purpose: To study the potential of a candidate probiotic strain belonging to the Enterococcus durans species in alleviating hypercholesterolemia and improving the microbial milieu of rat gut.

Methods: A previously isolated and characterized E. durans strain NPL 1334 was further screened in vitro for its bile salt hydrolyzation and cholesterol assimilation ability.

Polyphenols as a strategy for improving male reproductive system.

Reproduction in males is one of the complicated processes that is mediated by many environmental factors, as well as by diet (e.g. supplements, nutritional value).