Long COVID-19 Syndrome: Insights From a Major Tertiary Center in the UK on Who Is at Greater Risk.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered the unprecedented 'long COVID' crisis, with persistent symptoms beyond two months post-infection. This study explores the nexus between long COVID symptoms, patient demographics such as age, gender, and smoking, and clinical factors like vaccination, disease severity, and comorbidities.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of records was conducted between September 2021 and December 2022.

Genetic and antiretroviral drug resistance mutations analysis of reverse transcriptase and protease gene from Pakistani people living with HIV-1.

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectiveness is compromised by the emergence of HIV drug resistance mutations (DRM) and can lead to the failure of ART. Apart from intrinsic viral factors, non-compliance with drugs and/or the use of sub-optimum therapy can lead to the emergence of DRMs. In Pakistan HIV currently exists as a concentrated epidemic, however, ART coverage is very low, and drug adherence is poor.

Renal Tumours Of Non-Clear Cell Histology; 10 Years' Experience In A Specialized Centre.

Background: Non-clear cell renal cell carcinomas are uncommon renal tumours with diverse histologically and genetically defined entities. Due to limited clinical outcomes data, no standardized management approach can be offered to these patients. This study aimed to analyse outcomes of non clear cell renal cell carcinoma after surgical resection of localized renal tumours in our population.

Compound Homozygous Rare Mutations in PLCE1 and HPS1 Genes Associated with Autosomal Recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa in Pakistani Families.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) belongs to pigmentary retinopathies, a generic name for all retinal dystrophies with a major phenotypical and genotypical variation, characterized by progressive reduction of photo-receptor functionality of the rod and cone. Global prevalence of RP is ~ 1/4000 and it can be inherited as autosomal dominant (adRP), autosomal recessive (arRP) or X- linked (xlRP). We designed this study to identify causative mutations in Pakistani families affected with arRP.

Case report: Diagnosis of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler Weber Rendu Syndrome) in a 23-year-old male presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia and its response to bevacizumab.

Osler Weber Rendu Syndrome (OWS) is characterized by the development of abnormally dilated blood vessels, which manifest as arteriovenous shunts (pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and cerebral) and mucocutaneous telangiectasias (lips, tongue, and fingertips). It is an autosomal dominant disease with a defect in transforming growth factor beta superfamily genes. This defect results in increased angiogenesis and disruption of vessel wall integrity.

Anti-cancer medicine shortages in an oncology tertiary hospital of Pakistan: A five-year retrospective study.

Objective: Anti-cancer medicine shortages are advancing challenges for patients and hospitals. This study aims to evaluate anti-cancer and supportive medicine shortages in a tertiary hospital in Pakistan and propose solutions.

Method: A retrospective observational research was performed in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from 2016 to 2020.

Balancing science and public policy in Pakistan's COVID-19 response.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the world in an unprecedented manner and South Asian countries were among the first to experience imported cases. Pakistan's response to COVID-19 has been under scrutiny for its granularity, reach and impact.

Aims: to evaluate objectively the chronology and depth of the response to COVID-19 in Pakistan.

Post cricoid tumours; a limiting factor for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion in cancer patients: Results from a tertiary care hospital.

Background And Study Aims: The aim of this study was to review all episodes of PEG insertion in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) at a cancer specialist centre.

Patients And Methods: Using a structured data extraction form, we abstracted patients' demographic data and clinical information including the primary site of tumour, TNM staging, whether PEG tube was inserted successfully, any complications resulting from PEG tube insertion and duration the tube was in place.

Results: We identified a total of 339 HNC patients who had received at least one attempted PEG tube insertion.

General Anaesthesia Versus Regional Anaesthesia For Lumbar Laminectomy: A Review Of The Modern Literature.

Background: Lumbar spine surgery can be performed using different anaesthetic techniques such as general endotracheal anaesthesia (GA) or spinal-based regional anaesthesia (RA). Few of the studies have been done to compare the outcomes of spinal anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia for lumbar laminectomies as both having some advantages as well as disadvantages but still it is controversial. The objective of current study is to make a comprehensive review of literature for comparing the outcomes of lumbar laminectomy performed under general anaesthesia versus spinal anaesthesia.

Bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome: A rare entity.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is the constellations of symptoms produced when the neurovascular structures that traverse the thoracic outlet are compressed. The symptoms are generally due to the compression of the subclavian artery and vein, lower trunk of the brachial plexus as they pass through the thoracic outlet. Diagnosing thoracic outlet syndrome can be difficult because the symptoms and their severity can vary greatly among people.

A review of access to cancer facilities in Punjab, Pakistan.

Background: Punjab is the most populous province of Pakistan, with only 12 countries in the world succeeding it in terms of population.

Aims: This review article has the objective of providing novel statistics regarding available cancer therapeutics in Punjab across four different sectors-including government, semi-private, trust and private sectors.

Methods And Results: Keywords such as "cancer treatment," "facilities," "Pakistan," were used to search Pubmed Database.

Surgical Attitudes And Preferences Regarding Choice Of Anaesthesia Amongst Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Background: Regional anaesthesia is choice of anaesthesia for orthopaedic surgery due to lower side effects such as nausea, vomiting, postoperative pain and early mobilization. Despite of this, some orthopaedic patients refuse this modality. This study was conducted to interrogate the surgeons about their choice of anaesthesia in order to gain some insights into the concerns of surgeons and to change their minds and choose a safer mode of anaesthesia.

Metastatic Gastric Carcinoma Presenting as Acute Appendicitis.

Metastatic disease is one of the few rare causes which can present with clinical and radiological features of acute appendicitis. In this article, we present a case of a 33-years-old man with known primary gastric malignancy undergoing adjuvant treatment, who presented with clinical peritonitis. Imaging findings revealed acute appendicitis and a sealed-off appendiceal perforation.

Elevated Soluble Galectin-3 as a Marker of Chemotherapy Efficacy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Prospective Study.

Purpose: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a glycan-binding lectin with a debated role in cancer progression due to its various functions and patterns of expression. The current study investigates the relationship between breast cancer prognosis and secreted Gal-3.

Methods: Breast cancer patients with first time cancer diagnosis and no prior treatment ( = 88) were placed in either adjuvant or neoadjuvant setting based on their treatment modality.

The emergence of an unassigned complex recombinant form in a Pakistani HIV-infected individual.

In Pakistan, the HIV situation has gone from an outbreak to a concentrated epidemic, and the virus has now crossed into the low-risk population. In addition, several new HIV outbreaks have occurred in different parts of the country. HIV-1 subtype A has been the major epidemic subtype in Pakistan; however, as the epidemic has grown, the emergence of several new subtypes and recombinant forms has been observed.

Life Threatening Anaphylaxis With Co-Amoxiclav Despite Having A Previous Tolerant Exposure To The Antibiotic.

Co-amoxiclav is used as a routine prophylactic antibiotic in surgical procedures. We present a case of 61 years old lady came to outpatient clinic with a diagnosis of right sided lower alveolar tumour. A plan was made to proceed with a Right Marginal Mandibulectomy.

Effect Of Dexamethasone Versus Placebo For Improved Recovery In Patients Undergoing Anaesthetic Interventions For General Surgical Procedures.

Background: Endotracheal intubation is one of the basic prerequisites of general anaesthesia. Recovery of patients is delayed due to the development of post-operative nausea, vomiting, sore throat and shivering. This study was conducted to determine role of dexamethasone for improved recovery of patients.

Association of Impaired Fasting Glucose with Hypertension.

Objective: To evaluate the association of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) with hypertension in Pakistani population.

Study Design: A cross-sectional, analytical study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Shifa Community Health Centre, Islamabad from December 2016 to July 2017.

Corrigendum to "Seroprevalence of Dengue IgG Antibodies among Healthy Adult Population in Lahore, Pakistan".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2013/521396.].

Corrigendum to "Does Comorbidity Increase the Risk of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome?".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2013/139273.].

Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose avid thyroid incidentalomas on PET/CT scan in cancer patients: how sinister are they?

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of malignancy in incidental thyroidal uptake on PET with fluorine-18 deoxyglucose integrated with computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) in Pakistani cancer patients and to assess the role of standardized uptake value (SUV) in deciding which lesions to investigate further.

Method: We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent F-FDG PET/CT scans over a period of 59 months and further analysed those with visually increased thyroidal uptake. Uptake was classified as focal or diffuse.

Turpentine oil inhalation leading to lung necrosis and empyema in a toddler.

Household poisons can cause serious damage to the health of children. Turpentine oil, used chiefly as a solvent in paints, varnishes, and waxes; is often placed within easy reach of children during polishing or painting work. It is capable of causing serious toxicity, whether ingested or inhaled.