The rising menace of antifungal resistance in dermatophytes among the patients of tinea capitis.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of dermatophytes among patients of tinea capitis and their susceptibility pattern to fluconazole and terbinafine.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August to December 2019, and comprised samples of hair and skin from the scalp of tinea capitis patients regardless of age and gender. Demographic details were collected and the samples were processed for direct microscopy and mycological culture.

Prevalence, determinants of chronic rhinosinusitis and its impact on quality of life among students in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common public health issue among students.

Methodology:  A total of 300 undergraduate students were selected through multistage cluster sampling from three public-sector universities. Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and Rhinosinusitis Disability Index (RSDI) were used for determining the quality of life.

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia and their relationship with generalized anxiety disorder among medical students in Karachi.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of inflammatory bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia in medical students and their relationship with generalised anxiety disorder and other relevant factors.

Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi from August to November 2020 after approval from the ethics review board of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and comprised students of either gender aged at least 18 years from different medical colleges in the city. Data was collected using validated tools Rome III criteria for inflammatory bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia and Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7.

Psychological impact of COVID-19 Pandemic and associated factors on college students.

Objective: To determine the psychological impact of coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on college students, and to explore factors influencing their anxiety and depression levels.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2020 to January 2021 at the Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, and comprised medical students of either gender in the first to third year of the academic programme. Data was collected using a pretested online structured questionnaire comprising demographic information, academic problems, daily life difficulties and the 25-item Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale.

The rise of diarrheal illnesses in the children of Pakistan amidst COVID-19: A narrative review.

Background: In Pakistan, 74 children out of 1000 lose their lives annually due to diarrheal illness. This commentary addresses the contributing factors aggravating this growing dilemma and the effect of a simultaneous rise in COVID-19 cases in a healthcare system ready to collapse, along with providing recommendations to alleviate the problems causing this spike in diarrheal cases.

Methods: This narrative review has emphasized the causes of the spike in pediatric diarrheal illnesses in Pakistan as well as recommendations offered to lessen the burden by incorporating recent literature ( = 68).

Water sanitation problem in Pakistan: A review on disease prevalence, strategies for treatment and prevention.

The global water crisis is expected to worsen if urgent action is not taken in making sustainable amends. This applies to Pakistan as the entire country suffers massively from poor water sanitation. Waterborne diseases are rising exponentially attributed to rise in microbial infestations, trace elements and drug toxicity in many water bodies of Pakistan.

Pediatric Off-Label COVID-19 Vaccination: The Concerns of Healthcare Professionals in Pakistan.

Global health authorities have emphasized the vital role of healthcare professionals (HCPs) as a reliable source of vaccination information for patients in primary care. However, HCPs are concerned whether COVID-19 vaccinations can be used off-label. Hence, the current study was conducted to assess their perspectives towards off-label COVID-19 immunization in children.

Malaria in Afghanistan: Challenges, efforts and recommendations.

Malaria, a vector borne disease that can quickly become life-threatening, has become endemic to many countries, in particular Afghanistan. Ranking third for world's highest burden of malaria, Afghanistan has found itself in a downward spiral, burdened by outbreaks of not only malaria, but dengue, watery diarrhea and measles as well. The civil conflict and lack of healthcare services present compounded with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a five-to tenfold increase of malarial incidence in the past years.

Incidence of Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment (RRD) in a Tertiary Care Center of Pakistan.

Background Regardless of the advancements in ophthalmology, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) remains a substantial issue for physicians. The present study assessed the incidence of RRD among our population. Methodology A cross-sectional study was performed at the Layton Rehmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) between June 2020 and May 2021.

Tracing the origins of glioblastoma by investigating the role of gliogenic and related neurogenic genes/signaling pathways in GBM development: a systematic review.

Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive tumors. The etiology and the factors determining its onset are not yet entirely known. This study investigates the origins of GBM, and for this purpose, it focuses primarily on developmental gliogenic processes.

The Association Between Deficiency of Vitamin D and Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 (DMT2).

Background  The impact of vitamin D deficiency on the incidence of various diseases and its relationship with the progression of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is still controversial. The present study evaluated the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with DMT2. Methodology  A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Sindh, Pakistan from October 2020 to September 2021.

Practice and effect of pesticide use on farmers' health in Sindh, Pakistan.

Objective: To identify the frequency and mode of pesticide application, its adverse health effects, and to assess farmers' knowledge and practice of precautionary measures.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in Matli, Badin in the Sindh province of Pakistan from February to April 2020, and comprised farmers. Data was collected through face-to-face interview using a validated questionnaire.

Safety and Efficacy of Suprachoroidal Injection of Triamcinolone in Treating Macular Edema Secondary to Noninfectious Uveitis.

Introduction  One of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world is uveitis, which predominantly results in the feared complication of macular edema. We report the safety and efficacy of suprachoroidal injection of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of macular edema secondary to noninfectious uveitis.  Methodology  This prospective, nonrandomized interventional study was conducted at Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust (LRBT) Eye Hospital, Lahore, from August 2019 till July 2020.

The Correlation Between Blood Group Type and Diabetes Mellitus Type II: A Case-Control Observational Study From Pakistan.

Introduction Adult-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is defined as a chronic hyperglycemic state, characterized by insulin resistance and declining islet B-cell function, eventually leading to islet B-cell function failure. The present study evaluated the association of T2DM with the type of blood group.  Methodology A case-control study was conducted from April 2020 to September 2021 in Karachi, Pakistan.