FISPGHAN statement on the global public health impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

As rates of obesity rise worldwide, incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasing, worsening the burden of healthcare systems. The council of the Federation of International Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (FISPGHAN) identified the topic of MASLD epidemiology, treatment, and prevention as a global priority issue to be addressed by an expert team, with the goal to describe feasible and evidence-based actions that may contribute to reducing MASLD risk. The FISPGHAN member societies nominated experts in the field.

Efficacy of Nicorandil in Preventing Myocardial Injury and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common procedure for treating coronary artery disease, but it carries a risk of periprocedural myocardial injury (PMI). This meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy of nicorandil, a hybrid compound with nitrate-like and potassium channel-opening properties, in preventing PMI during PCI. A comprehensive literature search identified 14 studies involving 1,762 patients, with 882 receiving nicorandil and 880 in the control group.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Metformin and Lifestyle Modification for the Primary Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of metformin versus lifestyle interventions in preventing diabetes in individuals with prediabetes. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search of databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE) up to September 1, 2023. Five eligible studies were included.

Spinal Myxopapillary Ependymoma: A Rare Case and Review of Management Strategies.

Intramedullary myxopapillary ependymomas are rare spinal cord tumors primarily affecting young adults. Grade 2 tumors are associated with a higher proliferative index and potentially more aggressive behavior compared to grade 1 tumors. We present a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with a three-month history of progressive unilateral lower back pain that was refractory to analgesics.

Beneficial Impacts of Fenoldopam on Patients With or at Risk for Acute Renal Failure and Undergoing Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

This meta-analysis aims to determine the beneficial impacts of fenoldopam on patients with or at high risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and undergoing surgery. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed while performing the present meta-analysis. Two investigators searched electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library, from inception until January 10, 2023, for relevant studies.

Efficacy and Safety of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors in Patients With Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): A Meta-analysis of Randomized Control Trials.

The current meta-analysis aims to assess the efficacy and safety of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in individuals with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The current meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic search was conducted to identify all relevant studies related to the efficacy and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in individuals with diabetes and CKD.

Association of extensively drug resistant salmonella infection in children with typhoid fever.

Objectives: In resource limited countries facing a huge burden of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant (XDR) enteric fever, treatment is a great challenge on the part of a patient as well as a health care professional. This study was conducted to determine the association of XDR enteric fever with various studied factors among hospitalized culture-positive pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital setup.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive observational study at The Karachi Adventist Hospital from July 01, 2019, to March 31, 2020 on 143 hospitalized children with culture proven enteric fever who were already on empirical antibiotics.

An Unusual Association Between Metformin and Nightmares: A Case Report.

Metformin remains the oral drug of choice for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is an ideal anti-diabetic drug for maintaining good glycemic control in diabetics. However, the side effect profile of metformin varies from minor or no effects to substantial impact on the GI tract.

Protective role of Avena fatua against drug-induced liver toxicity.

The study was conducted to examine the protective potential of ethanol seed extract (ESEt) of Avena fatua (wild oats) against antituberculosis drug (ATD)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Four groups of rats (n=6) were used. Of which, three groups were given ATD (Rimstar 900mg/15kg) and divided them into hepatotoxic control (distilled water 1mL/kg), positive control (silymarin 200mg/kg) and test group (ESEt 800mg/kg).

Levels of perceived stress according to professional standings among dental surgeons of Karachi: a descriptive study.

Background: Globally, occupational stress is a common finding among dentists. The present study aimed to assess prevalence of perceived stress among practicing dentists of Karachi, Pakistan, and assess the perceived stress levels according to the professional standing among dental surgeons.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a convenience sampling technique in which 200 dentists from Karachi were recruited.

Etiology, Clinical Profile, and Short-Term Outcome of Children With Acute Kidney Injury.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common clinical syndrome in hospitalized children and it imposes heavy burden of mortality and morbidity. In resource-constraint settings, management of AKI is very challenging and associated with adverse outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the clinico-etiological profile and outcome of AKI.

Validation of a Public Health Tool used for the Assessment of Violence against Healthcare Providers in the Rural Areas of Sindh.

Objective: To validate a public health tool for assessing violence and its effects against healthcare providers (HCPs).

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Rural districts of Sindh from June to December 2019.

Pertussis in Asia: Recent country-specific data and recommendations.

The Global Pertussis Initiative (GPI) Roundtable Meeting held in 2019, which preceded the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on the incidence, surveillance, and immunization practices for pertussis in the Asian region. Participants from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand presented country-specific information on pertussis prevalence, diagnosis, surveillance, vaccine administration and schedules, maternal and neonatal disease rates, and policies and practice of vaccination during pregnancy. In recent years, many Asian countries have seen an increase in pertussis cases, although underreporting of the disease is a concern.

REPORT- Varying pattern of blood gases, ferritin, procalcitonin, C-Reactive protein, interleukin 6 and lactate dehydrogenase in Covid-19 patients suffering from diverse Co-Morbid, suspected cytokine storm and periodic effects of antiviral and steroidal treatments.

This study depicted varying pattern of inflammatory markers and blood gases of selected SARS Covid-19 patients with triggered cytokine storm, during their stay in ICUs, HDUs, on ventilators for 21 days. All were treated with Antiviral (remdesivir), steroid (dexamethason) and antipyretic (paracetamol) medications. Procalcitonin, PCT, C-reactive protein CRP, Interleukin 6 (IL6) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) blood gases pressure (pO2, pCO2), coagulation (D-Dimer DD) and Iron storage proteins (Ferritin Ft) were analyzed by fully automated analyzers.

Self-perceived competence of dental students regarding the management of orofacial pain: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There is limited data on Pakistani dental students perceived competence in managing orofacial pain (OFP). This study aims to evaluate dental students self-perceived competence regarding the management of orofacial pain.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Karachi at randomly selected two public and four private dental schools.

Profiling of inflammatory biomarkers in mild to critically ill severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-19 (SARS Covid-19) patients from Karachi, Pakistan.

SARS-Covid-19 infection got spread in many countries and WHO declared it as a serious global Pandemic. Pro-inflammatory cytokines storm generated by Covid-19 infection hyper-activates inflammatory response in host body, resulting in elevated release of inflammatory biomarkers. Present article describes the characteristic profile of these inflammatory and related biomarkers in a total of 48 critically ill Covid-19 patients, (Male = 38, F = 10), with mildly ill to severe, critically ill status and thus grouped accordingly.

Critical features of periodontal flaps with regard to blood clot stability: A review.

Background: Wound healing is a multifactorial procedure involving different cell types and biological mediators. The principles of wound healing are also applicable to periodontal tissues. The formation and stability of blood clots play a vital role in successful healing of wounds in periodontal tissues.