Publications by authors named "Kashif Iqbal"

Against the backdrop of China's "dual-carbon" goals and regional coordination strategies, information and communication technology (ICT) is positioned as a critical enabler to resolve efficiency-resource trade-offs and bridge spatial development gaps. This paper investigates the impact of ICT on the industrial structure upgrading (ISU) process using the Spatial Dubin Model (SDM). Based on the panel data of cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China from 2001 to 2023, the empirical results indicate that ICT has a positive effect on ISU and that there are significant positive spatial spillover effects.

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To investigate low-frequency acoustic propagation in a wedge-shaped ocean, two ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) were deployed on the seabed and a land-based seismometer (LS) was positioned near the coastline. A broadband acoustic source (airgun) generated signals at a standoff distance. The OBSs captured forward-direct waves and backscattered waves, while the LS detected shore-coupled forward-direct arrivals.

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Background: Rapid linkage to HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is now the standard of care for treating people with HIV (PWH). Understanding and intervening on barriers to rapid enrollment and ART initiation are needed to meet the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.

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Introduction Macular edema causes decreased vision in diseases like diabetic retinopathy, uveitis, retinal vein occlusions and post-cataract surgery cystoid macular edema. Steroids in the depot form of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) increase the duration of action, but due to a number of complications, especially raising intraocular pressure (IOP), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections are now considered the mainstay of treatment. The suprachoroidal space provides an alternate route for steroid delivery, limiting the drug to the posterior segment, hence preventing the adverse effects on the anterior segment.

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Firefighters need personal protection equipment and protective clothing to be safe and protected when responding to fire incidents. At present, firefighters' suits are developed by using inherently thermal-resistant fibers but pose serious problems related to comfort. In the present research, multilayered fire-fighting fabrics were developed with different fiber blends.

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Background: Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is a significant cause of vision loss in men aged 20 to 60, characterized by serous detachment of the neurosensory retina from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). This study aims to assess the frequency of CSC among patients at a tertiary care center in Pakistan, offering insights into its epidemiology and management within this setting.

Methodology: A retrospective observational study was conducted at the ophthalmology department of a tertiary care center from January 2019 to December 2023.

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Background: A wide variety of vitreoretinal diseases have been majorly treated by the use of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) as the most commonly practiced treatment option. Despite the fact that it is the most feasible treatment modality, the probability of corneal endothelial cell damage following the treatment remains a matter of great concern. The study aims to inquire about the aftermath of PPV on endothelial cell density (ECD) and spans a time period of six months after the surgery has been performed.

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Article Synopsis
  • Oral bacterial infections pose significant health risks, especially for diabetic patients, and the rise of antimicrobial resistance is a major concern in treating these infections.
  • In a study, researchers explored the effectiveness of combining fluoroquinolone antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) with omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, which showed enhanced antibacterial activity against identified strains.
  • The combination treatment was found to significantly reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration and effectively eliminate biofilms, with a notable bactericidal effect over a 24-hour period, suggesting it could be a promising strategy for treating oral bacterial infections.
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Objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory, T-lymphocyte immune-mediated skin disease. In this study, skin-permeating nanolipid carriers (NLCs) of Methotrexate (MTX) and Baicalin (BL) were formulated. This further gave formulation of nano-lipid encapsulated carriers for dual-drug delivery of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs through the liposomal gel.

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This study delves into the impact of formal institutions on stock market volatility within a selection of emerging economies. Specifically, it examines the role that formal institutions play in shaping this volatility. To accomplish our goal, we analyze panel data from 46 emerging nations spanning the years 2000-2019, utilizing system generalized method of moments (GMM), as well as random and fixed effect models for our estimations.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study aimed to assess the number of women receiving HIV/STI testing and PrEP services across seven jurisdictions, focusing on racial and ethnic demographics, particularly Black women.
  • - An analysis of data from 2015 to 2020 showed that Black women represented 69.2% of those served in THRIVE, and they had higher STI positivity rates compared to non-Black women, as well as an increased likelihood of being screened for PrEP eligibility.
  • - Despite high screening rates, the study revealed a low prescription rate of PrEP among Black women diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea, indicating a gap in utilizing PrEP services effectively.
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Objective: To compare the efficacy of finger pressure and plastic wafers in terms of pain control during debonding.

Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at the Department of Orthodontics, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to June 2020, and comprised patients of either gender aged 13-21 years who had completed fixed orthodontic treatment with 0.022 brackets of Roth prescription and required debonding.

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Background The emulsification of silicone oil is a significant concern for those with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) following surgery. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of emulsification in the patients who underwent primary vitrectomy and were administered 5000 cs silicone oil. Methodology The Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust in Lahore conducted an ophthalmology study from January 2022 to March 2023.

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To describe HIV testing among clients in the Targeted Highly Effective Interventions to Reverse the HIV Epidemic (THRIVE) demonstration project and evaluate testing frequency. We identified factors associated with an average testing frequency of 180 days or less compared with more than 180 days using adjusted Poisson regression models. We performed the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to compare time to diagnosis by testing frequency.

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Following the "rule of 2", Meckel's Diverticulum (MD) is 2 inches or 5cm long. However, we report the case of an extremely large MD. To the best of our elucidated literature search, it is the first case of Giant Meckel's Diverticulum (GMD) from Pakistan presenting with post-traumatic hemoperitoneum.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on the impact of HIV prevention services on Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) as part of a larger project called THRIVE, which ran from 2015 to 2020.
  • Results showed that health services tailored to Hispanic/Latino populations improved access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), with higher prescription rates found at sites offering these focused services compared to others.
  • The overall conclusion suggests that creating Hispanic/Latino-oriented clinical settings can significantly enhance HIV prevention efforts within these communities.
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Vitreomacular Interface pathology and its surgical treatment is an ever-evolving field in vitreoretinal surgery. Various treatments have been proposed for macular holes associated with vitreomacular traction including ocriplasmin injection, gas injection, and pars plana vitrectomy with posterior hyaloid face stripping with or without internal limiting membrane peeling. The time of intervention in patients with vitreomacular traction syndrome is also a point of contention among researchers.

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Background And Setting: From 2015 to 2020, the THRIVE project supported 7 US health departments to improve HIV prevention services for Black or African American (Black) and Hispanic or Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and transgender women (TGW).

Methods: We described services provided in the THRIVE PrEP continuum. Using Poisson regression models, we estimated associations between race or ethnicity and age and PrEP screening, linkage, and prescription.

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Our objective is to evaluate the effect of navigation on linkage to a PrEP provider among PrEP-eligible men who have sex with men (MSM) in THRIVE, a demonstration project in seven U.S. public health jurisdictions during 2015-2020.

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On May 17, 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Health announced the first suspected case of monkeypox associated with the global outbreak in a U.S. resident.

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To develop and evaluate detergent-free, triple-drug-loaded, hyaluronate-coated elastic nanovesicles (H-ENVs) for the topical treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. H-ENVs were developed and evaluated for vesicle size, entrapment efficiency, skin permeation and antileishmanial potential. A 15.

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Article Synopsis
  • Black and Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) are significantly affected by HIV, prompting the creation of the THRIVE project, which provides targeted prevention services in seven community collaboratives.
  • Analysis of HIV diagnosis data from 2014 to 2019 showed that those in THRIVE areas experienced greater declines in HIV diagnoses compared to similar areas without THRIVE funding, particularly among Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM.
  • The results underline the effectiveness of the THRIVE model, suggesting that to meet the US goal of ending the HIV epidemic, more focus is needed on increasing preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM.
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The study objective was to examine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of healthcare employees. The study was informed by a theoretical framework that incorporates different psychological issues (i.e.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of core technology competence on the competitive advantage of high-tech SMEs (small- and mid-sized enterprises in China). Based on the 379 valid responses collected from a survey, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the research model. Infrastructure and technology, state-of-the-art technology, innovative research and development (R&D) capability, and organizational flexibility all have a significant impact on the competitive advantage, while infrastructure and technology, state-of-the-art technology, and innovative R&D capability have a significant effect on organizational flexibility.

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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.

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