Mycotoxin binder for immune and intestinal histopathology ameliorations against Newcastle disease in vaccinated broilers.

Background: In broiler farming, vaccination against Newcastle disease (ND) is essential. Nonetheless, during the post-vaccination phase, production may be negatively impacted by mycotoxin contamination in feed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mycotoxin binders on immune and intestinal histopathology ameliorations against ND in vaccinated broilers with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) toxication.

A review of myostatin gene mutations: Enhancing meat production and potential in livestock genetic selection.

Myostatin (MSTN) is an essential gene that regulates muscle growth and development in livestock animals, influencing meat production and carcass quality. This review looks at MSTN genetic diversity in a variety of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, focusing on correlations between particular mutations and phenotypic parameters such as muscle mass and growth rate. Mutations in the MSTN gene have been linked to desirable features such as greater body weight and higher meat quality, making it an ideal candidate for genetic selection in breeding programs.

Avian influenza in birds: Insights from a comprehensive review.

One of the worst zoonotic illnesses, avian influenza (AI), or commonly referred to as bird flu, is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Influenza viruses, which are members of the Orthomyxoviridae family. The harmful effects of AI illness can affect both human and animal health and cause financial losses. Globally, the AI virus lacks political purpose and is not limited by geographical limits.

Development of peptone-based serum-free media to support Vero CCL-81 cell proliferation and optimize SARS-CoV2 viral production.

Background: Developing an optimal media for Vero cell lines is crucial as it directly influences cell survival, proliferation, and virus production. The use of serum in cell culture raises safety concerns in biological production. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency have implemented stricter regulations on the use of animal-derived components in commercial protein manufacturing to ensure patient safety.

Naphthalene or Mothball Poisoning Manifesting as Acute Intravascular Hemolysis and Acquired Methemoglobinemia.

Naphthalene is a major component of mothballs. Domestically, people use mothballs as an insect repellent. Its deliberate or accidental ingestion leading to toxicity has rarely been reported in the medical literature, despite its widespread use in Southeast Asia.

Tackling salmonellosis: A comprehensive exploration of risks factors, impacts, and solutions.

Salmonellosis, caused by species, is one of the most common foodborne illnesses worldwide with an estimated 93.8 million cases and about 155,00 fatalities. In both industrialized and developing nations, Salmonellosis has been reported to be one of the most prevalent foodborne zoonoses and is linked with arrays of illness syndromes such as acute and chronic enteritis, and septicaemia.

Effect of probiotics and acidifiers on feed intake, egg mass, production performance, and egg yolk chemical composition in late-laying quails.

Background And Aim: Probiotics can be used as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters because antibiotics are prohibited worldwide. This study investigated the potential combination of probiotics and acidifiers to improve feed intake, productive performance, egg mass, and egg yolk chemical composition of late-laying quail for the health of humans who consume quail products.

Materials And Methods: One hundred laying quails were divided into 4 × 5 treatments, with each group consisting of five replications.

Extensively Drug-Resistant Enteric Fever In Children: Surging Threats Of Antimicrobial Resistance And Possible Solutions.

Background: Enteric fever is an infectious disease caused by Salmonella enterica including Salmonella Typhi and Paratyphi A and is associated with potentially serious outcomes, especially in developing countries. The study was conducted with the aim to present the clinical features, laboratory characteristics and antibiotic susceptibility in patients with culture-proven extensively drug-resistant (XDR) enteric fever and to explore drug combinations as a possible solution for the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Paediatric unit of Ayub teaching hospital.

Evolving Spectrum of Dengue: A Two-Year Experience From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: This study focused on examining the clinical manifestations, disease severity, and outcomes among cases of dengue fever (DF) confirmed through serological testing. The study specifically targeted individuals admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Methodology: This prospective observational study at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, tracked 1,003 patients from admission to discharge or death between August 2022 and November 2023.

Challenging diagnosis of Wilson's disease: A case report.

Wilson's disease is arare inherited disorder of copper met abolism. If le f t untre ated, i t can turn into a multi systemic disease with copper deposition in the liver, brain, a nd other tissues. Diagnosi s of Wilson's is delayed in Pak ist an by many ye a rs on average due to va riabl e presen tations.

Influence of microbiota inoculum as a substitute for antibiotic growth promoter during the initial laying phase on productivity performance, egg quality, and the morphology of reproductive organs in laying hens.

Background And Aim: Antibiotics that increase growth have long been employed as a component of chicken growth. Long-term, unchecked usage may lead to microbial imbalance, resistance, and immune system suppression. Probiotics are a suitable and secure feed additive that may be provided as a solution.

Implementation approaches for leprosy prevention with single-dose rifampicin: A support tool for decision making.

Background: In the past 15 years, the decline in annually detected leprosy patients has stagnated. To reduce the transmission of Mycobacterium leprae, the World Health Organization recommends single-dose rifampicin (SDR) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for contacts of leprosy patients. Various approaches to administer SDR-PEP have been piloted.

A cross sectional study to assess nasal carriage of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital.

Objective: To determine the nasal carriage of staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers in a tertiary care setting.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from April to July 2018, and comprised healthcare workers at the institution. Nasal swabs were collected and cultured on Mannitol salt agar.

Enteric Fever: Diagnostic Dilemma Encountered in Domperidone-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome.

Enteric fever is a multisystem illness caused by Typhi and Paratyphi, and it is associated with a spectrum of conditions ranging from minor cases of diarrhea and low-grade fever to a potentially fatal illness that can lead to gastrointestinal (GI) perforation, hemorrhage, central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is predominantly described as an idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptic medications. However, it has also been associated with a variety of drugs that reduce dopaminergic activity.

The oracle study - fibromyalgia, prevalence and severity in the hospital setting in the Pakistani population.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of fibromyalgia in hospital-visiting patients.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from July, 2018, to January, 2019, and comprised patients aged 18-75 years of either gender. Demographic information, comorbidities and previous medications were recorded for each patient.

The long-term impact of the Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program on leprosy incidence: A modelling study.

Background: The Leprosy Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (LPEP) program explored the feasibility and impact of contact tracing and the provision of single dose rifampicin (SDR) to eligible contacts of newly diagnosed leprosy patients in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. As the impact of the programme is difficult to establish in the short term, we apply mathematical modelling to predict its long-term impact on the leprosy incidence.

Methodology: The individual-based model SIMCOLEP was calibrated and validated to the historic leprosy incidence data in the study areas.

The association between ethnicity, environmental and lifestyle factors and chronic disease in the development of pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Objectives: To determine the association between ethnicity, environmental factors, lifestyle factors, chronic diseases and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX).

Methods: A case control study conducted at four major hospitals in Pakistan from January to November 2019, with 241 cases and 294 controls, aged ≥ 40 years, who were administered a questionnaire assessing demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic diseases and ethnicity. Multivariate binary logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratio between cases and controls.

DAR-GRACE: Diabetes and Ramadan: glycaemic control, physician counselling and patient practices -experience from a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Objective: To identify patient practices and knowledge pertaining to Ramadan fasting and to see whether physicians were providing adequate counselling and adjusting medications accordingly.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from June to August 2018, and comprised diabetic patients who fasted during Ramadan. A questionnaire was designed to assess patients' knowledge, risk category, pre-Ramadan counselling, medication adjustment, lifestyle changes, pre- and post- Ramadan glycated haemoglobin levels, and complications during Ramadan.

Pandemics of the past: A narrative review.

Infectious diseases resulting in epidemics and pandemics have moulded human history and continue to do so even today. Cholera, plague, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and influenza have been some of the most brutal killers. The advancement of medical science has helped us win the war against several of these deadly agents.

Assessment of red cell distribution width, glycaemic control and diabetes related complications - the ARDENT Study.

Objective: To assess the association of red cell distribution width with glycaemic control and the presence of complications in diabetes patients.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was done at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan, from September to November 2017, and comprised patients with type 2 diabetes. Clinical and demographical characteristics were documented and they were subjected to complete blood count, red cell distribution width, glycated haemoglobin, fasting and random blood glucose, lipid profile, urea and creatinine.