Short Variable Regions flaA Gene (SVR-flaA) Diversity and Virulence Profile of Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter from Poultry and Poultry Meat in India.

Human gastrointestinal infections caused by Campylobacter species is the second most important foodborne illness after salmonellosis worldwide. Poultry represent one of the main sources of Campylobacter organisms. In the present study, the short variable region of flagellin gene (SVR-flaA) typing was carried out to determine the variation among the circulating strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli.

The role of family and culture in the disclosure of bad news: A multicentre cross-sectional study in Pakistan.

Objectives: Disclosure of bad news is distressing for patients and family members. Our aim was to assess patients' perceptions and preferences regarding bad news in the health setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional, multi-centered study supported by an external grant in 15 Government and Private Hospitals across Pakistan.

Comparison of Peer-Assisted Learning with Traditional Faculty-led Teaching in Family Medicine Clerkship: An Experimental Study.

Objective: To compare the effects of reciprocal peer-assisted learning (PAL) with traditional faculty-led teaching on the academic performance of fourth-year medical students in Family Medicine clerkship.

Study Design: An experimental study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Health Professions Education and Department of Family Medicine, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad, Pakistan, from 22nd February 2019 to 25th February 2020.

Adapting the ethical review process for COVID-19 research: reviewers' perspectives from Pakistan.

Background: Research ethics committees (RECs) globally have adapted their responses to provide timely reviews of research proposals in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The REC of the National Bioethics Committee (NBC) of Pakistan has followed suit.

Aims: To explore perceptions of NBC-REC reviewers who reviewed COVID-19 research proposals while describing the newly instituted Rapid Turnaround Review (RTR) system.

Mean Changes in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Having Renal Stone Disease.

Background Urinary stone disease is associated with renal impairment because of obstruction and infection. Comorbidities include hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and impaired renal function. Furthermore, as recurrences are common in urolithiasis, such patients undergo many treatments throughout their life.

Implication of Prophetic Variables and their Impulsive Interplay in CA Prostate Patients Experiencing Osteo-Metastasis.

Aims: To identify variables having a critical role in prostate cancer patients experiencing osteometastasis.

Background: Prostatic carcinoma is a multifactorial complex disorder that exhibits an increased propensity to develop bone metastasis. An interplay of inflammatory and bone remodeling parameters promotes the formation of pre-metastatic niches in bones of patients, which could render them more vulnerable to skeletal disabilities.

Impact of Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packs in Changing Smokers' Views and Habits: An Opinion Survey.

Background: Smoking has become a major issue worldwide. With the advancement in technology, more vulnerable populations, such as teenagers, are also being harmed. One deterrent is the presence of graphic labels on cigarette packs.

Prevalence of Methylphenidate Misuse in Medical Colleges in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective To determine the prevalence of nontherapeutic use of methylphenidate as well as to ascertain any benefits, side effects, and other factors associated with this use. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in medical colleges in Pakistan using a self-constructed, validated questionnaire. The sample size was calculated using Open Source Statistics for Epidemiological Health software (OpenEpi web-based open-source program, MIT license), and it was determined to be 400.

Physical Activity and Depression Among Young Adults in Islamabad: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective To determine the relationship between physical activity and depression between the two genders amongst the young adults of Islamabad. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of students who were studying in various colleges and universities of Islamabad. Students who were willing to participate in the study and who were studying in the institute for more than six months were included in the study.

Role of sociocultural perceptions in malnutrition of children under the age of 5 years in a semi-urban community of Pakistan.

Objective: To assess the impact of sociocultural perception on the nutritional status of children under five years of age.

Methods: This cross-sectional study using a self-constructed questionnaire was conducted at the Shifa Rotary Clinic, Nurpur Shahan, Pakistan, from February to October 2016, and comprised mothers and children. Mothers age 18-45years having a child less than 5 years old were included.

The Role of Parents' Literacy in Malnutrition of Children Under the Age of Five Years in a Semi-Urban Community of Pakistan: A Case-Control Study.

Objectives: According to a recent survey, Pakistan was ranked as the third highest country with malnutrition and the under-five child mortality. No realistic solution for this growing problem has been found despite the fact that the struggle to tackle the issue of malnutrition among young Pakistani children has been going on for the last several decades. The objective of our study was to look into the relationship between parental education and malnutrition in Pakistan and to make a recommendation to improve the nutritional condition of the children.

Methotrexate nephrotoxicity: Novel treatment, new approach.

This is the report of a case of methotrexate nephrotoxicity for which glucarpidase was used. We use the case to review a number of teaching points related to this new treatment option.

Student seminar on smoking: A novel way to introduce different perspectives on smoking to medical students.

Background: The respiratory module at Shifa College of Medicine (SCM) is delivered in third year with emphasis on respiratory pathophysiology and respiratory medicine. Smoking as a topic was introduced to emphasize the preventive aspects of respiratory illnesses. An innovative approach to involve students in their learning was developed.

Ethical review in Pakistan: the credibility gap.

The concept of mandatory ethical review of research involving human participants is gradually taking root in Pakistani institutions. Based on the opinions of Institutional Review Board (IRB) members from institutions across the country, the process faces several challenges which threaten its integrity. The lack of registration or accreditation for IRBs has resulted in a wide variation in the calibre and working of such Boards.

Nonobstructive hydronephrosis due to social polydipsia: a case report.

Introduction: Excessive fluid intake can lead to water intoxication, electrolyte abnormalities, exacerbation of heart failure and anatomical changes in the urinary tract that may present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for patients and physicians. Although the development of nonobstructive hydronephrosis is recognized in patients with central and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, pregnancy or psychiatric polydipsia, it is rarely a diagnostic consideration in healthy individuals with excessive fluid ingestion. We now present what we believe to be the first report of nonobstructive hydronephrosis associated with social polydipsia.

Factors predicting erythropoietin resistance among maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Background: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance remains incompletely understood among hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Method: A retrospective, multicenter study was designed to analyze data from 1,934 patients followed for up to two years. The outcome measure was the erythropoietin resistance index (ERI), defined as erythropoietin dosage over a week divided by the post-HD weight and hemoglobin value.

Assessment of frequency of diarrhoea in relation to drinking water among residents of Nurpur Shahan, Pakistan.

Objectives: To determine the source of drinking water and to assess its relationship with the frequency of diarrhoea among households of Nurpur Shahan.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in January 2010 with a preformed questionnaire. Systematic random sampling was used to collect data.

Awareness about organ donation especially kidney donation in Nurpur Shahan, a rural community area in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Objective: To assess the level of awareness and ethical issues related to organ donation especially kidney donation and the willingness to donate a kidney among the rural population of Pakistan.

Method: A cross sectional study was conducted in a sample of 324 subjects residing in Nurpur Shahan by means of a pre tested questionnaire. Data collection was carried out via a face to face interview and the data was analyzed using SPSS 10.

Factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care among women of reproductive age in Nurpur Shahan.

Antenatal care is important for the prevention of maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of utilization of antenatal care and to identify the factors that affect it. A cross sectional survey was conducted in the community of Nurpur Shahan, Islamabad, Pakistan in January 2010 using a structured questionnaire.