Factors, practices and health needs of men who have sex with men, transgender and female sex workers engaged in sexualized drug use in Pakistan.

The objective of the study is to explore factors, practices, and health needs of men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender (TG), and female sex workers (FSW) engaged in sexualized drug use in Pakistan. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted from August 2024 to December 2024. Community-based organization (CBO) staff (stakeholders) for MSM, TG, and FSW, as well as self-identified MSM, TG, and FSW who have engaged in SDU previously or currently, were recruited.

Harnessing the synergistic potential of EGCG and camptothecin against skin melanoma: a computational and experimental approach.

Skin melanoma remains a major global health concern, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a predominant polyphenol in green tea, possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may suppress melanoma progression. Camptothecin (CPT), a topoisomerase I inhibitor, disrupts DNA replication in cancer cells, demonstrating promise in targeted melanoma therapy.

Aflatoxin exposure and mortality in acutely ill children: results from the CHAIN network cohort.

Background: Chronic exposure to aflatoxins is associated with liver cancer, impaired child growth, and compromised immune function. The Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Network cohort was established to identify risk factors for mortality in acutely ill children admitted to nine hospitals in four African and two South Asian countries. We examined the role of aflatoxin exposure in inpatient and post-discharge mortality.

Meloxicam mitigated methylglyoxal-induced glycative stress in rats.

Objectives: Glycation is one of the primary underlying processes attributed to senescence and related diseases. No medicine currently targets this harmful manifestation. Drug repurposing is an efficient and cost-effective way of developing drugs.

PEGylated chitosan xerogels for localized periodontal therapy: design, characterization, and drug release.

It is essential to adopt effective therapy strategies for periodontal diseases to achieve optimal results while avoiding adverse effects on the system. This study has developed various PEGylated chitosan-based biodegradable xerogels for localized release of doxycycline hyclate (DH) to treat periodontal infectious diseases. The xerogels were formulated using the solvent casting method, and the solvent (0.

Molecular assessment of carbapenem-resistant and ESBL Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates to decipher the correlation of antimicrobial resistance with virulence traits.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a nosocomial pathogen that poses a serious concern due to the high prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) strains. However, the data on the prevalence of contributing virulence determinants are limited in the Pakistani population.

Pectinase bioprocessing: Unlocking the potential of Bacillus vallismortis MH 10 for detox juice enhancement.

The utilization of pectinases for juice clarification is well established; however, their application in complex Detox juice blends containing both pectin-rich and low-pectin fruits and vegetables remains underexplored. This study aimed to (i) optimize the activity of pectinase derived from the halotolerant bacterium Bacillus vallismortis MH 10, (ii) assess its effectiveness in clarifying two distinct detox juice formulations, and (iii) evaluate its impact on juice yield, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity. A concentrated "Detox" beverage was developed containing bottle gourd in one formulation and apple in the other, with cucumber, ginger, carrot, lemon, and mint common to both.

Role of Lymphadenectomy in the Management of Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer.

Objective This study aimed to determine the role of pelvic lymphadenectomy by assessing nodal positivity on progression-free and overall survival in early-stage endometrial cancer. Materials and methods Eighty-nine women diagnosed with stage I/II endometrial cancer at presentation who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy during surgery from 2019 to 2023 were included in this retrospective study. Data was collected using the Hospital Information System (HIS), and patient identifiers were anonymized.

characterization technique innovations in single-atom catalyst-derived electrochemical CO conversion.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) are the perfect epitome of cutting-edge innovation in catalysis, offering distinct active sites in the form of isolated, individual atoms. SACs amalgamate the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, in turn enhancing the activity, selectivity, and stability during catalytic processes. The latest progressions in / characterization techniques have simplified the understanding of the catalyst heterogeneity and structure sensitivity of SACs by enabling the real-time observation of SACs under a coexistent working environment to provide insights into their structure and catalytic efficiency.

Design and Synthesis of (2,3-dichloro-4-(3-(substituted Phenyl)acryloyl) phenoxy) Substituted Carboxylic Acid as Potent Glutathione-s-transferase Inhibitors, Anti-breast-cancer Agents and Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy of Anticancer Agents.

Background: Ethacrynic acid is a dynamic agent holding alpha-beta unsaturated carbonyl unit in its structure which imparts superiority and extraordinary advantage of displaying multiple biological activities such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-malarial effect, diuretic effect and inhibits the Glutathione-s-transferase p1-1 enzyme which produces hindrance in the pathway of apoptosis. Ethacrynic acid is an inhibitor of Glutathione-s-transferases. EtA by itself act as an anticancer agent at higher concentration and also increases effectiveness of other compounds used in cancer treatment by preventing their detoxification, all these facts attracted our attention to develop and evaluate novel structural analogues of ethacrynic acid for their inhibitory effect on GSTs and anti-cancer activity in breast cancer.

Improved outcomes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation with high-dose post-transplantation cyclophosphamide in the era of more effective pre-transplant therapy.

The therapeutic landscape in ALL has changed dramatically over the last decade. Allogeneic blood or marrow transplantation (AlloBMT) has also evolved and remains an important option for consolidation. We assessed the interplay between these factors by analyzing the outcomes of 251 adult ALL (214 B and 37 T ALL) patients undergoing alloBMT with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) across two eras: 2008-2014 (ERA1) and 2015-2022 (ERA2).

Development in medicinal chemistry oxadiazole derivatives: patent spotlight 2020-2024.

The oxadiazole derivatives are part of the azole family and have drawn significant interest in medicinal chemistry due to their wide range of biological activities and promising pharmacological profiles. This patent spotlight highlights the developments of the oxadiazole-based compounds reported between 2020 and 2024, with applications in treating diseases such as cancer, bacterial infections, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. These compounds act through various mechanisms, including enzyme inhibition, receptor modulation, and disruption of microbial and cancer cell pathways.

Unprecedented Hydrogen Evolution Reactions Based on the Accelerating Effect of [Co-Tb]-Supramolecular Complex-Anchored CdS Heterojunctions.

This study presents a series of /CdS binary heterojunctions, synthesized by combining (a Co-Tb-based supramolecular complex) and CdS in various weight ratios via a solvothermal process. These heterojunctions have been thoroughly characterized to elucidate their chemical, structural, and optoelectronic properties. The catalytic effectiveness of these heterojunctions was evaluated with respect to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), spanning photocatalytic, electrocatalytic, and photoelectrocatalytic processes.

Portable SERS for salivary-based detection of oral pre-malignant lesions and carcinomas: a step toward clinical implementation.

The rising incidence of oral cancer has emerged as a serious menace to our civilization. Modern dietary habits, lack of awareness, and delays in early detection are major contributing factors to the global spread of this issue. This work reports the promising findings for diagnostic accuracy of oral cancer in pre-malignant stages by analyzing surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) profiles of different stages of oral cancer combined with multivariate analysis.

Impact of delay in interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival in ovarian cancer.

Objectives: To determine the impact of delay between neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery on progression-free survival and overall survival in ovarian cancer cases.

Methods: The retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Surgical Oncology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised data from January 2019 to January 2022 of women diagnosed with stage III high-grade serous ovarian cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent subsequent interval debulking surgery. The patients were divided into groups A and B based on time to surgery within 6 weeks and time to surgery more than 6 weeks, respectively.

Exploring the impact of pregnancy on cognitive function: a comparative study in a low-income setting.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction is a significant contributor to mental health complexities during pregnancy, potentially leading to heightened rates of pregnancy-related mortality and inadequate prenatal care. However, limited research has been conducted to explore the relationship between pregnancy and cognitive decline, especially in low-income settings such as Pakistan. Therefore, this study aimed to establish a clear link between cognitive function and pregnancy.

Cultivating compassion in care: evaluating a compassion-training intervention and exploring barriers to compassionate care in postgraduate medical education in Pakistan: a mixed-methods study.

Background: Compassionate patient care is essential for improving patient outcomes and enhancing healthcare experience. However, in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) like Pakistan, systemic barriers and a lack of structured curricula hinder its consistent delivery. This study evaluates a targeted compassion-training intervention for residents in a tertiary care hospital and explores barriers to its implementation.

Predictive cavity and binding site identification: Techniques and applications.

Strategies for recognizing predictive cavities and binding site identification are decisive for drug discovery, molecular docking, and tracing protein-ligand interactions. The two major approaches experimental and computational strive for prognosticating and distinguishing protein's binding sites. Profuse diminutive molecules are associated with the binding sites and influence normal biological functioning.

Novel Antibiotic-Loaded PEGylated Xerogels of Acidified Chitosan for Periodontal Diseases.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to develop an effective treatment strategy for periodontal diseases that maximizes therapeutic effects while minimizing systemic adverse effects. Specifically, the study focused on creating a xerogel-based localized drug delivery system for the slow release of doxycycline hyclate (DH) to treat periodontal disease.

Methods: Xerogels were prepared using the solvent casting method, with the solvent being evaporated slowly at ambient conditions.

Predic tors o f i n-hospital m or tality in patients requiring tr an sfer to the me dical in tensive care unit.

Objective: To identify the factors associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortalit y among inpatients requiring transfer to the medical intensive care unit.

Methods: The ret rospective audit was conducted from Ap r il 1 to September 30, 2023, at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pak is t an and com prised dat a from January 1 , 2018, to December 31, 20 22, of patients initially admitted to the general ward or high dependency unit in the Department of Medicine who required transfer to the medical intensive care unit during hospitalisation. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Nanorod Arrays-Based Organic Electrochemical Transistor for SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Detection in Artificial Saliva.

The outbreak and continued spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significantly threatened public health. Antibody testing is essential for infection diagnosis, seroepidemiological analysis, and vaccine evaluation. However, achieving convenient, fast, and accurate detection remains challenging in this prolonged battle.

Antioxidants and Antidiabetic Potential of Polyphenolic Fractions and Crude Extracts of Rhus typhina Fruit, Punica granatum L. Peel, and Terminalia catappa L. Leaves: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

Rhus typhina (sumac) fruit, Punica granatum (pomegranate) peel, and Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) leaves' extracts and their anthocyanin and non-anthocyanin fractions were assessed in vitro for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, ferric reducing power (FRAP), human salivary amylase (HAS), and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory potentials, as well as for their in vivo antidiabetic effects on high-sugar high-fat diet (HSHFD) + streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats (8-weeks study), by assessing fasting blood sugar, 1 h- and 2 h-oral glucose tolerance tests, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) analyses, serum creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen. Phytochemical analysis revealed that sumac extract had the highest total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total anthocyanin content followed by pomegranate peel and almond leaves. All extracts and fractions showed antioxidant (DPPH and FRAP) and enzyme (HAS and DPP-IV) inhibition activities and also suppressed STZ effects in diabetic mice by increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and insulin, as well as by decreasing HOMA2-IR, urea, and creatinine, with sumac extract showing benefits even when administered prior to STZ.

Hydrothermally designed Ag-modified TiOheterogeneous nanocatalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution by photo/electro/photoelectro-chemical water splitting.

One compelling goal of carbon-neutrality is to advance sustainable energy applications through advanced functional nanomaterials for achieving remarkable performance in energy conversion processes, especially in green Henergy. Here, Ag-modified TiOnanostructures with highly specific exposed surface sites have been fabricated hydrothermally, elucidating its prominence towards photocatalytic, and photo/-electrocatalytic Hproduction. Further, the as-synthesized nanomaterials were investigated by XRD, electron microscopy (SEM/EDAX/TEM/HRTEM), ICP-MS, PL, Raman, UV-visible DRS, and BET surface area studies.

Importance of early transfer to higher levels of in-patient care - an experience from a lower-middle-income country.

Objective: To ascertain the frequency of hospitalised internal medicine patients requiring escalation to a higher level of care, and in-hospital mortality in such cases.

Methods: The prospective, observational study was conducted from September 1 to October 15, 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, and comprised adult patients of either gender admitted to the internal medicine general wards and high dependency units. Data was collected prospectively using a proforma.