Background: Cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumors present surgical challenges due to their proxim-ity to the facial nerve. Despite preservation efforts, facial nerve paresis is a major issue. This study aims to identify key factors affecting facial nerve preservation during microsurgical resection of large CPA tumors in a low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) setting. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study, conducted at Aga Khan University, includedpatients who underwent microsurgical resection of large (>3 cm) CPA tumors with House-Brackmann (HB) grades 1–4. Postoperative facial nerve function was assessed using the HB grading system. Data was extracted from medical records and analyzed using SPSS 22. Results: This study analyzed 95 patients (M:F=1:1.16, mean age 44.24±13.71 years) withCPA tumors who underwent microsurgical resection. Common presenting complaints included a complete hearing loss (57.9%), headache (52.6%), and abnormal gait (40%). Preoperative facial nerve function was normal (HB grade I) in 75%, with 19%, 7%, and 2% having HB grades II, III, and IV, respectively. Schwannoma (69.5%), meningioma (16.8%), and epidermoid cyst (10.5%) were the most common diagnoses. Postoperative preservation of facial nerve function was achieved in 73.7% of patients. At six months, HB grades I and II were observed in 64% and 11.5%, respectively, while none had complete facial nerve palsy. On univariate analysis, larger tumor size and higher HB grade correlated with worse facial nerve outcomes (p=0.02). Complications were more frequent in patients with worsened outcomes (72% vs. 38.6%, p=0.004). However, in multivariate analysis, only preoperative HB grade was identified as a predictor. Conclusion Facial nerve preservation during CPA tumor resection is influenced by intrinsic tumorcharacteristics, surgical complexity, and patient-specific factors. Detailed preoperative counseling is crucial to set realistic expectations.

Pets and Mental Health Among Postgraduate University Students: A Narrative Review with Implications for Malaysia Introduction Postgraduate students experience disproportionately high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to undergraduate peers and the general population. Pets are increasingly recognised as potential sources of psychosocial support, yet their role in shaping student wellbeing within Asian contexts remains underexplored. This narrative review synthesises evidence on the relationship between pet ownership and postgraduate student mental health, with a particular focus on Malaysian public university students. Methods Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google Scholar using combinations of terms related to “postgraduate students,” “mental health,” “pet ownership,” and “companion animals.” Articles published in English between 2015 and 2024 were included if they reported on student populations and examined psychosocial outcomes associated with pets. Data were narratively synthesised into major themes. As a narrative review integrating heterogeneous quantitative and qualitative evidence, the findings reflect associative patterns and conceptual trends rather than causal relationships. The absence of formal meta-analysis limits the ability to quantify effect sizes across studies. Results Four recurring themes emerged: (i) pets as sources of social support mitigating loneliness and enhancing belonging; (ii) pets and psychological wellbeing through stress and anxiety reduction; (iii) pets as facilitators of coping and academic adjustment; and (iv) risks and contextual nuances including financial burdens, cultural sensitivities, and zoonotic concerns. Evidence from Western settings demonstrated consistent benefits, while emerging data from Asia highlighted the importance of cultural and religious factors in moderating outcomes. Conclusions Pet ownership may provide meaningful psychosocial benefits to postgraduate students, yet these are context dependent. In Malaysia, the cultural acceptability of specific animals, financial pressures, and caregiving responsibilities shape how pets influencewellbeing. Further empirical research is required to establish culturally grounded, evidence-based approaches to incorporating animal companionship in student mental health promotion.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to study the endoscopic yield, appropriateness, and complications of pediatric endoscopy performed by adult gastroenterologists in an adult endoscopic suite. Methods: This a retrospective study in which records of all the patients less than 18 years of age who underwent endoscopy in the last 5 years were studied. The indications of endoscopy in children were categorized as appropriate or inappropriate per the latest guidelines by American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. Positive endoscopic yield was defined as the presence of any abnormality on endoscopy. Results: Among the total of 822 children (age <18 years), the most common indications were variceal surveillance/eradication in 157 (19.1%), followed by dyspepsia in 143 (17.4%), upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding in 136 (16.5%), recurrent abdominal pain in 94 (11.4%), unexplained anemia in 74 (9%), recurrent vomiting in 50 (6.08%), chronic refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease in 34 (4.1%) and others; 780 out of 822 endoscopic procedures (94.9%) done in children were appropriate as per the guidelines. The endoscopic yield was 45.8%, highest in patients with UGI bleeding (71.3%), followed by variceal surveillance (54.8%), recurrent vomiting (38%), dyspepsia (37.8%), and recurrent abdominal pain (36%). Minor adverse events occurred in 7.3% of children. Conclusions Pediatric endoscopy performed by an experienced adult gastroenterologist may be acceptable if done in cooperation with a pediatrician.

BACKGROUND: This study has been conducted with the aim of evaluating modified T-plate interpositional arthroplasty. METHODS: A prospective comparative study in patients admitted with temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Ankylotic temporomandibular joint arthroplasty included condylectomy gap arthroplasty in 7, temporalis muscle flap interpositional arthroplasty in 8, and modified T-plate interpositional arthroplasty in 13 cases. The patients were followed for three years. Collected data were tabulated and subjected to Fisher's exact test, chi-square test and probability estimation. RESULTS: A significant increase in interincisal distance of 32 mm was seen in 12 (92.31%) patients in the T-plate interposition group, in 2 (25%) cases of the temporalis muscle flap interposition group, and in 1 case (14.28%) of the condylectomy group at 12, 24, and 36 months. Re-ankylosis was observed in 1 case (9.69%) of the T-plate interposition group, while as it was observed in 4 (50%) cases in the temporalis muscle flap interposition group and 4 (57.14%) cases in the condylectomy group, and these differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical experience with the use of the T-plate over the past 5 years has been encouraging, and our physiotherapy technique is quite simple. Even illiterate parents can assess it easily. Hence, we recommend this easy technique that does not damage the temporalis muscle for the management of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.
Ankylosis* ; Arthroplasty* ; Humans ; Parents ; Prospective Studies ; Temporomandibular Joint*

Objective: To develop a simple, sensitive, precise, and accurate stability-indicating high performance thin-layer chromatographic method for analysis of curcumin (the main active constituent of turmeric). Methods: The separation was achieved on TLC aluminum plates precoated with silica gel 60F254 using toluene-chloroform-methanol (5:4:1, v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Densitometric analysis was performed at 430 nm. Results: This system was found to have compact spot of curcumin at RF value of (0.31±0.02). For the proposed procedure, linearity (r2= 0.99354 ± 0.00120), limit of detection (50 ng/spot), limit of quantification (200 ng/spot), recovery (ranging from 98.35% - 100.68%), and precision (≤2.25%) were found to be satisfactory. Statistical analysis reveals that the content of curcumin in different geographical region varied significantly.Conclusions:The highest and lowest concentration of curcumin in Turmeric was found to be present in sample of Erode (Tamilnadu) and Surat (Gujrat) respectively which inferred that the variety of turmeric found in Erode (Tamilnadu) is much superior to other region of India.