Objective: To translate the Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (ÖMPSQ) into Urdu and to determine the psychometric properties of its Urdu version. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 300 participants (18–60 years) with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP), who were able to read Urdu. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and reproducibility through Cronbach’s α. Face and content validity were examined via individual interviews, and construct validity by correlating with relevant reference standards. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) & confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was also carried out Results: ÖMPSQ was successfully translated into Urdu version with acceptable face and content validity. ÖMPSQ Urdu version showed acceptable internal consistency (α=0.789) & good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.784, 95% confidence interval, p<0.001) while good correlation was demonstrated between ÖMPSQ and Chronic Pain Grade Scale (pain and disability subscales i.e., r=0.809 and 0.807, respectively). However, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire showed moderate correlation (r=0.513). Additionally, no significant floor or ceiling effects were observed in the ÖMPSQ Urdu version. EFA revealed a five-factor solution using twenty items, 89.21% was the total item variance in the database, while CFA demonstrated good model fit with strong factor loadings and acceptable fit indices Conclusion The ÖMPSQ Urdu version is valid and reliable for assessing the risk of long-term disability & workplace absence in NSLBP patients.

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a rare subtype of hemolytic anemia characterized by elevated hemolytic markers and red blood cell destruction. Though uncommon, MAHA can occur as a complication of acute pancreatitis because of the associated inflammatory response. Patients with MAHA secondary to pancreatitis show favorable outcomes when treated with plasma exchange.This paper presents the case of a patient diagnosed with acute pancreatitis-induced hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, who was managed successfully with plasma exchange, steroids, and rituximab. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in patients with acute pancreatitis who present with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and schistocytes on peripheral smears, even in the absence of end-organ injuries and with normal ADAMTS13 activity. The early initiation of plasmapheresis can be lifesaving. The timely introduction of rituximab in cases where plasma exchange and steroids are insufficient, despite the ADAMTS13 activity status, may lead to better outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential apoptotic mechanisms of 3 Morchella extracts (Morchella conica, Morchella esculenta and Morchella delicosa) on breast and colon cancer cell lines using apoptotic biomarkers. METHODS: Human breast cell line (MCF-7) and colon cancer cell line (SW-480) were treated with methanol and ethanol extracts of 3 Morchella species with concentration ranging from 0.0625 to 2 mg/mL. After that their effects on gene expression of apoptosis related markers (pro-apoptotic markers including Bax, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9, and the antiapoptotic marker including Bcl-2) were determined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: All Morchella extracts reduced breast and colon cancer cells proliferation at half inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 0.02 ±0.01 to 0.68 ±0.30 mg/mL. As expected, all Morchella extracts significantly increased gene expressions of Bax, caspase-3, caspase-7, and caspase-9 and downregulated the gene expression of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 and SW-480 cell lines (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Morchella extracts demonstrated significant anti-proliferative activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines via an apoptosis induction mechanism. Anticancer activity of Morchella extracts and activation of apoptosis in breast and colon cancer cells suggest that it may be used to develop chemotherapeutic agents against cancer in future.
Humans ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Colonic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects* ; MCF-7 Cells ; Ascomycota/chemistry*

Thymoquinone (Tq) and gallic acid (GA) are known for counter-tumorigenic characteristics. GA inhibits cancer cell proliferation by interfering with many apoptotic signaling pathways, producing more reactive oxygen species (ROS), focusing on the cell cycle, and suppressing the expression of oncogenes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study, thymoquinone (after reducing to thymohydroquinone) and gallic acid are esterified to form thymohydroquinyl gallate (a prodrug). Thymohydroquinyl gallate (THQG) possesses enhanced antineoplastic efficacy and targeted delivery potential. The chemical and spectroscopic analysis confirms ester synthesis. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed as nanocarriers due to their physicochemical and optical characteristics, biocompatibility, and low toxicity. As an efficient drug transporter, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) shield conjugated drugs from enzymatic digestion. The prodrug acts as a reducing agent for Au metal atoms and is loaded onto it after reduction. The nano drug is radiolabeled with ^99mTc and ¹³¹I to monitor the drug biodistribution in animals using a gamma camera and single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). ¹³¹I is an antineoplastic that helps enhance the drug's efficiency. Chromatographic results reveal promising radiolabeling percentages. In vitro, drug release shows sustained release at pH⁓5.8. In vitro 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay reveals drug potency on CAL 27 and MCF 7 cell lines.

Statins represent the first-line therapy for cholesterol management. However, for patients prone to statin side effects, unable to tolerate higher doses, or requiring additional low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction, ezetimibe alone or in combination with statins is recommended. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combining lowor moderate-intensity statins with ezetimibe compared to high-intensity statin monotherapy, yielding reliable evidence to guide clinical decision-making and personalize treatment strategies. PubMed, Embase, and Scopus were systematically searched from inception until May 2023. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing a high-intensity statin with a low/ moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe were included. The outcomes of interest comprised changes in concentrations of lipids—LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TGs)—and apolipoprotein (Apo) A1, Apo B, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), along with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). All data were analyzed using Review Manager version 5.4. p-values less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Overall, 20 RCTs, with 5,412 participants, were included. A low/moderate-intensity statin combined with ezetimibe yielded a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C levels than high-intensity statin monotherapy (mean difference [MD], −6.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], −10.95, −2.24; p=0.003; I 2 =84%). No significant differences were observed between combination and high-intensity statin monotherapy regarding TC, TG, or HDL-C levels. However, hs-CRP levels were significantly higher with combination therapy (MD, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.01, 0.64; p=0.04; I 2 =0%). Combination therapy involving a low/moderate-intensity statin with ezetimibe was significantly associated with lower LDL-C levels than high-intensity statin monotherapy. No significant differences were observed for TC, TGs, HDL-C, alanine transaminase, or MACE. However, creatine phosphokinase levels significantly increased with monotherapy.

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) is a rare subtype of hemolytic anemia characterized by elevated hemolytic markers and red blood cell destruction. Though uncommon, MAHA can occur as a complication of acute pancreatitis because of the associated inflammatory response. Patients with MAHA secondary to pancreatitis show favorable outcomes when treated with plasma exchange.This paper presents the case of a patient diagnosed with acute pancreatitis-induced hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, who was managed successfully with plasma exchange, steroids, and rituximab. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in patients with acute pancreatitis who present with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and schistocytes on peripheral smears, even in the absence of end-organ injuries and with normal ADAMTS13 activity. The early initiation of plasmapheresis can be lifesaving. The timely introduction of rituximab in cases where plasma exchange and steroids are insufficient, despite the ADAMTS13 activity status, may lead to better outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Testicular tumours in childhood have diverse characteristics for different age ranges. This study aimed to describe the pattern, presentation and outcomes of primary testicular tumours in a paediatric population. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2020 on children (≤18 years) with a diagnosis of primary testicular tumour. Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics, pathology, treatment and outcomes of these patients were analysed. The data were entered into IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.0. Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were applied to find the statistical significance, which was set at P value ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The study included 115 males, with 85 (73.9%) patients in the prepubertal age range with a mean age of 2.53 ± 2.06 years and 30 (26.1%) patients in the postpubertal group with a mean age of 15.73 ± 1.25 years. Yolk sac tumour was the most common (62.6%) histological subtype. Majority (46.1%) of patients had stage I disease on presentation, while 29.6% had stage IV disease. All patients underwent upfront high inguinal radical orchiectomy, which was followed by platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy in 67% of the patients. The five-year event-free survival and overall survival for all patients were 75% and 91%, respectively. CONCLUSION Primary testicular tumours follow a bimodal age distribution pattern. Majority of patients can be cured with platinum-based chemotherapy despite having advanced disease at presentation.
Humans ; Male ; Testicular Neoplasms/mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Orchiectomy/methods* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Treatment Outcome ; Neoplasm Staging ; Infant ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor/therapy* ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal

PURPOSE: Surgical management of the lateral end of clavicle fractures has been a challenge for orthopedic surgeons considering the high rate of non-union. There has been no right and wrong answer to these types of fractures and many methods discussed in the literature, but the 2 most used bony procedures are hook plate and locking plate with or without the use of supplementary soft tissue procedures. The available evidence, in this case, is scarce with questionable reliability. The idea of this systemic review is to promote evidence-based practice when choosing between the 2 implants for this fracture. This study aims to review the results by performing a systemic review of the literature comparing the results of locking plate vs. hook plate for the lateral end of clavicle fracture fixation with an emphasis on outcome and associated complications. METHODS: A search of the literature was made with the keyword "clavicle" in PubMed/Ovid Medline/Embase and University of Edinburgh online library "discover Ed". A total of 4063 articles were identified including case series (with at least 3 cases) and review articles focusing on locking plate alone, comparisons of locking plate and hook plate, or hook plate alone. Articles were excluded if they were not published in English, focused on pediatric studies, or consisted only of book chapters. Studies examining tension band wiring, soft tissue procedures for fracture fixation, arthroscopic-assisted procedures, additional soft tissue procedures along with plate fixation, and fracture dislocation of the lateral end of the clavicle were also excluded. The search was then narrowed down to 21 articles after consideration of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A detailed review of the surgical methodology further excluded additional soft tissue procedures, resulting in a final selection of 15 studies. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Modified Coleman Score by the authors. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies related to Neer type II fracture met the inclusion criteria. However, 2 other studies also included type V fracture as well. The mean age of patients in these studies was 32 years. The mean follow-up period was 24.3 months (ranging from 6 to 65 months). The time of radiological union was documented from 2 to 4.5 months. Constant and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand scores were most used as the criteria for patient outcomes. The size of the lateral fragment that can accommodate/provide bicortical fracture was documented in only 3 studies. The mean incidence of removal of hook plate was 86.9%. In contrast, the mean incidence of removal of locking plate was 27.0%. Superficial wound infection was documented in 5 studies and deep wound infection was seen in 1 study. The mean union rate for hook plate was 97.0% compared to 100% for locking plate. Complications associated with hook plate have been documented in 11 studies. The most commonly reported incidence of complication was acromial osteolysis. The quality of studies was assessed using modified Coleman score. Other than 2 studies that were considered for the study that met the "fair" standard all of them were considered "poor" based on the modified Coleman score. CONCLUSION Both hook plate and locking plate provide acceptable operative treatment options for the lateral end of clavicle fracture. However, a consideration of surgeons' experience, the likelihood of a second operation, and the size of the lateral fragment should be considered when choosing between the 2 types of implants.
Humans ; Clavicle/surgery* ; Bone Plates ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation*

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) represent a severe form of sperm defects leading to asthenozoospermia and male infertility. In this study, we identified a novel homozygous splicing mutation (c.871-4 ACA>A) in the adenylate kinase 7 (AK7) gene by whole-exome sequencing in infertile individuals. Spermatozoa from affected individuals exhibited typical MMAF characteristics, including coiled, bent, short, absent, and irregular flagella. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed disorganized axonemal structure and abnormal mitochondrial sheets in sperm flagella. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the absence of AK7 protein from the patients' spermatozoa, validating the pathogenic nature of the mutation. This study provides direct evidence linking the AK7 gene to MMAF-associated asthenozoospermia in humans, expanding the mutational spectrum of AK7 and enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Tail/ultrastructure* ; Homozygote ; Consanguinity ; Asthenozoospermia/pathology* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pakistan ; Adenylate Kinase/genetics* ; Adult ; Pedigree ; RNA Splicing ; Exome Sequencing ; Spermatozoa