Tahir, Muhammad Junaid

ABSTRACT. This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, over 5 years (2016–2020) to explore the association of Panton–Valentine leucocidin (pvl) genes and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types with hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Panton–Valentine leucocidin genes in MRSA have been found in HA-MRSA strains, thereby raising the prevalence of highly virulent and resistant strains. Furthermore, the usage of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing is crucial for understanding the epidemiology and evolution of MRSA. The isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were acquired from clinical samples of the patients. Gram staining, catalase, coagulase, and DNAse tests were used for S. aureus confirmation. The methicillin resistance genes A and C (mecA and mecC) genes were detected to confirm MRSA by using a 30 µg cefoxitin disk. Panton–Valentine leucocidin gene identification and SCCmec typing (types I–V and XI) were conducted through polymerase chain reaction testing. Only 440 strains of MRSA were isolated, and 31.6% were positive for the pvl gene. The most prevalent SCCmec type among the MRSA isolates was type III, which was found in 42.7% of isolates. The pvl gene was detected in 74% of SCCmec types IV and V and in only 14% of SCCmec types I, II, III, and IIIA. This study revealed the dynamic adaptability of MRSA strains within healthcare settings, with the cooccurrence of the pvl gene and various SCCmec types highlighting the complexity of MRSA epidemiology. The urgent implementation of comprehensive strategies that integrate molecular surveillance and infection control measures is crucial for mitigating MRSA.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in females. In low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan, reported incidence and prevalence remain unreliable. The aim was to evaluate Pakistani women’s knowledge, attitude, and perception of breast cancer. This cross-sectional study was conducted among Pakistani women from Punjab, Pakistan. A self-administered online questionnaire was formulated to collect data from the participants from September 24, 2022, to October 24, 2022. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, knowledge questions regarding breast cancer risk factors, knowledge questions about symptoms of breast cancer, and questions assessing the participants’ attitudes toward mammography screening. For knowledge questions, a score of more than 7 out of 13 was considered good knowledge. For attitude questions, regression analysis was done and a score of more than 5 out of 11 was considered a positive attitude. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 (Chicago). 796 women participated in this study. Out of 796 participants, 543 (68.2%) were between 20 and 30 years of age, and 43 (5.4%) were more than 40 years old. The level of knowledge regarding breast cancer risk factors was suboptimal. 523 (65.7%) of the participants thought that breast cancer risk increases with advancing age and 218 (27.4%) thought that early menarche increases the risk of developing breast cancer. 471 (59.2%) mentioned that mammography is an effective tool for detecting breast cancer, and 30 (3.8%) thought that there is a cure for breast cancer. According to regression analysis, higher education, higher monthly household income, and married marital status were significantly associated with good knowledge related to breast cancer. Although most of the population is aware of breast cancer’s risk factors and symptoms, they avoid screening such as mammography. Public awareness projects could help increase women’s knowledge of breast cancer signs, symptoms, and screening.

Purpose: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness, safety, and long-term outcomes of genicular artery embolization (GAE) for knee joint osteoarthritis (OA) associated pain. Materials and Methods: After registering the protocol with the PROSPERO database, a search was conducted from inception until July 31, 2023, in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ScienceDirect databases to gather studies evaluating GAE’s safety and efficacy in knee OA. A total of 4979 studies were identified and evaluated against the inclusion criteria. Data on study characteristics, success parameters, and adverse events were collected and synthesized. Results: Twenty-three studies, primarily single-center prospective studies with a total of 657 patients, were included. Most studies reported a 100% technical success rates, except one study reporting a rate of 84.2%. Clinical success rates, defined variably across studies, ranged from 30% to 100%, depending on the study’s follow-up period and outcome measures. The most frequent adverse events included skin discoloration without an ulcer (15.6%, n = 98) and transient post-procedural knee pain (10.2%, n = 64). Most studies were rated as fair in terms of quality, but the lack of robust randomized controlled trials highlighted the need for further comparative studies to standardize outcome reporting. Conclusion: GAE appears to be a promising option for knee OA pain, particularly for patients unresponsive to conservative treatments or ineligible for surgery. High-quality studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness and standardize outcome measures. Clinical Impact This study highlights the safety and efficacy of genicular artery embolization as a minimally invasive treatment for knee osteoarthritis, particularly in patients who are unresponsive to conservative treatments or unsuitable for surgery. By targeting neovascularization and reducing inflammation, genicular artery embolization provides pain relief and functional improvement. Clinicians can consider genicular artery embolization as an alternative to surgery for mild-to-moderate OA, offering a lower adverse event rate and faster recovery.

Radiology has become a fundamental constituent of the modern medicine. However, it has been observed that medical students in Pakistan often lack sufficient guidance and education in this field. This study aims to establish whether Pakistani medical students possess the requisite basic knowledge required in radiology and their attitude and perception toward radiology as a potential career path. This cross-sectional study conducted a survey among 530 medical students of Pakistan via a self-reported online questionnaire from August 01, 2021 to September 01, 2021. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS software, along with logistic regression analyses to identify factors associated with interest in pursuing radiology as a career and possessing a comprehensive understanding of radiology among medical students. Of the 530 participants, 44.2% rated their understanding of radiology as “poor” with only 17% indicating interest to pursue a career in radiology. Logistic regression model showed significantly higher odds of radiology as a career among males (Crude odds ratio [COR] = 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17–2.72, P = .007), medical students of Punjab (COR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.01–2.40, P = .048), and those, who self-reported their knowledge of radiology as excellent (COR = 14.35, 95% CI = 5.13–40.12, P < .001). In contrast, medical students from Punjab (COR = 0.504, 95% CI = 0.344–0.737, P < .001) and second-year medical students (COR = 0.046, 95% CI = 0.019–0.107, P < .001) had lower odds of good knowledge. Our study suggests that the medical student’s knowledge of radiology is deficient. Thus, it is advised that radiological societies work with medical school boards to integrate thorough and early radiology exposure into the undergraduate curriculum.

Background and aims: Increased use of digital devices in the modern era has led to the development of digital eye strain (DES) or computer vision syndrome in their users. This can result in the development of various ocular and visual symptoms among them. In this study, the authors aimed to view the prevalence of digital eye strain among radiology physicians in Pakistan and their associated risk factors. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate occupational DES among radiology physicians in Pakistan. The data collection was done using the convenience sampling technique, and the data were analyzed using IBM SPSS for Windows, Version 25.0. Results: Out of the 247 respondents, 33.6% were males and 66.4% were females. 41.7% of them were between 30 and 40 years of age and 51.8% of them were radiology residents. 52.2% of the participants had a refractive error and were using a corrective lens. The majority of the radiologists in our study (84.2%) preferred picture archiving and communication system (PACS) over films and 82.2% of them reported having breaks of less than 15 min. Major symptoms reported by the participants were tired or heavy eyes (69.6%) and headache (69.3%). The proportion of developing DES was higher in females [P=0.001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.94], radiology residents (P=0.031, aOR=3.29), and working hours of more than 4 h per day (P<0.001, aOR=0.04). Conclusion: With recent advances in the field of radiology in Pakistan, the frequency of developing DES among radiologists is increasing. Being a female, having long working hours, and having noticeable flickers on the digital screens were among the significant factors in developing DES among radiologists.

Introduction D-dimer levels, which originate from the lysis of cross-linked fibrin, are serially measured during coronavirus disease 2019 illness to rule out hypercoagulability as well as a septic marker. Methods This multicenter retrospective study was carried out in two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. The study included adult patients admitted with a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 infection, with at least one measured d-dimer within 24 h following admission. Discharged patients were compared with the mortality group for survival analysis. Results The study population of 813 patients had 68.5% males, with a median age of 57.0 years and 14.0 days of illness. The largest d-dimer elevation was between 0.51–2.00 mcg/ml (tertile 2) observed in 332 patients (40.8%), followed by 236 patients (29.2%) having values greater than 5.00 mcg/ml (tertile 4). Within 45 days of hospital stay, 230 patients (28.3%) died, with the majority in the ICU (53.9%). On multivariable logistic regression between d-dimer and mortality, the unadjusted (Model 1) had a higher d-dimer category (tertile 3 and tertile 4) associated with a higher risk of death (OR: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.02–4.54, P=0.044) and (OR: 4.74; 95% CI: 2.38–9.46, P<0.001). Adjustment for age, sex, and BMI (Model 2) yields only tertile 4 being significant (OR: 4.27; 95% CI: 2.06–8.86, P<0.001). Conclusion: Higher d-dimer levels were independently associated with a high risk of mortality. The added value of d-dimer in risk stratifying patients for mortality was not affected by invasive ventilation, ICU stays, length of hospital stays, or comorbidities.

AbstractBackgroundThe menstrual cycle in women is the main indicator of their reproductive health which is affected by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. This review aims to summarize the effects of the COVID‐19 infection and the global pandemic on the menstrual health of women.MethodsThe literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar using keywords “COVID‐19,” “Menstrual Cycle,” “Menstrual Cycle Irregularities,” “Amenorrhea,” “Polymenorrhea,” and “Dysmenorrhea.” The articles were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: (i) cross‐sectional studies, (ii) cohort studies, (iii) surveys, and (iv) other observational studies observing the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection or COVID‐19 pandemic on menstrual health of women. Exclusion criteria included: case reports, gray literature, and website articles regarding menstrual health.ResultsA total of 30,510 articles were shortlisted after a comprehensive search. Sixteen articles were included out of which 13 studies investigated the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on the menstrual cycle while 3 evaluated the possible effects of COVID‐19 infection on the menstrual health of women. Menstrual disorders or irregularities were a more common finding during the pandemic as compared to before (p = 0.008). Women affected by pandemic‐related stress were more prone to changes in the duration of their menses (p = 0.0008), reported heavier bleeding (p = 0.028), and increased incidence of painful periods (p < 0.0001). COVID‐19 infected women also reported changes in their menstrual cycle including irregular menstruation, increased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and infrequent menstruation.ConclusionsWomen suffering from COVID‐19 infection or pandemic‐associated stress and anxiety were more likely to experience irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and other menstrual abnormalities compared to those who were less exposed.