Efficacy of Berberis vulgaris and Berberis integerrima on glycemic indices and weight profile in type 2 diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial lifelong condition. Berberis vulgaris (BV) and Berberis integerrima (BI) regulate glucose levels with minimal adverse effects. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we evaluate the effect of BV and BI on glycemic indices, weight, and body mass index (BMI) against placebo. Four electronic databases were searched till September 24, 2023. Inclusion criteria for studies were: (a) T2DM patients; (b) berberis (vulgaris/integerrima) therapy as intervention; (c) control group of placebo or metformin; (d) outcomes including fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c%), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting serum insulin (FSI), 2-h postprandial glucose (2hPPG), fructosamine, weight, and BMI; (e) randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data was pooled using a random-effects analysis model on Review Manager. The inverse variance statistical method was applied keeping weighted mean difference (WMD) as the effect measure. The Cochrane risk of bias tool evaluated the risk of bias. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Nine RCTs comprising 547 patients were included. Significant reduction was noted with berberis therapy in FBG (WMD: -14.52; 95% CI = -22.97, -6.07; P = 0.0008); HbA1c % (WMD: -0.30; 95% CI = -0.53, -0.07; P = 0.01); HOMA-IR (WMD: -0.97; 95% CI = -1.56, 0.37; P = 0.001). No significant differences were noted between the two groups in 2hPPG (WMD: 6.52; 95% CI = -21.57, 34.61; P = 0.65); FSI (WMD: -0.79; 95% CI = -1.80, 0.22, P = 0.13); Fructosamine (WMD: -12.57; 95% CI = -40.74, 15.60; P = 0.38); Weight (WMD: -1.89; 95% CI = -4.55, 0.76; P = 0.16) and BMI (WMD: -0.12; 95% CI = -0.90, 0.65; P = 0.76). The data showed significant reduction in FBG and improved insulin levels but limited effects were observed in other glycemic indexes. More extensive RCTs are required globally to achieve a holistic comprehension of the connection between berberis and T2DM.

Dengue Cases Presenting to the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Late 2021: A Cross-Sectional Study in Karachi.

Objectives: Dengue Fever (DF) is an arboviral disease caused by the Dengue virus (DENV). This study aims to assess the association of dengue prevalence with patients' residential areas and hematological laboratory findings (Total platelet count, immunoglobulins, and dengue antigens) during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Emergency department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi from October to December 2021. All the patients irrespective of their ages presenting to the ED with either of the following complaints: fever; GIT problems; vomiting; body ache; bleeding were included in our study. Results: Our study comprised 189 patients in total in which the females (n = 172) outnumbered the males (n = 17). Out of all, 84.7% of the patients were febrile having a low-grade fever on average. Korangi district had the most dengue cases, while Keamari had the fewest. There was no significant association reported between mean platelet count, mean TLC, and mean hemoglobin levels with dengue positivity. Conclusion: There is a concerning rise in DF cases in Karachi, particularly in the Korangi district. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, DF demands urgent attention.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers in Pakistan; call for action, if not now, then when? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) is a global problem that affects healthcare workers' physical and mental health and impairs work performance. Pakistan's healthcare system is not immune to WPV, which the World Health Organization recognises as an occupational hazard. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this systematic review is to determine the prevalence of physical, verbal, or other forms of WPV in healthcare workers in Pakistan. Secondary objectives include identifying the associated risk factors and perpetrators of WPV. METHODS: A systematic review of six electronic databases was conducted through August 2022. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: 1) healthcare workers (HCWs), including physicians, nurses, and paramedic staff working in the private or public sector of Pakistan; 2) exposure to physical, verbal, or any type of violence. Data were extracted and analysed for the prevalence of WPV, types of violence, associated risk factors, and perpetrators of violence. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies including 16,070 HCWs were included in this review. Verbal violence was the most common form of violence levied, with its highest prevalence (100%) reported in Islamabad and lowest verbal violence prevalence (25%) in Karachi. Verbal abuse was preponderant against female HCWs, while physical abuse was directed more towards males. The most common perpetrators were patient attendants, followed by the patients. CONCLUSION: Our review determines a 25-100% prevalence of WPV against HCWs in Pakistani medical setups. This occupational hazard needs the attention of relevant authorities in the country to put protective enforcement policies in place. Large-scale surveys should be conducted to better gauge the current plight of HCWs in the nation.

Odds of HIV among incarcerated drug users: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Asian countries.

Background: HIV makes up a large portion of infectious diseases globally. People injecting drugs in prisons are at high risk for contracting HIV infection. Prisons house ~10.2 million people globally, making them a high-risk setting for HIV transmission. This systematic review summarizes the available data on the odds of developing HIV infection among imprisoned people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Asian regions. Methods: The authors electronically assessed published studies from January, 2000 to December, 2022, including studies that investigated the odds of HIV in imprisoned PWIDs. We extensively searched PubMed, ERIC, and Cochrane Central and Google Scholar with no constraints in language or time. All the observational studies evaluating the chances of HIV in Asian prisoners with an exposure group of PWIDs and a control group of non-injecting-drug users were included in our analysis. Results: The databases search yielded 254 potential studies, 10 observational studies of which having a total of 17 333 participants were included. A low or moderate risk of bias was reported in all the studies except one case-control. The pooled analysis showed a significant association between PWIDs and the chances of contracting HIV infection (Odds ratio=6.40; 95% CI=3.89-10.52; P<0.00001; I2=53%). Conclusion: This study found a vital correlation between injecting-drug usage during imprisonment and HIV transmission speed. The results of this meta-analysis support the need to prevent HIV and conducting treatment programs in high-risk settings like prisons.

Role of soluble urokinase type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in predicting mortality, readmission, length of stay and discharge in emergency patients: A systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an inflammatory biomarker that is used to predict mortality, readmission, early discharge, and LOS, thus, serves as a useful tool for ED physicians. Our study aims to analyze the efficacy of suPAR in predicting these prognostic markers in ED. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search on 6 databases from the inception to 30th November 2022, to select the following eligibility criteria; a) observation or triage trial studies investigating the role of suPAR levels in predicting: 30 day and 90-day mortality, 30-day readmission, early discharge (within 24hr), and LOS in patients coming to AMU. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included, with a population size of 35,178, of which 52.9% were female with a mean age of 62.93 years. Increased risk of 30-day mortality (RR = 10.52; 95% CI = 4.82-22.95; I2 = 38%; P < .00001), and risk of 90-day mortality (RR = 5.76; 95% CI = 3.35-9.91; I2 = 36%; P < .00001) was observed in high suPAR patients. However, a slightly increased risk was observed for 30-day readmission (RR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.16-1.94; I2 = 54%; P = .002). More people were discharged within 24hr in the low suPAR level group compared to high suPAR group (RR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.40-0.53; I2 = 41%; P < .00001). LOS was thrice as long in high suPAR level patients than in patients with low suPAR (WMD = 3.20; 95% CI = 1.84-4.56; I2 = 99%; P < .00001). CONCLUSION: suPAR is proven to be a significant marker in predicting 30-day and 90-day mortality in ED patients.

Perioperative selenium administration in cardiac surgery patients, a way out to reduce post surgical adversities? A meta analysis.

Introduction: The oxidative damage suffered in cardiac surgery is associated with declining trace elements which lead to the development of multi organ dysfunction (MOD), acute kidney injury (AKI), or increased length of hospital stay (LOS). Recent evidence shows the cardioprotective role of the trace element selenium as it mitigates worsening outcomes post cardiac surgery. Hence, this meta analysis aims to investigate the role of selenium in lowering cardiac surgery related adverse outcomes. Methods: Literature search of five electronic databases was performed from the inception of the paper till 29th July, 2023. Eligibility criteria included; (a) randomized clinical trials with Adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing cardiac surgery (b) intervention with selenium pre or/and postoperatively; (c) a control group of a placebo, normal saline, or no selenium. Outcomes of interest include postoperative mortality, LOS in the hospital and Intensive Care Unit (ICU), AKI, troponin I, and Creatinine Kinase-MB (CK-MB). The Cochrane bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Outcomes were pooled with the Mantel-Haenszel Random-effects model using Review Manager. Results: Seven RCTs with 2,521 patients and 65% of males were included in this paper. No noticable differences were observed between selenium and control groups in terms of postoperative AKI, mortality, LOS in hospital and ICU, troponin I, and CK-MB levels. All studies had a low risk of bias on quality assessment. Discussion: Our meta analysis demonstrated no discernible effects of selenium infusion on post operative complications among patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Further large scale multi centered studies comparing the protective role of selenium with combined therapy of other bioactive agents are needed to provide convincing explanations. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO Identifier: 424920.

Therapeutic and safety outcomes of intracoronary nicardipine in coronary artery disease patients: a systematic review.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to shed light on the efficacy of intracoronary (IC) nicardipine in treating no reflow with CAD undergoing revascularization. Methods: Literature search was performed on databases with following eligibility criteria: adult patients with CAD; clinical trials or observational studies; IC nicardipine as intervention; therapeutic and safety outcome reported. Results: A total of 1249 papers were yielded during the literature search. Of these, 11 studies were finalized for this systematic review. Complete restoration of TIMI 3 flow was observed in 98.6% of the patients receiving IC nicardipine. A significant increase in the CBF after infusion of IC nicardipine (p < 0.05) was also observed. Conclusion: IC nicardipine significantly increases CBF and decreases coronary vascular resistance.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition that results in the narrowing or blockage of heart arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body's cells. We aimed to evaluate the effects of intracoronary (IC) nicardipine, a drug that blocks calcium from entering the muscle cells and blood vessels of the heart, which causes the vessels to relax and widen, allowing for blood to flow more easily, on a phenomenon known as coronary slow flow (CSF). CSF is defined as a delayed widening of the blood vessels of the heart. CSF or the no reflow phenomenon is a major negative complication associated with surgical procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), both of which are used to open up blocked arteries. The systematic search identified studies that evaluated the effect of IC nicardipine in patient during CAD treatment, undergoing PCI, CABG, or having confirmed or suspected narrowing of the aortic valve or one of the four valves of the heart, which results in restricted blood flow from the heart to the body. From the results of studies discussed in the review, it can be concluded that IC nicardipine significantly increases blood flow to the heart and can help prevent the no reflow phenomenon in patients undergoing PCI. Nicardipine proved to be a safe and effective option in the management of complications such as no reflow in patients receiving therapies to restore blood flow following CAD.

Short-course versus prolonged-course antibiotic regimens for ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend short-duration antibiotic therapy for non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli (NF-GNB) ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) which may be associated with a higher recurrence of pneumonia. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare short- versus prolonged-course antibiotic regimens for VAP. METHODS: We searched several databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effectiveness of a short- versus long-course of antibiotic treatment in patients with VAP. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: Our pooled analysis consisted of six RCTs. For 28-day mortality, no significant difference was found between the prolonged course and the short course. Administration of a short course of antibiotics increased the risk of recurrence of pneumonia in patients with VAP due to NF-GNB (RR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.17-2.54). Secondary outcomes, such as clinical resolution, duration of ICU stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation, revealed no significant difference between the two regimens. The quality of evidence was low for most outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Low-quality evidence suggests that a short course of antibiotics is associated with a higher recurrence of pneumonia in NF-GNB VAP with no difference in mortality as compared to a prolonged course. For definitive conclusions, large-scale and blinded RCTs are required.

Association of adverse childhood experiences with adulthood multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are proposed to increase the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. This systematic review aimed to explore the correlation between ACEs and MS development, age of onset, quality of life in MS patients and MS relapse rates. METHODS: We searched a total of six databases in June 2022 and retrieved the relevant studies. The population included adult (18+) individuals who either had been diagnosed or were at risk for developing MS and also had exposure to ACEs. Our primary outcomes include the risks of MS development, age of MS onset, and MS relapse rate in patients who were exposed to different types of ACEs. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included in our review. A study reported that among 300 women diagnosed with MS, 71 (24%) reported a history of childhood abuse; moreover, with further research, it was concluded that ACEs were associated with the development of MS. Abuse that occurred 2-3 times per week was associated with an 18.81-fold increased risk of having MS when compared to the unexposed sample. The relapse rate of MS was found to be substantially greater in severe cases of ACEs compared to individuals who did not report any ACEs. CONCLUSIONS: Results support a significant association between ACEs and the development of MS; individuals with a positive history of ACEs develop MS symptoms earlier. Moreover, the severity of ACEs is also linked with increased relapse rates of MS.

Ocular manifestations: A novel association of Monkeypox virus outbreak in 2022.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a double-stranded DNA zoonotic virus of the Poxviridae family. Infected persons, animals, or inanimate items can all spread the virus to humans when they come into close contact. The first human-to-human transmission was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak emerged in May 2022 involved mostly men who had sex with men (MSM). Patients usually present with symptoms of rash along with fever, flu-like symptoms, and lesions in the genital and perineal region. A rising concern is ocular manifestations seen with MPVX like conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratitis, and corneal lesions, especially in unvaccinated patients which might lead to blindness. Although it is self-limiting with supportive care, many patients benefited from tecovirimat. Combination therapy of brincidofovir and tecovirimat was also used for severe disease. Smallpox vaccinations will also play a vital role as unvaccinated patients had serious complications. Risk counseling should be carried out to prevent further spread amongst high-risk populations. Ophthalmologists should also remain aware of these ocular manifestations during the current outbreak and keep it as a differential diagnosis whenever they come across with aforementioned complaints that can be seen in MPVX illness.

Heavy migration of flood affectees in Pakistan and increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children: a call to action.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to various neurodevelopmental disabilities generally seen in kids. Pakistan, being vulnerable to natural disasters, faced one of the most devastating floods in July 2022 due to which many individuals were displaced. This not only affected the mental health of growing children but also the developing fetus of migrant mothers. This report establishes the link between the aftereffects of migration due to floods on children particularly associated with ASD in Pakistan. Flood affected families are devoid of basic necessities and are under a lot of psychological stress. On the other hand, Extensive treatment for autism is complicated, expensive, and provided in proper settings only which is not easily accessible to migrants. Considering all these factors, there are chances that ASD will be more prevalent in future generations of these migrants. Our study calls on respective authorities to take timely action for this growing concern.

Association between vitamin D levels in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to pool all the available data to provide a well-powered assessment of the role of maternal Vitamin D levels in developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because already published studies evaluating this association are small in sample size and yielded conflicting findings. Material and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies was performed. We searched electronic databases (PubMed and Cochrane Central) from inception to April 2021 for published and unpublished observational studies that determined the association between the reduction of Vitamin D levels and the risk of developing GDM in pregnant women. Results from studies were pooled as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and odds ratios (OR) using the random-effects model. Results: Forty-four studies, consisting of 37,838 pregnant women were included in this meta-analysis. Dichotomous studies showed a significant association between maternal Vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of GDM (OR = 1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21-1.57; P < 0.00001). Studies with continuous data also showed a significant association between maternal Vitamin D deficiency and the risk of developing GDM (weighted mean difference (WMD): -5.14 nmol/L, 95% CI = -6.28 to -4.00; P < 0.00001). Moderate heterogeneity was also detected. Conclusion: In conclusion, all studies demonstrated that lower levels of maternal serum Vitamin D were associated with a higher risk of developing GDM in pregnancy.

Factors associated with loss of motivation and hesitation to work amongst frontline health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey from a developing country.

Background: The COVID-19 took over the world in 2020 and a lockdown has been imposed seeing its fast spread. Frontline health care workers (HCWs) were reported frequently with a lack of motivation, hesitancy and unwillingness to perform their duties during this pandemic. This cross-sectional survey aims to evaluate the factors associated with lack of motivation and increased hesitancy among the frontline HCWs to perform their duties during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: A total of 239 HCWs were included in this web-based cross-sectional study, who have worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The anonymous online questionnaire was sent to all faculty, trainees and staff of Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The survey was conducted from September 2020 to January 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. All data was exported into Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 19 for multivariate analysis. Results: The risk of getting infected was strongly reported by 180 participants, and it was associated with higher hesitation to work (aOR = 6.09 [2.55-14.59]). Fifty-one participants felt that lack of knowledge about prevention and protection was associated with lower motivation to work (aOR = 0.66 [0.35-1.25]). Participants reported higher hesitation due to the burden of changed quality of work, physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion and altered sleep patterns. Sense of feeling protected by their hospitals was a motivating factor, and participants receiving adequate support reported higher motivation to work (aOR = 2.60 [1.32-5.14]). Conclusion: Fear of infection, increased working hours, and inadequate support of the workplace played a key role in escalating the hesitancy among HCWs to perform their duties. Lack of disease knowledge and paucity of personal protective equipment further lowered the motivation levels of HCWs to work effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 pandemic on menstrual health of women: A systematic review.

Background: The 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. Methods: The 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. Results: A 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. Conclusions: Women 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.

A prospective, single-centered, cohort study comparing the treatment of renal stones by following PCNL types: Standard, tubeless & totally tubeless.

Introduction: Renal stones are a frequent cause of morbidity globally. The number of lumbotomies performed for benign lithiasis has been greatly decreased with the usage of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Further development is aimed at reducing tract size, leading to numerous advanced minimally invasive PCNL procedures like mini-PERC, ultra-mini-PERC, and micro-PERC. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether tubeless or totally tubeless PCNL is the safest and most efficient, less morbid management technique for renal stones compared to the standard PCNL with a nephrostomy tube. Methodology: This is a comparative, prospective, single-centered, cohort study that took place between August 2015 and January 2018 in the Urology department of Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. 218 patients having single/multiple stones of variable sizes were enrolled in the study. Participants were stratified into three groups; Group A: Standard PCNL treatment; Group B: Tubeless PCNL treatment; Group C Totally Tubeless treatment. Mean operation time (±SD) and stone-free rates were our primary outcomes. The rate of complications during and post-operative complications were our secondary outcomes. Results: A total of 181 patients were included in our study. A decreasing trend can be seen in mean operation time as we move from Group A to Group C (p = 0.000). The rate of problems during operation in each group was highest (45.8%) in Group A, much lesser problems in Group C (13.3%), and least problems in Group B (8.1%) (p = 0.000). The postoperative complication rate was again the highest in Group A (30.5%), low in Group C (8.3%), and extremely low in Group B (1.6%). Conclusion: Tubeless PCNL proved to be the safest and most effective when compared to standard and totally tubeless PCNL procedures. It also showed the highest stone-free rates and least 'unsatisfactory' results amongst all the groups. Conclusively, it should be performed in routine preferably.

Dostarlimab: A breakthrough in the field of oncology.

Of the 19 million cancer cases reported worldwide in 2020, colorectal cancer (CRC) has a 10% prevalence and 9.4% mortality. A critical lack of cancer treatment facilities in third-world countries like Pakistan where a significant prevalence of CRC has been detected. The five FDA-approved drugs used for CCR therapy (Durvalumab, Atezolizumab, Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, and Avelumab) have been associated with a high occurrence of grade 3-4 adverse side effects. Dostarlimab is a new drug previously used to treat endometrial cancers and has a mechanism of action that is in accordance with other PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. A recent clinical trial has found Dostarlimab to cure 100% of the CRC patients who were given this drug while also showing no adverse events of grade 3 or higher in any patient. The recent clinical trial has opened up doors for future clinical trials perhaps with bigger sample sizes and ones that also include CRC patients belonging to wider geo-economic backgrounds such as those of Pakistan and other Asian countries.