Radiology as a career among medical students of Pakistan: A cross-sectional study.

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.

Role of SGLT2 Inhibitors, DPP-4 Inhibitors, and Metformin in Pancreatic Cancer Prevention.

Pancreatic carcinoma is a highly aggressive tumor that usually presents when it has already metastasized. Therapeutic options for cure remain scarce and rely on combination chemotherapy with limited sustainability. Diabetes is considered an important risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer due to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, which result in increased cell proliferation. More than half of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer eventually develop diabetes due to the destruction of insulin-producing cells. The interlinkage of both diseases might identify a possible preventative strategy for reducing the incidence of pancreatic carcinoma. This study reviewed the recent literature on the association between pancreatic cancer risk and SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 RA, DPP-4 inhibitors, and biguanides. There are mixed data regarding the relationship between GLP-1 RA and DPP-4 inhibitors and pancreatic cancer, with some trials suggesting that they might increase the risk. In contrast, studies have mostly revealed that SGLT2 inhibitors have an antiproliferative effect on various tumors, such as liver, pancreatic, prostate, bowel, lung, and breast carcinoma, which might be due to their mechanism of blockage of reabsorption of glucose by cells, lowering the amount of available glucose for the growth of tumor cells. Metformin, the first-line agent for diabetes, has also been shown to be associated with decreasing pancreatic cancer risk and improving prognosis in those who already have the disease. Dedicated trials are needed to further delineate the association of antidiabetic drugs with the risk of pancreatic cancer in the general population, as previous studies have mostly focused on diabetic patients.

Current challenges and potential solutions to the use of digital health technologies in evidence generation: a narrative review.

Digital health is a field that aims to improve patient care through the use of technology, such as telemedicine, mobile health, electronic health records, and artificial intelligence. The aim of this review is to examine the challenges and potential solutions for the implementation and evaluation of digital health technologies. Digital tools are used across the world in different settings. In Australia, the Digital Health Translation and Implementation Program (DHTI) emphasizes the importance of involving stakeholders and addressing infrastructure and training issues for healthcare workers. The WHO's Global Task Force on Digital Health for TB aims to address tuberculosis through digital health innovations. Digital tools are also used in mental health care, but their effectiveness must be evaluated during development. Oncology supportive care uses digital tools for cancer patient intervention and surveillance, but evaluating their effectiveness can be challenging. In the COVID and post-COVID era, digital health solutions must be evaluated based on their technological maturity and size of deployment, as well as the quality of data they provide. To safely and effectively use digital healthcare technology, it is essential to prioritize evaluation using complex systems and evidence-based medical frameworks. To address the challenges of digital health implementation, it is important to prioritize ethical research addressing issues of user consent and addressing socioeconomic disparities in access and effectiveness. It is also important to consider the impact of digital health on health outcomes and the cost-effectiveness of service delivery.

Cardioprotective Effects of Nanoparticles in Cardiovascular Diseases: A State-of-the-Art Review.

It has been reported that death related to cardiovascular disease has increased up to 12.5% just in the past decade alone with various factors playing a role. In 2015 alone, it has been estimated that there were 422.7 million cases of CVD with 17.9 million deaths. Various therapies have been discovered to control and treat CVDs and their complications including reperfusion therapies and pharmacological approaches but many patients still progress to heart failure. Due to these proven adverse effects of existing therapies, various novel therapeutic techniques have emerged in the near past. Nano formulation is one of them. It is a practical therapeutic strategy to minimize pharmacological therapy's side effects and nontargeted distribution. Nanomaterials are suitable for treating CVDs due to their small size, which enables them to reach more sites of the heart and arteries. The biological safety, bioavailability, and solubility of the drugs have been increased due to the encapsulation of natural products and their derivatives of drugs.

Role of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in addiction disorders.

Background: Addiction disorders pose significant challenges to public health, necessitating innovative treatments. This assesses deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a potential intervention for addiction disorders. Methods: A literature review was carried out with a focus on the role of DBS in addiction disorders and its future implications in neurosurgical research. Results: The online literature shows that DBS precisely modulates certain brain regions to restore addiction-related neural circuits and promote behavioral control. Conclusion: Preclinical evidence demonstrates DBS's potential to rebalance neural circuits associated with addiction, and early clinical trials provide encouraging outcomes in enhancing addiction-related outcomes. Ethical considerations, long-term safety, and personalized patient selection require further investigation.

Irritable bowel syndrome in adults: Prevalence and risk factors.

Introduction: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ranges from 7 to 18% over the world. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome in adults. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study of IBS prevalence and risk factors from March to May 2022 at KRL Hospital Islamabad. 300 people were given Pre-validated Performa's. Our research adheres to the principles outlined in the Helsinki Declaration. The PSS was used to measures how much stress a person has felt in the past month.The higher the score, the more stressed the person appears to be. A variety of mental health disorders can be evaluated using this method. Data on dietary and lifestyle factors associated with IBS for the last 12 months was also collected from the participants. Results: The majority of patients, 70%, were classed as Grade 1 and 146 (48.66%) reported abdominal pain associated with defecation. 162 (54%) individuals reported high levels of tea consumed, 81 (27%) consumed coffee and 57 (19%) reported carbonated drinks consumed. 139 individuals reported having Vigorous-Intensity activity, out of which 69 (49.64%) spend 60 min of vigorous activity in a day. Conclusion: Screening patients for IBS on a regular basis is critical, especially in the younger demographic. If a patient experiences any symptoms of IBS, they should contact their doctor immediately. Consider the care of patients with chronic gastrointestinal complaints, particularly in women and those at greater risk of developing the illness.

The role of fenofibrate in the treatment of COVID-19.

In December 2019, a severe pneumonia-like illness emerged in the city of Wuhan, China which inevitably led to the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Due to the increase in infectivity and mortality caused by the virus, multiple therapeutic regimens are being suggested in order to help tackle this problem. The infectivity of SARS-CoV2 virus is due to its ability to attach itself to the ACE II receptors on the host cells via its viral spike protein (S protein) and inducing its entry into the target cell. The effects of the drug, Fenofibrate on the ACE II receptors and also, how the pharmaceutical properties of this drug can help prevent viral entry and eventually, reduce severity in COVID-19 patients. Since this drug has a good profile and is relatively safe to use, the risk-to-benefit analysis is positive and can be beneficial for patients infected with severe SARS-CoV2 infection.