Knowledge & Attitude regarding Stem Cells research and its applications among Residents of a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objectives: The importance and potential of the use of stem cells as therapeutic tools is enormous and therefore, health professionals should be expected to have thorough knowledge and a positive attitude towards their utilization in medical practice. Hence this study was carried out to report and assess the knowledge and attitude regarding stem cell in our region. Methodology: The study was conducted amongst the residents employed at the Aga Khan University hospital, Karachi Pakistan from September-October 2022 with a sample size of 57. RESULTS: Amongst our survey participants, 33 (54.2%) responded with a score of 48 and above (i.e., 60% or above); 25 (40.9%) of the study participants scored between 50-60% only 3 (4.9%) had a score 40-50. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey shows a reasonable level of knowledge of the generic principles and implications Stem cell therapy amongst the residents.

Implication of stem cells and platelet rich plasma in otolaryngology, head and neck surgical procedures.

Human body has a set of unspecialized cells called as stem cells that have the ability to generate cells of specialized function. Volume of fractionated plasma extracted from autologous blood is termed as Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is rich in several growth factors. Both have shown effective results in the field of regenerative medicine. Physiologically, platelets are the first cells to concentrate at the site of tissue damage, therefore application of PRP in diverse surgical procedures enhances bone and soft tissue healing; this same phenomenon is currently being used in otology, head and neck flap surgery and yielding miraculous outcomes. The perspective role of stem cells in regenerative medicine is wrapped in its loosely arranged DNA with working genes; a similar concept is being worked upon in different ENT procedures with groundbreaking results. But still, the data is scarce and there is a dire need for clinical trials, and large population-level studies to further formulate the guidelines on basis of proven evidence.

Rates of publication of FCPS dissertations in international and national peer-review journals among residents at AKUH; A cross sectional review of 15 years.

OBJECTIVE: To see the rate of publication of postgraduate residents' dissertation. METHODS: The single-centre retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised research publications from the residents of the departments of Surgery and Medicine who graduated between 2005 and 2020. The surgical subspecialties included Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Paediatric Surgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery. Data comprised demographics, current institution, current designation, information on dissertation/paper publication, topic of study, year of completion of dissertation, input from the research department, delay in exam due to incomplete dissertation and whether the paper got published in national or international journal. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 103 subjects, 70(68%) were males and 33(32%) were females, while 73(70.8%) belonged to surgical specialties and 30(29.2%) were from non-surgical specialties. Of the 22(22.9%) who were able to convert, 12(54.5%) publications were carried by national peer-reviewed journals, while 10(45.4%) were carried by international journals; 9(40.9%) unpaid peer review journals and 13(59.1%) paid journals. Delay in exam due to incomplete dissertation was faced by only 16(16.6%) candidates. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of publication for resident dissertation was found to be low.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of Nasal Cavity: A Case Report.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) belonging to a distinct group of mesenchymal tumors, was originally described by Klemper and Rabin in the pleura in year 1931. However, it can also be extra-pleural in origin. With tongue being the most common site involved in this region, epiglottis, larynx, thyroid, external auditory canal, lacrimal sac, hypoglossal nerve, parotid gland, sublingual gland, Para pharyngeal space, nasopharynx, scalp, gingiva, orbit and infratemporal fossa as well as paranasal sinuses and nasal cavities can also get involved. But SFTs involving nasal cavities and nasopharynx are quite uncommon, accounting for < 0.1% of all Sino-nasal neoplasms. Until now there have only been 40 cases of nasal SFT reported in literature. We report the case of an extraserosa solitary fibrous tumor arising from the nasal cavity with extension to the sphenoid sinus, a much rarer presentation of its type. Our case report is one of its type, emphasizing the need conducting further studies on the nature and management of the disease.

Syndromic Piere Robbin Sequence- A Rare Presentation in Association with Multiple Heart Defects and Type III Stickler Syndrome.

Pierre Robin Sequence (PRS), a rare congenital disorder, is a triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and tongue based airway obstruction (TBSO). It may occur as isolated anomaly (iPRS) or as a part of a syndrome (sPRS), like that seen in association with Stickler Syndrome. Approximately 20% of children with PRS have congenital heart diseases. To the best of our knowledge this case of a one-day old infant is the first one to be reported as having two heart defects; patent ductus arteriosus and patent foramen ovale in Pierre Robbin Sequence child.