Articles

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is very common in our community most specifically in married females with numerous antecedent risk factors. The aim of the study was to find out about the current risk factors and clinical profile of urinary tract infections in patients admitted to the cardiology ward of Afghan Momand Medical Complex for various purposes.It was a cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study including both male and female patients visiting the Afghan Momand Medical Complex from January 2022 to June 2022. Of all 960 patients, 202 (21%) patients had urinary tract infections with gender distribution as 69 (34.2%) males and 133 (65.8%) females. In fact, 33 (16.3%) patients with urinary tract infections were single while the rest 169 (83.7%) patients were married. In addition, regarding clinical profile, the following clinic was respectively more prevalent: Dysuria in 120 (59.4%) patients, flank pain in 73 (36.1%) patients, urine frequency in 67 (33.1%) patients, urgency in 36 (17.8%) patients, fever in 24 (11.8%) patients, and nausea and vomiting in 19 (9.4%) patients. Moreover, the following risk factors were respectively the most common ones: Diabetes mellitus 86 (42.5%), pregnancy 30 (14.9%), stones 15 (7.4%), 10 (4.9%) devices, 10 (4.9%) prostatic hyperplasia, and 4 (2%) anatomical anomalies.Urinary tract infection is a common disease in the admitted patients in Afghan Momand Medical Complex specifically being more common in females and early 20s of the age. In fact, diabetes, pregnancy, and kidney stones were the leading associated factors with UTI. Moreover, dysuria, bladder emptying irritative symptoms, and abdominal pain were the most prevalent clinical profile of the patients. Special attention should be paid to infectious diseases in cardiac patients since infection itself is a stress and a threat to such patients and authorities should design special measures to prevent UTI in the general population to avoid a sum of burden on the health system.

The psychological burden of physicians has been the focus of many researchers since the 1950s, and some papers have found a high prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders among medical staff. Recent studies have shown that the coronavirus pandemic didn’t go easy on healthcare workers. The fact that it has been three years since the outbreak, has motivated our study. Which aims to evaluate the intensity of anxiety among medical personnel and the risk factors that could be incriminated post-COVID pandemic and if the level of anxiety is back to normal. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with a survey split into 2 parts sociodemographic and work-related data, and the French version of the Hamilton anxiety scale, Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi et Microsoft Excel. About half of the 116 physicians in our study had no anxiety (55.2%), while 21.6% had mild anxiety, 10.3% had moderate anxiety, and 12.9% had severe anxiety. The identified risk factors for anxiety were female gender, personal and family history of anxiety disorder, doing night shifts, and being a general practitioner. The anxiety rate of physicians is back to normal post-COVID pandemic. But we shouldn’t stop there. The mental health status of medical personnel depends on several of the factors listed above. Determining them would imply a call for the implementation of preventive measures for anxiety and depressive disorders among physicians. Because taking care of physicians is taking care of patients.

Autoclaved aerated concrete is becoming an increasingly popular building material, and for good reason. It is ecological, energy efficient, strong, and durable. Studies show that the production of autoclaved aerated concrete saves 85% of energy compared to the production of heavy concrete. However, the use of steel reinforcement in large-sized aerated concrete products leads to deterioration of thermal insulation properties, corrosion, and destruction of the material. Replacing steel reinforcement with discrete fiber strands can solve this problem. The fiber does not affect the thermal insulation properties, is not prone to corrosion, and can be evenly distributed over the entire volume of the product.

The inflationary epoch, occurring shortly after the Big Bang, initiated an extraordinarily rapid exponential expansion of the universe. Following this period, the rate of cosmic expansion decelerated for approximately 9.8 billion years, until observations indicated a transition to an accelerated expansion of space-time. This paper aims to estimate the minimum possible deceleration of cosmic expansion during the post-inflationary epoch, addressing an unresolved aspect of cosmological studies. The observable universe is modeled as a spherical region defined by the particle horizon in the FLRW metric. The model operates on the principle that the speed of light cannot exceed the speed of space-time expansion, given that photons are bound by space-time constraints. This paper hypothesizes that at the end of the 9.8 billion years of deceleration, the expansion speed was at its lowest, nearly equating to the speed of light. Subsequently, this speed has increased, correlating with the current accelerated expansion. Through a graphical representation assuming a uniform rate of change in expansion speed (for minimum possible values), we apply concepts of onedimensional motion to derive our estimates. This novel approach provides a foundational calculation of the minimum deceleration, significantly contributing to the understanding of the dynamics of cosmic expansion and offering a basis for future research and observational refinement.

The current study included a variety of phytochemical substances that were extracted from Centaurium pulchellum and showed a wide range of medicinal properties from the plant's reproductive and vegetative parts against the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. The vegetative and reproductive components of Centaurium pulchellum were subjected to (GC-MS) analysis for phytochemical study. The data indicated that fungal activity was the highest. Four extract concentrations of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg/ml were utilized in the investigation, and the diameter of the colonies measured at each concentration was 90.00, 36.00, 28.00, 18.00, and 0.00 mm, respectively.Nine bioactive phytochemical compounds were found in Centaurium pulchellum's vegetative and reproductive portions, according to GC-MS analysis of the chemicals. Another study reported phytochemical substances that: 1-H-Imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde, 1-methyl-;Acetaminophen; n-Hexadecanoic acid; Mercaptoacetic acid, 2TMS derivative; 1.2,3-Dimethyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1,4-benzenediol #; Mercaptoethanol, 2TMS derivative-; Bis-(3,5,5-trimethylhexyl) phthalate Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl) orthosilicate #;- 1.1-Isopropoxy-3,3,3-trimethyl-1-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]disiloxanyl tris(trimethylsilyl) orthosilicate #.

Carfilzomib, a highly selective proteasome inhibitor, is commonly used in the treatment of multiple myeloma and AL amyloidosis. While its efficacy is well-established, there is increasing recognition of its association with cardiovascular adverse events, including hypertension, heart failure, and arrhythmias. However, cases of carfilzomib-induced pericardial disease remain rare. Here, we present a case of a 78-year-old female with multiple myeloma who experienced two episodes of hemorrhagic pericardial effusion following carfilzomib therapy, highlighting the importance of vigilant cardiovascular monitoring during treatment.

Cognitive impairment has been increasingly observed among patients with anxiety disorders and major depressive disorders impacting their normal daily functioning as well as quality of life. A multitude of evidence suggests that the most affected cognitive abilities are memory, attention, perception, and executive functioning in patients with anxiety and depression. Impairment in these higher-order cognitive functions can be attributed to age, education, diet, hormonal changes, stress, and prolonged use of drugs/alcohol/ medicines. To address the issues related to cognitive impairment various non-pharmacological therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive remediation approaches viz; cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation, and cognitive training; Audio-visual entrainment; mindfulness-based interventions; and neurofeedback have come into play in recent years. It is imperative to understand that the ability to test, measure, and monitor cognitive performance along with implementing cognitive remediation approaches viz; cognitive stimulation, cognitive training, etc. across the lifespan helps in early identification, accessing treatments faster, staying healthy for longer, and improving overall quality of life. This article discusses a case study of a client suffering from generalized anxiety disorder and moderate depression who after undergoing and following a novel therapeutic approach, ‘The Cognitome Program’ has shown credible improvement in cognitive abilities, along with a prominent reduction in the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and better psychological and physical well-being. Guided by the concept of neuroplasticity and cognitive plasticity, our innovative neuroscientific holistic program- ‘The Cognitome Program’ empowers unlocking hidden cognitive potential using cutting-edge methodologies and personalized strategies.

Introduction: Wet wrapping is a local care technique adapted to the treatment of severe forms of eczema. It is a good alternative for AD resistant to the usual local treatments. We report a case. Observation: A 5-month-old infant, with a personal history of allergic rhinitis has been seen in a dermatological for diffuse skin eruption and pruritus evolving in flare-ups since 4 months, without improvement after several courses of dermocorticoids, anti-H1, and emollient from several doctors. Clinical examination revealed erythematous plaques surmounted by vesicles with a crumbled border located on the convexities and extension face of the limbs and in the folds behind the ears and diffuse skin xerosis. The examination of the other devices was unremarkable. The evaluated SCORAD was 59.8. We carried out the treatment by the wet wrapping technique, a clear regression of the cutaneous lesions and pruritus with the decrease of the SCORAD from 59.8 to 8.8 in 1 month of treatment. Discussion: This observation further illustrates the effectiveness of the Wet wrapping technique in the management of recalcitrant atopic dermatitis. In resource-poor countries, Wet wrapping may be an alternative for recalcitrant forms of atopic dermatitis. For fostering critical nurse observation as a source of research topics, we propose four strategies. First, cultivating awareness through a culture of evidence-based practice and critical reflection on common practice. Second, stimulating persistence in addressing moral dilemmas concerning better care despite resistance. Third, facilitating interprofessional learning in an open culture, where diverse perspectives are valued, and it is psychologically safe to bring them in. Fourth, overcoming funding disparities and facilitating nurse-led research, acknowledging the underrepresentation of nurses in funding agencies. These measures aim to empower nurses to observe critically, use their unique perspectives, and bring in research topics.

Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. We present a case report of a 54-year-old individual presenting with symptoms suggestive of IHD, including palpitations and chest heaviness. Utilizing a Spandan device at home, the patient detected anteroseptal and lateral wall ischemia, prompting consultation with a cardiologist. Subsequent diagnostic evaluations revealed Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH), concentric LVH, regional wall motion abnormality, and Grade I diastolic dysfunction. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were identified as prominent risk factors, with additional findings of carotid artery disease. Management strategies included antihypertensive medications, lipid-lowering therapy, and lifestyle modifications. This case underscores the complexity of diagnosing and managing IHD, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assessment and multidisciplinary care in optimizing patient outcomes.

Introduction: We aim to evaluate the performance of pre-treatment MRI-based habitat imaging to segment tumor micro-environment and its potential to identify patients with esophageal cancer who can achieve pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT).Material and methods: A total of 18 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer (LAEC) were recruited into this retrospective study. All patients underwent MRI before nCRT and surgery using a 3.0 T scanner (Ingenia 3.0 CX, Philips Healthcare). A series of MR sequences including T2-weighted (T2), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and Contrast Enhance-T1 weighted (CE-T1) were performed. A clustering algorithm using a two-stage hierarchical approach groups MRI voxels into separate clusters based on their similarity. The t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were used to evaluate the predictive effect of pCR on habitat imaging results. Cross-validation of 18 folds is used to test the accuracy of predictions.Results: A total of 9 habitats were identified based on structural and physiologic features. The predictive performance of habitat imaging based on these habitat volume fractions (VFs) was evaluated. Students’ t-tests identified 2 habitats as good classifiers for pCR and non-pCR patients. ROC analysis shows that the best classifier had the highest AUC (0.82) with an average prediction accuracy of 77.78%.Conclusion: We demonstrate that MRI-based tumor habitat imaging has great potential for predicting treatment response in LAEC. Spatialized habitat imaging results can also be used to identify tumor non-responsive sub-regions for the design of focused boost treatment to potentially improve nCRT efficacy.