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A comprehensive approach to asymptomatic adults with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) pattern discovered incidentally on routine electrocardiography (ECG) is debatable. The objective of this review article is to update the most recent evidence on the management of young patients with asymptomatic WPW patterns. A substantial proportion of adults with WPW patterns on ECG may remain asymptomatic but the lifetime risk for fatal arrhythmias still exists. The inherent properties of the accessory pathway determine the risk of sudden cardiac death. A low-risk pathway is considered when the pre-excitation is intermittent on ambulatory monitoring or when it disappears completely or abruptly during exercise testing. On the other hand, a high-risk pathway in EP study is suggested by the presence of the shortest pre-excited RR interval (SPERRI) during atrial fibrillation of ≤ 250 ms or accessory pathway effective refractory period (APERP) ≤ 240 ms. The cardiac evaluation may thus be considered in asymptomatic patients with WPW to determine the individual risk for future symptomatic arrhythmia. A shared-decision making must be performed before offering catheter ablation whose procedural success rate is high.

This very brief communication is aimed to highlight some recent contact points between neurosciences and dynamical system theory, passing through paleoneurology, with some remarks suggesting further possible interdisciplinary developments.

Introduction: Spaced fiber bundles, less evident cell striations, deposition of collagen fiber bundles, and increased presence of fibroblasts in the cardiac tissue of rats that voluntarily and chronically ingested ethanol were observed by our research group. In addition, we observed increased proliferation and cell death of cardiomyocytes. To find out whether these changes lead to impaired heart functionality, some clinical tests were performed. Aim: to investigate whether chronic ethanol decreases the left ventricular performance assessed by exercise testing, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram of male and female UChB strain rats. Material and methods: ten adult males and ten adult females, Wistar strain rats, named UChB (University of Chile), spontaneous high ethanol drinkers (consumption greater than 2 g ethanol / Kg body weight/day), and ten male UChB rats and ten adults female UChB rats, not exposed to ethanol, UChBC rats (controls) were used. Cardiac performance was evaluated by the stress test, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram. Results: Exposed females showed ventricular morphological changes in the heart. The exposed females and males had the highest heart relative weight with females being larger than males. The exposed females showed altered electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. Conclusion: Chronic ethanol decreases the left ventricular cardiac performance in rats. Females are more sensitive to changes in cardiac electrical conduction.

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common congenital anomalies occurring round the world varying with the race, ethnicity and geography. Cleft lip and/or palate problems tends to worsen as the individual grows older. Although it occurs as a different entity in itself but its presence can hamper aesthetics as well as functions by effecting growth, dentition, speech, hearing and overall appearance resulting in social and psychological problems for the child as well as the parents. Cleft lip and palate is of a multifactorial origin such as inheritance, teratogenic drugs, and nutritional deficiencies and can also occur as syndromic or non-syndromic cleft. Treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate comprises of different specialists having an individual insight in a particular case ultimately reaching to a consensus for a successful culmination of the treatment. Although appropriate timing and method of each intervention is still arguable. An orthodontist plays a role in pre surgical maxillary orthopaedics, in aligning the maxillary segments and dentition, in preparation for secondary alveolar bone grafting and finally in obtaining ideal dental relation and preparing the dentition for prosthetic rehabilitation or orthognathic surgery if required. Therefore, for efficient treatment outcome and refinement of individual techniques or variations of the treatment protocol a highly able team of specialists from different specialities is a must, preferably on a multicentre basis.

Background: Perinatal asphyxia (PA) which may result in hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) affects four million neonates worldwide and accounts for the death of one million of affected babies. The science of metabolomics has become an area of growing interest in neonatal research, with a potential role in identifying useful biomarkers that can accurately predict injury severity in perinatal asphyxia and HIE.The aim of this review is to look at the evidence of the usefulness of urine metabolomics in predicting outcome in PA/HIE. Methods: The key words used in the advanced search ‘urine metabolomics’ AND ‘perinatal asphyxia’ OR ‘hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy’, yielded 13 articles. Results: Of the selected thirteen studies, 38% (n = 5) were human studies, 31% (n = 4) were animal studies and 31% (n = 4) were review articles. The studies confirmed the involvement of known pathways in the development of PA/HIE, primarily the Krebs cycle evidenced by accumulation of TCA cycle intermediates (citrate, α-ketoglutarate, succinate) and anaerobic pathways indicated by increased lactate. Other pathways involved include amino acid and carbohydrate pathways. Conclusion: Metabolomic studies so far are promising in highlighting potential biomarker profiles in PA/HIE. Further research is necessary to further clarify the role of identified metabolites in predicting outcome and prognosis in neonates affected by PA/HIE.

Drug addiction remains a major health concern following its devastating consequences to the users and the economy. Current statistics show a rising trend in substance abuse around the globe with approximately 284 million people engaging in drug abuse. Various approaches are used to treat the victims of drug abuse. Cognitive behavior therapy, a form of nonpharmacological intervention, has also been shown to be an effective treatment option for drug addiction. The use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has grown since the 1970s to become one of the most important models of psychotherapy in this decade. Various empirical studies have shown the efficacy of CBT in well-controlled trials. A total of 19 randomized trials (cases) (with over 1400 patients treated) were selected and studied. In the various cases, results showed that patients were treated for drug and substance abuse disorders with the majority being those who abused cannabis, cocaine, alcohol and other opioids. In most cases, the CBT techniques that were used for drug addiction included cognitive restructuring, relapse prevention and contingency management. Components of CBT for drug addiction include skills and training, amplification of non-substance-related activities, approaches for managing urges, drug rejection and improvement of social aptitudes. Cognitive restructuring focuses on the identification of misconceptions and influencing the way people think about themselves by eliminating distorted thinking. Relapse prevention focuses on the identification and prevention of high-risk situations that may trigger the patient to engage in drug abuse. Contingency management reinforces positive behaviors and reduces negative behaviors through the use of rewards and incentives.

SARS-CoV-2 is the virus associated with the disease called COVID-19 and become a global pandemic. The only way to prevent its severe scenarios is through timely and rapid testing. In comparison to more time taking gold-standard RT-PCR testing, rapid diagnostic kits are used. For better prevention and diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, the analysis of rapid diagnostic kits' accuracy and specificity is necessary. This study is meant to assess and examine the viability, responsiveness, and explicitness of quick antigen distinguishing nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS), and saliva-based units. The study was conducted on 200 suspected COVID-19 patients from Islamabad, 100 of which were RT-PCR positive while 100 were RT-PCR negative. For the analysis of Rapid diagnostic COVID-19 kits (RDT), nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva samples were taken from the RT-PCR positive and negative patients. Among 100 RT-PCR positive patients, 62% were males (19 - 91 years), 34% were females (20 - 78 years) and 4% were children (6 - 17 years). False-negative results were significantly more observed in saliva-based RDTs of the sample (49%) as compared to nasopharyngeal swab RDT (38%). There were 2% invalid results in saliva-based RDT and 3% invalid results in Nasopharyngeal swab RDT. While among 100 RT-PCR negative patients 69% were males (19 - 80 yrs), 27% were females (18 - 77 yrs) and 4% were children (12 - 16 yrs.). False positive results were significantly more in saliva-based RDT (22%) as compared to Nasopharyngeal swab RDT (13%). The sensitivity and specificity of saliva-based RDT were 67% and 87% respectively while that of Nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) was 72% and 82% respectively, both of which were less than the gold standard RT-PCR sensitivity demanding the introduction of more sensitive RDT kits in Pakistan for accurate detection of COVID-19.

Oral cavity is the gateway of the human body, and also provides vital clues of our systemic health. Here in this COVID-19 pandemic, oral manifestations such as dysgeusia, ulcers, xerostomia are noticed and are an an important predictors of this viral disease. This short review describes the oral manifestations of this new disease.

Aim: This study calculated the effects on serum phosphorus (P) levels, after treatment with either of 2 drugs: the erythropoietin (Epo) and the antioxidant lazaroid (L) drug U-74389G. The calculation was based on the results of 2 preliminary studies, each one of which estimated the certain influence, after the respective drug usage in an induced ischemia reperfusion (IR) animal experiment. Materials and methods: The 2 main experimental endpoints at which the serum P levels were evaluated was the 60th reperfusion min (for the groups A, C and E) and the 120th reperfusion min (for the groups B, D and F). Specially, the groups A and B were processed without drugs, the groups C and D after Epo administration; whereas the groups E and F after the L administration. Results: The first preliminary study of Epo presented a non significant hyperphosphoremic effect by 2.46% + 2.02% (p - value = 0.2168). However, the second preliminary study of U-74389G presented a non significant hypophosphoremic effect by 1.09% + 2.01% (p - value = 0.5771). These 2 studies were co-evaluated since they came from the same experimental setting. The outcome of the co-evaluation was that L is at least 0.4455128-fold [0.4445589 - 0.4464687] more hypophosphoremic than Epo (p - value = 0.0000). Conclusions: The anti-oxidant capacities of U-74389G ascribe at least 0.4455128-fold [0.4445589 - 0.4464687] more effects than Epo (p - value = 0.0000). 

Background: Stroke is the most common cause of permanent disability and the third most common cause of death in Palestine. We aimed to examine patterns of stroke presentation, causes, management and outcomes at the largest public Mistry of health hospitals in Palestine.Methods: Comprehensive data from all patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to al-Shifa hospital between November 2021 and July 2022 and treated with alteplase alone or endovascular intervention with or without alteplase were prospectively collected and compare with acute ischemic stroke patients who were treated with medical care alone at Palestine medical complex hospital at 2018. Acute ischemic stroke presentation patterns, in-hospital evaluation and management, mortality, and morbidity were evaluated. Results: Medical care alone group: 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke, mean age was 65 ± 14 years and 49% were women. Most of the patients received antiplatelet therapy (98%), although none received thrombolysis. Only 17% received physical therapy evaluation. In-hospital mortality was 13%, and a modified ranking score of 0 -2 was in 44 patients (32%). Endovascular intervention with/without alteplase group: 56 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The mean age was 61 ± 12 years and 41% were women. All patients received brain computed tomography scans, although few received other investigations such as carotid Doppler (13%). Most patients with ischemic stroke received antiplatelet therapy (99%), although 39 patients (70%) received thrombolysis. Only 61% received physical therapy evaluation. In-hospital mortality was 7%. The modified ranking score 0 - 2: 32 patients (57%).Conclusion: This study conducted in Palestine showed that among patients with acute ischemic stroke, functional outcomes according to modified ranking score 0 - 2 were better by endovascular therapy with/without alteplase than with medical care alone.