University of Health Sciences Lahore

Objectives: To analyze susceptibility of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa to chloroform root extract ofMurraya koenigii.Methodology: For this research Murraya koenigii chloroform root extract (MKCRE) was obtained from PCSIR, Lahorewith total yield of 3.4%. A 14-day study was conducted on blood samples of 12 patients admitted to Sheikh ZayedHospital (SZH) Lahore over a period of one year, assessed positive for MDR P. aeruginosa based on a series ofconfirmatory bench tests performed in the Microbiology lab of SZH Lahore. Simple Randomized sampling was doneby rotary method, and the samples were randomly divided into 2 groups, each group having 6 samples. Groups 1 & 2were tested for susceptibility to MKCRE and Colistin respectively using Disk diffusion and Agar well diffusion methodsfor determination of zone of inhibition and MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) was determined by brothmacro-dilution method. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25.Results: Our study concluded that MKCRE have significant anti MDR P. aeruginosa activity with pharmaceuticalpotential.Conclusion: The current study revealed that Murraya koenigii chloroform root extract individually carries Anti MDRPseudomonal potential is better than Colistin.Keywords: Murraya koenigii root extract, Colistin, Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Complete congenital atrioventricular heart block (CHB) is a rare but serious, life-threatening condition in neonates, most often associated with maternal autoimmune connective tissue disease. Definitive management typically requires epicardial pacing; however, in cases of life-threatening bradycardia and hemodynamic compromise, temporary transvenous pacing may be lifesaving. Securing vascular access in premature or low-birth-weight infants often makes vascular access technically challenging, and conventional routes may not always be feasible. In such situations, the umbilical vein offers a rapid, bedside, and less invasive alternative. We present the case of a premature neonate born at 35 + 1 weeks with congenital third-degree heart block, in whom emergency temporary pacing was successfully performed via the umbilical vein after failed femoral access, subsequently serving as a bridge to permanent pacemaker implantation.

Aim: To assess healthcare professionals’ awareness, attitudes, and utilization of community-based digital health platforms for preventive care in underserved districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, and to identify key barriers associated with routine use. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2024 and February 2025 among 400 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, and allied health practitioners) working in primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities in Swabi and Mardan. Participants were recruited using purposive, stratified (quota-based) sampling. The questionnaire captured knowledge/awareness, attitudes, self-reported utilization, and perceived barriers (infrastructure, training, and privacy). Descriptive statistics were produced, and multivariable regression was used to examine factors associated with utilization. Results: Among the 400 respondents, 332 (83.0%) reported awareness of digital health platforms and 312 (78.0%) reported positive attitudes toward their use. Overall, 297 (74.3%) reported using digital health platforms in practice. The most frequently reported barriers were lack of infrastructure (n = 309, 77.3%), limited training (n = 297, 74.3%), and data privacy concerns (n = 295, 73.8%). In the adjusted logistic regression model, greater knowledge of digital health platforms was associated with higher odds of routine use (aOR = 10.56, 95% CI: 2.36–47.35; p = 0.002), whereas attitude and infrastructure barriers were not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Healthcare professionals in Swabi and Mardan reported high awareness and favorable attitudes toward community-based digital health platforms, but infrastructure gaps, limited training, and data privacy concerns were common barriers. Greater platform knowledge predicted routine use. Strengthening facility readiness, workflow-based training, and practical safeguards to address data privacy concerns may enable safer, more equitable scale-up; findings are context-specific due to non-probability sampling.

MPOX has been declared endemic in Central Africa by WHO in 2017. More recently (2018-2021), MPOX cases have been reported in various regions (endemic as well as non-endemic) all over the world. The sudden, unexpected and simultaneously emerging cases at geographically disparate areas indicate the probable undetected transmission pattern of the disease. The double stranded DNA virus has evolved over the time into multiple sub-lineages. Clade I MPXV variant is considered to be more virulent as compared to clade II variety. Mutations in certain sub-lineages may alter transmission routes, potentially shifting from direct contact to airborne transmission. The clinical presentation involves an incubation phase of 7-9days, during this phase extensive viral dissemination occurs into the neighbouring cells causing systemic inflammation. The viral prodrome comprising of fever, malaise and myalgias may or may not precede the cutaneous eruptions that evolve over a period of 1-2weeks, followed by desquamation and scabbing. Treatments include antiviral agents such as tecovirimat, bocindofovir and cidofovir in addition to standard supportive therapy for severe cases or immunocompromised patients. Vaccines such as ACAM2000, JYNNEOS and LC16m8 are available, although they are linked with some risks such as myopericarditis in certain patients. Ongoing global spread and virus mutations highlight the urgent need to accelerate research focused on early MPOX detection, novel treatment options and prevention in order to properly handle potential long-term challenges such as drug-resistant strains and future outbreaks. Prioritising the development of targeted, efficient, and less resistance-prone anti-MPOX medicines and rapid response systems for effective MPOX management.

Objective: To assess the rabbit tibia and to evaluate the female New Zealand White rabbit as an animal model for bone tissue engineering.Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study.Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, and the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, Pakistan. The study duration was from August 2021 to January 2023.Methods: Twenty New Zealand White rabbits, divided into four groups (5 rabbits in each group), were used and weighed before surgery. After Anesthesia, critical-sized bone defects were created in the right tibiae of each rabbit. Group A was used as control while the rest were filled with the Silicon substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HA) alone (Group B), Si-HA and Lipoaspirate derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) (Group C), Si-HA and SVF (modified) (Group D). All the rabbits were weighed again before being euthanized after 6 weeks. After dissecting the tibiae, the length and gross features of each tibia were noted.Results: After six weeks, an increase in body weight was observed in rabbits of all groups. The maximum increase in weight was 600g observed in rabbit number 3 of Group B, while the minimum was 100g in rabbit number 1 of Group D. Statistically, Group A had the highest average weight gain, but the differences between groups were not statistically significant. After dissection, all tibiae showed normal gross morphological features with the same pattern in length and differences existing within the normal anatomic range. The maximum length of the tibia was 10.5cm, the minimum length was 9.3cm, and the mean length was recorded as 9.9cm.Conclusion: Standard laboratory diet seems to increase the weight of rabbits in captivity with a reciprocalincrease in the dose of anaesthesia as per recommendation. How to cite this: Khan MM, Butt SA, Hamid S, Kiani RB, Mahmood M, Anjum K. Laboratory-Based Anatomical Assessment of the Rabbit Tibia and Evaluation of the Female New Zealand White Rabbit as A Model for Bone Substitute Testing. Life and Science. 2026; 7(1): 46-53. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.691

Regenerative medicine is a promising therapeutic avenue for previously incurable diseases. As the risk of chronic and degenerative diseases significantly increases with age, the elderly population represents a major cohort for stem cell-based therapies. However, the regenerative potential of stem cells significantly decreases with advanced age and deteriorating health status of the donor. Therefore, the efficacy of autologous stem cell therapy is significantly compromised in older patients. To overcome these limitations, alternative strategies have been used to restore the age- and disease-depleted function of stem cells. These methods aim to restore the therapeutic efficacy of aged stem cells for autologous use. This article explores the effect of donor age and health status on the regenerative potential of stem cells. It further highlights the limitations of stem cell-based therapy for autologous treatment in the elderly. A comprehensive insight into the potential strategies to address the “age” and “disease” compromised regenerative potential of autologous stem cells is also presented. The information provided here serves as a valuable resource for physicians and patients for optimization of stem cell-based autologous therapy for aged patients.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) often presents with significant metabolic derangement requiring preoperative fluid resuscitation. Conventional fluid therapy (CFT) is widely used, but bolus fluid therapy (BFT), guided by serum chloride levels, may allow faster correction and improved outcomes. This study compared the safety and efficiency of BFT vs CFT in infants with IHPS. A single-centre randomised controlled trial was conducted over 30 months at a tertiary paediatric surgical unit in Pakistan. Infants aged 2-12 weeks with confirmed IHPS were randomly assigned to receive either CFT or BFT. CFT involved maintenance fluids with potassium supplementation and 6-hourly monitoring. BFT comprised 20ml/kg saline boluses tailored by initial chloride and bicarbonate levels, based on the Dalton algorithm, with monitoring before and after each bolus. Primary outcomes included time to biochemical optimisation, hospital stay, and number of laboratory tests. One hundred infants were enrolled (n = 50 per group). The BFT group achieved faster correction (7.1 ± 2.2h vs 71.5 ± 10.3h; p = 0.001), shorter hospital stay (118.6 ± 29.9h vs 154.5 ± 37.3h; p = 0.001), and fewer laboratory tests (3.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.8 ± 1.1; p = 0.02). No complications occurred. Chloride-guided BFT is a safe, efficient alternative to CFT for IHPS. It reduces time to correction, length of stay and investigation burden. Early discharge may also reduce nosocomial risk, offering particular benefit in resource-limited settings.

The ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily B1 (ABCB1) gene is responsible for encoding the permeability glycoprotein (P-gp), a crucial protein involved in multidrug resistance. P-gp functions as an ATP-dependent efflux pump, actively removing diverse substances, including carcinogens, from cells. However, a specific genetic variation called the C3435T polymorphism of the ABCB1 gene has been linked to reduced plasma levels of P-gp substrates. This genetic variation leads to the accumulation of harmful compounds within cells, which may increase susceptibility to hematological malignancies. This study aims to determine the frequency of ABCB1 gene polymorphism C3435T (rs1045642) in acute myeloid leukemia patients at tertiary care hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted to investigate the association between ABCB1 gene polymorphism (C3435T) and acute myeloid leukemia. A total of 100 samples (50 cases and 50 healthy controls) were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The TT genotype of ABCB1 C3435T was more prevalent in cases (62%) compared to the control group (20%). In different genetic models, the TT genotype was significantly associated with acute myeloid leukemia when compared to the CC and CT genotypes. This study suggests that the TT genotype of the ABCB1 C3435T gene polymorphism is more strongly associated with acute myeloid leukemia compared to controls. This specific genotype may contribute to the development or progression of this malignancy. Further research is needed to explore the functional implications of this genetic variation in the pathogenesis.