Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons--Pakistan : JCPSP
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J Coll Physicians Surg Pak · Mar 2022
The Efficacy of an Initial Prednisone Monotherapy Regimen on PLA2R-associated Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of prednisone monotherapy for phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R)-associated idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). This was a retrospective cohort study involving 32 patients enrolled between January 2017 and June 2019 at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Seventeen patients received prednisone monotherapy, and 15 received the Ponticelli regimen. ⋯ Four and three patients relapsed in the prednisone monotherapy and Ponticelli regimen groups, respectively (p = 0.99). Initial prednisone monotherapy had similar efficacy and safety compared with the Ponticelli regimen for PLA2R-associated IMN. Key Words: PLA2R-associated idiopathic membranous nephropathy, Ponticelli regimen, Prednisone monotherapy.
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J Coll Physicians Surg Pak · Mar 2022
Comparison of Assessment Tools in Online and On-Campus Undergraduate Medical Examinations amidst COVID-19 Pandemic.
To compare the discriminating ability of online assessment tools in the module examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Viva-voce had a significantly higher discriminating index than MCQs and SAQs in online examinations. On-campus, SAQs had the highest discriminatory index. Using this statistical approach, the effectiveness of different components of the online examinations can be monitored to improve the quality of online examinations amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Key Words: COVID-19, Distance learning, Online education, Discrimination index, ROC curve, Pakistan, Assessment.
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Primary malignant lymphomas of parotid gland are very rare. Most are B-cell lymphomas, and T-cell lymphomas are very rare. Unfortunately, fine needle aspiration biopsy is non-diagnostic. ⋯ In suspected cases, an incisional open parotid core biopsy should be considered for a definite diagnosis. As the treatment of lymphomas is not surgical, this approach avoids a parotidectomy, which in turn, avoids facial nerve complications. Key Words: T-cell lymphoma, Parotid gland, Malignant lymphoma, Incisional biopsy, Fine needle aspiration biopsy.
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J Coll Physicians Surg Pak · Mar 2022
Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Functions before and after the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment Resistant Depression.
To determine relationship between the therapeutic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cognitive impairment and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels in treatment resistant depression (TRD). ⋯ rTMS treatment contributes to the antidepressant effect by normalising serum BDNF and GDNF levels in patients with TRD. Adding rTMS to antidepressants is, therefore, an appropriate treatment option for depressive patients with cognitive impairment. Key Words: rTMS, BDNF, GDNF, Cognitive function.