Pak J Med Sci
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To investigate effects of the limited two-port video assisted thoracic surgery on treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax. ⋯ Compared with that of the standard three-port video assisted thoracic surgery or the standard two- port video assisted thoracic surgery, there is better cosmetic effect, and lower grade postoperative pain in the limited two-port video assisted thoracic surgery.
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Imposition by WHO of mandatory vaccination for international travelers from Pakistan has caused confusion and panic amongst travelers besides the adverse effect on the country's image from the widely reported statement. It is felt that the announced measure is not primarily supported by science but is rather a response to disillusionment in the donors about the repeatedly missed eradication targets set by WHO. In the past few years, exportation of poliovirus from Pakistan has caused outbreaks in China, Iraq and Syria besides the ongoing two way transmission with Afghanistan, but the carriers in these spreads are mainly land route travelers. ⋯ The unrelenting focus on polio eradication may have negative impact on fragile health systems besides arousing suspicions of religious elements opposed to vaccination. Routine vaccination and polio campaigns as part of community development measures such as provision of clean drinking water and elimination of surface sewage drainage would be more accepted. The government would be well advised to assume control of the polio eradication program and make it a national development issue.
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Critical stenosis of left main coronary artery (LMCA) has always remained a challenge for interventional cardiologists. Conventionally Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is done for these patients but recently Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) is also being tried more frequently, but data of PCI is scarce in this regard. Our objective was to determine the safety and technical success rate of percutaneous left main coronary artery stenting. ⋯ Our study showed that Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) to LMS has good technical success rate; the safety of the procedure is also acceptable.
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To evaluate the effects of blood pressure levels on prognosis of intracranial trauma patients with cognitive dysfunction. ⋯ The blood pressure levels of intracranial trauma patients were associated with cognitive function, with age, history of cerebrovascular disease and triglyceride level as the independent risk factors. Therefore, it is necessary to control blood pressure level to improve prognosis.
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The aim of this study was to examine the associations between depression and inflammatory markers in patients admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction. ⋯ These results indicate that the presence of depressive symptoms is positively associated with TNF-α levels among patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction.