Pak J Med Sci
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Case Reports
A 'benign' extrapyramidal side effect masking a life-threatening neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare, life-threatening idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptic medication. The use of newer antipsychotics combined with its rare incidence has made NMS seem as a complication of the past. Here we report a patient in his early 20s suffering from a psychotic disorder developing a life-threatening neuroleptic malignant syndrome on an inpatient psychiatric ward in Canada without the characteristic overt change in autonomic stability. We review the clinical characteristics to facilitate the early recognition of neuroleptic malignant syndromes and discuss why this condition still is highly relevant for practising physicians.
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We aimed to investigate the knowledge of medical students about COVID-19, the effects of the traumatic situation they experienced, the stress they perceived and the factors affecting them. In addition, we aimed to learn the thoughts of the students about the virus due to the uncertainties. ⋯ It was found that medical students were highly worried about being infected with COVID-19. The scores obtained from the pre-clinic students' anxiety to become infected with COVID-19, PSS and IES-R total scores were found to be significantly higher than their clinical students.
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Young researchers and novice authors face lot of difficulties to document their research work and get it published due to lack of guidance and proper training in the art of scientific writing. This manuscript provides some important information and highlights some useful tips for novice authors which if followed in letter and spirit will minimize the trauma to their manuscripts with increased chances of publication in standard peer reviewed biomedical journals even those with Impact Factor. Other authors will also find it helpful to know the details related to the whole publishing process.
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In 2004 Pakistan escalated from 'low-prevalence' to 'concentrated' phase of HIV epidemic. Despite global decline in HIV incidence since 1997, rate of HIV infections in Pakistan is persistently rising since 1990. Available literature focusses on key populations or localized outbreaks limited by short study duration and regional applicability of results. We studied HIV seroconversion trends over a period of 8 years in a geographically diverse population and evaluated associated risk factors. ⋯ HIV seroconversion rates among employees of organization X have increased significantly in the past two years. Unlike HIV outbreaks previously reported from Pakistan, sexual route seems to be the predominant mode of transmission. Focus is mandated on prevention of sexual transmission of HIV at national level as well for all vulnerable populations.
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To investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in pregnant women with early pregnancy complicated by subclinical hypothyroidism. ⋯ Vitamin D deficiency in the first trimester is associated with in an increased level of TSH in the first trimester, thereby aggravating subclinical hypothyroidism. The mechanism may be associated with the impact of vitamin D deficiency on hs-CRP and other body inflammation indicators, as well as on thyroid autoantibodies and other immune indicators, but has no effect on IL-1 levels.