Allama Iqbal Medical College (Urdu: علامہ اقبال طبی کالج لاہور) is a public medical school in Lahore, widely regarded as one of the best medical institutions of Pakistan. Established in 1975, it is a public school of medicine, nursing and allied health sciences located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. Jinnah hospital is attached to the college as a teaching hospital, which is housed adjacent to the college complex.
Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) requires long-term hormone replacement therapy, most commonly through daily injections of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Although effective, this daily regimen may lead to poor adherence, particularly in children. Somapacitan, a long-acting growth hormone analog administered once weekly, has emerged as a potential alternative. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the efficacy, safety, and biochemical outcomes of once-weekly somapacitan with daily Norditropin in patients with GHD. Following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251118208), PubMed and CENTRAL were systematically searched up to August 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing somapacitan with Norditropin in patients with GHD were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis in Review Manager 5.4, and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Ten randomized controlled trials involving 920 participants were included. Somapacitan and Norditropin demonstrated comparable outcomes in height velocity (MD = 0.12; 95
Cluster headache (CH) is a severe unilateral trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia with limited well tolerated therapies. Calcitonin gene related peptide monoclonal antibodies, including galcanezumab, fremanezumab, and eptinezumab, have established efficacy in migraine and are under evaluation in CH. This study assesses their efficacy and safety using pairwise and network meta analysis. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through April 2025. Randomized controlled trials enrolling adults with episodic or chronic CH were included. The primary endpoint was change in weekly attack frequency. Secondary outcomes included subtype specific effects and adverse events. Frequentist random effects network meta analysis and pairwise meta analysis were performed in R. Five trials with approximately 1,000 participants were included. No agent demonstrated statistically significant reduction in weekly attack frequency versus placebo, although consistent numerical improvements were observed. Dose specific network estimates showed mean differences of − 0.81 for galcanezumab 300 mg, − 0.17 for eptinezumab 400 mg, 0.71 for fremanezumab 675/225 mg, and − 1.27 for fremanezumab 900/225 mg. Pooled dose estimates were − 0.81 for galcanezumab, − 0.27 for fremanezumab, and − 0.17 for eptinezumab. Pairwise meta analysis yielded a pooled mean difference of − 0.41. Subgroup analysis indicated minimal change in chronic CH and greater numerical reduction in episodic CH. CGRP monoclonal antibodies demonstrate modest directional reductions in attack frequency without statistical significance. Signals appear more pronounced in episodic CH, supporting the need for adequately powered, subtype specific trials.
Accurate tissue acquisition (TA) of solid pancreatic lesions is essential for guiding treatment with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) being the preferred method. Among FNB designs, the three-pronged Franseen-tip needle demonstrates strong diagnostic performance, though direct head-to-head comparisons with other FNB designs remain limited. This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251123856). Eligible studies enrolled patients with solid pancreatic lesions who underwent EUS-guided FNB, directly compared the Franseen-tip with other FNB needles. Six databases were systematically searched through July 2025, and study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment (QUADAS-2 tool) were performed independently by two reviewers. Pooled estimates were generated using random-effects and bivariate hierarchical models. Sixteen studies (2,010 Franseen vs. 2,811 comparator) were included. Bivariate analysis showed that sensitivity and specificity of the Franseen needle were comparable to newer-generation comparator needles (sensitivity 91.3
Malnutrition remains one of the most pressing global health crises, exacerbating paediatric mortality in low- and middle-income countries. It has long-term implications, from immediate health concerns to weakened immune function and reduced economic productivity. Despite decades of progress driven by international collaboration, contemporary global disruptions have counteracted the gains in combating malnutrition. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) abruptly withdrew support, aggravating the situation, which previously funded large-scale nutrition programmes and health interventions across more than 50 countries. USAID tailored its assistance to nutritional rehabilitation, maternal-child health and healthcare infrastructure, significantly curbing child malnutrition in countries like Pakistan, South Sudan and Yemen. The dissolution of these programmes has placed millions of vulnerable children at increased risk of malnutrition. This editorial accentuates the urgency of addressing the funding gap left by USAID's cessation and calls for coordinated policy interventions, increased domestic investment in nutrition programmes and global collaboration through alternative funding sources. Strengthening food security initiatives, bolstering healthcare supply chains and launching public awareness campaigns on maternal and child nutrition are critical in preventing a worsening public health crisis.
