The Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) is a public medical university located in the Urban metropolitan area of Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It was founded by Sir Hugh Dow, the then Governor of Sindh, in 1945.The university comprises two health sciences undergraduate research institutes: Dow Medical College and Dow International Medical College. The university also has a very strong department of Postgraduate studies which monitors various basic medical sciences and clinical sciences programs at DUHS.Established in 1945 as the Dow Medical College, it is known for its strong emphasis on economics biomedical, health, and medical research programmes. It is ranked among the top medical schools by HEC in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The paper examines the influence of intellectual capital and board idiosyncrasies on Islamic banks’ profitability in nine Asian countries over the period 2018 to 2022. We use the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) and Prais-Winsten panel corrected standard errors to estimate the baseline and interaction models. Additionally, the Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation approaches were used to address endogeneity concerns. To verify the consistency of results, we also employ alternative variable measurements for estimation. Further, the three-way interaction analysis was performed to investigate if Islamic banks with high intellectual capital, board independence, and foreign directors would be more profitable than other Islamic banks. To enhance clarity, the interactions are also visually depicted through two-way and three-way interaction plots. The results indicate that intellectual capital enhances Islamic banks’ profitability. We also document that independent directors strengthen the influence of intellectual capital on Islamic banks profitability, such that Islamic banks with independent directors and intellectual capital have higher profitability. Furthermore, we find that foreign directors strengthen the influence of intellectual capital on Islamic banks profitability, implying that Islamic banks with foreign directors and intellectual capital have higher profitability. Finally, the three-way interaction results suggest that profitability will be further enhanced when Islamic banks with intellectual capital induct both independent and foreign directors on the board. The study provides several insights for improving the strategic governance and profitability of Islamic banks in Asian countries through focused interventions by senior management and policymakers. The research also contributes to the literature by exploring the complex nexus between intellectual capital, board idiosyncrasies and Asian Islamic banks’ profitability using the two-way and three-way interaction approaches.
Robot-assisted distal pancreatectomy (RDP) was developed to overcome technical limitations of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP), yet uncertainty persists regarding oncologic adequacy, learning-curve effects, and outcomes in high-risk subgroups. We synthesized current evidence to address these gaps. We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE, in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, from inception to 2025 to identify comparative studies of RDP versus LDP. Using random-effects models, we calculated weighted mean differences (WMDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes, and performed subgroup analyses, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), along with meta-regression to explore heterogeneity sources. Sixty-four studies comprising 15,790 patients (5,723 RDP; 10,067 LDP; mean age 60.5 years; BMI 26.1 kg/m²) were included. RDP resulted in lower blood loss (WMD − 52.0 mL; p < 0.00001), fewer conversions (RR 0.49; p < 0.00001), and fewer unplanned splenectomies (RR 0.59; p < 0.0001). Operative time was longer (WMD + 24.06 min; p < 0.00001). Postoperative morbidity, POPF, PPH, infection, reintervention, and mortality were comparable. Length of stay was shorter with RDP (WMD − 0.57 days; p < 0.00001). Although lymph node yield appeared higher with LDP in the overall and PDAC cohorts, this difference was no longer significant in a sensitivity analysis, and R0 resection rates remained comparable. Costs were higher with RDP, with substantial heterogeneity. RDP and LDP demonstrate comparable safety and oncologic outcomes. RDP reduces blood loss, conversions, and splenectomy but increases operative time and cost. The operative time disadvantage likely reflects learning-curve. Selective use in high-risk and complex resections is supported; cost-effectiveness warrants further study.
After open thoracic surgery, post-thoracotomy pain remains an important postoperative problem affecting nearly half of patients. It can give rise to respiratory problems, delayed rehabilitation, prolonged hospitalizations, and chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome. Despite the reality that opioids are currently the primary source of anesthesia after surgery, their consumption is restricted by complications, including prolonged dependency, tolerance, and respiratory impairment. To maximize recovery after the thoracotomy, this narrative review incorporates some of the most current studies on opioid-free strategies. In addition to local anesthetic techniques, which include thoracic epidural analgesia, paravertebral block, and erector spinae plane block, the current study highlights the effectiveness of non-opioid pharmaceutical agents, which include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentinoids, ketamine-based, steroids, and intravenous lidocaine. Physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and psychological assistance are examples of complementary non-pharmacologic interventions that improve postoperative recovery. By integrating such techniques as Enhanced Recovery. After Surgery (ERAS) pathways, individualized multidisciplinary analgesic procedures that reduce opioid consumption, promote the recovery process, and perhaps decrease the probability of chronic postoperative pain.
Ferrisia virgata (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a known polyphagous pest which causes severe yield losses in the vegetables and horticultural crops. This destruction is caused by sap-sucking, honeydew secretion, and sooty mold development. The excessive use of synthetic chemical pesticides in agriculture has raised serious environmental and health concerns. This study evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of methanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera (MO), Allium sativum (AS), and Azadirachta indica (AI) against Ferrisia virgata under controlled laboratory conditions. A simple maceration technique was used for the preparation of plant extracts at various concentrations (2
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains a significant global health issue among children aged 24–59 months. It can lead to systemic metabolic changes that hinder neurodevelopment and growth. This study examined serum metabolomic profiles and hepcidin levels in young children with IDA to identify the metabolic pathways affected by iron deficiency. This observational case–control study was conducted at the pediatric clinic of University Teaching Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, from July to September 2024. We initially recruited and screened 100 children aged 24–59 months (50 with IDA and 50 healthy controls). After applying predefined clinical and laboratory exclusion criteria, all 50 eligible IDA cases and 38 controls were included in the final analysis. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured as markers of iron status. Serum hepcidin was quantified using ELISA. Untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed with gas chromatography − mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (v26.0), R (v4.4.3), and MetaboAnalyst (v6.0). Children with IDA had significantly lower body weight, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels than controls (p < 0.001). Serum hepcidin levels were lower in IDA but did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.10). Metabolomic analysis identified twelve metabolites that were significantly downregulated in IDA (p < 0.05). Pathway analysis revealed that cholesterol is a key metabolite linked to bile acid and steroid biosynthesis. Ferritin demonstrated strong positive correlations with cholesterol and 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid (r = 0.70). Conclusions: Children with IDA showed alterations in lipid-related metabolites, with cholesterol emerging as a key associated metabolite. However, pathway-level interpretations based primarily on a single sterol signal should be interpreted cautiously. Hepcidin levels were not significantly different, indicating complex regulatory influences in early childhood.
