Injury
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Around the globe there are 2.4 billion people in need of rehabilitation. Disability and rehabilitation have not gained much importance in the public health arena, possibly due to limited research and awareness regarding the significance of rehabilitation. This study aimed to provide an in-depth understanding of the barriers and facilitators to the provision and utilization of rehabilitation services in public sector tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. ⋯ Rehabilitation services require attention and investment in research and allocation of funds to strengthen the service delivery system. Hospitals, alongside the department of health, need to develop a strategic plan to set future directions and standards of available rehabilitation services.
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The relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) in pregnancy and stillbirths is poorly understood. We aimed to determine if there was any association between stillbirths and IPV during pregnancy. ⋯ Study results show that women 25-34 years of age with stillbirths were four times more likely to experience physical IPV during pregnancy. Further studies replicating the effect modification of IPV by maternal age are warranted.
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Dog bite injuries are a common problem globally; however, little is known about the epidemiology of dog bite injury from a low-and-middle-income country like Pakistan. This study aims to determine the epidemiology of dog bite injuries among children and adults from a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. ⋯ There is a high burden of dog bite injuries from stray dogs in Karachi, Pakistan. Efforts should be made to create awareness among the general public on the risks of dog bites and on seeking appropriate first aid and medical attention for a dog bite injury.
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Mikania micrantha (MM) has been traditionally used for various health benefits, including mental health, anti-inflammatory, wound dressing, and healing of sores. However, the molecular mechanisms and dose required for the wound healing activity of MM have yet to be reported. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the wound healing potential of a cold methanolic extract of MM through in vitro and in vivo studies. ⋯ Incision wounds in rats treated with 5% and 10% MME showed a significant (p<0.01) increase in tensile strength compared to control. HDFa cells, and granulation tissue collected on day 14 post-wounding, revealed the modulation of the FAK/Akt/mTOR cell signaling pathway during the enhancement of wound healing. The results of gel zymography showed increased activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the HDFa cells after treatment with the extract. It is concluded that MMEcan potentially accelerate cutaneous wound healing.