Pak J Med Sci
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Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an acquired treatable autoimmune disorder. Due to limited availability and affordability of IV immunoglobulins and therapeutic plasma exchange in Pakistan, oral immunosuppressive drugs (ISDs) are used despite limited role in literature. The study aimed to determine the response to ISDs in CIDP patients by assessing the frequency of remission, reduction of disability using a neuropathy related disability score called Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment score (or INCAT score), as well as reduction in steroid maintenance dose. ⋯ The study describes preliminary experience of the potential role of relatively cheaper and more convenient oral ISDs (especially Azathioprine) as an alternative or sparing agent to first line agents for CIDP and sets the stage for larger scale studies and randomized controlled trials.
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Assessing the shade matching accuracy among dental students through visual and instrumental methods.
To evaluate the shade selection accuracy of male dental students according to the three dimensions of color: value, hue, and chroma, using visual and instrumental shade selection methods under different lighting conditions. ⋯ The selection of posterior teeth shades was notably influenced by academic years, employing both instrumental and visual methods, while considering color parameters.
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To synthesize contemporary evidence of the impact of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) on survival outcomes in patients with unilateral breast cancer (UBC). ⋯ Our results provide strong evidence supporting the positive impact of CPM on survival outcomes in patients with UBC. Further research and long-term follow-up studies are warranted to validate these findings.
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This literature review explores breast cancer screening practices among transgender individuals globally, emphasizing the overlooked population in Pakistan. With an overview of intersex and transgender terminology, the study delves into screening guidelines for transfeminine and transmasculine patients, considering hormone therapy and surgery. Worldwide statistics on transgender and intersex populations are provided, highlighting the unique challenges they face, particularly in Pakistan, where societal discrimination and healthcare barriers persist. ⋯ The review synthesizes breast cancer screening recommendations in transgender population from ACR, WPATH, UCSF, and the Canadian Cancer Society, revealing variations in guidelines. It concludes with a call for tailored screening protocols for Pakistan's transgender community and recommends a comprehensive study due to the absence of data in Southeast Asia. The unstructured abstract underscores the need for nuanced, personalized screening strategies and emphasizes the critical gap in knowledge specific to breast cancer in this marginalized population.