Skin cancer, specifically melanoma, remains a significant public health concern globally. Melanoma has one of the highest prevalence rates in Australia compared to other countries worldwide. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), an estimated 16,000 new melanoma cases were diagnosed in Australia in 2020 alone [1]. And keep on increasing over the time, in 2022 nearly 20,000 Australians were diagnosed and more than 1000 died were reported and most importantly, the treatment cost of melanoma is about $1.5 billion annually [2]. Most alarming, it is the most common cancer in young Australians aged 15 to 40 years and sorrowfully, this takes the life of 5 Australians each day, making it a formidable health challenge [3]. Several risk factors contribute to melanoma onset such as exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a leading cause, with Australia having high levels of UV radiation due to its geographical location [4], fair-skinned individuals, those with a history of sunburns, and people with a family history of melanoma are at an increased risk and other factors include the number of moles on the body, immune system suppression, and genetic mutations such as the CDKN2A gene mutation [5,6]. Interestingly, melanoma rates are far lower in Aboriginal people as their skin are highly pigmented with melanin, the pigment that provides protection against UV radiation [7]. In Australia, where residents have one of the highest rates of skin cancer worldwide, melanoma prevention and early detection campaigns have gained tremendous attention [8,9]. With Queensland having the highest incidence of skin cancer in Australia, awareness programs play a crucial role in educating the public about the risks, prevention, and early detection of melanoma [10]. This editorial examines the impact of melanoma awareness programs on the lives of Queenslanders, shedding light on their effectiveness in reducing the burden of this potentially deadly disease. In Australia, there are several awareness programs and initiatives aimed at reducing and promoting strategies for prevention of the melanoma. One notable program is the SunSmart campaign , run by Cancer Council Australia [11,12]. SunSmart focuses on raising awareness about the importance of sun protection and encourages individuals to adopt the "Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide" approach. This involves slipping on protective clothing, slopping on sunscreen, slapping on a hat, seeking shade, and sliding on sunglasses. The Palaszczuk Government is introducing a fresh sun safety advertising campaign with the objective of urging Queenslanders to maintain the five sunsmart practices, as mentioned earlier, throughout the entire year, including the cooler winter months [13]. In Queensland, melanoma awareness programs often employ public education campaigns as a primary strategy for disseminating vital information. These campaigns utilize various media platforms, such as print, television, radio, and social media, to reach a wide audience. The Cancer Council Queensland's SunSmart campaign is one such example [14]. Research has shown that such sun safety behaviors, when consistently practiced, significantly reduce the risk of melanoma development [15-17]. Another vital initiative is the Community Engagement and Partnerships . Melanoma awareness programs establish partnerships with local communities, schools, workplaces, healthcare providers, and government agencies to enhance their effectiveness. These collaborations promote the integration of sun-safe behaviors into everyday life, creating environments that support and reinforce positive habits [14-17]. Through community events, interactive workshops, and campaigns tailored to specific demographics, awareness programs encourage widespread participation and behavior change. Another important melanoma awareness programs is Skin Checks and Early Detection . Early detection is crucial in ensuring favorable outcomes for melanoma patients. Melanoma awareness programs in Queensland emphasize the importance of regular skin checks and promote their availability through various avenues, including educational materials, community outreach programs, and partnerships with healthcare providers [18,19]. These programs empower individuals to monitor changes in their skin and seek medical attention promptly when suspicious lesions are identified.  To facilitate early detection and diagnosis, melanoma awareness programs focus on improving access to skin cancer clinics in Queensland, the initiative program named ‘Improving Access to Skin Cancer Clinics’ has also been implemented. This initiative aims to reduce waiting times, increase the number of trained specialists, and expand screening programs [18-20]. By ensuring that Queenslanders have timely access to skin cancer examinations, awareness programs contribute to the early identification and treatment of melanoma cases, potentially saving lives. Finally, ‘ Measuring the Impact of Melanoma Awareness Programs’ is also vital in reducing melanoma. Evaluating the effectiveness of melanoma awareness programs is essential for understanding their impact on Queenslanders' lives. Tracking key indicators, such as changes in sun-safe behaviors, melanoma diagnosis rates, and public awareness levels, provides valuable insights for program refinement. Moreover, assessing the cost-effectiveness of these programs helps allocate resources efficiently and maximize their reach [21,22]. In combination of these program initiatives, the National Skin Cancer Action Week is one of an example which takes place annually in November [23]. During this week, various organizations collaborate to promote skin cancer prevention and early detection and provide information on how to check your skin for any suspicious changes. Activities such as free skin checks, educational campaigns, and community events are held to engage communities and raise awareness. Moreover, many schools and workplaces implement sun safety policies and activities to educate students and employees about sun protection. Moreover, healthcare professionals play a crucial role in educating patients about the risks of melanoma and the importance of regular skin checks and educate the community about the importance of protective measures, such as wearing hats, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade during peak sun hours. They often provide advice on sun protection strategies and encourage early detection through self-examinations and professional screenings. In short, melanoma awareness programs have made substantial strides in Australia, particularly in Queensland, where the incidence of melanoma remains alarmingly high. By fostering sun-safe behaviors, promoting early detection, and improving access to skin cancer clinics, these programs aim to reduce the burden of melanoma on Queenslanders. However, continued efforts and collaborations between governments, healthcare providers, and communities are essential to sustain the impact of these programs and ultimately reduce the incidence and mortality associated with melanoma in Australian society.

Objectives: This study examines the metabolic consequences of saponin and flavonoid extracts of Gongronema latifolium leaves in rat offspring whose mothers consumed sucrose during breastfeeding. Methods : Thirty-two female albino Wistar rats were randomly assigned to control group, given water only: sucrose group, given sucrose solution only; flavonoid groups, given sucrose solution and 100 mg/kg b.w. and 200 mg/kg b.w. of flavonoid and saponin groups, given sucrose solution and 100 mg/kg b.w. and 200 mg/kg b.w. of saponin extracts, for 3 weeks during lactation. Then the body, hepatic and pancreatic weights, food intake, glucose tolerance, lipid profile, insulin, and leptin levels of their offspring were measured. Results : There was a significant decrease in the body weight (BW), food intake, and glucose level among the flavonoid and saponin groups compared to the control group. However, when compared to the sucrose group, there was a significant decrease in food intake, blood glucose level, triglyceride, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and a significant increase in the BW. There was no significant difference in insulin and leptin levels, hepatic, and pancreatic weights among groups. Conclusion: This study shows that G. lactifolium consumption among lactating rats maintains metabolic homeostatic as it protects against elevated blood glucose level and dyslipidemia in offspring post-weaning. It also suggests that the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of G. latifolium maybe as a result of saponin and flavonoids inherent in the plant.

Objective: Commiphora gileadensis is a small tree under the genus Commiphora. Previous studies showed medical applications, such as antibacterial and antihypertensive, for C. gileadensis. Methods : Sixty naïve mice were classified into six groups: control, C. gileadensis sap-treated group, C. gileadensis methanol extract-treated group, C. gileadensis acetone extract-treated group, heparin-treated group, and aspirin-treated group. Blood samples from each mouse in the six groups were collected in EDTA, sodium citrate, and heparin tubes. The body weight of each mouse was measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. Furthermore, complete blood count, kidney and renal function tests, coagulation profiles, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalized ratio (INR), D-dimer, and fibrinogen concentrations were estimated for each mouse. Results: The sodium, potassium, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine transaminase, and aspartate transaminase levels did not show statistical differences between all groups. Moreover, PT, aPTT, and INR were prolonged in the C. gileadensis sap, methanol, and acetone extracts-treated mice compared with those in the heparin and aspirin-treated groups (P < 0.01). D-dimer and fibrinogen concentrations did not show significant statistical differences between all groups. Conclusion: The current study concludes that the C. gileadensis sap, methanol, and acetone extracts prolonged PT, aPTT, and bleeding time in naïve mice more than heparin and aspirin. This means that the C. gileadensis extracts may have antithrombotic activity and may be used in the future to resolve intravascular thrombosis in patients having prosthetic valves.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the periodontal health status of individuals with lung cancer in the North Indian population. In addition, the study aimed to determine the levels of human beta-defensin2 (Hbd-2) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples collected from the participants. Methods: The study consisted of a total of 90 participants, who were categorized into three groups: Group 1 included 30 healthy individuals, Group 2 comprised 30 patients with chronic periodontitis, and Group 3 involved 30 patients diagnosed with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis. Various periodontal parameters, including plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level (CAL), were assessed in addition to the analysis of human beta defensin2 levels in both the GCF and serum samples of all participants. Results: The study results revealed that all clinical parameters assessed were higher in Group 3 compared to both Group 2 and Group 1. Specifically, the levels of hBD-2 in the GCF were measured as 52.29 ± 46.41 pg/mL in Group 1, 27.15 ± 28.76 pg/mL in Group 2, and 86.01 ± 68.82 pg/mL in Group 3. When comparing the hBD-2 levels in serum, the values were found to be 813.72 ± 269.43 pg/mL in Group 1, 591.50 ± 263.91 pg/mL in Group 2, and 1093.04 ± 674.55 pg/mL in Group 3. These intergroup comparisons indicate variations in hBD-2 levels among the different groups. Conclusions: The study findings demonstrated significantly higher clinical and biochemical markers in patients with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis, in comparison to individuals with chronic periodontitis alone and healthy participants. These results suggest that Hbd-2 could potentially serve as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for identifying and distinguishing individuals with both lung cancer and chronic periodontitis. 

Objective: The number of extremely drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella typhi isolates is growing in the northwest of Pakistan, where health-care facilities are already under strain due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) issue. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, we currently describe the first widespread appearance of an XDR Salmonella typhi epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic. This strain of Salmonella typhi is resistant to all first- and second-line drugs and even the third-generation cephalosporin. Methods: Salmonella species isolated from pediatric blood samples shown a high level of resistance to the various antibiotic classes evaluated between November and December 2020. Gender, age, address, and clinical symptoms were among the demographic information that was recorded. A total of 562 blood cultures from symptomatic patients have been collected by the Pathology Laboratory at a tertiary care institution of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar. All samples have been processed in accordance with regulatory requirements and incubated in BacT/ALERT 3D. Results: Of the 562 blood samples, 71 included Salmonella typhi, of which 66 (92.9%) and 5 (7%) were multidrug resistant (MDR) and XDR, respectively. Ciprofloxacin (100%), chloramphenicol (100%), ceftriaxone (100%), ampicillin (100%), and cotrimoxazole (93%) were completely resistant to all isolates. Azithromycin and carbapenems were effective against every Salmonella typhi isolate that was MDR or XDR. Males (76%) were more commonly affected than females (24%), and the frequency was substantially higher in children under 15 years of age (88%) than in adults (P = 0.0016). Conclusion: The emergence of XDR Salmonella typhi with a high level of resistance is in fact alarming. Due to the lack of viable treatment alternatives, the current situation necessitates the immediate implementation of efficient preventive measures, such as campaigns for typhoid vaccination and food and water safety.

Objectives: Amidst inconsistent prescribing patterns and potentially harmful medication errors in the field of medical practice, this study endeavored to explore the prescription practices of physicians in Rawalpindi metropolitan city in Pakistan. Methods: A mixed method study was conducted based on the analysis of 1232 prescriptions gathered from 16 pharmacies, along with in-depth interviews with 13 practicing physicians. The prescriptions were assessed for legibility, polypharmacy, patient details, history, diagnosis, and other relevant information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the prevalence of various aspects of prescription accuracy was calculated. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data. Results: Almost half of the prescriptions were from the private general practitioners, and the rest were from hospital-based doctors and consultants. Only a small percentage of prescriptions were fully legible, and many had incomplete or missing patient information, medical history, and diagnosis. Polypharmacy was also found to be prevalent, with significant differences in prescription accuracy across different medical specialties. The absence of continuing medical education, influence of pharmaceutical industry, and overcrowded practice settings drive the doctors to prescription practices. On the user side, perception of polypharmacy, patient–physician communication, and availability and cost of medicines emerged as major themes. Conclusion: There is an obvious need to improve prescription accuracy regarding patient safety on the whole. Increased investment in health-care infrastructure, greater access to continuing medical education, and a commitment to promote evidence-based medicine could make a difference. Prescription practices must be safe, effective, and aligned with the latest advances in medical science. 

Nephrotic syndrome (NS)-epidermolysis bullosa (EB) sensorineural deafness syndrome is an autosomal recessive rare genetic disease caused by a CD151 gene homozygous mutation on chromosome 11p15.5. In this report, we discuss a rare case related to a Saudi patient with genetic syndrome who presented with NS and EB. Whole genome sequencing results indicated a homozygous pathogenic variant identified in the CD151 gene (c.493C>T p.(Arg165*), which was consistent with a genetic diagnosis of autosomal recessive nephropathy with pretibial EB and deafness syndrome. The findings emphasize that even a single genotype can result in variable phenotypic expression, necessitating the assessment of the pleiotropic effects of the disease on the patient, which can range from severe to mild. This case report adds to the literature by highlighting the considerable phenotypic variation that can be present in patients with the CD151 mutation.