LIAQUAT MEDICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL

Breast cancer screening or early detection in low- and middle-income countries: choosing the wise first step

Binafsha Manzoor Syed — 2026-06-30

Breast cancer control in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is frequently framed as a choice between screening and early detection. This framing is misleading: screening is not an alternative to early detection but one component of it. Drawing on the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, this editorial distinguishes early diagnosis of symptomatic women from population screening of asymptomatic women, and argues that in resource-limited systems early diagnosis should be built first. The dominant clinical problem in LMICs is late presentation rather than missed subclinical disease; lower incidence, high infrastructure demands, and a contested benefit-to-harm balance further weaken the case for early mammographic screening. Detection, moreover, is of value only where a functioning diagnostic and treatment pathway exists. A pragmatic, sequenced strategy is proposed—strengthening early diagnosis and referral first, adding clinical-breast-examination-based screening thereafter, and reserving organised mammographic screening for systems able to sustain it—underpinned by investment in a national cancer registry.

Antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of Ifloga spicata-derived gold nanoparticles in human lymphocytes

Yar Muhammad Khan — 2026-06-30

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using plant extracts has emerged as a sustainable and biocompatible approach in nanomedicine. In this study, AuNPs were synthesized using Ifloga spicata (Forssk.) whole-plant extract and evaluated for their biological effects on human blood lymphocytes exposed to hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative stress. Nanoparticle formation was confirmed using UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Exposure to oxidative stress significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), while suppressing antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD). Treatment with I. spicata–mediated AuNPs significantly attenuated ROS and TBARS levels and restored antioxidant enzyme activities in a concentration-dependent manner, with maximal protective effects observed at 5 and 50 µg/mL. Importantly, AuNPs did not induce adverse oxidative effects under normal physiological conditions, indicating a favorable cytocompatibility profile. These findings suggest that I. spicata–derived AuNPs exhibit antioxidant and cytoprotective properties and may represent promising candidates for mitigating oxidative stress–related cellular damage. Further in vivo studies are warranted to elucidate their mechanistic pathways and therapeutic potential.

Attitudes and practices regarding Tuberculosis infection control among nurses at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

Madeeha Urooj — 2026-06-30

This study was a cross-sectional study conducted to assess the attitudes and practices regarding tuberculosis (TB) infection control among nurses working at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. The study included 187 registered nurses at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire assessing attitudes and practices related to TB infection control. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Majority of participants demonstrated positive attitudes toward TB infection control. Most nurses reported routinely screening patients for cough (79.1%) and ensuring separation of suspected TB cases (77%). A high proportion (89.3%) reported consistent use of personal protective equipment when managing TB patients. Additionally, 88.7% emphasized the importance of proper ventilation in infection control. Regarding practices, 88.8% reported using protective measures, and 85.5% expressed confidence in managing TB patients. However, gaps were identified in specific practices such as sputum collection in well-ventilated areas. Nurses exhibited generally positive attitudes and satisfactory practices regarding TB infection control. However, inconsistencies in certain practices highlight the need for continuous training and reinforcement of infection control guidelines to minimize the risk of TB transmission in healthcare settings.

Demographic and clinical patterns of cervical cancer, colorectal carcinoma, and acute leukaemia at a tertiary oncology centre in Pakistan: A secondary benchmarking analysis

Shayan Ali Qazi — 2026-06-30

This study was conducted to describe and compare the demographic and clinical profiles of patients with cervical cancer, colorectal carcinoma, and acute leukaemia at a tertiary oncology centre in Karachi, Pakistan, and to benchmark these findings against local, regional, and global reference data, with a view to informing screening policy and cancer awareness strategies in a resource-limited setting. This study was secondary synthesis of aggregated data from published cross-sectional observational studies. The study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, Pakistan. A combined cohort of 329 adult patients with histologically confirmed malignancies: 92 with cervical cancer, 107 with colorectal carcinoma, and 130 with acute leukaemia were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.4 years (SD 10.9) for cervical cancer, with approximately 11% of patients under 40 years — consistent with local and global norms. By contrast, colorectal carcinoma presented at a median age of 40 years (IQR 16), with an estimated 65% of patients under 40, and acute leukaemia at a mean age of 27.9 years (SD 14.5), with approximately 80% under 40. These younger age profiles align broadly with South Asian data but diverge substantially from global medians of 68–72 years for colorectal carcinoma and 68–71 years for acute leukaemia. A descriptive comparison of the proportion of under-40 patients across the three cancer types showed a marked gradient (cervical ~11%, colorectal ~65%, leukaemia ~80%). Male predominance was observed in both colorectal carcinoma (66%) and acute leukaemia (65%). Advanced-stage disease was common in both solid tumours, affecting 60% of cervical and 67% of colorectal cases. Sedentary behaviour (92%) and smoking (58%) were frequently documented among colorectal carcinoma patients. This synthesis demonstrates a pronounced age divergence in colorectal carcinoma and acute leukaemia relative to global benchmarks, consistent with broader trends across Pakistan and South Asia. The findings support a review of locally appropriate screening thresholds and underscore the need for age-inclusive cancer awareness programmes. Multi-centre collaborative studies are required to generate the evidence base necessary for context-specific national guidelines

Association between idiopathic toe walking and gross motor skill development in early childhood

Asharib Rathore — 2026-06-30

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to establish the association between idiopathic toe walking and gross motor skill acquisition among children aged 4 to 10 years. Data were collected between July 2025 and January 2026 from the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Department at the University of Lahore Teaching Hospital (ULTH) and the Physical Therapy Department at Sehat Medical Complex (SMC), Hanjarwal, Lahore, Pakistan, after obtaining informed written consent. Children with idiopathic toe walking (ITW) were recruited through non-probability convenience sampling (n = 29). ITW characteristics were assessed using the Toe Walking Tool (TWT), while gross motor performance was measured using the locomotor subtest of the Test of Gross Motor Development, Third Edition (TGMD-3). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, applying descriptive statistics and the Spearman rank correlation. A statistically significant moderate negative correlation was found between toe-walking frequency and gross motor development scores (r = -0.529, p = 0.003). Children with higher severity of toe walking demonstrated lower gross motor performance, and significant differences in motor scores were observed across severity groups. Idiopathic toe walking is significantly associated with reduced gross motor skill development; increased frequency and severity of toe walking are linked with poorer motor performance, highlighting the importance of early identification and physiotherapy intervention.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists in Pakistan regarding pharmaceutical product recall

ZEESHAN FAROOQ RAJPUT — 2026-06-30

Pharmaceutical product recalls are essential for safeguarding public health by removing defective, unsafe, or substandard medicines from circulation. Pharmacists play a key role in identifying, communicating, and managing recalled products; however, evidence regarding their preparedness in Pakistan remains limited. A cross-sectional KAP survey was conducted among pharmacists working in clinical, industrial, hospital, community, retail, and academic settings across Pakistan. A structured and internally validated questionnaire assessed participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to pharmaceutical product recalls. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis, and correlation analyses were performed. A total of 106 pharmacists participated, including 49.1% males and 50.9% females. Most respondents demonstrated good awareness regarding recall definitions, recall classifications, and the importance of timely communication during recalls. More than 95% supported immediate recalls for safety concerns, while 97.2% emphasized timely communication with healthcare professionals and the public. Despite positive knowledge and attitudes, practical exposure was limited, with only one participant reporting direct experience handling a recall. Approximately 38.7% reported never receiving recall-related information from authorities or manufacturers. Significant differences were observed in knowledge scores across gender (p = 0.004) and practice scores across professional domains (p = 0.034). Positive correlations were identified between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores. Pakistani pharmacists demonstrated good knowledge and positive attitudes toward pharmaceutical product recalls; however, practical engagement and communication systems remain inadequate. Strengthening recall reporting systems, communication channels, and practical training may improve recall preparedness and patient safety outcomes.