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The coronavirus has created significant disruptions and exposed supply chain (SC) vulnerabilities. This crisis started a discussion about SC sustainability and performance. Therefore, the implementation of advanced technologies and supply chain collaboration could mitigate this disruption with the help of government support and policies. Considering this situation, this paper examines how COVID-19 influences advanced technologies (Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, Digital twins, and Big Data Analytics) and supply chain collaboration (SCC) with a moderating role of government support and policies (GSP) in Pakistan. The study encompasses a comprehensive assessment carried out via structural equation modeling and data collected from Pakistani companies engaged in SCM or those operating within the SC divisions of manufacturing enterprises. According to the empirical findings, it is evident that COVID-19 outbreaks have a significant influence on SSCP; However, they do not show a similar impact on advanced technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, DT, and BDA) and supply chain collaboration, the influence of COVID-19 on SSCP was effectively mediated through advance technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, DT, and BDA) and supply chain collaboration. This research contributes to the existing literature on SSCP by emphasizing the importance of the resource-based view, dynamic capability view, and institutional theories. SC and logistics managers can apply the theoretical framework proposed in this study to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic or disruptions in logistics and SC operations, thereby improving profitability in the context of an epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo and compare them to the healthy controls. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Outpatient Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Nov 2019 to Apr 2020. Methodology: The study included 75 patients with vitiligo (Group-1) and 75 healthy controls (Group-2). Complete blood count, urea and creatinine, liver function tests, TSH, fasting plasma glucose, vitamin B12 levels, serum calcium and vitamin D levels were performed. In addition, vitamin D levels were compared in both groups. Results: The mean age of Group-1 was 32.81±20.59 years, and Group-2 was 40.13±16.09 years. In Group-1, deficient vitamin D levels were seen in 17(22.7%) of cases, insufficient in 25(33.3%) and 33(44.0%) had normal levels. In Group-2, 10(13.3%) had deficient levels, 10(13.3%) had insufficient levels and 55(77.3%) had normal levels. Patients with vitiligo had low serum 25(OH)D levels compared to controls, and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.001). Conclusion: Low serum vitamin D levels are seen in patients with vitiligo compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate serum vitamin-D levels in patients with Alopecia areata compared to healthy controls. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Outpatient Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Nov 2019 to Apr 2020. Methodology: The study included 70 patients with Alopecia areata (Group-1) and 70 healthy controls (Group-2). Complete blood count, TSH, urea and creatinine, fasting plasma glucose, liver function tests, serum Calcium and vitamin-D levels were performed. Results: The mean vitamin-D levels of Group-1 were 38.28±22.07ng/mL, and the mean vitamin-D levels of Group-2 were 39.61±18.36ng/mL. In Group-1, deficient vitamin-D levels were seen in 14(20.0%) of Group-1, and insufficient in 19(27.1%) and 37(52.9%) had normal levels. In Group-2, 10(14.3%) had deficient levels, 16(25.0%) had insufficient levels and 44(62.9%) had normal levels. No statistically significant difference seen between Group-1 and Group-2. Conclusion: There is no association between vitamin D level and Alopecia Areata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality that arises during embryogenesis as a result of defective neuronal migration. It is one of the common cause of pituitary dwarfism. A 17 years old male patient from Pakistan who presented with short stature and absence of secondary sexual characteristics. On physical examination, the height and weight of the patient was below than standard. The hormonal profile showed significantly reduced levels of anterior pituitary hormones and increased prolactin levels. The bone age was less than the chronological age of the patient. MR findings of patient showed hypoplasia of anterior pituitary, total absence of the infundibulum (pituitary stalk), absence of the posterior pituitary bright spot in its normal location and an ectopic posterior pituitary seen at the median eminence exhibiting high signal on T1WI and T2WI. The findings were consistent with the diagnosis of pituitary stalk interruption syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]