Blockchains are a new approach to creating distributed networks that were first introduced in 2008. It allows the formation of peer-to-peer networks based on consensus, forming chains from accepted blocks without requiring a central authority or centralized controller. A prominent application of this technology is its use in decentralized storage systems. Individuals in decentralized storage networks rent unused hardware storage space to other individuals. A decentralized network utilizing end-to-end encryption eliminates the risk of data loss associated with centralized data control by enabling clients to transmit their files securely. The storage providers must prove that they have kept unaltered files in this network for this time. Many studies have been conducted in this specific domain, most targeting storage capacity and efficiency, but a security, integrity and privacy loophole need to be addressed. This paper presents an overview of blockchain-based storage systems and how they work, followed by a comparison with cloud-based storage networks and a survey of various decentralized storage networks like SIA, File coin, and Storj available on the market. Next, we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of blockchain-based storage. In our final discussion, we examine the security problems of decentralized storage networks and explore potential solutions and research directions for the future.

locally advanced breast cancer poses a significant health challenge due to delayed diagnosis and limited access to healthcare resources among Pakistani women. Understanding the clinical features and prognostic factors specific to Pakistani women can help healthcare professionals identify high-risk patients, initiate timely interventions, and improve survival rates. Objective: To investigate the clinical features and prognostic factors associated with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) in Pakistani women. Methods: The study was carried out at the Department of Surgery, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Jamshoro. 300 patients with LABC had their data gathered. Age and socioeconomic status were recorded under the category of demographics. Clinical information included the date of presentation, family history of breast cancer, the lump that was the presenting symptom, the ulceration, and other skin changes. Tumour size, histopathology, Bloom & Richardson grading, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER2 status are histopathological factors. Results: The study showed that 30% of LABC patients who received standard Tri modality treatment died within two years. Only 25% of patients were found to have more than two years of disease-free survival. On the other hand, 70% of patients survived with eventful (recurrence/metastases) survival. Conclusions: Though there is a substantial mortality rate within one year, a significant proportion of patients survive beyond one year. Disease recurrence or metastases are prevalent as per the current study, emphasizing the need for comprehensive follow-up and targeted therapies to improve long-term outcomes.

Objective: To study the relationship and impact of post traumatic growth and psychological distress on qualityof life among renal failure patients seeking dialysis, and to see differences in these variables among different age group patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Government Hospital Mardan Pakistan, fromJan to Jun 2019. Methodology: A sample of 300 renal failure Patients 18 years or older who had a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease receiving treatment within different dialysis units were approached through purposive sampling technique. Post traumatic growth inventory Quality of life scale and the Psychological distress scale were used to measure the study variables. Results: Results reveal that psychological distress has a negative correlation with post traumatic growth (r=-0.77**, p<0.01) and Quality of Life (r= -0.73**, p<.01). Whereas, Post Traumatic Growth has a strong positive correlation with Quality of Life (r=0.68*, p<0.01). Similarly, Psychological distress (β= -0.89, p<.000) and post traumatic growth (β=0.25, p<.000) significantly predict quality of life and explained 57% variance (F (2,297) = 198.4, p<0.000, R2=0.57) among the sample. Moreover, the results also show significant differences in the study variables between the two age groups (i.e., 16 to 32 years and 33 to 48 years) and it further suggest that middle age patients had higher levels of PTG as compared to younger and older patients. Conclusion: This study reveals a significant negative relationship of post traumatic growth with psychologicaldistress and a significant effect of post traumatic growth and psychological distress on the quality of life in thesample. This study also concludes that middle-age group patients had higher levels of post traumatic growth ascompared to young and old patients.

Aim: To assess the vitamin D deficiency as a possible risk factor in breast cancer. Study design: Cross-sectional study Place and duration of study: Surgical Unit-II, Ward 5, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro from 1stJanuary 2022 to 31st December 2022. Methodology: One hundred and twenty-seven patients with the complaints of lump/mass in the breast or nipple discharge ≥6-week duration and diagnosed as breast cancer regardless of stage/grade presented were enrolled. Results: 59.8% while the illiterate, primary, middle, secondary and higher were 36.2%, 14.2%, 17.3%, 20.5% and 11.8%. The statistical significance was observed for vitamin D deficiency in accordance with residence (p=0.03), duration of disease (p=0.05), educational status (p=0.05), hypertension (p=0.01), smoking (p=0.00), obesity (p=0.02), diabetes mellitus (p=0.04), raised CRP (p=0.00), hypocalcemia (p=0.00), ER/PR positive (p=0.01) and family history of breast cancer (p=0.04). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in patients with breast cancer with rural population predominance. Keywords: Breast cancer, breast carcinoma, and vitamin D deficiency.

Background: H. Pylori gastritis is considered to be the causative factor for gallstone disease. Though this infection is reported to be the leading factor contributing to the pathogenesis of gastro-duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Its infestation of the gallbladder and causing chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are still debatable. Methodology: This study was descriptive cross-sectional in nature, performed on 110 patients (chosen via non-probability, consecutive sampling), presented at Surgical OPD with symptomatic cholelithiasis. All the participants underwend for diagnostic endoscopy and a biopsy was taken for confirmation of h.Pylori gastritis. Those who had positive H. Pylori test, were treated by eradication therapy first and then submitted for the laparoscopic cholecystectomy and those who were negative submitted for the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The study lasted 1 year from February 2021 to February 2022. Results: Among the subjects, 72.7% (n=80) were female, 32.5% were under 40 years old while male gender composed of 17.3% of the sample population. 3/4th of the population hailed from the rural setting. 70.1% (n=78) of the patients had positive H. Pylori test on histopathology. Upon the findings of diagnostic endoscopy, severe and moderate gastritis was found to be in 25.6% and 74.4% of the participants with positive helicobector gastritis, respectively. A significant association was found out between familial history of gall stones and helicobector pylori gastritis (p=0.02). Conclusion: A high prevalence of H. Pylori infection is among patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, which also crossponds to the endoscopic findings. The association between the familial history of gall stones and helicobetor gastritis merits to be explore further to establish the casuality of the relationship.