Sobia Rizwana, Muhammad Faisal Maqbool, Amara Maryam, Ejaz Bashir, Muhammad Khan, Bushra Nisar Khan, Hafiz Abdullah Shakir, Muhammad Irfan
Drug resistance affects the most effective anti-malarial medications, hence finding new, unique bioactive compounds with strong anti-malarial activity is extremely desirable. Falcipain-2 (2GHU) is a protease of plasmodium falciparum and considered as an important target to design antimalarial drugs. Objective: To identify potential novel falcipan-2 inhibitor for effect treatment of malaria. Methods: Molecular docking analysis was performed by using different bioinformatic tools to check the interaction between the Alantolactone and Brevilin A and falcipain-2 (2GHU). Results: Alantolactone and Brevilin A show a strong affinity to bind with 2GHU with binding energy values -7.2kcal/mol and -8.1kcal/mol respectively. Moreover, results of ADMET and cytotoxicity analysis showed that both investigated compounds strongly followed the Lipinski rule of five for drug-likeness and are quite safe to be used as an antimalarial drug. Conclusions: Both of the studied sesquiterpene lactones may inhibit falcipain-2, according to the results of our molecular docking study, but Brevilin A is predicted to be the most effective inhibitor because it forms strong hydrogen bonds with the protein's amino acid residues and has lower values for binding energy and inhibition constant. Therefore, new anti-malarial medications can be created from these two bioactive sesquiterpene lactone molecules to overcome the resistance of plasmodium falciparum against already clinically approved drugs.
{"title":"Identification and Characterization of Sesquiterpene Lactones as Potential Falcipain-2 Inhibitors","authors":"Sobia Rizwana, Muhammad Faisal Maqbool, Amara Maryam, Ejaz Bashir, Muhammad Khan, Bushra Nisar Khan, Hafiz Abdullah Shakir, Muhammad Irfan","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.901","url":null,"abstract":"Drug resistance affects the most effective anti-malarial medications, hence finding new, unique bioactive compounds with strong anti-malarial activity is extremely desirable. Falcipain-2 (2GHU) is a protease of plasmodium falciparum and considered as an important target to design antimalarial drugs. Objective: To identify potential novel falcipan-2 inhibitor for effect treatment of malaria. Methods: Molecular docking analysis was performed by using different bioinformatic tools to check the interaction between the Alantolactone and Brevilin A and falcipain-2 (2GHU). Results: Alantolactone and Brevilin A show a strong affinity to bind with 2GHU with binding energy values -7.2kcal/mol and -8.1kcal/mol respectively. Moreover, results of ADMET and cytotoxicity analysis showed that both investigated compounds strongly followed the Lipinski rule of five for drug-likeness and are quite safe to be used as an antimalarial drug. Conclusions: Both of the studied sesquiterpene lactones may inhibit falcipain-2, according to the results of our molecular docking study, but Brevilin A is predicted to be the most effective inhibitor because it forms strong hydrogen bonds with the protein's amino acid residues and has lower values for binding energy and inhibition constant. Therefore, new anti-malarial medications can be created from these two bioactive sesquiterpene lactone molecules to overcome the resistance of plasmodium falciparum against already clinically approved drugs.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135264110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Telemedicine and telehealth solutions are witnessing a dramatic shift in the global healthcare sector at a time of unprecedented technological advancements. These innovative approaches are changing the way healthcare is delivered, increasing accessibility, efficacy, and patient-centeredness. Telemedicine has evolved as a powerful technique for overcoming the geographic limits that have long prohibited patients from obtaining high-quality medical treatment. Telemedicine allows patients and healthcare providers to connect without being physically separated, whether they are in crowded cities or remote rural regions. This technical breakthrough has improved patient outcomes while also allowing for the provision of emergency treatment during times of crisis and disaster. Patients may rapidly schedule online consultations, obtain medical advice, and receive tailored treatment plans. This degree of ease encourages patients to actively manage their health, strengthening the trust- and cooperation-based doctor-patient relationship. Telehealth technologies play a critical role in improving healthcare accessible in areas with inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Medical expertise may be extended to underserved areas using telemedicine platforms, allowing professionals to consult, diagnose, and treat patients who would otherwise face major hurdles to timely medical care. Furthermore, telemedicine programs have shown to be critical in delivering mental health care, particularly in areas where mental health resources are few. The combination of telemedicine and telehealth technology has transformed the delivery of healthcare services. Remote patient monitoring gadgets and wearable technology have enabled healthcare practitioners to continually monitor their patients' health state, allowing them to discover possible issues early and respond proactively. Furthermore, telemedicine has simplified medical record administration, improved care coordination, and reduced medical mistakes. While the advantages of telemedicine solutions are obvious, difficulties remain. These include worries about data security, privacy, and the need for regulatory frameworks to properly control telemedicine operations. Addressing these issues would need the collaboration of governments, healthcare institutions, and technology suppliers. We can establish a safe atmosphere for telehealth solutions to thrive by creating strong rules and guidelines. Telemedicine and telehealth have emerged as viable options for addressing Pakistan's healthcare concerns. With a rising population and restricted access to medical facilities, these revolutionary technologies are reshaping the country's healthcare scene. Telemedicine connects patients from rural and underprivileged locations with healthcare specialists via virtual consultations, allowing for quick diagnosis and treatment suggestions [1]. Furthermore, telehealth efforts enable people to take an active role in their health management by putting
{"title":"Telemedicine and Telehealth Solutions","authors":"Ahmed B Alwazzan","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.909","url":null,"abstract":"Telemedicine and telehealth solutions are witnessing a dramatic shift in the global healthcare sector at a time of unprecedented technological advancements. These innovative approaches are changing the way healthcare is delivered, increasing accessibility, efficacy, and patient-centeredness. Telemedicine has evolved as a powerful technique for overcoming the geographic limits that have long prohibited patients from obtaining high-quality medical treatment. Telemedicine allows patients and healthcare providers to connect without being physically separated, whether they are in crowded cities or remote rural regions. This technical breakthrough has improved patient outcomes while also allowing for the provision of emergency treatment during times of crisis and disaster. Patients may rapidly schedule online consultations, obtain medical advice, and receive tailored treatment plans. This degree of ease encourages patients to actively manage their health, strengthening the trust- and cooperation-based doctor-patient relationship. Telehealth technologies play a critical role in improving healthcare accessible in areas with inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Medical expertise may be extended to underserved areas using telemedicine platforms, allowing professionals to consult, diagnose, and treat patients who would otherwise face major hurdles to timely medical care. Furthermore, telemedicine programs have shown to be critical in delivering mental health care, particularly in areas where mental health resources are few. The combination of telemedicine and telehealth technology has transformed the delivery of healthcare services. Remote patient monitoring gadgets and wearable technology have enabled healthcare practitioners to continually monitor their patients' health state, allowing them to discover possible issues early and respond proactively. Furthermore, telemedicine has simplified medical record administration, improved care coordination, and reduced medical mistakes. While the advantages of telemedicine solutions are obvious, difficulties remain. These include worries about data security, privacy, and the need for regulatory frameworks to properly control telemedicine operations. Addressing these issues would need the collaboration of governments, healthcare institutions, and technology suppliers. We can establish a safe atmosphere for telehealth solutions to thrive by creating strong rules and guidelines. Telemedicine and telehealth have emerged as viable options for addressing Pakistan's healthcare concerns. With a rising population and restricted access to medical facilities, these revolutionary technologies are reshaping the country's healthcare scene. Telemedicine connects patients from rural and underprivileged locations with healthcare specialists via virtual consultations, allowing for quick diagnosis and treatment suggestions [1]. Furthermore, telehealth efforts enable people to take an active role in their health management by putting ","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"42 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74991328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Poor water quality is a result of a variety of sources, including human, animal and industrial wastes, by consuming such unhygienic water, there is a risk of contracting waterborne diseases and infections. Objective: To explore impact of drinking water on health of people and related waterborne diseases due to poor quality of drinking water. Methods: From March 2022 to June 2022, a cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the drinking water quality and any concomitant health concerns. The areas with the highest illness ratios were selected using convenient sampling technique. Total 277 participants both male and female participated in this study. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) and rating questions on a Likert scale were the two formats used in questionnaire. Results: According to survey area demographic data, 84.1% of respondents were living in joint families, and 63.5% of respondents were male. However, the respondents' literacy rate was below average. Motor pumps made up the majority of the water supply (60.6%). The majority of participants (84.8%) firmly believed that the quality of the water they consume has an impact on their health. The majority of respondents (56.3%) stated that water-borne illnesses such cholera, typhus, and stomach ailments affected children in their community. Conclusions: It was determined that the majority of the population reported higher disease development and expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of their drinking water. Also, education and economic conditions of a person can play an important role in health management and more access to better quality of drinking water.
{"title":"Impact of Drinking Water on People’s Health and Water Borne Diseases","authors":"Qamar Yasmeen, Summaira Yasmeen","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.867","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.867","url":null,"abstract":"Poor water quality is a result of a variety of sources, including human, animal and industrial wastes, by consuming such unhygienic water, there is a risk of contracting waterborne diseases and infections. Objective: To explore impact of drinking water on health of people and related waterborne diseases due to poor quality of drinking water. Methods: From March 2022 to June 2022, a cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the drinking water quality and any concomitant health concerns. The areas with the highest illness ratios were selected using convenient sampling technique. Total 277 participants both male and female participated in this study. Multiple choice questions (MCQs) and rating questions on a Likert scale were the two formats used in questionnaire. Results: According to survey area demographic data, 84.1% of respondents were living in joint families, and 63.5% of respondents were male. However, the respondents' literacy rate was below average. Motor pumps made up the majority of the water supply (60.6%). The majority of participants (84.8%) firmly believed that the quality of the water they consume has an impact on their health. The majority of respondents (56.3%) stated that water-borne illnesses such cholera, typhus, and stomach ailments affected children in their community. Conclusions: It was determined that the majority of the population reported higher disease development and expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of their drinking water. Also, education and economic conditions of a person can play an important role in health management and more access to better quality of drinking water.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"78 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135315330","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rabia Seher Alvi, K. Khan, Nausheen Saifullah, Sadhna Priya, Saifullah Rabia, Javed
Mucormycosis is a rapidly advancing and hazardous form of opportunistic infection usually starts in nose and/or paranasal sinuses after inhaling fungal spores. This infection is caused by Mucorales fungi which belong to the Zygomycetes class. The incidence of Mucormycosis is approximately 1.7 cases in 1 million. They more frequently exist in rhinomaxillary area and is a rare pulmonary disease of an opportunistic fungi, which is difficult to diagnose with an unpredictable response to treatment. They usually appear in individuals with immunocompromised states such as diabetes, long term use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy for solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation, and disorders like neutropenia are notably common risk factors. As a potential for relatively life-threatening condition, the disorders warrant an anticipatory approach. We report here a case of pulmonary mucormycosis in uncontrolled diabetes presented with bilateral cavitary lesions in lungs that was first misdiagnosed as case of Pulmonary TB, later diagnosis was made on the basis of results of bronchoscopic biopsy, and was started on amphotericin and followed up with improvement of her symptoms.
{"title":"A Case of Lung Abscesses Secondary to Mucormycosis in a Diabetic Female Patient","authors":"Rabia Seher Alvi, K. Khan, Nausheen Saifullah, Sadhna Priya, Saifullah Rabia, Javed","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.904","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i07.904","url":null,"abstract":"Mucormycosis is a rapidly advancing and hazardous form of opportunistic infection usually starts in nose and/or paranasal sinuses after inhaling fungal spores. This infection is caused by Mucorales fungi which belong to the Zygomycetes class. The incidence of Mucormycosis is approximately 1.7 cases in 1 million. They more frequently exist in rhinomaxillary area and is a rare pulmonary disease of an opportunistic fungi, which is difficult to diagnose with an unpredictable response to treatment. They usually appear in individuals with immunocompromised states such as diabetes, long term use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive therapy for solid organ and hematopoietic cell transplantation, and disorders like neutropenia are notably common risk factors. As a potential for relatively life-threatening condition, the disorders warrant an anticipatory approach. We report here a case of pulmonary mucormycosis in uncontrolled diabetes presented with bilateral cavitary lesions in lungs that was first misdiagnosed as case of Pulmonary TB, later diagnosis was made on the basis of results of bronchoscopic biopsy, and was started on amphotericin and followed up with improvement of her symptoms.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79403252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Siddiqui, Mehreen Rasheed, I. Shahid, I. Tanvir, S. Khalid
Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for morbidity and mortality around the world. Many drugs used to treat hypertension have several side effects. Atenolol used to control hypertension, is an anti-beta-adrenergic agent. It has found to significantly affect the hepatic functions. Objective: To study the effects of atenolol on hepatic dysfunction by measuring AST level in hypertensive patients, taking atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Methods: The variation in AST level was measured upon use of atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Out of total 80 patients, 43 were treated with atenolol alone, 37 with atenolol in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs and 20 were healthy controls. Micro lab tests were used for measurement of AST level. Results: Significant results were found as atenolol cause increase in AST level. Other anti-hypertensive drugs did not affect the AST levels much and the increase in AST level was more significant in patients taking atenolol alone. Conclusions: Atenolol may have efficacy in controlling hypertension, but it causes disturbance in AST levels therefore any other drug in combination with atenolol is recommended to avoid AST variation and eventually hepatic dysfunctions. Further this study may be employed on large scale for strengthening the outcomes of this study
{"title":"Effect of Atenolol on Hepatic Dysfunction by Evaluating Level of AST","authors":"Maria Siddiqui, Mehreen Rasheed, I. Shahid, I. Tanvir, S. Khalid","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.885","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.885","url":null,"abstract":"Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for morbidity and mortality around the world. Many drugs used to treat hypertension have several side effects. Atenolol used to control hypertension, is an anti-beta-adrenergic agent. It has found to significantly affect the hepatic functions. Objective: To study the effects of atenolol on hepatic dysfunction by measuring AST level in hypertensive patients, taking atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Methods: The variation in AST level was measured upon use of atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Out of total 80 patients, 43 were treated with atenolol alone, 37 with atenolol in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs and 20 were healthy controls. Micro lab tests were used for measurement of AST level. Results: Significant results were found as atenolol cause increase in AST level. Other anti-hypertensive drugs did not affect the AST levels much and the increase in AST level was more significant in patients taking atenolol alone. Conclusions: Atenolol may have efficacy in controlling hypertension, but it causes disturbance in AST levels therefore any other drug in combination with atenolol is recommended to avoid AST variation and eventually hepatic dysfunctions. Further this study may be employed on large scale for strengthening the outcomes of this study","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82797651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. These plants contain phytochemicals that have a variety of medicinal properties. However, accurate identification and authentication of medicinal plant species ensured their safety and efficacy. DNA barcoding using molecular markers has proven to be a useful method for plant species identification. The rbcL molecular marker was used for detailed characterization, amplification, and phylogenetic studies of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic properties and potential applications of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Methods: Samples of H. rosa-sinensis were collected, and DNA was isolated by the Doyle and Doyle method. The presence of DNA was confirmed by gel electrophoresis, and specific primers were used for PCR amplification. The PCR results were sequenced using next-generation sequencing techniques. After that, a neighbor-joining technique was used for phylogenetic analysis and to obtain pairwise nucleotide distances. Gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of DNA in plant samples, and PCR amplification using rbcL primers generates successful amplification results. Results: The obtained sequence was 99.7% identical to the previously reported rbcL gene sequence from H. rosa-sinensis. Based on phylogenetic research, H. rosa-sinensis was discovered as a closely related species. Conclusions: The rbcL gene has been found as a viable molecular marker for H. rosa-sinensis identification and phylogenetic analysis. The results of this study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of H. rosa-sinensis and the importance of species identification in herbal medicine. DNA barcoding proved a reliable authentication and quality control technology in the herbal medicine business.
{"title":"Determining Genetic Variability and Taxonomy of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis through rbcL Molecular Marker","authors":"Aftab Iqbal, M. Z. ur Rehman","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.896","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.896","url":null,"abstract":"Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for a long time. These plants contain phytochemicals that have a variety of medicinal properties. However, accurate identification and authentication of medicinal plant species ensured their safety and efficacy. DNA barcoding using molecular markers has proven to be a useful method for plant species identification. The rbcL molecular marker was used for detailed characterization, amplification, and phylogenetic studies of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic properties and potential applications of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Methods: Samples of H. rosa-sinensis were collected, and DNA was isolated by the Doyle and Doyle method. The presence of DNA was confirmed by gel electrophoresis, and specific primers were used for PCR amplification. The PCR results were sequenced using next-generation sequencing techniques. After that, a neighbor-joining technique was used for phylogenetic analysis and to obtain pairwise nucleotide distances. Gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence of DNA in plant samples, and PCR amplification using rbcL primers generates successful amplification results. Results: The obtained sequence was 99.7% identical to the previously reported rbcL gene sequence from H. rosa-sinensis. Based on phylogenetic research, H. rosa-sinensis was discovered as a closely related species. Conclusions: The rbcL gene has been found as a viable molecular marker for H. rosa-sinensis identification and phylogenetic analysis. The results of this study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of H. rosa-sinensis and the importance of species identification in herbal medicine. DNA barcoding proved a reliable authentication and quality control technology in the herbal medicine business.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85677519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Azhar, Muhammad Afzal, Zafar Iqbal, Sumaira Riaz
Adolescence is a transition period between the time of childhood and adulthood as it is usually accompanied by sexual maturation and physical growth as well as psychological and cognitive changes necessary for coping with the tasks of later adult life. Objective: To identify levels of anxiety and its association with demographic characteristics of adolescent girls in secondary schools of Lahore Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical design was used in this study. The normality assumptions were tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnova and Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: Out of 140 participants, 116 participants were having anxiety. Among these participants, 73 (62.9%) were having mild anxiety, 38 (32.7%) were having moderate anxiety, and only 5 (4.31%) were having severe anxiety. Statistical analysis show that the data were not normally distributed as evident from the p-value 0.01 and 0.03 in Kolmogorov-Smirnova and Shapiro-Wilk tests, respectively. Analysis showed that there is a significant difference in anxiety levels in adolescent school girls as evident by p-value is less than 0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety was 82.85% among adolescents’ girls. Majority of the adolescent students were facing mild and mild anxiety and this anxiety remain throughout the adolescent age but reduce with passage of age.
{"title":"Determination of Levels of Anxiety and its Association with Demographic Characteristics of Adolescent Girls in Secondary Schools of Lahore","authors":"M. Azhar, Muhammad Afzal, Zafar Iqbal, Sumaira Riaz","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.890","url":null,"abstract":"Adolescence is a transition period between the time of childhood and adulthood as it is usually accompanied by sexual maturation and physical growth as well as psychological and cognitive changes necessary for coping with the tasks of later adult life. Objective: To identify levels of anxiety and its association with demographic characteristics of adolescent girls in secondary schools of Lahore Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical design was used in this study. The normality assumptions were tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnova and Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: Out of 140 participants, 116 participants were having anxiety. Among these participants, 73 (62.9%) were having mild anxiety, 38 (32.7%) were having moderate anxiety, and only 5 (4.31%) were having severe anxiety. Statistical analysis show that the data were not normally distributed as evident from the p-value 0.01 and 0.03 in Kolmogorov-Smirnova and Shapiro-Wilk tests, respectively. Analysis showed that there is a significant difference in anxiety levels in adolescent school girls as evident by p-value is less than 0.05. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety was 82.85% among adolescents’ girls. Majority of the adolescent students were facing mild and mild anxiety and this anxiety remain throughout the adolescent age but reduce with passage of age.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"37 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80107316","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yusra Fawad, B. Rizwan, Hafiza Madiha Jaffar, M. Ikram, Azeen Rehman, Jawaria Safdar, Eeman Fatima, Wajid Ali Zain, Abdullah Tahir Cheema
Breastfeeding is important public health issues having numerous benefits for both infants and mothers but rates of exclusive breastfeeding remain low throughout the world. Several studies have investigated the factors that influence breastfeeding behaviors including maternal education, social support, and cultural beliefs. However, there is still much to be learned about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of lactating mothers and how these factors affect breastfeeding outcomes. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of exclusively breastfeeding among lactating women attending Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Methods: The cross-sectional study is carried out in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. The study is conducted in 4 months from February 2023 to May 2023. SPSS version 21.0 is used for data analysis. In this research, all individuals aged from 18 to 40 years; mothers having infant of from 0-24 months from Pediatric, Gynecology Wards and OPD were included. In exclusion criteria: non-cooperative mothers. Mothers with psychological problems were not bothered. Mothers with severely ill infants (e.g., cleft palate) Results: 54% of mothers were within normal ranges of BMI and only 4% were within the range of obesity. In our study, 46% of lactating mothers had 1-2 children and 13% had 5 or more than 5 children. 67% of mothers believed breastfeeding helped gain optimal weight gain.44% of mothers gave their child colostrums. About 28 Children <4 months were breastfed less than 4 times. Conclusion: The study shows that mothers were well informed and had proper knowledge, positive attitude and behavior towards breastfeeding. Most of the lactating mothers know the benefits of breastfeeding for 2 years.
母乳喂养是一个重要的公共卫生问题,对婴儿和母亲都有许多好处,但全世界纯母乳喂养率仍然很低。一些研究调查了影响母乳喂养行为的因素,包括母亲教育、社会支持和文化信仰。然而,关于哺乳期母亲的知识、态度和做法,以及这些因素如何影响母乳喂养结果,仍有很多需要了解的地方。目的:评估在恒河公羊爵士医院就诊的哺乳期妇女对纯母乳喂养的知识、态度和做法。方法:横断面研究在拉合尔Sir Ganga Ram医院进行。该研究将在2023年2月至2023年5月的4个月内进行。使用SPSS 21.0版本进行数据分析。在这项研究中,所有年龄在18到40岁之间的人;研究对象包括在儿科、妇科和门诊病房生育0-24个月婴儿的母亲。排除标准:不合作的母亲。有心理问题的母亲则不受影响。重度患儿(如腭裂)的母亲结果:54%的母亲BMI在正常范围内,仅4%在肥胖范围内。在我们的研究中,46%的哺乳期母亲有1-2个孩子,13%有5个或5个以上的孩子。67%的母亲认为母乳喂养有助于获得最佳增重效果。44%的母亲给孩子初乳。约28名<4个月的儿童母乳喂养少于4次。结论:本研究表明,母亲对母乳喂养的了解程度较高,对母乳喂养有正确的认识、积极的态度和行为。大多数哺乳期母亲都知道母乳喂养2年的好处。
{"title":"Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Exclusive Breastfeeding among Lactating Mothers visiting Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"Yusra Fawad, B. Rizwan, Hafiza Madiha Jaffar, M. Ikram, Azeen Rehman, Jawaria Safdar, Eeman Fatima, Wajid Ali Zain, Abdullah Tahir Cheema","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.888","url":null,"abstract":"Breastfeeding is important public health issues having numerous benefits for both infants and mothers but rates of exclusive breastfeeding remain low throughout the world. Several studies have investigated the factors that influence breastfeeding behaviors including maternal education, social support, and cultural beliefs. However, there is still much to be learned about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of lactating mothers and how these factors affect breastfeeding outcomes. Objective: To assess knowledge, attitude, and practices of exclusively breastfeeding among lactating women attending Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. Methods: The cross-sectional study is carried out in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. The study is conducted in 4 months from February 2023 to May 2023. SPSS version 21.0 is used for data analysis. In this research, all individuals aged from 18 to 40 years; mothers having infant of from 0-24 months from Pediatric, Gynecology Wards and OPD were included. In exclusion criteria: non-cooperative mothers. Mothers with psychological problems were not bothered. Mothers with severely ill infants (e.g., cleft palate) Results: 54% of mothers were within normal ranges of BMI and only 4% were within the range of obesity. In our study, 46% of lactating mothers had 1-2 children and 13% had 5 or more than 5 children. 67% of mothers believed breastfeeding helped gain optimal weight gain.44% of mothers gave their child colostrums. About 28 Children <4 months were breastfed less than 4 times. Conclusion: The study shows that mothers were well informed and had proper knowledge, positive attitude and behavior towards breastfeeding. Most of the lactating mothers know the benefits of breastfeeding for 2 years.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"23 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78062963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Tariq, Aneeza Jamshed, Aimen Fatima, Zarlashta Zamani, S. Noreen, Yousra Khalid
The ongoing inflammatory process in COVID infection is reported to cause acute cardiac injury either due to direct cytotoxicity or oxidative stress injury to myocytes. Hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction are the two main events resulting in the transient thrombotic process. Objective: To assess the coronary artery occlusion in COVID infected patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial injury. Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted on 52 patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction along with COVID infection. Data was collected regarding demographic profile, Troponin levels, COVID PCR, changes in ECG, Echocardiographic findings and coronary arteries were assessed angiographically. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and various percentages were calculated. Results: Of all the 52 patients studied, 46 patients (88%) tested positive for COVID -19 on RT-PCR done via nasopharyngeal swab. Other 6 patients tested negative initially but they had findings on their CXR and HRCT suggestive of interstitial pneumonia. All the patients were in age group 30-60 years with 32 patients (62%) being males and 20 being females (38%). None of the patients previously had any history of angina or myocardial infarction. Inflammatory markers were raised in about 43 patients (82.7%). ECG showed ST segment elevation in anterior leads in 35 patients (67%) and in inferior leads in 9 patients (17%) and in lateral leads in 2 patients (3.8%). Qualitative Troponin I test was positive in all the patients, whereas, about 41 patients (78%) had Quantitative Troponin I test in high probability range. About 50 patients (96%) had Ejection Fraction greater than 45% and normal segmental wall motion analysis. The coronary arteries were reported to be normal or recanalized in 40 patients (76%) and mild-moderate disease in single or two vessels are present in rest of the 12 patients. None of the patients had shown culprit artery severe disease or clot burden on angiograms. Conclusions: Acute Cardiac injury in previously asymptomatic patients may be related to the pro-thrombotic state created by COVID-19 infection resulting in endothelial dysfunction and mimicking ST-elevation myocardial injury raising Troponin levels indicated by raised D-Dimers and CRP level. The auto-recanalization of the coronary arteries and normal echocardiographic findings, are good prognostic factors for the post cardiac injury rehabilitation.
{"title":"Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease due to COVID-19 Infection: St-Segment Elevation due to Endothelial Dysfunction","authors":"A. Tariq, Aneeza Jamshed, Aimen Fatima, Zarlashta Zamani, S. Noreen, Yousra Khalid","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.895","url":null,"abstract":"The ongoing inflammatory process in COVID infection is reported to cause acute cardiac injury either due to direct cytotoxicity or oxidative stress injury to myocytes. Hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction are the two main events resulting in the transient thrombotic process. Objective: To assess the coronary artery occlusion in COVID infected patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial injury. Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted on 52 patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction along with COVID infection. Data was collected regarding demographic profile, Troponin levels, COVID PCR, changes in ECG, Echocardiographic findings and coronary arteries were assessed angiographically. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and various percentages were calculated. Results: Of all the 52 patients studied, 46 patients (88%) tested positive for COVID -19 on RT-PCR done via nasopharyngeal swab. Other 6 patients tested negative initially but they had findings on their CXR and HRCT suggestive of interstitial pneumonia. All the patients were in age group 30-60 years with 32 patients (62%) being males and 20 being females (38%). None of the patients previously had any history of angina or myocardial infarction. Inflammatory markers were raised in about 43 patients (82.7%). ECG showed ST segment elevation in anterior leads in 35 patients (67%) and in inferior leads in 9 patients (17%) and in lateral leads in 2 patients (3.8%). Qualitative Troponin I test was positive in all the patients, whereas, about 41 patients (78%) had Quantitative Troponin I test in high probability range. About 50 patients (96%) had Ejection Fraction greater than 45% and normal segmental wall motion analysis. The coronary arteries were reported to be normal or recanalized in 40 patients (76%) and mild-moderate disease in single or two vessels are present in rest of the 12 patients. None of the patients had shown culprit artery severe disease or clot burden on angiograms. Conclusions: Acute Cardiac injury in previously asymptomatic patients may be related to the pro-thrombotic state created by COVID-19 infection resulting in endothelial dysfunction and mimicking ST-elevation myocardial injury raising Troponin levels indicated by raised D-Dimers and CRP level. The auto-recanalization of the coronary arteries and normal echocardiographic findings, are good prognostic factors for the post cardiac injury rehabilitation.","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"40 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90628668","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cancer is a growing public health concern in Pakistan, with rising incidence rates and significant impacts on individuals and communities. In recent years, cancer research in Pakistan has made notable strides in understanding the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of various cancer types. However, numerous challenges persist, hindering progress in cancer control and prevention. Exploring the progress made, acknowledging the challenges faced, and outlining future directions is crucial for advancing cancer research and improving cancer care in Pakistan. In terms of progress, cancer research in Pakistan has provided valuable insights into the burden of different cancer types across various regions. Studies have shed light on the prevalence of common cancers such as breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers, enabling targeted interventions and screening programs. Furthermore, collaborative efforts between research institutions and healthcare providers have resulted in improved diagnosis and treatment modalities, with advancements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical techniques. Despite these advancements, several challenges persist. Limited access to quality cancer care, particularly in rural areas, remains a significant barrier. Insufficient infrastructure, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, and financial constraints impede timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Additionally, cultural beliefs and social stigmas surrounding cancer often lead to delayed diagnosis and inadequate support for patients and their families. Overcoming these challenges requires comprehensive strategies, including strengthening healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and raising awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. Looking ahead, the future of cancer research in Pakistan lies in a multidimensional approach. Enhancing collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers is crucial for effective data collection, research translation, and evidence-based policymaking. Investment in research infrastructure, including molecular and genetic profiling facilities, can facilitate targeted therapies and personalized treatment options. Additionally, fostering international collaborations and partnerships can provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, access to innovative technologies, and clinical trials. Cancer research in Pakistan has made significant progress in understanding the burden of cancer and improving treatment outcomes. However, challenges such as limited access to quality care and cultural barriers must be addressed to ensure equitable and comprehensive cancer services across the country. By investing in research infrastructure, fostering collaborations, and promoting awareness, Pakistan can enhance cancer research capabilities and make substantial strides in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. A concerted effort by researchers, policymakers, healthc
{"title":"Cancer Research in Pakistan: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions","authors":"Khizar Hayat","doi":"10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v6i06.884","url":null,"abstract":"Cancer is a growing public health concern in Pakistan, with rising incidence rates and significant impacts on individuals and communities. In recent years, cancer research in Pakistan has made notable strides in understanding the epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of various cancer types. However, numerous challenges persist, hindering progress in cancer control and prevention. Exploring the progress made, acknowledging the challenges faced, and outlining future directions is crucial for advancing cancer research and improving cancer care in Pakistan. \u0000In terms of progress, cancer research in Pakistan has provided valuable insights into the burden of different cancer types across various regions. Studies have shed light on the prevalence of common cancers such as breast, lung, and gastrointestinal cancers, enabling targeted interventions and screening programs. Furthermore, collaborative efforts between research institutions and healthcare providers have resulted in improved diagnosis and treatment modalities, with advancements in radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical techniques. \u0000Despite these advancements, several challenges persist. Limited access to quality cancer care, particularly in rural areas, remains a significant barrier. Insufficient infrastructure, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, and financial constraints impede timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Additionally, cultural beliefs and social stigmas surrounding cancer often lead to delayed diagnosis and inadequate support for patients and their families. Overcoming these challenges requires comprehensive strategies, including strengthening healthcare infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and raising awareness about cancer prevention and early detection. \u0000Looking ahead, the future of cancer research in Pakistan lies in a multidimensional approach. Enhancing collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers is crucial for effective data collection, research translation, and evidence-based policymaking. Investment in research infrastructure, including molecular and genetic profiling facilities, can facilitate targeted therapies and personalized treatment options. Additionally, fostering international collaborations and partnerships can provide opportunities for knowledge exchange, access to innovative technologies, and clinical trials. \u0000Cancer research in Pakistan has made significant progress in understanding the burden of cancer and improving treatment outcomes. However, challenges such as limited access to quality care and cultural barriers must be addressed to ensure equitable and comprehensive cancer services across the country. By investing in research infrastructure, fostering collaborations, and promoting awareness, Pakistan can enhance cancer research capabilities and make substantial strides in cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment. A concerted effort by researchers, policymakers, healthc","PeriodicalId":19844,"journal":{"name":"Pakistan BioMedical Journal","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"79858271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}