bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of chronic restraint stress on body weight of male Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Moazzam Sadia , Mughal Irfan Afzal , Irfan Noor Ul Ain , Attique Ilqa , Zaheer Fareeha , Irfan Asma 
Published: July 2023

Background:
Stress disturbs body weight and food intake, but the core mechanisms are not well understood.

Study design: Experimental

Materials and Methods:
The study was conducted in National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad Sixty male Sprague Dawley rats (mean wt 250 ± 50 grams) were used and divided into 2 groups.
Each group comprised of 30 rats.
Group I was taken as control. Group II was exposed to chronic stress.
Results:
The comparison of weight gain by the different groups disclosed that there was a significant decrease in weight gain of rats exposed to the chronic stress as compared to control group.

Conclusion:
Chronic restraint stress has a detrimental effect on body weight.
Positive Findings of Blood Cultures in Febrile Children Presenting with Thalassemia Major in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Fatima Itrat , Affan Wafia , Hameed Hira , Amber Wajeeha , Saeed Sumbal , Khan Imran Mahmood 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To assess status of bacterial pathogens in thalassemia major patients presenting with fever in a tertiary care hospital
Methods:
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at –removed for blind review---from November, 2020 to October, 2021 in which 102 patients of thalassemia major who presented with fever and were suspicious of having septicemia were enrolled. Their demographic characteristics and pathological findings were noted in this study. Standardized approach was followed for blood withdrawal and sample collection required for performing blood cultures. The data was analyzed with SPSS version 21.
Results:
Females were in majority. Total 57 (56.0%) of patients had positive blood culture. The most frequent bacterial pathogen was Klebsiella pneumonia 13 (12.7%), followed by E-coli 11 (10.7%), staphylococcus aureus 7 (6.8%), pseudomonas 8 (7.8%) and streptococcus type pathogens 6 (5.8%).
Conclusion:
Positive culture findings were high in the thalassemia major patients who presented with fever.
Impact of caffeine and vitamin D3 on the body-weight of pregnant BALB/c mice
Authors: Khan Maimoona , Abdullah Muhammad Saad , Mushtaq Fareeha , Umbreen Faiza , Kiani Muhammad Rizwan Bashir , Shahid Ayesha 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To investigate the effect of caffeine and Vitamin D3 on the body weight of pregnant BALB/c mice.
Design of Study: An RCT (Randomized control trial) in the Lab.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Anatomy Department, Army Medical College (AMC), Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from Oct 2018 to Oct 2019.
Material and Methods: Six-week old pregnant BALB/c mice, thirty (30) in number, weighing 26-28g, were taken and divided into three groups with 10 pregnant mice in each group. The control group G1 was given standard diet with water ad libitum for 21 days. The animals in experimental group G2, in addition to the standard diet, were given 10mg of caffeine per 100g body-weight once a day on alternate days by oral gavage for 21 days. Similarly, mice in group G3, in addition to the diet of group G2, were given 0.1µg of vitamin D3 per day by oral gavage for 21 days. The body-weights on 1st day, 7th day, 14th day and 21st day of gestation in all the groups were measured to determine the influence of caffeine and vitamin D3.
Results: Mean body-weights of mice in control group G1 were noted as 26.8 ± 0.789g, 30.7 ± 0.949g, 36 ± 0.667g and 42 ± 1.054g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of gestation, respectively. The mean body-weights of experimental group G2 were recorded to be 26.7 ± 0.675g, 29.9 ± 0.738g, 34.3 ± 0.823g and 39.5 ± 0.972g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21th day of gestation, respectively. The mean body-weights of experimental group G3 were determined as 26.8 ± 0.632g, 30.4 ± 0.699g, 34.6 ± 0.516g and 40.5 ± 0.850g on 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st day of gestation, respectively. In comparison to the control group G1, the body-weights of animals in experimental group G2 showed more decrease in accrual of body-weight than noted in experimental group G3.
Conclusion: Caffeine intake has decreasing influence on the growth of body-weight in pregnant mice while intake of vitamin D3 somewhat nullifies the harmful effect of caffeine on body-weight.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF INFECTION CONTROL AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS IN ISLAMIC INTERNATIONAL DENTAL HOSPITAL,RIPHAH
Authors: Rao Ufaq , Khan Abdul Razaq , Rizwan Zarnab , Rizwan Ghina , Zia Syed Hamza 
Published: July 2023

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude and practices among dental practitioners at a dental hospital in Islamabad.
Materials and methods: This study consisted of 147 participants. The questionnaire had 21 questions related to vaccination status, barrier techniques infection control practices and awareness. The questionnaire was distributed through Google forms to the participants after taking consent from them. The data was analyzed and tabulated through SPSS version 23.
Result: Out of 147, 123 participants responded to our questionnaire. 75.6% of the participants were vaccinated against hepatitis B and 87.8% regularly wash their hands before and after dental treatment.100% of the participants wore and change gloves after each patient. In current study the senior dental practitioners had a relatively poor mean score(4.1%) in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice scores regarding infection control as compared to house officers and fresh graduates (59%). 1)
Conclusion: The infection control knowledge, attitude and practices among dental practitioners was better, however there is room for improvement in compliance and knowledge in the dental health care workers. More knowledge about infection control measures should be provided to the dental practitioners, moreover efforts are needed to improve the attitude and practice of the dental practitioners towards infection control at Islamic International Dental Hospital, Islamabad.
Role of Dexmedetomidine by Improving Sleep Quality and Pain Control in Covid-19 Patients
Authors: Khalid Maliha , Feroze Faheem , Qamar Saad bin , Abbas Naseem , Farooq Saeed , Siddiqui Aisha 
Published: July 2023

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effective role of Dexmedetomidine as a sedative and analgesic agent in Covid-19 patients when used in conjunction with the established treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
INTRODUCTION: Covid-19 disease is a deadly contagious disease with milder symptoms to a more severe form with acute respiratory failure, septic shock leading to even death. Literature study shows High Flow Nasal Oxygen therapy and prolonged prone position sessions to be beneficial in the treatment of ARDS, however, to facilitate those sessions, a sedative and anxiolytic agent must be added in the treatment. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the beneficial role of dexmedetomidine as a sedative agent.
METHODOLOGY: Retrospective observational study which included 150 PCR positive patients admitted in Covid ITC, from 1st February 2021 to 31st July 2021 residing in the premises of PAF Air Base, Mushaf, Sargodha. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.
RESULTS: Out of 150 patients, 120 (80%) were treated with High Flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO), Dexmedetomidine infusion (DEXME) and long periods of prone position (PP) sessions. Among these 120 patients, 88 (73.3%) were discharged while 32 (26.67%) patients died of which 7 (21.875%) died while being on HFNO therapy and 25 (78.125%) patients were intubated. DEXME infusion was found to have a positive outcome (P-value <0.005) in the treatment of moderate to severe ARDS.
CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that DEXME infusion is beneficial in moderate to severe ARDS caused by SARS-CoV2 when given along with HFNO therapy and prolonged PP sessions, thereby, avoiding intubation.
The Role of Fathers’ Expressed Emotions in Psychopathology and Social-Emotional Competence in Adolescents
Authors: Akhtar Shammem , Mughal Fatima Ali Raza 
Published: July 2023

Background: To study the role of fathers’ expressed emotions in psychopathology and social-emotional competence in adolescents.
Methods: Through observational research design a study was conducted in the district Gujrat Pakistan from July 2020 to march 2021.As the inclusion criteria of the study was to include adolescents whose age range was 12 to 19 and the only fathers included whose children were adolescents. So the purposive sampling technique was used and five hundred adolescents were selected from different colleges and schools, five hundred fathers of same adolescents approached from the community and their working places. For this purpose Parental Expressed Emotions Scale 1 was used and to assess the psychopathology (Social anxiety) and social-emotional competence in adolescents, Social Anxiety Scale,2 and Social Emotional-Competence Scale 3 were used and data was analyzed by using SPSS-21.
Results: A total of 500 adolescents selected for study whose age range was from 12-19 years 4 and mean age of 16 years. In which 229 (46%) were boys and 271 (54%) were girls. Simple linear regression was used to see the effects of father expressed emotions in psychopathology and social-emotional competence in adolescents. Results showed significant difference in negative and positive expressed emotions of father. Father’ expressed emotions of critical comments caused 56%and hostility 64% predictor of social anxiety in adolescents. On the other hand father emotional -over involvement caused 11% warmth 37% and positive remarks 17% increase in social-emotional competence of adolescents.
Conclusion: Father expressed emotions found to be significant predictor of social anxiety and social-emotional competence in adolescents.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 HEALTH CARE EMERGENCY ON TRAUMA RELATED OUTCOMES
Authors: Mustafa Fatima , Khan Mumtaz Ahmed , Mustafa Abdullah , Khan Khushal , Hassan Muhammad 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To determine the impact of Covid-19 healthcare emergency on trauma-related outcomes.
Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study
Duration and Place of Study: Emergency department of surgery and allied of –removed for blind review----and from 1st March 2021 to 30th May 2021 for three months.
Patients and Methods: A comparison was made between the number of trauma patients admitted to the emergency department during the pandemic and the patients admitted during the same period of the previous year in the same center (data extracted from hospital records). Furthermore, we compared trauma-related disorders, patterns of injuries, and clinical characteristics of trauma patients in our hospital during a pandemic with those in a non-pandemic.
Results: The number of trauma patients in the pandemic was significantly lower than it was before Covid. Before Covid, 1520 (64.5%) were admitted to the emergency room (non-Covid group), whereas only 835 (35.5%) were admitted to the emergency room during the pandemic (Covid group). There was a 48 % reduction in total. Gender and age ratios did not differ much between the two groups. Between cohorts, there was a significant association between mechanism of injury and type of trauma (p<0.03). Mortality rates decreased during the Covid-19 era (1.3% vs. 3.4%).
Conclusion: As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, there was a 48% decrease in trauma patients admitted to hospitals and a decrease in their mortality as well. The findings of this study may open the new door to new ways of managing surgical emergencies without engulfing the already busy hospitals.
Comparison of Intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid Injections for the Treatment of Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Napar Abdul Rasheed , Solangi Naveed Ahmed , Shahni Mehtab Ali , Ghumro Hafeezullah , Jumani Naveed Ahmed , Hussain Aftab 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and platelet rich plasma in cases of moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Study design: Prospective comparative study.
Place and Duration of study: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mirs, from January 2021 till December 2021
Methodology: A total of 100 patients were selected for the study and were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group C patients received intra-articular corticosteroid injection along with local anesthetic (Prednisolone acetate 40 mg + 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine) under ultrasound guidance. Group P patients received 3 injections of PRP, each of 8 ml volume given at one week’s interval. Patients with signs of hemodynamic compromise, sepsis, past history of any intra-articular injection in the same joint were also excluded from the study. Follow up of patients was carried out at 1, 3 and 6 months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) scale was used to assess the patients prior to injection and then at each follow up. WOMAC scale consists of three subsets i-e pain, stiffness and physical function.
Results: Demographic data was comparable between both groups. Pre-injection WOMAC score in group C and P was 71.54±12.18 and 75.20±8.58 respectively (p-value=0.086); after one month of injections, it was 34.20±10.48 and 35.38±6.31 respectively (p-value=0.580). After 3 months of injection, it was 33.20±8.13 and 31.10±5.50 respectively (p-value=0.195). After 6 months of injection, it was 35.32±10.41 and 32.10±6.63 respectively (p-value=0.68).
Conclusion: It is concluded in our study that intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and PRP are equally effective in patients of moderate knee osteoarthritis.
Thyroidectomy with Drain and Without drain; A Clinical Comparative Study
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Saba Sarwat , Saqib Khurram , Alamgir Ashar , Tabassam Sumara , Rashid Zakariya 
Published: July 2023

Background: Thyroidectomy is one of the most difficult surgical procedures. The study aims to compare the thyroidectomy procedure with drain placement and without drain concerning the hospital stay, Postoperative complications, and pain assessment using a visual analog scale.
Methods: A prospective comparative study was designed in the Department of otorhinolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery---removed for blind review----. A total of 117 patients were enrolled in the study from which 9 were excluded due to loss of follow-up. The patients were divided into two groups by using computer-generated randomized numbers containing sealed envelopes. Both groups contained 54 patients. Group A patients with a drain placed while group B contained patients without a drain. The patients with drain have a longer hospital stay and reported increased pain as compared to the patients with drainless thyroidectomy.
Results: The mean age and standard deviation calculated for the patients enrolled in both groups after randomization was 13.28 42.5 and 12.18 43.9 in groups A and B respectively. The mean ages were statistically insignificant. However, Postoperative variables such as length of hospital stay and post-operative pain by visual analog scale were assessed. The hospital stays of the patients with a drain placed was found statistically significant with a P-value < 0.05 Postoperative pain assessed by visual analog scale was also significant having a P-value <0.05 for patients having stayed for 2 to 4 days.
Conclusion: Placement of drain after thyroidectomy saves the patient from life-threatening complications but at the same time increases the post-operative pain on day one and increases the length of hospital stay of the patient. The routine practice of drain placement should be avoided unless there must be a risk of the development of hematoma or seroma.
Adult Hemophiliacs in Pakistan: Health-Related Quality of Life and Psychological Aspects
Authors: Yaqoob Eesha , Mushahid Zonaira , Asif Muhammad Asad , Ishfaq Muhammad , Sabah Maheen , Waseem Mishal 
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) (in hemophilia A) or IX (FIX) (in hemophilia B) deficiency associated with the X chromosome is the primary cause of hemophilia. Bleeding carried on by hemophilia can have an impact on a patient's mental health and quality of life. Recurrent bleeds in their muscles and joints cause hemophilia patients to experience constant pain. Certain variables, such as depression brought on by low self-esteem in comparison to "normal" siblings and peers, may have an impact on hemophilia patients.
Objective: The goal of this investigation is to assess how psychological factors and pain affect adult hemophiliac patients' well-being.
Materials and Methods: On 102 hemophiliacs, a cross-sectional study was done. Data were gathered using visual analogue scales for pain, depression anxiety stress assessments, and quality of life questionnaires specific to hemophilia. Regression analysis, analysis of covariance, and correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. Results: According to the findings, 70.8% of hemophiliac patients felt pain on the research day. Patients with hemophilia had an average HRQoL score of 50.08 (standard deviation: 18.49). Additionally, stress, worry, and mild to serious depression were present in 45.7 %, 63.5% and 58.3% of the patients, respectively. Additionally, a substantial correlation between HRQoL and sadness, anxiety, and pain intensity were found. The study variables were able to explain 47% of changes in HRQOL in the regression model, with depression and pain intensity serving as important predictors. Conclusion: To enhance the psychosocial health and quality of life of patients, emphasis should be given to these factors.
Establishing normal range of fetal renal artery RI and PI values in singleton pregnancies during 18-38 weeks of gestation
Authors: Nadeem Beenish , Malik Naushaba , Zahoor Anam 
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION: Human kidney constitutes an integral organ during the period of embryogenesis. The use of regular ultrasound during antenatal follow ups not only assesses structural aspects of fetal body but can also evaluate functional integrity of developing organs to some extent. Unfortunately, fetal renal hemodynamics has been studied more in western population which have better socio-economic status as well as good antenatal care. Our study aims at establishing a normal reference range for fetal renal artery indices in healthy Pakistani pregnant population which has not been done before.
METHODOLOGY: This is a nonprobability convenient study investigating 130 healthy pregnant women during 18-38weeks of gestation. Resistivity and pulsatility indices (RI and PI) of the fetal renal arteries were evaluated dividing the patients in four groups as per their gestational age. Normal reference ranges of RI and PI values were established. P values for RI and PI were also being calculated.
RESULTS: Mean values of the RI and PI of the fetal renal arteries were calculated. P value for RI is 0.05 and PI is 0.69. Hence the values remain unaltered with advancing gestational age.
CONCLUSIONS: These reference ranges demonstrate the minimal change of the fetal renal hemodynamics during healthy pregnancies pertinent to our reference population. These may be applicable in antenatal practice to identify deviations from these reference ranges and will be beneficial in further studies related to prediction of fetal renal function.
Diagnostic Accuracy Of Placental Thickness Measured By Ultrasonography In The Detection Of Intrauterine Growth Restricted (IUGR) Babies Keeping Actual Birth Weight As Gold Standard
Authors: Jabeen Farkhanda , Farhan Madiha , Amjad Maryam , Begum Aeisha , Gul Nadia , Umbreen Salma 
Published: July 2023

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the placental thickness measured by ultrasound in detecting IUGR babies keeping actual birth weight as the gold standard.
Methods: This cross-sectional validation study was conducted in the Department of Radiology P.O.F Hospital Wah Cantt. The data was gathered over a period of six months, from 06-19-2017 to 12-18-2017. A total of 125 patients were included in this study. All pregnant women were examined by the greyscale and Doppler ultrasonography using a color Doppler scanner with a 5.0 MHz convex probe. Placental thickness was measured as the distance between the echogenic line of the chorionic plate and the hypoechoic myometrium. The pregnant females were followed till childbirth and the weight of the baby at birth was recorded.
Results: Patients ranged between 20-35 years of age. The average age of the study participants was 27.6±3.3 years, the mean gestational age was 34.2±3.0 weeks, the mean BMI was 23.5±1.3 (kg/m2), and the mean parity was 1.1±1.0. We found a sensitivity of 65.5%, specificity of 83.3%, Positive Predictive Value( PPV) of 98.7%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 10.8%, and diagnostic accuracy of 66.4% for antenatal prediction of IUGR based on placental thickness measurement. Stratification for age and gestational age was also carried out.
Conclusion: Placental thickness on ultrasonography can be used as a reliable marker for detecting IUGR babies with an accuracy of 6.4%.
Frequency Of Bacterial Co-Infections Isolated from Covid-19 Positive Patients From Tertiary Care Hospital Of Karachi
Authors: Khan Fouzia Zeeshan , Fatima Ambreen , Gohar Hareem , Sajjad Mehwish , Siddiqui Mona , Naseem Saima 
Published: July 2023

Objective: This study aims to determine the frequency of bacterial co-infections in COVID-19-positive patients.
Methodology: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Pakistan, from November 15, 2021, to April 15, 2022. Blood and respiratory tract samples were collected, including sputum, bronchial lavage, and tracheal aspirate. Clinical specimens were inoculated onto a Sheep blood agar plate, Chocolate agar plate (aerobic with 5% CO2), and MacConkey’s agar. Identification was followed by specific and standard microbiological protocols. COVID-19 was confirmed by qualitative PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.
Results: A total of 202 clinical samples, including blood, sputum, tracheal aspirates, and bronchial lavage, were collected from COVID-19-positive patients. Male patients were more common in sputum and tracheal aspirates, while female patients were more common in blood cultures. The majority of patients were over 60 years of age. Acinetobacter baumannii was predominantly isolated from blood and tracheal aspirates, exhibiting multidrug resistance, but showing complete sensitivity towards Colistin. Klebsiella pneumonia exhibited high prevalence in sputum, with complete resistance observed in Cephalosporins and Co-trimoxazole.
Conclusion: The study concludes a high frequency of superadded bacterial co-infections, caused most prominently by Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The majority of these are multidrug-resistant pathogens, therefore, urgent action is required to control the spread of nosocomial infections by resistant strains, which are responsible for the high mortality rate among COVID-19 critical patients.