Biometric and Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Testis of One-humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Twenty four adult clinically healthy one-humped male camels (Camelus dromedarius) were examined three times (beginning, mid and end) in each season (winter, spring, summer and autumn) for establishing the normal ultrasonic appearance and seasonal changes in the testicular parenchyma in the natural ecology of Punjab, Pakistan. The testes of each camel were scanned by using a B-mode real time ultrasound scanner fitted with a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer. Scrotal biometry was done with the measuring tape during all the seasons of year. The tunics of the testes appeared as hyperechoic lines surrounding the homogenous, moderately echogenic parenchyma of the testis. The mediastinum testis was visualized as hyperechoic central line and a spot, in longitudinal and transverse sections, respectively. During winter season, the parenchyma was hyperechoic and mediastinum testis was seen as thin hyperechoic line. In spring, the echogenicity of parenchyma was moderate and mediastinum appeared relatively thick central hyperechoic line. In summer and autumn, less echoic parenchyma and thick band of mediastinum was recorded. Biometric studies showed significantly (P<0.01) higher scrotal length and width of the testis during winter and spring season as compared to summer and autumn. Present study revealed that the ultrasonic structure of camel testis resembles other mammals and season has an apparent effect on the testicular size and echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in the one-humped camel

Peer Assisted Learning; The Perspective of Peer Tutors

Objective: To determine the perspective of PAL tutors regarding the effectiveness of PAL in promoting knowledge and skills among the undergraduate students using small group discussions in an integrated module. Methodology:  A prospective qualitative method study was conducted at Rawal Dental College, Islamabad, from April to June, 2021, for 12 weeks. Students from the second year of BDS (n = 50) were divided into five small groups. Five students’ volunteers were chosen from those who completed the previous units with more than 80% summative assessment score and with good communication skills. The group discussion centered on the application of core knowledge and skills in pathology. Responses from the tutors for the qualitative data were obtained using in depth one-on-one semi-structured interviews with audio recorded. The verbatim in the form of audio and notes were transcribed, and the qualitative analysis was performed by two independent investigators, generating codes, themes, and subthemes. Results: The results showed the comprehensive understanding of the insights of tutors and the motivational elements for achieving academic goals and improving teamwork and teaching skills. Many factors encouraged their participation as tutors, including the acquisition of knowledge and leadership skills. The students felt that their compassionate attitude encouraged active participation by the fellow students, increasing their confidence and learning. The students perceived that they had attained essential attributes that would benefit them in professional life in the future. Conclusion: The students enjoyed the Peer-assisted learning experience and recognized its importance for their academic and professional development. While learning in a relaxed environment, the students achieved their basic learning goals, developed leadership skills, improved communication skills, and gained confidence. Keywords: Peer Group, Integrated curriculum, Near-Peer tutoring.

Characterization of Toxic Metals in Tobacco, Tobacco Smoke, and Cigarette Ash from Selected Imported and Local Brands in Pakistan

In this study, concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Cr were determined in tobacco, tobacco smoke-condensate, and cigarette ash for selected brands used in Pakistan. Smoking apparatus was designed for metal extraction from cigarette smoke. Samples were digested through microwave digester and then analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). Higher concentration of Ni was detected in imported brands than the counterparts in the local brands. Pb levels were however higher in local brands while significant concentration of Cd was observed in both brands. For Cr, the level in tobacco of local brands was higher than their emitted smoke, whereas imported brands showed higher level in smoke than in tobacco. The cigarette ash retained 65 to 75% of the metal and about 25 to 30% went into the body. While this study revealed the serious requirement to standardize the manufacturing of tobacco products, more importantly is the urgent need for stronger enforcements to put in place to alert the general population about the hazardous effects of cigarettes and the health risks associated with these toxic metals

FAST DISPERSION TECHNIQUES: APPROACHES AND RATIONALE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FAST DISSOLVING TABLETS

Pharmaceutical companies have introduced several drug delivery systems in the field of Pharmaceutical sciences that provide better and faster therapeutic response in patients to modulate pain and inflammation. In the present article a detail on fast dissolving technique and suitability of dexibuprofen as model drug for such rapidly disintegrating formulations has been addressed. This review articles focuses on all aspects taken into consideration regarding formulation development parameters, technologies used, role of superdisintegrants incorporated and the latest advancement in the improvement of aforementioned drug delivery system to increase the patient compliance

Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19: The PAN-COVID study

Objective To assess perinatal outcomes for pregnancies affected by suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods Prospective, web-based registry. Pregnant women were invited to participate if they had suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1st January 2020 and 31st March 2021 to assess the impact of infection on maternal and perinatal outcomes including miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal growth restriction, pre-term birth and transmission to the infant. Results Between April 2020 and March 2021, the study recruited 8239 participants who had suspected or confirmed SARs-CoV-2 infection episodes in pregnancy between January 2020 and March 2021. Maternal death affected 14/8197 (0.2%) participants, 176/8187 (2.2%) of participants required ventilatory support. Pre-eclampsia affected 389/8189 (4.8%) participants, eclampsia was reported in 40/ 8024 (0.5%) of all participants. Stillbirth affected 35/8187 (0.4 %) participants. In participants delivering within 2 weeks of delivery 21/2686 (0.8 %) were affected by stillbirth compared with 8/4596 (0.2 %) delivering ≥ 2 weeks after infection (95 % CI 0.3–1.0). SGA affected 744/7696 (9.3 %) of livebirths, FGR affected 360/8175 (4.4 %) of all pregnancies. Pre-term birth occurred in 922/8066 (11.5%), the majority of these were indicated pre-term births, 220/7987 (2.8%) participants experienced spontaneous pre-term births. Early neonatal deaths affected 11/8050 livebirths. Of all neonates, 80/7993 (1.0%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions Infection was associated with indicated pre-term birth, most commonly for fetal compromise. The overall proportions of women affected by SGA and FGR were not higher than expected, however there was the proportion affected by stillbirth in participants delivering within 2 weeks of infection was significantly higher than those delivering ≥ 2 weeks after infection. We suggest that clinicians’ threshold for delivery should be low if there are concerns with fetal movements or fetal heart rate monitoring in the time around infection

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Gender Differences in Imaginary Audience And Depressive Symptomatology Among College Students

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to investigate gender differences on Imaginary Audience (IA) and depression among college students. METHODOLOGY: Six hundred college students, both boys (n=299) and girls (n=274) completed cross sectional survey. Data was collected from different colleges of Peshawar (KPK) from September- December 2016 using purposive sampling technique. The age range of the sample was 17-22 (M=19, SD=1.47) years. Two scales, New Imaginary Audience Scale (NIAS) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to them. &nbsp; RESULTS: Analysis of the findings was made using stepwise deletion technique for sample distribution and t-test. Statistically significant gender differences were found on New Imaginary Audience Scale (t=-2.48, p= .001) and Beck Depression Inventory (t=3.07, p= .02). Mean score was on NIAS were among girls, while on depression boys mean scores were prominent. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study concluded gender differences on both variables i-e NIAS and Depression. The findings further suggest that girls have prominent features of new imaginary audience in their student’s life whereas, boys pertain depressive symptoms during this period

Accidental poisoning in young children: An emergency medicine perspective for Pakistan and other low-and middle-income countries and a call for action

Accidental pediatric poisoning (APP) is an important public health issue in both the developed and developing parts of the world. It continues to affect a number of children, but in Pakistan and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), few measures have been taken to counter it. As many of these children present to the Emergency Department (ED), the aim of our review was to analyze the biomedical literature regarding childhood-related accidental poisoning in general and in Pakistan and similar countries, in particular, with an emphasis on their emergency departments. We focused on children aged 0–5 years. This attempt was intended to be a first step toward gaining a better grasp of the epidemiology, following which we wish to suggest a simple management strategy. Additionally, we aim to identify the most common accidentally ingested agents in young children in Pakistan and assess the risk factors for poisoning and the efficacy of possible interventions. Given that accidental ingestions are entirely avoidable, we have focused on preventative steps and treatment. We thus present suggestions in this perspective piece for tackling the problem in resource-limited countries in general, where there is an urgent need for it

Accidental Poisoning in Young Children: an Emergency Medicine Perspective for Pakistan and Other Low-and Middle-Income Countries and a Call for Action

Accidental pediatric poisoning (APP) is an important public health issue in both the developed and developing parts of the world. It continues to affect a number of children, but in Pakistan and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), few measures have been taken to counter it. As many of these children present to the Emergency Department (ED), the aim of our review was to analyze the biomedical literature regarding childhood-related accidental poisoning in general and in Pakistan and similar countries, in particular, with an emphasis on their emergency departments. We focused on children aged 0–5 years. This attempt was intended to be a first step toward gaining a better grasp of the epidemiology, following which we wish to suggest a simple management strategy. Additionally, we aim to identify the most common accidentally ingested agents in young children in Pakistan and assess the risk factors for poisoning and the efficacy of possible interventions. Given that accidental ingestions are entirely avoidable, we have focused on preventative steps and treatment. We thus present suggestions in this perspective piece for tackling the problem in resource-limited countries in general, where there is an urgent need for it