Psychological Evaluation of Sports Persons with Disability

The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensation seeking and anxiety state of sports person with impairment vision problem. The total thirty (15Cricketers and 15 Sprinters) male Open National tournament players were selected for this study. The age of the subjects were ranged between 18 to 25 years. The data on sensation seeking and anxiety state of the subjects were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by Neary and Zuckerman (1976). The t test was used to determine the difference between the mean score of the cricketers and sprinters. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between Cricketers and sprinters in their sensation seeking and anxiety state at 0.05 level of significance with 28 degree of freedom. Study showed that cricketers have higher level of sensation seeking and anxiety state as compared to sprinters. Key Words: Persons with vision impairment, Cricketers, Sprinters, Sensation Seeking and Anxiety State.

Psychological Evaluation of Sports Persons with Disability

The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensation seeking and anxiety state of sports person with impairment vision problem. The total thirty (15Cricketers and 15 Sprinters) male Open National tournament players were selected for this study. The age of the subjects were ranged between 18 to 25 years. The data on sensation seeking and anxiety state of the subjects were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by Neary and Zuckerman (1976). The t test was used to determine the difference between the mean score of the cricketers and sprinters. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between Cricketers and sprinters in their sensation seeking and anxiety state at 0.05 level of significance with 28 degree of freedom. Study showed that cricketers have higher level of sensation seeking and anxiety state as compared to sprinters. Key Words: Persons with vision impairment, Cricketers, Sprinters, Sensation Seeking and Anxiety State

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS, OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG SCHOOL GOING ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WITH LIFESTYLE HABITS

Background: Despite well documented and widely acknowledged health benefits of physical activity (PA), no study has examined the PA levels among the Jammu & Kashmir youth. The decreasing levels of PA and increasing prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among adolescents is a major public health concern. Objectives: The purpose of the study was to assess the activity levels, prevalence rates of overweight and obesity and to investigate the association between leisure-time activities and dietary habits among adolescents.Methods: A school- based cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 adolescents (14-18 years) from 16 randomly selected schools of Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Height, weight, physical activity and other lifestyle habits were determined from self-report. Gender- specific prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were calculated based on Indian Paediatrics Association (IAP) standards. Logistic regression was used to identify association between lifestyle habits and measures of overweight and obesity.Results: Of the total adolescents, 28.1% met the recommended levels of PA of 60 minutes daily, with boys meeting more than girls (41.5% vs 19.5%, p < 0.001). Prevalence rates of overweight and obesity was 11.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Logistic regression unadjusted for gender, age and location of participants shows that the odds of being overweight/obese was more among adolescents who are more involved in sedentary pursuits and consumes higher amounts of junk food and carbonated soft drinks.Conclusion: Low PA levels and substantial prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among the participants were observed. The results also suggest that sedentary behaviours, physical inactivity and erratic food habits are strongly associated with the obesity epidemic.  Article visualizations

DETERMINING GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS FOR A REFERENCED CRICKET BAT HANDLE

This work had been intended to set and determine the geometrical parameters for a referenced cricket bat handle for our purpose, due to geometric variations found in the handles. By reviewing related literature based on past research work carried by many researcher on cricket bat. The criterion used for selecting and determining major parameters of the handle with some new technical parameters with reference to more traditional design based on to other performance-oriented geometrical features widely employed in commercial designs of cricket bat made by the different manufacturers’ of sporting equipment in present. And so far, some new and typical geometrical parameters are considered and established for a referenced Cricket bat handle, which in turn used in a cricket bat with having a detachable handle for further study.  Article visualizations

CONSTRAINING NUMERICAL VALUES FOR A REFERENCED CRICKET BAT HANDLE ON SELECTED GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS

A survey was carried out on Grade ‘A’ cricket bats handles, made up of the finest quality of four pieces Singapore cane with 3 rubber springs. Standard cricket bats handles were chosen from four different cricket manufacturing agencies, due to having different geometrical parameters. All handle were meticulously taken off from the blade and then they were measured and recorded, aiming to constraining a new measurement for a referenced cricket bat handle of short length. The estimation was made on the behalf of the measurement (value) taken from different size of handle ranging from their minimum to maximum, and standard values of handle keeping in view on their distinct parameters separately. So, by this way determination of geometric parameters and new modification were made for constraining measurement for a referenced cricket bat handle (i.e. short in length and round in shape) found for our purpose.  Article visualizations

Economical Evaluation of Sensation Seeking Among Different Levels Weight Lifters

The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensation seeking trait on different levels of weight lifters. The total hundred (50 State level and 50 All- India intervarsity level weight lifters) males were selected for this study. The age of the subjects were ranged between 18 to 25 years. The data on sensation seeking of the subjects were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by Neary and Zuckerman (1976). The t test was used to determine the difference between the mean score of different levels of weight lifters. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between different levels of weight lifters at 0.05 level of significance with 98 degree of freedom. Study showed that All- India intervarsity level weight lifters have higher level of sensation seeking as compared to State level weight lifters. Key words: weight lifters, Sensation seeking, Thrill and Adventure Seeking, Experience Seeking, Disinhibition, Boredom Susceptibility

Psychological Evaluation of Sensation Seeking and Anxiety State among Body Builders and Weight Lifters

The purpose of the present study was to compare the sensation seeking on Body Builders and Weight Lifters. The total hundred (5o body builders and 50 weight lifters) male All-India intervarsity players were selected for this study. The age of the subjects were ranged between 18 to 25 years. The data on sensation seeking and anxiety state of the subjects were obtained by using a questionnaire developed by Neary and Zuckerman (1976). The t test was used to determine the difference between the mean score of the body builders and weight lifters. Results revealed that there was a significant difference between body builders and weight lifters at 0.05 level of significance with 98 degree of freedom. Study showed that body builders have higher level of sensation seeking and anxiety state as compared to weight lifters

Infective endocarditis in patients with congenitally malformed hearts: characterization of the syndrome in a developing country

Cardiac surgery for correction or palliation of congenital cardiac disease in infancy and childhood remains a privilege that is rarely accessible to two-thirds of the world’s population. This imbalance has created a unique spectrum of illness in patients with underlying congenital cardiac disease and complicating infective endocarditis in developing countries, including Pakistan. In this study, we characterize endocarditis as seen in such patients presenting in Karachi. We reviewed retrospectively patients admitted to Aga Khan University with underlying congenitally malformed hearts and endocarditis between 1991 and 2004. We identified 48 patients with endocarditis according to the modified Duke Criterions, with just over half the cases (54%) classified as definite endocarditis. Of the patients, 23 (49%) patients were more than 16 years old. Uncorrected left-to-right-shunts, tetralogy of Fallot, and congenital mitral valvar disease were the most common underlying defects. Patients with cyanotic defects, particularly of the complex type, were underrepresented (4%). Only 11 (22.9%) of the patients had a previous palliative or corrective surgery. In one-third of the patients (16), streptococcal species were identified as the microbiologic cause of endocarditis, and 22 (45.8%) had culture-negative endocarditis. In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci caused endocarditis in only one patient each. There were no differences in mortality or complications between cyanotic and acyanotic congenital defects. Surgery was performed in nine (18.7%) patients with endocarditis, and of these, 13 (27.1%) died. In contrast to the developed world, endocarditis in the developing countries, such as Pakistan, complicates uncorrected left-to-right shunts and tetralogy of Fallot, probably because patients with complex cyanotic defects fail to survive long after birth due to the lack of available surgery. Almost half of patients had culture-negative endocarditis, likely related to several factors

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

A quadruple blind, randomised controlled trial of gargling agents in reducing intraoral viral load among hospitalised COVID-19 patients: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Objectives: 1- To compare the effectiveness of 1% Hydrogen peroxide, 0.2% Povidone-Iodine, 2% hypertonic saline and a novel solution Neem extract (Azardirachta indica) in reducing intra-oral viral load in COVID-19 positive patients. 2- To determine the salivary cytokine profiles of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL- 17 among COVID-19 patients subjected to 1% Hydrogen peroxide, 0.2% Povidone-Iodine, 2% hypertonic saline or Neem extract (Azardirachta indica) based gargles.Trial design: This will be a parallel group, quadruple blind-randomised controlled pilot trial with an add on laboratory based study.Participants: A non-probability, purposive sampling technique will be followed to identify participants for this study. The clinical trial will be carried out at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan. The viral PCR tests will be done at main AKUH clinical laboratories whereas the immunological tests (cytokine analysis) will be done at the Juma research laboratory of AKUH. The inclusion criteria are laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive patients, male or female, in the age range of 18-65 years, with mild to moderate disease, already admitted to the AKUH. Subjects with low Glasgow coma score, with a history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy, who are more than 7 days past the onset of COVID- 19 symptoms, or intubated or edentulous patients will be excluded. Patients who are being treated with any form of oral or parenteral antiviral therapy will be excluded, as well as patients with known pre-existing chronic mucosal lesions such as lichen planus.Intervention and comparator: Group A (n=10) patients on 10 ml gargle and nasal lavage using 0.2% Povidone-Iodine (Betadiene® by Aviro Health Inc./ Pyodine® by Brooks Pharma Inc.) for 20-30 seconds, thrice daily for 6 days. Group B (n=10) patients will be subjected to 10 ml gargle and nasal lavage using 1% Hydrogen peroxide (HP® by Karachi Chemicals Products Inc./ ActiveOxy® by Boumatic Inc.) for 20-30 seconds, thrice daily for 6 days. Group C will comprised of (n=10) subjects on 10ml gargle and nasal lavage using Neem extract solution (Azardirachta indica) formulated by Karachi University (chemistry department laboratories) for 20-30 seconds, thrice daily for 6 days. Group D (n=10) patients will use 2% hypertonic saline (Plabottle® by Otsuka Inc.) gargle and nasal lavage for a similar time period. Group E (n=10) will serve as positive controls. These will be given simple distilled water gargles and nasal lavage for 20-30 seconds, thrice daily for six days. For nasal lavage, a special douche syringe will be provided to each participant. Its use will be thoroughly explained by the data collection officer. After each use, the patient is asked not to eat, drink, or rinse their mouth for the next 30 minutes.Main outcomes: The primary outcome is the reduction in the intra-oral viral load confirmed with real time quantitative PCR.Randomisation: The assignment to the study group/ allocation will be done using the sealed envelope method under the supervision of Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) of Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. The patients will be randomised to their respective study group (1:1:1:1:1 allocation ratio) immediately after the eligibility assessment and consent administration is done.Blinding (masking): The study will be quadruple-blinded. Patients, intervention provider, outcome assessor and the data collection officer will be blinded. The groups will be labelled as A, B, C, D or E. The codes of the intervention will be kept in lock & key at the CTU and will only be revealed at the end of study or if the study is terminated prematurely.Numbers to be randomised (sample size): As there is no prior work on this research question, so no assumptions for the sample size calculation could be made. The present study will serve as a pilot trial. We intend to study 50 patients in five study groups with 10 patients in each study group. For details, please refer to Fig. 1 for details.Trial status: Protocol version is 7.0, approved by the department and institutional ethics committees and clinical trial unit of the university hospital. Recruitment is planned to start as soon as the funding is sanctioned. The total duration of the study is expected to be 6 months i.e. August 2020-January 2021.Trial registration: This study protocol was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov on 10 April 2020 NCT04341688 .Full protocol: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this Letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. The study protocol has been reported in accordance with the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Clinical Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) guidelines (Additional file 2). Fig. 1 Flow diagram of study-participants\u27 timeline