Abstracts from the 7th annual neurology research day, shifa international hospital, islamabad

:It\u27s a cross sectional study conducted at CP clinic of Armed Forces institute of Rehabilitation medicine Rawalpindi from Jan 2012 to Jan 2013. All cerebral palsy children above 2 years of age and both genders were included in study. SPSS version 17 was used for data analysis

Game-Based Learning Teacher's Attitude and Intention to Use Quizizz in the Learning Process

The use of technology in educational settings has many influences, such as ease of information access, teachers work efficiency and increasing student motivation. Quizizz is one of the game-based learning assessment tools that have many benefits, not only make it easy to monitor students’ understanding, but also enhance student engagement. Teachers, as the main element in the learning process, are required to increase their capacity to keep up with technological developments. The purpose of this study is to investigate the teachers’ attitude and intention to use Quizizz as an online game-based learning platform in the learning process. This study used an action research method. Thirty-two high school teachers in Malang were selected as target groups for this study. The teachers were given training related to the use of Quizizz in the learning process. At the end of the project, they were asked to make their own test using Quizizz. The data were collected using close-ended questionnaires to determine the teachers’ attitudes and intentions to use Quizizz. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Most teachers answered that the training provided was beneficial. Findings of the study also show that teachers’ attitude towards Quizizz was positive, and they intended to use Quizizz in the learning process in the future. Intention to use Quizizz is also related to the age of the teacher. The older the teacher, the lower the intention to use Quizizz

Semiconductor quantum dots as fluorescent probes for in vitro and in vivo bio-molecular and cellular imaging

Over the years, biological imaging has seen many advances, allowing scientists to unfold many of the mysteries surrounding biological processes. The ideal imaging resolution would be in nanometres, as most biological processes occur at this scale. Nanotechnology has made this possible with functionalised nanoparticles that can bind to specific targets and trace processes at the cellular and molecular level. Quantum dots (QDs) or semiconductor nanocrystals are luminescent particles that have the potential to be the next generation fluorophores. This paper is an overview of the basics of QDs and their role as fluorescent probes for various biological imaging applications. Their potential clinical applications and the limitations that need to be overcome have also been discussed

Resilience and its associated factors in head and neck cancer patients in Pakistan: An analytical cross-sectional study

Introduction: The study aimed to assess resilience and its associated factors in head and neck cancer patients, post-treatment in a low middle income country (LMIC) such as Pakistan.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 to May 2020 among head and neck cancer patients aged at least 18 years at the largest private tertiary care hospital, in Karachi, Pakistan. Information regarding their resilience scores was collected through Wagnild and Young\u27s Resilience scale that comprises of 14 items (RS-14). Moreover, depression and anxiety were also assessed via Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and social support was assessed by Enriched Social Support Instrument (ESSI).Results: The data was analyzed by linear regression modeling. Unadjusted and adjusted beta coefficients with 95% CI were reported. A total of 250 head and neck cancer patients were recruited, 79% of them were males. Mean age of the patients was 51.59 years with 93% having high social support and only 8% having severe depression and 3% having severe anxiety. After adjusting for the covariates in multivariable analysis resilience was associated with severe depression (- 17[- 20.98,-12.93]) or borderline depression (- 4[- 8.41,-0.39]), severe anxiety (- 11 [- 17.88,-4.18]), low social support (- 6[- 9.62,-1.71]), having family members of \u3e 6 in the household (- 2[- 4.31,-0.29), smokeless tobacco users post- treatment (10[5.79, 14.45]), and those who underwent tracheotomy (- 4[- 7.67,-0.21]). There was a significant interaction between education and role in the family (decision maker).Conclusion: In Pakistan, a South Asian LMIC, collectivist culture prevails, family ties are greatly promoted thus resilience and social support is highly prevalent in head and neck cancer patients resulting in lower prevalence of depression and anxiety. Our study highlights that higher resilience is prevalent among small families less than six members, as the welfare of the individual is prioritized over multiple needs of the family. Formal Education and role in household/decision making power are effect modifiers in our study, demonstrating its protective effect on the mental health of head and neck cancer patients. High resilience scores were reported among current smokeless tobacco users as compared to quitters post treatment. Resilience-building interventions should be formulated to aid head and neck cancer patients to cope with the disease and its sequel

Knowledge and Awareness about Cervical Cancer and Its Prevention amongst Interns and Nursing Staff in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the gynecological cancers worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is imperative for at least health professionals in developing countries like Pakistan to have a sound knowledge about the disease. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and its prevention amongst health professionals in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.A cross-sectional, interview based survey was conducted in June, 2009. Sample of 400 was divided between the three tertiary care centers. Convenience sampling was applied as no definitive data was available regarding the number of registered interns and nurses at each center.Of all the interviews conducted, 1.8% did not know cervical cancer as a disease. Only 23.3% of the respondents were aware that cervical cancer is the most common cause of gynecological cancers and 26% knew it is second in rank in mortality. Seventy-eight percent were aware that infection is the most common cause of cervical cancer, of these 62% said that virus is the cause and 61% of the respondents knew that the virus is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Majority recognized that it is sexually transmitted but only a minority (41%) knew that it can be detected by PCR. Only 26% of the study population was aware of one or more risk factors. Thirty seven percent recognized Pap smear as a screening test. In total only 37 out of 400 respondents were aware of the HPV vaccine.This study serves to highlight that the majority of working health professionals are not adequately equipped with knowledge concerning cervical cancer. Continuing Medical Education program should be started at the hospital level along with conferences to spread knowledge about this disease

Antifungal potential of tolnaftate against Candida albicans in the treatment of onychomycosis: development of nail lacquer and ex vivo characterization

Onychomycosis constitutes the most common fungal infection of nail affecting finger and toe nails as well. Antifungals found to be effective in the treatment of onychomycosis. However, transport of oral antifungal agents exhibits more toxicity and requires longer treatment period. Medicated nail lacquers proved to cause lesser toxicity and required shorter treatment period. It provides not only finger/toe nail infection therapy and but also act as a protection for nails. Thus, the objective behind the present investigation was to develop nail lacquer for transungual delivery of tolnaftate. Its potency had been assessed by evaluating penetration efficiency across the bovine hoof membrane. Preliminary studies aided the optimization of thioglycolic acid as permeation enhancer (HEFmax 0.60 ± 0.377) and menthol as local anaesthetic. n-butanol:isopropyl alcohol with optimum drying time of 60 sec was selected as optimum solvent system. In total nine formulations were developed based on 32  full factorial design and characterized for drying time, non-volatile content, in vitro adhesion and permeation study. Based on highest desirability, F6 was selected as an optimized formulation and evaluated for viscosity, stability and antifungal activity. Optimized formulation exhibited optimum viscosity and stability for 1 month period. Better antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans in comparison to the control formulation. Thus, it can be concluded from the investigation that nail lacquer could proved to be a better alternative for transungual delivery of tolnaftate

Onychomycosis: Potential of Nail Lacquers in Transungual Delivery of Antifungals

Onychomycosis constitutes the most common fungal infection of the nail (skin beneath the nail bed) that affects the finger as well as toe nails. It is an infection that is initiated by yeasts, dermatophytes, and nondermatophyte molds. Nail lacquers are topical solutions intended only for use on fingernails as well as toenails and have been found to be useful in the treatment of onychomycosis. Thus, in the present review an attempt has been made to focus on the treatment aspects of onychomycosis and the ungual delivery of antifungals via nail lacquer. Several patents issued on nail lacquer till date have also been discussed. Penetration efficiency was assessed by several researchers across the human nail plate to investigate the potentiality of nail lacquer based formulations. Various clinical trials have also been conducted in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nail lacquers in delivering antifungal agents. Thus, it can be concluded that nail lacquer based preparations are efficacious and stable formulations. These possess tremendous potential for clinical topical application to the nail bed in the treatment of onychomycosis