Gene Lifestyle Interactions With Relation to Obesity, Cardiometabolic, and Cardiovascular Traits Among South Asians

The rapid rise of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) during the last few decades among South Asians has been largely attributed to a major shift in lifestyles including physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary patterns, and an overall pattern of sedentary lifestyle. Genetic predisposition to these cardiometabolic risk factors may have interacted with these obesogenic environments in determining the higher cardiometabolic disease prevalence. Based on the premise that gene-environment interactions cause obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, we systematically searched the literature and considered the knowledge gaps that future studies might fulfill. We identified only seven published studies that focused specifically on gene-environment interactions for cardiometabolic traits in South Asians, most of which were limited by relatively small sample and lack of replication. Some studies reported that the differences in metabolic response to higher physical activity and low caloric diet might be modified by genetic risk related to these cardiometabolic traits. Although studies on gene lifestyle interactions in cardiometabolic traits report significant interactions, future studies must focus on more precise assessment of lifestyle factors, investigation of a larger set of genetic variants and the application of powerful statistical methods to facilitate translatable approaches. Future studies should also be integrated with findings both using mechanistic studies through laboratory settings and randomized clinical trials for clinical outcomes

PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF ENGAGEMENT IN ACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH PEER TEACHING AND PEER ASSESSMENT

The study intends to investigate the perceptions of higher education students about their engagement in active learning through peer-teaching and peer-assessment. A group of 22 students comprising nine female and thirteen males participated in the study. The researchers taught the course within six weeks, and then divided it amongst students through assignments. The students prepared it, discussed with researchers, shared and taught the assigned part of the course to their peers in the classroom in the presence of one of the researchers. The peers assessed the quality of presentation and mastery of the content and teaching skills of their peers against a given rubric. Three instruments namely: questionnaire, interviews and focussed group discussion were used to investigate students’ perceptions. The analysis of data revealed that students felt actively engaged in their studies through peer teaching and peer-assessment. Moreover correlation between peer assessment and teacher assessment was also calculated. Peer teaching and peer assessment can be confidently used in higher education in Pakistan on condition that teacher as a supervisor is highly vigilant

Linguistic Exegesis from the Books of Mu'ajm, A’arab Al۔Qur’ān, and Al۔wajuh o Al۔Nazair

The Glorious Quran has been revealed by Allah Almighty as a guidebook for the entire humanity of the world. So, its understanding is necessary in the way that is closest to the meaning of Allah Almighty. That is why, the highest level of understanding of Glorious Quran is Tafsir al-Quran with the Holy Quran. Then, the best and standard source of interpretation of the Quran is with the Hadith of our beloved Holy Prophet PBUH. After that the tafsir of Quran is very important in the light of Holy Companion's sayings. Like that a source of Tafsir is literal interpretation. So, in this paper, this specific aspects of tafsir have been discussed that the sources through which the literal interpretation of the Holy Quran can be done, along with it, how a special arrangement has been made about it and how these sources can be utilized? Therefore, in this article, there are discussions about deriving commentary from the books of Mu'ajm, Aaarab Al-Qur'an, and Al-wajuh o Al-Nazair, as well as briefly describing the authors of these books and their compilations and presented many examples as a sample for them

Assessing Generic Competence Development among Higher Education Students

Present study intended to assess the generic competences of higher education students. Self-perceived level of generic competences of the students in the beginning and the end of an academic session was recorded to explore the role of higher education in imparting them the generic competences. All the students entering the University of Sargodha (Pakistan) during 2012, constituted the population of the study. Cluster sampling technique was used to carry out the panel survey. The same cohort of the students was surveyed twice over a period of one academic year. This study adopted a version of the Reflex Project instrument, consisting of 19 competences, to collect data from students of both genders in public-sector universities in Pakistan. Data were collected from 932 students (cluster sampling) studying at 10 (randomly) selected departments. There were 408 male and 525 female students in the study. The students rated themselves on a seven-point scale whose reliability was 0.82. The results indicated that higher education played its role in imparting and promoting the existing set of generic competences from the beginning to the end of the academic session; but the increase in the competence level was noted only to a modest level. Gender differences were found among the students in a few of the generic competences.

Role of N-Acetylcysteine in Clearance of Secretions in Mechanical Ventilated Patients

Objective: to determine the role of nebulized N-acetylcysteine in mechanical ventilation in clearing the airway of these patients. Study Design: A Randomized Control Trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit Quid e Azam Medical College Bahawalpur. From January 2018 to June 2019.Methods: In this project total 50 patients were enrolled by consecutive sampling who remained on mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours and were between age 15 to 80 years old. Written consent of this project was taken from relative of each patient. These patients were divided into two groups by lottery method into case and control. The case group received 2 ml of NAC 20% with 8 ml normal saline 3 times a day for 1 day. The control group only received 10 ml normal saline via their nebulizers 3 times a day at 8 AM, 2 PM, and 9 PM. Data was collected and was analyzed. SPSS 22 was used for this purpose. All numerical variables of this research such as mean FiO2, mean peak and plateau pressure of airway, mean blood pressure, mean age and importantly mean density of secretions were calculated. In these values t test was applied and p value was calculated. If it was less than .005, then it was considered significant. Similarly, qualitative data such as type of disease were calculated in percentage and chi square test was used to check the significance. Results: The mean O2 saturation of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the controls was 93.84±2.28, 94.27±2.33 and 94.08±1.81 respectively. The mean peak airway pressure of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the controls was 23.16±3.49, 25.38±8.86 and 24.01±4.91 respectively. The mean plateau airway pressure of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the controls was 19.04±7.79, 21.37±4.86 and 21.85±8.93 respectively. The mean secretion density of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the controls was 1.04±0.024, 1.05±0.03 and 1.03±0.002 respectively. While, the mean O2 saturation of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the cases was 93.08±2.37, 94.61±2.56 and 94.11±2.34 respectively. The mean peak airway pressure of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the cases was 26.58±5.81, 23.81±8.28 and 24.34±6.15 respectively. The mean plateau airway pressure of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the cases was 21.88±78.01, 24.88±6.67 and 23.51±7.55 respectively. The mean secretion density of baseline, 12 hours and 24 hours of the cases was 1.01±0.021, 1.08±0.022 and 1.008±0.0195 respectively. The differences were statistically insignificant. P-value ≤ 0.05 is considered as significant. Conclusion: It is concluded from our observations that use of N-acetylcysteine in patients on mechanical ventilation is very effective in clearance of secretion and to maintain airway clear. Key words: N-acetylcysteine, mechanical ventilation, airway clearance, normal saline DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/56-02 Publication date:May 31st 201

Caudal bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine with ketamine to compare postoperative analgesia

Objective: to compare the effectiveness of caudal bupivacain alone and bupivacaine with ketamine in terms of duration of analgesia. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Duration and Place: Department of Anaesthesia Quid e Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from May 2018 to May 2019. Methodology: Study was started after approval from local ethical committee a parental consent was obtained after complete information of study. Main outcome variables are duration of analgesia, pain score, Bromage score. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 23.1. P value ≤0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: The mean duration of analgesia and time taken to void urine after surgery of the Group A was 5.80±2.71 hours and 4.45±0.51 hours, respectively. While, the mean duration of analgesia and time taken to void urine after surgery of the Group B was 12.53±2.51 hours and 4.52±0.53 hours, respectively. Statistically significant was observed in duration of analgesia. P value 0.000. Conclusion: Combination of Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg and bupivacain 0.25% in a dose of 1 ml/kg prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia toa significant range in comparison with bupivacaine 25% of 1 ml/kg alone. Keywords: Caudal block, Spinal anesthesia, Bupivacain, Ketamine, analgesia. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/56-01 Publication date:May 31st 201

Self-Assessment of Students’ Anxiety during High Stake Laboratory Work Examinations

The present study intends to explore the level of practical examination anxietyamong secondary and higher secondary school students and its causes andremedies. A self-developed Perceived Science Practical Anxiety Scale (PSPAS)was used to collect quantitative data from 900 science students of two districts of central Punjab: Sargodha and Faisalabad. Moreover, 50 students were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the causes of science practical examination anxiety and the remedies to reduce it. All students had recently taken science practical examination and therefore had first-hand vivid experience of science practical examination anxiety. The analysis of responses in the questionnaire revealed that on an average more than half (61.50 %) of the students experienced anxiety during practical examination. Fourteen sources of anxiety during practical examination were ranked and synthesis of qualitative data from interviews recorded five categories of anxiety causes: shortage and unavailability of the materials, lack of practice, harsh behaviour of laboratory personnel, over loaded syllabus and lack of guidance. The students’ opinion regarding reducing anxiety was synthesized into four themes: relaxation during practical examination, individual level preparation, completion of practical syllabus well before time and training of laboratory personnel. The findings of the study may be beneficial for teachers, school mangers and policy makers and those who are responsible for the preparation and execution of examination policies, to reduce anxiety among students.Keywords: high stake examinations, higher secondary schools, laboratory work examinations, self-assessment, student anxiet

Estimation of Combining Ability for the Development of Hybrid Genotypes in Helianthus annuus L

Plant materials were developed by L×T crossing fashion of nine lines and four testers and their thirty six hybrids were sown in field during 2011 in RCBD design with three replications. Genetic variability, general and specific combining abilities among genotypes was assessed under the research area of department of plant breeding and genetics, university of agriculture, faisalabad, Pakistan. The Line G-93, and G-79 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, head diameter, %age of filled achenes, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents but they showed best general combiner. Among testers A-85 expressed highly significant GCA effects for days to flowering, days to maturity, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents whereas A-5 exibited best general combiner for days to flowering, days to maturity, internodal length, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The cross G-65×A-85 revealed highest SCA effect for days to 50% flowering and days to maturity, head diameter, 100 achene weight, achene yield per plant and oil contents. The results of analysis of variance were determine among entries for all the traits at significant level (p ? 0.01-0.05). Key words: GCA, SCA, line × tester, oil contents and yield