SELF-REGULATION AS MEDIATOR IN PEER RELATIONSHIP, REJECTION SENSITIVITY WITH POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT AMONG ADOLESCENTS

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mediating role of self-regulation in peer relationship, rejection sensitivity and positive development among adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional research was conducted at Department of Psychology from October, 2018 to September, 2019, comprised of two phases. In first phase, Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ), Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument (APRI), Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire (RSQ), and Positive Youth Development Inventory (PYDI), were translated into Urdu by forward-backward translation method. For pilot-testing, these scales were administered on 130 students and scales were found to be reliable. In second phase, Urdu versions of four instruments were administered to a sample of 608 (males=330, females=278) college students of 1st and 2nd years studying in various colleges of Sara-i-Alamgir by stratified proportionate random sampling technique. RESULTS: Cronbach alpha reliability of SRQ, APRI, RSQ, and PYDI was found to be 0.710, 0.838, 0.704, and 0.851 respectively in first phase. Mean age of students was 17.6±0.83 years. The hierarchical regression analysis found the mediating role of self-regulation in positive development of adolescents while partial indirect effects for peer relationships (B=.28, p<.01) and full indirect effects for rejection sensitivity (B=.32, p<.001) were found. CONCLUSION: The positive development in adolescents was enhanced by their self-regulatory strategies as it buffered the impact of negative relationships with the friends such as bullying and victimization. Furthermore, the elements of sensitivity to rejection by peers were softened by their self-regulation and did not hampered their positive development. Implications in the light of the present findings are discussed

Erratum: "Cloaking using anisotropic multilayer circular cylinder" [AIP Adv. 10, 095312 (2020)]

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Breaking bad news: exploring patient\u27s perspective and expectations

OBJECTIVE: To explore patient\u27s perspectives and expectations from physicians with respect to breaking of bad news. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Community Health Centre of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Pakistan. All consenting individuals from 18 to 60 years of age were interviewed on the basis of a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 91.3%. A total of 400 respondents completed the full interview. About 60% patients had a fairly accurate idea about the implications of the phrase bad news . A big proportion (44.1%) of people reported that bad news had been broken to them previously with incomplete details. From their personal experience, most respondents quoted disease diagnosis and chances of survival as most commonly encountered bad news. Diagnosis of cancer or its recurrence was stated as the most likely example of bad news (35.5%). A significant majority of respondents (40.5%) stated that it\u27s the patient\u27s absolute right to know bad news. A significant association for the relationship between both age as well as the gender of the respondents and type of emotional response expressed on hearing bad news (p = 0.000) was observed. CONCLUSION: This study documents the perceptions and expectations of patients from their physicians with regards to breaking of bad news. Most of the respondents wanted their doctors to be honest and upfront during the process

Frequency Of Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals In A Tertiary Care Hospital, After The COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: In this study, we plan to estimate the frequency of burnout among healthcare providers in a specialized teaching Hospital. Methods: A questionnaire based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) including personal, work and client subscale was administered to various healthcare workers including staff nurses, residents and consultants. Results: When the demographic data of 100 participants was analyzed it showed that there were 39 (39 %) males and 61(61 %) females. The mean age of participants was 32.2 years. Professional categories enrolled were 40 nurses, 32 consultants and 28 postgraduate trainees. The mean level of personal burnout was 47.15±15.73, 38.53 ± 17.64 and 41.06 ± 15.78 among nurses, postgraduate trainees and consultants respectively. The level of work-related burnout was 45.95 ± 19.01, 36.60 ± 14.93 and 36.75 ± 14.99 among nurses, postgraduate trainees and consultants respectively. Whereas client-related burnout was found to be 42.62 ± 16.63, 27.67 ± 12.22 and 30.71 ± 18.04 among nurses, postgraduate trainees and consultants respectively. Burnout severity was higher among nurses, and also more commonly seen among females as compared to males. Lastly, younger respondents were more burned out compared to older respondents. Conclusion: In conclusion, addressing burnout among healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, is crucial for the well-being of the healthcare force and the safety and quality of patient care. The study’s recommendation for personal and institutional interventions is an essential step in mitigating this issue and ensuring a healthier, more effective healthcare system.

Early Versus Interval Cholecystectomy in Mild Acute Biliary Pancreatitis. A Retrospective Study in Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: The objective is to determine the adequacy of early cholecystectomy (EC) versus interval cholecystectomy (IC) in terms of recurrence, duration of hospital admission, and perioperative complications after mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP). Methodology: After endorsement from the ethical committee, clinical data and files of all the admitted patients having MABP in the general surgery department of Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, was collected retrospectively from August 2017 to July 2020. The patients’ demographic profile, clinical findings, diagnostic investigations, timing of cholecystectomy, operating surgeons, operative time, biliary complications, intraoperative bleeding, conversion rate, duration of admission, and recurrence were reviewed. Patients presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, or fever. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of a CT scan of the abdomen showing an inflamed pancreas and stones in the gallbladder. Outcomes were compared and reviewed between the two groups. Results: In this research proposal, 263 patients admitted were analyzed. EC was performed were discharged after conservative management and followed up after 12 weeks for interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (IC). It was observed in patients of IC (EC 2 [1.2%] vs IC 7[7%]; p value &lt;0.01) while duration of hospitalization was prolonged as compared to patients of EC (EC 5.53+0.58days vs IC 5.82+0.78days; p value &lt;0.001). lar in both EC and IC. Conclusion: EC performed after MABP is associated with shorter duration of hospitalization and reduced recurrence with similar rate of perioperative complications

Clinical effectiveness of Carbimazole and Propylthiouracil for Hyperthyroidism in Patients of Punjab, Pakistan

Background: The primary objective of any drug for hyperthyroidism is to control clinical manifestations and maintenance of normal levels of hormonal concentrations. It also targets to prevent the recurrence of disease along with minimizing associated risk factors. In this study, effectiveness of oral anti thyroid agents was checked to normalize altered levels of thyroid hormones due to hyperthyroidism.Methods: The study was comprised of 40 subjects of whom 30 were experiencing hyperthyroidism and were administered anti-hyperthyroid drugs. 10 patients of hyperthyroidism were not taking any medication. Standard dose regimens of carbimazole and propylthiouracil were employed for all 30 hyperthyroid patients under closed monitoring. Physical as well as biochemical analyses of all subjects were done and thyroid profiling was performed for measuring levels of free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg).Results: Thyroid profiles of medicated hyperthyroid patients were compared with the profiles of non-medicated group. Statistical analysis appeared with non-significant values for all four parameters.Conclusion: No significant difference was found between medicated and non-medicated groups. We recommend that combinatorial drugs and new derivatives with better efficacy and fewer side effects should be employed to treat hyperthyroidism

Caffeine – An Invisible Addiction

Caffeine, an alkaloid, is a stimulant of the central nervous system and is the most popularly consumed psychoactive drug worldwide. This stimulant can have both positive and negative effects on health. The objective of this study was hence to determine the common side effects associated with consumption of caffeinated drinks along with any symptoms stated by the participants that indicate withdrawal. A questionnaire-based descriptive epidemiological study was conducted at three major universities of Lahore, Pakistan. Among the target population that fell in the age ranging from 18-28 years, 35% started consuming caffeinated drinks between the ages 10-15, while tea was consumed by 60% of the sample population. 50% consume caffeinated drinks once or twice a day whereas 60% could refrain from consuming a single drink per day. 38.5% stated to suffer from increased urination while 22% suffered from increased blood pressure upon consumption. Caffeine addiction is one of the most prevalent and ever-expanding addictions in the world which must be either eliminated from diet or replaced by a healthier alternative

In silico analysis of binding interaction of conantokins with NMDA receptors for potential therapeutic use in Alzheimer's disease

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are glutamate receptors that play vital roles in central nervous system development and are involved in synaptic plasticity, which is an essential process for learning and memory. The subunit N-methyl D-aspartate receptor subtype 2B (NR2B) is the chief excitatory neurotransmitter receptor in the mammalian brain. Disturbances in the neurotransmission mediated by the NMDA receptor are caused by its overexposure to glutamate neurotransmitter and can be treated by its binding to an antagonist. Among several antagonists, conantokins from cone snails are reported to bind to NMDA receptors.This study was designed to analyze the binding mode of conantokins with NMDA receptors in both humans and rats. To study interactions, dockings were performed using AutoDock 4.2 and their results were further analyzed using various computational tools.Detailed analyses revealed that these ligands can bind to active site residues of both receptors as reported in previous studies.In light of the present results, we suggest that these conantokins can act as antagonists of those receptors and play an important role in understanding the importance of inhibition of NMDA receptors for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

In silico analysis of binding interaction of mamba toxins with M4 and M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors for therapeutic use in alzheimer's disease

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are stimulated by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and are involved in various functions across the human body. These receptors have surfaced for their potential use as targets in treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Muscarinic receptors have been reported to show binding interaction with various mamba toxins, such as dendrotoxins and muscarinic toxins that act as antagonists of these receptors. Therefore, in our study we have focused on the binding analysis of these mamba toxins with the M4 and M2 muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors for their potential use as targets in treating cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease. A ligand dataset was developed that consisted of dendrotoxins and muscarinic toxins originating from various mamba species. Receptor dataset consisted of M4 and M2 muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors. Docking studies were performed using AutoDock 4.2 between these ligands with each receptor and further analysis was done using various computational tools. Docking experiments were performed and analyzed to check the binding compatibilities between mamba toxins and muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors. Detail analysis revealed that these ligands bind to active site residues of both receptors. Therefore by these in silico results, we suggest that the mamba toxins can be potential antagonists of the M4 and M2 muscarinic acetylcholine autoreceptors