A Comparative Analysis of Vocabulary Development Strategies: A Dual Coding View of Pakistani ESL Learners

This study aims to identify the most effective strategy for learning second language (L2) vocabulary, comparing traditional and audiovisual approaches. Additionally, the study examines quick and easy methods for learning L2 vocabulary, as well as Pakistani teachers\u27 attitudes toward the use of audiovisual aids in English as a second language (ESL) classroom. To accomplish these goals, a quantitative research design was utilized. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in three government schools in the Sargodha district, involving 160 10th-grade students. Pre, post, and delayed post-tests were administered to measure the effectiveness and consistency of audiovisual aids. Additionally, data were collected from 50 high school English teachers through questionnaires, which were analyzed using SPSS-26 software, to explore their opinions and attitudes towards different L2 vocabulary development strategies. The study underscores the importance of dual coding, as outlined in Paivio\u27s (1990) theory, for the recognition and retention of L2 vocabulary items in learners\u27 long-term memory. The study also highlights the importance of incorporating technology-based learning into teaching practices. Ultimately, the study concludes that audiovisual aid strategies are more effective than traditional grammar-translation method (GTM) strategies for developing L2 vocabulary. &nbsp

A Parent-Teacher View of Teens Behaviors in Nuclear and Joint Family Systems in Pakistan

This research work tries to unveil the changing teen’s behaviors in nuclear and joint family systems in Pakistan. Pakistan enjoys the social values of joint families; and, where grandparents are very important constituent of the family, the family structure is an important component in shaping the teens behaviors. Therefore, this paper focuses the sample of parents and teachers of the teens in the postmodern urban society and tried to better point out the eminent changes in the attitudes and behaviors of teens. This study follows a qualitative approach of research that pursues a phenomenological inquiry describing lived experience of the respondents regarding teen’s behavior in Pakistan

EFFICACY OF ORAL ZINC SULPHATE VERSUS TOPICAL APPLICATION OF SALICYLIC ACID (16.7%) & LACTIC ACID (16.7%) COMBINATION IN THE TREATMENT OF PLANTAR WARTS

Background; Warts are common epidermal growths caused by human papillomavirus that often cause significant discomfort and embarrassment. Current treatment options include topical therapies, cryotherapy, laser vaporization, and surgical excision. Objective: To compare the efficacy of oral zinc sulphate versus topical application of  salicylic acid (16.7%) & lactic acid (16.7%) combination in the treatment of plantar warts. Material and Methods; One hundred and fifty six patients with warts fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria coming in Medicine outpatient department were included in the study. Group A, having 78 patients, was given oral zinc sulphate (10 mg/kg/day) in two or three divided doses. In group B, 78 patients were advised to apply a combination of salicylic (16.7%) & lactic acid (16.7%) once at night daily. Results; Of these 156 study cases, 94 (60.3 %) were male patients while 62 (39.7 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 34.42 ± 9.87 years. Monthly family income up to Rs. 30000 was noted in 68 (43.6%) while 88 (56.4%) had monthly family income more than Rs. 30000. Mean weight of our study cases was 61.96 ± 10.29 kilograms. Mean height of our study cases 161.24 ± 12.23 centimeters. Mean BMI of our study cases was 26.52± 1.87 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 31 (19.9%) of our study cases. Mean no. of lesions was noted to be 5.30 ± 2.45 lesions (with minimum no. of lesions was 4 and maximum no. of lesions was 10) and 131 (84%) had up to 5 lesions. Mean duration of disease was 4.69 ± 1.61 months and 112 (71.8 %) had disease duration up to 6 months. Efficacy was noted in 110 (70.5 %). Efficacy in group A was noted to be 83.3 % and in group B was 57.7 % (p= 0.001). Conclusion; Our study results support the use of oral Zinc Sulphate in the treatment of plantar warts as compared to the salicylic acid (16.7%) and lactic acid (16.7%) combination. Efficacy of Zinc Sulphate was significantly higher when compared with combination therapy and it was found to be safe and reliable mode of treatment having no side effects were observed in our study. Use of Zinc Sulphate can help to reduce chance of recurrence and disease morbidity. Being cost effective, it provides cheaper mode of treatment as compared with cryotherapy which is quite expensive which will provide economic relief to our large poor population. Early treatment can help patients to maintain routine daily lives and physical activities such as sports without any pain and side effects. Keywords; Plantar warts, Zinc Sulphate, Salicylic acid, lactic acid. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/52-0

Socio-Economic Factors in Child Labor: Moderating Role of Education

The notion of child labor has disquieted the researcher. This paper highlights the impact of poverty, unemployment and social progress on child labor based on data from 30 countries to ascertain that incidence of child labor may be high with high level of poverty and unemployment along with low level of social progress and educational attainment. The results reveal that poverty has a positive while social progress and unemployment has negative relation with child labor. Moreover, education moderates the causal effects of social progress on child labor, while social progress also mediates the relationship between poverty and child labor

IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA BY SERUM FERRITIN LEVELS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy is a common nutritional disorder with adverse effects for the baby, such as premature birth and low birth weight, and the mother, such as cardiovascular symptoms and reduced physical and mental strength. Objective; To determine the frequency of iron deficiency anemia by serum ferritin levels at a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods; All the patients who meet inclusion criteria of this study were registered from Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Nishtar Hospital Multan. Proper permission was taken from Institutional Ethical Committee to conduct this study. Examination was done including general physical examination. Venous blood sample (3 ml) was taken and sent to the Pathology Laboratory of the Hospital for serum ferritin levels estimation to diagnose iron deficiency anemia. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results; Our study comprised of a total of 382 patients meeting inclusion criteria of our study. Mean gestational age of our study cases was 29.21 ± 7.16 weeks and 198 (51.8 %) had gestational age up to 30 weeks. Mean age of our study cases was 26.77 ± 4.29 years (with minimum age of our study cases was 20 years while maximum age was 36 years). Our study results have indicated that majority of our study cases i.e. 298 (78.0 %) were aged up to 30 years. Of these 382 study cases, 156 (40.8 %) belonged to rural areas and 226 (59.2 %) belonged to urban areas. Monthly family income up to Rs. 25000 was noted in 213 (55.8%) while more than Rs. 25000 was noted in 169 (44.2%). Of these 382 study cases, 241 (63.1%) were illiterate and 141 (36.9%) were literate. Mean duration of marriage was 5.17 ± 2.41 years and 199 (52.1%) had duration of marriage more than 5 years. Mean body mass index of our study cases was 25.82 ± 2.44 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 56 (14.7 %) of our study cases. Mean serum Ferritin level was 11.43 ± 3.98 mg/dl and iron deficiency anemia was noted in 213 (55.8%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Very high frequency of iron deficiency anemia was noted in our study among pregnant women. Iron Deficiency anemia was significantly associated with gestational age, age, residential status, low family income and duration of marriage. All the clinicians should screen these pregnant ladies for serum ferritin levels at the start of pregnancy and should counsel them for better awareness which will lead to proper management of iron deficiency anemia. Keywords; Iron Deficiency anemia, Pregnancy, Ferritin level. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/52-1

HYPERTENSION AS A PREDICTOR OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background; In the year 2000, there were around 171 million people with diabetes globally, and by 2030, it is estimated that this number would increase to 366 million. These microvascular complications are linked to the duration of diabetes mellitus, poor glycemic control and systolic hypertension. Objective: To determine the frequency diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetic patients with hypertension. Subjects and Methods; A total of 365 diabetic patients having hypertension were included in our study using non – probability consecutive sampling technique. These patients were screened for diabetic retinopathy. All the information was recorded in the proforma and data was analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Results; Of these 365 study cases, 226 (61.9 %) were male patients while 139 (38.1 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 50.92 ± 5.77 years (with minimum age of our study cases was 40 years while maximum age was 60 years). Of these 365 study cases, 127 (34.8 %) belonged to rural areas and 238 (65.2 %) belonged to urban areas. Monthly family income up to Rs. 25000 was noted in 188 (51.5%) and 177 (48.5%) had monthly family income rupees more than 25000. History of smoking was present in 89 (24.4%) of our study cases. Mean body mass index was 26.32 ± 2.45 kg/m2 and obesity was present in 112 (30.7 %) of our study cases. Mean disease duration was 12.35 ± 7.52 years and 239 (65.5%) had duration of illness more than 5 years. Of these 365 study cases, 238 (65.2 %) were illiterate and 127 (34.8 %) were literate. Controlled diabetes was noted in 75 (20.5%) and 75 (20.5%) were taking proper treatment. Diabetic retinopathy was 151 (41.4%) of our study cases. Conclusion; Very high frequency of diabetic retinopathy was noted in patients with diabetes and hypertension in our study. Diabetic retinopathy was significantly associated with residential status, increasing age, monthly family income, smoking, treatment status, disease duration and obesity. Diabetic retinopathy was not associated with control of diabetes and hypertension. All clinicians treating such patients must educate their patients regarding regular eye check up to decrease disease morbidity.  Keywords; Diabetic retinopathy, hypertension, frequency

ASSOCIATION OF MEAN PLATELET VOLUME WITH DISEASE SEVERITY OF PSORIASIS VULGARIS

Background; Psoriasis is a common chronic recurrent inflammatory skin disease and platelet activation has been reported to be associated with its pathogenesis. This study was done to document mean MPV levels in patients with psoriasis vulgaris in our population as local data is scarce on this topic. Objectives; To determine MPV in patients with psoriasis vulgaris and to compare MPV in psoriasis with PASI > 10 and PASI < 10. Material and Methods; Patients fulfilling the stated criteria were recruited through Dermatology OPD of Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan. Purpose of the study was explained to them and informed consent was signed before their enrolment into the study. Relevant history, physical examination, PASI, and BMI was carried out. Laboratory parameters included CBC (hemoglobin, White blood cell, platelet count, MPV, PDW) and was measured using an auto-analyzer (Sysmex XE 2000 Germany). Alanine aminotransferase(ALT), Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), Creatinine, plasma sugar levels, Uric acid, Serum cholesterol, ESR, Hepatitis B and C screening and a baseline ECG was performed. Data was entered and analyzed by software SPSS version 15. Results; Our study comprised of a total of 100 patients meeting inclusion criteria of our study. Of these 100 study cases, 66 (66%) were male patients while 34 (34 %) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 39.98 ± 9.66 years (with minimum age of our study cases was 26 years while maximum age was 60 years). Of these 100 study cases, 41 (41 %) belonged to rural areas and 59 (59 %) belonged to urban areas. Monthly family income up to Rs. 50000 was noted in 48 (48%) while more than 50000 rupees was noted in 52 (52 %) of our study cases. Mean body mass index of our study cases was 23.62 ± 2.18 kg/m2 and BMI more than 25 kg/m2 was noted in 18 (18 %) of our study cases. Of these 100 study cases, 78 (78%) had PASI less than 10 while 22 (22%) had PASI equal /more than 10. Mean MPV was 8.63 ±  0.67 fL (with minimum MPV was 7.8 fL while maximum was 9.9 fL). Conclusion; Mean platelet volume (MPV) was elevated among patients having psoriasis vulgaris and was significantly increased in patients with PASI ≥ 10 or disease severity. MPV is a good marker for disease severity of psoriasis vulgaris. MPV was significantly associated with gender, age, socioeconomic status, BMI and disease severity. All the clinicians treating such patients should regularly monitor MPV levels for early diagnosis of severity of the disease for better clinical outcomes. Keywords; Psoriasis, mean platelet volume, disease severity

Autosomal recessive chondrodysplasia with severe short stature caused by a biallelic COL10A1 variant

Background Heterozygous mutations in COL10A1 underlie metaphyseal chondrodysplasia, Schmid type (MCDS), an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia. Objective To identify the causative variant in a large consanguineous Pakistani family with severe skeletal dysplasia and marked lower limb deformity. Methods Whole exome sequencing was completed followed by Sanger sequencing to verify segregation of the identified variants. In silico variant pathogenicity predictions and amino acid conservation analyses were performed. Results A homozygous c. 133 C>T (p.Pro45Ser) variant was identified in COL10A1 in all six severely affected individuals (adult heights 119-130 cm, mean similar to -6.33 SD). The individuals heterozygous for the variant had mild phenotype of short stature (adult heights 140-162 cm, mean similar to -2.15 SD) but no apparent skeletal deformities. The variant was predicted to be pathogenic by in silico prediction tools and was absent from public databases and hundred control chromosomes. Pro45 is conserved in orthologues and is located in the non-collagenous 2 domain of COL10A1, variants of which have never been associated with skeletal dysplasia. Conclusions This first report of individuals with a homozygous variant in COL10A1 defines a new type of autosomal recessive skeletal dysplasia. The observations in COL10A1 variant carriers suggest a phenotypic overlap between the mildest forms of MCDS and idiopathic short stature.Peer reviewe