ADVANCES IN BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES

The Recent Surge in Medical Research Journalism in Pakistan. A Boon or Bane?

Najma Baseer — 2024-12-28

Medical research journalism in Pakistan has lately seen a significant rise, increasing public engagement with health and science updates across the globe. Numerous causes have contributed to this notable surge, including increasing faculty productivity because of their professional and personal development and the abundance of national and international funding opportunities in medical research. As a result, Pakistani researchers now have an additional platform for publishing and disseminating their work, raising their profile, and fostering more regional and international collaborations. This is further complemented by the fact that, despite stringent indexation criteria drawn at the national level by both the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC), many universities have started their journals in anticipation of enhancing their university rankings. Owing to these academic, technological, and societal causes, Pakistan’s medical journalism industry has grown quickly, presenting opportunities and challenges. Further, a critical analysis of this phenomenon poses the question: is this surge a boon or bane for the country’s medical and scientific fraternity? This editorial will discuss both views shaping the landscape for medical journalism in Pakistan.

Efficacy of Platelets Rich Plasma in the Management of Osteoarthritis Knee Joint Data from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Farmanullah Khan — 2024-12-28

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection of platelet-rich plasma in the management of grade 1 & 2 osteoarthritis of knee joints

Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan, using clinical records of patients aged 40 to 70 years diagnosed with grade 1 and 2 knee osteoarthritis. These patients were treated with autologous intra-articular PRP injections between March 2022 and March 2024. The study included 206 patients with only type 1 and 2 osteoarthritis knee joints. No analgesic medications were used after the first month post-injection. VAS and WOMAC scores, before PRP treatment and at 3 months post-treatment were compared. Paired t-test and P value were calculated using Microsoft Excel software version 2007.

Results: The study included 206 patients with grade 1 and 2 knee osteoarthritis treated with intra-articular PRP injections. Female patients were 54.36% and male patients were 45.64%. The mean age of the patients was 58.69±9 years. Most of the knees (65%) had grade II osteoarthritic while 35% of knees had grade I osteoarthritic changes. The pre-PRP injection scores were as follows: VAS score 6.75±0.9, WOMAC pain score 15.97±0.9, WOMAC stiffness score 5.29±1.1 and WOMAC Function score 58.9±6.6. The post-PRP injection scores in 3rd month were: VAS score 2.77±1.19, WOMAC pain score 8.80±1.87, WOMAC stiffness score 2.47±1.17 while WOMAC function score 22.93±5.38. No complications were observed.

Conclusion: Three intra-articular PRP injections administered at one-month intervals in patients with grade 1 and 2 osteoarthritis of the knee joint resulted in a significant decrease in knee joint pain and improvement in knee joint functions, as assessed by WOMAC criteria. A limitation of our study is the lack of long-term follow-up, which prevents the evaluation of the sustained efficacy of PRP in osteoarthritis of the knee.

Echoes of Silence: Unmasking Workplace Discrimination Against Female Paramedic Professionals in Health Care Institutions

Mahham Janjua — 2024-12-28

Objectives:

Workplace discrimination is a pervasive phenomenon. Female paramedics, play a crucial role in our healthcare system, often face such discrimination but there is a notable lack of comprehensive data. This study assesses workplace discrimination among female paramedic professionals using the everyday discrimination scale, explores its relationship with demographics age, job title, duty hours, pay scale and identifies differences in discrimination experiences across key variables in public and private healthcare institutions.

Methodology:

This cross-sectional study employs convenient sampling technique and includes 200 female paramedical professionals working at govt and private hospitals after taking informed consent and ethical approval. Participants with no history of mental illness, and willing to participate were included in the study. An 8-item everyday discriminatory scale (EDS) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Spearman Correlational Coefficient were used to analyze data by using IBM SPSS version 26.

Results:

The study comprises 200 female paramedical professionals with the largest proportion 43.0% aged 25 to 34. Spearman coefficient revealed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.321, p< 0.0001) with pay scale and significant positive correlation with age. proportion of respondents reported facing various forms of discrimination. Comparably, Nurses experienced higher discrimination.

Conclusion:

The results of the study emphasize the need to actively take actions against discriminatory behaviors towards female paramedics. It is particularly important to focus on preventive strategies of discrimination against nurses, as they are the most vulnerable to experience discrimination among all female healthcare professionals in the paramedic field.

Revealing the Physiological Relationship Between Different Blood Groupings And Type II Diabetes

Syed Farhan Uddin — 2024-12-28

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of ABO classification of blood grouping with Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2022, in the Department of Physiology of Sindh University Jamshoro Sindh. in collaboration with Diabetic OPD and the Department of Emergency Medicine of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. A total of 360 participants, comprising 220 males and 140 females between 40-60 years participated in this study. Blood groups were tested by glass slide agglutination method using anti-sera A, B, and D. Random blood sugar levels were measured using a Care Sense N Glucometer Model no GM 505 Pad. Data analysis was performed using Graph Pad Prism5, with a significance threshold set at p < 0. 05.

RESULTS: This study indicates greater chances of developing Diabetes Mellitus in individuals with Type B group of blood, showing statistical significance in both males (p = 0.02) and females (p = 0.04). In contrast, individuals with blood type A, AB, and O show some degree of protection against the onset of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

CONCLUSION: This study concludes that individuals with blood group B are quite susceptible to the emergence of Diabetes.

A Outcomes of Vancomycin Enema vs Normal Saline Enema in Patients with Hirschsprung’s Associated Enterocolitis

Muhammad Rehan — 2024-12-28

OBJECTIVE: This research was designed to compare the outcomes of vancomycin enema and normal saline enema in the treatment of HAEC in terms of full remission of symptoms of HAEC and length of hospital stay.

METHODOLOGY: This randomized controlled trial was carried out from March 2020 to March 2021 in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. A total of 40 patients were randomly assigned in two groups; A (vancomycin enema) and B (normal saline enema), with 20 patients in each group. After the diagnosis was established, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups by balloting method. SPSS 24 was used for data entry and analysis

RESULTS: In our research, males outnumbered females. In both groups, the HAEC score decreased significantly after treatment from pre-treatment scores (12.31 and 11.15) to post-treatment scores (7.73 and 7.61) with significant p --values 0.013 & 0.015 respectively. The average hospital stay between vancomycin enema and normal saline enema group was 7.91 days as opposed to 6.89 days with a p-value (0.031). Overall, 7.33 ± 2.426 days were required for full remission of HAEC symptoms in the study. A p-value of 0.251 suggested that there was no difference between groups in terms of symptom relief

CONCLUSION: We conclude that there is no difference between the normal saline and vancomycin enema in terms of symptom resolution and hospital stay in patients of HAEC.

Insight Into Use and Safety of Mosquito Repellents; An Online Survey

Qurat ul Ain — 2024-12-28

Objectives: To evaluate the public knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding the safe use and side effects of commercial and natural mosquito repellents.

Methodology: An online survey was conducted using a twelve-question questionnaire created on Google Forms. Public awareness about mosquito repellents and their safe use and side effects was assessed. The data was collected anonymously using social media platforms. The form was distributed using social media among individuals. We got 278 responses to the questionnaire. The survey results were downloaded from Google Forms in the Excel spreadsheet. Results were presented in the form of percentages.

Results: The results showed that 86% of the respondents used commercial mosquito repellents while 61% of the participants did not have any idea about natural mosquito repellents. 63% of respondents were using commercial mosquito repellents in well-ventilated spaces and for 6-8 hours duration.75% were females who suffered from any kind of side effects after the use of mosquito repellents in which 58% were allergic reactions due to mosquito repellents while 61% of the respondents have a headache following use of mosquito repellents.

Conclusion: Mosquito repellents can cause some adverse effects in the general public. Therefore, people should practice using these repellents in well-ventilated spaces up to 6-8 hours. Public health interventions are needed to minimize exposure to mosquito repellents and public awareness programs should be conducted.

Investigate and Compare the Frequency of Anemia in Breast Fed Children and Cow Milk Fed Children

Fawad Muhammad — 2024-12-28

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of anemia in breastfed children and cow milk-fed children

METHODOLOGY: This is a Cross-sectional study. A total of 239 Infants aged 1 month to 12 months of both genders on breastfeeding or cow milk feeding were enrolled using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique at Pediatric Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital MTI, Peshawar. This study was conducted from 30th November 2020 to 29th May 2021 after approval of the hospital's ethical committee and written informed consent of parents. 5 ml of venous blood was drawn under an aseptic measure and was sent to the hospital laboratory for hemoglobin levels. Hemoglobin level was noted in all children including breast and cow-milk fed. The frequency of anemia was noted in all patients. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS 22.

RESULTS: In our study total of 239 infants were enrolled with a mean age of 7.57±3.4 months. There were 45.8% male infants and 54.4% female infants. The mean weight was 6.9±2.1 kg and the mean length was 60.4±5.4 cm. The mean hemoglobin level was 6.9±2.9g/dl. Malnutrition was present in 46% of infants. Anemia was present in 58.6% of infants. Anemia was more common in patients having cow milk feed as compared to mother feed, 83.3% versus 33.6%, p-value <0.001.

CONCLUSION: The results of the study suggest that anemia is significantly higher in cow milk-fed infants compared to breastfed infants. Hence exclusive breastfeeding should be prioritized to reduce anemia risk in infancy.

Vitamin D3: The magical solution in the prevention of Covid-19.

Mehir un Nisa Iqbal — 2024-12-28

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has grasped the world in a tight fix. For good public health, strict measurements should be adopted that can help minimize the infection and death risk during the pandemic. Therefore, the present review discusses the postulated mechanism of the protective role of vitamin D3 in decreasing the probability of having COVID-19 infections.

METHODOLOGY: The review data was gathered from July 2022 to July 2024 by sourcing relevant scientific literature from various databases using specific keyword combinations related to Vitamin D3 and COVID-19. A total of 515 research papers were reviewed; however, only 42 original articles published from 2020 to 2024 specifically examined the relationship between Vitamin D and COVID-19.

RESULTS: The observational studies indicated a significant correlation between vitamin D levels and COVID-19. Conversely, randomized controlled trials suggested that high doses of Vitamin D3 could reduce mortality in COVID-19 patients. Vitamin D3 induces antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidins (specifically LL-37) and defensins, which may have antiviral activity and can reduce the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D3 boosts innate and adaptive immunity suppresses the renin-angiotensin pathway and stimulates ACE2 expressions.

CONCLUSION: Based on the scientific literature, vitamin D3 is beneficial and required to augment the immune-modulatory effects of infected COVID-19 patients. Population-based studies debated the relationship between vitamin D3 levels and COVID-19 cases. However, clinical trials and large epidemiologic and observational studies should still be needed to assess these acclamations.

Artificial Intelligence Powered Chatbots in Mental Health: Exploring Innovations for Early Detection and Personalized Treatment

Mohammad Ali — 2024-12-28

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review article is to analyse the use of artificial intelligence chatbots in mental health and to outline its use in the early detection and treatment of various psychiatric disorders affecting mental health. The article also aims to provide its practical applications and insights into future research directions.

METHODOLOGY: This study employed a systematic review methodology, searching major medical and psychological databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library) using keywords and MeSH terms related to artificial intelligence chatbots, mental health, and artificial intelligence in mental health. The focus was on clinical trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and observational studies, while excluding animal studies, case reports, and non-peer-reviewed articles.

RESULTS: The review yielded a total of 75 studies that investigated the role of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots in mental health care, comprising 25 clinical trials, 10 meta-analyses, 15 systematic reviews, and 25 observational studies. It was found that AI-powered chatbots have the potential to revolutionize mental health care by providing accessible and efficient support, but concerns around data privacy and security must be addressed.

CONCLUSION: AI-powered chatbots have the capacity and ability to provide support and help to those suffering from various mental health issues. On the other hand, concerns exist pertaining to an individual’s privacy and personal data. Further research is needed to conduct studies to address its drawbacks.