Army Medical College Research Articles

EFFECTS OF NOISE STRESS ON THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE IN ADULT RATS

Objective: To determine the effect of noise stress on Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in adult rats.
 Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from Jan to Dec 2020.
 Methodology: A total of 30 adult Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into three groups as ten rats/group. Group A served as the control group, rats in group B were exposed to 100 dB noise for continuous 4 hours/day for four months, and the rats in group C were exposed to 100 dB noise for continuous 6 hours/day for four months. At the end of the study, serum samples were collected from the rats’ tail veins. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels were compared among the groups.
 Results: At the start of the study, mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone level of control group A rats was 0.34 ± 0.15 µIU/ml. Mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone level of experimental groups B and C rats at the start of the study was 0.46 ± 0.18 µIU/ml and 0.41 ± 0.14 µIU/ml, respectively Mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone of rats did not differ statistically significantly between the group p=0.26, By the end of study mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone level of control group. A rats was 0.6 ± 0.2 µIU/ml. Mean serum thyroid stimulating hormone levels of experimental groups B and C rats at the end of the study were 1.32 ± 0.35 µIU/ml and 1.86 ± 0.67 µIU/ml, respectively.......

Reorienting Goals in Endodontic Therapy: Pulp Revitalization, on the brink of a paradigm shift.

Objective: To accomplish a multidisciplinary systematic review of the various aspects of dental pulp tissue engineering, its myriad protocols, inclusive of adjuvant surgeries and at the end this review will summarize the testing methodologies of pulp vitality. Methods: Research was conducted at Army Medical college, NUMS and HITECH Dental college, Taxilla. Literature of the previous 2 years was searched up to January 2020 on PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Cochrane and Science direct. The key words employed were “revitalization, revascularization, dental pulp and regeneration ” Result & Conclusion: Current strategies of pulpal regeneration have shown commendable success. Histological analysis of clinical trials is essential to ensure confirmatory evidence of quality of revitalization. The impact of oral factors and a long term follow up in these case is still required to produce a definitive understanding. Continuous...

A Comparative Analysis of Superoxide Dismutase 1 Level in Diabetics with and without Neuropathy.

To compare superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) levels in diabetes mellitus patients with and without neuropathy. Cross-sectional comparative study. Multidisciplinary Lab-1 of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, in cooperation with Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January 2020 to January 2021. Eighty-four subjects were enrolled through non-probability purposive sampling technique. They were further divided into three groups. Patients with diabetic neuropathy were labelled as the group Ι, and patients with diabetes mellitus without neuropathy were included in group ΙΙ. While group ΙΙΙ was comprised of healthy individuals and taken as control. Biochemical parameters included fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c. Superoxide dismutase-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were evaluated by SPSS version 22.0 and presented in percentage and mean ± standard deviation (SD). Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA followed by the post-hoc Tukey test were used for group comparison. Mean level of SOD1 was significantly higher in group Ι as compared to group ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ (p<0.001). Statistically significant difference was observed among groups Ι and ΙΙ (p=0.002), Ι and ΙΙΙ (p<0.001), and ΙΙ and ΙΙΙ (p=0.017). Mean levels of SOD1 were also significantly increased with poor glycemic control (p<0.001). SOD1 level was considerably high in patients with diabetes mellitus with neuropathy in comparison to diabetics without neuropathy and healthy individuals. Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic neuropathy, ELISA, Superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1).

EFFECT OF OBESTATIN ON PITUITARY GONADAL AXIS, LEPTIN AND MDA LEVELS IN OBESE SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS

Objective: To determine the effect of obestatin administration on FSH, LH, testosterone, leptin and MDA levels in obese Sprague Dawley Rats.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory based animal study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Physiology department, Army Medical College Rawalpindi, from Mar to Jun 2015.&#x0D; Methodology: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Physiology Department Army medical college. Male healthy Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n–15 each) i.e. control group (group I) fed with normal pellet diet (NPD), obese group (group II) and obestatin treated obese group (group III) fed with high fat diet (HFD). After 10 weeks, group III was treated with obestatin (1nmol/100ml intraperitoneally). Blood samples were obtained by terminal intracardiac sampling for bioasssays of FSH, LH, testosterone, leptin and MDA by ELISA.&#x0D; Results: Obestatin supplementation in obese rats showed significant increase in LH levels (3.79 ± 0.05) and testosterone levels (2.07 ± 0.22) when compared to the non treated obese rats (2.19 ± 0.07) and (1.37 ± 0.15) respectively while significant decrease in leptin (3.85 ± 0.23) and MDA levels (1.62 ± 0.07) was observed when compared to the non-treated control groups (6.10 ± 1.18) and (1.95 ± 0.07) respectively. However, serum FSH levels remained unchanged among the treated and nontreated groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: Obestatin increases the testosterone levels by augmenting the pituitary gonadal axis through decrease in the oxidative stress and leptin levels in obese rats.

INFLAMMATION OF INTERSTITIAL CONNECTIVE TISSUE SPACE INDUCED BY LEAD ACETATE AND AMELIORATIVE AFTERMATH OF FICUSCARICAON RAT TESTIS

Objective: To observe inflammation of interstitial connective tissue space caused by Lead acetate in rat testis and ameliorative after math caused by Ficuscarica.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College Rawalpindi together with NIH (National Institute of Health) Islamabad, from Mar to Nov 2017.&#x0D; Methodology: Sprague Dawley male rats, 30 in quantity were chosen and 10 animals each partited into 3 groups. Treatments were given for 8 weeks, once daily. Group A was control group. Group B was treated with dosage of 30 mg/kg of Lead acetate. Group C was given dosage of 30 mg/kg of Lead acetate as well as 80 mg/kg of Ficuscarica. Twenty four hours after the concluding dose, animals were vivisected. For histological study, testis were fixed and stained with Haematoxylin and eosin. Interstitial connective tissue space thickness was morphometrically and assessed by SPSS version 22. A p-value &lt;0.05 was considered significant in results.&#x0D; Results: Interstitial space thickness was significantly increased due to inflammation (&gt;3 times normal) in group B in comparison to groups A and C. Thickness of space was slightly increased (&lt;2 times normal) in group C in comparison to groups A due to reduction in inflammation.&#x0D; Conclusion: There was increased thickness of interstitium due to inflammation, cellular congestion and lymphocytic infiltration in rat’s testis because of lead acetate but concomitant dose of Ficuscarica protects against inflammation, venous congestion of interstitial space.

MULTIPLEX POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) FOR THE DETECTION OF NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE AND THE QUINOLONE RESISTANCE GENE IN PAKISTAN

Objective: To detect Neisseria gonorrhoeae from the urine of male patients reporting with active urethral discharge using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). And the simultaneous detection of the quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) on the Neisseria gonorrhoeae gene using multiplex polymerase chain reaction.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology department, Army Medical College Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Dec 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: Male patients with active urethral discharge with no past history of antibiotic use for urethral discharge were included in study and patients without active urethral discharge and history of antibiotic use for urethral discharge were excluded. Urine of patients of active urethral discharge was collected and multiplex polymerase chain reaction was done by using two forward primers along with common reverse primer.&#x0D; Results: In this study 24 (40%) of patients who presented with active urethral discharge were positive for gonorrhea. However Quinolone Resistance Determining Region is detected in 17 (70.83%) of cases and only 7 (29.17%) were sensitive to ciprofloxacin.&#x0D; Conclusion: The multiplex polymerase chain reaction is very efficient and effective method for the simultaneous detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and status of isolate susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. And in Pakistan ciprofloxacin cannot be used as first line drug for the treatment of gonorrhea.

Protective Effect of Commercial Green Tea on Ibuprofen Induced Changes in Renal Function Tests of Adult Rats

Background: Nephrotoxicity of ibuprofen is a growing international public health problem in the wake of excessive use of the drug for the treatment of a broad spectrum of diseases in both adults and pediatric patients. Objectives: To present an overview of the protective effect of the green tea on ibuprofen-induced changes in the biochemical markers of the adult rat kidneys. Methods: It is an experimental study conducted in the department of Anatomy, Army Medical College Rawalpindi. The investigation was led on 30 male and non-pregnant female Sprague Dawley rodents of 9-11 weeks old enough and going in weight from 200-330 gm. The animals were divided into three groups consisting of 10 animals each; group A served as control, each animal in group B was given ibuprofen at a dose of 120 mg/kg/day and each animal in group C was given both green tea at a dose of 1ml/100g/day and Ibuprofen 120mg/kg body weight for a period of 9 weeks. Ibuprofen manufactured by Abbot Laboratories (Pvt.) Limited was utilized. Green tea was obtained from local market. Data was collected at the end of experimental period and was analyzed using SPSS version 22. One Way ANOVA was exerted, afterwards by post-hoc Tukey test to find out intergroup differences for quantitative variables. The results were depicted as mean ± standard deviation (mean ± SD). A p value &lt; 0.05 was believed significant. Results: Green tea administration had a significantly favorable effect on serum urea (mg/dl) (Group A=21.9 ± 2.8, Group B=93.2 ± 3.9, Group C=36.4± 3.0; p&lt;0.001) and serum creatinine (mg/dl) (Group A=0.9 ± 0.22, Group B=2.4± 0.52, Group C=0.97 ± 0.3; p&lt;0.001). Conclusions: Green tea had ameliorative effects on the ibuprofen-induced changes in the biochemical markers of the adult rat kidneys.

Efficacy of Telmisartan in Pristane Induced Arthritis Rat Model

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common systemic inflammatory diseases characterized by progressive damage to the joints. There is rising evidence that Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System signaling is also involved in the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis and its blockers possess anti-arthritic properties. Telmisartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker and PPAR-? agonist and its anti-arthritic effects were evaluated.Aims &amp; Objectives: This experimental study was designed to evaluate the anti-arthritic efficacy of telmisartan in pristane induced rat model of arthritis in adult female rats.Place and duration of study: The study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology from July 2020to August 2020.Material &amp; Methods: Twenty four (24) adult non-pregnant female Sprague Dawley rats were divided in three groups (n=8) designated as Group A (normal control), Group B (arthritic control) and Group C (telmisartan group) &amp; maintained on standard diet and water adlibitum. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced in each rat of Groups B &amp;C by a single intradermal injection of 0.5ml pristane at the base of its tail on day 0 and the disease developed in two weeks. All3 groups were given distilled water 2.5 ml/kg from 2-4 weeks and Group C was additionally given dissolved telmisartan orally at 2 mg/kg/day. Anti-arthritic efficacy was determined by assessing arthrogram score and total leukocyte count on day 0, 14 and 28 along with histological examination done at the end of the study. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25.Results: Healthy rats in group A maintained a unremarkable arthogram &amp; histogram score &amp; TLC count of 6675±350/?l during the entire study period. Telmisartan administration in Group C for two weeks after pristane induction resulted in significant reduction in arthrogram score (AS) 9.5±3.66, total leukocyte count (TLC) 7350±550/?l and histological score (HS) to 6.88±1.24 as compared to (AS) 14.50±2.07, WBC 10150±350/?L &amp; (HS) 10.75±2.05 in Group B, left untreated with pristane alone. The intergroup comparison showed significant p value &lt; 0.05 respectively.Conclusion: Anti-arthritic effect was shown by telmisartan as it was able to ameliorate the changes induced by pristane.

EVALUATION OF CHONDROPROTECTIVE EFFICACY OF TRIAMCINOLONE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS INDUCED RAT MODEL

ABSTRACT&#x0D; BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:&#x0D; Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases afflicting human, characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage in which chondrocytes fails to adequately repair. Objective of this study is to evaluate the chondroprotection offered by triamcinolone in osteoarthritis induced rat model&#x0D; METHODOLOGY:&#x0D; This Laboratory based experimental study was conducted in Department of Pharmacology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of health, Islamabad from April-June2019. Osteoarthritis was induced by surgical removal of medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament resection in right knee joint of Sixteen (16) anesthetized rats of Sprague Dawley breed. They were divided in two (02) groups with eight (08) rats in each group. Group I was disease control in which 0.2 ml Intra articular saline was administered for three weeks. While group II was treatment group that was treated by 70 µl intra articular triamcinolone once weekly for three weeks. After that gait pattern of rats was scored. Animals were euthanized with over dosage of inhaled chloroform and sample of proximal tibia was taken for histopathological analysis.RESULTS:&#x0D; Mean gait score of control group and treatment group was 3.25±.707 and 2.25±.463 with a p value of .028 that is statistically significant. While mean histopathological modified Mankin score of control and treatment group was 11.5±1.195 and 8.5±1.195 respectively with a significant P-value of &lt;0.01.&#x0D; CONCLUSION:&#x0D; Intra articular administration of triamcinolone in Osteoarthritis induced rats resulted in improvement in gait pattern and histopathology.&#x0D; Keywords: Chondroprotective efficacy, Osteoarthritis, Triamcinolone.

Awareness and knowledge regarding rotavirus disease and vaccine among healthcare providers in tertiary care settings.

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to September 2018 to assess the level of awareness among healthcare workers regarding rotavirus infection and its vaccination in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The study site was conducted at tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. Closed and open ended questionnaires were distributed via non-probability convenient sampling. The sample size was 257. Among the study participants, 247 (96.1%) of the participants had good level of awareness regarding rotavirus, whereas 212 (82.5%) had awareness regarding the vaccine. The mean awareness score was 16.16 ± 4.097 out of a maximum score of 22. Both male and female participants had almost equal awareness regarding the rotavirus infection (Males = 96, 93.2%, Females = 151, 98%) and vaccination (Males = 87, 84%, Females = 125, 81.1%). The mean awareness was directly related with the level of education of the participants, i.e. MBBS/FCPS/MCPS = 221(85.9%), MBBS = 209(81.5%), B.Sc. Nursing = 206(80%), and Basic Education = 220(85.7%) knew about the vaccine.

PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF COENZYME Q10 ON GROSS PARAMETERS OF RAT TESTIS EXPOSED TO MOSQUITO COIL SMOKE INHALATION

Objective: To determine the toxic effect of mosquito coil smoke inhalation on gross parameters of rat testis and explore the protective effect of Coenzyme Q10on testicular toxicity profile.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy Army Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from Jan 2020 to Dec 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: This study was carried out among 30 male Sprague Dawley rats, distributed into three groups as 10 rats/group; group A served as control group, rats in group B were exposed to allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke 4hours/day for 12 weeks. Rats in group C were administered Coenzyme Q10 (10 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for 12 weeks along with mosquito coil smoke exposure. At the end of study, gross parameters of body weight gain, testicular weight and volume, and relative tissue body weight index of testis were compared among groups.&#x0D; Results: Rats exposed to mosquito coil smoke alone showed significantly less weight gain (p&lt;0.001)), testicular weight (p&lt;0.001), volume (p&lt;0.001), and relative tissue body weight index (p&lt;0.001) as compared to control group. Rats administered Coenzyme Q10 along with mosquito coil smoke exposure exhibited significantly higher weight gain (p&lt;0.001), testicular weight (p&lt;0.001), volume (p&lt;0.001) and relative tissue body weight index (p&lt;0.001) as compared to rats exposed to mosquito coil smoke alone.&#x0D; Conclusion: Long-term inhalation of allethrin-based mosquito coil smoke caused testicular atrophy among rats, as evident by reduced testicular weight, volume and relative tissue body weight index. Whereas, prophylactic oral administration of Coenzyme......................

EVALUATION OF CHONDROPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF INTRA ARTICULAR PIROXICAM IN POST-TRAUMATIC OSTEOARTHRITIS MODEL OF RAT

Objective: To evaluate the chondroprotective effect of piroxicam in post-traumatic osteoarthritis model of rat.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacology department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from Apr to Jun 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Project included sixteen rats of Sprague Dawley breed. Osteoarthritis was induced in anesthetized rats by surgical removal of medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament resection. After that rats were randomly allocated in two groups with eight rats in each group. Rats of group I were positive control that received 0.2 ml saline intra articularly once weekly for four weeks. Meanwhile rats of group II (treatment group) received 50 µl piroxicam intra articularly once weekly for four weeks. One week after the drug intervention, radiograph of the right knee joint of all rats were taken. Animals were then sacrificed with inhaled chloroform and part of proximal tibia was obtained for histopathological analysis.&#x0D; Results: Comparison of radiographs of both groups depicted a significant p-value of &lt;0.01. Meanwhile mean histopathological score of control group and treatment group were 11.50 ± 1.195 and 6.50 ± 1.195 respectively with a p-value of &lt;0.01.&#x0D; Conclusion: Intra articular administration of piroxicam in post-traumatic Osteoarthritis model of rats resulted in improvement in radiographic grades and histopathology scores.

Impact of abolishment of PMDC on Basic Medical &amp; Dental Sciences Faculty Career Path of a Federally Chartered Public Sector Medical University- A Questionnaire Validation Study

Ascertain validity of a questionnaire which measures the impact of abolishment of PM&amp;DC on Basic Medical &amp; Dental Sciences Faculty Career Path of a Federally Chartered Public Sector Medical University. Methods: Cross sectional study conducted on a pre-defined population at a given point in time. Study setting was Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. Target population for pilot testing was basic sciences faculty of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi. 12 items questionnaire was designed using Likert scale with 5 options response set. Content validity was assured by expert opinion.Results: Inter item correlation represented by Cronbach’s alpha was p=0.839.Conclusion: The 12 item questionnaire appropriately measures the attitudes and beliefs of basic sciences faculty regarding their career path after abolishment of PM&amp;DC

EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA ON SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN LETROZOLE INDUCED POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN MICE

Objective: Monitor the ameliorative impact of Nigella sativa on fasting blood glucose and serum testosteronelevels in polycystic ovarian syndrome caused by letrozole in mice.&#x0D; Study Design: Laboratory based randomized control trial.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy department, Army Medical College in teamwork with National Instituteof Health. Time span is Dec 2014 Dec 2015.&#x0D; Methodology: Total 40 mature female BALB/c mice were chosen and distributed in four groups (ten mice in each one). Group 1 was given normal diet. Rests of three groups were treated with Letrozole at dose of 1 mg/kg body weight once daily for eight weeks. Group 3 was also given Nigella sativa seeds powder at dose of 10 g/kg body weight once daily starting at 22 day and continued up to eight weeks. Group 4 was treated with Nigella sativa oil at a dose of 4 ml/kg body weight once daily starting at 22 day and continued up to eight weeks. At termination of trial, fasting blood glucose level (FBG) was recorded by taking blood sample by glucometer from mouse lateral tail vein after 12 hours fasting. Mice with blood glucose level 250-464 mg/dl were marked hyperglycemic. Final blood sample was taken through cardiac puncture for serum testosterone evaluation.&#x0D; Results: Fasting blood glucose and Serum testosterone levels were raised in group 2 animals in comparison togroup 1 while they were reduced remarkably in group 3 and 4 in comparison of group 2.&#x0D; Conclusion: Nigella sativa seeds in both solid and liquid state leave..................

CORRELATION OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALISM WITH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN FINAL YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS

Objective: To assess the correlation of medical professionalism score of final year medical students with theiracademic results of the final professional examination.&#x0D; Study Design: Correlational study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from Mar to Nov 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Final year medical students were enrolled by non-probability consecutive sampling. Their medical professionalism score was calculated using the Penn State College of Medicine-Professionalism Questionnaire (PSCOM-PQ). All the aspects of accountability, altruism, excellence, duty, honour/integrity and respect were noted using the questionnaire. Thirty points from the questionnaire were used, calculating the maximum value of 150. After the final professional examination, their academic results were procured. The strength of the relationship between medical professionalism score and academic results of final year professional examination was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.&#x0D; Results: A total of 75 final year medical students were studied. The age ranged from 22-27 years (23.96 ± 1.16years). The male to female ratio was 2.12:1. The medical professionalism score ranged from 71-150 points (127.28 ± 15.43). The academic results percentages of final year professional examination (MBBS) were not found to be significantly correlated with their professionalism score (r=-0.10, p=0.394).&#x0D; Conclusion: The medical professionalism score of the final year medical students has no statistically significantcorrelation with their academic performance.

COMPARISON OF LIPID PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY AND WITHOUT NEUROPATHY; A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: To compare lipid profile in patients with diabetic neuropathy and without neuropathy.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out at Multidisciplinary Lab-1, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, from Jan 2020 to Sep 2020 in collaboration with Pak-Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi.&#x0D; Methodology: Eighty-four subjects were selected and divided into three groups, twenty-eight in each. Group Iincluded diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy, group II included diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without peripheral neuropathy and group III consisted of healthy individuals. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22.0. One way ANOVA test was used that followed by post-Hoc Tukey test for group comparison.&#x0D; Results: There was significant difference in triglycerides (p-value 0.001) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(0.003) levels among group I and III. While, between group II and III significant difference of high density lipoprotein cholesterol was present. There was no significant difference between group I and II regarding all lipid profile parameters.&#x0D; Conclusion: There was significant increase of triglycerides levels and decrease of high density lipoproteincholesterol in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy as compared to healthy controls. No significantdifference was observed for all parameters of lipid profile between patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathyand without peripheral neuropathy.

COMPARISON OF PROKINETIC ACTIVITY OF RANITIDINE AND NEOSTIGMINE ALONE AND IN COMBINATION- AN IN VITRO STUDY

Objective: To explore the prokinetic effect of Ranitidine, to compare it with the prokinetic effect of Neostigmineand to observe the potentiating prokinetic effect of Ranitidine and Neostigmine in combination.&#x0D; Study Design: Randomised controlled trial (experimental study).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Multi disciplinary centre, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from Jan to Dec 2015.&#x0D; Methodology: Experiments were performed on three groups of rabbits (n=6) and Cumulative dose responsecurves were plotted using isolated duodenal tissue on power lab (USA). In the first two groups of experiments,cumulative concentrations of Neostigmine and Ranitidine were studied separately with neostigmine acting as acontrol and in the third group the potentiating effect of a fixed dose of ranitidine on neostigmine was evaluated.&#x0D; Results: Neostigmine’s response was taken as 100 percent and Ranitidine’s response when compared to it came out to be 197 percent. The dose response curve of Neostigmine was shifted to the left and upwards in the presence of Ranitidine. The percent response with Neostigmine alone was taken as 100 percent and increased to 212 percent when the tissue was pre-treated with Ranitidine.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study has indicated that Ranitidine has marked prokinetic effect which is found to be greaterthan Neostigmine. It is also inferred that Ranitidine can potentiate the prokinetic effect of Neostigmine.

ASSOCIATION OF HORMONE RECEPTORS WITH RISK FACTORS AMONG BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Objective: To compare the risk factors with estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status of breast cancer patients.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in Multidisciplinary Lab-1 of Army Medical College,National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with Department of Pathology of ArmyMedical College, NUMS Rawalpindi, from Jan 2019 to Jan 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of 50 individuals including radiologically diagnosed cases of breast cancer with differentstages and 10 healthy controls without cancer. Patients with any co-morbidity were excluded. Participant’ssample was collected and subjected to ER, PR and HER2 estimation. Other factors i.e. age, gender, marital status, breast feeding, menopause status, side of the breast affected were all taken into consideration.&#x0D; Results: Patients characteristics showed that the mean age, marital and menopause status were linked with breast cancer. The data showed that hormone receptors i.e., ER (p=0.0001), PR (p=0.0002) and HER2 (p=0.0001) were positive among most of the cancer patients as compared to the healthy subjects without cancer. There were no association found between age and hormone receptors. Marital status, breast feeding, menopause and side of breasts involved also had no association with hormone receptors.&#x0D; Conclusion: No significant association found between risk factors and hormone recpetors status of breast cancer patients in our population.

CHALLENGES OF E-LEARNING FACED BY MEDICAL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Objective: To explore perceptions of medical students and faculty, regarding challenges of e-learning they faced, during COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; Study Design: Mixed method study (Quantitative and Qualitative - Phenomenological approach).&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College Pakistan, from Apr 2020 to Sep 2020.&#x0D; Methodology: A self-made questionnaire, having both qualitative and quantitative elements, was developed after interviews of participants. It was pilot tested, finalized and sent via Google forms. Total 318 students and 6 faculty members responded, data was transcribed verbatim, themes were identified, and qualitative inductive content analysis of participants‟ reports was done.&#x0D; Results: Twenty-seven subthemes were identified by analyzing students‟ and faculty perceptions. They were grouped under five major themes, namely, communicational, technological, institutional, related to educators and students.&#x0D; Conclusion: Despite limiting factors like communication gap, digital refugee faculty teaching digital native students, limited technical support, digital divide and unplanned curricular delivery, e-learning was found to be beneficial in terms of flexibility in timings, improving learners‟ self-efficacy, faculty transformation and gradual acceptance. Moreover, it provided opportunity for hybrid e-curriculum development.

Professor Jawaid-ur-Rehman

Born on March, 31st 1957 in Attock to Capt. Abdur Rehman Shaheed and Mubarka Jamila Akthar. His father was martyred in the line of duty when he was three years old. As a young man, he joined Cadet College Petaro as a student at the age of twelve, where he learned to be a valuable member of his community and an asset for his country. His love for, and commitment to, help and serve his fellow man drove him to choose medicine as his profession. To pursue his dreams of a career in medicine, he joined Army Medical College (AMC) in 1978. He was part of the second intake batch of this prestigious institution. After two years in AMC, he transferred to Punjab Medical College (PMC), Faisalabad, where he completed his MBBS. He built on his skills by completing his house job training at Rawalpindi General Hospital.