University Of Lahore Research Articles

Comparison of Pentraxin-3 in Migraine Patients without Aura and Healthy Controls

Background and Objectives: Migraine is a common cerebrovascular condition marked by one-sided, pulsating headache, which may or may not be accompanied with an aura. Migraine is mostly found in females who are of childbearing age. One of the speculated mechanisms for the pathophysiology of migraine is endothelial dysfunction. A new biomarker of inflammatory disorders, pentraxin-3 is often produced by endothelium injury. In earlier investigations, it was shown that migraine sufferers had elevated levels of pentraxin-3. Our study's objectives were to analyze the serum pentraxin-3 levels in migraine sufferers without aura and healthy controls.Methods: It was a cross-sectional comparative study. This was done at the IMBB Department, University of Lahore, Lahore Pakistan, from March 2020 to April 2022. We took 40 diagnosed migraine cases and 40 healthy controls. Detailed examination was done and proformas were filled by both cases and controls. Serum was collected by each of them and pentraxin-3 values were determined by using specific Elisa kits. SPSS version 22 was used for statistical analysis. For normality of data Shapiro wilk test was used. Mann whiteny U test was used for the comparision of means of pentraxin-3 in migrainers and healthy controls.Results: The data were non-normally distributed after the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The average age of the controls was 25±6.06 years, while that of individuals with migraines was 26±7.78 years. Patients with migraine were mostly women. The majority of the patients had BMI category 18 to 24.5. Patients with migraine had mean pentraxin-3 levels of 145.75 ±157.7 pg/l, compared to 43.65 ±33.01 pg/l in the control group. Median was100.5 in cases and 31.15 in controls. P-value was 0.0001.Conclusion: When compared to the control group, migraine patients had considerably higher blood levels of PTX-3, and no correlations between age, BMI, marital status, smoking history, and usage of preventative medications were found.Key words: migraine, pentraxin-3, endothelial dysfunction, C-reactive protein (CRP),

Examining the Impact of Social Media Overload on the Academic Performance of Public Medical College Students of Lahore

Objective: This study's objectives were two-fold. First, it examined the direct relationship between social media overload and academic performance. Second, it analyzed the mediating role of anxiety between social media overload and the academic performance of medical students. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Medical Education of Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Ameer-ud-Din (PGMI) Medical College, Lahore, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore and Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Medical and Dental College Lahore, Pakistan from June 2021 to January 2022.Methods: Data from 259 medical students were collected using a convenience sampling technique through self-administered questionnaires. The study included medical students from the second to final year of MBBS.Results: Hayes PROCESS Macro analysis in SPSS showed that social media overload and academic performance were related to one another (β=-0.198, p<0.05) which had significance in statistics. Moreover, mediation analysis revealed a statistically significant and partial mediating role of anxiety between social media overload and academic performance (Indirect Effect = -.0734, p<0.05).Conclusion: Findings revealed that social media overload directly influenced the academic performance of medical students. Additionally, anxiety as a mediator negatively impacted the relationship between social media overload and academic performance. How to cite this: Ather MA, Alam RS, Bokhari SQ, Butt A. Examining the Impact of Social Media Overload on the Academic Performance of Medical Students. Life and Science. 2024; 5(2): 160-165. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.446

Digital Literacy and Inclusive Growth: Examining Digital Empowerment of Female Students in Lahore

The digital economy has created various entrepreneurship opportunities for women in Pakistan. E-commerce platforms and online marketplaces have enabled women to start their own businesses, reach a larger customer base, and overcome traditional gender-based constraints. The ability to operate businesses from home has also provided flexibility, allowing women to balance their work and family responsibilities. The primary objective is to explore the digital empowerment status of female students in Lahore. This study utilizes a modified scale for the dependent variable, focusing on the dimensions of digital awareness, legal understanding, and economic aspects of digital empowerment. To investigate digital empowerment, the questionnaire is distributed to gather data from 390 female students of both public and private universities in Lahore, Pakistan. Data is analyzed using Smart-PLS 4 and SPSS, while graphical analysis is done through R studio. Frequency, mean, standard deviation, and percentage of variables are calculated for data analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis CFA is used to evaluate the hypotheses. The results reveal that the majority of the 65.3% of respondents have a medium level of digital empowerment. Income has a positive and significant impact on digital empowerment. Digital literacy skills, digital training, and internet skills have positive and significant impact on digital empowerment. Independent variables are considered as important factors in promoting digital empowerment among female students. Institutions and discipline negatively and significantly influence digital empowerment. Additionally, the study examines female students' access to a digital device and their internet usage behavior. Results show that 25.9% of respondents do not have access to the device at home. This research endeavors to pave the way for policy formulation aimed at empowering young female students with essential digital literacy skills that align with international standards.

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE (GERD) IN MEDICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, leading to heartburn, regurgitation, and chest pain. Objectives: The study's main aim is to find the prevalence and risk factors of gastroesophageal reflux disease in medical college students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore from October 2023 to March 2024. Data were collected from 550 medical college students from 1st year, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year. Data were collected through an online survey, including demographic data, GERD symptoms, dietary habits and lifestyle factors, and stress levels. GERD symptoms were reported, which include all data related to heartburn, chest pain and dysphagia. Results: Data were collected from 550 participants. The mean age of the participants (with GERD) was 24.0 ± 3.0 years, and without GERD, 23.0 ± 2.5 years. There were 65% female and 35 % male in the GERD group and 55% female and 45% male in the without GERD group. Students with GERD exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates of certain lifestyle factors compared to those without GERD. Specifically, students with GERD reported higher rates of consumption of spicy/acidic foods (50% vs. 35%), high intake of caffeine/carbonated beverages (60% vs. 40%), irregular meal patterns (40% vs. 20%), large meals before bedtime (30% vs. 15%), and sedentary lifestyle behaviors (70% vs. 40%). These differences were statistically significant, as indicated by the p-values <0.05 for consumption of spicy/acidic foods and large meals before bedtime, <0.01 for high intake of caffeine/carbonated beverages and irregular meal patterns, and <0.001 for sedentary lifestyle behaviours. Conclusion: It is concluded that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) presents a significant health concern among medical college students, with a notable prevalence of symptoms reported in this population.

Antinociceptive Evaluation of Antidepressants (Cita- lopram, Duloxetine and Amitriptyline) in a Mouse Model of Acute Pain

Introduction: Acute pain is a pervasive and debilitating symptom affecting the general population as well as depressed patients who suffer even more from pain and fatigue. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the antinociceptive effect induced by antidepressants (Citalopram, Duloxetine and Amitriptyline) in acute pain induced in mice. Place and Duration of study: Animal Research Laboratory of University of Lahore. Study Period: 2018- 2019 Material and Methods: An experimental animal study was carried out on 25 albino mice. The mice were divided into 5 groups; Group 1: Positive Control (PC), Group 2: Ibuprofen (IBO) (Standard) 80mg/kg, Group3: Citalopram (CTP)3mg/kg, Group 4: Duloxetine (DXT) 25mg/kg, Group 5: Amitriptyline (AMT) 15mg/kg. Groups 2-5 were administered drugs orally through a feeding tube as per group designation while Group 1: Control was given an equivalent amount of normal saline. One hour post treatment with test drugs, all Groups (1-5) were injected 10 ml/ kg of 2% acetic acid I/P and number of writhing movements consisting of contraction of abdominal muscles leading to extension of hind limb and periodic arching of body as well as paw licking behavior were counted for 20 minutes at 5- minute interval, using hand tally counter. Degree of analgesia was calculated by using formula of percentage effectiveness. Data was entered and analyzed utilizing SPSS version 21, p?0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Ibuprofen completely eliminated the nociceptive outcome of diluted acetic acid in writhing and licking of experimental animals. Citalopram, showed maximum decreasing effect (95%-96%) in writhing in 5-20 min. However, its effect in paw licking was low. Duloxetine showed 70% to 90% decrease in writhing at 5-20 min whereas 100 % inhibition of paw-licking was observed at 5 to 20 minutes. The writhing effect of amitriptyline was 77%-90% at 5-20 min and paw licking effect was 80-90 % at 5-20 min. Conclusion: Amitriptyline, duloxetine and citalopram have significant effect in reducing the acute nociceptive pain and may be utilized as analgesic in acute state of pain.

Students’ Perception about the Influence of Medical Education on Medical Students in Anatomy Department

Introduction: Medical education has both positive and negative impact on the medical student. Initially the subject of anatomy and later other disciplines create mental and emotional stress for many students. Nevertheless, medical education is imperative in developing highly professional doctors. Aims and Objectives: This research is aimed to study the effect of medical education on the personality and behavior of 2nd year medical students in Anatomy Department. Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department of Azra Naheed Medical College Lahore (Dec 2022-March 2023). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 medical students 2nd year MBBS An electronic google form was developed which consisted of 20 questions to study the student’s perception about influence of medical education. The form was posted in the official class Whatsapp group. To avoid potential contamination bias, google form was designed so that one participant could fill the form once by using only email ID assigned by medical college administration. Data was collected and analyzed by Python programming language (Version: 3.10), Pandas and Scikit- learn. Results: Recent research showed that 87% of medical students felt that medical education has great impact on their personality moreover 80% students realized that they became emotionally intelligent during life in medical college. 95% of students agreed that a lot of stress is induced by medical education in their lives and 80% students raised the bad impact of medical education such as health issues and improper routine life. 75.8% of students thought that education in medical college polished their personality. Moreover 79% of students felt that medical education has a positive impact on their life. Conclusion: It was concluded that medical education has positive and negative effects on the personality of medical students. It is the students’ perception that their mental, physical & social health is badly affected. Medical students feel that empathy, humanity, dignity & emotional intelligence are the positive changes in their personality. The role of faculty members is also appreciated by the students.

Association between Sleep Quality and Musculoskeletal Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that significantly impacts quality of life, primarily through pain and disability. Existing research indicates a strong correlation between sleep quality and pain management in OA patients, suggesting that sleep may play a crucial role in modulating perceived pain and overall well-being. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis, aiming to identify potential therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore teaching hospital, Jinnah Hospital. After obtaining approval from the hospital's ethics committee and informed consent from participants, data was collected using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) from 170 diagnosed osteoarthritis patients of varying ages (18-40 years). The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25, employing descriptive statistics for demographic data, and chi-square tests to explore the association between sleep quality and pain levels. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 28.74 (SD = 7.001). Among the participants, 15.3% reported no pain, 10.6% mild pain, 41.2% moderate pain, and 32.9% severe pain. Regarding sleep quality, 35.3% of patients reported good sleep, whereas 64.7% experienced poor sleep. The chi-square analysis indicated a significant association between pain levels and sleep quality (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated a significant relationship between sleep quality and the severity of musculoskeletal pain among osteoarthritis patients. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at improving sleep may enhance pain management and thus the overall health status of OA patients.

Copper Oxide Nanoparticles Induced Growth and Physio-Biochemical Changes in Maize (Zea mays L.) in Saline Soil.

Research on nanoparticles (NPs) is gaining great attention in modulating abiotic stress tolerance and improving crop productivity. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on growth and biochemical characteristics in two maize hybrids (YH-5427 and FH-1046) grown under normal conditions or subjected to saline stress. A pot-culture experiment was carried out in the Botanical Research Area of "the University of Lahore", Lahore, Pakistan, in a completely randomized design. At two phenological stages, both maize hybrids were irrigated with the same amount of distilled water or NaCl solution (EC = 5 dS m-1) and subjected or not to foliar treatment with a suspension of CuO-NPs. The salt stress significantly reduced the photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance), while the sodium content in the shoot and root increased. The foliar spray with CuO-NPs improved the growth and photosynthetic attributes, along with the N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content in the roots and shoots. However, the maize hybrid YH-5427 responded better than the other hybrid to the saline stress when sprayed with CuO-NPs. Overall, the findings of the current investigation demonstrated that CuO-NPs can help to reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress on maize plants by improving growth and physio-biochemical attributes.

Cyber Victimization, Social Self Efficacy and Self Esteem among Adults

Background: With the pervasive integration of digital technology into daily life, cyber victimization has emerged as a significant concern, particularly among adults. Previous research underscores the relationship between cyber victimization, self-esteem, and social self-efficacy, highlighting the psychological impacts and potential gender differences in these experiences. Understanding these dynamics is critical for developing effective interventions. Objective: This study aims to explore the associations between cyber victimization, social self-efficacy, and self-esteem among adults, investigate the role of gender in these relationships, and assess the predictive value of cyber victimization and social self-efficacy on self-esteem. Methods: A correlational research design was employed, with a sample of 200 adults from various universities in Lahore. The Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory II (RCBI-II), Social Self-Efficacy Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were utilized for data collection. Pearson product-moment correlation, multiple regression analysis, and independent sample t-tests were conducted using SPSS version 25 to analyze the data. Results: The study found a negative correlation between cyber victimization and social self-efficacy (r = -.18, p < 0.01), and a positive correlation between social self-efficacy and self-esteem (r = .24, p < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed cyber victimization as a positive predictor of self-esteem (β = .19, p < 0.05) and social self-efficacy as a negative predictor (β = -.22, p < 0.01). Gender differences were noted, with boys reporting higher rates of cyber victimization than girls. Conclusion: Cyber victimization and social self-efficacy significantly impact self-esteem among adults, with notable gender differences in the experience of cyber victimization. These findings underscore the importance of interventions aimed at enhancing self-esteem and social self-efficacy to mitigate the adverse effects of cyber victimization.

Attitudes of Dental Students Towards E-learning

Objective: In this digital technology era, we want to see the attitudes of dental students toward E-learning, what sort of resources are they using and their preference for e-learning. Study Design: Descriptive Cross-sectional study. Settings: University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: 17-09-22 to 15-12-22. Methods: This was a descriptive Cross-sectional study conducted at the University College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lahore, Lahore Pakistan. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25. Results: Most of the participants agreed that e-learning helped them complete the learning activities more quickly. Almost 62.90% of participants agreed that e-learning enhanced their studies. 54.70% agreed that e-learning is a useful tool for distance education and 63.50% agreed that e-learning encourages them to search for extra material and resources. 40.90% of participants agreed that e-learning improves their learning efficiency. 49.70% agreed that the e-learning content is informative. Conclusion: E-learning has revolutionized dental education by providing greater accessibility, convenience, engagement, cost-effectiveness, and continuing education opportunities. It has made learning more inclusive and has expanded the reach of dental education beyond traditional boundaries. E-learning is no doubt the future of dental education.

INVESTIGATING THE BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION SETTINGS

This study explores the dynamics of interdisciplinary education in private universities in Lahore, Pakistan, addressing a significant research gap in global discourse on this pedagogical approach. The research investigates faculty perceptions, benefits for students, and challenges associated with interdisciplinary education. Based on mixed-methods approach, including surveys & interviews, study reveals generally positive faculty perceptions, emphasizing the value of interdisciplinary education in enhancing critical thinking, problem-solving skills & overall learning experiences. Students, in turn, are reported to derive multifaceted benefits, including increased creativity, adaptability, and holistic understanding of societal challenges. Yet, challenges such as limited institutional support and resistance from traditional structures pose obstacles to effective implementation. Findings not only donate to localized understanding of interdisciplinary education in Lahore but offer insights applicable to educational contexts worldwide, aiming to enhance quality and relevance of higher education in an ever-evolving landscape.

Role Of A Teacher In A Blended Learning MHPE Program: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: During the last two years, the pandemic has taken a toll on education. However, E learning tools and other innovative computer software technologies are being widely adopted to deliver educational elements of different courses to students who are placed in far off areas from the university campus. However, Teaching is demanding and complex task and the key limitations in total e-learning format included limited interactions with peer and teachers, communication problems, and insufficient sense of bonding between the teacher and student. To address these issues concept of “blended learning” was adopted. Blended learning escalates the chances of student engagement, enhance critical-thinking development and improve learning processes in the presence of a valued teacher. However, whenever innovative techniques are introduced, it becomes essential to ensure that there is no impact on instructional integrity. Thus, the response of students who are amongst the main stakeholders is absolutely vital to confirm an effective implementation of any teaching and learning approach. Objective: This study provides help to the faculty who newly incorporate BLA (blended learning approach), also it provides guidance for educators and curriculum planners to effectively plan their modules while incorporating a BL approach in medical education. Study Design: Qualitative study (Phenomenology). Settings: Three universities, Riphah International University Islamabad, University of Lahore, Lahore and Khyber Medical University, Peshawar in Pakistan. Duration: Six months from February to August 2017 Methods: Sampling was done by purposive (homogenous) sampling. Study population included MHPE students from three different universities of Pakistan. Population size was 10 MHPE students who completed their course work, and data was collected through one on one semi structured interviews. All interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed manually as well as by importing in NVivo software version 11. Results: By a thematic analysis a total of six major areas were identified that influences the student learning in blended programs. Out of these the major influencing factor came out to be the role of teachers’ both in online and face to face sessions. This blended course design helped them to become more self-regulated, self-directed, lifelong and active learners, and they were also able to transfer these learning skills to their students as well. Conclusion: Students hold a positive perception of the BLA being offered in this MHPE program. Research findings suggests that a BL course design can be successfully used in postgraduate education as well as undergraduate studies it helped to impart new learning approaches in them. The main factors which were appreciated in these courses were flexible or hybrid course design, role of a teacher as facilitators who reinforced learning strategies towards learners’ professional needs.

Effect of Teachers' Work-Related Burnout on Emotional Empathy at the Higher Education Level

Teachers’ burnout is a contributing factor to many teachers leaving the field of education early in their careers and emotional empathy is also related to teachers’ burnout. The factors of emotional empathy are interpersonal emotional empathy and intrapersonal emotional empathy. The objectives of the study were to examine teachers’ work-related burnout and emotional empathy at higher education levels and to investigate the effect of teachers’ work-related burnout on emotional empathy at higher education levels. The research design is based on causal-comparative. The population of the study includes teachers’ of social sciences and humanities from different public and private universities in Lahore. 100 teachers were selected by using a multi-stage sampling method. Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and Toronto Empathy Questionnaire were used to conduct the study. The results show that teachers’ work-related burnout hurts teachers’ emotional empathy.

Impact of Television Drama Viewing on Feminist Awareness: A Study in Lahore, Pakistan

This study assesses how watching TV dramas affects women's awareness of feminism in Lahore, Pakistan. Information is gathered through the online survey method (n=200) from female students of various public and private universities in Lahore. The study analyzes the impact of demographic factors, including age, education level, maternal education, and employment status, on young women's beliefs about traditional gender roles and their inclination toward feminism. The results of the study lend credence to the idea that feminist ideals—represented in television dramas and mothers' employment status—influence children's views on gender roles (H1 & H4). In addition, the findings indicate that education plays a significant role in forming feminist beliefs, particularly among female viewers who watch television dramas regularly (H3). However, the lack of statistical significance in the majority of models makes it impossible to definitively conclude that age has a significant impact on feminist beliefs among television drama viewers (H2).

Examining the Effect of Physical Training on Competitive State Anxiety Levels of Players

This study investigated the influence of physical training on competitive state anxiety in athletes. Ninety athletes (19-25 years old) from three public and private universities in Lahore participated (n = 30 per sport category). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) assessed pre- and post-training anxiety levels. Descriptive statistics (Mean ± SEM) were used to summarize data. Paired-sample t-tests explored the impact of the training program on overall state anxiety, while a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) examined the program's effect on CSAI-2 sub scales cognitive, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. Results revealed significant reductions in state anxiety for ergometer rowing, middle-distance, and long-distance athletes following the 8-week training intervention. We propose that the structured training program improves state anxiety in these athletes by potentially enhancing their fitness and psychological resilience. This study highlights the potential of physical training programs to optimize athletic performance by mitigating competitive anxiety.

Assesment of Corneal Thickness in Type II Diabetic Patients Ageing between 40 to 60 Years

Objective: To assess the corneal thickness of type 2 diabetic patients ageing between 40 to 60 years. Methodology: This was cross sectional study in nature and data was collected from tree tops hospital and university of Lahore. After informed consent, all patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were included in this study followed by measurement of corneal thickness. The data was collected regarding age, duration of diabetes, level of HbA1c test result and medications. When it came to entering and analyzing the data, IBM Spss version was employed. Pearson’s correlation test was applied to find the significance of data. P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: There were total 104 patient with age ranges between 40 years to 60 years. In this research there were 58 persons who were suffering type 2 diabetes from 5 years (55.8%). There 18 and 18 (17.3%) patients were suffering from the diabetes for last 10 and 15 years respectively. Only 10 patients had diabetes for last 20 years. The difference in corneal thickness values between the subsections of patients with no DR, with NPDR and PDR was statistically non-significant (p = 0.810). Pearson’s correlation analysis showed that duration of DM (r = 0.022, p = 0.809), HbA1c (r = 0.103, p = 0.251), and severity of DR (r = 0.022, p = 0.805) did not show any significant correlation with CCT. Conclusion: As the age of the patient increases the central corneal thickness is affected by these factors. Which results in loss or decreased vision and many other problems.

Association of Fatigue Level and Physical Activity among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Fatigue is a common complaint among adults worldwide, with an estimated 20% experiencing persistent symptoms. Physical activity is recognized as a beneficial behavior with the potential to alleviate feelings of fatigue and enhance energy levels. However, the relationship between physical activity and fatigue among university students remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity levels and fatigue among university students, providing insights into the potential of physical activity as a non-pharmacological intervention for fatigue mitigation. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore's Islamabad campus, involving 206 participants aged 17 to 25 years. After securing approval from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC)/Ethical Review Board (ERB), data were collected using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The sample size was determined using the Slovin formula, with a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 0.05. Non-probability convenience sampling was employed. Data analysis utilized SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square tests to examine the association between physical activity levels and fatigue. Results: The study comprised 41.3% male and 58.7% female participants. Results indicated that higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower levels of fatigue. Specifically, 38.8% of participants reported no fatigue, 54.9% reported mild to moderate fatigue, and 6.3% reported severe fatigue. Physical activity status revealed that 18.9% of participants had low, 48.1% had moderate, and 33% had high levels of physical activity. The Chi-square test demonstrated a significant association between physical activity levels and fatigue (X² = 23.13, P = 0.00). Conclusion: The findings underscore a significant inverse relationship between physical activity levels and fatigue among university students, suggesting that engaging in higher levels of physical activity may reduce fatigue levels. This study contributes to the understanding of physical activity as a viable approach to fatigue management in young adults.

Perception and Attitude Towards Academic Research among Undergraduate Students of Allied Health Sciences

Background: Research within healthcare education is pivotal for the evolution of evidence-based practice and the enhancement of patient care. Understanding undergraduate attitudes towards academic research is crucial for curriculum development and fostering a culture of inquiry. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the perceptions and attitudes towards academic research among undergraduate students of Allied Health Sciences and to explore the implications of these perceptions for human healthcare. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted over six months at the University of Lahore, Islamabad Campus. A sample of 300 students was derived using the Slovin formula, with a 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. Data collection utilized a semi-structured, pretested questionnaire comprising 19 closed-ended questions. The questionnaire assessed students’ perceptions of research and its relevance to their education and professional futures. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 for descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 300 participants, 214 (71.3%) acknowledged an awareness of research, with 243 (81%) affirming its utility for professional development and 205 (68.3%) for daily life relevance. However, 195 (65%) perceived research as stressful, and 209 (69.7%) found it complex. Gender distribution showed 82 (27.3%) male and 218 (72.7%) female respondents. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of research in healthcare education, indicating a strong student perception of its value for professional growth, despite associated stress and complexity. Educational strategies should emphasize research skills development to prepare competent healthcare professionals ready to engage in lifelong learning and evidence-based practice.

The effectiveness of neck strengthening exercises on jaw mobility and clicking in anterior disc displacement with reduction of temporomandibular joint: A randomized controlled trial

Background: The studies in the literature have focused on the biomechanical and neurophysiological aspects of cervical and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function. Addressing the cervical spine correlation with the TMJ may lead to long-term improvement in the derangement. This study desired to deduce the effectiveness of deep neck muscle strengthening exercises on jaw motion and clicking sounds in anterior disc displacement with reduction of the TMJ. Methods: This controlled clinical trial was conducted using a single-blinded design in a tertiary care teaching hospital affiliated with The University of Lahore- from March 2020 to January 2021. A count of 68 patients were enrolled each with 34 patients. The inclusion criteria were being 18–50 years old, suffering from TMJ pain and disc displacement with reduction, medical referral for temporomandibular disorders by a dentist or a maxillofacial surgeon, and having symptoms for more than one month before the first treatment. The exclusion criteria were having a tumor, fracture, or trauma in recent medical history, systemic, rheumatic diseases, degenerative changes, and history of surgery of the cervical spine or TMJ. The control group (group A) was only given TMJ mobilization and soft tissue release. The Intervention group (group B) did neck strengthening exercises in addition to the TMJ mobilization. The subjects were assessed twice. Results: To analyze the data, SPSS version.21 was used. To assess the frequency of qualitative factors like clicking, the chi-square test was employed. The mean scores of quantitative factors such as mandibular lateral deviation and maximal mouth opening were approximated between the two categories of subjects using the Mann-Whitney test. The findings demonstrated that there was no change between the groups’ pre- and post-treatment means for jaw mobility and clicking sounds. Nonetheless, the Intervention group’s mandibular lateral deviation significantly improved (P≤0.037). Conclusion: The findings revealed that neck strengthening exercises in addition to routine physical therapy of the TMJ do not affect clicks and mobility between the two groups. The exercises were found out to be effective only in improving the lateral deviation of the mandible.

Does Spiritual Intelligence Link with Happiness and Psychological Adjustment among University Students?

Spiritual Intelligence (SI) is considered the most basic form of intelligence which enables an individual to deeply understand him and others and thus helps in achieving happiness and well-being in life (Subraniam & Panchanatham, 2015). The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between spiritual intelligence, happiness and psychological adjustment in university students. A total of 350 students (Men = 175; Women = 175) were recruited from the universities of Lahore, Pakistan. The age of participants ranges between 18-30 years (M = 21.76; SD = 2.07). Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory (SISRI-24), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), and Psychological Adjustment Scale were used to assess spiritual intelligence, happiness, and psychological adjustment, respectively. Results revealed that spiritual intelligence significantly relates to and predicts happiness and psychological adjustment. As compared to men, psychological adjustment and spiritual intelligence were found to be higher in women. To conclude, students having higher spiritual intelligence are more likely to be happier and show better psychological adjustment, when compared to those who showed lower spiritual intelligence. In the future, spiritual intelligence-fostering programs such as community activities, orientation programs, spiritual seminars, counseling, and classroom activities could be catered for students.