Annals of Jinnah Sindh Medical University

The Dawn of Molecular Medicine: Revolution in Healthcare.

Talat Mirza — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Molecular Medicine may rightly be called as ''Tomorrow's Medicine'' as its a new emerging field with great applause globally. It deals with the understanding of etiopathogenetic mechanisims of disease at the ultimate molecular and genetic level. The advances in recent technologies related to AI and Omics has immensely extended the scope opening of new vistas in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases with a strong bench to bedside approach in translational medicine. The new era of personalized and targeted therapies has revolutionalize the landscape of healthcare.

Assessment of Sources of Academic Stress and Coping Strategies Among Junior Dental Students of Preclinical Years in A Public Sector University

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objectives: To identify the sources of stress and coping strategies among preclinical students and to compare
dental environment stress, the self-perceived stress, and coping strategies scores
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a public sector dental school of Karachi on the
students of the first and the second year. Students were asked to fill in the questionnaire based on DES, PSS,
and COPE scale. Sample size of 89 was calculated through OpenEpi and convenience sampling was utilized
for data collection. A pilot study to validate the questionnaire was completed followed by final data collection.
Results: Data was analyzed through SPSS version 18. The number of female participants was 64 out of 89
while males were 25. The first year students were (N=44) and the rest were second year students (N=45) .
The Mean score for PSS for the first year was 28.06 while for the second year was 28.1. DES showed that
the highest stress factors were ‘Examination’, ‘Workload’ and ‘Performance Pressure’ while the highest scoring
COPE factors were ‘religious coping’, ‘planning’ and ‘restraining thoughts’. The overall stress was higher
in the second year students than in the first year students with both seeking solace in religious teachings the
most. Also, female participants showed high stress scores.
Conclusion: The findings of the study support previous data that dental students suffer from constant stress
and pressure to perform which may lead to mental issues and eventually burnout. Support by teachers and
family could play a major part in managing their stress levels.

Application of Quality Control Parameters and Model Dependent and Independent Approaches on Different Brands of Itopride HCL 250mg Available in Karachi, Pakistan

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objective: To conduct Invitro Quality testing of five different brands Itopride Hcl (250mg) available in
Karachi, Pakistan to ensure that their quality meet the desired compendial standards.
Methodology: Several In-vitro tests were executed on five different brands of Itopride Hcl coded as 11, 12,
13, I4 and I5. Sample of 20 tablets from individual selected brands were subjected to different tests including
weight variation, hardness, thickness and diameter. Multiple point intervals dissolution were performed in
0.1N HcL medium in USP paddle type II apparatus and % dissolution data were subjected to several kinetic
model including model dependent and model independent approaches utilizing DD solver add in program
in Microsoft Excel.
Result: Weight variation of all five coded brands of Itopride Hcl 250 mg were found to be 133- 311mg. The
disintegration time of all test formulation was between 2 minutes 40 seconds and 9minutes 32 seconds, %
friability of all tested tablets was found to be 0.21-0.57%. Multiple point dissolution studies samples were
taken at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes and drug released was analyzed on UV spectrophotometer at the
wavelength of 258nm.Similarity factor (f1)considering I2 as reference formulation were found to be in the
range of 1.86-6.52 and dissimilarity factor (f2) values were found to be in the range of 61.80-84.87. Kinetic
models were successfully applied to the dissolution profile of Itopride Hcl.
Conclusion: Evaluation of the quality attributes of five different selected brands of itopride 250 mg tablets
in Karachi, Pakistan, specifically assessing weight variation, hardness, thickness, diameter, dissolution, and
disintegration was the primary objective of this study. By adhering to established Pharmacopeial standards
ensure the product's quality, efficacy, and safety. Tablets ability to release active pharmaceutical ingredient
in a timely manner improving patient compliance by providing optimum therapeutic activity. Invitro quality
standards ensure the products accuracy in terms of weight, potency and performance. The study high light
the importance of rigorous quality control in pharmaceutical manufacturing contributing to improved patient
outcomes.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice regarding Geriatric Care among Nurses at Tertiary Care Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan

Sri Kant, Santosh Kumar, Raja . — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objective: This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding geriatric care among
nurses at public and private tertiary care hospitals in Karachi.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. Ruth K.M Pfau Civil Hospital which
is a public setting and at Dr. Ziauddin Hospital in North Nazimabad, which is a private hospital. Registered
nurses with a valid license who were working at these two hospitals were the target population. Sample size
was calculated by the software ‘OpenEpi’ version 3.0 using a 95% confidence level with 80% power of the
study. The participants were selected using consecutive sampling technique.
Results: Out of all the participants (n=374 nurses), 190 (50.8%) were male and 184 (49.2%) were female.
The majority of nurses demonstrated good knowledge 157 (42%), positive attitude 305 (81.6%), and good
practice level 289 (77.3%). In addition, most nurses from public hospitals had good geriatric care knowledge
92 (41.4%), positive attitude 181(81.5%) and good practice level 182 (82.0%) compared to a private hospital.
This was statistically significant with (p-value<0.05).
Conclusion: Over all, this study found that nurses working in both private and public tertiary care hospitals
had good knowledge of geriatric care, a positive attitude, and good practice towards caring for the elderly
patients.

A Survey of Perioperative Monitoring of Body Temperature and Various Techniques Used in Warming the Patients

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objective: To determine the frequency of patient warming and the various techniques used for patient warming in different tertiary care hospitals of Karachi Pakistan
Methodology: The present study was a one-year cross-sectional study conducted at three different hospitals
in Karachi in which 80 anaesthesiologists (consultants, specialists and final-year residents) were included
through non-probability sampling. The data on perioperative temperature recording and warming methods, including blankets, forced-air warming, and infusion of warmed fluids, were retrieved through a self-
administered questionnaire. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and practices of anaesthesiologists in preventing intra- or perioperative hypothermia and its consequences, and informed verbal consent was obtained from all participants. The SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the data was analyzed and generated with 95% confidence interval by using SPSS version 26.
Results: The mean age of the participants was found to be 40.13 ± 13.09 years, among them 63.7% were
male. The practice of patient warming was documented in 70% of participants. Ambient temperature adjustment was noted as the most common technique, used by 83.3% of the warming group as compared to 16.7% of the non-warming group (p=0.121). Forced-air warming (59.1% vs. 40.9%, p=0.832) while intravenous fluid warming was documented in (62.5% vs. 37.5%, P > 0.05). Temperature monitoring was inconsistent, with
over 50% of patients never monitored during surgery or recovery?.
Conclusion: The results show that there is variability in perioperative temperature monitoring and warming
practices among anaesthesiologists in Karachi. While use of patient warming was widespread, application
methods varied considerably. Ambient temperature adjustment was an overused technique; however, practices
such as forced-air warming and fluid warming were mixed. These findings highlight the need for standardization of protocols and increased clinician awareness in order to prevent perioperative hypothermia and its associated complications.

Harnessing the Healing Power of Java Plum (Syzygium Cumini) in an Animal Model: A Study on the Effects Against Neuroinflammation

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objective: This study aims to evaluate and compare the anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and anxiolytic effects of Syzygium cumini (Java plum) pulp and leaf extracts in rodent models, providing evidence-based insights into their neurotherapeutic potential.
Methodology: Adult rodents models (mice and rats) were used in established behavioral and inflammatory
models. The Forced Swim Test (FST) assessed antidepressant activity, the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) tested
anxiolytic effects, and the Paw Edema test evaluated anti-inflammatory properties. Syzygium cumini pulp
and leaf extracts both were administered for comparison of their effects.
Results: Both pulp and leaf extracts showed significant anti-inflammatory effects in the Paw Edema test. The
pulp extract reduced immobility time in the FST, indicating antidepressant activity, and exhibited anxiolytic
effects in the EPM. The leaf extract only showed anti-inflammatory effects.
Conclusion: This research provides substantial evidence that the pulp extract of Syzygium cumini has
multifunctional neurotherapeutic potential and is effective in managing neuroinflammation and related mood
disordersÊin animal models. The leaf extract, on the contrary, possesses only anti-inflammatory properties.
These results demonstrate thatÊpulp extract isÊa natural option for creating advanced treatments for mood
and neuroinflammatory disorders. Further pharmacological and clinical studies are needed to explore its
standardize dosage, as well as assess the long-term effectiveness.

Association of Caffeine Intake and Stress among University Students

Aqsa Nadeem, Faran Khan; Afifa Tanweer, Saba Nadeem Dar; Mahrukh Tariq — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0500

Objectives: The primary objective of the study was to determine the relationship between caffeine intake and stress among university students. While the secondary objective of the study was to find how the type and amount of caffeine consumption affects university students.

Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted in which 154 undergraduate students of University of Management and Technology of ages 17 to 26 years were targeted. Questionnaires were administered using an interview-based technique, incorporating the Perceived Stress Scale—one of the most widely used psychological tools for assessing stress perception—and a measure to evaluate caffeine consumption by calculating the number of caffeine servings per week.

Results: The study highlighted the stress score according to which, 15% of the respondents had low intensity of stress, 66% had moderate intensity of stress, and 19% students were in the high stress category. We analyzed their caffeine consumption and the results indicated that 82% students had low consumption of caffeine, 14% were having moderate amounts of caffeine and only 4% students had high consumption of caffeine. Out of all caffeinated products, the most consumed caffeinated drink amongst the undergraduate male (WHY MALE) students of UMT was tea (43% responded 5-6 times/week), while coke/ carbonated beverages (38% responded 2-3 times/week) and milk chocolate bars (36% responded 4 times/week) followed at second and third place. The Pearson correlation coefficient between stress scores and caffeine intake is -0.007. This value is very close to zero, indicating almost no linear relationship between stress and caffeine

Conclusion: The study concluded that there is no relation between stress and caffeine intake.