Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background The COVID-19 outbreak which developed into a public health crisis has raised concerns regarding infection control among health care workers particularly dentists all over the world. The aim of this survey was to assess awareness, fear and compliance with practice modification according to CDC guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic among Pakistani dentists. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed on Google Forms and was distributed among all seven regions of Pakistan through social media and WhatsApp after carrying out the reliability analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. Question wise analysis using frequencies and percentages was done. Pearson correlation and Kruskal Wallis test was applied to check association of awareness level with qualification and workplace setting. Results A total of 313 dentists participated and submitted the form online from all regions of Pakistan. The response rate was quite satisfactory as Pakistan was under an official lockdown and most of the hospitals/clinics were either closed or operating with minimum staff. Most of the dentists were well aware of the CDC guidelines. However, 75% of the dentists were afraid of getting infected and 88% of them were anxious while providing treatment. Sixty-eight percent of them were avoiding aerosol generating procedures and only 28% were using rubber dam isolation. Regional analysis was also done and areas of poor compliance were identified. Only 38.5% dentists in Balochistan were using N95 masks and none of the dentists (0%) were using rubber dam isolation. A large number of dentists (80.9%) were afraid and wanted to close their dental practice in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Furthermore, a positive correlation was seen between the designation and awareness level (p = 0.01). Similarly, significant correlation (p = 0.03) was seen between qualification and workplace setting. Conclusion The results of the study can help devise strategies to ensure adherence with infection control guidelines in regions with poor compliance. Initiation of awareness programs to help overcome fear and train the faculty and staff in the targeted areas would greatly contribute towards reducing the spread of infection and thus lowering the healthcare burden in a third world country like Pakistan.

To establish a sustainable model for a \"Surgical Shadowing Scheme\" (SSS) and assess how this affects undergraduate attitudes to surgical careers. Surgeons at university teaching hospitals associated with UCL Medical School and UCL Partners, United Kingdom, were approached for their willingness to participate in the scheme. Medical students were then invited to apply for the scheme, where students were individually matched to operating theater sessions with surgeons in their specialty of choice. Feedback was subsequently obtained, evaluating experiences of the placement and the effect this had on future career aspirations. After running for four consecutive years, approximately 220 students have participated in the scheme across a range of surgical units and specialties. A total of 91.5% of the students were pre-clinical (years 1-3), whilst the remainder were clinical (years 4-6). Fifty-four percent were female and 46% male. Eighty-three percent of the students did not have any previous experience of the specialty that they shadowed, and 67% agreed that participating in the scheme had either \"increased\" or \"strongly increased\" their desire to pursue a surgical career. Ninety-four percent said they would \"recommend\" or \"strongly recommend\" the SSS to a peer. Over a third of students reported scrubbing-up during their placements and 35% of these directly assisted the lead surgeon. Traditionally male-dominated surgical sub-specialties recruited a high proportion of female students. This is the first published example of an established \"Surgical Shadowing Scheme\" for medical undergraduates. Our SSS has been highly valued by students and indicates that even a single high-quality surgical exposure is sufficient to increase the desire of undergraduates to pursue a surgical career. We hope that this SSS will act as a blueprint for other centers to develop their own shadowing schemes, in turn helping to ensure that surgery continues to inspire and attract the very best candidates for the future.

Good oral health determines the overall health of an individual. It can have a significant impact on the physical and mental well-being, quality of life, appearance and interpersonal relations of an individual. The dental health of patients with special needs is often ignored and requires special attention. The aim of the study was to determine the oral health status and dental needs of special olympic athletes. A HAS(healthy athlete software) form was used to collect demographic and clinical data regarding oral hygiene practices (e.g. brushing), oral health status (e.g. decayed, missing and filled teeth, gingival health status and fluorosis) and urgency of treatment need. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Percentages and frequencies were calculated for categorical variables.

The difficulty to conceive is seen as a major problem among families especially in Pakistan. The purpose of the study was to evaluate different causes of female infertility in different ethnic groups of Baluchistan, using ultrasonography technique and supporting information. The sample size in existing study was 100 samples of infertile females; the age of female in existent study was divided into 5 groups i.e., 20 - 25, 26 -30, 31 - 35, 36 - 40, and 41-45. It was concluded that the increasing age has a relationship with increased frequency of infertility. The results were significant at p <05, X2 =53.87, df= 4, a =0.05, P < 0.00001. Oligo menorrhea between ethnic groups was found to be Pakhtoon group (17%), Baloch (50%), Hazara community (20%) and others (67%). Amenorrhea was more widespread in Baloch ethnic group 40%. The normal menstruation amongst ethnic groups was in range of 11-25%. (X2=42.060, a=0.05, P= 0.0001). Consulting the findings Endometriosis was more prevalent in Baloch ethnic group (14%), Pelvic Inflammatory Disease was found to be (26%) with higher occurrence in Pakhtoon (10%) and Hazara (9%) group while Ovarian failure (13%) was more common in Hazara community (X2= 10.41, df =4, a=0.05, P<0.05). Different types of fibroids (Submucosal Fibroids, Intramural Fibroids, Subserosal Fibroids) were also seen in infertile female visiting clinics. The present study concluded that the technique of Ultrasonography is very much helpful for knowing the causes, analysis and management of female infertility. This study is beneficial because it examines the indicators for the causes of infertility among different ethnic groups, no such statistics were offered previously in Baluchistan due to lack of resources concerning female infertility problem.

The traditionally use of indigenous medicinal plants in the treatment of burn, dermatrophytes and human infectious diseases and also still essential part of primary public health care. Antimicrobial activities of nine medicinal plants were determined in vitro through agar well diffusion method against pathogenic microorganism species of gastrointestinal tract. Medicinal plants extract of Cocculus pendulus, Malva neglecta, Rhazya stricta, Jaubertia aucheri, Corchorus depressus, Salvia bucharica, Microcephala lamellate, Berberis baluchistanica and Artemisa absinthium were found sensitive to Clostridium spp. The extracts of Malva neglecta, Jaubertia aucheri, Salvia bucharica and Berberis baluchistanica were observed sensitive to E. coli. Similarly the extracts of Malva neglecta, Jaubertia aucheri, Rhazya stricta, Corchorus depressus, and Artemisa absinthium were found sensitive to Salmonella spp. The extracts of Cocculus pendulus, Malva neglecta, Jaubertia aucheri, Corchorus depressus, Salvia bucharica, Microcephala lamellate, Berberis baluchistanica and Artemisa absinthium were sensitive to Shigella spp. The extracts of Cocculus pendulus, Jaubertia aucheri and Berberis baluchistanica were found sensitive to Klebsiella spp. The extracts of Cocculus pendulus, Rhazya stricta, Corchorus depressus, Microcephala lamellate and Artemisa absinthium were revealed resistance to E. coli. The extracts of Cocculus pendulus, Salvia bucharica, Microcephala lamellate and Berberis baluchistanica were revealed resistance to Salmonella spp. The extract of Rhazya stricta was revealed resistance to Shigella spp. The extracts of Malva neglecta, Rhazya stricta, Corchorus depressus, Salvia bucharica, Microcephala lamellate and Artemisa absinthium were revealed to resistance to Klebsiella spp. The extract of Jaubertia aucheri was highly sensitivity against E. coli, Salmonella spp, Shigella spp, Clostridium spp and Klebsiella spp.

The aim of this study was to assess the distribution of caries in the oral cavity and its relationship to risk factors. A total of 115 patients including both males and females were randomly selected for the study. Information about risk factors was collected by face to face interviews. Oral examination was performed to evaluate distribution of caries. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Mean DMFT index of the studied population was calculated to be 5.04. The value was higher in females than males. Prevalence of caries was high in the mandible as compared to maxilla. Most frequently involved teeth were first and second molars and occlusal surface was the commonly affected surface. There was a significant relationship between caries and risk factors. Distribution of dental caries in the oral cavity follows a specific pattern. Risk factors influence the caries susceptibility of the individuals. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency and distribution of carious lesions in patients seeking orthodontic treatment. A total of 100 patients including both males and females were recruited consecutively during a one year period. Patients' pretreatment orthodontic records including charts, radiographs and photographs were examined carefully for the presence of carious lesions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Prevalence of caries was high in the maxilla as compared to mandible. Most frequently involved teeth in both the arches were first molars followed by second molars. An assessment of caries risk of the patients is mandatory before initiating orthodontic treatment in order to gain favorable outcomes of the treatment. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Objectives The main objective of the study was to explore the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and to identify challenges in its incorporation in the healthcare sector of Pakistan. Methods A qualitative exploratory study design was adopted. The study was conducted from January 15th to February 29th, 2024, and HCPs (doctors, pharmacists and nurses) from two tertiary care teaching hospitals in southern Punjab, Pakistan were taken as the study population. The interviews were conducted with the help of a semi structured interview schema. A thematic approach was adopted to analyse the data. Results Out of 40 HCPs approached, 25 participated in the study with a response rate of 62%. The participants included in the study were doctors (14), pharmacists (6) and nurses (5). The participants had limited knowledge regarding AI and its basics. However, they showed positive perceptions about its incorporation. They believed that many of the problems faced by the healthcare sector of Pakistan can be minimized by AI incorporation. They believed that AI can boost up the efficiency of healthcare providers, reduce their workload, save time and minimize medical errors. Four main themes with multiple subthemes were identified: (1) Cognizance of AI, (2) Acceptability of AI among HCPs and training requirements for effective incorporation, (3) Merits and Demerits of AI, and (4) Challenges in incorporation of AI with proposed solutions. Conclusion HCPs showed a willingness to embrace AI incorporation and believed that it may bring numerous benefits to the health system. Policymakers should take necessary steps to ensure AI incorporation in our healthcare sector.

We examine the relative performance of the industry, services, and agriculture sectors in energy conservation and reduction in CO 2 emissions in Pakistan using the “spatial-temporal decomposition” method by taken data from 2006 to 2016. An efficient way to achieve low-carbon economy targets is to decompose different factors contributing to CO 2 emissions, including structure effect, intensity effect, GDP gap effect, energy use efficiency effect, and economic efficiency. We classify economic sectors into three groups based on performance, i.e., sectors performing below, average, and above-average performing. Our results indicate that the economic efficiency and energy use efficiency effects in the industry sector have remained above average. In contrast, the GDP gap effect has remained below average. In the case of structure effect and intensity effect, the agriculture sector has performed on average. In contrast, the service sector has shown mixed results in all factors. The government should pay special attention to energy use structure and innovation to improve desirable output technical efficiency to achieve the target carbon emission level.