LIAQUAT MEDICAL RESEARCH JOURNAL

PREVALENCE AND AWARENESS OF OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATION: ADDRESSING THE ALARMING SURGE OF SELF-MEDICATION IN YOUNG POPULATION

Durriya Hashmat — 2025-06-30

Globally, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are commonly used as nonprescription medications. Among these, analgesic agents are most frequently consumed, though their indiscriminate use can lead to serious health complications. The use of OTC medicines without prescription and proper awareness has now become a public health concern world-wide. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness, prevalence and handling of OTC medicines among the students of a local university. A cross-sectional survey based study was conducted using a structured open-ended questionnaire, distributed randomly among university students in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 300 students participated in the study. The questionnaire aimed to evaluate participants' knowledge and usage patterns of common analgesics such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Out of 300 participants 69% were females and 31% were males, aged between 18 to 30 years. Among them, 56% reported that paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin were used for pain relief, while 44% were unaware of its indication. Pain was the most commonly reported reason for OTC drug use (29%). Awareness of adverse effects was also assessed, with gastrointestinal (GI) complications being the most reported side effect at 43%. The OTC are commonly reported to be taken for pain.

ASSOCIATION OF THYROID HORMONE WITH LIPID PROFILE IN PATIENTS VISITING DISTRICT RAWALPINDI HOSPITAL, PAKISTAN

Ammara Khan — 2025-06-30

Current study aimed to examine the association of thyroid hormone with lipid profile in hospitalized patients. 5 ml venous blood sample was collected for evaluation of thyroid and lipid profiles. The study was conducted during January to June 2023 in Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC), Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A total of 200 patients were recruited, among these 68 (34%) were females and 132 (66%) were males. On the basis of family history 64 (32%) patients had a family history of heart diseases, while 136 (68%) did not report any such history. The higher proportion of patients had hypothyroidism as compared to hyperthyroidism. Thyroid disorders along with lipid profile have greatly affected the cardiovascular system, consequently the rate of cardiac diseases has increased. The change in thyroid hormone levels can also affect lipid profile which will be directly affecting cardiovascular system even in low risk patients such as those without family history of cardiovascular diseases and without personal history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Thus it is essential to evaluate such relationship.

ANTIMICROBIAL, ANTIOXIDENT AND CYTOTOXIC EVALUATION OF IFLOGA SPICATA (Forssk) Sch.Bip. BIOSYNTHESIZED SILVER NANOPARTICLES

Yar Muhammad Khan — 2025-06-30

The study aimed to determine pharmacological and phytochemical potential of different solvent fractions of Ifloga spicata. Antimicrobial potential, free radical scavenging activity 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, and cytotoxic effects of plant samples on human blood lymphocytes under H₂O₂ induced stress was performed. Ifloga spicata ethyl acetate fraction markedly showed higher antibacterial potential against P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) and E.coli (ATCC 25922) bacterias. While higher antifungal potential was shown by the chloroform fraction against all three different strains A. fumigates (ATCC 204305), A. flavus (ATCC 9643) and A. niger (ATCC 16404) as compared to others fractions of the sample. DPPH maximum antioxidant potential was noted for methanolic extract followed by ethyl acetate with order of Methanol>Ethyl acetate>Chloroform>n-Hexane. Similarly, the hydrogen peroxide effect was significantly decreased by ethyl acetate fraction. In blood lymphocytes the raise in ROS and TBARS level due to stress given by H₂O₂ was also recovered by different extracts of I. spicata. The decrease level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) was also restored to its normal by all extract of the Ifloga Spicata.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DIETARY HABITS, SLEEP PATTERNS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND OBESITY AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Ali Hassan Palijo — 2025-06-30

Obesity represents a significant global health concern, impacting nations across all economic strata. Medical students face heightened risks of adopting detrimental habits due to the pressures of academic life, which can result in weight gain and associated health problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity among medical students at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan and investigate its association with lifestyle factors including eating habits, physical activity levels, and sleep patterns. This was cross-sectional study including 148 medical students. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire assessing participants' dietary habits, physical activity, and sleep patterns. The mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 23.53 kg/m²; 20.3% were overweight and 6.8% obese, more common in males. Fast-food intake was higher in these groups. No strong link existed between BMI and sleep, though obese students reported to have irregular sleep patterns. Physical activity was low, with 78.35% of overweight/obese students exercising 1–2 times weekly or not at all. This study identified a significant association between BMI and lifestyle factors among medical students, with males showing a higher tendency toward overweight and obesity. Elevated BMI was linked to frequent fast-food consumption, low levels of physical activity, and irregular sleep patterns. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that promote healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and improved sleep hygiene.

EVALUATION OF FAMILY STRUCTURE AND PARENTAL LOSS AND PEER BULLYING AS RISK FACTORS FOR CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION: A SCHOOL-BASED DESCRIPTIVE-CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Nabia Shah — 2025-06-30

Depressive symptoms after parental loss are a natural phenomenon, tagged with loss of support, financial constraints and disruptive routine. The loss of parent may be further enhanced in cases of painful divorces. At the same time bullying is considered as a major psychological trauma for growing children. This study was conducted to evaluate depression in school children following parental loss resulting in change in family structure and also with the history of peer bullying. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in school going children. A total of 1000 children were evaluated aged between 5 to 15 years. Out of these 42 children had a history of parental loss within last two years while 12 had lost their parents more than two years ago. Depression was reported in 61 students and showed significant association with loss of parent, both by death or divorce. Bullying also showed significant association with depression. In conclusion, children having history of parent loss and bullying showed significant association of depression. Therefore, mental health support for these both group of children should be considered even if they do not show apparent signs of depression.

A RARE PHENOMENON OF ANTI-N ANTIBODY REACTIVITY AT 37°C: AN UNCOMMON DETECTION IN ROUTINE IMMUNOLOGICAL SCREENING

Muhammad Shayan Ashfaq — 2025-06-30

Anti-N antibodies usually possess cold-reactive properties which make them clinically insignificant and are mostly classified as naturally occurring IgM antibodies. These antibodies sometimes trigger reactions at body temperature (37°C) or in the anti-human globulin phase resulting in serious medical outcomes such as delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions or hemolytic disease of the newborn. This case shows an extraordinary naturally occurring anti-N antibody which was detected in a 20-year-old male liver donor during standard antibody testing because of its unexpected reactivity at 37°C. The absence of any previous blood transfusions or medication use in the patient made this case stand out as particularly intriguing. The antibody identification was successful following the 'pre-warm' technique implementation while antigen phenotyping validated it as an IgG-type anti-N antibody. This medical case demonstrates the critical importance of recognizing unusual antibody responses during blood transfusions and organ transplants because uncommon reactions may lead to serious consequences.

BENCH TO BEDSIDE: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

Binafsha Manzoor Syed — 2025-06-30

Translational research is a modern era of medical and clinical research where basic research discoveries are brought in the clinical practice to the patient care. The medical science has been revolutionized by these discoveries and clinical outcome of diseases has improved with longer survival and better quality of life. However, low-middle income countries (LMICs) are not enjoying the magic of translational research in its true sense as they are still dependent on discoveries from high income countries. There is no lacking of talent or ideas in LMICs but there are challenges like inappropriate infrastructure, shortage of trained human resource and also there are issues of funding for translational research projects. The medical research is expensive in fact but LMICs must see it as an investment. While working on local problems and finding their solutions locally, will certainly establish local research based business and the products can reach to the patient at low cost. Thus this may be taken as opportunity.