The University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, has undertaken transformative curriculum reforms through the Modular Integrated MBBS Curriculum 2K23, shifting from discipline‑based teaching to a competency‑driven, integrated model. Emphasizing spiral learning, early clinical exposure, and the “Seven‑Star Doctor” concept, UHS has mandated life‑saving emergency skills training for over 20,000 annual graduates across health disciplines. Reforms extend to nursing and allied health sciences, promoting interprofessional education, digital integration, and sustainability through continuous feedback, faculty development, and research. By embedding global standards within local relevance, UHS positions itself as a leader in socially accountable, future‑ready healthcare education, fostering a collaborative culture of excellence. Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis areknown for their steady onset of action and multiple adverse effects. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of the ethanolic extract of Solanum nigrum (SN) in the Complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritic rat model. Methods: A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were used in a 4-week pre-clinical experimental study. The animals were divided into5 groups; Group-I negative (healthy) control (0.9% normal saline), Group-II positive (diseased) control (0.9% normal saline), Group-IIIstandard group (Methotrexate 1.5 mg/kg), Group-IV (SN 100 mg/kg), and Group-V (SN 200 mg/kg). To develop arthritis, 0.1ml of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant was administered intraarticularly in the right knee joints of all groups except Group-I at day 0. Knee joint circumference was assessed by using a Vernier caliper once weekly for 4 weeks. For euthanasia, 100 mg/kg pentobarbital was injected intraperitoneally... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Repairing composite restorations is a conservative alternative to replacement, and bond strength is influenced by both the composite type and surface treatment. This study compared the shear bond strength of microhybrid and bulk-fill composites repaired with bulk-fill composite using different surface treatment protocols. Methods: This experimental study, conducted from July 2023 to February 2024, included 120 samples: 60 microhybrid composites and 60 bulk-fill composites. The samples were divided into a control group with no further treatment and an experimental group with additional surface treatments. The samples were prepared in Teflon molds, cured, aged in deionized water, and exposed to thermal cycling as per ISO standard/TR 11405(2003). The surface treatments included roughening, application of a universal adhesive (iBOND Universal), sandblasting with alumina, and a silane coupling agent (Bis-Silane, BISCO Inc.). The repair composites were applied and cured, followed by shear bond strength testing using a universal testing machine.... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Metabolic syndrome poses a significant public health challenge in developing nations and accounts for thehighest mortality and morbidity rates globally. It is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in individuals of all age groups. This study assessed the risk factors and frequency of metabolic syndrome among adults at MirpurKhas, Sindh. Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, Bhitai Medical and Dental College,MirpurKhas, Sindh. A total of 1,000 subjects with clinically suspected metabolic syndrome were enrolled and their anthropometricmeasurements, including weight and height, serial blood pressure estimation, blood sugar, total cholesterol, high and low densitylipoproteins, and triglycerides levels were carried out following standard procedures The logistic regression was used to establish thecorrelation between the metabolic syndrome and risk variables. Results: There were 550 (55%) male and 450 (35%) female participants. The mean age was 43.0 ±11.2 years. Metabolic syndrome waspresent... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Dental laboratory surfaces are contaminated by various microorganisms that can cause infections amongstaff and students. This observational study aimed to identify different types of microbial flora present on different surfaces of dentallaboratories and determine the antibiotic sensitivity of the isolates. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the dental laboratory of a dental school in Pakistan from April 2023 to April 2024. Eleven samples were collected from randomly selected surface areas in the dental laboratory during working hours of the day without any prior disinfection using Amies agar gel transport swabs and transferred to the laboratory for culture and sensitivity test. Visible growth was observed on all culture plates. Colonies grown on blood and MacConkey agar plates were tested using standard microbiological methods. Results: Analysis of swabs taken from the dental laboratory surfaces showed microbial contamination with Acinetobacter baumannii(63%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (36%), and Staphylococcus hominis (27%),... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Understanding the prevalence is essential for developing guidelines for screening and managing hepatitisB virus in rheumatoid arthritis patients, particularly in settings like Peshawar, where the burden of both diseases is likely to be high andviral infectivity may rise because of immunosuppression induced by anti-rheumatoid therapy. Therefore, this study was conducted todetermine the frequency of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among patients with rheumatoid arthritis presenting at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 231 patients diagnosed with RA. Diagnosis was confirmed using clinical assessment and laboratory investigations, including rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide. All laboratory tests were performed in a single hospital laboratory under the supervision of a senior pathologist. HBV infection was confirmed using a third-generation enzymelinked immunosorbent assay for hepatitis B surface antigen with a cut-off value of 2.0. An independent t-test was applied, keeping p < 0.05... Continue Reading

Background and Objective: Access to oral healthcare is vital for overall well-being, yet it is influenced by a complex interplay of social,cultural, economic, structural, and geographic factors. This study aimed to identify and analyze the socio-demographic characteristics and attitudes affecting access to dental care among residents of the Sheikh Zayed Hospital residential colony in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. A questionnaire based on Andersen and Aday’s behavioral model of healthcare service use was developed and pretested through cognitive interviews to ensure clarity and relevance. Convenience sampling was employed to select 125 participants from the residential colony. Data collection involved door-to-door household surveys, demographic information gathering, and questionnaire responses. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, focusing on descriptive statistics for categorical variables. Results: The study included 125 respondents, with a majority... Continue Reading

Background and objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major public health concern worldwide, with ocular complications being a leading cause of preventable vision loss among adults. Early detection through regular ophthalmic screening is critical to prevent irreversible vision loss. The study was designed to determine the frequency of ocular complications of DM in patients with diabetes presenting to Munawwar Memorial Hospital Chakwal, for their first eye consultation. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the monthly Medical Retina Clinic of Munawwar Memorial Hospital Chakwal from September 2022 to November 2022. Detailed clinical assessment and regular ophthalmic examination of 60 diabetic patients, aged 30-90 years, was done to determine the presentation patterns of diabetic eye disease. An optometrist performed refraction and slit lamp examination to evaluate the anterior and posterior segments. A full retinal examination was performed using a 78-diopter lens. The findings were then validated by the attending ophthalmologist.... Continue Reading

Background and Objective:  MI causes morbidity and mortality worldwide and is linked to oxidative stress and metabolic markers. This study examines how many oxidative stress markers predict myocardial infarction and its effects. Our ultimate goal is to create prognostic markers for early MI diagnosis and therapy. Method: The University of Lahore Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology researcher did a cross-sectional study. 405 clinically proven MI patients aged 20–90 were studied. The study excluded autoimmune disease and post-diagnosis surgical participants. Biochemical marker concentrations were determined using standardized ELISA kits on Lahore Teaching Hospital blood samples containing VSMCs. The study examined markers such as lipid peroxidation (DT, MDA, THB, 8-OHdG, 4-HNE, NT, IsoP-F2α) and antioxidants (SOD, Catalase). Results:  All variables demonstrated a statistically significant difference between MI patients and controls. Serum MDA levels in MI patients were higher than the control group (4.56±1.09 vs. 0.932±0.056 nmol/ml, p=0.022). In the MI group,... Continue Reading