Search

Numerous studies have shown the detrimental effects of childhood trauma on individuals’ psychological functioning. This study examined the relation from childhood traumatic experiences to dissociation, life satisfaction, and attitude toward seeking psychological help while additionally shedding light on the possible mediating role of emotion regulation and basic psychological needs based on the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 489 Italian young adults (Mage = 23.63, SDage = 3.53, 68.7% female) through an online survey. Findings indicated positive associations between childhood trauma and emotion dysregulation, suppression, need frustration, and dissociation. In contrast, negative associations were found with emotion integration, need satisfaction, life satisfaction, and attitude toward seeking psychological help. Structural equation modeling analysis supported the hypothesized indirect associations, suggesting that childhood trauma is indirectly associated with 1) higher levels of dissociation through increased emotion dysregulation, emotion suppression, and need frustration; 2) lower life satisfaction via higher emotion dysregulation and need frustration, as well as diminished need satisfaction and emotion integration; and 3) less positive attitude toward seeking psychological help by elevated emotion suppression and reduced emotion integration. These findings validate SDT as a potent framework for understanding the nuanced pathways from childhood trauma to adult psychological functioning, providing the groundwork for intervention development and a pathway for further exploration with clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capecitabine is an oral pro-drug of 5-flourouracil used in treatment of different cancers. It has cardiotoxicity incidence of 3-35%, which can be significant enough to cause myocardial infarction. To evaluate the efficacy of glyceryl trinitrate in reducing cardiac events when given concomitantly with capecitabine for at least 3 months in various tumors. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in Hameed Latif Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023. A total of 65 patients with various malignancies and ECOG 0-2 were included. Glyceryl trinitrate was given before capecitabine for at least 3 cycles with 2.6 mg dosage twice a day. Cardiotoxicity was assessed after each 21-days cycle by taking history and ECG. Echocardiogram was done at 3-month follow up Patients aged from 49 to 86 years. Adverse events were noted in 3 (4.6%) patients. Two patients (3.1%) suffered from angina (grade 2 cardiotoxicity) while 1 (1.5%) suffered from a myocardial infarction (grade 3 cardiotoxicity). On stratification, only treatment in adjuvant setting (p<0.001) was found to be a possible risk factor. Glyceryl trinitrate may have potential to be used concomitantly with capecitabine to reduce the frequency of serious cardiac events in cancer patients. However, further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan; the US-influenced government of Ashraf Ghani has surrendered, a two-decade-long war ended, and the Taliban proclaimed their acting government on 7 September 2021 and resumed the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan. Pakistan is in support of an inclusive Taliban-led government in Afghanistan and providing Aid to the country for rebuilding and reconstruction of the affected neighbor while hoping for recognition from the international community. Taliban's regime in Afghanistan is a game-changer for South Asian regional politics as now China, Russia, and Iran's interests lie in this area. The Study is an attempt to examine the effects of the Taliban's government on Pakistan's national security, integrity, and economy with special concern for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and Foreign Relations by taking the Baluchistan insurgency as an example. This research will answer intriguing questions such as how the Taliban's government of Afghanistan affects the Baluch insurgency. The purpose of this research is to determine if the Taliban-led Afghan government deepens Pakistan's woes or serves the country's national interests. This paper argues that Baluch insurgents were previously hiding in Afghanistan and unstable Afghan territory was used against Pakistan by the enemies to exacerbate of Baluch insurgency and escalate terrorism to destabilize Pakistan. This study also argues that the New Taliban Government in Afghanistan has an amalgamation of encouraging and detrimental outcomes for Pakistan as supporting the Afghan Taliban government has visible impacts on regional politics and the dynamics of Pakistan's relations with the United States, Iran, and with regional powers, Russia, and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After successfully surviving and braving the harsh blazing winds coming in from the giant of the eastern hemisphere, US has somehow relegated itself to the same position again but this time with an enemy hell bent on reducing US to dust as far as its title as a superpower is concerned. China is not only reading United States really well to counter it but is bring proactive by anticipating its moves and neutralizing it. China and United States are up against each other in every single field and corner of the world. Wherever one lays foot, the other tries to hoist its flag there. This version of cold war has crept into the South America and Central America which are already suffering politically and economically. United States for a long time incentivized these states to sing its praises by concluding Free Trade Agreements with the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Peru and Mexico. Due to other commitments, the last few decades saw the demotion of these states in the list of US' priorities therefore limiting its role only to the promotion of security and democratic ideals. Meanwhile China used this opportunity to infiltrate deep into this region by striking Free Trade Agreements of its own with Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Per and Uruguay and is in talks with other countries one of which is Ecuador to join the list. This paper holds to pin point and then trace the path of these two major powers in navigating the Latin American front of the Cold War 2.0. It is set to be a qualitative study banking on primary and secondary data by accessing archives, journals, articles, newspaper, magazines, think tanks, policy makers etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the awareness of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in surgeons and compare their referral practices from different specialities at a tertiary care center. Study Design: Cross sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Agha Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Methods: A survey was created using Google Forms and the link to the survey was shared to 99 surgery faculty members on official university email addresses. We employed non-probability, convenience sampling technique and the total population of faculty under the Department of Surgery was sampled, including clinical fellows Residents, research associates and ophthalmology faculty were subsequently excluded. The survey contained questions in 4 categories; consent, relevant practices of Diabetes Mellitus (DM), knowledge regarding DR and referral practices to an ophthalmologist. Scoring was based on a 5-point Likert scale with 5 being the most rigorous practice. Data was entered into SPSS v.23. Qualitative data was reported as frequencies with percentages and quantitative data was reported as mean with standard deviation. Results: Out of 40 participants, 87.5% had excellent practices of DM and 77.5% had excellent knowledge of DR. Referral practices to an ophthalmologist were graded fair in 75% and poor in 15% whereas, referral practices were fair or poor across all surgical specialties. Conclusion: Our study indicates a gap between knowledge and practices of surgeons regarding DM. Hence, there is a strong need to enhance awareness about timely referrals to an ophthalmologist to prevent complications of diabetes related blindness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the nature of student-teacher conflicts among undergraduate students at the University of Sargodha. The study population consisted of all undergraduates enrolled in various departments of the University of Sargodha. A simple random sampling technique was used; 12 departments were selected randomly, and the sample comprised 360 final-semester undergraduate students. A self-developed research scale validated through five experts' opinions and pilot testing revealed Cronbach alpha value of 0.78. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis. The major findings revealed that male, urban, border, and self-support undergraduate students exhibited a higher tendency for student-teacher conflicts than their female counterparts in terms of gender, locality, residence, and admission statuses. It is recommended that higher education institutions introduce cultural sensitivity training to foster better understanding among students and teachers, thereby reducing conflicts rooted in cultural differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]