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The spread of SARS-CoV-2 represented a global health crisis. On May 5, 2023, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) officially announced the end of COVID-19 as a global health emergency. Serological assays can identify previously infected SARS-CoV-2 individuals, even if they did not go for testing while acutely ill. The current study sought to detect antibodies directed against the nucleocapsid of SARS-CoV-2 (IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein) in both vaccinated and unvaccinated COVID-19 individuals. Of the 100 participants, 53 and 47 were vaccinated and unvaccinated, respectively. The vaccination status of the cohort based on gender data indicates that 41 (41%) of all participants were vaccinated males, whereas 12 (12%) were vaccinated females. We found that 42 (42%) were unvaccinated males and 5 (5%) were unvaccinated females. Of 53 vaccinated subjects, 42 and 11 participants were positive and negative for IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein, respectively. Of 47 unvaccinated participants, 28 and 19 were positive and negative for IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein, respectively. The average of S/P “Sample/Positive control” percentages, which correlate to levels of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 N protein, were significantly higher among the vaccinated patients (73.8%) as compared to non-vaccinated patients (57.1%), with p = 0.02. There was a downward trend in levels of IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 N protein with increasing age, except for the 60–69 age group.

Julia L Versel,1 Alexandra Plezia,1 Lauren Jennings,1 Isaac Sontag-Milobsky,1 William Adams,2 Ramzan Shahid1,3 1Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, USA; 2Department of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA; 3Department of Pediatrics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USACorrespondence: Ramzan Shahid, Department of Pediatrics Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 South First Ave, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA, Tel +1 708 327 9125, Fax +1 708327 9132, Email rshahid@lumc.eduPurpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if implementation of a new educational curriculum focusing on Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Resilience improved second year medical student scores in these areas.Methods: Our EI-Resilience curriculum was offered as an elective for second year medical students to voluntarily enroll in. The elective consisted of six 2-hour sessions taught by a single faculty member over eight months. Sessions focused on development of EI skills and teaching a Resilience “PROGRAM” (Positive thinking, Reframing, Optimism, Gratitude, Reflection, Altruism, Meaning). Participants’ EI levels were assessed before and after the elective using the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 (EQ-i 2.0).Results: Over a period of 2 years, 70 students participated in the elective. The overall mean EI score significantly improved after the educational elective (100.05 ± 12.94 versus 108.14 ± 12.36, p < 0.001). Compared to the baseline scores, there was significant improvement in all EI components, including all five composite scales, all fifteen content subscales, and the well-being score (all p < 0.05). In a post-intervention survey assessing student perception of the elective, most students found the elective to be helpful (95%, 64/67), most students felt the elective should continue to be available for future students (95%, 64/67), and most would recommend the elective to other students (93%, 62/67).Conclusion: An EI-Resilience curriculum offered as an elective to second year medical students was well received by students. Our outcomes showed significant improvement in students’ EI scores and all sub-scores, including all components of the stress management composite and well-being score. Teaching EI skills and Resilience strategies in the preclinical setting might be an opportune time for this type of educational intervention.Keywords: wellness, medical education, curriculum, elective

Ramzan Shahid,1 William Adams2 1Department of Pediatrics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USA; 2Clinical Research Office Biostatistics Core, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois, USACorrespondence: Ramzan ShahidDepartment of Pediatrics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USATel +1 708-327-9125Fax +1 708-327-9132Email rshahid@lumc.eduIntroduction: Emotional intelligence (EI) is the skill of understanding yourself, managing yourself, understanding others, and managing relationships. Studies have begun analyzing the level of EI demonstrated by resident physicians in various specialties. Very few studies have assessed EI levels of residents in multiple specialties within one institution. The purpose of our study was to assess the EI level of all residents at our institution and to determine which variables were associated with higher EI scores.Methods: In 2018, residents voluntarily participated in the study by completing two online surveys. The first survey was a de-identified survey monkey asking demographic and other training information. The second survey was an online emotional intelligence survey assessing their EI skills, the Emotional Quotient Inventory 2.0 (EQ-i 2.0).Results: A total of 176 of 486 residents (36.2%) completed the study. There was no significant association between EI level and age, gender, type of medical degree, having an advanced degree, or being in a specific specialty. We found that residents who took time off before matriculating into medical school had higher overall EI scores than those who did not take time off (p = 0.02). Similarly, those who took time off before medical school scored higher in interpersonal skills (p = 0.04), empathy (p = 0.03), decision-making (p = 0.02), and impulse control (p = 0.03).Conclusion: Residents who had taken time off before matriculating in medical school had higher overall EI scores and higher scores in the EI components of interpersonal skill, empathy, decision-making, and impulse control.Keywords: emotional intelligence, gap year, time off

Ramzan Shahid,1 Jerold Stirling,1 William Adams2 1Department of Pediatrics, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA; 2Clinical Research Office Biostatistics Core, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA Background: US physicians are experiencing burnout in alarming numbers. However, doctors with high levels of emotional intelligence (EI) may be immune to burnout, as they possess coping strategies which make them more resilient and better at managing stress. Educating physicians in EI may help prevent burnout and optimize their overall wellness. The purpose of our study was to determine if educational intervention increases the overall EI level of residents; specifically, their stress management and wellness scores.Participant and methods: Residents from pediatrics and med-ped residency programs at a university-based training program volunteered to complete an online self-report EI survey (EQ-i 2.0) before and after an educational intervention. The four-hour educational workshop focused on developing four EI skills: self-awareness; self-management; social awareness; and social skills. We compared de-identified median score reports for the residents as a cohort before and after the intervention.Results: Thirty-one residents (20 pediatric and 11 med-ped residents) completed the EI survey at both time intervals and were included in the analysis of results. We saw a significant increase in total EI median scores before and after educational intervention (110 vs 114, P=0.004). The stress management composite median score significantly increased (105 vs 111, P

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] is an important food and cash legume crop in Asia. Development of short duration varieties has paved the way for the expansion of mungbean into other regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Mungbean productivity is constrained by biotic and abiotic factors. Bruchids, whitefly, thrips, stem fly, aphids, and pod borers are the major insect-pests. The major diseases of mungbean are yellow mosaic, anthracnose, powdery mildew, Cercospora leaf spot, halo blight, bacterial leaf spot, and tan spot. Key abiotic stresses affecting mungbean production are drought, waterlogging, salinity, and heat stress. Mungbean breeding has been critical in developing varieties with resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, but there are many constraints still to address that include the precise and accurate identification of resistance source(s) for some of the traits and the traits conferred by multi genes. Latest technologies in phenotyping, genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics could be of great help to understand insect/pathogen-plant, plant-environment interactions and the key components responsible for resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review discusses current biotic and abiotic constraints in mungbean production and the challenges in genetic improvement.

Tariq Saeed,1 Muhammad Nasrullah,2 Adnan Ghafoor,3 Riaz Shahid,4 Nadeem Islam,5 Mohammad Usman Khattak,6 Neeta Maheshwary,7 Ahson Siddiqi,7 Muhammad Athar Khan81Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd, Karachi, Pakistan; 2Cavalary Hospital, Gulberg, Lahore, Pakistan; 3Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan; 4Dr Riaz Shahid Clinic, Peshawar Cantt, Peshawar, Pakistan; 5Punjab Employs Social Security Institution, Islamabad, Pakistan; 6Medical B Unit, Hayat Abad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan; 7Novartis Pharma Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan; 8Department of Medical Education, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaObjective: Anticonvulsants are increasingly being used in the symptomatic management of several neuropathic pain disorders. The present observational study was designed to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and quality of life (QoL) of carbamazepine use for 12 weeks in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy, in Pakistan.Methods: This was a 12-week, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial in adult type 2 diabetic patients (aged 18–65 years) suffering from clinically confirmed neuropathic pain (Douleur Neuropathique en 4 [DN4] score ≥4). Change in neuropathic pain at week 12 compared with baseline was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory Scale–Short Form (pain severity score and pain interference score). QoL was determined by the American Chronic Pain Association QoL scale. Safety was assessed based on patient reported adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs.Results: Of the total 500 screened patients, 452 enrolled and completed the study. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) pain interference score decreased from 4.5±2.0 at baseline to 3.1±1.9 at week 12 (P

International travel goes hand in hand with medical delivery to underserved communities. The global health care worker can be exposed to a wide range of infectious diseases during their global experiences. A pretravel risk assessment visit and all appropriate vaccinations and education must be performed. Universal practices of water safety, food safety, and insect avoidance will prevent most travel-related infections and complications. Region-specific vaccinations will further reduce illness risk. An understanding of common travel-related illness signs and symptoms is helpful. Emerging pathogens that can cause a pandemic should be understood to avoid health care worker infection and spread.

Purpose: This study sought to assess interest in global surgery rotations among current United States (US)‐based oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residents. Methods: An anonymous 23‐question survey was distributed to 633 current OMS residents in the US to examine resident interest in global surgery rotations during residency. The primary outcome variable was resident interest in participating in global OMS rotations during residency training, whereas the primary predictor variable was the presence of residency faculty involved in global OMS work. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all study variables and univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of interest in global OMS rotations. Results: A total of 120 residents with an average age of 30.4 ± 3.2 years responded to the survey. At present, 22 (18.5%) residents stated that their residency programs offer some sort of global OMS rotation and 21 (95.5%) of these claimed they were willing to participate in global OMS rotations at their residency program. Out of the residents who stated their program did not offer a global OMS rotation, 86 (87.8%) respondents stated they would be interested in adding a dedicated global OMS rotation to their residency curriculum. The presence of OMS residency faculty involved in global OMS work (p = 0.030) and a resident's willingness to dedicate vacation time to participate in a global surgery rotation (p = 0.005) were associated with increased interest in a global surgery rotation. Conclusion: The majority of respondents would welcome a dedicated global OMS rotation during their residency training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objectives Trauma registries are essential tools for improving trauma care quality and efficiency, but many fail to capture long-term patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Focusing on these outcomes is crucial for understanding the extent of disability patients experience and identifying potential post-discharge interventions to optimize recovery. Studies reflecting the experience from low- and middle-income countries in this area are limited. Therefore, we aim to develop a digital trauma registry in Pakistan to prospectively capture patient-reported outcome measures at one, three, six, and twelve months post-injury. Methods We will develop and implement a digital trauma registry at two tertiary care facilities in Karachi, Pakistan: Aga Khan University Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center. The registry will include all admitted adult trauma patients (≥ 18 years). Data collection will be conducted digitally using tablets, with mortality, level of disability, functional status, and quality of life as primary outcomes. Follow-up data will be collected through telephone interviews with patients and caregivers. We will employ descriptive statistics to summarize participant’s socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Additionally, we will perform survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models and utilize mixed-effects linear regression to adjust for potential confounders for primary outcomes. Discussion The trauma registry will fill the current gap in knowledge regarding long-term outcomes among trauma patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study will delineate future direction for capturing post-discharge data, enhancing our understanding of recovery, and informing the design of interventions aimed at improving long-term outcomes.