Search

The current research focused on the designing of questionnaire for factors that impact student learning outcomes in tertiary educational system in underdeveloped nation Pakistan. A pilot study was conducted for the designing of questionnaire to collect data on perceived factors that impact student learning outcomes. The selected Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognized private educational institutions were contacted and permission of data collection was obtained from the authorities. Ninety eight students of final semester from HEC recognized tertiary universities at Bachelors level from the department of Science were approached for this study. Participants were informed that the data will be kept in a laptop under password protection. There were 41 total items in the questionnaire. It has been divided into 2 sections. Section A includes the demographic characteristics of participants and includes 7 questions. Section B is divided into 6 subsections, each section capturing the true essence of independent and dependent variables. The results of the study concluded that student perception questionnaire has good to excellent intra rater reliability and indicates that all components have factor loading exceeding 0.50 that also shows the importance of all components. Thus, the questionnaire can be used for the assessment of factors that impact student learning outcomes from educational institutes.

Study Design: A 2-year follow-up study. Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of modified halo-pelvic Ilizarov distraction assembly in the management of patients with severe kyphoscoliosis. Overview of Literature: Severe and rigid scoliosis curves are always a challenge for operating surgeons. Preoperative correction through halo-pelvic devices successfully minimizes the severity of the curve; however, cumbersome complications are also reported with its use. Modified assembly could be safe for these cases. Methods: Patients with severe kyphoscoliosis having coronal Cobb angle >90° were applied with modified halo-pelvic Ilizarov distraction assembly preoperatively. The modified assembly consisted of a pelvic component and halo ring, and distraction was given at the rate of 2–3 mm/day for 6–12 weeks. Complete clinical assessments along with pulmonary function tests were performed, and scoliosis series X-ray images were assessed for coronal and sagittal Cobb angle and other spinopelvic parameters before applying the assembly and during 2 years of follow-up. Results: Thirty-four patients (age, 9–27 years; male/female ratio of 18:16) were included. The coronal and sagittal Cobb angles were 116°±16.2° and 84°±28.3°, respectively. Correction rates obtained through modified halo-pelvic assembly were nearly 52% (p<0.001) in coronal and 40% (p<0.001) in sagittal Cobb angles, with improvement in height (p<0.001). Apical vertebral translation and coronal balance were also improved significantly (p<0.001). Further improvements in all the parameters were obtained after definitive surgery, with improvements in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (p=0.002) and forced vital capacity (p=0.001). Conclusions: Our modified halo-pelvic Ilizarov distraction assembly can achieve good correction in severe spinal deformities without significant risk to neurology, has fewer complications, and promotes good patient compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjacent segment degeneration is commonly observed in patients after fusion surgery. Among the associated risk factors is the preoperative presence of adjacent disc degeneration (ADD). The risk factors and other spine phenotypes associated with preoperative ADD is critical to understand the pathological process and better prognosis postsurgery. Current study aims to assess and compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spinal phenotype of herniated level with and without ADD. Preoperative T2W sagittal lumbar MRI images of 155 lumbar disc herniated patients were analyzed for the presence of ADD (Pfirrmann grade III and above). The herniated disc level was assessed for the presence and absence of vertebral endplate (VEP) defects, Modic changes, and high intensity zone (HIZ). Mean age of patients was 38 ± 2 years, almost 62% were males. ADD was found in 57%, VEP defects were seen in 62% of the herniated level, 24.5% showed Modic changes, 3.8% showed spondylolishthesis, and 15.5% revealed HIZ. Age and other demographic factors did not have any significant effect on the presence of ADD, the patients with extruded and sequestered discs had more ADD (p = 0.02). VEP defects were significantly higher in levels with ADD (p = 0.02). Patients with ADD had significantly VEP defect scores (p = 0.01), Modic score (p = 0.002), HIZ score (0.02), and posterior bulge score (p < 0.001). Findings suggest that affected levels with VEP defects and severe grade of disc herniation have the greater likelihood of having ADD. Once developed this ADD may also affect the other spinal levels, and also can affect postoperative prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In osteoarthritic knee, flexion deformity is caused by synovial inflammation, posterior femoral and tibial osteophytes tenting onto the capsule, ligamentous contracture and hamstring shortening. This study aimed to evaluate the safe zone of joint line elevation for the treatment of flexion knee contracture preventing mid-flexion instability in total knee replacement. Methods 51 knees with varus osteoarthritis undergoing TKA were evaluated. 39 knees with flexion contracture < 15°and 12 knees with flexion contracture >15°. 2-mm joint line elevation was performed in just 4 knees with >15° flexion contracture. The extension and flexion gaps were measured with traditional spacer block. Stability in coronal plane (varus & valgus stress) was assessed at 0,30,60 & 90 degrees. Sampling Technique was non probability consecutive. SPSS 23 was used for statistical analysis. Results: The study comprises 51 patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKA) for osteoarthritis, with a notable gender distribution (84.3% women, 15.7% men) and a mean age of 60.24±8.54 years. Of these, 41.2% had both knees affected, and joint elevation was performed in 23.5% with flexion contracture >15°. No instability was found in cases with joint line elevation. Flexion contracture analysis revealed asymmetry across sides, yet no statistically significant differences. Detailed comparisons show variability in flexion contracture and range of motion, emphasizing the complexity of side-specific outcomes. The study underscores the importance of tailored evaluation and intervention for flexion contracture >15° to optimize postoperative results. Conclusions This study has shown that in patients with varus osteoarthritis of the knee and flexion contracture > 15°, a 2-mm joint line elevation is safe to treat knee flexion contracture and is not associated with mid-flexion laxity. Level of evidence IV Cross sectional study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is a management tool used to improve traffic efficiency in a transportation network. This study investigates the travelers' awareness of ITS and their responses toward the effectiveness of implemented system under a safe city project in the road traffic of Lahore city. A questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of 600 respondents. The study showed that a significant number of road users were aware of the ITS and acquainted with different ITS tools, that is, surveillance camera, electronic challan, variable message sign, and radio as a source of traffic updates, etc. Awareness with ITS increases the dependency of travelers on the implemented system. Moreover, the study infers that travelers are willing for the deployment of such traffic management system in other areas of the city, which is a step toward the success of the executed system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]