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Introduction: Principles of cognitive psychology (CP) aim to shed light on the fundamentals of perception, attention, and knowledge extraction used for critical thinking, learning, and recollection of information. These principles were incorporated to educate undergraduate medical and dental students, and the study aims to assess the perspectives of medical and dental students regarding applying these principles. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 555 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students using a validated questionnaire with purposive sampling. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 21. Results: The study population comprised 555 undergraduate medical and dental students, with a mean age of 20.55 ± 1.86 years. Of these, 63.4% were pursuing MBBS, and 36.6% were BDS students. The sample included 320 (57.65%) female and 235 (42.35%) male students. MBBS and BDS students exhibited high confidence levels in most aspects of CP principles required for interactive learning. However, they expressed lower confidence in facilitator-student interaction, receiving feedback within large classes, and experiencing online teaching elements. A significant difference was observed between the two groups. In five of six CP attributes, MBBS students demonstrated significantly higher perceptions than BDS students: overcoming cognitive and emotional challenges, recognizing and overcoming ineffective learning strategies, paying attention in class, and integrating knowledge (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study reveals that MBBS students perceived the application of CP principles more positively than BDS students in key interactive learning areas. Furthermore, the integration of CP principles enhanced session interactivity, student engagement, attention, and retention. To optimize learning outcomes, institutions should consider adopting blended learning strategies, curricular innovations, and active learning methodologies (such as case-based, team-based, and problem-solving approaches) aligned with CP principles. Future longitudinal research could provide deeper insights into the long-term impact of CP principles on student learning and perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: The context, mechanism, and outcome (CMO) framework is meant to identify specific contextual factors (C) related to organizational and program structure that trigger certain mechanisms (M) involving the unique characteristics of a program, leading to specific outcomes (O). The purpose of this study was to explore the contextual underpinnings, operational processes, and resultant effects of the faculty mentorship program at AKU-SONAM. This exploration involved the context in terms of organizational culture, mechanisms examining processes such as communication between mentors and mentees, quality of relationships, the challenges encountered, and the program's adaptability to cope up while, outcomes encompassed improvements in interpersonal relationships, career advancement, and skill development. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study was conducted at AKU-SONAM, involving in-depth interviews (IDIs) with program leadership and administrators, as well as focus group discussions (FGDs) with mentors and mentees. A semi-structured interview guide, comprising open-ended, introductory, probing, and concluding questions, was developed, validated, and reviewed by experts to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. The process included transcription of interviews, verification through member checks, and thematic analysis where codes and categories were identified and themes, were developed guided by the CMO (Context-Mechanism-Outcome) configuration framework. Results: Three IDIs were conducted with administrators and leadership while two FGD were conducted independently with mentors and mentees. Themes for context, mechanism, and outcome were identified. The theme "Navigating Mentorship Challenges in the Professional Landscape" described the Context with subthemes: "Existence of mentorship culture", Origins and Evolution of Mentoring" "Mentor's pool, Availability of resources and Mentorship to Seniors. 'Synergies in Professional Development: From Interdepartmental Collaboration to Mentor-Mentee Connections' was the theme for mechanisms with subthemes; 'Fostering Interdepartmental Collaboration' 'Building Connections', 'sharing of thoughts', Work Driven Model, Mentor mentee pairing and Selection of mentor. Theme: 'Cultivating Excellence in the Orchard for Outcome' emerged from 'Exchange of Insights in the Orchard of Mentorship' and 'Skills Development" constituted the Outcome theme. Conclusions: The mentorship program at AKU-SONAM facilitated mentors and mentees to establish connections and exchange ideas. While the mentor-mentee pairing process was clearly outlined, participants emphasized the need to address the challenges encountered by mentees. Although the outcomes were not explicitly clarified, the program contributed to the advancement of the professional development of mentees at AKU-SONAM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility was reported in approximately 15% of all heterozygous couples, with the male factor accounting for nearly half of the cases. This typically occurs due to low sperm production, sperm dysfunction, and sperm delivery obstruction. In this randomized controlled single-blind clinical trial, 90 infertile male subjects diagnosed with oligospermia, hypospermia, asthenozoospermia, or necrozoospermia were recruited. Semen samples were obtained with the masturbation method and an assessment of semen volume, sperm count, and motility was performed. Five milliamps of electrical shock was delivered to the participants through the fertility improvement device. Semen analysis was collected 4 months post-intervention from all subjects. Data were collected and an analysis of pre- and post-intervention results was performed. There was an improvement in the count, volume, and motility of the patient's sperm after electrical shock treatment compared with the control group. By using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, there were statistically significant differences between the first and the second seminal analysis results (<.05). All other results were found to be independently correlated. This study demonstrated that using a painless, convenient at-home device, which is designed to contain all the testis tissue as a cup and then extend to include the scrotal roots reaching the penile root to include the epididymis, could significantly improve sperm motility and count. This device can be utilized to tackle the significant issue of infertility in a cost-effective, safe, and efficacious manner. An ultrasound was done before and after using the device as well as years after with no changes noted. Clinical Trial's Registration Number: NCT04173052 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: The relationship of Vitamin-D (VD) with Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) is recognized. This study was conducted to determine whether VD is a predictor of fertility and investigate its relationship with female reproductive hormones and markers of ovarian reserve in female population of Karachi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from July 2020 to June 2022 at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) with recruitment of 135 fertile and infertile subjects. VD, AMH, FSH and LH levels were estimated by 'Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA)'. By applying binary logistic regression, variables with p-value < 0.25 in univariate analysis were used for multivariate regression model and adjusted odds ratios were computed. In multivariate analysis, significance was p-value ≤ 0.05. Results: VD deficiency was observed in all infertile female subjects. In univariate regression analysis, FSH, LH, LH/ FSH ratio and VD levels turned out to be significant. The Multivariate analysis represented that for every one ng/mL increase in VD level, the odds of fertility were expected to be 50.154 times higher with p-value < 0.001. The positive correlation of VD with FSH was significant. Conclusion: VD deficiency was prevalent in all infertile female subjects. VD levels were strong predictor of fertility in the study population. The significant association of VD with FSH explained the indirect effect of VD on follicular development and ovarian functions however no relationship of VD with ovarian reserve was exhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effects of female age, body mass index (BMI), hormonal profile, infertility duration and causes on pregnancy outcomes in females undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). Material and Method: This retrospective study included 199 infertile females who underwent IUI from 2015 to 2019 at Raja-Isteri-Pengiran-Anak-Saleha Hospital, Brunei Darussalam. Age, BMI, hormonal profile, duration of infertility, and causes of infertility associated with pregnancy outcome during treatment were studied. Urine pregnancy test confirmed the pregnancy post-IUI. The statistical analysis tests for categorical variables were the Chi-Square test and Fisher’s exact test. One-way ANOVA was used to assess numerical variables. P-values <0.05 were deemed statistically significant. Result: The mean age of the pregnant females was 32.8±4.9 years, the mean BMI was 24.7 kg/m² and 12.5% of the participants had normal weight, 5.5% were overweight, and 9% were obese. Overall, 18 females (9%) achieved successful outcomes. Despite the lack of a significant relationship between BMI and pregnancy outcome, 83% of females with positive outcomes were obese. Furthermore, 72.2% of the females who were infertile for <6 years had conceived. A decreasing trend of hormones was noticed with an increasing BMI (p<0.05). Overall hormonal values did not significantly determine IUI outcome (p>0.05). Conclusion: Successful outcomes after IUI were observed in females with unexplained or female-caused infertility. Male infertility did not influence the positive pregnancy outcome. Females with an age range of 30-39 years, duration of infertility less than six years, and BMI index of >25 kg/m² were able to conceive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the in-vitro effect of metformin on total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of seminal samples of infertile male subjects. It was conducted from January to June 2022 on forty-four seminal plasma samples collected from male infertile patients, age ranging from 18 to 55 years. All 44 semen samples were treated as three distinct groups: (i) a control group (ii) a study group subjected to oxidative stress (OS) induction and (iii) a test group exposed to OS induction and subsequent treatment with metformin. OS was introduced by using commercially available 100μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and incubated for twenty-four hours at 37ºC. After that 1 ml of 100 mmol/l concentration of commercially available Metformin (PHR 1331, CAS: 461-58-5) was administered to test group samples for additional 24h at 37ºC. Low levels of TAC were observed after OS induction in comparison to the control group (p=0.01). In test samples (after treatment with Metformin), a positive correlation of TAC with sperm count, normal sperm morphology and sperm motility were observed however, results were not significant. The antioxidant effect of Metformin was shown to improve the antioxidant capacity of OS induced samples and their sperm parameters in seminal plasma of infertile male subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility is defined as failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. It affects 15% of couples globally and 22% of couples within Pakistan. Female infertility can be caused by numerous genetic or environmental factors including hormone imbalances and exposure to chemicals or radiation. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the adult population was reported to be 14–59% with a higher prevalence in Asian countries. Furthermore, the expression of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) can play a vital role in the reproductive organs of females. Hence, the aim of our present study was to check the association of VDR polymorphisms with infertile females. For this purpose, blood samples were collected for genotyping of four known VDR mutations [FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236), ApaI (rs7975232), and BsmI (rs1544410)] via PCR-based RFLP assay. Genotyping indicated that FokI, TaqI, and ApaI are associated with infertility (p = 0.004*, p = 0.013*, and p = 0.033*, respectively). However, BsmI did not show any significance. Multinomial regression analysis indicated that FokI heterozygous genotypes increase the risk of infertility by 2.5 times (hetero: OR = 2.5, 95%, p = 0.001*) as compared to wild type. Heterozygous genotypes of TaqI and ApaI were found to play a protective role and reduce the risk of infertility by 58 and 52%, respectively [TaqI: OR = 0.42, 95%, p = 0.004*, ApaI: OR = 0.48, 95%, p = 0.01*, respectively] as compared to wild type. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was also performed for allelic data as well. Thus, it could be summarized that among the studied polymorphisms of VDR, FokI SNP greatly increased the risk of infertility, while TaqI and ApaI genotypes protect from infertility. However, BsmI does not influence the risk of infertility in Pakistani females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the perceptions of mentors, mentees, administrators (including chairs, co-chairs, and coordinators of the mentoring program), and leadership regarding the Faculty Mentorship Program at AKU School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-SONAM). Additionally, the study aimed to explore the strengths and challenges faced by the program. Methods: A qualitative exploratory study on mentorship was carried out in AKU-SONAM from February till December 2021. In this study we conducted purposive criterion sampling. The study participants included mentors, mentees, administrators, and the dean of AKU-SONAM. An interview guide was developed, validated, and reviewed by experts. After piloting, two focused group discussions and three in-depth interviews were conducted. Results: Thematic analysis of the data revealed the following themes: "Nurturing growth and development in mentoring relationships," "Establishing a strong foundation for effective mentoring," and "Opportunities for growth and development through overcoming challenges." Conclusion: The participants expressed confidence in the existing support system, leadership, and mentorship program at the institution. They highlighted the significance of regular monitoring to recognize areas of improvement uphold high standards and ensure excellence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]