Gandhara University

About: Gandhara University is a education organization based out in Peshawar, Pakistan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 54 authors who have published 149 publications receiving 1517 citations.

COVID-19 suicides in Pakistan, dying off not COVID-19 fear but poverty? - The forthcoming economic challenges for a developing country.

Abstract: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has created a major mental health challenge throughout the world (Mamun and Griffiths, 2020a). Like the previous pandemics, the unimaginable mental sufferings such as depression, panic, fear, anxiety, stress, trauma, adjustment disorder, etc. are reported in general people as well as healthcare professionals (Ahorsu et al., 2020, Frank et al., 2020, Jahanshahi et al., 2020, Montemurro, 2020, Sakib et al., 2020). These psychiatric sufferings are also accounted for about 90% of the global suicide occurrences in the extreme cases (Mamun and Griffiths, 2020b), similar finding is also reported in the aftermaths of the traumatic events (Mamun and Griffiths, 2020c). Thus, suicide rate increment during and afterwards a pandemic is not highly unexpected, but more common. For instance, the COVID-19 fear leads to suicide completion that is reported in Pakistan’s neighborhood countries like Bangladesh, India (e.g., Goyal et al., 2020, Mamun and Griffiths, 2020a). Besides, another non-representative study utilizing only 7-cases claims that the global COVID-19 suicide risk factors to be – (i) social isolation and distancing, (ii) economic recession, (iii) mental problems among healthcare professional, and (iv) social boycott and discrimination etc. (Thakur & Jain, 2020). The study is not representative as of it does not consider the COVID-19 suicide cases based on either global or a representative country. Hence, the conclusion of the global COVID-19 risk factors is arguably limited by selecting one suicide case for each causality, that also limits in overrating the prominent risk factors more generally in the crisis time. Besides, the decreasing of German Finance Minister is reported for economic recession suicide case rather than considering the general economic recession victims, that is totally unable to convey the evidence of lockdown-related economic recession suicides among the general people (Thakur & Jain, 2020). These non-representative and selective findings lead us to investigate the actual COVID-19 suicide causalities by considering all the COVID-19 suicide cases from a developing country (e.g., Pakistan).

Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Viola betonicifolia whole plant

Abstract: Pyrexia, algesia and inflammation are associated with several pathological conditions. Synthetic drugs available for the treatment of these conditions cause multiple unwanted effects. Several studies are ongoing worldwide to find natural healing agents with better safety profile. The current study was thus aimed at evaluating antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic extract of whole plant of V. betonicifolia (VBME). VBME was employed to assess antipyretic activity in yeast induced hyperthermia. Analgesic profile was ascertained in acetic acid induced writhing, hot plat and tail immersion test. Nevertheless, the anti-inflammatory activity was tested in carrageenan induced paw edema and histamine induced inflammatory tests. BALB/c mice were used at test doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight intra peritoneally (i.p). In yeast induced pyrexia, VBME demonstrated dose dependently (78.23%) protection at 300mg/kg, similar to standard drug, paracetamol (90%) at 150mg/kg i.p. VBME showed a dose dependent analgesia in various pain models i.e. acetic acid, hot plat and tail immersion having 78.90%, 69.96% and 68.58% protection respectively at 300mg/kg. However, the analgesic action of VBME was completely antagonized by the injection of naloxone like opiate antagonists. Similarly carrageenan and histamine induces inflammation was significantly antagonized by VBME, 66.30% and 60.80% respectively at 300mg/kg. It is concluded that VBME has marked antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities in various animal models and this strongly supports the ethnopharmacological uses of Viola betonicifolia as antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory plant.

The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Across Different Cohorts.

Abstract: The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as the state of wellbeing in which an individual realizes their capabilities to combat with normal life stressors and work competencies in contributing to the belonged community, which is underpinned by six psychological elements comprising (i) self-acceptance, (ii) meaning in life, (iii) autonomy, (iv) healthy relationships with others, (v) environmental mastery, and (vi) personal growth (Mukhtar 2020). These mental health and emotional issues are now among the foremost public health concerns throughout the world because of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, due to fear of infection or fear of death from the virus. Consequently, many individuals are suffering from elevated anxiety, anger, confusion, and posttraumatic symptoms (Mukhtar 2020; Pakpour and Griffiths 2020). Studies have reported that the spatial distancing, self-isolation, quarantine, social and economic discord, and misinformation (particularly on social media) are among the major contributing factors towards unusual sadness, fear, frustration, feelings of helplessness, loneliness, and nervousness (Ahorsu et al. 2020; Sakib et al. 2020). In extreme cases, it may International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00367-0

A Comprehensive Review of Magnetic Nanomaterials Modern Day Theranostics

Abstract: Substances at nanoscale commonly known as “nanomaterials” have always grabbed the attention of the researchers for hundreds of years Among these different types of nanomaterials, magnetic nanomaterials have been the focus of overwhelming attention during the last two decades as evidenced by an extraordinary increase in number of research papers Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles have occupied a vital position in imaging phenomena; as drug vehicles, controlled/sustained release phenomena and hyperthermia; atherosclerosis diagnosis; prostate cancer In fact, these are wonderful “theranostic” agents with some are under clinical trials for human use In this review, we have attempted to highlight the advances taking place in the field of magnetic nanoparticles as theranostic agents Extensive progress has been made in the two most important parameters viz control over size and shape which decide the importance of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles by developing suitable procedures like precipitation, co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal synthesis, microemulsion synthesis and plant mediated synthesis After suitable synthetic route, workers encounter the most daunting task linked with the materials at nanoscale ie the protection against corrosion Only properly protected iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles can be further connected to different functional systems to make building blocks for application in catalysis, biology and medicines Finally, iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles play a key role in imaging applications for diagnostic purposes, drug delivery vehicles and above all the combined effect of previous two phenomena “theranostics” With all the potential uses, toxicity of the of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles has also been discussed In the end, attention has been drawn to address the future of research trends of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles in theranostics