Allied Medical Research Journal

Single Cell Protein from Agro-Industrial Waste: A Sustainable Alternative for the Efficient Growth of the Broiler Chickens

Aqsa Maqsood, Fariha Ibrahim, Iffat Imran — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Single cell protein derived from food waste by Aspergillus niger serves as a cost-efficient and environmentally sustainable alternative to protein source in chicken feed. Microbial fermentation of agricultural byproducts generates high-quality, protein and reduces waste. These substrates, such as orange, sugarcane and pomegranate, generate single-cell protein, enhancing feed efficiency and improving protein utilization in poultry feed formulation. This method enhances chicken production, reduces feed expenses, and increases the availability of protein-rich meals and food security.

Method: Three agro-based substrates sugarcane, pomegranate and orange wastes, were tested to produce single cell protein by Aspergillus Niger. Biomass yields were measured, and it was found that orange waste supported greatest fungal biomass, and was therefore chosen for subsequent large scale production of Aspergillus Niger single cell protein. The 120 chicks were allocated at random into treatment group, each with 3 replicates of ten birds. Four diets with equal nitrogen and energy content were prepared containing SCP 0% (Control T1), 5% 10%, and 15% SCP, which replaced with soybean meal (T2 to T4). Separate starter and finisher diet were prepared for and fed to every replicate. At the end of the experimental time, record the growth performance as well as the feed conversion ratio. Liver histopathology were observed at 42 day experiment last day.

Result: The findings indicate that among the substrates tested, orange waste yielded more SCP biomass then the other substrates. Body weight gain in the groups 5% and 10% SCP diets was equivalent to the control within each feeding and the whole trial; however, it was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the group 15% SCP diets. SCP showed appropriate stability at 5%and 10% levels, highlighting the necessity for controlled incorporation at high doses.

Conclusion: SCP inclusion from 5% to 10% of broiler diets to enhance feed efficiency and promote sustainable production of proteins from waste resources.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/04.04/001

Antibacterial Potential and Phytochemical Profiling of Lawsonia Inermis Ethanolic Extract against Skin-Associated Bacterial Pathogens

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lawsonia inermis (henna) has long been recognized in traditional medicine for its bioactive nature, particularly its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These properties highlight its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for wound infection control and healing, mitigating inflammation and soothing diverse skin conditions. Considering its medicinal attributes L. inermis, was used in the current study as a natural agent for the control of skin infections causing pathogens. Notable bacterial pathogens associated with skin diseases include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanolic extract of L. inermis extract exhibiting alkaloids, saponins, phenols, steroids, terpenoids, anthraquinones and tannins. The antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that most bacterial species were sensitive to commonly used antibiotics. Bacterial cultures revealed a dose dependent relationship using the agar well diffusion assay. Isolates of S. aureus displayed the largest zone (22 ± 0.81 mm) at a concentration of 1.5 mg/ml followed by P. aeruginosa (21 ± 0.81 mm) and E. coli (17 ± 1.63 mm). The L. inermis extract displayed MIC of 0.375 mg/ml for ATCC and clinical isolates of E. coli and S. aureus, and 0.188 mg/ml for P. aeruginosa strains, with MBC of 0.75 mg/ml recorded for all tested strains. These findings indicate that ethanolic L. inermis extract has promising in-vitro antibacterial activity against selected skin-associated bacterial pathogens and further suggests its potential as a natural agent for combating skin infections.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/04.04/002

Correlation of Postural Control with Gross Motor Function in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Poor postural control limits gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the most common subtype. In Pakistan, many children reach rehabilitation services at Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III–V, yet local data on gross motor change during postural-control-focused physiotherapy are scarce. This study assessed the association between postural-control-focused physiotherapy and gross motor function in children with spastic CP.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study reviewed clinical records from four pediatric rehabilitation centers in Karachi, Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, records of 60 children aged 4–14 years with spastic CP (GMFCS III–V) and two Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) assessments six months apart were analyzed. Pre–post change was tested with a paired-samples t-test, and its association with clinically meaningful improvement (>40%) with point-biserial correlation.

Results: Of the 60 children, 32 (53.3%) were boys. The mean GMFM-88 score increased from 11.40 ± 11.27 to 44.90 ± 20.24 (mean change 33.49; 95% CI 29.40–37.59; p < 0.001; d = 2.11). GMFM-88 change correlated positively with improvement >40% (r = 0.370; p = 0.004). Overall, 41 children (68.3%) improved by more than 40%, with no significant difference between age groups (62.9% vs 76.0%; p = 0.281).

Conclusion: Children with spastic CP receiving postural-control-focused physiotherapy made large gross motor gains over six months, and these gains were moderately associated with clinically meaningful improvement regardless of age. Controlled studies with direct postural control measures are needed.

Perceived Stress and Associated Factors among Undergraduate Nursing Students during Academic Clinicals: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This analytical cross-sectional study aimed to determine perceived stress and examine its associations with demographic and academic clinical characteristics among BScN students during academic clinicals at a private nursing institution in Karachi, Pakistan. The data was collected from 136 students by using Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and purposive sampling from August 2021 to October 2021. Independent-samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance were used for bivariate comparisons. The statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05. 75% female and 25% male participated in the study. The mean total perceived stress score was 49.96 ± 17.26. The factors found to be significantly associated with specific dimensions of academic clinical stress included gender, with male students reporting higher stress related to teachers and nursing staff (p = .036) and lack of professional knowledge and skills (p = .049); marital status, with married students reporting higher stress related to taking care of patients (p = .043); number of academic clinicals, with differences in stress related to lack of professional knowledge and skills (p = .030) and the clinical environment (p = .017); and perception of stress during academic clinicals, with students who perceived themselves as stressed reporting higher stress related to peers and daily life (p = .034). Total perceived stress was not significantly associated with the demographic or academic clinical characteristics examined. These findings identify specific domains of academic clinicals that may warrant attention in clinical supervision and student-support strategies.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/04.04/004

Effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Based Mindfulness and Interpersonal Effectiveness Training on Anti-Bullying Awareness and Bystander Intervention Among Adolescents: A Pre-Test/Post-Test Study

Sara Jehangir, Sheeba Farhan, Shumaila Atif, Rabika Shoukat, Syeda Sania Khalid — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Bullying is widespread in schools, yet most adolescents who witness it do not intervene. Fear, pressure from peers and not knowing what to do are common reasons for remaining silent. We examined whether a short school-based program built on two Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) modules, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, could shift adolescents' behavior around bullying.

Methods: This single-group quasi-experimental study used a pre-test/post-test design. Fifty adolescents aged 13–18 years were recruited from a school through purposive sampling. The program consisted of a baseline session, two skills sessions (core mindfulness; DEAR MAN, GIVE and FAST strategies practiced through role-play) and a final evaluation session, spaced 3–5 days apart. Bystander Behavior, Victim Response Behavior and Bullying Perpetration Behavior were assessed with the Behavior Toward Bullying Scale (BTBS) at baseline and after the program. Analysis used paired-samples t-tests, with Cohen's dz as the effect size.

Results: Scores on Bystander Behavior dropped from 18.70 ± 3.42 to 16.46 ± 1.98 (p < .001, dz = 0.53), and scores on Victim Response Behavior from 18.60 ± 2.50 to 16.24 ± 2.33 (p < .001, dz = 0.62); on this scale, lower scores mean more adaptive responses. There was no significant change in Bullying Perpetration Behavior (p = .148, dz = 0.21).

Conclusion: After a brief DBT-informed program, adolescents showed moderate short-term improvement in how they responded to bullying, both as bystanders and as targets. Firm conclusions will require controlled trials with longer follow-up and behavioral outcome measures.

Frequency of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis among Female Salon Workers and its Association with Activities of Daily Living: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Fariya Maryam, Noor Ul Ain, Rohma Samman, Khizra Zeb, Adn Tahir Chaudry — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) is a painful stenosing tenosynovitis of the first dorsal wrist compartment that mainly affects women and people performing repetitive thumb movements. Salon work involves sustained gripping, pinching and wrist deviation, yet data on DQT among Pakistani salon workers are lacking. This study aimed to determine the frequency of DQT among female salon workers and its association with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Methods: This six-month cross-sectional survey was conducted in beauty salons and beautician training institutes in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. Using convenience sampling, 377 female salon workers were assessed with the Finkelstein test, Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and General Activities of Daily Living (GADL) scale. Associations were tested with the chi-square test and correlation analysis.

Results: The Finkelstein test was positive in 219 workers, giving a DQT frequency of 58.1% (95% CI 53.1–63.1%). Wrist pain was unilateral in 52.0% and bilateral in 7.7%; current pain was moderate in 32.1% and severe in 6.6%. PRWE scores correlated with GADL scores (r = 0.333; p < 0.001). A positive Finkelstein test was associated with domestic ADLs (p = 0.004) but not with self-care (p = 0.165) or complex ADLs (p = 0.195).

Conclusion: More than half of female salon workers screened positive for DQT, and wrist pain and disability were linked to reduced independence, mainly in household tasks. Early screening, ergonomic modification and timely physiotherapy referral are recommended.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/04.04/006

Biochemical Predictors of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Liver Disease: A Comparative Analysis of AFP and PIVKA-II

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks among the deadliest cancers, and a sizeable proportion of tumors go undetected by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) has emerged as a possible substitute. We set out to compare how well PIVKA-II and AFP identify HCC in people with chronic liver disease (CLD).

Methodology: We conducted a case-control study across two tertiary care hospitals in Hyderabad, Pakistan, between August 2025 and August 2026, enrolling 335 adults with CLD, of whom 119 had HCC and 216 did not. ELISA was used to measure serum PIVKA-II and AFP. For each marker we calculated sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and the area under the ROC curve (AUC), and the two AUCs were then compared using the DeLong test.

Results: Cases had a median PIVKA-II of 4500 (IQR 6050) pg/mL against 40 (IQR 21) pg/mL in controls, and a median AFP of 40 (IQR 270) ng/mL against 10 (IQR 12) ng/mL (p<0.001 for both). Using a cut-off of 76.5 pg/mL, PIVKA-II reached an AUC of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99), with 98.3% sensitivity and 96.8% specificity. AFP, at 47 ng/mL, gave an AUC of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.93–0.98), with 95.0% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity (DeLong p=0.014). When an HCC prevalence of 6.73% was assumed, the positive predictive value was 68.6% for PIVKA-II and 41.3% for AFP.

Conclusion: PIVKA-II separated HCC from non-malignant CLD a little more accurately than AFP, chiefly because it produced fewer false positives. Until prospective surveillance data are available, it is better used together with AFP than in place of it.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59564/amrj/04.04/007

Acne in the Age of Social Media: Recognising the Psychosocial Burden on the Young Generation

Prof. Dr. Uzma Dost Muhammad Rajar — Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Acne vulgaris is one of the most common conditions seen in dermatology clinics, and for most people it arrives at the worst possible time in life. It usually begins around puberty, when androgen-driven sebum production, abnormal keratinisation of the follicle, colonisation by Cutibacterium acnes and local inflammation come together in the pilosebaceous unit. Most adolescents will have some degree of acne, and a considerable number, particularly women, continue to struggle with it well into their twenties and thirties.