CORRELATION OF MYOFASCIAL TRIGGER POINTS WITH UPPER LIMB DISABILITY IN POST MASTECTOMY FEMALES IN PAKISTAN

Aims of Study: The objective was to correlate myofascial trigger points and upper limb disability in post-mastectomy females. Methodology: This six-month duration study included 45 participants aged 18 or older, using non-probability convenience sampling, who had undergone mastectomy at least six months prior. Numeric pain rating scale, Simon’s trigger point criteria and a disability questionnaire were used to assess disease complications. Results: A study involving 45 female participants (mean age 42.8±6.754) found that 33.3% had mild pain, 55.6% had moderate pain, and 11.1% had severe pain. Additionally, 46.7% had mild disability and 53.3% had moderate disability. There was a significant correlation between myofascial trigger points and upper extremity disability. Limitations and Future Implication: The limitations include the small sample size used in study and limited generalization of findings due to cultural and contextual factors. Further research is needed to explore interventions and understand the long-term impact of myofascial trigger points on upper limb function. Originality: This research is original in its focus on the correlation between myofascial trigger points and post-mastectomy upper limb disability. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is a highly significant relation between trigger points in muscles and disability of upper extremity in female patients after mastectomy.

Nanostructure Mediated Enhancement of Antibacterial Potential of Selected Antibiotics

This PhD dissertation focusses on antibiotics coated silver and gold nanoparticles (NPs), analysis of their photo-physical and enhanced antibacterial properties. The drug resistant bacteria are increasing day by day due to irrational use of antibiotics. Bacterial resistance towards the existing antibiotics is a global health issue and these drugs are at high risks in this regard. To overcome this problem new methodologies and measurements are dreadfully needed. In this context, the present study was designed to modify some selected antibacterial drugs through nanochemical approach to enhance their antibacterial potential. The beta-lactam antibiotics are most commonly used for the treatment of bacterial infections. Silver and gold NPs stabilized with these antibiotics were successfully synthesized though chemical reduction method. The NPs were characterized with Ultra-Violet visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The analysis confirmed the formation of poly-dispersed NPs of size less than 100 nm. The NPs were found stable at high temperature (up to 100oC), at various pH range and in different salt concentrations. The antibacterial potential of conjugated antibiotics were compared with pure antibiotics and unconjugated gold and silver NPs using AFM and conventional techniques such as the agar well diffusion method. Analysis of bacterial cells surface topography was recorded under AFM before and after treating with the antibiotics conjugated with Ag and Au NPs, free antibiotics and bare Ag and Au NPs. Conjugation to AgNPs enhanced the antibacterial activity of Ceftriaxone by 2 times, and conjugation to AuNPs by 6 times. The antibacterial potential of Cefadroxil was enhanced up to 2 and 3 times on conjugation with AgNPs and AuNPs, respectively. Similarly, the antibacterial potential of Cephradine was enhanced up to about 2 times on conjugation with AgNPs and conjugation to AuNPs by about 6 times. It was found that Ampicillin conjugated to Ag and Au NPs are about 5 and 10 times more active than pure Abstract xi Ampicillin, respectively. Similarly, Cefixime conjugated to Ag and Au NPs are about 3 and 8 times more active than pure Cefixime, respectively. The study also explored the improved kinetics of the antibiotics as the drugs coated with the NPs destroyed bacteria more timely than the free drugs. The antibiotics were also encapsulated with polymers to create nanoscale materials. Ceftriaxone and Cefixime were successfully encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The polymeric nanosized Ceftriaxone and Cefixime were found more active than their respective free drugs.