OCCURRENCE OF LOWER EXTREMITY MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES DURING THE LOCKDOWN IN ATHLETES

Background of the Study: Lockdown was implemented worldwide to limit the spread of COVID-19. This sudden implementation of lockdown causes significant lifestyle changes for every individual. Along with the general population, it also has psychological, behavioral, and physical consequences on athletes. The study objective is to determine the occurrence of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries during the COVID-19 lockdown in athletes. Methodology: Retrospective cross-sectional study design was used, and participants were recruited by a non-probability convenient sampling technique. A sample size of 147 was taken as calculated by the Raosoft software, and the study was completed 6 months. Both male and female athletes between the age group of 18-35 years, participants who did not participate in any official training session during the lockdown and registered at domestic level for at least 2 years were recruited from Pakistan Sports Board and Wapda Sports Complex Lahore. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to identify the problematic painful areas of body. Data entry, analysis, and interpretation were done by using SPSS software version 22.0. Results: The mean age and BMI of participants were 25.6531±4.49 (years) and 23.28±3.24 (kg/m2) respectively. From the total, 39.5% of participants reported lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. And most reported problematic areas include lower back and knee. 75% of participants continue to do workouts at home as a prevention strategy against injury occurrence. Conclusion: This concluded that the occurrence of lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries during the lockdown was moderate.

Molecular Detection and Charaterization of Escherichia Coli Isolated from Raw Cow Milk Samples Collected from Bahawalpur District

Milk is generally considered as highly nutritious and useful food for all age groups as well as inexpensive and widely available. However, its quality and microbial content are the features which have to be observed. The quality of milk depends on its biochemical composition and hygienic conditions during the collection of milk and its distribution. Milk itself acts as best medium for enhancing the growth and development of different types of microbes because of its composition and presence of water in large quantity. Milk sold in Bahawalpur district was suspected to be contaminated because of repeated outbreaks of gastroenteritis. In this context, the research was designed to rule out molecular detection and quantitative analysis of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the milk samples obtained from various tehsils of Bahawalpur district. E. coli were considered as the most prevalent bacteria of milk and could be the most probable microbe causing this disease. In this research, 100 raw milk samples were gathered in a way that 10 samples each were collected from Jamalpur, Hasilpur, Khairpur, Qaimpur, Lal Sohanra, Lal Sohanra National Park, Yazman Mandi, Head Rajkan, Ahmedpur East and Uch Sharif. Then the samples of milk were cultured on different culture media for bacterial segregation. Identification of bacterial specie was done through gram?s staining and properties of bacterial culture on different selective media. Biochemical tests were also performed which include catalase and coagulase tests. Final identification was performed through PCR and resolution of PCR products by gel electrophoresis. Antibiotic sensitivity test was also performed so as to confirm the susceptibility of E. coli regarding multiple antibiotics. Out of 10 samples collected each from Jamalpur, Hasilpur, Khairpur, Qaimpur, Badar Sher, Lal Sohanra National Park, Yazman Mandi, Head Rajkan, Ahmedpur East and Uch Sharif, results had shown the presence of E.coli in 4(40%), 6(60%), 3(30%), 2(20%), 4(40%), 5(50%), 3(30%), 4(40%), 6(60%) and 5(50%) samples respectively. E. coli isolates were amplified by PCR based on 16S rRNA gene. Results of antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that E. coli isolates had shown resistance to amoxicillin (85%) and erythromycin (72%). However, they were found to be affected by azithromycin (53%), ciprofloxacin (86%), gentamicin (86%), norfloxacin (80%) and streptomycin (66%). Resistant pattern in relation to broad spectrum antibiotic (i.e., amoxycillin) points to a situation which should be considered carefully and suggests that indiscriminate use of antibiotics for precautionary or therapeutic purposes should be avoided as it could be the cause of increasing antimicrobial resistance.