Nicotine is the psychoactive component given tobacco has several main components and acts as an agonist for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the nervous system. Although the ligand-gated cation channels known as nAChRs are found throughout the nervous system and body, this review focuses on neuronal nAChRs. Individuals with psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, comorbid substance use disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, major depression, and bipolar disorder have increased rates of smoking. These psychiatric disorders are associated with various cognitive deficits, including working memory, deficits in attention, and response inhibition functions. The cognitive-enhancing effects of nicotine may be particularly relevant predictors of smoking initiation and continuation in this comorbid population. Individuals with schizophrenia make up a significant proportion of smokers. Literature suggests that patients smoke to alleviate cognitive deficiencies due to the stimulating effects of nicotine. This narrative review examines the role of nicotine on cognition in schizophrenia.

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Aims: To determine the effect of Ethanolic extract of walnut leaves on lipid profile i.e seum total cholesterol, triglycerides, Low density and high-density lipoprotein. Atherogenic index in Hypercholesterolemic rats was calculated using serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios. Methodology: Total 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were further divided into three groups (C, HC and EE) comprising ten rats per group. Group 1 (Control group, C). Group 2 (Hypercholesterolemic control, HC) and Group 3 (Ethanolic Extract Group EE) were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks before administration of walnut leaf extract. Ethanolic extract (EE) of walnut leaves was given in a dose of (200mg/kg) through gavage needle once daily for four weeks. Blood Sampling was done at the beginning (Baseline, after week 8 and week 12 to perform lipid profile. Results: Serum mid- cholesterol levels (08 weeks) in HC were significantly raised to 164±7.90 mg/dl (p<0.001) as compared to 57.75±6.64mg/dl), which confirmed the development of hypercholesterolemia. Post-cholesterol levels of EE (after 12 weeks) was decreased to 52.8±4.42 mg/dl compared with 153.2±5.92 mg/dl in HC group in (p<0.001). Group 3 had significantly lower levels of of serum triglycerides, LDL and high levels of HDL cholesterol (p<0.001) as compared to HC group 2 and 12 weeks versus 8 weeks of EE of walnut supplementation. The atherogenic index calculated by serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Conclusion: Ethanolic extracts of walnut leaves have hypolipidemic effects decreasing serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, serum TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios while elevating the good cholesterol HDL. Keywords: Atherogenic ratio, Cholesterol, Dietary Lipids, Lipoprotein metabolism, Walnut supplementation

Background and Aim: Obesity is a worldwide epidemic that is endangering an increasing number healthy populations. Obesity is caused by a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits. Although numerous studies on obesity effects on cardiovascular parameters (CVP) are existing, associations between obese and non-obese people are limited. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the indicators for obesity and compared obese and non-obese association with cardiovascular parameters. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 80 subjects in the Department of Physiology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with Railway General Hospital, Rawalpindi for duration of six months i.e from January 2020 to June 2021. All the subjects were divided into obese group-I and non-obese group-II. Each group consisted of 40 subjects. Individuals with body mass index 18 to 25 Kg/m2 and >26 Kg/m2 were considered as obese and non-obese respectively. Informed consent and ethical approval were taken from each individual and hospital ethical committee respectively. All the subjects (BMI> 26 Kg/m2) with medical issues specifically cardio-respiratory and smokers were excluded. Quetelet’s index and Vernier Caliper was used for physical examination and triceps skinfold girth (TSG). SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Results: Of the total 80 subjects, the study and control group had 40 subjects each. The overall mean age was 41.31±2.3 years. The mean value of body mass index in the study and control group was 34.6±5 Kg/m2 and 23.4±1.2 Kg/m2 respectively. Mean weight, body mass index, waist circumference (WC), and triceps skin girth (TSG) were found significantly higher in the study group as compared to the control group whereas study group subjects had lower height than the control group (p<0.005). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), pulse pressure (PP) were significantly higher in the study group as compared to control group subjects considering 0.0005 level of significance, however, pulse rate (PR) was insignificant in the study group (0.05). Cardiovascular parameters were found significant and positive in the study group only with a 0.05 level of significance on Pearson’s Correlation. Conclusion: Our study found that shorter height with accelerated pulse rate subjects was prone to cardiovascular diseases. Also, short height with a higher pulse rate is obesity's best indicator correlating in obese or study group. Additionally, obesity has a significant association with subject lipid profile which may elevate the potential risk for cardiovascular disease development. Keywords: Obesity; Cardiovascular Parameters, Obesity Indicators

Background: Medical professionalism is an essential skill in medical education. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate medical professionalism among first year, final year and faculty of public and private medical and dental colleges. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 medical students of private and public Medical and Dental Colleges, of Karachi from November 2021 till January 2022 after ethical approval.First, final year students and faculty were enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling. We used a validated self-assessment tool “LAMPS” after getting permission. This questionnaire consisted of Accountability (seven items), Autonomy (six items), Integrity, Altruism, and Respect had five items each. The data was analyzed using t-test by SPSS version-23.(P ≤ 0.05)was considered significant. Results: The students of Public college’s undergraduate (first and final year; p=0.00) scored higher on Excellence(sub-scale of professionalism)while private sector students scored higher on altruism (first year p=0.01, final year; p=0.00) and respect (first year; p=0.01, final year p=0.02)respectively. Public sector faculty scored more on duty, honor, and respect (p=0.02, p=0.00 and p=0.00 respectively) while private medical college’s faculty scored more on Excellence (p= 0.00). Conclusion: The professionalism curriculum, teaching and assessment must be tailored to specificpublic and private sector to meet the needs of the community. The curriculum delivery and assessment offaculty development initiatives is essential to address the gaps of professionalism. Keywords: Assessment, Dental students, Faculty, Medical students, Medical Professionalism