Behavioral problems and academics of children in inclusive education - A cross-sectional survey.

Children with disorders exhibit behavioral issues. Behavioral issues can stem from temporary stressful situations in a person's life or they might also represent more lasting disorders. Special needs children with behavioral disorders can display characteristics such as, inability to learn that is not explained by sensory, health or intellectual factors. The change in behavior can play a significant role in the academic achievements of children placed together in an inclusive environment. This cross-sectional survey is aimed at determining the effect of behavioral issues on academics of children in inclusive education. Purposive sampling technique was used for data collection from Inclusive Education systems of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after getting ethical approval from Internal Review Board in 2018. Sample size consisted of 12 children with special needs and 138 mainstream children. Students of Grade 1 with behavioral problems being reported by their class teachers were included in study after getting parental voluntary consent. Structured classroom activity, behavioral checklist and school routine skills checklist were used for data collection purpose. The result of this study showed that there was a significant difference between the structured activities, school routine skills and overall behavioral checklist of special needs group and main stream children. 75.3% of special needs children struggled with the structured activity whereas 66.7% of the mainstream children faced no difficulty at all. The school routine skills were completed by 89.9% of the children and only 33.3% of the special needs children were able to complete these skills during school hours. The behavior checklist exhibited that 94.9% of mainstream children exhibited no behavioral issues whereas 66.3% of special needs kids displayed behavioral concerns. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between the overall behavior of the participants of both groups with the structured activity and the school routine skill.

Inhibition of Hyperuricemia and Gouty Arthritis in BALB/c Mice Using Copper Oxide Nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles are known for their unique properties and are being utilized in various disciplines of sciences. Their nanosize enables them to higher exposure and higher availability when given orally. Gout is an inflammatory disease caused by deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition into the joints. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles on hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis in mice. In this research, synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles of size ranging from 30 to 50 nm were administered orally to mice having gouty arthritis and hyperuricemia. Various biochemical markers were conducted to determine the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles. It was observed that the mice treated with CuO NPs at various concentrations showed a significant (0.001) decrease in the serum uric acid levels in comparison with the negative control. Furthermore, creatinine levels were also normal in comparison with the control mice. Measurement of synovial joints also revealed that mice administered with CuO NPs had reduced inflammation of synovial joints in comparison with the negative control. From this research, it was concluded that copper oxide nanoparticles have potential in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis by decreasing serum uric acid and inflammation in synovial joints.

Evaluation of Turmeric Nanoparticles as Anti-Gout Agent: Modernization of a Traditional Drug.

Background and objectives: Turmeric has assisted in the control of inflammation and pain for decades and has been used in combination with other nutraceuticals to treat acute and chronic osteoarthritis pain. Recently, the effect of turmeric, turmeric extract, or curcuminoids on musculoskeletal pain, either by themselves or in conjunction with other substances, has been reported. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize turmeric nanoparticles (T-NPs) for various parameters, both in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The T-NPs were successfully synthesized and characterized using particle size analysis, solubility improvement, SEM, EDX, X-ray diffraction, and in vivo antigout activity in mice model. Results: The T-NPs were of about 46 nm in size with a positive zeta potential +29.55 ± 3.44 and low polydispersity index (PDI) (0.264). Furthermore, the diseased mice, with induced gout via monosodium urate crystals, were treated with 5, 10, and 20 ppm T-NPs, administered orally, and the anti-gout potential was observed through measurement of joint diameter and changes in biochemical parameters, including lipid profile, renal function test, and liver function tests which significantly reduced the levels of these biochemical parameters. Conclusions: Uric acid levels were significantly reduced after the treatment with T-NPs. indicating that T-NPs show superior potential against gout management. Thus, T-NPs can be developed as an efficient antigout agent with minimum toxicities.

Effect of aerobic exercises on stuttering.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stuttering is one of the most common speech disorders in adolescents than adults. Stuttering results in depression, anxiety, behavioral problem, social isolation and communication problems in daily life. Our objective was to determine the effect of Aerobic Exercises (AE) on stuttering. METHODS: A quasi trail was conducted at National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM) from January to June 2015. Thirty patients were selected and placed in three different groups Experimental Group A, (EG = 10 patients, age between 7-14 years), Experimental Group B (EG =10 patients age between 15-28 years) and control group -group C, (CG = 10 patients, age between 7-28 years). Patient who stutter were included in this study and those with any other pathology or comorbidity of speech disorders were excluded. The assessment tool used was Real-Time analysis of speech fluency scale. Participants in all the groups received speech therapy while only the EG - A and B received aerobic exercises (AE) using treadmill and stationary bicycle along with the speech therapy. Pre-interventional and post interventional assessments were analyzed using the SPSS 21 in order to determine the significance of new treatment approach and the effectiveness of physical therapy on speech disorders. RESULTS: All the groups showed significant treatment effects but both the EG groups (Group A, Group B) showed high improvement in the severity level of stuttering as compared to control group C. The results also showed that AE treated group B had significant difference in p-value (p=0.027) as compared to control group (p<0.05) while experimental group A had no significant difference (p > 0.05) between these groups. CONCLUSION: The eclectic approach of aerobic exercises with the traditional speech therapy provides proximal rehabilitation of stuttering.