Dr. Ghulam Murtaza
Designation : Assistant Professor
Specialization : Human Biology
Specialization : Human Biology
Email :
- Ph.D, Other
- M.Phil.,University of Punjab
- Travel grant From Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig- University, Giessen to attend and participate in annual conference of German Physiological Society (DPG)
- Travel grant from Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen to attend and participate in annual conference of ATS, May 13-18, 2011, Denver, USA.
- Overseas scholarship From Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan overseas scholarship for PhD from 2008-2012.
- Member International Society of Zoological Sciences
| Student Name | Degree | Title | Status / Completed Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaneeza Sajjal | MS | Impact of wood dust on respiratory health and the assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of wood workers towards the prevention of respiratory issues in Gujrat, Pakistan. The woodworking industry of Gujrat, Pakistan has employment opportunities and plays an important role in local economy. This sector currently provides employment to many individuals. Wood workers for many years have been exposed with wood dust particles and the effects of such exposure have been associated with many respiratory issues. This cross-sectional study aim was to investigate the effect of wood dust on respiratory system functioning and workers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding respiratory health hazards in the woodworking industry in Gujrat, Pakistan. Two hundred subjects (wood workers and non-wood workers) were recruited for this cross sectional study after obtaining their consent. To assess lung functions, spirometer was used to measure the forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were captured as quantitative data, allowing for an objective evaluation of lung function. Moreover, to assess the participant’s subjective understanding of respiratory health risks, beliefs regarding protective measures, and actual implementation of preventive practices, a KAP survey was conducted. Subsequently, the results identified that wood workers had notably trend of lesser lung function parameters such as FVC, FEV1 and PEF than non-wood workers. The mean of actual value of FVC, FEV1 and PEF for wood workers was (2.14±0.61L), (2.03±0.92 L) and (2.88±1.17 L/min) respectively which was significantly lower than the mean of actual values of FVC, FEV1 and PEF for non-wood workers (3.22±1.04 L), (3.98±0.99 L) and (3.60±0.84 L/min) because p < 0.05 which is statistically significant. The negative correlation exists between age and work experience (p < 0.05) with spirometry parameters FVC, FEV1 and PEF. The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms with prevalence ratio (PR = 3.54 for cough, 3.45 for dyspnea, 2.98 for chest tightness and 2.69 for wheezing) with 95% CI with p value > 0.05 which was statistically significant was found in wood workers compared to non-wood workers. The results of the KAP showed that wood workers had good knowledge towards prevention of respiratory problems (mean score = 7. 51 ± 1. 61) and positive attitudes (mean score = 6. 12 ± 1. 55) and the practice of wood workers were suboptimal (mean score = 3.78 ± 1. 47). From these results, it is clear that wood dust exposure has adverse effects on respiratory system of employees, further emphasizing the importance of raising KAP and improving hazardous environments, safety policies and infrastructure at the work place. This evaluation was crucial for protecting the respiratory health of woodworkers in the region and sustaining the expansion of the woodworking industry in Gujrat. | 2024 |
| Kaynat Nasar | MS | IMPACT OF INSTAGRAM ADDICTION ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN ADULTS IN PAKISTAN Today, Instagram, Facebook, and other similar social media applications are the primary communication tools of numerous people. However, which is equally important, a great excess of Instagram can lead to severe tendencies to addiction that may influence cognitive performance. The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between Instagram addiction and cognitive functions like the executive functioning, attention, and memory among the sample population. Two hundred participants were recruited, of which half were males, and half were females; half of these had a very enticing Instagram addiction and the other half were normal. In the conducted study, the participants were selected based on their age which ranged between 18-25 years, their economic status, and education level. The clinical history, examination of the participants and right handedness was obtained with the help of mini mental state examination (MMSE) and the Edinburg handedness inventory (EHI), respectively.The study did not encompass individuals who were addicted to other social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Snack Video, and others. The function outcome variables were choice response time (CRT), attention switching task (AST), and pattern recognition memory (PRM). These all outcomes were assessed by using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB) software. The mean age of Instagram addicted participants was 20.67 ± 10.19, while the mean age of non-addicted was 21.28 ± 1.64. The MMSE scores for Instagram addicts were 26.54 ± 1.09, while the EHI values were 99.35 ± 1.58. Normal individuals had MMSE scores of 28.73 ± 1.31 and EHI scores of 99.45 ± 1.91. The average latency/delay in Instagram addicts (627.09 ± 53.53) is much higher (p=0.000) compared to normal individuals (570.11 ± 62.19). The mean correct delay, as measured by CRT, was significantly higher (p=0.000) among individuals addicted to Instagram (548.34 ± 35.83) compared to those who are non-addicted (428.11 ± 30.17). The values of PRM were significantly higher (p=0.000) in Instagram non-addicted (94.77 ± 3.93) compared to those who are Instagram addicted (80.19 ± 46.88). Based on our data, it can be inferred that Instagram addiction impairs the cognitive functions in addicted people. | 2024 |
| SYEDA MUNEEBA FATIMA | MS | ASSESSMENT OF RESPIRATORY HEALTH PROBLEMS AND KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) OF CLEANING WORKERS TOWARDS THEIR WORKING HABIT IN GUJRAT, PAKISTAN Over 213 million workers in the cleaning industry are projected to be at risk of non-fatalincidents, posing serious health and safety dangers to those employed in the cleaning industry.In order to learn more about the working habits, respiratory health and knowledge attitude andpractice of one hundred cleaning staff, a cross-sectional quantitative study was carried out inGujrat, Pakistan. The questionnaire, which was modified from Goni et al., (2020) research,indicated significant knowledge among cleaners regarding their working habits (73% hadgood knowledge), positive attitudes (53%) but there was a gap in practice (29% showed goodpractice). Compared to 100 non-cleaning professionals, the study indicated that cleaningworkers had significantly lower lung function, including forced vital capacity (FVC) andforced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). With a mean age of 40.26 years, marriedindividuals. The spirometric data highlights markedly lower lung function metrics in cleaningworkers compared to non-cleaning workers. The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) values,pulmonary function tests assess the vital capacity, which is the maximum volume of air thatcan be exhaled following a deep inhalation, are significantly lower in cleaning workers(2.3666±1.22648) compared to non-cleaning workers (3.3429±3.58198). The substantialreduction in FVC percentage among cleaning workers (49.700±25.8244) compared to non-cleaning workers (72.440±21.4689) suggests a compromised lung capacity likely due tochronic exposure to respiratory irritants. | 2024 |
| NAYAB HABIB | MS | SHIHSA SMOKING EFFECTS ON COGNITIVE FUNCTIONS IN YOUNG POPULATION OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN Shisha smoking is a widespread and predominant form of smoking among young peopleworldwide. It is leading to numerous health issues including cognitive impairments. This studyseeks to examine the impact of shisha smoking on the cognitive abilities of people. A total of twohundred male volunteers, consisting of 100 shisha users and 100 nonsmokers were recruited. Thestudy recruited participants who were between the ages of 18-25, had the same socioeconomicsituation, and had the same level of education. The mental health, examination of participants,and right-handedness were determined using the Mini Mental State evaluation (MMSE) and theEdinburgh Handedness Inventory (EHI), respectively. Individuals with alcohol and substanceaddiction were excluded from this study. The study measured the functional results of choicereaction time (CRT), attention switching tasks (AST), and pattern recognition memory (PRM)using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Battery (CANTAB). The mean age ofshisha smokers and non-smokers was 20.71 ± 10.19 and 20.95 ± 2.40, respectively. The meanscores for MMSE and EHI in smokers were 27.03 ± 5.07 and 98.02 ± 3.13, respectively. Incontrast, non-smokers had mean scores of 28.93 ± 9.31 for MMSE and 99.48 ± 2.71 for EHI. Anevident decline in cognitive function indices among shisha smokers was reported. The studyfound that the AST mean average latency/delay in smokers (86.5± 23) was significantly higher(p=0.000) compared to nonsmokers (50.00± 9.2). The mean correct latency, as measured by CRT,was substantially higher in shisha smokers (428.39±116.4) compared to nonsmokers(366.8±65.50),(p=0,000). PRM levels were significantly higher (p=0.000) in nonsmokers(96.35±2.979) in contrast to shisha smokers (79.49±11.132). As a result of these findings, one candraw the inference that smoking shisha has a negative impact on the cognitive function ofsmokers. | 2024 |
- Coordinator, Hayatiyan Zoological Society, UOG
- Member question papers vetting committee, Department of Zoology, UOG
- Head, Department of Zoology, UOG
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1. Ghulam Murtaza, Razia Sultana, Turki Abualait, Mishal Fatima, Shahid Bashir “Social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with the decline in cognitive functioning in young adults” Peerj, December 2023 DOI:
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2. Ayesha Bibi, Ghulam Murtaza “Positive impacts of COVID-19 on social life and environment” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, September 2023 DOI:
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3. Ghulam Murtaza, Shahid Mahmood, Maryam Ghaffar, Shahid Bashir “COVID-19 and depression in Pakistan” Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, January 2022 DOI:
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4. Arifa Khan, Naveeda Riaz , Syed Ijaz ul Hassan , Hooria Khan , Kaleem Ullah, Imdad Kaleem, Ghulam Murtaza, Shazia Erum “Intraspecific variations in exotic potato (Solanum tuberossum) genotypes revealed by multivariate approaches” Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, June 2021 DOI:
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5. 2. Tuba Riaz, Ghulam Murtaza, Areej Arif, Shahid Mahmood, Razia Sultana, Fawaz Al-Hussain, Shahid Bashir “Nicotine smoking is associated with impaired cognitive performance in Pakistani young people” Peerj, June 2021 DOI:
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6. Murtaza G, Bashir S, Khanum J, Sultana R “Impact of the COVID?19 pandemic on polio care: a warning” European Review For Medical And Pharmacological Sciences, February 2021 DOI:
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7. Murtaza G, Imdad K, Arshad M, Hamza A, Aslam A, Bashir S. “Perspective of Covid-19 Pandemic in South Asian Countries. ” European Review For Medical And Pharmacological Sciences, December 2020 DOI:
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8. Hadiqa Javaid, Ali Nawaz, Naveeda Riaz, Hamid Mukhtar, Ikram-Ul-Haq, Kanita Ahmed Shah, Hooria Khan, Syeda Michelle Naqvi, Sheeba Shakoor, Aamir Rasool, Kaleem Ullah, Robina Manzoor, Imdad Kaleem, Ghulam Murtaza “Biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAS) by the valorization of biomass and synthetic waste” Molecules, November 2020 DOI:
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9. Murtaza G, Sultana R, Malik MA, Afzal S, Hussain M, Bashir S “Transcranial direct current stimulation: An alternative approach to quit smoking” Punjab University Journal of Zoology, June 2019 DOI:
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1. Suleman Hussain Shah, Ghulam Murtaza, Mubashar Hussain. “Assessment of Anti-Asthmatic Potential of bark of Cassia fistula in an Ovalbumin induced Asthma in Mus musculus” Pakistan Journal of Zoology, March 2025 _DOI:
| Date | Title | Agency/Organization | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-12-03 | Expression and regulation of cathelicidin mRNA in injured lungs from mice | University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan | 150000 rupees | Completed |
| 2013-06-04 | Expression and regulation of Beta- defensin-2 mRNA in injured lungs from mice | HEC | 500000 | Completed |