Microbial dynamics during various activities in residential areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Bioaerosols are ubiquitous in the atmosphere with their levels affected by a variety of environmental factors as well as type of activities being carried out at any specific time. The present study investigated how indoor activities influence bioaerosol concentrations in five residential houses of Lahore. Agar coated petri plates were exposed face upwards for twenty minutes in kitchens and living rooms during activity and non-activity periods. The temperature and relative humidity levels were noted as well. The bioaerosol concentrations in kitchens during the activity time ranged between 1022 to 4481 cfu/m3 and in living rooms from 1179 to 3183 cfu/m3 . Lower values were observed during non-activity periods. A paired-t test revealed a significant difference in bacterial loads during activity and non-activity times in both micro-environments (p = 0.038 in kitchen and p = 0.021 in living room). The predominant species identified were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. which are a common constituent of the indoor environment and are known to be opportunistic pathogens as well

Measurement of NO2 indoor and outdoor concentrations in selected public schools of Lahore using passive sampler

Higher levels of NO2 are a danger to human health especially for children. A seven day study was carried to find out the ambient concentrations of NO2in 27 schools of Lahore with the help of passive samplers. In each school three sites were selected, viz: laboratory, corridor and outdoors. After 7 days exposure the tubes were subjected to spectrophotometric analysis. Results showed that the maximum values measured in laboratory, outdoor and corridors were 376µg/m3 , 222µg/m3 and 77µg/m3 . Minimum values for laboratory, outdoor and corridors were 10µg/m3 , 20µg/m3 and 8µg/m3 . Factors affecting these values were laboratory activities and proximity to main roads. These values were significantly higher than the standard values defined by EPA. Therefore children in schools were at risk of developing health complications

An Adult with Polyneuropathy and Hypogonadism due to Poems Syndrome

POEMS (acronym for polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M protein myeloma and skin changes), is a rare disease which occurs in the setting of plasma cell dyscrasias. We describe a case of an adult lady who presented with gradual onset weakness of all four limbs and multisystem involvement characterized by pedal edema, ascites, hyperpigmentation and hypogonadism. Nerve conduction study showed severe sensorimotor polyneuropathy. Serum immunofixation showed lambda light chain restricted monoclonal gammopathy. Bone marrow biopsy consistent with plasma cell dyscrasia. Hormonal assay showed decreased FSH, LH and estradiol levels which led us to diagnosis of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. The patient responded well to combination therapy of thalidomide, melphalan and dexamethasone. Eight months after the therapy, she noted decreased paresthesias and increased strength. She had reduced edema and ascites

Development of a Human Lung Cancer Cytochrome C-GFP Reporter Cell Line to Study Anti-cancer Drug Responses in Apoptosis Pathways

Currently chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the most popular methods for cancer treatments after surgery, but lack of specificity and are thus toxic to the healthy human cells. Studies have shown that targeted therapies have been linked to activation of apoptosis signal pathways (cascade of caspases) in cancer cells including intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. One of the major pathways leading to caspase activation involves the release of cytochrome-c from mitochondria. However, in some tumor cells this pathway is inactivated due to the mutation of mitochondria membrane stabilizing proteins (e.g. Bcl-2, Bcl-xL). Therefore, the overall objective of this proposal was to understand the mechanism and the kinetic of cytochrome-c release from the mitochondria, so novel and improved molecular target therapies can be developed against cancers. For this purpose, we have successfully constructed a cytochrome C-GFP reporter cell line using human lung cancer cells. The result from western blot confirmed the presence of the intact cytochrome C-GFP fusion protein in the reporter cell line. We investigated the release kinetics of cytochrome C-GFP in response to three different apoptosis-inducing reagents; TRAIL, Staurosporine, and Tarceva. The result from this study illustrated that the dynamic release of cytochrome C-GFP is dependent on the cell types and doses. We have also developed a system to investigate the anti-cancer drugs response in a sequence of time interval, Microfluidic Duration Device. The microfluidic duration device with the reporter cell line can be further used for preclinical study in the development of combination agents for target therapy

Air quality(particulate matter) at heavy traffic sites in Lahore, Pakistan

The transport sector is a major contributor towards air pollution, particularly in the urban areas. Air quality at two major heavy traffic roads of Lahore, Pakistan was evaluated. Particulate matter (PM) was monitored for twenty four hours at each sampling sites. The total number of vehicles passing was also noted and correlated with the PM levels. The vehicular congestion as well as meteorological factors had a positive association with the PM levels. PM concentrations were significantly higher than the WHO recommended levels. It is necessary to control emissions from vehicular exhaust to reduce the level of pollutants in the ambient air in urban areas

Effectiveness of interventions to screen and manage infections during pregnancy on reducing stillbirths: a review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Infection is a well acknowledged cause of stillbirths and may account for about half of all perinatal deaths today, especially in developing countries. This review presents the impact of interventions targeting various important infections during pregnancy on stillbirth or perinatal mortality.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We undertook a systematic review including all relevant literature on interventions dealing with infections during pregnancy for assessment of effects on stillbirths or perinatal mortality. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the adapted Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach by Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (CHERG). For the outcome of interest, namely stillbirth, we applied the rules developed by CHERG to recommend a final estimate for reduction in stillbirth for input to the Lives Saved Tool (LiST) model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 25 studies were included in the review. A random-effects meta-analysis of observational studies of detection and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy showed a significant 80% reduction in stillbirths [Relative risk (RR) = 0.20; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12 - 0.34) that is recommended for inclusion in the LiST model. Our meta-analysis showed the malaria prevention interventions i.e. intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) and insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) can reduce stillbirths by 22%, however results were not statistically significant (RR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.59 – 1.03). For human immunodeficiency virus infection, a pooled analysis of 6 radomized controlled trials (RCTs) failed to show a statistically significant reduction in stillbirth with the use of antiretroviral in pregnancy compared to placebo (RR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.45 – 1.92). Similarly, pooled analysis combining four studies for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis (3 for oral and 1 for vaginal antibiotic) failed to yield a significant impact on perinatal mortality (OR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.50 – 1.55).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The clearest evidence of impact in stillbirth reduction was found for adequate prevention and treatment of syphilis infection and possibly malaria. At present, large gaps exist in the growing list of stillbirth risk factors, especially those that are infection related. Potential causes of stillbirths including HIV and TORCH infections need to be investigated further to help establish the role of prevention/treatment and its subsequent impact on stillbirth reduction.</p

Unraveling the Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Layered Conductive Metal-Organic Framework With Atomic Precision

This paper describes structural elucidation of a layered conductive metal-organic framework (MOF) material Cu3(C6O6)2 by microcrystal electron diffraction with sub-angstrom precision. This insight enables the first identification of an unusual π-stacking interaction in a layered MOF material characterized by an extremely short (2.73 Å) close packing of the ligand arising from pancake bonding and ordered water clusters within pores. Band structure analysis suggests semiconductive properties of the MOF, which are likely related to the localized nature of pancake bonds and the formation of a singlet dimer of the ligand. The spin of CuII within the Kagomé arrangement dominates the paramagnetism of the MOF, leading to strong geometrical magnetic frustration

COVID-19 Mixed Impact on Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship Activities: A Qualitative Study in UK-Based Hospitals

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a well-known global threat due to the subsequent increase in antimicrobial usage. Several antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) strategies have been implemented to curb irrational prescribing and reduce the AMR burden. However, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has enormously impacted the healthcare system and jeopardized public health, causing millions of deaths globally. Our semi-structured qualitative study aimed to explore the impact of COVID-19 on AMS activities in the UK hospitals. Seventeen interviews were conducted with health care professionals who were part of AMS teams (consultant medical microbiologists, infectious disease consultants, antimicrobial pharmacists). Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. An inductive thematic framework was adopted to analyse and create the themes. After agreement of the hierarchical framework definition, all transcripts were coded accordingly. Four main themes and 15 sub-themes were identified. These main themes were: (1) AMS activities or strategies before and during the pandemic; (2) challenges to implementing AMS activities before and during the pandemic; (3) information from public authorities on AMS during the pandemic; and (4) new AMS activities/strategies adopted during the pandemic. Staff vacancies, redeploying of AMS staff to other duties and meeting the burden related to the COVID-19 and lack of resources were the most frequently identified contributing factors to withheld AMS activities during the pandemic. However, modifications to the hybrid working environment, i.e., remote or flexible working, allowed for resumption of AMS activities including virtual ward rounds, virtual meetings and other activities. Further research needs to assess the impact of the hybrid delivery system on AMS activities

Diagnosis of hepatoma using grayscale and Doppler ultrasound in patients with chronic liver disease

Wasim A Memon, Zishan Haider, Mirza Amanullah Beg, Muhammad Idris, Tanveer-ul-Haq, Waseem Akhtar, Sidra IdrisRadiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Every author contributed equally to the workObjective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of liver ultrasound for the detection of hepatoma in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients by either taking histopathology or serum &amp;alpha;-fetoprotein levels or a biphasic computed tomography (CT) scan (whichever is available) as the gold standard.Study design: Cross-sectional.Place and duration of study: Radiology Department, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2007 to January 2010.Methods: A total of 239 patients (156 males and 83 females) with clinical suspicion or surveillance of hepatoma in CLD referred to the radiology department for ultrasound evaluation followed by either liver biopsy and histopathology or serum &amp;alpha;-fetoprotein level or biphasic CT scan.Results: The sensitivity of ultrasound for hepatoma detection in CLD was 65%, specificity was 85%, and accuracy was 70%, and positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 92% and 45%, respectively.Conclusion: Ultrasound is a relatively quick, safe, reasonably accurate, and noninvasive imaging modality for the detection of hepatoma in CLD and can be complemented with clinical assessment of screening high-risk patients.Keywords: hepatoma, ultrasound, radiology, chronic liver diseas

N-[4-(Ethyl­sulfamo­yl)phen­yl]acetamide

The title compound, C10H14N2O3S, crystallized with two mol­ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. The terminal methyl group of the ethyl­sulfonamide moiety in mol­ecule B is disordered over two sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.61 (1):0.39 (1). Both mol­ecules have L-shaped conformations. In mol­ecule A, the dihedral angles between the benzene ring and its ethyl­sulfonamide and methyl­amide substituents are 83.5 (3) and 13.34 (18)°, respectively. Equivalent values for mol­ecule B are 87.9 (3) and 6.32 (16)°, respectively. The C—S—N—C torsion angles are 66.5 (3)° for A and −64.4 (3)° for B, indicating similar twists about the S—N bonds, but in opposite senses. In the crystal, the A mol­ecules are linked by pairs of Ns—H⋯O (s = sulfonamide) hydrogen bonds, generating inversion dimers containing R 2 2(8) rings, while the B mol­ecules are linked by Ns—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into C(10) [100] chains. Finally, Na—H⋯O (a = amide) hydrogen bonds link the A-mol­ecule dimers and B-mol­ecule chains into a three-dimensional network