Shorter Notices

Download the PDF fil

Fluoroquinolone and macrolide co-resistance in clinical isolates of campylobacter species: a 15-year study in Karachi, Pakistan

Fluoroquinolone and macrolide antibiotics are generally considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of severe campylobacteriosis. This study was conducted to analyse the trend of erythromycin and ofloxacin resistance among Campylobacter spp. isolated from stool specimens over a period of 15 years (1992-2007) at The Aga Khan University clinical laboratory in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 83 396 stool specimens were processed, with a 14% isolation rate for enteric pathogens. The isolation rate of Campylobacter spp. was low during 1992-93 (6%-13%), peaked in 1996 (46%), then ranged from 20% to 40%. We report a rising trend in ofloxacin resistance, re-emergence of erythromycin resistance and indications of co-resistance to both drugs in clinical isolates of Campylobacter spp

Pronunciation of English velar nasal (angma) by undergraduate students in Pakistani universities

Pakistani English (PakE) is an emerging variety of English that is in the process of developing its own norms and standards. Besides, distinguishing lexical and syntactic structures, it also has unique phonological features (Baumgardner, 1993; Hassan, 2004; Rahman 1991). Many Pakistani linguists have discussed unique consonantal and vocalic features of Pakistani English (PakE). However, there has not been any significant research conducted on the pronunciation of English velar nasal or angma /ŋ/ by Pakistani English speakers. This study analyses the pronunciation of English velar nasal by Pakistani English speakers. The sample was selected from 20 undergraduate students of the Department of English studying in the first semester of a large-scale public sector university located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. A number of 20 English lexical items were selected and were divided into three categories according to the distribution of angma in the English language. The items were presented to the participants in diagnostic sentences. PRAAT, the speech and phonetics analysis software, was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that Pakistani English speakers pronounce angma inaccurately in the medial position and insert velar plosive /ɡ/ in the poly-morphemic words. However, in the final position, angma is pronounced correctly by most Pakistani English speakers. The findings highlight that Pakistani English speakers are not concerned about the morpheme boundary and pronounce angma without /ŋɡ/ coalescence. Thus, it is found that Pakistani English speakers have distinguished pronunciation. The study recommends more research on Pakistani English pronunciation as well

Enzyme inhibition and antibacterial potential of 4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives

The 4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives are known to show a broad spectrum of pharmacological applications. In this paper we are reporting the synthesis of a new series of 4-Hydroxycoumarin derivatives synthesized through Knovenegal condensation; they were characterized by using UV-Vis, FT-IR, NMR spectroscopies. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium strains. The compounds (2), (3) and (8) showed favorable antibacterial activity with zone of inhibitions 26.5± 0.84, 26.0 ± 0.56 and 26.0 ± 0.26 against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) respectively. However, the compounds (5) and (9) were found more active with 19.5 ± 0.59 and 19.5 ± 0.32 zone of inhibitions against Salmonella typhimurium (Gram-negative). Whereas, in urease inhibition assay, none of the synthesized derivatives showed significant anti-urease activity; although, in carbonic anhydrase-II inhibition assay, the compound (2) and (6) showed enzyme inhibition activity with IC50 values 263±0.3 and 456±0.1, respectively

Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Caused by Naegleria fowleri, Karachi, Pakistan

We report 13 cases of Naegleria fowleri primary amebic meningoencephalitis in persons in Karachi, Pakistan, who had no history of aquatic activities. Infection likely occurred through ablution with tap water. An increase in primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases may be attributed to rising temperatures, reduced levels of chlorine in potable water, or deteriorating water distribution systems

Association Of BCR-ABL Alternative Splice Variants with Disease Progression, Treatment Response and Survival in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Treated with Firstline imatinib Monotherapy

Background: Alternative RNA splicing has diverse biological effects in heath as well as disease. It also contributes to cancer onset and progression. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) results due to BCR-ABL fusion oncogene that is created due to chromosomal translocation t [9; 22] [q34; q11]). BCR-ABL is target of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). BCR-ABL through alternative splicing can generate b2a2, b3a2 and some other rare splicing variants. BCR-ABL variants may vary in their response to TKI treatment and disease progression potential, which is a major factor contributing to dismal treatment outcome in CML. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate correlation of BCR-ABL splice variants with TKI treatment outcome and survival in three phases of CML that has rarely been studied previously.Methods: BCR-ABL splice variants were studied using reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). in 70 CML patients from three phases of CML who were receiving imatinib (TKI) treatment.Results: Frequencies of different BCR/ABL splice variants like b3a2, b2a2 and b3a2+b2a2 were 49 (70%), 15 (21.4%) and 6 (8.6%), respectively. Splice variant b2a2 were more common (53.3%) in chronic phase CML (CP-CML) while b3a2 had higher frequency in advanced phases of CML (44.9%). CML patients with b2a2 transcript had better complete cytogenetic response and major molecular response to TKI treatment overall (100% vs. 24.5%) as well as in CP-CML (100% vs. 85.7%) and superior survival when compared to patients with b3a2 splice variant. All patients who died had male gender, less than 33 years age, b3a2 transcript, advanced phases of CML and imatinib resistance.Conclusions: Splice variant b3a2 was associated with CML progression, poorer survival and inferior treatment outcome as compared to b2a2. Further investigations on BCR-ABL splice variants and their roles in CML pathogenesis can provide deeper insights into CML biology and new targets for BCR-ABL positive leukemia treatment.          Keywords: CML; BCR-ABL splice variants; Progression; Survival; Treatment outcome 

English Code Switching: A License for the Violation of Urdu Linguistic Taboos?

Norms and values of any society rely heavily on language; language mirrors the core culture of a particular society with regard to the practices that are either allowed within that society or are forbidden. In Pakistan being a multi-lingual society, code switching could be observed as a commonly exercised phenomenon. The present study investigates the violation of Urdu Linguistic taboos via English lexical items through the process of code switching. 28 Urdu linguistic taboo words were selected. The words were categorized in six commonly existing categories. The data to investigate the research questions of the current study was collected from 100 under graduate and post graduate students of  English departmentThe findings based on the quantitative data analysis indicate that English code switching has become a popular phenomenon among the speakers of Urdu language to mention taboo words, leading ultimately to the violation of Urdu Linguistic taboos. The study opens door for future researchers to investigate the violation of their own languages through code-switchin

Implementation and long-term efficacy of a multifaceted intervention to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units of a low-middle-income country

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) pose a significant risk to critically ill patients, particularly in intensive care units (ICU), and are a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections. We investigated whether implementation of a multifaceted intervention was associated with reduced incidence of CLABSIs.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study over nine years. We implemented a bundled intervention approach to prevent CLABSIs, consisting of a comprehensive unit-based safety program (CUSP). The program was implemented in the Neonatal ICU, Medical ICU, and Surgical ICU departments at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Pakistan.Results: The three intervention ICUs combined were associated with an overall 36% reduction in CLABSI rates and a sustained reduction in CLABSI rates for \u3e a year (5 quarters). The Neonatal ICU experienced a decrease of 77% in CLABSI rates lasting ∼1 year (4 quarters). An attendance rate above 88% across all stakeholder groups in each CUSP meeting correlated with a better and more sustained infection reduction.Conclusions: Our multifaceted approach using the CUSP model was associated with reduced CLABSI-associated morbidity and mortality in resource-limited settings. Our findings suggest that a higher attendance rate (\u3e85%) at meetings may be necessary to achieve sustained effects post-intervention

Rhinocladiella mackenziei as an Emerging Cause of Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis in Pakistan: A Case Series

Six cases of Rhinocladiella mackenziei cerebral phaeohyphomycosis are being reported for the first time in Pakistan. Identification was confirmed by DNA sequencing (isolates and fixed tissue). Diabetes, head trauma, immunosuppressive treatment, and postpartum state were present in 4 cases. Two survivals and 3 fatalities occurred, with 1 Patient lost to follow-up