Postpartum Care Utilization among Primigravida: A Study in Rural Punjab, Pakistan

The present paper examined some of the socio-economic factors associated with postpartum care utilization among primigravida (first time mothers) in rural Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 205 primigravida within six weeks following their delivery. Maternal education, husband’s education, husband’s occupation, monthly household income and exposure to mass media turned out to be some of the important factors in postpartum care utilization. Antenatal care, type of delivery and place of delivery were significantly associated with the postpartum care services utilization. The findings of the present study clearly underscored the importance of educational attainments of both the spouses in determining the postpartum care utilization. This finding implies that education can help reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Keywords: Ante-natal care, Postpartum care, Primigravida, Maternal morbidity, Maternal mortalit

Glutathione supplementation in semen extender improves rabbit sperm attributes during refrigeration

[EN] In the present study, we evaluated the sustaining effect of various glutathione (GSH) concentrations in extender on rabbit sperm attributes during storage at 5°C for 24 h. Semen was collected from regular donor rabbit bucks using an artificial vagina and initially evaluated for sperm quality. The qualifying ejaculates were diluted with one of the extenders having 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 mM GSH, to achieve a final concentration of 1×108 sperm/mL. The extended samples were stored at 5°C for 24 h. Sperm motility, motion kinetics, acrosome integrity and viability were assessed after 3, 6, 12 and 24 h of storage. The results showed that total sperm motility and sperm motion kinetics (oscillation index of the sperm, straightness index and beat cross frequency) were influenced (P<0.05) by glutathione dose and refrigeration time. An interaction of (P<0.05) GSH concentrations and refrigeration time was observed for sperm viability and acrosome reaction rate. In conclusion, the 4 mM GSH supplemented extender’s protective influence was remarkable to maintainrabbit sperm quality for 24 h 5°C.Ahmad, E.; Naseer, Z.; Aksoy, M. (2021). Glutathione supplementation in semen extender improves rabbit sperm attributes during refrigeration. World Rabbit Science. 29(2):81-86. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2021.14759OJS8186292Aksoy M., Lehimcioğlu N.C., Akman O. 2008. Effect of seminal plasma on functional integrity of rabbit sperm membranes during storage at 4°C or freezing. World Rabbit Sci., 16: 1-6.https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2008.642Ansari M.S., Rakha B.A., Ullah N., Andrabi S.M.H., Akhter S. 2011. Glutathione addition in tris-citric egg yolk extender improves the quality of cooled buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull semen. Pak. J. Zool., 43: 46-55.Bansal A.K., Bilaspuri G.S. 2011. Impacts of oxidative stress and antioxidants on semen functions. Vet. Med. Intl., Article ID 686137. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/686137Câmara D.R., Mello-Pinto M.M.C., Pinto I.C., Brasil O.O., Nunes J.F., Guerra M.M.P. 2011. Effects of reduced glutathione and catalase on the kinematics and membrane functionality of sperm during liquid storage of ram semen. Small Rumin. Res., 100: 44-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.05.010Darin-Bennett A., White I.G. 1977. Influence of the cholesterol content of mammalian spermatozoa on susceptibility to cold-shock. Cryobiology, 14: 466-470. https://doi.org/10.1016/0011-2240(77)90008-6de Lamirande E., Gagnon C. 1995. Impact of reactive oxygen species on spermatozoa: a balancing act between beneficial and detrimental effects. Human Reprod., 10: 15-21.https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/10.suppl_1.15Domingo P., Olaciregui M., González N., De Blas I., Gil L. 2018. Effects of seminal plasma and different cryoprotectants on rabbit sperm preservation at 16°C. Exp. Anim., 67: 413-420. https://doi.org/10.1538/expanim.17-0152Fadl, A., Ghallab, A., Abou-Ahmed, M. 2019. Quality assessment of cryopreserved New Zealand white rabbit spermatozoa in INRA-82 extender containing different cryoprotectants. World Rabbit Sci., 27: 77-83. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2019.10892Fadl A.M., Ghallab A.M., Abou-Ahmed M.M. 2020. Comparison between tris-buffer and INRA-82 extenders on the quality of chilled rabbit spermatozoa. World Rabbit Sci., 28: 13-18. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.12287Johinke D., de Graaf S.P., Bathgate R. 2014. Investigation of in vitro parameters and in vivo fertility of rabbit spermatozoa after chilled storage. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 147: 135-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2014.04.014Johinke D., de Graaf S.P., Bathgate R. 2015. The effect of sperm concentration and storage vessel on quercetin-supplemented rabbit semen during chilled storage. Reprod. Dom. Anim. 50: 567-573. https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12525Luberda Z. 2005. The role of glutathione in mammalian gametes. Reprod. Biol., 5: 5-17.Maya-Soriano M.J., Taberner E., Sabés-Alsina M., Piles M., Lopez-Bejar M. 2015. Absence of beneficial effects on rabbit sperm cell cryopreservation by several antioxidant agents. Zygote, 23: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0967199413000270Munsi M.N., Bhuiyan M.M.U., Majumder S., Alam M.G.S. 2007. Effects of exogenous glutathione on the quality of chilled bull semen. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 42: 358-362. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2006.00789.xNagy S., Sinkovics G., Kovács A. 2002. Viability and acrosome integrity of rabbit spermatozoa processed in a gelatinsupplemented extender. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 70: 283-286.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(01)00189-0Naseer Z., Ahmad E., Aksoy M., Epikmen E. 2020. Impact of quercetin supplementation on testicular functions in summer heat-stressed rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 28: 19-27. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2020.12420Oliveira R.A, Piersanti R.L., Wolf C.A., Viu M.A.O., Gambarini M.L. 2014. Glutathione for the freezing of cooled equine semen, using different protocols. Anim. Reprod., 11: 104-109.Peña F.J., Johannisson A., Wallgren M., Rodriguez-Martinez H. 2003. Antioxidant supplementation in vitro improves boar sperm motility and mitochondrial membrane potential after cryopreservation of different fractions of the ejaculate. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 78: 85-98.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(03)00049-6Petruska P., Capcarova M., Sutovsky P. 2014. Antioxidant supplementation and purification of semen for improved artificial insemination in livestock species. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 38: 643-652. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-1404-61Prete C.D., Ciani F., Tafuri S., Pasolini M.P., Valle G.D., Palumbo V., Abbondante L., Calamo A., Barbato V., Gualtieri R., Talevi R., Cocchia N. 2018. Effect of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase supplementation in the extender on chilled semen of fertile and hypofertile dogs. J. Vet. Sci., 19: 667-675. https://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2018.19.5.667Rosato M.P., Di Iorio M., Manchisi A., Gambacorta M., Petrosino G., Centoducati G., Santacroce M. P., Iaffaldano N. 2012. In vitro survival and lipid peroxidation status of rabbit spermatozoa after both chilled and frozen storage in lycopene enriched extenders. Livest. Sci., 146: 199-202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2012.03.006Rosato M.P., Iaffaldano N. 2011. Effect of chilling temperature on the long-term survival of rabbit spermatozoa held either in a trisbased or a jellified extender. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 46: 301-308. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01667.xSarangi A., Singh P., Virmani M., Yadav A.S., Sahu S., Ajithakumar H.M., Kumari A., Rath A.P. 2017. Effect of antioxidants supplementation on the quality of Beetal buck semen stored at 4°C. Vet. World, 10: 1184-1188. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2017.1184-1188Saraswat S., Jindal S.K., Kharche S.D. 2016. Antioxidant and spermatozoa: a complex story- A review. Indian J. Anim. Sci., 86: 495-501.Sarıözkan S., Özdamar S., Türk G., Cantürk F., Yay A. 2014. In vitro effects of l-carnitine and glutamine on motility, acrosomal abnormality, and plasma membrane integrity of rabbit sperm during liquid-storage. Cryobiology 68: 349-353. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2014.04.006Sarıözkan S., Türk G., Cantürk F., Yay A., Eken A., Akçay A. 2013. The effect of bovine serum albumin and fetal calf serum on sperm quality, DNA fragmentation and lipid peroxidation of the liquid stored rabbit semen. Cryobiology, 67: 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cryobiol.2013.04.002Yimer N., Kaka A., Yusoff R., Haron A.W. 2016. The roles of antioxidants and fatty acids in sperm cryopreservation. Cryopreservation in Eukaryotes, Francisco Marco-Jiménez and Hülya Akdemir, IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/65571Zeitoun M.M., Al-Damegh M.A. 2015. Effect of nonenzymatic antioxidants on sperm motility and survival relative to free radicals and antioxidant enzymes of chilled-stored ram semen. Open J. Anim. Sci., 5: 50-58. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojas.2015.51007Zhandi M., Ghadimi V. 2014. Effect of glutathione-supplemented INRA82 extender on miniature Caspian stallion sperm quality during storage at 5C. J. Equine Vet. Sci., 34: 606-610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2013.11.00

Yield responses of maize as influenced by supplemental foliar applied phosphorus under drought stress

Drought is one of the most serious problems posing a grave threat to cereals production including maize. A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar applied phosphorus @ 8 kg ha-1 at 8th leaf stage on yield and yield components of four maize hybrids i.e two drought tolerant (6525, 32B33) and two drought sensitive (Hycorn and 31P41) under normal and water stress conditions. RCBD with factorial arrangement were employed to lay out the experiment with a net plot size of 4.75 m x 5 m with three replication at research area of Agronomy, Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan. The foliar applied phosphorus @ 8 kg ha-1 at 8th leaf stage of maize significantly affect the yield and yield parameters in both drought tolerant and sensitive hybrids. The water stress decreased the 1000-grain weight (21.2%), grain yield (21.3%) and biological yield (22.4%) as compared to normal irrigation. The both drought tolerant hybrids of maize (6525 and 32B33) performed better than drought sensitive hybrids (Hycorn and 31P41) under normal and water stress conditions

Analysis of Domestic versus Foreign Banks Efficiency in Pakistan

Banking sector reforms were introduced in 1972 in the light of many contemporary issues observed in the banking industry. The nationalization of banks in 1974 improved the financialӏ sector in many ways. The efficiency of the sector was compromised due to politicalӏ influence; over-branching and overstaffing that affected the banking industry. In 1990s many reforms were made in the banking sector to address the problems that existed in the nationalized banking system. The public sector’s ownership of commercial banks had created lot of problems (political intervention in credit allocation, loan recovery and deterioration in services quality). This study evaluated the efficiency of domestic and foreign banks for the period 2010-2016. DEA was used to explore the scale, technical, pure technical and scale efficiency of the domestic and foreign banks. The ӏeast efficient banks are Bank Alfalah, Nationaӏ Bank, Askari Bank and Standard chartered in terms of scale efficiency. Technicalӏ efficiency scores demonstrate that Aӏӏied Bank, Askari bank, Nationalӏ Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Bank Alfalah did not perform efficiently whereas other banks of the sample did well. Pure technicalӏ efficiency scores under both orientations reveal that in 2010 and 2015, aӏӏ banks showed a perfect pure technicalӏ efficiency score of 1.00. Both domestic and foreign banks performance is mixed. Domestic banks are not less efficient in terms of all efficiencies than foreign banks. Both banks need attention to managerialӏ aspects and efficient utilization of technology in their operations. Sound macroeconomic policies may also help in improving the efficiency of banks

Commercial development for a site in downtown Junction City, Kansas

Typescript (photocopy).Department: Architecture

Koç spermatozoonlarında akrozom reaksiyonunun uyarılabilme oranları üzerine mevsimsel etkilerin araştırılması

Koçlarda akrozom reaksiyonunun uyarılması üzerine mevsimsel etkilerin ve ozmotik tolerans limitlerinin incelenmesi amacıyla iki paralel çalışma yürütüldü. Toplam 6 baş ergin koçtan ayda bir kez olmak üzere tüm çalışma süresince kış (Aralık-Şubat), ilkbahar (Mart-Mayıs), yaz (Haziran-Ağustos) ve sonbahar (Eylül-Kasım) mevsimleri süresince (her koç her mevsimde 3 kez ejekülat verdi) sperma örnekleri elektroejekülatör yardımıyla toplandı. Çalışmanın ilk bölümünde akrozom reaksiyonunun uyarılması amacıyla farklı ajanlar, LPC ve CI, kullanıldı. Sperma örnekleri 37°C de 3 saat boyunca inkübe edildiler. LPC veya CI ile uyarıldıktan sonra çeşitli aralıklarla (15, 30, 60, 120 ve 180 dakika) örnekler toplanarak akrozomal bütünlük floresan boyama (FITC-PNA) ile tespit edildi. LPC ve CI ile uyarılan akrozom reaksiyonu oranları farklı mevsimlerde farklı oranlar oluşturdu. Tüm inkübasyon süreleri (15-180 dakika) için akrozom reaksiyonuna giren spermatozoon oranları LPC ve kontrol grupları için kış aylarında maksimum düzeye ulaştı (P<0.05). Ancak, CI ile uyarılan akrozom reaksiyonu oranları inkübasyon süresine bağlılık gösterdi (reakte akrozom oranı 180 dakikalık inkübasyon süresince kademeli olarak yükseldi) ve mevsimlere göre önemli ölçüde değişti. Kış ve yaz aylarında CI ile uyarılarak akrozom reaksiyonuna giren spermatozoon oranları tüm inkübasyon süreleri için daha yüksek (P<0.05) bulundu. Çalışmanın ikinci bölümünde sperma örnekleri farklı ozmotik basınçlara sahip (50,100, 290, 500 ve 1000 mOsm/L) früktoz-sodyum sitrat solüsyonlarına maruz bırakıldılar. Bu örnekler 35°C de 15 dakika boyunca inkübe edildiler. İzoozmotik ve hiperozmotik solüsyonlarda inkübe edilen örnekler (290, 500, 750 ve 1000 mOsm/L) hipoozmotik koşullara yeniden döndürüldüler. Bu ozmotik şok uygulamalarından sonra spermatozoon canlılık oranları ve membran bütünlükleri eosin boyaması ve hipoozmotik şişme testinin kombine kullanıldığı (HE testi) bir metot yardımıyla değerlendirildi. Hipo, izo ve hiperozmotik koşullarda inkübe edilen spermatozoonlarda en düşük (P<0.05) canlı spermatozoon oranları kış mevsiminde elde edildi. Benzer biçimde 50, 100, 290, 500 ve 100 mOsm/L lik solüsyonlarda inkübe edilen örneklerde en düşük (P<0.05) membran bütünlüğü tam ve membran bütünlüğü tam-canlı spermatozoon oranları kış aylarında tespit edildi. Anizoozmotik solüsyonlarda inkübasyon sonrasında canlı, membran bütünlüğü tam ve canlı-membran bütünlüğü tam spermatozoon oranları en yüksek olarak sonbaharda tespit edildi, bununla beraber bu parametrelerin aynı ozmotik inkübasyon koşullarında kış aylarında en düşük olduğu gözlendi. Bu açıdan bakıldığında membran bütünlüğü açısından en iyi mevsimin sonbahar olduğu tespit edildi. Sonuç olarak, LPC be CI un akrozom reaksiyonunun uyarılması için farklı yolakları kullandıkları ve sinyal iletim yolaklarının uyarılmasından sorumlu oldukları belirlendi. Taze, LPC ve CI ile akrozom reaksiyonu uyarılan koç spermatozoonlarında bu çalışmada kış aylarında belirlenen aşırı duyarlılığın bu dönemdeki artan melatonin düzeyleri ile ilişkili olabileceği düşünülebilir. Bununla birlikte, mevsimlerin koç spermatozoonlarının ozmotik toleransları üzerine önemli etki yaptığı görülmüştür. En yüksek fertilite düzeylerine ulaşılan, aşım sezonu olan sonbahar aylarında en geniş ozmotik tolerans sınırlarının belirlenmesinin aslında rastlantısal olmadığı düşünülmektedir.Two longitudinal studies were conducted to evaluate the seasonal dynamics in acrosome reaction induction and osmotic tolerance limit of ram sperm. Semen was collected using an electroejaculator once a month from 6 mature rams (three ejaculates per each ram per season) throughout study period during winter (Dec-Feb), spring (Mar-May), summer (Jun-Aug) and autumn (Sep-Nov). In study 1 acrosome reaction was induced in vitro by using different inducing agents; LPC and CI. The samples were then incubated in water bath at 37°C for 3 hrs. At various intervals (15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min) after stimulation with LPC or CI, the acrosomal status of the samples was monitored by using fluorescent staining (FITC-PNA). The AR induced in the presence of LPC or CI showed different pattern in different seasons. The percentage of acrosome reacted sperm was higher (P<0.05) in LPC and control during winter season compared to other seasons at all incubation time intervals (15-180 min). However, CI induced the AR in a time dependant manner (reacted sperm rate gradually increased over incubation time of 180 min) and it varied dramatically between seasons. During winter and summer seasons, the CI-induced AR remained higher (P<0.05) at all incubation time points. In study 2 the sperm samples were exposed to fructose-sodium citrate solutions of different osmolalities (50,100, 290, 500 and 1000 mOsm/L). The samples were then incubated at 35°C for 15 min. The isosmotic and hyperosmotic incubation samples (290, 500, 750 and 1000 mOsm/L) were returned to hypo-osmotic condition. After osmotic challenges, the sperm viability and membrane integrity were estimated using a combined hypo-osmotic swelling and eosin test (HE test). The live sperm percentage was recorded lowest (P<0.05) at all hypo, iso and hyperosmotic conditions during winter season. Similarly lowest (P<0.05) intact and live-intact sperm percentages were observed in 50, 100, 290, 500 and 100 mOsm/L conditions during winter season. The highest membrane integrity rate in terms of live, intact and live-intact sperm proportions after exposure to anisoomotic media were recorded in autumn season whereas, these parameters were lowest during winter season under the same osmotic conditions in this studyBest membrane integrity was recorded during autumn season. In conclusion both LPC and CI are use different pathways for AR induction and responsible to provoke signaling transduction pathway. It can be hypothesized that the extra receptivity of ram sperm to undergo AR in fresh, LPC or CI treated groups during winter season as observed in the present study, might be due to an expected increase in melatonin during this season. Moreover, season has significant influence on osmotic tolerance limit of ram sperm. The best osmotic tolerance during autumn might be the reason of better fertility in breeding season in ram

The integumentary chromatophone patterns in the plaice Pleuronectes platessa L., with special reference to their responses towards different variegated backgrounds

The integumentary pattern of the plaice Pleuronectes platessa is divisible into the dark patches, the dark zones, the pale zone, the pale flecks, the white spots, orange and black spots and the black dots. These colour pattern---units differ in size and density and in the arrangement of their chromatophores. The ultrastructure of the chromatophores has been observed. The complex phenomenon of "pattern-matching" in the plaice is largely attributable to the differential responses of the upper dermal melan-ophores in the different pattern-units. The plaice responds to very small changes in the visual composition of its background: ; reflectivity; type of pattern; size of the figures comprising the pattern; proportion of black and white in the under-lying substratum; distance of the components of the pattern from both eyes. An analysis of these differential responses has been proposed. "Pattern-matching" in the plaice appears to be predominantly neurally initiated and is later assisted by its hormonal system. The chromatic responses of long white- and long black-adapted fishes are strikingly different from each other and from those of the fishes adapted to a middle tint. An account is given of the neurally controlled responses of the long white- and black-adapted fishes towards patterned backgrounds after their background reversal and their subsequent return to the original backgrounds. The effect of length of background adaptation on the neurally controlled responses of the plaice has been described. It has been suggested that in relation with its nervous activity, the plaice adapts to a new background in three phases: Phase I, II and III. The chromatic activity of intact and unilaterally enucleated fishes suggests the existence of a central integrating mechanism for most of the retinal information. Some retinal stimuli are capable of bringing about melanosomal movements'contralaterally.' Melanization of the unpigmented 'ventral' side of the plaice can be caused under experimental conditions. The pattern thus produced does not correspond with that of the 'dorsal' side. The neurally controlled responses of the 'ventral' melanophores suggest a mode of innervation somewhat different from that of the 'dorsal' melanophores. The differential responses of the melanophores in different pattern-units can be observed not only by a differential retinal stimulation, but also by the administration of some adrenergic drugs. An adrenergic innervation of the melanophores and a differential distribution of adrenoceptor-populations have been suggested to account for the differential responsiveness of these cells. Integumentary transformations in the plaice during background pattern adaptation may be brought about by the selective stimulation of melanophores in various pattern-units through nerve-fibres originating from a central integrating mechanism.<p

Hallervorden spatz disease – a rare clinicoradiological diagnosis

Hallervorden Spatz disease, also known as pantothenate kinase associated neuro-degeneration, is a rare, progressive neurological disorder usually seen in first decade of life. It is associated with extrapyramidal effects, dysarthria and dementia. Hallervorden Spatz Disease is also associated with psychiatric symptoms, depression and behavioral changes. Affected patients are disabled predominantly by dystonia. MRI, in later stage of the disease, shows “eye of the tiger’ appearance which is fairly diagnostic of Hallervorden Spatz Disease. Response to drugs is often poor and of limited value to these patients. This report highlights a classical case of Hallervorden Spatz disease that presented as an outpatient with dystonia and psychotic symptoms and was diagnosed on the basis of clinical and radiological evidence

Corrosion inhibition mechanism of Piperacillin Sodium for mild steel protection in acidic media

The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1M HCl solution by Piperacillin Sodium was studied by weight loss measurement and electrochemical techniques   i.e. Polarization Resistance, Potentiodynamic Polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The results obtainedat 30ºC divulged that this pharmaceutical compound had established 93% inhibition efficiency at an optimum concentration of 7.2×10-4 M. These outcomes show that inhibition takes place by adsorption of the inhibitor on metal surface without altering the mechanism of corrosion process. The adsorption of Piperacillin Sodium takes place according to Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Potentiodynamic polarization studies indicate that Piperacillin Sodium acts as a mixed type of inhibitor. Data collectedfrom EIS studies has been analyzed to model the appropriate equivalent circuit for better explanation of corrosion inhibition process. The inhibition mechanism of Piperacillin Sodium has been discussed