Antimicrobial Peptides as Infection Imaging Agents: Better Than Radiolabeled Antibiotics

Nuclear medicine imaging techniques offer whole body imaging for localization of number and site of infective foci inspite of limitation of spatial resolution. The innate human immune system contains a large member of important elements including antimicrobial peptides to combat any form of infection. However, development of antibiotics against bacteria progressed rapidly and gained popularity over antimicrobial peptides but even powerful antimicrobials failed to reduce morbidity and mortality due to emergence of mutant strains of bacteria resulting in antimicrobial resistance. Differentiation between infection and inflammation using radiolabeled compounds with nuclear medicine techniques has always been a dilemma which is still to be resolved. Starting from nonspecific tracers to specific radiolabeled tracers, the question is still unanswered. Specific radiolabeled tracers included antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides which bind directly to the bacteria for efficient localization with advanced nuclear medicine equipments. However, there are merits and demerits attributed to each. In the current paper, radiolabeled antibiotics and radiolabeled peptides for infection localization have been discussed starting with the background of primitive nonspecific tracers. Radiolabeled antimicrobial peptides have certain merits compared with labeled antibiotics which make them superior agents for localization of infective focus

Um ensaio sobre o tamanho ideal do governo: um estudo de caso do Paquistão

Pakistan is a developing country and faces the problem of the fiscal deficit since government expenditures are higher than revenues. In this situation the government has to raise loans to cover this deficit and the burden of loans and debt service is increasing significantly. Additionally, most of the budget has gone to service the debt. Under these circumstances, this study is an attempt to find the optimal size of the government and compare it with the actual size of the government. To calculate the optimal threshold level of government spending, the methodology used by Heerden (2008) for Pakistan is adopted. Finally, this study provides a guide for policymakers, either to reduce or increase the size of governme.Pakistán es un país en desarrollo y enfrenta el problema del déficit fiscal dado que los gastos del gobierno son más altos que los ingresos. Ante dicha situacion el gobierno tiene que levantar préstamos para cubrir este déficit y la carga de los préstamos y el servicio de la deuda está aumentando significativamente. Adicionalmente la mayor parte del presupuesto se ha ido para el servicio de la deuda. Bajo estas circunstancias, este estudio es un intento de encontrar el tamaño óptimo del gobierno y compararlo con el tamaño real del gobierno. Para calcular el nivel umbral óptimo de gasto gubernamental, se adopta la metodología utilizada por Heerden (2008) para Pakistán. Por último, este estudio proporciona una guía para los responsables de la formulación de políticas, ya sea para reducir o aumentar el tamaño del gobierno.O Paquistão é um país em desenvolvimento e enfrenta o problema do déficit fiscal, já que os gastos do governo são mais altos do que as receitas. Nesta situação, o governo tem de contrair empréstimos para cobrir esse déficit, e o ônus dos empréstimos e do serviço da dívida está aumentando significativamente. Além disso, a maior parte do orçamento foi para o serviço da dívida. Sob essas circunstâncias, este estudo é uma tentativa de encontrar o tamanho ideal do governo e compará-lo com o tamanho real do governo. Para calcular o nível ideal de limiar de gastos do governo, a metodologia usada por Heerden (2008) para o Paquistão é adotada. Finalmente, este estudo fornece um guia para os formuladores de políticas, seja para reduzir ou aumentar o tamanho do governo

Focused abdominal CT scan for acute appendicitis in children: can it help in need

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the focused abdominal CT scan [FACT] in clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis in paediatric population. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department of Aga Khan Hospital, from August 2007 to November 2008. A total of 84 patients (42 males & 42 females) with clinically equivocal signs and symptoms of acute appendicitis referred to radiology department for CT evaluation were studied. CT findings were compared with histopathology and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: The sensitivity of focused CT for acute appendicitis was 91%; specificity was 69% and accuracy of 76% while PPV and NPV were 58%, 94% respectively. CONCLUSION: Focused unenhanced CT is a quick, accurate and non invasive modality for the assessment of clinically equivocal cases of acute appendicitis for ruling out patients and reducing negative appendectomies

Depigmenting and toxicity effect of chalcone derivatives on post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) have been increasingly reported over past few decades is a skin disorder that produce excess melanin and leaves a brown patches on skin’s surface. The presence of histamine during inflammation process would lead to the excessive pigmentation production. Topical whitening and bleaching agent are among the therapeutic choices in treating PIH. However, some of these whitening agents such as hydroquinone and kojic acid were claimed to have negative side effects. Thus, alternative therapeutics preferences were derived from natural products in effort to provide safe and reliable depigmenting agents. Chalcone derivatives, a chemically synthesized compound has been proven to be a good compound as a skin-whitening agent for treatment of PIH. In this research project, two chalcone derivative, Flavokawain A (FL-A) and Flavokawain B (FL-B) was evaluated on its depigmenting activity and also their toxicity effect on histamine-induced B16-F10 Melanoma Cell and zebrafish embryo. Both of these compounds were evaluated on their cellular melanin production and their tyrosinase activity. Accordingly, toxicity effects of these compounds were evaluated on histamine-induced B16 cells using MTT assay whereby both compound shows no toxicity effect with the highest concentration that exceeds 50 % of cell viability. Reducing effects towards melanin content and tyrosinase activity in histamine-induced B16-F10 cells indicated that FL-A reduced the specific melanin content by 2-fold and FL-B by 5-fold when compared to control. Besides, tyrosinase activity was inhibited by FL-A and FL-B by 2-fold for both compounds. On the other hand, when using zebrafish as a depigmenting assay system, FL-A and FL-B could inhibit both melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in the in vivo model. From the present study, it could be conclude both FL-A and FL-B was proven to be a good compound as a skin-whitening agent for treatment of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation

Complications In The Management Of High-Energy Closed Fractures Of Proximal Tibial Plateau. A Retrospective Study

Objective: To analyze the management of high-energy Schatzker type V and VI tibial plateau fractures which are associated with infectious and noninfectious complications. Methods: This study was carried out in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rawalpindi Medical University from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. This is a retrospective study which is done in three years. Patients had to be between the ages of 18 and 60, have no history of arthritis, have a closed fracture of the proximal tibia (Schatzker type V and VI), or have AO type 41-C1, C2 or C3 involvement of the lower limb. Each patient received treatment using techniques such as internal fixation with locking plates and open reduction which are minimally invasive. Results: This study involved a total of 132 patients.Mean age was 35.15±10.59.115(87%) were men and 17(13%) were women out of 132. A total of 39 out of 132 patients experienced complications (29.54%). Infectious complications (18.93%) were found in (25/132) patients 16 out of 25 patients had superficial infections. Routine dressing changes and antibiotic treatment were carried out in patients who had superficial infections.9 out of 25 patients who had faced a deep-seated infection underwent repeated implant removal, debridements, amputation, and flap covering depending on the reaction of the host. Noninfectious complications had been reported in 14 patients(10.6%). Six patients had hardware-related issues and four of them required a secondary treatment.08 individuals had malalignment, with five of them having it in their immediate postoperative radiographs and three others having it in their late postoperative radiographs. Conclusion: In closed wounds, substantial soft tissue destruction is linked to the fractures of the proximal tibial plateau, particularly Shatzker type V and VI. By selecting the right patients and minimising soft tissue dissection, the problems related to the management of these fractures can be reduced.

Examining the Factors Influencing Tourists’ Destination: A Case of Nanhai Movie Theme Park in China

The present study used a stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) theoretical framework to examine the relationship between theme park tourists’ experience, brand identity, brand satisfaction, and brand loyalty in China. By using the structural equation model (CB-SEM), this paper illustrates the process of forming destination brand loyalty for sustainable tourism on theme parks. The results suggested a second-order structure of tourism experience. The first-order four factors have different impacts on the second-order tourism experience. Activity experience is the most important factor influencing tourism experience, followed by environment experience, then facility experience, and finally interaction experience. In terms of tourism experience, individual brand identity-brand satisfaction-brand loyalty is the most important path of a theme park on tourists’ behavioral intention, among which brand satisfaction plays the most significant partial mediation effect in the relationship between individual identity and destination loyalty. It is expected that the results of this study provide a reference for improving tourists’ brand loyalty to achieve sustainable development of theme parks

Frequency of Clinical Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Asthmatic Patients

Background: Gastroesophageal reflex is known as an acid reflex, is long term condition where stomach contents back into the oesophagus resulting in either symptoms or complications. GERD disease is caused by weakness or failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Symptoms include the acidic taste behind the mouth, heart burn, chest pain, difficult breathing and vomiting. Complication includes esophagitis, oesophageal strictures and barrettes oesophagus. Objective: The aim of this research was to introduce the symptoms of GERD disease in asthmatic patients and how these symptoms worsen the symptoms of asthma disease and what clinical pictures present with the asthmatic disease. Methodology: A designed performa was used to collect the data and after filling the performa, results were drawn and conclusion through the facts and the information given by patients. Results: In the present study among all 164 asthmatic patients, 70 (42.7%) patients showed dyspepsia, 58 (35.4%) were with chest burning, 23 (14%) were asking about chest pain, with acidic mouth taste were 39 (23.8%), 22 (13.4%) were feeling sore throat and 44 (26.8%) showed regurgitation reflex. Among these 164 patients 16 (9.8%) were smokers and 148 (90.2 %) were non-smokers. 47 (28.7%) were males and 117 (71.3%) were females. Conclusion: It is concluded that gastroesophageal reflux disease in asthmatic patients present symptoms of acidic mouth taste, chest burning, chest pain, dyspepsia, regurgitation reflex and sore throat

Impact of Perceived Influence, Virtual Interactivity on Consumer Purchase Intentions Through the Path of Brand Image and Brand Expected Value

Many researchers are currently showing interest in researching consumers who are purchasing the products with the help of new tools, and new kinds of markets are emerging rapidly. M-commerce is a prevalent mode of marketing and is famous among young people of Pakistan. Current research is planned to check the status of consumer purchase intentions (PIs) using perceived influence, virtual interactivity, brand image, and brand expected value among customers who purchase their products with the help of m-commerce. Data was collected from customers who were engaged in buying with the help of m-commerce by using the convenience sampling technique and 227 complete questionnaires were used in final analysis. This research examines the direct impact of perceived influence, virtual interactivity, brand image, and brand expected value on PIs and finds the indirect effect of brand image and brand expected value on the relationships of perceived influence and virtual interactivity with PIs. Results indicate that all the hypotheses of direct relationships are accepted except the hypothesis for the relation of virtual interactivity with consumer PIs. Virtual interactivity has an insignificant positive impact on consumer PIs. Brand expected value has a strong positive effect on consumer PIs among all. The current study proposed four mediational hypotheses. All the proposed mediational hypotheses are accepted

Evaluation of Tomato Hybrids for Resistance against Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV)

Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) drastically affects the tomato production worldwide. To deal with this problem, breeding of ToMV-resistant hybrids/varieties is the ultimate need and most successful approach. In wild tomato species, three dominant ToMV-resistant genes (Tm-1, Tm-2 and Tm-22 ) were identified and the World Vegetable Center developed few fresh market tomato lines resistant to ToMV by the introgression of these genes. Recently at Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad, Pakistan a breeding programme was initiated to develop high yielding and ToMV tolerant hybrids using these lines. Current study was performed to screen elite F1 hybrids carrying Tm gene along with their parents against ToMV using mechanical inoculation, confirmation of the virus using DAS-ELISA and marker assisted selection of hybrids. Out of 28 hybrids and 17 parent accessions/genotypes, eight hybrids and five accessions were found to be highly resistant and the virus was not detected in DAS-ELISA. Five hybrids were resistant, nine hybrids and four genotypes were tolerant, while the remaining six hybrids and eight genotypes were susceptible. For the confirmation of Tm-22 gene, the tomato hybrids and their parents were subjected to molecular analysis using cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) primers. The result of CAPS markers for the confirmation of Tm-22 gene was found consistent with phenotypic data of the inoculated tomato genotypes/ hybrids. Higher phenolic content, total soluble proteins, better CAT and SOD activities were positively correlated with resistance. Screening results based on phenotype, biochemical and molecular marker data indicate that hybrids carrying Tm-22 gene are good sources of resistance against ToMV

Outcome of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy

Background: To study the outcome of endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV)Methods: In this observational study an endoscopic third ventriculostomy was applied in patients who suffered from hydrocephaly. The diagnosis of hydrocephalus was determined by  physical, neurological and neuro-radiological criteria. Patients with obstructed hydrocephalus whether congenital or acquired, with a dilated 3rd ventricle were included. Linear incision was given 2cm anterior to the coronal suture in mid pupillary line. Right frontal burr hole is made. For ETV, burr hole is placed on a line joining the foramen of monro and inter-peduncular line. Floor of the thirdventricle was punctured close to or over the dorsum sellae. Membrane was dilated with balloon. Balloon was inflated and subsequently was taken out from puncture site. It ensured easy visibility of basilar artery and its perforators.Result: Age of patients ranged from 06 months to 24 years, with a mean age of 4 years . Fourteen patients had posterior fossa tumour’s with dilated third ventricle, sixty four patients had aqua ductal stenosis, two patients with CSF ascites as complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, eleven patients had blocked lower end of ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Seven patients had CSF leak. Time taken to complete endoscopic third ventriculostomy was from 20 to 40 min as compared to 1 hour to 1.30 hours, taken in a VP shunt. Patients who had ETV performed had a mean hospital stay of 3 days, where as patients in whom a VP shunt was performed stayed in the ward for an average of 5 to 10 days, depending on how eventful the post op period was. The cost incurred to the VP shunt patient who remained admitted for an average of 5 days was between Rupees 16,000 to 25,000, ascompared to Rs: 2000 for the patient who underwent endoscopic third ventriculostomy.Conclusion: Patients of ETV, with less per operative time, had decreased length of stay. ETV also was less expensive to the patient and he did not have to buy the shunt apparatus with less rehospitalization rates, compared to patients who had undergone shunt