Corona Virus: Current global medico-economic calamity- Sickness & afflictions and Islamic perspective. We must take time to comprehend our situation.

This document by Dr. Riaz A. Akhtar discusses the Islamic perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly narrative and doctrinal reasons for the pandemic occurring. The document features several verses from the Quran, relating the narratives and doctrine to the global pandemic. Issues such as Shaitaan, or the devil are discussed, in addition to giving reasons as to why Allah or God would allow the pandemic to occur

Outcome of Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures Treated by Proximal Femoral Nail in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Subtrochanteric femoral fractures are challenging for surgeons, as it has strong collapsing forces at fracture site.The management of sub-trochanteric fractures, especially nonunion is challenging.Proximal Femoral Nail can be helpful in achieving high success rate. But there was a lack of local evidence. Objective: To determine the Outcome of Subtrochanteric Femur Fractures Treated by Proximal Femoral Nail in a Tertiary Care Hospital. Material and methods: This prospective study was conducted from 1stJuly 2017 to 30th June 2019. The inclusion criteria were all the patients of both genders above 16 years of age presented to emergency department with subtrochanteric fractures of the femur. Exclusion criteria included pathological fractures, fractures in children, old neglected fractures and multiple fractures. Radiographs were taken and all the patients were classified according to Seinshemers classification. All the patients underwent internal fixation with Proximal Femoral Nail. The outcome of all patients were assessed by using Modified Harris Hip Score. Results: A total of 110 patients were included in the study. Mean age of patients was 30.05±8.59 years. 81 (73.63 %) patients were males and 29 (26.36%) were females. According to Seinshemers classification, we had 54 patients with Type II fracture, 35 patients with Type III fracture, 19 patients with Type IV fracture and 02 patients with Type V fracture. Mean duration of hospital stay was 06 days and mean time of full weight bearing was 12 weeks. In our study, excellent results were found in 71 patients (64.5%), good results in 28 patients (25.4%), fair results in 06 patients (5.4%) and poor results in 03 patients (2.7%).02 patients were lost in follow up. The mean Harris Hip score was 93.5± 5.42. 14 patients (12.7%) had minor complications including 06 patients with Superficial wound infections, 03 patients with Deep infection, 01 patient with Deep vein thrombosis and 04 patients had Fracture from distal tip of nail. All the fractures unite within 6 months period and no implant failure was observed. Conclusion: Proximal Femoral Nail is a good choice implant for the fixation of subtrochanteric femur fractures leading to high rate of union, fewer implant related complications and excellent functional outcome. Key words: Subtrochanteric, Femur fracture, Proximal Femoral Nail, Modified Harris Hip Score, Seinshemers classification, Complication

Molecular Cues Guiding Matrix Stiffness in Liver Fibrosis

Tissue and matrix stiffness affect cell properties during morphogenesis, cell growth, differentiation, and migration and are altered in the tissue remodeling following injury and the pathological progression. However, detailed molecular mechanisms underlying alterations of stiffness in vivo are still poorly understood. Recent engineering technologies have developed powerful techniques to characterize the mechanical properties of cell and matrix at nanoscale levels. Extracellular matrix (ECM) influences mechanical tension and activation of pathogenic signaling during the development of chronic fibrotic diseases. In this short review, we will focus on the present knowledge of the mechanisms of how ECM stiffness is regulated during the development of liver fibrosis and the molecules involved in ECM stiffness as a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis

Safety assessment of street vended juices in Multan-Pakistan: A study on prevalence levels of trace elements

Street vended juices are most commonly available, accessible and economical nutritional food sources of poor slums in developing economies like Pakistan. Study was undertaken to elucidate impact of industrialization, agro chemicals induction in agronomic practices and food processing hygiene measurements on food chain heavy metals intoxication. If overlooked, certain quality risks associated either with fresh produce or processed commodity might initiate food intoxication.In order to understand gravity of the issue, street vended freshly drawn juices extracted from the food crops (orange, sugarcane, carrot and mango) cultivated in Southern Punjab peri-urban areas and country sides were evaluated for microelements and heavy metals load in summer and winter 2012. The safety study of juices depicted higher concentration of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) breaching international safety limits implemented in the country. However some microelements (Fe, Zn, Mn) were found below the prescribed maximum tolerant limits. The study concluded prevalence of higher concentration of some toxic heavy metals as a serious breach of threshold levels potentially compromising consumer’s safety

Effect of Delay in Operative Treatment on the Range of Motion in Supracondylar Humerus Fracture

To determine the relationship ofdelay in management of supracondylar fracture ofhumerus with reduced mobility of the joint.Methods: In this descriptive study patients withisolated fracture of supracondylar of humeruswithout any associated trauma, were included. Theywere classified into groups according to Gartlands’classification based on antero-posterior and lateralview Xrays of the affected elbow joint. Patients werecalled for follow up 4,8 and 12 weeks after removalof backslab and Kirschner wires.Results: Mean age of presentation for fractures ofsupracondylar of humerus was 5.67±2.064 years withfracture occurring predominantly in males. Out ofthe 32 patients who sustained Gartland type IIIfractures, only 8(25%) patients were managed byclosed reduction and internal fixation. In 28(75%)patients, open reduction and internal fixation had tobe done. Mean delay time for treatment in type-I andtype-II fractures was 2.86±2.25 and 2.56±1.42 daysrespectively. Gartland type-III injuries had a delaybetween injury and surgery of 4.88±2.95 days. Rangeof motion was more reduced in flexion angle ascompared to extension, supination and pronation.Conclusion: An inverse relation was foundbetween delay in presentation and range of motion.Increase in delay to seek optimal treatment isassociated with a reduction in range of movement atthe supracondyle of humerus. In Gartland type IIIfractures, open reduction had to be done to achievesatisfactory results in most of the patients whopresented after a delay of more than 3 days. Followup of the patients showed an improvement inmobility of the joint in the postoperative period butrole of physiotherapy in achieving maximummobility has not been determined ye

Total Rewards and Employee Performance: Investigating the Mediating Role of Employee Motivation in Telecom Sector

The present study investigates the influence of total rewards on employee performance with the mediating role of employee motivation in Pakistan telecom sector. Reward system comprises of both financial and non-financial components and plays an important role towards performance and achieving organizational goals. The study adopted descriptive survey design with a sample of 207 respondents belonging to different cadres of management of telecom companies. The results indicated significant relationship between total rewards and employee performance, financial rewards and performance, non-financial rewards and performance. Further, significant relationship also exists between total rewards, employee motivation and employee performance. The study concludes that organizations adopting total rewards system as a strategy are in better position as compared to organizations focusing only on financial rewards strategy. The study further points out that non-financial rewards are significant contributor towards enhancing employee performance as compared to financial rewards. The study also provides recommendations for future research

Dynamic Relationship Between Imports and Economic Growth in Pakistan

This research paper examines the causal relationship between imports and economic growth along with the impact of economic growth on imports in the perspective of Pakistan using the Granger causality test and simple regression test. The research aims to evaluate the relationship between the respective variables by using the data for a period of 40 years from 1975 to 2014. The result revealed that there is a causal relationship between imports and economic growth and found the evidence of bi-directional causality between imports and economic growth in Pakistan. Similarly, the result showed that there is a significant causal relationship between economic growth and imports in Pakistan. On the basis of Granger’s causality test, the positive and significant relationship between the respective variables reflects that imports of capital goods such as machinery group, chemicals, equipment, etc. translate in to the economic productivity and growth along with the imports of consumer goods that also contributes towards the export oriented productivity indirectly. For further research, the right mix of the categories and products should be examined to accelerate the pace of economic growth through imports in Pakistan. Keywords: Import, Economic Growth, Granger Causality, Bi-directional, Causal Relationship DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-10-08 Publication date:May 31st 201

The effect of ageing and osteoarthritis on the mechanical properties of cartilage and bone in the human knee joint

Osteoarthritis is traditionally associated with cartilage degeneration although is now widely accepted as a whole-joint disease affecting the entire osteochondral unit; however site-specific cartilage and bone material properties during healthy ageing and disease are absent limiting our understanding. Cadaveric specimens (n = 12; 31–88 years) with grades 0–4 osteoarthritis, were dissected and spatially correlated cartilage, subchondral and trabecular bone samples (n = 8 per cadaver) were harvested from femoral and tibial localities. Nanoindentation was utilised to obtain cartilage shear modulus (G′) and bone elastic modulus (E). Cartilage G′ is strongly correlated to age (p = 0.003) and osteoarthritis grade (p = 0.007). Subchondral bone E is moderately correlated to age (p = 0.072) and strongly correlated to osteoarthritis grade (p = 0.013). Trabecular bone E showed no correlation to age (p = 0.372) or osteoarthritis grade (p = 0.778). Changes to cartilage G′ was significantly correlated to changes in subchondral bone E (p = 0.007). Results showed preferential medial osteoarthritis development and moderate correlations between cartilage G′ and sample location (p = 0.083). Also demonstrated for the first time was significant correlations between site-matched cartilage and subchondral bone material property changes during progressive ageing and osteoarthritis, supporting the role of bone in disease initiation and progression. This clinically relevant data indicates a causative link with osteoarthritis and medial habitual loading