Quantifying Urban Karachi’s Air Quality Effect on Human Health and Policy Recommendations

Today’s environmental issues are systematic in nature and cannot be tackled in isolation from man-made activities and impacts. The change in land use and land cover resulting from urbanization has aggravated air quality in urban centers of the country. One of the main sources of air pollution is the use of automobiles in human populated regions resulting in an excess of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The emission of greenhouse gases in the form of carbon dioxide from 1990 to 2005 showed an increase of 97.4%. The main source of this increment were vehicular and industrial emissions due to which Pakistan is facing glacier melt in northern areas, earthquakes, flooding and lack of fresh water availability. The authors analyze the effects of vehicular emission on human health; this study is focused on the commercial and industrial areas of Karachi where the flow of heavy traffic and heavy vehicular exhaust emissions are common. The sampled areas are Port Qasim, University Road, Korangi and Mosmiyat. The purpose of this study is to evaluate perceptions of health factors due to air borne pollution in 4 different localities in Karachi. The results showed predominance of headache which is due to an excessive quantity of carbon monoxide and air borne dust in the survey areas as slight exposure of Carbon monoxide affiliated with headache, the second highest complain from respondents is the  Eye Irritation, the exposure of NO2 has acute health effects which include eye irritation, cough and asthma. Based on the above study, recommendations are made to reduce GHG and other pollutants

Oligomerization of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vpu protein – a genetic, biochemical and biophysical analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) is a complex retrovirus and the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV-1 Vpu protein is an oligomeric integral membrane protein essential for particle release, viral load and CD4 degradation. <it>In silico </it>models show Vpu to form pentamers with an ion channel activity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using Vpu proteins from a primary subtype C and the pNL4-3 subtype B isolates of HIV-1, we show oligomerization of the full-length protein as well as its transmembrane (TM) domain by genetic, biochemical and biophysical methods. We also provide direct evidence of the presence of Vpu pentamers in a stable equilibrium with its monomers <it>in vitro</it>. This was also true for the TM domain of Vpu. Confocal microscopy localized Vpu to the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi regions of the cell, as well as to post-Golgi vesicles. In fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments in live cells we show that Vpu oligomerizes in what appears to be either the Golgi region or intracellular vesicles, but not in the ER.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We provide here direct evidence that the TM domain, is critical for Vpu oligomerization and the most favourable channel assembly is a pentamer. The Vpu oligomerization appears to be either the Golgi region or intracellular vesicles, but not in the ER.</p

A Survey on Financial Inclusion: Theoretical and Empirical Literature Review

Recently, policymakers and researchers have shifted their attention toward financial inclusion to control poverty, the black economy, tax collection, and financial development. Empirical and Theoretical literature shows that financial inclusion has become a fundamental requirement for economic development. This study provides a detailed literature review covering recent development in financial inclusion among different nations as well as in different reigns. This study highlights the major factors which influence financial inclusion i.e., financial literacy, financial innovations, financial regulation, financial stability, income, information communication technology, gender differences, cost of financial services, economic conditions, and political situations. These indicators are different across countries which becomes the major reason for variations in financial inclusion among countries. This study also highlights some demand-side and supply-side factors of financial inclusion. This study suggests that availability, accessibility, and usage are the major dimensions of financial inclusion which are measured by saving, lending, no of ATMs, no of bank branches, and no. of bank accounts. The study also has several dimensions of financial inclusion for future research

Dairy Staphylococcus aureus: Epidemiology, Drug Susceptibilities, Drug Modulation, and Preventive Measures

Staphylococcus aureus is an emerging pathogen from dairy animals’ mammary glands. Among various risk factors associated with this pathogen are unhygienic milking procedures, improper preventive techniques, and lack of germicidal teat dipping before and after milking. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus, coagulase positive S. aureus, vancomycin-resistant S. aureus, and biofilm-producing S. aureus are common strains of S. aureus being isolated from dairy milk these days. They have huge economic and public health concerns. Trials of antibiotic susceptibility proposed variable responses, while drug modulation and drug synergistic proved to be hope for its treatment. Some of the plant derivative, phages, and nanoparticles are non-antibiotic sources to treat S. aureus. Various attempts to treat S. aureus at the world level have been carried out but require more researches to be undertaken in order to prevent it. The chapter concludes that S. aureus from dairy needs equal attention as is given to S. aureus from the human origin, and researches are required to probe solutions

The Role of Distribution Channels and Educational level towards Insurance Awareness among the General Public

This research study aims at giving an overview of the emerging research field of Islamic insurance in a phase that is still under debate among Muslim nations. No doubt, Takaful (Islamic insurance) is growing rapidly but it is still behind conventional insurance. Most of the researches reveal the fact that general public is unaware about Takaful and Takaful awareness level is low among general public. Researchers and practitioners are trying to explore the crucial factors which creates Takaful awareness among general public. However, only few studies are available in Pakistan which formally documented the issue and explore different Takaful awareness factors among general public of Pakistan. Therefore, the ultimate objective of this study is to find out general factors which enhance Takaful awareness level among general public of Pakistan. To achieve this objective, three hypotheses are proposed concerning the relationship of Takaful awareness level and other Takaful awareness factors such as Educational Level of general public, Religious Orientation of general public and Takaful Distribution Channels. Primary data was collected from general public of Pakistan by using 5-point Likert scale. These hypotheses predicting a positive relationship between Takaful awareness level and awareness factors (i.e., educational level, religious orientation, distribution channels). However, religious orientation has higher impact as compared to Takaful distribution channels and educational level. Study found that these three factors are crucial to enhance Takaful awareness level among general public. Hence, this study is contributing in the body of knowledge by exploring the vital factors to enhance Takaful awareness level and tried to resolve the important issue of Takaful awareness by developing a framework. This study is more significant for practitioners to enhance Takaful awareness level by exercising these three factors among general public of Pakistan

PNEUMATOSIS INTESTINALIS - A RARE CLINICAL FINDING REQUIRING MULTIMODALITY TREATMENT

This is a case report of Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI), which has traditionally been associated with immediate operative intervention and a high mortality rate. We present a case of ulcerative colitis that developed Pneumatosis intestinalis and was managed at our hospital. A 29 year old male with known history of ulcerative colitis presented with an acute exacerbation. A week into his treatment, PI developed. Emergency total colectomy with end ileostomy was performed. Postoperatively, he remained critically ill and expired during same hospitalization after 45 days.Key words: Pneumatosis intestinalis, Ulcerative Colitis, Adalumima

Reconnoitering Milk Constituents of Different Species, Probing and Soliciting Factors to Its Soundness

Milk composition and production varies from species to species, reflecting its diversified benefits on health. Lipids from caprine and ovine milk are anti-obesity and anti-atherogenic while prebiotic in the case of caprine. Higher contents of selenium from caprine and iron from camel milk play a role in immune system and oxygen transport system, respectively, whereas enriched vitamins like riboflavin, folic acid, B6, vitamin A of bovine, and foliate of cattle are effective in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and high niacin content of caprine is anti-cancerous. Camel milk is found to have characteristics of anti-carcinogenic, antidiabetic, and autoimmune therapeutic. Various processing techniques like pasteurization, skim milk powder processing, and ultra-high temperature processing are necessary for safe provision of milk to meet consumers’ demand. Change in flavor, loss of micronutrients, biofilm production, and spore-forming bacteria are prominent challenges during processing. Antimicrobial resistance and disease conditions are exaggerating factors of milk deterioration with respect to quality and quantity. Preclinical trials like somatic cell count, California mastitis test, proteomic analysis, Raman spectroscopy-based analysis, and X-ray fluorescence analysis are helpful in avoiding the spread of disease and controlling of economic losses. This chapter focuses differential functions of bioactive of milk, issues arising during processing techniques, and preclinical studies of milk for safer production and consumption of milk