Snake Bite: Clinical Profile and Evaluation of Effective Anti-Snake Venom Dose

Background: To determine the optimal dose of antisnake venom required to treat hemotoxic snake bite more effectively. Methods: In this interventional study, out of 52 patients 46 patients with the features of systemic envenomation .i.e. deranged coagulation profile, nephrotoxic or neurotoxic features were assessed clinically and through laboratory tests, while 06 patients had no feature of envenomation. Patients with systemic envenomation were given Antisnake venom. Results: Hemotoxicity was the most common clinical manifestation of snake bite i.e. 39 patients of hemotoxic envenomation, 4 with neurotoxic features while 03 patients had mixed toxicity i.e. hemotoxic, neurotoxic and nephrotoxic. 12 patients responded to single dose of 06 vials (10 ml each vial; total dose of 60 ml), 28 patients required further dose of anti snake venom after initial dose of 6 vials while 06 patients received even higher dose of anti snake venom i.e. 18 vial (180 ml) with blood transfusion. Of these 06 patients, 02 required mechanical ventilation, 02 with nephrotoxicity were referred to dialysis unit, and 02 mortalities were encountered, one with intracranial bleed and other with mixed toxicity and delayed presentation of patient. Conclusion: Most patients with envenomation require higher dose of anti snake venom . An increase in morbidity and mortality is mainly due to delayed presentation after snake bite and under dosage of ASV

Demand and Supply Analysis of Transport Energy in Pakistan

Over the last decade, the importance of energy consumption in transport sector has burgeoned forth and has been growing rapidly in Pakistan, and the course is being augured to linger over the coming decades. This paper brings about the function of transport energy demand, economic growth (GDP), oil rents, gas rents, road length and number of registered vehicles for Pakistan over the 1980-2015 by using Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach. The results which have had come about shows preponderance of the fact that there is powerful relationship between all concerned variables when transport energy demand is used as a dependent variable in Pakistan. Hence, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model is used for the future forecasting related to the consumption and production of gasoline and oil. According to the forecasted results, consumption (demand) is much greater as compared to production (supply) in both non-renewable sources. As policy makers suggest, we can make up for this lacuna by bourgeoning forth new technology (hybrid vehicles) as well as an awareness campaign through which we can make others abreast of this research may be launched about energy conservation methods to curtail the transport energy demand (TED) in the country

Ethically Minded Consumer Behavior, Brands’ Commitment to Sustainable Development and Brand Equity in the Apparel Market of Pakistan

Purpose-The current research paper elaborated effect of ethically-minded consumer behavior on the brand pledge to sustainable development and consumer perception and how it further impact “brand equity-loyalty-word of mouth statement. Designing/Methodology/Approach - To evaluate proposed hypotheses, a quantitative study method with a close-ended questionnaire was structured to collect the responses with the convincing non-probability sampling method. About six hundred questionnaires were distributed among the various people and 217 valid responses were received back. To measure the participants’ response, 5- Point Liker Scale was employed. Smart PLS was used to analyses the collected data Findings - The findings of the study recommend and allow an increasing series of suggestions for the brand holders to adopt sustainable development practices and it will raise the attention of the ethically minded consumers. Research Limitations/Implications - The research was conducted in the cities of Punjab Pakistan. Where the level of education and earnings are high. This study should also be conducted in other cities of Pakistan. The researchers have conducted this study for the apparel industry it should also be conducted on the other industries. At the final note for the further study in line with this study mediated relationship between variables used in this proposed model should be done. The new variable can also be introduced like brand image, satisfaction, perceived quality. This study has several implications for managers and academia. As a result of exposure and information, consumer behavior has changed in Pakistan and requires that organizations and brands must take necessary steps for owing sustainable development goals. This pledge to sustainable development is completely supposed by the consumer to boost brand equity, Loyalty, and constructive word of mouth. Originality/Value - To the best of Author’s Knowledge no study has been conducted to measure the impact of consumer behavior on Brands commitment to sustainable development in the Apparel Market of Pakista

Genomic analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase gene sequence variations and its association with D-9- tetrahydrocannabinol dependence in addicts

Purpose: To elucidate the genetic basis of drug addiction by conducting a genetic analysis of TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) gene and the novel polymorphisms that might help in understanding addiction and its molecular basis. Methods: Forty-two subjects were recruited into three groups for this study. DNA was isolated from the individuals. PCR amplification of TH gene was carried out and amplicons were sequenced. Genomic characterization of TH gene provided five polymorphic loci – TH 1, TH 2, TH 3, TH 4 and TH 5 which were found among all the groups. Results: According to Shannon’s diversity index, the studied population was between 0.0762 and 0.6032. Heterozygosity index depicted that TH 1 locus was less heterozygous (0.3288), followed by TH 5 (0.3152). TH 1 (0.1462) was the least heterozygous. Genotypic analysis predicted that among these five loci, TH 4 (p = 0.039898) and TH 2 (p = 0.851716) were non-significant (p > 0.05) and obeyed Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) law. There are few genetic changes in the studied population that can statistically be associated with drug addiction. Still, their genotypic distribution in the gene pool was very low. Conclusion: On the basis of these findings, drug addiction in the studied population is more likely a social issue rather than a genetic one. Keywords: Tyrosine hydroxylase, SNP, Drug dependenc

Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Female Doctors: A Cross Sectional Study from Rawalpindi

Introduction: Studies have shown that toiling in the medical field, especially in comparison to other professions is stressful. There is evidence that depression leads to reduced productivity in the workplace. Poor clinical judgement, increased chances of error in patient care and absenteeism all lead to reduced quality of work. Female doctors, in particular, are vulnerable to mental health issues owing to elements such as bullying, workplace sexual harassment, long working hours, frantic shifts, and domestic commitments. Materials and Methods: Over a six-month period (June 2020 to November 2020), we conducted a cross-sectional survey in three tertiary care hospitals in Rawalpindi, two of which were public sector and one private sector. We collected 328 samples by means of non-probability consecutive sampling. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), a 42-item questionnaire via Lovibond and Lovibond with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.89. Mean and SD of DASS total and subscale scores were compared for subjects stratified by age, marital status, designation, hospital status, and monthly household income via Student t-test and ANOVA. Results: The total mean DASS score reported by our participants was 31±26.92. Total mean DASS scores were significantly greater in House Officers and decreased as the designation rank increased (p=0.007). Mean DASS subscale scores showed that the junior female doctors were significantly more anxious (p=0.004) and depressed (p=0.041) compared to the senior doctors. However, there was no significant difference in stress scores, indicating that all the female doctors that participated were experiencing stress regardless of their designation. There was also no significant difference in DASS scores between private and public sector hospitals. Conclusion: Female doctors working in tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi reported depression, anxiety, and stress. Steps need to be taken to reduce risk factors for these mental health issues in order to boost workplace satisfaction and productivity

Role of human metapneumovirus, influenza a virus and respiratory syncytial virus in causing WHO-defined severe pneumonia in children in a developing country

Objective: The role of respiratory viruses in causing severe, life threatening pneumonia in children in developing countries is not well established. Our study aims to determine the role of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), influenza A virus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children, aged 6 weeks to 2 years, hospitalized with WHO defined severe pneumonia (tachypnea plus any general danger sign or chest in-drawing) at a public sector hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: This study was conducted from November 2010 to September 2011 at Abbassi Shaheed Hospital, a large public tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Children admitted with WHO-defined severe pneumonia were enrolled and throat swabs were obtained to detect respiratory viruses using real time RT-PCR. Chest x-rays of all subjects were obtained and independently interpreted by two radiologists to diagnose radiologic pneumonia.Results: 169 children were enrolled. HMPV was detected in 24 (14.2%), influenza A virus in 9 (5.3%) and RSV in 30 (17.8%) children admitted with severe pneumonia. Of 9 patients with influenza A, 8 tested positive for H1N1. Viral etiology was found in 18% of radiologically confirmed pneumonia. HMPV infections peaked in February and April, influenza A was prevalent in January, June and November and RSV infections were most prevalent from June to September.Conclusion: HMPV, influenza A and RSV are common causes of WHO-defined severe pneumonia in hospitalized children in Karachi. Knowledge regarding the viral etiology of pediatric pneumonia and individual viral seasonality can help in the recommendation and implementation of appropriate management strategies

Microfinanças e empoderamento de mulheres: uma análise de regressão de comutação endógena

Women in Pakistan are suffering from a great social and economic deprivation due to gender discrimination and inequitable distribution of resources. This paper examines the determinants and extent of women empowerment by their participation in microfinance programs. Data for this study were collected from different areas of Faisalabad, Pakistan, where most of the households were poor and had borrowed money from different microfinance institutes. Keeping in view the disguised endogeneity, Endogenous Switching Regression Model was employed which accounts for selection bias because of observable and unobservable factors. The analysis revealed that education level, household size, family system, educational expenditures, income level and the ownership of different assets like sewing machines have the statistically significant impact on the women decision to work and hence promote women empowerment. It is concluded that the government in developing countries should introduce income-generating activities, especially for women by providing them access to financial resources.Las mujeres en Pakistán están sufriendo una gran carencia social y económica debido a la discriminación de género y la distribución desigual de los recursos. Este documento examina los determinantes y el alcance del empoderamiento de las mujeres por su participación en los programas de microfinanzas. Los datos para este estudio fueron recolectados de diferentes áreas de Faisalabad, Pakistán, donde la mayoría de los hogares eran pobres y habían tomado dinero prestado de diferentes institutos de microfinanzas. Teniendo en cuenta la endogeneidad disfrazada, se empleó el Modelo de Regresión de Conmutación Endógena que explica el sesgo debido a factores observables y no observables. El análisis reveló que el nivel educativo, el tamaño del hogar, el sistema familiar, los gastos educativos, el nivel de ingresos y la propiedad de diferentes activos, como las máquinas de coser, tienen un impacto estadísticamente significativo en la decisión de las mujeres de trabajar y, por lo tanto, promover el empoderamiento de las mujeres. Se concluye que el gobierno de los países en desarrollo debe introducir actividades generadoras de ingresos, especialmente para las mujeres, proporcionándoles acceso a recursos financierosAs mulheres no Paquistão sofrem de uma grande privação social e econômica devido à discriminação de gênero e à distribuição desigual de recursos. Este artigo examina os determinantes e a extensão do empoderamento das mulheres pela sua participação em programas de microfinanças. Os dados para este estudo foram coletados em diferentes áreas de Faisalabad, Paquistão, onde a maioria dos domicílios era pobre e tinha tomado dinheiro emprestado de diferentes institutos de microfinanças. Tendo em vista a endogeneidade disfarçada, empregou-se o Modelo de Regressão por Comutação Endógena, que considera o viés de seleção por causa de fatores observáveis e inobserváveis. A análise revelou que o nível de escolaridade, tamanho da família, sistema familiar, gastos com educação, nível de renda e posse de diferentes ativos, como máquinas de costura, têm impacto estatisticamente significativo na decisão das mulheres de trabalhar e, portanto, promovem o empoderamento das mulheres. Conclui-se que o governo dos países em desenvolvimento deve introduzir atividades geradoras de renda, especialmente para as mulheres, proporcionando-lhes acesso a recursos financeiro

Management tactics for handling Parthenium hysterophorus in non-native environment through phytotoxic compounds of local species

Parthenium hysterophorus L. is an invasive, ubiquitous and infamous herbaceous weed causing suppression of natural vegetation and crop plants. The identification of phytotoxins in local weed species (Datura stramonium, Achyranthes aspera, Chenopodium album, Calotropis procera, C. murale and Melilotus indica) was done through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to check their herbicidal potential against P. hysterophorus. Additionally, filter paper petri plate based and soil filled pot experiments were conducted in laboratory and wire house to evaluate the pre- and post-emergence herbicidal potential of plant water extract of D. stramonium alone and in combination with A. aspera, C. album C. procera, C. murale and M. indica at 2.5, 5 and 10% (w/v) concentrations against germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus. The phytotoxins detected in extracts of these plant species were quercetin, gallic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, m-coumaric, sinapinic, caffeic, benzoic and syringic acids with variable concentrations. Total highest concentration of phytotoxins (61.37 mg L-1) was found in A. aspera while the lowest concentration (7.69 mg L-1) was found in C. album aqueous extract. Significant reduction in germination and seedling growth of P. hysterophorus was shown by all extract combinations that increased in direct proportion to their concentrations. The 10% water extract of D. stramonium in combination with C. procera and A. aspera proved to be the best as they resulted maximum reductions in germination percentage (100 and 95%), shoot length (67 and 62%), and shoot dry weight (67 and 78%) of P. hysterophorus, respectively. (C) 2019 Friends Science Publisher