Integrated Use of Rational and Intuitive Decision Making Style: Modern Trends in Organizational Decision Making

The present study reviewed the literature based on a centuryof the theoretical and empirical work on decision making styles.Both in theory and research, the traditional trends limited thedecision makers to either rational or intuitive strategies in decisionmaking. Limited amount of literature emphasized on both rationalityand intuition in decision making until in the recent decades whensome researchers emphasized the use of mixed strategies in decisionmaking. Thus the present study illustrates the importance ofcombining the rational and intuitive style and using a mixed-stylein decisional scenarios. Thus the rational-intuitive and the intuitiverationalstyle double the benefits as both styles have some sharedand some other unique qualities which maximize the outcomes whenused in connection. Finally, the present study suggests a transitionfrom uni-style tradition to mixed style decision making

Prevalence of MRSA in Rawal Institute of Health Sciences Islamabad & its Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern

Objective: To determine the prevalence of MRSA infection and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern in patients undergoing abdominal and vaginal surgeries. Material and Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Rawal General & Dental Hospital, Islamabad from September 2017 to September 2018 and data of approximately 300 patients were retrieved which included culture and sensitivity reports of wound and vaginal swabs of patients undergoing abdominal and vaginal surgeries to see prevalence of MRSA and antibiotics to which it is susceptible .Obesity was a risk factor and patients with immune-compromised status were not included. Result: Female patients were most affected 87%. Of the total cases, patients between ages 21 to 30 years were more frequent. The rate of MRSA was 37.0% in this study. There were 63% patients who showed methecilline resistance. Linezolid was more effective in MRSA and was sensitive in 81%. &nbsp

Antibacterial evaluation of three widespread weeds Mazus japonicus, Fumaria indica and Vicia faba from Pakistan

Present study was carried out to explore the antibacterial potential of three weeds Mazus japonicus, Fumaria indica and Vicia sativa grown widely in Pakistan. Different extracts (aqueous, methanolic and petroleum ether) of the respective weeds were prepared and tested against nine bacterial strains using agar well diffusion assay. Bacterial strains included both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus megaterium, Enterococcus faecium, Enterrococcus faecalis and Enteroccocus sp) and gram negative (Pseudomonas putida, Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli top10) bacteria. Ten different concentrations of each extracts were used. Enterococcus faecalis JH22 and Bacillus megaterium MB141 were the most resistant bacteria while Escherichia coli top10 was found highly susceptible and inhibited by all three extracts of Mazus japonicas and Fumaria indica. Vicia sativa was effective only against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas putida at limited crude extract concentration while all other strains showed resistance against different extracts of the respective plant. Amongst the plant extracts screened for antibacterial activity, methanolic extracts showed best antibacterial activity whereas aqueous and petroleum ether were found least active. This study significantly supports the usage of these widespread weeds as traditional medicines for various bacterial infections.Â

Alternative routes for tranexamic acid treatment in obstetric bleeding (WOMAN-PharmacoTXA trial): a randomised trial and pharmacological study in caesarean section births.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the safety, efficacy and pharmacology of intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral tranexamic acid (TXA) use in pregnant women. DESIGN: Randomised, open-label trial. SETTING: Hospitals in Pakistan and Zambia. POPULATION: Women giving birth by caesarean section. METHODS: Women were randomised to receive 1 g IV, 1 g IM, 4 g oral TXA or no TXA. Adverse events in women and neonates were recorded. TXA concentration in whole blood was measured and the concentrations over time were examined with population pharmacokinetics. The relationship between drug exposure and D-dimer was explored. The trial registration is NCT04274335. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concentration of TXA in maternal blood. RESULTS: Of the 120 women included in the randomised safety study, there were no serious maternal or neonatal adverse events. TXA concentrations in 755 maternal blood and 87 cord blood samples were described by a two-compartment model with one effect compartment linked by rate transfer constants. Maximum maternal concentrations were 46.9, 21.6 and 18.1 mg/L for IV, IM and oral administration, respectively, and 9.5, 7.9 and 9.1 mg/L in the neonates. The TXA response was modelled as an inhibitory effect on the D-dimer production rate. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) was 7.5 mg/L and was achieved after 2.6, 6.4 and 47 minutes with IV, IM and oral administration of TXA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both IM and oral TXA are well tolerated. Oral TXA took about 1 hour to reach minimum therapeutic concentrations and would not be suitable for emergency treatment. Intramuscular TXA inhibits fibrinolysis within 10 minutes and may be a suitable alternative to IV

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Role of Media in the Promotion of Divine Religions and Contemporary Communication Methods

The divine religions are concerned with the promotion of true knowledge of Allah Almighty.  These religions, in their broadest sense, are spread over a wide area of the world, and with each passing day, their propagation and transmission is expanding. It has been a tradition for centuries that whether it is human beings or religions, they have needed media for the truth of their word. It is certain that the divine religions also made full use of the prevailing media of their time and succeeded in conveying their ideas and thoughts to many people. The preaching struggle of the divine religions did not span a single century but a long span of centuries, the scale of which we cannot determine at present. However, some aspects can be pointed out historically. Two important sections are highlighted in this article. The role of the media in the promotion of divine religions. The contemporary communication methods and aspects of competition between the nations of the world, especially between the Indian subcontinent and the West. In addition to the divine religions, this article also discusses the mode of communication of non-divine religions and gives a brief overview of their methods

Post Pandemic Research Trends on Challenges and Outcomes in Education: A Case-study of HEC Recognized Journals of Education 2020- 2021

Objective: The purpose of the present study is to explore the research trends on challenges and outcomes of post pandemic education. The researcher has conducted a meta-analysis of HEC recognized journals of education published in post pandemic period that is 2020-2021.  Methodology: The study has adopted qualitative approach following case-study design. The population of the study is comprised of each of 2 issues of 14 journals of education recognised by higher education commission of Pakistan. The sample was selected using purposive sampling technique. The sample size was 21 articles based on the inclusion criteria which directs to select only those articles discussing the post COVID context of teaching-learning process. The data was collected through a literature review matrix which was developed to classify the articles for various themes generated after critical review. After reviewing the selected articles, different themes were generated such as Pandemic and higher education, psychological aspects of post pandemic context, learning experiences in Covid-19, remote teaching and challenges, assessment and distant learning using content analysis technique. Findings: This content analysis revealed that COVID-19 has increased the scope of online education by showing an increasing trend of Hybrid model in education. The research has highlighted the effect of COVID-19 on teachers and learners particularly and the system of education generally. It further explored the issue related to depression and anxiety and challenges related to energy crises.   Implications: This study recommends that to overcome such issues and challenges there should be provision of professional development programs for the teachers to prepare them for future circumstances

Association of Interleukin 17F with Arthritis in Punjabi Families of Pakistan

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes severe joint pain. Interleukin 17F (IL17F) is considered as a candidate gene functionally; it mediates pro-inflammatory responses, depending on the type and site of inflammation. The present study examined the polymorphism of IL17F (rs763780 and rs2397084) among the families affected by arthritis. Demographic data and blood samples were collected from the families with at least one affected offspring with arthritis. Analysis of the IL17F gene polymorphism was performed by the digestion of DNA with NlaIII and AvaII. The results showed that IL17F rs763780 (AA, AG and GG genotypes) and rs2397084 (AA, AG and GG genotypes) were associated with arthritis (OA & RA). It was evaluated that about 65 and 21 percent of the individuals mutated with homozygous mutation for wild type allele A, heterozygous mutation A/G against selected SNPs respectively. But homozygous polymorphic allele for allele G was only found against rs2397084. Mutation in rs2397084 resulted to change Lysine into Arginine, whereas mutation in rs763780 changed Histidine into Arginine. Maternal history was found as a stronger factor in transferring arthritis. The results of this study revealed an association of arthritis with IL17F among Pakistani population