A STUDY OF LONG-TERM SUNSPOTS AND K-INDEX GEOMETRIC CYCLES USING PROBABILISTIC MODELING

The research work done in this paper comprises the application of different well-known probability distribution models. This includes the understanding of the behavior and dynamics of 24 sunspot cycles with total data. The time-series data sets were selected from 1749 to 2014. To observe the solar activity effects on K-index activity the double cycles from 1932 to 2014 were also incorporated in the study. The comparative study is useful to observe the long-term solar-terrestrial connection. The magnetic field of the sun reverses its polarity after every 11 years of the cycle. So after every 22 years, the north pole becomes again north pole. By using the two well-known tests Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KST) and Anderson-Darling test (ADT) the probability distribution models were obtained for each sunspot cycles and compare. The significant probability models for all the sunspot cycles have been obtained. The fitted probability distribution models on selected data sets may be useful to understand the trend of solar and geomagnetic activity

Non-recurrent laryngeal nerve: a case report and review of literature

Right recurrent laryngeal nerve can take a Non-Recurrent course and can present as a Non Recurrent Laryngeal nerve which is a rare entity. Such anomalies can lead to difficulty in locating the laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgeries and there are higher chances of it being injured. Therefore, surgeons should be mindful of this entity. We report the case of a 53-year-old lady who underwent thyroid surgery and a right Non Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve was identified intra-operatively

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF COVID-19 VACCINATIONS: KARACHI AS A CASE STUDY

The entire world has started to vaccinate their respective countries' citizens to get rid of COVID-19 from their country. Likewise other countries, Pakistan has also started the vaccination process for its citizens and unlike the rest of the world, there have been different types of vaccines in Pakistan with different manufacturers and with different immunity booster levels. Through statistical analysis of vaccination in this research paper, we have tried to understand the diverse level of vaccines in Karachi and tried to get an understanding of the vaccination process happening in Karachi. For this kind of research, we have maintained the questionnaire and spread it through emails, WhatsApp, and Facebook.  The questionnaire was sent to about 500 people from July to August 2021. The results obtained depict the satisfaction of the vaccination process with normal side effects. Unlike other countries, Pakistan is among the countries where the mass vaccination process has always been very difficult to conduct. Further using the data of seven stations for prediction purposes Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) models were constructed. A better future trend analysis of COVID-19 can be observed using these constructed models. The data for the time series modeling from, 1st January 2021 to 25 August 2021, was taken from National Command and Control (NCOC) Pakistan

Diagnostic Accuracy of Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT Scan) In Detecting Bone Marrow Involvement in Patients with Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography combined with CT scan (PET-CT Scan) in detecting bone marrow involvement in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, keeping bone marrow biopsy as gold standard. Methodology: From November 2017 to May 2018, a cross sectional validation study was carried out at the Aga Khan University in Karachi Department of Oncology's Section of Clinical Hematology. The study comprised a total of 112 patients who were identified as having diffuse large B cell lymphoma after a lymph node was implicated was histopathologically examined. All patients had a PET-CT scan and bone marrow biopsy technique as part of the staging workup. With bone marrow biopsy acting as the gold standard, the diagnostic efficacy of a PET-CT scan for identifying bone marrow involvement was evaluated. Results: Of 112 patients, there were 71(63.39%) males and 41(36.61%) females. The mean age was 45.09±17.36 years. The mean duration of diagnosis was 17.19±6.02 days. Through biopsy, bone marrow involvement was identified in 40 (35.7%) cases. Through a PET-CT scan, bone marrow involvement was identified in 47 (41.9%) cases. The PET- CT scan in comparison with bone marrow biopsy for detecting bone marrow involvement in patients with DLBCL had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of 95%, 87.7%, 80.85%, 96.92% and 90.18% respectively. Conclusion: PET-CT scan can accurately detect bone marrow involvement in patients with DLBCL so it can be used in most patients instead of invasive bone marrow biopsy procedure for staging of DLBCL patients

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of external auditory canal: A rare disease

External auditory canal, like other epithelialized surfaces is predisposed to malignancies such as Squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), melanomas and adenocarcinomas. In this background, malignancies like adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) are a rare occurrence and need to be thoroughly evaluated both locally and for distant extension. The malignancy needs to be addressed with an aggressive approach surgically with adequate marginal clearance. The role of radiation is debatable considering the outcomes in the limited data. Here we present the case of a 35-year-old female who came in with otalgia and otorrhea associated with a mass in the external auditory canal. After biopsy and imaging, a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma was made and the patient was managed accordingly

Management of laryngotracheal trauma: A review of current trends and future directions

Laryngotracheal trauma is rare but can pose serious threats to one\u27s life. Presenting symptoms vary according to the severity of injury. Immediate Airway control is first step in the management, intubation should be considered by a senior member of the trauma team if the injury is minor while tracheostomy should be reserved for more severe injuries. Evaluation by a fibre-optic laryngoscopy and CT scan should be done whenever possible. Reconstruction is done according to the site involved using suture, titanium miniplates and stents. Tissue engineering has added a new horizon in this management but up till now complete laryngotracheal regeneration is very far-fetched, but tissue regeneration at individual sites have shown some positive results. More work needs to be done in this less explored field including laryngeal transplantation

Synchronous primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma: A case report highlighting Lymphoma first approach

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common type of all thyroid carcinomas and accounts for up to 90% of all thyroid malignancies. It is the most indolent form of the disease and has an excellent prognosis. On the other hand, Primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) is a rare entity accounting for only about 1% to 5% of all thyroid malignancies and only 2% of extranodal lymphomas. Synchronous PTC and PTL is a very rare condition and only a few cases have been reported in the literature up till now. We report one such case in a 52-year-old lady who was referred to us with goiter and progressively increasing difficulty in breathing

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS FOR GRADUATES TO JOIN THE BANKING SECTOR IN PAKISTAN

This study aims to identify the employability skills of graduates passionate to join the banking industry in Pakistan. Eleven factors related to employability skills are included explicit knowledge, tacit knowledge, hard skills, soft skills, intellectual abilities, physical abilities, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, openness, and extroversion. Managers are requested to indicate the importance of these skills for graduates willing to join the banking industry and share their satisfaction related to the tasks done by the fresh banking graduates under their supervision. The study uses Mean, Standard deviation, One Sample T-test and Coefficient of variation to rank each skill by managers. Results of the study reveal that 'openness', 'tacit knowledge and 'consciousness' ranked in the top three positions as far as the employability skills required in the banking sector, where as 'physical ability’ is ranked lowest. This study's results are imperative for bank managers and educational institutions to guide and train graduate according to the market needs and skills requirements

Adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal in the presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol

Paracetamol, an over the counter analgesic and antipyretic drug, causes hepatic and renal tubular necrosis at higher doses ingested accidentally, or intentionally. The situation worsens clinically upon the ingestion of product containing paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene. In paracetamol poisoning, activated charcoal is used to adsorb the drug from the gastrointestinal tract, sorbitol to remove charcoaldrug complexes and N-acetylcysteine to reduce the drug and its metabolites from systemic circulation. Activated charcoal being non-specific adsorbent may adsorb other chemical moieties from the intestine as well as antidotes. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal in presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol. Paracetamol was combined separately with dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol. These mixtures were combined with varying amounts of activated charcoal to evaluate the in vitro adsorption of paracetamol using Langmuir Isotherm. Paracetamol adsorption was 96.6 % at charcoal-drug ratio (6:1) while only 2 % higher in 8:1 and 2.9 % in 10:1. The binding constant (K2), maximum adsorption capacity per gram of activated charcoal for paracetamol alone and in presence of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride, N-acetylcysteine and sorbitol was found to be 366, 339, 313 and 355 mg/g, respectively. The results of the present study indicate that except sorbitol other investigated substances significantly reduce the adsorption of paracetamol on activated charcoal, which may be compensated by increasing the concentration of activated charcoal.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire