SYNTHESIS AND SPECTRAL STUDIES OF SOME CO-ORDINATION COMPOUNDS

ABSTRACT A new series of complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II) with amino acid and 2-amino-iso butyric acid have been synthesized exhibits 1:2 metal-ligand ratio. Characterization of the ligand as well as complexes has been done on the basis of elemental analysis, Infra-red and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The ligand have been found to Co-ordinate through nitrogen and sulphur atoms. The complexes are binary and ternary complexes and are thermally stable. The present paper describe the formation of complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II) with L-cystein and 2-amino is butyric acid

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis at District Mohmand

OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine Cutaneous Leishmaniasis’s epidemiological and clinical characteristics (CL) in the Mohmand district. METHODOLOGY This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at District Headquarters (DHQ) Ghallanai, District Mohmand, involving 360 patients with cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Individuals with coinfections or other skin diseases were intentionally excluded. Data, including gender, age, socio-economic status, size, site, and number of lesions, were recorded. CL was compared among age groups, gender, and socio-economic status using the chi-square test. \RESULTS The mean age was 10.72 ± 5.94 years, with 137 (38.06%) females and 223 (61.94%) males. Most patients suffering from CL had a low socio-economic status (n=175, 48.61%), followed by the middle (n=126, 35%). A minority reported a habit of sleeping on the ground (n=43, 11.94%). About 53 (14.72%) had multiple lesions. The location of lesions varied, with 66 (18.33%) on the arm, 229 (63.61%) on the head, neck, and face, and 65 (18.06%) on the leg. The association of the number of lesions (p=0.61), size of the lesion (p=0.47), and location of the lesion (p=0.27) was not statistically significant. Multiple lesions of CL were more common in the low socio-economic group (n=30, 56.6%) than in the middle (n=10, 18.8%) and high-class (n=13, 24.6%) groups, and the results were statistically significant (p=0.019). Most lesions were on the head, neck, and face, with the highest percentage in the low socio-economic group (66.86%). The rate of lesions on the leg was highest in the middle socio-economic group (19.84%), followed by the low (12.57%) and high (30.51%) groups. The differences in location were statistically significant (p=0.032). CONCLUSION Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) disproportionately affects children, particularly males and those with lower socio-economic status. We observed a notable link between lesion characteristics and socio-economic status

Leptospirosis: An Emerging Zoonosis in Pakistan

Abstract.-Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. Many domestic and wild animals act as reservoirs and ultimate source of contamination to human population. Since it is an emerging infectious disease that is under reported in developing countries, this report would provide baseline study for clinicians and researchers. To study the serosurveillance of human leptospirosis, 100 human (78 males; 22 females) blood samples were collected from Lahore city and its peri-urban areas and processed by cELISA Serion ELISA classic microtiter plate. The results of this study revealed 44% prevalence of human leptospirosis. Among 78 males and 22 females, 38 males (49%) and 06 females (27%) were found positive. Age wise serosurveillance demonstrate 47% prevalence in adults and 35% in young ones. Season wise 42%, 40%, 26% and 47% were observed in Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring, respectively. It is concluded that highest prevalence was in male adults while spring and summer were more susceptible seasons having leptospirosis infection. This is the first report of serosurveillance of leptospirosis in humans in Pakistan

An embedded implementation research initiative to tackle service delivery bottlenecks in the expanded programme on immunisation in Pakistan: Overview and reflections.

BACKGROUND: Embedded implementation research (IR) can play a critical role in health systems strengthening by tackling systems and implementation bottlenecks of a program. To achieve this aim, with the financial support of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, in 2016, the Government of Pakistan, UNICEF and the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR) launched an Embedded IR for Immunisation Initiative (the Initiative) to explore health systems and implementation bottlenecks, and potential strategies to tackle such bottlenecks in the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in Pakistan. In total, 10 research teams were involved in the Initiative, which was the first of its kind in the country. In this paper, we provided a brief overview of the Initiative's approach as well as the key learnings including challenges and successes of the research teams which could inform future embedded IR Initiatives. METHODS: Data were collected from members of the IR teams through an online survey. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted via phone and in-person from IR team members to explore further the challenges they faced while conducting IR in Pakistan and recommendations for future IR initiatives. The qualitative information obtained from these sources was collated and categorized into themes reflecting some of the challenges, successes, and lessons learned, as well as teams' recommendations for future initiatives. RESULTS: The embedded IR Initiative in Pakistan followed several steps starting with a desk review to compile information on key implementation challenges of EPI and ended with a dissemination workshop where all the research teams shared their IR results with policymakers and implementers. Key factors that facilitated the successful and timely completion of the studies included appreciation by and leadership of implementers in generation and use of local knowledge, identification of research priorities jointly by EPI managers and researchers and provision of continuous and high-quality support from in-country research partners. Participants in the Initiative indicated that challenges included a lack of clarity on the role and responsibilities of each partner involved and need for further support to facilitate use and dissemination of research findings. CONCLUSIONS: The Initiative established that an immunisation programme in a lower middle-income country can use small and time-bound embedded IR, based on partnerships between programme managers and local researchers, to generate information and evidence that can inform decision-making. Future embedded IR initiatives should strive to ensure effective coordination and active participation of all key stakeholders, a clear research utilisation plan from the outset, and efforts to strengthen research teams' capacity to foster utilisation of research findings

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Efficient and green microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of azaindolizines in PEG-400 and water

<p>A facile, convenient, environmentally benign, and one-pot synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from 2-aminopyridines and in-situ generated phenacyl bromides under microwave irradiation in polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) and water (1:2) has been developed. The protocol provides a better alternative to the existing method as it involves utilization of in-situ-generated α-bromoacetophenones, avoids the use of lachrymatric α-haloketones as well as volatile toxic organic solvents, and reduces the reaction time to obtain excellent yield.</p

Neonatal haemolytic disease with co-existing Anti-D and Anti-C antibodies: an unusual experience

Neonatal haemolytic disease in the new-born remains of prime importance for paediatricians due to high perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. The Rh antigen family comprises several different antigens, out of which, D antigen incompatibility is well known for causing severe haemolytic disease in the foetus. Although the current literature shows anomalous cases where coexisting non-D-Rh and D-Rh antigens are the causative agents, there is very little information regarding post-natal outcomes in neonates bearing two different incompatibilities simultaneously. Herein, we discuss an unusual case of anti-D as well as anti-C antibodies (non-D-Rh) in a male neonate born to a Rh-negative mother, who developed jaundice and haemolysis in post-natal life. The neonate underwent exchange transfusion and photo therapy due to raised serum bilirubin levels, supplemented with repeated blood transfusions, intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, and immunosuppressive therapy. --Continu

Vitamin A status of children in the urban slums of Karachi, Pakistan, assessed by clinical, dietary, and biochemical methods

We assessed the vitamin A status of 532 children with an age range of 6–60 months who were living in slum areas of Karachi, Pakistan, using three methodologies; clinical eye examination, dietary vitamin A intake, and serum retinol level. No definite clinical signs of xerophthalmia were observed in any of these children. The mean ± SD vitamin A intake estimated from a food frequency questionnaire for the group with inadequate (low and deficient) serum retinol levels (\u3c 20 µg/dl) was 362 ± 332 retinol equivalents (RE) compared with 431 ± 332) RE in the group with adequate serum levels (P \u3c 0.005). Deficient serum retinol levels (\u3c 10 µg/dl) were present in 12 children (2%); two of these had a healed corneal scar. Low serum retinol levels (10–19 µg/dl) were present in 46%, while 51% children had adequate levels (≥ 20 µg/dl). The mean ± SD serum retinol level for the inadequate (\u3c 20 µg/dl) and adequate groups were 15.3 ± 2.8 and 26.6 ± 6.7 µg/dl, respectively. These results suggest that a significant number of children in these communities have low vitamin A levels and thus may constitute an at risk group. These results also suggest that the dietary intake method may be a simple and inexpensive screening tool for assessment of vitamin A status in communities