Health related quality of life assessment in patients with hepatitis: a case of Pakistan

The intention of this study is to dig out the demographic, medical, economic and psychosocial factors that affect the health related quality of life of the hepatitis B and C patient in district Sargodha. 120 patients of hepatitis B and C virus were interviewed. WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was followed for the construction of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instrument. Age of the patient, disease severity, use of drug, pain, depression, financial hindrance and threat of death negatively affect the HRQOL of the hepatitis patient while, vaccination, income, education, sleep, opportunity of leisure and better living condition affect HRQOL positively.HRQOL, HBV, HCV, Pakistan

Screening of Arabidopsis mutants for functional genomic studies

Eight photosynthetic Arabidopsis mutants were screened for co-segregation of a photosynthetic phenotype with the T-DNA insertion. These mutants were selected from 80 photosynthetic mutants with genetic background of Columbia-0. Two different screening approaches were used to study the T-DNA insertion in the genome of mutant Arabidopsis lines. The sulphonamide sulfadiazine was found to be an effective selective agent and a single copy of sulfonamide resistant gene was found to be completely resistant to the optimal concentration i.e., 5mg mL-1. The maximum number of Arabidopsis mutant plants had confirmed insertions. Some of the plants did not show any amplification with gene specific primer combination, and it was assumed that either they were wild type plants or they had random T-DNA insertion and the insertion was not found in the gene under study but it could be found in any where in the genome. Some mutant plants were morphologically different from the wild type plants e.g., ALP105. These plants grew as small in size and dark green in color. After PCR screening with gene specific and T-DNA border primers all such mutant plants were confirmed as heterozygous T-DNA insertion plants

Probabilistic Model for Free-Space Optical Links Under Continental Fog Conditions

The error characteristics of a free-space optical (FSO) channel are significantly different from the fiber based optical links and thus require a deep physical understanding of the propagation channel. In particular different fog conditions greatly influence the optical transmissions and thus a channel model is required to estimate the detrimental fog effects. In this paper we shall present the probabilistic model for radiation fog from the measured data over a 80 m FSO link installed at Graz, Austria. The fog events are classified into thick fog, moderate fog, light fog and general fog based on the international code of visibility range. We applied some probability distribution functions (PDFs) such as Kumaraswamy, Johnson SB and Logistic distribution, to the actual measured optical attenuations. The performance of each distribution is evaluated by Q-Q and P-P plots. It is found that Kumaraswamy distribution is the best fit for general fog, while Logistic distribution is the optimum choice for thick fog. On the other hand, Johnson SB distribution best fits the moderate and light fog related measured attenuation data. The difference in these probabilistic models and the resultant variation in the received signal strength under different fog types needs to be considered in designing an efficient FSO system

SERVICE QUALITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS PREDICTORS OF FACULTY JOB SATISFACTION

The objective of this study is to examine the impact ofperceived internal service quality and organizational culture onfaculty’s job satisfaction. A survey questionnaire was operationalizedbased on the dimensions proposed by Owlia and Aspinwall, Cameronand Freeman and Spector to the data collect from 348 medical facultymembers employed by12 medical schools of Pakistan. Our findingssuggest that hierarchal culture is the strongest contributor of facultyjob satisfaction lacking behind the other culture types. “Assuranceand empathy” contributes more to job satisfaction than any otherdimension of service quality. And, as a whole, service quality hasemerged as a stronger predictor of job satisfaction than organizationalculture. This paper has both practical and theoretical contributionsto improve the overall quality of higher education

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and inhibition of Helicobacter pylori-induced release of IL-8 in AGS cells by plant extracts

Plants used in popular diet were studied for anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and their effect on the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from H. pylori infected gastric epithelial cells. Extracts were prepared of Allium sativum (A. sativum), Cuminum cyminum (C. cyminum),Piper nigrum (P. nigrum) and their mix in two different dilutions. AGS cell line and H. pyloristrains were used for co-culture experiments. Extracts bactericidal activity was determined by a viable colony count. ELISA (Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) was used to determine IL-8 expression. DNA extracted from bacterial cells was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of cytotoxin-associated gene (cagA) and E (cagE). Results revealedH. pylori strains sensitivity to A. sativum (5.5 mg/ml) was 57% (39/69) (p=0.06), and to 11 mg/ml was 65% (45/69) (p=0.02) compared to amoxicillin, respectively. CagE positive H. pylori, 37% (11/30) (p=0.02) were sensitive to plant mixture (23.5 mg/ml), 60% (18/30) (pC. cyminum (PP. nigrum (P=0.0046) and A. sativum(P=0.0021), respectively compared to positive and negative controls. Thus, dietary plants demonstrated an anti-H. pylori effect. They reduced IL-8 expression from the H. pyloriinfected AGS cells. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Allium sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Piper nigrum, gastric epithelial cells, interleukin-8, ELISA, cagA, cagE

Perception and knowledge about dietary intake in patients with liver cirrhosis and its relationship with the level of education

Objective: To determine patients perception and knowledge regarding diet in cirrhosis and its relationship with the level of patients education. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, the Aga Khan Health Services, Malir, Karachi and Hamdard University, Karachi, from January to December 2010. Methodology: Consecutive adult patients with compensated cirrhosis were enrolled. Demographic data, level of education, type and reason of food restriction as well as the source of dietary information was asked. Baseline laboratory test were performed, and nutritional status was assessed by BMI normogram. Results: Ninety patients, 58% male were enrolled. Mean age of the patient was 49 11 years. Overall 73% of the patients were restricting fat, meat, fish and eggs in their diet; 53% were in uneducated group and 47% were in educated group (CI, 0.24-1.62, p-0.34). Twenty two patients (62.8%) in uneducated and 21 in educated group (68%) were restricting diet on the advice of their doctors, whereas 13 in uneducated group (37%) and 11 in educated group (32%) believed these dietary components to be harmful for the liver. Thirty two of uneducated patient (71.1%) and 28 of educated patients (62.2%) believed that vegetables, fruits and sugarcane had a beneficial effect on the liver. Main source of dietary information to the patients was the doctor. On sub-group analysis those who restricted diet irrespective of their educational level, had more patients with BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2, (CI 0.01-0.94, p-0.001), haemoglobin less than 12 g/dl (CI 0- 0.03, p-0.001) and serum albumin less than 3 g/dl (CI 0.1- 03, p-0.001). Conclusion: Both educated and uneducated classes of the patients have improper knowledge and perception of diet in cirrhosis. Patients with cirrhosis who restricted diet, had relatively low BMI, haemoglobin and albumin as compared to those who did not restrict. Main source of dietary information to cirrhotic patients were health care personnels

Control of Aflatoxin Production Using Herbal Plant Extract

The aflatoxins are a group of chemically similar poisonous, carcinogenic fungal secondary metabolites produced by Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, and A. nomius, which are abundant in warm and humid regions of the world. They are probably the most intensively researched toxins in the world due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Aflatoxins have also been identified as a potential biological weapon for food and water contamination. The four major aflatoxins commonly isolated from different foods and feed stuffs are AFB1, AF B2, AFG1, and AFG2. Aflatoxin contamination of food and feed has gained global significance as a result of its deleterious effects on human as well as livestock health including gastrointestinal dysfunction, reduced feed utilization, anemia, jaundice, liver damage and immunity suppression. The profitability and marketing of various agricultural products are adversely affected by either contamination of aflatoxins or aflatoxin‐producing fungi. The foods at highest risk of aflatoxin contamination are maize, chilies, peanuts, and cotton seeds. There are various physical, chemical, and natural methods investigated to prevent aflatoxin production and the growth of aflatoxin‐producing fungus in various agricultural products. Here, we describe various natural plant extracts that would be potential source of controlling aflatoxin production in agricultural products

PENGELOLAAN LINGKUNGAN BERBASIS PESANTREN (EKOPESANTREN) DALAM MENCIPTAKAN PERILAKU SANTRI YANG RAMAH LINGKUNGAN DI PONPES BAITURRAHMAN KEC. CIPARAY

Kesadaran masyarakat mengenai pentingnya pelestarian lingkungan hidup saat ini cenderung rendah, yang mengakibatkan kerusakan hal ini bukan fenomena  secara alami melainkan diakibatkan oleh kesadaran masyarakat yang berakibat pada prilakunya yang tidak memiliki kepedulian terhadap lingkungan. Tujuan dilakukannya penelitian ini adalah: 1) menganalisis pengelolaan lingkungan berbasis pesantren (ekopesantren) dalam menciptakan prilaku santri yang ramah lingkungan. 2) menganalisis faktor apa saja yang dihadapi pesantren dalam pengelolaan lingkungan. Metode yang digunakan peneliti adalah metode survey yang mengarah untuk memberikan gambaran tentang pengelolaan lingkungan berbasis pesantren dalam menciptakan prilaku santri yang ramah lingkungan di wilayah penelitian. Teknik pengumpulan data melalui observasi, wawancara, angket, studi literatur dan dokumentasi. Populasi penelitian adalah santri Ponpes Baiturrahman, sampel yang digunakan 60 santri Ponpes Baiturrahman Desa Cikoneng Kecamatan Ciparay. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa pondok pesantren melaksanakan pengelolaan lingkungan dengan hipotesis yang diajukan peneliti dapat diterima dengan hasil perhitungan sig x2hitung=0,000< sig  yang berarti Ho ditolak artinya ada hubungan yang signifikan antara pengelolaan lingkungan dengan prilaku santri ramah lingkungan. Simpulan dan rekomendasi dalam penelitian ini adalah Pengelolaan lingkungan dapat diterapkan untuk santri dalam kegiatan yang mudah seperti kegiatan K3 (kebersihan, kerapihan dan keindahan) asrama, pemilahan sampah, dan kegiatan bersih bersih lingkungan pesantren, dan terdapat kendala yang dihadapi santri seperti kesadaran santri tetapi santri bisa mengatasinya. Harus adanya kegiatan-kegiatan yang menarik yang berhubungan dengan  lingkungan supaya santri lebih tertarik dan semangat

PENGGUNAAN METODE PEMBELAJARAN COOPERATIVE SCRIPT TERHADAP PRESTASI BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK DENGAN MATERI KETAHANAN PANGAN NASIONAL PADA MATA PELAJARAN GEOGRAFI DI KELAS XI MA SEKOLAH CINTA ILMU

Guru harus membuat peserta didik lebih aktif di kelas sehingga peserta didik bisa lebih leluasa mencari materi sendiri dan mempresentasikan serta menyajikannya di kelas, dan fungsi guru hanya mengarahkan, membimbing, dan menjadi penengah dalam pembelajaran. Masalah yang difokuskan adalah bagaimana penerapan metode Cooperative Script dalam meningkatkan prestasi belajar peserta didik, apakah metode ini cocok digunakan dalam pembelajaran geografi, juga apakah metode ini sangat memudahkan guru dalam menyampaikan materi kepada peserta didik. Tujuannya pula ingin mengetahui bagaimana keberhasilan metode Cooperative Script dalam meningkatkan prestasi belajar peserta didik, ingin mengetahui apakah metode ini cocok digunakan dalam pembelajaran geografi, serta ingin tahu pula apakah metode ini bisa mempermudah tugas guru dalam menyampaikan materi kepada para peserta didik.Penulis atau peneliti menggunakan metode eksperimen serta hasil data berupa metode deskriptif kuantitatif. Adapun populasi dalam penelitian ini peserta didik kelas XI IPS MA Sekolah Cinta Ilmu yang berjumlah 11 orang. Instrumen yang digunakan berupa tes. Tipe tes yang digunakan berupa tes tulis pilihan ganda, dan juga diberikan kuisioner untuk mengetahui respon peserta didik mengenai metode pembelajaran Cooperative Script. Hasil penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa metode pembelajaran Cooperative Script dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar peserta didik kelas XI IPS MA Sekolah Cinta Ilmu. Begitupun metode ini dapat mempermudah guru dalam menyampaikan materi kepada peserta didik, serta cocok digunakan dalam pembelajaran geografi