The Maritime Neighbor: Pakistan's Relations with Oman – A Review

Pakistan has four land neighbours. Two of these, India and Iran, also share maritime boundaries with Pakistan. Oman is the only country that shares a direct maritime boundary with Pakistan, through the Arabian Sea, without having a land connection. Relations between Pakistan and Oman have generally remained cordial. Historical, cultural and religious affinities bind the two states together. Defense sector ties are quite strong, and there is reasonable trade and commercial cooperation between the two sides. In addition, a sizeable number of Pakistanis living and working in Oman are an important linkage between the two sides. However, the relationship remains short of being as robust as the potential suggests. The two countries need to devise joint strategies to further cement it, and to make it broad-based

A take on social wellbeing attributes by first year medical students

Objective: To compare awareness about concept of social wellness in male and female first year medical students. Methods: It was a cross sectional, questionnaire based study conducted from February till December 2010. Responses on aspects of social wellness were rated never, sometimes, mostly and always from lowest to highest (1-4); evaluated as frequency, proportion and percentages by PASW (Predictive analysis software) version 18. Chisquare test was applied for comparison of social wellness in both genders; results to be declared significant with pvalue \u3c0.05. Results: Overall score for social well being of females (20.24±4.50) was higher than male medical students (18.66±4.76; p\u3c0.0001). Majority of the female respondents believed that they exhibit fairness and justice in public dealing (p\u3c0.004), had a good network of close friends and family (p\u3c0 001), were prompt at helping batch fellows (p \u3c0.004), participated in group discussions (p \u3c0.004), followed dynamics of communication (p\u3c0.05) and were better at solving problems (p\u3c0.01) as compared to the male respondents. Conclusion: The scores highlighted a better interaction of females with the social environment

Endostatin concentration in plasma of healthy human volunteers

Background: Angiogenesis is involved in many cardiovascular and cancerous diseases, including atherosclerosis and is controlled by a fine balance between angiogenic and angiostatic mediators. Endostatin is one of the main angiostatic mediators, and inhibits angiogenesis and prevents progression of atherosclerosis. The available literature shows a broad range of concentrations in relatively small samples of healthy controls and is calculated by using different techniques. This study was aimed to determine the basal endostatin concentration in plasma of healthy volunteers, to fully understand its physiological role. Methods: Fifty healthy adult volunteers were recruited to the study. Participants were advised not to participate in any physical activity on the day before the blood sampling. The volunteers’ physical activity, height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. The samples were analysed for plasma endostatin concentration, using ELISA. The participants were divided by gender and ethnic groups to calculate any difference. Results: Endostatin and other variables were normally distributed. Most of the participants had a moderate level of physical activity with no gender related difference (p=0.370). The mean value for plasma endostatin in all samples was 105±12 ng/ml with range of 81–132 ng/ml. For males, it was 107±13 ng/ml, while for females; 102±12 ng/ml. There were no significant gender or ethnicity related differences in endostatin concentration. Moreover, endostatin was not significantly related with any anthropometric and physical variable. Conclusion: This study gives endostatin levels in normal healthy people and show no gender and ethnicity related differences in endostatin levels. Endostatin was not related with any anthropometric and physical variable

Two new Bacidina species (Lecanorales, Ascomycota) from Pakistan

Bacidina margallensis and B. iqbalii from Pakistan are described and illustrated. Phylogeny of ITS nrDNA region confirms their position within the genus Bacidina, and morphological data make them distinct from other known species of the genus. Based on molecular data, corticolous Bacidina margallensis appears to be a sister species to B. chloroticula, but morphologically, when dry, is the most similar to known from Europe B. mendax because of the granular and warted greenish grey thallus, whitish-cream to dark brown and often piebald apothecia. It differs from that species by shorter, wider and less septate ascospores; 1–3-septate in B. margallensis vs 3–5(6)-septate in B. mendax, and by unusual parrot-green colour of wet thallus. Saxicolous Bacidina iqbalii is closely related to B. neosquamulosa but differs in having crustaceous thallus, transculent when wet entirely pale apothecia, larger asci and less septate large ascospores

Agreement between Serology and Histology for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection

Objective: To determine the percentage agreement between serology and histology for detection of Helicobacter (H.) pylori infection. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology and Microbiology, The Aga Khan University and Hospital, Karachi, from January to December 2009. Methodology: Fifty subjects were selected by non-probability purposive sampling from laboratory data who had serological testing of H. pylori IgG antibody, prior to histological evaluation of endoscopic gastric or/and duodenal biopsies. Serological Quantification of H. pylori IgG was carried out with HpG screen ELISA kit (Genesis Diagnostics, UK), using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for detection of IgG antibodies against H. pylori. Manufacturer\u27s recommended cutoff value was used and results were considered positive when greater than 7 U/ml. For histological diagnosis, an expert histopathologist characterized the presence of spiral bacteria in the mucosal layer or the surface of epithelial cells on microscopic examination, as a positive test. Results: An agreement of 0.72 was found by Kappa statistics between serology and histopathology results and a good diagnostic accuracy (86%) of serological testing was observed for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Conclusion: A substantial agreement was found between serology and histopathology results to detect the H. pylori infection. Laboratory-based serologic testing using ELISA technology to detect IgG antibodies is inexpensive, noninvasive and convenient method to detect the H. pylori infection in primary care setting

Are serum leptin levels predicted by lipoproteins, vitamin D and body composition?

BACKGROUND: Both obesity and vitamin D deficiency are important health issues in Pakistan. The connection between body composition, Vitamin D and leptin in young adults is important to be studied as body composition may affect bone health and therefore the possibility of osteoporosis in later life. Few studies have attempted to investigate the effect of body composition and leptin with vitamin D in adolescence. AIM: To investigate the association of serum leptin with body composition, lipids and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 apparently healthy adults. Demographics were recorded, bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed and clinical history noted. Serum leptin was measured using DIA source kit on ELISA and total 25OHD was measured on ADVIA-Centaur; Siemens. Total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were quantified using Enzymatic Endpoint Method and Cholesterol Oxidase-Phenol Aminophenazone method respectively. Biochemical analysis was done in the Departments of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi Pakistan. RESULTS: Median age of the group (n = 167) was 20 years (IQR 27-20); 55.7% were females. Majority (89.2%, n = 149) of the study group was 25OHD deficient, 6% (n = 10) had insufficient serum 25OHD levels and 4.8% (n = 8) had sufficient D levels. Females, had higher median leptin levels [2.71 (IQR 4.76-1.66 ng/mL)] compared to their counterparts [1.3 (3.60-0.54 ng/mL), P \u3c 0.01]. Multiple regression analysis suggested that basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, body fat percent, bone mass and serum 25OHD were the most contributing factors to serum leptin levels. Bone mass and serum 25OHD in fact bore a negative correlation with leptin. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that basal metabolic rate, muscle mass, body fat percent, bone mass and serum 25OHD have an impact on serum leptin. Being a cross sectional study causal relationship between leptin and other variables could not be determined

Prevalence, Characteristics and Determinants of Polypharmacy Among Elderly Patients Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Bahrain: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence, characteristics and determinants of polypharmacy among elderly patients in Bahrain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the period between March and April 2022 in all primary healthcare centres in Bahrain. A simple random sample was obtained. An elderly patient was defined as a patient aged 60 years or above. In addition, polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of 5 medications or more and excessive polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of 10 medications or more. Results: A total of 977 patients were included, more than half of them were females (n=533, 54.44%) and the mean age of the participants was 67.90 ±6.87 years. Essential hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities among the participants (61.51%, 57.63% and 53.22%, respectively). Of the cohort, 443 were on 5 or more medications i.e., polypharmacy (45.34%), and around 7% were on at least 10 medications (n=66, 6.76%). A multivariate analysis revealed that patients with diabetes (OR=5.836, CI 4.061-8.385, P<0.001), hypertension (OR=6.231, CI= 4.235-9.168, P<0.001), hyperlipidemia (OR 3.999, 95% CI 2.756-5.802, P<0.001), cardiovascular diseases (OR 3.589, 95 CI 1.787-7.205, P<0.001) and asthma (OR 3.148, 95% CI 1.646-6.019, P<0.001) were significantly more likely to suffer from polypharmacy. Conclusion: Polypharmacy was prevalent among elderly patients in Bahrain, particularly among those with non-communicable diseases. Polypharmacy should be considered while delivering elderly healthcare services, especially in patients with non-communicable diseases. Keywords: Aged, Bahrain, Elderly, Polymorbidity, Polypharmacy

Ogilvie Syndrome Following Caesarean Section: A Case Report

Background. Ogilvie syndrome is a rare postpartum complication. It is characterized by an acute colonic pseudo-obstruction which occurs in the absence of a mechanical cause. Early detection of the diagnosis is essential to avoid cecal perforation. Case report. We report a case of Ogilvie syndrome following caesarean section in a 39-year-old woman (gravida 2, para 2) with a history of secondary infertility 10 years ago due to tubal stenosis and subserous fibroma, which led to the indication for cesarean section in second pregnancy at 39 weeks of gestation. Three days after cesarean section, the patient presented with significant abdominal distension and tenderness, vomiting, weakness, and nausea; an abdominal X-ray showed cecal distension. Abdominal computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast revealed distension of the ascending and transverse colon with air-fluid levels but without transitional mechanical obstruction. The patient was successfully treated. Conclusions. Ogilvie syndrome is a rare but serious complication that should be considered in fit young patients who present with pain, severe abdominal distension and failure to pass flatus after caesarean section

Intrauterine growth retardation - small events, big consequences

Intrauterine growth retardation refers to a rate of growth of a fetus that is less than normal for the growth potential of a fetus (for that particular gestational age). As one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity, intrauterine growth retardation has immense implications for the short term and long term growth of children. It is an important public health concern in the developing countries. Health statistics encompassing parameters for maternal and child health in the Indian subcontinent have shown improvement in the past few years but they are still far from perfect. Maternal health, education and empowerment bears a strong influence on perinatal outcomes including intrauterine growth retardation and should be the primary focus of any stratagem targeted at reducing the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation. A concerted liaison of various medical and social disciplines is imperative in this regard

Home Automation and RFID-Based Internet of Things Security: Challenges and Issues

Internet of Things (IoT) protection refers to the software field related to securing the Internet of Things and associated linked devices and systems. The IoT is a system of interconnected computers, sensors, actuators, or people on the World Wide Web (WWW). All these different devices have a unique identity in the IoT and must convey data across the network automatically. If computers are not adequately secured, allowing them to connect to the Internet exposes them to a range of serious vulnerabilities. Because the consequences of IoT failures are severe, it is necessary to observe and analyze security issues related to IoT. The prime goal of IoT security is to protect personal safety, while also guaranteeing and ensuring accessibility. In the context of IoT technology, the present study conducts a systematic literature review that analyzes the security problems associated with commercial and educational applications of home automation and details the technical possibilities of IoT with respect to the network layer. In this systematic review, we discuss how current contexts result in the inability of designers of IoT devices to enhance their cyber-security initiatives. Typically, application developers are responsible for training themselves to understand recent security advancements. As a result, active participation on the ridge scale with passive improvement can be achieved. A comparative analysis of the literature was conducted. The main objective of this research is to provide an overview of current IoT security research in home automation, particularly those using authentication methods in different devices, and related technologies in radio frequency identification (RFID) on network layers. IoT security issues are addressed, and various security problems in each layer are analyzed. We describe cross-layer heterogeneous integration as a domain of IoT and demonstrate how it can provide some promising solutions.Qatar University High Impact Grant (QUHI-CBE-21/22-1)