FDI and Terrorism: Co-integration & Granger Causality

Terrorist activities not only effects that particular region or country's infrastructure, but it also effects the financial well being of that country. Because such terrorist activities create instability and uncertainty in the country. This results loss of foreign investors’ confidence in that economy, thus decreasing the level of foreign investments. Similarly Pakistan is also facing this bitter reality of decreased foreign direct investment due to an increase in terrorist activities. Variables: FDI , Terroris

Relationship and Difference of Levels Between Schadenfreude, Social Media Addiction and Social Comparison Among Adults and Adolescents

This study aims to explore the relationship and difference in levels of Social Media Addiction, Social Comparison and Schadenfreude among adults and adolescents. The study followed a quantitative, correlational survey design. The research was conducted with a sample size of 500 participants (Males n= 252 & Females n=248) aged between 13 to 25 years (M= 17.54, SD= 3.32). A purposive convenient sampling technique was used. Findings from statistical analysis revealed that social media addiction and Social Comparison have positive moderate correlation. This study also found that there is no significant difference between adolescents and adults in Social Media Addiction and Social Comparison, but the difference is manifested in Schadenfreude between adolescents and adults. This study highlighted the importance of identity exploration, virtue education, empathy as well as raising awareness regarding behavioral addiction that can reduce the later on negative consequences

An Overview of Genome-Wide Association Study for Genetics Novices: A Review

SNP chip-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is an inspiring and fast scanning method for mapping variations within the genome and associating them with specific diseases/trait. This association information has enhanced the chances of improvement in disease diagnosis, understanding the causative variants locations and associated gene hunting strategies. GWAS have laid foundation of an era in which both personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics would be reinforced along with better understanding of functional genomics aspects of modern molecular genetics. Since the advent of first GWAS in 2002, thousands of genome wide association studies have been published which have proven GWAS a successful methodology in identifying significant variants in disease/trait association but application of GWAS outcomes to clinical settings demands more evaluation for validity. Here, we have divided the GWAS approach into various aspects including history, development, analysis strategies, approaches, current scenario and different applications with brief description of major methodologies being used in scientific community to get associated SNP hits and narrowing down the search by functional variant filtration involved in subject disease, traits or physiological condition.Keywords: GWAS, Genetic Association, Linkage Disequilibrium, HapMap, PLIN

An Evaluation of Interchangeability of Implant Components Among Dentists

With the advent of implants in dentistry several different systems are successfully launched and there is evidence that a few of the systems are interchangeable. The equivalence provided by the Branemark implant system and the tolerance of the design parameters has allowed several recently commercialized dental implant systems, the provision of interchangeability. On one hand, abutment interchangeability allows a flexible working resource when implant fixtures of other systems are to be restored. However, the extent to which such a practice can be adopted should be a subject of critical analysis. It has been shown that a micro-gap at the implant-abutment interface can potentially act as a gateway for bacteria to colonize the interstice, potentially leading to bone loss around the implant. In order to further investigate this, a question was distributed to the teaching hospitals in Islamabad to be filled out by dentists and surgeons who are currently placing implants. The data was gathered and results were accumulated. This study takes a look at the prevalence of implant interchangeability amongst dentists and the factors that lead to it

The Smart Future; Innovations in Materials

With the advent and innovation in the fields of nanotechnology and biomedicine new and promising frontiers are being introduced regularly, these aim for improved efficiency and reliability by inculcating the use of smart materials and structures. Biomedical applications of smart materials include their use in tissue engineering, cell culture, biomimetic actuators etc. Smart materials have revolutionized many areas of dentistry including orthodontic wires, coils and springs. Cercon smart ceramics, Resin modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIC), Smart composites. These offer natural esthetics coupled with excellent durability and biocompatibility. These innovations in material science have already marked the beginning of the smart future of dentistry. This review provides a selective summary of smart materials in dentistry

Urinary Tract infection in patients of Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACTObjective:This study was conducted to know the incidence of Urinary Tract Infection in the patients of diabetes mellitus.Place and time of study:                                           This study was conducted in Outdoor patient department of THQ Hospital Pattoki, Pakistan lasting from January 2018 to June 2018.Materials and Methods:                                       Every patient who had diabetes mellitus from last 3 years was included in our study. Patients were asked about asked about symptoms of UTI and fever on a preformed questionnaire. Urine samples were collected and then urine cultures were obtained. Informed Consent was obtained from every patient prior to inclusion in the study.Results:             A total of 376 patients were included in our study. The mean age was  49.32  + 2.2 with range from 36-60 years. 200 patients were male whereas 176 patients were female. 49(13.03%) patients had positive blood cultures. Out of 49 UTI patients , 30(61.22%) were asymptomatic whereas 19(26.54%) were having symptomatic UTI. Out of 49 UTI patients , 36(73.46%)  were female whereas 13(26.54%) were males. The most common organism isolated was E.Coli, in 32(65.30%) patients whereas rest of the patient cultures showed other species.Conclusions:                      Asymptomatic bacteriruia is very common and every known patient of diabetes mellitus must be screened for UTI periodically.Keywords:                  UTI ; Diabetes Mellitus; Urine culture ; E.Col

Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Supplementation on the Growth Performance, Serum Metabolites, Meat Quality, and Jejunal Basal Morphology in Broilers

Simple Summary: Iron is a necessary micronutrient in animal feed. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and the enzymes participating in redox reactions. The aim of the current study was to assess the effects of iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation on production performance, organ development, blood biochemistry, redox status, meat quality, and jejunal histology in broilers. The results indicated that iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation improved the feed conversion ratio, pectoral muscle, and jejunal histology. However, iron oxide nanoparticle supplementation showed no effects on visceral organ development, blood metabolites, redox status, and carcass traits. Abstract: The current research aimed to evaluate the supplemental effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) on production performance, viscera development, blood metabolites, redox status, meat quality, and jejunal histology in broilers. A total of 300 day-old broilers were randomly divided into six groups with five replicates per group. Birds were fed on a corn soybean-based diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, or 80 mg/kg IONPs or 80 mg/kg of FeSO4 for 35 days. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved in birds supplemented with 60 mg/kg IONPs. The pH24h was lower in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs compared to that of the bulk group. Pectoral muscle fascicle diameter and fiber density were significantly increased in 20 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared to those of the bulk group, respectively. The muscle fiber diameter was higher in 40 mg/kg IONP-supplemented birds compared with the bulk group. The jejunal villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area were significantly increased with 60 mg/kg IONP supplementation, whereas villus width was decreased in birds supplemented with 40 mg/kg IONPs. The villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio was lower in IONP-supplemented birds compared to the bulk group. IONP supplementation improved the FCR, jejunal, and pectoral muscle morphology without affecting the carcass characteristics and redox status of broilers

A framework for implementing best laboratory practices for non-integrated point of care tests in low resource settings

The method we respond to pandemics is still inadequate for dealing with the point of care testing (POCT) requirements of the next large epidemic. The proposed framework highlights the importance of having defined policies and procedures in place for non-integrated POCT to protect patient safety. In the absence of a pathology laboratory, this paradigm may help in the supply of diagnostic services to low-resource centers. A review of the literature was used to construct this POCT framework for non-integrated and/or unconnected devices. It also sought professional advice from the Chemical Pathology faculty, quality assurance laboratory experts and international POCT experts from the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC). Our concept presents a comprehensive integrated and networked approach to POCT with direct and indirect clinical laboratory supervision, particularly for outpatient and inpatient care in low-resource health care settings.https://ifcc.org/ifcc-communications-publications-division-cpd/ifcc-publications/ejifcc-journal/am2024Chemical PathologySDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a diagnostic and screening test for delirium: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To analyse the evidence concerning the accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a diagnostic and screening test for the presence of delirium in adults. Method: Two authors searched MEDLINE, PsychINFO and EMBASE from inception till 3/2014. Articles were included that investigated the diagnostic validity of the MMSE to detect delirium against standardised criteria. A diagnostic validity meta-analysis was conducted. Results: Thirteen studies were included representing 2017 patients in medical settings of whom 29.4% had delirium. The meta-analysis revealed the MMSE had an overall sensitivity and specificity estimate of 84.1% and 73.0%, but this was 81.1% and 82.8% in a subgroup analysis involving robust high quality studies. Sensitivity was unchanged but specificity was 68.4% (95% CI = 50.9% to 83.5%) in studies using a predefined cut-off of < 24 to signify a case. In high-risk samples where delirium was present in 25% of patients, then the Positive predictive value and Negative predictive value would be 50.9% (48.3% - 66.2%) and 93.2% (90.0% - 96.5%). Conclusion: The MMSE cannot be recommended as a case-finding confirmatory test of delirium, but may be used as an initial screen to rule out high scorers who are unlikely to have delirium with approximately 93% accuracy

Cubosomes: Design, Development, and Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery Applications

Because of the extraordinary advancements in biomedical nanotechnology over the last few decades, traditional drug delivery systems have been transformed into smart drug delivery systems that respond to stimuli. These well-defined nanoplatforms can boost therapeutic targeting efficacy while reducing the side effects/toxicities of payloads, which are crucial variables for enhancing patient compliance by responding to specific internal or external triggers. Cubosomes are lipid-based nano systems that are analogous to well-known vesicular systems, such as lipo- and niosomes. They could be used as part of a unique drug delivery system that includes hydro-, lipo-, and amphiphilic drug molecules. In this review, we critically analyze the relevant literature on cubosomesregarding theories of cubosomeself-assembly, composition, and manufacturing methods, with an emphasis on tumor-targeted drug delivery applications. Due to the bioadhesive and -compatible nature of cubosome dispersion, this review also focuses on a variety of drug delivery applications, including oral, ophthalmic and transdermal