Comparison of Slow versus Rapid Feeding Regimen in Preterm Neonates in the reduction of hospital stay

Introduction: In preterm babies delay in the achievement of full feeds causes prolonged hospital stay. This study will help in the nutritional management of preterm babies which will shorten the hospital stay and reduce the economic burdens on parents. Objective: To compare the mean duration of hospital stay of preterm neonates with two different feeding protocols(slow feeding regimen versus rapid feeding regimen). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the neonatal unit at Izzat Ali Shah Hospital from October 2019 to March 2020 through a randomized controlled trial. A total of 102 (51 in each group) were randomized to slow feeding (Group A) and Rapid feeding(Group B). Depending on the birth weight and gestational age, a certain amount of breast milk was initiated, with increments of 15-20 mL/kg/day in the slow feeding group & 25-30 ml/kg/day in the rapid feeding group. Feeding was stopped temporarily in case of any sign of feeding intolerance, suspected necrotizing enterocolitis, recurrent apnoeic episodes, and neonatal seizures. The total target feed was 180 ml/kg per day. Infants were continued in the study until discharged from the hospital.   Results: Our study shows that the mean gestational agein Group A (Slow feeding) was 34 weeks with SD ± 2.68 while the mean gestational agein Group B (Rapid feeding) was 35 weeks with SD ± 1.98. In Group A (Slow feeding) 55% neonates were male while 45% neonates were female. Whereas in Group B (Rapid feeding) 57% neonates were male while 43% neonates were female. In Group A (Slow feeding) mean hospital stay was 22 days with SD ± 7.02. In Group B (Rapid feeding) mean hospital stay was 13 days with SD ± 3.72.  Conclusion: Our study concludes that mean hospital stay in the rapid advancement of feeds was shorter as compared to the slow feeding of preterm neonates

Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy

Objective: The objectives of the Prospective observational study were to identify the frequency of abdominal compartment syndrome and intraabdominal hypertension in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy for trauma and peritonitis and to determine the impact of raised intraabdominal pressure on the overall morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of surgery Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi. From June 2013 to May 2014 a total of 50 patients undergoing emergency laparotomy were included. IAP was measured preoperatively then postoperatively at 0, 6, 24 hours, and the findings were recorded on a specially designed preform. The patients having higher IAP were further evaluated up to 72 hours. All vitals, urine output, oxygen saturation, serum urea, creatinine were noted. The main outcomes were duration of hospital stay, the occurrence of burst abdomen, and mortality. Results: At the preoperative level the incidence of IAH was 86%. The mortality association with IAH at 6 hours postoperatively was quite significant (P<0.029). The incidence of postoperative ACS was 5% among the total patients and it was 15.6% in trauma patients. No significant association was found between IAP and occurrence of burst abdomen at any level (P values 0.4, 0.26, 0.53, 0.58 at intervals preoperatively, 0, 6, 24 hours postoperative respectively.  Conclusion: Intraabdominal pressure is an important factor that predicts the mortality of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. It should be carefully monitored and managed accordingly to avoid the detrimental effects on virtually all organ systems. Abdominal decompression in significantly elevated intraabdominal pressure reverts the physiological derangement of Intrabdominal hypertension

Income Convergence Hypothesis: A Regional Comparison of selected East and South Asian Economies

The empirical literature on income convergence hypothesis is available for almost all developed or industrialized countries. However, regarding developing economies especially, South Asian region few studies attempted it in their convergence related empirical analysis. Therefore, the central objective of this paper is to empirically examine whether or not income convergence is occurring over time in South Asian economies. Furthermore, within Asian block, the study also compares the convergence results of South Asian economies with its parallel East Asian region. The empirical analysis test both absolute convergence hypothesis (using beta and sigma convergence methodologies as well as Theil’s inequality based approach) and conditional convergence hypothesis (by taking care of relevant control variables). These convergence tests are based on conventional regression equation approach by taking real GDP per capita with some explanatory control variables. Both steps employ the pooled cross-section, time series data set, which provides new insights in the convergence tests for real GDP per capita. Although, empirical analysis of this paper is unable to finds any evidence to accept the null hypothesis of the presence of absolute income convergence. However, our results show the presence of conditional income convergence for both East and South Asian economies. It indicates that income gap between these two groups of economies has narrow down conditional based on some common characteristics but it still remains quite large

Income Convergence Hypothesis: A Regional Comparison of selected East and South Asian Economies

The empirical literature on income convergence hypothesis is available for almost all developed or industrialized countries. However, regarding developing economies especially, South Asian region few studies attempted it in their convergence related empirical analysis. Therefore, the central objective of this paper is to empirically examine whether or not income convergence is occurring over time in South Asian economies. Furthermore, within Asian block, the study also compares the convergence results of South Asian economies with its parallel East Asian region. The empirical analysis test both absolute convergence hypothesis (using beta and sigma convergence methodologies as well as Theil’s inequality based approach) and conditional convergence hypothesis (by taking care of relevant control variables). These convergence tests are based on conventional regression equation approach by taking real GDP per capita with some explanatory control variables. Both steps employ the pooled cross-section, time series data set, which provides new insights in the convergence tests for real GDP per capita. Although, empirical analysis of this paper is unable to finds any evidence to accept the null hypothesis of the presence of absolute income convergence. However, our results show the presence of conditional income convergence for both East and South Asian economies. It indicates that income gap between these two groups of economies has narrow down conditional based on some common characteristics but it still remains quite large

Income Convergence Hypothesis: A Regional Comparison of selected East and South Asian Economies

The empirical literature on income convergence hypothesis is available for almost all developed or industrialized countries. However, regarding developing economies especially, South Asian region few studies attempted it in their convergence related empirical analysis. Therefore, the central objective of this paper is to empirically examine whether or not income convergence is occurring over time in South Asian economies. Furthermore, within Asian block, the study also compares the convergence results of South Asian economies with its parallel East Asian region. The empirical analysis test both absolute convergence hypothesis (using beta and sigma convergence methodologies as well as Theil’s inequality based approach) and conditional convergence hypothesis (by taking care of relevant control variables). These convergence tests are based on conventional regression equation approach by taking real GDP per capita with some explanatory control variables. Both steps employ the pooled cross-section, time series data set, which provides new insights in the convergence tests for real GDP per capita. Although, empirical analysis of this paper is unable to finds any evidence to accept the null hypothesis of the presence of absolute income convergence. However, our results show the presence of conditional income convergence for both East and South Asian economies. It indicates that income gap between these two groups of economies has narrow down conditional based on some common characteristics but it still remains quite large

Switching to Hydropower renewable energy to mitigate the effects of the carbon emissions in South and East Asian economies

Energy is the most essential tool for production and distribution of economic goods. It is also considered as crucial input of economic development. The World Energy Committee states that there are several environmental risks linked to energy production from non-renewable sources such as coal, gas, and petroleum etc. One of the associated risks is high per capita carbon emissions. To reduce such risk economy should switch to the renewable energy sources that characterize less or no carbon emission. This paper investigated the dynamics of coal, gas and hydroelectric energy within the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve. The study used the Arellano and Bond (1991) dynamic panel model using the GMM framework developed by the Hansen (1982). The empirical results of the study confirm the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis and that coal and gas are significant contributors to carbon. Results suggest that the hydel energy can play an essential role in mitigating the carbon emissions and improving climate emissions in case of South and East Asian Countries

Switching to Hydropower renewable energy to mitigate the effects of the carbon emissions in South and East Asian economies

Energy is the most essential tool for production and distribution of economic goods. It is also considered as crucial input of economic development. The World Energy Committee states that there are several environmental risks linked to energy production from non-renewable sources such as coal, gas, and petroleum etc. One of the associated risks is high per capita carbon emissions. To reduce such risk economy should switch to the renewable energy sources that characterize less or no carbon emission. This paper investigated the dynamics of coal, gas and hydroelectric energy within the framework of the environmental Kuznets curve. The study used the Arellano and Bond (1991) dynamic panel model using the GMM framework developed by the Hansen (1982). The empirical results of the study confirm the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis and that coal and gas are significant contributors to carbon. Results suggest that the hydel energy can play an essential role in mitigating the carbon emissions and improving climate emissions in case of South and East Asian Countries

DNA Barcoding: Amplification and sequence analysis of rbcl and matK genome regions in three divergent plant species

Background: DNA barcoding is a novel method of species identification based on nucleotide diversity of conserved sequences. The establishment and refining of plant DNA barcoding systems is more challenging due to high genetic diversity among different species. Therefore, targeting the conserved nuclear transcribed regions would be more reliable for plant scientists to reveal genetic diversity, species discrimination and phylogeny.Methods: In this study, we amplified and sequenced the chloroplast DNA regions (matk+rbcl) of Solanum nigrum, Euphorbia helioscopia and Dalbergia sissoo to study the functional annotation, homology modeling and sequence analysis to allow a more efficient utilization of these sequences among different plant species. These three species represent three families; Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae respectively. Biological sequence homology and divergence of amplified sequences was studied using Basic Local Alignment Tool (BLAST).Results: Both primers (matk+rbcl) showed good amplification in three species. The sequenced regions reveled conserved genome information for future identification of different medicinal plants belonging to these species. The amplified conserved barcodes revealed different levels of biological homology after sequence analysis. The results clearly showed that the use of these conserved DNA sequences as barcode primers would be an accurate way for species identification and discrimination.Conclusion: The amplification and sequencing of conserved genome regions identified a novel sequence of matK in native species of Solanum nigrum. The findings of the study would be applicable in medicinal industry to establish DNA based identification of different medicinal plant species to monitor adulteration

The Impact of Recent Financial Recession on the Banking sector of Pakistan

The basic intent of this study is to examine the impact of recent financial crisis on the Pakistan commercial banking sector. This research paper will help to create the awareness about the risk factor which involves in Pakistan investment sector. The current worldwide financial crisis starts from large financial markets like US, UK and Candia. And this crisis becomes a cause of the fall down of well-known names in banking sector. Objective of this study, to establish the practical facts, that either the recant global financial crisis have or have not significant impact on Pakistan banks. The findings of this study will help to develop the assured recommendations which may help to formulate the policies regarding stabilization and crisis management in Pakistan banking sector