Evaluating Energy Security Performance in Pakistan and India through Aggregated Energy Security Performance Indicators (AESPI)

This article computes the energy security performance between two crucial South Asian neighboring countries in the region through aggregated energy security performance indicators (AESPI) using time series data of time spanning 1990-2018. The findings of this manuscript suggest that total primary energy supply, final energy consumption, household electricity consumption, share of non- carbon energy per total primary energy consumption, net energy import dependency Co2 emissions per capita and per GDP and residential energy consumption lead to make better energy security performance in Pakistan. However, total primary electricity consumption, total primary and final energy intensity, reserve production ratio of oil & gas and transformation losses adversely affect energy security performance in Pakistan. On another end, in India final energy consumption, total primary energy intensity, household electricity consumption, share of capacity of renewable energy per total electricity generation, share of renewable energy per final energy consumption, net energy import dependency and Co2 emissions per capita lead to improve energy security performance. Conversely, total primary energy supply, total primary electricity consumption, final energy intensity, transformation loss, reserve production ratio of oil & gas, share of non-carbon energy per total primary energy supply and Co2 emissions per GDP may cause to reduce energy security performance in India. In conclusion, the overall energy security performance is improved in both the countries by time, India (more improved than Pakistan) and Pakistan, as the findings of this manuscript suggest

Evaluation of microleakage in single-rooted teeth obturated with thermoplasticized gutta-percha using various endodontic sealers: An in-vitro study

OBJECTIVE: To compare apical microleakage of extracted, single-rooted teeth obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha using two different endodontic sealers (calcium-hydroxide and resin based). STUDY DESIGN: An experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Dental Clinics and Laboratory from June to September 2015. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted using extracted teeth. After access cavities were made, cleaning and shaping of root canals was done in 70 teeth. Teeth were randomly allocated into two groups and obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha (Obtura II) using two sealers (Sealapex vs. AH plus). After immersing the teeth in 2.0% methylene blue, they were split longitudinally, viewed under light microscope (magnification X4) and images were taken by a camera connected to microscope. The extent of dye penetration was assessed from apex to its coronal part and recorded in millimeters. Independent sample t-test was used to compare microleakage in the two groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was used for inter-examiner reliability of dye penetration measurements. A p-value of \u3c0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: Teeth obturated with Obtura II gutta-percha with AH plus sealer had a mean dye penetration of 1.20 ±0.79 mm. This was significantly better than Obtura II with Sealapex sealer (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Obtura II-AH plus sealer was a better combination for obturation as it showed a lesser degree of microleakage. Obtura II with Sealapex group showed higher microleakage, so this combination should be avoided in single-rooted teet

Has the significance of incidental findings on unenhanced computed tomography for urolithiasis been overestimated? A retrospective review of over 800 patients

Objectives: To evaluate the detection of clinically unsuspected pathologies using 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen in patients with flank pain. The presence of significant incidental findings (those warranting immediate management) was also correlated with that of urolithiasis, to assess potential changes of management.PATIENTS AND Methods: The study included 899 patients undergoing CT in a 6-month period between June and December 2008. Patients who were referred from outside, with no medical record in the hospital where the study was conducted, and those who were lost to follow-up, were excluded. All of the CT examinations were reported after a radiology resident and a consultant radiologist with \u3e4years of experience evaluated the CT. Genitourinary and extra-genitourinary findings were assessed and divided into clinically significant or not.Results: The overall incidence of additional and incidental findings was 14%. Besides urolithiasis and obstruction there were 34 (28%) genitourinary findings and 87 (72%) extra-genitourinary findings; most of the former were insignificant. Of the extra-genitourinary findings, significant diagnoses were documented in 34 cases.CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal multidetector CT detects more incidental findings which are clinically significant

A Rare Presentation of Wilson Disease: A Case Report

Wilson Disease results from autosomal recessive mutation in ATP7B gene which leads to reduced formation of ceruloplasmin protein in the body that acts as a copper transporter. Due to its deficiency, there is the build-up of copper in the liver and brain among other organ systems and it leads to the development of various clinical abnormalities but commonly presents either as hepatic dysfunction and/or cirrhosis in young patients with movement disorder. Here we present a case that presented with hypoglycemia and hypothermia in absence of any infection, drug abuse or metabolic abnormality. He was later diagnosed as Wilson disease. Wilson Disease is mostly thought of hepatic /neurological disease. Contrary to this Wilson’s disease is a multisystem disease affecting multiple organ system including, kidneys, endocrine system and musculoskeletal system and can present with manifestations of above-mentioned systems

Relationship among Hypovitaminosis D, Maternal Periodontal Disease, and Low Birth Weight

Objective: To determine if low birth weight is associated with hypovitaminosis D and periodontal disease among a sample of Pakistani women residing in district Jhelum, Punjab.STUDY Design: Cross-sectional study nested in a large community-based longitudinal study.PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Tehsil Pind Dadan Khan, District Jhelum, Pakistan from August 2012 to October 2015.METHODOLOGY: Women during 12-16th week of pregnancy were selected. Dental examination was performed. Probing depth \u3e3 mm was labeled as periodontal disease, whereas serum level 2500 g) babies. Odds ratio was applied to measure the strength of association of low birth weight with maternal hypovitaminosis D and also for maternal periodontal disease.Results: There were 62 participants in the study. The mean age of mothers was 26.7 ±4.5 years. It was alarming to observe that 53 (85%) participants had vitamin D deficiency. However, periodontal disease was only seen in four participants (6%). Out of the 62 mothers, eighteen (29%) gave birth to low birth weight babies. None of the variables were found to be associated with the low birth weight.CONCLUSION: The present study did not find any significant association of low birth weight with hypovitaminosis D or maternal periodontal disease in the studied sample

TASTE MASKING EVALUATION AND FORMULATION OF DICYCLOMINE HYDROCHLORIDE SUSPENSION USING ION EXCHANGE RESINS

There are number of drugs that are bitter and unpleasant in taste and taking orally very difficult for children and some adults. Nonâ€compliance can  lead to many problems in diseased condition. There are lots of taste masking technologies have been used to address the problem of patient compliance. The purpose of this research was to mask the intensely bitter taste of Dicyclomine HCl  and to formulate a palatable liquid formulation of the taste-masked drug, by novel Ion Exchange Resin (IER) method to overcome taste problem with traditional system. Taste masking was done by complexing Dicyclomine HCl  with Tulsion 335, Indion 254  and Indion 414 in different ratios. Formulation containing resinates were tested for drug content, in vitro drug release, taste masking, stability study, and molecular property. The resinates prepared with drug- Indion 254 ratio (1:2) at pH 8, gave maximum drug loading. Suspension containing above resinates showed more than 80% In vitro drug release within 30 min. Prepared formulation also showed good stability and can retain its palatable taste. Thus, the “patient-friendly dosage form†of bitter drugs, especially for pediatric, geriatric, bedridden, and noncooperative patients, can be successfully formulated using this technology. Keyword: Taste Masked Suspension, Dicyclomine HCl Taste masking, resinat

Barriers in surgical research: A perspective from the developing world

Research in surgery has led to significant advances over the last century in terms of how medicine is practised in and outside the operating rooms today. Surgical research in the developed countries is responsible for most of this advancement, but it is often inapplicable in resource-limited settings in the developing world. Lower- and middle-income countries are in a unique position to take this work further, but they are limited by certain barriers. These barriers could broadly be classified under social and cultural, infrastructure, financial, ethical, and personal categories. These barriers are often not fully realised, but can potentially be addressed with concerted efforts to continue the advancement of medicine for everyone

Prevalence and Associated factors Of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction among Young Adults in Karachi

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for temporomandibular joint dysfunction among young adult in Karachi. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in (n=383) subjects with (n=165) males and (n=218) females aged between 18–30 years. The subjects were requested to answer Fonseca’s questionnaires, consisted on ten questions. The collected data sets were analyzed statistically through using the SPSS version 22. Result: A total (n=383) participants, the prevalence of TMD is 66.6%. The participant with TMD (66.6%) show 54.0% mild TMD, 12.0% moderate and 0.5% severe. Women with 61% showing TMD, as compare to men 73.93%. When considering only severe TMD, only women are affected 0.5%. Participant with any level of TMD show marked characteristics: 12.53% considered themselves tense people; 17.5% reported to clench or grind their teeth; 8.88% reported clicking of the temporomandibular joint; 24.28% reported frequent headache. Conclusion: The result of the study concluded that the TMD a high prevalence among young adult in Karachi, among participant with TMD most of the participants had mild TMD which reveals that in young population about half of the participants presented with mild TMD. Key Points: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), Mastication, Helkimo's indexes, Fonseca anamnestic Index (FAI