Empowerment without Accountability? The Lawyers’ Movement in Pakistan and its Aftershocks

This case study on the Pakistan Lawyers’ Movement and its aftermath aims to add to our knowledge of judicial empowerment processes, particularly the role of lawyers in mobilising for an independent judiciary, and the conditions for political lawyering as an effective pathway to judicial empowerment. In exploring these processes and conditions of empowerment, the study also examines their relationship with the longerterm outcomes of empowerment as well as the nexus between judicial empowerment and accountability of legal institutions. The study marshals evidence from multiple sources – including 35 qualitative interviews with movement leaders and participants, and a representative survey of active litigators in the Lahore District judiciary – to show, firstly, that the conditions that create successful mobilisation for judicial empowerment can significantly limit the systemic benefits of such mobilisation and, secondly, that the conditions for and the pathway to empowerment may deeply constrain the accountability of the empowered actors and institutions.Department for International Development (DFID

LBTQ Muslim Women in Intersectionality: Examining the Resistance Strategies

This qualitative study critically examined life stories of 14 Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer (LBTQ) Muslim women in the Global North (Canada and the U.S.) within an interpretive paradigm. Emphasis was placed on how LBTQ Muslim women lived out the intersections of (race, sexuality, gender identity and expression, religion, and spirituality) as well as addressing community, societal and familial dimensions amongst hegemonic discourses that exist within normative Muslim and LGBTQ communities. Transnational and critical race feminism, intersectionality theory and an Islamic liberationist approach to gender and sexuality frame the project. Findings suggest that the women do not abandon Islam, sexual and/or gender identity while living out lives; and LBTQ Muslim women resist hegemonic discourses within normative Muslim and LGBTQ communities vis--vis principles within the Islamicate tradition

Molecular Evolution of Four Salivary Proteins within Species of the Anopheles gambiae Complex

Some of the primary vectors of human malaria include female mosquitoes from the Anopheles gambiae complex, which is comprised of at least six different species within the genus Anopheles, including A. gambiae (M/S forms), A. arabiensis, A. melas, A. bwambae, A. merus, and A. quadriannulatus. Salivary gland proteins within the Anopheles gambiae complex interact with a vertebrate host’s immune system by controlling vasodilatation, inflammation, and platelet aggregation at the feeding site on the vertebrate host. The way certain salivary proteins are expressed within different mosquito species has been studied, but there is still a need for a comparison between species of close proximity, such as those in the A. gambiae complex. This comparison could reveal genes that may interact with a host’s immune system or with malaria parasites and hence may be under selection. Such genes may have crucial roles in the adaptation to specific hosts. For example, an excess of non-synonymous fixed differences in the gene would mean directional or positive selection, which may have resulted from interaction with various hosts. To gain further insight into 4 specific salivary gland proteins (Anophelin, Ichit, Glycosidase, and Lysozyme), their patterns of polymorphism were analyzed in 3 species of the An. gambiae complex (Anopheles gambiae M and S forms, Anopheles melas, and Anopheles arabiensis). After analyzing these genes using several statistical tests, the comparison showed that three of the four genes, Anophelin, Ichit, and Glycosidase are highly conserved with no signs of positive selection or fixed differences between A. gambiae, A. arabiensis, and A. melas species. Further research exploring the genetic variation of other salivary proteins within the A. gambiae complex may identify proteins that are undergoing positive selection. This could locate genes involved in vector competence, either preventing or enhancing disease transmission in Anopheles mosquitoes

Factors Affecting Bankers’ Behavioral Intention to Adopt Green Banking: An Empirical Analysis of Banks in Pakistan

The global temperature has reached its highest level since the start of the industrial revolution, which is the major cause of global warming. Global warming has become one of the gravest problem now a days as it has considerable influences over markets, societies and economies. For sustainable environment management, remarkable efforts are carried out across the world and every institution is playing its role towards minimizing its impact on the environment. From financial institutions, banking sector is playing an important role in this regard. Banking sector has introduced a concept of Green Banking (GB). State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has recently issued guidelines regarding the adoption of green banking. This study attempts to identify the factors which affect bankers’ intension to adopt green banking. This study would prove to be helpful in identifying the most influencing factors towards adoption of green banking practices and in developing policies towards its adoption in Pakistan. Structured questionnaire based on a 7 point Likert scale as used for data collection from a sample of 300 respondents. Regression analysis was used to check the association among the variables. The result of study shows that all independent variables of study have shown significant association with dependent variable. Which means to some extent every independent factor is playing role in affecting bankers’ behavioral intension to adopt green banking. Result shows that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use contribute more in predicting the Attitude toward use, which along with effort expectancy and performance expectancy are major contributing factors towards behavioral intention to adopt green banking practices

The University and Social Work Under Neoliberalism: Where's the Social Inclusion for Disabled Faculty?

There is an urgent need to increase the social inclusion of postsecondary faculty with disabilities by reducing the need to adapt to ableist and sanist neoliberal standards. In this article, two social work faculty with disabilities argue that their social exclusion is inevitable under systemic neoliberal priorities of individualism, efficiency, and productivity. We engage in a systems analysis of how educational institutions, namely universities, engage in practices and processes of social exclusion of faculty with disabilities through neoliberal ideologies, policies, and practices. Using an autoethnographic case study method, guided by an intersectional and disability justice theoretical framing, the authors challenge the ahistorical and non‐relational tendencies of neoliberalism in its many forms. Using lived experience as data, the authors elucidate strategies to promote social inclusion aimed at universities and at the discipline of social work. In conclusion, the authors advocate for change at the structural level for the social work profession and for postsecondary institutions

Effect of Social Support on Health Related Quality of Life in Pregnant Women- A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital Multan, South-Punjab Pakistan

Objective: To explore the relationship between social support and health-related quality of life among pregnant women. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Nishtar Medical University Hospital Multan, Pakistan. The duration of study was from January to March2017. Pregnant women presenting to our hospital were approached for data collection. The chronological age range of the sample was 15-35 years and ages of pregnancy in months were included. Social support of pregnant women was measured through multidimensional scale of perceived social support and health-related quality of life was measured through medical outcomes study questionnaire. Results: Of the 120 participants, 66(55%) were from rural areas, and 54(45%) from the urban areas. Subjects who were in their first trimester of pregnancy were 72(60%), while 25(20.8%) were in their second trimester and 23 (19.2%) in the third. Of the total, 80(66.66%) were educated women and 40 (33.34%) were illiterate. Subjects with a history of physical illness were 76 (63.30%) while 60 (50%) suffered from psychological illness too. There was a significantly positive relationship between social support and health-related quality of life among the pregnant subjects (p<0.05). Conclusion: More social support can increase the health-related quality of life of pregnant women. Keywords: Social support, Health related quality of life, pregnant women

Frequency of Hypertension in Ischemic and Hemorrhagic Strokes: A Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Multan, South-Punjab Pakistan

Background: Stroke is a global health problem. Stroke is responsible for major disabilities in adult population, and is 2nd leading cause of deaths all over the world. Estimated 15 million people all over the world become victim of stroke every year all over the world, of which 5 million die and other 5 million are left permanently disabled and thus major burden on the sufferer and families as well. Different studies have reported hypertension as major cause of stroke in different populations. Objective: To determine the frequency of hypertension among ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke at a tertiary care hospital. Subjects and Methods: Our study included 246 stroke patients which were recruited from Department of Medicine Nishtar Medical University Hospital Multan. Specific history concerning hypertension was inquired from all patients. Blood pressure of all the patients was measured. Blood pressure levels were measured by researcher using random-zero sphygmomanometers with the subject seated quietly. Two readings of blood pressure were taken and average   of the two readings was noted in the proforma. ECG of all the patients was done and checked for the fulfillness of criteria of left ventricular hypertrophy i.e. Sokolow-Lyon Index, Cornell Voltage Criteria. Results: Our  study included 246 stroke patients, 160 (65%) were male patients and 86 (35%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 59.63 + 11.24 years. Ischemic stroke was observed in 133 (54.1%) of our study cases, while hemorrhagic stroke was noted in 113 (45.9%) of our study cases and 13 (5.3%) had previous history of stroke as well. Smoking was observed in 110 (44.7%) of our study cases and all the smokers were male patients. Alcohol consumption and family history of stroke was zero in our study cases. Of these  246  stroke patients, 148 (60.2%) were known hypertensive and all of them were taking anti-hypertensive medication. Frequency of hypertension in our study was 168 (68.3%) at presentation. Conclusion: Higher frequencies of modifiable risk factors was seen with Hypertension was the leading risk factor of stroke in our study. These findings point towards well directed efforts regarding conventional interventions in our population. Hemorrhagic stroke was significantly associated with elevated blood pressure. Hypertension was significantly associated with increasing age, diabetes, previous history of stroke, hemorrhagic stroke and smoking in stroke patients. Keywords: Stroke, Hypertension, Ischemic, hemorrhagic

Post Covid-19 Vaccine (Sinovac) Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis

SINOVAC is an inactivated virus COVID 19 vaccine given emergency authorization for COVID-19 Pandemic. Different adverse reactions have been seen in after-marketing of COVID-19 vaccines. Here we present a case of patient who developed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis two weeks after the first dose of SINOVAC vaccine

Post Covid-19 Vaccine Guillain Barre Syndrome

The Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated progressive polyneuropathy having an acute monophasic illness leading to paralysis. The clinical features are progressive ascending symmetrical muscle weakness that may lead to respiratory failure. Diagnosis is based upon clinical presentation and is supported by a lumbar puncture with CSF analysis demonstrating albumin-cytological dissociation, and electrophysiological studies. Our patient presented to us with progressive ascending paralysis after receiving COVID 19 vaccine

Structure, Genetics and Worldwide Spread of New Delhi Metallo-β-lactamase (NDM): a threat to public health

Background: The emergence of carbapenemase producing bacteria, especially New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) and its variants, worldwide, has raised amajor public health concern. NDM-1 hydrolyzes a wide range of β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are the last resort of antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by resistant strain of bacteria. Main body: In this review, we have discussed blaNDM-1variants, its genetic analysis including type of specific mutation, origin of country and spread among several type of bacterial species. Wide members of enterobacteriaceae, most commonly Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and gram-negative non-fermenters Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii were found to carry these markers. Moreover, at least seventeen variants of blaNDM-type gene differing into one or two residues of amino acids at distinct positions have been reported so far among different species of bacteria from different countries. The genetic and structural studies of these variants are important to understand the mechanism of antibiotic hydrolysis as well as to design new molecules with inhibitory activity against antibiotics. Conclusion: This review provides a comprehensive view of structural differences among NDM-1 variants, which are a driving force behind their spread across the globe