Catabolism of Wax Esters in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

1. The rate of wax ester degradation was determined in A. calcoaceticus NCIB 8250 and the following results were obtained: (a) The initial and final rates of wax degradation were 22.5 and 3.3 umol (g dry wt bacteria)-1 h-1 respectively. The initial rate of wax degradation was 85% higher than that of final rate (3-6 h). (b) The rate of endogenous respiration was measured during wax ester degradation. The endogenous consumption of oxygen, 0.13 mmol (g dry wt bacteria)-1 h-1, was reduced by 10% during the fast phase of wax degradation and by 20% after 3 h. (c) The viability of the bacteria having a low or high wax content was determined during carbon and energy starvation condition. 50% of the bacteria with a low content of wax esters were not viable after 84 h but 50% of the bacteria with a high wax content were still viable after 154 h. (d) From literature values for the maintenance energy requirements as oxygen consumption, the initial fast rate of wax esters degradation provides approximately 40% of the energy required for the maintenance of viability, and in the final slower rate would only provide about 7% of the maintenance energy required for the maintenance of viability

Efficiency of Silver Nanoparticles in third Generation Solar Cells

Immense energy is required for the production of first generation solar cells and they also tend to be rigid. There are lower efficiencies of the second generation solar cells than the first generation solar cells. On the other hand, the durability and efficiency of the third generation solar cells is more than the first generation solart cells. Moreover, the third generation solar cells are not available commercially and this area of solar cells requires more research and development. The current research works makes use of silver nanoparticles to enhance the efficiency of third generation solar cells. Silver nanoparticles were first made and then the solar cells were fabricated. Titanium and platinum electrodes were used. The titanium electrode was immersed in the silver nanocluster solution for 12 hours after which the electrodes were then clipped together. Solar simulator was used in the research work for testing the efficiency of the solar cells. The efficiency was calculated to be 3.46%. The results of the research work suggest that silver nanoparticles can essentially enhance the efficiency of third generation solar cells

Adherence of surgeons to the World Health Organization recommendations of hand scrubbing in a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar

Background: In an effort to combat the global rise of wound infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended hand scrubbing guidelines for surgeons. Our study aimed to determine the adherence of surgeons in Peshawar to these recommendations.Methods: The method and duration of scrubbing for the first surgical procedure of the day was anonymously observed for 182 surgical consultants and residents in the operating theatre of Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar from July to August 2019 followed by a questionnaire which assessed the knowledge of the participants regarding scrubbing protocols. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Students t test was used and p>0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Results: Out of 182 participants, 41 (22.5%) were consultants and 141 (77.5%) were residents. A total of 3 (1.6%) participants were observed to strictly adhere to the WHO standards of scrubbing. Average time taken by each surgeon was 0.95±0.6 seconds. Students t-test showed no significant difference between the mean time of consultants and residents (p>0.05). The results of the questionnaire revealed that 90.7% of the staff was aware of the WHO recommendations of scrubbing and 82.6% had noticed relevant display charts in the OT. Majority of participants (69.8%) reported that patient load and limited time were the main cause of lack of compliance.Conclusions: A serious lack of compliance to protocol was noted in the operating theatre of Khyber Teaching hospital. There is a dire need to improve scrubbing practices.

Transdiagnostic approaches and supported-bibliotherapy for psychological problems after stroke.

Stroke leads to high levels of disability, with up to a third of stroke survivors failing to regain function. Consequently, psychological distress in this group is common, and a third of stroke survivors experience depression, whilst a quarter experience an anxiety related difficulty. A high proportion of stroke survivors report that their psychological distress wasn’t addressed by services. The following papers present potential stepped-care options for the provision of psychological care in stroke services. Paper one Paper one presents a systematic review of brief, transdiagnostic psychological approaches. The review considers both treatment and prevention of psychological difficulties. Prevention and treatment are both important because the rate of psychological difficulties in the stroke population is known to be reliably high. Prevention may also help target the high level of multimorbidity in this population since stroke more commonly occurs at chronologically higher ages. The systematic review focussed on transdiagnostic approaches. Transdiagnostic approaches target a common psychological mechanism across a range of difficulties. The benefit of transdiagnostic approaches is that they potentially result in increased clinical utility by reducing the requirement for training in a large number of approaches. The results showed that transdiagnostic approaches, such as Motivational interviewing (MI), Problem-solving therapy (PST), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are helpful for psychological difficulties after stroke. Paper two Paper two presents a study of bibliotherapy using a stroke-specific book that was developed collaboratively by stroke clinicians and stroke survivors. The book is called ‘Rebuilding your life after stroke’ and contains material to address psychological difficulties after stroke with an acceptance and commitment therapy model. The study used a multiple baseline design and reported results on a general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) and a satisfaction with life questionnaire (SWLQ). Sixteen stroke participants were recruited from clinical services and third sector organisations with expertise in stroke. The results showed that moderate-to-large effect sizes were obtained for a high proportion of the sample on both measures. The results are discussed in the context of using bibliotherapy and ACT materials to enhance provision of psychological care in stroke services. Paper 3 Paper three is a reflective paper which considers the strengths and limitations of both papers one and two. Paper three presents a discussion of the difficulties of reviewing the evidence base for transdiagnostic approaches as studies more commonly investigated therapies using single-diagnostic criteria. Paper three also discusses the strengths and challenges of conducting multiple baseline design studies and the issues of recruitment encountered during the study

Community Based Flood Catastrophe Preparedness, Vulnerability, Management and Response of Layyah District, Punjab, Pakistan (1990-2015)

The study articulates the society supported flood disaster preparedness, vulnerability, management, and response in the Layyah district, southern Punjab, Pakistan. The area has recorded high summer temperature, low rainfall and an arid climate with an optimistic departure of one centimeter. At Taunsa barrage, the Indus river, as well as the Thal canal, show a decline in the annual flow, while it remains high at Chashma barrage having a heavy flow from July to October. Historically, the foremost disasters experienced in Layyah district are floods, earthquakes, droughts, epidemics, and fires. About 81 Potwar areas have been affected every year by flood disaster consisting of 36 medium and 45 high risks units. Obviously, the locals are the primary instrument to fight any catastrophe for their safety at the initial stage as they are admirable arbitrators of risk assessment, vulnerability, rehabilitation, excavation, and can acquire consistent estimations for their safety. The joint endeavors of the locals and government during predisaster and a post-disaster stage will make certain that how to provide crucial support as well as services to the distressed community throughout the Layyah district. The social or anthropogenic level arrangements for flood catastrophes are appreciated mutually at national and international levels

Effectiveness Of Kaltenborn Mobilization Versus Muscle Energy Technique On Shoulder Range Of Motion In Adhesive Capsulitis

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of muscle energy techniques (post isometrics relaxation) and Kaltenborn mobilizations on shoulder range of motion (ROM) in adhesive capsulitis. Methodology: A randomized Control Trial (CRT) was conducted on patients with adhesive capsulitis for 6 months September 2021 to February 2022. Data was collected through a convenient sampling technique. 30 patients were taken from the physiotherapy department of the holy family hospital, Rawalpindi. The sample size was calculated using the Open Epi Tool. Data was collected by using Universal Goniometer at baseline, after 2 weeks and after 4 weeks of treatment. Patients who met the inclusion criteria and gave consent were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups: Group A & Group B. Group A received muscle energy technique and Group B received grade II & III Kaltenborn mobilizations. Results: Data was analysed using SPSS software version 22. Both groups showed improvements in shoulder range of motion but Group A showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in flexion and abduction ROM from Group B. Conclusion: The muscle energy technique is much more effective in improving flexion and abduction ROM except rotation than Kaltenborn mobilizations in adhesive capsulitis.

Pharmacoenvironmentology – a component of pharmacovigilance

According to WHO, Pharmacovigilance activities are done to monitor detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of any obnoxious adverse reactions to drugs at therapeutic concentration on animal and human beings. However, there is also a growing focus among scientists and environmentalists about the impact of drugs on environment and surroundings. The existing term 'Ecopharmacology' is too broad and not even defined in a clear manner. The term 'Pharmacoenvironmentology' seeks to deal with the environmental impact of drugs given to humans and animals at therapeutic doses