Expected Values of Molecular Descriptors in Random Polyphenyl Chains

A chemical graph is a model used to indicate a chemical combination. In a molecular graph, vertices define atoms, and edges are represented as chemical bonds. A topological index is a single number to characterize the graph of a molecule. In this article, we study the topological properties of some special chains. The polyphenyl chains with hexagons are graphs of aromatic organic compounds. The key purpose of this article is to explore the expected value of Sombor, reduced Sombor, and average Sombor index for this category of organic compounds. It was investigated that the Sombor, reduced Sombor and average Sombor index revealed adequate discriminative potential of alkanes. It has been tested that these indicators can be used effectively in modeling chemical thermodynamic structures. The average value of the Sombor, reduced Sombor, and average Sombor index for the set of all spiro and random polyphenyl chains has been determined. Finally, the ratio between the expected values of these mentioned indices for both random chains has been resolved. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-01-012 Full Text: PD

IL-4 gene polymorphisms and their association with nematodes infection in Pakistani population

Background: Interleukin-4 (IL-4) plays a central role in the humoral immune defense against nematode parasite infections, inducing IgE switch and regulation of worm expulsion from the intestines. The present study aimed to investigate the polymorphisms in IL-4 gene and their association with socio-demographic and environmental factors among patients with gastrointestinal complaints. Method: The screened population comprised 305 patients aged 3-50 years from Rawalpindi and Jhelum districts of Pakistan. A well-prepared questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic and environmental factors. The data were analyzed by using multiple logistic regression models. Molecular analysis was done on 88 confirmed cases passing worms and eggs in stool by using PCR to amplify IL-4 gene. Results: The result showed higher GI nematodes prevalence in Rawalpindi 34.87% and Jhelum 23.1% among gastrointestinal patients. The multivariate logistic regression model showed significantly (p<0.05) increased risk of infection in participants who were residing in rural areas (OR=321.94; 22.5), having poor economic status (OR=0.34), consuming raw/unwashed vegetables (OR=1.73; 15.39) and did not practice handwashing (OR=2.77; OR=0.30). Sequence analysis showed three novel polymorphisms at SNP g.704_705 ins T, g.3763_3764 ins AC and g.3792 G >A in patients with acute severe infections. Two known polymorphisms SNPs g.8455A>G and g.8492C>A were found in the intron region. Conclusion: IL-4 gene polymorphisms showed disease susceptibility and consuming raw/unwashed vegetables, poor handwashing practices and poor economic status were the most associated factors with the disease. Keywords: Interleukin-4; SNPs; Nematodes; Risk Factors; Pakistan

Shift to Online Learning: Response of Pakistani Visual Art Teachers During Pandemic and Post-Covid Era

This study aims to investigate the response of Visual art teachers to educational lockdown and shift to online learning at art institutions. The study employed qualitative phenomenological research design to investigate visual artists i.e., painters, sculptors, textile designers, graphic designers, and performing artists who were faculty members in five leading art institutions of Lahore. Data were collected by conducting a total of 15 interviews from each mentioned discipline. These interviews were conducted preferably in their studios, at their homes, or at times online through WhatsApp video calls. The data was analyzed thematically by using NVIVO 12 software. Findings – It was observed that new methodologies were devised by the faculty and art institutions to mitigate the pandemic upshot, however, virtual learning made it hard for the faculty to teach practice-based subjects. As a result, the assessment criteria were also affected. The study findings provide insight for art institutions and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to start preparing their systems to offer effective online teaching as a substitute for regular classes in Visual Arts. The researchers could not find any such study in the local context, and very few globally. Therefore, this study may serve as a baseline for further research

Impact of Active Physiotherapy Rehabilitation on Pain and Global and Functional Improvement 1–2 Months after Lumbar Disk Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Lumbar disc surgery is a common procedure for patients with lower back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on global/functional improvement and subjective pain score reduction among patients 1–2 months following lumbar disc surgery. The outcomes of this study are to assess the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on functional improvement and subjective improvement in pain behavior post active rehabilitation. The outcomes are measured as pain assessed using the visual analog scale, global measurement of improvement, back pain functional status, and return to work. Methods: Databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed (10 June 1996, 2022), Web of Science (10 June 1997, 2022), Scopus (15 March, 10 June 2004, 2022), CINAHL Plus (10 June 1961, 2022), and Cochrane (10 June 1993, 2022) were reviewed without any language restrictions. All studies were systematically screened; however, only randomized controlled trials were eligible against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All statistical tests were conducted in Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. The quality of studies was appraised using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach and the risk-of-bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Fifteen articles were identified, enrolling a total of 2188 patients, where the majority of active rehabilitation interventions continued for 3 months. All these interventions began 1–2 months postoperatively, and quantitative findings were presented as mean scores. The subjective pain scores were significantly lower in the interventional group, with a mean difference (MD) of −7.01 (p = 0.004). The pain disability score was considerably lower in the interventional group, with an MD of −3.94 (p = 0.002). Global improvement was higher in the interventional group (OR = 1.94, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: This study presents significant improvement in all parameters concerning pain and functionality. Postoperative rehabilitation requires optimization concerning timing, duration, intensity, and associated components to benefit patients post lumbar disc surgery

Impact of active physiotherapy rehabilitation on pain and global and functional improvement 1-2 months after lumbar disk surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Lumbar disc surgery is a common procedure for patients with lower back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on global/functional improvement and subjective pain score reduction among patients 1-2 months following lumbar disc surgery. The outcomes of this study are to assess the impact of active physiotherapeutic rehabilitation on functional improvement and subjective improvement in pain behavior post active rehabilitation. The outcomes are measured as pain assessed using the visual analog scale, global measurement of improvement, back pain functional status, and return to work.Methods: Databases, including MEDLINE/PubMed (10 June 1996, 2022), Web of Science (10 June 1997, 2022), Scopus (15 March, 10 June 2004, 2022), CINAHL Plus (10 June 1961, 2022), and Cochrane (10 June 1993, 2022) were reviewed without any language restrictions. All studies were systematically screened; however, only randomized controlled trials were eligible against the inclusion/exclusion criteria. All statistical tests were conducted in Review Manager (RevMan) 5.4. The quality of studies was appraised using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation (GRADE) approach and the risk-of-bias 2 (RoB 2) tool. Results: Fifteen articles were identified, enrolling a total of 2188 patients, where the majority of active rehabilitation interventions continued for 3 months. All these interventions began 1-2 months postoperatively, and quantitative findings were presented as mean scores. The subjective pain scores were significantly lower in the interventional group, with a mean difference (MD) of -7.01 (p = 0.004). The pain disability score was considerably lower in the interventional group, with an MD of -3.94 (p = 0.002). Global improvement was higher in the interventional group (OR = 1.94, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: This study presents significant improvement in all parameters concerning pain and functionality. Postoperative rehabilitation requires optimization concerning timing, duration, intensity, and associated components to benefit patients post lumbar disc surgery

Acidosis-induced relaxation of human internal mammary artery is due to activation of ATP-sensitive potassium channels

Metabolic acidosis is associated with various clinical situations including diabetes mellitus and renal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acidosis on the resting as well as precontracted human left internal mammary artery. The vessels were obtained from the patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting surgery at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Left internal mammary artery was cut into rings and isometric tension recording experiments were performed. Decrease in pH of the bathing solution from 7.4 to 6.8 had no effect on the resting tension of left internal mammary artery, whereas, acidic pH markedly relaxed the contractions to 24.8 mM KCl and 300 nM phenylephrine. Interestingly, when the KCl- or phenylephrine-contracted rings were treated with 3 microM glibenclamide; an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels, the relaxant effect of acidosis was abolished. Similarly, acidosis failed to cause relaxation of 100 nM endothelin-1-induced contraction in Ca2+-free bathing solution or in the presence of a voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel inhibitor, verapamil (10 microM), whereas, endothelin-1-induced contraction was attenuated by acidosis in Ca2+-containing normal solution. From all these data, it is concluded that under the acidic pH conditions, opening of K(ATP) channels occurs; resulting in the hyperpolarization, decrease in Ca2+ influx via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels and subsequent relaxation of human left internal mammary artery

High-risk HPV prevalence in Pakistani females highlights need for robust cervical cancer screening

Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent viral sexually transmitted infection globally, with cervical cancer being primarily caused by persistent HPV infection. Early diagnosis and monitoring of women with HPV infection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and lower mortality rates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HPV in cervical specimens sent to Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratories for diagnostic testing.Methods: A retrospective review of 1062 test records from 2017-2022 was conducted, with high-risk HPV DNA testing performed by DNA Hybrid Capture 2 method.Results: Out of 1062 patients, 764 underwent a Pap smear test, with 14.9% having abnormal epithelial lesions. High-risk HPV DNA was detected in 180(16.9%) cases, and biopsy findings were available in 118 specimens (11.1%). Squamous intraepithelial lesions were the most common biopsy finding, followed by non-specific cervicitis (36, 30.5%), squamous cell carcinoma (16, 13.6%), and adenocarcinoma in (6 ,5.1%) women. HPV positivity was correlated with cervical cytology and biopsy findings.Conclusions: The data shows a strong correlation between hrHPV positivity and neoplasia in women tested in Pakistan, suggesting a delay in HPV detection. Routine HPV testing is strongly advised for women to screen for cervical cancer. Early diagnosis of high-risk HPV strains can improve triage, treatment, and follow-up of infected patients. Raising public awareness of the value of routine testing, early detection, and treatment of cervical cancer and HPV can significantly lower morbidity and mortality rates