Impact of gestational and pre-gestational diabetes mellitus on the foetal heart

Foetal cardiac structural and functional features have been examined in pregnancies diabetic and non-diabetic and healthy pregnancies. During 15.1.17-15.7.17, cardiac structure and function assessment was scheduled of 50 healthy pregnant women, 25 pregnant women with gestational diabetes and 25 with pre-gestational diabetes. The thickness of foetal interventricular septum (IVS) was significantly more in diabetic group as compared to non-diabetics (p < 0.05) but no one was having an IVS > 2 SD from normal. The top velocity of tricuspid E and the ratio of E/A was considerably low in diabetic group (p < 0.05). Values of tricuspid valve Ea and the ratio of Ea/Aa were less in the diabetic group as compared to control group (p<0.05)but there was no considerable difference in between pre-gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes mellitus (p > 0.05). In diabetic pregnancies the most common structural abnormality is the interventricular septal hypertrophy. No risk is linked to foetal with these changes unless it results in the functional impairment. Therefore, it is believed that it is necessary to monitor the diabetic pregnant women for foetal cardiac diastolic dysfunction

Mitigating Salt-Induced Damages in Wheat with Foliar-Applied Nigella sativa Seed Extract: A Comprehensive Study

Nigella sativa, a medicinal plant, known for its diverse bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and phytohormones, have shown potential in mitigating salt stress in various plant species. Amongst naturally occurring plant growth stimulants, it has attained enormous attention being rich in thymoquinineand carvacrol in seeds for scavenging free radicals. This research aimed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa seed extract (NSE) as foliar spray (0, 50, 100 and 150g seeds per liter each) on wheat growth under salt stress (0mM, 75mM and 150mM). Results revealed that salinity decreased growth attributes and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, salinity stress boosted the contents of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, glycinebetaine, leaf free proline, Na+ and Cl-. Foliar application of NSEameliorated the negative effects of salinity to considerable extent by enhancing growth traits, chlorophyll contents, glycinebetaine and prolineand decreased Na+, Cl-,malondialdehyde andhydrogen peroxide. This research provides valuable insights into the potential use of NSE as natural and sustainable solution to alleviate salt stress in wheat crop. These findings contribute to the development of eco-friendly strategies for enhancing crop resilience in saline environments, ultimately addressing the global challenge of food security in the face of increasing soil salinity

Efficacy of the muscle energy technique versus the strain-counter strain technique on immediate deactivation of myofascial trigger points in upper trapezius muscle

Aims and objectives: Thisstudy aimed to check the comparative efficacy of the Muscle EnergyTechnique versus the Strain-Counter Strain technique on immediate deactivation ofmyofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle. Study design: The study comprised acomparative analytical design to compare and contrast the two study interventions. Place andduration of the study: The research was conducted in the Department of Physical therapy,Allied hospital Faisalabad for 6 months. Patients and methods: Based on inclusion andexclusion criteria, 40 subjects were enrolled in the study using the convenient samplingmethod. The subjects were divided into two groups; group A (n=20) received a single sessionof baseline treatment with themuscle energy technique, while group B (n=20)received a singlesession of baseline treatment with the strain-counter strain technique. The subjects wereevaluated through the pressure-pain threshold (algometer), Numeric Pain Rating Scale, andModified Bournemouth Questionnaire as pre-intervention and post-intervention measuringtools for pain and functional status. Results: The data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.Within group analysis showed a significant difference between pre- values and post values ofpressure-pain threshold, Numeric Pain Rating Scale and Modified BournemouthQuestionnaire in both groups (P<0.05). Between group analysis was done using independentsample t test. It also showed significant difference (P<0.05) in post mean values between thetwo group subjects in all three outcomes. The post-mean values for the strain-counter straingroup were slightly more improved than the Muscle Energy Technique group. Conclusion:The strain-counter strain technique is found more effective than the Muscle Energy Techniquefor immediate deactivation of myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle

Impact of Transformational Leadership on Project Success: The Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence of Leaders

Purpose:This study examined the impact of transformational leadership on project success with the moderating role of emotional intelligence. Design/Methodology/Approach:The study was conducted on NGOs providing healthcare services in Lahore, Pakistan. This study was quantitative in nature.  Data was gathered from 260 respondents through standardized questionnaire working on healthcare projects of Lahore.  SPSS 22 was applied for data analysis Findings:The findings of this study showed the insignificant effect of transformational leadership on project success. However, a very strong impact of moderator i-e emotional intelligence was observed   among the relationship of transformational leadership and project success. The theoretical and practical implications of study are substantial addition for the future researchers in the domain of project management. Implications/Originality/Value:Theoretically, this study demonstrates that the association between TL and PS with influence of the Emotional Intelligence has direct and significant. As a result, it supports the literature’s recommendation to evaluate the relationship between Transformational Leadership Style and PS with the moderator i.e. emotional intelligence. The findings suggest that Pakistani healthcare NGOs enterprises must seek for emotionally intelligent transformational leaders as well as proficiency in basic managing abilities while hiring. Furthermore, existing employees must be teaching to improve their Emotional Intelligence by enrolling in professional training

DataSheet_1_Correlation of ERCC5 polymorphisms and linkage disequilibrium associated with overall survival and clinical outcome to chemotherapy in breast cancer.docx

PurposeERCC5 is a DNA endonuclease and nucleotide excision repair gene; its mutations lead to a lack of activity by this enzyme, causing oxidative DNA damage. This study aimed to assess the role of four selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ERCC5 and their linkage disequilibrium associated with survival analysis and clinical outcomes in breast cancer.Patients and methodsFour SNPs (rs751402, rs17655, rs2094258, and rs873601) of the ERCC5 gene were analyzed using the PCR-RFLP technique, followed by sequencing in 430 breast cancer (BC) cases and 430 cancer-free individuals. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc 17 and SPSS version 24, while bioinformatic analysis of linkage disequilibrium was performed using Haploview software 4.2.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that the rs751402 and rs2094258 polymorphisms were significantly associated with an elevated risk of BC (P 0.001). Survival analysis revealed that rs751402 and rs2094258 had longer overall survival periods (P ConclusionThe current results suggest that variations in ERCC5 may contribute to BC development and that their genetic anomalies may be associated with cancer risk and may be used as a biomarker of clinical outcome.</p

Breast Cancer: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Survival Analysis in the Pakistani Population

Objective: To find out the association of genetic, reproductive and socio demographic factors with breast cancer in Pakistani women along with the sur- vival percentage of patients having breast cancer. Methodology: A case control study was carried out for a period of 3 years. Data were collected from different hospitals in Pakistan and the survival rate was determined by having direct contact with patients through telephone calls. For the estimation of survival probability Kaplan-Meier curve was used. Association of various demographic and epidemiological factors with breast cancer occurrence was estimated by using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Various tests used to find out the significance of results included student t-test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test and ANOVA. A statistical tool SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the data and results orientation. Results: The mean age for breast cancer diagnosis 47.3±11.8 years of age was found as mean age for breast cancer diagnosis. Higher BMI was the major contributing factors in developing breast cancer (OR=3.5, 95% CI=2.6-4.5). Significant risk factors found to be associated with the breast cancer included long reproductive period (menarche to menopause), family history of disease and habit of passive smoking (P<0.05). Out of 448 married patients, 23% were nulliparous and 26% of patients did not have a lactation history. Chemotherapy along with radiotherapy and surgery have been found to be effective methods for breast cancer treatment (80% survival). Conclusion: Present study concluded that age, body mass index, oral contraceptives usage, lactation duration, reproductive duration and marital status of the female are significant factors in developing breast cancer in Pakistani women. Keywords: Breast Cancer, Nulliparous, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy

Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of pizza dough-base enriched with black cumin (Nigella sativa) extracts

Background: Changing lifestyles have paved the way towards various physiological dysfunctions. Phyto chemicals derived from spices are being widely utilized in diet from ancient times to fight against these physiological dysfunctions owing to their therapeutic potential and high pharmacological activities. Methods: The current investigation was an attempt to explore the antioxidant potential, physicochemical, and sensory properties of black cumin (Nigella sativa) enriched pizza base that was developed by using conventional and supercritical extracts. Results: It was observed that the texture of product becomes harder during storage from 4.36±0.16 to 4.71±0.17 kg force. Nonetheless, supercritical extract pizza base got better hedonic scores compared to other treatments. Antioxidant potential of pizza base enriched with supercritical extracts (Total Phenolic Content 108.08±4.88 mg GAE/100g) was also better than control and conventional solvent extract enriched treatment as 63.24±3.03 and 95.34±3.66 mg GAE/100g, respectively. Conclusion: Conclusively, the results depicted that pizza base containing supercritical extract exhibited superior physiochemical, hedonic and antioxidant properties

Effect of ketogenic diet and hypocaloric Mediterranean diet on metabolic and endocrine parameter in women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

ABSTRACTPCOS is the most prevalent female endocrine disorder and is characterized by polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism, and protracted anovulation. In PCOS, obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR) frequently coexist. The Mediterranean diet (MD) and Ketogenic diet act as an anti-inflammatory eating plan that is high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and monounsaturated fat, whereas the Keto diet is high in fat content. PCOS is associated with obesity, low-grade chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. The aim of the present study was to measure the metabolic and endocrine effects of a ketogenic and hypocaloric Mediterranean diet in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. For this purpose, 80 participants were divided into two groups. Group 1 was on the ketogenic diet and Group 2 was on the Mediterranean diet for 9 weeks. The result of the present study showed that significant weight was reduced among the keto group (−10.9 kg) as compared to the Mediterranean group (−5.1 kg). Total cholesterol and Low-Density Lipoprotein among the keto group was 181. 5 ± 22.2 and 85.3 ± 16.2 U/L whereas, in the Mediterranean group 190.3 ± 22.7 and 91.3 ± 15.9 U/L were observed. Blood glucose levels among the Keto and Mediterranean groups reduced significantly 83.47 ± 5.81 and 91.7 ± 5.8 (mg/dl). C-peptide, LH, and FSH also improved more significantly as compared to the Mediterranean group respectively. This study revealed that a ketogenic diet is superior to a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet for lowering Triglyceride, Cholesterol, LDL, blood glucose, insulin, C peptide, HOMA-IR, LH/FSH, Serum Albumin, Facilitating Hormone, and Sex hormone-binding globulin levels. Females having PCO may improve health with the ketogenic die

Hybrid GA-SVM Approach for Postoperative Life Expectancy Prediction in Lung Cancer Patients

Medical outcomes must be tracked in order to enhance quality initiatives, healthcare management, and mass education. Thoracic surgery data have been acquired for those who underwent major lung surgery for primary lung cancer, a field in which there has been little research and few reliable recommendations have been made for lung cancer patients. Early detection of lung cancer benefits therapy choices and increases the odds of a patient surviving a lung cancer infection. Using a Hybrid Genetic and Support Vector Machine (GA-SVM) methodology, this study proposes a method for identifying lung cancer patients. To estimate postoperative life expectancy, ensemble machine-learning techniques were applied. The article also presents a strategy for estimating a patient’s life expectancy following thoracic surgery after the detection of cancer. To perform the prediction, hybrid machine-learning methods were applied. In ensemble machine-learning algorithms, attribute ranking and selection are critical components of robust health outcome prediction. To enhance the efficacy of algorithms in health data analysis, we propose three attribute ranking and selection procedures. Compared to other machine-learning techniques, GA-SVM achieves an accuracy of 85% and a higher F1 score of 0.92. The proposed algorithm was compared with two recent state-of-the-art techniques and its performance level was ranked superior to those of its counterparts