Outcome in patients with myasthenia gravis Managed with or without Thymectomy

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic acquired autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies are produced against acetylcholine receptors present on neuromuscular junction. It results in neuromuscular transmission blockage hence muscle weakness occurs. Thymus gland is considered as having crucial role in development of these antibodies. Screening patients for thymoma and removal of the thymus gland with surgery has an important aspect in management of disease

HEALTH STATUS AND IMPRISONMENT PROFILE OF JAIL INMATES OF DISTRICT JAIL RAHIM YAR KHAN, PAKISTAN

Out of 850 total prisoners of district jail, Rahim Yar Khan, 100 were selected at random and examined for prevalence of HIV. Apart from HIV screening, data was collected about different diseases, narcotics use, occupations, reasons for imprisonment, ages and marital status of the prisoners through a questionnaire. None of these prisoners was suffering from HIV, the results regarding narcotics habits showed that 3% of the prisoners were used to bhang, 4% took heroin, 5% were using snuff, 34% cigarette smokers and 54% were not taking any narcotics. Nineteen percent of the prisoners suffered from various diseases like asthma, allergy, chest infection, hernia, heart problem, jaundice, lung infection, ulcer, weakness, typhoid and gastric problems whereas 81% were healthy

Sheet-on-sheet like calcium ferrite and graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposite : a multifunctional nanocomposite for high-performance supercapacitor and visible light driven photocatalysis

Calcium ferrite-graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites with sheet-on-sheet like morphology are fabricated and investigated for their physicochemical characteristics, electrochemical energy storage capacity and photocatalysis. Interestingly, the (CF) (GNPs) nanocomposite-based electrode has shown maximum specific capacitance up to 422 ​Fg¯¹ at 0.25 Ag¯¹ with excellent cycling stability, 2.6 times higher than that of neat CF nanosheets. Furthermore, the synergistic contribution from photocatalytic and photo-Fenton reactions enables (CF) (GNPs) nanocomposites to offer superior photocatalytic activity (99.4% dye removal in 90 ​min). The inclusion of GNPs significantly enhances the charge carriers separation and transportation. The excellent electrochemical efficiency of (CF) (GNPs) could be attributed to the 2D interfacial interactions that provide a better charge transport at electrode/electrolyte interface. These interactions are also responsible for creating effective charge transport pathways and efficient e/h separation leading to rapid dye-degradation, which make the material potential for remediation of water pollution and energy storage systems

A unique ZnFe2O4/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposite for electrochemical energy storage and efficient visible light driven catalysis for the degradation of organic noxious in wastewater

A series of ZnFe₂O₄/graphene nanoplatelets ((ZF)(GNPs)) nanocomposites have been synthesized and characterized. By optimizing the weight ratio of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), the synthesized nanocomposites have been identified as an excellent material for electrochemical capacitors with outstanding electrochemical capacitance (314 Fg¯¹ at 0.5 Ag¯¹), high rate performance, and long-standing cyclic stability (77.6% retention). The enhanced electrochemical performance might be adduced to the improved electrode/electrolyte charge transfer interface and conducting nature of GNPs. Besides, (ZF)(GNPs) nanocomposites exhibit outstanding visible light driven photocatalytic efficiency for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye in water i.e., 97.46% of the MB is degraded in 70 min, which can be primarily ascribed to the enhanced photo Fenton reaction, effective electron-hole (e/h) separation and strong interfacial coupling between ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (ZF NPs) and GNPs. Our results offer new insights into multifunctional nanocomposites for the electrochemical energy storage and treatment of polluted wastewater

Comparison between Right and Left Hemisphere Lesion of Stroke Patients for Functional Gait Assessment

Objective: To compared the functional gait among left and right hemisphere lesion patients of stroke. Methods: This cross sectional comparative study included 126 patients with right and left sided hemispheric lesion. The study was conducted from December 2019 to March 2020. Patients were selected consecutively from different hospitals and rehabilitation centers of Lahore, Pakistan on the basis of inclusion & exclusion criteria. Functional gait assessment (FGA) scale was used to measure functional gait performance and disturbance related to balance in stroke patients. Independent sample t-test was used for comparison of functional gait between left and right hemispheric lesions. A p-value ≤ .05 was taken statistically significant. Results: A total of 126 patients of stroke with right and left sided hemisphere lesion were assessed for functional gait assessment. The mean age of patients in group A and B was 54.19±8.54 years and 51.46±8.57 years, respectively. The mean weight of patients in group A and B was 61.95±8.82 kg and 58.67±5.83 kg, respectively. Functional gait assessment mean score in group A was 12.56±2.60 and in group B was 15.59±4.17 points with p-value of 0.001. There was a significant difference of FGA scores present between the two groups. Conclusions: The study concluded that ambulatory functions differ with respect to site of hemisphere lesion. The site of hemisphere lesion impact on patient's functional gait has statistically significant

Corporate Social Responsibility and Customer Loyalty: Exploring the Role of Satisfaction and Corporate Image in the Banking Industry

This study aims to determine the impact of corporate social responsibility on customerloyalty and satisfaction with the mediating effect of customer satisfaction and the moderatingeffect of corporate image in Pakistan’s banking sector. The study collected 302 responsesfrom the target population. We used a self-administered questionnaire for collecting thedata of banking customers in Pakistan by employing the convenience sampling technique.The study has used the PLS-SEM technique for statistical analysis. The results reveal thatcorporate social responsibility positively influences customer satisfaction. The results alsosuggest that CSR positively affects customer satisfaction. At the same time, CSR has aninsignificant association with customer loyalty. We also found that CS stimulates customerloyalty, and corporate image promotes CL. The results suggest that customer satisfactionmediates CSR and CL. We also found that corporate image does not moderate customerloyalty. Given the importance of CSR, we suggest that banks should allocate considerableresources for CSR activities. CSR is necessary for firms’ growth and sustainability. It also,directly and indirectly, affects the brand image, loyalty, and customer satisfaction. Due to strict regulations, banks have difficulty creating product differentiation; therefore, they relyon strategies such as CSR

Effects of ferrous toxicity on seedling traits and ion distribution pattern in upland and low land rice under hydroponic conditions

Environmentally, nutritional disorders are the major constraints due to the change in soil pH for rice crop cultivated under different irrigation system. Iron toxicity is one of the famous nutritional disorders caused by the excessive uptake of ferrous ion in low pH under aerobic conditions. This research study was focused to measure the effect of different levels of ferrous stress on seedling traits, distribution of ferrous, potassium ions in two upland rice and three lowland rice varieties. The mean comparison of growth parameters were formulated using least significant differences, as well as the experimental treatments were compared by analysis of variance. Varieties showed significant differences for growth parameters; however, lowland rice varieties like Pokkali and Firat exhibited the minimum deterioration in growth parameters. The root length was significantly reduced under ferrous stress in all varieties. Ferrous accumulation was high in roots compared to aerial plant parts and flag leaves exhibited the minimum accumulations. Reduction of potassium reflected in all plant parts when an increased in stress was imposed. Upland rice varieties were found sensitive compared to lowland rice varieties. It is therefore; concluded that the growth parameters would be a reflecting index for ferrous toxicity in rice. Furthermore, the availability and uptake of potassium is improved, it may minimize the effects of ferrous toxicity

Molecular probing of Aflatoxigenic fungi in rice grains collected from local markets of Lahore, Pakistan

Background: Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus strains have emerged as a serious threat to food safety and quality assurance. The objective of this study was to identify the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus sp. by targeting the amplification of aflatoxigenic genes i.e., aflR, nor1, omt1, ver1, in different fugal strains isolated from the rice grains being marketed in local markets of Lahore city, Pakistan.Methods: Total eleven (11) Aspergillus strains were isolated from rice grains and aflatoxigenic genes i.e., aflR, nor1, omt1, ver1 were amplified to differentiate between aflatoxin producing and non-producing strains.Results: Four (04) out of total eleven (11) strains showed the presence of aflatoxins producing genes, indicating the possible contamination of aflatoxins in rice grains being sold in local markets of Lahore.Conclusion: This research provides the basis for the quantification of aflatoxins; a significant threat to the quality of foodstuffs and consumers. The situation demands the attention of rice growers, processors as well as government officials to tackle the problem to assure the safety of rice eaters.Keywords: Aflatoxins; Aspergillus; Cereal grains; Contamination; Mycotoxigenic