Pakistan Panel Household Survey: Sample Size and Attrition

The socio-economic databases in Pakistan, as in most countries, can be classified into three broad categories, namely registration-based statistics, data produced by different population censuses and household survey-based data. The registration system of births and deaths in Pakistan has historically been inadequate [Afzal and Ahmed (1974)] and the population censuses have not been carried out regularly. The household surveys such as Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS), Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Household Income Expenditure Survey (HIES) have been periodically conducted since the 1960s. These surveys have filled the data gaps created by the weak registration system and the irregularity in conducting censuses. The data generated by the household surveys have also enabled social scientists to examine a wide range of issues, including natural increase in population, education, employment, poverty, health, nutrition, and housing. All these surveys are, however, cross-sectional in nature so it is not possible to gauge the dynamics of these social and economic processes, for example the transition from school to labour market, movement into or out of poverty, movement of labour from one state of employment to another. A proper understanding of such dynamics requires longitudinal or panel datasets where the same households are visited over time. Since panel surveys are complex and expensive to carry out, they are not as commonly conducted as the cross-sectional surveys anywhere in the world and in Pakistan they are even rare

An Efficient Online/Offline Signcryption Scheme for Internet of Things in Smart Home

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ESBL determination and antibacterial drug resistance pattern of Klebsiella Pneumoniae amongst patients at PIMS Islamabad

Background: A number of life threatening infections due to various bacterial pathogens are major cause  of death in Pakistan. In a situation like the other developing countries, there is a general increase in the  drug resistance due to the irrational use of the antibiotics. The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and development of resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae against commonly used antibiotics.Methods and Materials: A total of 200 samples from different wards of the hospitals were received by the pathology laboratory of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, which comprised of urine  65, blood 50 and other miscellaneous samples from various sources. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated and characterized using morphological, cultural, and biochemical methods and were further confirmed by using commercially available API 20E kit. The isolates were subjected to culture sensitivity test using  Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method.Results: The organism was found to be the most prevalent Gram-negative bacilli. K. pneumoniae showed  highest resistance against coamoxiclav and cephalosporins.Conclusion: The study revealed that ESBL producing strains were resistant to most of the beta-lactam antibiotics. This trend therefore has become a significant problem and can be controlled with continued surveillance or monitoring for rationally improved antibiotics usage, in order to prevent the drug resistance and re-emergence of infection.Key words: Klebsiella pneumoniae, ESBL (Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase), API (Analytical Profile Index

Welfare Impact of the Lady Health Workers Programme in Pakistan

With the year 2015 fast approaching, Pakistan is not likely to achieve most of the health targets set in the Millennium Development Goals [Pakistan (2010)]. High levels of child and maternal mortality and child malnutrition are among the major health challenges facing the country. Along with this enhanced vulnerability for children and women there is also an economic divide in the society because these health challenges are more profound for the poor segment of the population than for the better off. Another divide is between the rural and urban populations due to concentration of health facilities in urban centres of the country. The high cost of dealing with health issues adversely affects the poor and rural population, lowering their productivity and limiting their lifetime achievements. Without substantially improved health outcomes it is impossible to break out of the cycle of poverty [OECD (2003)]

Biosynthesis and in vivo wound healing abilities of Dactyloctenium aegyptium-mediated silver nanoparticles used as hydrogel dressing

Wounds offer a medium for the growth of pathogens and their entry into the body, which necessitates effective wound healing treatments. Herein, we report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Dactyloctenium aegyptium extract as a capping and reducing agent for wound healing applications. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and in vitro antibacterial activity. Nanoparticles were then incorporated into PVA, Na-alginate, and gelatin-based hydrogel dressings to investigate their in vivo wound healing capability in rats. The color change of the reaction mixture and the surface plasmon resonance (400 nm) confirmed the formation of AgNPs. FT-IR analysis revealed the involvement of plant extract phytochemicals in the capping and stabilization of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were crystalline in nature, with an average crystallite size of 28.03 nm and exhibited antibacterial activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and E. coli (ZOI 19 ± 0.0, 9 ± 0.0, 13 ± 0.0, and 13 ± 0.0 mm respectively). Furthermore, silver nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels showed accelerated wound healing in rats compared to untreated rats and rats treated with a commercial product. Thus, the developed hydrogel dressing has the potential for clinical application in wound healing and infection treatment

ESBL DETERMINATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERN OF KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE AMONGST PATIENTS AT PIMS ISLAMABAD

Background: A number of life threatening infections due to various bacterial pathogens are major cause of death in Pakistan. In a situation like the other developing countries, there is a general increase in the drug resistance due to the irrational use of the antibiotics. The present study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and development of resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae against commonly used antibiotics. Methods and Materials: A total of 200 samples from different wards of the hospitals were received by the pathology laboratory of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, which comprised of urine 65, blood 50 and other miscellaneous samples from various sources. Klebsiella pneumoniae was isolated and characterized using morphological, cultural, and biochemical methods and were further confirmed by using commercially available API 20E kit. The isolates were subjected to culture sensitivity test using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results: The organism was found to be the most prevalent Gram-negative bacilli. K. pneumoniae showed highest resistance against coamoxiclav and cephalosporins. Conclusion: The study revealed that ESBL producing strains were resistant to most of the beta-lactam antibiotics. This trend therefore has become a significant problem and can be controlled with continued surveillance or monitoring for rationally improved antibiotics usage, in order to prevent the drug resistance and re-emergence of infection

Frequency of BCR-ABL Gene Translocation in B-ALL Patients Associated with Clinicopathological Parameters

Background: B-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for 25% of childhood malignancies. Chromosomal abnormalities like translocations lead to the formation of oncogenes, some of which are strong predictors of prognosis and response to anti-leukemic therapy. This study aimed to find out the frequency of BCR-ABL gene translocation in B-ALL patients by fluorescence in situhybridization (FISH) and its association with their clinicopathological parameters. Methods: Patients (n=150) aged 1-17 years with a confirmed diagnosis of B-ALL were selected. Peripheral blood and/or bone marrow aspirate samples were obtained and Breakpoint cluster region-Abelson murine leukemia viral oncogene (BCR-ABL) translocation by FISH was observed. The patient’s demographics, hemoglobin levels, total leucocytes count, platelet count, FISH results, CNS status and risk stratification were recorded. Data was stratified and the Chi-square test was applied, p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 100 (66.67%) males and 50 (33.33%) females. The average age of the patients was 7.03±4.51 years. The frequency of BCR-ABL translocation in B-ALL was 16(10%). A significant association was found between age and BCR-ABL translocation (p-value 0.05). Conclusion: The frequency of BCR-ABL translocation in B-ALL was significantly high in the targeted population. FISH improves detection of the BCR-ABL translocation in either metaphase or interphase cells. Therefore, BCR-ABL expression can be considered as a prognostic approach and assist in effective treatment planning and better management of these children. Keywords: Leukemia; In Situ Hybridization; Fluorescence; Pathology

Characterizations of novel pesticide-degrading bacterial strains from industrial wastes found in the industrial cities of Pakistan and their biodegradation potential

Background Lack of infrastructure for disposal of effluents in industries leads to severe pollution of natural resources in developing countries. These pollutants accompanied by solid waste are equally hazardous to biological growth. Natural attenuation of these pollutants was evidenced that involved degradation by native microbial communities. The current study encompasses the isolation of pesticide-degrading bacteria from the vicinity of pesticide manufacturing industries. Methods The isolation and identification of biodegrading microbes was done. An enrichment culture technique was used to isolate the selected pesticide-degrading bacteria from industrial waste. Results Around 20 different strains were isolated, among which six isolates showed significant pesticide biodegrading activity. After 16S rRNA analysis, two isolated bacteria were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii (5B) and Acidothiobacillus ferroxidans, and the remaining four were identified as different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1A, 2B, 3C, 4D). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed their evolution from a common ancestor. All strains showed distinctive degradation ability up to 36 hours. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains 1A and 4D showed highest degradation percentage of about 80% for DDT, and P. aeruginosa strain 3C showed highest degradation percentage, i.e., 78% for aldrin whilst in the case of malathion, A. baumannii and A. ferroxidans have shown considerable degradation percentages of 53% and 54%, respectively. Overall, the degradation trend showed that all the selected strains can utilize the given pesticides as sole carbon energy sources even at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Conclusion This study provided strong evidence for utilizing these strains to remove persistent residual pesticide; thus, it gives potential for soil treatment and restoration

Synthesis, spectral characterization and bioactivity evaluation of sulfonamide derivatives of p-nitrobenzene sulfonylchloride

1375-1383A simple and convenient method for the synthesis of biologically active sulfonamide derivatives of p-nitrobenzene sulfonylchloride has been achieved. All the title compounds have been characterized by spectral and elemental analysis. They have been further screened in vitro for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. All the compounds show good to moderate activity against both bacteria and fungi when compared with standard bactericide, Streptomycin and fungicide, Nystatin