‘Violating my home boundaries makes me dislike my job’: a multiple mediation model

The purpose of this study is to understand negative outcomes of boundary violation events or interruptions at home in which the work life crosses the home boundaries. In the line of boundary theory and affective events theory, the aim of this study is to analyze the effect of daily events of boundary violations at home on work interference with family (WIF). Moreover, incorporating the ego depletion theory, we study the impact of WIF on an individual’s emotional state (i.e., emotional exhaustion), and the impact of emotional exhaustion on job satisfaction. The data were collected through questionnaires (daily diary method for boundary violations and at one point in time for other variables) from the manufacturing (textile) sector of Pakistan. The results indicate a direct negative effect of average boundary violations at home on job satisfaction and an indirect negative impact through the sequential mediation of WIF and emotional exhaustion. Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed

Survey on the use of synthetic Food Colors in Food Samples procured from different educational institutes of Karachi city

The present study was carried out to find the type of food colors added to various food products especially those vended at or near different educational institutes of Karachi city. Different types of food items were analysed for isolation and identification of the added synthetic food colors. The majority of branded food items contained permitted colors however some foods manufactured locally, contained non-permitted colors. About 11% branded and 44% unbranded food items, respectively, were found with not permitted colors for human consumption. Similarly, 4% branded and 30% unbranded beverages were found unfit due to the presence of prohibited colors. Incidences of the use of non-permitted food colors were higher in case of unorganized food makers. Constant vigilance is needed to ensure that the local manufacturers comply with the regulations of food colors not only in terms of non-permitted food colors but also about the control and limits of permitted food colors. Moreover, consumption of colored food items should also be controlled by making the society aware of the hazardous effects of food colors

Intrauterine growth retardation - small events, big consequences

Intrauterine growth retardation refers to a rate of growth of a fetus that is less than normal for the growth potential of a fetus (for that particular gestational age). As one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity, intrauterine growth retardation has immense implications for the short term and long term growth of children. It is an important public health concern in the developing countries. Health statistics encompassing parameters for maternal and child health in the Indian subcontinent have shown improvement in the past few years but they are still far from perfect. Maternal health, education and empowerment bears a strong influence on perinatal outcomes including intrauterine growth retardation and should be the primary focus of any stratagem targeted at reducing the incidence of intrauterine growth retardation. A concerted liaison of various medical and social disciplines is imperative in this regard

Association of obesity with infertility among Pakistani men: A case control study

Background: The reported prevalence of infertility in Pakistan is 21% of which 35% is contributed by male factor. Male infertility has multifactorial etiologies ranging from modifiable to genetic risk factors. Among all the risk factors that may account for male infertility, obesity is one of the emerging public health problems. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the association of obesity with infertility in Pakistani men.Methods: We conducted a case control study. Cases were men with impaired semen parameters and controls did not have impaired semen parameters.Results: The final multivariable logistic regression model after adjusting for the effect of other variables revealed that with every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI the odds of being infertile was 6% higher as compared to being fertile (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.11). Moreover the odds of having education of higher secondary or above was 3 times greater among cases as compared with the controls (OR = 3.10; 95% CI = 1.66, 5.77). Furthermore the odds of having previous medical conditions increasing the risk of infertility was higher among cases as compared with the controls (OR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.63, 5.79).Conclusion & recommendations: This study indicates that obesity is an important risk factor for male infertility. Moreover our findings also indicate that higher educational status and previous medical conditions are also associated with male infertility. Thus awareness can be raised through treating physicians and public health messages

Efficacy of Topical 0.05% Isotretinoin Gel Versus 0.1% Adapalene Gel in The Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne Vulgaris

Objective: To compare the efficacy of topical 0.05% Isotretinoin gel versus 0.1% Adapalene gel in treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Study Design: Quasi-Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi Pakistan, From Feb to Jul 2018. Methodology: A total of ninety-two patients aged 12 to 25 years with mild to moderate facial acne vulgaris were enrolled and divided into two treatment Groups, Group-A (0.05% Isotretinoin Gel) and Group-B (0.1% Adapalene Gel). Efficacy was measured at 12 weeks post-treatment. Results: Treatment was found efficacious in 84.8% (n=39/46) of patients in Group-A and 50.0% (n=23/46) of patients in Group-B (p= 0.001). There were similar results when treatment efficacy in both Groups was disease severity. In all cases,efficacy was better in Group-A (p<0.05). Conclusions: The efficacy of topical 0.05% Isotretinoin gel was better than topical 0.1% Adapalene gel for treating mild to moderate acne vulgaris

Impact of duration of antibiotic prophylaxis on rates of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing mastectomy without immediate reconstruction, comparing a single prophylactic dose versus continued antibiotic prophylaxis postoperatively: A multicentre, double-blinded randomised control trial protocol

Introduction: In breast surgeries, prophylactic antibiotics given before the surgical incision as per Joint Commission Surgical Care Improvement Project guidelines have been shown to decrease the rate of postoperative infections. There is, however, no clear consensus on postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing mastectomy with indwelling drains. This trial protocol proposes to study the difference in rates of surgical site infection (SSI) with or without continuation of postoperative antibiotics in patients undergoing mastectomy without immediate reconstruction and with indwelling drains.Methods and analysis: In this multicentre, double-blinded clinical trial, all patients undergoing mastectomy (without immediate reconstruction) will receive a single prophylactic dose of preoperative antibiotics at induction of anaesthesia and will then get randomised to either continue antibiotic prophylaxis or a placebo postoperatively, for the duration of indwelling drains. The primary and secondary outcomes will be development of an SSI and antibiotic-associated adverse effects, respectively. Data will be collected through a standard questionnaire by wound assessors. Intention-to-treat analysis will be carried out using STATA V.12. For categorical variables, frequencies and percentages will be assessed by χ2 test/Fisher\u27s exact test as appropriate. The quantitative variables will be computed by their mean±SD or median (IQR) and will be assessed by independent t-test/Mann-Whitney test as appropriate. Unadjusted and adjusted relative risk with their 95% CI will be reported using Cox proportional regression. A p value of \u3c0.05 will be considered statistically significant.Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from each site\u27s Ethical Review Board. The study background and procedure will be explained to the study participants and informed consent will be obtained. Participation in the study is voluntary. All data will be deidentified and kept confidential. The study findings will be published in scientific media and authorship guidelines of International Committee of Medical Journal Editors will be followed.Trial registration number: NCT04577846. (patient recruitment)

DEVELOPMENT, FABRICATION, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF INDIRECT MULTI-PORTIONED TYPE SOLAR DRYER FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to minimize post-harvest damages and improve the handling of agricultural commodities. The secondary objective was to assess the performance of the dryer by varying inlet velocity of air on temperature, final moisture of the product, drying period, and drying rate METHODS: The present research was carried out for the development, fabrication, and testing of a multi-portioned type solar dryer. The multi-portioned dryer consisted of a collector unit, air storage chamber, drying cabins, and a chimney. A fan assembly was also attached at the inlet of the collector and at the outlet of the drying compartment to control the air velocity and to remove the moist air. RESULTS: The data obtained from the experiments revealed that the maximum temperature elevation of 36.5oC was attained during a no-load test. The results obtained after carrying out load tests revealed that the maximum drying rate of 47 g/hr was achieved at the air inlet velocity of 3.2 m/s. The initial moisture content of 80.50% was brought down to 3.31% in five sunshine hours of 150 gram sliced potatoes. Each portion received air at varying speeds, and it was observed that the portion receiving air at the lowest speed had the maximum temperature. CONCLUSION: The lowest temperature elevation was recorded for the portion receiving air at the highest speed. The dryer was also found to be suitable for the on-field practical application for the drying of perishable commodities