TAXONOMIC AND OTOLITH SHAPE PARAMETERS OF NINE SYMPATRIC CATFISHES COMMERCIALLY HARVESTED IN PAKISTAN

Točna reorganizacija uzgojnih vrsta ključna je za odgovarajuće praćenje ribarstva, ali se često na bilježi. U ovoj studiji pokušalo se dati točan opis vrsta na temelju taksonomije riba i parametara oblika otolita devet vrsta morskih somova iz Pakistana. Lapilus, najveći otolit somova, uključuje položaj umba, strukturu prednje mezijalne projekcije (amp), incisura linea basalis (ilb) i oznake sulcus lapilli (slm) kod devet ariidnih somova. Analiza diskriminativne funkcije provedena je pomoću dvadeset i dva morfometrijska parametra devet vrsta, a pokazala je značajne varijacije između duljine maksilarih brkova, adipozne duljine i preorbitalne duljine, koji su istaknuti kao osnovni diskriminirajući znakovi. Za vrste bez brkova, kao što su Batrachocephalus mino i Osteogeneiosus militaris, utvrđeno je da su udaljene. Taksonomska svojstva rodova Netuma i Plicofollis preklapaju se zbog kratke duljine masne peraje. Ipak, vrste Arius arius, Sciades sona i Nemapterxy caelatus razlikovale su se po umjerenoj duljini masne peraje. Preorbitalna duljina Netuma bilineata ima kratku i zaobljenu njušku, dok N. thalassina ima dugu i šiljastu njušku, što je karakteristika obje vrste. Podudarna upotreba taksonomije riba i parametara oblika otolita učinkovit je alat za identifikaciju soma koji pomaže u odgovarajućim programima uzorkovanja i upravljanju ribarstvom u Pakistanu.Accurate reorganization of harvested species is essential for appropriate fisheries monitoring but is often unnoticed. In this study, an attempt was made to provide an accurate species description based on fish taxonomy and otolith shape parameters of nine sea catfishes living in Pakistan. The lapillus, the largest otolith of catfishes, includes the position of the umbo, the structure of the anterior mesial projection (amp), the incisura linea basalis (ilb) and sulcus lapilli marks (slm) in nine ariid catfishes. Discriminant function analysis was performed using twenty-two morphometric parameters of nine species, and showed significant variations between the length of the maxillary barbel, adipose length and preorbital length, which were highlighted as basic discriminating characters. Species without barbells, such as Batrachocephalus mino and Osteogeneiosus militaris, were found to be distant. The taxonomic characters of the genera Netuma and Plicofollis overlapped due to a short adipose fin length. Nevertheless, species Arius arius, Sciades sona and Nemapterxy caelatus differed in a moderate adipose fin length. The preorbital length of Netuma bilineata has a short and rounded snout, while N. thalassina has a long and pointed snout, which is a distinguishing characteristic of both species. The coincident use of fish taxonomy and otolith shape parameters is an effective tool for catfish identification which helps in appropriate fisheries sampling programs and management in Pakistan whenever implemented

Bacteriological study of food in the Pakistan’s peri-urban areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad

In order to ascertain the food quality for human consumption the bacteriological analysis was carried out in a prospective study in collaboration with National Institute of Health, Islamabad. The surveillance work was conducted during the months of July to August peak summer season to evaluate the objective parameters for assessment of the bacteriological and hygienic status of food being consumed in the peri-urban area of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Out of a total of 91 samples, the various bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, fungal species were isolated and identified using standard cultural and biochemical methods. It was observed that in total food samples, 25.5% were positive for E. coli, 16.6% for S. aureus and 11.1% for Salmonella species. This study highlighted the poor hygienic conditions for the food quality standards in the area of investigation. It was concluded that the food related endemic health concerns can be checked by taking appropriate preventive measures to forestall the outbreaks of gastroenteritis and food poisoning in the future as a serious health problem.Keywords: Faecal coliforms, total viable count, total plate count

Association of Stress, Knowledge Management, and Change with Organizational Effectiveness in Education Sector of Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of organizational stress, knowledge management, and organizational change on organizational effectiveness. A valid questionnaire was distributed to administrative staff and faculty members of different educational institutes. 100 questionnaires were distributed in public and private educational sectors. 75 complete questionnaires were received at response rate of 75%. A non probability random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Pearson’s moment correlation and linear regression was applied to study the relationship between organizational stress, knowledge management, organizational change and organizational effectiveness. Results show significant relationship of factors and positive impact on organizational effectiveness. This research also discusses practical implicatios and research limitations.&nbsp

Perspective of Speech Language Pathologists Regarding Stammering Therapy Techniques: SLP Perspective

Objective: To find the perspective of speech language pathologists regarding therapeutic techniques of stammering in Pakistan Methodology: It was a cross sectional survey to find the Perspective of Speech Language Pathologist regarding two most common stammering therapeutic approaches fluency shaping and stammering modification therapy. Convenient sampling technique was used for this purpose. Graduated Speech and Language pathologist were considered in the study. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed through expert opinion and literature review, consisting of two phases and 24 questions. Data was collected through online sources, the sample size of 120 Speech Language Pathologists was considered in the study. SPSS was used for statistical analysis and EndNote was used for referencing. Results: Results showed that there is significant awareness of stammering at 73.6%, but the preference difference between two therapeutic approaches was not that substantial, Stammering Modification Therapy was given preference standing at 51.5% which roughly same as that of Fluency Shaping Therapy was given preference at 48.5%.  Conclusion: It is concluded that both therapeutic approaches fluency shaping and stammering modification therapy showed the same rate of efficacy and both are being used by the Speech Language Pathologist to reduce the rate of stammering. Keywords: Stammering, Fluency Shaping, Stammering Modification, Treatment approaches

A cost-effective o-toulidine-based Schiff base as an efficient sorbent for metal ion uptake from aqueous and soil samples: Synthesis, antimicrobial, and acute toxicity analyses

Heavy metals create serious health problems, so the practical implementation and development of low-cost sorbent materials to remove heavy metals from the ecosystem is a worldwide issue. The purpose of this study is to find a low-cost ligand that has the potential to adsorb heavy metals from aqueous and soil samples and also has biological potential. For this, a Schiff base, dimeric o-toluidine (SBL), has been synthesized through condensation, characterized by spectroscopic analysis, and had its biological activities measured. We also studied its adsorption efficiency through a batch technique to remove Zn(II), Co(II), and Cu(II) from aqueous and soil samples under different conditions such as metal ion concentration, pH, contact time, and SBL concentration. The adsorption potential of SBL was analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The values of correlation coefficients revealed that the Freundlich isotherm elucidated results that were more appropriable than the Langmuir model. Adsorption equilibrium was established in 90 min for aqueous samples and in 1,440 min for soil samples. For the maximum adsorption of all metals, the optimum pH was 8, and it showed a capacity to remove 77 to 95 percent of metals from the samples. The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of SBL were 75.75, 62.50, and 9.17 mg g-1 in the case of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions, respectively, from aqueous samples and 10.95, 64.10, and 88.49 mg g-1 in the case of Zn(II), Cu (II), and Co(II), respectively, from soil samples. The effectiveness of SBL in the sorption of the selected metals was found to be Cu+2 > Zn+2 > Co+2 for aqueous samples and Co+2 > Cu+2 > Zn+2 for soil samples. The antimicrobial activity of SBL was also investigated. The results revealed that SBL showed moderate inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus dysentria, C. albican, and Aspergillus niger, whereas it exhibited weak activity against S. aureus, P. aureginosa, K. pneumoniae, P. vulgaris, and E.coli when compared to Fluconazole and Ciprofloxacin as the standard. Acute toxicity of the synthesized compound was measured through its daily oral administration with various doses ranging from 0.1 to 1,000 mg/kg of the mice’s body weights. Even at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg, the SBL showed no mortality or any type of general behavioral change in the treated mice. Based on preparation cost, metal removal capacity, toxicity, and antimicrobial activities, SBL is an excellent sorbent and should be studied at pilot scale levels

Human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections in breast cancer from chile

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) have been found in breast carcinomas (BCs) around the world. In this study, fifty-five BCs from Chile were analyzed for HPV and EBV presence. In addition, HPV-16 viral load/physical status and E6/E7 expressions were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The amplification of a housekeeping gene showed that 46/55 samples (84%) had amplifiable DNA. HPV-16 was detected in 4/46 BCs (8.7%) and EBV was detected in 3/46 (6.5%) BCs. The analysis of HPV-16 physical status showed that this virus was integrated in all of the tumors with a relatively low viral load (range: 0.14 to 33.8 copies/cell). E6 and E7 transcripts, however, were not detected in any HPV-16 positive specimens. Using a Cox-regression model, we found a statistically significant association between EBV presence and poor survival (p = 0.013).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings in this study suggest that it is unlikely that HPV and/or EBV play a direct role in the etiology of BC.</p

Effects of a high-dose 24-h infusion of tranexamic acid on death and thromboembolic events in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding (HALT-IT): an international randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background: Tranexamic acid reduces surgical bleeding and reduces death due to bleeding in patients with trauma. Meta-analyses of small trials show that tranexamic acid might decrease deaths from gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to assess the effects of tranexamic acid in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: We did an international, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 164 hospitals in 15 countries. Patients were enrolled if the responsible clinician was uncertain whether to use tranexamic acid, were aged above the minimum age considered an adult in their country (either aged 16 years and older or aged 18 years and older), and had significant (defined as at risk of bleeding to death) upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients were randomly assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Patients received either a loading dose of 1 g tranexamic acid, which was added to 100 mL infusion bag of 0·9% sodium chloride and infused by slow intravenous injection over 10 min, followed by a maintenance dose of 3 g tranexamic acid added to 1 L of any isotonic intravenous solution and infused at 125 mg/h for 24 h, or placebo (sodium chloride 0·9%). Patients, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. The primary outcome was death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation; analysis excluded patients who received neither dose of the allocated treatment and those for whom outcome data on death were unavailable. This trial was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN11225767, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01658124. Findings: Between July 4, 2013, and June 21, 2019, we randomly allocated 12 009 patients to receive tranexamic acid (5994, 49·9%) or matching placebo (6015, 50·1%), of whom 11 952 (99·5%) received the first dose of the allocated treatment. Death due to bleeding within 5 days of randomisation occurred in 222 (4%) of 5956 patients in the tranexamic acid group and in 226 (4%) of 5981 patients in the placebo group (risk ratio [RR] 0·99, 95% CI 0·82–1·18). Arterial thromboembolic events (myocardial infarction or stroke) were similar in the tranexamic acid group and placebo group (42 [0·7%] of 5952 vs 46 [0·8%] of 5977; 0·92; 0·60 to 1·39). Venous thromboembolic events (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) were higher in tranexamic acid group than in the placebo group (48 [0·8%] of 5952 vs 26 [0·4%] of 5977; RR 1·85; 95% CI 1·15 to 2·98). Interpretation: We found that tranexamic acid did not reduce death from gastrointestinal bleeding. On the basis of our results, tranexamic acid should not be used for the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding outside the context of a randomised trial

Early-infantile onset epilepsy and developmental delay caused by bi-allelic GAD1 variants.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate are the most abundant amino acid neurotransmitters in the brain. GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, is synthesized by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). Its predominant isoform GAD67, contributes up to ∼90% of base-level GABA in the CNS, and is encoded by the GAD1 gene. Disruption of GAD1 results in an imbalance of inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, and as Gad1-/- mice die neonatally of severe cleft palate, it has not been possible to determine any potential neurological dysfunction. Furthermore, little is known about the consequence of GAD1 disruption in humans. Here we present six affected individuals from six unrelated families, carrying bi-allelic GAD1 variants, presenting with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by early-infantile onset epilepsy and hypotonia with additional variable non-CNS manifestations such as skeletal abnormalities, dysmorphic features and cleft palate. Our findings highlight an important role for GAD1 in seizure induction, neuronal and extraneuronal development, and introduce GAD1 as a new gene associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy