The Nexus between Inflation and Inflation Uncertainty of four South Asian Economies

This study data have been taken from World Bank side during the time span from 1989 to 2016. This study explores the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The EGARCH model is used to check the inflation uncertainty among four countries. The asymmetric behavior of inflation uncertainty has also been found by this method. The granger causality test is used to check the direction between inflation and inflation uncertainty. The result of this study showed that there were positive shocks among all the developing countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The results of Granger Causality test showed that bi-directional causality exists between inflation and inflation uncertainty in south Asian economies

The Nexus between Inflation and Inflation Uncertainty of four South Asian Economies

This study data have been taken from World Bank side during the time span from 1989 to 2016. This study explores the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The EGARCH model is used to check the inflation uncertainty among four countries. The asymmetric behavior of inflation uncertainty has also been found by this method. The granger causality test is used to check the direction between inflation and inflation uncertainty. The result of this study showed that there were positive shocks among all the developing countries such as Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The results of Granger Causality test showed that bi-directional causality exists between inflation and inflation uncertainty in south Asian economies

A comparison of four fibrosis indexes in chronic HCV: Development of new fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C can lead to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. We compared readily available non-invasive fibrosis indexes for the fibrosis progression discrimination to find a better combination of existing non-invasive markers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We studied 157 HCV infected patients who underwent liver biopsy. In order to differentiate HCV fibrosis progression, readily available AAR, APRI, FI and FIB-4 serum indexes were tested in the patients. We derived a new fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) comprised of ALP, bilirubin, serum albumin and platelet count. FCI = [(ALP × Bilirubin) / (Albumin × Platelet count)].</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Already established serum indexes AAR, APRI, FI and FIB-4 were able to stage liver fibrosis with correlation coefficient indexes 0.130, 0.444, 0.578 and 0.494, respectively. Our new fibrosis cirrhosis index FCI significantly correlated with the histological fibrosis stages F0-F1, F2-F3 and F4 (r = 0.818, p < 0.05) with AUROCs 0.932 and 0.996, respectively. The sensitivity and PPV of FCI at a cutoff value < 0.130 for predicting fibrosis stage F0-F1 was 81% and 82%, respectively with AUROC 0.932. Corresponding value of FCI at a cutoff value ≥1.25 for the prediction of cirrhosis was 86% and 100%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI) accurately predicted fibrosis stages in HCV infected patients and seems more efficient than frequently used serum indexes.</p

Estimation and Validation of Adapted Household Food Insecurity Access Scale in Lahore – Pakistan

Purpose: Food insecurity is not only the problem of all developing countries but developed countries are also facing this issue especially after COVID-19. Food security is the combination of food availability, accessibility and utilization. However, the food accessibility is associated with household income and wealth. Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) developed by USAID is a tool for measuring prevalence of food insecurity. HFIAS treats food insecurity as a condition that can be identified and measured by experiences and behavioral responses that appear to be common for low income households. Current study is meant for the estimation and validation of HFIAS in the context of Pakistan, and to look for the relationship between food insecurity and socio-economic characteristics of the community. Methodology: A dedicated survey was conducted in Peri-urban areas of Lahore district from January to February, 2021. Responses from 316 households were recorded on a structured questionnaire which was adapted from HFIAS due to cultural context and socio economic conditions.  Findings: Results showed that 30.2% of the households were food secure whereas 22.3% were mildly food insecure, 40.2% were moderately food insecure and 7.3% were severely food insecure. HFIAS was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.684). Policy Implication: HFIAS is a valid and reliable tool to measure the food accessibility at the household level in Pakistan

Potential of Azotobacter vinelandii Khsr1 as bio-inoculant

The present study deals with the isolation and characterization of Azotobacter vinelandii Khsr1 from roots of the weed, Chrysopogon aucheri, commonly known as golden beard grass indigenous to Khewra salt range, Pakistan and its evaluation as bio-inoculant. The population of the isolate varied from 107 to 108 cfu/g fresh weight of root. The preliminary identification of the isolate was made on the basis of carbon/nitrogen source utilization pattern as revealed by QTS-24 miniaturized identification system test which placed the isolate to the genus Azotobacter. The 16S-rRNA partial sequence analysis confirmed the isolate as A. vinelandii strain Khsr1. The 556 long nucleotide sequence of the isolate showed 98% similarity with A. vinelandii DJ (accession no. 012560.1). The isolate was capable of producing phytohormones: indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid, trans-zeatin riboside and abscisic acid in culture supernatant, stimulated growth of Zea mays L. seedlings and augmented proline content of roots and shoots both under normal and NaCl stressed conditions. However, the magnitude of stimulation is higher under un-stressed condition.Key words: Azotobacter vinelandii Khsr1, phytohormones production, growth stimulation, salinity stress

Inhibition of core gene of HCV 3a genotype using synthetic and vector derived siRNAs

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of liver associated diseases throughout the world, with genotype 3a responsible for most of the cases in Pakistan. Due to the limited efficiency of current therapy, RNA interference (RNAi) a novel regulatory and powerful silencing approach for molecular therapeutics through a sequence-specific RNA degradation process represents an alternative option.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The current study was purposed to assess and explore the possibility of RNAi to silence the HCV-3a Core gene expression, which play complex role in regulation of cell growth and host genes expression essential for infectivity and disease progression. To identify the potent siRNA target sites, 5 small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against Core gene were designed and <it>in </it><it>vitro </it>transcribed after consensus sequence analysis of different HCV-3a isolates. Antiviral effects of siRNAs showed upto 80% inhibition of Core gene expression by different siRNAs into Huh-7 cells as compared with Mock transfected and control siRNAs treated cells. For long lasting effect of siRNAs, vector based short hairpin siRNAs (shRNAs) were designed and tested against HCV-3a Core which resulted in a similar pattern of inhibition on RNA and protein expression of HCV Core as synthetic siRNAs. Furthermore, the efficacy of cell culture tested siRNA and shRNA, were evaluated for inhibition of HCV replication in HCV infected serum inoculated Huh-7 cells and a significant decrease in HCV viral copy number was observed.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results support the possibility of using consensus siRNA and shRNA-based molecular therapy as a promising strategy in effective inhibition of HCV-3a genotype.</p

Physicians in Cyberspace: Finding Boundaries

10.1353/asb.2016.0023Asian Bioethics Review84272-28

Spatial Analysis of Vegetation Cover in Urban Green Space under New Government Agenda of Clean and Green Pakistan to Tackle Climate Change

Shrinkage of urban green space has led to the disruption of the ecological balance. Population growth, industrial expansion, development activities and land encroachment reduce the vegetation cover of metropolitan cities including Lahore, Pakistan. Presently, Lahore is on top of all metropolitan cities in the world having worst air quality index (AQI). Thus, monitoring of the vegetation cover in urban areas is the ultimate need of the day for the conservation and protection of environment which is also the agenda of new government (Clean and Green Pakistan). Besides, Honorable Lahore High Court has also passed an order to plant trees in the oldest and biggest graveyard of Lahore to tackle the climate change issue. Considering the above-mentioned facts, the current research was carried out for the first time in Lahore, Pakistan to analyze the vegetation cover using spatio-temporal technique. For vegetation cover assessment, spatial techniques were used in the present study viz. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Transformed Normalized Vegetation Index (TNDVI), Difference Vegetation Index (DVI) and supervised classification. On the basis of high magnitude of smog and air pollution issue, four recent years were selected, i.e. 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 to observe ground reality. The results of the study revealed the depletion of vegetation cover in cemeteries at an alarming rate. Furthermore, the results of study revealed no significant change in green cover in Miani Sahib after the passing order of Lahore High Court of plantation in the graveyard

Ionic liquid as a potential solvent for preparation of collagen-alginate-hydroxyapatite beads as bone filler

© 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. In this study, collagen/alginate/hydroxyapatite beads having different proportions were prepared as bone fillers for the restoration of osteological defects. Ionic liquid was used to dissolve the collagen and subsequently the solution was mixed with sodium alginate solution. Hydroxyapatite was added in different proportions, with the rationale to enhance mechanical as well as biological properties. The prepared solutions were given characteristic bead shapes by dropwise addition into calcium chloride solution. The prepared beads were characterized using FTIR, XRD, TGA and SEM analysis. Microhardness testing was used to evaluate the mechanical properties. The prepared beads were investigated for water adsorption behavior to ascertain its ability for body fluid uptake and adjusted accordingly to the bone cavity. Drug loading and subsequently the antibacterial activity was investigated for the prepared beads. The biocompatibility was assessed using the hemolysis testing and cell proliferation assay. The prepared collagen-alginate-HA beads, having biocompatibility and good mechanical properties, have showed an option of promising biologically active bone fillers for bone regeneration