Diabetes self management: education can make a difference

Background: According to current figures in Pakistan 7.1 million people suffer from diabetes, making it the seventh highest population of diabetic patients in the world .Education is the cornerstone of diabetes care. Lack of awareness can lead to patients suffering from diabetes complications. This project was conducted to determine the knowledge and practices of the patients and make them indepent through continue education so they can participate their Diabetes management programme. Objective: To evaluate the impact and effectiveness of a structured multidisciplinary group education programme for diabetic patients about their disease; psychosocial factors and lifestyle measures. Method: This data was collected from endocrine clinic at the Aga Khan University hospital from year 2011- 2012. A total number of 17 patients, 8 males and 9females, 3 with type-1 and 14 with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the project .Data was retrieved from pre & post questionnaire sheets which were recorded during patients visit in the “Diabetes Modular Classes”. The questionnaire was designed which contained10 questions about of Diabetes, ranging from the correct knowledge about disease, misconception regarding dietary measures, sign& symptoms of hypo & hyperglycemia & the normal values of their targets. Result: The comparison of pre and post knowledge assessment of approx 17 patients, who attended all four modules, revealed that their pre knowledge score were 67.6% where as their post results after attended all sessions were 87.3%. Conclusion: Comparison of pre & post quiz results shows that multidisciplinary well planned group education programme have better impact on patient’s .The knowledge impart via these classes make patients independent regarding their self management of disease process & life style modification Keywords: Diabetes, Hypoglycemia, Hyperglycemia, Multidisciplinary structured grou

The role of genomic islands in Escherichia coli K1 interactions with intestinal and kidney epithelial cells

The completion of Escherichia coli K1 genome has identified several genomic islands that are present in meningitis-causing E. coli RS218 but absent in the non-pathogenic E. coli MG1655. In this study, the role of various genomic islands in E. coli K1 interactions with intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) and kidney epithelial cells (MA104) was determined. Using association assays, invasion assays, and intracellular survival assays, the findings revealed that the genomic island deletion mutants of RS218 related to P fimbriae, S fimbriae, F17-like fimbriae, non-fimbrial adhesins, Hek and hemagglutinin, protein secretion system (T1SS for hemolysin; T2SS; T5SS for antigen 43), Iro system and hmu system), invasins (CNF1, IbeA), toxins (alpha-hemolysin), K1 capsule biosynthesis, metabolism (d-serine catabolism, dihydroxyacetone, glycerol, and glyoxylate metabolism), prophage genes, showed reduced interactions with both cell types. Next, we determined the role of various genomic islands in E. coli K1 resistance to serum. When exposed to the normal human serum, the viability of the genomic island deletion mutants related to adhesins such as S fimbriae, P fimbriae, F17-like fimbriae, non-fimbrial adhesins, Hek and hemagglutinin, antigen 43 and T5SS for antigen 43, T2SS, and T1SS for hemolysin, Iro system and hmu system, prophage genes, metabolism (sugar metabolism and d-serine catabolism), K1 capsule biosynthesis, and invasins such as CNF1 was affected, suggesting their role in bacteremia. The characterization of these genomic islands should reveal mechanisms of E. coli K1 pathogenicity that could be of value as therapeutic targets

The role of genomic islands in Escherichia coli K1 interactions with intestinal and kidney epithelial cells

The completion of Escherichia coli K1 genome has identified several genomic islands that are present in meningitis-causing E. coli RS218 but absent in the non-pathogenic E. coli MG1655. In this study, the role of various genomic islands in E. coli K1 interactions with intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) and kidney epithelial cells (MA104) was determined. Using association assays, invasion assays, and intracellular survival assays, the findings revealed that the genomic island deletion mutants of RS218 related to P fimbriae, S fimbriae, F17-like fimbriae, non-fimbrial adhesins, Hek and hemagglutinin, protein secretion system (T1SS for hemolysin; T2SS; T5SS for antigen 43), Iro system and hmu system), invasins (CNF1, IbeA), toxins (α-hemolysin), K1 capsule biosynthesis, metabolism (d-serine catabolism, dihydroxyacetone, glycerol, and glyoxylate metabolism), prophage genes, showed reduced interactions with both cell types. Next, we determined the role of various genomic islands in E. coli K1 resistance to serum. When exposed to the normal human serum, the viability of the genomic island deletion mutants related to adhesins such as S fimbriae, P fimbriae, F17-like fimbriae, non-fimbrial adhesins, Hek and hemagglutinin, antigen 43 and T5SS for antigen 43, T2SS, and T1SS for hemolysin, Iro system and hmu system, prophage genes, metabolism (sugar metabolism and d-serine catabolism), K1 capsule biosynthesis, and invasins such as CNF1 was affected, suggesting their role in bacteremia. The characterization of these genomic islands should reveal mechanisms of E. coli K1 pathogenicity that could be of value as therapeutic targets

A preliminary study on aquatic insect diversity and abundance in relation to fluctuating physiochemical parameters of an artificial pond

This preliminary study was conducted from April to October 2019, and hold the first account to outline the diversity of aquatic insects with influence to the fluctuating physiochemical parameters in the pond of Sardar Bahadur Khan Women’s University Quetta. The collection of 722 individuals in total presented four orders (Hemiptera, Ephemeroptera, Diptera and Odonata) and seven families. These individuals were labeled to generic level as Gerris sp., Notonecta sp., Anopheles sp., Thaumalae sp., Sympetrum sp., Orthetrum sp. and Heptagenia sp. Shannon-Weinner diversity and Simpson’s diversity index revealed greater values for backswimmers and mayflies (Notonecta and Heptagenia sp.). Additionally, Margalef’s richness index was also recorded highest (1.163) for backs-swimmers. Amongst physiochemical parameters, water temperature was ordinated in Gaussian’s species packing model. This ordination illustrated wider curve for Notonecta sp. and narrower curve for Anopheles sp., suggesting the maximum and minimum tolerance (temperature) range for these species in this specific pond community. Water pH of the pond also altered slightly and ranged from 9.13- 10.3 during April to August. As of the total dissolve solids (TDS), this study observed a raised from 253.16 mg/L to 432.11 mg/L till the end. Since aquatic insects play vigorous role in the stability of aquatic ecosystems, more relevant studies are required to be conducted to evaluate the broader range of these insects

Evaluating the impact of Nalla Lai contamination on drinking quality of groundwater in Rawalpindi city, Pakistan

The scientific report assessed the impact of Nalla Lai wastewater on the groundwater quality of Rawalpindi city, Pakistan. A total of 19 wastewater and 49 groundwater samples were collected during September and October 2016 and have been analyzed in the laboratory to detect different water quality parameters. The results revealed that BOD (biological oxygen demand), COD (chemical oxygen demand), iron, and cadmium values in many wastewater samples were beyond the recommended value of the National Environmental Quality Standards 1997 (NEQs, 1997). In groundwater samples, the results of iron, cadmium, manganese, zinc, TDS (total dissolved solids), pH, color, and hardness were found elevated from the standard values in one or more samples as compared with the National Standard for Drinking Water Quality, 2010 (NSDWQ, 2010). The decreasing metal concentration order in groundwater samples was iron > zinc > manganese > copper > cadmium. Very interestingly, hardness was found at elevated levels in 75% of investigated groundwater samples. Microbiological contamination was detected in 83% of the analyzed groundwater samples. The study revealed the percolation of heavy metals and microbial contamination in the bore water, tube wells, hand pumps, springs, and hand-dug wells located nearby the Nalla Lai wastewater stream. HIGHLIGHTS This scientific study evaluates the impact of Nalla Lai wastewater stream on the groundwater quality.; BOD, COD, iron and cadmium, manganese, zinc, TDS, pH, color, and hardness concentration were detected elevated in one or more samples as compared with the National Standards.; Hardness was elevated in 75% samples and microbial contamination was investigated in 85% of the analyzed groundwater samples.