Prognostic Role of Optical Coherence Tomography in Outcome of Idiopathic full thickness Macular Hole Surgery

Abstract Purpose: To assess the prognostic value of Optical Coherence Tomography indices preoperatively in outcome of idiopathic full thickness macular hole surgery. Material & Methods:  A Quasi experimental study was carried out at Al Ibrahim eye hospital, Karachi from June 2019 to Feb 2020. Patients between 50 to 70 years of age, including both genders with full thickness idiopathic macular hole on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) were included while patients with secondary causes of macular hole like trauma, myopia, detachment of retina with macular hole, macular hole with other causes of poor vision like corneal scaring, Age related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy were excluded. OCT measurements are basal diameter, height of macular hole, right and left arm length and derived indices are macular hole index (MHI) and hole form factor (HFF). Results: A total 33 patients including 23 (69.6%) male and 10(30.3%) females of idiopathic full thickness macular hole were taken. Patients  mean age was 55.25±6.9. Among 33 patients, MHI (>0.5) was found in 21(63.6%) patients while 12 (36.3%) patients had MHI (< 0.5). In 25 patients HFF calculation was possible. 17(68%) patients had HFF (>0.9) while 8  (32%) patients had HFF (< 0.9). Anatomical and visual outcomes were assessed at 1st and 3rd month follow-up. Of 21 patients for MHI >0.5, vision improved (i.e. ≥ 6/18) in 15 (71.4%). Similarly, out of 17 patients for HFF > 0.9, 13 (76.47%) patients had improved vision post-operatively. Conclusion: Optical coherence tomography indices can be helpful to predict surgical outcomes of idiopathic full thickness macular hole surgery

Stock Market Reaction to Political Events (Evidence from Pakistan)

This study examines the impact of events of different nature like: political, natural calamities and terrorism on the share prices of the financial sector of Pakistan. A sample of 14 companies are selected randomly from the financial sector (Insurance and Banking) listed on the KSE-100 index. The time span is of four years i-e 2007-10. The data is analyzed through paired samples t-test statistics. The results indicate that events have significant impact on the stock prices and prices behave negatively when a major event emerges on national or international front. A joint effort is required from different individuals, stake holders, regulators, economists, investors, government and foreign officials to secure the effectiveness of the financial market in Pakistan from the curse of political pressure, terrorists and suicidal bombing which in return help in the prosperity of the country. To encourage and motivate the investors both domestically or internationally the governance system in country should be fair and transparent and secure environment would increase the morale of the investors. Keywords: Paired sample t-test statistics; Events study Method Approach, Stock Price

Epidemiology and Economic Benefits of Treating Goat Coccidiosis

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Eimeria species and to compare the efficacy of Toltrazuril and Amprolium against coccidosis. Of the total 121 fecal samples examined for Eimeria, 67 (55.99%) were found infected with four species of Eimeria. Amongst the identified species, E. ninakohlyakimovae was the commonest one (49.25%) followed were E. arloingi, E. caprina and E. hirci with prevalence of 44.78, 25.37 and 19.40%, respectively. Kids had significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence of Eimeria than adults. Higher prevalence of Eimeria was observed in female goats. Forty five Eimeria positive animals were randomly divided into three equal groups, i.e., groups A to C. Group A was treated with Amprolium (2g/40kg BW) and group B was treated with Toltrazuril (15mg/kg BW) for three days each while no drug was given to Group C. On day 7 post treatment, all goats of group B stopped shedding oocysts while 8 (53.33%) goats of group A stopped shedding oocysts. After the treatment, goats of group B gained 2.2 kg body weight over a period of 15 days compared 1.2 kg weight in group A. The lowest weight gain (0.5 kg) was in goats of group C (untreated control). No significant difference in milk yield of the three groups was recorded. It can be concluded that control of goat coccidiosis through single treatment of Toltrazuril is economically beneficial

Working Capital Management and Performance of SME Sector

The study investigates the influence of working capital management (WCM) on performance of small medium enterprises (SME’s) in Pakistan. The duration of the study is seven years from 2006 to 2012. The data used in this study was taken from different sources i.e. SMEDA, Karachi Stock Exchange, tax offices, company itself and Bloom burgee business week. Data of SME’s acquired from these sources forms the foundation of our calculation and then interpretation. As the data was gathered for a period of seven years i.e. 2006-2012, the reason for choosing this period was because of the availability of the latest data. The dependent variable of the study is Return on assets which is used as a proxy for profitability.  Independent variables were number of days account receivable, number of day’s inventory, cash conversion cycle (CCC) and number of days account payable. In addition to these variables some other variables were used which includes firm size, leverage and growth. Panal data technique is used to study the influence of WCM on profitability of SME’s. Results suggest that number of day’s accounts payable has positive association with profitability whereas average collection period, inventory turnover and CCC have inverse relation with performance. On the other hand the variable size and growth in sales has positive influence on profitability. In contrast debt ratio has negative impact on profitability. Keywords: Cash Conversion Cycle, Working Capital Management, SME’

Cost Benefits Analysis of Anthelmintic Treatment of Cattle and Buffaloes

A study was carried out to determine the point prevalence of various helminths of cattle and buffalo population of district Toba Tek Singh, Pakistan and economic benefits of deworming with oxyclozanide. Out of 540 fecal samples examined, 205 (37.96%) were found infected with helminths. Significantly higher (OR=2.2; P<0.05) prevalence of helminths was recorded in buffaloes (40%; 112/280) as compared to cattle (35.77%; 93/260). Oesophagostomum, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloide, Ostertagia, Fasciola (F.) hepatica, F. gigantica and Haemonchus contortus were the helminth species identified in the study area. Oxyclozanide medicated buffaloes (E=96.66%) and cattle (E=95.64%) showed a significant decrease in fecal egg counts on day 14 post-treatment. An average daily increase of 0.89 and 0.71 liters of milk along with 0.42 and 0.37% more fat per buffalo and cattle, respectively was observed in oxyclozanide medication. The economic value of reduced production of infected animals was estimated as US$0.47 (Pak Rupees 40) and US$ 0.41 (Pak Rupees 35) per animal per day for cattle and buffaloes, respectively. It can be concluded that single dose of oxyclozanide is effective against all bovine helminths

Measurement of Acefylline Piperazine Interaction and Dissociation Constants in Polymer Solvent Systems

In this study the physicochemical interactions of acefylline piperazine drug (APD) were examined in aqueous and aqueous polymer systems viz., aqueous polyethylene glycol (1.0 %w/v) and aqueous polyvinyl pyrrolidone (1.0% w/v). The study was carried within the concentration ranges from 2.0×10-2 to 10.0 ×10-2 mol/dm3 at different temperatures (293.15 to 318.15 K with the difference of 5 K). Various analytical methods such as conductometric, refractometry, and liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) were applied. In order to observe the interaction of APD, was calculated to evaluate the structural influence of polymers on the mobility of solute (APD) at different temperatures. α, Kd and Walden product of APD were also assessed in aqueous polyethylene glycol and aqueous polyvinyl pyrrolidone. Solvation was observed by Walden's product showing strong solvation of APD in water-soluble polymer systems. Thermodynamic parameters for APD such as , ΔG*, ΔH*and ΔS* have also been evaluated as a function of temperature to determine the exo/endothermic nature of the drug dissociation process. Specific refraction, molar refraction and polarizability of APD in aqueous and aqueous polymer systems were calculated using the Lorentz-Lorentz equation and various interactions were interpreted. Drug's compatibility studies were also performed by HPLC in aqueous and aqueous polymer systems