Hybrid integrated platform of PDMS microfluidics and silica capillary for effective CE and ESI-MS coupling

We present an effective hybrid integration of PDMS microfluidic devices and fused silica capillaries. These hybrid microfluidic integrated PDMS and silica capillary (iPSC) modules exhibit a novel architecture and method for leakage free CE sample injection requiring only a single high voltage source. Use of the iPSC devices is based on a modular approach which allows the capillary to be reused over 1,000 times whilst replacing the fluidics below it for different experiments. Integrating fused silica capillaries with PDMS microfluidics allows the direct application of a wide variety of well established conventional CE protocols for complex analyte separations and ESI-MS coupling, allowing users to focus on the sample analysis rather than the development of new separation protocols. The iPSC fabrication method is simple (3 steps) and quick (7 min)

Perceived barriers to utilizing maternal and neonatal health services in contracted-out versus government-managed health facilities in the rural districts of Pakistan

Background: A number of developing countries have contracted out public health facilities to the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in order to improve service utilization. However, there is a paucity of in-depth qualitative information on barriers to access services as a result of contracting from service users’ perspective. The objective of this study was to explore perceived barriers to utilizing Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) services, in health facilities contracted out by government to NGO for service provision versus in those which are managed by government (non-contracted). Methods: A community-based qualitative exploratory study was conducted between April to September 2012 at two contracted-out and four matched non-contracted primary healthcare facilities in Thatta and Chitral, rural districts of Pakistan. Using semi-structured guide, the data were collected through thirty-six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted with mothers and their spouses in the catchment areas of selected facilities. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo version 10.0 in which themes and sub-themes emerged. Results: Key barriers reported in contracted sites included physical distance, user charges and familial influences. Whereas, poor functionality of health centres was the main barrier for non-contracted sites with other issues being comparatively less salient. Decision-making patterns for participants of both catchments were largely similar. Spouses and mother-in-laws particularly influenced the decision to utilize health facilities. Conclusion: Contracting out of health facility reduces supply side barriers to MNH services for the community served but distance, user charges and low awareness remain significant barriers. Contracting needs to be accompanied by measures for transportation in remote settings, oversight on user fee charges by contractor, and strong community-based behavior change strategies

Perceived barriers to utilizing maternal and neonatal health services in contracted-out versus government-managed health facilities in the rural districts of Pakistan

Background: A number of developing countries have contracted out public health facilities to the Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in order to improve service utilization. However, there is a paucity of in-depth qualitative information on barriers to access services as a result of contracting from service users’ perspective. The objective of this study was to explore perceived barriers to utilizing Maternal and Neonatal Health (MNH) services, in health facilities contracted out by government to NGO for service provision versus in those which are managed by government (non-contracted). Methods: A community-based qualitative exploratory study was conducted between April to September 2012 at two contracted-out and four matched non-contracted primary healthcare facilities in Thatta and Chitral, rural districts of Pakistan. Using semi-structured guide, the data were collected through thirty-six Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) conducted with mothers and their spouses in the catchment areas of selected facilities. Thematic analysis was performed using NVivo version 10.0 in which themes and sub-themes emerged. Results: Key barriers reported in contracted sites included physical distance, user charges and familial influences. Whereas, poor functionality of health centres was the main barrier for non-contracted sites with other issues being comparatively less salient. Decision-making patterns for participants of both catchments were largely similar. Spouses and mother-in-laws particularly influenced the decision to utilize health facilities. Conclusion: Contracting out of health facility reduces supply side barriers to MNH services for the community served but distance, user charges and low awareness remain significant barriers. Contracting needs to be accompanied by measures for transportation in remote settings, oversight on user fee charges by contractor, and strong community- based behavior change strategies

Factors contributing to microfinance addiction among Pakistani microfinance participants

This research is conducted in Bahawalpur, southern Punjab to discover the effect of Microfinance Addiction on Poverty Eradication. One thousand people, half men and half women, both members and non-members of Micro Credit Banks, will make up the sample. The goals of the study are captured in both an online survey and a traditional questionnaire developed with the help of experts. This method is effective in ensuring that all strata of the population are represented equally. Data is collected through cluster sampling. Micro-credit finance has assumed a significant part in changing and further developing the respondents' financial conditions. Data is tested through SPSS and Smart PLS and built up the connection between variables. All parties involved in the microfinance industry can benefit from the study's findings by making more informed decisions. The MFIs providing microfinance for the needy will also benefit from this since it will increase their productivity. The research suggests that the goal of microfinance may be reached more effectively if attention is directed on many sectors, such as agriculture and rural communities. Because of this, we may conclude that both Poverty Eradication and Micro-Finance Addiction are positively related to one another. The research found that the majority of people benefited from MFIs' micro-credit lending programmes. These micro loans helped them increase their economic standing and decrease their vulnerability to poverty. Micro-credit programmes may be improved upon in light of the study's results, which should be of benefit to regulators, policymakers, managers, micro-finance institutions, government authorities, all other stakeholders, and future academics

Performance Comparison of GPU-Based Jacobi Solvers Using CUDA Provided Synchronization Methods

Peer reviewe

Arbab Saif-Ur-Rahman Khan Khalil Life And Legacy

Arbab Saif-ur-Rahman Khan Khalil, an eminent political and legal luminary in Pakistan, was born into a venerable family in Peshawar in 1930. Despite encountering economic adversities, his scholarly acumen propelled him towards the pursuit of law, ultimately culminating in his distinguished career as a lawyer and statesman. Khalil's political odyssey commenced with his profound engagement in the Khudai Khidmatgar Movement, emblematic of his unwavering dedication to democratic ideals and societal transformation. His multifaceted involvement in politics encompassed various roles, marked by electoral triumphs and commendation for his unwavering integrity and steadfast service to his constituents. Throughout his tenure as Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly NWFP (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Khalil epitomized his allegiance to parliamentary norms and impartiality. His substantive contributions to the realms of education, healthcare, and infrastructure development reverberated profoundly within his constituency, leaving an indelible imprint on its socio-economic landscape. Khalil's enduring legacy as an exemplar of principled politics and a staunch advocate for democratic values resonates through the outpouring of tributes and condolences that followed his demise in 2003. Key Words: Arbab Saif-ur-Rahman Khan Khalil, Peshawar, Khudai Khidmatgar Movement, Deputy Speaker, Legac

Bacterial ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections: changing trends in antimicrobial susceptibility, a 7-year retrospective study from Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt infections in adults represent a severe complication and make treatment more challenging. Therefore, drug susceptibility patterns are crucial for therapeutic decisions and infection control in neurosurgical centers. This 7-year retrospective study aimed to identify the bacteria responsible for adult VP shunt infections and determine their drug susceptibility patterns. METHODS: This single-center study was performed from 2015 to 2021 in Lahore, Pakistan, and included CSF cultures from VP shunt infections. Demographic data, causative organisms, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results were collected. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and two-sample t-tests were used to analyze and compare the antibiotic sensitivity trends over the study period. RESULTS: 14,473 isolates recovered from 13,937 CSF samples of VP shunt infections were identified and analyzed for their susceptibility patterns to antimicrobials. The proportion of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were 11,030 (76%) and 3443 (24)%, respectively. The predominant bacteria were Acinetobacter species (n = 5898, 41%), followed by Pseudomonas species (n = 2368, 16%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) (n = 1880, 13%). 100% of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and CoNS were sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid (n = 2580). However, 52% of S. aureus (719/1,343) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Acinetobacter showed maximum sensitivity to meropenem at 69% (2759/4768). Pseudomonas was 80% (1385/1863 sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam, Escherichia coli (E. coli) showed 72% to amikacin (748/1055), while Klebsiella spp. was 57% (574/1170) sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam. The sensitivity of piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem for Gram-negative bacteria decreased significantly (p < 0.05) over 7 years, with 92.2% and 88.91% sensitive in 2015 and 66.7% and 62.8% sensitive in 2021, respectively. CONCLUSION: The significant decrease in the effectiveness of carbapenem and beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination drugs for the common Gram-negative causative agents of VP shunt infections suggests that alternative antibiotics such as colistin, fosfomycin, ceftazidime/avibactam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, and tigecycline should be considered and in consequence included in testing panels. Additionally, it is recommended to adopt care bundles for the prevention of VP shunt infection

Thin film diffusion barrier formation in PDMS microcavities

We describe a method to form glass like thin film barrier in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microcavities. The reactive fragments for the surface reaction were created from O2 and hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDS) in RF plasma environment. The reaction is based on migration of the reactive fragments into the microcavities by diffusion, to form a glass like thin film barrier to conceal the naked surface of PDMS. The barrier successfully blocked penetration of a fluorescent dye rhodamine B (RhB) into PDMS. The thickness of the barrier could be controlled by the time of reaction and the pressure inside the reaction chamber. There is a wide range of applications of such a technique in various fields, e.g. for coating the covered surfaces of microfluidic channels, tubes, capillaries, medical devices, catheters, as well as chip-integrated capillary electrophoresis and advanced electronic and opto-fluidic packaging

In silico modeling of lipase H

LAH 2 is a type of autosomal recessive hypotrichosis that affect hairs, eyebrows, scalp and eyelashes. Mutations in Lipase H gene result in LAH 2. Changes that result from mutation on physiochemical properties, post-translational modifications, functional sites, secondary structure and tertiary structure lipase H gene (LIPH) at molecular level were analyzed in the current study. Results indicate that the 3rd motif of LIPH deletes as a result of mutation. The number of alpha helices and beta sheets become varied in normal and abnormal protein. Tertiary structure of LIPH was predicted through homology modeling. Mutations were then inserted to reveal the difference between normal and abnormal structure. Ligands to target LIPH are also retrieved. ASP178, ASP207 and HIS248 constitute the active site of LIPH. Missense mutations in LIPH also brought drastic changes at molecular level that led to imbalanced function. All these changes can be studied through bioinformatics without going for expensive laborious and time consuming experimental techniques.Keywords: LAH2, LIPH, tertiary structure, secondary structure, physiochemical properties, ligands, active siteAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(16), pp. 2051-205