Endemic dengue fever: a seldom recognized hazard for Pakistani children.

Background: Dengue fever (DF) has gained prominence as an epidemic disease in Pakistan in the recent years. However, little data exists to show its likely endemic nature. Methodology: We retrospectively analyzed blood for dengue IgM on samples obtained during a community-based surveillance for febrile illnesses in two slum areas of Karachi, Pakistan, between June 1999 and December 2001. In this period, no epidemic of DF occurred in the city. Participants were children older than 16 years who had fever \u3eor=38 degrees C for more than 72 hours and in whom other common infections were excluded, based on clinical examination and laboratory tests (blood culture, urinalysis, complete blood count, Typhidot test and peripheral blood film for malaria). Results: One hundred and fourteen blood samples were analyzed for dengue IgM ELISA, out of which 54 (47.4%) tested positive. The incidence of DF in this community was possibly as high as 185 (95% CI: 145 - 242) per hundred thousand population/year. Older children (10 - 15 years) appeared 5.5 times more likely to be affected than their younger (0 - 5 years) counterparts. Conclusions: DF is probably endemic in children in slums of Karachi, and likely to have high incidence rate. Older children are more susceptible to the disease. Further prospectively designed research is needed to confirm these findings. Until that time, DF may be included in the differential diagnosis of fever without focus in children in Karachi slums even in non-epidemic periods

The Impact of Service Quality and Service Value on Customer Satisfaction through Customer bonding: Evidence from telecommunication Sector

In today’s competitive environment customer occupies the central place in business and retaining a satisfied customer can pay more as compared to attracting new one. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of Service Quality and Service Value on Customer Satisfaction through mediating role of Customer bonding. Self-administered questionnaires were used for collection of data. Questionnaires were distributed among customers of telecommunication companies. Total 420 questionnaires were distributed among students, employees and businessmen. 397 questionnaires were received back out of which 3 questionnaires were rejected due to incomplete information. So, the response rate was 94%. For the purpose of analysis, SPSS and AMOS software have been used and mediation has been tested through online Sobel calculator. The result shows that Service Value and Service Quality have positive significant impact on customer satisfaction and mediation analysis shows that Customer bonding partially mediates the association of Service Quality and Service Value with customer satisfaction. This model may also be applied in banking and other service sectors for increasing the customer satisfaction

Impact of Abusive Supervision on Organizational Citizenship Behavior with the Mediating Role of Organizational Justice: A Study of Individuals Working in Private Sector Firms of Pakistan

This study examines the result of the effect of Abusive Supervision (AB) on Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) with the mediating role of Organizational Justice (OJ). Data were collected from individuals working in the private sector firms of Pakistan. A total of 275 questionnaires were distributed among respondents. To test the proposed hypotheses, the technique of structural equation modeling was used. AMOS-22 was used for the analysis and the results affirmed the direct and indirect effects of the Abusive supervision on the Organizational Citizenship Behavior along with the significant effect of partial mediation. It is evident from the results that perceived organizational justice strongly mediates the relationship between abusive supervision and organizational citizenship behavior. In addition, this study furnishes several future directions for academic scholars and practitioners

Current perspectives of oncoplastic breast surgery in Pakistan

Oncoplastic breast surgery is based on the concept of tumour-specific immediate reconstruction. It combines both local and distant techniques to maintain breast texture, symmetry and cosmesis without compromising oncological outcome. The current narrative review was planned to highlight the current state and future of oncoplastic breast surgery in low- and middle-income countries where its utilisation in surgical practice remains insubstantial because majority of the surgeons who are treating breast cancer are either general surgeons or breast surgeons who do not have expertise in oncoplastic breast surgery or reconstructive surgery. Moreover, scarcity of financial resources, ignorance about oncoplastic breast surgery techniques, disfigurement distress and cultural taboos coerce women to hide in the shadows with their breast disease. Oncoplastic breast surgery needs more exposure in a developing country like Pakistan. There is a need to establish dedicated oncoplastic breast surgery training centres, fellowship programmes, workshops, and webinars to incorporate such techniques in the practice of breast surgeons

Knowledge, attitude and perception of Pakistanis towards COVID-19; a large cross-sectional survey

Background: The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has created havoc globally as countries worldwide struggle to combat this pandemic. Since prevention and social isolation are known to be the only ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19, this has created challenges among the lower-middle income countries (LMIC) including Pakistan, as it battles between an under-resourced healthcare, an economic shutdown, and widespread myths and misconceptions. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and perceptions regarding COVID-19 as public understanding is vital to help facilitate the control of this outbreak.Methods: A pre-validated online questionnaire was distributed among the general population of Pakistan from 1st to 12th June 2020. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS v25. Adequate knowledge was assigned as a score of \u3e 4 (range: 0-8) and good perception as a score of \u3e 3 (range: 0-5). Chi-square test was used to determine the significance of difference in knowledge and perception of COVID-19 with socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was run to identify factors associated with adequate knowledge and perception. P \u3c 0.05 was considered as significant.Results: A total of 1200 respondents participated in this study with a wide range of age groups and education. Majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge (93.3%) with a mean score of 6.59 ± 1.35, and good perception (85.6%) with a mean score of 4.29 ± 0.82. Significant differences in knowledge and perception were observed among genders, age groups, education and between students and employees in the healthcare and non-healthcare department. A multivariate analysis revealed a higher educational status and female gender to be significant predictors of adequate knowledge and perception.Conclusions: Albeit the surge of COVID-19 cases in Pakistan, the participants demonstrated an overall adequate knowledge and good perception towards COVID-19. There is a need to follow the preventive protocols and dissemination of correct information through conducting educational interventions that target safe health practices and provide appropriate information on this infection

Proximate and Sensory Analysis of Wheat Bread Supplemented with Onion Powder and Onion Peel Extract

In current era, the agro-waste production is tremendously increasing which strongly influences the stability of the ecosystem and ultimately the human health. Onion is among one of the most commonly consumed vegetables worldwide, but its peel is generally regarded as waste, which is rich in various phytonutrients. Wheat bread is consumed as a staple food by large number of populations hence this study was aimed at improving the nutritional quality of bread by supplementing it with onion peel extract (OPE) and onion powder (OP). A control bread was synthesized using standard formulation while breads supplemented with OPE and OP were prepared by substituting wheat flour with OPE and OP at 1%, 3% and 5%, 7% respectively. Proximate analysis of five types of bread (A, B, C, D, E) presented that addition of onion peel extract significantly (p <0.05) improved the moisture content (21.06-21.79%) of breads while incorporation of onion powder brought significant improvement in fiber (0.24-0.32%), protein (9.80-10.35%) and ash content (1.55-1.94%). Sensory analysis of the breads was done by a semi- trained panel constituting of 7 members. Significant differences were reported among the five treatments for appearance, texture, taste, odor and overall acceptability. Maximum score for all the above- mentioned attributes was obtained by 1% OPE fortified bread while the 7% onion powder fortified bread attained the lowest scores. The sensory attributes of OPE makes it a good flavoring ingredient for baked items.Peer reviewe

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine in Pakistan: A nationwide cross-sectional study

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is available across various countries worldwide, with public-private partnerships ensuring all individuals are vaccinated through a phased approach. Irrespective of the geographical spread, several myths pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine have stemmed, ultimately limiting the national administration of vaccines and rollouts. This study assessed the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public in Pakistan.Methods: A pre-validated questionnaire was administered from January 2021 to February 2021 to assess the public attitude and acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine. Logistic regression analyses were run to identify factors associated with the acceptance among the population.Results: A total of 936 responses were elicited, where 15% perceived their risk of being infected at 20-30% with an overall 70% agreeing to be vaccinated if recommended. Multivariate analysis identified higher acceptance in the male gender, healthcare workers, and students. Of all, 66% respondents chose healthcare workers and public officials, whereas 15.6% chose scientific literature, and 12.9% chose social media as the most reliable source of COVID-19 information.Conclusion: Given the relatively greater trust in healthcare providers for information regarding COVID-19, healthcare workers ought to be on the frontline for vaccine campaigns and public outreach efforts, with governmental efforts in addition to the promotion of scientific materials for population-level understanding

Proximate and Sensory Analysis of Wheat Bread Supplemented with Onion Powder and Onion Peel Extract

In current era, the agro-waste production is tremendously increasing which strongly influences the stability of the ecosystem and ultimately the human health. Onion is among one of the most commonly consumed vegetables worldwide, but its peel is generally regarded as waste, which is rich in various phytonutrients. Wheat bread is consumed as a staple food by large number of populations hence this study was aimed at improving the nutritional quality of bread by supplementing it with onion peel extract (OPE) and onion powder (OP). A control bread was synthesized using standard formulation while breads supplemented with OPE and OP were prepared by substituting wheat flour with OPE and OP at 1%, 3% and 5%, 7% respectively. Proximate analysis of five types of bread (A, B, C, D, E) presented that addition of onion peel extract significantly (p < 0.05) improved the moisture content (21.06-21.79%) of breads while incorporation of onion powder brought significant improvement in fiber (0.24-0.32%), protein (9.80-10.35%) and ash content (1.55-1.94%). Sensory analysis of the breads was done by a semi-trained panel constituting of 7 members. Significant differences were reported among the five treatments for appearance, texture, taste, odor and overall acceptability. Maximum score for all the above-mentioned attributes was obtained by 1% OPE fortified bread while the 7% onion powder fortified bread attained the lowest scores. The sensory attributes of OPE makes it a good flavoring ingredient for baked items202

Exploring the effect of zinc and boron application on oil contents, protein contents, growth and yield of sunflower

Sunflower is sensitive to boron (B) and zinc (Zn) deficiency when grown on deficient soil, A field experiment was conducted to determine the main and interactive effects of soil applied Zn and B on total production of sunflower at Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBI) with factorial arrangement using three replications with net plot size of 6 m x 4.5 m. The soil application of variable levels of Zn (0, 10, 20 and 30 kg ha-1) and B (0, 1, 2 and 3 kg ha-1) in the form of zinc sulphate and boric acid, respectively were applied at time of sowing. All other agronomic and plant protection practices were kept uniform. The data regarding growth, yield and quality parameters were noted by using standard procedures. Results showed that Zn @ 20 kg ha-1 and B @ 3 kg ha-1 significantly increased the number of plants per plot at harvest, stem diameter, head diameter, number of achenes per head, 1000-achene weight, biological yield and days to maturity, achene yield kg per, harvest index, leaf concentrations or Zn at heading stage, leaf concentrations of B at heading stage (ppm), achene oil content (%), achene protein contents as compared to control. This study concluded that higher growth and yield of sunflower can be achieved by application of Zn at 20 kg ha-1 and B at 3 kg ha-1 under Faisalabad conditions