Fluctuation patterns of different developmental stages of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) on chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and their relationship with the environment

The relative frequency of occurrence of different developmental stages of gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the dependence of its developmental stages on environmental factors, are crucial in the population management. The densities of eggs and larvae were low from December to mid-February due to prevailing cold. Owing to optimum environmental conditions, increasing densities were observed throughout March and they droppped again during the first week of April. The densities of eggs and different larval instars of H. armigera were significantly positively correlated with temperature, and significantly negatively correlated with the average morning relative humidity (RH;%) but not with the average evening RH (%)

FREQUENCY OF CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objective: To know the frequency of carotid atherosclerosis in ischaemic stroke patients in our population using color Doppler ultrasound. Methodology: This is an observational study conducted in the department of Medicine Nishtar Hospital, Multan. All the patients admitted during this duration with CT scan proof of stroke were included in the study. Risk factors in all these patients were stratified. Doppler ultrasound was performed on all patients with ischaemic stroke according to the study protocol. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in this study over a period of five months. 66% of these were having cerebral infarction. Hypertension (72%), diabetes (35%), smoking (29%) and obesity (20%) were the common risk factors. The frequency of significant carotid atherosclerosis in acute ischaemic stroke patients was 21%. Conclusion: Carotid atherosclerosis is one of the most important indicators, predictors as well as an independent risk factor in the development of ischaemic stroke. KEY WORDS: Carotid, Atherosclerosis, Doppler ultrasound

EFFICACY OF INTRAVENOUS ACETAMINOPHEN VERSUS KETAMINE FOR POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AFTER ABDOMINAL HYSTERECTOMY

Objective; To determine the efficacy of intravenous acetaminophen versus ketamine for postoperative pain after abdominal hysterectomy. Material and Methods; A total of 114 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were taken in this study. The study was conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 at department of Anesthesiology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Results; Our study comprised of 114 ladies undergoing abdominal hysterectomy, mean age of the study cases was 54.13 ± 6.89 years (with minimum age of the patients was 39 years while maximum age was 68 years). Majority of our study cases i.e. 92 (80.7 %) had parity more than 3 and American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score level 1 in 93 (81.6%). Sixty one (53.1%) belonged to rural areas, while mean duration of surgery was 72.80 ± 11.32 minutes. Mean BMI level in our study cases was noted to be 23.98 ±4.17 Kg/m2 and obesity was present in 34 (29.8%) of our study cases. Efficacy was noted in 60 (52.6 %) of our study cases. Efficacy was 73.7% study cases in group A while 18 (31.6%) in group B (p=0.000). Conclusion; Our study results support the use of intravenous acetaminophen (IVA) for pain management in patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy compared with ketamine. Intravenous acetaminophen is safe, reliable and effective for the pain management in postoperative abdominal hysterectomy patients which was associated with shorter hospital stay and cost effective for the suffering families. No adverse reactions were noted in this study with the use of intravenous acetaminophen. Keywords; Intravenous acetaminophen, Ketamine, Abdominal Hysterectomy.

The Impact of Customer Trust on the Relationship between Religious Values and Adoption of Islamic Banking

This study investigated how managers in Islamic banks in Pakistan saw Islamic banking in connection to their own religious beliefs, customer trust, and other factors. The study's goal was to comprehend how managers' decisions to use financial services and products that adhere to Sharia law are influenced by their religious beliefs and how customer trust affects this relationship. Data was gathered using a quantitative research design, and it came from 146 managers of Islamic banks who responded to standardized surveys. Islamic banking acceptance, customer trust, and customer value measures were all included in the poll. To investigate the connections between the variables, descriptive statistics, and regression analysis were performed. The findings showed a strong positive correlation between managers' acceptance of Islamic banking and their religious principles. Sharia-compliant financial services were more likely to be adopted and promoted by managers with greater Islamic views. Additionally, the adoption of Islamic banking was further influenced by client trust, which appeared as a key moderator. The results underline how crucial it is for customers' trust and religious beliefs to influence managers' adoption of Islamic banking. The favorable influence of religious values on adoption decisions is strengthened by increasing consumer trust in Islamic financial institutions. This study contributes to a greater knowledge of the management perspective within the business and offers insightful information about the elements influencing the development of Islamic banking in Pakistan. &nbsp

Molecular estimation of alteration in intestinal microbial composition in Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients

The gut microbiota has a crucial effect on human health and physiology. Hypothyroid Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder manifested with environmental and genetic factors. However, it is hypothesized that intestinal microbes might play a vital role in the pathogenesis of HT. The aim of current was to investigate and characterize the gut microbial composition of HT patients both quantitatively and qualitatively. The fecal samples from 29 HT patients and 12 healthy individuals were collected. The PCR-DGGE targeted V3 site of 16S rRNA gene and real time PCR for Bifidobacterium Lactobacillus, Bacteroides vulgatus and Clostridium leptum were performed. Pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene with V4 location was performed on 20 randomly selected samples. The comparative analysis of diversity and richness indices revealed diversification of gut microbiota in HT as compared to control. The statistical data elucidate the alterations in phyla of HT patients which was also affirmed at the family level. We observed the declined abundance of Prevotella_9 and Dialister, while elevated genera of the diseased group included Escherichia-Shigella and Parasutterella. The alteration in gut microbial configuration was also monitored at the species level, which showed an increased abundance of E. coli in HT. Therefore, the current study is in agreement with the hypothesis that HT patients have intestinal microbial dysbiosis. The taxa statistics at species-level along with each gut microbial community were modified in HT. Thus, the current study may offer the new insights into the treatment of HT patients, disease pathway, and mechanism

Assessing the Financial Failure Using Z-Score and Current Ratio: A Case of Sugar Sector Listed Companies of Karachi Stock Exchange

Since 1968, after the development of multivariate model, financial health of the corporate sector to predict their financial failure is heavily studied. Altman Z-Score is the most efficient model to judge the financial failure of the companies. This study uses Altman’s Z-Score and current ratio to assess the financial status of sugar sector companies listed at Karachi stock exchange. Sugar sector is the second largest slice among all sectors listed at Karachi stock exchange. Total population sampling technique was used in this study and all thirty five sugar sector listed companies at KSE were included in this study to get the deep insights of the issue. State bank’s balance sheet analysis and companies’ financial reports were used to compile the data for the years 2009 and 2010. The results of the study showed that current ratio and Altman’s Z-Score are the reliable tool of assessing financial health of sugar sector listed companies of Karachi stock exchange. This study further explores that there are financially distressed companies among sugar sector listed companies

Financial performance of banks in Pakistan after Merger and Acquisition

Business transactions are going to be fast day by day because of dynamic changes in the global environment. Merger and Acquisition is a strategy adopted by the organizations globally to meet the needs of recent dynamic business environment. It has achieved much attention and importance in corporate world. In Pakistan, this strategy has been used widely in banking sector. Therefore, the objective of the study is to evaluate the financial performance of banks in Pakistan after M&A. The financial and accounting data for 10 banks was taken from the Financial Statement Analysis by State Bank of Pakistan. Profitability & Efficiency, Leverage, and Liquidity ratios were used to measure the financial performance, where pre and post ratio analysis was done. Results of the study show that there is no positive improvement in the financial performance of the banks in Pakistan after Merger and Acquisition

Assessing the Financial Failure Using Z-Score and Current Ratio: A Case of Sugar Sector Listed Companies of Karachi Stock Exchange

Since 1968, after the development of multivariate model, financial health of the corporate sector to predict their financial failure is heavily studied. Altman Z-Score is the most efficient model to judge the financial failure of the companies. This study uses Altman’s Z-Score and current ratio to assess the financial status of sugar sector companies listed at Karachi stock exchange. Sugar sector is the second largest slice among all sectors listed at Karachi stock exchange. Total population sampling technique was used in this study and all thirty five sugar sector listed companies at KSE were included in this study to get the deep insights of the issue. State bank’s balance sheet analysis and companies’ financial reports were used to compile the data for the years 2009 and 2010. The results of the study showed that current ratio and Altman’s Z-Score are the reliable tool of assessing financial health of sugar sector listed companies of Karachi stock exchange. This study further explores that there are financially distressed companies among sugar sector listed companies

Low apoplastic Na+ and intracellular ionic homeostasis confer salinity tolerance upon Ca2SiO4 chemigation in Zea mays L. under salt stress

Salinity is known to have a greater impact on shoot growth than root growth. Na+ buildup in plant tissue under salt stress has been proposed as one of the main issues that causes growth inhibition in crops via ionic imbalances, osmotic stress and pH disturbances. However, the evidence for apoplastic Na+ buildup and the role of silicon in Na+ accumulation at the subcellular level is still enigmatic. The current study focuses on the accumulation of Na+ in the apoplast and symplast of younger and older leaves of two maize varieties (Iqbal as salt-tolerant and Jalal as salt-sensitive) using hydroponic culture along with silicon supplementation under short-term salinity stress. Subcellular ion analysis indicated that silicon nutrition decreased Na+ concentration in both apoplastic washing fluid and symplastic fluid of maize under salt stress. The addition of silicon under NaCl treatment resulted in considerable improvement in fresh biomass, relative water content, chlorophyll content, and concentration of important subcellular ions (i.e., Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+). Knowledge of subcellular ion analysis is essential for solving the mechanisms underlying vital cellular functions e.g. in the current study, the soluble Na+ concentration in the apoplast of older leaves was found to be significantly greater (36.1 mM) in the salt-sensitive variety under NaCl treatment, which was 42.4% higher when compared to the Na+ concentration in the salt-tolerant variety under the same treatment which can influence permeability of cell membrane, signal transduction pathways and provides insights into how ion compartmentalization can contributes to salt tolerance. Calcium silicate enrichment can contribute to increased growth and improved ionic homeostasis by minimizing leaf electrolyte leakage, improving mechanical functions of cell wall and reducing water loss, and improved photosynthetic function. In current investigation, increased water content and intracellular ionic homeostasis along with reduced concentration of Na+ in the maize leaf apoplast suggest that calcium silicate can be used to ameliorate the adverse effects of salt stress and obtain yield using marginal saline lands