Occupational Health Hazard among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Lahore

Background: Occupational health is a neglected public health issue among healthcare workers in developing countries and they may expose them to various forms of hazards. Objectives: The study aims at exploring the forms of occupational health hazards among nurses in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore Methods: Total 151 staff nurses were enrolled for cross-sectional descriptive study to explore the occupational health hazard.  This study was conducted at Lahore General Hospital, Lahore for the duration of 02, 2021, to January 01, 2022. Only charge nurses working in medical and surgical units on permanent basis having experience more than six months were included. Results: The findings of this study showed that the mean age of the nurse was 25.87 ± 3.138 years (age range 21-32 year), the female nurse was  127(84.1%)while 24(15.9%) were male nurse. The participants faced occupational health hazards 51.8%, biological hazards73.5%, and physical hazards 59.2% and mechanical and psychology Hazards among Nurse 48.8% and 52.0% respectively. Conclusion:Occupational risks (biological hazards) are very common among the nurses in Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. To protect patients and medical staff, hospitals should implement preventative, infection control, and patient safety initiatives. Keywords: Occupational hazards;  Health workers;  Lahore General Hospital DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/104-05 Publication date: November 30th 202

Corporate Social Responsibility through Collaboration in the Supply Chain: Insights into a More Sustainable Economy

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore and analyze corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a helpful tool in solving significant societal concerns in countries where there is a greater desire for social and economic growth, such as Pakistan. Methodology In order to examine the current issues on supply chain collaboration for sustainability, this paper used a triangulation research method. In order to determine indicators in a CSR-intensive environment, data, and literature, the energy sector publications on EUR-Lex, international and European official papers, and the online site of the European Commission data sources were analyzed in this study. The indicators were divided into groups based on their sources (sets of standards and guidelines, council frameworks, document series, tools, and comprehensive legislation), as well as their intended uses (financial, social, and environmental). Findings The findings state that supply chain collaboration completely fulfills CSR for a viable economy. It focuses on three leading fashion brands and assesses their impact using open-source data, past research, and their official websites. It also highlights how, in comparison to global corporations, Pakistani business satisfies their corporate social responsibility.  Conclusion It is concluded that a supply chain can help companies minimize the environmental impact of their supply chain processes. Further, CSR is a part of the supply chain that helps businesses determine their social and economic responsibilities by focusing on environmental aspects to add to a more sustainable economy

Hantavirus: an overview and advancements in therapeutic approaches for infection

Hantaviruses are a significant and emerging global public health threat, impacting more than 200,000 individuals worldwide each year. The single-stranded RNA viruses belong to the Hantaviridae family and are responsible for causing two acute febrile diseases in humans: Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Currently, there are no licensed treatments or vaccines available globally for HTNV infection. Various candidate drugs have shown efficacy in increasing survival rates during the early stages of HTNV infection. Some of these drugs include lactoferrin, ribavirin, ETAR, favipiravir and vandetanib. Immunotherapy utilizing neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) generated from Hantavirus convalescent patients show efficacy against HTNV. Monoclonal antibodies such as MIB22 and JL16 have demonstrated effectiveness in protecting against HTNV infection. The development of vaccines and antivirals, used independently and/or in combination, is critical for elucidating hantaviral infections and the impact on public health. RNA interference (RNAi) arised as an emerging antiviral therapy, is a highly specific degrades RNA, with post-transcriptional mechanism using eukaryotic cells platform. That has demonstrated efficacy against a wide range of viruses, both in vitro and in vivo. Recent antiviral methods involve using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and other, immune-based therapies to target specific gene segments (S, M, or L) of the Hantavirus. This therapeutic approach enhances viral RNA clearance through the RNA interference process in Vero E6 cells or human lung microvascular endothelial cells. However, the use of siRNAs faces challenges due to their low biological stability and limited in vivo targeting ability. Despite their successful inhibition of Hantavirus replication in host cells, their antiviral efficacy may be hindered. In the current review, we focus on advances in therapeutic strategies, as antiviral medications, immune-based therapies and vaccine candidates aimed at enhancing the body’s ability to control the progression of Hantavirus infections, with the potential to reduce the risk of severe disease

The landscape of RNA polymerase II-associated chromatin interactions in prostate cancer

Transcriptional dysregulation is a hallmark of prostate cancer (PCa). We mapped the RNA polymerase II-associated (RNA Pol II-associated) chromatin interactions in normal prostate cells and PCa cells. We discovered thousands of enhancer-promoter, enhancer-enhancer, as well as promoter-promoter chromatin interactions. These transcriptional hubs operate within the framework set by structural proteins - CTCF and cohesins - and are regulated by the cooperative action of master transcription factors, such as the androgen receptor (AR) and FOXA1. By combining analyses from metastatic castration-resistant PCa (mCRPC) specimens, we show that AR locus amplification contributes to the transcriptional upregulation of the AR gene by increasing the total number of chromatin interaction modules comprising the AR gene and its distal enhancer. We deconvoluted the transcription control modules of several PCa genes, notably the biomarker KLK3, lineage-restricted genes (KRT8, KRT18, HOXB13, FOXA1, ZBTB16), the drug target EZH2, and the oncogene MYC. By integrating clinical PCa data, we defined a germline-somatic interplay between the PCa risk allele rs684232 and the somatically acquired TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion in the transcriptional regulation of multiple target genes - VPS53, FAM57A, and GEMIN4. Our studies implicate changes in genome organization as a critical determinant of aberrant transcriptional regulation in PCa

The The Legitimized Use of Figurative Language: A Pragmatic Study of Multiculturalism and Political Intrigues of Shamsie’s “Burnt Shadows”: A Pragmatic Study of Multiculturalism and Political Intrigues

The study explores the legitimized use of the figure of speech in Burnt Shadows. The author uses language as a source of connection between the characters who are different in their eras, countries, and cultural backgrounds. The objective of the study is to explore the effects of language on multiculturalism and the impact of political unrest on the lives of common people during the second world war. She has used lingual devices to enhance the intensity of circumstances as well as for the accurate pasteurization of the sentimental and physical conditions of Hiroko and Sajjad. Specific figurative techniques like metaphor, simile, personification, irony, epigram, and symbolism have been explored in the text of Burnt Shadows. These techniques expose the hidden truths and aggressive nature of political conflict in the lives of the people of Japan, the Subcontinent, and European countries. Pragmatic studies have been applied to the text as a mirror to see the function and nature of wordplay in the novel. The results expose that the author has artistically applied specific devices in the formation of text in order to highlight the role of language in the development of cultural intimacy and maintaining social relationships. The figures of speech are also helpful to map the mind of readers according to the plot construction of the novel

Invasive fungal infection by saprochaeta capitata in an immunocompromised child- a case report from cancer hospital in Pakistan

Saprochaeta Capitata is an emerging fungus known to cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. Here, we describe the case of a 4-year-old male child seen in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, after obtaining informed consent from the parents. He had Pre-B ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) and contracted this infection during induction chemotherapy. With the use of dual antifungals, he was able to survive this otherwise fatal fungal infection. Keywords: Saprochaeta capitata, invasive fungal infection, dual antifungal therapy, immunocompromised

Pan drug-resistant Salmonella ser. Typhi septicaemia in a child- a case report

Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is a common cause of febrile illness, especially in lower-middle-income countries. The only known reservoirs of this infection are humans, and it is prevalent in areas with limited availability of clean drinking water and sanitary conditions. Lately, extensively drug-resistant Salmonella ser. Typhi (XDR S. Typhi) has emerged as one of Pakistan's most challenging public health concerns. Here, we report a case of relapsed typhoid fever in a child, in whom the isolate was found to be resistant to meropenem and azithromycin. Keywords: Salmonella, Antibiotics, typhoid fever, Septicaemia

Breakfast patterns in relation to physical activity among school adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract Background Unhealthy habits and poor diet patterns are significant concerns among adolescents, impacting their overall quality of life. This study aimed to assess and improve these habits in adolescents. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017–2018 in Karachi. The research participants, aged 11–17 years, were drawn from lower-middle-income secondary schools using multistage random selection. Sociodemographics, the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A), and breakfast consumption were determined through questionnaire and a food frequency survey. Results A study of 334 school-going adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan, found that 82% consumed breakfast daily, with chapatti being the preferred choice (72.2%). Physical activity levels varied, but 56.6% engaged in regular activity. No significant differences were found in breakfast consumption by age or parental education. Conclusions Understanding South Asian adolescents’ breakfast habits is crucial. Promoting healthier breakfast options and increased physical activity are recommended for long-term well-being, with further research needed for targeted interventions

Does lifestyle behaviour trigger cardiovascular risk factors among school-going adolescents in Pakistan?

Objective: To explore the association of gender with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among adolescents. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted 2016-2019 in low-income schools in Karachi after approval from the ethics review board of Dow University of Health Sciences, and comprised adolescents of both genders aged 11-17 years. Anthropometric measurements and lifestyle behaviours were used to generate risk profile for cardiovascular diseases. Data was analysed using SPSS 16. Results: Of the 1195 subjects, 468(39.2%) were boys and 727(60.8%) were girls. The mean age was 13.9±1.6 years. Mean family size was 5.9±3.64. Overall, 989(91.3%) participants consumed soft drinks, 44(4%) were smokers, 340(48.4%) consumed betel nut, 215(32.9%) Pan, 125(21.2%) Gutka and 9(1.7%) Bidi. Of the total, 867(83.3%) participants were physically less active than recommended, and daily screen time was >2 hours among 513(45.7%) participants. Body mass index and body fat percentage were significantly higher among girls (p<0.05). Higher rates of diastolic and systolic blood pressure and hand grip strength were observed in boys compared to girls (p<0.05). Conclusion: Interventional programmes in schools should emphasise the need for healthy lifestyle behaviours, increased physical activity, good eating habits and smoking cessation. Key Words: CVD risk factors, Adolescents, Lifestyle behaviours, Micronutrients, Pakistan

Impact of Injection Protocol Selection by Retina Specialists on Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema

Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections are the current gold standard for treating diabetic macular edema (DME). However, injection practice patterns of retina specialists have varied markedly based on physician discretion. This retrospective study analyzes the impact of injection protocol selection on change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) in 170 eyes treated by 4 retina specialists practicing a pro re nata (PRN) strategy between 2010 and 2020. DME patients received an average of 7.25 injections every 6.24 weeks over 56.6 weeks. There were significant differences between retina specialists in mean number of injections (p = 0.0001) and mean length of treatment (p = 0.0007) but not in mean interval between injections. Over the treatment period, average change in BCVA was &minus;0.053 logMAR, and average change in CMT was &minus;51.1 &micro;m, neither of which had significant differences between retina specialists. BCVA and CMT at initial visit were found to be significantly associated with improved BCVA and CMT over the treatment period (p &lt; 0.001). Number of injections administered and interval between injections were not found to be significant factors affecting change in BCVA or CMT. Despite significant differences in injection dosing regimen, retina specialists achieved similar outcomes in change in BCVA and CMT over the treatment period