Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water from Different Areas of Lahore

Access to safe drinking water and its regular monitoring is essential to ensure the health and safety of the public. This study aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of drinking water supplies (filtered and unfiltered) from various towns of Lahore, Pakistan. In total, 135 water samples, with and without filtration (n=90) and additional 45 bottled drinking water samples of different brands from the local market were collected from 9 towns of Lahore. To determine the microbiological quality, all samples were subjected to total plate count, total coliform, E. coli, Streptococci and Salmonella detection. According to the findings, the total plate count from various water supplies was significantly higher as compared to bottled drinking water samples. Drinking water from supplies with filtration and without filtration was found to be contaminated with total coliform (51%), E. coli (51%) and total coliform (84.5%), E. coli (84.5%), faecal Streptococci (15.5%), and Salmonella (11.1%) respectively. In total, 22 (49%) of the filtered and 7 (15.5%) of the unfiltered water samples were found to be microbiologically safe for drinking, whereas 41 (91.1%) bottled drinking water samples met the WHO criteria. To summarize, bottled drinking water is safer than both filtered and unfiltered drinking water. However, all bottled water should not be assumed to be safe for use. The microbial contamination in drinking water supplies, as well as bottled water samples, insinuates for strict monitoring of drinking water by regulatory authorities, and immediate action is required to avoid public health hazards

Experiential learning of ethnopharmacological sources of drugs through rotating trios micro discussion in MBBS students: an innovative I-tray teaching methodology

Background: Complementary and alternative medicine is very robust in some parts of the world. The study was done to impart the experiential learning related to sources of drugs in a pharmacy practical class for MBBS students.Methods: We used ingredient-tray (I-Tray) teaching tool consisting of two parts to generate experiential learning in MBBS students about ethno pharmacological sources of drugs. Innovatively designed I -tray filled with two sizes plastic containers (100 ml and 50 ml sizes used for collecting biological samples of sputum and urine) containing crude drug medicinal sources which were arranged in gutters of the tray. They were sorted into five categories such as plants (flowers of Vinca rosea, bark of Terminalia arjuna, roots of Rauwolfia serpentine and Eucalyptus leaves); animals (formalin preservatives freshwater leech, shells and vaccines); minerals (kaolin, potassium permanganate and charcoal); oils and others. Three charts of 4 square feet sizes were used for demonstration of synthetic, microbiological and genetically engineered drug sources.Results: The students’ approval rate of I-tray was mean yes value of 105.78 for a tool of active learning out of total 113 students. Around 100%, 98.23 % and 97.35% students utilised application of concept (cognition), faculty of smell (affective) and volunteering (psychomotor) in the class. However female students had statistically significant score against this set up of the class depicting gender specificity of the learning process.Conclusions: Thus teaching traditional sources of drugs through I-tray impart higher order social, place based and experiential learning of medicine

Study on significant changes in calcium, phosphorus and thyroid hormones level in hypothyroidism patients

Background: Thyroid hormones have a vital role in metabolism of lipids, cholesterol etc. They also have an important role in phosphorous and calcium homeostasis by their direct effect on bone turnover. The objective of present study was to find the significant differences of T3, T4, TSH, lipid profile (HDL, LDL, vLDL, TG, Cholesterol), electrolytes and minerals (sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphorus, calcium) between control group and hypothyroidism patients.Methods: Blood samples were collected from 72 patients and 12 control after their consent. Serum was used to determine biochemical parameters using standard protocol. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using “t” student test.Results: The level of TSH was significantly higher in female and male hypothyroidism patients (p < 0.01) as compared to control and it was inversely related to the level of T3 and T4. Patients with hypothyroidism have increased level of LFTs profile especially cholesterol and Triglycerides levels both in males and females. In hypothyroidism, the level of glomerulus filtrate rate decrease especially sodium level but thyroid hormonal disturbance does not affect serum electrolyte level. The serum phosphorus and calcium levels change significantly in thyroid disorder.Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is associated with increased TSH level and decreased T3 and T4 levels but does not appear to be associated with abnormalities in lipid profile. The serum phosphorus and calcium levels change significantly in thyroid disorder, Treatments of its primary causes should be given and if it is possible minerals can be added to avoid further bone complications.Keywords: Hypothyroid; T3; T4, TSH; Lipid profile; Minera

Utility of iRat as a Tool to Identify Low Academic Performers in 1st Year MBBS with High Scores in Pre-Medical Examination

Objective: To identify low performers by utilizing individual readiness assurance test (i-RAT) scores in first year MBBS students using Team-based learning (TBL) strategy. Study Design: Cross sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Federal Medical College Islamabad from 10 January to 31 March 2022. Materials and Methods: TBL were introduced in 1 year MBBS. Six TBL activities were practiced by Anatomy Department during the 12-week respiratory and CVS course program. Premedical examination scores, first week individual readiness assurance scores and average i-RAT scores of 6 weeks were gathered. Mean and standard deviation were calculated. Difference in the first week i-RAT scores of three groups based on their premedical examination scores i.e., upper percentile group (A), middle percentile group (B) and lower percentile group (C). Each group comprised of 37 students, was calculated using One Way ANOVA Method. Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was used to access strength and direction of linear association between premedical examination scores and i-RAT scores. The data was analyzed in the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21 for analysis. Results: High scorers in premedical examination (Group A) showed lowest scores in first week iRAT (i-RAT 1) and Average i-RAT when compared with group B and C with significant p value < 0.05. Significant increase was seen in progressive i-RAT scores in all 3 groups. Negative linear association (r= -0.2) was found between premedical examination scores and i-RAT 1 scores. A strong positive linear association with r= 0.54 was found between first i-RAT and average i-RAT scores. Conclusion: High achievers in premedical examinations struggled the most in 1 year of medicine

High heterotrophic counts in potable water and antimicrobial resistance among indicator organisms in two peri-urban communities of Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: Fecal contamination of potable water leads to unsafe water supply. Although many urban areas of large metropolitan cities receive safe water, peri-urban areas are often not monitored by public health authorities and water supply and quality remain unknown. We assessed microbiological quality and rates of antimicrobial resistance in viable indicator bacteria in two peri-urban communities of Karachi, Pakistan. Water samples were collected over 5 months (October 2015 to February 2016) from these peri-urban communities and samples were processed for microbiological quality as per Standing Committee of Analysts, United Kingdom and World Health Organization guidelines and criteria for drinking water.Result: Both communities received unimproved water. Potable water samples collected from 100 households showed that 96% of samples were unsafe for consumption. Extended spectrum beta lactamases production was found in 29.2% of fecal indicator organisms (coliforms). Use of unimproved water sources and unsafe potable water quality in peri-urban Karachi deserve immediate attention and upgrade. The study is instrumental in attracting the attention of authorities to the state of water resources in peri-urban communities in Karachi with a view to influence improvement of services and effects on human health

Incidence of Depression and Anxiety among Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction during COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective:&nbsp;&nbsp;This study aimed to assess the incidence of anxiety and depression among AMI patients during COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan. Material &amp; Method:&nbsp;&nbsp;This cross-sectional study was conducted from February 27 to June 2, 2020, at the Cardiology ward of Dera Ghazi Khan Teaching Hospital.&nbsp; Total 611 patients selected through convenience sampling. The patients were requested to respond to Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and demographic information. An independent samples t test was applied for comparisons. Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;Patients’ age was ranging from 41 to 79 years, with a mean age of 52.35 ± 5.12. There was a high frequency of anxiety (51.72%) and depression (34.86%) among AMI patients. A significant difference was observed in the level of anxiety (p = 0.001) and depression (p = 0.000) among male and female patients. Conclusion:&nbsp;&nbsp;The present study findings affirmed that increased level of anxiety and depression are prevalent in AMI patients. Additionally, both anxiety and depressive symptoms were more common in female patients. Keywords:&nbsp;&nbsp;COVID-19, Anxiety, Depression, Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)

Morphological and biochemical characterization of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae isolates collected from Punjab during 2013

Background: Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) of rice occupies the most significant position among various potentially important bacterial diseases all over Pakistan. The first important step towards the management of this disease is the characterization of the pathogen.Methods: Survey was conducted and disease samples were collected from 9 different locations of Punjab. Isolation and characterization by biochemical tests was done from the diseased samples under standard conditions in the laboratory. For pathogenicity and virulence characterization, all isolates were inoculated on IR-24, Basmati super and Basmati-2000 varieties. Data was recorded after three weeks of inoculation.Results: 30 isolates of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) were purified from the diseased plants of different geographical origin which had very similar morphological and biochemical characteristics. PXo-20 (causing 51.35% leaf damage) and PXo-16 (causing 50.05% leaf damage) were found most virulent for Basmati Super and Basmati-2000.Conclusion: The presence of highly virulent isolates in Sheikhupura is alarming and there is dire need to incorporate new resistance genes in commercial rice cultivars to cope with BLB

Innovative approach for developing solitary wave solutions for the fractional modified partial differential equations

The current work investigates solitary wave solutions for the fractional modified Degasperis-Procesi equation and the fractional gas dynamics equation with Caputo's derivative by using a modified extended direct algebraic method. This method transforms the targeted fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs) into more manageable nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are then turned into systems of nonlinear algebraic equations with a series-based solution assumption. Using Maple 13, the solitary wave solutions are then obtained by solving the obtained systems. The method produces multiple innovative solitary wave solutions for both equations, which are graphically depicted as 3D and 2D graphs and provide important insights into their behaviors. These insights help us to comprehend wave behavior and the physical processes represented by these equations. Furthermore, the suggested technique exhibits dependability and efficacy in dealing with complicated FPDEs, which bodes well for future studies on the subject

Analysis of soliton phenomena in (2+1)-dimensional Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov model via a modified analytical technique

The present research applies an improved version of the modified Extended Direct Algebraic Method (mEDAM) called +mEDAM to examine soliton phenomena in a notable mathematical model, namely the (2+1)-dimensional Nizhnik-Novikov-Veselov Model (NNVM), which possesses potential applications in exponentially localized structure interactions. The generalized hyperbolic and trigonometric functions are used to disclose a variety of soliton solutions, including kinks, anti-kink, bell-shaped and periodic soliton. Some 3D graphs are plotted for visual representations of these solutions which highlight their adaptability. The results provide a basis for practical usage and expansions to related mathematical models or physical systems. They also expand our understanding of the NNVM's dynamics, providing insights into its behavior and prospective applications