Virsa: The Contemporary Value Chain

Handicraft means a useful or decorative object made by a craftsman who has direct control over all stages of production. Handicrafts have always had a greater value, an identity of their own that is reflective of their place, culture and materials, as well as a sense of belonging to a particular place and time. With the ever-growing mass production that followed the Industrial Revolution, we lost those crafts to multiple reasons: one being cheaper, industrial-made products reducing the demand for handicrafts, and another being a shift in consumer tastes. Most craftspeople hardly earn enough to survive and fulfill their basic needs, and naturally seek greater economic stability. In hopes of making a better future for their children, they send them to schools to gain knowledge that could help them gain employment and be able to make better livings for themselves and their families, halting the passing of knowledge. Hence, the heritage of skills that had been passed for generations in a family comes to end. This risks the loss of a craft that once was a source of pride and joy for these artisans – and for the larger community There are a number of efforts going on around the globe to preserve the indigenous crafts of different cultures, and to allow that knowledge to be passed down to new generations. My focus in this paper is a specific object (the charpai) from the Jandi craft, and its preservation through innovation. My work seeks to advance and preserve the skills and traditions of the artisans, while designing a new set of products inspired by the craft that hope to reconnect more artisans to the craft and empower them in terms of knowledge and finance

Alternate efflux pump mechanism may contribute to drug resistance in extensively drug-resistant isolates of mycobacterium tuberculosis

INTRODUCTION: Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has emerged as one of the biggest threats to public health and TB control programs worldwide. XDR-TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains resistant to rifampin and isoniazid, as well as to a fluoroquinolone and to at least one injectable aminoglycoside. Drug resistance in MTB has primarily been associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in particular genes. However, it has also been shown that efflux pumps may play a role in resistance of MTB. Upregulation of drug efflux pumps can decrease the intracellular concentration of drugs and reduce their efficacy. METHODS: Whole genome sequencing was performed on 32 XDR-TB clinical isolates. Sequence data were used to investigate SNPs in efflux pump genes as compared with the H37Rv reference genome. RESULTS: Of the XDR MTB strains, eight (21.62%) were wild type for rpsL, rrs (500 region), and gidB genes, but had non-synonymous (ns) SNPs (aspartic acid to histidine) in the drrA efflux pump gene at position 3273138. Three of eight (37.5%) XDR MTB strains, wild type for rpsL, rrs (500 region), gidB, and gyrB genes were phenotypically streptomycin sensitive and five (62.5%) XDR MTB strains were streptomycin resistant, while all XDR MTB strains, wild type for rpsL, rrs, gidB, and gyrB genes were resistant to fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin) and ethambutol. In addition, three XDR MTB strains wild type for rpsL, rrs, gidB, and drrA genes showed nsSNPs (isoleucine to valine) in the major facilitator superfamily, Rv1634 efflux pump gene at position 1839306. CONCLUSION: Our data show an nsSNP in the drrA efflux pump gene that may result in upregulation of drug efflux mechanisms in MTB strains. It is therefore imperative to understand the mechanism of efflux and its role in drug resistance, which will enable the identification of new drug targets and development of new drug regimens to counteract the drug efflux mechanism of MTB

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in efflux pumps genes in extensively drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Pakistan

It is challenging to understand mechanisms of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) due to the large variability in resistance associated genes. Efflux pump genes contribute to drug resistance and thus add to this complexity. Efflux pump gene protein superfamilies have been characterized by genome analysis of drug resistant strains and through invitro transcriptional studies. However, there is limited information regarding efflux pump genes in extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) isolates. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) based analysis of 37 extensively drug resistant (XDR) and five drug sensitive (DS) MTB clinical isolates was performed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in efflux pump genes Rv0194, Rv1217, Rv1218, drrA, drrB, Rv1258, Rv1634, Rv2688, Rv1273, Rv1819, Rv1458, Rv1877 and Rv1250 were determined in the clinical isolates as compared with the H37Rv reference strain. Allele frequencies of SNPs identified in XDR strains were compared with DS strains. Gene expression of Rv0194, Rv2688, Rv1634, drrA and drrB was determined in XDR -TB isolates (n=9), DS-TB strains (n=4) and H37Rv. We identified SNPs in XDR-TB isolates which were either unique or present at very low frequencies in DS strains; Rv0194 G170V; Rv1217 L151R; Rv1258 P369T and G391R; Rv1273 S118G and I175T; Rv1877 I534T; Rv1250 V318X/A and S333A, and Rv2688 P156T. The expression of Rv2688 and drrB was found to be raised in XDR-TB as compared with DS-TB strains. We identified unique SNPs in efflux pump genes which may be associated with increased drug resistance in the isolates. Increased levels of Rv2688 and drrB efflux pump gene expression observed in XDR strains even in the absence of antibiotics suggests that these clinical isolates may be more refractory to treatment. Further studies are required to directly associate these mutations with increased resistance in MTB

Comparison of Outcomes of Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy versus Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Background: Hysterectomy is the most common gynecological procedure performed worldwide. Recently, total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH) has been presented as an effective substitute for total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Objective: To compare operative and postoperative outcomes of TLH with TAH. Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hameed Latif hospital, Pakistan from December 2018 to June 2019. A total of 116 patients (58 in each group) undergoing hysterectomy, meeting the selection criteria were included in the study. Intraoperative and postoperative evaluations included intraoperative blood loss estimation and post-operative hospital stay. All data were recorded in a predesigned study proforma. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age of patients in TLH and TAH was 47.28±4.62 years and 47.22±4.72 years respectively. The mean blood loss in the TLH group was 216.28±149.85 ml and in TAH group was 371.38±147.16 ml with statistically significant lower mean blood loss in TLH group (p-value < 0.001). Mean duration of hospital stay in the TLH group was 2.28±1.23 days and in the TAH group versus 3.86±1.30 days in TAH group (p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Mean blood loss and hospital stay were statistically lower in TLH when compared with TAH. Adequate training of the staff can ensure adoption of laparoscopic procedure due to improved intraoperative and postoperative outcomes

Adsorption studies of hexavalent chromium ions on the dead biomass of Cystoseira indica

The biosorption of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solution was investigated using acid-modified dead biomass of the abundantly available brown marine alga Cystoseira indica from Karachi coastal area of Pakistan. The biosorbent was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The optimum biosorption conditions, i.e., biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, pH, and temperature, were determined by carrying out batch-mode experiments. The sorption behavior was established by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, which showed that although the uptake of metals was more feasible on a heterogeneous surface, homogeneous surface conditions seemed to exist at the same time. The thermodynamic parameters ∆G°, ∆H° and ∆S° calculated at different temperatures ranging from 298 to 318 K demonstrated that the biosorption was a spontaneous and exothermic process under the experimental conditions applied

Identification of Factors Contributing to Primary Female Subfertility by Diagnostic Hystero-Laparoscopy: An Experience of Private Hospital

Background: Management of subfertility is influenced by the diagnosis of its causative factor. Combined diagnostic hystero-laparoscopy has emerged as an effective procedure in identifying causative factors of female subfertility. Objectives: This study aimed to identify contributory factors to primary female subfertility by diagnostic hystero-laparoscopy. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hameed Latif hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from December 2021 to May 2022. Data was collected from 344 women with female primary subfertility, undergoing combined diagnostic hystero-laparascopy. All the demographic data along with identified causative factors (tubal blockade, cervical Os stenosis, endometrial polyp, uterine septum, uterine fibroid, endometriosis, peri tubal adhesions and polycystic ovaries) during the procedure were recorded in predesigned study proforma. Data were analyzed through SPSS software 23. Results: Mean age of the patients was 25±5.0 years and the mean duration of subfertility was 3.8+0.55 years. Two hundred and eighty-four (82.56%) patients had abnormal findings, while sixty (17.44%) had normal findings. Out of 284 patients, 94(34%) had one identified factor, while 190 (66%) patients had two or more identified factors for primary subfertility. Polycystic ovaries were seen in 128(37.21%) patients, followed by tubal blockade in 81(23.54%), peri tubal adhesions/hydrosalpinx in 58(16.86%) patients. Conclusions: Diagnostic hystero-laparoscopy is an effective diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of female factor subfertility and may be helpful to gynecologists in devising further management plans

Polyol–mediated synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles through aqueous sol–gel route

Abstract Background In this work, nickel oxide nanoparticles were prepared by polyol mediated aqueous route of sol–gel process using nickel nitrate hexahydrate as precursor, a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water as solvent and glycerol for making polyol medium followed by calcination at various temperatures ranging from 500 to 900 °C. Characterization was carried out using X–ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Results The results confirmed the formation of face-cantered cubic structure of nickel oxide with its complete conversion after calcination at 900 °C; significant variation in the surface morphology was observed with the increasing calcination temperature. Conclusions The study revealed that the aqueous sol–gel route using polyol system followed by calcination at ambient temperatures lead to the successful synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles

Synthesis of calcium propionate from indigenous limestone from Swat area in Pakistan

In this study, native limestone from the Swat area of Pakistan was used for the synthesis of calcium propionate. The powdered limestone was allowed to react with propionic acid and the effect of the synthesis parameters, that is, the particle size (50, 100, 150, and 200 mesh), propionic acid (10, 15, and 30 %), solid-liquid ratio (0.1:10, 0.12:1, 0.14:1, and 0.16:1), reaction time (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 hours) and the temperature (60, 80, 90, and 100 °C) on the percentage yield and purity of calcium propionate was studied. The results showed that the optimum synthesis parameters were 200 mesh particle size, 15% propionic acid concentration, 0.14:1 solid-liquid ratio, 2.5 hours reaction time, and 80 °C temperature. The product obtained under optimal conditions was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that a product having ≥ 99.8% purity with 85% yield can be obtained by this process

Molecular diagnostic assays detection of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus

Viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Congo-Crimean Haemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV) and dengue virus is endemic in Pakistan. Both CCHF and dengue can occur simultaneously and this poses a problem in patient placement and management in the hospital. Rapid molecular based diagnosis of CCHF based on a reverse-transcription based polymerase chain (RT-PCR) assay is described. The study describes both a nested- conventional PCR based assay for CCHF detection which has a turn-around time of 24- 48 h and also a real-time PCR based assay which has a turn-around time of 4 h. The utility of these tests in diagnosing and managing CCHF infections is reviewed. Rapid identification of positive cases together with screening out of suspected CCHF cases which are CCHF negative have implications for management in the hospital in terms of risk of transmission, nursing, infection control and also costs of treatment