A Clinical Study of Newborns with Tachypnea: Frequency, Aetiologies and their Outcome

Aims & Objectives: To estimate the frequency, aetiologies and outcome of neonates admitted with Tachypnea in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) FGPC PGMI Islamabad.To identify the causes of Tachypnea in newborns, analyze outcome at present, and to plan better outcome in futureMaterials & Methods: A prospective study was conducted at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital PGMI from 1st June 2016 till 31st July 2017.Data were collected from all patients enrolled in the study during this period. Aim of our study is to identify the causes of Tachypnea in newborns, analyze outcome at present, and to plan better outcome in future.Results: Total 826 neonates were admitted, of which 248 were enrolled in the study. The frequency of tacyopnea was found to be 29.9%.The commonest causes of Tachypnea in our study were Respiratory distress syndrome 82 cases (33.1%), Transient Tachypnea of newborn 71 cases (28.6%) , Meconium Aspiration syndrome 31 cases (12.5%), Congenital heart disease 17 cases (6.8%).Cesearean section was the most common predisposing factor associated with development of  RDS & TTN( the two most common causes of respiratory distress in our study) 146 (58.9%) cases. The mortality rate of tacyopnea in our study was 103 cases (41.5%).Conclusion: Tachypnea is one of the most common problems encountered in neonatal ICUs of which RDS, TTN, MAS and CHD are the common ones. Prematurity, low birth weight neonates and neonates born via Cesearean section show a poorer outcome, needing advanced respiratory support and longer duration of hospital stay. Thus, timely decisions regarding the mode of delivery, prevention of preterm deliveries, and appropriate management of Tacyopnea may reduce neonatal mortality

Attitude of Library Professionals towards Professional Development in Public Sector Universities of Pakistan

The study aims to measure the librarians’ opinions about different professional development activities, and investigates the attitude towards learning outcomes of Professional Development Courses PDCs. Quantitative research approach followed by survey design was adopted to meet set objectives of the study. The population of study was consisting upon university library professionals working in public sector HEC recognized universities of Lahore. Census sampling technique was applied. Professional librarians from 15 different universities participated in the study. Questionnaire was shaped to assess attitude of the participants towards PDCs. A total of 67 participants responded the questionnaire. Gathered data was analyzed through Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) Software. Findings of the study reveal that respondents had positive attitude towards HEC digital library resources, information retrieval techniques, training on research methods and information literacy programs Results showed that the PDCs developed new skills enhanced IT skills; satisfied users’ needs), and increased expertise in management. Significant differences were found in attitude of the respondents related to different statements of professional development based upon gender, designation, professional qualification and experience. This study is a valuable addition in body of literature and a benchmark for the university authorities to adopt PDCs for the implementation of user centered services

Effect of Addition of Nebulized Magnesium Sulphate to Standard Therapy in Children with Severe Asthma

  Objective: To compare the outcome of addition of nebulized magnesium sulphate to the standard treatment in children with acute severe asthma. Methodology: The trial was undertaken at the emergency of Paediatrics Department, Federal Government Polyclinic (Post Graduate Medical Institute), Islamabad from 1st April to 30th September 2019.Children between 1 to 12 years of age with acute severe asthma were initially nebulized with salbutamol thrice and ipratropium once.All the patients were also given intravenous steroid.Those not responding to this treatment and still classified as acute severe asthma were randomly divided into two groups each having 38 patients.Each patient in Group A received 2.5 ml (150 mg) of isotonic magnesium sulphate via nebulizer, thrice20 minutes apart, while group B received 2.5 ml of isotonic saline via nebulizer, thrice20 minutes apart.Each nebulization also contained salbutamol. Yung Asthma Severity Score (ASS) was determined at the start of treatment, at30 minutes and at 60 minutes of treatment. Results: After 60 minutes, the mean Asthma Severity Score of children in group A was 6.95 ± 1.29 and 7.63 ± 1.03 in group B (p < 0.05). In group A, 18 (47.4%) children were discharged and 20 (52.6%) were admitted in the hospital. In group B, 7 (18.4%) children were discharged while 31 (81.6%) were admitted in the hospital (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that nebulized magnesium sulphate along with salbutamol can give a better outcome than salbutamol alone in children with acute severe asthma

La actitud de los estudiantes hacia la biología en las escuelas secundarias de Islamabad, Pakistán

In this age of science and technology, the world is facing geographical challenges, whereasthe future nation builders are losing their interest even in science subjects, especially, inbiology. There are numerous factors that contributed towards students’ success in a particularsubject but the most important one is their attitude towards that subject. The focus of thepresent study was to investigate the attitude of students towards Biology in SecondarySchools in Islamabad. The population of this study comprised all 10th grade Biology studentsin different institutions in Islamabad. Owing to the shortage of time, the researcher selected506 students (from six public and four private schools) as a convenience sample for this study.These students were administered through a valid and reliable instrument known as “BiologyAttitude Scale” (BAS) developed by the researcher. The study used a 5-point Likert type scaleto measure students’ attitude towards Biology on seven dimensions: “Interest in Biology”,“Career in Biology”, “Importance of Biology”, “Biology Teacher”, “Difficulty in Biology”,“Equipment use in Biology” and “Methodology of Biology”. Students’ attitude toward Biologywas analyzed by using the mean score of an individual statement. The findings of the studyrevealed that overall students showed a positive attitude towards Biology. Female studentsexhibited a positive attitude as compared to male students. Similarly, students in publicschools showed a positive attitude toward students of private schools.En esta era de la ciencia y la tecnología, el mundo enfrenta desafíos geográficos, mientras que los futuros constructores de naciones están perdiendo su interés incluso en temas de ciencias, especialmente en biología. Existen numerosos factores que contribuyeron al éxito de los estudiantes en un tema en particular, pero el más importante es su actitud hacia ese tema. El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar la actitud de los estudiantes hacia la biología en las escuelas secundarias de Islamabad. La población de este estudio comprendió a todos los estudiantes de biología de 10º grado en diferentes instituciones en Islamabad. Debido a la escasez de tiempo, el investigador seleccionó a 506 estudiantes (de seis escuelas públicas y cuatro privadas) como muestra de conveniencia para este estudio. Estos estudiantes fueron administrados a través de un instrumento válido y confiable conocido como "Biology Attitude Scale" (BAS) desarrollado por el investigador. El estudio utilizó una escala tipo Likert de 5 puntos para medir la actitud de los estudiantes hacia la biología en siete dimensiones: "Interés en biología", "Carrera en biología", "Importancia de la biología", "Profesor de biología", "Dificultad en biología", "Uso de equipos en biología" y "Metodología de la biología". La actitud de los estudiantes hacia la biología se analizó utilizando el puntaje promedio de una declaración individual. Los resultados del estudio revelaron que los estudiantes en general mostraron una actitud positiva hacia la biología. Las estudiantes exhibieron una actitud positiva en comparación con los estudiantes varones. Del mismo modo, los estudiantes en las escuelas públicas mostraron una actitud positiva hacia los estudiantes de las escuelas privadas

Assessing the validity of admission test into the internship programme at a private university in Pakistan

Objective: To report the development and validity assessment of a comprehensive model of assessment method comprising written test and multiple mini interviews for selection in a medical internship programme. Method: The psychometric validation study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, and comprised anonymised scores of written admission test, multiple mini interviews and exit written exams for all the interns who completed their internships in 2018 and 2019. Correlation between admission and exit tests, and predictions were assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: There were 160 interns; 80(50%) each in 2018 and 2019. Mean scores were 68.8±4.40% for written tests and 76.7±4.66% for multiple mini interviews. The mean score for exit examination was 68.1±6.84%. The Cronbach\u27s alpha of scores on the written admission test was 0.82 and 0.88 for the two years, respectively, while for the multiple mini interviews, the corresponding values were 0.81 and 0.94. The written admission and exit tests were moderately correlated (0.44) while the correlations of multiple mini interviews scores with written admissions and exit tests were -0.28 and 0.04, respectively. Conclusion: The selection process should comprise multiple measures of assessment to ensure the selection of the best candidate

Diagnostic Accuracy of Peroperative Color Doppler Ultrasonography for Determining the Nature of Anterolateral Thigh Flap Perforators

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography for diagnosing septocutaneous nature of anterolateral thigh flap perforators taking peroperative findings as gold standard among patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction. Methodology: A total number of 100 patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction using antero-lateral thigh flap perforators at plastic surgery unit, Pak Italian Modern Burn Center, Multan and fulfilling the selection criteria were approached. An informed consent were taken from them before enrolling in the study. Information regarding their demographic data were noted in the proforma. A high frequency color Doppler ultrasound was done by the consultant radiologist to determine the nature of the perforator (as per operational defination) and the results were noted in the proforma. The anterolateral thigh thin flap was undermined, but kept in situ. The elevation was performed either on superficial or sub-facial plane depending upon situation and surgical plan, and the points of emergence through the deep fascia and nature of its perforators, as they appeared during surgery, was noted in the proforma. Results: Age distribution of the patients was done, it showed that out of 100 patients, 17 %( n=17) were in age group of 15-27 years and 83%( n=83) were in age group of 28-40 years and  mean age was calculated as 33.96±5.72 years. Gender distribution of the patients was done, it showed that 88 %( n=88) were male whereas 12 %( n=12) were females. In this study, Sensitivity and specifity of septocutaneous nature of perforator was 78.41% and 83.33% respectively and PPV was 97.18% and NPV was 34.48% and  accuracy was 79%. Conclusion: Color doppler ultrasonography is the reliable test for the prediction of nature of anterolateral thigh flap perforator

Enhancing Customer Purchase Intentions through Service Brand Credibility

Purpose – The basic aim of present study was to test the construct of brand credibility and its impact on purchase intentions with moderation effect of brand image in service sector of Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach – for the sake of data collection, A questionnaire was used from the customers of fast food users from the city of Lahore Pakistan.  Regression and correlation analysis along with others were used for data analysis and hypothesis testing.  Findings – Based of the statistical evidences of present study it is found that brand credibility and purchase intentions are positively related whereas brand image moderates this relationship.Practical implications – This study will help survey marketers and mangers to understand the importance of brand credibility for enhancing customer purchase intentions, furthermore it will guide them to incorporate the brand image in crafting different marketing and branding strategies to increase brand royalty.Originality/value – According to researcher, this is a pioneer study to propose the impact of service-brand-credibility and its impact on customer purchase intentions with moderating effect of brand image in the context of Pakistan. Keywords: Brand credibility, Purchase intentions, Brand image, Brands, Pakistan. Paper type: Research pape

Preventive Strategies against Human Papillomaviruses

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is among the most common viral infections of the reproductive tract. Out of more than 100 different types of HPV identified so far, only a few (termed as “high-risk” subtypes) are associated with cervical cancer. On the other hand, “low-risk” subtypes are associated with genital warts and other benign changes in cervical and oral mucosa. Majority of the HPV infections usually clear up without any intervention within a few months. However, a fraction of HPV infections, such as those with types 16 and 18, can become persistent which may lead to the development of anogenital or cervical cancers. HPV subtypes 16 and 18 together are responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases, the fourth major cause of cancer-related deaths in women. In the absence of any specific treatment options, preventive measures are considered as cornerstone of strategies aimed at curbing the burden of this disease. This chapter presents a comprehensive review of strategies that can be employed to prevent and eradicate HPV infection. Minimizing the exposure to HPV risk factors such as unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, early age sex, and not being circumcised, can reduce the chances of getting HPV infection to a significant level. Mass screening programs have also been effective in HPV eradication. Nevertheless, immunization against HPV has proven to be the most promising strategy in fight against HPV. Virus-like particles based on bivalent, quadrivalent, and nonavalent anti-HPV vaccines have been licensed and are available in market under the trade names of Cervarix®, Gardasil®, and Gardasil9®, respectively. Various clinical trials and population-based studies have demonstrated high levels of efficacy for all the three vaccines in preventing type-specific malignancies

Effect of Addition of Probiotics to Standard Treatment on Neonatal Jaundice

Objective: To compare the mean change in the bilirubin levels with addition of probiotics to standard treatment for the management of neonatal jaundice. Methodology: The randomized controlled trial was undertaken at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Paediatrics Department, Federal Government Polyclinic (Post Graduate Medical Institute), Islamabad from 1st April to 30th September 2019.  Neonates with hyperbilirubinemia requiring phototherapy were randomly divided into two groups, each having 30 patients. Group A received probiotics along with phototherapy while group B received phototherapy alone. Primary outcome was serum total bilirubin, which was calculated on 0, 1 and 3 days of treatment. Duration of phototherapy and patient's outcome was also recorded. Data was analyzed statistically using SPSS v. 23. Results: The mean serum bilirubin level after 24 hours was 14.27 ± 4.35 mg/dl in combination group while 16.43 ± 4.36 mg/dl in phototherapy group (p > 0.05). After 48 hours, the mean serum bilirubin level was 12.37 ± 3.33 mg/dl in combination group while 14.09 ± 3.60 mg/dl in phototherapy group (p > 0.05). After 72 hours, the mean serum bilirubin level was 11.09 ± 2.87 mg/dl in combination group while 11.72 ± 2.96 mg/dl in phototherapy group (p > 0.05). The mean time required of blue light phototherapy was 43.47 ± 20.71 hours in combination group while 61.53 ±28.27 hours in phototherapy group (p < 0.05). All neonates were discharged. Conclusion: Addition of probiotics to standard treatment decreased the time required for the phototherapy in neonatal jaundice. However no statistically significant difference was seen in the bilirubin levels between the two groups