Financial Development and Economic Growth: The Case of Pakistan

In this study, the relationship between financial depth and economic growth is examined in an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) framework for Pakistan utilising annual data for the period 1971- 2004. The main empirical findings suggest that both in the long and the short run, financial depth exerted a positive effect on economic growth. The findings also suggest that in the long run, real interest rate had a significant and positive effect on economic growth. However, the short-run response of the real interest

Impact of Ramadan fasting on thyroid status and quality of life in patients with primary hypothyroidism: A prospective cohort study from Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: Ramadan is the ninth month in the lunar calendar, during which Muslims fast from predawn to sunset and major changes occur in their dietary, sleep, and physical activity patterns. Most patients with hypothyroidism are unable to comply with the proper timings of levothyroxine (LT4) administration. The objective of the study was to determine the change in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and quality of life (QOL) before and after Ramadan in patients with primary hypothyroidism.Methods: This prospective cohort study included adult patients on stable doses of LT4 who fasted for at least 20 days during the month of Ramadan in the Islamic year 1437 Hijri (June/July 2016). Baseline characteristics and TSH levels were recorded on all consenting patients within 6 weeks prior to Ramadan. Post-Ramadan TSH was tested within 1 to 2 weeks after Eid-ul-Fitr.Results: During the study period, 64 patients with hypothyroidism were enrolled, of which 58 were female. The mean age of participants was 44.2 ± 13.2 years. Average daily dose of LT4 was 95.3 ± 35.4 μg. On average, patients fasted for 26.5 days and missed a dose of LT4 on 1.27 days. Mean TSH pre-Ramadan was 2.37 ± 1.35 mIU/L, and post-Ramadan, it was 4.69 ± 3.87 mIU/L. Mean difference between TSH pre- and post-Ramadan was 2.32 ± 3.80 mIU/L ( P\u3c.001). However, the difference in TSH was not significantly different between those who were compliant with meals and LT4 interval versus those who were not (compliant, 2.04 mIU/L; noncompliant, 3.15 mIU/L; P = .30). Overall, an increase in QOL scores in the domains of physical health, psychological health, and social relationships was observed after Ramadan.Conclusion: We observed statistically significant changes in TSH concentrations after the month of Ramadan in hypothyroid patients who fasted. The change in TSH was not affected by timing of LT4 intake and interval from meal

Financial Development and Economic Growth: The Case of Pakistan

The pioneering contributions of Goldsmith (1969), Mckinnon (1973) and Shaw (1973) regarding the relationship between financial development and economic growth has remained an important issue of debate in developing economies. The theoretical argument for linking financial development to growth is that a well-developed financial system performs several critical functions to enhance the efficiency of intermediation by reducing information, transaction, and monitoring costs. A modern financial system promotes investment by identifying and funding good business opportunities, mobilises savings, monitors the performance of managers, enables the trading, hedging, and diversification of risk, and facilitates the exchange of goods and services. These functions result in a more efficient allocation of resources, in a more rapid accumulation of physical and human capital, and in faster technological progress, which in turn feed economic growth [Creane, et al. (2004)]

Financial Development and International Trade inside Asia

This study attempts to document the impact of "Financial development" on international trade between selected Asian economies and rest of the Asian region. Financial development index is used to represent financial development level which includes four dimensions from two perspectives; institutional and market. An "overall financial development index" is calculated by combining institutional and market level financial development indices. Effect of market and institutional dimension is measured separately on international trade of Asian economies with rest of the Asia. Different macro-variables are controlled including GDP per capita, total population, Inward FDI flow, Outward FDI flow and real effective exchange rates for modeling. Sample includes data for twenty years ranging from 1997-2016 for 16 large economies of Asia. Panel data modeling technique "fixed effects regression" is used with two different proxies of dependent variable. "Overall financial development" is found to have positive and significant relationship with international trade. Study confirms the robustness of the results to different measures of international trade. Results from fixed effects model confirm positive and significant relationship between all components of financial development and international trade, and between overall financial development and international trade in Asian economies. Singapore, Japan and South Korea represent highest levels of financial development while other countries showed relatively less development financial development level according to measure used in this study. An important policy implication is if a country wants to grow economically by using instrument of trade policy especially exports improvement, then it has to develop its financial system to efficiently fulfill "international trade finance" needs. Keywords: Financial Development Index, International Trade, Asia DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-11-04 Publication date: April 30th 201

Phytochemical and antioxidant potential of selected plants from Mianwali, Pakistan

Plants have been used since ancient times as an important source of biologically active substances. Specific activities of these plant extracts are generally linked to the presence of secondary metabolites together with their phenolic contents. Present study aimed at investigating the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of selected plants from five different families. The total phenolic content was measured using Folin-Ciocalteu assay and total flavonoid content by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. The antioxidant capacity was estimated by phosphomolybdinium assay. Our findings indicates that total phenolic content for methanolic extracts ranged from 27.07 to 59.11 mg GAE/g DW, and total flavonoid content ranged from 38.37 to 124.23 mg QE/g DW, with an antioxidant activity ranging from 55.82 to 129.06 mg AAE/g DE. Following trend was shown in the assessment of total phenolic and flavonoid contents: Rhazya stricta>Cicer arietinum>Solanum melongena>Solanum surattense>Solanum nigrum>Withania sominifera>Sisymbrium irio>Withania coagulans>Raphanus sativus>Fagonia indica>Brassica napus. While the antioxidant capacity followed the trend: Cicer arietinum>Solanum nigrum>Withania coagulans>Rhazya stricta>Raphanus sativus>Solanum melongena>Withania sominifera>Solanum surratense>Fagonia indica>Brassica napus>Sisymbrium irio. It is also seen that both wild and cultivated plants have higher medicinal value, which can be linked to the phenolic and flavonoid content, and antioxidant potential. Findings of the study revealed that wild plants possess higher phenolic content compared to cultivated plants, whereas cultivated plants had higher antioxidant activity

Beyond physical health: the role of psychosocial challenges and stigma in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic—A scoping review

BackgroundThe socio-cultural response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the level of adherence to evidence-based guidelines played a crucial role in determining the morbidity and mortality outcomes during the pandemic. This review aims to evaluate the impact of stigma and psycho-socio-cultural challenges on efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify ways to mitigate such challenges in future pandemics.MethodsUsing keywords including COVID-19, coronavirus, stigma, psychosocial challenges, and others, the authors searched seven major databases with a time limitation of July 2021, which yielded 2,038 results. Out of these, 15 papers were included in this review.ResultsThe findings of the review indicated that several psychosocial, socio-economic, and ethno-cultural factors are linked to the transmission and control of COVID-19. The research revealed that stigma and related psychosocial challenges and others, such as anxiety, fear, and stigma-driven social isolation, have resulted in significant mental health problems.DiscussionThe review underscores the negative impact of stigma on COVID-19 patients, survivors, and the general population. Addressing stigma and psychosocial challenges is crucial to effectively manage the current pandemic and to prevent similar challenges during future public health crises

“I love the Queen”: Positioning in young British Muslim discourse

Stereotyping of Muslims in media and political narratives can have tangible effects on the dayto-day lives of young people. Using data from focus groups and interviews with 19 university students in London and Birmingham, UK and focusing on extracts from the data in which participants tell stories about their own experiences, this article explores how young British Muslims position themselves in response to negative media narratives about Muslims, particularly after terrorist attacks. The analysis shows that the media was seen as a driving force behind negative stereotypes about Muslims, and this resulted in pressure on Muslims to present themselves in non-threatening and welcoming ways to others, despite being subjected to covert and overt discrimination which participants felt in various contexts. Participants suggested that discrimination could be difficult to identify and quantify, and even when discrimination was overt, it could be illogical and incoherent, and therefore difficult to respond to in a meaningful way

Mental distress links with physical activities, sedentary lifestyle, social support, and sleep problems: A Syrian population cross-sectional study

BackgroundMental diseases are very widespread and difficult to treat, affecting around 12% of the global population in 2019. Since social interaction is crucial to human existence and loneliness has been proven to be a significant predictor of depressive symptoms, it stands to reason that social connection problems would also contribute to depression. Physical inactivity seems to weaken and aggravate insulin tolerance alterations, glucose homeostasis, and plasma triglyceride levels, thereby influencing one's mood and happiness. This suggests that physical inactivity may be a significant risk factor for mental illness. This research contributes to our understanding of the mental health situation in Syria by exploring associations between a set of measurable characteristics that may be adjusted.MethodsAn online quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted between March and April 2022 in Syria, using a structured questionnaire that assesses data on behaviors of health, health in general, wellbeing, and adult population quality of life.ResultsAmong 1,224 respondents (371 men and 853 women), women have shown higher levels of mental distress, sleep issues, low engagement in structured activities, and a difficult work environment than men. Women experiencing mental anguish have reported being more sedentary, participating in less scheduled activities, and receiving less social support.ConclusionsThere are observable connections between high sedentary time and women experiencing mental distress. The mental health of Syrian women in distress was associated with a lack of participation in both organized activities and physical exercise in their free time. Furthermore, sleep issues and financial troubles were seen in persons with mental diseases of both males and females

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Quantifying risks and interventions that have affected the burden of diarrhoea among children younger than 5 years : an analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Many countries have shown marked declines in diarrhoea! disease mortality among children younger than 5 years. With this analysis, we provide updated results on diarrhoeal disease mortality among children younger than 5 years from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017) and use the study's comparative risk assessment to quantify trends and effects of risk factors, interventions, and broader sociodemographic development on mortality changes in 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017. Methods This analysis for GBD 2017 had three main components. Diarrhoea mortality was modelled using vital registration data, demographic surveillance data, and verbal autopsy data in a predictive, Bayesian, ensemble modelling tool; and the attribution of risk factors and interventions for diarrhoea were modelled in a counterfactual framework that combines modelled population-level prevalence of the exposure to each risk or intervention with the relative risk of diarrhoea given exposure to that factor. We assessed the relative and absolute change in diarrhoea mortality rate between 1990 and 2017, and used the change in risk factor exposure and sociodemographic status to explain differences in the trends of diarrhoea mortality among children younger than 5 years. Findings Diarrhoea was responsible for an estimated 533 768 deaths (95% uncertainty interval 477 162-593 145) among children younger than 5 years globally in 2017, a rate of 78.4 deaths (70.1-87.1) per 100 000 children. The diarrhoea mortality rate ranged between countries by over 685 deaths per 100 000 children. Diarrhoea mortality per 100 000 globally decreased by 69.6% (63.1-74.6) between 1990 and 2017. Among the risk factors considered in this study, those responsible for the largest declines in the diarrhoea mortality rate were reduction in exposure to unsafe sanitation (13.3% decrease, 11.2-15.5), childhood wasting (9.9% decrease, 9.6-10.2), and low use of oral rehydration solution (6.9% decrease, 4-8-8-4). Interpretation Diarrhoea mortality has declined substantially since 1990, although there are variations by country. Improvements in sociodemographic indicators might explain some of these trends, but changes in exposure to risk factors-particularly unsafe sanitation, childhood growth failure, and low use of oral rehydration solution-appear to be related to the relative and absolute rates of decline in diarrhoea mortality. Although the most effective interventions might vary by country or region, identifying and scaling up the interventions aimed at preventing and protecting against diarrhoea that have already reduced diarrhoea mortality could further avert many thousands of deaths due to this illness. Copyright (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe