Comparing Methods and Finding H. pylori Infections and their Resistance to Beta Lactam Drugs as Seen in Peshawar, Pakistan

The aims of this study were to find and report pattern of resistance towards beta lactam antibiotics in patients infected with H. pylori by visiting Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC). Diagnostic procedures like: gastroendoscopy, Rapid Urease Test (RUT), biochemical testing, microscopic examination, antibacterial sensitivity tests and molecular methods were utilized and compared. Polymerase chain reaction was used to find 16S rRNA gene fragment. Hundred forty-four patients were found H. pylori positive for urease and 182 were positive for catalase. Hundred and thirty-two were positive for oxidase while hundred eighty were Gram negative. By polymerase chain reaction, 16S rRNA gene fragment was found to be positive in 164 subjects. The pattern of antibiotics resistance in H. pylori as seen in Peshawar, Pakistan in 200 gastric biopsies. A poorer resistance level towards amoxicillin is noticeable as due to low socioeconomic conditions

CONCEPTUALISING THE ROLE OF INDIA IN NORTH KOREA`S DENUCLEARISATION

The US and its allies perceive North Korea's acquisition of nuclear weapons as a significant strategic challenge in the region. Diplomatic efforts have been made to persuade the Kim regime to abandon its nuclear programme, but they have failed. The DPRK considers nuclear weapons capability vital for deterrence against external threats and strategically crucial for national defence. India, a key US ally in containing China, has taken a stiffer stance towards Pyongyang's nuclear programme while enhancing its role in contributing to North Korea's denuclearisation. It represents itself as a staunch opponent of nuclear proliferation and the development of sophisticated weapons. This paper explores India's role in North Korea's perceived denuclearisation. It highlights that India has adopted a dual-standard approach to nuclear proliferation and sophisticated weapons and is also trying to create a technological nexus between Pakistan and North Korea, allegedly to achieve strategic ambitions in South Asia and assert pressure on Pakistan with the help of the US and its Western allies.   Bibliography Entry Kakar, Sher Ali and Muhammad Adil Khan. 2023. "Conceptualising the Role of India in North Korea’s Denuclearisation." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 166-175

Pragmatic Impact of Loyalty on Deviant Workplace Behavior among Banking Sector Employees

The aim of this research is to present findings of an integrative literature review related to employee loyalty and Deviant Workplace Behavior. The data was collected by a questionnaire called Swat Loyalty Scale and adapted scale of Deviant Workplace Behavior. The population of the study was all the employees working in commercial banks situated in Mingaora, district Swat. The data was randomly collected from a sample of 129 employees working at different level of Management. The data was analyzed through correlation and regression analysis. The result reveals widespread support of negative relationship between Loyalty and Deviant Workplace Behavior (r = .595, β = -.772, t = -17.67, p < 0.005). This study suggests that organization should device the policies to nurture the loyalty of employees in order to eradicated Deviant Workplace Behavior

High Involvement Management Practices and Employees’ OCBs in Banking Sector of Pakistan

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of high involvement HRM practices (HIHRP) on employees’ organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) in the context of banking sector of Pakistan. OCBs is considered as an important construct to evaluate the contextual performance of employees. In case of banking sector professionals, it is a highly desired behavior and top management has a greater interest in evaluating contextual performance in addition to the task performance of employees. This study differentiates itself from previous studies by focusing on HIHRP rather than traditional HRM practices. The data was collected from 396 officers working in top six private sector commercial banks of Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data and all responses were recorded on Likert scale. The data was analyzed through correlation and regression analysis and demographic characteristics of the employees were also presented through descriptive statistical techniques. The results show that different types of HIHRP positively influences employees’ OCBs. This study has both theoretical and managerial contributions by empirically examining the relationship between high involvement HRM practices and OCBs in the context of banking sector of Pakistan. The results of this study will help the researchers to better understand the relationship between HRM practices employees’ positive behavioral outcomes like OCBs. In addition, it will also guide the decision makers in adjusting HRM practices to achieve desired behaviors

Salinity Stress Mitigation by Foliar Feeding of Salicylic Acid on Maize (Zea Mays L.) grown under Hydroponic Culture

Salicylic acid (SA) is mainly associated with the regulation of plant growth particularly in salinity stress conditions and this signaling molecule exists in pivotal parts of plant. The objective of this research analysis was to overcome stress condition by distinct foliar treatments of Salicylic acid, for instance, 0 and 100 mM. Foliar applications of SA on maize were rendered on 10 days later than transplanting under a hydroponics experiment. Plants were grown under non-saline (S0= 0 mM NaCl) and saline (S1= 100 mM NaCl) conditions. Evaluation of biochemical, physiological and morphological attributes of maize was rendered after harvesting of plants. The experimental layout of Completely Randomized Design (CRD) under a factorial arrangement with three replications of each treatment was assigned for this study. According to our results it was confirmed that cultivation of maize under saline condition reduced the morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes of plant. However, exogenous application of SA on maize had a positive impact on the above mentioned traits under presence and absence of saline environment. Finally, it was justified that exogenous application of variable concentration of SA significantly improves whole parameters of maize cultivar

Socio-economic analysis of the interventions aimed at improving water and sanitation condition of rural community

Present research has been aimed to assess the socio-economic analysis of the water and sanitation interventions made by the government in rural areas of District Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study design was employed to collect data from the relevant actors with the help of interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. Respondents were satisfied with the cost of the water delivery at home and the quality of water was also appreciable. Majority of the people described the strengthened pardha system (Privacy), as major advantage of the interventions. In terms of economic benefits by the interventions it was quiet good. But still top down approach is used for implementation of water supplies schemes and sanitation interventions by the government which is not satisfactory indicator for maximizing the benefits. Keywords: Water and sanitation, Rural, Interventions, , socio-economi

Metastatic choriocarcinoma in a young woman presenting as thyroid storm: A case report

Background: Thyroid storm is an endocrine emergency and life-threatening condition discovered in 1926. There is no specific laboratory parameter that can differentiate or distinguish between thyroid storm and primary hyperthyroidism. Diagnosis is made on a clinical scoring system, including the Burch-Wartofsky point scale and Japanese Thyroid Association scoring system. The management is early diagnosis, immediate initiation of anti-thyroid medications, intensive care monitoring, and prevention of multiorgan failure.Case presentation: A 30-year-old Pakistani female presented with complaint of headache, vomiting, and generalized weakness for 3 weeks. She had an episode of seizure-like activity at home, and so was rushed to the emergency department. A detailed thyroid examination revealed a soft, nontender gland with no enlargement or bruit and no exophthalmos. Her thyroid-stimulating hormone was extremely low, with high free triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Thyroglobulin was 425 ng/ml (normal reference range ≤ 55 ng/ml), and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody was 0.87 IU/L (normal reference range 0-1.75 IU/L). She had high levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin hormone on initial presentation. Transvaginal ultrasound showed no intrauterine pregnancy, but an echogenic focus was found adherent to the right ovary with no vascularity. With the chief complaint of headache, she underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the brain that showed multiple scattered hemorrhagic lesions in supratentorial and infratentorial brain parenchyma that were highly suspicious for metastases. Computed tomography scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed multiple neoplastic lesions in the lung, liver, spleen, and kidneys. A Tru-Cut liver biopsy showed linear cores of liver tissue with metastatic carcinoma with morphological features consistent with choriocarcinoma. Our patient scored 65 on the Burch-Wartofsky point scale. As per the Japanese Thyroid Association scoring system, our patient met the criteria for a definite thyroid storm. She had initiated propranolol to achieve adequate control of her heart rate and dexamethasone. Carbimazole was started to control her thyroid function. Her thyroid function after 2 weeks of treatment showed significant improvement. Methotrexate and etoposide were given for choriocarcinoma. She made a good recovery and was discharged home. She will undergo rehabilitation along with ongoing chemotherapy (methotrexate and etoposide weekly till beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels normalize). Unless her source of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin is carefully under control, she will continue to take anti-thyroid medications.Conclusion: Choriocarcinoma is not only associated with hyperthyroidism but can induce thyroid storm. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin is directly associated with promoting thyroid dysfunction. Patients with gestational trophoblastic disease should be under close surveillance to prevent thyroid storms

Research Article Software Component Selection Based on Quality Criteria Using the Analytic Network Process

Component based software development (CBSD) endeavors to deliver cost-effective and quality software systems through the selection and integration of commercially available software components. CBSD emphasizes the design and development of software systems using preexisting components. Software component reusability is an indispensable part of component based software development life cycle (CBSDLC),which consumes a significant amount of organization’s resources, that is, time and effort. It is convenient in component based software system (CBSS) to select the most suitable and appropriate software components that provide all the required functionalities. Selecting the most appropriate components is crucial for the success of the entire system. However, decisions regarding software component reusability are often made in an ad hoc manner, which ultimately results in schedule delay and lowers the entire quality system. In this paper, we have discussed the analytic network process (ANP) method for software component selection. The methodology is explained and assessed using a real life case study