Bayesian reference analysis for proportional hazards model of random censorship with Weibull distribution

summary:This article deals with the objective Bayesian analysis of random censorship model with informative censoring using Weibull distribution. The objective Bayesian analysis has a long history from Bayes and Laplace through Jeffreys and is reaching the level of sophistication gradually. The reference prior method of Bernardo is a nice attempt in this direction. The reference prior method is based on the Kullback-Leibler divergence between the prior and the corresponding posterior distribution and easy to implement when the information matrix exists in closed-form. We apply this method to Weibull random censorship model and compare it with Jeffreys and maximum likelihood methods. It is observed that the closed-form expressions for the Bayes estimators are not possible; we use importance sampling technique to obtain the approximate Bayes estimates. The behaviour of maximum likelihood and Bayes estimators is observed via extensive numerical simulation. The proposed methodology is used for the analysis of a real-life data for illustration and appropriateness of the model is tested by Henze goodness-of-fit test

Comparison of foeto-maternal outcome in pregnant women with hepatitis E - A review of 12 years.

Objective: To compare adverse maternal and foetal outcome in pregnant women with hepatitis E immunoglobulin M reactive versus non-reactive.Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of pregnant patients at any gestational age with clinical and biochemical evidence of hepatitis E from January 2002 and December 2014. . Maternal and perinatal outcome of the subjects were analysed. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.Results: Out of the 200 subjects, 168(84 %) were hepatitis E immunoglobulin M reactive and 32(16%) were non-reactive. The overall mean age was 26.7±4.5 years. Also, 12(7%) patients in the immunoglobulin M reactive group were admitted to intensive care unit compared to no one from the non-reactive group. Similarly fulminant hepatic failure was seen in 12(7.1%) patients in the immunoglobulin M reactive group compared to no one in the other group. Post-partum haemorrhage was more frequent in the immunoglobulin M reactive group compared to the non-reactive group. There were 5(3%) maternal deaths in the reactive group compared to no death in the other group.Moreover, 34(20.2%) neonates of the immunoglobulin M reactive group needed neonatal intensive care unit admission compared to none in the non-reactive group. There were 4(2.4%) neonatal deaths in the reactive group.Conclusion: Participants in the immunoglobulin M reactive group had a higher percentage of adverse foeto-maternal outcomes compared to the non-reactive group

Isolation of thymoquinone from Nigella sativa L. and Thymus vulgaris L., and its anti-proliferative effect on HeLa cancer cell lines

Purpose: To isolate thymoquinone (TQ) from Nigella sativa L. and Thymus vulgaris L., and investigate its anti-proliferative effect on HeLa cancer cells.Method: Pulverized dried samples of N. sativa seed (100 g) and aerial parts of T. vulgaris (1000 g) were subjected to Soxhlet extraction using methanol and n-hexane combined in different proportions. Thymoquinone (TQ) was then isolated from the extracts using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolated TQ was further subjected to Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify its functional groups. The anti-proliferative effect of TQ on HeLa cancer cells was evaluated using 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.Results: Extract yield from N. sativa was significantly higher than from T. vulgaris, and also increased with increase in the proportion of methanol in the extraction solvent (p < 0.05). Methanol and n-hexane (4:1, v:v) yielded the highest amount of oil, with yields of 15.8 and 9.7 ml/25 g dry weight (d.wt.) from N. sativa and T. vulgaris, respectively. The results obtained from HPLC showed that the concentration of TQ isolated from N. sativa (388.61 μg/ml) was significantly higher than that from T. vulgaris (357.03 μg/ml, p < 0.05). The anti-proliferative effects of TQ standard and TQ isolated from N. sativa on HeLa cancer cells were dose-dependent, and was highest at the lowest concentration. The number of viable cells significantly decreased with increase in TQ concentration (p < 0.01). TQ from N. sativa significantly reduced the number of viable cells even at the lowest concentration when compared to TQ standard (p < 0.05). Cell death was significantly higher in TQ-treated groups than in untreated cancer cells.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study show that N. sativa is a potential source of TQ, with the yield enhanced by modifying the extraction procedure or solvent used. Furthermore, TQ isolated from N. sativa exerts a dose-dependent anti-proliferative effect on HeLa cancer cells.Keywords: Thymoquinone, Nigella sativa, Thymus vulgaris, Anti-proliferative effec

Investigating the Nexus between Islamic Work Ethics and Organization Citizenship Behavior

The basic purpose of this research is planned to measure the Islamic Work Ethics (IWE) level and level of Organization Citizenship Behavior (OCB) in workers of banks of Lahore. It additionally investigated relationship between level of IWE and OCB. This study used the sample of three hundred employees from the banks of Lahore. For information gathering, the questionnaire was adopted, and results of the research demonstrated the level of IWE in Islamic bank's workers is high than other banks such as conventional, private and government banks. OCB level among Islamic bank's workers is high than the private, conventional and government bank. The results likewise demonstrated that the relationship between OCB and IWE is significantly positive. This research may improve the understanding of the people, employees and managers of banks about the understanding of the relationship between level of IWE and OCB. Keywords: Organization Citizenship Behavior, Islamic Work Ethics, Islamic Bank JEL Classifications: M19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/irmm.984

Biogenic Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Silver Nanoparticles Using Cleome brachycarpa

The therapeutical attributes of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in both conditions (in vitro and in vivo) have been investigated using different plants. This study focused on the green chemistry approach that was employed to optimize the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Cleome brachycarpa aqueous extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The characterization of obtained CB-AgNPs was undertaken using UV-visible spectroscopy, Atomic-force microscopy (AFM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Results suggest that CB-AgNPs synthesized via stirring produced small-sized particles with more even distribution. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were spherical with a 20 to 80 nm size range. In vitro studies were used to analyze antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic potential under different conditions. The results also indicated that CB-AgNPs may have significant potential as an antidiabetic in low concentrations, but also exhibited potential antioxidant activity at different concentrations. Moreover, the anticancer activity against the breast cell line (MCF-7) with IC50 reached up to 18 μg/mL. These results suggest that green synthesized silver nanoparticles provide a promising phytomedicine for the management of diabetes and cancer therapeutics

Comparison of Different Techno-Functional Properties of Raw Lemon Pomace and Lemon Pomace Powder, and Development of Nutritional Biscuits by Incorporation of Lemon Pomace Powder

Lemon is one among the fruits of a highly respectable class known as citrus, well known for its nutritious juice and beverage products, rich with a range of micro and macro elements, and functional bioactives. After extraction of juice, the pomace left has great potential as a sustainable agricultural processing by-product, due to its vast application in the food, feed and pharma industries. Lemon pomace powder was prepared from the by-product obtained after the extraction of juice from the lemon. Dried lemon pomace powder contained fiber (60.12 g 100 g-1), moisture (10.67 g 100 g-1), protein (4.89 g 100 g-1), fat (2.17 g 100 g-1), sugar (4.81 g 100 g-1) and ash (3.21 g 100 g-1), indicating higher amounts of ash, fat and fiber contents than wheat flour. The water-holding and oil-holding capacities of lemon pomace powder were noticed 5.9 and 3.2 g, respectively. Lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) of powder were decreased while redness (a*) was increased in powder as compared to raw pomace. Water activity was decreased, while dry matter and pH of pomace powder were significantly increased as compared to raw pomace. Microbiological analyses revealed lower mold, yeast and total viable counts in lemon pomace powder as compared to raw lemon pomace. Dried lemon pomace powder was replaced with wheat flour at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% in biscuits. The biscuits were evaluated for chemical and sensory properties. Data revealed that the incorporation of lemon pomace powder improved the chemical and sensory properties of biscuits significantly. Highly acceptable biscuits with good sensory properties were obtained by incorporating 10% lemon pomace powder, with the potential use of promoting health

A green nutraceutical study of antioxidants extraction in Cleome brachycarpa - an ethnomedicinal plant

In the present study, an indigenous medical plant ‘Cleome brachycarpa’ was comparatively investigated for its antioxidant extraction for first time; using the soxhlet (traditional), microwave-assisted, and ultrasound-assisted (green) extraction methods with seven different solvents. The microwave-assisted extraction with methanol as solvent recovered the phytochemicals two-folds higher than the other methods with extraction efficiency of 370.57 ± 0.49 μg/ mg and correspondingly extracted the polyphenols: Phenolics (74.17 ± 0.61 μg GAE/mg DW), Flavonoids (65.46 ± 0.40 μg QE/mg DW), and Tannins (55.97 ± 0.85 μg CE/mg DW). The antioxidant capacity in relation with polyphenols was determined for Free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant potential. The DPPH radical scavenging percentage of methanolic green extract of Cleome brachycarpa was found to be 81.37 ± 0.28 with IC50 of 0.30 mg/mL that matched up to the DPPH scavenging potential of Trolox. Furthermore, the ferric reducing potential was high up to 15.30 ± 0.30 μg GAE/mg DW. The correlation of antioxidant capacity with polyphenols was highly significant (p < 0.05). The green nutraceutical study has validated the ethnomedicinal importance of Cleome brachycarpa which is related to its high polyphenolic content. The findings highlight Cleome brachycarpa as a potential candidate for research and isolation of medicinal polyphenols

Palindromic Rheumatism: Biology and Treatment Options

Palindromic rheumatism is a syndrome characterized by recurrent, self-resolving, and inflammatory attacks in and around the joints that have long recognized association with rheumatoid arthritis. PR attacks mostly start in small joints i.e. knees, shoulder, and small joints of the hand. Whether PR should be considered as a single disease or prodrome of RA remains a thought-provoking question. Multiple genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of PR. Many studies have explained the relationship between a high concentration of Anti-CCP antibodies and PR. Potential benefits of Gold therapy have been recognized in literature but still, there are some questions about toxicity and efficacy that need further considerations. In addition to that anti-malarial drugs, Abatacept, Tofacitinib, and Rituximab showed the variable result in different patients and needed further study to validate their medical use. Moreover, yarrow, oat, colchicum, dill, fennel, wild rue, bitter melon, willow, garlic, and burdock seem suitable candidates to treat rheumatoid although their use in PR is still not reported. Additional experimental researches on these drugs lead to an increase in our knowledge to fight against PR in the future using novel therapeutic approaches. We have attempted to cover this topic in a chapter form to provide a comprehensive view and hope that it will serve as a reference for clinicians who treat patients with PR

Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) a New Threat for World; U-Turn from Recovery to Death

Health care associated infections also termed as nosocomial infections are notable cause of morbidity and mortality especially in resource limited countries like Pakistan. Newborns and aged people have more probability of being infected by Health care associated infections because of immunosuppressant. Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSI) are considered as one of the promising negotiator associated with Health Care associated infections. Improper health care setting and unaware medical staff play a championship protagonist in prevalence of health care associated infections. Standard hygienic measures should be adopted to reduce risk of Health care associated infections. So, there is a pressing need to take on control policies by Government to handle this dilemma. This chapter gives new intuition to healthcare associated microbes, infections and provides comprehensive detailed on ironic precaution to scientific community

Exploring the effects of noise pollution on physiology and ptilochronology of birds.

Short and long-term sound-induced stress on daily basis can affect the physiology of avian individuals because they are more susceptible to sound stress in an open environment.ObjectivesAn ex-situ study was carried out to determine the impact of noise on physiology and ptilochronology of non-breeding male domesticated quail birds.MethodologyDuring 60-days long trial, male quail birds, aged 5-weeks, weighing (c.100gm) were used. Out of 72 experimental birds, 18 birds were assigned to the Control Group (G1) while remaining 54 birds were divided equally into 3 treatment groups: Road Traffic noise (G2), Military activity noise (G3) and Human Activities noise (G4). Birds were housed in standard-sized separate cages (20 ×45 × 20 cm), every bird was kept apart in separate cage in open laboratory under maintained environmental conditions. Millet seeds and water were provided to all the experimental birds ad libitum. Noise originated from several sources of recorded high-intensity music (1125 Hz/ 90 dB), was administered for 5-6 hours per day. Observations were recorded in the morning and afternoon. The experiment was conducted during the non-breeding season from August to October in triplicate. Blood sampling was done after 60 days.ResultsAccording to the current study, noise stress significantly (pConclusionNoise stress can significantly affect serology, hematology, hormonal physiology and ptilochronology in quail birds