Discrimination Indices for Diagnosis of Beta(β) Thalassemia Trait

Background: To determine the reliability ofhematological indices and derived formulas indiagnosing beta thalassemia trait.Methods: In this observational cohort study,patients diagnosed as beta thalassaemia minor wereincluded. All hematological indices wererecorded.Haemoglobin electrophoresis wasperformed using capillarys 2 flex piercing system.An HbA2 value > 3.5% was considered as a cut-offpoint for beta-thalassemia trait. Fourteenhaematological indices were then applied accordingto the formulae and cut off values. Percentage ofpositive cases accurately identified along with themean, median and mode were calculated for eachdiscrimination index.Results: The study cohort constituted of total 493patients, out of which 246 (49.9%) were male and 247(50.1%) were females. The mean age of all thepatients was 20.34 +12.835, with range of 6-50 years.The mean haemoglobin level of all patients was10.82+1.64 and ranged between 4.60 and 16.30. A redblood cell count more than 4.9 X 10 12/l and a MCHless that 25 pg were the most consistent findings.Srivastava index was more near to predicting betathalassaemia minor .Conclusion: Red cell indices and discriminationfactors have a potential utility in screening for βthalassaemia trait , keeping in view their sensitivityand specificit

Boron, zinc and microtone effects on growth, chlorophyll contents and yield attributes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar

The micronutrient required in minute quantity and their deficiency leads to diminished growth and yield of crops. The effect of soil application of Zinc (Zn), Boron (B) and Microtone (MT) on growth, chlorophyll contents, mineral profile and yield components were investigated in rice at Chakkanwali Reclamation Research Station District, Gujranwala, Pakistan in the year 2011. Seven treatments which includes Zn 33% at 3 kg/acre, Zn 33% at 6 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 1.5 kg/acre, B 11.3% at 3 kg/acre, Zn + B at 3 + 1.5 kg/acre, Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre and MT + Zn 6% + B + Fe + Mn + Cu 1% each at 500 ml/acre, and F0 considered as the control were used. The results reveal that foliar application of Zn and B (Zn + B at 6 + 3 kg/acre) were proved as the best balanced fertilizer dose for higher growth and yield response. The plant height, tiller/plant, panicle length, kernels/plant, filled kernel/plant, productive kernel, straw, paddy and biological yield increased up to 29.75, 38.40, 28.19, 25.81, 36.52, 38.52, 32.47, 38.27 and 31.79%, respectively. The chlorophyll contents, B and Zn contents in rice plant also increased significantly as compared to the control. However, the B, Zn and MT application reduced the amylase and protein contents of rice plant at all treatment levels.Keywords: Micronutrients, rice crop, growth, chlorophyll contents, Oryza sativa L., yield attribute

The role of integrated offline/online social activity and social identification in Facebook citizenship behaviour formation

Purpose<: Drawing on social identity theory and prosocial behaviour research, this study explores how people's integration of their offline and online social activities through Facebook cultivates their Facebook citizenship behaviour (FCB). It also offers further insight into the underlying mechanism of offline and online social activity integration - FCB relation by investigating people's social identification with their offline and online social groups as possible mediators. Design/methodology/approach: Based on social identity theory (SIT) literature, community citizenship behaviour and offline-online social activity integration through Facebook, we developed a conceptual model, which was empirically tested using data from 308 Facebook users Findings: The results confirm that the participants' offline-online social activity integration via Facebook is positively linked to their FCB. Further, the integration of offline and online social activity through Facebook positively affects how a person identifies with their offline and online social groups, which in turn causes them to display FCB. In addition, offline/online social identification mediates the integration – FCB relation. Practical implications: In practice, it is interesting to see people's tendency towards altruistic behaviours within groups they like to associate themselves with. Those who share their Facebook network with their offline friends can use such network to seek help and support. Originality/value: From a theoretical perspective, unlike past research, this study examines how individuals' offline-online social activity integration via Facebook helps them associate with groups. In addition, this study investigates social identification from an offline and online perspective

Phalaris minor control, resistance development and strategies for integrated management of resistance to fenoxaprop-ethyl

Phalaris minor (Littleseed canary grass) is a very important and annual weed of winter cereal crops. It is a very competitive weed of wheat, oat and barley crops in Pakistan. Usually, three aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, diclofop-methyl and clodinafop-propargyl are used as chemical weed control against different grassy weeds like P. minor, Avena sativa and Cyperus rotundus L. This review describes fenoxaprop-ethyl, a selective chemical herbicide used to control P. minor in wheat crop. High production of wheat is associated with its continuous use. But this practice enhances the development of resistant biotypes of P. minor. Different management approaches like preference of mechanical weeding over chemical weed control, integration of competitive varietal selection, crop rotation and herbicide rotation can be long duration strategies of resistance management in P. minor. However, tillage method, planting time, method of herbicide application, optimum dose, higher seed rate, early sowing, bed planting, stale seed bed and zero tillage are short duration resistance management strategies. Use of water extracts of herbicidal potential (allelopathic) plants can be effective integrated management of herbicide resistant against P. minor in wheat and for eco-friendly and sustainable weed management.Key words: Control, fenoxaprop-ethyl, management, Phalaris minor, resistance, wheat

Consistent association of fungus Fusarium mangiferae Britz with mango malformation disease in Pakistan

Mango malformation disease (MMD) deforms the natural shape of panicles and shoots. The disease incitant is of great concern due to its complexity and mode of infection. Recently, a new species Fusarium mangiferae Britz was confirmed as the etiological agent of MMD in African and Asian clade. There was a need to confirm the fungus in other Asian countries. We investigated the association of F. mangiferae with malformed branches of five exotic and five indigenous cultivars of Mangifera indica L. in Pakistan. F. mangiferae proved to be the dominant fungus hosting majority of the malformed tissues. Among the indigenous cultivars, maximum tissue infection of 96.66% was found in cultivar Anwar Rataul and minimum was found in cultivar Late Chaunsa (48.33%). In exotic ones, maximum and minimum infections of 97.33 and 70.67% were noted in the cultivars Sensation and Pop, respectively. Light and transmission electron microscopy proved helpful in investigating the morphological matrix and ultrastructure of the propagules of fungus F. mangiferae.Key words: Mangifera indica, microconidium, Pakistan, tissue assay, transmission electron microscopy

The Spectrum of Oesophagal Varices, Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy and Child Pugh’s Class in Cirrhotic Patients at Tertiary CareHospital

Objective: To find the association of Child-Pugh’s Class with oesophagal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic patients at CMH Lahore. Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gastroenterology and Department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital Lahore Pakistan, from Feb to May 2021. Methodology: All patients with cirrhosis of the liver, irrespective of aetiology, who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, were included in the study. Lab data was retrieved from the Pathology Department to calculate Child Pugh’s score. Endoscopic findings of oesophagal varices and portal gastropathy were recorded and their correlation/association with Child-Pugh’s Class was calculated separately by using Pearson’s coefficient. Results: A total of 148 patients were included in the study. Male patients were 90(60.8%) and female were 58(39.2%). The age range was 27-85 years, with the mean of patients being 55.93±13.19 years. Association of Child Pugh’s Class with oesophagal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy revealed that higher grades of oesophagal varices (Grade-lll) and severe portal hypertensive gastropathy were found in Child Pugh’s Class-B (13.51%, 14.18%) and C (15.54%, 16.2%) as compared to Class- A (4.72 %, 1.35%). Child-Pugh’s Class positively correlates with both oesophagal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy by Pearson’s coefficient r=0.594 and 0.035, respectively; both have significant p values (p <0.05). Conclusion: Child-Pugh’s Class has a positive correlation with both oesophagal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy in patients with cirrhosi

Economic Implications of Tomato Production in Naushahro Feroze District of Sindh Pakistan

In the present study, attempt was made to explore the economic implication of tomato in Nausharo Feroze Sindh. For this purpose 60 growers were selected from different villages of District Naushero feroz of Sindh province during the year 2013 using survey method of study.  The data on various costs, physical and revenue productivity were collected from 60 randomly selected tomato farmers. Result revealed that the education level of selected growers was in order of 25.00% primary (5years), 36.66% of middle (8years), 16.66% matriculate (10years) 3.33% educated from college and university, 1.70% graduate the 18.33% of tomato respondents were illiterate. Results further indicate that farmers incurred an average per hectare fixed costs. Rs 33187.00 include Rs 700.00 for land tax, Rs 32487.00 for rent of land. The results revealed that tomato farmers incurred an average per hectare cost of Rs 19780.75 as labor cost. An average per acre marketing cost of 30457.65 on tomato capital input used, and an average per acre marketing cost was Rs. 4191.73 On an average per acre spent a total cost of production of Rs. 87617.13. An average per acre Physical productivity was 186.00 in mounds. An average per acre Revenue productivity was Rs.158750.00 and the Net income was 71133.00 an availed input output ratio 1:1.81 it means that with the investment of Rs.1.00 in tomato enterprises they yielded Rs.1.81. The cost benefit ratio of the cultivation of tomato at 1:0.81 it means that the tomato growers fetched Rs.0.81 on each rupee investment of tomato. The poor production implies that the soil quality, inadequate canal water, insect pest and poor extension services could be the causes this low production. The empirical result indicates that significant increase in input of tomato in the study area could be traced mainly to use of latest technology. Keywords: Tomato, cost, fruit yield, labor, net returns, and cost-benefit ratio

Prognostic model to predict postoperative acute kidney injury in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery based on a national prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Acute illness, existing co-morbidities and surgical stress response can all contribute to postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery. The aim of this study was prospectively to develop a pragmatic prognostic model to stratify patients according to risk of developing AKI after major gastrointestinal surgery. Methods: This prospective multicentre cohort study included consecutive adults undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or stoma reversal in 2-week blocks over a continuous 3-month period. The primary outcome was the rate of AKI within 7 days of surgery. Bootstrap stability was used to select clinically plausible risk factors into the model. Internal model validation was carried out by bootstrap validation. Results: A total of 4544 patients were included across 173 centres in the UK and Ireland. The overall rate of AKI was 14·2 per cent (646 of 4544) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1·8 per cent (84 of 4544). Stage 1 AKI was significantly associated with 30-day mortality (unadjusted odds ratio 7·61, 95 per cent c.i. 4·49 to 12·90; P < 0·001), with increasing odds of death with each AKI stage. Six variables were selected for inclusion in the prognostic model: age, sex, ASA grade, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, planned open surgery and preoperative use of either an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. Internal validation demonstrated good model discrimination (c-statistic 0·65). Discussion: Following major gastrointestinal surgery, AKI occurred in one in seven patients. This preoperative prognostic model identified patients at high risk of postoperative AKI. Validation in an independent data set is required to ensure generalizability

Time to endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: results from a prospective multicentre trainee-led audit

Background: Endoscopy within 24 hours of admission (early endoscopy) is a quality standard in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB). We aimed to audit time to endoscopy outcomes and identify factors affecting delayed endoscopy (>24h of admission).Methods: This prospective multicentre audit enrolled patients admitted with AUGIB who underwent inpatient endoscopy between Nov-Dec 2017. Analyses were performed to identify factorsassociated with delayed endoscopy, and to compare patient outcomes, including length of stay and mortality rates, between early and delayed endoscopy groups.Results: Across 348 patients from 20 centres, the median time to endoscopy was 21.2h (IQR 12.0- 35.7), comprising median admission to referral and referral to endoscopy times of 8.1h (IQR 3.7- 18.1) and 6.7h (IQR 3.0-23.1) respectively. Early endoscopy was achieved in 58.9%, although this varied by centre (range: 31.0% - 87.5%, p=0.002). On multivariable analysis, lower Glasgow-Blatchford score, delayed referral, admissions between 7am-7pm or via the Emergency Department were independent predictors of delayed endoscopy. Early endoscopy was associated with reduced length of stay (median difference 1d; p= 0.004), but not 30-day mortality (p=0.344).Conclusions: The majority of centres did not meet national standards for time to endoscopy. Strategic initiatives involving acute care services may be necessary to improve this outcome