Islands of subjugation in the land of empowerment : role of norwegian pakistani empowered women in the empowerment process of other norwegian pakistani women

Masteroppgave i "Comparative social work" - Universitetet i Nordland, 201

Fungal Infections in Some Economically Important Freshwater Fishes

Aim of this study was to investigate fungal infections in four species of carps including goldfish, Carassius (C.) auratus L.; silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys (H.) molitrix Richardsons; rahu, Labeo (L.) rohita Hamilton and Ctenopharyngodon (C.) idella Valenciennes. Nine specimens of each species were studied for the presence of fungal infections. Infected fishes showed clinical signs such as fungal growth on skin, fins, eyes, eroded fins and scales, hemorrhages on body surface and abdominal distension. The specimens from infected organs of fish were inoculated on each, malt extract, Sabouraud dextrose and potato dextrose agars. The fungal colonies of white, black, green, grey and brown colors were observed in the agar plates. Slides were prepared and stained with 0.05% Trypan blue in lactophenol. C. auratus showed the highest infection rate (44.4%) followed by H. molitrix and L. rohita (11.1% each). Five fungal species viz. Aspergillus (33.3%), Penicillium (22.2%), Alternaria (27.7%), Blastomyces spp (11.1%) and Rhizopus (5.5%) were isolated. Posterior part of the fish had significantly (P=0.05) higher (62.5%) infection as compared to anterior part (37.5%). The caudal fin with 31.25% infection was the single most affected area. This study showed that most of the fungi isolated from fishes are considered as normal mycoflora, yet many fungi can cause natural infections in ponds and aquarium

Five year evaluation of the complications observed in porcelain fused to metal (PFM) crowns placed at a university hospital

Objective: To determine the frequency of complications in crowns cemented over a 5-year period in a tertiary care hospital and also to report the survival of these crowns.Methods: The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from March 2017 to March 2018 and comprised porcelain fused-to-metal crowns placed on the anterior or posterior teeth that were fabricated at the institutional laboratory and were placed in institutional dental clinics in the preceding 5 years. Porcelain-fused to-metal The crowns were clinically and radio-graphically evaluated in a duration of two months for presence/absence of complications. Factors associated with the failure of the crowns, their survival and the impact of covariates, like gender, flossing and bruxism, on the survival time were determined. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.Results: There were 150 crowns related to 107 patients who had a mean age of 45.0±11.4 years. The most common complication observed was open proximal contacts 9(6%) followed by de-cementation 8(5.3%), porcelain chipping 9(6%) and abutment fracture 2(1.3%). The 5-year survival rate of the crowns was 127(84.7%). The mean follow-up time was 57.2±1.0 months. Overall, year-wise survival of PFM crowns for one year till five years was 147 (98%), 144 (96%), 135 (90%), 130 (86%) and 119 (79%) respectively.Conclusions: The porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns had a high 5-year survival rate. Open proximal contacts represented the most common complication

Awareness of dentists regarding immediate management of dental avulsion : Knowledge, attitude, and practice study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge of practising dentists regarding immediate management of dental avulsion. METHODS:The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in various dental colleges and teaching hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan, in October-November 2016, and comprised dentists working in academic institutions / departments or as general dental practitioners for at least 1 year. The subjects were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire. Questions related to knowledge and practice regarding immediate management of dental avulsion was asked and then responses were categorised as good knowledge, moderate and poor knowledge. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis.. RESULTS: Of the 282 subjects, 179 (63.5%) were females and 103(36.5%) were males. The overall mean age was 28. 33±4.7 years, and 194 (68.8%) had clinical experience of less than 5 years. Of the total, 30(11%) dentists had good knowledge while 130(46%) had moderate and 122(43%) had poor knowledge. Statistically significant association of knowledge regarding tooth avulsion was observed with the specialty (p= 0.006) and qualification (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of dentists regarding immediate management of avulsion injuries was inadequate. Knowledge was significantly associated with specialty and qualification of the dentist

Radiographic evaluation of the margins of clinically acceptable metal-ceramic crowns

Objective: To radiographically evaluate the proximal marginal fit of the clinically acceptable metal-ceramic crowns. Methods: The prospective study was conducted at the dental clinics of Aga Khan University, Karachi, from July to December 2018, and comprised metal-ceramic crowns that were evaluated prior to the cementation. Clinical examinations were conducted by seating the crown on the tooth preparation and visual assessment was done using sharp explorer along the margins. Clinically acceptable crowns were then evaluated on the bite-wing radiograph. Any horizontal or vertical inaccuracy of \u3e0.5mm at the proximal margins was recorded as \u27discrepancy\u27. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. Results: Of the 230 interproximal margins of 115 crowns evaluated, 113(49.1%) sites had marginal discrepancies; 44(19.1%) horizontal discrepancies, 58(25.2%) vertical discrepancies, and 11(4.8%) having both horizontal and vertical discrepancies. Horizontal crown margin discrepancies were most associated with the mesial site of the maxillary crowns, while vertical discrepancies were commonly associated with the distal aspect of all crowns (p\u3c0.050). Conclusions: Almost half of the crowns that were considered clinically acceptable had some vertical or horizontal marginal discrepancy on radiographic evaluation

Enteric coating of ibuprofen tablets (200 mg) using an aqueous dispersion system

Ibuprofen is a propionic acid derivative that belongs to the class NSAIDs. Major adverse reactions associated with Ibuprofen are related to GIT and include peptic and mucosal ulcers, dyspepsia, severe gastric pain and bleeding, that results in excessive treatment failure. The goal of this study was to develop enteric coated ibuprofen tablets in order to avoid gastric mucosal irritation, diffusion of drug across mucosal lining and to let active ingredient be absorbed easily in small intestine. The formulation was developed and manufactured through the direct compression process, the simplest, easiest and most economical method of manufacturing. Enteric coating was done using an Opadry white subcoating and an aqueous coating dispersion of Acryl-Eze. Enteric coated formulation was subjected to disintegration and dissolution tests by placing in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid for 2 h and then 1 h in phosphate buffer with a pH of 6.8. About 0.04% of drug was released in the acidic phase and 99.05% in the basic medium. These results reflect that ibuprofen can be successfully enteric coated in order to prevent its release in the stomach and facilitate rapid release of the drug in the duodenum, due to the presence of superdisintegrant. Formulating this enteric coated tablets could increase patient compliance by decreasing adverse drug reactions (ADR S) associated with Ibuprofen therapy.Ibuprofeno é um derivado do ácido propiônico, que pertence à classe dos fármacos não-esteróides (AINES). As principais reações adversas associadas com o ibuprofeno se referem àquelas do trato gastrintestinal (TGI), como úlceras pépticas e da mucosa, dispepsia, dor gástrica grave e sangramento, que resultam em muitas falhas de tratamento. O objetivo do estudo foi desenvolver comprimidos revestidos de ibuprofeno que impeçam a irritação da mucosa gástrica, difusão do fármaco através da mucosa e permitam, facilmente, a absorção do princípio ativo do intestino delgado. A formulação foi desenvolvida e manufaturada por meio de processo de compressão direta, método mais simples e econômico de preparação. O revestimento entérico foi efetuado utilizando-se subrevestimento com Opadry branco e revestimento por dispersão aquosa de Acryl-Eze. A formulação de revestimento para liberação entérica foi submetida a testes de desintegração e de dissolução, em ácido clorídrico 0,1 M, por 2 h, e, então, a h, em tampão fosfato pH 6,8. Cerca de 0,04% do fármaco foi liberado na fase ácida e 99,05%, no meio básico. Estes resultados refletem o fato de que o ibuprofeno pode ser revestido com sucesso, a fim de impedir sua liberação no estômago e facilitar a rápida liberação do fármaco no duodeno, devido à presença de superdesintegrante. A formulação de tais comprimidos aumentaria a adesão do paciente pela diminuição das reações adversas (RAs), associadas à terapia com ibuprofeno

18FDG synthesis and supply: A journey from existing centralized to future decentralized models

Positron emission tomography (PET) as the functional component of current hybrid imaging (like PET/ CT or PET/MRI) seems to dominate the horizon of medical imaging in coming decades. 18Flourodeoxyglucose (18FDG) is the most commonly used probe in oncology and also in cardiology and neurology around the globe. However, the major capital cost and exorbitant running expenditure of low to medium energy cyclotrons (about 20 MeV) and radiochemistry units are the seminal reasons of low number of cyclotrons but mushroom growth pattern of PET scanners. This fact and longer half-life of 18F (110 minutes) have paved the path of a centralized model in which 18FDG is produced by commercial PET radiopharmacies and the finished product (multi-dose vial with tungsten shielding) is dispensed to customers having only PET scanners. This indeed reduced the cost but has limitations of dependence upon timely arrival of daily shipments as delay caused by any reason results in cancellation or rescheduling of the PET procedures. In recent years, industry and academia have taken a step forward by producing low energy, table top cyclotrons with compact and automated radiochemistry units (Lab- on-Chip). This decentralized strategy enables the users to produce on-demand doses of PET probe themselves at reasonably low cost using an automated and user-friendly technology. This technological development would indeed provide a real impetus to the availability of complete set up of PET based molecular imaging at an affordable cost to the developing countries

Pseudo-thyroid lobe: A diagnostic conundrum caused by ossified anterior longitudinal ligament on bone scan

Radionuclide bone imaging is one of the most commonly performed nuclear medicine procedure around the world and characterized by its high sensitivity and relatively low specificity. False positive findings on a bone scan are very common; however, dense uptake over unilateral ossified anterior longitudinal ligament appearing as single thyroid lobe on a bone scan has not been described in the literature

De novo development of gliomas in a child with neurofibromatosis type 1, fragile X and previously normal brain magnetic resonance imaging

AbstractFifteen to 20% of children with neurofibromatosis type 1 develop low-grade glial neoplasms. However, since neuroimaging is not routinely obtained until a child is clinically symptomatic, little is known about presymptomatic radiographic characteristics of gliomas in this at-risk population. Herein, we describe a child with neurofibromatosis type 1 who initially had normal brain imaging before the development of multifocal gliomas. Comparison of these serial images demonstrated that brain tumors can arise de novo in children with this cancer predisposition syndrome, further underscoring the limited prognostic value of normal baseline magnetic resonance imaging

Utility of second trimester beta HCG levels in prediction of gestational hypertension: a prospective cohort study

Background: Gestational hypertension is a significant threat both to maternal and fetal health. However, it is still a distant dream to predict accurately its occurrence in early pregnancy. Objective was to find out if β HCG levels determined between 13 to 20 weeks of gestation can be used as a predictor for gestational hypertension.Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was conducted from August 2014 to January 2016. Serum β HCG levels were determined at 13 to 20 weeks of gestation of 190 normotensive pregnant women attending the antenatal clinics. They were followed for the development of gestational hypertension till 40 weeks of gestation or delivery.Results: Out of the total 190 women, 25 (13.1%) developed gestation hypertension. Of those who developed gestational hypertension, 22 (88%) were having β HCG levels >2 MOM (p2 MOM were 83.3, 96.9, 80.0 and 97.5 respectively (95% CI).Conclusions: Pregnant women with high Beta HCG levels in early pregnancy have significantly higher risk for development of gestational hypertension