Fresh Records on Water Quality and Ichthyodiversity of River Swat at Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract.-A study on the fish fauna and water quality parameters of River Swat at Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan was conducted, with an aim to determine fresh records of water quality variables and fish fauna after heavy floods of July, 2010 in the province. For fish distribution a 35 km belt of the river was explored for four months and every effort was made to collect the fish specimen by any legal mean. During this study the mean values recorded for physico-chemical parameters were water temperature 19.8°C, pH 7.6, dissolved oxygen 9.65 mg/l, electrical conductivity 199.47 µS/cm, TDS 127.66 mg/l, TSS 93.78 mg/l, total hardness 118.75 mg/l, calcium hardness 75 mg/l, magnesium hardness 43.75 mg/l, sodium 5.325 mg/l, potassium 3.175 mg/l, total alkalinity 97 mg/l, chloride 15.3 mg/l and nitrite 0.0092 mg/l. All these values were within the limits prescribed by the standard methods for the examination of water, sewage and industrial wastes. In the present study a total of 38 fish species belonging to; 6 orders, 9 families and 24 genera were recorded. Cyprinidae was the richest family and was represented by 20 species, Nemacheilidae by 4, Sisoridae by 6, Channidae and Schilbidae by 2, Mastacembelidae, Schilbidae, Belonidae and Chandidae by single species. Results report six (6) species missing in the present study in comparison with the past records

An Investigation of the Bacterial Flora Causing Spoilage of Fishes at Board Fish Market, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract.-Bacterial flora from the epidermis of different species of carp fishes were isolated and identified as potential causes of spoilage of fish at Board fish market, Peshawar, Pakistan from November to December, 2013. Nutrient agar medium was used for mixed culture of bacteria. Other selective media, such as MacConkey agar, Blood agar medium, EMB medium, Pseudomonas medium and Mannitole salt agar medium were used for culture and identification of specific bacteria

Length-weight and length-length relationships of freshwater wild catfish Mystus bleekeri from Nala Daik, Sialkot, Pakistan

Length-weight (LWR) and length-length relationships (LLR) were determined for a freshwater catfish Mystus bleekeri (Day, 1877) collected from Nala Daik, Sialkot, Pakistan. A total of 105 specimens (56 males; 49 females) were collected from February to March, 2010. Each specimen was weighed (g) and measured (cm). The total length of specimens studied ranged from 5.5 to 7.8 cm. Linear regression analysis was used, first to compute the degree of relationship between length and weight and then among total (TL), standard (SL) and fork lengths (FL). LWR exhibited a highly significant correlation (P < 0.001). The overall value of the exponent of LWR (b = 2.62) suggested negative allometric growth. Results for LLRs indicated that these are highly correlated (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the first reference for separate male, female and combined sex of length-weight and length-length relationships for Mystus bleekeri was provided.Key words: Mystus bleekeri, length-weight relationship, length-length relationship, predictive equations

Global prevalence, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in 2016: a modelling study

BACKGROUND: The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Although no virological cure exists for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, existing therapies to control viral replication and prophylaxis to minimise mother-to-child transmission make elimination of HBV feasible. We aimed to estimate the national, regional, and global prevalence of HBsAg in the general population and in the population aged 5 years in 2016, as well as coverage of prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment. METHODS: In this modelling study, we used a Delphi process that included a literature review in PubMed and Embase, followed by interviews with experts, to quantify the historical epidemiology of HBV infection. We then used a dynamic HBV transmission and progression model to estimate the country-level and regional-level prevalence of HBsAg in 2016 and the effect of prophylaxis and treatment on disease burden. FINDINGS: We developed models for 120 countries, 78 of which were populated with data approved by experts. Using these models, we estimated that the global prevalence of HBsAg in 2016 was 3·9% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 3·4-4·6), corresponding to 291 992 000 (251 513 000-341 114 000) infections. Of these infections, around 29 million (10%) were diagnosed, and only 4·8 million (5%) of 94 million individuals eligible for treatment actually received antiviral therapy. Around 1·8 (1·6-2·2) million infections were in children aged 5 years, with a prevalence of 1·4% (1·2-1·6). We estimated that 87% of infants had received the three-dose HBV vaccination in the first year of life, 46% had received timely birth-dose vaccination, and 13% had received hepatitis B immunoglobulin along with the full vaccination regimen. Less than 1% of mothers with a high viral load had received antiviral therapy to reduce mother-to-child transmission. INTERPRETATION: Our estimate of HBV prevalence in 2016 differs from previous studies, potentially because we took into account the effect of infant prophylaxis and early childhood vaccination, as well as changing prevalence over time. Although some regions are well on their way to meeting prophylaxis and prevalence targets, all regions must substantially scale-up access to diagnosis and treatment to meet the global targets. FUNDING: John C Martin Foundation.status: publishe

Global prevalence, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis B virus infection in 2016: a modelling study

Background: The 69th World Health Assembly approved the Global Health Sector Strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Although no virological cure exists for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, existing therapies to control viral replication and prophylaxis to minimise mother-to-child transmission make elimination of HBV feasible. We aimed to estimate the national, regional, and global prevalence of HBsAg in the general population and in the population aged 5 years in 2016, as well as coverage of prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: In this modelling study, we used a Delphi process that included a literature review in PubMed and Embase, followed by interviews with experts, to quantify the historical epidemiology of HBV infection. We then used a dynamic HBV transmission and progression model to estimate the country-level and regional-level prevalence of HBsAg in 2016 and the effect of prophylaxis and treatment on disease burden. Findings: We developed models for 120 countries, 78 of which were populated with data approved by experts. Using these models, we estimated that the global prevalence of HBsAg in 2016 was 3·9% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 3·4–4·6), corresponding to 291 992 000 (251 513 000–341 114 000) infections. Of these infections, around 29 million (10%) were diagnosed, and only 4·8 million (5%) of 94 million individuals eligible for treatment actually received antiviral therapy. Around 1·8 (1·6–2·2) million infections were in children aged 5 years, with a prevalence of 1·4% (1·2–1·6). We estimated that 87% of infants had received the three-dose HBV vaccination in the first year of life, 46% had received timely birth-dose vaccination, and 13% had received hepatitis B immunoglobulin along with the full vaccination regimen. Less than 1% of mothers with a high viral load had received antiviral therapy to reduce mother-to-child transmission. Interpretation: Our estimate of HBV prevalence in 2016 differs from previous studies, potentially because we took into account the effect of infant prophylaxis and early childhood vaccination, as well as changing prevalence over time. Although some regions are well on their way to meeting prophylaxis and prevalence targets, all regions must substantially scale-up access to diagnosis and treatment to meet the global targets. Funding: John C Martin Foundation

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous