Carrie Saxon Perry Project

In 1987, Carrie Saxon Perry was the first African-American woman elected mayor of Hartford–a first for any New England city. She was an outspoken barrier-breaker who brought people together and advocated fiercely for city residents. After her service as Hartford Mayor, Perry became active in the Greater Hartford branch of the N.A.A.C.P. and served as its president from 2004 to 2008. This project focuses on highlighting and preserving her achievements and legacy during her time as mayor. The team conductedcontinued secondary archival research and primary source oral interview collection that explores questions about Mayor Perry’s influences, leadership approach, and lasting impact on the community

P23. Prediction of preeclampsia during early pregnancy in primiparas with soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and placental growth factor

Objective: To test the hypothesis that preeclampsia (PE) can be predicted in primiparas early by measuring serum levels of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF). Methods: All normotensive primiparas attending antenatal clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karachi, Pakistan without any known risk factor for PE were invited to participate in the study. They were divided into two groups based on the development of PE. Blood samples of the participants were collected at 8–15; 16–22; 23–28; 29–34 weeks of pregnancy and a postnatal sample and were analyzed for sFlt-1 and PlGF. Results: 611 (46.7%) out of 1307 recruited primiparas completed the study according to the protocol. Out of these, 39 (6.4%) women developed PE. Difference in the serum sFlt-1 was evident as early as up to 15 weeks of gestation. Higher levels of sFlt-1 were present in women who later developed PE. Relatively higher levels of PlGF were observed in non-PE women compared to PE women up to 22 weeks of gestation. However, after 23 weeks of pregnancy, PlGF levels increased in both Groups but less so in PE Group. ROC curve analysis showed that even in early pregnancy (\u3c15 weeks of gestation); sFlt-1 alone has the potential to predict PE with AUC, sensitivity and specificity of 0.81, 75.9 and 72.4, respectively. Conclusions: PE can be predicted in primiparas in early part of second trimester with serum sFlt-1 and in later part of second trimester with serum PlGF

Enhanced photoelectrochemical performance of P-doped g‑C3N4/Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction photocathode for water splitting

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen evolution reaction at semiconductor photocathode in the presence of visible light is a promising way to harvest renewable energy. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has intriguing properties, making it highly favorable for photoelectrode engineering. This work demonstrated P-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets (PCN-Nss) and Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunction (PCN-Nss/ZCS-40) for PEC hydrogen evolution reaction using simulated sunlight. A facile and simple two-step strategy developed PCN-Nss/ZCS-40 photocathode; including co-precipitation of ZnCdS in the highly dispersed suspension of PCN-Nss and then drop-casting it on the surface of a conductive substrate. The intimate contact between PCN-Nss and ZnCdS at the molecular level due to the formation of heterojunction efficiently triggers charge separation, suppressing electron-hole pair recombination and easing the movement of photo-generated holes towards the conductive substrate. PCN-Nss/ZCS-40 (40% P-C3N4 by weight) showed substantially improved photocurrent response (−12 µA cm−2) at −0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl reference electrode in 0.2 M Na2S solution, which is almost 40 times greater than simple P-C3N4 nanosheets under the same conditions. This work will expose new applications for P-doped graphitic carbon nitride-based heterostructures for PEC water splitting

Reasons of refusal and drop out in a follow up study involving primigravidae in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the reasons underlying the refusals to participate and drop outs from a follow up study involving primigravidae. Design: A descriptive study. Methods: Aga Khan University and Aga Khan Hospital for Women, Karachi, jointly initiated a nested case-control study on primigravidae for determining the predictability of preeclampsia using various biochemical markers in blood. The protocol-eligible study subjects were counseled along with their accompanying family members to participate in the study. All women recruited in this study were followed up throughout their pregnancy till delivery. Results: One thousand six hundred and sixty-five primigravidae were identified as the potential study subjects. Out of which, 1,307 (78.5%) consented and 358 (21.5%) refused to participate in the study. The most common reason underlying the refusal was inability to get permission from the family members (n=84, 34.4%) followed by fear of prick (n=51, 20.9%). For 114 refusals, either the reason was not mentioned by the counseled women (n=60) or the data was missing (n=54). Out of 1,307 women recruited in the research, only 611 (46.7%) women completed the study according to the prescribed protocol. Among the rest, 102 (7.8%) subsequently withdrew from the research, 503 (38.5%) were dropped out, and 91 (7.0%) were lost to follow up. Conclusions: Refusal to participate and drop out from the research program are two significant factors hindering the smooth flow of a study. In Pakistan, the major reason for the refusal by the protocol-eligible pregnant women for participating in a research program is the unwillingness of the family members

Neonatal mortality, risk factors and causes: a prospective population-based cohort study in urban Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, sex distribution and causes of neonatal mortality, as well as its risk factors, in an urban Pakistani population with access to obstetric and neonatal care. Methods: Study area women were enrolled at 20-26 weeks\u27 gestation in a prospective population-based cohort study that was conducted from 2003 to 2005. Physical examinations, antenatal laboratory tests and anthropometric measures were performed, and gestational age was determined by ultrasound to confirm eligibility. Demographic and health data were also collected on pretested study forms by trained female research staff. The women and neonates were seen again within 48 hours postpartum and at day 28 after the birth, All neonatal deaths were reviewed using the Pattinson et al, system to assign obstetric and final causes of death, the circumstances of the death were determined by asking the mother or family and by reviewing hospital records. Frequencies and rates were calculated, and 95% confidence intervals were determined for mortality rates. Relative risks were calculated to evaluate the associations between potential risk factors and neonatal death. Logistic regression models were used to compute adjusted odds ratios. Findings: Birth outcomes were ascertained for 1280 (94%) of the 1369 women enrolled. The 28-day neonatal mortality rate was 47.3 per 1000 live births, Preterm birth, Caesarean section and intrapartum complications were associated with neonatal death. Some 45% of the deaths occurred within 48 hours and 73% within the first week. The primary obstetric causes of death were preterm labour (34%) and intrapartum asphyxia (21%). Final causes were classified as immaturity-related (26%), birth asphyxia or hypoxia (26%) and infection (23%). Neither delivery in a health facility nor by health professionals was associated with fewer neonatal deaths. The Caesarean section rate was 19%. Almost all (88%) neonates who died received treatment and 75% died in the hospital. Conclusion: In an urban population with good access to professional care, we found a high neonatal mortality rate, often due to preventable conditions. These results suggest that, to decrease neonatal mortality, improved health service quality is crucial