Three-gap analysis of structural adjustment in Pakistan

This study addresses two specific sets of questions. The first main question that has occupied a number of researchers is whether the adjustment programs (advocated by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund) have had any positive effects to date on macroeconomic performance (i.e. on exports, imports, savings, investment, consumption, and gross domestic product) in Pakistan. The second main question posed here is whether and to what extent external factors aggravated the adjustment process. The purpose of this study has accordingly been to provide systematic quantitative evidence on these fundamental questions, using 1970 to 1993 as the period of observation. We use a three-gap framework to explore the contributions to macroeconomic performance of the adjustment policy reforms and external shocks. The individual and collective effects of adjustment policies and external shocks are measured through a number of simulation experiments. The central finding of the study is that in broad terms, the adjustment programs resulted in a substantial improvement in macroeconomic performance of Pakistan's economy. Furthermore, the adverse effects associated with external shocks appeared to have been severe during the adjustment process

Three-Gap Analysis of Structural Adjustment in Pakistan.

Abstract: This study addresses two specific sets of questions. The first main question that has occupied a number of researchers is whether the adjustment programs (advocated by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund) have had any positive effects to date on macroeconomic performance (i.e. on exports, imports, savings, investment, consumption, and gross domestic product) in Pakistan. The second main question posed here is whether and to what extent external factors aggravated the adjustment process. The purpose of this study has accordingly been to provide systematic quantitative evidence on these fundamental questions, using 1970 to 1993 as the period of observation. We use a three-gap framework to explore the contributions to macroeconomic performance of the adjustment policy reforms and external shocks. The individual and collective effects of adjustment policies and external shocks are measured through a number of simulation experiments. The central finding of the study is that in broad terms, the adjustment programs resulted in a substantial improvement in macroeconomic performance of Pakistan's economy. Furthermore, the adverse effects associated with external shocks appeared to have been severe during the adjustment process.

Analysis of imatinib in bone marrow and plasma samples of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients using solid phase extraction LC-ESI-MS

The LC-ESI-MS was developed and validated for the analysis of imatinib in plasma and bone marrow samples using deuterated imatinib (D(8)-IM) as an internal standard. The biological samples were extracted using Strata-X-C SPE cartridges and separated on C<sub>8</sub> column (50 x 3 mm, 3 µm), and methanol: 0.1% formic acid (70:30) was delivered at the rate of 0.7 ml/min as a mobile phase. Imatinib was quantified in samples by monitoring the ions m/z 494.3 for imatinib and 502.3 for D<sub>8</sub>-imatinib on mass spectrometer. The method was linear in the concentration range of 1-1500 ng/250 µl in spiked human plasma samples and limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL. Inter-day and intra-day variations in spiked human plasma spiked with 50, 250 and 500 ng /mL were less than 3.16%. The repeatability and reproducibility and other parameters of the methods were also validated. The method was employed for the analysis of the imatinib in human plasma and bone marrow samples. The drug levels in bone marrow and plasma samples were correlated to the degree of cytogenetic response. No significant difference of imatinib level between blood and bone marrow in IM-treated patients dosed to steady state was observed

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Phytotoxic Potency of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Rhizopus stolonifer Culture

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of the organic extract of Rhizopus stolonifer whole cell static culture in order to determine the presence of potentially bioactive compounds in the culture.Methods: The organic extract was obtained by extracting the whole cell culture of R. stolonifer with Ethyl Acetate (EtOAc). The antifungal activity was determined by inhibitory effect on the growth of Alternaria alternate, Aspergillus flavus, Curvularia protuberata and Fusarium oxysporum, cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality test, antibacterial activity against Ervinia carotovora and Xanthomonas campestris by disc diffusion technique, and phytotoxic activity by testing the crude extract against theLemna minor frond.Results: The extract showed phytotoxic activity (at 95% level of  significance) against Lemna minor (67.7 % lethality) with Fronds Inhibition (FI50) of 167.85 ìg mL-1. The extract exhibited a significant (at 95% level of significance) cytotoxic activity (LC50 of 115.71 ìg mL-1) against brine shrimp. Maximum mortality (56.7 %) was obtained at a concentration of 200 ìg mL-1 concentration after 48 h. In the antifungal test, the highest inhibitory effect was observed against Fusarium oxysporum (88.8 %)followed by Alternaria alternata (81.5 %), Aspergillus flavus (70.5 %) and Curvularia protuberata (37.5 %) at 1000 ìg. mL-1 when compared to negative reference. Antibacterial activity against Ervinia carotovora and Xanthomonas campestris was minimal even at extract level of 2000 ìg mL-1.Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of R. stolonifer possesses significant herbicidal, cytotoxic and antifungal properties. Isolation and  characterization is required for structural elucidation of its bioactivecompounds.Keywords: Rhizopus stolonifer, Antifungal, Antibacterial, Phytotoxicity, Cytotoxicity

Prevalence and association of obesity with self-reported comorbidity: a cross-sectional study of 1321 adult participants in Lasbela, Balochistan

Association of fatness with chronic metabolic diseases is a well-established fact, and a high prevalence of risk factors for these disorders has increasingly been reported in the third world. In order to incorporate any preventive strategies for such risk factors into clinical practice, decision-makers require objective evidence about the associated burden of disease. A cross-sectional study of 1321 adults from one of the districts of Balochistan, among the most economically challenged areas of Pakistan, was carried out for the measures of fatness and self-reported comorbidities. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were measured and demographic information and self-reported comorbidities were documented.The prevalence of obesity was 4.8% (95% CI: [3.8, 6.1]) and 21.7% (95% CI: [19.5, 24.0]), as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) international and Asia/Asia-Pacific BMI cut-offs, respectively. The proportion exhibiting comorbidity increased with increasing levels of fatness in a dose-response relationship

Automated external defibrillators in public places: position statement from the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK

Position statements published by the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine UK are quick reference or information documents and include up to 10 short points of clinical relevance for the Sport and Exercise Medicine community as well as for general practitioners and health professionals. The Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine (FSEM) UK has published a statement to create greater awareness that the survival rate from Sudden Cardiac Arrest could improve with prompt access to an automated external defibrillator (AED)