Multiple parameters in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Objective: To determine the role of emergency ultrasound examination in the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy.Methods: A descriptive study done at the Radiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi from January 1999 to December 2000 using observational facts by non-probability convenient sampling method. Seventy one patients who presented with acute symptoms in early pregnancy, were subjected to emergency pelvic ultrasound. Both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound were done in 52 patients while in 19 patients only transabdominal ultrasound was performed. Serum Beta hCG levels, of all patients were greater than 1500 iu/ml.Results: Ultrasound correctly identified ectopic pregnancy in 71 patients. Ultrasound diagnosis included live embryo in six patients, adnexal mass with pelvic fluid in 54 patients, extrauterine gestational sac in 4 patients and pelvic fluid without adnexal mass in 7 patients. There was no indeterminate ultrasound scan, resulting in 100% specificity and sensitivity.CONCLUSION: The use of multiple parameters in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy resulted in 100% sensitivity and specificity

Ameliorative effects of alpha lipoic acid, quercetin and ascorbic acid against zinc oxide nanoparticles induced hepatic damage : in vivo

The current study envisioned to evaluate time related protective effect of quercetin, alpha lipoic acid and ascorbic acid on liver of mice against sub-acute exposure of zinc oxide (ZnO-NP) nanoparticle. Male Swiss albino mice (n=72) were randomly divided into eight groups (n=9, each group). G1 received saline solution 0.9%; G2 received quercetin (100 mg/kg b.w); G3 received alpha lipoic acid (100 mg/kg b.w); G4 received ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg b.w); G5 received ZnO-NPs (50 mg/kg b.w); G6 received ZnO-NPs with quercetin; G7 received ZnO-NPs with Alpha lipoic acid and G8 co-treated with ZnO-NPs and ascorbic acid for 21 consecutive days. Body weight, hepatosomatic index and plasma biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoproteins, low density lipoprotein, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase & bilirubin) were estimated. ZnO showed significant increase in body weight and cause alterations in all biochemical parameters. Co-administration of quercetin (100 mg/kg b.w), alpha lipoic acid and ascorbic acid daily along with ZnONPs, significantly ameliorate the dramatic alteration in biochemical parameters and hepatocellular necrosis caused by ZnO nanoparticles. Brine shrimp larvae cytotoxicity assay of ZnO nanoparticles showed 0% mortality. Present study concluded that all three active ingredients showed hepatoprotective effects against nanoparticles induced time dependent toxicity

PREVALENCE OF CONTRACEPTIVE PRACTICES IN MARRIED WOMEN OF NAINSUKH VILLAGE NEAR LAHORE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Overpopulation is one of the biggest problems faced globally by many developing countries which include Pakistan as well. Pakistan is the seventh most populous country of the world. By 2050 Pakistan will be ranked as the fourth largest nation of the world and its population will grow to 285 million. This study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of contraceptive use in a semi urban area Nainsukh near Lahore, Pakistan and to find out the major factors playing role in selection of contraceptive method. The contraceptive prevalence rate was 35.2% among married females of Nainsukh. It was observed that the most common method used by couples was condom used by 11.70% of the respondents. OCP were used by 4.6%, IUCD by 6.5%. Tubal ligation was opted by 4.6% of the participants. Major source of information was family planning center for 24.8% and friends gave this information to 14.98% of the women. Mother in law 5.9%, dai 9.1%, media 7.8% were other sources. Mean duration of use of contraceptive method was reported to be 2.45 ± 1.81 years. The most common reason of not using any contraceptive method was lack of awareness 29% and religious beliefs 23%. Approximately 58.3% of the clients were getting contraception facilities from private sector. Source of supply was lady doctor for 6.2% and LHW by 5.2%. About 5.5% of the females reported abortion as a choice to be used for contraception and only 4.2% were aware of emergency contraceptive methods

Association of Lipid Profile with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease diagnosed on Ultrasound

Objectives: To evaluate lipid profile parameters in patients with various grades of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) diagnosed on sonography.  Material and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at HBS General Hospital, Islamabad over a period of six months from January 2018 to June 2018. Seventy-nine adults of either gender diagnosed with NAFLD on ultrasonography were consecutively included. Fasting blood sample of all the subjects was analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) Comparison of lipid abnormalities between different grades of NAFLD was done by statistical analysis with p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the total 79 patients, grade I, II, and III NAFLD was diagnosed in 56.6%, 45.5%, and 3.9% respectively. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were raised in 28 (35.4%), 43 (54.4%) and 43 (54.4%) patients respectively. Low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were seen in 74 (93.6%) of patients. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in frequency as well as mean values in all serum lipid profile parameters with the severity of NAFLD grades except total cholesterol (TC). Conclusion: Increasing grades of NAFLD showed a significant correlation with higher levels of cholesterol, LDL, and decreasing levels of HDL, which are all associated with cardiovascular problems

Genetic Engineering in Livestock: Zoology's Role in Improving Animal Health, Productivity, and Sustainability in Agriculture

This review paper provides an overview of the advancements and applications of genetic engineering techniques in livestock, providing an in-depth look at how genetic engineering has improved animal health, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. In the introduction, genetic engineering is presented as an important tool for improving animal health, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. Several genetic engineering tools and methods are discussed in the paper, including transgenic technology and genome editing techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9. A special focus is placed on the application of genetic engineering to livestock, specifically disease resistance and control, improved productivity, and environmental sustainability. Additionally, the review discusses the role of genetic engineering in improving animal health by introducing disease-resistant genes and eliminating disease-causing genes. Genetically engineered vaccines and enhanced biosecurity measures are also discussed in detail as well. A further examination of how genetic engineering can enhance livestock productivity is also included in the review, including the introduction of growth-promoting genes and the manipulation of metabolic pathways. As part of the program, nutritional content and allergenicity can also be enhanced in milk and meat products. As well as highlighting the importance of genetic engineering in promoting sustainable agriculture, the review also discusses how genetic engineering can reduce environmental impacts on agriculture. It is intended to reduce methane emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus waste, as well as optimize resources and land use through improved feed conversion efficiency and disease resistance in order to reduce the need for antibiotics. In this article, ethical and regulatory issues are discussed, including ethical concerns, current regulations, and guidelines for genetic engineering in livestock. At the conclusion of the review, future directions and challenges are discussed, emphasizing the need for continued research and responsible implementation in order to improve animal health, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture

Multipollutant Abatement through Visible Photocatalytic System

Water pollution damages the aquatic environment due to the presence of organic contaminants, which in turn is distressing to the ecosystem. Photocatalytic activity is a greener and promising method to degrade these organic contaminants. In this research, we present the degradation of diverse water pollutants through zinc/iron oxide nanoparticles serving as photocatalysts. The photocatalyst was studied for its efficiency to photodegrade congo red, brilliant green and para nitro phenol. Moreover, it also presented an antibacterial activity against the bacterium E. coli. Photocatalyst was characterized via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Tauc plot was used to measure the optical band gap (1.84 eV). The effect of various parameters such as catalyst dose, contact time, dye dose/concentration and pH were also investigated to determine the optimum point of maximum degradation through response surface methodology. A face-centered composite design was used, and a quadratic model was followed by congo red, brilliant green dyes and para nitrophenol. The maximum photodegradation efficiencies were 99%, 94.3%, and 78.5% for congo red, brilliant green and phenol, respectively. Quantum yield for congo red, brilliant green and para-nitrophenol were 9.62 × 10−8, 1.17 × 10−7 and 4.11 × 10−7 molecules/photons, while the reaction rates were 27.1 µmolg−1h−1, 29.61 µmolg−1h−1 and 231 µmolg−1h−1, respectively

In Vitro Biofilm-Mediated Biodegradation of Pesticides and Dye-Contaminated Effluents Using Bacterial Biofilms

Overuse of pesticides in agricultural soil and dye-polluted effluents severely contaminates the environment and is toxic to animals and humans making their removal from the environment essential. The present study aimed to assess the biodegradation of pesticides (cypermethrin (CYP) and imidacloprid (IMI)), and dyes (malachite green (MG) and Congo red (CR)) using biofilms of bacteria isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil and dye effluents. Biofilms of indigenous bacteria, i.e., Bacillus thuringiensis 2A (OP554568), Enterobacter hormaechei 4A (OP723332), Bacillus sp. 5A (OP586601), and Bacillus cereus 6B (OP586602) individually and in mixed culture were tested against CYP and IMI. Biofilms of indigenous bacteria i.e., Lysinibacillus sphaericus AF1 (OP589134), Bacillus sp. CF3 (OP589135) and Bacillus sp. DF4 (OP589136) individually and in mixed culture were tested for their ability to degrade dyes. The biofilm of a mixed culture of B. thuringiensis + Bacillus sp. (P7) showed 46.2% degradation of CYP compared to the biofilm of a mixed culture of B. thuringiensis + E. hormaechei + Bacillus sp. + B. cereus (P11), which showed significantly high degradation (70.0%) of IMI. Regarding dye biodegradation, a mixed culture biofilm of Bacillus sp. + Bacillus sp. (D6) showed 86.76% degradation of MG, which was significantly high compared to a mixed culture biofilm of L. sphaericus + Bacillus sp. (D4) that degraded only 30.78% of CR. UV–VIS spectroscopy revealed major peaks at 224 nm, 263 nm, 581 nm and 436 nm for CYP, IMI, MG and CR, respectively, which completely disappeared after treatment with bacterial biofilms. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis showed the appearance of new peaks in degraded metabolites and disappearance of a peak in the control spectrum after biofilm treatment. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis also confirmed the degradation of CYP, IMI, MG and CR into several metabolites compared to the control. The present study demonstrates the biodegradation potential of biofilm-forming bacteria isolated from pesticide-polluted soil and dye effluents against pesticides and dyes. This is the first report demonstrating biofilm-mediated bio-degradation of CYP, IMI, MG and CR utilizing soil and effluent bacterial flora from Multan and Sheikhupura, Punjab, Pakistan