9 research outputs found
Geographical distribution of reported cases across Pakistan. (Map is created by author using QGIS software).
No full textGeographical distribution of reported cases across Pakistan. (Map is created by author using QGIS software).</p
Perinatal Outcomes in Women with Pre-eclampsia Having Raised Serum Uric Acid Levels
No full texteclampsia who had elevated serum uric acid levels.
Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, PAF Hospital Islamabad, Sarfraz Rafiqui Complex from Jan 2025 to Mar 2025. The study population was determined using the WHO calculator, considering the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in pregnancy as 25.9% in the local population, with a 95% confidence interval and a 0.08% margin of error. The calculated minimum sample size was 116. Participants were selected through consecutive non-random sampling. Data were collected on maternal demographics, serum uric acid levels, and perinatal outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSS version 23.
Results: Among 116 women detected through pre-eclampsia, those through elevated serum uric acid levels had a higher incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes, including preterm birth, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions, and perinatal mortality. A statistically significant correlation was observed between raised serum uric acid levels and poor perinatal outcomes (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Elevated serum uric acid levels in females having pre-eclampsia were related through adverse perinatal results, including preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased NICU admissions. Routine monitoring of serum uric acid levels in pre-eclamptic pregnancies may help in early identification of high-risk cases, allowing for timely intervention to improve perinatal outcomes.
Keywords: Pre-eclampsia, Serum Uric Acid, Perinatal Outcomes, Pregnancy, Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy, Maternal Health
Patient Educ Couns
No full textObjectiveTo describe the development, pilot testing, and dissemination of a psychosocial intervention addressing concerns of young breast cancer survivors (YBCS).MethodsIntervention development included needs assessment with community organizations and interviews with YBCS. Based on evidence-based models of treatment, the intervention included tools for managing anxiety, fear of recurrence, tools for decision-making, and coping with sexuality/ relationship issues. After pilot testing in a university setting, the program was disseminated to two community clinical settings.ResultsThe program has two distinct modules (anxiety management and relationships/sexuality) that were delivered in two sessions; however, due to attrition, an all day workshop evolved. An author constructed questionnaire was used for pre- and post-intervention evaluation. Post-treatment scores showed an average increase of 2.7 points on a 10 point scale for the first module, and a 2.3 point increase for the second module. Qualitative feedback surveys were also collected. The two community sites demonstrated similar gains among their participants.ConclusionsThe intervention satisfies an unmet need for YBCS and is a possible model of integrating psychosocial intervention with oncology care.Practice ImplicationsThis program developed standardized materials which can be disseminated to other organizations and potentially online for implementation within community settings.R25 CA087949/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesU58 DP003429/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States1U58DP003429/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United StatesR25CA 87949/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United State
Parental Cultural Values, Qualities of Parenting, and Diurnal Cortisol Patterns in Middle Childhood: Differences in White and Hispanic Families?
No full textabstract: It is widely understood that qualities of the home environment greatly influence child health outcomes (Nancy, 1999; Simons et al., 2010). While there has been much research regarding the role of direct parenting behaviors, there remains little research regarding how other qualities of the parent, such as cultural values, may affect child physiological outcomes. Furthermore, research has also suggested that the way in which parenting and culture may be associated with child outcomes may differ based on race/ethnicity (Pinquart & Kauser, 2018). In this thesis, I examined the direct associations between parental cultural values (i.e., mainstream, traditional) and child diurnal cortisol outcomes as well as other qualities of parenting (parental warmth, authoritarianism) and child diurnal cortisol outcomes in Hispanic and White identifying primary caregivers. A moderating model was then used to investigate the racial/ethnic differences which may exist in these associations through mixed model regressions.
Participants were 475 twins and their primary caregivers (mean age=8.48; Primary caregivers: 64% White, 36% Hispanic; 53.8% middle class or above). I found no main effects between parental cultural values and child cortisol outcomes and no main effects between parenting behaviors and child cortisol outcomes. However, when exploring the moderating role of race/ethnicity, it was found that, as compared to children of White primary caregivers, children of Hispanic primary caregivers who had higher levels of parental authoritarianism had steeper PM slopes, indicating more adaptive cortisol outcomes. This suggests that the adaptiveness of certain parenting behaviors may differ across racial/ethnic groups such that what is considered to be “good parenting” may not translate across differing racial/ethnic groups. Ultimately, further research should be conducted in order to further explore the impact of race/ethnicity in the outcomes of our children
Diversity of Bacillus-like bacterial community in the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil of halophytes (Salsola stocksii and Atriplex amnicola) and characterization of osmoregulatory genes in halophilic Bacilli
No full textSalinity is one of the major abiotic stresses, with a total of 3% of the worldâ s land mass being affected by salinity. Approximately 6.3 million hectares of land in Pakistan is affected by salinity to varying degree and most of the areas are arid to semiarid with low annual precipitation. The aim of present study is to identify and characterize Bacillus and Bacillus-derived bacterial genera from the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil samples from Khewra Salt Mine, Pakistan by using culture-independent as well as culture-dependent methods. Seven Bacillus-like bacterial genera Bacillus, Halobacillus, Virgibacillus, Brevibacillus, Paenibacillus, Tumebacillus and Lysinibacillus were detected by using pyrosequencing analysis whereas only four genera Bacillus, Halobacillus, Oceanobacillus and Virgibacillus were identified by culture-dependent methods. Most of Bacillus-like isolates identified in this study were moderately halophilic, alkaliphilic and mesophilic bacteria and were considered as a good source of hydrolytic enzymes because of their ability to degrade proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Eight Bacillus-like strains from the genera Bacillus, Halobacillus, Oceanobacillus and Virgibacillus showed positive results for the presence of ectABC gene cluster (ectoine), six strains could synthesize betaine from choline and six strains tested positive for the synthesis of proline from either glutamate or ornithine by using proline dehydrogenase enzyme.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
Development and pilot testing of a psychosocial intervention program for young breast cancer survivors
No full textOBJECTIVE: To describe the development, pilot testing, and dissemination of a psychosocial intervention addressing concerns of young breast cancer survivors (YBCS).
METHODS: Intervention development included needs assessment with community organizations and interviews with YBCS. Based on evidence-based models of treatment, the intervention included tools for managing anxiety, fear of recurrence, tools for decision-making, and coping with sexuality/relationship issues. After pilot testing in a university setting, the program was disseminated to two community clinical settings.
RESULTS: The program has two distinct modules (anxiety management and relationships/sexuality) that were delivered in two sessions; however, due to attrition, an all day workshop evolved. An author constructed questionnaire was used for pre- and post-intervention evaluation. Post-treatment scores showed an average increase of 2.7 points on a 10 point scale for the first module, and a 2.3 point increase for the second module. Qualitative feedback surveys were also collected. The two community sites demonstrated similar gains among their participants.
CONCLUSIONS: The intervention satisfies an unmet need for YBCS and is a possible model of integrating psychosocial intervention with oncology care.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This program developed standardized materials which can be disseminated to other organizations and potentially online for implementation within community settings
The intersectionality of class and gender : women's economic activities in east and west Amman
No full textThis research is based on a comparative study between East and West
Amman women in terms of economic activity. Amman is a patriarchal society and
this research explains the prevalent patriarchal structures that influence women’s
economic activities and experiences and how these patriarchal structures operate
differently depending on class. This research adopts an intersectional approach to
gender and class to provide us with a more comprehensive understanding of
women’s experiences in relation to economic activity. The study sheds light on the
fact that class in Jordan is very much related to place of residence, and the
differences between East and West Amman are very influential in determining
women’s experiences. It is meant to explore the views and attitudes towards
women’s economic activities, and the different views between East and West
Amman, and between men and women. Moreover, this research explores the factors
that influence women’s economic activities and how these factors are different
amongst women themselves. This research also identifies the strategies adopted by
women to deal with patriarchy- resistance, negotiation and accommodation-and
how those strategies differ depending on class. The data for this research was
collected through interviews with 18 women, nine from East and nine from West
Amman, economically active and inactive. The research also made use of 164
questionnaires completed by both men and women from East and West Amman.
The questionnaire aimed to provide us with data showing class differences between
East and West Amman, and was also used to provide us with the attitudes and
views towards women’s and men’s economic activities
Global guideline for the diagnosis and management of candidiasis: an initiative of the ECMM in cooperation with ISHAM and ASM
No full textCandida species are the predominant cause of fungal infections in patients treated in hospital, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Candidaemia and other forms of invasive candidiasis primarily affect patients who are immunocompromised or critically ill. In contrast, mucocutaneous forms of candidiasis, such as oral thrush and vulvovaginal candidiasis, can occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Although mucocutaneous candidiasis is generally not life-threatening, it can cause considerable discomfort, recurrent infections, and complications, particularly in patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes or in those taking immunosuppressive therapies. The rise of difficult-to-treat Candida infections is driven by new host factors and antifungal resistance. Pathogens, such as Candida auris (Candidozyma auris) and fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis, pose serious global health risks. Recent taxonomic revisions have reclassified several Candida spp, potentially causing confusion in clinical practice. Current management guidelines are limited in scope, with poor coverage of emerging pathogens and new treatment options. In this Review, we provide updated recommendations for managing Candida infections, with detailed evidence summaries available in the appendix. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 licens
Key account management in an Arab context
No full textThis study sought to contribute to the literature on key account management (KAM) relationships. In doing so, it aimed to address a number of gaps in the existing literature, particularly a noticeable lack of research into key account management in developing economies, as opposed to developed economies. More specifically, the study sought to examine the dynamics of key account management relationships in an emerging economy in the Arab World. The main research question to address was: How is KAM relationship management applied in an Arab context?
The research utilised 50 cross-sectional semi-structured in-depth interviews to achieve the study’s aim. More specifically, the study was based upon a sample of recipients involved with key accounts from supplier organisations which operated in different sectors and had different ownership – local and foreign. Primary data was gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews primarily with key account managers, and with company directors, marketing and sales managers, and selling/support teams.
In general, the findings revealed that there are informal and formal aspects of KAM relationships in an Arab context that complement each other. These have some similarities and differences with the Western context. In particular, similarities appeared mainly along the formal aspects such as, roles and duties of key account managers (KAMgrs), identification and selection criteria of key accounts, special treatment and activities carried out with key customers; the actors involved including senior managers and support teams; and the resources utilised. However, differences existed in the selection and the recruitment criteria and some competencies that were Arab specific, the degree of involvement of senior managers differ significantly from what is noted in the KAM literature. As for the informal aspect, that is manifested in Wasta and family connections, trust, and personal involvement, which makes the KAM relationship management approach in an Arab context uniquely different and plays a major role in how customers are acquired and retained and the overall management of key customers. Furthermore, evidence shows that there is a tendency to transfer Western KAM practices to the Arab world, with some adaptation to take into consideration the country-specific and contextual factors.
Overall, it is argued, that the study’s findings contribute to existing knowledge in a number of ways. First, they extend our knowledge into key account management in an Arab context and confirm the importance of both the formal and informal aspects in managing KAM relationships. They also add weight to the view that in Arab cultures personal and affective/emotional dimensions of the relational factors are given more importance, compared to the impersonal and calculative aspects that are more emphasised in the West. The findings contribute to existing knowledge regarding KAM segmentation and the importance of the personal profile in an Arab context vis a vis the business profile, and they validate the view that a process of crossvergence of management practices is occurring across borders. The findings, however, challenge the view that KAM can be rolled out unchanged into any international context. They also discover the competencies required for Arab KAMgrs. Finally the findings contribute to existing knowledge by discovering the benefits of Wasta for key account managers
