130 research outputs found
Stigma and psychiatric illness. A survey of attitude of medical students and doctors in Lahore, Pakistan
No full textBackground: The stigma attached to mental illness in the West is now well recognised. There is however, only limited information available on this topic from the developing countries. Measurement of stigma among medical students and doctors is straightforward to carry out allowing targeted work to educate doctors in countries with few resources. This study was carried out to assess the attitude of medical students and doctors, attending medical colleges in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A survey was circulated among the medical students and the doctors of the three medical colleges in Lahore, Pakistan. 294 (59%) of the 500 survey forms sent out were returned. Results: Just over half of the respondents held negative attitudes towards people with schizophrenia, depression, drug and alcohol disorders. However, most had favourable views of the recovery and treatability of the mental disorders. Conclusions: The views held by the medical students and the doctors in Lahore, Pakistan are broadly similar to the opinions expressed by the medical students and doctors in the UK
Attitude of the university students and teachers towards mentally ill, in Lahore, Pakistan
No full textBackground: Although, much is known about the attitudes and beliefs people hold towards mental illness in the west, no such work has been done in the developing countries. It is difficult to measure the attitudes of the general public in developing countries due to differences in terminology and concepts of the illness. However, majority of educated people in the developing countries can recognise common psychiatric disorders by their western names. We therefore, decided to measure attitudes of university students and teachers in Lahore, Pakistan. This study was carried out to assess the attitude of university students and teachers in Lahore, Pakistan.Methods: A survey form was circulated among the university students and the teachers in Lahore, Pakistan. Of the 300 survey forms 194 were returned. Results: Majority of the respondents held negative attitudes towards people with schizophrenia, depression and drug and alcohol disorders.Conclusions: The views held by the university teachers and students reveal negative attitudes towards mentally ill. Attitudes of those who knew someone with mental illness were similar to those who did not
Magnesium sulfate for fetal neuroprotection in preterm labor: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
No full textObjective: Antenatal magnesium sulfate has been reported to reduce the risk of neurological impairment in fetuses born to women at risk of preterm labor. However, the evidence to support its use is conflicting. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of magnesium sulfate in women at risk of preterm labor as new research is available from RCTs giving insights into MgSO4 treatment among differing gestational age groups. Study design: We searched various electronic databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform portal from 1990 till 31st March 2024 to retrieve all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the use of magnesium sulfate in women at risk of preterm labor with or without intent of fetal neuroprotection We used the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB 2.0) to assess the quality of the included randomized controlled trials. RevMan 5.4 was used to conduct all statistical analyses using a random-effects model. Our Meta-analysis was registered with the PROSPERO International Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42024532421). Results: Our meta-analysis including eight RCTs showed that magnesium sulfate reduced the risk of cerebral palsy without a significant change in pediatric mortality. The change was evident in moderate to severe cerebral palsy. Magnesium sulfate showed no beneficial effect in most of the secondary outcomes. Conclusions: This meta-analysis found antenatal magnesium sulfate reduces the risk of cerebral palsy with no difference in pediatric mortality between the magnesium or no magnesium treatment groups, which is a positive finding. However, there is still substantial heterogeneity between the studies, so there is a need for further exploration and discussion. The implications of this review include a concern for developing nations where resources and availability of magnesium sulfate are limited. Hence, further studies are needed to determine the exact dosage, timing, and whether maintenance dosage of magnesium sulfate is required or not and for how long
Exploring weak intermolecular interactions in two bis-1,3,4-oxadiazoles derivatives: A combined X-ray diffraction, Hirshfeld surface analysis and theoretical studies
No full textTwo new bis-1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of both compounds were solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and a detailed quantitative analysis of the weak non-covalent interactions have been performed by using the Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations. The results indicate that both molecules showed different crystal packing. Compound 1 shows C-H···N and C-H···O hydrogen bonds and the structure is also stabilized by C-H···π, π···π stacking and lone pair (S)···π interactions, while the crystal structure of 2 is mainly stabilized by C-H···N and weak C-H···S contacts. The Hirshfeld surfaces, QTAIM analysis and NCI plots were used to study the nature and the extent of different intermolecular interactions observed in these structures. The AChE inhibitory activity of 1 and 2 was evaluated with reference to standard drug Galantamine. The AChE inhibitory activity of compound 1 showed better inhibitory activity (IC50 = 36.34 µg/mL) as compared to compound 2 (IC50 = 47.34 µg/mL). The molecular docking analysis of the inhibitors was performed to identify the putative binding modes and interactions inside the active pocket of the enzymes. This analysis also indicates that the studied compounds could act as "bulky"-blockers of the normal ionic substrate (ACh) entrance into the active site gorge of AChE.Fil: Ahmed, Muhammad Naeem. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Nadeem, Komal. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Andleeb, Hina. Quaid-i-Azam University; Pakistán. International Islamic University; PakistánFil: Sheikhi, Masoome. Islamic Azad University; IránFil: Majeed, Zahid. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Ali Shah, Syed Wadood. University of Malakand; PakistánFil: Tahir, Muhammad Nawaz. University of Sargodha; PakistánFil: Rocha, Mariana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Gil, Diego Mauricio. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Orgánica; Argentin
Applications of Ultra Smart Textiles in Sportswear and Garments
No full textSmart textiles especially Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are getting attention because these materials can provide regulation of wearer’s body climate and provide comfort in the temperature fluctuations during the physical activity like sports. These materials have the advantage of latent heat energy storage that can absorb and release high amount of energy over a narrow temperature range around the human’s body temperature to provide thermal comfort. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) absorb energy during the heating process as phase change takes place and release energy to the surroundings during the reverse cooling process. The types of phase change materials that are suitable for sports applications are hydrated inorganic salts, linear long chain hydrocarbons, Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG). The concept of thermal comfort and working of PCMs in the textiles garments are important for determining the functionality of PCMs. Phase Change materials are micro capsulated in the shells by “Situ polymerization technique before application to sportswear and garments. The PCMs microcapsules are incorporated in the sportswear and garments by fiber technology, lamination, foaming and coating. The testing of clothing containing micro capsulated PCMs is discussed after the incorporation of PCMs in textiles. Quality parameters that are key for getting good results are mentioned i.e. particle size, thermal conductivity, fire hazard treatment, durability and performance of micro capsulated PCMs and clothing. In the last section findings, suggestions and conclusion are discussed.Program: Magisterutbildning i Applied Textile Managemen
Calendar Anomalies in Stock Market: A Case of KSE 100 Index
Get PDFThis paper aims to investigate the calendar anomalies in Karachi Stock exchange by using KSE 100 index during the period of 2008 to 2012. The study examined the existence of week days, weekend and monthly seasonal anomalies. These calendar effects are examined by applying different statistical techniques. First of all series of daily and monthly returns were calculated. Then mean and standard deviation of daily and monthly returns were calculated. The values of mean and standard deviation have rejected the first two null hypothesis and accepted the third one. The results provide an evidence for the existence of calendar anomalies at KSE 100 index. The results showed that there is significant difference among the returns of days of the week, and Friday has highest mean average return which makes it confirm that weekend effect exists at KSE. Finally monthly anomaly in stock returns is also present because there is highest positive return in the month of March. Keywords. Stock Market, Anomalies, weekday effect, weekend effect, monthly effect, Return
Textile Industry in Pakistan: Empirical Analysis
No full textPakistan textile industry contributes more than 60 percent to the country’s total exports during 1990’s. However, currently this industry is facing great decline in its growth rate. The major reasons for this decline may be global recession, internal security concerns and the high cost of production due to energy crisis etc. Depreciation of Pakistani rupee that significantly raised the cost of imported inputs, high inflation rate and high cost of financing has serious impact on growth in the textile industry. In-depth study suggests that the Pakistan’s textile industry can be on winning track if government takes serious actions. Furthermore, the government should provide subsidies to the textile industry for purchasing new machinery or enhancing the quality of the existing machinery. It is suggested that with new machinery, the expenditures on (R&D) would be increased for enhancing the productivity of existing machinery
A Critical DiscourseAnalysis of Paternalistic Authority in Hamid Khan's Short Story 'Broken Image'
No full text‘Broken Image’ is a story by Hamid Khan about an orphan Zahid, a young student who is very poor and sensitive at the same time. This paper shows as to how the story constructs paternalistic authority in the shape of a step-mother in variousdiscourses. Through the story, the text (discourse) producer exposes the two extremes of our society – those who can easily fulfill their desires and those who cannot.The main objective of the study is to explore as to how a stepmother exercises her authority having constructed by the author in the text/discourse. Moreover, the paperuses Fairclough’s (2001) Model of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) for analyzing the data. CDA is a suitable method for analyzing social, economical as well as political issues in the society depicted in a literary text. The paper adds to the already available information on such themes. It will help the budding researchers to use it as a guiding force for analyzinglocal voices embodied in Pakistani literature in English
Frequency of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease among the Non-Obese Population Presenting to the Gastrointestinal Outpatient Clinic
Get PDFBackground: It has been reported that Asian males with BMI ≤ 23 kg/m2 have considerably higher content of fat and visceral adipose tissue as compared to their Western counterparts. Multiple studies have reported variable frequency of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) in lean population. However, the data is scarce regarding the prevalence of NAFLD in the lean Asian population.
Objective: To determine the frequency of NAFLD among the non-obese population presenting to our clinic
Methods: This cross-sectional study included all the lean individuals with BMI< 23 kg/m2 presenting to the gastroenterology outpatient clinic from 1st November 2020 to 31st March 2022. Ultrasound abdomen was performed for the presence or absence of fatty liver which was diagnosed based on hyperechoic liver texture. The analysis of continuous variables was performed using the student t-test while the Chi-square test was applied for the analysis of categorical variables. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: Among the 283 individuals presenting to the gastrointestinal clinic with BMI < 23 kg/m2, the majority were females [150 (53%)]. Out of 283 patients, 118(41.7%) had hypertension, 114(40.3%) had hypertriglyceridemia while 86(29.7%) patients had diabetes. On ultrasound abdomen, fatty liver was observed in 92 (32.5%) patients including 59 (64.1%) females and 33 (35.9%) males. The statistical analysis documented a significant association of NAFLD with female gender (p=0.006), hypertension (p<0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.13), high total lipids (p<0.001), and serum cholesterol levels (p=0.005). However, no statistically significant association of fatty liver was observed with body mass index (p=0.823), age (p=0.169), and diabetes (p= 0.522).
Conclusion: The presence of hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, raised total lipids and serum cholesterol levels and female gender were the factors significantly associated with the presence of fatty liver in the lean population. However, to validate our results, multicentered studies on a larger scale are required
Nickel tolerance and phytoremediation potential of quinoa are modulated under salinity: multivariate comparison of physiological and biochemical attributes
No full textSoils salinization along with heavy metals contamination is among the serious environmental menaces. The present experiment was conducted to study the combined influence of salinity and nickel (Ni) on growth and physiological attributes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Thirty-day-old healthy and uniform seedlings of quinoa genotype A7 were exposed to different concentrations of Ni (0, 100, 200, 400 µM), NaCl (0, 150, 300 mM) and their combinations for three weeks. Results indicated that plant growth, pigments and stomatal conductance decreased with increasing Ni concentrations in nutrient solution. Combining lower level of salt (150 mM NaCl) with Ni resulted in improvement in growth and physiological attributes of quinoa. However, the combined application of higher level of salt (300 mM NaCl) with Ni was more detrimental for plant growth and caused more oxidative stress (H2O2 and TBARS) than the alone treatments. The oxidative stress was mitigated by 5.5-fold, 5-fold and 15-fold increase in the activities of SOD, CAT and APX, respectively. The concentration of Na was increased, while K and Ni decreased under the combined treatment of Ni and salinity. Multivariate analysis revealed that a moderate level of salinity had positive effects on growth and Ni phytoremediation potential of quinoa. The higher tolerance index, bioconcentration factor and lower translocation factor depicted that quinoa genotype A7 can be cultivated for phytostabilization of Ni under salinity stress. It was concluded that NaCl salinity level of 150 mM is promising for increasing growth of quinoa on Ni contaminated soils.No Full Tex
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