50 research outputs found
Unveiling Gems of Agile Resources within Family firms: An Exploratory study of Survival, Growth and Resilience
No full textPresent research explores the pertinent role of agile resources (AOR) that possess by family owners. Through grounded theory, current study is aimed at the investigation of veiled role of agile resources in business survival during dark times. Study highlights that these hidden resources shifted from generation to generation and strengthen family ties and connections. Study belongs to relativistic school of thought by using abductive reasoning through interpretive approach. Purposive sampling is used to explore concealed agile resources within family businesses. For data collection purpose, semi-structured interviews were opted to inquire from 30 prestigious family business-owners. Investigated data was analyzed through Gioia methodology, which arrange information step by step through informant’s assertions to broader themes and final conceptual insights. It ensures the rigorous, clear and reliable qualitative analysis. Study identify two main categories of agile resources i.e. Religious Resources and Self-Empowerment Resources. The Religious Resources were further categorized as; a) transparency, b) fairness, c) belief systems, d) humility, e) honesty, f) loyalty, and g) integrity that emerged as perilous values for managing stress and challenges. Whereas, "Self-Empowering Resources" encompass certain distinct qualities, such as; a) motivation, b) courage, and a) patience. These specific attributes enabled the family-owners to steer absurdities and perpetaute sustained performance. Overall, agile resources engrained from individual values, religious credence and family customs supporting family-owners to handle challenges and succeed in tough times
Effect of adjunctive scleral buckling on the outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy in retinal detachment repair
Full text linkBackground: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a sight-threatening condition requiring prompt surgical repair. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and scleral buckling (SB) are standard surgical interventions for RRD, but the added value of combining these treatments is debated. While PPV offers enhanced visualization and safety in complex RRD cases, SB may provide additional support in selected scenarios. However, the impact on functional outcomes, particularly contrast sensitivity (CS), remains unclear. In this study, we compared the anatomical success and visual function, including best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) and CS, between patients with primary RRD who were treated with PPV alone and those who were treated with combined PPV+SB.
Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included consecutive patients with primary RRD who were treated at Madinah Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan, from October 2020 to July 2021. Participants underwent either 25-gauge PPV or 25-gauge PPV combined with SB, based on their clinical indications. BCDVA and CS were measured monocularly under standardized photopic conditions using the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity chart and the Pelli–Robson chart, respectively. Anatomical reattachment status was assessed by dilated fundus examination. Postoperative evaluations of BCDVA, CS, and anatomical reattachment rate were conducted at 1 day, 1 month, and 3 months after treatment.
Results: Ninety eyes of 90 patients with primary RRD were included (PPV: n = 45 eyes; PPV+SB: n = 45 eyes). The PPV group was approximately a decade younger (45.2 vs. 55.4 years, P < 0.05), while sex distribution was similar in both groups (P > 0.05). Anatomical success rates improved over 3 months, reaching 74.0% (n = 33) for PPV versus 62.2% (n = 28) for PPV+SB. PPV achieved significantly better final BCDVA (2.71 vs. 2.84 logMAR, P < 0.05). CS increased significantly over time in the PPV group (P < 0.05) but remained stable in the PPV+SB group (P > 0.05). Although the final CS was significantly higher in the PPV+SB group compared to the PPV group (P < 0.05), this difference reflected the higher baseline values in the former group. Overall, PPV alone provided greater anatomical and functional improvement over 3 months than did the combined surgery.
Conclusions: Standalone PPV achieved higher anatomical success rates and greater visual acuity improvement over 3 months than did combined PPV+SB, while CS gains favored PPV+SB, but largely reflected higher baseline values. Despite mixed evidence in the literature, our findings suggested that PPV alone may suffice for treating selected uncomplicated RRD cases. Further large, randomized studies are needed to clarify the optimal surgical approach across different patient and RRD profiles
Exploring the Elements of Magic Realism in American Literature with Reference to the Works of Gabriel García Márquez In, Particularly “One Hundred Years of Solitude.”
No full textThis research paper examines how Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Márquez employs magic realism in his writings. This essay will look at the literary representations of reality and dreams in the twenty-first century. He used this strategy to create a plausible scenario that is influenced by Columbian culture in the book One Hundred Years of Solitude. The author wants to raise issues about the absurdity of life and encourage self-actualization. The mythical settlement of Macondo is situated in a realistic environment with some fantastic aspects. This study demonstrates how magic realism psychoanalysis may address some of the most challenging and important subjects in literature
Demographic and clinical features of dengue fever in Pakistan from 2003-2007: a retrospective cross-sectional study.
Full text linkBackground: Demographic features of dengue fever have changed tremendously in Pakistan over the past two decades. Small scale studies from all over the country have reported different aspects of individual outbreaks during this time. However, there is scarcity of data looking at the overall trend of dengue virus infection in the country. In this study, we examined annual trends, seasonality, and clinical features of dengue fever in the Pakistani population.Methods: Demographic information and dengue IgM status of all patients tested for dengue IgM antibody at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed to look for trends of IgM-positive cases in Pakistan. In addition, clinical and biochemical parameters were abstracted retrospectively from medical records of all patients hospitalized with IgM-proven dengue fever between January 2006 and December 2007. These patients were categorized into dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever according to the WHO severity grading scale.Results: Out of a total of 15040 patients (63.2% male and 36.8% female), 3952 (26.3%) tested positive for dengue IgM antibody. 209 IgM proven dengue patients were hospitalized during the study period. During 2003, IgM positive cases were seen only during the months of July-December. In contrast, such cases were detected throughout the year from the 2004– 2007. The median age of IgM positive patients decreased every year from 32.0 years in 2003 to 24.0 years in 2007 (p,0.001). Among hospitalized patients, nausea was the most common presenting feature found in 124/209 (59.3%) patients. Children presented with a higher median body temperature than adults (p = 0.010). In addition, neutropenia was seen more commonly in children while raised serum ALT levels were seen more commonly in adults (both p = 0.006). While a low total white cell count was more common in patients with dengue fever as compared to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (p = 0.020), neutropenia (p = 0.019), monocytosis (p = 0.001) and raised serum ALT level (p = 0.005) were observed more commonly in the latter group.Conclusions: Dengue virus is now endemic in Pakistan, circulating throughout the year with a peak incidence in the post monsoon period. Median age of dengue patients has decreased and younger patients may be more susceptible. Total and differential leukocyte counts may help identify patients at risk of hemorrhage
Sophie Germain i les seves contribucions a la ciència
No full textAquest treball té el propòsit de posar en valor les aportacions de Marie-Sophie Germain una autora de la il·lustració i revolució francesa, en l’àmbit de la ciència i la filosofia. En un context on els noms de les dones són escassos en la història de la ciència, és important donar llum a aquelles que van tenir fama en moments donats de la història. En una època plena de dificultats i en una societat dominada per homes, Germain va treballar amb perseverança per adquirir de manera autodidacta una educació informal. Va ser una de les primeres i poques dones que van anar en contra dels estereotips en la seva època i van tenir èxit. És per això, que a la memòria s’hi recullen les característiques i el procediment del seu camí en fer les seves investigacions en el camp de les matemàtiques on va desenvolupar un enfocament innovador en relació amb l’últim teorema de Fermat i en el camp de la teoria de l’elasticitat on va ser pionera en estudiar certs fenòmens físics. Amb la seva obra Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques va guanyar el premi Le Prix convocat per l’Institut de França de Paris. També analitzarem el seu punt de vista filosòfic amb la seva obra Considérations générales sur l'état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, que tracta de les ciències i les lletres en diferents èpoques de la culturaEste trabajo tiene el propósito de poner en valor las aportaciones de Marie-Sophie Germain a una autora de la ilustración y revolución francesa, en el ámbito de la ciencia y la filosofía. En un contexto donde los nombres de las mujeres son escasos en la historia de la ciencia, es importante arrojar luz a aquellas que tuvieron fama en momentos dados de la historia. En una época llena de dificultades y en una sociedad dominada por hombres, Germain trabajó con perseverancia para adquirir de forma autodidacta una educación informal. Fue una de las primeras y pocas mujeres que fueron contra los estereotipos en su época y tuvieron éxito. Por ello, en la memoria se recogen las características y el procedimiento de su camino al realizar sus investigaciones en el campo de las matemáticas donde desarrolló un enfoque innovador en relación con el último teorema de Fermat y en el campo de la teoría de la elasticidad en la que fue pionera en estudiar ciertos fenómenos físicos. Con su obra Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques ganó el premio Le Prix convocado por el Instituto de Francia de París. También analizaremos su punto de vista filosófico con su obra Considérations générales sur la état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, que trata de las ciencias y las letras en diferentes épocas de la culturaThis work aims to highlight the contributions of Marie-Sophie Germain, an author of the French Enlightenment and Revolution, in the field of science and philosophy. In a context where the names of women are scarce in the history of science, it is important to shed light on those who had fame at given moments in history. In a time of difficulties and in a male-dominated society, Germain worked with perseverance to acquire an informal self- taught education. She was one of the first and few women who went against stereotypes in her time and succeeded. Therefore, the memoir records the characteristics and procedure of her path in conducting her research in the field of mathematics where she developed an innovative approach in relation to Fermat's last theorem and in the field of the theory of elasticity in which she was a pioneer in studying certain physical phenomena. With her work Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques she won the Le Prix prize awarded by the Institut de France in Paris. We will also analyze her philosophical point of view with her work Considérations générales sur l'état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, which deals with sciences and letters in different epochs of cultur
Sophie Germain i les seves contribucions a la ciència
Full text linkAquest treball té el propòsit de posar en valor les aportacions de Marie-Sophie Germain una autora de la il·lustració i revolució francesa, en l’àmbit de la ciència i la filosofia. En un context on els noms de les dones són escassos en la història de la ciència, és important donar llum a aquelles que van tenir fama en moments donats de la història. En una època plena de dificultats i en una societat dominada per homes, Germain va treballar amb perseverança per adquirir de manera autodidacta una educació informal. Va ser una de les primeres i poques dones que van anar en contra dels estereotips en la seva època i van tenir èxit. És per això, que a la memòria s’hi recullen les característiques i el procediment del seu camí en fer les seves investigacions en el camp de les matemàtiques on va desenvolupar un enfocament innovador en relació amb l’últim teorema de Fermat i en el camp de la teoria de l’elasticitat on va ser pionera en estudiar certs fenòmens físics. Amb la seva obra Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques va guanyar el premi Le Prix convocat per l’Institut de França de Paris. També analitzarem el seu punt de vista filosòfic amb la seva obra Considérations générales sur l'état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, que tracta de les ciències i les lletres en diferents èpoques de la culturaEste trabajo tiene el propósito de poner en valor las aportaciones de Marie-Sophie Germain a una autora de la ilustración y revolución francesa, en el ámbito de la ciencia y la filosofía. En un contexto donde los nombres de las mujeres son escasos en la historia de la ciencia, es importante arrojar luz a aquellas que tuvieron fama en momentos dados de la historia. En una época llena de dificultades y en una sociedad dominada por hombres, Germain trabajó con perseverancia para adquirir de forma autodidacta una educación informal. Fue una de las primeras y pocas mujeres que fueron contra los estereotipos en su época y tuvieron éxito. Por ello, en la memoria se recogen las características y el procedimiento de su camino al realizar sus investigaciones en el campo de las matemáticas donde desarrolló un enfoque innovador en relación con el último teorema de Fermat y en el campo de la teoría de la elasticidad en la que fue pionera en estudiar ciertos fenómenos físicos. Con su obra Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques ganó el premio Le Prix convocado por el Instituto de Francia de París. También analizaremos su punto de vista filosófico con su obra Considérations générales sur la état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, que trata de las ciencias y las letras en diferentes épocas de la culturaThis work aims to highlight the contributions of Marie-Sophie Germain, an author of the French Enlightenment and Revolution, in the field of science and philosophy. In a context where the names of women are scarce in the history of science, it is important to shed light on those who had fame at given moments in history. In a time of difficulties and in a male-dominated society, Germain worked with perseverance to acquire an informal self- taught education. She was one of the first and few women who went against stereotypes in her time and succeeded. Therefore, the memoir records the characteristics and procedure of her path in conducting her research in the field of mathematics where she developed an innovative approach in relation to Fermat's last theorem and in the field of the theory of elasticity in which she was a pioneer in studying certain physical phenomena. With her work Récherches sur la théorie des surfaces elàstiques she won the Le Prix prize awarded by the Institut de France in Paris. We will also analyze her philosophical point of view with her work Considérations générales sur l'état des sciences et des lettres, aux différentes époques de leur culture, which deals with sciences and letters in different epochs of cultur
Bioactive polysaccharides and small molecules from the native North American fungus Echinodontium tinctorium
Full text linkMushrooms, the fruiting bodies of fungi, are known to be powerful sources of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals but there are limited studies focusing on exploring the medicinal value of mushrooms native to North America. Here, I describe the isolation of two novel bioactive polysaccharides from the aqueous extracts of the fungus Echinodontium tinctorium: an immunostimulatory complex polysaccharide (EtISPFa) of 1354 kDa, and a growth-inhibitory β-glucan of 275 kDa. In addition, six small molecules including a phenol derivative, a new diphenylmethane derivative and three lanostane-type triterpenes were isolated from the organic extracts of E. tinctorium. The molar mass of these isolated small molecules (labelled 1-6) was determined to be 124, 260, 506, 498, 496, and 440 g/mol respectively. Phase separation, Sephadex LH-20 size exclusion, Sephadex DEAE ion exchange chromatography, Sephacryl S-500 HR size exclusion, silica column chromatography, and HPLC were used for bioactivity-guided purification. Chemical structures and linkages of EtISPFa and EtGIPL1a polysaccharides were determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Final structures of small molecules were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), NMR, and X-ray crystallography. Immuno-stimulatory activity of EtISPFa was assessed by immunoassay in Raw 264.7 murine macrophage cells and growth-inhibitory activity of EtGIPL1a and small molecules were assessed by MTT growth-inhibitory assay in cancer cell lines. The mechanism of growth inhibition was assessed via apoptosis and cell cycle assays. EtISPFa stimulated the immune response by inducing TNF-α and other inflammatory cytokines in murine macrophage cells. In contrast, EtGIPL1a showed promising anti-proliferative activity against U251 glioblastoma cells and on ten other cancer cell lines. EtGIPL1a induced apoptosis in U251 cells with an increased cleaved caspase-3 apoptotic marker and significant DNA fragmentation in cell cycle analysis. Amongst the small molecules, compounds (2), (4) and (5) caused growth-inhibition in U251 cells; compound (4) also showed promising effects on multiple other cancer cell lines; all its bioactivities are reported here for the first time. The crystal structures of compounds (2), (4) and (5) have also been reported for the first time. Molecular targets of (1), (2), (4) and (5) by MolTarPred were predicted and warrants further experimental investigation
Multifactorial Complexity and Zoonotic Aspects of Dog-Mediated Human Rabies in Pakistan
No full textRabies, a viral illness classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), causes thousands of people to die annually, primarily in underprivileged communities of Africa and Asia. In the context of a single health framework, one of the primary objectives of this literature review is to examine the major factors and challenges that maintain the endemic status of dog-mediated human rabies in Pakistan. Rabies-endemic countries have an imperative need to work on preventive strategies to lessen the burden of this terrible disease as per guidelines of World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) and WHO. Lack of public awareness, free-roaming dogs, and cold chain mismanagement of vaccinations are the 3 most significant factors contributing to the increasing number of dog bite injuries and suspected rabies cases in animals and humans. To control dog-mediated rabies, Pakistan must initiate and strongly support a national One Health project, a subsidized supply of human and animal rabies vaccine in public hospitals, and designated rabies prevention centers at an affordable cost. People should be educated regarding responsible pet ownership and follow-up of basic preventive measures. Empowerment of labs equipped with surveillance systems are also additionally required to strengthen rabies control and prevention activities at least in regional levels. This article gives valuable information for scholars and policymakers who wish to comprehend why this disease remains endemic due to multiplex interplay of zoonotic, medical, and anthropological risk factors and transmission chains in animal and human sectors through viral reservoirs. Achieving the 'Zero By 2030' goal in Pakistan requires joint immediate action from the government, society, and all health departments at regional, provincial, and national level
Feto-maternal Outcome of Reverse Breech Extraction versus Dis-impaction of Fetal Head in Caesarean Section for Obstructed Labour
Full text linkObjectives:
Obstructed labour is an obstetrical emergency with adverse feto-maternal consequences and caesarean delivery in such cases requires skillful handling of impacted fetal head. Objective of our study was to guide clinician about caesarean technique that facilitates the delivery with least complications for mother and baby.
Methods:
It was a randomized clinical trial with non-probability consecutive sampling conducted at –removed for blind review---from 1st july 2018 – 30th june 2020. Patients who underwent emergency cesarean section were randomized to undergo either push technique for delivery of impacted fetal head (Group A) or reverse breech extraction method (Group B) via lottery method. The data of 60 patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria was analyzed using SPSS version 19. Maternal outcome measured were extension of uterine incision, blood transfusion, postpartum pyrexia, wound infection, postpartum hemorrhage and length of hospital stay. Fetal outcome measured were 5 minutes Apgar score, birth weight and NICU admission.
Results:
The results of our study showed statistically significant difference between extension of uterine incision(p-value=0.015), blood transfusion during surgery (p-value=0.021) and postpartum hemorrhage (p-value=0.020) in two groups with pull technique associated with less traumatic extension of uterine incision, less intraoperative transfusion and less PPH than push technique of fetal delivery. Length of hospital stay was also significantly less in reverse breech extraction group(p-value=0.001).More patients had postpartum pyrexia, wound infection, low 5-min Apgar score and NICU admissions in cephalic delivery group but results were not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
The results of our study recommend reverse breech extraction technique to be a safe alternative to conventional vaginal pushing of fetal head especially regarding maternal outcomes during caesarean section of patients with obstructed labour for fetal delivery.
Key words: Obstructed labour, impacted fetal head, reverse breech extraction, caesarean sectio
