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In this paper, we propose a partial randomized response technique to collect reliable sensitive data for estimation of population proportion in ranked set sampling (RSS) scheme using auxiliary information. The idea is to increase confidence and (or) co-operation of the respondents by providing them the option of both 'direct' and 'randomized' response for the inquired sensitive question. This option is quite logical because perception of sensitive (insensitive) inquiry can vary among respondents. The properties of the proposed method are discussed and compared with existing randomized response techniques. Cost analysis is also carried out to prove supremacy of the suggested method. Finally, an application to clinical trial on AIDS is included., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2022 Abbasi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

This paper considers the concomitant-based rank set sampling (CRSS) for estimation of the sensitive proportion. It is shown that CRSS procedure provides an unbiased estimator of the population sensitive proportion, and it is always more precise than corresponding sample sensitive proportion (Warner SL (1965)) that based on simple random sampling (SRS) without increasing sampling cost. Additionally, a new estimator based on ratio method is introduced using CRSS protocol, preserving the respondent's confidentiality through a randomizing device. The numerical results of these estimators are obtained by using numerical integration technique. An application to real data is also given to support the methods., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objective: To investigate the clinical and angiographic characteristics of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) and its relation with the inflammatory marker, HsCRP., Study Design: An observational study., Place and Duration of Study: Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, from April 2015 till November 2016., Methodology: Eighty-one patients with CAE and 57 age matched patients with stenotic coronary artery disease (CAD), but without CAE, were included in the study. Clinical, angiographic, and laboratory data were documented. Chi-square test was used to compare coronary risk factors between two groups. T test was used to compare means between the groups. Analysis of variance was used to analyse HsCRP levels among various types of ectasia. Correlation analysis was used to study association of ectasia with different risk factors., Results: Males were predominant in both with & without CAE. Hypertension, smoking and obesity were significantly more common among CAE patients than those without (60.5% vs. 52.6%, 56.8% vs. 43.9% and 80.2% vs. 14%, respectively). Diabetes was much less in CAE group (32.1% vs. 42.1%). HsCRP was higher in patients with CAE than those without and was significantly higher in patients with more extensive ectasia. Majority (65.4%) of CAE patients had significant CAD; whereas, only 7.4% had isolated CAE. Most common artery involved was RCA (70.4% of total) and most common pattern was single ectatic vessel., Conclusion: Obesity and smoking predispose to CAE, along with male sex and hypertension. While diabetes is negatively associated with CAE. HsCRP levels tend to be higher in ectasia patients, especially those with severe forms. Finally, CAE has a predilection for RCA.

Maize flour was infested with fresh emerged Tribolium castaneum adults, and its nutritional composition was evaluated after 0, 45, and 90 days of the infestation. Furthermore, 99% carbon dioxide was applied to different developmental stages of T. castaneum for its management. There were six treatments and five replicates; for each replicate, maize flour (150 g) was taken in a 250-ml plastic jar container, insects were released in the flour, and jars were placed into the incubator at a temperature of 28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH. Similarly, the application of 99% CO 2 was done with four exposure times of 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, at 35 °C 65 ± 5% RH. Present results showed major fluctuations in the nutritive composition of maize flour. Increase in the moisture, fat, fiber, protein, and ash contents was directly proportional to the increase in infestation level and time, contrary to the depletion of carbohydrates and total weight loss. The results of CO 2 treatment indicated that pupa was the most resilient stage as compared with larvae and adult stage. The observed susceptibility order was as follows: adult > larvae > pupae. The maximum mortality of adult, larval, and pupal stages was recorded after 24, 48, and 72 h of CO 2 application, respectively. These findings might be helpful to develop an ecofriendly technique to manage this crucial pest.

Objective: To investigate if neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) predicts in-hospital adverse events and mortality, and shortterm (30-day) mortality in ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients thrombolysed with streptokinase (SK)., Study Design: An observational study., Place and Duration of Study: Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, from June 2014 till January 2015., Methodology: The STEMI patients, thrombolysed with SK had blood samples at admission, analysed for complete blood counts and NLR calculated. They were grouped into two, low and high NLR, taking 4.50 as cut-off. Chi square test was used to compare rate of adverse events and death in hospital stay. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare median NLR between patients died and discharged alive. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate predictive ability of NLR for 30-day mortality., Results: Atotal of 145 (45.3%) patients had complications; 49 (15.3%) died in hospital, and 13 (4.06%) died in 30 days. Patients in high NLR group had higher rate of complications (63.5% vs. 25.5%, p <0.0001) and death (19.2% vs. 11.1%, p=0.046) in hospital than those in low NLR group. Cardiogenic shock (27.5% vs.11.1%, p <0.0001), heart failure (19.2% vs. 7.2%, p=0.002), arrhythmias (18% vs. 6.5%, p <0.0001), reinfarct/angina (9.6% vs.2% p=0.004) occurred more in high NLR group. Median NLR in patients died was higher than those discharged alive (7.46 vs. 4.70, p <0.0001). Regression analysis showed NLR an independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.131 at 95% CI, p = 0.029). Age, serum creatinine, Killip class were other predictors (p=0.002 and p=0.02, respectively). ROC curve showed AUC 0.908 (p <0.0001)., Conclusion: Ahigh NLR predicted increased in hospital complication rate, and in-hospital as well as 30-day mortality in STEMI patients thrombolysed with streptokinase.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of chest X-Ray in tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration among group of children in southern Punjab., Methods: The Cross sectional/comparative diagnostic procedural study was conducted in the Department of Radiology, Nishtar Medical College and Children Hospital Complex. Multan from January 2009-January 2011. Chest CT was performed in 45 consecutive children with suspected foreign body aspiration, and plain chest X-ray was evaluated at the same time. Multi-planar reformatted imaging with virtual bronchoscopy was carried out after Multidetector CT examination. Findings on plain X-Ray and CT scan chest were noted in each patient., Results: All 42 (100%) patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies were identified by chest CT. Three patients avoided unnecessary operations due to negative CT scan for foreign body with alternate diagnosis. Right main stem bronchus was the most common location of foreign body 20 (47.6%) and air trapping was the most common associated finding (28.5%). Sixteen of the 45 (35.5%) patients had no abnormalities on plain X-Ray. The difference between Multi-detector CT and plain X-Ray results was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV). negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of chest X-Ray in this study were 66.6%, 50%, 89.6%, 18.7% and 64.4% respectively., Conclusion: Chest X-Ray is not specific for diagnosis of foreign body aspiration and a normal chest X-Ray does not always rule out the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration in patients with a history suggestive of foreign body aspiration and positive physical examination.

Objective: To determine the frequency of risk factors in male patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome., Study Design: Observational study., Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Heart Diseases, Rawalpindi, from October 2007 to September 2008., Methodology: Male patients with acute coronary syndrome were included in this study. Patients having angioplasty (PCI), coronary artery bypass surgery, chronic liver and kidney diseases were excluded. Presence of diabetes, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, physical activity, stress, a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and medication was documented. Blood pressure, ECG, cardiac enzymes, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and echocardiography were done within 24 hours of admission. Body mass index and waist circumference were measured. Data was analysed using SPSS-15., Results: A total of 135 male patients of ACS were studied having mean age of 54.26±11.60 years. Maximum number of patients aged between 51 to 60 years, (n = 41, 31.9%). STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) was diagnosed in 96 (71.1%) patients, non-STEMI in 12 (8.9%) while 27 (20%) patients were having unstable angina. Smoking was documented in 60 (44%) patients, hypertension in 50 (37%), diabetes in 34 (25.2%) and a family history of premature CAD was recorded in 24 (17.8%) patients. Fifty one (37.8%) patients were overweight (BMI = 25-29.9) while 22 (16.3%) were obese (BMI ³ 30). Waist circumference > 90 cm was found in 86 (63.6%) subjects. Sixty four (47.4%) patients were active physically. Psychosocial stress was documented in 33 (23.75). Hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were the most frequent combinations, observed in 24 (17.9%) subjects., Conclusion: Dyslipidemia, smoking, hypertension and diabetes were most frequent risk factors. Public awareness to control risk factors can reduce the prevalence of CAD.