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Purpose: This study aims to estimate the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan. Furthermore, it analyzes the impact of capital flight on the economic growth of Pakistan in the short and long run. Design/methodology/approach: This study uses the World Bank's residual method to estimate the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan during 1976–2018. This study used the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to estimate the effect of capital flight on the economic growth of Pakistan. Findings: ARDL results revealed a negative and statistically significant relationship between different measures of capital flight and economic growth in the long run. However, this relationship is not statistically significant in the short run. After correction for external borrowing and trade misinvoicing, this study finds that the total capital flight from Pakistan during the study period amounted to US$333bn (in 2010 dollars). With accrued interest earnings, the stock of capital amounted to US$124,768bn, significantly higher than the accumulated stock of long-term debt, which amounted to US$1,231bn during the study period indicating that Pakistan faces a severe challenge of capital flight. Originality/value: This study calculates the magnitude of capital flight from Pakistan for the first time. Furthermore, this study also calculates the magnitude of capital flight for military and democratic regimes. This study suggests many policy proposals to deal with the challenge of capital flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A minimum of 170 million individuals worldwide are thought to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common lung illness marked by reversible airflow limitation and chronic inflammation of the airways. Recent research indicated that symptoms associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are more prevalent in individuals with COPD. Objective: Objective of the present study was to find out the frequency of GERD in COPD patients. Methodology: The study was conducted at a Rehman medical institute in Pakistan from January 2022 to June 2022, using a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 160 COPD patients, who underwent a comprehensive clinical examination and history. All these patients were assessed for GERD through a frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (F.S.S.G questionnaire) instead of endoscopy and PH assessment. Spirometry was performed on each patient, and the findings were analyzed by a fellow specialist. The study also determined the frequency of GERD in COPD patients. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Results: The current cross-sectional study includes a total of 160 participants including both males and females selected through a purposive sampling technique. Among them, 63.75% were males and 36.24% were female participants. The overall prevalence of GERD among the participants was 45%. GERD was found in 31.94%, 40.27 % and 16. 66 % among moderate, severe, and very severe cases of COPD. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that GERD was found in 45% of individuals with COPD. This underscores the importance for healthcare providers to thoroughly assess COPD patients for GERD to prevent further complications and enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the ease of placement of arterial catheters using palpation versus ultrasound guidance under aseptic measures. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb to Aug 2022. Methodology: Patients of either gender, aged 18 to 90 years presenting to a paranesthesia clinic that required intra-arterial blood pressure monitoring were included in the study. After induction, under General Anaesthesia, arterial lines were placed following an aseptic technique using ultrasound or palpatory method; in Group-U (ultrasound) or Group-P (Palpation), respectively. Demographic variables of the patient along with hemodynamic readings and success rate at first or multiple attempts, along with the total time of cannulation, were recorded. Results: Out of the total 74 patients, 59(79.7%) patients belonged to ASA-1 Grade, and 15(20.3%) patients in ASA-2 Grade. The mean age of the patients was 48.3±16.3, while mean BMI was 25.42±2.8kg/m2. In Group-P, the first-pass success was achieved in 19(51.4%) patients as compared to 32(86.5%) in Group-U when ultrasound was used (p<0.05). Conclusion: The success rate in placing an arterial line using ultrasound was significantly greater than the conventional palpatory method. Therefore, ultrasound should be a preferred modality during intra-arterial line placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of varying levels of phosphorus on growth and yield parameters of pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars at Agricultural Research Station, Swabi-Pakistan, during the year 2016-17. The plots were prepared according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with split plot arrangement that were replicated three times. Phosphorus levels (0, 30. 60, 90, and 120 kg ha-1) were subjected to main plots and cultivars (Meteor, Samrina Zard, Leena Pak and Pea-2009) to sub plots. Data was collected on growth and yield parameters of randomly selected plants in each treatment and replication. Results showed that phosphorus levels significantly affected all growth parameters. Maximum absolute growth rate (3.31cm day-1), leaflets plant-1 (102.61), pods plant-1 (16.43), pod length (9.53 cm), root weight (4.67 g), nodules plant-1 (19.97), 100 seeds weight (40.66 g) and yield ha-1 (5.71 tons) were recorded in plants treated with 90 kg ha-1 of phosphorus. The results pertaining to cultivars revealed that maximum absolute growth rate (2.81 cm day-1), leaflets plant-1 (100.87), 100 seeds weight (39.73 g), pods plant-1 (17.06), root weight (5.90 g), number of nodules plant-1 (18.66) and yield ha-1 (5.92 tons) were recorded in Leena Pak cultivar. The cultivar Leena Pak was found higher yielding as compared to other cultivars under this study. It can be concluded from the research findings that cultivar Leena Pak should be fertilized with 90 kg ha-1 of phosphorus for better performance in terms of growth and yield under the agro-climatic conditions of Swabi District-Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odonata is one of the most important and potential predatory order and is an excellent indicator of ecosystem health. Current study was conducted in order to explore the dragonflies fauna in District Swabi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A comprehensive field survey was conducted to collect dragonfly adults using aerial nets. 19 sites of District Swabi were surveyed during summer seasons of 2015 and 2016. The study revealed 23 species from 15 genera under 3 families. The abundant family was recorded as Libellulidae that was comprised of 19 species belonging to 11 genera, family Gomphidae included 3 species belonging to 3 genera and family Aeshnidae included one species belonged to one genus. Detailed description of each species, valid scientific names, their habitat, ecological observation, collection date and distributional range for all recorded species are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the ease of intubation using glide scope video laryngoscope versus direct laryngoscopy for nasotracheal intubation. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Aug 2022 to Feb 2023. Methodology: Patients of either gender with age greater than 18 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Grade I or Grade II planned for elective dental or maxillofacial procedures requiring nasotracheal intubation were included. A total of 60 patients were included, with 30 patients in each group. Recorded variables were time to intubate, glottic grade, use of Magill forceps, first attempt success, failure to intubate and postoperative sore throat. Results: With 60 patients after randomised allocation, 30 were allocated to Group-DL (Direct laryngoscopy) and Group-VL(Video laryngoscopy). The success rate in the first attempt was 27(90%) in Group-DL vs 30 (100%) in Group-VL, and the number of patients who could not be intubated was 1(3.3%) vs 0(0%) in both groups. The glottic grade recorded by the operator under vision, time to intubation, use of Magill forceps and post-operative sore throat in both groups was significant with a p-value of <0.05. Conclusion: Glide scope video laryngoscopy provides a better view of the vocal cords with less time to intubation, greater chances of successful intubation, and fewer post-operative chances of sore throat than direct laryngoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on violence in Karachi, Pakistan. Topics discussed include ethnic violence, politics in the city and murders reported in the city. Other topics which includes business in Karachi, Pakistan, Pakistani Taliban and military courts in Pakistan are also discussed. In addition, justice system of Pakistan is also mentioned.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of simple control measures on the infection status and characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus including susceptibility patterns among health professionals and patients in a teaching hospital., Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2013 to January 2014, and comprised samples collected from healthcare personnel and patients in the various units of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. The specimens were collected before and one month after the implementation of simple control measures for outbreak prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These were tested for culture and antimicrobial susceptibility. Data about methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection, wound characteristics and susceptibility patterns was collected and effectiveness of simple control measures was determined. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis., Results: Of the total 390 isolates, 180(46.2%) were Staphylococcus aureus; 77(19.7%) from healthcare personnel and 103(26.4%) from patients. Of these, 164(42.1%) were methicillin-sensitive and 16(4.1%) were methicillin-resistant. Among the patients, 38(15.1%) methicillin-sensitive and 8(3.2%) methicillin-resistant isolates were recovered from wounds or skin and soft tissues. Pus with 33(13.1%) and 4(1.6%) cases respectively was the second most common source. Among methicillin-resistant isolates, resistance to Linezolid was 0%, all were resistant to Oxacillin, Cefoxitin, Amoxicillin, Cefotaxime and Cephradine, and resistance to both Co-Amoxiclav and Ciprofloxacin was 87.5%. After one month of implementation of simple control measures, the number of methicillin-resistant cases among healthcare professionals and patients dropped from 4(2.9%) and 7(10.8%) to 1(0.7%) and 5(2.7%), respectively., Conclusions: Methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus differed in their anti-microbial susceptibility profiles. Selection of antibiotics based on susceptibility and culture is needed for prevention of resistance and effective treatment. A decrease was observed in methicillin-resistant cases with implementation of control measures.