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This study investigates the rice price dynamics and their impacts on demand and supply over the time in agricultural markets of Pakistan. Time series data on production and prices for the period 1984-2018 were used to study the cobweb phenomenon in local rice markets. Linear demand and supply models were used to examine the unstable rice-market. Price dynamics were examined through identifying the time path of difference equation derived from demand and supply functions. The results inferred that market prices of rice have remained unstable in agricultural markets of Pakistan over the history. Furthermore, rice prices exhibited damped oscillations towards stable market equilibrium over last three decades in Pakistan. It is suggested that the government may respond promptly to the instability of rice markets by formulating the appropriate agricultural policies, developing state-of-the-art storage facilities and ensuring the steady transmission of market information across the national as well as international rice markets. The study provides deep insights into understanding the on-going and future trends of price fluctuations with respect to demand and supply shocks in rice market of Pakistan. It would greatly help the stakeholders and policy makers in forecasting and stabilizing the rice markets, and alleviating the food insecurity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons has been the pioneer in developing post-graduate medical education in this country. The curriculum offers guidelines for selecting versatile candidates to become future specialist, training particulars and learning outcomes and set criteria expected of them at the exit. In general, the curriculum is the guideline for the trainees and training facilities including the assessment system to fulfill the conditions to facilitate creation of specialist in different disciplines. To document the hard works done by the fellows in last 50 years to establish curriculum in different specialities. All the available data regarding development of curriculum found are analyzed to document the struggles did previously to develop curriculum in different specialities of BCPS. FCPS part-1 syllabus was printed in different subject in the year 2000. Between 2000-2005 most of the subject developed printed part-I syllabus. Changes in the structure of postgraduate medical education and training of the BCPS was initiated in 2012 by holding a workshop to discuss the way forward with participation of experts from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Pakistan, experts from the USA together with leading members of the Faculties of BCPS. This resulted in the decision that individual Faculties need to develop a curriculum. To ensure competency based training a common frame work was approved by the Council of the College in 2016. In 2017 another important change was approved that FCPS course will be for 5 years from January 2020. On the back ground of those decisions of the council curriculum and log book development committee work hard to developed new curriculum and log book. Several Workshops involving leading Faculty members on the development of the curriculum were held in the following months starting on 2019. In the year 2020 and 2021 this committee with the help and different faculties and administration able to published new curriculum in 42 specilities. Dynamicity of the curriculum makes it possible to incorporate recent advancements in the subject. This updated curriculum includes relevant new developments in different specialties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) on growth, yield and physicochemical quality attributes of strawberry cultivars. Runners of three commercial strawberry cultivars, viz. 'Chandler', 'Tuft's' and 'Camarosa' were acquired from a certified runner supplier in Swat, KPK, Pakistan and were planted in 10 cm plastic pots. Three plant growth promoting bacterial isolates, viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens (T1), Bacillus subtilis (T2) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (T3) were applied after two weeks of runners planting with no PGPB application as control (T0). Results revealed that plants supplied with Bacillus subtilis (T2) had highest number of leaves per plant (38.33), leaf area index (41.69 cm2), crown diameter (1.36 cm), number of runners (5.42), fruit set (86.11%), average yield (226.97 g), soluble solid contents (SSC) (8.43 0Brix), ascorbic acid (49.98 mg 100 mL-1), total sugars (5.72%) and Anthocyanin contents (37.55 mg 100 mL-1), while minimum plant growth and physicochemical characteristics were recorded for plants with no PGPB (control). Among cultivars, 'Chandler' responded better to PGPB application compared to two other cultivars. Therefore, use of PGPB, particularly Bacillus subtilis, has the potential to affect growth, yield and physicochemical quality characteristics of strawberry cultivars and may be used by strawberry growers for lowering fertilizer cost by alternating with organic PGPB to enhance the growth and yield of strawberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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'Samar Bahisht Chaunsa' and 'Sufaid Chaunsa' are highly admired commercial mango cultivars of Pakistan in domestic and international markets. Fruit fly being a quarantine pest has become a significant barrier in mango export trade and needs specific postharvest disinfestation treatment before export to certain countries. Presently, postharvest vapour heat treatment (VHT) of mangoes at a certified facility is mandatory for export to Japan, however its impact on fruit quality have not been investigated. Hence, in two separate experiments, effect of quarantine VHT (Japanese protocol; 47°C for 25 min) was evaluated on the quality of two commercial mango cultivars. After VHT, treated and non-treated (control) fruits were kept at ambient conditions (26±3°C and 50-60% RH) till ripening. At eating ripe stage, VHT-treated 'Samar Bahisht Chaunsa' mango fruits exhibited significant reduction in postharvest disease incidence and showed higher concentrations of total phenolic contents, total antioxidants, carotenoids with better eating quality (taste, flavour, texture, aroma and pulp colour) as compared to untreated control fruit. 'Samar Bahisht Chaunsa' mango fruits showed nonsignificant results for physiochemical attributes such as peel colour, softness, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS:TA ratio and vitamin C, while more shriveling percentage was observed in non-VHT fruits. In second experiment, VHT treated 'Sufaid Chaunsa' fruits exhibited higher scores for peel colour, softness and total antioxidants, and reduced disease incidence and shriveling percentage with retained eating quality (taste). Non-significant results were observed for lenticel development, TSS, TA, TSS:TA ratio and phytochemicals (vitamin C, total phenolics, antioxidants and carotenoids) respectively. In conclusion, in both cultivars, VHT-treated fruits showed better ripening and organoleptic characteristics along with lower disease severity as compared to control. Thus, vapour heat treatment can be employed as safe quarantine measure for mango fruit export to Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warble fly (WF) is one of the serious threats affecting the goat production in Pakistan. The objective of the current study was to find out the prevalence and control of goat warble fly infestation (GWFI) in district Khushab, Pakistan. In the field, 780 goats were examined for the period of one year. Out 780 goats, 106 (13.58%) were found infested with WF. The rate of infestation in young animals (9.24%) was low as compared to the older animals (16.18%). Higher prevalence was observed in males (15.11%) as compared to the females (12.83%).The highest prevalence of GWFI was recorded in December. The nodules appearance on infested animals started in September and ended in the month of February. Geography of the study area favors the onset of fly activity and enhances the prevalence of the disease. Ivermectin was found highly -effective against all development stages of Przhevalskianasilenus (WF)and no side-effects were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of gamma-emitting radionuclides in nature, i.e. 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs, has been carried out in soil samples collected from Peshawar University Campus and surrounding areas using a high purity germanium detector coupled with a computer-based high-resolution multichannel analyser. The activity concentrations in soil ranged from 30.20±0.65 to 61.90±0.95, 50.10±0.54 to 102.80±1.04, 373.60±4.56 to 1082±11.38 and 9.50±0.11 to 46.60±0.42 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs, with a mean value of 45±7.70, 67±12.50, 878±180 and 19±9.20 Bq kg−1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, internal and external hazard indices have mean values of 203.40±29.40 Bq kg−1, 0.56 and 0.68, respectively. The mean values of outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rates in air and the annual effective dose equivalents were found to be 106.50 and 128 nGy h−1 and 0.19 and 0.54 mSv y−1, respectively. In the present study, 40K was the major radionuclide present in soil samples. The presence of 137Cs indicates that this area also received some fallout from the nuclear accident of the Chernobyl power plant in 1986. The activity concentrations of radionuclides found in soil samples during the current investigation were nominal. Therefore, they are not associated with any potential source of health hazard to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of gamma emitters natural radionuclides, i.e., Ra, Th, and K, has been carried out in soil, vegetation, vegetable, and water samples collected from some Northern area of Pakistan, using gamma-ray spectrometry. The γ-ray spectrometry was carried out using high-purity Germanium detector coupled with a computer-based high-resolution multi-channel analyzer. The activity concentrations in soil ranges from 24.7 to 78.5 Bq kg, 21.7 to 75.3 Bq kg, and 298.5 to 570.8 Bq kg for Ra, Th, and K with the mean value of 42.1, 43.3, 9.5, and 418.3 Bq kg, respectively. In the present analysis, K was the major radionuclide present in soil, vegetation, fruit, and vegetable samples. The concentration of K in vegetation sample varied from 646.6 to 869.6 Bq kg on dry weight basis. However, the concentration of K in fruit and vegetable samples varied from 34.0 to 123.3 Bq kg on fresh weight basis. In vegetation samples, along with K, Ra, and Th were also present in small amount. The transfer factors of these radionuclides from soil to vegetation, fruit, and vegetable were also studied. The transfer factors were found in the order: K > Th ≈ Ra. The analysis of water samples showed activity concentrations values for all radionuclides below detection limit. The internal and external hazard indices were measured and found less than the safe limit of unity. The mean value of outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rate in air was found 64.61 and 77.54 nGy h, respectively. The activity concentrations of radionuclides found in all samples during the current investigation were nominal. Therefore, they are not associated with any potential source of health hazard to the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gamma spectrometric analysis of soil and essential foodstuffs, e.g., wheat, millet, potato, lentils and cauliflower, which form the main component of the daily diet of the local public, was carried out using high purity germanium (HpGe) detector coupled with a computer based high-resolution multi-channel analyzer. The activity concentration in soil samples for Ra, Th and K ranged from 30.0 Bq kg to 81.2 Bq kg, 31.4 Bq kg to 78.25 Bq kg and 308.8 Bq kg to 2177.6 Bq kg, with mean values of 56.2, 58.5 and 851.9 Bq kg, respectively. The average activity measured for Ra, Th and K in soil samples was found higher than the world average. The major radionuclide found in the food items studied was K, while Ra, Th and Cs were detected in very nominal amounts. The results clearly indicate that these radionuclides have no health hazard to human beings, as they are well below the annual limit of intake (ALI) for these radionuclides. The transfer factors of these radionuclides from soil to food were also studied. The mean transfer factors of K, Ra, Th and Cs from soil to food were estimated to be about 0.17, 0.07, 0.16 and 0.23, respectively. An artificial radionuclide, Cs, was also present in detectable amount in all samples. The internal and external hazard indices were measured and had mean values of 0.70 and 0.55, respectively. Absorbed dose rates and effective dose have been determined in the present study. Concentration of trace metals, such as Cr, Pb, Ni and Zn, was also determined in the soil samples. The concentrations of radionuclides and trace metals found in these samples during the present study were nominal and do not pose any potential health hazard to the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study on the use of sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, chlorproguanil-dapsone or chloroquine for the treatment of plasmodium vivax malaria in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The purpose of the study was to test the efficacy and safety of 2 antifolate drugs against P vivax malaria and compare each with choloroquine. The study found that although chloroquine remains the drug of choice, antifolates are effective against P vivax malaria in South Asia and the drugs may be appropriate for unified treatment where species-specific diagnosis is unavailable.

Argues that most of the problems concerning the implementation of the Phillips curve analysis can be resolved and that a meaningful empirical Phillips curve relationship for Pakistan's economy can be estimated. Small open economy macroeconometric model; Flows of financial capital; Single equation instrumental variable technique.

The analysis of naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and an anthropogenic radionuclide 137Cs is carried out in some soil samples collected from Kohistan district of N.W.F.P. (Pakistan), using gamma-ray spectrometry. The gamma spectrometry is operated using a high purity Germanium (HPGe) detector coupled with a computer based high resolution multi channel analyzer. The specific activity in soil ranges from 24.72 to 78.48Bq*kg[?]1 for 226Ra, 21.73 to 75.28Bq*kg[?]1 for 232Th, 7.06 to 14.9Bq*kg[?]1 for 137Cs and 298.46 to 570.77Bq*kg[?]1 for 40K with the mean values of 42.11, 43.27, 9.5 and 418.27Bq*kg[?]1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity in all the soil samples is lower than the safe limit set in the OECD report (370Bq*kg[?]1). Man-made radionuclide 137Cs is also present in detectable amount in all soil samples. Presence of 137Cs indicates that the samples in this remote area also receive some fallout from nuclear accident in Chernobyl power plant in 1986. The internal and external hazard indices have the mean values of 0.48 and 0.37 respectively. Absorbed dose rates and effective dose equivalents are also determined for the samples. The concentration of radionuclides found in the soil samples during the present study is nominal and does not pose any potential health hazard to the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 271 young Pakistani adults responded to a selfdesigned multiple choice-based questionnaire (α = 0.83) which was then used to assess the levels of knowledge regarding breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) gene mutation. Overall knowledge levels were assessed using the sum score of each response; any possible significance between knowledge scores and educational backgrounds as well as gender were also tested. The results show that 161 (63.9%) of the sample population had awareness about BRCA gene mutation. Knowledge scores were comparable across both groups (medical and non-medical educational backgrounds) with 20 (13.8%) of medical and 14 (13.5%) of non-medical respondents demonstrating a high level of knowledge about the BRCA gene mutation and its testing. Neither gender nor educational background had a significant influence on knowledge scores. The results from this report suggest that awareness regarding BRCA gene was adequate, while knowledge levels were noted to be poor among the sample population.

Background: Protection against SARS-CoV-2 is mediated by humoral and T cell responses. Pakistan faced relatively low morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 through the pandemic. To examine the role of prior immunity in the population, we studied IgG antibody response levels, virus neutralizing activity and T cell reactivity to Spike protein in a healthy control group (HG) as compared with COVID-19 cases and individuals from the pre-pandemic period (PP)., Methods: HG and COVID-19 participants were recruited between October 2020 and May 2021. Pre-pandemic sera was collected before 2018. IgG antibodies against Spike and its Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) were determined by ELISA. Virus neutralization activity was determined using a PCR-based micro-neutralization assay. T cell - IFN-γ activation was assessed by ELISpot., Results: Overall, the magnitude of anti-Spike IgG antibody levels as well as seropositivity was greatest in COVID-19 cases (90%) as compared with HG (39.8%) and PP (12.2%). During the study period, Pakistan experienced three COVID-19 waves. We observed that IgG seropositivity to Spike in HG increased from 10.3 to 83.5% during the study, whilst seropositivity to RBD increased from 7.5 to 33.3%. IgG antibodies to Spike and RBD were correlated positively in all three study groups. Virus neutralizing activity was identified in sera of COVID-19, HG and PP. Spike reactive T cells were present in COVID-19, HG and PP groups. Individuals with reactive T cells included those with and without IgG antibodies to Spike., Conclusions: Antibody and T cell responses to Spike protein in individuals from the pre-pandemic period suggest prior immunity against SARS-CoV-2, most likely from cross-reactive responses. The rising seroprevalence observed in healthy individuals through the pandemic without known COVID-19 may be due to the activation of adaptive immunity from cross-reactive memory B and T cells. This may explain the more favourable COVID-19 outcomes observed in this population., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Anaplasma marginale is the most prevalent tick-borne haemoparasite of cattle and causes huge economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of A. marginale infection in blood and tick samples collected from livestock animals in the districts located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A total of 184 blood and 370 tick samples were included in this study. It has never been reported that sheep, goats, and cattle in Tank, Ghulam Khan, Birmil and Miran Shah areas were infected with A. marginale. All samples of blood and ticks were collected through random sampling from March 2021 to January 2022 from cattle, sheep and goats and screened through PCR for anaplasmosis by using primer pairs of Anaplasma spp. Three hundred and seventy ticks were collected from infested hosts (120/184, 64.21%). Among the four morphologically identified tick species, the highest occurrence was recorded for Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n=138, 37.29%), followed by Rhipicephalus microplus (n=131, 35.4%), Rhipicephalus annulatus (n=40, 10.81%), Hyalomma anatolicum (n=31, 8.37%), and Hyalomma marginatum (n=30, 8.1%). The occurrence of female tick was highest (n=160, 43.24%), followed by nymphs (n=140, 37.38%) and males ticks (n=70, 18.9%). Among these ticks, A. marginale was detected in female ticks of R. microplus, and R. sanguineus. Molecular identification of A. marginale was confirmed in 120 out of 184 blood samples and 6 out of 74 tick samples. Overall, occurrence of A. marginale in blood and tick samples was found to be 65.21% and 8.1% respectively. Species-wise occurrence in blood samples of goats were 71.11% followed by sheep 68.31% and cattle 50%. Specie-wise occurrence of A. marginale in tick samples of cattle were 12.5% followed by goats 6.89%. The obtained sequence showed similarity with A. marginale reported from Kenya and USA. We report the first PCR based detection of A. marginale infection in blood samples and in R. sanguineus ticks of goats simultaneously.

Background: Widespread vaccination coverage is essential for reducing the COVID-19 havoc and regarded as a crucial tool in restoring normal life on university campuses. Therefore, our research aimed to understand the intention to be vaccinated for COVID-19 among Pakistani university students., Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in five administrative units of Pakistan, i.e., Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. We obtained data from 2,865 university students between 17th January and 2nd February, 2021, using a semi-structured and self-administered questionnaire. We used Stata (version 16.1, StataCorp LLC) for data management and analysis., Results: The majority (72.5%) of our respondents were willing to take COVID-19 vaccine. The current level of education had a statistically significant relationship with the intention to be vaccinated (p < 0.05). Respondents answered 11 questions encompassing five different domains of the Health Belief Model (HBM). All the items of HBM were significantly associated with the positive intention towards receiving the vaccine (p < 0.05). We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess the relative contribution of different factors towards the intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Multiple factors such as belief that vaccination should be mandatory for everyone (AOR: 3.99, 95% CI: 3.20-4.98) and willingness to take vaccine even if it is not free (AOR: 3.91, 95% CI: 3.18-4.81) were observed to be associated with high odds of showing willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19., Conclusion: Most of our study participants intended to take vaccines based on their belief regarding the high effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine. But as rumor-mongers are generating and spreading conspiracy theories daily, the health department and policymakers need to undertake evidence-based campaigns through electronic and social media to ensure expected countrywide vaccination coverage. In this case, our study findings can serve as a foundation for them to ensure mass vaccination coverage among university students, which is crucial now to reopen the dormitories and restore everyday life on campuses., Competing Interests: We declare no competing interests.

Objective: To monitor the frequencies of different adverse transfusion reactions and to assess the compliance of clinical staff with the process of sending proper transfusion reaction workup within the specified time., Methods: The retrospective audit was conducted at the blood bank of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised all transfusion reaction forms received from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018. The forms were analysed for type of blood component, time in which it was received by the blood bank, whether or not the form was completely filled, whether or not all required samples were provided, and the type of reaction., Results: Of the 12,787 units dispensed and transfused, 50(0.39%) transfusion reactions were noted. Allergic was the most frequent type 24(48%). Red cells accounted for 38(76%) of the reactions. In 58(95%) cases, reaction forms were completely filled. Blood bags in 36(59%) and post-transfusion ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid samples in 35(57.3%) cases were received at blood bank within 2 hours of reaction., Conclusions: Incidence of transfusion reactions was found to be low as there was good compliance with procedures on the part of the clinical staff.

A decline in surface water sources in Pakistan is continuously causing the over-extraction of groundwater resources which is in turn costing the saltwater intrusion in many areas of the country. The saltwater intrusion is a major problem in sustainable groundwater development. The application of electrical resistivity methods is one of the best known geophysical approaches in groundwater study. Considering the accuracy in extraction of freshwater resources, the use of resistivity methods is highly successful to delineate the fresh-saline aquifer boundary. An integrated geophysical study of VES and ERI methods was carried out through the analysis and interpretation of resistivity data using Schlumberger array. The main purpose of this investigation was to delineate the fresh/saline aquifer zones for exploitation and management of fresh water resources in the Upper Bari Doab, northeast Punjab, Pakistan. The results suggest that sudden drop in resistivity values caused by the solute salts indicates the saline aquifer, whereas high resistivity values above a specific range reveal the fresh water. However, the overlapping of fresh/saline aquifers caused by the formation resistivity was delineated through confident solutions of the D-Z parameters computed from the VES data. A four-layered unified model of the subsurface geologic formation was constrained by the calibration between formation resistivity and borehole lithologs. i.e., sand and gravel-sand containing fresh water, clay-sand with brackish water, and clay having saline water. The aquifer yield contained within the fresh/saline aquifers was measured by the hydraulic parameters. The fresh-saline interface demarcated by the resistivity methods was confirmed by the geochemical method and the local hydrogeological data. The proposed geophysical approach can delineate the fresh-saline boundary with 90% confidence in any homogeneous or heterogeneous aquifer system.

Exercise has become a significant part of antenatal care. Adequate knowledge amongst pregnant females is important to encourage them to work on it. The aim of this study was to attain information on the level of knowledge, attitude and practice towards antenatal exercise amongst women in Lahore, Pakistan. This was a cross-sectional survey in which a Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) questionnaire was used to gather data from 250 pregnant females. The data was analysed using SPSS version 16.0 found the following results: relaxation and breathing n=136 (54.4%), back care exercises n=178 (71.2%) were the main known antenatal exercises. Prevention of back pain n=111 (44.4%), excess weight gain n=127 (50.8%), strengthening muscles n=141 (56.4%) and better ability to cope with labour n= 115 (46.0%) were perceived as advantages. In the survey, n= 218 (87.2%) of the females had a negative attitude towards antenatal exercises. The survey confirmed most of the pregnant females in Lahore had inadequate knowledge and a negative attitude towards antenatal exercises.

With the elderly population increasing in numbers, their demand of adequate medical and psychological care is also rising up. The key goal of promoting physical and mental health in elderly is maintenance of adequate health-related quality of life (QOL). A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from December 2016 to February 2017 among 100 elderly living in nursing facilities and 100 in homes. Older people's quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-35) was utilized to assess their QOL. In the nursing facility dwelling, 17% elderly reported good QOL with highest standardized score in "home and neighbourhood" and lowest in "health" domain. Of the home dwelling elderly, 74% reported good QOL with highest standardized score in "psychological and emotional wellbeing" and lowest in "health" domain.

An integrated study using geophysical method in combination with pumping tests and geochemical method was carried out to delineate groundwater potential zones in Mian Channu area of Pakistan. Vertical electrical soundings (VES) using Schlumberger configuration with maximum current electrode spacing (AB/2 = 200 m) were conducted at 50 stations and 10 pumping tests at borehole sites were performed in close proximity to 10 of the VES stations. The aim of this study is to establish a correlation between the hydraulic parameters obtained from geophysical method and pumping tests so that the aquifer potential can be estimated from the geoelectrical surface measurements where no pumping tests exist. The aquifer parameters, namely, transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity were estimated from Dar Zarrouyk parameters by interpreting the layer parameters such as true resistivities and thicknesses. Geoelectrical succession of five-layer strata (i.e., topsoil, clay, clay sand, sand, and sand gravel) with sand as a dominant lithology was found in the study area. Physicochemical parameters interpreted by World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization were well correlated with the aquifer parameters obtained by geoelectrical method and pumping tests. The aquifer potential zones identified by modeled resistivity, Dar Zarrouk parameters, pumped aquifer parameters, and physicochemical parameters reveal that sand and gravel sand with high values of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity are highly promising water bearing layers in northwest of the study area. Strong correlation between estimated and pumped aquifer parameters suggest that, in case of sparse well data, geophysical technique is useful to estimate the hydraulic potential of the aquifer with varying lithology., (© 2017, National Ground Water Association.)

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a major problem in obstetrics as there is evidence of increasing incidence throughout the world. It is an important cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. In Pakistan, the care seeking behaviour among female is limited that makes female vulnerable to die due to complication of ectopic pregnancy. The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of tubal rupture in ectopic pregnancy in Pakistani patients., Methods: In this crosssectional study data pertaining to age, gestational age, parity and duration of presenting symptoms were collected and analysed., Results: 80 patients were diagnosed to have ectopic pregnancy. The frequency of tubal rupture was 91.25%. It is encountered significantly more often in women with age of 26 years. More tubal rupture is found in patient with low parity, in which the frequency of tubal rupture is up to 100% and decrease up to 78.6% with increasing parity up to four. Furthermore, it is noted that increase in gestational age from 8 weeks to 10 weeks caused an increase in frequency of tubal rupture from 80 to 100% respectively. It is also noted that earlier the patient presents the lesser is the frequency of tubal rupture, as compared to late presentation beyond 3-4 days which make frequency up to 95%., Conclusions: Tubal rupture is still common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and is still a major challenge in gynaecological practice. Creating awareness amongst midwives and GPs regarding early diagnosis can contribute to decrease the mortality, morbidity and fertility loss related to EP.

Background: The effect of Helicobacter-pylori eradication therapy on the platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia is still debatable. The aim of this study was to assess the response rates of standard triple eradication therapy in secondary immune thrombocytopenia with Helicobacter pylori infection., Methods: From January 2012 to December 2013, 197 patients were diagnosed to have immune thrombocytopenia, out of which 22(11.1%) patients infected with Helicobacter- Pylorus were enrolled in this study. Helicobacter-Pylori infection was documented by Helicobacter-pylori stool antigen enzyme immunoassay method. All positive patients were put on triple eradication therapy. The responses rates to treatment were defined as per International Working Group on ITP., Results: Mean age of patients was 43.18±12.5 years. There were 10(45.5%) males and 12 (54.5%) females. Of the 22 patients, 7(31.8%) exhibited a complete response (CR) to Hpylori eradication therapy; 10(45.4%) attained a response; and 5(22.7%) had no response. Mean base line platelet counts were 53.36±24.5x109/l, while platelet counts at 4 week following eradication was 80.86±51.0x109/l (P=0.003). The predictive factor of response following eradication therapy was baseline platelet counts. Virtually all responders had baseline platelet counts >30x109/l and all non-responders had <30x109/l of platelet counts., Conclusions: Though the prevalence of H-pylori is low, this study confirmed the efficacy of eradication in increasing the platelet counts in H-pylori positive patients with ITP. It is an important measure in short time, safe and very cost effective to achieve platelets increment. We endorse the routine detection and eradication treatment of H-pylori infective ITP patients.

This study was conducted to identify ticks that infest dogs in the Rawalpindi region of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 525 dogs were examined between June and September 2010. Of these, 60 (11.42%) were infested with ticks. The morphological features of the ticks were identified by using a stereomicroscope to confirm their identity using morphological keys. Two species were observed, namely: Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The prevalence rate of these species was 98.33% and 1.66%, respectively. Of the 508 specimens collected, 265 male, 224 female ticks and 19 nymphs were identified. No larvae were collected from the infested dogs during the study period. There was no significant difference observed during the study months.

Background: Epidermal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) isa common malignancy in Pakistan. We hypothesize that it is characterized by higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values compared with squamous cell papilloma(SCP) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC)., Experimental Design: To test our hypothesis, 140 skin biopsies(including 20 normal skin, 20 SCP, 20 BCC and 80 SCC samples of various grades) were examined for p53 mutations using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). AgNOR staining was used for histological determination of AgNORindex., Results: Both markers were undetectable in normal skin and were low in SCP. They were upregulated in BCC and SCC. PCR experiments revealed p53 mutations in 70% and 96.25% of BCC and SCC, respectively. Higher AgNOR values were seen in SCC than in BCC (mean AgNOR count = 5.81 +/- 31 and 8.36 +/- 19; percentage of AgNOR was 43.5% and 53% in BCC and SCC, respectively). Finally, p53 IHC score was found to be related to the AgNOR index in the histological grading of BCC and SCC (r = 10.983, p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: Our results suggest that a higher frequency of p53 genetic mutations and increased AgNOR values exist in SCC compared with BCC and SCP. 'Consequently, SCC patients may have poorer prognosis'.

This study was conducted to see the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for solitary thyroid nodules and to compare our experience with that of other regions of the world. It was a prospective cross sectional study conducted on 76 thyroid samples submitted and reported at the Department of Pathology, King Edward Medical University, Lahore. There were 65 (85.5%) females and 11 (14.5%) males. Male to female ratio was 1:5.9. Ages of the patients ranged from 10 to 60 year with mean age 35.37 +/- 12.17. Thirty-three (43.42%) samples were indeterminate. There were 30 cases (39.47%) of benign lesions, comprising of colloid goiter, follicular adenoma, and diffuse hyperplasia. The final reports of these cases were almost the same. On FNAC, 13 cases were declared as malignant (6 cases) or suggestive of malignancy (3 cases) or suspicious for malignancy [4 cases (5.26%)]. Only 9 cases (11.84%) were clearly committed as malignant lesions, comprising of papillary carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma and suggestive of follicular carcinoma. Comparison of malignant cases on histopathology (14 cases) was close to that of FNAC (13 cases). After comparison of FNAC results with histopathology, overall sensitivity of FNAC was found to be 90%, specificity 87.5%, and accuracy 87%, while positive predictive value (PPV) was 93% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 79.5%. In conclusion, we recommend this procedure in the light of views of other experts as a primary investigation of thyroid lesions. We strongly recommend the suggestion that in a patient with one or more thyroid nodule, FNAC should be advised for every patient for exclusion of cancer. We will also encourage the clinicians to embrace this procedure in the initial management of patients. As FNAC is inexpensive, sensitive, specific, and an accurate procedure it should be adapted as an initial investigation of thyroid diseases in all tertiary hospitals in developing countries like Pakistan., ((c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

In vitro testing of the extracts of medicinal plants collected from Islamabad and the Murree region on insulin secretagogue activity was carried out. Dried ethanol extracts of all plants (ZH1-ZH19) were dissolved in ethanol and DMSO, and tested at various concentrations (between 1 and 40 microg/mL) for insulin release from INS-1 cells in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose. Glibenclamide was used as a control. Promising insulin secretagogue activity in various plant extracts at 1, 10, 20 and 40 microg/mL was found, while in some cases a decrease in insulin secretion was also observed. Artemisia roxburghiana, Salvia coccinia and Monstera deliciosa showed insulin secretagogue activity at 1 microg/mL (p < 0.05) while Abies pindrow, Centaurea iberica and Euphorbia helioscopia were active at 10 microg/mL (p < 0.05). Extracts of Bauhinia variegata and Bergenia himalacia showed effects at 20 microg/mL (p < 0.05), and Taraxacum officinale and Viburnum foetens at 40 microg/mL (p < 0.05). Insulin secretagogue activity could not be detected in the extracts of Adhatoda vasica, Cassia fistula, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Morus alba, Plectranthus rugosus, Peganum harmala and Olea ferruginea. The results suggest that medicinal plants of Islamabad and the Murree region of Pakistan may be potential natural resources for antidiabetic compounds., (Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi has become a major public health problem. In this study, typhoid fever was diagnosed by isolation of Salmonella typhi from blood or by a positive Widal's reaction in 170 Pakistani children. There were 111 boys (65%) and 59 girls (35%). The average age was 6.2 years; 4 (2%) were less than 1 year old, 78 (46%) were 1 to 5 years old, and 88 (52%) were more than 5 years old. All patients were pretreated with antibiotics. Salmonella typhi was detected by culture in 109 cases (64%), by Widal's test in 84 (49%), and by both in 23 (14%). All 79 isolates that were multidrug resistant were sensitive to ofloxacin, cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone. Clinical features of infections due to resistant S typhi did not differentiate these from other cases of typhoid. Fifty-five infections (70%) due to resistant S typhi were treated with ofloxacin and 24 (30%) with ceftriaxone. Sixteen patients had complications, and all recovered.

A population based epidemiologic study carried out in a lower socioeconomic suburb of Karachi, identified 23 children with epilepsy among 994 children (3-9 year old) surveyed for childhood disabilities. Nineteen had major epilepsy, 2 petitmal and one each had focal motor and myoclonic attacks. The high frequency of epilepsy may be due to consanguinity, central nervous system, infections and birth and accidental trauma.