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How does political violence affect public health risks? While past research provides useful insights, it remains unclear how the effect of violence on health risks varies by perpetrator identity, target, and the intensity of attacks. We argue that indiscriminate attacks by militants will discourage civilians from accessing healthcare services. In contrast, clashes between militants and governments are likely to induce state actors to augment healthcare provision, while reinforced state control may facilitate civilians' access. We test our arguments by employing multilevel modeling using subnational data on political violence events within Pakistan between 2005 and 2011, and immunization rates for under-5 infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the correlation of CHWR score and its various clinical markers with the length of stay in hospital bronchiolitis. Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Nov 2018 to Apr 2019. Methodology: This study included children aged 2 to 24 months, clinically diagnosed with bronchiolitis. The Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) was used to determine the discriminative validity of the CHWR score in predicting the length of stay. Results: One hundred thirty-eight children of either gender were enrolled in the study. The median age of the study population was 10.8 (9) months. ROC curve showed significant discriminate validity of CHWR score and its component criterion on admission. CHWR score of >10.5 predicted a longer stay (>24 hours) in ICU. Pearson correlation showed a statistically significant positive correlation between CHWR score at admission and length of stay (r=0.831, p=<0.001). Conclusion: CHWR scoring system on admission is an easy, safe and effective way to classify bronchiolitis severity and thus help predict the length of stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study report on a sonochemical synthesis of 1- and 3-dimensional hierarchical nanostructured cobalt oxide systems (Co3O4) and their application in ammonia sensing at room temperature (i.e., 30 °C). The Co3O4 nanostructures were synthesized via a room temperature-assisted precipitation and subsequent thermal treatment of the oxalate precursor. The resulted nanostructures were characterized by SEM, XRD, TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, BET, and TGA/DTA. The synthesis mechanism was proposed on the basis of morphology analyzed at various stages of the particle growth. It was observed that the final hierarchical microspheres structure resulted from the self-aggregation of the initially formed nanorods. The microspheres and nanorods were used as efficient room temperature gas sensors for ammonia detection in the concentration range of 0.01–500 ppm. The nanorod-based sensor showed an unusual n-type sensing behavior to ammonia in a temperature range of 30–300 °C. This transition of p to n-type was correlated to the formation of successive layers of physisorbed water molecules at the surface of the synthesized Co3O4. However, in case of the microspheres, the n-type behavior and superior sensitivity were observed at 30 °C followed by a negligible response up to 200 °C, while the intrinsic p-type behavior was recorded at an elevated temperature (200–300 °C). The observed unusual sensing performance may be associated with the crystallographic nature and lattice strain in the material structures. Additionally, the large specific surface area and the change in crystalline structure with temperature made the as prepared novel hierarchical Co3O4 structures a distinctive material for sensing ammonia at 30 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to synthesize experimental composites reinforced with various concentrations (0, 40, 50, and 60 wt%) of nano‐hydroxyapatite grafted glass fibers. The release of monomers, residual monomers, and in‐vitro bioactivity of composite groups were evaluated after 1, 7, and 28 days. Compressive strength/ modulus, cell viability (by direct and indirect method), and bacterial adhesion were evaluated. The results showed that bis‐GMA was released from all samples. TEGDMA released from 50 and 60 wt% samples on day 1 and UDMA showed negligible release. Compressive strength values of 40 wt% sample were higher than other experimental groups. New apatite layer was formed, whereby both direct and indirect methods demonstrated cell viability. The numbers of active colonies grown were least for 60 wt% sample while their number increased over time. The nano‐hydroxyapatite/glass fibers have potential to be used as filler in dental composites and experimental composites were found to be biocompatible and comparable with commercial material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the frequency of congenital heart disease and its association with various factors in neonates of mothers with diabetes. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore and Army Cardiac Centre Lahore, from Feb 2018 to Aug 2018. Methodology: A total of 92 neonates born to mothers with diabetes of aged up to 28 days of either gender were included. Preterm, post term and other multiple congenital anomalies were excluded. Patient was diagnosed as having congenital heart disease based on the results of 2-D Echocardiography done by consultant pediatric cardiologist. Findings of the 2-D Echo along with other information like name, age, gender, weight and HbA1c were recorded. Data was collected using proforma and analysis was done with statistical package for social sciences version 23. Results: Total neonates born to mothers with diabetes included in study were 92. Age of neonates ranged from 0 to 28 days with mean of 13.36 ± 4.49 days. Mostly patients 64 (69.57%) ranged between 4-15 days. Mean weight of baby was 3.24 ± 0.49 kg. Out of the 92 patients, males were 53 (57.61%) and females were 39 (42.39%) with ratio of 1.5: 1 respectively. In this study, the frequency of congenital heart disease in neonates of mothers with diabetes was 71 (77.17%) while 21 (22.83%) new born did not have congenital heart disease. Patent Ductus Arteriosus was the most common congenital heart defect in 25 (27.17%) neonates. Congenital heart defects in neonates were significantly (p=0.039) associated with weight of neonates >3kg. Moreover neonates born to the mothers with poorly controlled diabetes had significantly more chances of developing CHD (p=0.0001). Conclusion: This study has shown that the congenital heart disease is quiet frequent in neonates born to mothers with diabetes and particularly common in neonates expectant mothers with poorly controlled diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the in vitro potential of dentin tubule occlusion of two novel experimental dentifrices consisting of fluoride containing bioactive glass (BG) with zinc oxide nanoparticles.Materials and Methods: Forty-eight dentin discs (n = 48) were divided into 6 groups (n = 8), based on their brushing dentifrices: Group 1 = artificial saliva (AS; control); Group 2 = fluoride dentifrice (Colgate Palmolive©, UK); Group 3 = experimental nonactive agent dentifrice; Group 4 = experimental dentifrice with 1.5% BG; Group 5 = experimental dentifrice with 4% BG; and Group 6 = BioMinF© dentifrice. Postbrushing, the discs were subjected to acidic challenge with 6% wt citric acid (pH = 4.0) for 1 min. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy were performed pre- and post-citric acid challenges, and percentages of tubule occlusion assessed.Results: SEM micrographs of group 1 (AS) show no tubule occlusion (0%), whereas those of groups 2 and 3 show partial tubule occlusion (25 to <50% of tubules occluded). The SEM micrographs of dentifrices containing fluoride-BG (groups 4, 5, and 6) show that most of the tubules (>50 and <100%) were occluded. For all the groups (excluding group 1), pre- and post-citric acid challenge values are statistically significant (p < 0.05). EDX analysis reveals the presence of zinc in experimental dentifrices only.Conclusion: The results of novel experimental dentifrices are comparable to those of the BioMinF©, in terms of tubule occlusion. Dentifrices containing BG could serve as an alternative in dentin sensitivity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials have been a staple in dentistry and useful for the fabrication of dental prosthesis. Gagging is most commonly experienced during maxillary impression making, which may affect the clinical management of the patient. Different techniques have been described to alleviate this problem. One of them is mixing lignocaine local anesthetic solution in irreversible hydrocolloid impression material before making the impression. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of lignocaine addition in irreversible hydrocolloid impression on the properties of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials. Methods: Irreversible hydrocolloid was mixed with water (Control group) or water and adrenalin (Lidocaine hydrochloride) (Experimental group). Compressive strength, tear strength and setting time were measured according to ISO1567 and ANSI/ADA specifications 18. The structural analysis of both groups was also evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results: In the experimental group, insignificant decrease was observed in compressive and tear strength of irreversible hydrocolloid (p>0.05). There was significant (p<0.05) increase in setting time of irreversible hydrocolloid impression material. FTIR analysis indicated no change in chemistry of irreversible hydrocolloid before and after setting. Conclusion: Addition of lignocaine in irreversible hydrocolloid impression material may result in control of gag reflex without affecting its mechanical and chemical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unprotected sex among commercial sex workers (CSWs) remains a leading cause of HIV transmission internationally. Previous research on condom use among CSWs has focused on females, with limited research among transgenders or on the role of network operators who mediate paid sexual transactions. We test whether network operators increase the likelihood of condom use among female and transgender CSWs in four Pakistan provinces using the 2011 Integrated Behavioral and Biological Survey. We find that transgender CSWs recruiting clients through network operators had higher odds of consistently using condoms compared with female CSWs recruiting clients through another source (relative OR: 2·80, 95% CI: 1·67, 4·70). While transgender CSWs in Pakistan using network operators have higher rates of condom use, however, this protective effect does not hold among females. This suggests that network operators may be a valuable group to target for HIV prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies of public pensions emphasize the effect of the political economy on the performance of pension systems. We argue that this approach overlooks important institutional features of pension governance and fails to account for endogenous, indirect, and lagged effects. In this article, we describe those limitations and develop an institutional framework to explain the complexity of public pension governance. We identify and discuss critical environmental conditions, formal institutions, and the causal pathways between institutions and pension performance. We also use a case study of the Florida Retirement System to illustrate the explanatory power of the institutional framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clobazam belongs to benzodiazepine class and is preferably used against anti-epileptic disorders. However, when used in reduced doses, its ability for improving cognitive functions becomes explicitly evident. This study objectively undertook the task of using the reduced doses of clobazam for proving potentials effects on cognitive functions. The drug, clobazam was administered in "active group" which contained 15 young healthy volunteers. The "placebo group" also entailed 15 subjects and each was administered with placebo drug. The controlled group" also included 15 subjects. All these 45 young healthy subjects were subjected to tests for perceptual learning, creativity, selective memory, visual memory and intelligence. Results clearly demonstrated significant impact of clobazam at the dose of 5mg/day on perceptual learning (P=0.0380), creativity (P=0.0787), memory function (P=0.4920), visual memory (P=0.4816) and intelligence of the subject (P=0.4920). The outcomes highlighted in the studies reviled the positive effects of clobazam when used at reduced doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health is greatly influenced by diet and physical exercise. For students, good health is one of the contributing factors towards classroom performance including academic achievement. The present study was designed to explore the practices of health care among university students and its relationship with their classroom performance. A sample of 1000 students from 13 departments of the University of Sargodha was selected through stratified sampling technique and 726 respondents returned the questionnaire. A questionnaire was developed to inquire the diet pattern, physical exercise and classroom performance of students. The questionnaire was validated and revised through expert opinion including nutritionists. The research instrument was pilot tested as well and reliability was 0.81. Findings showed that majority of the university students were consuming unhealthy food in the form of junk food. Interestingly students from departments of medical and food sciences scored higher on a measure of junk food scale. It was also found that the students with "more health caring" were good in classroom performance. It was concluded that a major number of students had unhealthy patterns of diet and lacked physical activities. It is recommended to include not only information about health care in daily teaching as well as informal coaching by university teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, significant advancement has occurred in vibrational (Fourier transform infrared [FTIR] and Raman) spectroscopy associated with dental materials. FTIR and Raman spectroscopies have emerged as significant breakthrough techniques and offer exciting new possibilities in the area of dental materials. These techniques have been used to obtain chemical images of formulations and allow researchers to find out thein situstructure of materials. This review summarizes the information obtained from these two techniques and their application in dental material sciences. The presented database of vibrational spectroscopy facilitated the appropriate identification of frequently used dental materials ranging from filling, obturating, adhesive, lining/luting materials, and prosthodontics materials. Spectral peaks that are related to these materials are discussed in detail, which provided crucial data in understanding the chemical structural properties. The application of vibrational spectroscopy allowed for a quick differential identification of typical dental materials composed of organic and inorganic compounds. From our study as well as the literature reviewed, it appeared that investigators uniformly confirmed the benefits of vibrational spectroscopy concerning identification of chemical functional groups of different chemical compositions. The diagnostic and prognostic tools based on these technologies have the potential to revolutionize our concepts leading to improve materials sciences and clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Yunis-Varon syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with characteristic facial features and limb anomalies. We report a neonate born to consanguineously married normal parents with typical clinical and radiologic features of Yunis-Varon syndrome along with complete cleft lip and palate: an infrequent association. The family had two previous babies with similar features who died in infancy. This is a first reported case of Yunis-Varon syndrome in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]