Search

Floods are the most frequent disaster risk factor, and they have significantly increased morbidity and mortality globally. However, the health effects of a specific flood depend on the surrounding circumstances and the current situation in Pakistan indicates that it is leading to a serious health crisis. The immediate health effects of flooding include waterborne and vector-transmitted diseases. The evacuation of patients, loss of medical personnel, and destruction of critical medical supplies and equipment are also overburdening the Pakistani healthcare system. The indirect effects of flooding include infected wounds, poisoning, poor mental health, infectious infections, and famine. Long-term consequences could include starvation, chronic illness, disability, poor mental health, and diseases linked to poverty. In this letter to the editor, we discussed the challenges, efforts, and recommendations that can facilitate the system.

Face detection and recognition are the most substantial research areas in computer vision and transfer learning due to the inspiring nature of faces as an object. In this paper, we show that we can obtain promising results on the standard face databanks when the features are extracted merely from the eye. The contributions of this work are divided into three parts, specifically face detection, eyes detection and recognition for individual identification. The key features for face recognition, used in this study are the eyes, nostrils, and mouth. The key features for eyes recognition are center of left eye, center of right eye, midpoint of eyes and extraction of eyebrows. Extracted Local Binary Pattern Histogram (LBPH) method is used to extract the facial features of face images whose computational complexity is very low and these features contain simple pixel values. Furthermore, neighborhood pixels are calculated to extract effective facial feature to realize eyes recognition and person verification. This study is able to identify an individual on the basis of even a single eye. The algorithm finds the brighter eye from the face and then, on the basis of that eye, the person is identified and the name of person is provided. The experimental results of this study show that faces are recognized accurately and LBPH method has achieved 98.2% accuracy.

https://tianjindaxuexuebao.com/details.php?id=DOI:10.17605/OSF.IO/CVM6N

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD) is a rare genetic disorder targeting Red Blood Cells that manifests as non-spherocytic hemolytic anemia. It has a global distribution with an unknown prevalence, and the frequently reported estimates for different geographical regions show a significant disparity. Because of its hereditary origin, treatment focuses on symptom relief and comfort (principally through blood transfusions, splenectomy, and folic acid supplementation). Pyrukynd (Mitavipat) is a new disease-modifying therapy that was just approved by the FDA and EHA based on clinical trial results that showed a big drop in the number of blood transfusions needed and a rise in hemoglobin levels. The drug stimulates cellular ATP synthesis by acting like Tyrosine Kinase Activator. Even though Pyrukynd has been the subject of studies and is approved for treatment, there is a lack of information on the effects of the medicine on nursing and pregnant mothers. The drug's administration and its effects on minors should also be pleaded.

In 2016, the Japanese Government publicized an initiative and a call to action for the implementation of a &ldquo, Super Smart Society&rdquo, announced as Society 5.0. The stated goal of Society 5.0 is to meet the various needs of the members of society through the provisioning of goods and services to those who require them, when they are required and in the amount required, thus enabling the citizens to live an active and comfortable life. In spite of its genuine appeal, details of a feasible path to Society 5.0 are conspicuously missing. The first main goal of this survey is to suggest such an implementation path. Specifically, we define a Smart Community as a human-centric entity where technology is used to equip the citizenry with information and services that they can use to inform their decisions. The arbiter of this ecosystem of services is a Marketplace of Services that will reward services aligned with the wants and needs of the citizens, while discouraging the proliferation of those that are not. In the limit, the Smart Community we defined will morph into Society 5.0. At that point, the Marketplace of Services will become a platform for the co-creation of services by a close cooperation between the citizens and their government. The second objective and contribution of this survey paper is to review known technologies that, in our opinion, will play a significant role in the transition to Society 5.0. These technologies will be surveyed in chronological order, as newer technologies often extend old technologies while avoiding their limitations.

Background Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with metabolic perturbations and declines in bone mineral density (BMD). Exercise interventions provide multiple health benefits to older men on ADT; however, their effect on metabolic biomarkers and BMD remains unclear. Methods A secondary analysis of a phase II randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of a six-month moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise program on metabolic biomarkers and BMD in men on ADT. Participants were randomized to three different exercise delivery models: personal training; supervised group exercise; or home-based exercise. Analysis of metabolic biomarkers (lipid profile and glucose) was conducted at baseline, six and twelve months. BMD of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and hip were assessed at baseline and twelve months. Both within- and between-group analyses of change scores adjusted for baseline values were performed. Results Forty-eight men (mean age 69.8y) were enrolled. Baseline values of metabolic biomarkers and BMD were comparable between groups and the three groups were combined for the primary analysis. At six months, no changes in metabolic biomarkers were found; however, at twelve months low-density lipoprotein (+0.28 mmol/L; 95%CI, 0.04 to 0.51) and total cholesterol (+0.31 mmol/L; 95%CI, 0.00 to 0.61) were significantly increased from baseline. No changes were found in BMD. In a secondary between-group analysis, no improvements were observed for any metabolic biomarker or BMD measurement. Conclusions Different exercise prescription parameters (modality and intensity) or combined diet/exercise interventions may be needed to foster favorable metabolic and skeletal adaptations during ADT.

Background:Social anxiety is common among adolescents in Pakistan and is associated with low self-esteem. Among the recommended treatments, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective, and self-help approaches are encouraged.Aim:To determine the effectiveness of culturally adapted CBT-based guided self-help (CACBT-GSH) intervention, using a manual ‘Khushi aur Khatoon’, for treating social anxiety when added to treatment as usual (TAU) compared with TAU only.Method:A total of 76 adolescents with social anxiety aged 13–16 years from six schools in Multan, Pakistan were recruited into this randomized controlled trial. Participants were divided into intervention and control groups in a 1:1 ratio. Social anxiety, self-esteem and fear of negative evaluation were assessed through the Liebowtiz Social Anxiety Scale for children and adolescents, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation, respectively, at baseline and at the end of the study. Guided self-help using culturally adapted CBT (CACBT)-based self-help manual (eight sessions, one session per week) was provided to the intervention group. The effect of the CACBT-GSH intervention was analysed with ANCOVA.Results:There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and the control groups in favour of intervention. Participants in the intervention group showed reduced symptoms of social anxiety (p < .001), fear of negative evaluation (p < .001) and enhanced self-esteem (p < .001).Conclusion:The study demonstrated the effectiveness of CACBT-based guided self-help intervention in treating social anxiety and addressing the symptoms associated with it.

Madam, inflating numbers of sufferers of Type 2 Diabetes and obesity have led scientists to coin the term ‘diabesity,’ which signifies a pathogenic link between obesity and diabetes. Obesity, defined as a BMI of at least 30 kg/m2,1 is a complex, chronic, relapsing illness characterized by an excessive fat build-up. According to the World Obesity Atlas, one billion people will be obese (BMI 30kg/m2) by 2030.2 Obesity is not an illness. Still it is a substantial risk factor for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes, which are major morbid disease burdens.1 Obesity has genetic, biological, psychological, social, economic, and environmental bases. A complex network of neurohormonal, physiological, and behavioural systems that regulate body weight, combined with different risk factors that impair weight loss pathways, renders lifestyle therapy ineffective in managing obesity. Several clinical guidelines now promote anti-obesity treatments for successful management and considerable outcomes.3 Considering a recent study published on June 4th from a phase three Randomized Control Trial conducted in nine countries, Tirzepatide, originally used to treat diabetes, showed efficacy and safety as an anti-obesity medicine in 2539 non-diabetic patients. When combined with Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic polypeptide and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist, weight-loss efficacy increased. The trial assigned individuals to receive Tirzepatide or placebo subcutaneously once weekly for 72 weeks. In the SURMOUNT-1 research, subjects on 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg lost 35.5lbs, 48.9lbs, and 52lbs, respectively, compared to 5.3lbs on placebo. Compared to the 35% of placebo-takers who dropped 5% or more weight, those taking the medication at 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg lost 85%, 89%, and 91%. In the intervention group, waist circumference, blood pressure, insulin, cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase also improved. No direct trial has compared Tirzepatide to Semaglutide or bariatric surgery, but the findings imply it's more effective than the current anti-obesity therapies. However, mild to moderate gastrointestinal side effects do happen.4 By 2030, Pakistan's obesity pandemic will have reached a peak of 12.9%.2 This, coupled with the fact that we have the highest Diabetes rate in South Asia,5 makes these findings a huge milestone since Tirzepatide can act simultaneously as an anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drug. However, because the drug must be prescribed for an extended period, more testing is required before it can be made available to the public. The cost must also be considered to ensure affordability. Nonetheless, the study's findings are encouraging and may lead to novel obesity and diabetes care methods.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Thyrotoxicosis is a disease in which thyroid hormones are raised, and we have seen multiple patients suffering from this ailment in Pakistan. Methimazole is an anti-thyroid drug for thyrotoxicosis. Hepatotoxicity and liver ailments were common with methimazole prescribed for hypothyroid patients. Hypothyroidism, a common side effect of this drug, has been seen in a majority of patients, but liver toxicity remained unaddressed. So, in this study, we have observed histological changes in the liver after methimazole administration. METHODOLOGY: The pilot study was carried out in the University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, and was ended in twenty-one days. We divided animals in 2 groups. Each group comprises 12 animals. Group-I was negative control, and water was given through the oral route for 21 days. Group-II was administered methimazole orally 60mg/kg/day for twenty-one days. At the end;S animals were dissected, and livers were removed for histological examination. RESULTS: The histological picture of the liver showed 75% severe disruption in liver architecture, inflammation, and fatty change in group 2, indicating liver damage. CONCLUSION: Methimazole, hepatotoxic with discernable damage to its architecture, epithelium, and inflammatory changes.

Green manufacturing of catalysts enables sustainable advanced oxidation processes and water treatment processes for removing trace contaminants such as pesticides. An environmentally friendly biosynthesis process produced high-surface-area CuO and NiO nanocatalysts using phytochemicals in the Capparis decidua leaf extract, which served as a reductant and influenced catalyst shape. Capparis decidua is a bushy shrub, widely distributed in dry and arid regions of Africa, Pakistan, India, Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia. The synthesized CuO and NiO nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy (UV-vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermo-gravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). The produced nanoparticles were spherical and flower-like in shape and have a characteristic face-centered cubic structure of CuO and NiO. Biosynthesized catalysts were photoactive and degraded recalcitrant pesticide Lambda-cyhalothrin (L-CHT). Photocatalytic degradation of L-CHT was affected by the initial L-CHT concentration, solution pH levels between 5 and 9, and photocatalyst concentration. The L-CHT removal percentage attained by CuO photocatalyst (~99%) was higher than for NiO photocatalyst (~89%). The degradation of L-CHT follows a pseudo-first-order kinetic model, and the apparent rate constant (kapp) decreased from 0.033 min−1 for CuO to 0.0084 min−1 for NiO photocatalyst. The novel flower-shaped nanoparticles demonstrated high stability in water and recyclability for removing L-CHT pesticide contamination in water.

Globally, the building sector consumes approximately 60% of the total energy usage, while the energy consumption of residential buildings lies between 20% to 40%. The majority of this energy is operational energy, which comes mainly from the heating and cooling of houses. Innovative and cost-effective insulation materials have the potential to reduce the operational energy requirements and can therefore make the buildings more energy efficient. In this study, three commonly available insulation materials were experimentally evaluated for a case study of residential buildings, located in a cold region of Pakistan. Glass wool, extruded polystyrene, and polyethylene were used, as insulation materials, for monitoring the case study building performance. Thermal data were collected for 21 days in the year 2019 using a Testo Saveries System and were then used for analyzing the thermal performance of each of the three types of insulation materials. Other relevant data including the cost of insulation materials, thickness, ease of application, design life, and fire resistance of the selected insulation materials were obtained for broader (based on the scorecard) analysis based on a multi-weighted decision model. It was concluded that Polyethylene was the most economical insulation material amongst the others, which also showed the best thermal performance. Polyethylene was also found to be the best insulation material for the case study building based on a multi-weighted decision model and, hence, is recommended for application in buildings around cold regions of Pakistan.