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A complicated relationship exists between housemaids who provide necessary domestic assistance and working women who are attempting to make ends meet. Through mixed methods including focus groups, interviews, and surveys, this study probes into the interwoven lives of these demographics and examines this complex interaction, revealing a few significant patterns. Of financial dependency; 78% of working women depend on housemaids to manage work and home responsibilities, while 65% of housemaids rely on their occupation for a living. Workplace conventions have a significant impact; 82% of housemaids experience stress at work and a submissive posture, and 65% of working women find it difficult to balance both responsibilities. In terms of power and influence, with 30% of housemaids and 80% of working women attaining financial independence, while the housemaids continue to face handicaps, such as low wages and adverse working environments. The confluence of identity - class and job nature, in particular - illustrates the way these factors exacerbate susceptibilities; 75% of housemaids having a low socioeconomic status face more difficulties. This study corroborates strong correlations between class identities, power dynamics, workplace customs, and financial dependency that are confirmed by quantitative study, including chisquare and t-tests. These outcomes emphasize the significance of focused policy initiatives that target socioeconomic susceptibilities and subvert long-standing socioeconomic patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the phenolic acid profile and antioxidant activity of leaves, stem and flowers of Tamarix dioica. Nine compounds were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Overall results showed that the high content of gallic acid was detected in leaves and flowers and caffeic acid in stem. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH assay. A high antioxidant activity was observed, which is associated with very high phenolic content, indicating the potential benefit of using this species as a source of biochemical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To find out the efficacy and structural stability of autologous serum for the fixation of limbal conjunctival Autograft in the management of pterygium surgery. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Orbit and Oculoplastic department of LRBT Hospital, Karachi, from June 2020 to November 2020. Methods: This study included 100 eyes of 100 patients with primary pterygium. Eyes with nasal Pterygium of grade III were included. Patients with ocular surface disorders, infection, inflammation, pseudo pterygium, pterygium at temporal side and coagulation disorders were excluded. After pterygium excision, a free limbal conjunctival Autograft was taken from superotemporal quadrant of bulbar conjunctiva of same eye and was used to cover the bare sclera with autologous serum. Subconjunctival injection of antibiotic and steroid was given followed by 24 hour of eye pad. Postoperative outcomes of the graft were noted at the end of the six months period of follow up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.5 ± 8.97 years (range 20 – 60 years). Male to female ratio was 3:1 (75 males and 25 females). Graft loss was found in five patients, graft edema in one patient, graft retraction in three patients, graft overriding in two patients, recurrence of pterygium in six patients, granuloma in two patients and subconjunctival hemorrhage in 10 patients. Conclusion: Autologous serum for fixation of limbal conjunctival Autograft is a safe, efficient and cost-effective method of treatment for primary pterygium surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 18,000 brick kilns spread over different parts of Pakistan produce about 45 billion bricks every year. Families working at the brick kilns play a crucial role in the economy of Pakistan, but they face numerous challenges at the workplace verging on the conditions of bonded labour. Trapped through advance payments, the labour is hired on meager wages and endures verbal as well as physical abuses along with restrictions on their mobility. This study explores the exploitative nature of kiln labour, its causes and consequences, and the relationship between task-oriented labour and disturbance in family activities. The data was collected through a self-structured questionnaire from a sample of 43 adult respondents, who were the heads of families working at the brick kilns. Non-probability quota sampling technique was applied. The data analysis was managed through SPSS applying significance and correlation tests. Findings reveal that the brick kiln labour work for long hours and can suffer severe stretch in their work-life activities owing to task-oriented wages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Stroke is a significant public health problem and one of the most important preventable non-communicable diseases. Preventive stroke programmes with a better focus on increasing awareness among those who are currently at risk are yet to be properly established in Oman. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of stroke patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Oman. Methods: This cross-sectional hospital-based study included 193 stroke cases which were prospectively recruited from the Emergency Department of Khoula Hospital, Muscat, Oman. Data were collected from November 2017 to April 2018. Results: The total number of patients was 193 with 82.9% of strokes being ischaemic strokes. Of this, 58% were male. The mean age of stroke patients was 61.05 years. Risk factors included hypertension (72.5%) and diabetes mellitus (54.4%). Dyslipidaemia, atrial fibrillation and ischaemic heart diseases were not particularly prevalent in the studied population and 24.4% of ischaemic strokes had large artery atherosclerosis while 21.9% had small vessel occlusion. Significantly more patients had lower Glasgow Coma Scale scores, required intensive care unit admission and experienced in-hospital deaths due to haemorrhagic stroke compared to ischaemic stroke. Conclusion: This study provides essential data regarding stroke characteristics specific to Oman's population. Most of the information obtained appears to be in-line with what has been described internationally and, hence, preventive strategies similar to those indicated in extant literature can be implemented. This information can be utilised by health administrators in planning resource allocation. Further research is needed to explore rehabilitation aspects and long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of phytochemical analysis and the antibacterial activity of extracts of stem, flowers and leaves of Tamarix dioica Roxb. ex Roth. Four solvents namely, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and acetone were selected to obtain extracts from different parts of the plant. The organic solvent extracts were investigated for phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity against two bacterial strains, namely Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The result of phytochemicals revealed the presence of various constituents, such as phlobatannins, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, phenols, proteins, terpenoids, flavonoids and steroids by using standard procedures. Most of these components were present in methanol and ethyl acetate extract. Therefore, four out of two extracts, such as methanol and ethyl acetate extracts from stems, flowers, and leaves, were used to test their evidence of antibacterial activity. From this, it was observed that the methanol extracts of stem, flowers and leaves of T. dioica were highly effective together with E. coli and S. aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 500 μg/mL. Considering that the ethyl acetate (EA) extracts from the stem, flowers and leaves of T. dioica were examined to be ineffective against E. coli and S. aureus and MIC values were not observed in two strains of bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on a unique form of polyester matrix composite with woven roving fibers as reinforcing agent, replacing the conventional E-glass. The impact of different types of orthophthalic unsaturated polyester matrix and their composites on tensile strength of polyester matrix composite with woven roving fiber is investigated. Polyester matrix composite with woven roving fiber reinforcement is made by hand lay-up technique, where different types of orthophthalic unsaturated polyester matrices available in the market are used. The mechanical properties of the developed material are tested using universal testing machine, which investigated tensile strength. The BYK A-555 (coded 555) orthophthalic unsaturated polyester matrix showed 30% greater tensile strength and required least curing time as compared to other matrices, including Mc Laren S3133 (coded 3133), LUPOY-GP5300 (coded GP5300) and HSEA-LF1 (coded LF1). However, the composite of 3133 and 555 shows 50% greater tensile strength as compared to single matrix, and when all orthophthalic unsaturated polyester resins (3133 + 555 + GP5300 + LF1) are mixed together, their composite show 70% greater tensile as compared to single unsaturated polyester matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Myectoma named because it forms a tumor like mass. It is chronic granulomatous disease characterized by localized infection of subcutaneous tissue by actinomycetes or fungi, described first by John Gill in 1842 in Madurai Tamil Nadu India so it is called Madura of foot. They are characterized by indolent tumefaction of the effected area. Multiple sinus tracts and granules that contains the agent. The organism enters though local trauma in foot, hand or eyes from saprophytic soil. After entry to the body they form sub-cutanous nodules containing suppurative granulomas, multiple cavities and sinus tracts. The sinus tracts discharge exudate with fine granules. These granules are colonies of causal organisms. Objectives: Histopathological evaluation of mycetomas, their differentiation and gender wise involvement in region of Thar. Methods: Retrospective study of mycetomas performed in period between January 2012 to December 2016 at Muhammad Medical College Mirpurkhas sindh Pakistan. 21 cases of mycetomas were selected from remote areas of Thar by their addresses on the proformas. All 21 cases of mycetomas were retrieved and classified in eumycetomas and actinomycetomas by different stains. Results: In 21 cases of mycetoma infection 09 (42.8%) were male and 12 (57.1%) female. Male to Female ratio was 0.75:1. Out of 21 cases 14 (66.6%) were eumyatomas and 07 (33.3%) were actinomycetomas. Common organ involved was foot. Conclusion: In region of Thar eumycetomas are common than actinomycetomas. In gender wise involvement of infection female are more infected than male. Fungal infections are "hidden killers" in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study we demonstrate the identification of phenolic compounds and the phenolic contents of the methanol extracts from stem and buds of Calligonum polygonoides with antioxidant activity. Eleven and nine phenolic compounds were identified and quantified from stem and buds, respectively by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). p-Coumaric acid was predominant in stem and gallic acid in buds. In general, the samples with the highest phenolic contents had the highest antioxidant activities. Stem and buds sparked attention due to their high phenolic contents and antioxidant activities. The Results from present study reveal that the C. polygonoides could be considered as a promising source of antioxidant phytochemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housemaids are domestic servants who are hired to work in people's houses. Their wages, generally, are found to be quite low, and working conditions are not very ideal. Most of them come from low social classes and offer their services on demand to conduct house chores. Their services fall under the informal category and, as such, are devoid of legal protection. This study examines the socioeconomic problems faced by housemaids in the district of Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. The qualitative research methodology is used in this study. Findings indicate that low wages and poor working conditions are major concerns, along with discrimination issues such as lack of access to social services, job security, and other opportunities. The results highlight pressing needs regarding legal protections for accurate certification under labour laws while ensuring their inclusion in social protection schemes by enforcing strict regulations and preventing wage withholding or deliberate delay in their salary. There's also important work to be done to overcome the social stigma against domestic workers in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is divided into two sections. First section deals with the importance of opium economy with reflection of conflicts between indigenous traders and British authorities over Malwa opium. In this section, British monopoly over opium crops will also be highlighted. The second section focuses on British purposes to annex Sindh. In this section, the importance of Sindh with regard to opium trade will be dealt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia has been the preferred type of anesthesia for cesarean sections and other obstetric operations. Bupivacaine has been used for this purpose being long acting. Lately various narcotic analgesics have been added to prolong the analgesia and reduce the expected toxicity of bupivacaine alone. We evaluated the duration of analgesia achieved with the combination of bupivacaine-buprenorphine versus bupivacaine alone in cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia. Methods: A comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching healthcare center in Karachi, Pakistan. One hundred patients scheduled for elective cesarean section were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group A received 10 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% along with normal saline, while Group B received the same dose of bupivacaine along with buprenorphine 75 µg. Preoperative assessment, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative management were performed following standard protocols of our institution. Statistical analysis was conducted using independent t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: The findings revealed significantly longer mean time to request for analgesia in Group B compared to Group A (825.33 min vs. 166.78 min; P = 0.182), Only 14 patients in Group B (28%) required analgesia within 24 h, while all patients in Group A requested analgesia within that time frame (P = 0.0001). Moreover, an insignificantly lower incidence of hypotension and reduced need for phenylephrine administration was observed in Group B compared to Group A (P = 0.585). Group B also demonstrated a lower incidence of nausea (P = 0.380) and vomiting (P = 0.370) compared to Group A, but the difference was statistically not significant. Conclusion: This study suggests that the addition of buprenorphine to bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery provides prolonged analgesia, reduces the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and decreases the need for vasopressor administration. These findings support the potential benefits of using the bupivacaine-buprenorphine combination in cesarean deliveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design: Prospective, non-randomized, interventional, clinical trial. Setting: This study was conducted at People's Medical College Hospital, People's University of Medical & Health Sciences for women, Nawabshah, Sindh, Pakistan, from October 2008 to April 2009. Patients and Methods: Patient demographic data include age, sex, weight. The procedural data include type and duration of surgery, onset and duration of motor block, height and duration of sensory block, complications and failure of spinal anesthesia. Spinal performed in lateral decubitus position with 0.75% bupivacaine 0.3 mg/kg. The adequacy of block was judged by motor paralysis in lower limbs and lack of response to firm skin pinch at incision site. Results: 46 cases out of 50 cases were successful, three cases failed due to difficulty in locating subarachnoid space and inadequate flow of CSF, one case failed for no obvious reason. Demographics: 42 patients were male and 8 female, Age range 10 to 82 months; mean 36.75 +/? 19.4. Block characteristics: Onset of motor block 113.2 +/? 6.9 seconds, motor block duration range 75 to 120 minutes, mean 107 +/? 10.8 minutes, Height of analgesia T5.3 +/? 0.89. Hemodynamics. BP & HR remained stable throughout the procedures. Conclusion: Pediatric spinal anesthesia is a safe, reliable and effective technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]