ABSTRACT Sub-clinical mastitis considered as a leading hindrance in the development of dairy industry in Pakistan. Pakistan is the top listed country with the highest prevalence of Sub-clinical ...mastitis. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and assess the potential risk factors of sub-clinical mastitis in lactating buffaloes in Pothohar region of Pakistan. A questionnaire based cross-sectional based survey was conducted in 30 commercial and subsistent farms in Pothohar region of Rawalpindi district, Punjab. Where randomly 196 lactating buffaloes were sampled. Data on several health, management and bio-security variables was collected in face to face interviews from farmers, managers and owners. Milk samples collected were subjected to California Mastitis Test.Data entry and validation was performed through Epi-Data. Data analysis was performed through SPSS. Chi-square and regression analysis were conducted. An overall prevalence of 67.3% was found. On multivariable logistic regression several health (lactation stage, number of lactations, body mass index, udder shape and milk yield), management (udder preparation and teat dipping) and bio-security (source of animal, feed sharing, manure removal and de-worming) factors were identified as potential risk factors (OR>1; P-Value<0.05). An increasing trend of prevalence of sub-clinical mastitis was observed considering previous studies from Pakistan. It can be concluded that the health, management and bio-security measures are under satisfactory level. To control the epidemic trend of sub-clinical mastitis in Pakistan addressing these factors needs to be prioritized.
Punjab is the leading province of Pakistan in the production of bovine milk and its consumption. Rapid industrialization, high energy demand, and the production of waste have increased the risk of ...polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) toxicity in the environment. This research work was designed to assess human dietary exposure of ∑PCBs17 congeners through ingestion of buffalo and cow’s milk from eight main districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The average concentrations of ∑DL-PCBs (8.74 ng g
−1
and 14.60 ng g
−1
) and ∑I-PCBs (11.54 ng g
−1
and 18.68 ng g
−1
) in buffalo and cow milk samples were analyzed, respectively. The PCB-156 was predominantly high congener found in both buffalo (2.84 ng g
−1
) and cow milk (2.86 ng g
−1
). It was found that the highest PCBs in bovine milk samples were observed in close vicinities of urban and industrial areas. The estimated daily consumptions of DL-PCBs and I-PCBs, from buffalo and cow milk, were below the acceptable daily intake for both adults and children. Moreover, hazard quotients (HQ) of the ∑PCBs17 congener value were less than 1.0 in adults and greater in the case of children reflecting the high chances of cancer. Furthermore, comprehensive monitoring for childhood cancer is recommended to establish the relationship in future studies.
In this cross-sectional, international study, we aimed to analyze vector-borne and zoonotic infections (VBZI), which are significant global threats.
VBZIs’ data between May 20–28, 2018 was collected. ...The 24 Participatingcountries were classified as lower-middle, upper-middle, and high-income.
382 patients were included. 175(45.8%) were hospitalized, most commonly in Croatia, Egypt, and Romania(P = 0.001). There was a significant difference between distributions of VBZIs according to geographical regions(P < 0.001). Amebiasis, Ancylostomiasis, Blastocystosis, Cryptosporidiosis, Giardiasis, Toxoplasmosis were significantly more common in the Middle-East while Bartonellosis, Borreliosis, Cat Scratch Disease, Hantavirus syndrome, Rickettsiosis, Campylobacteriosis, Salmonellosis in Central/East/South-East Europe; Brucellosis and Echinococcosis in Central/West Asia; Campylobacteriosis, Chikungunya, Tick-borne encephalitis, Visceral Leishmaniasis, Salmonellosis, Toxoplasmosis in the North-Mediterranean; CCHF, Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Dengue, Malaria, Taeniasis, Salmonellosis in Indian Subcontinent; Lassa Fever in West Africa. There were significant regional differences for viral hemorrhagic fevers(P < 0.001) and tick-borne infections(P < 0.001), and according to economic status for VBZIs(P < 0.001). The prevalences of VBZIs were significantly higher in lower-middle income countries(P = 0.001). The most similar regions were the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle-East, the Indian Subcontinent and the North-Mediterranean, and the Middle-East and North-Mediterranean regions.
Regional and socioeconomic heterogeneity still exists for VBZIs. Control and eradication of VBZIs require evidence-based surveillance data, and multidisciplinary efforts.
ABSTRACT Objective: To see the effect of refractive error correction on visual acuity and to observe the various causes of blindness in visually impaired children. Study Design: Quasi experimental ...study. Place and Duration of study: The study was carried out at Combined Military Hospital (CMH)/CMH Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) Multan, from Jun 2017 to Jun 2018. Methodology: The administration authorities of Al-Noor Special education School, Multan were approached regarding establishment of free eye screening camps biannually. Parents of all the students were informed and consent was taken regarding this study. A total of 124 visually impaired children were included in the study. Children were examined by a consultant ophthalmologist and optometrist. Demographic details and related family history was noted. Visual acuity was assessed by Snellen chart and refractive error was assessed after achieving cycloplegia with 0.5% cyclopentolate eye drops. Detailed slit lamp examination of anterior and posterior segments was carried out by consultant ophthalmologist and the main cause of visual impairment was noted. Results: A total of 124 students were assessed in this study. The age of students varied from 6 to 16 years with a mean of 9.48 ± 2.92 years. Out of total 79 (63.7%) were male while 45 (36.3%) were female students. Visual acuity of all the students was worse than 6/60. Considering the cause of blindness in children, retina was the most commonly affected organ contributing 62.9% of the cases. The leading retinal pathology appeared to be Leber's congenital Amaurosis and pigmentry retinopathies. Conclusion: Retinal disorders appeared to be the most common cause of childhood blindness in our study, however detailed community based visual screening surveys need to be carried out for more comprehensive results.
Introduction: Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition of craniofacial pain which is characterized by sudden, excruciating, and brief pain in the sensory distribution of one or more branches of the fifth ...cranial nerve resulting in decreased quality of life of the affected patient. In patient’s refractory to pharmacological or conservative treatment, the surgical procedure of choice is microvascular decompression. The aim of our study was to determine the outcome of retro mastoid suboccipital microvascular decompression technique for the trigeminal neuralgia. Material & Methods: This case series study was conducted in Department of Neurosurgery Prime Teaching Hospital and Irfan General Hospital Peshawar from January 2020 to January 2022. Consent from the ethical committee and patients were taken. All patients of trigeminal neuralgia were included. Those patients having mass lesion were excluded. All information were put in proforma. Results were analysed by SPSS version 20. Results: Total sample size of our study was 58 patients. Majority of the patients were female (n 34 59%). Mean age of the patients was 44+ 5 years (range 25-60 years). The common level of pain distribution was in maxillary and mandibular branches V2-V3, 39(67.8%). The most common aetiology of trigeminal neuralgia was superior cerebellar artery loop in 41(70.7%) patients. Surgical outcome in terms of pain relief was in 49 (84.5 %) patients, after 6-8 months follow-up, The most common complication of surgery was CSF leak in 3(5.2%) patients, followed by post operative Sub arachnoid haemorrhage in 1(1.8%) patient, mortality was reported in 2 (3.4%) patients. Conclusion: The results of our study concluded that microvascular decompression surgery is effective in reducing pain, improving patient satisfaction in trigeminal neuralgia patients who are refractory to conservative treatment options such as carbamazepine’s. The procedure also has some complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage and sub arachnoid haemorrhage.
Dengue is a mosquito-borne flaviviral serious febrile illness, most common in the tropical and subtropical regions including Pakistan. Vitamin D is a strong immunomodulator affecting both the innate ...and adaptive immune responses and plays a pivotal role in pathogen-defense mechanisms. There has been considerable interest in the possible role of vitamin D in dengue viral (DENV) infection. In the present prospective cross-sectional study, we assessed a possible association between serum vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and susceptibility towards severe dengue fever (DF) illness. Serum vitamin D levels were measured at the time of hospitalization in 97 patients diagnosed with dengue fever (DF), dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS) at Mayo Hospital, King Edward Medical University, Lahore, PK, from 16 November 2021 to 15 January 2022. In terms of disease severity, 37 (38.1%) patients were DF, 52 (53.6%) were DHF grade 1 and 2, and 8 (8.2%) were DSS. The results revealed that most patients (75 (77.3%)) were vitamin-D-deficient (i.e., serum level < 20 ng/mL), including 27 (73.0%) in DF, 41 (78.8%) in DHF grade 1 and 2, and 7 (87.5%) in DSS. The degree of VDD was somewhat higher in DSS patients as compared to DF and DHF grade 1 and 2 patients. Overall, serum vitamin D levels ranged from 4.2 to 109.7 ng/mL, and the median (IQR) was in the VDD range, i.e., 12.2 (9.1, 17.8) ng/mL. Our results suggest that there may be a possible association between VDD and susceptibility towards severe dengue illness. Hence, maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels in the body either through diet or supplementation may help provide adequate immune protection against severe dengue fever illness. Further research is warranted.
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Eucalyptus globulus and Calotropis procera against MDRSA and their potential role in modulating resistance to beta-lactam drugs. The study used a total of ...n = 263 camel milk samples as well as aqueous and ethanolic extracts of both plants from the Cholistan Desert and the Suleman Mountain Range in Pakistan. Different concentrations of the two plants (25, 12.6, 6.25, and 3.125 mg/mL), either alone or in combination with each other, were tested against MDRSA by well diffusion and broth dilution methods. Further, the efficacy of both plant extracts in combination with cefotaxime (30 μg) and ampicillin (1 μg) was also tested. The results indicate that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) of E. globulus alone and in combination with C. procera was nearly 3 times as large as that of C. procera. Ethanolic extracts of the two plants plants, alone or in combination with either of the two antibiotics, had a significantly (P <0.05) larger ZOI than their aqueous extracts did. Further, the modulation factor for the drugs in combination with ethanolic extracts of both plants exhibited strong synergy (P <0.05), and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethanolic extracts was also significantly lower than that of the aqueous extract of either plant (P <0.05). In conclusion, the ethanolic extracts of E. globulus and C. procera alone and in combination are effective against MDRSA and can play a role in modulating resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
The genus Ziziphus have more than 100 species, which has a great genetic diversity that is distributed over tropical, subtropical, arid and semiarid zones of the globe. The present study was ...conducted to evaluate the morphological and biochemical characters of nine locally grown cultivars (Ajuba, Akasha, Allubukhara, Sufan, Umran-9, Desi karela, Ghor, Sabir wali and Dilbahar) of jujube. The results revealed that only Dilbahar cultivars have completely curved thrones and oblique leaf base, whereas the leaf apex of both Dilbahar and Ajuba was acute unlike the rest of the cultivars. A Higher fruit weight was observed in Dilbahar and Alubukhara, whereas Sabir wali had higher TTS and Sufan had higher total sugar contents. Greater amounts of polyphenols with superior antioxidative capacity were recorded for the Dilbahar. Moreover, the cultivar Allubukhara had highest pulp acidity, reducing power, widest mature fruit and heavy mature stone. On the other hand, the cultivar Ghor had lowest fruit weight and TSS contents. Besides, the studied cultivars have been divided into two groups regarding the ascorbic acid contents. Group 1 included Akasha, Sufan and Dilbahar with 0.5 mg of ascorbic acid per 100g of fruit, while group 2 consisted of Ajuba, Allubukhara, Umran-9, Desi karela, Ghor and Sabir wali with 0.1 mg of ascorbic acid per 100g of fruit. From the present study, we have concluded that besides the variation in pheotyic characteristics, the species of jujube are a good source of ascorbic acid, total phenolics and antioxidant activity on an overall basis.
Anatomical and physiological considerations indicate that the oral cavity is a primary source of the lung microbiota community, and recent studies have shown that the microbiota in the lungs ...contributes to immunological homeostasis, potentially altering the organ’s susceptibility to viral infection, including SARS-CoV-2. It has been proposed that, in the case of viral infection, lung Gram-negative bacteria could promote the cytokine cascade with a better performance than a microbiota mainly constituted by Gram-positive bacteria. Recent observations also suggest that Prevotella-rich oral microbiotas would dominate the oral cavity of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. In comparison, Streptococcus-rich microbiotas would dominate the oral cavity of healthy people. To verify if the modulation of the oral microbiota could have an impact on the current coronavirus disease, we administered for 14 days a well-recognized and oral-colonizing probiotic (S. salivarius K12) to hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The preliminary results of our randomized and controlled trial seem to prove the potential role of this oral strain in improving the course of the main markers of pathology, as well as its ability to apparently reduce the death rate from COVID-19. Although in a preliminary and only circumstantial way, our results seem to confirm the hypothesis of a direct involvement of the oral microbiota in the construction of a lung microbiota whose taxonomic structure could modulate the inflammatory processes generated at the pulmonary and systemic level by a viral infection.
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