| 1. |
- Ademuyiwa, Adesoji O., et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2059-7908. ; 1:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.Methods: Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.Results: This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.Conclusions: Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.
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| 2. |
- Shakir, Nida, et al.
(författare)
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Pirarubicin loaded biodegradable nanoparticles downregulate IL-6, COX-II and TNF-alpha along with oxidative stress markers in comparison to conventional pirarubicin in healthy albino rats
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. - : Elsevier. - 1773-2247. ; 84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pirarubicin (PRB) is an anthracycline antibiotic that has shown equal or superior cytotoxicity compared to doxorubicin. However, the detailed toxicological profile for Pirarubicin has not yet been investigated. The present study was designed to access the acute and chronic toxicity of the nanoformulation coupled with in-flammatory and oxidative stress responses. PRB was encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles and was physico-chemically evaluated. The nanoparticle size was found to be 420.0 +/- 8.2 nm with an encapsulation efficiency of 80.3 +/- 3.1%. The SEM images showed spherical nanoparticles while the drug release in PBS (pH 7.4) was estimated to be 72.5 +/- 3.5%. Acute toxicity in female albino rats was conducted for 14 days at two dosage levels (i.e., 5 and 300 mg/kg) once a week through an intravenous route. A repeated toxicity study was conducted for 28 days at 3 different dosage levels (i.e., 30, 60 and 100 mg/kg) weekly. No mortality was observed during the experimentation period. Toxicity assessment of body weights, hematological parameters, blood biochemistry, histopathological evaluation of internal organs and relative organ weight percentage was done. Inflammatory markers quantification (COX-II, TNF-alpha, IL-6) along with the generation of oxidative stress (SOD, GSH-ST, GSH-PX, MDA, and H2O2) was also investigated in a repeated 28 days toxicity study. The nanoformulation did not have any effect on the behavioral pattern, food, water consumption or body weights. The abnormalities in function and morphology of the organs produced by nano-formulated PRB were dose-dependent and reversible. The serum sample of rats treated with nanoparticles exhibited a non-significant difference in levels of COX-II, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 as compared to the normal saline (NS) group. Altogether the results offered us evidence about the safety profile of Pirarubicin loaded PLGA nanoparticles (PRB-NP) as compared to PRB alone.
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| 3. |
- Khan, Kifayatullah, et al.
(författare)
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Heavy Metal Occurrence, Pathways, and Associated Socio-ecological Risks in Riverine Water : Application of Geographic Information System, Multivariate Statistics, and Risk Assessment Models
- 2023
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Ingår i: Water, Air and Soil Pollution. - 0049-6979 .- 1573-2932. ; 234:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Heavy metal (HM) pollution is one of the major issues of concern in the world due to its serious health consequences on humans and ecology. In this study, riverine water from the River Kabul in Pakistan was studied using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the variation, routes, and possible socio-ecological hazards of chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb). The results revealed significant HMs variation (p < 0.05) in the sequence of Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cd > Pb > Mn > Co > Hg, indicating prevalent metal contaminations in the river. Multivariate statistics showed significant strong positive correlations (p ≤ 0.01) between the individual HMs contents along the monitoring sites. The strong-moderate levels of Cu, Co, Zn, Mn, Pb, and Cd in riverine systems were observed to be caused by surrounding industrial, agrochemicals, mining, and domestic wastewater discharges along with geogenic sources, the weak levels of Cr and Ni could be induced by erosion of mafic and ultramafic rocks, and mining activities, whereas the low contamination of Hg suggests minimal atmospheric deposition with fewer industrial discharges in the environment. The overall mass flux of the ∑HMs was estimated to be around 164.10 kg/year, with significant HM pollution index (HPI) and pollution index (PI) variations along the river characterizing the potential risk of HMs in decreasing order of Cd > Hg > Cr > Ni > Co > Pb > Mn > Cu > Zn and Cd > Hg > Ni > Pb > Cr > Co > Cu > Mn > Zn, respectively. Individual HM contamination was within the ecological risk threshold (ERI < 110), where, the chronic daily intake (CDIs), hazard quotients (HQs), health indices (HIs), and cancer risks (CRs) of Cd, Ni, Co, Cr, and Pb by daily riverine water ingestion and dermal contact posing considerable human health concerns. To protect the environment and public health, our findings suggest that untreated anthropogenic wastewater discharge into the river system be strictly controlled and regulated through public awareness campaigns and legislation prohibiting the use of herbicides and fertilizers containing high levels of Cr, Ni, Co, Cd, and Pb.
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| 4. |
- Akhtar, Muneeba, et al.
(författare)
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Response Surface Methodology (RSM) approach to formulate and optimize the bilayer combination tablet of Tamsulosin and Finasteride
- 2024
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Ingår i: Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. - : Elsevier. - 1319-0164 .- 2213-7475. ; 32:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An orally administered bilayer tablet with Tamsulosin (TAM) as the sustained release (SR) and Finasteride (FIN) as immediate release (IR) was manufactured. A response surface methodology was employed to formulate bilayer tablets with individual release layers, i.e., sustained and immediate release (SR and IR). Independent variables selected in both cases comprise hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as SR polymer, and avicel PH102 in the inner layer while Triacetin and talc in the outer layer, respectively. Tablets were prepared by direct compression, a total of 11 formulations were prepared for inner layer TAM, and 9 formulations for outer layer FIN were designed; these formulations were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, %drug content, and %drug release. A central composite design was employed in response surface methodology to design and optimize the formulation. The percentage of drug released was evaluated by in-vitro USP dissolution method of optimized formulation for 0.5, 2, and 6 hrs, and results were 24.63, 52.96, and 97.68 %, respectively. Drug release data was plotted in various kinetic models using a D.D solver, where drug release was first order that is concentration dependent and was best explained by Korsmeyer–Peppa kinetics, as the highest linearity was observed (R2 = 0.9693). However, a very close relationship was also noted with Higuchi kinetics (R2 = 0.9358). The mechanism of drug release was determined through the Korsmeyer model, and exponent "n" was found to be 0.4, indicative of an anomalous diffusion mechanism or diffusion coupled with erosion.
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| 5. |
- Asghar, Afshan, et al.
(författare)
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"Ficus johannis Boiss. leaves ethanolic extract ameliorate streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats by upregulating the expressions of GCK, GLUT4, and IGF and downregulating G6P"
- 2023
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Ingår i: Environmental Science and Pollution Research. - : Springer Nature. - 0944-1344 .- 1614-7499. ; 30:17, s. 49108-49124
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The leaves of Ficus johannis Boiss (F. johannis), commonly known as Fig tree, Anjir, and Teen, are used by the folk medicinal practitioners in Iran for controlling hyperglycemia in diabetic patients. This study investigated the pharmacological basis for antidiabetic effect of the ethanolic extract of F. johannis leaves using in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Qualitative screening of phytochemicals, estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and in vitro antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition assays were performed. Moreover, the High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantification, acute toxicity, glucose tolerance, and in vivo antidiabetic effect along with the evaluation of gene expressions involved in diabetes mellitus were carried out. Significant quantities of phenolic (71.208 ± 2.89 mgg−1 GAE) and flavonoid (26.38 ± 3.53 mgg−1 QE) were present. Inhibitory concentration (IC50) of the plant extract exhibited an excellent in vitro antioxidant (IC50 = 33.81 µg/mL) and α-amylase (IC50 = 12.18 µg/mL) inhibitory potential. The HPLC analysis confirmed the gallic acid (257.79 mgg−1) as main constituent of the extract followed by kaempferol (22.86 mgg−1), myricetin (0.16 mgg−1), and quercetin (3.22 mgg−1). Ethanolic extract displayed glucose tolerance in normo-glycemic rats. Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia declined dose dependently in the extract treated rats with improvement in lipid profile and liver and renal function biomarkers. The F. johannis-treated groups showed an increase in mRNA expressions of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4), glucokinase, insulin growth like factor 1 and peroxisomal proliferator activating receptor gamma in pancreas. However, the Glucose-6-phosphatase was downregulated. Present study suggests that the ethanolic extract of F. johannis leaves demonstrates a good anti-diabetic profile by improving insulin sensitivity, GLUT-4 translocation, and carbohydrate metabolism while inhibiting lipogenesis.
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| 6. |
- Munir, M. Adeel, et al.
(författare)
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Blockchain Adoption for Sustainable Supply Chain Management : Economic, Environmental, and Social Perspectives
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Energy Research. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-598X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Due to the rapid increase in environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources, the focus of researchers is shifted from economic to socio-environmental problems. Blockchain is a disruptive technology that has the potential to restructure the entire supply chain for sustainable practices. Blockchain is a distributed ledger that provides a digital database for recording all the transactions of the supply chain. The main purpose of this research is to explore the literature relevant to blockchain for sustainable supply chain management. The focus of this review is on the sustainability of the blockchain-based supply chain concerning environmental conservation, social equality, and governance effectiveness. Using a systematic literature review, a total of 136 articles were evaluated and categorized according to the triple bottom-line aspects of sustainability. Challenges and barriers during blockchain adoption in different industrial sectors such as aviation, shipping, agriculture and food, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceutical, and textile industries were critically examined. This study has not only explored the economic, environmental, and social impacts of blockchain but also highlighted the emerging trends in a circular supply chain with current developments of advanced technologies along with their critical success factors. Furthermore, research areas and gaps in the existing research are discussed, and future research directions are suggested. The findings of this study show that blockchain has the potential to revolutionize the entire supply chain from a sustainability perspective. Blockchain will not only improve the economic sustainability of the supply chain through effective traceability, enhanced visibility through information sharing, transparency in processes, and decentralization of the entire structure but also will help in achieving environmental and social sustainability through resource efficiency, accountability, smart contracts, trust development, and fraud prevention. The study will be helpful for managers and practitioners to understand the procedure of blockchain adoption and to increase the probability of its successful implementation to develop a sustainable supply chain network.
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| 7. |
- Al Abri, Seif, et al.
(författare)
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Tools to implement the World Health Organization End TB Strategy: Addressing common challenges in high and low endemic countries
- 2020
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Ingår i: International Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 1201-9712 .- 1878-3511. ; 92, s. S60-S68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: The purpose of this viewpoint is to summarize the advantages and constraints of the tools and strategies available for reducing the annual incidence of tuberculosis (TB) by implementing the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy and the linked WHO TB Elimination Framework, with special reference to Oman. Methods: The case-study was built based on the presentations and discussions at an international workshop on TB elimination in low incidence countries organized by the Ministry of Health, Oman, which took place from September 5 to September 7, 2019, and supported by the WHO and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Results: Existing tools were reviewed, including the screening of migrants for latent TB infection (LTBI) with interferon-gamma release assays, clinical examination for active pulmonary TB (APTB) including chest X-rays, organization of laboratory services, and the existing centres for mandatory health examination of pre-arrival or arriving migrants, including examination for APTB. The need for public-private partnerships to handle the burden of screening arriving migrants for active TB was discussed at length and different models for financing were reviewed. Conclusions: In a country with a high proportion of migrants from high endemic countries, screening for LTBI is of high priority. Molecular typing and the development of public-private partnerships are needed. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Infectious Diseases.
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| 8. |
- Fatima, Ambrin, et al.
(författare)
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Monoallelic and bi-allelic variants in NCDN cause neurodevelopmental delay, intellectual disability, and epilepsy
- 2021
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Ingår i: American Journal of Human Genetics. - : Cell Press. - 0002-9297 .- 1537-6605. ; 108:4, s. 739-748
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neurochondrin (NCDN) is a cytoplasmatic neural protein of importance for neural growth, glutamate receptor (mGluR) signaling, and synaptic plasticity. Conditional loss of Ncdn in mice neural tissue causes depressive-like behaviors, impaired spatial learning, and epileptic seizures. We report on NCDN missense variants in six affected individuals with variable degrees of developmental delay, intellectual disability (ID), and seizures. Three siblings were found homozygous for a NCDN missense variant, whereas another three unrelated individuals carried different de novo missense variants in NCDN. We assayed the missense variants for their capability to rescue impaired neurite formation in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells depleted of NCDN. Overexpression of wild-type NCDN rescued the neurite-phenotype in contrast to expression of NCDN containing the variants of affected individuals. Two missense variants, associated with severe neurodevelopmental features and epilepsy, were unable to restore mGluR5-induced ERK phosphorylation. Electrophysiological analysis of SH-SY5Y cells depleted of NCDN exhibited altered membrane potential and impaired action potentials at repolarization, suggesting NCDN to be required for normal biophysical properties. Using available transcriptome data from human fetal cortex, we show that NCDN is highly expressed in maturing excitatory neurons. In combination, our data provide evidence that bi-allelic and de novo variants in NCDN cause a clinically variable form of neurodevelopmental delay and epilepsy, highlighting a critical role for NCDN in human brain development.
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| 9. |
- Khokhar, Javeria, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence and determinants of anemia among resident female university students from Southern Punjab, Pakistan
- 2022
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Ingår i: Women and Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0363-0242 .- 1541-0331. ; 62:6, s. 488-501
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Health and nutritional status of the women of reproductive age (WRA) is expected to be influenced with women literacy status alongside other sociodemographic indicators. However, data are scant to validate if literate young women have lower incidence of anemia prevalence. Nexus to the problem stated, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,541 female resident university students (FRUS) aged 17–35 years from a public sector university located in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. Hemoglobin (Hb) led screening for anemia was performed followed by nutritional assessment and structured questionnaire-based sociodemographic and dietary assessment. The data generated were analyzed using independent t-test, Chi-square, and response surface regression models. Response rate for the prevalence of anemia in FRUS was 38 percent with mean Hb levels 10.5 g/dL. With a significant effect (p =.001) of participants’ weight on anemia prevalence, 22.45 percent of the sample population was recorded as underweight. Sociodemographic and dietary parameters analyzed suggested low daily food expenditure (x 2 = 20.59; p =.000) and reduced intake of meat (x 2 = 12.14; p =.01), beans & pulses (x 2 = 18.56; p =.001) to significantly influence rate of anemia prevalence in FRUS. The study concludes high prevalence rate of anemia among FRUS to strongly relate with students’ low monthly stipend, little daily food expenditure, and substandard dietary quality.
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| 10. |
- Munsif, Fazal, et al.
(författare)
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Dual-purpose wheat technology : a tool for ensuring food security and livestock sustainability in cereal-based cropping pattern
- 2021
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Ingår i: Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 0365-0340 .- 1476-3567. ; 67:13, s. 1889-1900
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wheat cultivation under a dual-purpose (DP) system holds great potential to provide additional fodder for livestock with marginal grain reduction. This study explores the potential of wheat as a DP crop for improving both, forage and grain cropping system by finding out optimal sowing dates and cultivars suitable for DP cropping. Field experiments with four cultivars (Saleem-2000, Bathoor-2007, Fakhre Sarhad-99 (FS-99) and Siran-2008), three sowing dates (October 15, October 30 and November 15) and two cutting treatments (cut and no-cut) determines the effects on yield and physiology of wheat. Wheat sown either in mid or end of October resulted in 11 and 8% increase in grain yield while 13 and 9% in biological yield over mid November sowing, respectively. This increase in yield was due to higher grain spike(-1), chlorophyll content, transpiration rate and relative water content. The cultivars Siran-2008 and Saleem-2000 had higher biological and grain yields than other cultivars across cutting and sowing dates treatments. Biological and grain yields were reduced by 4% and 3%, respectively under the DP wheat compared with no-cut treatment, but grains N content was unaffected. Conclusively, DP wheat system (cut treatment) had higher profitability (11.2%) than wheat crop sown only for grain purposes.
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