| 1. |
- Muhammad, Khayal, et al.
(författare)
-
Physicians' perception about the side effects of covid-19 vaccine and their role in vaccination program
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. - : Cambridge University Press. - 1935-7893 .- 1938-744X. ; 16:6, s. 2290-2292
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused many problems in the health sector. Effective and safe vaccines are the only tool to combat the COVID-19 disease. Researchers and regulatory agencies have made efforts to develop such vaccines and healthcare professionals were prioritized for the vaccination program as first-line care providers. Considering this prioritization, we aimed to assess the physicians' perceptions regarding the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.Methods: An interview-based study was conducted from May 5 May to November 5, 2021 (6 months) in a teaching hospital in the capital city of Islamabad, Pakistan.Results: Among the 200 physicians who agreed to participate in the interview, 74% were male. A total of 94% did not experience any side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of the type of vaccine; 6% experienced side effects. Furthermore, 90% of physicians were afraid of side effects due to the high number of vaccine doses.Conclusion: Conclusively, physicians had a positive perception regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Healthcare authorities and related departments must take precautions to ensure the effective and safe COVID-19 vaccine to change the perceptions of physicians who had a negative perception. This will not only reduce the reluctance among physicians regarding administering COVID-19 vaccine, but will also boost and facilitate the vaccination program for the general public as well.
|
|
| 2. |
- Danaei, Goodarz, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of diabetes definition on global surveillance of diabetes prevalence and diagnosis: a pooled analysis of 96 population-based studies with 331288 participants
- 2015
-
Ingår i: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. - 2213-8595 .- 2213-8587. ; 3:8, s. 624-637
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Diabetes has been defined on the basis of different biomarkers, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h plasma glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test (2hOGTT), and HbA(1c). We assessed the effect of different diagnostic definitions on both the population prevalence of diabetes and the classification of previously undiagnosed individuals as having diabetes versus not having diabetes in a pooled analysis of data from population-based health examination surveys in different regions. Methods We used data from 96 population-based health examination surveys that had measured at least two of the biomarkers used for defining diabetes. Diabetes was defined using HbA(1c) (HbA(1c) >= 6 . 5% or history of diabetes diagnosis or using insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs) compared with either FPG only or FPG-or-2hOGTT definitions (FPG >= 7 . 0 mmol/L or 2hOGTT >= 11 . 1 mmol/L or history of diabetes or using insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs). We calculated diabetes prevalence, taking into account complex survey design and survey sample weights. We compared the prevalences of diabetes using different definitions graphically and by regression analyses. We calculated sensitivity and specificity of diabetes diagnosis based on HbA1c compared with diagnosis based on glucose among previously undiagnosed individuals (ie, excluding those with history of diabetes or using insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs). We calculated sensitivity and specificity in each survey, and then pooled results using a random-effects model. We assessed the sources of heterogeneity of sensitivity by meta-regressions for study characteristics selected a priori. Findings Population prevalence of diabetes based on FPG- or-2hOGTT was correlated with prevalence based on FPG alone (r= 0 . 98), but was higher by 2-6 percentage points at different prevalence levels. Prevalence based on HbA(1c) was lower than prevalence based on FPG in 42 . 8% of age-sex-survey groups and higher in another 41 . 6%; in the other 15 . 6%, the two definitions provided similar prevalence estimates. The variation across studies in the relation between glucose-based and HbA(1c)-based prevalences was partly related to participants' age, followed by natural logarithm of per person gross domestic product, the year of survey, mean BMI, and whether the survey population was national, subnational, or from specific communities. Diabetes defined as HbA(1c) 6 . 5% or more had a pooled sensitivity of 52 . 8% (95% CI 51 . 3-54 . 3%) and a pooled specificity of 99 . 74% (99 . 71-99 . 78%) compared with FPG 7 . 0 mmol/L or more for diagnosing previously undiagnosed participants; sensitivity compared with diabetes defined based on FPG-or-2hOGTT was 30 . 5% (28 . 7-32 . 3%). None of the preselected study-level characteristics explained the heterogeneity in the sensitivity of HbA(1c) versus FPG. Interpretation Different biomarkers and definitions for diabetes can provide different estimates of population prevalence of diabetes, and differentially identify people without previous diagnosis as having diabetes. Using an HbA(1c)-based definition alone in health surveys will not identify a substantial proportion of previously undiagnosed people who would be considered as having diabetes using a glucose-based test.
|
|
| 3. |
- Khan, Aisha, et al.
(författare)
-
Epidemiological and Pathological Characteristics of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis from Baluchistan Province of Pakistan
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Parasitology. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0031-1820 .- 1469-8161. ; 148:5, s. 591-597
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is considered a neglected tropical disease which in Pakistan can now be considered as growing public health problem. The exact figures on the magnitude of disease are lacking both at national and regional level and only a few health centers are available for diagnosis of CL. The present study was designed to identify the epidemiology of CL infection from August 2018 to December 2019 and to assess clinical aspects of CL in Baluchistan Province of Pakistan. A total of 4072 clinically suspected CL cases were analysed statistically. The highest number of CL cases were reported in May, followed by April, January and then July, February, and June and lowest number of cases were observed in March and November. The highest prevalence rate was found in males where 38% of reported cases were aged 0-9 years. The majority (24.4%) of lesions were found on the hands followed by the face in which cheeks, ears and nose were the effected organs. About 50% of the participants have single lesion while 14% of the participants had two and nearly 3% of the participants have six lesions. The atypical clinical presentations were observed in Baluchistan and common unusual presentations were lupus erythematosus. The study findings suggest that more epidemiological studies and health education campaigns are needed for the population awareness regarding CL in Baluchistan. It is recommended that risk factors should be evaluated to establish the control and management strategies to prevent disease at individual and community level.
|
|
| 4. |
- Zhou, Bin, et al.
(författare)
-
Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: A pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4.4 million participants
- 2016
-
Ingår i: The Lancet. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 387:10027, s. 1513-1530
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: One of the global targets for non-communicable diseases is to halt, by 2025, the rise in the age standardised adult prevalence of diabetes at its 2010 levels. We aimed to estimate worldwide trends in diabetes, how likely it is for countries to achieve the global target, and how changes in prevalence, together with population growth and ageing, are aff ecting the number of adults with diabetes.Methods: We pooled data from population-based studies that had collected data on diabetes through measurement of its biomarkers. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in diabetes prevalence-defined as fasting plasma glucose of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, or history of diagnosis with diabetes, or use of insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs-in 200 countries and territories in 21 regions, by sex and from 1980 to 2014. We also calculated the posterior probability of meeting the global diabetes target if post-2000 trends continue.Findings: We used data from 751 studies including 4372000 adults from 146 of the 200 countries we make estimates for. Global age-standardised diabetes prevalence increased from 4.3% (95% credible interval 2.4-17.0) in 1980 to 9.0% (7.2-11.1) in 2014 in men, and from 5.0% (2.9-7.9) to 7.9% (6.4-9.7) in women. The number of adults with diabetes in the world increased from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014 (28.5% due to the rise in prevalence, 39.7% due to population growth and ageing, and 31.8% due to interaction of these two factors). Age-standardised adult diabetes prevalence in 2014 was lowest in northwestern Europe, and highest in Polynesia and Micronesia, at nearly 25%, followed by Melanesia and the Middle East and north Africa. Between 1980 and 2014 there was little change in age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adult women in continental western Europe, although crude prevalence rose because of ageing of the population. By contrast, age-standardised adult prevalence rose by 15 percentage points in men and women in Polynesia and Micronesia. In 2014, American Samoa had the highest national prevalence of diabetes (>30% in both sexes), with age-standardised adult prevalence also higher than 25% in some other islands in Polynesia and Micronesia. If post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global target of halting the rise in the prevalence of diabetes by 2025 at the 2010 level worldwide is lower than 1% for men and is 1% for women. Only nine countries for men and 29 countries for women, mostly in western Europe, have a 50% or higher probability of meeting the global target.Interpretation: Since 1980, age-standardised diabetes prevalence in adults has increased, or at best remained unchanged, in every country. Together with population growth and ageing, this rise has led to a near quadrupling of the number of adults with diabetes worldwide. The burden of diabetes, both in terms of prevalence and number of adults aff ected, has increased faster in low-income and middle-income countries than in high-income countries.
|
|
| 5. |
- Achite, Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
-
An improved adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for hydrological drought prediction in Algeria
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth. - 1474-7065. ; 131
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Drought has negative impacts on water resources, food security, soil degradation, desertification and agricultural productivity. The meteorological and hydrological droughts prediction using standardized precipitation/runoff indices (SPI/SRI) is crucial for effective water resource management. In this study, we suggest ANFISWCA, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) optimized by the water cycle algorithm (WCA), for hydrological drought forecasting in semi-arid regions of Algeria. The new model was used to predict SRI at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month accumulation periods in the Wadi Mina basin, Algeria. The results of the model were assessed using four criteria; determination coefficient, mean absolute error, variance accounted for, and root mean square error, and compared with those of the standalone ANFIS model. The findings suggested that throughout the testing phase at all the sub-basins, the proposed hybrid model outperformed the conventional model for estimating drought. This study indicated that the WCA algorithm enhanced the ANFIS model's drought forecasting accuracy. The proposed model could be employed for forecasting drought at multi-timescales, deciding on remedial strategies for dealing with drought at study stations, and aiding in sustainable water resources management.
|
|
| 6. |
- Amin, Gul, et al.
(författare)
-
CuO Nanopetals Based Electrochemical Sensor for Selective Ag+ Measurements
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The electrochemical sensing activity of cupric oxide (CuO) nanopetals was investigated for the detection of silver (I) ions (Ag+. The CuO nanopetals were synthesized on a large area glass substrate by a low-temperature hydrothermal growth process. Structural morphological investigations were carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. To check the sensing application of the CuO nanopetals, it was functionalized for selectivity of Ag+. A polymeric membrane with Ag+-selective ionophore was coated on the surface of the CuO nanopetals. CuO nanopetals reveal excellent electrochemical sensing behavior in aqueous solution to selectively detect Ag+. The CuO based sensor exhibits a linear electrochemical response within the concentration range of 1 μM to 100 mM. The functionalized CuO nanopetal based sensor show stable, fast response and high sensitivity for [Ag+]. This work demonstrates a simple technique for sensitive detection of Ag+ and other biochemical species.
|
|
| 7. |
- Amin, Gul, et al.
(författare)
-
CuO Nanopetals Based Electrochemical Sensor for Selective Ag+ Measurements
- 2012
-
Ingår i: SENSOR LETTERS. - : American Scientific Publishers. - 1546-198X. ; 10:3-4, s. 754-759
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The electrochemical sensing activity of cupric oxide (CuO) nanopetals was investigated for the detection of silver (I) ions (Ag+). The CuO nanopetals were synthesized on a large area glass substrate by a low-temperature hydrothermal growth process. Structural morphological investigations were carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. To check the sensing application of the CuO nanopetals, it was functionalized for selectivity of Ag+. A polymeric membrane with Ag+-selective ionophore was coated on the surface of the CuO nanopetals. CuO nanopetals reveal excellent electrochemical sensing behavior in aqueous solution to selectively detect Ag+. The CuO based sensor exhibits a linear electrochemical response within the concentration range of 1 mu M to 100 mM. The functionalized CuO nanopetal based sensor show stable, fast response and high sensitivity for [Ag+]. This work demonstrates a simple technique for sensitive detection of Ag+ and other biochemical species.
|
|
| 8. |
- Amin, Gul, et al.
(författare)
-
Influence of pH, Precursor Concentration, Growth Time, and Temperature on the Morphology of ZnO Nanostructures Grown by the Hydrothermal Method
- 2011
-
Ingår i: Journal of Nanomaterials. - NY, USA : Hindawi Publishing Corporation. - 1687-4110 .- 1687-4129. ; :269692
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated the influence of the pH value, precursor concentration (C), growth time and temperature on the morphology of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures. The pH of the starting solution was varied from1.8 to 12.5. It was found that the final pH reaches an inherent value of 6.6 independently of the initial pH solution. Various ZnO structures of nanotetrapod-like, flower-like, and urchin-like morphology were obtained at alkaline pH (8 to 12.5) whereas for pH solution lower than 8 rod-like nanostructures occurred. Moreover, we observed the erosion of the nanorods for a pH value less than 4.6. By changing the concentrations the density and size were also varied. On going from a high (C > 400mM) to lower (C < 25mM) C, the resulted ZnO nanostructures change from a film to nanorods (NRs) and finally nanowires (NWs). It was also found that the length and diameter of ZnO NRs follow a linear relation with time up to 10 hours, above which no further increase was observed. Finally the effect of growth temperature was seen as an influence on the aspect ratio.
|
|
| 9. |
- Fulati, Alimujiang, et al.
(författare)
-
Miniaturized pH Sensors Based on Zinc Oxide Nanotubes/Nanorods
- 2009
-
Ingår i: SENSORS. - : MDPI AG. - 1424-8220. ; 9:11, s. 8911-8923
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ZnO nanotubes and nanorods grown on gold thin film were used to create pH sensor devices. The developed ZnO nanotube and nanorod pH sensors display good reproducibility, repeatability and long-term stability and exhibit a pH-dependent electrochemical potential difference versus an Ag/AgCl reference electrode over a large dynamic pH range. We found the ZnO nanotubes provide sensitivity as high as twice that of the ZnO nanorods, which can be ascribed to the fact that small dimensional ZnO nanotubes have a higher level of surface and subsurface oxygen vacancies and provide a larger effective surface area with higher surface-to-volume ratio as compared to ZnO nanorods, thus affording the ZnO nanotube pH sensor a higher sensitivity. Experimental results indicate ZnO nanotubes can be used in pH sensor applications with improved performance. Moreover, the ZnO nanotube arrays may find potential application as a novel material for measurements of intracellular biochemical species within single living cells.
|
|
| 10. |
- Gul, Lubna, et al.
(författare)
-
Integrated Traceability Approach for an Effective Impact Analysis
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering and Technology. - : MEHRAN UNIV ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY. - 0254-7821 .- 2413-7219. ; 40:2, s. 346-357
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Change is inevitable, software undergoes continuous change during its life cycle. A small change can trigger high evolution because of the ripple effect identified during the activity of impact analysis. However, it depends on the traceability information, which is the connection between software development artifacts. The current traceability techniques lack the breadth and depth to carryout informative impact analysis. We have performed a detailed literature survey of traceability techniques from the year 2008-2018. These techniques are evaluated on the criteria for effective impact analysis present in the literature. The results highlight that no single technique fulfills the criteria for effective impact analysis alone, they can be combined together to achieve promising results. We have presented a hybrid approach that combines four traceability techniques to achieve the entire criteria for an effective impact analysis after careful evaluation. The techniques combined are: Information Retrieval, Pre-Requirement Specification Traceability, Value based Requirements Traceability Technique and Goal Centric Traceability Technique. Our proposed hybrid approach is empirically validated via a field experiment. Results are analyzed for time and effort utilized in maintaining and retrieving the traceability information. The results are promising as the hybrid approach achieves effective impact analysis within minimal time and effort. We plan to extend the validation to real world impact analysis situation via case study.
|
|
