Bismuth Ferrites/Graphene Nanoplatelets Nanohybrids for Efficient Organic Dye Removal

The doped bismuth ferrites have got tremendous attraction owing to its ideal properties for photocatalysis application. We have fabricated the novel lanthanum and manganese co-doped BiFeO3 (namely BLFMO)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) nanohybrid for photocatalysis with easy and effective synthesis routes namely the co-precipitation (C-hybrid) and hydrothermal (H-hybrid) processes. The H-hybrid showed crystalline structure with lower band-gap than the C-hybrid samples. However, C-hybrid showed higher dye degradation (92%) due its higher surface area (55 m2/g) and the fine incorporation of BLFMO nanoparticles into the GNPs which enhanced the surface adsorption. This is verified from more degradation in dark conditions for these samples. The proposed nanohybrids are novel for photocatalytic application fabricated through the low cost routes which show higher efficiency for practical applications

Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report

Associating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with an initial presentation of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is rare. We report a case of 21-year old Afghani female admitted to our hospital with an initial complaint of high grade fever and diffuse maculopapular rash and swelling of lower limbs. Diagnosis of atypical HUS was established according to the clinical triad of HUS without a veriotoxin-producing organism in her stool and the pathological finding compatible to thrombotic microangiopathy. In addition, her symptoms fulfilled the 1982 revised criteria for the classification of SLE. After pulse methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis therapies, her laboratory findings and general condition improved. Unfortunately she was lost to follow up as she decided to return back to Afghanistan

Targeting Young Consumers: How Family, Friends and Advertisement Shape Materialism in Pakistan

The purpose of the study is to investigate materialism among the youth of Pakistan. The paper examines the impact of age, self-esteem, social comparisons, and attention to television advertisement on materialistic values. The study employs an empirical approach using self-administered survey technique on the youth living in KPK province of Pakistan. The final sample consisted of 280 respondents between 14-22 years of age and registered student. Descriptive statistics, Correlation and Multiple regressions is estimated through SPSS (version 17.0). Results indicate age as a major antecedent in measuring materialism. Adolescents are found to be more materialistic as compare to young adults. The relationship between materialism and age is found negative. The influence of frequent communication with friends and social comparison of consumption was also found related with materialism. Attention to television advertisement is not found to be associated with developing materialism among young consumers. The inbuilt data limitation with cross sectional data is inevitable. Future research may employ longitudinal or qualitative i.e. interviewing techniques to secure data. The study imparts practical implication for parents, academic and professionals. The study is among the pioneer studies examining materialism among youth in Pakistan. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p70

Minor Oral Surgery with Out Stopping the Daily Low Dose of Aspirin Therapy

OBJECTIVES Patients with the low-dose long-term aspirin regime have a severe risk of excessive bleeding during surgery, placing them at risk of "adverse thrombotic events". This study aims to evaluate the bleeding in patients undergoing minor oral surgery procedures without stopping daily low-dose aspirin therapy. METHODOLOGY A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based investigation involved the patient with minor oral surgery at "Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine, Karachi, Pakistan" from mid-April 2021 to mid-June 2021, who were between the age group 30 to 75 with a low-dose aspirin regime. The data was collected via a questionnaire to record the variables, i.e. duration of aspirin, postoperative medications, platelets count, clotting time, normal bleeding time, and intraoperative bleeding time.  RESULTS 51 patients, of which 32 were males while 19, were females. The normal bleeding time was comparatively analyzed with the intraoperative bleeding time using SPSS statistical software version 22. The results revealed that the mean bleeding time for the patients with a low-dose aspirin regime during minor oral surgery was 5.49 ± 1.07, while for the patients with a stopped aspirin dose was 4.57 ± 1.07. The comparative analysis using a t-test doesn't reveal significant statistical differences of p<0.05 between both groups. CONCLUSION We concluded that minor oral surgical procedures could safely be done without altering or stopping the low-dose, long-term aspirin regime.

Prevalence of Oral Manifestations of Systemic Diseases in Patients Visiting the Dental Outpatient Department of Sindh, Pakistan

OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to evaluate the awareness of oral health workers in identifying the prevalence of oral manifestations of systemic diseases in patients visiting the Dental Out-Patient Department of Sindh, Pakistan. METHODOLOGY A descriptive, cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in Karachi, Pakistan, from October to December 2021. The study was conducted in various institutes from all over Sindh, Pakistan. An online, well-structured questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed to the participants through social media platforms in the dental community. Using the Open-Epi software regarding a parent article, the sample size of this study was calculated. Keeping the confidence interval at 95% and the desired percentile at 50, the total sample size was calculated to be 100. Around 175 questionnaires were given out to the candidates. RESULTSThe results showed that  81% male and 19% female participated, including 45% postgraduate trainees, 30% house officers, and 25% general dentists. 80% detected 2-3 systemic diseases in a patient, with 75% observing oral manifestations preceding systemic illness diagnosis. The majority favoured treating underlying ailments (75%), and prevalent conditions included hypertension (90%), diabetes (80%), anaemia (75%), and lichen planus (40.7%). CONCLUSION Oral health workers play a vital role in the initial and early identification and multidisciplinary medical management of various systemic diseases. A coordinated approach between physicians and dentists in diagnosing and managing these conditions is necessary to achieve optimal clinical outcomes

Exploring Biosurfactants: Sustainable Solutions for Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance and Drug Adverse Effects

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, necessitating the exploration of alternative strategies to combat microbial pathogens. Biosurfactants, natural compounds produced by microorganisms, have emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse biological activities and sustainable properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of biosurfactants\u27 potential as sustainable solutions for overcoming AMR and mitigating drug adverse effects. We discuss the mechanisms of action of biosurfactants against microbial pathogens, highlighting their ability to disrupt cell membranes, inhibit biofilm formation, and modulate immune responses. Furthermore, we explore the biocompatibility and eco-friendly nature of biosurfactants, underscoring their advantages over synthetic drugs. However, challenges such as limited scalability and variability in production hinder their widespread adoption in pharmaceutical applications. We propose interdisciplinary research efforts to address these challenges and optimize the use of biosurfactants in combating AMR and minimizing drug adverse effects. Through collaborative initiatives and innovative approaches, biosurfactants hold immense promise as sustainable alternatives to conventional antimicrobial agents, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient future

Modification and validation of the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) for assessing surgical site infection in wounds healing by secondary intention

Background: Surgical wounds healing by secondary intention are common. Healing is often complicated by surgical site infection (SSI). SSI assessment is important to guide treatment but existing methods generally require in-person assessment, making them resource intensive. A validated patient-reported SSI outcome measure may be useful to overcome this limitation.Aim: To modify and validate the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) for wounds healing by secondary intention.Methods: The 18-item Bluebelle WHQ developed for wounds healing by primary intention was modified to make it applicable to secondary healing wounds. Testing was performed as part of the SWHSI-2 randomised trial assessing negative pressure wound dressings versus standard care. Participants completed the WHQ at five timepoints; in-person (baseline, post-healing) and by post (3, 6, 12 months). A reference SSI assessment was performed by a research nurse at the time of wound healing. Acceptability and criterion validity (ability of the Bluebelle WHQ to discriminate between SSI/no SSI) were explored by examining questionnaire return rates, levels of missing data and total score sensitivity/specificity values (receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC)).Results: Baseline in-person questionnaire return rates were highest (672/686; 98 %), with postal return rates of 428/615 (68.5 %), 274/416 (65.9 %) and 186/296 (62.8 %) at follow up points. Overall, low levels of item-missing data were observed with few problems completing the questionnaire reported. Ability to discriminate between SSI/no SSI was good (Area under ROC = 0.796).Conclusion: The modified Bluebelle WHQ is a valuable tool for post-discharge assessment of wounds healing by secondary intention. It is recommended for use in research and clinical practice.</p

Platypnea-orthodeoxia: report of two cases and review of the literature

We describe two unusual cases of platypnea. The first patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but platypnea did not respond to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease therapy. He was found to have multiple pulmonary emboli, and symptoms rapidly improved on anticoagulation therapy. The second patient had Parkinson disease and developed severe platypnea, an association that has not been previously described. She had significant postural hypotension and responded to therapy with fludrocortisone

ENGLISH-DELAYED MARRIAGE IN PAKISTAN AND ITS IMPACTS ON SOCIETY: A CRITICAL STUDY IN THE LIGHT OF SEERAH OF THE PROPHET (PBUH)

Pakistani is a developing country which holds strong cultural effects on society. In this contemporary era, marriage institution is facing critical crisis all over the world but in Pakistan because of several internal reasons marital complications are seriously debatable at national level. One of the biggest conjugal problems is Late Marriage in Pakistan. Though, Islamic Law didn’t set the exact age of marriage however, in Islamic Law, nobody can marriage unless he/she reached his/her puberty age. While discussing late marriage there must be differentiate between child marriage and early marriage because people are being made misunderstood and confused about the both terms. Definitely, Islam doesn’t allow child marriage at all but early marriage is not unlawful in Islam and early marriage doesn’t mean child marriage or the marriage before adolescence age. Even some Islamic jurists argue that it shouldn’t be done immediately after puberty age starts. One should wait till maturity age. But the case we are going to discuss is about delayed marriage which starts after the age of 25 to 40 and above 40 which obviously didn’t have to do anything with child marriage or the marriage at immature age. Majority population of Pakistan is living under the poverty line. These poor people work hard to settle themself down and they postponed their weddings till then. Sometimes this process of settling down take too long to marry and ultimately marriageable age passed away. That's why Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us moderation way of life in every step we walk. Delayed marriage causes a lot of social, psychological and health consequences. If the marriage was done at proper age then one can remain safe from committing sins and other wrongdoings. If we see the examples of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)'s life we will find out that He (PBUH) didn't delay or order to delay any marriage because of money or other social standards.In this article there would be discussed the social and economic obstacles and so-called cultural customs and rituals to marry at ideal age. It would also discuss an ideal Islamic wedding model in the light of teaching of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Title: Impact of Islamic microfinance institutions on the income of involuntary financially excluded people in Pakistan

The purpose of the study is to determine whether the funds provided by Islamic microfinance institutions help improve the income of involuntary financially excluded people in Pakistan. We collect data through self-administered questionnaire from the borrowers of four Islamic Microfinance institutions (IMFIs) in various cities of Pakistan. K-modes cluster analysis was performed for borrowers’ segmentation based on certain characteristics. In factor analysis, 4 factors were extracted that represents borrowers background attributes, financing procedural attributes, IMFIs attributes, and demographic attributes. We used these factors as independent variables to perform multinomial logistic regression to observe the impact of these IMFIs on borrowers income. The results suggest that IMFIs in Pakistan help increase income of borrowers in Pakistan. The findings of this study will not only to the of interest to microfinance beneficiaries, service suppliers and researchers but also to the government of Pakistan for regulations and policy decision for poverty reduction