Role of Xpert PCR kit in assessing MRSA colonization in medical and surgical units of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization increases the risk of MRSA infection. Detecting MRSA colonization can influence postoperative outcomes and prolong hospital stay. The conventional standard culture method for detecting MRSA colonization has limitations in terms of sensitivity and turnaround time. Hence, we sought out use of Xpert PCR kit for prompt evaluation of MRSA colonization to support MRSA prevention in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 1st April-31st December 2022, 290 nasal and skin swab samples were collected from 257 patients and processed using routine culture (as gold standard method) and PCR-based MRSA detection assay (MRSA Xpert). RESULTS: A total of two hundred and ninety (290) swab samples from 257 patients were obtained, 33 of which were paired. The overall prevalence of MRSA colonization was 12% by both methods, with 90% of cases classified as community-associated (CA-MRSA) whereas 10% as hospital-acquired (HA-MRSA). The colonized group showed a higher subsequent MRSA infection rate (11% vs. 3.5%) compared to the noncolonized group. Culture identified 11% of screening samples as MRSA positive, Xpert MRSA assay showed 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The cost of a single MRSA Xpert assay was $50 while MRSA culture cost around $7.50. CONCLUSION: Our study findings suggest that the presence of MRSA colonization in our cohort of patients is consistent with the existing trends in hospital epidemiology. Both conventional culture and Xpert MRSA methods showed comparable efficacy for detection of MRSA colonization. Larger-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings conclusively.

Unveiling the impact of organically activated biochar on physiological, biochemical, and yield attributes of maize under varied field moisture conditions.

Water deficiency in semiarid regions is a limiting factor that affects crop quality and yield. In Punjab, Pakistan, a 27% decline in maize yield was detected over the past two decades just because of water scarcity. Currently, no studies have reported the effects of organically activated biochar (AB) on crop productivity under natural field conditions. For this purpose, a field experiment in a split-split-plot design was conducted with three amendment levels (0, 2, and 4 tonnes ac-1), and three maize hybrids (DK-9108, DK-6321, and Sarhaab) under 100%, 70%, and 50% irrigation water (IW) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The AB significantly improved the soil's physical and chemical properties, and maximum improvement was recorded in 4 tonnes ac-1 AB amendment in organic matter (16.6%), total organic carbon (17%), phosphorus (11.43%), and available potassium (29.27%). The 4 tonnes ac-1AB amendment in soil had a significant impact on total chlorophyll content (0.3-1-fold in DK-6321), carotenoid content (3.9-4.4-fold in Sarhaab), and relative water content (30% and 21% in Sarhaab) under 50% irrigation water (IW) of ETc at V14th and R3 stages, respectively. Moreover, a significant decline in stress markers (proline content and sugar content) was detected at both growth stages in all maize hybrids in AB amended soil. The analysis of plant metabolites indicated increased intensities of phenolics, alkyl esters, and carbohydrates by 2.5-7%, 17-80%, and 40-43% in DK-6321 under 50% IW in 2-4 tonnes ac-1 AB amended soil, respectively. The highest improvement in growth and yield attributes among maize hybrids was detected in the order DK-6321¿DK-9108¿Sarhaab in 2-4 tonnes ac-1AB amended soil under 70% and 50% IW of ETc, respectively. Hence, this research might help to develop an effective soil amendment to restore degraded soils and improve maize growth under arid climatic conditions.

Exploring medical students' perceptions of telehealth in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate medical students' perceptions of telehealth in Pakistan and assess the relationship between students' proficiency in computers and technology, gender, and age. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 330 medical students from various universities in Karachi, Pakistan. Data on demographic characteristics, computer proficiency, and perceptions of telehealth were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were utilized for data analysis. RESULTS: The study included 330 participants, predominantly from public universities (83.3%), with a mean age of 21.40 ± 4.24 years. Most participants were pursuing MBBS (67%). In terms of computer proficiency, 41.8% fell into the middle category. Gender correlated significantly with proficiency (p < 0.05), with females more often in the middle category and males in the not-that-amateur category. Age demonstrated a small positive correlation with proficiency (p < 0.05). A majority (77.6%) expressed a general interest in technology. Regarding healthcare apps, 51.8% had 1-3 apps, and 33.6% had none. Most participants believed telehealth would enhance healthcare (72.1%) and make it cheaper (63.3%). Additionally, 56.7% agreed that Pakistan should invest in telehealth, while only 2.7% disagreed. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that medical students in Pakistan exhibit an interest in technology and perceive telehealth as beneficial. These findings suggest that telehealth holds the potential to enhance healthcare opportunities in Pakistan. Therefore, investing in and expanding telehealth services may represent a viable solution for improving access to healthcare in the country.

Empathy unmasked: the compassion quotient of dental students.

BACKGROUND: Despite an empathic doctor patient relationship being of utmost importance to improve health care outcomes, this aspect is scarcely explored in dental students of Pakistan. This primary objective of the present study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy- Health Professions Student (JSE- HPS) version in a sample of Pakistani dental students. The study also compared the differences in empathy levels of dental students studying in different academic years. METHODS: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 304 students from first to final year from selected 02 private and 02 public dental colleges of Karachi, Pakistan from December 2021- January 2022. The self-administered Jefferson Scale of Empathy- Health Professions Student (JSE-HPS) version was used for data collection. This questionnaire includes 20 items that can be answered on a 7-point Likert scale. After attendance sheets were obtained, random student names were marked, and questionnaire distributed by hand to these students. All forms were collected right after to maximize response rate. RESULTS: A total of 304 forms with complete data were returned, a response rate of 86.9%. Females (97.79 ± 15 94) were more empathetic than males (94.16 ± 12.13) (p = 0.001). Students of third-year were the most empathetic (p = 0.000). Internal consistency of questionnaire was acceptable (Cronbach's α- 0.77). Factor analysis revealed factor related to belief that patient's perspectives improve health outcome had 14 items with factor coefficient > 0.4 contributing to largest proportion of variance (23.15%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows JSE- HPS to have acceptable internal consistency. Structural validity of the scale evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis reported results that were in concordance to those suggested by developers of this scale. In our study population, like other studies, females were more empathic than males. Third-year dental students were more empathetic than students of other undergraduate years.

Molecular characterization of Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in sheep and goats and risk factors associated with it in selected districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is an economically significant transboundary viral disease of sheep and goats caused by the PPRV virus, affecting annual losses of 1.45-2.10 billion US dollars globally. We designed the current study to evaluate the positive cases, molecular characterization, phylogenetic analysis, and risk factors correlated with the disease in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with the aim of contributing to these strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 384 samples from three selected districts, i.e., Peshawar, Charsadda and Chitral (n = 128 each), were collected, and the virus was investigated by using the sandwich ELISA, while the N gene of the virus was used as a target for molecular detection via RT-PCR. The confirmed samples were then sequenced, and phylogenetic analysis was performed. According to our findings, the highest positive cases was found in district Peshawar (50.87%), followed by Charsadda and Chitral (24.56%), respectively, while risk factor analysis showed that certain categories, such as species, sex, and age less than two years, have higher risk (P < 0.05) in contrast to their respective categories. Furthermore, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of representative samples showed that the PPRV strains in the current study clustered in lineage IV, which is circulating in the small ruminant population of Asia, the Middle East, and African countries. Comparative residue analysis highlighted the mutation by representing 242 variable sites out of 371 locations. CONCLUSIONS: PPRV has foremost importance in Pakistan because the virus was detected in a considerable number of samples, and most of which were sourced from subsidiary areas where veterinary services are not prioritized.

Men's involvement in family planning programs: an exploratory study from Karachi, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: In Pakistan, family planning has traditionally been perceived as primarily a women's concern, resulting in the exclusion of men from relevant initiatives. This situation is further exacerbated by cultural and social barriers that hinder men's access to family planning services. This study addresses a significant research gap by assessing the extent of family planning service provision for men in urban areas of Karachi. It delves into the exploration of men's involvement in family planning service delivery, identifies existing gaps in services catering to men, records men's perceptions of accessibility and acceptability of these services, and ultimately offers recommendations to enhance men's involvement and strengthen service provision to better meet their needs. METHODS: We employed a qualitative exploratory research design using semi-structured interviews to investigate perceptions regarding family planning service provision to men. This approach involved 25 interviews, comprising eight key informant interviews with stakeholders, eight with service providers, and nine in-depth interviews with married men. RESULTS: This study highlights the limited engagement of men in family planning programs, primarily due to entrenched sociocultural norms that confine female healthcare providers to serving women, hindering men's involvement. While national and provincial policies endorse men's participation, they lack defined roles for male providers. Behavioral and information-sharing barriers at the community level discourage male healthcare providers from collaborating with females. Family planning programs, except for NGO-led vasectomy projects, fail to adequately address men's needs. Despite policy recognition, implementation remains inadequate. Bridging the men's involvement gap necessitates more male providers and improved contraceptive stigma combat training. Further research is vital to explore effective methods for involving men in community and service delivery in family planning. CONCLUSION: There is a need to change the perception that contraception is solely the responsibility of women, as men's participation in family planning in Karachi is limited. Engaging men can yield positive health and non-health outcomes. Culturally sensitive services, developed with community input using a couple-centered approach, are crucial for equitable family planning. Further research is needed to explore men's inclusion strategies in service provision and utilization.

Many family planning efforts focus solely on women, leaving out men, especially in Pakistan, due to cultural and social barriers. This study aimed to explore men's involvement in family planning programs in Karachi. We talked to 25 different people, such as those who run family planning programs, provide services, and married men. We found that men aren't much involved in these programs. Female health providers usually help women, which discourages men from participating or getting involved in such programs. Even though there have been policies to include men since 2002, they don't have specific roles defined. Men don't  discuss family planning much with female providers due to behavioral differences and lack of open communication. Men mostly prefer condoms, and apart from a small NGO-run vasectomy project, there are few programs-tailored to their needs. Although policies exist, they're not fully in practice. To change this, we need more male providers and improved training to reduce the stigma around contraception. Future research should  explore more effective ways to involve men in family planning, both in communities and service levels. Overall, getting men involved in family planning is important, and services need to be developed with input from communities and couples to ensure fairness. More research is needed to figure out the best ways to do this.

Preliminary investigation of MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) polymorphisms association with breast cancer risk in pashtun women of Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP8 and MMP9 have been widely associated with breast cancer risk in different ethnicities with inconsistent results. There is no such study conducted so far in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Therefore, this study was conducted to check MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) polymorphism with breast cancer risk in the selected population. METHODS: This study, consisting of 300 breast cancer patients and 168 gender and age-matched healthy controls was subjected to confirm MMP8 and MMP9 polymorphisms. Clinicopathological data and blood samples were taken from all the participants. DNA was extracted and SNPs were confirmed using the T-ARMS-PCR protocol. RESULTS: Based on our study results, significant associations were observed between the MMP8 rs11225395 risk allele (G) and increased breast cancer risk, with the G allele frequency higher in patients (65%) compared to controls (51%) (OR = 1.752, 95% CI = 1.423-3.662, p = 0.002). Genotypes GG (OR = 4.218, p = 0.005) and AG (OR = 7.286, p = 0.0001) of MMP8 rs11225395 were also significantly associated with elevated breast cancer risk. Similarly, MMP9 rs3787268 exhibited a higher frequency of the risk allele (A) in breast cancer cases (81%) compared to controls (41%), correlating strongly with increased risk (OR = 6.320, p = 0.0001). Genotypes AA (OR = 14.500, p = 0.0001) and AG (OR = 2.429, p = 0.077) of MMP9 rs3787268 containing the risk allele showed significant associations with heightened breast cancer risk. Subgroup analyses based on age, disease progression, tumor size, and grade revealed noteworthy associations for both MMP8 rs11225395 and MMP9 rs3787268. MMP8 rs11225395 genotypes displayed significant correlations with age (p = 0.066), disease progression (p = 0.0001), larger tumor size (p = 0.005), and higher tumor grade (p = 0.006). Similarly, MMP9 rs3787268 genotypes were significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), disease progression (p = 0.010), larger tumor size (p = 0.018), and higher tumor grade (p = 0.037). Logistic regression analyses further underscored these genetic variants' potential role as biomarkers in breast cancer, particularly in relation to specific hormone receptor statuses such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positivity. CONCLUSION: The results revealed significant associations between the mutant alleles and genotypes of MMP8 (rs11225395) and MMP9 (rs3787268) with increased breast cancer risk in the Pashtun population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. However, more investigation will be required on large data sets to confirm the selected SNPs and other SNPs in the selected and other related genes with the risk of breast cancer.

Metaphorical framing of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan: A corpus driven critical analysis of war metaphors in news media.

Metaphors are an essential part of how humans process and understand the world. Cognitive linguistics does not view metaphors as merely linguistic or rhetorical devices; rather, they are conceptual in nature and are central to the thought process. Therefore, the present research investigates the metaphorical depiction of the Covid-19 health emergency through the conceptual metaphor of WAR in three renowned Pakistani English Newspapers i.e. Dawn, The Express Tribune, and The News. Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA) is specifically selected to uncover the covert and possibly unconscious intentions of language users in Newspaper discourse. Fifty (50) editorials on the subject of Covid-19 are specifically chosen and their language is meticulously observed by making a specialized Corpus PakNCovid-19. The size of the corpus is 17621 words. Moreover, Monoconc Corpus Tool is utilized to analyze the metaphorical depiction of Covid-19 as a WAR in Pakistani Newspaper discourse. The study highlights the explicit deployment of military concepts like BATTLE, ENEMY, WAR, SOLDIERS, FIGHT, and VICTORY to create the conception of WAR and to create SELF Vs OTHER distinctions between the Pakistani people and the medical illness of Covid-19. The inquiry demonstrates that to create a sense of urgency and to mobilize masses against the deadly virus, the metaphors of War have been used deliberately. The military concepts have been purposely employed to present Covid-19 as an 'alien', 'outsider', as well as an 'enemy' entity.

Exploring the child marriage practices and their impact on women's lives in Pakistan: A qualitative analysis.

The study aimed to qualitatively explore the relationship between intimate partner violence and early marriage, focusing on the psychological and physical health issues faced by married women in rural Pakistan. Specifically, it investigated how resilience moderates the effects of early marriage, physical health problems, intimate partner abuse, and psychological issues. Using an intrinsic qualitative approach, the research involved interviews with 20 household heads, 62 husbands, and 40 wives in Sindh province. The findings indicated significant differences related to early marriage, intimate partner abuse, physical health issues, stress, anxiety, and depression. The results align with other South Asian studies, highlighting early marriage as a major risk factor for physical health issues and intimate partner violence. Additionally, the study underscores the widespread nature of violence as a social problem affecting married couples' health in Pakistan.

L'étude visait à explorer qualitativement la relation entre la violence conjugale et le mariage précoce, en se concentrant sur les problèmes de santé psychologique et physique rencontrés par les femmes mariées dans les zones rurales du Pakistan. Plus précisément, elle a étudié comment la résilience atténue les effets du mariage précoce, des problèmes de santé physique, de la violence conjugale et des problèmes psychologiques. Utilisant une approche qualitative intrinsèque, la recherche a impliqué des entretiens avec 20 chefs de famille, 62 maris et 40 épouses dans la province du Sind. Les résultats ont indiqué des différences significatives liées au mariage précoce, à la violence conjugale, aux problèmes de santé physique, au stress, à l'anxiété et à la dépression. Les résultats concordent avec d'autres études sud-asiatiques, soulignant le mariage précoce comme un facteur de risque majeur de problèmes de santé physique et de violence conjugale. En outre, l'étude souligne le caractère répandu de la violence en tant que problème social affectant la santé des couples mariés au Pakistan.

Traditional Eye Cosmetics and Cultural Powders as a Source of Lead Exposure.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the characteristics of traditional eye cosmetics and cultural powders, including the types, lead concentrations, origin, and regional variation in product names, and assess the differences in blood lead levels (BLLs) between product users and non-users. METHODS: We analyzed 220 samples of traditional eye cosmetics and cultural powders collected in New York City between 2013 and 2022 during lead poisoning investigations and store surveys. We compared the BLLs of children who used these products with those of non-users. RESULTS: Lead levels in traditional eye cosmetics surma and kohl were much higher than levels in kajal and other cultural powders. Although the terminologies surma, kohl, and kajal are often used interchangeably, findings suggest regional variations in the product names. The majority of the surma in this study were from Pakistan, kohl was from Morocco, and kajal was from India. The results also show that these products can contribute to elevated BLLs in children. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that traditional eye cosmetics and cultural powders are used among children as young as newborns, and exposure to these products can significantly add to their lead body burden. The study findings also reveal that lead concentrations in these products can vary by product type and product names can vary by region. Public health officials must be cognizant of these unique variations and use culturally appropriate terminologies for these types of products because such distinctions can be critical when conducting risk assessments, risk communication, and risk reduction activities.

CFTR Exon 10 deleterious mutations in patients with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens in a cohort of Pakistani patients.

Congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD) is a urological syndrome of Wolffian ducts and is responsible for male infertility and obstructive azoospermia. This study is designed to explore the integrity of exon 10 of CFTR and its role in male infertility in a cohort of CBVAD patients in Pakistan. Genomic DNA was extracted from 17 male patients with CBAVD having clinical symptoms, and 10 healthy controls via phenol-chloroform method. Exon 10 of the CFTR gene was amplified, using PCR with specific primers and DNA screening was done by Sanger sequencing. Sequencing results were analyzed using freeware Serial Cloner, SnapGene, BioEdit and FinchTV. Furthermore, bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the mutations and their impact on the protein function and stability. We have identified 4 mutations on exon 10 of CFTR in 6 out of 17 patients. Two of the mutations were missense variants V456A, K464E, and the other two were silent mutations G437G, S431S. The identified variant V456A was present in 4 of the studied patients. Whereas, the presence of K464E in our patients further weighs on the crucial importance for its strategic location to influence the gene function at post-transcriptional and protein level. Furthermore, Polyphen-2 and SIFT analyze the mutations as harmful and deleterious. The recurrence of V456A and tactically conserved locality of K464E are evidence of their potential role in CBAVD patients and in male infertility. The data can contribute in developing genetic testing and treatment of CBAVD.

An exploration of psychological and socio-cultural facets in perinatal distress of Pakistani couples: a triangulated qualitative study.

The phenomenon of perinatal distress in terms of depression, anxiety, bipolar, and psychotic disorders is well-explored in the West but barely investigated in South Asia; particularly research evidence highlighting the cultural expression of couples' mental health with respect to Pakistan is rare. The purpose of this research is to focus on the exploration of psycho-socio-cultural expression of couples' perinatal distress and coping strategies used in the Pakistani context in relation to maternal and paternal mental health, with implications for the wellbeing of their unborn or born progeny. The research design focused on qualitative interpretative approaches. In data triangulation, reflexive thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological analyses were applied on the verbatim of the semi-structured interviews conducted with the mental health professionals (n = 9) and the couples (n = 8), screened positive for perinatal distress. Four couples were screened out of 325 perinatal women visiting the gynaecological ward of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Gujrat. Edinburg Postnatal Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Washington Early Recognition Center Affectivity and Psychosis Screen are the standardized instruments considered to be used for screening perinatal distress among couples. The Urdu version of WERCAP Screen was developed by a standardized forward-backward translation procedure. The rest of the four couples were purposively selected from the psychiatric ward of the same hospital. The Simplified Negative and Positive Symptoms Interviews were administered to the couples after getting approval for the Urdu version form. All couples were probed with an indigenously developed Structured Clinical Interview Schedule for DSM Disorders based on DSM-5-TR. The triangulation carried out with reflexive thematic analysis and interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed cultural conception of perinatal distress as perceived by the mental health professionals and experienced by the couples during the antenatal and postnatal period of their lives. They were enlightened with a constructive view aimed at promoting transformational change in terms of their mental health care and coping. The implications suggested implementation of a psychotherapeutic intervention for reduction in the level of distress and subsequent enhancement of well-being in couples during the perinatal period.

Partial replacement of inorganic fertilizer with organic inputs for enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, grain yield, and decreased nitrogen losses under rice-based systems of mid-latitudes.

In the rice-based system of mid-latitudes, mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer serves as the largest source of the N cycle due to an insufficient supply of N from organic sources causing higher N losses due to varying soil and environmental factors. However, aiming to improve soil organic matter (OM) and nutrients availability using the best environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable cultural and agronomic management practices are necessary. This study aimed to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain yield in rice-based systems of mid-latitudes by partially replacing inorganic N fertilizer with organic inputs. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed to evaluate the effects of sole mineral N fertilizer (urea) and its combinations with organic sources-farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry compost-on different elite green super rice (GSR) genotypes and were named as NUYT-1, NUYT-2, NUYT-3, NUYT-4, NUYT-5, and NUYT-6. The study was conducted during the 2022 and 2023 rice growing seasons at the Rice Research Program, Crop Sciences Institute (CSI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, one of the mid-latitudes of Pakistan. The key objective was to determine the most effective N management strategy for optimizing plant growth, N content in soil and plants, and overall crop productivity. The results revealed that the combined application of poultry compost and mineral urea significantly enhanced soil and leaf N content (1.36 g kg- 1 and 3.06 mg cm- 2, respectively) and plant morphophysiological traits compared to sole urea application. Maximum shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) were observed in compost-applied treatment with the values of 77.62 g hill- 1 and 8.36 g hill- 1, respectively. The two-year mean data indicated that applying 150 kg N ha⁻1, with half provided by organic sources (10 tons ha⁻1 FYM or poultry compost) and the remainder by mineral urea, resulted in the highest N uptake, utilization, and plant productivity. Thus, integrated management of organic carbon sources and inorganic fertilizers may sustain the productivity of rice-based systems more eco-efficiently. Further research is recommended to explore root and shoot morphophysiological, molecular, and biochemical responses under varying N regimes, aiming to develop N-efficient rice varieties through advanced breeding programs.

Lipid Accumulation and Biodiesel Production from Filamentous Cyanobacteria Native to Pakistan.

Depleting fossil fuel resources and increasing energy demand have intensified the emphasis on biofuel production cyanobacteria. In this study, 19 cyanobacterial filamentous strains were isolated from various regions of Pakistan, including the northern areas and the University of the Punjab, Lahore. Sudan black, Nile red, and BODIPY staining, together with CLSM, fluorimetry, FTIR, growth in different nitrate concentrations, and GC techniques, were used to confirm and measure the lipid and diesel contents within isolated cyanobacterial filaments. Oscillatoria sp. strain CFF-6 showed a significantly higher yield (biodiesel/ biomass=35.6%). Leptolyngbya sp. strain CFF-18 showed a higher yield (biodiesel/biomass=17.1%) compared to other Leptolyngbya strains. FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) analysis was also performed. Oscillatoria are better biodiesel producers in comparison to other filamentous strains.

Narcissism, perfectionism, and self-promoting behavior on social networking sites among university students in Pakistan / Narcisismo, perfeccionismo y comportamiento de autopromoción en sitios de redes sociales entre estudiantes universitarios en Pakistán

Existe un debate considerable en la literatura sobre cómo el narcisismo predice diversos comportamientos asociados con la utilidad de los sitios de redes sociales, pero los investigadores han prestado menos atención a explorar los mediadores potenciales de esta relación. Con base en la literatura existente, anticipamos que el narcisismo predice comportamientos de autopromoción en los sitios de redes sociales. El estudio actual también investigó el papel mediador del perfeccionismo multidimensional entre el narcisismo y el comportamiento de autopromoción. Se recopiló un total de 605 cuestionarios completos de estudiantes de universidades de Rawalpindi e Islamabad, Pakistán, mediante un muestreo conveniente. El estudio utilizó el Inventario de Personalidad Narcisista (Ames et al., 2006), un cuestionario de desarrollo propio sobre comportamiento de autopromoción en sitios de redes sociales y la Escala de Perfeccionismo Multidimensional (Hewitt et al., 1991). Los hallazgos indicaron que las mujeres en comparación con los hombres y las solteras en comparación con las casadas obtuvieron puntuaciones más altas en narcisismo. Los niveles educativos más altos se asociaron con tasas más altas de narcisismo. Los resultados también sugieren que el narcisismo se correlaciona con el perfeccionismo orientado a uno mismo y, más significativamente, con el narcisismo orientado a los demás. El perfeccionismo orientado a uno mismo y a los demás medió significativamente la relación entre el narcisismo y el comportamiento de autopromoción en los sitios de redes sociales.(AU)

There is considerable debate in the literature about how narcis-sism predicts various behaviors associated with the utility of social net-working sites, but researchers have paid less attention to exploring the po-tential mediators of this relationship.Based on the existing literature, we anticipated that narcissism predicts self-promoting behaviors on social networking sites. The current study also investigated the mediating role of multidimensional perfectionismbetween narcissism and self-promoting behavior. A total of 605 complete questionnaires weregathered fromstu-dents from universities from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan using convenient sampling. The study used Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Ames et al., 2006), self-developed Self-promoting Behavior on social net-working sites questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (Hewitt et al., 1991). Findings indicated that females as compared to males and single as comparedto married individuals scored higher on narcissism. Higher educational levels were associated with higher rates of narcissism. The results also suggestthat narcissism correlated with self-oriented per-fectionism, and more significantlywith others-oriented narcissism. Self-oriented and others-oriented perfectionism significantly mediated the rela-tionship between narcissism and self-promoting behavior on social net-working sites.(AU)

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Pakistan, January 2023-June 2024.

Since its launch in 1988, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has made substantial progress toward the eradication of wild poliovirus (WPV), including eradicating two of the three serotypes, and reducing the countries with ongoing endemic transmission of WPV type 1 (WPV1) to just Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both countries are considered a single epidemiologic block. Despite the occurrence of only a single confirmed WPV1 case during the first half of 2023, Pakistan experienced widespread circulation of WPV1 over the subsequent 12 months, specifically in the historical reservoirs of the cities of Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. As of June 30, 2024, eight WPV1 cases had been reported in Pakistan in 2024, compared with six reported during all of 2023. These cases, along with more than 300 WPV1-positive environmental surveillance (sewage) samples reported during 2023-2024, indicate that Pakistan is not on track to interrupt WPV1 transmission. The country's complex sociopolitical and security environment continues to pose formidable challenges to poliovirus elimination. To interrupt WPV1 transmission, sustained political commitment to polio eradication, including increased accountability at all levels, would be vital for the polio program. Efforts to systematically track and vaccinate children who are continually missed during polio vaccination activities should be enhanced by better addressing operational issues and the underlying reasons for community resistance to vaccination and vaccine hesitancy.

Assessing emergency room leadership of ObGyn residents in a public university teaching hospital of Sindh, Pakistan: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Leadership is a critical competency for medical professionals, yet it is often neglected in medical training. For ObGyn residents, leadership training is particularly crucial as it significantly impacts both maternal and newborn outcomes, as well as the operational efficiency of healthcare teams. The main objective of this study was to assess the perceptions of obstetrics and gynecology residents who served as group leaders in the emergency team at the Department of Gynecology, Ward 3, Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi. METHODS: A Cross-sectional survey was conducted with purposively sampled 28 year-4 residents who worked as group leaders during last 3 years (from 2018 to 2020) of their residency program at the emergency team in the department of Gynecology Ward 3 Dr Ruth KM Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi. The perceptions on leadership were assessed on 25 items scale sent through a questionnaire on email. Grading of responses was done using a 4-point ordinal scale where 1 meant little importance and 4 was regarded as having great importance. Data was summarized with relevant descriptive statistics and was analyzed on SPSS version 22. RESULTS: The mean age of residents was 30.36. The mean leadership scores of the group of residents were calculated to be 77.50 (SD ± 9.57) while 14(50%) residents showed good and 14 (50%) showed excellent leadership skills based on cumulative scores. Of the 25 traits examined in this study, the highest reported trait was humility 3.82 (± 0.39) followed by empowerment 3.68 (± 0.77) and effective communication 3.68 (± 0.77). While responding about learning experiences, 89.3% of participants felt that the experience enhanced their decision-making skills and boosted their confidence in dealing with emergencies. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the critical importance of leadership development in the training of ObGyn residents, particularly in high-pressure emergency settings. The findings reveal that residents value leadership traits such as humility, empowerment, and effective communication, which are essential for building teamwork and ensuring optimal patient outcomes and patient satisfaction.