Report: a study of morbidity of induced abortion data from women belonging to Karachi, Pakistan.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morbidity of induced abortion in relation to facilities, service providers and social responses of general population of women, from Karachi, Pakistan. Cross-sectional survey, conducted from February to December 2010, through a researcher-administered questionnaire from 61 randomly selected women, who underwent for Induced Abortion, aged 18-50 years. The questionnaire included open and closed ended questions, regarding demography, facilities, service providers and various complications observed. Overall, 98 immediate health problems were reported by 40 (65.5%) of the respondents, 153 late adverse effects or chronic by 46 (75.4%); while 101 mental complications had been reported by 45 (73.8%) of the 61 aborting women; respectively. Private clinics surfaced as the most frequently adopted source as reported by 40.7% of the respondents. Two third majorities had the procedure in satisfactory, good hygienic conditions by skilled professionals. Around 59% of the aborting women were aware of the religious perspective of the subject. Marked incidence of complications had been registered, regardless of type of method adopted, hygienic condition of the procedure or skill of the provider. Although, awareness of religious perspective of the subject was there, still quite a lot opted for abortion. This suggests that strong socioeconomic factors influence women to take peril of such an attempt. It also reveals the existence of a big gap for the awareness services for educating the risks involved to the women's health. Study revealed that services are easily accessible; without any legal, religious or social barriers. Semi or un-educated women, mostly from low socioeconomic sector are opting the procedure in majority, being less aware and stalwartly influenced by environmental factors; hence excessive availability of abortion services should be revisited. Lack of deep awareness of the consequences also contributes for deteriorating future reproductive and mental health. Awareness and counseling services for aborting women, for their health risks, as well as about human perspective of the issue, needs to be initiated, for better management of their reproductive health and rights.

Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of extracts of in vivo and in vitro grown Vinca rosea L. (Catharanthus roseus) against pathogens.

The antimicrobial activity of Vinca rosea was evaluated against pathogenic bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, B. licheniformis and Azotobacter sp.) and fungal strains (Asprgillus niger, Alternaria solani and Rhizopus oryzae) using agar well diffusion method. Methanolic extracts of in vivo leaf, in vitro leaf, in vitro calluses of leaf, nodal and fruit explants were used and exhibited antimicrobial activity as indicated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In vitro extracts showed better results as compared to the in vivo extracts for both the antibacterial as well as the antifungal activity. Among all the extracts, maximum zone of inhibition (30.3 mm ± 0.58(a)) was formed by in vitro leaf callus extract concentration of 2.0mg/ml against B. licheniformis. Similarly in case of antifungal activity, maximum zone of inhibition (34.6mm ± 0.57(a)) was formed by in vitro leaf callus extract and MIC value is 6.0mg/ml against A. niger. Hence these results clearly depicts that V. rosea possess a great strength to fight against the microbial activity and can be used against various infections.

Fault Diagnosis in Regenerative Braking System of Hybrid Electric Vehicles by Using Semigroup of Finite-State Deterministic Fully Intuitionistic Fuzzy Automata.

Regenerative braking is one of the most promising and ecologically friendly solutions for improving energy efficiency and vehicle stability in electric and hybrid electric cars. This research describes a data-driven method for detecting and diagnosing issues in hybrid electric vehicle regenerative braking systems. Early fault identification can help enhance system performance and health. This study is centered on the construction of an inference system for fault diagnosis in a generalized fuzzy environment. For such an inference system, finite-state deterministic fully intuitionistic fuzzy automata (FDFIFA) are established. Semigroup of FDFIFA and its algebraic properties including substructures and structure-preserving maps are investigated. The inference system uses FDFIFA semigroups as variables, and FDFIFA semigroup homomorphisms are employed to illustrate the relationship between variables. The newly established model is then applied to diagnose the possible fault and their nature in the regenerative braking systems of hybrid electric vehicles by modeling the performance of superchargers and air coolers. The method may be used to evaluate faults in a wide range of systems, including autos and aerospace systems.

Breast cancer screening practices and awareness in women admitted to a tertiary care hospital of Lahore, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness and practices of women with regard to breast cancer and its different methods of screening. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the inpatient wards of Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. By convenience sampling, 200 female inpatients were selected. An interviewer based pre-tested questionnaire was used to ask questions regarding knowledge and practices about breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, and mammography. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients gave consent to be interviewed. One hundred and sixty one (84%) patients had heard of breast cancer, 35% were aware of one or two major risk factors while 65% knew at least one major sign or symptom of breast cancer. Eighty five percent of respondents believed that early detection of cancer improved survival. Of the 101 participants > 40 years of age, 36.9% practiced Breast Self Examination, 6.9% Clinical Breast Examination and only 4.9% had had a mammogram at some point in their life. Most patients did not practice breast cancer screening because they had either never heard of the screening tests, or did not feel the need to perform them. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed lack of awareness regarding breast cancer and its screening practices. Most women did not practice breast cancer screening. Increased awareness should be made through health education and doctors' encouragement of BSE, CBE and Mammography practice.

Gastrocolic fistula, a rare complication.

A 77-year-old male presented with diarrhoea, weight loss and faeculent vomiting. CT scan identified a stricturing lesion in the transverse colon. The man, however, had no features suggestive of large bowel obstruction. This unusual presentation of faeculent vomiting raised a suspicion of a possible communication between the colon and stomach. A subsequent CT scan with oral contrast confirmed the presence of a gastrocolic fistula. During explorative laparotomy, a transverse colonic tumour communicating into the stomach via the gastrocolic fistula was detected. The patient underwent an extended right hemicolectomy and distal gastrectomy as a palliative measure. A gastrocolic fistula is a rare, yet important find and should be recognized as a possible sequel of this disease process.