Experiences of stigma among hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan.

Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of stigma in a sample of hepatitis B- and C-positive patients in Pakistan. In a cross-sectional study, 140 inpatients and outpatients from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi answered a semi-structured questionnaire about stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health-care providers, and about work/financial problems. The majority of patients (75%) said they had had to change their lifestyle, and significantly more were males than females. Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 66% of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others; 19% said that family members avoided sharing towels, soap and eating and drinking utensils. Marital relationships were affected for 51% of married patients who had told their spouse. Patients' comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment and isolation.

Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus): hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations.

This study was aimed to investigate Carbofuran (CF)-induced pathological changes in cattle egret. Two hundred cattle egrets were reared and equally divided into four groups and given different CF concentrations (0.03 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L and 0 mg/L (control group)). Hematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and immunological markers were studied. Our results confirm that CF induces anemic conditions, leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymatic activity, and alterations in renal biomarkers. Moreover, specific microscopic lesions such as multifocal necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, hemorrhages, congestion, and inflammatory cell proliferation were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus. These findings suggest that CF can induce harmful effects, so the application of this pesticide in the field must be strictly monitored to mitigate the possibility of exposure to non-target species.

Bioethical perspective of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19: A systematic review.

Convalescent plasma therapy (CP) has long been used to prevent and treat various infectious diseases before COVID-19 such as SARS, MERS, and H1N1. Because the viral and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 share the similarities between SARS and MERS, CP treatment could be a promising treatment option to save COVID-19. With only low quality medical evidence, but massive media support and a very significant public demand for the use of convalescent plasma for COVID-19, we are now faced with an ethical dilemma. Therefore, this paper uses a structured analysis that focuses on the preferred reporting items for a systematic review of ethical issues regarding the use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19. The use of convalescent plasma must meet the ethical principles of autonomy; such as voluntary, informed consent, and confidentiality. Consideration of the risk-benefit ratio for potential donor recipients also needs to be considered in order to meet the beneficence and non-maleficence principles. The principle of justice also needs to be applied both to donors, donor recipients and health workers, such as determining the priority of donor recipients, due to the increasing demand for convalescent plasma amid the limited circumstances of patients who have recovered from Covid-19 who voluntarily donate.

Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus): hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate Carbofuran (CF)-induced pathological changes in cattle egret. Two hundred cattle egrets were reared and equally divided into four groups and given different CF concentrations (0.03 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L and 0 mg/L (control group)). Hematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and immunological markers were studied. Our results confirm that CF induces anemic conditions, leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymatic activity, and alterations in renal biomarkers. Moreover, specific microscopic lesions such as multifocal necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, hemorrhages, congestion, and inflammatory cell proliferation were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus. These findings suggest that CF can induce harmful effects, so the application of this pesticide in the field must be strictly monitored to mitigate the possibility of exposure to non-target species.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as alterações patológicas induzidas por carbofurano (CF) em garças-vaqueiras. Duzentas dessas garças foram criadas e divididas igualmente em quatro grupos e receberam diferentes concentrações de CF: 0,03 mg/L; 0,02 mg/L; 0,01 mg/L; e 0 mg/L (grupo controle). Foram realizadas análises de hematologia, bioquímica sérica, histopatologia e marcadores imunológicos. Nossos resultados confirmaram que CF induz condições anêmicas, leucocitose, atividade enzimática hepática elevada e alterações nos biomarcadores renais. Além disso, lesões microscópicas específicas, como necrose multifocal, núcleos picnóticos, hemorragias, congestão e proliferação de células inflamatórias, foram observadas no fígado, rim, baço e timo. Esses achados sugerem que o CF pode causar efeitos nocivos, portanto a aplicação desse agrotóxico no campo deve ser rigorosamente monitorada para mitigar a possibilidade de exposição a espécies não alvo.

Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus): hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations / Toxicidade subletal do carbofurano na garça-vaqueira (Bubulcus ibis coromandus): alterações hematológicas, bioquímicas e histopatológicas

Abstract This study was aimed to investigate Carbofuran (CF)-induced pathological changes in cattle egret. Two hundred cattle egrets were reared and equally divided into four groups and given different CF concentrations (0.03 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L and 0 mg/L (control group)). Hematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and immunological markers were studied. Our results confirm that CF induces anemic conditions, leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymatic activity, and alterations in renal biomarkers. Moreover, specific microscopic lesions such as multifocal necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, hemorrhages, congestion, and inflammatory cell proliferation were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus. These findings suggest that CF can induce harmful effects, so the application of this pesticide in the field must be strictly monitored to mitigate the possibility of exposure to non-target species.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar as alterações patológicas induzidas por carbofurano (CF) em garças-vaqueiras. Duzentas dessas garças foram criadas e divididas igualmente em quatro grupos e receberam diferentes concentrações de CF: 0,03 mg/L; 0,02 mg/L; 0,01 mg/L; e 0 mg/L (grupo controle). Foram realizadas análises de hematologia, bioquímica sérica, histopatologia e marcadores imunológicos. Nossos resultados confirmaram que CF induz condições anêmicas, leucocitose, atividade enzimática hepática elevada e alterações nos biomarcadores renais. Além disso, lesões microscópicas específicas, como necrose multifocal, núcleos picnóticos, hemorragias, congestão e proliferação de células inflamatórias, foram observadas no fígado, rim, baço e timo. Esses achados sugerem que o CF pode causar efeitos nocivos, portanto a aplicação desse agrotóxico no campo deve ser rigorosamente monitorada para mitigar a possibilidade de exposição a espécies não alvo.

Cryptosporidium infection in young children with diarrhea in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Fecal excretion of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts was determined in 625 children less than five years old who presented at the pediatric clinic of a teaching hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Single stool specimens were collected from 475 children with acute diarrhea and from 150 children without diarrhea. The Cryptosporidium infection rate was significantly higher in children with diarrhea than in children without diarrhea (10.3% versus 3.3%). The C. parvum infection rate was highest in children 19-24 months of age (21.8%). There was no significant difference in the Cryptosporidium infection rate among male and female children of any age group studied. Sociodemographic information, drinking water supply, and contact with domestic animals had no significant role in the acquisition of C. parvum infection in our study population. The data suggest that C. parvum is relatively endemic in young children in the Rawalpindi area and that C. parvum may be an important pathogen associated with diarrhea.

Geographical and age-related variation in the activity of some enzymes associated with insecticide detoxification in sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotominae).

The activity of glutathione s-transferase (GST), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), and esterases (EST1, EST2) was measured using microtitre plate assays of laboratory colonised Phlebotomus papatasi originating in Afghanistan, Cyprus, India, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Tunisia. The mean enzyme activity of the seven populations was significantly different. Enzyme activity did not vary significantly with age in sandflies, unlike some mosquitoes. A baseline enzyme activity for susceptibility is proposed for P. papatasi.

Prevalence of cryptosporidium in Rawalpindi/Islamabad a comparison of saline, iodine and stained preparations.

Three hundred stool samples for routine ova and parasite examination were examined as saline and iodine wet preparations, the results were then compared with the Zeihl-Neelsen-modified Acid Fast staining (MAFS), as the oocysts are acid fast in character. Examination with saline preparation was unable to detect any oocyst, while iodine preparation yielded three oocyst and stained smears with MAFS revealed five positive stool samples.

Visceral leishmaniasis: a seroepidemiological study of 289 children from endemic foci in Azad Jammu and Kashmir by indirect fluorescent antibody technique.

Between January '85 and August '87, 22 cases of VL were seen at National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Three (14.6%) came from the previously known endemic region of Gilgit, 15 (68.1%) from different localities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), and 4 (17.3%) from neighbouring foci in NWFP and Punjab. Mean age of the patients was 4.2 years, (Range, 10 months to 57 years) median 2.5 years and mode 2 years. High levels of Leishmania antibodies were detected by Indirect Immunofluorescent Antibody Technique (IFAT) in all cases. Leishmania were isolated from bone marrow aspirates of 2 patients and isoenzyme characterization performed in one of these, the organism was typed as Leishmania infantum sensu stricto. Sera from 289 children residing in 5 endemic localities in AJ&K was tested for Leishmania specific antibodies by IFAT and low levels of these antibodies were detected in 15.4% of the cases.

Incidence of aflatoxin contamination in non-perishable food commodities.

To assess the incidence of aflatoxins contamination in different commodities, a representative countrywide study was conducted. One hundred composed samples of cereals, grains, spices, condiments and refined and raw sugars were analysed for aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2. The moisture contents of all the food samples were also invariably determined. Only 6% of the samples namely maize and red chillies were found to be contaminated with aflatoxin B1 and B2 respectively. The percentage of samples contaminated among maize was 41.6 and the level of aflatoxin B1 ranged between 11.12 micrograms/Kg to 82.33 micrograms/Kg. In red chillies contamination was 25% and the level of aflatoxin B2 was 41.67 micrograms/Kg.

Experiences of stigma among hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of stigma in a sample of hepatitis B- and C-positive patients in Pakistan. In a cross-sectional study, 140 inpatients and outpatients from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi answered a semi-structured questionnaire about stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health-care providers, and about work/financial problems. The majority of patients [75%] said they had had to change their lifestyle, and significantly more were males than females.Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 66% of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others; 19% said that family members avoided sharing towels, soap and eating and drinking utensils. Marital relationships were affected for 51% of married patients who had told their spouse. Patients' comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment and isolation

L'hépatite B et C sont des maladies chroniques qui ont des répercussions mentales et sociales susceptibles d'entraîner une mauvaise qualité de vie. L'objectif de la présente étude était des dégager les expériences de stigmatisation au sein d'un échantillon de patients positifs pour l'hépatite B et C au Pakistan. Dans une étude transversale, 140 patients hospitalisés ou consultant dans les services de soins externes de trois hôpitaux de soins tertiaires à Islamabad et Rawalpindi ont répondu à un questionnaire semi-structuré portant sur la stigmatisation infligée par les parents,les amis, le conjoint et les prestataires de soins de santé,et sur les problèmes professionnels/financiers. La majorité des patients [75 %] ont déclaré qu'ils avaient dû changer de mode de vie et la proportion d'hommes était supérieure à celle des femmes. La stigmatisation était marquée pour la transmission de la maladie, avec 66 % des patients craignant de transmettre l'infection à d'autres personnes ; 19 % ont indiqué que les membres de leur famille évitaient de partager les serviettes de toilette,le savon, la vaisselle et les couverts. Les relations conjugales étaient affectées chez 51 % des patients mariés qui avaient informé leur conjoint. Les commentaires des patients font état d'une certaine discrimination familiale et sociale à l'origine de sentiments de désarroi et d'isolement