Comparison of aggression in married men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To examine aggression in married men and women in comparison to each other. METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to September 2017 in Jinnah, Lyallpur, Madina and Jaranwala towns of Faisalabad in the Punjab province of Pakistan, and comprised an equal number of married men and women. Data was collected using a demographic information form and the Aggression Questionnaire. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 300 subjects, 150(50%) each were men and women. Among the men, 90(60%) and 110(73%) among the women were in the 31-40 years age bracket. The men showed significantly higher tendency towards physical aggression while verbal aggression was found more in women (p<0.05). The difference was non-significant with respect to anger and hostility (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Married men were found to be more involved in physical aggression than married women. Conversely, married women were found to be more involved in verbal aggression than married men. Anger and hostility were traits common in both genders.

Emerging discrepancies in conventional and molecular epidemiology of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine milk.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging public health concern from dairy milk, and its diagnosis by phenotypic methodology is experiencing higher discrepancies. The present study was planned to estimate discrepancies in phenotypic identification of MRSA and MSSA (Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus) in relation to mecA, and prevalent risk factors from various localities. In-vitro oxacilline antibiotic disks were used for phenotypic identification of MRSA, whereas mecA gene was used as MRSA marker in Staph aureus by PCR. Total of 900 bovine milk samples from private and public farms located in district Faisalabad using convinent sampling technique were collected. Potential risk factors for MRSA prevalence identified by non-parametric statistical tests were compared among different subdistricts. Discrepancy in MRSA was calculated as percentage of mecA negative strains while that of MSSA was determined as percentage of mecA positive strains. Molecular identification presented 17.97% (55/306) of discrepancy in MRSA in terms of negative mecA strains from district Faisalabad while sub-district Faisalabad, sub-district Jaranwala, and sub-district Samundary presented 13.98% (13/93), 18.28% (17/93), and 20.83% (25/120) discrepant results, respectively. On the other hand, 29.1% (55/189) of discrepancy in MSSA in terms of mecA positive strains from MSSA isolates was noted. MSSA results were more discrepant than that of MRSA. Hence discrepancy ratio of MSSA over MRSA was noted to be 1.53, 1.50, and 1.21 from tehsil Faislabad, Samundary, and Jaranwala. Tick infestation, lactation stage, frequency of milking, dirty milker's hands, unhygienic milking procedures, and higher use of beta lactam of antibiotics were risk factors that were prevalent in increasing order from sub-district Faisalabad > Jaranwala > Samundary. The study concluded higher prevalence of MRSA in bovine milk samples, and found remarkable discrepancies in phenotypic and genotypic identification which demand immediate attention to tackle exacerbation in resistance patterns.

Deadly outbreak of chickenpox at district Faisalabad, Pakistan: possible causes, and preventive way forward.

This article details our recommendations for the deadly outbreak of chickenpox to consider the additional referral of the absence of a monitoring system of prevention and control along with poor vaccination system for children in low-resource settings. The recent spread of chickenpox outbreak in Pakistan has claimed dozens of lives. The deaths in this current outbreak in quick successions are beyond understanding. Re-emergence of chickenpox in the area has raised many questions. Keeping in view the spread of chickenpox mainly in Faisalabad and its international reputation in trading, chickenpox breakout needs international attention to control its spread. It should be taken as an eye opener for the Government of Pakistan and government should develop and implement Centralized Infectious Disease Reporting Information Management System that will help to narrow down the pathogens as far as the epidemics are concerned and also for early preventive and countermeasure response.

Musculoskeletal discomfort and wrist flexor tendonitis among street sweepers and associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Street sweepers are reported to suffer from high rates of work-related musculoskeletal discomfort worldwide, especially in their wrists. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to 1) determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and 2) specifically determine the prevalence of wrist flexor tendonitis and its associated risk factors among street sweepers. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-five sweepers employed by the Faisalabad Waste Management Company (FWMC) participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data: the first section provided demographic information, the second assessed musculoskeletal disorders, and the third section assessed the wrist flexor tendonitis among street sweepers. RESULTS: The mean age of the sweepers was 38.34 years. Out of 385 street sweepers, the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was reported in 265 (68.83%). The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort in sweepers reported during COVID-19 according to the past 12 months, the highest three prevalence rates were 46.5% in the wrists/hands, 37.9% in the shoulders and 35.1% in the lower back. The three highest prevalence rates of musculoskeletal discomfort in sweepers according to the last 7 days were 29.6% in the wrists/hands, 24.4% in the lower back and 24.2% in the shoulders. Out of total 385 participants, prevalence of wrist flexor tendonitis was reported in 103 (26.8%) sweepers. Significant association was found (p < 0.05) between wrist flexor tendonitis and gender (p < 0.003), age (p < 0.05), working experience (p < 0.003), street sweeping distance (p < 0.01), number of brooms used per month (p < 0.002) and getting tired at the end of work (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and wrist flexor tendonitis seen during COVID-19 is high among sweepers, with wrist/hand being the most commonly reported region for pain. This study emphasizes the importance of providing guidelines about effective precautionary healthcare measures for street sweepers.

Cancer in Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib, Pakistan: 2017-2019; An Observational Study.

Introduction: The Punjab Cancer Registry's catchment area includes the districts of Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib. It is an observational and descriptive study that covers the 3 years from 2017 to 2019, evaluating the distribution of cancer in these two districts. Material and Methods: Data on incident cancer cases diagnosed between 2017 and 2019 among residents of Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, reported by the participating centres of the Registry, were reviewed retrospectively. Figures and proportions for adults, children and adolescents were computed. Results: During 2017 and 2019, 5678 cases were reported from Faisalabad and 390 from Nankana Sahib, with over 50% seen in females. In both districts combined, among adult females, cancers of the breast, reproductive system, and hepatobiliary system were commonly diagnosed, while cancer of the lip/oral cavity/pharynx, hepatobiliary system and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were the leading diagnoses among adult males. In children and young adults (0-19 years), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma were the most common diagnoses. Conclusion: The cancer distribution reported from Faisalabad and Nankana Sahib is of utmost importance. However, the underreporting of cancer cases cannot be ruled out. More input from the collaborators is needed to ensure the completeness of cancer surveillance in the region.

Basic Findings of Incidence of Breast Cancer in Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Pakistan: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. We aimed to know the past trends of age-specific breast cancer incidence rates in Faisalabad city. Methods: A retrospective study was designed at Allied Hospital Faisalabad (AHF), Pakistan from 2014-2018. Overall, 12742 cancer patients presented throughout these years, out of which 3390 were breast cancer cases. Descriptive statistics were computed and the results were presented as counts and percentage for categorical variables. Means and standard errors were computed for the continuous variables. For testing the association among categorical variables, a chi-square test of independence was used and the p-values less than 0.05 are reported as significant. Results: 84.70% patients were diagnosed with invasive breast carcinoma and 15.30% were all other types reported in the Allied Hospital Faisalabad. The incidence of breast cancer was outrageous in the 40-49 year-old age group (1021 patients, 30.12%) and the mean age is 45 in all years. An increase of 34.86% was observed from 2014 to 2018. The comprehensive four-year data (2015 to 2018) were further analyzed for histology, surgery, staging and grading pattern as 2014 files data was insufficient to discuss. The stage III and grade III were most common throughout the years from 2015 to 2018 with 33.9% and 55.71% respectively. Conclusion: Breast cancer is diagnosed more commonly in women than in any other type of cancers in Faisalabad city. There is a need to upgrade the existing hospital facilities to make the women diagnose the cancer at an earlier stage.

Risk Assessment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Aflatoxin B1 Exposure in Edible Oils.

Contamination of edible oils with aflatoxins (AFs) is a universal issue due to the detrimental effects of aflatoxins on human health and the fact that edible oils are a major source of fungal growth, particularly storage fungi (Aspergillus sp.). The objective of this study was to assess aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in edible oil used in fried food in order to determine the risk of cancer from AFB1 exposure through cooked food using the FAO/WHO's and EFSA's margin of exposure (MOE) quantitative liver cancer risk approaches. Using Mycosep 226 columns and HPLC-FLD, 100 samples of cooking oils (soybean, canola, and sunflower oil) from different food points were analyzed for contamination with aflatoxins. Of all the samples tested, 89% were positive for total aflatoxins and AFB1, with 65% indicating AF concentrations beyond permitted levels. Canola oil was found to contain higher levels of AFB1 and AFs than soybean and sunflower oil. Almost 71 percent of canola oil samples (range of 54.4-281.1 µg/kg) were contaminated with AF levels higher than the proposed limits of the European Union (20 µg/kg). The consumption of canola oil samples used in fried foods had MOE values that were significantly lower as compared to sunflower and soybean oils, indicating that risk reduction is feasible. Additionally, compared to soybean and sunflower oil, canola oil exhibited a greater threat of liver cancer cases linked to AFB1 exposure (17.13 per 100,000 males over 35 and 10.93 per 100,000 females over 35). Using a quantitative liver cancer approach, health risk valuation demonstrated that males and females over the age of 35 are at significant risk of developing liver cancer. The health risk assessment exposed that the males and female over the age of 35 are at considerable risk of liver cancer by using a quantitative liver cancer approach. The innovation of this study lies in the fact that no such study is reported related to liver cancer risk evaluation accompanied with AFB1 exposure from consumed edible oil. As a result, a national strategy must be developed to solve this problem so that edible oil products are subjected to severe regulatory examination.

Barbecued desi chicken: an investigation on the impact of polluted milieu upon formation and ingestion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in commercial versus laboratory barbecued organs along with stochastic cancer risk assessments in people from an industrial district of Punjab, Pakistan.

8∑PAHs in 2- and 4-month-old desi chicken organs collected from Faisalabad district, Punjab, Pakistan, were examined via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Exposure doses (AVDD) of PAHs with consequential lifetime excess cancer risks (LtECR) were also estimated in people ingesting laboratory barbecued (Lb) and commercially barbecued (Cb) desi meat organs. The results exposed the presence of 8ΣPAH in 2- and 4-month-old Lb and Cb chicken organs: drumsticks (Ds), breast (BS), and wings (Ws) (0.45, 3.10, 0.97 ng g-1; 2.52, 4.31, 1.22 ng g-1; and 10.09, 15.04, and 9.06 ng g-1 respectively). BαP was found only in Cb organs with the highest concentrations (5.08 ng g-1) in Bs. It was above the EU's tolerable limit, while it was not detected in all Lb organs. The lowest level of 8ΣPAH was found in 2-month-old desi Ws. A comparative percentage increase in 8ΣPAH levels between all Lb and Cb organs was found in the range of 1500-2416.67%. LtECR for males and adults were ranging from 1.35 × E-13 to 4.49 × E-5 at different consumption rates with AVDD ranging from 1.08 E-6 to 6.01 E-5. In contrast to 2- and 4- month-old chicken meat, 2-month-old desi meat is better having less PAH load. Comparing different organs, Ws of former one displayed abridged PAH levels. In conclusion, Lb desi meat is less carcinogenic relative to Cb. More PAH levels are due to secondary smoke in Cb samples collected from the metropolitan. Ingestion of Lb 2-month-old desi chicken organs could be safe to dine as compared with 4-month-old desi and Cb organs. Graphical abstract.