This paper examines the importance of Shariah Compliance for Islamic Financial Institutions (IFI) in Pakistan along with the process followed to ensure it. Islamic Banking was initiated in Pakistan in early 2000s and by now a proper network exists with a market share of 13.6 % of Assets and 14.7% of deposits with a network of 21 Islamic Banking institutions, out of which 5 are full-fledged Islamic Banks and 16 conventional banks have standalone Islamic windows. This study contributes as being first of its nature to study the Shariah compliance in the context of Pakistan. For the study, mainly primary data was used. Interviews of Shariah Compliance Heads and Shariah Advisors were conducted. The results indicate that a Shariah Compliance acts as a vital element for Islamic banking in Pakistan and influences the operations carried out by them. Moreover, a proper Shariah Governance System is also implemented and followed by the Islamic Financial Institutions. In addition to this, Shariah Advisors also play a pivotal role in the whole procedure and are responsible for Shariah Compliance in the IFIs.
To ensure sustainable agricultural production and protection of crops from various biotic and abiotic stresses, while keeping in view environmental protection, by minimal usage of chemicals, the exploitation of beneficial microorganisms and modern nanotechnologies in the field of agriculture is of paramount importance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Serendipita indica and guanidine-modified nanomaterial on the growth, and other selected parameters, of cabbage, as well as incidence of black spot disease. S. indica was applied in substrate and by seed inoculation. S. indica had a positive impact on the development of plants, and resulted in reduced black spot severity. The maximum plant height (119 mm) and number of leaves (8.3) were observed in S. indica-treated plants. Pigments were enhanced, i.e., chlorophyll a (0.79 mg/g), chlorophyll b (0.22 mg/g), and carotenoid content (0.79 mg/g), by substrate treatment. The highest antioxidant capacity (9.5 mM/L), chlorophyll a and b (1.8 and 0.6 mg/g), and carotenoid content (1.8 mg/L) were reported in S. indica seed treatment. S. indica treatment resulted in 59% and 41% disease incidence decrease in substrate and seed treatment, respectively. Guanidine-modified nanomaterial was seen to be effective in improving plant growth and reducing disease incidence; however, it did not perform better than S. indica. Application of nanoparticles resulted in enhanced normalized difference vegetation index and fluorescence by increasing chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoid content. Nitrogen content was the highest in plants treated with nanoparticles. However, the effect of the combined application of fungus and nanoparticles was similar to that of S. indica alone in substrate treatment, although negative impacts were reported in the biochemical parameters of cabbage. S. indica has great potential to enhance plant growth and manage Alternaria incidence in cabbage crops.
Abstract Background Current standard therapy commonly followed for chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Pakistan is interferon alpha plus ribavirin combination therapy (IFN α/ribavirin) and pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PegIFN/ribavirin). PegIFN/ribavirin has increased rate of sustained virological response than standard IFN α/ribavirin therapy. Objective of current study was to analyze rate of early and delayed response to antiviral treatment as well as rate of relapse response in patients following standard treatment IFN α/ribavirin and in patients following pegylated interferon treatment. Methods Baseline serum samples of 153 patients enrolled for IFN α/ribavirin and 50 patients for PegIFN/ribavirin were collected. After total RNA extraction, genotyping was and HCV RNA viral load was done. Subsequently HCV RNA viral load was estimated at 4 weeks of treatment, at 12 weeks, at 24 or 48 weeks and finally after 6 months follow up period. All the data was statistically analyzed using fisher's exact test. Results Total 86 patients out of 153 patients following conventional IFN α/ribavirin therapy completed treatment and 69% of them showed Rapid Virological Response (RVR). Whereas 50 patients following PegIFN/ribavirin treatment completed treatment and 80% of them achieved RVR. Total 64 out of 86 patients following IFN α/ribavirin therapy completed follow up period and 53.5% of them achieved Sustainded Virologcal Response (SVR). Forty-five out of total 50 patients who received PegIFN/ribavirin treatment completed 6 months follow up period and among these 70% achieved SVR. SVR rates were significantly associated with RVR (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001) and gender (p < 0.01) Conclusions Rate of sustained virological response can be determined by factors like rapid virological response and age since they share significant association with one another. More over rate of SVR was more prominent in males than in females.
The purpose of this study was to see the comparative effectiveness of core muscle strengthening versus quadriceps muscle strengthening in the patients of patellofemoral pain syndrome to reduce pain and increase Range of Motion (ROM). 36 patients who fulfilled the selection criteria were enrolled in the study. Written informed contest was taken from each individual participating in this prior to performing any examination. Patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were divided randomly into three groups. In ‘group A’ Core muscles strengthening exercises were applied. In ‘group B’ quadriceps muscles strengthening exercises were applied. In ‘group C’ Conventional Physiotherapy was applied. Allocation of patients in three groups had done by computerized generated list. All groups received conventional therapy, which was remain same throughout the study. The conventional therapy included knee isometrics and hot pack for 15 minutes. Group A subjects were treated with conventional therapy and core muscle strengthening. Group B subjects were treated with conventional therapy and quadriceps muscles strengthening. Group C subjects were treated only with conventional therapy. Treatment frequency will be 3 times a week. The duration of treatment was b 3 weeks in all groups. Informed consent was taken from each patient and Performa was filled. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Anterior knee pain scale (AKPS) used for scoring. Group A showed marked improvement and significant results as p value is less than 0.05 than group B and group C. When treating patellofemoral pain syndrome, strengthening the core muscles is more efficient at reducing pain and enhancing functional abilities than strengthening the quadriceps. The result of this study proved that core muscle strengthening with conventional therapy was more effective than quadriceps muscle strengthening with conventional therapy and conventional therapy only.
Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) from the sun is a significant environmental component that impacts on human health. Excessive UVR exposure has immediate impacts like burning and tanning, as well as long-term consequences including skin damage, photo-aging, skin malignancies. The objective for this study is to determine the student's knowledge, attitude and practice regarding solar ultraviolet exposure in Karachi, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was done in Public Sector University; total 361 students were recruited through stratified cluster sampling from different colleges of university. Data collection was done by validated structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of outcome variables with risk factors and p-value of <0.05 as a threshold of statistical analysis. Most of the students were appropriate knowledge (71%), positive attitude (51%) and safe practice (54%) regarding ultraviolet solar exposure. Almost half (69%) of participants were used sun protective agents. After adjustment of covariate, female gender (OR 2.20 (95% CI 1.29-4.07) (p-value 0.004), significantly associated with in-appropriate knowledge, third year students (OR 2.93 (95% CI 1.01-8.95) p-value 0.048) were significantly associated with negative attitude. Age group 18-21 years (OR 1.75(95% CI 1.43-5.31) p-value 0.003) were significantly associated with un-safe practice regarding solar ultraviolet exposure harmful effects. This study found that knowledge level was appropriate but attitude and practice level need to improve for prevention of harmful effects of solar ultra violet ray exposure. The study encourages students to be more aware of sun protection behavior in order to avoid the long-term effects of sun exposure.
The chikungunya virus is an arthritogenic arbovirus that has re-emerged in many tropical and subtropical regions, causing explosive outbreaks. This re-emergence is due to a genomic polymorphism that has increased the vector susceptibility of the virus. The majority of those infected with chikungunya virus exhibit symptoms of fever, rash, and debilitating polyarthralgia or arthritis. Symptoms can persist for weeks, and patients can relapse months later. Fatalities are rare, but individuals of extreme age can develop severe infection. Here, we describe the 2019 outbreak, the second-largest since the virus re-emerged in the Maldives after the 2004 Indian Ocean epidemic, in which a total of 1,470 cases were reported to the Health Ministry. Sixty-seven patients presenting at the main referral tertiary care hospital in the Maldives capital with acute undifferentiated illness were recruited following a negative dengue serology. A novel point-of-care antigen kit was used to screen suspected cases, 50 of which were subsequently confirmed using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. We describe the genotype and polymorphism of Maldives chikungunya virus using phylogenetic analysis. All isolates were consistent with the East Central South African genotype of the Indian Ocean lineage, with a specific E1-K211E mutation. In addition, we explored the clinical and laboratory manifestations of acute chikungunya in children and adults, of which severe infection was found in some children, whereas arthritis primarily occurred in adults. Arthritides in adults occurred irrespective of underlying comorbidities and were associated with the degree of viremia.
Abstract Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of Flaviviridae family and one of the major causes of liver disease. There are about 175 million HCV infected patients worldwide that constitute 3% of world's population. The main route of HCV transmission is parental however 90% intravenous drug users are at highest risk. Standard interferon and ribavirin remained a gold standard of chronic HCV treatment having 38-43% sustained virological response rates. Currently the standard therapy for HCV is pegylated interferon (PEG-INF) with ribavirin. This therapy achieves 50% sustained virological response (SVR) for genotype 1 and 80% for genotype 2 & 3. As pegylated interferon is expensive, standard interferon is still the main therapy for HCV treatment in under developed countries. On the other hand, studies showed that pegylated IFN and RBV therapy has severe side effects like hematological complications. Herbal medicines (laccase, proanthocyandin, Rhodiola kirilowii) are also being in use as a natural and alternative way for treatment of HCV but there is not a single significant report documented yet. Best SVR indicators are genotype 3 and 2, < 0.2 million IU/mL pretreatment viral load, rapid virological response (RVR) rate and age <40 years. New therapeutic approaches are under study like interferon related systems, modified forms of ribavirin, internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRES) inhibitors, NS3 and NS5a inhibitors, novel immunomodulators and specifically targeted anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C compounds. More remedial therapies include caspase inhibitors, anti-fibrotic agents, antibody treatment and vaccines.
Background: The development of ready-to-eat meal replacement bars that provide health benefits, such as low-calorie content and increased levels of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, is essential given current consumer trends. Objectives: This project aimed to evaluate the acceptability of a snack bar made with local ingredients. This study aimed to manufacture a snack bar nutritionally enriched with local ingredients such as "roasted black chickpeas", nuts, and underutilized seeds. Methodology: It was an Experimental study. The proximate analysis of the snack bar was performed. At least 30 snack bars were formed, and their sensory qualities were subsequently evaluated by the 40 members of an expert panel using 9 points hedonic scale. Results: The weight of the sample is 40 g and proximate analysis was done. The samples' nutrient content and sensory properties were assessed. According to the proximate analysis report, the snack bar has a dry matter of 83.42%, moisture of 16.58%, crude protein of 16.65%, a crude fiber of 11.72%, ether extract of 31.27%, ash of 3.03%, and nitrogen free extract 37.34%. Conclusion: In conclusion, snack bars can easily be enriched with roasted chickpeas. The proximate analysis of the bar indicated that it was rich in macronutrients. The cost analysis of the bar revealed that by using local ingredients inexpensive healthy snack bars can be produced.
Sudden, extreme weather conditions mainly unusually heavy monsoon rains through July and August 2010 resulted in one of the biggest humanitarian crises in the history of Pakistan. Combining personal experiences and testimonies of people with factual evidence and research, this chapter hopes to build an understanding of the important considerations of the role of gender in social inclusiveness in the context of natural disaster mitigation, rehabilitation, reconstruction and social transformation. It offers a closer look into the ways in which people behaved in response to the disaster in Pakistan, including the response of the government, human rights organisations, other stakeholders and the impact of the disaster and displacement on pre-existing social hierarchy. A simplistic analysis of the efficiency of disaster response highlights the role of two important factors, disaster preparedness infrastructure in place that would be a natural and immediate response to a calamity and targeted assistance to the most vulnerable.
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