Social networking and depression among university students

Background: Students in the modern world are busy using social media for different purposes along with other activities. Research studies revealed that excessive use of social media influence the mental health of students. This study was design to measure the relationship of social media and depression among university students

Objectives: The main objectives of the study were, to investigate the perception of university students regarding the usage of social media networks, to find out gender-wise differences of university students in using social media networks and depression level and to measure the relationship of social media and depression among university students

Subjects and Methods: Following quantitative correlational research design, the sample which was consists of 200 Facebook and Twitter users comprising of 123 male and 77 female students from university of Swat and Peshawar were surveyed through two research instruments i.e. a questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI]

Results: The main findings of the study were; most of the male social media users were more depressed than female. The students who spent more time on social media were found depressed. The students who spent more time on social media for searching health information and playing games were more depressed than those who used social media for chat with friends and family

Conclusion: It was concluded that male students who spent more time on social media were found more depressed than female and students who used social media for searching health information and playing games were more depressed than those who used social media for chat with friends and family

Various surgical options for emergency management of sigmoid volvulus

The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of various surgical options for the emergency surgical management of sigmoid volvulus. This comparative study was conducted in emergency department of postgraduate medical institute Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar over a period of one year from February 2007 to January 2008. Study comprised of hundred cases to have sigmoid volvulus on clinical and radiological grounds operated in casualty department with various surgical options and outcomes of these procedures were determined postoperatively. Out of 100 cases, 79% were males and 21% females. Majority 51% patients were in the age range of 41-60 years, 36% patients were in age group of 61-80 years. Resection and Hartman's procedure was performed in 52% cases, resection with primary anastomosis with covering colostomy in 18% cases, resection and primary anastomosis in 15% cases, and resection with double barrel colostomy [Paul Mikulicz] in 15% cases. Wound infection/ dehiscence occurred in 21% cases, intra-abdominal abscess in 9% cases, anastomosis leakage in 6% cases. Colostomy complications included bleeding in 7% cases, retraction in 7% patients, prolapse in 4% cases. Resection and Hartmann procedure was performed in majority of patients. Wound infection/dehiscence, intra-abdominal abscess, anastomosis leakage were common postoperative complications with various frequencies

Potato Virus Y mRNA Expression Knockdown Mediated by siRNAs in Cultured Mammalian Cell Line / 中国病毒学·英文版

RNA interference(RNAi)is a powerful tool for functional gene analysis which has been successfully used to downregulate the expression levels of target genes.The goal of this research was to provide a highly robust and concise methodology for in-vitro screening of efficient siRNAs from a bulk to be used as a tool to protect potato plants against PVY invasion.In our study,a 480bp fragment of the eapsid protein gene of potato virus Y(CP-PVY)was used as a target to downregulate PVY mRNA expression in-vitro,as the CP gene interferes with viral uncoating,translation and replication.A total of six siRNAs were designed and screened through transient transfection assay and knockdown in expression of CP-PVY mRNA was calculated in CHO-k cells.CP-PVY mRNA knockdown efficiency was analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR of CHO-k cells co-transfected with a CP gene construct and siRNAs.Six biological replicates were performed in this study.In our findings,one CP gene specific siRNA out of a total of six was found to be the most effective for knockdown of CP-PVY mRNA in transfected CHO-k cells by up to 80%-90%.

Pharmacokinetics of amikacin in plasma of healthy goats after intravenous injection once daily for three days / 대한수의학회지

Amikacin is a semisynthetic derivative of kanamycin and primarily active against aerobic Gram-negative-pathogens with limited activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Meager study was reported on pharmacokinetic data on multi-days administration of amikacin. Hence, pharmacokinetics study was done in five clinically healthy goats (n = 5), after intravenous bolus injection of amikacin sulfate at the dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight daily for three consecutive days. The amikacin concentrations in plasma and pharmacokinetics-parameters were analyzed by using microbiological assay technique and noncompartmental open-model, respectively. The mean peak plasma concentrations (Mean +/- SD) of amikacin at time zero (Cp0) was 114.19 +/- 20.78 and 128.67 +/- 14.37 microg/mL, on day 1st and 3rd, respectively. The mean elimination half-life (t(1/2)ke) was 1.00 +/- 0.28 h on day 1st and 1.22 +/- 0.29 h on day 3rd. Mean of area under concentration-time curve (AUC(0-->infinity)) was 158.26 +/- 60.10 and 159.70 +/- 22.74 microg.h/mL, on day 1st and 3rd respectively. The total body clearance (ClB) and volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) on day 1st and 3rd were ClB = 0.07 +/- 0.02 and 0.06 +/- 0.01 L/h.kg and Vdss = 0.10 +/- 0.03 and 0.11 +/- 0.05 L/kg, respectively. No-significant difference was noted in both drug-plasma concentration and pharmacokinetics-parameters, respectively. Amikacin concentration in plasma was found higher up-to 4 h and 6 h onward on down-ward trends favour to reduce toxicity. Which also support the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic way of dosing of aminoglycosides and hence, amikacin may be administered 10 mg/kg intravenously daily to treat principally Gram-negative pathogens and limitedly Gram-positive-pathogens.

Quality control procedures to avoid repeat films in diagnostic radiology department

This study was conducted to assess the repeat film rate and major causes of artefacts, which are major sources of unnecessary patient irradiation in a radiology department. In this study a total number of 2542 x-ray examination were carried out in a period of six months. Out of this, 81 patients were re-examined due to unacceptable results. To avoid repeat film and unnecessary patient irradiation, aggressive quality control program must be instituted in radiology departments. This includes equipment procurement and maintenance, proper reception, procurement and maintenance, proper reception, preparation and registration of patients, expertise of radiographers and efficient processing procedures. Repeat rate estimation on quarterly basis is an important requirement of quality control program