The Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 Harboring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases and Carbapenemases Genes from Poultry Birds.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), as well as carbapenemases, are considered as the foremost resistance determinants throughout the world. However, the relevant data especially related to the sequence types of ESBL and carbapenemases producing Escherichia coli from the poultry is limited from Pakistan. Here, we present the data on the genetic diversity of E. coli strains isolated from the poultry birds from the poultry farms located in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the underlying resistance mechanisms to beta-lactam agents. METHODS: Of 250 broilers from 25 different farms (10 birds from each farm), the cecal samples were obtained and analyzed for the presence of ESBLs producing E. coli (ESBL-Ec) as well as carbapenemases producing E. coli (CPEc) strains using selective agar for ESBL and carbapenemases screening. The susceptibility profiling of the ESBL-Ec and CPEc isolates was evaluated followed by multi-locus sequence typing. RESULTS: A total of 119 strains were positive for ESBL production whereas 37 strains were found positive to produce carbapenemases in addition to ESBLs. The MLST analysis has shown a diversity of isolates as the E. coli isolates from poultry birds correspond to a total of 16 sequence types (STs). The ST131 (22/48, 46%) followed by ST8051 (10/48, 21%) were the main STs in this study. The blaCTX-M gene was detected in all the poultry E. coli strains whereas the blaTEM was found in 45.5% of strains. The blaVIM was found in all 37 CPEc isolates whereas the blaNDM and blaIMP were found in 31/37 (83.8%) and 16/37 (43.2%) CPEc isolates respectively. CONCLUSION: The overall results have shown the prevalence of diverse genotypes among the ESBL-Ec and carbapenemase-producing E. coli (CPEC) from poultry. Furthermore, the study documents poultry birds as a persisting reservoir of extensively antimicrobial-resistant E. coli ST131 in Pakistan, suggesting a potential threat to public health.

Estimation of aerosol optical depth in relation to meteorological parameters over eastern and western routes of China Pakistan economic corridor.

This study finds out seasonal and monthly variations in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) over eastern and western routes of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the relationship between AOD and meteorological parameters (i.e., temperature, rainfall and wind speed). The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) data was used from the terra satellite for the period of 2000-2016. This study aims to overtake the conventional view of the purpose of using the satellite datasets. This study takes on to the concept that validated satellite data sets rather should be used for the analysis instead of just validation specifically for our study region. Hence, after comparing MODIS AOD with MISR AOD, only MISR AOD dataset is used for further analysis. The results show a decreasing trend of AOD in summer season, a positive relationship between temperature and AOD during winter and spring seasons whereas a positive relationship between wind speed and AOD in winter and spring seasons over eastern and western routes. Periodic analysis of MODIS AOD and MISR AOD depicts May-Aug as the peak period of aerosol concentration over central Pakistan. The inter-annual analysis shows the aerosol trend remained higher during summer season however rainfall shows the washout effect. Eastern route has higher standard deviation and larger values for aerosol prevalence as compared to western route. The trajectory analysis using the HYSPLIT model suggests the bias of air mass trajectory caused deviation in the aerosol trend in the year 2014.

Unleashing the role of top management and government support in green supply chain management and sustainable development goals.

Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has become one of the most important goals across the globe due to their significant role in the economic prosperity and human well-being. Recently, the business industry has become a dominant concentration for SDGs. However, the importance of small- and medium-sized industries has been rarely debated in this perspective. In particular, no attempt has yet been made to estimate the commitment of small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) towards SDGs in the emerging market in Pakistan. This study fills the gap by examining the influence of top management support on SDGs (e.g., environment and community practices) with a mediating role of green supply chain management and government support as a moderator. The model of this study is tested through structural equation modeling on the cross-sectional data collected through a structured questionnaire from 313 Pakistani SMEs. The results show that top management support significantly influences green supply chain management, environment, and community-based SDGs. Green supply chain management plays a partial mediating role between top management support and environment practices as well as between top management support and community practices. Government support significantly strengthens the relationship between top management support and green supply chain management. This research recommends SMEs to encourage participation in green supply chain practices and SDGs. Additionally, this research strongly suggests the government to facilitate SMEs in the adoption of green practices that can resultantly contribute to SDGs. Further implications have stated.

Topical use of tranexamic acid in open heart surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of topical pouring of tranexamic acid in reducing post-operative mediastinal bleeding, requirement for blood products and the rate of re-exploration for re-securing haemostasis or relief of pericardial tamponade after open heart surgery. METHODS: The prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative study was conducted from March 2013 to September 2015 at Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Institute of Cardiology, Punjab Employees Social Security Institution, Lahore, and comprised patients scheduled for primary isolated elective or urgent open heart surgery. The subjects were divided into two equal groups. The hetranexamic acid group received cardiac bath with 2gm of tranexamic acid diluted in 50mlof normal saline, while the placebo group received cardiac bath without tranexamic acid. Before the closure of sternum, the solution was poured into pericardial cavity as cardiac bath while the chest tubes were temporarily clamped. Data was entered into a pre-designed proforma. RESULTS: Of the 100 subjects, there were 50(50%) in each of the two groups. There was no difference in surgical characteristics and perioperative complications in the groups (p>0.05). After 48 post-operative hours, total blood loss was significantly less in the tranexamic acid group compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). Significantly less number of blood pints were transfused in the acid group than the placebo group (p<0.05). No patient in the acid group was re-explored for excessive bleeding compared to 4(8%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: There was significant reduction in post-operative blood drainage, need of blood products and rate of re-exploration after topical use of tranexamic acid in open heart surgery.