Synthesis of Fe2O3 Nanorod and NiFe2O4 Nanoparticle Composites on Expired Cotton Fiber Cloth for Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

The design of cheap, noble-metal-free, and efficient electrocatalysts for an enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to produce hydrogen gas as an energy source from water splitting is an ideal approach. Herein, we report the synthesis of Fe2O3 nanorods-NiFe2O4 nanoparticles on cotton fiber cloth (Fe2O3-NiFe2O4/CF) at a low temperature as an efficient electrocatalyst for HERs. Among the as-prepared samples, the optimal Fe2O3-NiFe2O4/CF-3 electrocatalyst exhibits good HER performance with an overpotential of 127 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm-2, small Tafel slope of 44.9 mV dec-1, and good stability in 1 M KOH alkaline solution. The synergistic effect between Fe2O3 nanorods and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles of the heterojunction composite at the heterointerface is mainly responsible for improved HER performance. The CF is an effective substrate for the growth of the Fe2O3-NiFe2O4 nanocomposite and provides conductive channels for the active materials' HER process.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals regarding rabies in tertiary care hospitals: A cross-sectional study in Peshawar, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Rabies, caused by the rhabdovirus, is a fatal zoonotic disease with over 59,000 annual deaths globally. Asia and Africa account for 95%, with India leading, followed by China. In Pakistan, where it's endemic, over 50,000 cases are reported yearly. Controlling rabid dog populations through vaccination is crucial in curbing mortality. This research aimed to evaluate healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning rabies in Peshawar, Pakistan. METHODS: The study was conducted at different tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan from 16 August 2021 to 15 February 2022. Cross-sectional research was conducted to gather data from a total of 100 healthcare workers representing different sections within the healthcare field, including Medical Officers, House Officers, Faculty Staff, Nurses, and Paramedics. Data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices about rabies were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The data analysis included using descriptive statistics and chi-square testing to ascertain potential correlations. RESULTS: Among the healthcare professionals, 68 (68%) were males, and 32 (32%) were females. Profession-wise, the included professionals were Nurses 31 (31%), Medical Officers 27 (27%), House officers 26 (26%), paramedical staff 13 (13%), and faculty staff 3 (3%). 91 (91%) and 9 (9%) healthcare professionals responded that dogs and cats are responsible for rabies transmission, respectively. Moreover, 82 (82%) individuals responded that animal bite plays a vital role in the transmission of rabies, whilst 76 (76%) individuals responded that rabies transferred from human to human. 82 (82%) individuals replied that the anti-rabies vaccine (ARV) is the treatment of choice for rabies. Furthermore, 78 (78%) individuals responded that ARV is safe in pregnancy and lactation. Moreover, after being asked about the perception of the health care professionals about the failure in controlling rabies, their responses were unavailability of ARV/RIG 41 (41%), lack of control of stray dogs 34 (34%), lack of awareness 20 (20%). The study revealed statistically significant correlations between healthcare occupations and variables: knowledge of animals responsible for transmitting rabies (p = 0.024) and awareness of human-to-human transmission (p = 0.007). Significant disparities were noted in understanding rabies transmission through contaminated water (p = 0.002). There were variations in attitudes and practices seen across different positions, particularly about views about home treatments (p = 0.033) and the perceived effectiveness of cleansing bite wounds (p = 0.010). Disparities in perceptions of rabies treatment and the accessibility of anti-rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin were observed, with variations based on individual roles. CONCLUSION: The present research elucidates variations in rabies knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers, specifically concerning their respective roles. Tailored training programs and standardized practices play a crucial role in mitigating these discrepancies, fostering a greater understanding of rabies, and enhancing the quality of patient treatment. It is recommended that future studies undertake an assessment of the efficacy of therapies and advocate for the adoption of collaborative One Health strategies in the realm of rabies management.

Education in times of restriction: an examination of refugee girls' and young women's access to learning during COVID-19 school closures in Pakistan.

This paper examines the extent to which refugee girls and young women were able to access learning during COVID-19 education closures in Pakistan, and the role that EdTech played in their learning access. It is based on findings from a survey with 403 Afghan refugee students, along with in-depth interviews with six young female refugees. The research shows that, while the majority of female refugee students were able to continue accessing education in some form during school closures, learning access was nevertheless limited, and a sizable minority were not engaged in any learning during this time. Teacher and institutional support was either absent or inadequate for many students, and infrastructure and devices that serve to support remote learning were not always reliable or accessible. Although male respondents were less likely than females to engage in independent study during the closures, refugee girls and young women were significantly less likely than their male counterparts to own the devices they needed for learning. The findings demonstrate how targeted investment in specific types of EdTech and teacher professional development, as well as supporting educational institutions in the establishment of remote learning opportunities, could help sustain learning during future periods of educational restriction.

Evaluation of therapeutic potential and anti-hyperchlostrolemic effects of prunes in albino rats: An experimental study.

Hyperlipidemia is a global epidemic that causes various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Prunes include fiber and numerous phenolic compounds that decrease cholesterol by decreasing LDL oxidation and supporting heart health. This study examined the therapeutic effects of Prunus domestica prunes on plasma fatty acids in albino rats after ingesting prune pulp. After chemical examination, prunes were proximately examined for nutritional content. Prunus domestica pulp was given to hyperlipidemic rats for two months in a clinical trial. 12 albino rates and divide into 3 groups. First group was controlled, others experimental. The study's 15th, 30th and 60th days evaluated lipid profile. The following study was analyzed using 2 way anova. Prunes have enough fiber, minerals and polyphenols to affect hyperlipidemic rats. GIII rats lower LDL, weight, and HDL more than GI and GII.

Case report: Expanding the phenotype of ARHGEF17 mutations from increased intracranial aneurysm risk to a neurodevelopmental disease.

RhoGTPase regulators play a key role in the development of the nervous system, and their dysfunction can result in brain malformation and associated disorders. Several guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEF) have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. In line with this, ARHGEF17 has been recently linked as a risk gene to intracranial aneurysms. Here we report siblings of a consanguineous Pakistani family with biallelic variants in the ARHGEF17 gene associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder with intellectual disability, speech delay and motor dysfunction but not aneurysms. Cranial MRI performed in one patient revealed generalized brain atrophy with an enlarged ventricular system, thin corpus callosum and microcephaly. Whole exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing in two of the affected individuals revealed a homozygous missense variant (g.11:73021307, c.1624C>T (NM_014786.4), p.R542W) in the ARHGEF17 gene. This variant is in a highly conserved DCLK1 phosphorylation consensus site (I/L/V/F/M]RRXX[pS/pT][I/L/M/V/F) of the protein. Our report expands the phenotypic spectrum of ARHGEF17 variants from increased intracranial aneurysm risk to neurodevelopmental disease and thereby add ARHGEF17 to the list of GEF genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders.

Evaluation Of Triglycerides Levels In Serum And Tears Of Obese And Non-Obese Normal Adult Humans And Its Effects On Pupillary Response.

BACKGROUND: Triglycerides are a type of storage fat present in serum of both normal and obese individuals. Triglycerides are normally present in human tears. The presence of qualitative fats in the tears affect the pupillary response to the external light stimulus which is measured through portable field dark adaptometer (PFDA) device. The current study was conducted to evaluate the levels of triglycerides in serum and tears of obese and non-obese humans and its relationship with pupillary response. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. A total of 500 participants were recruited out of which only 50 qualified for the study as per inclusion criteria. Out of these 50, 25 (50%) were obese and 25 (50%) were non-obese. Serum triglycerides were measured by using Micro lab 300 biochemistry analyzer, while thin layer chromatography was used to detect triglycerides in tear samples.. RESULTS: Triglycerides were detected only in tears of obese individuals. No statistically significant difference was observed in the serum levels of triglycerides between the two groups (p=0.849). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of triglycerides in tears of obese adults caused a low pupillary response as compared to normal individuals.

MTHFR polymorphisms as risk for male infertility in Pakistan and its comparison with socioeconomic status in the world.

AIM: 5,10-MTHFR-single nucleotide polymorphisms are important for normal functioning of the enzyme that plays a key role in DNA synthesis, folate metabolism and methylation reactions. Methodology & results: Male infertility association of C665T and A1298C polymorphisms was explored, this topic is still debatable. Infertile men (232) and controls (114) were genotyped and statistically analyzed. Comparison of patients (6180) and controls (5744) of Caucasian populations was performed by meta-analysis. Pooled results showed A1298C minor allele and homozygous genotype to be of a significantly higher frequency in the low-income group. Increase in per capita income has shown an increasing trend in the minor allele frequency in various world populations, potentially due to dietry-folate compensation. CONCLUSION: A1298C seems more relevant marker than C665T for infertility association in Caucasian populations and may be addressed by improving dietary folate.