Assessment of Babesia spp. prevalence in various domestic animals across Southern Punjab, Pakistan.

Parasitic diseases, notably babesiosis, exert a substantial impact on the global cattle industry, posing challenges to commerce, economies, and human health. This study, conducted in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, aimed to assess the prevalence of Babesia spp. across various livestock species using microscopic and PCR methods. A total of 180 blood samples (60 from each district) were systematically collected from apparently healthy animals, with 36 samples obtained from each domestic animal species, including camel, cattle, buffalo, goat, and sheep, noting that 12 samples were collected from each district for each animal species. Overall prevalence was determined to be 32.8% (59/180), with varying rates among species: 25.0% in cattle, 41.66% in buffalo, 30.55% in goats, 33.3% in sheep, and 33.3% in camels. Microscopic examination revealed slightly varied infection rates among large and small domestic animals (22.2%), while PCR results indicated a 32.8% overall infection rate in both large and small domestic animals, with no statistical significance. District-wise analysis showed regional variations, with Muzaffargarh recording a prevalence rate of 23.33% through microscopic examination, while Lodhran and Bahawalpur recorded 21.67%. PCR results revealed higher rates (38.33%, 26.67%, and 33.33%, respectively), underlining the importance of employing PCR for accurate detection. Examining ruminant types, large ruminants exhibited a 32.4% infection rate, while small domestic animals showed 33.3%, with no significant difference (p=0.897). District-wise prevalence showcased significant variation, with Muzaffargarh demonstrating a 25% prevalence, Lodhran 22%, and Bahawalpur 22%, through microscopic examination. PCR results displayed 38.33%, 27%, and 33.3%, respectively, with no statistical significance. Detailed analysis of individual districts highlighted variations in infection rates among camels, cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep. The binomial test indicated significant differences through microscopic analysis (P=0.011) but non-significant variations through PCR (P=0.065), emphasizing the precision of PCR. Regional variations in prevalence, notably with Punjab exhibiting the highest frequency (33.87%) and KPK the lowest (13.24%), suggest potential influences from varying veterinary practices and environmental factors. This study underscores the pivotal role of PCR alongside microscopy for accurate babesiosis diagnosis. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of babesiosis prevalence, emphasizing the necessity of advanced molecular techniques for informed control measures.

Low glycaemic index diets as an intervention for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Low glycaemic index (GI) diets may aid in weight loss by reducing postprandial blood glucose excursions, leading to more stable blood glucose concentrations and therefore a reduction in hunger. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing low GI diets with other diet types. METHODS: We included 101 studies involving 109 study arms and 8,527 participants. We meta-analysed the studies using a random-effects model and conducted subgroup analyses and meta-regression based on control diet, blood glucose control, baseline BMI and dietary GI. RESULTS: Low GI diets resulted in small but significant improvements in body weight, BMI, LDL and total cholesterol overall, although no individual control diet was significantly different from low GI diets. Studies in people with normal blood glucose who achieved a difference in GI of 20 points or more resulted in a larger reduction in body weight (SMD = -0.26; 95% CIs [-0.43, -0.09]), and total cholesterol (SMD = -0.24; 95% CIs [-0.42, -0.05]) than studies that only achieved a smaller reduction in GI. CONCLUSIONS: Low GI diets, especially diets achieving a substantial decrease in GI, were moderately effective in lowering body weight. However, efforts should be made to increase compliance with low GI diets, in order for them to be effective in people with overweight and obesity.

SENSITIVITY OF FOUR SIMPLE METHODS TO SCREEN CHINESE PATIENTS FOR DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY.

CONTEXT: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a common complication associated with long-term type 2 diabetes mellitus, although early diagnosis can improve prognosis. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to develop a simple protocol for early diagnosis of DPN in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 209 type 2 diabetic patients were included; these patients were categorized as symptomatic and asymptomatic group based on their symptoms. Clinical data of these patients were recorded and they were screened for DPN by vibration perception threshold test (VPT), 10-G nylon monofilament test, temperature identification, and the tendon reflex test. RESULTS: The total combined rate of patients who were tested positive for DPN with all four screening methods was 68.7%. Patients tested positive for DPN were significantly older and had a longer disease duration than those who were tested negative (p<0.01); however, glycated hemoglobin levels, presence of hypertension, and gender did not differ significantly between them (p>0.05). Among screening methods, the highest positive rate observed among patients screened with the VPT test was 63.64% as compared to other tests. The total positive rate for temperature discrimination, 10-G monofilament and tendon reflex test were 26.79%, 11.96 % and 17.22 % respectively. In asymptomatic group VPT showed the highest positive rate for DPN (48.41%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of four simple methods can improve the detection rate of DPN and identify subclinical cases. Abnormal vibration perception was the most common feature of DPN and it was associated with both disease duration and the age of the patient.

Husband-wife roles as a correlate of contraceptive and fertility behaviour.

PIP: Quantitative and qualitative techniques are used to explore respondents' views on contraceptive and fertility behavior in an attempt to determine the extent to which socioeconomic, cultural, and attitudinal variables influence the fertility decision-making process. 1100 female contraceptive users and non-users were sampled from Lahore and Faisalabad. The women were age 25 years and older, with at least 2 living children, and living with their husbands. Pregnant women were not included in the study. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is used to identify meaningful underlying variables and reduce the multidimensionality of variables, while the chi-square test is used to explore the relationships between the predictor and dependent variables. Multiple linear regression is also used to establish the relative importance of each predictor variable. The comprehensive analysis found that preferences for smaller families and contraceptive use were consistently associated with modern attitudes and behavior with regard to the husband-wife relationship. Family income, husband's occupation, child mortality, and age at marriage did not help to explain reproductive behavior. Cultural setting and tradition influence to an important extent reproductive behavior independent of development in economic realities. Women's status needs to be improved in order to attain demographic-developmental goals.^ieng

Significance of beliefs and values in predicting fertility and contraceptive behaviour in Pakistan.

A comparative study of 1100 women aged 25-45 years, users and non-users of modern methods of contraception, in the urban centres of Lahore and Faisalabad was conducted in 1991. The objective of the study was to investigate reproductive behaviour and the extent to which social, cultural and attitudinal variables, such as beliefs and values about family life, religiosity and fatalism, influence the fertility decision-making process. Preferences for smaller families were found to be consistently associated with modern attitudes and behaviour towards family and religious values and obligations. Family income, husband's occupation and religiosity offered no explanation of reproductive behaviour. It is concluded that cultural setting and tradition exert an important influence on reproductive behaviour, independent of economic development.

PIP: A comparative study was carried out to assess the effects of variables on fertility preferences. The variables were: (a) socioeconomic and demographic, (b) intermediate (beliefs and values), and (c) contraceptive use and fertility preferences (dependent variables). Two groups of women, users and nonusers of modern contraception (n = 1100), were selected from the cities of Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan. The user group consisted of fecund women aged 25 years with at least two living children, using any method of contraception (excluding sterilization) and living with their husbands. The nonuser group was matched for age, parity, and residence, but they were not using any method of contraception. A multistage cluster sampling design was used. Factor analysis of the indicators of value of son, family orientation, religiosity, conservatism, and fatalism showed that they explained 54.8% of the total variance. The beliefs and values indicator represented mainly the factor value of a son, which accounted for 22.9% of the total variance. For the bivariate analysis, the predictor variable categories of low, medium, and high indicated movement from traditional to modern attitudes regarding family values. Among women who preferred a very large family, 79% scored low on the family orientation variable whereas only 19% scored high. Women who were modern in outlook were more likely to accept small families and practice contraception than women who were conservative. There were more women who scored low on the conservatism index and preferred a very large family (72%) than women who had the same fertility preference and achieved a high score (46%). Focus group discussions showed that son preference plays a crucial role in determining family size. 44% of users as compared to 67% of nonusers had low scores on the fatalism index. The persistence of values, norms, and traditions unfavorable to family limitation and small family norms is the explanation for high fertility and low contraceptive use in Pakistan.