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Perovskites overtaking simple metal oxides as solar light harvesting material due to their excellent photocatalytic efficiency and superior stability. An efficient visible light responsive, K 2 Ba 0.3 Cu 0.7 O 3 single perovskites oxides (SPOs) photocatalyst was fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. The fabricated SPOs was characterized by various techniques. SEM analysis confirm the cubic morphology of SPOs, the average length and diameter of SPOs were 27.84 and 10.06 μm calculated from SEM images. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of M-M and M − O bonds. EDX showed prominent peaks of the constituent elements. The average crystallite size of SPOs calculated by Scherrer and Williamson-Hall equation was 14.08 and 18.47 nm respectively. The optical band gap value lies in visible region of spectrum (2.0 eV) determined from the Tauce's plot. The fabricated SPOs was applied for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. Maximum degradation 98.09% of MB was achieved at 40 min irradiation time, 0.01 g catalyst dose, 60 mg L−1 MB concentration and pH 9. The photocatalytic degradation of MB follows first order kinetic. RSM modeling of MB removal was also caried out. Reduce quadratic model was best fitted model having F-value = 300.65, P-value = < 0.0001,R2 = 0.9897, predicted R2 = 0.9850 and adjusted R2 = 0.9864. [Display omitted] • Cubic structured single perovskite microplates perovskites visible light-responsive photocatalyst production. • Structural and morphological characteristics were scrutinized using advanced techniques. • Highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of methelyne blue (MB) dye under sunlight irradiation. • The quadratic model was the best-fitted model of response surface methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unplanned anthropogenic activities and raced industrial revolution detrimentally causes serious threat to terrestrial and aquatic life. A high discharge of wastewater from industries using dyes affects living organisms and the environment. This paper presents studies on polycationic selenides (PCS) synthesized by hydrothermal methods for photocatalytic degradation of dyes. The synthesized PCS were confirmed by various characterization techniques such as FTIR, SEM, EDX, UV/Vis, and XRD. The FTIR spectra revealed characteristic band at 843, 548 cm−1, and 417 cm−1 due to the M − Se stretching and intrinsic stretching vibrations, respectively. The optical bandgap of polycationic selenide lies in the visible light region (2.36 eV). The SEM images showed that PCS has a spherical shape with an average crystallite size of 29.23 nm calculated from XRD data using Scherer's equation. The PCS has a point of zero charge (PZC) at pH 7. The efficiency of synthesized PCS photocatalyst was confirmed in terms of its activity towards Eosin (EY) and Crystal violet (CV) dyes mineralization. The photocatalytic degradation for EY and CV dyes at optimum conditions was 99.47% and 99.31% and followed second order reactions kinetics with 1.4314 and 0.551 rate constant, respectively. The polynomial quadratic model is the best-fitted response surface methodology (RSM) model having a maximum desirability factors value and significant terms, with R2 (0.9994) and adj R2 values (1.0). [Display omitted] • Green fabrication of new ternary metallic selenides nanostructured materials. • Structural/morphological characteristics of ternary metallic selenides by advanced techniques. • Efficient photocatalytic degradation of textile contaminants under sunlight irradiation. • Operating factors influencing the degradation phenomena are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rapid race of industrialization natural assets like fresh water has been deteriorated causing lethal effects in living organisms. In the current study robust and sustainable composite of in-situ antimony nanoarchitectonics in chitosan/synthesized carboxymethyl chitosan matrix were synthesized. To improve solubility, metal adsorption and water decontamination, chitosan was modified into carboxymethyl chitosan and the modification was confirmed through various characterization techniques. The characteristic bands in the FTIR spectrum confirm substitution of carboxymethyl group in the chitosan. This was further illustrated that the characteristic proton peaks of CMCh observed at δ = 4.097 to 4.192 ppm, suggesting O-carboxy methylation of chitosan by 1H NMR. The second order derivative of potentiometric analysis confirmed 0.83 degree of substitution. The antimony (Sb) loaded modified chitosan were confirmed by FTIR and XRD analysis. The potential effectiveness of chitosan matrix was determined and compared toward reductive removal of the Rhodamine b dye. Rhodamine b mitigation is following first order kinetics with R2 value of 0.9832 and 0.969 with a constant rate of 0.0977 and 0.2534 ml/min for Sb loaded chitosan and carboxymethyl chitosan respectively. The Sb/CMCh-CFP enables us to achieve 98.5 % mitigation efficiency within 10 min. The CMCh-CFP chelating substrate was found stable and efficient even after 4th batches of cycles with <4 % decrease in efficiency. The in-situ synthesized material was found tailored composite, in terms of dyes remediation, reusability and biocompatibility as compared to chitosan. • COOH group substitution in chitosan to produce its derivative carboxymethyl chitosan • Degree of substitution, structural and morphological characterization • Elimination efficiency of chitosan and carboxy methyl chitosan were investigated. • Quadratic model as best fitted model of response surface methodology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work presented a novel approach for the degradation of binary Eosin B (EB) and Malachite green (MG) dyes and single dyes using undoped and potassium doped tin oxide (K-SnO2) nanoparticles (NPs) under UV irradiation. The NPs were synthesized using the co-precipitation method. Studies based on multi-dye systems, are hardly available and do not give any detailed reasons for different behaviors of dyes towards the photocatalyst and of the level of degradation. The prepared nanomaterials were identified through Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Visible (UV–VIS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. SnO2 and K-SnO2 optical band gaps were calculated to be 3.5 eV and 3.7 eV respectively. The points of zero charge for both SnO2 and K-SnO2 were calculated to be 4. The XRD results showed that the SnO2 and K-SnO2 particles were crystalline, with mean sizes of 17.13 nm and 10 nm, respectively. The maximum degradation efficiency of the catalyst for MG dye degradation was 99% and that of EB was 77%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of dyes-loaded wastewater from various industries is a major threat to human beings due to their health hazard effects. Ternary ferrites-based visible light photocatalyst Fe 2 Zn 0.5 Cu 0.5 O 4 -CM (CZF-CM) was formed via the co-precipitation method. These prepared ternary ferrites nanoparticles Fe 2 Zn 0.5 Cu 0.5 O 4 (CZF-NPs) and photocatalyst (CZF-CM) were analyzed using different spectroscopic techniques. The average crystallite size of CZF-NPs was calculated from XRD data using Scherer's equation and found to be 12 nm. The elemental composition of the synthesized ternary ferrites nanoparticles (CZF-NPs) was defined by the EDX images. The morphology of CZF-CM photocatalyst is spherical, having a smooth surface and average microspheres size of 810 μm based on SEM micrographs. The photocatalyst has bandgap of 2.57 eV, which lies in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum derived by extrapolating Tauc's plot. Photocatalyst CZF-CM showed 94% degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B (RB) dye at optimized conditions of initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, pH and sunlight irradiation contact time as 40 ppm, 0.7 g, pH 8 and 125 min, respectively. Maximum degradation (96%) of methyl orange (MO) dye occurred at pH 6, at similar optimized conditions as the RB dye. The binary ferrites photocatalyst Fe 2 CuO 4 -CM (CF-CM) and Fe 2 ZnO 4 -CM (ZF-CM) of the selected metals showed lesser photocatalytic efficiency than ternary ferrites. An artificial neural network in addition to the response surface methodology was used for the optimization process. The artificial neural network is highly in agreement with the experimental results obtained for the selected dyes. The corresponding predicted response for each data set from ANOVA showed high R2, R2 adj, and R2 pred values for the proposed model. It also indicates that contributing parameters in the model are significant due to having very high F-values and low p-values. It is concluded that the synthesized photocatalysts are considered an efficient entrant for the decolorization of industrial wastewater. [Display omitted] • Development of ternary-based visible light nanophotocatalyst Fe 2 Zn 0.5 Cu 0.5 O 4 -CM. • Structural and morphological characteristics were scrutinized using advanced techniques. • Highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes under sunlight irradiation. • Response surface methodology and artificial neural network for optimizing operating factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Pseudomyxoma peritonei is an appendiceal tumor with distinct clinical and pathologic features. It frequently presents a problem in diagnosis and management. We report a case of pseudomyxoma peritonei, which initially appeared with intestinal obstruction. This is a rare initial manifestation in patients who have not had multiple surgical procedures. We review the literature and discuss the unique clinical featres and misconceptions surrounding pseudomyxoma peritonei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Recyclable silver immobilized chitosan/carboxy methyl chitosan macromolecules as visible light-responsive photocatalyst. • Structural tailoring morphological studies was scrutinized using advanced techniques. • Highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RB) dyes from wastewater. • Optimization of degradation using response surface methodology (RSM). This study explores the potential of modified chitosan (CH) resulting from carboxy methyl (CM) group substitution in the chitosan skeleton, producing carboxy methyl chitosan (CMCH). Silver (Ag) was loaded to chitosan and modified chitosan (carboxy methyl substituted chitosan) supported on cellulose filter paper (FP) to tailor organic–inorganic macromolecule composites "Ag-Chi/CFP and Ag-CMCH/CFP" further applied as substantial composite for the reductive removal of methyl orange (MO) and rhodamine B (RB) dyes from wastewater. The synthesized catalyst was characterized via FTIR, 1H NMR, XRD, and SEM analysis. The degree of substitution was also measured, which was approximately 0.85. The reductive elimination efficiency of Ag-CMCH/CFP and Ag-Chi/CFP for MO dye was 95.31% and 88.85 %. In comparison, the elimination of RB was 98.28 and 94.04 %, respectively, in 16 min time, 0.6 mM Ag concentration, 40 mg/L, dye concentration and 0.3 M NaBH 4 concentration. The synthesized catalysts were recycled three times. The degradation of MO and RB dyes using Ag-CMCH/CFP and Ag-Chi/CFP catalysts can be described by the first-order kinetic model. The determination coefficients (R2) and rate constants (k) values for MO degradation were found to be 0.9934 and 0.1736 s−1 for Ag-CMCH/CFP, and 0.9242 and 0.1001 s−1 for Ag-Chi/CFP, respectively. Similarly, for RB degradation, the R2 values were 0.9866 for Ag-CMCH/CFP and 0.9803 for Ag-Chi/CFP, with corresponding k values of 0.219 s−1 and 0.1548 s−1, respectively. The degradation process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the optimal conditions for maximum dye removal efficiency. The RSM models were statistically significant, as validated by ANOVA and correlation coefficient values. The F values of MO and RB models are significant as they have 2450.15 and 21999.37, respectively. The P value for both was <0.0001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & aim: Hepatitis B and C infections are global issues that are associated with a massive financial burden in developing countries where vertical transmission is the major mode and remains high. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the seroepidemiology and associated risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among 375 pregnant women attending antenatal care health facilities at Bacha Khan Medical Complex (BKMC) Shahmansoor and District Head Quarter (DHQ) Hospital Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methodology: From a total of 375 pregnant women selected using systematic random sampling from both hospitals, 10 ml of blood samples were collected and alienated serum was examined for indicators identification through the Immuno-Chromatographic Test (ICT) and 3rd Generation Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). A pre-structured questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic data and possible risk factors. The data was analyzed via SPSS 23.0 statistical software. A chi-square analysis was performed to determine the association between variables. P-value < 0.05 was set statistically significant. Results: The overall frequency of HBV and HCV among 375 pregnant women involved in the study was 3.7% and 2.1% respectively. None of the pregnant women were co-infected with HBV and HCV. Dental extraction (P = 0.001) and blood transfusion (P = 0.0005) were significantly allied with HBV infection while surgical procedure (P = 0.0001) was significantly associated with HCV infection. Moreover the sociodemographic characteristics: residential status (P = 0.017) and educational level (P = 0.048) were found significant risk factors of HBsAg and maternal age (P = 0.033) of anti-HCV, respectively. Conclusion & recommendation: HBV and HCV infections are intermediary endemic in the study area. A higher prevalence of HBV was detected among pregnant mothers with a history of dental extraction, history of blood transfusion, resident to the urban area and low educational level. The age and surgical procedures were the potential risk factors found significantly associated with HCV positivity among pregnant mothers in our setup. Future negotiations to control vertical transmission should include routine antenatal screening for these infections early in pregnancy and the requirement of efficient preventive tools including the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine in combination with hepatitis B immune globulins to the neonate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the fears and concerns regarding HCV amongst people presenting to a free screening camp and to identify the barriers preventing patients from linkage to care (seeking medical care for HCV). Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Gajrakh District, Gujranwala. Period: 15th February to 14th March 2019. Material & Methods: Questionnaire was filled by all the participants attending free screening and treatment camp. Questionnaire explored sociodemographic features, financial status, knowledge regarding awareness of disease e.g. risk factors for transmission of disease, possible complications of disease, fears regarding diagnosis & treatment of HCV and possible concerns of female population. Results: This study included 100 participants, 58% were females and 42% were males with a mean age of 46.23±12.36. Fifty seven percent of the participants were laborer, 15 were salary based, 6 were shopkeepers and 7 were housewives. Majority of participants have a sound knowledge about transmission of HCV i.e 95% said yes to the question about spread via ear/nose piercing by unsterilized needles, however, 49% and 61% think that hugging the patient and eating and drinking with patient also caused viral spread respectively. Most important factors contributing to inability to start treatment were inability to bear cost, missing of daily wages, lack of transport, fear of side effects and fear of being outcast in 75, 66, 41, 26 and 25% respectively. Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors like costly treatment, missing of daily wages, lack of transport, fear of side effects and being outcast are real hindrance in getting HCV treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A massive amount of toxic substances and harmful chemicals are released every day into the outer environment, imposing serious environmental impacts on both land and aquatic animals. To date, research is constantly in progress to determine the best catalytic material for the effective remediation of these harmful pollutants. Hybrid nanomaterials prepared by combining functional polymers with inorganic nanostructures got attention as a promising area of research owing to their remarkable multifunctional properties deriving from their entire nanocomposite structure. The versatility of the existing nanomaterials' design in polymer-inorganic hybrids, with respect to their structure, composition, and architecture, opens new prospects for catalytic applications in environmental remediation. This review article provides comprehensive detail on catalytic polymer nanocomposites and highlights how they might act as a catalyst in the remediation of toxic pollutants. Additionally, it provides a detailed clarification of the processing of design and synthetic ways for manufacturing polymer nanocomposites and explores further into the concepts of precise design methodologies. Polymer nanocomposites are used for treating pollutants (electrocatalytic, biocatalytic, catalytic, and redox degradation). The three catalytic techniques that are frequently used are thoroughly illustrated. Furthermore, significant improvements in the method through which the aforementioned catalytic process and pollutants are extensively discussed. The final section summarizes challenges in research and the potential of catalytic polymer nanocomposites for environmental remediation. [Display omitted] • Effective catalytic hybrid material for toxic pollutants remediation. • Design, synthesis and structure tailoring of polymer nanocomposites. • Comprehensive review on polymer nanocomposites in catalysis for pollutants treatment. • Highlighted problems, and future prospective for environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To document improvement in quality of life in patients with Hepatitis-C related cirrhosis after successful eradication of the virus. Methods: In this observational cohort study conducted at Fatima Memorial Hospital from September 2015 to July 2017, patients with HCV were assessed for improvement in quality of life by using FACIT-F questionnaire. We compared the Quality of life (QOL) score before the start of treatment with DAAs and after achieving SVR12 in various aspects of quality of life including physical, emotional, functional and social well-being. Results: A total of 71 patients, 52 (73%) were CTP class A, 18 (25%) in B and one (1.4%) in C. The mean score of QOL before AVT was 23.93±7.04 and after achieving SVR it was 36.83±6.36 (P-value <0.001). In the subcategories, score of functional wellbeing, physical well-being and social wellbeing had significantly improved except emotional wellbeing scores. All scores improved across the spectrum of patients in the CTP class A and B. There was only one patient in the CTP-C class. Conclusion: Chronic HCV infection complicated by cirrhosis causes a significant decline in quality of life. There was a marked improvement in the functional, social and physical health of the patients after eradication of Hepatitis-C with anti-viral therapy except emotional health of the individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The manganese oxide (MnO 2 and iron-doped manganese oxide (Fe–MnO 2) nanoparticles (NPs) with reduced band gap (Eg) were fabricated through the co-precipitation process. They used to degrade Indigo Carmine (IC) and Rhodamine B (RB) binary mixture in an aqueous medium under solar light irradiation. From FT-IR, the twisting modes of the Mn–O bond and the stretching vibrations of the Fe–Mn–O 2 bond were confirmed from the peaks observed at 480 cm−1,584 cm−1,675 cm−1, and 900 cm−1, 1150 cm−1, and 1200 cm−1 respectively. The MnO 2 has an optical band gap of 3.2 eV, which was decreased to 3 eV in Fe–MnO 2. The zero charge (PZC) point was 8 for Fe–MnO 2 and 7 for MnO 2. The BET surface area for Fe–MnO2 was 398 m2/g, relatively higher than MnO2 particles, having a surface area of 384 m2/g. The average crystallite sizes calculated from Scherer formulae were 37 nm for MnO 2 and 31 nm for Fe–MnO 2 NPs. SEM confirmed the irregular morphology of the prepared particles. It was analyzed that agglomeration occurs in MnO 2 than the Fe–MnO 2. The maximum degradation of IC dye was 99%, and that of RB was 98% at the optimum conditions. The data were best fitted to second-order kinetics. [Display omitted] • Visible light-triggered and recyclable iron-doped manganese oxide (Fe–MnO 2) NPs as photocatalyst. • Morphological and structure tailoring studies was done through advanced techniques. • Photocatalytic degradation of Indigo Carmine (IC) and Rhodamine B (RB) single and binary mixture. • Response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HCV infects nearly 10 million patients in Pakistan, genotype 3 is the predominant genotype. Liver transplant used to be the only option in patients with decompensated cirrhosis before the emerging role of DAAs. Clinical trials have suggested that successful treatment of HCV in this group results in early improvement in liver function although long term benefit is not yet known. Objectives: To measure clinical and laboratory parameter improvement after successful eradication of hepatitis C in cirrhotics. To study any events of decompensation while on treatment. To measure incidence of HCC on/after treatment. Study Design: A retrospective, observational study. Setting: Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Period: July 2015-April 2017. Material & Methods: We included patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis with a CTP score ranging from A5 to C12, treated with sofosbuvir and ribavirin or pegylated interferon sofosbuvir and ribavirin. Data analyzed at the initiation, at the end, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post treatment. Results: A total of 191 (98 male and 93 female) patients were included in our study. There was statistically significant improvement in albumin, bilirubin, AFP, platelet count, CTP and MELD scores but not in INR. One patient developed ascites and another developed hepatic encephalopathy. Four patients developed HCC during follow up after completion of antiviral therapy. Conclusions: 1) Successful treatment of cirrhotic patients leads to improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters. 2) Need for continued surveillance for HCC in patients with cirrhosis remains after successful antiviral treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately one half of patients develop ascites within 10 years of diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis. It is a poor prognostic indicator, with only 50% surviving beyond two years. Mortality worsens significantly to 20% to 50% at one year if the ascites becomes refractory to medical therapy. Pakistan has one of the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis in the world and patients with ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis make a major percentage of both inpatient and outpatient burden. Studies indicate that over 80% of patients admitted with ascites have liver cirrhosis as the cause. This expert opinion suggests proper assessment of patients with ascites in the presence of underlying cirrhosis. This expert opinion includes appropriate diagnosis and management of uncomplicated ascites, refractory ascites and complicated ascites (including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) ascites, hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and hyponatremia. The purpose behind this expert opinion is to help consultants, postgraduate trainees, medical officers and primary care physicians optimally manage their patients with cirrhosis and ascites in a resource constrained setting as is often encountered in a developing country like Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carvedilol is a ß-blocker (non-selective). It causes vasoconstriction in the splanchnic vessels and causes reduction of portal inflow. Hence this change causes less destruction of platelets in the patients having splenomegaly with portal hypertension and cirrhosis. Objectives: The objective of the study is to find out the effect of carvedilol on thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients of hepatitis C. Study Design: Descriptive study. Settings: Department of Gastroenterology, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore. Period: Six months from 17th October 2015 to 16th April 2016. Material & Method: Data was collected using designed proformas. All patients with hepatitis C having cirrhosis of liver, splenomegaly and a platelet count of less than 100,000/mm3 were included after taking informed consent. Dose of carvedilol was managed so that 25% reduction in heart rate was achieved. Platelet count was repeated after two weeks. Blood pressure, pulse and platelet count before and after 25% reduction in heart rate with carvedilol was compared. Changes in platelet count, blood pressure, pulse and dose of carvedilol were also calculated. <0.05 p value was taken as significant. Results: A total of 66% patients responded to carvedilol therapy and showedmean rise in platelet count of 16 ± 10.3. (P-Value <0.05). Changes in platelet count with change in blood pressure, pulse and with dose of carvedilol were found to be significant. (P<0.05). Conclusion: Carvedilol causes improvement in thrombocytopenia in cirrhotic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, Tin oxide (SnO 2), Silver–Tin oxide (Ag–SnO 2), and Ag–Bi–SnO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized using methanolic seed extracts of Caesalpinia bonduc (C.bonduc) plants. The NPS were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Surface area analysis (SAA), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, and Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR). The synthesized photocatalyst's surface area was 210, 235, and 238 m2/g for SnO 2 and Ag–SnO 2 , and Ag–Bi–SnO 2 , respectively. The catalyst showed excellent activity for the degradation of MB dye in an aqueous medium. The results confirmed that the Ag–Bi–SnO 2 exhibited 94% degradation of dye compared to Ag–SnO 2 (90%) and SnO 2 (80%) under the same reaction conditions. Adding Ag and bismuth can also increase the degradation mechanism by preventing recombining electron-hole pairs. The report is novel, as no report to date has been published for the synthesis of Ag–Bi–SnO 2 , Ag–SnO2, and SnO2 NPs synthesized by C. bonduc seed extract; the procedure is simple, cheaper, and non-toxic compared to other methods employed for the synthesis of NPs. Eley-Rideal (ER) type of reaction mechanism was found to follow the degradation of MB dye in an aqueous medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Pakistan, we have 4.9% prevalence of HCV in general population, with 79% genotype 3. Recently Sofosbuvir has been made available at compassionate price in Pakistan. Management of chronic hepatitis C includes counseling of HCV patients, their proper assessment to select those who need antiviral therapy, initiation of appropriate antiviral agents & duration of therapy, along-with careful monitoring for safety and efficacy. Hepatic status as well as previous history of HCV therapy needs to be taken in the consideration before starting antiviral therapy. Other factors include co-morbid conditions like obesity, DM, NASH, etc. Treatment of special populations like liver transplant patients, patients with HBV co-infection, chronic kidney disease and hemoglobinopathies need special considerations when initiating HCV therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver disorders during pregnancy may have a strong bearing on both mother and the foetus. Acute Hepatitis E is rightly considered to be an emerging infection. Loco-regional studies have shown it to be the most common cause of Acute Hepatitis in pregnant females. We carried out our study to elaborate the demographic profile of pregnant females presenting with Acute Hepatitis E along with the fetomaternal outcomes. Study Design: It was a prospective, observational study. Intervention: None. Settings and Participants: Over a period of two years, 73 pregnant patients were evaluated by our team in the Department of Gastroenterology for suspicion of liver disease. Outcomes and Measurement: Data was evaluated for quantitative and qualitative variables. Outcome of mother, pregnancy and neonates was also recorded where available. Results: During the study period 73 pregnant patients presented with liver disease giving an incidence of 3.6%. Serological evidence of Acute Hepatitis E was found in 50 (68.5%) of the patients. Fulminant hepatic Failure developed in 5 (10%) patients. All five patients with FHF could not survive. There were 4 (8%) intra-uterine deaths, 1 (2%) abortion and 5 (10%) neonatal deaths. Shortcomings: Relatively small sample size. Conclusions: Acute hepatitis E during pregnancy predicts poor outcomes for the mothers, foetus and neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hepatitis C pandemic has been systematically studied and characterized in North America and Europe, but this important public health problem has not received equivalent attention in other regions. The objective of this systematic review was to characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in selected countries of Asia, Australia and Egypt, i.e. in a geographical area inhabited by over 40% of the global population. Data references were identified through indexed journals and non-indexed sources. In this work, 7770 articles were reviewed and 690 were selected based on their relevance. We estimated that 49.3-64.0 million adults in Asia, Australia and Egypt are anti-HCV positive. China alone has more HCV infections than all of Europe or the Americas. While most countries had prevalence rates from 1 to 2% we documented several with relatively high prevalence rates, including Egypt (15%), Pakistan (4.7%) and Taiwan (4.4%). Nosocomial infection, blood transfusion (before screening) and injection drug use were identified as common risk factors in the region. Genotype 1 was common in Australia, China, Taiwan and other countries in North Asia, while genotype 6 was found in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. In India and Pakistan genotype 3 was predominant, while genotype 4 was found in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. We recommend implementation of surveillance systems to guide effective public health policy that may lead to the eventual curtailment of the spread of this pandemic infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is the main climatic factor that influences the yield just as entire development of farming crops. All periods of phenology of crops are temperature sensitive. Hence, information on appropriate temperature for best yield is significant so as to get maximum production. In current examination, a field test was directed to evaluate the phenology, relative development, ideal sowing time, comparative growth just as yield execution of three cultivars of Bacillus thuringiensis Cotton (Bt. Cotton) at different sowing systems during summer 2015 at cotton research station Regional Agriculture Research Institute Bahawalpur (RARI) Pakistan. The test was directed in an irregular complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot course of action comprising of three replications. One factor comprised of six planting dates (for example April15 and 30, 15 and 30 May, 14 and29 June) and other factor comprising of three Bt. cotton cultivars (BH-184, MNH-886 and CIM-598). The after effects of the test indicated that both sowing dates and cultivars fluctuated fundamentally for development, phenology and yield. Highst leaf area index (LAI) 4.38, total dry matter (TDM) 1033 g m-2, leaf area duration (LAD) 275.6 days and mean harvest development rate 6.51g m-2 day-1 were recorded on April 30 sowing. Yield contributing boundaries like opened boll, average boll weight and 100-seed weight altogether shifted and highest seed cotton yield 3847 kg ha-1 was acquired by cv. MNH-886 when it was planted on April 30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synthesis of mononuclear and poly-nuclear copper(II) complexes. • Characterization through FT–IR, UV–Visible, ESR, electrochemical and powder and single crystal XRD techniques. • Structural description. • DNA-binding, antibacterial studies and DFT studies. Polynuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(para -fluorophenyl acetate) 2 n (1) and [Cu(para -nitrophenyl acetate) 2 n (2) were converted in-situ to mono-nuclear complexes [Cu(para -fluorophenyl acetate) 2 (1,10-Phenanthroline)(H 2 O)] (3) and [Cu(para -nitrophenyl acetate) 2 (2,2́-Bipyridine)(H 2 O)].3H 2 O (4). The complexes were isolated in quantitative yield, purified and characterized using FT-IR, absorption, electrochemical, electron paramagnetic resonance and powder XRD techniques yielding results in accordance with structural data. Structures of 1 and 2 consist of directly interlinked paddlewheel units with square pyramidal geometry while those of 3 and 4 are mononuclear with octahedral and square pyramidal geometry around Cu. Fluorinated complexes 1 and 3 were found to consist of extensive intermolecular interactions while 2 and 4 contained no such interactions. Their optical band gap was around 1.4 eV which indicates semiconducting property of the complexes. Moreover, the flourous complex 3 was found to possess significant activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli and good activity against Micrococcus luteus. A similar trend was observed in their DNA-binding potency studied through absorption as well as electrochemical solution studies yielding K b values 1.494 × 104, 1.342 × 104 and 1.411 × 104 M−1 and 7.547 × 104, 2.457 × 104 and 3.667 × 104 M−1 for 1–3, respectively. The electronic structures of the complexes elucidated using density functional theory ab -initio calculations confirmed the Intermediate states which play important role in the enhancement of the optoelectronic properties. The structure and properties of the flourous complexes were found different than their non-flourous analogues which was attributable to fluorine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]