COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy continues to be a widespread problem in Pakistan due to various conspiracy beliefs, myths and misconceptions. Since the hemodialysis population is at a higher risk of contracting infections, we sought to investigate the current COVID-19 immunization status and reasons for any vaccine hesitancy among these patients in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study was conducted among maintenance hemodialysis patients at six hospitals in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Data were collected anonymously using a questionnaire. A total of 399 hemodialysis patients took part in the survey, the majority of them were male (56%) and aged 45–64 years. A calculated 62.4% of the patients reported receiving at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Of those vaccinated (249), 73.5% had received two doses and 16.9% had received a booster dose. The most common reasons for vaccination were “being aware they were at high risk” (89.6%), “fear of getting infected” (89.2%) and “willingness to fight against COVID-19-pandemic” (83.9%). Of the 150 patients who had not yet been vaccinated, only 10 showed a willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The major reasons for refusal included “COVID-19 is not a real problem” (75%), the “corona vaccine is a conspiracy (72.1%)” and “I don’t need the vaccine” (60.7%). Our study revealed that only 62% patients receiving hemodialysis were partially or completely vaccinated against COVID-19. Consequently, there is a need to initiate aggressive approaches to educate this high-risk population in order to address their concerns with vaccine safety and efficacy as well as correct current myths and misconceptions to improve the COVID-19 immunization status in this population.
Abiotic stresses especially salinity, drought and high temperature result in considerable reduction of crop productivity. In this study, we identified AT4G18280 annotated as a glycine-rich cell wall protein-like (hereafter refer to as GRPL1) protein as a potential multistress-responsive gene. Analysis of public transcriptome data and GUS assay of pGRPL1::GUS showed a strong induction of GRPL1 under drought, salinity and heat stresses. Transgenic plants overexpressing GRPL1-3HA showed significantly higher germination, root elongation and survival rate under salt stress. Moreover, the 35S::GRPL1-3HA transgenic lines also showed higher survival rates under drought and heat stresses. GRPL1 showed similar expression patterns with Abscisic acid (ABA)-pathway genes under different growth and stress conditions, suggesting a possibility that GRPL1 might act in the ABA pathway that is further supported by the inability of ABA-deficient mutant (aba2-1) to induce GRPL1 under drought stress. Taken together, our data presents GRPL1 as a potential multi-stress responsive gene working downstream of ABA.
Nanoemulsions are nanoscale self-assembled entities which are manufactured for improving the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Nanoemulsion technology is one of the best ways to encapsulate the functional components as it enhances the stability and bioavailability of the compound. In the present study, nanoemulsions were prepared by ultrasonic homogenization of dispersed phase (10-22%) and surfactants (3-9%) with vitamin A (0.25-2.5%). Nanoemulsions were characterized through various optical techniques and stability was assessed using thermal shock and freeze-thaw cycle. The results revealed that nanoemulsions with high percentage of surfactants were more stable and retained smaller particle size as compared to nanoemulsions with low surfactants percentage and high dispersed phase, contributed to phase separation and colour change. These emulsions can be further tested for any toxic/allergic effect on the biological model and may be incorporated into food products.
Background: Consuming foods with a low glycemic index can lower blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetics. Different researches came to the conclusion that a person with type 2 diabetes must have some active insulin for the glucose metabolic pathway; as a result, reaching an equilibrium between the intake of carbs and the quantity of active insulin that is present in the biological system may lower blood glucose levels. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives of the current study will be to introduce lifestyle medicine awareness in the local population for the management of Diabetes type -2 and to improve the quality of human health. To assess the dietary patterns and nutrient intakes of people with Type 2 Diabetes in our population and evaluate the association between dietary factors and glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes patients, to provide evidence-based recommendations for healthcare professionals and patients regarding nutrition and diet for diabetes management. Study Design: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study. Place and Duration: Current study was conducted in medical and surgical units of Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital from October 2022 to February 2023. Methodology: Total 200 male and female diabetic type-2 were selected for this study and divided them into two different groups. In Group-A 100 male and female individuals were taking daily meal regularly according to provided lifestyle change instructions (lifestyle medicine), while in Group-B 100 male and female individuals were those how were not fallow the provided lifestyle change instructions properly. In both groups only those individuals were considered who are using Metformin as a medicine for the treatment of their diabetes. Statistical analysis: Raw data was analyzed bio-statistically through the SPSS version 2020. Practical Implications: Current research is so informative for diabetic type-2 patients they can control their glucose levels with lifestyle medicine. Results: A total of 200 participants with type-2 diabetes were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was (54.4 ± 5.1, 54.4 ±6.3) years, and 52% were male and 48% female. The mean duration of type-2 diabetes was (10.20 ± 1.10, 10.20 ± 1.10) years, and (750.10 ± 1.10, 750.10 ± 1.10) of the participants were on oral hypoglycemic agents i.e. Metformin. After nutrition and dietetics intervention, there was a statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in glycemic control, as evidenced by a decrease in fasting and random blood glucose of both male and female after three months (90.05 ± 10.01, 88.05 ± 02.01, 156.04 ± 0.2, 280.01 ± 1.2) (p<0.05) and HbA1c (6.2%, 6.1%) in individuals of Group-A. Whereas there was no any significant (p<0.05) improvement in glycemic control was seen by a decrease in fasting and random blood glucose of both male and female after three months Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that a nutrition and dietetics approach can be an effective strategy for the management of type-2 diabetes in the population. It is recommended that registered dietitians work closely with patients with type-2 diabetes to develop individualized dietary plans and lifestyle modifications to improve glycemic control and other clinical outcomes. Keywords: Nutrition, Dietetics Mellitus, type-2 diabetes, Clinical outcomes, Intervention.
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