This study examines the connection among green logistic operations, countries-level economic, environmental, and social indicators in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Belt and Road Countries. Using the system generalized method of moments (S-GMM) estimator, this study analyses annual data from 2008 to 2018 and offers three key findings. First, economic indicators China’s foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness and economic output) are positively associated with green logistic operations. Second, logistics are positively correlated with renewable energy while inversely correlated with carbon emissions. Third, social indicators are also directly associated with green logistic operations measured through health expenditure and institutional quality. Lastly, information communication technology also spurs green logistic operations. Manifestly, Chinese outbound FDI in SSA substantially improved the quality of their logistics in terms of infrastructure, cost, time, customs services, tracking, and the consistency of international shipments. These findings show that green logistics provide adequate infrastructure, and supply chain partners share information more frequently, increasing trade volume, growth potential, and environmental sustainability. Similar results are also endorsed using a feasible generalized least square (FGLS) estimator and suggest that SSA should take effective measures to improve their logistics operation.
Background: Corona virus disease (Covid-19) caused by corona virus (SARS Cov-2) has affected millions of people around the world. Many diagnostic modalities have been tested but the blood complete picture remains the initial and most easily accessible investigation in Covid-19. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the haematological abnormalities in relation to Covid-19 severity and outcome. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from April 2020 to July 2020. One--hundred and fifty polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Covid-19 patients were inducted by random sampling. Haematological profile at admission was recorded. Data thus obtained was analyzed with respect to Covid-19 severity and outcome. The data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Results: Out of a total of 150 patients included in the study, 77(51.3%) patients had mild disease at the time of admission, 42 (28%) had moderate disease while 31 (20.7%) had critical disease at the time of admission. Medians (interquartile range) of total leucocyte count (TLC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (NLR), platelets to lymphocytes ratio (PLR), neutrophils to monocyte ratio (NMR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) were 8.11 (IQR=4.88), 5.95 (IQR=4.58), 1.66 (IQR=1.10), 3.48 (IQR=4.20), 146.24 (IQR=130.75), 18.87 (IQR=14.07), 0.16 (IQR=0.13). Median NLR was higher in patients with critical illness11.23 (IQR=10.70) as compared to those with stable 2.51 (IQR=1.77) and moderate 3.22 (IQR=3.60) disease (p< 0.000). Similarly TLC (p< 0.000), neutrophils (p< 0.000), lymphocytes (p< 0.000), NLR (p< 0.000), PLR (p< 0.000, p=0.001), MLR (p< 0.000), NMR (p< 0.000) had significant relationship with the severity and outcome of Covid-19 infection. Conclusion: Many haematological parameters are significantly different and can be used to predict the severity and outcome of Covid-19 infection. Keywords: COVID-19; hematology; corona virus; outcome.
Background: The most potent and effective drugs used for the management of blood pressure in hypertensive patients are Calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Nifedipine, a CCB, acts by blocking entry of calcium ions all the way through the voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) of L-type present in the smooth muscle cells of blood vesselsand reducing the blood pressure by decreasing the peripheral vascular resistance. Objectives: The study objective was to determine the effect of nifedipine on serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and serum testosterone in male Sprague Dawley rats. Study Design: Animal experimental study. Setting: All experiments were conducted at the Research laboratory of Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad along with National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad. Period: October, 2012 to April, 2014. Methods: The study was done on adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (N= 60) aged 90-120 days old and their body weights varied between 200 + 50 grams. Rats were divided intotwo groups (n=30). Group A was administered0.5 ml distilled water/rat daily orally, group B was administered orally with nifedipine 50 mg/kg/rat dissolved in 1ml of DMSO. All the doses were given to rats for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum luteinizing hormone and serum testosterone were measured in both groups. Results: In Nifedipine treated group, serum testosterone was significantly decreasedand serum LH was unaffected as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Nifedipine has adverse effects on male fertility as it decreases serum testosterone level.
Although cancers are primarily attributed to genetic mutations, but environmental factors one way or the other are also responsible for influencing the growth of cancerous cells. Objectives: To determine the frequency and diversity of the cases reported at Oncology care clinic of Holy Family Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was done to ascertain the frequency and diversity of cases that were reported to Oncology care clinic of Holy Family Hospital (HFH) Rawalpindi during August 2022. The data were collected by reviewing the hospital records of the patients. Data was analysed by SPSS version 25.0 and Microsoft Excel 2010. Percentage and frequency of all variables were computed. Statistical difference in mean age of male and females was determined by independent sample t-test. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age of the total 23 cases reporting to Oncology clinic of HFH during August 2022 was 49.91 ± 15.12 years. There were 14(61%) females and 9(39%) males. The gender-based difference in mean age was statistically insignificant (P > 0.13) with 95% CI (-3.20 – 22.80). About 12 and 11 were confirmed and suspected cases respectively. The highest number of cases was first reported in Gynaecology & Obstetrics Unit-I, followed by medical units of HFH. Around 7(30.4%) patients were residents of twin cities (Rawalpindi & Islamabad). Conclusions: Middle aged females are comparatively more in need of screening for early diagnosis and treatment of certain benign and malignant illnesses than those of males
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