Multivariate Analysis of Rotifers Community from Safari Zoo Lake Lahore, Pakistan

Rotifers are zooplanktons that react more sharply to the environmental changes. Objective: To better understand the community composition of rotifers in Safari Zoo Lake, Lahore, PakistanMethods: wecollected 16 water samples on monthly basis, dividing lake into four major sites: northern, southern, eastern, and western sites. Each of these was further subdivided into four locations, for a total of 16 sampling sites. A total 23 rotifer species were recorded from the lake with Brachionus calyciflorus having maximum abundance. A species abundance curve was plotted between months and number of species of rotifers indicating their lowest and highest abundance through the study period. Results: A Cluster Analysis yielded three main groups of closely related species including species like Brachionus quadridentatus, Synchaeta stylata and Brachionus calyciflorusetc. We used a Principal Component Analysis (I and II) to study variation in the rotifer community on a seasonal basis and among sampling sites. A biplot of Principal Component Analysis (PCA I) reflected the relationship of rotifers with the months. Some of the species showed a positive positive relationship, while others showed negative one. PCA II was plotted between months and physico-chemical parameters showing their negative and positive relations. Conclusions: We conclude that a lesser replacement of fresh water, increased density of waterfowl, reptilia and solid waste left overduring boating has resulted in eutrophication of lake leading to overall low diversity of rotifers observed

Validation of the Iief - 5 Questionnaire in a Clinic Population at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi

Background: Men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are at risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) and other co - morbidities. The clinical assessment of ED is unreliable and the International Index of Erectile Function – 5 (IIEF – 5) a widely used tool is not validated in our setting. We aimed to validate the IIEF – 5 as a screening tool for ED in men with LUTS visiting the outpatient services. Methodology: In the study, 99 men above 40 years with LUTS attending the urology clinics were consecutively enrolled, administered with the IIEF – 5 and assigned an ED status. Socio – demographic data and risk factors were captured in a separate questionnaire. A blinded urologist made an independent clinical assessment of ED following this. Results: In this study involving 99 men with LUTS, 45.5% had mild ED, 24.2% had no ED, 17.2% had mild-moderate ED, while 13.1% had moderate ED based on IIEF – 5 score. In comparison, 84.8% had no ED and 15.2% had ED based on clinical assessment. The questionnaire items were very correlated as determined by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.920. Determination of ceiling and floor effects was based on a cutoff of at least 15% of patients obtaining the least points of 5/25 for the floor effect or best points of 25/25 for the ceiling effect. 7.1% of patients scored 25/25 and none scored 5/25 hence no ceiling or floor effect was observed. The area under the curve 0.884 (p = 0.000002) demonstrated good diagnostic performance with favourable sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: For men above 40 years with LUTS, the IIEF-5 is a valid and reliable tool to screen for ED. These results, taken with results from previous validation studies of the IIEF – 5 suggest that it should complement clinical assessment of ED.