The aflatoxins are unavoidable contaminant of feed and food commodities. Among these, aflatoxin B1 (AFB) has established hepatotoxic, immuno-toxic and carcinogenic properties. AFB is grouped as class I carcinogenic by International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC). Various methods to prevent dietary exposure of AFB are: use of chemopreventive agents like Silymarin (SLM) and adsorbents e.g. mycosorb (MYC). Among adsorbents, Probiotics (Live Lactobacilli) have exhibited good AFB binding properties in vitro as well as in vivo. Traditional Pakistani yogurt (Dhai) has been reported to be good source of such Lactobacilli. The current study was designed to evaluate protective effect of these Lactobacilli (PBT) species against AFB toxicity on liver, immunity and kidneys. One day old broilers (n=240) were reared under standard environmental conditions. On 3rd week of age, the broilers were segregated into different treatment groups: I (Basal diet), II (300 g of yogurt [PBT 1X] ), III (400 ppb of AFB), IV ( 600 g of yogurt [PBT 2X]+400 ppb of AFB), V (300 g of yogurt [PBT 1X]+400 ppb of AFB), VI (SLM 600mg/Kg body weight+400 ppb of AFB), VII (MYC 1g/Kg of feed+400 ppb of AFB). The above treatments were continued for two weeks i.e. 4th & 5th week of age. All birds were vaccinated against regional prevailing diseases such as Newcastle disease, Infectious bursal disease, etc. Two ml blood was collected on 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th weeks of age for measuring leukocytes count, serum antibody titre against Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and clinical chemistry. Birds after weighing were euthanized and internal organs such as liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and kidney were collected for histopathological examination and determination of AFB residue in the liver. Data thus obtained were analyzed by two way ANOVA with LSD test (α=0.05) for multiple comparison. Ingestion of AFB resulted in significant decline in total body weight and relative weight of spleen and bursa of Fabricius, serum NDV antibody titer, total serum proteins and serum albumin. Moreover, significant rise in relative weight of liver, serum GPT, bilirubin and AFB residue in the liver were recorded in AFB-treated birds (p<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed vacuolar degeneration, bile duct hyperplasia and loss of hepatic chord in the AFB-treated birds. MYC intake significantly restored the negative effects of AFB in birds by its adsorptive action during exposure (p<0.05). The SLM intake caused substantial protection against harmful effects of AFB but the effect appeared on second week of exposure (p<0.05). However, protective effects of both SLM and MYC were lost when intake was stopped. Birds receiving PBT showed better NDV-antibody titer, normalized organs weight, serum total proteins, albumin, GPT and bilirubin (p<0.05) Histopathological findings also reflected shielding effects of PBT. The protective action of PBT was observed during the exposure as well as post exposure. It is concluded that Lactobacilli (PBT) in the Pakistani food significantly ameliorate the negative effect of AFB on immune system and liver presumably via its adsorptive properties which result in declined AFB bioavailability. Furthermore, investigations are needed to elucidate mechanism of protective action of such PBT persisting even after stopping of intake of PBT.
4اپریل 1979ء کو بھٹو صاحب کو گڑھی خدا بخش دفن کر دیا گیا ۔6اپریل کو فوج کا پہرہ ختم ہوا تو پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے قائدین فاتحہ خوانی کے لیے گئے ۔ان میں بھٹو کے وکیل یحیٰ بختیار بھی تھے جب گائوں پہنچے تو لوگوں نے انہیں گھیر لیا اور پوچھنے لگے آپ تو ہمارے لیڈر کے سب سے قریب تھے ۔آخری وقت انہوں نے کوئی پیغام دیا یا کچھ کہا ۔یہ سن کر یحییٰ بختیار کی آنکھوں میں آنسو آگئے اور بولے بھٹو صاحب نے آخری ملاقات میں مجھ سے کہا ’’بزدل قوموں کے بہادر لیڈروں کا یہی انجام ہو تا ہے ‘‘
Background Patients seeking emergency department (ED) care for non-acute conditions are a major contributor to ED overcrowding, which results in longer wait times. Method This was a cross-sectional study, conducted using an online survey among the Saudi population to assess their awareness about primary healthcare clinics (PHCCs) and urgent care clinics (UCCs), their role, and their scope of practice. Results A total of 565 participants were included in this study. Most of the respondents (81.1%) reported lengthy waiting times in the ED. Moreover, most (81.6%) stated that they had never visited a family doctor, yet they (92.6%) favoured having one for follow-up care. Close to half of the participants (50.3%) reported attending PHCCs without an appointment, and the majority of them (69.2%) said that PHCCs were overcrowded. Finally, most participants (92.4%) had not heard aboutUCCs. Conclusion ED overcrowding and prolonged waiting times remain a public concern. PHCCs and UCCs are underutilised, and this is attributed to the lack of awareness about their scope and their services.
This study set out to explore the principal's role in creating conditions for teachers to undertake leadership roles. Traditionally, school principals keep all the important tasks to themselves and do not trust teachers for their leadership capabilities. Proponents of teacher leadership highlight that teachers can enact leadership roles within and beyond their classrooms. The study argues that teachers can perform leadership roles if the supportive conditions are made available to them. Within the qualitative research paradigm, case study research method was employed as a viable research methodology. Data collection was done over a period of six weeks through in-depth interviews with the principal and selected teachers. Data was also collected through observation of principal's involvement in school routine activities and pattern of work in the office. Smaller group meetings were also observed. Additionally, documents were also analyzed. The findings of the study suggest that the principal's strategic leadership approach has been significant in creating administrative, academic and professional conditions within which teachers are enacting leadership roles according to their expertise. By creating multiple leadership roles in each dimension, the principal has been able to provide leadership opportunities to all the teachers. The principal's role as a monitor, a supporter and a trust builder has helped him to ensure the effective enactment of leadership roles by the teachers. The study is distinctive in its nature, because it investigated an area that is not researched enough in developing countries like Pakistan. Principals of schools can raise the morale and status of teachers by trusting them as capable individuals for performing leadership roles. The conclusions of the study suggest that school principals can accomplish diverse tasks through the involvement of teachers as credible leaders in their own capacities and expertise. The bottom line in the accomplishment of tasks and enactment of leadership roles effectively and efficiently is recognizing and trusting teachers as capable individuals.