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Co2YZ (Y= Cr, Nb, Ta, V and Z= Al, Ga) Heusler alloys under the effect of pressure and strain

Tabassam S, Reshak AH, Murtaza G, Muhammad S, Laref A, Yousaf M, et al.

J Mol Graph Model, 2021 05;104:107841.
PMID: 33529935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2021.107841

Full Heuslers alloys are a fascinating class of materials leading to many technological applications. These have been studied widely under ambient conditions. However, less attention been paid to study them under the effect of compression and strain. Here in this work Co2YZ (Y= Cr, Nb, Ta, V and Z = Al, Ga) Heusler alloys have been studied comprehensively under pressure variations. Calculated lattice constants are in reasonable agreement with the available data. It is determined that lattice constant deceases with the increase in tensile stress and increases by increasing pressure in reverse direction. Band profiles reveals the half metallic nature of the studied compounds. The bond length decreases while band gap increases in compressive strain. The compounds are found to be reflective in visible region, as characteristics of the metals. The magnetic moments reveal the half-mettalic ferromagnetic nature of the compounds.
Genderwise clinical response of antipsychotics among schizophrenic patients: a prospective observational study from Lahore, Pakistan

Asif U, Saleem Z, Yousaf M, Saeed H, Hashmi FK, Islam M, et al.

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract, 2018 Sep;22(3):177-183.
PMID: 29082784 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2017.1395055

OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to evaluate the gender specific response to adherence and occurrence of side effects among schizophrenic patients in Lahore, Pakistan.
METHODS: A prospective study was performed for a period of 1 year among 180 newly diagnosed schizophrenics, aged 20-60 years to observe the symptoms, medication adherence and side effects. Morisky-Green-Levine Scale was used to evaluate medication adherence, LUNSER for side effects and PANSS to measure positive and negative symptoms. Data were analyzed using SPSS.
RESULTS: Positive symptoms (Male: Baseline 36.14 vs. endpoint 23.58, Female: 35.29 vs. 23.74) and negative symptoms (Males 27.9 vs. 20.05, Females 28.41 vs. 20.2) of schizophrenia were equally reduced after a follow up of 1 year in both the genders. Male population suffered more accumulative side effects (11.4 in males vs. 6.40 in females), extrapyramidal symptoms such as tardive dyskinesia and tremors (1.21 in males vs. 0.57 in females) and other side effects as compared to women (p ≤ .005). Males were found poorly adherent to antipsychotic treatment than females (93.3% in males vs. 6.7% in females (p ≤ .005).
CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing practices should not overlook sex specific factors like hormonal changes, altered brain morphology and socioeconomic factors that may be responsible for the difference in the response to the course of schizophrenia.
Fulltext Synthesis and Consecutive Reactions of α-Azido Ketones: A Review

Faiz S, Zahoor AF, Rasool N, Yousaf M, Mansha A, Zia-Ul-Haq M, et al.

Molecules, 2015 Aug 13;20(8):14699-745.
PMID: 26287135 DOI: 10.3390/molecules200814699

This review paper covers the major synthetic approaches attempted towards the synthesis of α-azido ketones, as well as the synthetic applications/consecutive reactions of α-azido ketones.
Fulltext Unlocking infodemics and mysteries in COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: Nexus of conspiracy beliefs, digital informational support, psychological Well-being, and religious fatalism

Hassan Raza S, Yousaf M, Zaman U, Waheed Khan S, Core R, Malik A

Vaccine, 2023 Mar 03;41(10):1703-1715.
PMID: 36754765 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.047

Guarding against an anti-science camouflage within infodemics is paramount for sustaining the global vaccination drive. Vaccine hesitancy remains a growing concern and a significant threat to public health, especially in developing countries. Infodemics, conspiracy beliefs and religious fatalism primarily fuel vaccine hesitancy. In addition, anti-vaccine disinformation, lack of understanding, and erroneous religious beliefs also trigger vaccine hesitancy. Global behavioral strategies such as wearing face masks and long-term preventive measures (i.e., COVID-19 vaccination) have effectively limited the virus's spread. Despite the alarming rate of global deaths (i.e., over 99% being unvaccinated), a large proportion of the global population remains reluctant to vaccinate. New evidence validates the usefulness of technology-driven communication strategies (i.e., digital interventions) to address the complex socio-psychological influence of the pandemic. Hence, the present research explored the digital information processing model to assess the interface between informational support (through digital interventions) and antecedents of vaccine hesitancy. This research involved two separate studies: a focus group to operationalize the construct of infodemics, which remained ambiguous in previous literature (Study 1), followed by a cross-sectional survey (Study 2) to examine the conceptual model. Data were collected from 1906 respondents through a standard questionnaire administered online. The focus group's findings revealed a multi-dimensional nature of infodemics that was also validated in Study 2. The cross-sectional survey results substantiated infodemics, religious fatalism and conspiracy beliefs as significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy. Similarly, conspiracy beliefs negatively influence an individual's psychological well-being. Furthermore, information support (through digital intervention) affected infodemics and religious fatalism, whereas it inversely influenced the strength of their relationships with vaccine hesitancy. Information support (through digital intervention) also moderated the relationship between conspiracy beliefs and psychological well-being.
Fulltext Pattern of inappropriate antibiotic use among hospitalized patients in Pakistan: a longitudinal surveillance and implications

Saleem Z, Saeed H, Hassali MA, Godman B, Asif U, Yousaf M, et al.

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control, 2019;8:188.
PMID: 31768252 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-019-0649-5

Background: The inappropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals increases resistance, morbidity, and mortality. Little is currently known about appropriate antibiotic use among hospitals in Lahore, the capital city of Pakistan.
Methods: Longitudinal surveillance was conducted over a period of 2 months among hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. Antibiotic treatment was considered inappropriate on the basis of a wrong dosage regimen, wrong indication, or both based on the British National Formulary.
Results: A total of 2022 antibiotics were given to 1185 patients. Out of the total prescribed, approximately two-thirds of the study population (70.3%) had at least one inappropriate antimicrobial. Overall, 27.2% of patients had respiratory tract infections, and out of these, 62.8% were considered as having inappropriate therapy. Cephalosporins were extensively prescribed among patients, and in many cases, this was inappropriate (67.2%). Penicillins were given to 283 patients, out of which 201 (71.0%) were prescribed for either the wrong indication or dosage or both. Significant variations were also observed regarding inappropriate prescribing for several antimicrobials including the carbapenems (70.9%), aminoglycosides (35.8%), fluoroquinolones (64.2%), macrolides (74.6%) and other antibacterials (73.1%).
Conclusion: Educational interventions, institutional guidelines, and antimicrobial stewardship programs need to be developed to enhance future appropriate antimicrobial use in hospitals in Pakistan. Policies by healthcare and Government officials are also needed to minimize inappropriate antibiotic use.
Knowledge of Ebola virus disease among a university population: A cross-sectional study

Salman M, Shehzadi N, Hussain K, Saleem F, Khan MT, Asif N, et al.

Am J Infect Control, 2017 Feb 01;45(2):e23-e25.
PMID: 28159068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.11.019

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of a Pakistani university population (students and employees) regarding Ebola virus disease. A total of 2,200 individuals were approached and 1,647 were enrolled in the study. We observed that the vast majority of study participants (91.8%) had inadequate knowledge of Ebola virus disease (knowledge score ≤ 12). Our findings highlight the need to increase the knowledge of Ebola virus disease by using multidimensional approach involving awareness campaigns, print, electronic, and social media.