Sheppardzachariassen9225

To isolate and characterise multidrug resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus from healthcare workers who are at potential risk of nosocomial infections.

The observational, cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2014 to April 2015 at different hospitals of Haripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan, and comprised ward and operation theatre staff. The isolates were identified on the basis of microbiological and biochemical tests and further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Disc diffusion method was used for antibiotic sensitivity testing, and panton valentine leukocidin and methicillin resistance mecA genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction.

Of 208 isolates, 108(52%) were from the ward staff and 100(48%) were from the operation theatre staff. Overall, 167(80.3%) isolates were positive for Staphylococcus aureus, and 75(36%) were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The number of antibiotic-resistant isolates was 75(45%) cefoxitin, 60(36%) ofloxacin, 152(91%) erythromycin, 52(31%) doxycycline, 127(76%) lincomycin, 53(32%) amoxicillin-clavulanate, 67(40%) ciprofloxacin, and 89(53%) ceftriaxone.

A high number of hospital staff, including those working in operation theatres, were found to be carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug resistant strains in their nasal passage that may be a source of infection to patients.

A high number of hospital staff, including those working in operation theatres, were found to be carrying methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug resistant strains in their nasal passage that may be a source of infection to patients.

Breath sound has information about underlying pathology and condition of subjects. The purpose of this study was to examine asthmatic acuteness levels (Mild, Moderate, Severe) using frequency features extracted from wheeze sounds. Further, analysis was extended to observe behaviour of wheeze sounds in different datasets.

Segmented and validated wheeze sounds was collected from 55 asthmatic patients from the trachea and lower lung base (LLB) during tidal breathing maneuvers. Segmented wheeze sounds have been grouped in to nine datasets based on auscultation location, breath phases and a combination of phase and location. Frequency based features F25, F50, F75, F90, F99 and mean frequency (MF) were calculated from normalized power spectrum. Subsequently, multivariate analysis was performed.

Generally frequency features observe statistical significance (p < 0.05) for the majority of datasets to differentiate severity level Ʌ = 0.432-0.939, F(12, 196-1534) = 2.731-11.196, p < 0.05, ɳ2 = 0.061-0.568. It was observed that selected features performed better (higher effect size) for trachea related samples Ʌ = 0.432-0.620, F(12, 196-498) = 6.575-11.196, p < 0.05, ɳ2 = 0.386-0.568.

The results demonstrated dthat severity levels of asthmatic patients with tidal breathing can be identified through computerized wheeze sound analysis. selleck products In general, auscultation location and breath phases produce wheeze sounds with different characteristics.

The results demonstrated dthat severity levels of asthmatic patients with tidal breathing can be identified through computerized wheeze sound analysis. In general, auscultation location and breath phases produce wheeze sounds with different characteristics.

To determine the effects of core stability exercises on backache and quality of life of postmenopausal women.

he comparative study was conducted at the Department of Physical Therapy, Margalla General Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from February to June 2018, and comprised post-menopausal woman aged 40-60 years having backache who were randomly divided into experimental group A and control group B. Group A underwent core stability exercises along with traditional therapy, while group B had traditional low backache physical therapy. Each participant was treated three days a week for 12 weeks. The outcome was assessed using the manual muscle testing numerical pain rating scale, Oswestry disability index and Utian quality of life scale at baseline, week 6 and week 12. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.

Of the 35 subjects initially enrolled, 24(68.5%) completed the study. Of them, 14(58.3%) cases were in group A and 10(41.6%) controls in group B. The overall mean age was 54.54±5.13 years, mean menopause duration was 99.79±50.02 months, and mean duration of backache complaint was 23.95±14.85 months. Differences in outcome were significant between the groups for flexion and extension manual muscle testing and Utian quality of life scale (p<0.05) and non-significant for numerical pain rating scaleand Oswestry disability index (p>0.05).

Core stability exercises were found to have the ability to reduce pain, disability and to improve strength and quality of life.

Core stability exercises were found to have the ability to reduce pain, disability and to improve strength and quality of life.

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of behaviour therapy training to mothers of autistic children on verbal and non-verbal improvement of their children.

A total of 33 mothers of autistic children were selected for training based on non-probability purposive sampling procedure. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Knowledge Scale was used to assess mothers' knowledge about autism and Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scale was used for assessment of the communication skill in autistic children.

This study revealed that behaviour therapy training significantly improved communication skills of children with autism by training mothers. The results of paired t-test revealed that trained mothers developed improved communication skills.

These results showed improvement in communication skills of autistic children whose mothers were trained in behaviour therapy.

These results showed improvement in communication skills of autistic children whose mothers were trained in behaviour therapy.

To compare the recurrence rate and chronic pain in hernia patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic transabdominal preperitoneal fixation with and without mesh.

The prospective comparative study was conducted at Surgical Units 4 and 5 of the Civil Hospital, Karachi, from August 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018, and comprised hernia patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic transabdominal preperitoneal fixation who were randomised into fixation Group A and non-fixation Group B. Postoperative visual analogue scale score was calculated at the time of discharge. At 1-year follow-up, recurrence rate and chronic pain were assessed. Data was analysed using SPSS 23.

Of the 98 patients, there were 49(50%) in each of the two groups. Of the total, there were 97(99%) males. The overall mean age was 44.52±14.51 years. The differences in visual analogue scale scores at the time of discharge and the mean discharge from the hospital in terms of days were statistically significant (p<0.005). At 1-year follow-up, there was recurrence in 1(1.