Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections has affected more than 15 million people and, as of 22 July 2019, caused deaths of more than 0.6 million individuals globally. With the excretion of SARS-CoV-2 in the stool of symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, its genome detection in the sewage water can be used as a powerful epidemiological tool to predict the number of positive cases in a population. This study was conducted to detect SARS-CoV-2 genome in sewage water during the lockdown. Sewage samples, from 28 pre-selected sites, were collected on alternate days from 13-25 July, 2020 from two selected areas [Johar Town (n = 05) and Township (n = 23)], where smart lockdown were implemented by the government authorities on 9th July, 2020. Genomic RNA was extracted and the SARS-CoV-2 was detected and quantified using commercially available kit through Real-Time PCR. Out of 28, sixteen samples were positive on day one while 19, 17, 23, 17, 05 and 09 samples were positive on day 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13, respectively. These results indicate the decreasing viral copy load with the passage of time however few sites did not followed a clear pattern indicating the complexities in sewage water based surveillance i.e time of sampling. Hourly sampling from two sites for 24 hours also revealed the impact of time sampling time on detection of SARS-CoV-2 genome in sewage pipelines and lift/disposal stations. Results of current study indicate a possible role of sewage-based COVID-19 surveillance in monitoring and execution of smart lockdowns.
Commercial banks are the major element of financial systems. The aim of this research study is to make comparisons of financial performance from the time period of 2011-2014 by using financial ratios and measures of commercial banks functioning in Pakistan. All commercial banks are selected for analysis for evaluation purposes. This study determines the ranking of commercial banks on the base of bank size, return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE), spread ratio, and earnings per share (EPS).All the findings of this study are totally matched with the results described by State Bank of Pakistan.
Objective: To find the pattern of childhood asthma, and factors affecting its occurrence in children having age up to 12 years. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: Pediatric Department, Women & Children Hospital MTI Bannu. Period: November 2018 to May 2019. Material & Methods: A sample of 100 subjects was selected by consecutive nonprobability technique. 1 Children having age up to 12 years. 2. Children having Asthma symptoms. 1. Children having age > 12 years. 2. Children not having Asthma symptoms. 3. Refusal. Results: Out of 100 patients, 73% were male patients and 27% were female patients; indicating increased prevalence of childhood asthma in males. 58% of children were Pre-School children indicating higher frequency of childhood asthma in younger children. Many children reported worsening of symptoms at night especially shortness of breath at night. Major factor was Aspirin because mothers of 34% of affected children were using aspirin during pregnancy. Conclusion: Frequency of childhood asthma is more in males as compared to females. Exercise, cigarette smoke and environmental allergens like dust and animals are the chief precipitating factors. Younger children are affected more frequently than older children.
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