Resumo Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (a rã que desliza) é uma das espécies mais comuns no Paquistão. O presente estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a presença de Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis em áreas urbanas e rurais de Lower Dir, noroeste do Paquistão. Um total de 33 sapos foram coletados, incluindo 15 de áreas rurais e 18 de áreas urbanas. As rãs foram apanhadas com as mãos cobertas com luvas em vez de redes. A coleta foi gerenciada de agosto a outubro de 2016 e de abril a maio de 2018. Análises morfométricas, coloração e também fotografias das rãs foram fornecidas em detalhes. Rãs saltitantes foram vistas freqüentemente em áreas pantanosas próximas aos corpos d'água. Essas rãs eram vistas principalmente após o pôr do sol.

Abstract Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (the skittering frog) is one of the most widespread species in Pakistan. Present study was aimed to know the presence of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis in urban and rural areas of Lower Dir, the North-western Pakistan. A total of 33 frogs were collected, including 15 from rural and 18 from urban areas. The frogs were caught by hands covered with gloves instead of using nets. The collection was managed from August to October 2016 and from April to May 2018. Morphometric analysis, coloration as well as photographs of the frogs have been provided in detail. Skittering frogs were seen frequent in swampy areas near the water bodies. These frogs were mostly seen after sunset.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The study aimed to determine the demographics of the clients attending a primary care based tobacco cessation clinic, examine the characteristics regarding current tobacco use among clinic attendees, identify the methods associated with previous successful quit attempts and attitudes towards and perceptions regarding the role of pharmacotherapy in tobacco cessation and determine current levels of tobacco use among attendees, reasons for successes and relapses, satisfaction with the service provided and suggestions for improvement. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Arima Health Facility during the period March 1st to June 30th 2013 using both quantitative and qualitative measures. Results: A total of 31 patients were interviewed during the study period. Amongst smokers who tried to quit cigarette smoking in the past, Willpower (n = 11) was cited as the most common method that assisted in smoking cessation. However, amongst clinic attendees the most popular perceived methods for promoting tobacco cessation amongst respondents was joining a Tobacco Cessation clinic (n = 23), followed by Quitting on your own (n = 13) and seeing a Physician (n = 8). Significant gaps in knowledge exist regarding the role and availability of pharmacologic agents in promoting tobacco cessation, 22.6% of respondents were not using tobacco at the time of the study and 96.7% of all patients attending this clinic would recommend it to a friend or co-worker who is trying to quit using tobacco. Conclusion: This study highlights the knowledge, attitudes, practices, perceptions and expectations of clients accessing care at this tobacco cessation clinic in order to obtain a better understanding of the demographics of the clients and provide feedback on what is being done to date. It is hoped that the baseline findings of this study will serve a useful purpose for improving the quality of care by addressing deficiencies in knowledge and meeting the expectations of the clients. The results will enable future efforts geared towards assessing the effectiveness of the interventions provided at this clinic.

RESUMEN Objetivos: El estudio estuvo encaminado a determinar la demografía de los clientes que asisten a una clínica de cesación del tabaquismo en el contexto de la atención primaria, examinar las características relativas al consumo actual de tabaco entre los asistentes a la clínica, identificar los métodos asociados con el éxito previo de los intentos por abandonar su consumo, identificar las actitudes y percepciones sobre el papel de la farmacoterapia en el cese del tabaquismo, y determinar los niveles actuales de consumo de tabaco entre los asistentes, las razones de los éxitos y las recaídas, la satisfacción con el servicio prestado y sugerencias para la mejoría. Métodos: En el Centro de Salud de Arima, se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal durante el período del 1ero. de marzo al 30 de junio de 2013, haciendo uso de mediciones tanto cuantitativas como cualitativas. Resultados: Se entrevistó un total de 31 pacientes durante el período de estudio. Entre los fumadores que trataron de dejar el hábito de fumar cigarrillos en el pasado, la fuerza de voluntad (n = 11) fue citada como el método que más comúnmente ayudó a abandonar el hábito de fumar. Sin embargo, entre los asistentes a la clínica, los métodos percibidos como más populares para promover el cese del tabaquismo fueron, en primer lugar, el incorporarse a una Clínica de Cesación del Tabaquismo (n = 23), seguido por dejar de fumar por su cuenta (n = 13), y por último, ver a un médico (n = 8). Existen lagunas significativas en el conocimiento sobre el papel y la disponibilidad de los agentes farmacológicos en la promoción del cese del tabaquismo. El 22.6% de los encuestados no estaban consumiendo tabaco en el momento del estudio, y el 96.7% de todos los pacientes que asistían a esta clínica, la recomendarían a un amigo o compañero de trabajo que estuviera tratando de dejar de consumir tabaco. Conclusión: Este estudio resalta los conocimientos, actitudes, prácticas, percepciones y expectativas de los clientes que acceden a la atención en esta clínica de cesación del tabaquismo, con el fin de obtener una mejor comprensión de la demografía de los clientes y proporcionar retroalimentación sobre lo que se está haciendo hasta la fecha. Se espera que las conclusiones de referencia de este estudio sirvan para un propósito útil que permita mejorar la calidad de la atención, abordando las deficiencias en el conocimiento y satisfaciendo las expectativas de los clientes. Los resultados permitirán futuros esfuerzos orientados a evaluar la efectividad de las intervenciones proporcionadas en esta clínica.

This study analyses venom from the elapid krait snake Bungarus sindanus, which contains a high level of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. The enzyme showed optimum activity at alkaline pH (8.5) and 45ºC. Krait venom AChE was inhibited by substrate. Inhibition was significantly reduced by using a high ionic strength buffer; low ionic strength buffer (10 mM PO4 pH 7.5) inhibited the enzyme by 1. 5mM AcSCh, while high ionic strength buffer (62 mM PO4 pH 7.5) inhibited it by 1 mM AcSCh. Venom acetylcholinesterase was also found to be thermally stable at 45ºC; it only lost 5% of its activity after incubation at 45ºC for 40 minutes. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) for acetylthiocholine iodide hydrolysis was found to be 0.068 mM. Krait venom acetylcholinesterase was also inhibited by ZnCl2, CdCl2, and HgCl2 in a concentrationdependent manner. Due to the elevated levels of AChE with high catalytic activity and because it is more stable than any other sources, Bungarus sindanus venom is highly valuable for biochemical studies of this enzyme.