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Background: This study aimed to use high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and the CO-RADS grading system to diagnose COVID-19 patients and determine severity. Methodology: A retrospective study analyzed data from 280 patients at Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Gujrat between January and August 2021. Informed consent and ethical approval were secured. Data collection used a 64-slice multi-detector CT scanner, including patients with positive and negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) findings. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The study included more males (170, 60.7%) than females (110, 39.3%), with the most affected age group being 45-64 years. HRCT findings showed ground glass opacities in 212 cases (35.6%), consolidations in 158 cases (26.5%), Crazy paving sign in 54 cases (9.1%), pulmonary lesions in 54 cases (9.1%), interstitial lung disease in 42 cases (7.0%), pulmonary infiltrates in 32 cases (5.4%), atelectasis in 26 cases (4.4%), and pulmonary fibrosis in 18 cases (3.0%). CO-RADS classification results were: CO-RADS 1 (5, 1.8%), CO-RADS 2 (11, 3.9%), CO-RADS 3 (101, 36.1%), CO-RADS 4 (68, 24.3%), CO-RADS 5 (56, 20%), and CO-RADS 6 (39, 13.9%). PCR results were positive only in severe cases (starting from CO-RADS 2), while HRCT detected pulmonary findings even in less severe cases (starting from CO-RADS 1). Conclusion: High-resolution computed tomography accurately and quickly identifies COVID-19 infections, even when PCR findings are negative. The CO-RADS technique effectively determines the severity and spread of COVID-19. CO-RADS 3 was the most frequently reported category, with typical findings including peripheral ground glass opacities and bilateral pleural consolidations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro- plastics (MPs) pose significant global threats, requiring an environment-friendly mode of decomposition. Microbial-mediated biodegradation and biodeterioration of micro-plastics (MPs) have been widely known for their cost-effectiveness, and environment-friendly techniques for removing MPs. MPs resistance to various biocidal microbes has also been reported by various studies. The biocidal resistance degree of biodegradability and/or microbiological susceptibility of MPs can be determined by defacement, structural deformation, erosion, degree of plasticizer degradation, metabolization, and/or solubilization of MPs. The degradation of microplastics involves microbial organisms like bacteria, mold, yeast, algae, and associated enzymes. Analytical and microbiological techniques monitor microplastic biodegradation, but no microbial organism can eliminate microplastics. MPs can pose environmental risks to aquatic and human life. Micro-plastic biodegradation involves fragmentation, assimilation, and mineralization, influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. Environmental factors and pre-treatment agents can naturally degrade large polymers or induce bio-fragmentation, which may impact their efficiency. A clear understanding of MPs pollution and the microbial degradation process is crucial for mitigating its effects. The study aimed to identify deteriogenic microorganism species that contribute to the biodegradation of micro-plastics (MPs). This knowledge is crucial for designing novel biodeterioration and biodegradation formulations, both lab-scale and industrial, that exhibit MPs-cidal actions, potentially predicting MPs-free aquatic and atmospheric environments. The study emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation, research advancements, and public involvement to reduce micro-plastic contamination through policy proposals and improved waste management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular hydrogen is renowned as an odorless and colorless gas. The recommendations developed by China suggest that the inhalation of hydrogen molecules is currently advised in COVID-19 pneumonia treatment. The therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogens have been confirmed after numerous clinical trials and animal-model-based experiments, which have expounded that the low molecular weight of hydrogen enables it to easily diffuse and permeate through the cell membranes to produce a variety of biological impacts. A wide range of both chronic and acute inflammatory diseases, which may include sepsis, pancreatitis, respiratory disorders, autoimmune diseases, ischemia-reperfusion damages, etc. may be treated and prevented by using it. H2 can primarily be inoculated through inhalation, by drinking water (which already contains H2), or by administrating the injection of saline H2 in the body. It may play a pivotal role as an antioxidant, in regulating the immune system, in anti-inflammatory activities (mitochondrial energy metabolism), and cell death (apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy) by reducing the formation of excessive reactive O2 species and modifying the transcription factors in the nuclei of the cells. However, the fundamental process of molecular hydrogen is still not entirely understood. Molecular hydrogen H2 has a promising future in therapeutics based on its safety and possible usefulness. The current review emphasizes the antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen molecules along with the underlying principle and fundamental mechanism involved, with a prime focus on the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). This review will also provide strategies and recommendations for the therapeutic and medicinal applications of the hydrogen molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal plants have been used to cure human diseases since decades. Silybum marianum, a medicinal plant, is regarded as a source of secondary metabolites with therapeutic value against liver diseases and diabetes. The present study was conducted to enrich the production of secondary metabolites in the vegetative parts of Silybum marianum using elicitation strategy in hydroponic system with different elicitors. The elicitors of fungus Aspergillus niger (0.2 g/L), methyl jasmonate (MeJA) (100 µM) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (1 ppm) were added in hydroponic medium, individually and in combination form to the 15 days old plant. The elicitor-treated plants were harvested at different time points (24-144 h; increment 24 h) and their biochemical parameters like phenolics, flavonoids, nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed. The results showed hyperaccumulation of these biochemical contents, especially in response to MeJA (100 µM), followed by AgNPs (1 ppm) and co-treatment of AgNPs (1 ppm) with other elicitors. The results revealed that the treatment with MeJA (100 µM) exhibited the highest flavonoid (304 µg g-1), phenolic (372 µg g-1), and SOD (16.2 U g-1) contents. For NO levels, the maximum value of 198.6 nmole g-1 was achieved in response to the treatment with MeJA + Green synthesized AgNPs (100 µM + 1 ppm). Our findings depicted an enhanced production of medicinally important plant secondary metabolites and antioxidants; hence, the method applied in this study can play a significant role to improve therapeutic values of the plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Birth asphyxia is a disturbance to the fetus or newborn due to failure to breath or breathing poorly, leads to decrease oxygen perfusion to various organs. Many neonatal deaths occurred each year due to birth asphyxia. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the risk factor associated with birth asphyxia. Methods: This Case-Control study was conducted at department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Sir Gangaram Hospital, Lahore. The study was completed in 9 months after approval of synopsis. A total of 154 cases and 154 controls were taken in this study. All new born baby (age < 2 days), having any mod of delivery (vaginal or cesarean section (C-section) and baby born at gestational age (28-41weeks) were included. New born with any anomaly, mother with previous history of birth asphyxia and twins were excluded from study. After taking consent form, data collection divides into three factor sections i.e.: maternal, intrapartum and neonatal sections. After taking consent form, data collection divides into three factor sections i.e.: maternal, intrapartum and neonatal sections. Data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 24.0 Mean + SD was calculated for quantitative data. Frequency and percentage was calculated for categorical data. Chi-square test was applied for categorical data. Independent sample T-test/Mann Whitney u test was applied. Odds ratio also be calculated. Logistic Regression was applied to confirm possible risk factors. P value = 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: The mean age of mothers in cases was 29.66 ± 5.20 years and in control groups was 25.29 ± 3.95 years, the mean of mothers was statistically higher in cases than controls, p-value <0.001. The mean gestational age of mothers in cases was 37.34 ± 1.37 weeks and in controls was 38.01 ± 0.91 weeks respectively, the mean gestational age was statistically lower in cases as compared to control, p-value < 0.001. It is concluded that the risk factors for birth asphyxia are found as Father's education (AOR = 4.59), Oligohydramnios (AOR = 5.29), Preterm (AOR = 4.24), Gravida (AOR = 3.33), Breech position (AOR = 3.13), gestational diabetes mellitus (AOR = 3.11), ANC (AOR = 2.71), pregnancy induced Hypertension (AOR = 2.61), and maternal age (AOR = 1.28). Conclusion: It is concluded that there are many factors associated with birth asphyxia that can be managed during pregnancy or immediately before delivery. By controlling such factors, risk of birth asphyxia can be controlled, by reducing birth asphyxia we can reduce neonatal mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Globally plants have been reported to contain certain compounds which have insecticidal properties, especially on the larval stages of mosquitoes. Method: Some of the locally grown plants such as Olea vera (Olive), Linum usitatissimum (Linseed), Piper nigrum (Black pepper), Syzygium aromaticum (Clove) and Calotropis procera (Aak), were selected and evaluated for their larvicidal activity against dengue vector Aedes aegypti and malaria vector Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes in Pakistan. The extracts were evaluated according to WHO guidelines for larvae of mosquitoes. Results: Among the five plant extracts, linseed had the lowest LC50(2.32%) after 24 hours of exposure while after 48 hours it had 2.32 % LC50 value against Aedes aegypti. Again linseed had the lowest LC50 value (1.1 % and 0.07 %) after 24 hours and 48 hours of exposure against Anopheles stephensi. In terms of % age mortality when population was exposed to series of concentrations (2%-10%), linseed gave high % mortality against both the tested mosquitoes' species larvae. Conclusion: The result revealed that all the 5 plant species have some larvicidal effect but linseed had great potential against both tested mosquito species. Further small scale field trials with the extracts of the most promising ones (linseed) shall be conducted to determine operational feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main issue for effective malaria control programme in Southern Punjab is the insecticide resistance. While resistance to pyrethroids, is the alarming situation for the Malaria Control Program. As the pyrethroids are being used for long lasting bed nets (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS). The present study utilized the World Health Organization (WHO) test kits and insecticide impregnated papersimpregnated papers with DDT, Malathion, Fenitrothion and Deltamethrin to determine the insecticide susceptibility/resistance status of malaria vector mosquitoes in Bahawalpur. Results from the study showed that An. stephensi was resistance to DDT, Fenitrothion, Malathion, Deltamethrin and Lambdacyhalothrin in all localities of District Bahawalpur. This study forms an important evidence base for the strategic planning of vector control in district Bahawalpur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]