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Genetic variants of bovine Beta-casein protein (CSN2) gene especially A1 and A2 are the most important variants in dairy cattle. A1 milk protein is considered as risk factor for different disease and milk intolerance which release Beta-Casomorphin-7 during digestion which is a bioactive opioid but not released from A2 milk protein. This opioid is responsible for several human health problems like Coronary Heart disease, type 1 diabetics, milk intolerance and other neurological disorders. In present study, 360 blood sample were collected from Lohani, Achai, jersey, Holstein Friesian, Achai x jersey, Friesian x Sahiwal and Sahiwal x Friesian from different region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons were sequenced for the identification of polymorphism in exon 7 of Beta-casein protein (CSN2) gene. Sequencing analysis explored CSN2 genotype in exon 7 using the Genomic sequence from GenBank (X.71104) g.8101 C > A at codon 67. The allelic and genotypic frequencies of CSN2 gene were analyzed and observed that Holstein Friesian cattle exhibited A1A2 33%, A1A1 50% and A2A2 17%, Jersey cattle show 68% A1A1, 18% A1A2 and 14% A2A2, Sahiwal x Friesian 56% A1A1, 26% A1A2 and 18% A2A2, Jersey × Achai 78% A2A2, 15% A1A2 and 7% A1A1, Achai 100% A2A2 Lohani 100% A2A2. This is a preliminary study, conducted with meager resources, therefore, it is very difficult to make conclusion that which particular breed possess harmful alleles and which breed possess useful alleles of beta-casein gene. Therefore, a comprehensive molecular work is needed to be performed with greater number of samples sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are vital and dynamic components of the global ecosystem, providing a wide range of ecosystem services such as water control and biodiversity. During 2015–2019, plant diversity and distribution of wetlands were studied in forty areas of the Mardan division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A total of 282 vascular wetland plant species were identified, divided into 192 genera and 73 families. Poaceae, with 41 species, is the most diverse family of wetland plants, followed by Asteraceae, with 26 species. In the present study, wetland plants are classified based on the Cook classification system. It is interesting to note that all the life forms were present in the study area except Plankton. Helophyte life form was represented by the highest number of plants with 177 plants and 62.5 percent of total wetland plants, followed by Tenagophyte with 42 plant species (14.8%) and Hyperhydate with 27 plant species (9.5%). Based on the distribution pattern of 282 species in 40 wetland sites, the most common plant species found was Euphorbia helioscopia, recorded from 36 locations, followed by Cynodon dactylon which was found in 32 locations. In Mardan division, the Gulshan Abad Khuwar had the highest number of species occurrences (83 species) accounting for 32% of all species, followed by Alo Khwar (59 species, 23%) and Hathian Khwar (50 species, 19%). The current work presents a comprehensive and field-based detailed survey of wetland plant distribution in this region, filling knowledge gaps in the Himalayas in particular, and having broader implications for wetland management policy and practice. Unfortunately, wetlands of the research area are facing high pressure due to an increase in human population, overgrazing, deforestation, construction of buildings and roads. The filling up of these water bodies is resulting in the loss of hydrophytic species diversity. Therefore, these wetlands need proper attention and effective protection from anthropogenic disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the intricate relationship between climate variables and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is essential for effective ecosystem management. This study focuses on the spatiotemporal dynamics of NDVI and its interaction with climate variables in the ecologically diverse Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) Province, Pakistan, from 2000 to 2022. The research methodology involves analyzing satellite images and meteorological datasets to examine NDVI and surface latent heat flux (SHF), total precipitation (TPP), temperature (T), soil temperature (ST), and total pressure (TP). KPK Province's ecological significance and complex climate-vegetation interactions drive the selection of this study area. The study uses multiple linear regression analysis to investigate how T, TPP, SHF, and TP influence NDVI. The Mann-Kendall test detects trends, with Sen's slope estimator quantifying trend magnitudes. Additionally, correlation coefficients provide insights into long-term changes and association strengths. The findings highlight a consistent upward trend in mean NDVI over the 23 years, revealing an overall increase in NDVI, particularly in vegetation-dense areas where it rose from 0.27 to 0.32. The research showed an annual growth rate of 0.84% in the entire area, with specific vegetated zones exhibiting a slightly lower rate of 0.80%. However, the average yearly increase in NDVI is higher in vegetation-specific zones (0.00237) compared to the whole area (0.00151). This increase in NDVI occurs alongside a statistically significant decrease in SHF and PPT, suggesting a complex adaptation of vegetation to changing climate conditions in the KPK Province. In contrast, SHF exhibits a statistically significant negative slope of −5.952e-06 (p < 0.05), indicating a pronounced downward trend. Similarly, Sen's slope estimate for precipitation demonstrates a significant negative trend of −0.0001 (p < 0.05), showing diminishing precipitation. The study uncovers intricate linkages between climate variables and vegetation dynamics within KPK Province. These insights have far-reaching implications, guiding decision-making in land management, conservation efforts, and global climate resilience strategies. Ultimately, the research underscores the critical role of data-driven approaches in shaping a greener and more sustainable future. • Upward NDVI trend shows dense area growth over 23 years. • Zones show 0.80% annual growth, revealing nuanced vegetation dynamics in Province. • Clear SHF decrease & diminishing precipitation show complex vegetation adaptation. • Complex climate-NDVI dynamics revealed, highlighting changing conditions' impact. • Data insights guide global land, conservation, and climate strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of training on employees' development perceptions and the influence of the said perceptions on employees' job-related attitudes and behavior in the Accountant General Office in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The current study is an effort to emphasize the importance of training and promoting the perceptions of employee development within the public sector organizations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in particular, and in Pakistan, in general. The study analyses the mediating effect of employees' development in the relationship of training with the organizational outcomes i.e. organizational commitment, employee motivation, job performance, turnover intentions and job satisfaction. To analyze the collected data stratified random sampling technique has been employed through statistical technique of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results demonstrate that employee development perceptions have a direct and positive impact on enhancing organizational commitment, employee motivation, job performance, and job satisfaction; while, negatively affect the employees' turnover intentions. The study has practical as well as theoretical implications. The results are expected to help policy makers to rehash their policies by encompassing the approaches that facilitate the promotion of perceptions of employee development and their fruitful outcomes for the effectiveness of the organization. The study will also help researchers in strengthening their level of understanding of these relationships. Replication of the study may help to validate the hypothesized constructs and their consequent application in the organizations that share somewhat similar organizational structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and man-made radionuclide 137Cs has been investigated in soil samples collected from Peshawar University campus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, using gamma-ray spectrometry. A High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector was used for gamma spectrometry. The detector was connected with a computer based high resolution multi channel analyzer. The specific activities in soil ranged from 30.2 to 49.1 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 54.8 to 77.3 Bq/kg for 232Th, 9.8 to 46.6 Bq/kg for 137Cs and 373.6 to 1071 Bq/kg for 40K with the average values of 40.9, 63.8, 22.5 and 858.3 Bq/kg, respectively. 137Cs, an artificial radionuclide, was also found in measurable concentration in all soil samples of University campus. The detection of 137Cs showed that the soil of University campus also gained some fallout from Chernobyl power plant nuclear accident in 1986. The radium equivalent activity was found lower than 370 Bq/kg (OECD safe limit) in all the soil samples. The radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices have average values of 198.01 Bq/kg, 0.54 and 0.64, respectively. The mean values of indoor and outdoor absorbed dose rate in air were found 109.36 nGy.h-1 and 91.13 nGy.h-1, respectively. In the present analysis, 40K was the significant radionuclide detected in the University campus soil. The concentration of radionuclides found in the soil samples of University of Peshawar during the present investigations were nominal and do not produce any harmful health effects to the local residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human populations throughout much of the world are experiencing unprecedented changes in their relationship to the environment and their interactions with the animals with which so many humans are intimately dependent upon. These changes result not only from human induced changes in the climate, but also from population demographic changes due to wars, social unrest, behavioral changes resulting from cultural mixing, and large changes in land-use practices. Each of these social shifts can affect the maintenance and emergence of arthropod vectors disease or the pathogenic organisms themselves. A good example is the country of Pakistan, with a large rural population and developing urban economy, it also maintains a wide diversity of entomological disease vectors, including biting flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Pathogens endemic to the region include the agents of piroplasmosis, rickettsiosis, spirochetosis, and viral hemorrhagic fevers and encephalitis. The northwestern region of the country, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK), formerly the North-West Frontier Provence (NWFP), and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are mountainous regions with a high degree of habitat diversity that has recently undergone a massive increase in human population density due to an immigrating refugee population from neighboringwar-torn Afghanistan.Vector-borne diseases in people and livestock are common in KPK and FATA regions due to the limited use of vector control measures and access to livestock vaccines. The vast majority of people in this region live in abject poverty with >70% of the population living directly from production gained in animal husbandry. In many instances whole families live directly alongside their animal counterparts. In addition, there is little to no awareness of the threat posed by ticks and transmission of either zoonotic or veterinary pathogens. Recent emergence of Crimean- Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in rural populations, outbreaks of Dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the region, and high prevalence of cattle infected and co-infected with multiple species of hemoparasites (Theileria, Babesia, Anaplasma). The emergence of which has followed the increased density of the rural population due to an influx of refugees from violent conflicts in Afghanistan and is exacerbated by an already impoverished society and wide diversity of potential arthropod vectors. These human outbreaks may be exacerbated by episodes of social upheaval but are also tied to the historically close association of people in the region with their livestock and subsequent zoonosis that result from spillover from co-habitation with infected domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human populations throughout much of the world are experiencing unprecedented changes in their relationship to the environment and their interactions with the animals with which so many humans are intimately dependent upon. These changes result not only from human induced changes in the climate, but also from population demographic changes due to wars, social unrest, behavioral changes resulting from cultural mixing, and large changes in land-use practices. Each of these social shifts can affect the maintenance and emergence of arthropod vectors disease or the pathogenic organisms themselves. A good example is the country of Pakistan, with a large rural population and developing urban economy, it also maintains a wide diversity of entomological disease vectors, including biting flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Pathogens endemic to the region include the agents of piroplasmosis, rickettsiosis, spirocheteosis, and viral hemorrhagic fevers and encephalitis. The northwestern region of the country, including the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK), formerly the North-West Frontier Provence (NWFP), and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are mountainous regions with a high degree of habitat diversity that has recently undergone a massive increase in human population density due to an immigrating refugee population from neighboring war-torn Afghanistan. Vector-borne diseases in people and livestock are common in KPK and FATA regions due to the limited use of vector control measures and access to livestock vaccines. The vast majority of people in this region live in abject poverty with >70% of the population living directly from production gained in animal husbandry. In many instances whole families live directly alongside their animal counterparts. In addition, there is little to no awareness of the threat posed by ticks and transmission of either zoonotic or veterinary pathogens. Recent emergence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in rural populations, outbreaks of Dengue hemorrhagic fever have been reported in the region, and high prevalence of cattle infected and co-infected with multiple species of haemoparasites (Theileria, Babesia, Anaplasma). The emergence of which has followed the increased density of the rural population due to an influx of refugees from violent conflicts in Afghanistan and is exacerbated by an already impoverished society and wide diversity of potential arthropod vectors. These human outbreaks may be exacerbated by episodes of social upheaval but are also tied to the historically close association of people in the region with their livestock and subsequent zoonosis that result from spillover from co-habitation with infected domestic animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to obtain updated information on mosquito diversity and malaria vector incrimination in Charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to help in devising effective control and preventive measures in the area. Monthly survey of indoor mosquitoes for one year was carried out in three villages, Dhaki Totaqi and Mathra. Female Anopheline were used to detect Circumsporozoites protein (CSP) using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Among 17 mosquito species, Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles splendidus, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles fluviatilus, Anopheles culicifacies and Culex tritaeniorhynchus were predominant. Dhaki village had the highest mosquito species diversity (1.015) and similar species richness (0.7) and evenness (0.5) with village Mathra. Slide positivity rate (SPR) shows that the rate of malaria transmission increases with mosquito population. Four anopheline species i.e. A. stephensi, A. fluviatilis, A. splendidus , and A. culicifacies were CSP positiv e. The CSP rate was 0.8%, where two specimens of A. splendidus and one of A. fluviatilus were positive for Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax was represented by two variants 210 and 247. Among the 20 CSP positive specimens, variant 210 was found in 12 (one belonging to A. culicifacies , two each of A. stephensi and A. fluviatilus , seven specimens of A. splendidus ) and 247 in 8 specimens (two of A. stephensi , three each of A. fluviatilus and A. splendidus ). The number of infected mosquitoes collected from animal sheds was higher (15) though non-significant ( P > 0.05) than that from bedrooms (8). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Salmonella and its dominant serovars, S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium by phenotypic and molecular characterization in poultry. We reported the antimicrobial resistance profile, biofilm formation and presence of resistant and virulent genes of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium of poultry origin in Peshawar. A total of 310 liver samples were collected from morbid and dead birds and processed both by direct plating and selective enrichment methods. Over all prevalence of Salmonella was found to be 21.6% in poultry liver. PCR based molecular screening of Salmonella isolates through serovar specific genes revealed that S. Enteritidis (74.11%) and S. Typhymurium (18.8%) were the most prevalent serovars. Salmonella isolates were found highly resistant to Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline, Nalidixic acid, Doxycycline, Sulfamethoxazole and Erythromycin. While susceptibility of Salmonella isolates was noted against Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Meropenem, Amikacin, Norfloxacin and Ceftazidime. The prevalence of MDR strains were found to be 93.3% of the total isolates while 14.4% isolates were ESBLs producers. The most prevalent resistant genes in Salmonella were sul1 (98.8%), sul2 (97.6%), gyrA (95.2%), strB and CTX-M (80%). Four virulent genes i.e. SpaN, CsgA, SipA and MsgA were present in more than 80% of isolated strains of Salmonella. Hence, it was concluded that poultry birds in the Peshawar region are carrier of highly resistant and virulent S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium strains and are a potential public health risk. A routine surveillance and a regulated antimicrobial application are required for control and prevention of the current situation in the poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DNA barcoding aids in conservation efforts and taxonomic studies of Ziziphus genus. • matK, trnL-UAA and ITS, single and combination barcodes are efficient for Ziziphus. • Genomic insights in Ziziphus for conservation and germplasm enhancement. • Novel solution to misidentifying economically valuable Ziziphus genus. The genus Ziziphus , belonging to the family Rhamnaceae, is of great economic and medicinal importance worldwide due to the value of its fruits in household income and food security. However, many species within this genus are phenotypically identical, leading to imprecise identification and hindering their conservation, variation in the gene pool, and exploitation. To address this issue, we collected 26 individuals from different regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and Shanxi province, China, to assess the efficiency of DNA barcoding regions in identifying Ziziphus species. We tested the ability of five DNA barcodes regions, namely ITS, matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA , and trnL-UAA , to distinguish between Ziziphus species as an alternative approach for species identification and the phylogenetic reconstruction. The results of the study, as the success rate of PCR amplification of matK, trnL-UAA , and ITS, provided the highest species resolution with 100 % accuracy, except for trnH-psbA (90.78 %). ITS and matK were identified as the most effective single barcode, with a species identification success rate of 87.4 %±0.98 % and 84.89 %±0.66 %. These results suggest that matK, trnL-UAA , and ITS are universal barcode regions for identification of all Ziziphus species identification and their discrimination power to differentiate. In contrast, the combination of trnL-UAA +ITS region displayed the highest species identification rate (92.1 %), the five barcodes region combination, and superior to any barcodes regions combination that included rbcL + trnH-psbA. Additionally, the study found high haplotypes and nucleotide diversity in Pakistani Ziziphus species, mainly in the ITS barcode, with values of 0.84 and 0.0086, respectively. In conclusion, the study establishes that the DNA fragments ITS, trnL-UAA , and matK are effective in identifying and distinguishing Ziziphus species. The approach can be considered as an accurate tool for identifying these species and will be used as a universal barcode's region for Ziziphus species. DNA barcoding is a useful approach and provides a reliable and effective means for Ziziphus discrimination, and in combination with morphology-based taxonomy will be a robust approach for tackling taxonomically complex species. Additionally, this study provides valuable insights into the genomic architecture of Ziziphus species, which has implications for their classification, conservation, and germplasm resource improvement. This research provides a novel approach to the problem of incorrectly identifying economically and medicinally important species, particularly those in the genus Ziziphus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]