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COVID-19 proved a pandemic that has affected the whole world on a large scale. Every walk of life got disturbed by this pandemic. Educational institutions not only in Pakistan but all over the globe remain closed, which causes a loss of study for the students of all Grades, notably Higher education (Postgraduate Level), which directly affected education, learners, and teachers in terms of learning, time, and economically. Virtual Teaching (VT) is proving an emerging method of teaching in the field of education all over the world. Developed countries have opted for this method of teaching much before. In Pakistan, universities under the directions of HEC started Virtual Teaching VT (Online Teaching) for the students, which was an attempt to cover the loss on an experimental basis. This study is conducted to know the impact of VT on ESL students' behavior. For this purpose among 100 students of KFUEIT, RYK University distributed a questionnaire to measure their behavior level. Students' participation was inspiriting, and their response found positive in this new field of Teaching.

This study was designed to determine the role of Pakistan studies in promoting political awareness among the secondary level students in Pakistan. The study was delimited to three divisions of the Punjab province. A sample of 480 students was taken from the High and Higher Secondary Schools of Faisalabad, Multan and Rawalpindi Divisions. The tools of research adopted in this study were content analysis of the curriculum of Pakistan Studies and a test regarding the basic political knowledge. The collected data were analyzed by using the descriptive as well as inferential statistics. The content analyses showed a little inclusion of the text on the basic political knowledge and the test results confirmed the lower level of political awareness among the students. The integration of the basic political information in the books of Pakistan studies at secondary level was recommended in this study.

Introduction: Teachers can perceive themselves as a true teacher and act as one only if they have a strong professional identity. This study aimed to identify factors that shape the unique professional identity of basic medical sciences teachers in Pakistan. Methods: A qualitative study was performed using the concepts of phenomenology and purposive sampling. A 20-item text-based interview was conducted by sharing a Google Form link with basic medical sciences teachers from select institutions. Iterative data collection and analysis were performed until data saturation was attained. Results: A total of 40 participants took part in the study. Nine categories were identified and grouped into two major themes: four personal and five environmental factors. Personal factors included characteristics, preferences, religious values, and professional development. Environmental factors included community of practice, students' feedback, administrative support, work environment, and societal apathy. Among these factors, aptitude, family preference or work-life balance, hard work, dedication, and effect on parenting were more evident in women. By contrast, passion, experience, complacency, and unique identity were the prominent factors. Discussion: Community of practice [31 (77%)], passion for teaching [21 (52%)], students' feedback [18 (45%)], work-life balance [16 (40%)], and religious values [13 (32%)] were the primary positive contributors to the identity of basic medical sciences teachers. By contrast, poor administrative support [8 (20%)], negative work environment [11 (27%)], job dissatisfaction [7 (17%)], societal apathy [4 (10%)], and lack of opportunities for professional growth [6 (15%)] negatively impact the professional identity of basic medical sciences teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Child malnutrition is a grave concern for Pakistan, as the country has one of the highest incidences of child stunting in the developing world. The present study examines the relative significance of parents' education on a child's nutritional status in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: For analysis, the study has used data from Phase 7 of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) (2017–2018). Since the dependent variable ranges from 0 to 1 (1 indicates not a stunted child, while 0 represents a stunted child), binary logistic regressions are used for the analysis. Findings: The results show that mothers' and fathers' education positively contributes to a child's nutrition. However, mothers' education is considered more significant, especially in the long run. The mother's education categories are positive and significant in the long run, while only their higher education is positive and significant for the father's. Moreover, the magnitude of the effect also shows that the probability of stunting is less if the mothers are educated. The long-run coefficient for mothers' higher education is 0.752, while that of fathers' higher education is only 0.232. Originality/value: The present study compares the importance of mothers' and fathers' education in child nutrition and concludes that the role of the mother is more crucial for child upbringing. There are rarely any studies that focus on the role of fathers' education in child nutrition and compare whose role, mothers' or fathers,' is more important for child well-being. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0483 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacillus thuringiensis (B. thuringiensis) is considered one of the most important entomopathogenic microorganisms. It produces potent toxins against insects. Therefore, the present study investigates the bioacaricidal properties of B. thuringiensis on the Hyalomma tick species. Firstly, we identify Hyalomma ticks based on morphological screening and molecular characterization. The cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COX1) gene was selected for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, which resulted in the amplification of 656 bp. The amplified products were sequenced, and the isolated (COX1) gene of ticks was submitted to the gene bank of NCBI (Accession No. OR077934.1). The nucleotide sequences were retrieved from the NCBI data bank by BLASTn analysis, which confirmed that all obtained sequences belong to genus Hyalomma, and multiple alignments confirmed that the sequence of Hyalomma anatolicum Tandojam‐isolate (HA‐TJ) 100% aligned with Hyalomma analoticum KP792577.1, Hyalomma detritum KP792595.1, Hyalomma excavatum KX911989.1, and H. excavatum OQ449693.1. The generated phylogenetic tree confirmed that sequences of HA‐TJ COX1 clustered with a single clad of H. analoticum, H. excavatum, and H. detritum. The acaricidal effect of B. thuringiensis toxins B. thuringiensis spore crystal mix (BtSCM) and B. thuringiensis crystal proteins (Btcps) was evaluated against larvae and adult life stages of Hyalomma ticks in vitro. We applied Btcps and BtSCM separately with different concentrations and calculated the mortality percentage. Adult mortality was estimated at the 8th, 10th, 12th, and 15th days posttreatment and larval mortality after 24 h. During treatment of the adult life stage, at first, ticks were immersed in different concentrations of Btcps and BtSCM for 5 min after the treatments, and the samples were transferred to sterile containers and placed in an incubator with 80% humidity at 23°C. Furthermore, Btcps produced the highest mortality on Day 15, 89 ± 1.00% at a concentration of 3000 μg/mL, followed by the 12th, 10th, and 8th days produced 83 ± 1.91%, 70 ± 1.15%, and 61 ± 1.00%, respectively. BtSCM produced mortality of 69 ± 1.91% on Day 15 at a concentration of 3000 μg/mL, followed by the 12th, 10th, and 8th days at 57 ± 2.51%, 37 ± 1.91%, and 34 ± 2.00%. The present study revealed that B. thuringiensis toxins produced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in mortality rate in adults of Hyalomma ticks. Additionally, Btcps and BtSCM were used to treat the larval stage. The treatments were applied to calculate the mortality percentage via the Laravel packet test. At a 1500 μg/mL concentration, Btcps resulted in the highest mortality of 98 ± 1.15%; this was followed by 1250 μg/mL, 1000 μg/mL, and 750 μg/mL, which produced mortalities of 76 ± 1.63%, 60 ± 1.63%, and 56 ± 1.63%, respectively. In addition, BtSCM produced a mortality rate of 79 ± 2.51% at a concentration of 1500 μg/mL. Furthermore, 75 ± 2.51%, 65 ± 1.91%, and 58 ± 1.15% mortality were observed at concentrations of 1250 μg/mL, 1000 μg/mL, and 750 μg/mL, respectively. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in larval mortality compared to the control group. We conclude that B. thuringiensis toxins are applicable as a bioacaricide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental students face the rigorous demands of coursework, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and stress. These pressures can negatively influence self-efficacy and cause neglect in practicing healthy behaviors that encompass oral health. Identifying the associations of these variables with oral hygiene practices can help in the formulation of interventions tailored toward supporting young students. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of health behaviors, perceived stress and self-efficacy on oral hygiene practices among undergraduate dental students in Pakistan. Methods: A national online survey was carried out among 904 students across the dental colleges of Pakistan. The survey assessed general health behaviors such as tobacco use, sleep, and exercise, among other demographic variables. Perceived stress was evaluated via the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and self-efficacy was evaluated via the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Twice daily brushing, brushing for 2 min, and changing toothbrushes after 3 months informed oral hygiene practice of the participants. Results: The students experienced moderate perceived stress (20.82 ± 5.92) and high self-efficacy (29.19 ± 5.43). The majority of participants were in their third year (31.9%), were female (65.9%), and resided in home during their studies (64.4%). Perceived stress was observed to have no significant effect on the oral practice of participants. Female gender, non tobacco user, regular exercise, frequent dental visits and higher self-efficacy were associated with good oral hygiene practices. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of addressing stress, enhancing self-efficacy and encouraging healthy behaviors among dental students to improve their oral health, which could be reflected in their professional practice and personal well-being. This study contributes to the understanding of behavioral determinants and emphasizes the need for supportive measures to foster better health behaviors in future dental professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Stigma is a major impediment to human rights in health care that causes discrimination, isolation and the exclusion of individuals from essential health-care services. It fosters fear, leading to negative stereotyping of individuals based on their social, cultural or health status and undermines their dignity and respect, consequently violating their right to health. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the moderating role of psychological flexibility in the relationship between stigma (enacted, anticipated and internalized), mental health and the quality of life of substance users. Design/methodology/approach: This study was based on a cross-sectional design and included 200 male patients with an age range of 18–65 years from 23 rehabilitation centers in four cities in Pakistan. The purposive sampling technique was used, and the sample size ranged from 4 to 23 participants for each site. Four scales were used to measure stigma, general mental health, quality of life and psychological flexibility in substance users. Findings: The data were analyzed using SPSS and Smart PLS, which showed that stigma (enacted, anticipated and internalized) had a detrimental effect on substance users' mental health and quality of life. Additionally, psychological flexibility acts as an efficient moderator between them. Originality/value: This research unveils the moderating role of psychological flexibility in mitigating stigma's adverse effects on individuals with substance use disorders. Future investigations should prioritize interventions aimed at enhancing psychological flexibility to ameliorate the repercussions of stigma, ultimately enhancing the well-being and quality of life of substance users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by recurrent upper airway obstructions during sleep, leading to disrupted breathing and significant health risks. The condition is increasingly common, particularly among older adults, men, and postmenopausal women, with contributing factors such as age, lifestyle, and comorbidities. Effective management of OSA includes treatment options such as CPAP, BiPAP, lifestyle modifications, and surgical interventions. However, patient adherence and follow-up remain significant challenges. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate treatment modalities for OSA at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, including CPAP, BiPAP, lifestyle modifications, and surgical interventions. It also seeks to compare treatments across different OSA severity categories and examine the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe OSA in the population. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted on 66 patients diagnosed with OSA based on polysomnography at the Department of Pulmonology, Lady Reading Hospital, between 2022 and 2023. Demographic data, comorbid conditions, symptom duration, and treatment modalities were analyzed. Severity was assessed using the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI). Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests were used to examine treatment distribution, adherence, and follow-up. Results: Most patients were aged 41-70 (81.82%), with moderate OSA (43.94%) being the most common severity. CPAP was prescribed to 39.39%, and BiPAP to 18.18%. Treatment adherence was low, with 5 patients lost to follow-up, and 7 refusing CPAP/BiPAP. Conclusion: The study highlights the challenges of treatment adherence in OSA management. It underscores the need for better patient education, follow-up, and strategies to improve long-term outcomes for OSA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the factors associated with delay in arterio-venous fistula formation among the patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis. Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Lahore Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2020. Methodology: Al patients above 18 years of age with chronic kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis (end stage renal disease) were inducted in the study. Patients requiring hemodialysis for acute kidney injury were excluded from the study. Patients were interviewed face-to-face about their socio-demographic variables, cause of delay and mean delay time from diagnosis to Arterio-venous fistula formation. Results: Out of 292 patients, 228 patients (76%) had a delay in arterio-venous fistula and first dialysis through double lumen catheter. The mean age of these patients was 59.05 years with 78.1% males. The mean delay of these patients was 60.63+26.832 days. Patient unwilingness and lack of awareness of deteriorating renal disease were the commonest factors (35%) in patient related factors and delayed surgical appointment being commonest (49.1%) in health care associated factors. The longest delay time was 69.04±25.759 months which was associated with delayed surgical appointment (p<0.001). Monthly income, gender and age had significant impact on different factors included in this study. Conclusion: The study identified that differences in Arterio-venous fistula maturation with respect to age, gender and sociodemographic factors were significant. Timely formation of Arterio-venous fistula in patients with chronic kidney disease is the most favourable approach to establish vascular access for hemodialysis and improves outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study inspects the insights and practices of gratitude among Pakistani university students using qualitative research method. Convenience sampling was used. The study gathered data through semi-structured interviews with 15 students, aged 18 to 25, and open-ended questionnaires filled by 25 students. The data were evaluated using thematic analysis, uncovering key themes: Understanding gratitude, expressing gratitude, Social Media’s effect on Gratitude, Gratitude and Academic Performance, Benefits of Gratitude, and Gratitude in Family Relationships. The findings feature the social, religious, and cultural variables forming students’ perspectives on gratitude. Prominently, gratitude was found to improve academic execution and stress management. Although, social issues like debasement and divergence were recognized as boundaries to offering gratitude. The study presumes that encouraging gratitude in universities can reinforce the learning environment, however systems should think about the broader social setting. Further exploration is expected to investigate gratitude in different instructive settings and over time to comprehend its advancing role. This exploratory study gives fundamental bits of knowledge into gratitude in Pakistani society and lays the preparation for future examination on its more extensive ramifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and rapid socioeconomic development have exacerbated the damage caused by hydrological droughts. To ensure effective drought defense and infrastructure development, it is essential to investigate variations in hydrological droughts. The primary objective of this study is to reconstruct the natural streamflow by using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological modeling. The hydrological drought at different time scales (1, 3, 6, and 12 months) were measured using the streamflow drought index (SDI). The statistical parameters, including Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency and the Coefficient of Determination, which yielded values of 0.84 and 0.82 during the calibration period and 0.78 and 0.76 during the validation period, respectively, showed a satisfactory SWAT model performance. Additionally, the Pettit test was used to identify a change point in streamflow within the 1991–2015 timeframe, leading to the division of the study period into two distinct phases: an undisturbed period (1991–1998) and a disturbed period (1999–2015). The SDI index‐based analysis revealed 9.39% moderate drought and 3.13% severe drought during the undisturbed period, while 11.76% moderate drought and 7.35% severe drought may happen due to the human influences that occurred in the disturbed period. These findings enhance the understanding of the hydrological drought variations in the Soan River basin for optimizing the water resources management system and effectively preventing and mitigating drought‐related damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition causes nutrient deficiencies that have both physical and clinical consequences in severe acute malnutrition children. Globally, there were 47 million wasted children under the age of five in 2019. One in four were located in sub-Saharan Africa, with half being in South Asia. This study aims to apply the Boruta algorithm to identify the determinants of undernutrition among children under five living in Dera Ghazi Khan, one of the marginalized districts of densely populated Punjab Province in Pakistan. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from 185 children with severe acute malnutrition aged under five years visiting the OTPs centers located in Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect data using a pretested structured questionnaire from parents/caregivers regarding family sociodemographic characteristics, child nutrition, and biological and healthcare characteristics. Anthropometric measurements, including height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference, were collected. The Boruta models were used to incorporate the children's anthropometric, nutritional, and household factors to determine the important predictive variables for undernutrition using the Boruta package in R studio. Results: This study included 185 children, with a mean age of 15.36 ± 10.23 months and an MUAC of 10.19 ± 0.96 cm. The Boruta analysis identifies age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as important predictors of undernutrition. Income per month, exclusive breastfeeding, and immunization status were found to be key factors of undernutrition in children under the age of five. Conclusion: This study highlights age, mid-upper arm circumference, weaning practices, and immunization status as key determinants of weight-for-height and weight-for-age in children under five years. It also suggests that economic context may influence undernutrition. The findings can guide targeted strategies for combating undernutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the movement of the stock price index has remained a challenging task for financial analysts. They are complex, given how the nation's economic, social, and political conditions affect stock market predictions. The present study is designed to build an efficient model using machine learning and taking monthly data from February 2004 to December 2020. Long- and short-term memory and backpropagation methods of an artificial neural network are utilized to predict the Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) movement by using twenty-six economic, social, political, and administrative indicators. The model developed in this study to predict the movement of the KSE 100 index gained 99 percent accuracy. The predictions' results showed that the KSE 100 index would remain stagnant at around 40,000 points till September 2023. We compared actual and predicted values from January 2021 to July 2022 to validate our developed model. The results showed that the model developed in this study could be used to forecast stock market trends. The research predicted the KSE 100 index with 99% accuracy using LSTM and backpropagation in a neural network. The KSE 100 should stay around 40,000 points until September 2023. Despite their promise, machine learning forecasts in financial markets require continuing research, market dynamics evaluation, and liability disclosure. A thorough validation procedure and the most recent KSE 100 index prediction using LSTM and backpropagation algorithms demonstrate how machine learning may improve stock market forecasting. The study's accurate projections and consistent data through September 2023 are crucial for investors and financial experts in the Karachi Stock Exchange's changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study's objective is to explore the impact of ownership structures (OS) on firm performance and, consequently, the country's overall economic prosperity. The role of well-performing commercial banking in fostering economic growth is undeniable. A firm's ownership Structure (OS) is responsible for designing and allocating power to management. The relationship between OS and commercial bank performance has not yet been explored in Pakistan. This study addresses this gap by examining 20 banks listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2010 to 2021. Fixed effect panel regression is performed. Results confirmed that OS has a significant positive impact on performance. This study emphasizes prioritizing and achieving the desirable OS to achieve banks' strategic objectives and develop their flexibility for sustainability by improving governance practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The porosity and permeability determine the reservoir quality of sedimentary rocks, which is fundamentally influenced by both depositional and diagenetic processes. The Jurassic carbonates are targeted in many regions for oil and gas exploration. The current study is carried out to elaborate on the diagenetic alterations and their effect on reservoir properties. A thick outcrop of the Jurassic Samana Suk Formation is studied in the Kahi section of Nizampur Basin Northwest Himalayas, Pakistan, to study and relate the trend of lithological variations and depositional settings. Field investigation revealed that the Samana Suk Formation is extensively distributed in the area and primarily made up of interbedded limestone and dolomite units. The original unaltered limestone has a thick-bedded and oolitic to bioclastic nature. Different types of dolomites have been recognized based on colour contrast and sedimentary features. Moreover, saddle dolomite cement, calcite cementation, and mechanical and chemical compaction have also been observed. The petrographic studies show different types of diagenetic alterations that affected the Samana Suk Formation, including micritization, bioturbation, mechanical and chemical compaction in the form of fractures and stylolites, various calcite cementation, which includes the various cement types that range from isopachous, blocky, granular equant, fibrous, and dog tooth cementation, along with dissolution that occurred in different diagenetic realms. Pyritization was rarely observed. Moreover, different phases of dolomites were identified, ranging in size and shape, i.e., finely crystalline to coarse crystalline and planar euhedral to non-planar anhedral. The stable oxygen isotope values of these dolomites show depletion from original marine signatures and suggest burial-related fault-controlled dolomitization events. Overall, diagenetic processes like dissolution, fracturing and dolomitization increased the reservoir potential. On the contrary, the overburden and cement precipitation result in a decrease in the reservoir properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ISSRA Papers is the property of ISSRA Papers, Institute for Strategic Studies, Research & Analysis (ISSRA), National Defense Univ. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper analyzes the challenges and responses to regional connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia. The historical and geographical proximity of Pakistan and Central Asia highlights the importance of reviving the old Silk Route. Pakistan is often called the gateway to the Central Asian states due to its geostrategic location; its significance has further increased with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which holds a pivotal role in the region. However, regional connectivity faces numerous challenges. These include political, geographical, economic and infrastructural problems. Geopolitical factors, such as the involvement of external powers and competition for energy supplies, further complicate the situation. The paper in this regard discusses Pakistan's specific infrastructural and domestic challenges and the roles of regional and global states including neighboring Afghanistan, Iran, India, the major global players such as USA, Russia, China, and the European Union, and Turkiyey,in shaping the connectivity landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Dengue fever is affecting various tropical and sub-tropical regions but it is common disease in Pakistan at time of floods. It can be easily managed with appropriate knowledge of disease and preventive measures only. Objective: To estimate knowledge perception and prevention awareness of individuals with respect to sociodemographic characteristics towards Dengue fever. Study type, settings & duration: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad from February to April 2023. Methodology: Close-Ended structured questionnaire with non-probability convenience sampling was used, where 384 participants belonged to age groups between 15-60 years. Total 25 questions were employed to calculate disease knowledge whereas 11 Questions to investigate prevention awareness. Chi-Square Test was used to evaluate categorical values and their association was estimated with p-value <0.05. Results: It was observed that 44% of the participants had good disease knowledge and prevention awareness (45.05%) among young participants belonging to 15-30 years. Moderate disease knowledge (31.51%) and prevention awareness (33.59%) was observed among participants belonging to 31-40 years of age, while poor disease knowledge (23.43%) and prevention awareness (23.43%) was demonstrated among participants belonging to 41-60 years of age (p-value =0.001). Conclusion: Overall Dengue disease knowledge and prevention awareness among young participants (15-30Years) was better as compared to middle age and elderly participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Aizoaceae family's Sesuvium sesuvioides (Fenzl) Verdc is a medicinal species of the Cholistan desert, Pakistan. The purpose of this study was to determine the genomic features and phylogenetic position of the Sesuvium genus in the Aizoaceae family. We used the Illumina HiSeq2500 and paired-end sequencing to publish the complete chloroplast sequence of S. sesuvioides. Results: The 155,849 bp length cp genome sequence of S. sesuvioides has a 36.8% GC content. The Leucine codon has the greatest codon use (10.6%), 81 simple sequence repetitions of 19 kinds, and 79 oligonucleotide repeats. We investigated the phylogeny of the order Caryophyllales' 27 species from 23 families and 25 distinct genera. The maximum likelihood tree indicated Sesuvium as a monophyletic genus, and sister to Tetragonia. A comparison of S. sesuvioides, with Sesuvium portulacastrum, Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, and Tetragonia tetragonoides was performed using the NCBI platform. In the comparative investigation of genomes, all five genera revealed comparable cp genome structure, gene number and composition. All five species lacked the rps15 gene and the rpl2 intron. In most comparisons with S. sesuvioides, transition substitutions (Ts) were more frequent than transversion substitutions (Tv), producing Ts/Tv ratios larger than one, and the Ka/Ks ratio was lower than one. We determined ten highly polymorphic regions, comprising rpl22, rpl32-trnL-UAG, trnD-GUC-trnY-GUA, trnE-UUC-trnT-GGU, trnK-UUU-rps16, trnM-CAU-atpE, trnH-GUG-psbA, psaJ-rpl33, rps4-trnT-UGU, and trnF-GAA-ndhJ. Conclusion: The whole S. sesuvioides chloroplast will be examined as a resource for in-depth taxonomic research of the genus when more Sesuvium and Aizoaceae species are sequenced in the future. The chloroplast genomes of the Aizoaceae family are well preserved, with little alterations, indicating the family's monophyletic origin. This study's highly polymorphic regions could be utilized to build realistic and low-cost molecular markers for resolving taxonomic discrepancies, new species identification, and finding evolutionary links among Aizoaceae species. To properly comprehend the evolution of the Aizoaceae family, further species need to be sequenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dynamic interplay between urbanization and its impacts on climate is a subject of recent concern, particularly in rapidly urbanizing cities of Pakistan. This research investigated the spatio-temporal effects of urban growth in terms of Land Use Land Cover changes on the thermal environment (Land Surface Temperature) of the Sialkot city, Pakistan using satellite data spanning four distinct time periods (1989, 2000, 2009 and 2020) and predicted changes for year 2030 by employing Cellular Automata Markov Chain Model. Satellite imagery (Landsat 5, 7 and 8) was processed, and maximum likelihood supervised classification was done to generate LULC maps for each of the aforementioned years. In addition to LULC classification, thermal bands of satellite data (for summer and winter) were processed to compute Land Surface Temperature (LST) of the city. The prediction of LULC changes and LST was done for year 2030 using Cellular Automata Markov Chain Model. The accuracy of classified and prediction maps was checked using Kappa Index. The LULC analysis revealed 4.14% increase in the built-up area and 3.43% decrease in vegetation cover of the city during 1989 to 2020. Both land covers are expected to change in the future (year 2030) by + 1.31% (built-up) and − 1.1% (vegetation). Furthermore, a declining trend in the barren land and water bodies was also observed over time. These LULC changes were found affecting the LST of study area. The transformation of vegetation cover into built-up area resulted in an increase in LST over time. A notable rise of 4.5 °C (summer) and 5.7 °C (winter) in the mean LST of Sialkot was observed during 1989 to 2020 and further increases are anticipated in year 2030. This study calls for attention of the policy makers to reduce human impact on the local climate of the city. The study will also help city developers in analyzing the urban population growth trend, finding suitable location to built new infrastructure by governmental authorities and how the rising temperature can affect energy demand and agriculture production of the city in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to escalating environmental problems and challenges, ensuring sustainable development (SD) has become a matter of concern for organizations worldwide at a precinct scale. This study aims to integrate the variables, which are antecedents of SD through direct and indirect paths. The managers as participants of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises have helped the researchers to explore the role of green knowledge management (GKM) and green dynamic capacity with the intervention of green innovation and competitive advantage in achieving SD. The results achieved through structural equation modeling revealed positive and significant direct and indirect relationships, however, the intervening role of green innovation and green competitive advantage between GKM and SD show insignificant results. Interestingly, we have also identified two significant moderators as a part of this study: large firm size and transformational leadership. This research has important implications and significant contributions to theory and practice. It can be considered innovative by using a range of antecedents in an integrated way, proposing and testing a theoretical model of SD in a developing country Pakistan, which is affirmed and committed to achieving SDGs by the year 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to validate an Urdu translation of Kleinknecht's Dental Fear Survey (DFS) for use in Pakistan and to explore which items contribute the most to the variance in dental fear scores based on patient perceptions and lived experiences during dental care. Methodology: This mixed-method study was conducted at Dow Dental Hospital from February 2022 to June 2022. For quantitative analysis, a total of 273 participants were enrolled through convenience sampling. After obtaining signed consent, participants were asked to self-report their dental fear. In-depth interviews with 25 patients displaying moderate to high dental fear were conducted to clarify the elements of dental fear scores through the lens of individual perceptions and experiences. Results: The prevalence of moderate dental fear was significantly higher among female participants than males. The mean dental fear score was higher among females (39.47 ± 14.23) as compared to males (30.83 ± 10.50). Most of the female participants reported an increase in breathing rate and heartbeat during dental treatment. The highest mean fear score was reported by participants who underwent oral surgical treatment (42.98 ± 14.21), followed by participants who received restorative care (36.20 ± 12.60). Approaching the dentist's office was the significant factor that contributed the most to the variance in dental fear scores. Four themes were generated through the content analysis of the interviews: physical reactions to dental procedures, perceptions and fears about surgical and restorative procedures, and gender and environmental factors in dental fear and interaction with dentists. Conclusion: The Urdu translation of DFS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing dental fears in Pakistan based on the findings of this study. Patients perceive surgical and restorative procedures as unpleasant and threatening. It was noted that "the heart beats faster" and "the breathing rate increases." were the top two physiological responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Turismo & Desenvolvimento (RT&D) / Journal of Tourism & Development is the property of Associacao de Gestao e Planeamento em Turismo da Universidade de Aveiro (AGPTUA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background:Anaplasma ovis is an intra-erythrocytic gram negative rickettsial bacterium that infects small ruminants, resulting in huge economic losses worldwide. Materials and Methods: The present investigation aims at reporting the molecular prevalence of A. ovis in 1200 asymptomatic goats that were enrolled from 4 districts (Layyah, Lohdran, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Rajanpur) in Punjab, Pakistan by targeting the msp4 gene of bacterium. Risk factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis and phylogeny of bacterium were also documented. Results: 184 out of 1200 (15%) goat blood samples were infected with A. ovis. The prevalence of the pathogen varied with the sampling sites (p = 0.005), and the highest prevalence was detected in goats from Layyah (19%) followed by Rajanpur (17%), Dera Ghazi Khan (15%), and Lohdran district (9%). The represented partial msp4 gene amplicon was confirmed by Sanger sequencing and deposited to GenBank (OP225957-59). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the amplified isolates resembled the msp4 sequences reported from Iran, Mangolia, Sudan, and the United States. Sex and age of goats, herd composition and size, and the presence of ticks on goats and dogs associated with herds were the rick factors associated with the prevalence of A. ovis. Red blood cells, lymphocytes (%), neutrophils (%), hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels in blood and Aspartate amino transferase, urea, and creatinine levels in serum were disturbed in A. ovis infected goats when compared with uninfected animals. Conclusion: We are reporting the prevalence of A. ovis in Pakistani goats from four districts of Punjab and these data will help in developing the integrated control policies against this tick-borne pathogen that is infecting our goat breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the safety, efficacy and pharmacology of intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral tranexamic acid (TXA) use in pregnant women. Design: Randomised, open‐label trial. Setting: Hospitals in Pakistan and Zambia. Population: Women giving birth by caesarean section. Methods: Women were randomised to receive 1 g IV, 1 g IM, 4 g oral TXA or no TXA. Adverse events in women and neonates were recorded. TXA concentration in whole blood was measured and the concentrations over time were examined with population pharmacokinetics. The relationship between drug exposure and D‐dimer was explored. The trial registration is NCT04274335. Main outcome measures: Concentration of TXA in maternal blood. Results: Of the 120 women included in the randomised safety study, there were no serious maternal or neonatal adverse events. TXA concentrations in 755 maternal blood and 87 cord blood samples were described by a two‐compartment model with one effect compartment linked by rate transfer constants. Maximum maternal concentrations were 46.9, 21.6 and 18.1 mg/L for IV, IM and oral administration, respectively, and 9.5, 7.9 and 9.1 mg/L in the neonates. The TXA response was modelled as an inhibitory effect on the D‐dimer production rate. The half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 7.5 mg/L and was achieved after 2.6, 6.4 and 47 minutes with IV, IM and oral administration of TXA, respectively. Conclusions: Both IM and oral TXA are well tolerated. Oral TXA took about 1 hour to reach minimum therapeutic concentrations and would not be suitable for emergency treatment. Intramuscular TXA inhibits fibrinolysis within 10 minutes and may be a suitable alternative to IV. This article includes Author Insights, a video abstract available at: https://vimeo.com/798431697/87065a2fac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ESIC Market. Economic & Business Journal is the property of ESIC Business & Marketing School and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) effectiveness is compromised by the emergence of HIV drug resistance mutations (DRM) and can lead to the failure of ART. Apart from intrinsic viral factors, non-compliance with drugs and/or the use of sub-optimum therapy can lead to the emergence of DRMs. In Pakistan HIV currently exists as a concentrated epidemic, however, ART coverage is very low, and drug adherence is poor. ART is selected assuming without baseline genotyping. Pakistan has recently seen a rise in treatment failures, but the country's actual burden of DRM is still unknown. In this study, we perform the genetic and drug resistance analysis of the pol gene from Pakistani HIV-positive ART-naïve and ART-experienced individuals. Methods: In this study, HIV-1 pol was sequenced from 146 HIV-1 positive individuals, divided into ART-naïve (n = 37) and ART-experienced (n = 109). The sequences were also used to determine HIV-1 subtypes, the prevalence of DRM, and pol genetic variability. Results: DRM analysis identified numerous DRMs against reverse transcriptase inhibitors in both ART-naïve and ART-experienced groups, including a few that are classified as rare. Additionally, the ART-experienced group showed mutations associated with resistance to protease inhibitors. Genetic analysis showed negative selection pressure in both groups, but a higher rate of evolution in the ART-naïve group. Conclusion: High prevalence of DRMs, especially against previous first-line treatment in ART- naïve and the accumulation of DRMs in ART-experienced groups is concerning and warrants that a more extensive DRM survey be carried out to inform first-line and second-line ART regimen recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was aimed to explore the association of ABO gene variants with coronary artery disease. Methodology: This was a case-control study. Cases and controls were individuals with greater than 50% and less than 30% stenosis, respectively. One hundred thirty-eight samples were obtained, with 69 cases and 69 controls. The operator completed a proforma regarding demographics, medical history, and blood group. The bench work included blood typing, followed by blood genotyping by DNA extraction, PCR, and then Sanger's sequencing. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selected for the ABO gene were rs8176746 and rs8176719. Results: The results show that 68.1% of the participants were male cases, compared to 49.27% controls. The frequency of patients belonging to the old age group (60-75 years) was 65.21% in cases and 34.78% in controls. A+ was the most prevalent group in cases, with 33.33%, followed by 24.6% B+, 23.2% O+, and 4.3% AB+. Patients with Rh-ve groups were rare. On the contrary, 33.33% of patients were O+ in controls. A chi-square test showed that the A+ blood group was significantly associated with CAD, having a p-value of 0.01. Although blood genotypes did not show a significant p-value, the odds of having genotype AA was 1.35 times higher in cases compared to the controls. Conclusion: This study shows that the A+ group is significantly associated with CAD. The data obtained through Sanger's sequencing determined the genetic variants of blood groups, but no statistically significant association was found between them and CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the improvement of Chemistry education in secondary schools through laboratory-centered instruction, contrasting it with traditional classroom methods. Science education had traditionally relied on lectures and textbooks, but laboratory instruments were considered a more immersive approach. The research, conducted in Pakistan, validated laboratory-centric lesson plans and assessed their impact on academic achievement. A group of sixty 9th-grade students participated, with their learning outcomes evaluated through tests. The findings revealed that laboratory-based learning significantly improved students' performance in Chemistry. Gender-based differences in learning styles were also noted, underscoring the importance of tailored teaching approaches. This study demonstrated that incorporating laboratory experiments into the curriculum could substantially enhance Chemistry education in secondary schools, shedding light on the efficacy and benefits of this approach. This study helps us understand that doing things in a lab can make learning Chemistry easier and more effective for students in secondary schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online assessment in medical education is relatively new and there is a paucity of literature available on this topic. The objective of this scoping review was to conduct a systematic search of the published literature on the challenges of conducting online assessments in undergraduate medical and dental curricula. The literature was searched in the recommended electronic databases. The search terms used were “online assessments, e-assessments, computer-assisted assessments, online assessment challenges and opportunities, online assessments in medical education, reliability and validity of online assessments, and online assessments during COVID-19 pandemic” in PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, SpringerLink, and Ovid. After screening, 21 full-text articles were included in this scoping review. The data were charted independently and synthesized to present the findings. Most of the studies included in this review were published in the year 2020 and 2021(till September). Half of the studies (50%) reported that cheating and plagiarism are the most common challenges in online assessments, while a similar number of studies highlighted the issues faced by the teachers in making and conducting online assessments. Similarly, 22% of the studies emphasized the concerns raised by the students, while another 22% reported the technical and financial issues faced by the institutions in conducting online assessments. It was revealed that during COVID-19 the biggest challenge for the educational system was to switch to online assessments, as the educational system was not ready for it. Few studies (16%) reported that the issues of reliability and validity of online assessments are still to uncover. This scoping review may help to lay the foundation for more empirical future studies on the challenges of conducting online assessments in the undergraduate medical and dental curricula in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aesculus indica, commonly known as Indian horse chestnut, is an indigenous tree of the family Sapindaceae, distributed in Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. As an ethnomedicine, its seeds are used to cure jaundice, chest diseases, stomach and joint pain, roots for leucorrhea, and bark for fever and anaemia. The phytochemicals of class phenolic, triterpenoid, glycoside, saponin, and fatty acid have been identified from their different parts and various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, neuro-depressive, spasmolytic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial and insecticidal have been reported, which reflected its medicinal importance. However, most biological activities are on the extracts or fractions and need more in-depth study. Therefore, further research is required on the isolation, identification, and characterization of active phytochemicals from the extracts with their mechanism of pharmacological action and detailed toxicological evaluation. In this review, we aim to provide all information regarding traditional uses, morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of A. indica and address the research gaps; therefore, will provide a source of information to the researchers for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study calculates and explains the comparative advantage of Pakistan's sports goods industries in the international market. Static and dynamic comparative advantage analysis differentiates this work from the previous ones for the sports goods industry. The top ten Pakistani sports items have been chosen for this purpose. The product positioning of these products in the international market has also been determined. The results of this study indicate that China and India have a strong revealed comparative advantage in festivals, carnivals, or other forms of entertainment goods and Balls, respectively. In contrast, the United States, Thailand, and Indonesia have a significant revealed comparative advantage in Golf balls. China acquires a competitive position in the global market in 9 of Pakistan's top 10 sports items for 2019. According to dynamic revealed comparative advantage, Pakistan has the most significant revealed comparative advantage for inflatable balls from 2005 to 2019 in the international market, implying that Pakistan has a competitive edge in exporting this product. The Government of Pakistan needs to prioritize and facilitate the sports goods industry for increasing exports of this industry." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer, accounting for over 94 percent of all cases, with substantial disparities in occurrence among South Asian countries. In Pakistan its occurrence rate rises from last two decade. A combination of risk factor habit, duration and intensity doubles the rate of incidence. Methods: Fully informed consent was taken. Both genders having age 18-55 years and cases confirmed by biopsy reports were included in the study. A thorough history of the disease and risk factors were taken and labelled (smoking, alcohol consumption, and betel nut chewing) accordingly. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Gender base stratification was done using chi-square test and significance was defined as a P value of ≤ 0.05. Results: In present study 110 (73.3%) male and 40 (26.7%) female patients. Mean ±SD of age of OSCC patients was 47.00± 9.170 years. Among the participants 9 (6.0%) smokers, 39 (26.0%) consumed alcohol, use betel and 24 (16.0%) areca nut pan. Association of smoking with gender was statistically significant (p=0.013). Similarly, betel nut chewing also showed statistically significant correlation with gender (p=0.044). Both alcohol and snuff did not show any statistically significant correlation with gender. Conclusion: The public should be aware of the association of the risk factors and development of oral cancer. Public health measures should be taken to prevent smoking and chewing tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign language fills the communication gap for people with hearing and speaking ailments. It includes both visual modalities, manual gestures consisting of movements of hands, and non-manual gestures incorporating body movements including head, facial expressions, eyes, shoulder shrugging, etc. Previously both gestures have been detected; identifying separately may have better accuracy, butmuch communicational information is lost. Aproper sign language mechanism is needed to detect manual and non-manual gestures to convey the appropriate detailed message to others. Our novel proposed system contributes as Sign LanguageAction Transformer Network (SLATN), localizing hand, body, and facial gestures in video sequences. Here we are expending a Transformer-style structural design as a "base network"to extract features from a spatiotemporal domain. Themodel impulsively learns to track individual persons and their action context inmultiple frames. Furthermore, a "head network" emphasizes hand movement and facial expression simultaneously, which is often crucial to understanding sign language, using its attention mechanism for creating tight bounding boxes around classified gestures. The model's work is later compared with the traditional identification methods of activity recognition. It not only works faster but achieves better accuracy as well. Themodel achieves overall 82.66% testing accuracy with a very considerable performance of computation with 94.13 Giga-Floating Point Operations per Second (G-FLOPS). Another contribution is a newly created dataset of Pakistan Sign Language forManual and Non-Manual (PkSLMNM) gestures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves deeply into the intricate interplay among technology innovation, green finance, foreign direct investment (FDI), GDP, and their collective impact on the environment. Employing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model over the timeframe spanning 1990 to 2021, the study aims to unveil nuanced insights into the intricate relationships that shape the environmental landscape. The study's findings offer an insightful perspective on the connections between these pivotal variables and their repercussions on environmental metrics. Specifically, the outcomes reveal a negative correlation between technology innovation, green finance, and CO2 emissions, as well as ecological footprints. This suggests a noteworthy linkage between technological advancements and the adoption of sustainable financial mechanisms with reduced carbon emissions and a less burdensome ecological footprint. These trends underline their potential to contribute positively to the well-being of the environment. In contrast, the study uncovers a positive correlation between FDI, GDP, and both CO2 emissions and ecological footprints. This observation underscores the intricate dynamics at play, wherein foreign direct investment and economic growth appear to exert pressures that escalate carbon emissions and environmental impact. This intricate relationship brings into focus the potential trade-offs between advancing economic development and preserving the environment, necessitating a thoughtful equilibrium for sustainable progress. The implications of these revelations hold substantial weight for policymakers and government officials in Pakistan. By illuminating the nuanced interconnections among technology innovation, green finance, FDI, and environmental indicators, this research equips decision-makers with invaluable insights to formulate effective policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adhesive Capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder or Frozen Shoulder (FS) is the most common disabling shoulder condition which has serious functional implications in daily life. FS affects 2 to 3 percent of the population. In Pakistan, fewer studies have been performed in the past describing the common risk factors linked to AC. Objective: The objectives of the study are to assess the risk factors e.g diabetes, thyroid disease, stroke, trauma, hyperlipidemia, rheumatoid and tuberculosis present in patients with AC, and whether the levels of HbA1c have a role in AC. Study type, settings & duration: This descriptive study was carried out at Shifa Foundation Falahi Clinic and Pain and Medical Clinic at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad between June 2018 and January 2021. Methodology: Non probability convenience sampling technique was used. Consecutive patients more than 18 years old with shoulder pain or stiffness were identified and informed consent was obtained. A detailed survey using a questionnaire was used. Descriptive statistics were performed. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for age. The SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis. Frequency analysis of risk factors was performed. Further statistical analysis was done by applying chi-square test to assess the relationship between HbA1c levels(control of Diabetes Mellitus) and adhesive capsulitis. Results: Data of 304 patients with mean age of 54±9 years. Frequency analysis showed 86 (28.3%) were males and 218 (71.7%) were females. The most common risk factor was diabetes 41.6% followed by hyperlipidemia 28.6%, shoulder trauma 14.8%, hypothyroidism 12.5%. High HbA1c levels were found in 78% of diabetic patients and it was strongly associated with AC (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Age above 50, female gender, presence of diabetes, poor control, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia were found to be associated with AC. Patients with the above risk factors should be closely monitored for the development of FS and control of primary disease to prevent morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on global campaign launched by WHO in 2023, advocating for growing food instead of tobacco to address food crises, particularly affecting low-income countries heavily impacted by the tobacco epidemic. Topics include criticizes the rise of heated tobacco products (HTPs) as a new generation of tobacco products marketed as safer alternatives; and contrasting claims made by the tobacco industry with independent studies on the emissions and potential health risks.

Coronary Artery Diseases (CAD) remains the top among Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs). Variations in Apolipoprotein E (APOE) and Paroxonase 1 (PON1) have been associated with Myocardial Infarction (MI) in several populations. However, despite the high prevalence of CAD, no such study has been reported in the Pashtun ethnic population of Pakistan. We have conducted a two-stage (i.e., screening and validation) case-control study in which 200 cases and 100 control subjects have been recruited. In the first stage, Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was used to screen for pathogenic variants of Myocardial Infarction (MI). In the second stage, selected variants of both APOE and PON1 genes (rs7412, rs429358, rs854560, and rs662) were analyzed through MassARRAY genotyping. Risk Allele Frequencies (RAFs) distribution and association of the selected SNPs with MI were determined using the Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. WES identified a total of 12 sequence variants in APOE and 16 in PON1. Genotyping results revealed that APOE variant rs429358 (ɛ4 allele and ɛ3/ɛ4 genotype) showed significant association in MI patients (OR = 2.11, p value = 0.03; 95% CI = 1.25–2.43); whereas no significant difference (p˃ 0.05) was observed for rs7412. Similarly, the R allele of PON1 Q192R (rs662) was significantly associated with cases (OR = 1.353, p value = 0.048; 95% CI = 0.959–1.91), with particular mention of RR genotype (OR = 1.523, p value = 0.006; 95% CI = 1.087–2.132). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that rs429358 (C allele) and rs662 (R allele) have a significantly higher risk of MI after adjustment for the conventional risk factors. Our study findings suggested that the rs429358 variant of APOE and PON1 Q192R are associated with MI susceptibility in the Pashtun ethnic population of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of pesticides leads to the contamination of groundwater, which harms environment and threatens life. The goal of the current study was to determine the degree of pesticide contamination of groundwater in agricultural regions with varying degrees of pesticide use. In 15 districts of the Punjab province of Pakistan, chemical residues of major pesticide groups including, neonicotinoids, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids were detected in the water samples. Two most commonly used herbicides, isoproturan and diuron, were also tested but not detected in any of the water samples. Five districts in the southern Punjab/core area had highly contaminated groundwater due to the presence of residues from all major insecticide groups. Although less severe than in the core area, a different set of five districts in central Punjab also had significant water contamination issues. The districts located in marginal area had the lowest amount of insecticide residues. The highest levels of imidacloprid residues were identified in the core area throughout the winter season. Thiacloprid, fipronil, and acetamiprid were detected in nearly all water samples, with non-significant differences in concentrations throughout the summer and winter seasons, as well as in non-core and marginal areas. Different water quality parameters including, pH, electrical conductivity and temperature had varying degree of correlations with pesticide residues in water samples. Overall, it is concerning that significant insecticides are widely contaminating groundwater. This issue should be managed through integrated pest management, non-chemical pest control strategies, and judicious chemical use practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To validate urinary Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) for screening adrenal medullary disorders, taking plasma-free Metanephrine as the gold standard. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology and Endocrinology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi from Pakistan, Jan 2020 to Mar 2021. Methodology: One hundred and thirty (130) symptomatic hypertensive patients with adrenal masses on ultrasound were selected Urine and blood samples were collected under specified conditions after taking necessary precautions and subsequently analyzed. Taking plasma Metanephrine as a reference, sensitivity, specificity and predictive values were calculated at predefined cut-off values. Results: In a young population with a mean age of 28.55±5.54 years, headache, palpitations and sweating were the predominant symptoms having a frequency of 130(100%), 116(89.2%) and 111(85.4%), respectively. Twenty-four hours urinary Vanillylmandelic acid had lower sensitivity (66.3%) than a random urinary VMA/cr ratio (72.1%) but similar specificity (97.7%). On the other hand, plasma-free Normetanephrine had 100% sensitivity but lower specificity (93.2%). ROC curve was plotted, and AUC for 24 hours urinary VMA, urinary VMA/cr ratio and plasma-free Normetanephrine were 0.820, 0.849 and 0.966, respectively. Conclusion: Plasma-free Metanephrine could be used for screening pheochromocytoma and other adrenal medullary disorders like paraganglionoma. In addition, VMA/cr ratio can be used for biochemical confirmation of the disease owing to the high specificity found in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low serum Albumin levels on serum sodium measurement when analyzed by the indirect Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) method and to compare the results with the direct Ion selective electrode (ISE) method. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Mar 2021. Methodology: Patients of either gender, aged 18 to 70 years, who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, were selected. A total of 200 blood samples were collected in a gel tube. Serum samples were analyzed for albumin and sodium within two hours of sample collection. Sodium levels were measured concurrently by both direct and indirect ISE methods. The difference in results between these two techniques was studied. Results: Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 176(88%) patients, while 24(12%) had normal albumin levels. In Hypoalbuminemic patients, serum sodium measurements were higher using the indirect ISE method (134.07±5.55) compared to the direct ISE method (130.95±6.04); the difference between the two techniques was statistically significant (p-value <0.001). Pearson correlation coefficient (r-value = -0.86, p-value <0.001) revealed a symmetrical increase in differences between the two methods as the albumin level decreased. Conclusion: In Hypoalbuminemic patients, the indirect ISE method gave falsely raised results of serum sodium. In such patients, serum sodium measurement by the Direct ISE method offers more accurate and consistent electrolyte results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Punjab is the leading province of Pakistan in the production of bovine milk and its consumption. Rapid industrialization, high energy demand, and the production of waste have increased the risk of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) toxicity in the environment. This research work was designed to assess human dietary exposure of ∑PCBs17 congeners through ingestion of buffalo and cow's milk from eight main districts of Punjab, Pakistan. The average concentrations of ∑DL-PCBs (8.74 ng g−1 and 14.60 ng g−1) and ∑I-PCBs (11.54 ng g−1 and 18.68 ng g−1) in buffalo and cow milk samples were analyzed, respectively. The PCB-156 was predominantly high congener found in both buffalo (2.84 ng g−1) and cow milk (2.86 ng g−1). It was found that the highest PCBs in bovine milk samples were observed in close vicinities of urban and industrial areas. The estimated daily consumptions of DL-PCBs and I-PCBs, from buffalo and cow milk, were below the acceptable daily intake for both adults and children. Moreover, hazard quotients (HQ) of the ∑PCBs17 congener value were less than 1.0 in adults and greater in the case of children reflecting the high chances of cancer. Furthermore, comprehensive monitoring for childhood cancer is recommended to establish the relationship in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is a newly introduced crop in Pakistan. We evaluated the antifungal efficacy of root extracts of 4-quinoa varieties (PI 596293, Ames 13730, Ames 13737 and PI 634919) against the most harmful soil inhabiting fungal pathogen Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. Methanolic root extracts (1 to 5 %) of these varieties reduced the fungal biomass by 33-70 %. Due to its higher antifungal activity, Ames 13737 variety was selected for further studies and fractionated with 4-organic solvents (n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) based on their increased polarities. All concentrations of chloroform and the lowest concentration of n-butanol (1.562 mg mL-1 ) completely inhibited the pathogen growth. These fractions were further subjected to GC-MS analysis that revealed the presence of 7-antifungal phytoconstituents (decane; undecane; oleic acid; benzene, 1,2,3-trimethyl; cycloheptasiloxane, tetradecamethyl-; cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl- and 9-octadecanoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester). This study concluded that chloroform and n-butanol fractions of root extract of quinoa possess strong antifungal potential against M. phaseolina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is produced in response to active vitamin D and produces immunomodulatory effects and inhibits Mycobacterium tuberculosis replication in vitro. To date, no such clinical studies have been conducted to show relationship between 25hydroxyvitamin D and drug resistant tuberculosis patients in Pakistan. Objective: This study was conducted to find the association between insufficiencies of vitamin D with Cathelicidin LL-37 in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients and compare them with the control group. Methodology: Newly diagnosed drug-resistant TB patients and healthy controls ages 15-50 years old (mean 27.17, SD ± 10.37 years) were enrolled. Plasma LL-37 and serum 25 (OH) D levels were measured by ELISA technique in 46 patients and 94 controls. Results: There was a significant difference (p-value <.001) in the level of Vitamin D in both case and control group. Vitamin D insufficiency prevalence was 57.8% and 42.2% with the mean baseline concentrations of 34.39ng/mL (SD ± 15.28) and 39.41ng/mL (SD ± 18.28) in cases and control respectively. In the mean serum concentrations 52.95ng/mL (SD ± 19.67) and 39.00ng/mL (SD ± 18.02) of LL-37 in cases and control respectively, there was a significant difference of P-value <.001 was found. However, concentrations of vitamin D did not associate with serum LL-37 concentrations (p-value>0.05). Conclusion: Cathelicidine LL-37 is a potential biomarker of TB disease. However, the relationship between vitamin D & LL-37 requires further studies in TB patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Engineering Sciences is the property of King Abdulaziz University, Scientific Publishing Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research looks at the connections between FDI, renewable and nonrenewable energy, human capital, and the environment in Pakistan. Using data collected from 1998 to 2020, this study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method to quantify the interdependencies between various conceptual frameworks. All variables tested had a significant impact on FDI in the long run. The environment coefficient is significantly negative. In addition, there is a positive indication of significance for the coefficients of renewable energy, nonrenewable energy, and human capital acquired through formal education. Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that national governments take steps to attract more FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground validation of satellite-based precipitation products (SPPs) is very important for their hydroclimatic application. This study evaluated the performance assessment of four soil moisture-based SPPs (SM2Rain, SM2Rain- ASCAT, SM2Rain-CCI, and GPM-SM2Rain). All data of SPPs were compared with 64 weather stations in Pakistan from January 2005 to December 2020. All SPPs estimations were evaluated on daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly scales, over the whole spatial domain, and at point-to-pixel scale. Widely used evaluation indices (root mean square error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (CC), bias, and relative bias (rBias)) along with categorical indices (false alarm ratio (FAR), probability of detection (POD), success ratio (SR), and critical success index (CSI) were evaluated for performance analysis. The results of our study signposted that: (1) On a monthly scale, all SPPs estimations were in better agreement with gauge estimations as compared to daily scales. Moreover, SM2Rain and GPM-SM2Rain products accurately traced the spatio-temporal variability with CC >0.7 and rBIAS within the acceptable range (±10) of the whole country. (2) On a seasonal scale (spring, summer, winter, and autumn), GPM-SM2Rain performed more satisfactorily as compared to all other SPPs. (3) All SPPs performed better at capturing light precipitation events, as indicated by the Probability Density Function (PDF); however, in the summer season, all SPPs displayed considerable over/underestimates with respect to PDF (%). Moreover, GPM-SM2RAIN beat all other SPPs in terms of probability of detection. Consequently, we suggest the daily and monthly use of GPM-SM2Rain and SM2Rain for hydro climate applications in a semi-arid climate zone (Pakistan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the rate of positivity of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex (TORCH) pathogens in patients suffering from congenital cataract in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Ophthalmology, Rawalpindi, from Jun 2017 to Mar 2018. Methodology: Cataract group included sixty children already diagnosed with congenital cataract and control group included 60 children not suffering from congenital cataract. Serum samples of all children were collected to test against IgG and IgM antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalo, Herpes simplex pathogens using enzyme linked immune essay (ELISA) technique. Data were analyzed observe in difference between unilateral and bilateral cataract and between cataract and control group. Results: Out of 60 children in cataract group, 29 were tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalo (CMV), Herpes simplex infections. CMV IgG antibodies were identified in 21 (35%) children followed by Rubella IgG 13 (21.7%), Toxoplasmosis IgG 8 (13.3%), CMV IgM 7 (11.7%), HSV I IgG 5 (8.3%), HSV II IgG 2 (3.3%) and HSV I IgM 1 (1.7%) antibodies. None of the children was positive for Toxoplasmosis, Rubella and HSV II IgM antibodies. There was no statistical difference in rate of positivity of Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex pathogens between unilateral and bilateral cataracts and between cataract and control group. Conclusion: Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes simplex pathogens are an important cause of congenital cataract with Cytomegalovirus and Rubella virus being most common respectively. In order to prevent paediatric complications, we need to increase awareness among pregnant women and treating physicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]