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Very limited research focusing on the implementation processes of foreign funded educational interventions has emerged from Pakistan. Therefore, the present study examined a foreign funded capacity development program of government head teachers in Pakistan. While integrating the perspectives of head teachers and project staff, the study exclusively focused on five factors: the role of implementing agencies; the training need assessment processes; the knowledge level of resource personnel; and the content of training. The study noted that due to the weak institutional capacities of the implementing agencies and the absence of monitoring and evaluation on behalf of the donor agency, the productivity of the intervention was questionable. Trainees were explicit while expressing their reservations about the quality and standard of this project. Although the program was initiated to enable the head teachers to bring changes in the teaching and learning processes of their schools, the content, teaching methodologies, and knowledge level of resource persons were not instrumental in developing these competencies. It seemed that the program was initiated without proper planning and designing. This study recommends that both the aid agencies and recipient countries need to explore new actors and entities in order to make such interventions productive. Additionally, a comprehensive professional development program focusing on the instructional dimension of school leadership needs to be introduced through the application of intensive empirical research.

The present study investigated and compared the effect of cooperative learning method and the whole class traditional method in developing English language of the students of 7th class. The students under control conditions were taught through whole class traditional method and the students in experiment groups were taught through cooperative learning method. The STAD (Student Teams Achievement Divisions) model of cooperative learning was used in this study. Four intact (as it is) groups were taken from boys and girls schools for this study. A pre-test post test control group design was applied. The independent sample t-test procedures were used to compare the control and experimental groups on pre-test and post test scores of achievement test. The results of the study revealed no statistical significance difference on pre-test scores of both the groups which means that the groups were alike in their achievement in English grammar before the experiment whereas the experimental classes outperformed the control classes when compared on post test scores after the experiment. The results based on post test scores showed that the STAD model of cooperative learning had significant effect on the achievement of students, both male and female, in learning English grammar at Elementary level. The effect size was also calculated to determine the magnitude of difference between achievements of experimental and control groups which showed high increase in the achievement of treatment groups.

This study seeks to understand the motivation of prospective teachers in Pakistan for embarking upon a teaching career. The study, which was conducted in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, used a survey instrument called Factors Influencing Teaching Choice (FITchoice) to generate data. The sample of the study was 92 prospective teachers admitted to Associate Degree in Education and B.Ed. (Hons) programs through Karakoram International University and three government colleges of education. To better understand the motivation, four sets of variables were used: 1) intrinsic values (interest and desire for teaching profession), 2) personal utility values (job security), 3) social utility value (making social contribution), and 4) fallback career (limited opportunities).The findings of the study show that respondents were motivated to join the teaching profession due to their affection for children and their interest in the teaching profession (intrinsic value). The respondents were explicit while giving their opinion in favor of the intrinsic and social values of the teaching profession. Although the findings of the current study do not concur with the results of earlier studies conducted to explore the same topic in other developing countries, they are encouraging and significant because they indicate a positive change in how people perceive the teaching profession. However, the small sample and the exploratory nature of the study raise difficulties when making broader generalizations. Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that policy makers need to revise the teachers' recruitment and preparation policies by taking into account certain measures.

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan have been a subject of intense debate, scrutiny, and controversy both domestically and internationally. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, legal framework, societal implications, and human rights concerns surrounding blasphemy laws within the Pakistani legal system. Beginning with a historical overview, the study examines the origins and development of these laws within the context of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Shariah-based legal principles. Through an exploration of notable cases and incidents, the article highlights the challenges faced in implementing fair trials and the far-reaching consequences on individuals accused of blasphemy. Additionally, it critically evaluates the conflicts between the laws and the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and expression, delving into the human rights implications and international perspectives. By reviewing reform efforts and proposing potential amendments, this article seeks to contribute to the ongoing discourse on the need for balanced legal reforms and societal harmony in navigating the complex landscape of blasphemy laws in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world has a lot of want for energy due to the rapid pace of its consumption. The world's energy resources, especially non-renewable sources, are vanishing by leaps and bounds. However, agencies like the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable development have defined some preventive measures to consider while consuming energy. The main issue in Pakistan is that the consumer is not supplied with electric power in a managed way, and the way of installation causes a lot of impairment to the expensive tools in the power distribution system. The motivation of this research focuses on energy management, making the distribution authority more powerful, digitalization, and protection of expensive components in electrical power systems. The proposed methodology uses current and voltage sensors to remotely monitor the amount of power being supplied to the consumer continuously, along with a microcontroller responsible for activating the relay in case of over-consumption and the Global System for Mobile (GSM) network to warn the consumer and inform the authority. This research work prevents manual and laborious meter readings and protects electrical instruments. Further, this work can enable online billing, pre-paid billing, and energy saving and provide a base for power theft detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the instructional management of a private and a government secondary school principal in the Gigit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan. The study used the following lenses to examine the instructional behavior of the two principals: supervisory techniques, professional development activities, curriculum enrichment, and the availability of instructional resources. A comparison between the levels of engagement of the private and public school principals for the promotion of instructional matter suggests that the private school principal spent more time than the government principal on the development of instructional practices in his school. The study maintains that variables, such as structural processes, personal disposition of principals, and staff characteristics, led the two subjects to deal with their instructional responsibility differently.

Nitrate as an important water pollutant, causing eutrophication was analyzed in Pakistan at different water sources (hand pump (HP), bore hole (BH) and tube well (TW)) to assess the contamination level caused by NO3−. NO3− concentrations in the HP water samples were 31 mg L−1 to 59 mg L−1, in BH 20 mg L−1 to 79 mg L−1 while in TW water samples it was between 29 to 55 mg L−1. The association of NO3− with other selected parameter in groundwater can be determined by using statistical approaches. Different physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO)) were studied in groundwater samples of the research district. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) for groundwater characteristics were calculated. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was used to categorize samples based on their groundwater quality similarities and to find links between groundwater quality factors. The key relationship of the groundwater for HP samples on EC and TDS (r = 1) had a great correlation, while all other parameters correlations were lower (r = 0.40), BH's parameters on WT and WSD (r = 0.57), WT and pH (r = 0.57), EC and DO (r = 0.50), DO and TDS (0.50), EC and TDS (r = 1) had a quite high correlation, while all other parameters correlations were less than (r = 0.40), on the other hand, tube well parameters on TDS and EC (r = 1) had a perfect correlation, DO and pH (r = 0.75) parameters correlations were less than (r = 0.40). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wrongful convictions (WC) have been widely studied in law and social sciences, yet, previous research lacks a clear conceptualization and rigorous scientific measurement scale to measure stakeholders' WC perceptions. Given the significance of stakeholders' perceptions in influencing policy reforms and transforming the criminal justice system, developing such a measurement scale offers an effective tool to comprehensively understand the relationship between WC and criminal justice system errors/misconduct and guide policymaking. In this study, based on samples of multiple stakeholders in Pakistan, we adopted qualitative and quantitative techniques for WC perception scale development and empirical testing. The results indicated that WC in the criminal justice system context consists of six dimensions, including perceptions of errors and misconduct by the police, prosecutor, judiciary, defense attorney, eyewitness, and forensics. The resulting WC perception measurement scale demonstrated an acceptable level of reliability and validity. The WC perception latent construct with the six resultant dimensions was tested with a structural equation model to assess the association of each perceived sub-construct with WC perception. The findings indicated that the legal professionals, policymakers, and the general public tend to believe that the prosecutors' and police errors and misconduct are the prime reasons for WC in Pakistan. This study also provides theoretical and practical implications for future studies in relevant fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement in quality of education including ECE/Play group/ Nursery/ Kachi/Prep/Pakki/ kindergarten at primary school level in context of teachers' knowledge and skills is very important. The study was descriptive (survey) in nature. Total numbers of (N =3529) in Bannu Division were the population of the study, and ECE teachers were the target population of the study in which the total numbers of (n = 360) teachers were taken as sample of the study through simple random and stratified sampling techniques. Main objective of the study was to examine knowledge and professional skills of ECE public and private school teachers in Pakistan. Data were collected over teachers' competencies inventory. Validity and reliability of research instrument were ensured. Results and conclusions were drawn by revealing that GPS teachers were better than private school teachers. Thus, some recommendations were offered to government, education department, policy and decision makers, planners, educationists, philosophers, and teachers' trainers to promote the quality of ECE Education in Pakistan by promoting the teachers' knowledge, competency and professional skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of global warming, organizations are coming under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, and generally become more responsible in their practices. To this backdrop, researchers argue that organizational HR practices have significant potential in shaping human behaviors. Therefore, by investigating the employment of a subordinate-supervisor dyad (N = 378 (subordinates), and 141 (supervisors)), this empirical study contributes to the growing literature on Green Human Resource Management (green HRM) and its impacts on employees' green outcomes. In particular, this study tested a novel model to explore the impact of green HRM on Green Creativity (GC) of employees in mediating the role of Pro-Environmental Behaviors (PEBs) and moderating the role of Ethical Leadership Style (ELS). Data were collected from organizations in the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region of Pakistan. For testing the results of the proposed hypotheses, structural equation modelling technique using SMART PLS 3 was employed. The results indicate that green HRM has a positive impact on employees' GC. Furthermore, partial mediating role of PEBs was also found. Finally, it was found that the ELS moderates the relationship between green HRM and GC and between green HRM and PEBs. Several theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precipitation elasticity provides a basic estimate of the sensitivity of long-term streamflow to changes in long-term precipitation, and it is especially useful as the first assessment of climate change impact in land and water resource projects. This study estimated and compared the precipitation elasticity (εp) of streamflow in 86 catchments within Pakistan over 50 major rivers using three widely used analytical models: bivariate nonparametric (NP) estimator, multivariate NP analysis, and multivariate double logarithm (DL) model. All the three models gave similar values of elasticity in the range of 0.1–3.5 for over 70–75% of the catchments. This signifies that a 1% change in the annual mean precipitation compared to the long-term historic mean annual precipitation will amplify the streamflow by 0.1–3.5%. In addition, the results suggested that elasticity estimation of streamflow sensitivity using the multivariate DL model is more reliable and realistic. Precipitation elasticity of streamflow is observed high at altitudes ranging between 250 m and 1000 m while the longitudinal and latitudinal pattern of εp shows higher values in the range of 70–75 and 32–36 decimal degrees, respectively. The εp values were found to have a direct relationship with the mean annual precipitation and an inverse relationship with the catchment areas. Likewise, high εp values were noticed in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges between 15 and 24 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonal and annual water supplies of the rivers originating in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) region of Pakistan are important to manage the Indus basin irrigation system for better agricultural production and its dependent agrarian economy. In this study, we simulated the current and future snowmelt runoff in a poorly gauged river basin of the Hindukush region under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) climate change scenarios. Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM) furnished with satellite snow cover maps and hydro-meteorological data were used to simulate the daily river discharge for the period 2000‒2005. The results indicated that SRM has effectually simulated the runoff in Chitral River with Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency coefficient of 0.85 (0.84) and 0.88 (0.83) in the basin-wide (zone-wise) application during the calibration and validation periods, respectively. The results obtained under future climate change scenario showed ∼14‒19% increase in mean summer discharge under three mid-21st century RCP (2.6, 4.5 and 8.5) scenarios. While an increase of ∼13‒37% is expected under late-21st century RCP scenarios. This study can help water resource managers to plan and manage peak discharges from the Chitral River Basin in the future and can thus prevent major losses due to floods in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The senior market signifies an enormous, rapidly expanding segment, and this research aimed to investigate this segment by proposing a theoretical model incorporating the antecedents of consumer flow experience, flow theory, and technology acceptance model (TAM) devised for determining social media purchase intention. This study focuses on the senior citizens engaged in shopping using social media located in Pakistan. A total of 300 senior citizens were selected. An online survey was conducted with the help of a marketing research agency located in Pakistan. The data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method. According to the results, the antecedents, such as feedback, enjoyment, and time distortion were found to be in a positive relationship with flow experience, however, the concentration did not have a significant effect on the flow. Furthermore, the flow was found to be in a significant relationship with social media purchase intention and TAM. Finally, TAM was also found to be in a positive significant relationship with social media purchase intention. This research contributes to the constantly expanding volume of the utilization of social media by the senior market segment population for buying and producing the highly valuable knowledge for manufacturers, wholesalers, vendors, and a huge number of senior customers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater heavy metal pollution is a major concern all around the world. For the assessment of heavy metals and physico-chemical characteristics, groundwater samples were collected from different locations of the Karak District, Pakistan. With the help of the global information system device (GIS), groundwater samples were collected and studied from 47 locations. The present study focused on the water table (WT), water source depth (WSD), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), lead (Pb(II)), silver (Ag(I)), iron (Fe(II)) and chromium (Cr(VI)) parameters. Heavy metals were analyzed by the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The Pearson's matrix of correlation showed relationships between several parameters, such as the EC and the TDS which had close interactions between all the three different groundwater samples (collected by hand pump (HP), bore holes (BH) and tube wells (TW)). The strong correlation was detected in all the sources of water between the TDS and the EC, the regression coefficient (r) of which was 1. In the hierarchical clustering (by dendrograms) the HP samples show two clusters: Cluster 1 contains seven parameters and Cluster 2 has four parameters. The BH samples have two clusters: Cluster 1 contains three parameters and Cluster 2 has eight parameters. The TW dendrogram also shows two clusters: Cluster 1 contains six parameters while Cluster 2 has five parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates test preparation strategies among IELTS test-takers in Pakistan: their knowledge of the test, the activities they undertake to improve the required language skills, the test-taking strategies they know or apply, and possible reasons why many of them usually score lower than their target band score. The study involved an online questionnaire administered to 118 candidates from eight important regions of Pakistan i.e. Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Baluchistan, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The non-probability sampling technique was used to select the participants. The study discusses how IELTS candidates can avoid potentially negative attitudes, and better prepare for the IELTS test. Furthermore, the study also discusses various factors in relation with IELTS test preparation and their impact on the test results. These factors include test-takers' prior perceptions of the test, and their test taking strategies for the test they are planning to take. The study concludes with some implications for test-takers, test-preparation centers, and IELTS tutors to consider while preparing/planning/tutoring for the English language proficiency test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of yield gap analysis can be used to meet the growing demands for agricultural products. Sustainable development goals (e.g. SDG1 and SDG2) to end poverty and hunger require sustainable increases in agricultural production in developing countries, particularly in South Asia and Africa. The aim of this paper is to assess the spatial heterogeneity of the potential and actual yields of major food crops and to determine the yield gaps at the provincial and national levels in Pakistan. The regional test yields of the registered cultivars were used to determine the potential grain yields and total potential grain production levels in each province of Pakistan. The yield gaps were then calculated by comparing the potential and actual yields of the selected major food crops. With a substantial exploitation rate of 0.38 in total grain production, a significant potential gap was found at the national level. The results revealed that the national potential of total grain production is 100,933 Mg, and the actual national grain production from 2015 to 2016 was 38,227 Mg, with a production gap of 62,706 Mg. The results further revealed that the maize crop had the highest potential gap on a national basis, followed by wheat and rice. Meanwhile, on provincial basis, the total production gaps of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan are 43,776 Mg, 9649.3 Mg, 6772.1 Mg and 2510.7 Mg, respectively. Moreover, based on climate, temperature, rainfall and topography, the yield gaps varied from crop to crop and from province to province. To increase grain yields and close the yield gaps of the major crops, the farmland infrastructure should be strengthened and resource allocations should be optimized. The findings of this study can provide conclusive data for national grain production, protection and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relative changes and future projections of temperature and precipitation for baseline (1976–2005) and future (2006–2040, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) periods for the Bajaur, Mohmand, and Khyber districts of Pakistan situated in the Hindu Kush region. Data from 14 GCMs (out of which five GCMs were selected based on evaluation and validation) and three RCMs were downscaled and bias corrected using the quantile delta mapping (QDM) method for GCMs and the best easy systemic (BES) method for RCMs. The future extremes were projected by using the standard indices from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI). Uncertainty in the data was analysed by a probabilistic distribution function (PDF), boxplots, and standard deviation. For RCP4.5, the GCM and RCM projections show an increase in the average maximum temperature of 0.98 °C for 2006–2040, 1.89 °C and 2.04 °C for 2041–2070, and 2.25 °C and 2.56 °C for 2071–2100, respectively, while the increase is almost double for RCP8.5 during the last period (2071–2099) over the whole study area. The percent increase in precipitation over the whole study area from GCMs and RCMs for RCP4.5 is 10.00–17.00% and 21.14–34.47%, while for RCP8.5, it is 11.73–22.12% and 16.17–31.50%, respectively. In RCM projections for RCP4.5, the Khyber district will experience drier conditions in mid-century, while for GCMs (RCP4.5), the same conditions are projected through the end of the century. In terms of extreme events, warm temperature extremes and extreme precipitation events show an increasing trend accompanied by a decrease in cold extremes over all regions. Hence, it is concluded that warm and wet conditions are projected to prevail in all regions. However, GCM data depict less uncertainty compared with RCM data, and while models show less error for the baseline period, the error increases slightly for the future periods. Thus, this study provides research findings along with policy recommendations essential to combat the potential impacts of projected changes in the regional climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authentic leadership has appeared as a significant field of research. Building on social exchange theory that explicates how individuals mutually mechanize reciprocation and eventually establish a trust-based relationship, we postulated a positive relationship between authentic leadership and followers' organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). Based on a two-wave time lagged design, the data were obtained from 270 employees working in a private banking sector of Pakistan. We found that authentic leadership is positively associated with subordinate's OCBs, as well as leads to a higher-level of both affective‐ and cognitive-based followers' trust. The results also indicated that both affective‐ and cognitive-based trust positively mediated the relationship between authentic leadership and OCBs. The implications for theory and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Politics is one of the hottest and most commonly mentioned and viewed topics on social media networks nowadays. Microblogging platforms like Twitter and Weibo are widely used by many politicians who have a huge number of followers and supporters on those platforms. It is essential to study the supporters' network of political leaders because it can help in decision making when predicting their political futures. This study focuses on the supporters' network of three famous political leaders of Pakistan, namely, Imran Khan (IK), Maryam Nawaz Sharif (MNS), and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (BBZ). This is done using social network analysis and semantic analysis. The proposed method (1) detects and removes fake supporter(s), (2) mines communities in the politicians' social network(s), (3) investigates the supporters' reply network for conversations between supporters about each leader, and, finally, (4) analyses the retweet network for information diffusion of each political leader. Furthermore, sentiment analysis of the supporters of politicians is done using machine learning techniques, which ultimately predicted and revealed the strongest supporter network(s) among the three political leaders. Analysis of this data reveals that as of October 2017 (1) IK was the most renowned of the three politicians and had the strongest supporter's community while using Twitter in a very controlled manner, (2) BBZ had the weakest supporters' network on Twitter, and (3) the supporters of the political leaders in Pakistan are flexible on Twitter, communicating with each other, and that any group of supporters has a low level of isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whitefly-transmissible begomoviruses (Family-Geminiviridae) are the major pathogens of economically important crops and weeds. In 2004-05, during field surveys in Faisalabad, Pakistan, symptoms of leaf curling and leaf deformations were spotted on leaves of Chenopodium album. Chenopodium album is also known as Bathu (local name). This plant is commonly found in crop fields and around water channels. Fifteen plant leaves showing upward leaf curling were collected from different farmer's fields. Complete virus and associated satellite molecules were amplified through rolling circle amplification (RCA) followed by restriction digestion with suitable enzyme, cloning and sequencing. Basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) showed that leaf curling disease of C. album is associated with Pedilanthus leaf curl virus (PeLCV) along with two different types of betasatellite molecules i.e., Digera yellow vein betasatelite (DiYVB), Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) and one alphasatellite i.e., Ageratum enation alphasatellite (AEA). Sequence analysis showed that PeLCV is a new variant showing 95-98% sequence homology to PeLCV isolated from India and Pakistan. Associated betasatellites i.e., DiYVB and CLCuMB showed 96-99% sequence homology to satellites isolated from India and Pakistan. Ageratum enation alphasatellite associated with PeLCV was also a new combination and showed 99% sequence homology with other isolates from Pakistan. This is the first report of PeLCV and associated satellites infecting C. album. The data presented in this paper would help in understanding the diversity and etiology of begomoviruses in C. album. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Loss to follow up from anti tuberculosis treatment (ATT) can result into, increase in cure time, drug resistance development, reduced probability of treatment compliance and increased chances of death. Therefore, interventions focused at improvement of treatment adherence can play a pivotal role in containment and control of TB. Objective: To reduce the loss to follow up rate from existing 9% at our settings i.e. National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Karachi, Pakistan. Study design, settings and duration: This prospective observational study of 18 months was conducted among children at TB clinic NICH, Karachi, Pakistan. Subjects and Methods: After taking informed written consent from parent/guardian, a Performa containing demographic and clinical information was filled and a pamphlet about adherence to treatment was given to them. After one week, every patient was contacted on mobile phone; in case of no response, home visit was made and a monthly follow up was also done. Those found to have stopped taking ATT were given awareness about complications of discontinuing ATT. Results: Out of 167 patients, 83 (49.7%) were males, mean age was 7.82 years and mean weight was 8.95 kg. Pulmonary TB was most prevalent (52.0%) followed by TB of lymph nodes (22.9%).More than 91% patients were cured, 8 (4.8%) were expired; one had MDR TB and loss to follow up rate reduced to 3.6% from previous 9% as per our hospital records. Conclusion: A visible decrease in loss to follow up rate has been achieved through multi step facilitation via mobile phone calls, messages and house hold visits of enrolled patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GMPEs are empirical equations used in seismic hazard analysis studies to predict ground motions. These GMPEs do not exit for Pakistan. In previous studies, GMPEs are adopted in different regions of the world. In this study, all the previously used GMPEs along some global ones are collected and evaluated with local strong motion data collected from different agencies. In this study, strong motion data are collected from different agencies in Pakistan. Provided data is in the wave-form that was converted into digital form for use in the analysis. These strong motion records were used to compile a strong motion catalog. By using the software, we removed the noise and put the mean removal on the wave for filtering and finding the low and high pass value. The analyses of standard deviation data show that Sharma et al. (2009) and Akkar and Bommer (2010) GMPEs results in high values of standard deviation compared to that of Boore and Atkinson (2008). This study clearly shows that internationally published GMPEs are not necessarily suitable for every region. Even a meager amount of strong motion data is used for evaluation of these GMPEs so only those conforming closer to local crustal conditions can be used for determination of seismic hazards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study, which examines how a foreign-funded teachers' preparation program was implemented, primarily focuses on policy-related matters and curriculum implementation. Despite some of the challenges faced by the instructors and prospective teachers, the two stakeholders acknowledged that the new program is the correct approach for addressing the issues of quality education in Pakistan. The instructors and students agreed that the new Advance Degree in Education (ADE) program, unlike the traditional teachers' preparation programs that have questionable productivity, helped them to broaden their understanding about such concepts as student-centered learning, practice-oriented teaching, multiple methods of teaching, and the integration of technology in the teaching and learning processes. However, the study maintains that certain issues, such as questionable recruitment policies, limited capacities of teacher educators, and lack of proper orientation about the ADE program, seem to compromise the productivity of this important intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the errors of students in the use of English articles (a, an, the, and zero articles). The sample of the study comprised of 60 graduate students selected through simple random sampling method. The instrument used as data collection tool was the essays written by students of BS in the subject of Communication Skills. The essays written by the participants were collected and the errors committed by the students in the articles were identified and analyzed in frequencies. The main finding of the study was; learners' whose mother tongue is Urdu (Urdu does not have any article system) commit more errors as compared to those whose L1 has articles system. Students faced more difficulties in learning indefinite articles and omit it in their writings. Based on these finding some pedagogical implications were proposed, which might assist ESL/EFL teachers with some practicable suggestions and teaching strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mango is the second major fruit crop of Pakistan. A large number of unexplored indigenous mango germplasm with great economic significance is present in the country. Hence, 425 mango accessions were studied from Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) as well as Northern and Southern Punjab to explore the genetic diversity. Total 33 traits (25 qualitative and 8 quantitative) enabled the assessment of morphological and physico-chemical diversity of the studied indigenous mango germplasm. The first three principal components (PCs) contributed 68.06% variability among all mango accessions. The PCs also successfully grouped mango accessions according to their morphological and physico-chemical characteristics. Trunk height, tree circumference, crown diameter, leaf colour, leaf blade length, petiole length, inflorescence length, inflorescence width, fruit shape, fruit weight, soluble solid contents, titratable acidity, sugar:acid ratio, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars and total sugars were found highly variable. Many of these characters are of substantial economic significance and could be used as breeding goals to increase the germplasm repository as well as fruit yield and quality. In conclusion, morphological and physico-chemical traits were highly useful for mango germplasm characterization. Several accessions also showed potentially good traits which could be used to develop new mango cultivars through future breeding schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to explore the physicochemical characteristics, light and heavy metal concentrations in drinking water of the selected area of Lower Dir, Pakistan. In the study area, no such study about the assessment of drinking water quality has been carried out. The people of Lower Dir are unaware about the quality of water and adverse impacts of contaminated water. The research work will provide base for the awareness campaign regarding the importance of pure and safe drinking water quality.. For this purposes, the water samples (n=22) were collected and analyzed for various parameters. Among the physical parameters the pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC), salinity and temperature, while in - chemical parameters the alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), hardness, chlorides (Cl ), and sulfates were determined. Light metals such as magnesium (Mg+2), calcium (Ca+2), sodium (Na+2), and potassium (K+) and heavy metals included lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in the collected samples. The results showed that all the parameters were within the permissible limits set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) except hardness (351.44 mg/L). The light metals were within the permissible limit except Mg (308.60 mg/L) that exceeded the permissible limits of WHO and Pak-EPA, while Ca (53.71 mg/L) exceeded the permissible limit of WHO. The heavy metal results showed that all the metals were within permissible limit except Cr (0.18 mg/L) and Pb (0.04 mg/L). The health risk assessment like Average Daily Dose (ADD) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) were calculated for heavy metals. All heavy metals in drinking water samples indicated no health risk (CDI and HQ<1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cotton crop is infected by single stranded DNA viruses (Family, Geminiviridae) in Pakistan. Due to changing global climate, which favors the whitefly (insect vector) growth and reproduction, the spread of cotton leaf curl disease is increasing at an alarming rate. Various approaches are being used to diagnose the ssDNA viruses in cotton. One step PCR protocol was established to identify the three viruses, namely cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV), Burewala strain of Kokhran virus (CLCuKo-Bur) and cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus (CLCuKoV). Thirty eight genotypes were screened on the basis of symptoms and molecular diagnosis. Out of 38 genotypes, 13 were positive for CLCuMuV, 24 were positive for Burewala strain and one was positive for both CLCuMuV and CLCuKoV-Bur strain. However, none of the samples was positives for cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus. Our experiments have established one step guide PCR for screening of cotton germplasm for major cotton infecting viruses. This diagnostic assay will promote the breeding programs for the development of resistant cotton varieties against cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jatropha curcas L. (J. curcas)is gaining interest as biodiesel plant in Pakistan. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the interaction of J. curcas not only with crop plants but also with weed species before its introduction into agroforestry systems. During present investigation, allelopathic potential of J. curcas leaf aqueous extract was investigated on seed germination and seedling development of Parthenium hysterophorus L. Extracts were applied at 25%, 20%, 15%, 10% and 5% as seed soaking for 8 hours prior to sowing. Phenolics compounds were found in aqueous extracts and were higher in 25% extract (52.72 mg gallic acid eq. / gm of extract). Higher concentration of the extract (25%) significantly decreased seed germination (%), seed germination index, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root fresh weight, root dry weight, seedling relative water content and seed vigor index. It was inferred from findings of the present investigation that aqueous extract of J. curcas exhibits inhibitory effects on growth and development of P. hysterophorus and therefore could be a potential source of botanical herbicide in the control of this noxious weed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen premium quality commercial mango cultivars grown in Pakistan were assayed with seven SSR primer series viz., mMiCIR, MiSHRS, MIAC, MITGIT, LMMA, UBC and MiIIHR. Among the 120 primers used, 101 produced bands and revealed a narrow genetic base ranging from 0.62-0.8 with maximum similarity among the cvs. 'Anwar Ratole' and 'Sensation' while the maximum divergence was between cvs. 'Sindhri' and 'Sensation'. Chaunsa was genetically more similar (74.2%) and 'Kala Chaunsa' was more dissimilar (31.2%) respectively when compared with all the other cultivars. Of 101 SSR primers, we have identified 30 (29.7%) highly informative primers (PIC value =0.6), which could be useful in the molecular characterization of mango germplasm. The primer series MIAC, UBC and MiIIHR had the maximum percentage of highly informative primers in descending order. The UPGMA based Euclidian dendrogram constructed with similarity indices placed all the cultivars according to regions of their origin and magnitude of diversity among them. The morphological characterization of the commercial cultivars was also done using 11 quantitative traits; however, none of the traits except fruit weight was informative for the assessment of genetic diversity. SSR based molecular characterization appeared to be reliable, reproducible and cost effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Two cropping systems (common and drought adopted) were compared for fertilizer and irrigation effects on forage quality. [•] Irrigation water use efficiencies for crude protein (CP) and metabolizeable energy (ME) were also studied. [•] Fertilizer and irrigation did not affect the quality parameters significantly. [•] Drought adopted system proved more water efficient for CP and ME production. [•] Nutritional quality of both systems was in acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the instructional management of a private and a government secondary school principal in the Gigit-Baltistan region of Northern Pakistan. The study used the following lenses to examine the instructional behavior of the two principals: supervisory techniques, professional development activities, curriculum enrichment, and the availability of instructional resources. A comparison between the levels of engagement of the private and public school principals for the promotion of instructional matter suggests that the private school principal spent more time than the government principal on the development of instructional practices in his school. The study maintains that variables, such as structural processes, personal disposition of principals, and staff characteristics, led the two subjects to deal with their instructional responsibility differently. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: In developed countries, patients' factors and esthetic concerns have predominantly influenced prosthodontic treatments. The objective of this investigation was to see if such factors in local partially dentate patients influenced the clinicians' decision regarding the prostheses planned. Material & Methods: This was a descriptive study carried out in Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar from March to October 2007. Using a structured data collection-sheet, patient's data including gender, age, socio-economic status, educational level, oral-hygiene status, main concern of patients for consultation and the number, location and type of saddles in the jaws were all recorded. The type of prosthodontic service planned for each patient was also recorded. One investigator collected the required data from each of the 206 partially dentate patients by the method of direct interviewing. Results: Acrylic removable dental prostheses (RDPs) were more frequently provided than fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). No precision-retained or implant-supported prosthesis were planned. Irrespective of the type of prosthesis, the restoration of chewing function was the major concern of patients for consultation. Age, socioeconomic status, educational level and type of saddle in the maxilla influenced patients' treatment with RDPs. In comparison, better socioeconomic status and educational level were the reasons in case of planned FDPs. The reason for the planned FDPs in the maxilla was esthetics as compared to improvement in chewing function in case of the mandible. Conclusion: Acrylic RDPs were the most frequently planned prostheses. Patients; socioeconomic status and educational level and the type and location of saddle influenced the type of prosthesis planned for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the top death causing disease in the world, due to its occurrence through various mechanism and form. Medicinal plants have been extensively used for the purifications and isolations of phytochemicals for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Consequently, this research was designed to document the traditional practices of anti-cancer plants and its phytochemical essay across the districts of KP, Pakistan. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 24 districts from the informants mostly the traditional herbalists (key informants). The information were compared with the publish data using various authentic search engines including, google, researchgate, google scholar and NCBI. One hundred and fifty-four (154) anti-cancer plants were recognized belonging to 69 families among all, Lamiaceae (13 sp.), Asteraceae (12 sp.) and Solanaceae (9 sp.) were the preferred families. The local inhabitants in the area typically prepare ethnomedicinal recipes from leaves (33.70%) and whole plants (23.37%) in the form of decoction and powder (24.67%), respectively. Herbs stayed the most preferred life form (61.68%) followed by shrub (21.4%). Similarly, breast (29.22%) and lung cancer (14.83%) was the common disease type. Literature study also authorize that, the medicinal plants of the research area were rich in phytochemical like quercetin, coumarine, kaempferol, apigenin, colchicine, alliin, rutin, lupeol, allicin, berbarine, lutolin, vanilic acid, urocilic acid and solamargine have revealed significant activates concerning the cancer diseases, that replicating the efficacy of these plants as medicines. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is rural area and the local inhabitants have very strong traditional knowledge about the medicinal plants for different diseases like cancer. The medicinal plants for significant ranked disorder might be pharmacologically and phtyochemicaly explored to demonstrate their efficacy. Moreover, the local flora especially medicinal plants facing overgrazing, overexploitation and inappropriate way of collection, however, proper management strategies like reforestation, controlled grazing, proper permission from concerned department and rangeland strategies among others may be assumed to enhance the proper usage of medicinal plants. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, Pakistan has suffered a decline in cotton production due to several factors, including insect pests, cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD), and multiple abiotic stresses. CLCuD is a highly damaging plant disease that seriously limits cotton production in Pakistan. Recently, genome editing through CRISPR/Cas9 has revolutionized plant biology, especially to develop immunity in plants against viral diseases. Here we demonstrate multiplex CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing against CLCuD using transient transformation in N. benthamiana plants and cotton seedlings. The genomic sequences of cotton leaf curl viruses (CLCuVs) were obtained from NCBI and the guide RNA (gRNA) were designed to target three regions in the viral genome using CRISPR MultiTargeter. The gRNAs were cloned in pHSE401/pKSE401 containing Cas9 and confirmed through colony PCR, restriction analysis, and sequencing. Confirmed constructs were moved into Agrobacterium and subsequently used for transformation. Agroinfilteration in N. benthamiana revealed delayed symptoms (3–5 days) with improved resistance against CLCuD. In addition, viral titer was also low (20–40%) in infected plants co-infiltrated with Cas9-gRNA, compared to control plants (infected with virus only). Similar results were obtained in cotton seedlings. The results of transient expression in N. benthamiana and cotton seedlings demonstrate the potential of multiplex CRISPR/Cas to develop resistance against CLCuD. Five transgenic plants developed from three experiments showed resistance (60−70%) to CLCuV, out of which two were selected best during evaluation and screening. The technology will help breeding CLCuD-resistant cotton varieties for sustainable cotton production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Jaya algorithm is applied to find an optimal unit sizing of renewable energy resources, including photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines (WTs), and fuel cells (FCs) with the objective of reducing the consumer's total annual cost in a stand-alone system. The system's reliability is considered using the maximum allowable loss of power supply probability (LPSP max) concept. The methodology is applied to real solar irradiation and wind speed data taken from Hawksbay, Pakistan. Simulation results achieved for low and high consumer's load profiles show that when LPSP max values are set to be 0% and 2%, the PV-FC is the most cost-effective system as compared to PV-WT-FC and WT-FC systems. Further, the results of Jaya algorithm are compared with a genetic algorithm, backtracking search algorithm, and particle swarm optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a dioecious, wind-pollinated shrub growing in Eurasia including the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan (Gilgit-Baltistan territory). Contrary to the situation in other countries, in Pakistan this species is heavily underutilized. Moreover, a striking diversity of berry colors and shapes in Pakistan raises the question: which varieties might be more suitable for different national and international markets? Therefore, both morphological and genetic diversity of sea buckthorn were studied to characterize and evaluate the present variability, including hypothetically ongoing domestication processes. Overall, 300 sea buckthorn individuals were sampled from eight different populations and classified as wild and supposedly domesticated stands. Dendrometric, fruit and leaf morphometric traits were recorded. Twelve EST-SSRs (expressed sequence tags-simple sequence repeats) markers were used for genotyping. Significant differences in morphological traits were found across populations and between wild and village stands. A significant correlation was found between leaf area and altitude. Twenty-two color shades of berries and 20 dorsal and 15 ventral color shades of leaves were distinguished. Mean genetic diversity was comparatively high (He = 0.699). In total, three distinct genetic clusters were observed that corresponded to the populations' geographic locations. Considering high allelic richness and genetic diversity, the Gilgit-Baltistan territory seems to be a promising source for selection of improved germplasm in sea buckthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• First application of alpha- and beta-diversity approach for apple accessions in N-Pakistan. • High numbers of rare phenotypes and private alleles suggest high potential for conservation. • Remoteness and distance of regions is not necessarily responsible for genetic sub-structuring. • Lack of awareness and management forces decline of local apple varieties. Apple (Malus × domestica) is a main fruit crop of cold temperate regions and traded globally. Despite being a comparatively well documented plant cultigen, available germplasm in many remote regions is still unexplored and threatened. Increasing market demands for modern cultivars and farmers' preference for high yields may lead to the gradual loss of indigenous varieties. Gilgit-Baltistan in northern Pakistan – a mountainous and remote apple growing region – was selected to study local cultigen diversity by assessing varietal richness and diversity, arboriculture activities as well as phenotypic and genotypic characters of available germplasm. In total, 106 individual apple trees were sampled, and 35 tree owners from seven villages of the two valleys Ishkoman and Baltistan were interviewed. Dendrometric parameters, fruit traits (qualitative and quantitative), and varietal diversity in each village were measured. Genetic variation was estimated using eleven SSR markers and synonyms and homonyms were identified based on cluster analysis. Sixty-one multi-locus genotypes (MLG; mean genotype diversity: 58 %) and 18 putative clones (comprising 2 to 9 ramets) were identified. Varietal diversity was highest in Baltistan where even a wild apple relative (Malus baccata) was discovered. Mean genetic diversity was moderate (H e = 0.677), while negative inbreeding coefficients indicated excess of heterozygotes in three genetic clusters. A moderate correlation (r = 0.627, p = 0.001) between phenotypic and genetic dendrograms suggested genetically linked fruit traits, which merits further exploration. Considering the high genetic and phenotypic variability, Gilgit-Baltistan appears a promising source of apple germplasm for future breeding programs. The promotion of local varieties may allow farmers to diversify their produce and derived sources of income as well as to maintain a historically important bio-cultural heritage of Gilgit-Baltistan. To this end, comprehensive conservation strategies combined with further participatory research will be needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indus Basin, home to approximately 300-million people, has a total area of 1.12 million km2 (47 % Pakistan, 39 % India, 6 % Afghanistan, and 8 % China) and the highest density of irrigated land in the world. The region's rapid population and economic growth in recent decades is expected to continue in the next decades leading to growing demands for water, energy and food. With no abundant surface water left in the basin for future expansion and accelerating use of groundwater, long-term strategic and integrated management of water and its interlinked sectors (the so called water-energy-land nexus) is fundamental for the sustainable development of the region. We developed the NExus Solutions Tool (NEST), an open source computing framework that links an engineering-economic model, representing investment and allocation decisions up to 2050 across water, energy and land-use sectors, to a hydrological model, representing the detailed biophysical processes at high spatial and temporal resolutions. We provide insights into (1) the vulnerability of surface water and groundwater resources to future socioeconomic and climatic change; and (2) how policies, technological solutions and investments can improve the sustainability of water, energy and land transformation pathways while avoiding unintended side effects and minimizing trade-offs among sectors. Initial results show very different optimal investment portfolios for each country in the basin, due to the different strategic access to the main river flows. Stability of policies (such as the Indus Water Treaty) will be important, and new investments (especially in renewable energy, water distribution and water treatment technologies) will be required for achieving sustainable development goals in the water, energy, and food sectors. This study also highlights, under different socio-economic and climate scenarios, which provinces and regions might be mostly exposed to water and food scarcity, and what investments are required to adapt to future challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human displacement is on the rise globally, and the increase in the burden of tuberculosis (TB) is also attributed to migrations worldwide. A significant number of such displacements occur in regions with considerably higher areas of TB burden. Displacements may delay TB diagnosis and treatment, which will possibly lead to TB transmission among healthy individuals. In this study, we assessed the association of existing determinants after a protracted internal displacement of people with delay in TB diagnosis and treatment outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on internally displaced TB patients (IDPs), registered at selected health facilities in three urban districts of Pakistan from March 2019 to February 2020. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the delay in diagnosis and treatment outcomes. IDPs with delay in initiation of treatment beyond 30 days were at high possibility of unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes (adjusted odds ratio AOR, 2.60; 95% CI 1.06-6.40). Furthermore, the multivariate regression analysis showed a statistically significant association ( p > 0.05) between TB patients who were aged 55 to 65 years (AOR, 2.66; 95% CI 1.00-7.07), female patients (AOR, 2.42; 95% CI 1.21-4.81), visited non-formal health provider (AOR, 8.81; 95% CI 3.99-19.46), self-medication (AOR, 2.72; 95 % CI 1.37-5.37), poor knowledge of TB (AOR, 11.39; 95% CI 3.31-39.1), and perceived stigma (AOR, 8.81; 95% CI 3.99-19.4). Prolonged delay in treatment was associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes among IDPs. Migrants and IDPs are more likely to experience an interruption in care due to overall exclusion from social and health care services. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the barriers to providing public health care services, particularly in preventing and treating TB.

Good-quality water and food are the basic needs of humans, plants, and animals. Polluted groundwater and soil directly and indirectly affect organisms, which is the main environmental concern. In the current study, standard protocols of atomic absorption spectrometry were adopted for the investigation of selected metals (lead, chromium, and iron) in the collected groundwater and soil samples. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) applied to groundwater and soil samples shows a positive perfect correlation among water parameters (conductivity and total dissolved solids) in all three sources. In the hand pump samples between water table (WT) and water source depth (WSD), Pearson correlation coefficient (r) value was found (r = 0.87) while between EC and TDS, it was r = 1. Similarly, in the bore hole samples between WT and WSD (r = 0.66), EC and TDS (r = 1), EC and Cr (r = 0.70), and TDS and Cr (r = 0.70), which showed weaker correlation. In the tube well samples, correlation between EC and TDS was high (r = 1). The correlation coefficient (r) values of the soil parameters in the hand pump (soil) samples between Fe and Cr (r = 0.86), in bore hole samples between Fe and Cr (r = 0.77), in tube well samples between Fe and Cr (r = 0.69), while all the other parameter correlations were found lower (r = 0.60). Between electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids, high relation has been observed between them (r = 1). Overall, results showed that in most of the studied samples, contents of the target metals were found above the allowable limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between a prostasin gene variations and the development of preeclampsia in a Pakistani female population. Methods: This was a case-control study carried out at University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan between May 2018 and 2019. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at rs12597511 locus was examined with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses in 76 preeclamptic and 74 normotensive expecting mothers., Results: We observed significantly increased risk of preeclampsia associated with the CC genotype of rs12597511 polymorphism as compared to TT (p less than 0.001, OR=8.08, 95% CI: 1.28-31.19) and TT/TC (p less than 0.001, OR=14.66 and 95% CI: 3.31-65.07) genotypes carriers. Calculation of the allelic distribution revealed a higher frequency of the T allele (82%) among controls; however, the C allele was more prevalent in the preeclamptic group (36%) significantly., Conclusion: The significantly higher C allele frequency in the prostasin gene at the rs12597511 locus in the preeclamptic group indicates that the distribution of the C allele of the prostasin gene is a potential risk factor contributing to the development of preeclampsia.

Transgenic cotton expressing the toxin Cry1Ac from Bacillus thuringiensis L. (Bt) is widely cultivated in Pakistan after its formal approval in 2010. The exposure of the local target pests to the Cry1Ac endotoxin for this duration might have changed the baseline susceptibility. To probe the status of resistance in one of the main target pests, Helicoverpa armigera, field-collected larvae were reared in the lab for conducting leaf fed bioassays. Twenty-six cotton accessions collected from farmers, including 25 Bt-cotton and one non-Bt, were tested to quantify the level of Cry1Ac, an insecticidal crystalline protein (ICP), in leaves of lower, middle and upper canopies of plants. The concentration of ICP was tested through Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay and found significantly variable (P < 0.01) between and within accessions. The highest mean expression was observed in Accession-2 and Accession-4, while the lowest in Accession-21 and Accession-19. Among fresh leaf tissues from different parts of the plant, the highest mean expression was recorded at 60 days after sowing in upper canopy leaves of cotton accessions, which decreased in lower parts of the plant with the lowest mean expression in lower canopy leaves. Laboratory bioassays, to calculate lethal dose, for H. armigera showed that LD 50 and LD 95 were 0.62 μg/g and 1.59 μg/g of fresh tissue weight, respectively. A strong positive correlation also exists between the levels of Cry1Ac protein and insect mortality (r = 0.84). These findings suggested the future risk of cultivation of Bt cotton, carrying single Cry1Ac gene, in Pakistan, as resistance surging in H. armigera against Cry protein. These results may also have significant implications for the resistance management in Bt crops, especially cotton, in future.

Helicobacter pylori is one of the major risk factors involved in the development ofgastritis and gastric cancer (GC). H. pylori infection leads to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the host. Carriage of specific polymorphisms in cytokine genes may be associated with host susceptibility to the development of GC. We investigated the role of host genetic factors including polymorphisms of IL-1B and IL-1RN in correlation with gastritis and GC in H. pylori infected Pakistani population. A total of 230 gastritis cases and 100 GC cases were genotyped for IL 1B-511 and IL-1RN penta-allelic variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs). A combination of IL-1B-511*T and IL-1RN*2 alleles (OR 19.064; 95% CI 2.319-156.7; p = 0.001) in H. pylori infected individuals had markedly increased risk of GC development. In Pakistani population, an increased risk of GC development is associated with the carriage of IL-1B-511*T and IL-1RN*2 alleles. Synergistic effect of H. pylori infection and IL-1B-511*T/IL-1RN*2 genotypes was also observed in association with significantly higher risk of developing GC. Further prospective and large scale studies are needed to establish the clinical impact of these findings.

The spread of cotton leaf curl disease in China, India and Pakistan is a recent phenomenon. Analysis of available sequence data determined that there is a substantial diversity of cotton-infecting geminiviruses in Pakistan. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that recombination between two major groups of viruses, cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMuV) and cotton leaf curl Kokhran virus (CLCuKoV), led to the emergence of several new viruses. Recombination detection programs and phylogenetic analyses showed that CLCuMuV and CLCuKoV are highly recombinant viruses. Indeed, CLCuKoV appeared to be a major donor virus for the coat protein (CP) gene, while CLCuMuV donated the Rep gene in the majority of recombination events. Using recombination free nucleotide datasets the substitution rates for CP and Rep genes were determined. We inferred similar nucleotide substitution rates for the CLCuMuV-Rep gene (4.96X10-4) and CLCuKoV-CP gene (2.706X10-4), whereas relatively higher substitution rates were observed for CLCuMuV-CP and CLCuKoV-Rep genes. The combination of sequences with equal and relatively low substitution rates, seemed to result in the emergence of viral isolates that caused epidemics in Pakistan and India. Our findings also suggest that CLCuMuV is spreading at an alarming rate, which can potentially be a threat to cotton production in the Indian subcontinent.

Background: Plasmodium vivax is one of the widespread human malarial parasites accounting for 75% of malaria epidemics. However, there is no baseline information about the status and nature of genetic variation of Plasmodium species circulating in various parts of Pakistan. The present study was aimed at observing the molecular epidemiology and genetic variation of Plasmodium vivax by analysing its merozoite surface protein-3α (msp-3α) and merozoite surface protein-3β (msp-3β) genes, by using suballele, species-specific, combined nested PCR/RFLP detection techniques., Methods: A total of 230 blood samples from suspected subjects tested slide positive for vivax malaria were collected from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan during the period May 2012 to December 2013. Combined nested PCR/RFLP technique was conducted using Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3β genetic markers to detect extent of genetic variation in clinical isolates of P. vivax in the studied areas of Pakistan., Results: By PCR, P. vivax, 202/230 (87.82%), was found to be widely distributed in the studied areas. PCR/RFLP analysis showed a high range of allelic variations for both msp-3α and msp-3β genetic markers of P. vivax, i.e., 21 alleles for msp-3α and 19 for msp-3β. Statistically a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the genetic diversity of the suballelic variants of msp-3α and msp-3β genes of P. vivax., Conclusion: It is concluded that P. vivax populations are highly polymorphic and diverse allelic variants of Pvmsp-3α and Pvmsp-3β are present in Pakistan.

Objective: To determine the frequency of inherited bleeding disorders, its complications, and treatment modalities available for its treatment., Design: Cross-sectional study., Patients and Methods: Patients with a history of bleeding tendency were tested for confirmation of the diagnosis. History and clinical findings were recorded. Laboratory analysis included prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), bleeding time (BT), and fibrinogen assay. Patients with prolonged APTT were tested for factors VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX). If FVIII was low, von Willebrand factor: antigen (vWF:Ag) and von Willebrand factor:ristocetin cofactor (vWF:RCo) were performed. When PT and APTT both were prolonged, FV, FX, and FII were tested. Platelet aggregation studies were done when there was isolated prolonged BT. Urea clot solubility test was done when all coagulation tests were normal. All patients with hemophilia A and B were evaluated for inhibitors., Results: Of the 376 patients, inherited bleeding disorder was diagnosed in 318 (85%) cases. Median age of patients was 16.4 years. Hemophilia A was the commonest inherited bleeding disorder that was observed in 140 (37.2%) followed by vWD 68 (18.0%), platelet function disorders 48 (12.8%), and hemophilia B in 33 (8.8%) cases. We also found rare congenital factor deficiencies in 13 (3.4%), low VWF in 11 (3.0%) participants and 5 (1.3%) in female hemophilia carriers. Hemarthrosis was the most frequent symptom in hemophilia A and B (79.7%) involving knee joint. Inhibitor was detected in 21 (15%) cases. Fresh frozen plasma/cryoprecipitate were the most common modality of treatment. In 58 patients, no abnormality was detected in coagulation profile., Conclusion: Hemophilia A and vWD are the most common congenital bleeding disorders in this study. Hemarthrosis involving knee joint was the most common complication. Inhibitor was detected in a significant number of patients. Plasma is still the most common modality of treatment.

One hundred and fifty mycobacterial isolates from different pathological Labs. of Karachi were collected and screened as acid fast. On the bases of phenotypic and biochemical results, it was found that, 58.66% isolates were typical mycobacteria while 41.33% belonged to atypical mycobacteria. The individual percentages of different mycobacterial species include: M. xenopi 35%, M. thermoresistible 19 %, M. terrae complex 6 %, M. marinum 6 %, M. fortuitum 6 %, M. kansasii 25 % and M. tuberculosis 58.66 %. The sensitivity of mycobacterial isolates was determined against 5 first line, 3 second line and 1 third line anti-tuberculosis drugs. The highest number of the isolates (typical and atypical mycobacteria) offered resistance against isoniazid and streptomycin. Clarithromycin was found to be the drug of choice as regards the drug sensitivity in case of atypical mycobacterial isolates. A total of 40 isolates were subjected to PCR based identification and differentiation of 16S rRNA gene(s). Accordingly, 37.5% isolates were identified as typical mycobacteria while 25% were identified as atypical mycobacteria. These findings carry significance because a detailed research based identification (PCR and Multiplex PCR based) regarding indigenous mycobacteria has been reported for the first time in Pakistan. However, both the approaches (conventional and molecular methods) have experimental importance while identifying these organisms.

Objective: To determine the frequency and clinical features of bleeding disorders in the tribe as a result of consanguineous marriages., Design: Cross Sectional Study, Introduction: Countries in which consanguinity is a normal practice, these rare autosomal recessive disorders run in close families and tribes. Here we describe a family, living in village Ali Murad Chandio, District Badin, labeled as haemophilia., Patients & Methods: Our team visited the village & developed the pedigree of the whole extended family, up to seven generations. Performa was filled by incorporating patients, family history of bleeding, signs & symptoms, and bleeding from any site. From them 144 individuals were screened with CBC, bleeding time, platelet aggregation studies & RiCoF. While for PT, APTT, VWF assay and Factor VIII assay, samples were kept frozen at -70 degrees C until tested., Results: The family tree of the seven generations comprises of 533 individuals, 63 subjects died over a period of 20 years and 470 were alive. Out of all those 144 subjects were selected on the basis of the bleeding history. Among them 98(68.1%) were diagnosed to have a bleeding disorder; 44.9% patients were male and 55.1% patients were female. Median age of all the patients was 20.81, range (4 months- 80 yrs). The results of bleeding have shown that majority had gum bleeding, epistaxis and menorrhagia. Most common bleeding disorder was Von Willebrand disease and Platelet functional disorders., Conclusion: Consanguineous marriages keep all the beneficial and adversely affecting recessive genes within the family; in homozygous states. These genes express themselves and result in life threatening diseases. Awareness, education & genetic counseling will be needed to prevent the spread of such common occurrence of these bleeding disorders in the community.

Background: During cardiac surgery, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) leads to haemodilutional anaemia and activation of inflammatory mediators, affecting haemostasis. Modified Ultrafiltration (MUF) is being increasingly favoured for haemoconcentration without blood transfusion and reducing post operative bleeding., Methods: Aim of this study was to record the impact of modified ultrafiltration on haemoconcentration and postoperative bleeding during adult cardiac surgery. This randomized control trial included 100 patients, divided into 2 groups; MUF and control group. Serial blood samples were drawn to evaluate haematological indices. Postoperative chest drainage was recorded for 24 hours. Results were expressed in terms of percentages, means and p value (p < 0.05 was taken as significant)., Results: Four patients were excluded and 96 patients were analyzed (MUF n = 50, control n = 46). According to American society of anaesthetist (ASA) classification, MUF group was higher risk group (p = 0.02) with longer extracorporeal perfusion time (p < 0.001). Haemoconcentration was successfully achieved in MUF group (final haemoglobin = 10.7 +/- 1.25, haematocrit = 33 +/- 3.64%, p < 0.001) with lower blood loss (MUF = 395 +/- 153 ml, control = 755 +/- 435 ml, p < 0.001) and transfusion requirement (p < 0.001). Re-exploration rate was 4% and 6.5% in MUF and control group respectively (p = 0.57). Mortality in both groups was comparable (MUF = 4%, control = 4.3%, p = 0.94)., Conclusions: Modified ultrafiltration is a safe procedure which successfully achieves haemoconcentration, lowers blood loss and transfusion requirement after cardiac surgery in adult population.