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This study is to explore the postgraduate student's of the school of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab perception about the use and management of electronic resources. Ten PhD scholars were selected for interviews as the study is qualitative in its nature. The selections were made as purposive sampling method. The study identified the postgraduate student's perceptions about the electronic resources that "the electronic resources are very important and have crucial as well as dominant role in their studies, even though they face some difficulties while using these resources. Only a few scholars use bibliographic tools like Endnote, Reference Manager and Mendeley etc to manage their electronic resources in full text or just for the purpose of referencing and citations. Finally the result of the study concluded that all the scholars feel that these e-resources have very important role and now they are planning to learn it and the bibliographic tools as they feel that it is very necessary to manage their e-resources for the purpose of easy access in near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this study was to reveal the key trends in information seeking of GC University Lahore teaching faculty and to identify different attributes of information seeking (i.e., methods for keeping update, use of online databases and sources to seek information etc). An effort was also made to know the impact of information and communication technologies (ICTs) upon information seeking trends. The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, a comprehensive review of related literature was conducted to understand the theoretical and technical aspects of the study. In the second phase, instrument of questionnaire was developed for data collection with the help of reviewed literature. Response rate was found 72% due to personal relationships with faculty members. After the completion of data collection, the collected data were analyzed for interpretations by the researchers. Findings of the study reveal that most of the respondents used to converse with experts for seeking information. Respondents often used to seek information for teaching purposes. Respondents used electronic resources for seeking their specific pieces of information. They were pleased with the overall environment, staff and services of the Library although they mentioned some problems which they faced to seek their relevant information. The problems mentioned by the respondents indicate the need of formal training to use electronic resources for seeking information. Formal training will develop professional skills in respondents and satisfy their information needs. The faculty also showed interest in launching a special class of information literacy for the students of M. Phil/PhD to enhance .their information searching skills. Findings and recommendations of this study can be a helpful source in establishing a friendly environment between Information Seekers and Librarians which will promote the services of the academia of the University. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study will be helpful to improve the library website services. Participant's overall responses to the UMT library website were favorable, indicating the scope and contents of the library website to be broadly appropriate to the library community. This study made many suggestions for new contents. Usability problems were identified in two main areas: in the website organization and in the terminology used to refer for information services and accessing information sources. Based on the study results, proposals were given for the modification of main menu structure, improved accessibility, changes to the terminology and improve the library website interaction with its visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper identified the perception of Professionals/Librarians about the impact of electronic resources on Collection Development, Reference Services and finally the statistic of Library Visits as well. The paper elaborates the electronic resources causes to increase the library visitors, while explaining the reason which causes to increase the visitors of library. It also discusses the needs of library users fulfilled while adding the e-resources to the library services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research paper elaborates the tactics and strategies of librarians they adopt to provide services to difficult patrons of the library. Through this research the professional librarians will be able to know the most common and succeeded ways of services and communications, which the professionals/librarians adopt or implement to get a fruitful results. The research work also focuses different ways of communications while dealing with difficult library patrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research study critically traces the historical background of the introduction of the western education system with English as the medium of instruction in the Indian subcontinent and its impact on the teaching of various subjects and local languages in the postcolonial phase. It analyzes the transitional shift from the indigenous/regional vernaculars to engraftment (translating western knowledge into indigenous languages for teaching) and eventual shift to English as the medium of instruction, which thwarted the process of engraftment and development of indigenous languages. The study analyzes that how the education in the subcontinent was affected in the wake of diametrical shift in the British political policy from orientalism, engraftment, conciliation and consolidation to hostility, antagonism and oppression. Although, the study repudiates the popular myth of the revolutionary changes claimed by the British education system in the subcontinent, yet it establishes that how in the longer term it contributed to the academic, literary, social, political and economic advancement of the region. Nevertheless its repercussions for the regional languages were immense. The study reveals that how English, which was the language of power, authority and center, became a means of retaliation, communication and resistance at the hands of natives. The study, in its nature, is descriptive and historical one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the range, scale and burden of all forms of violence against children (VAC) have visibly increased. Yet VAC as a physical, mental, public and social health concern is only recently gaining the prominence it deserves. Addressing VAC is critical. Violence experienced early in life can result in short, medium, long-lasting, and/or even inter-generational negative health outcomes. Ample evidence shows that VAC is widespread and the most common forms are usually perpetrated by people with whom children interact every day in their homes, schools and communities. We report on an innovative collaboration between global agencies, led by the International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health (ISSOP), the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), and the International Pediatric Association (IPA), who were galvanized to respond to VAC using a child-rights and public health lens. This collaboration led to a position statement on VAC with an implementation plan. The strength of the position statement was the explicit incorporation of a rights-based expansive understanding of VAC, with a description of typologies of violence pertinent to children globally, including child labor, children in armed conflict, trafficking of children and gender-based violence; and the identification of strategies both in preventing violence from occurring and ameliorating the effects in its aftermath. We report on the challenges and successes of our collaborative action at regional and supra-national levels, including opportunistic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a global crisis that has added fear, uncertainty, and stress to parents. Parents are going through several challenges related to school closure, financial insecurity and working remotely. These stressors are affecting the mental health of parents. This study aimed to observe major stressors along with the impact of COVID-19 on parental concerns and practices during lockdown. Sample (N = 923) was selected through purposive sampling from parents attending Out Patients Departments of hospitals in three provincial capital cities of Pakistan having a high burden of COVID-19, i.e. Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Parents having at least one child younger than 18 years were included in the study. A quantitative design was used using a COVID-19 Parenting Response Scale (α = 0.74). It was used as a self-administered tool for parents who knew how to read and write Urdu/English language, however it was conducted as a structured interview for those who could not read/write. Data was analyzed by applying descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentage), independent sample t -test and Pearson Product Moment Correlation. Findings of the current study showed several stressful factors for parents during COVID-19 pandemic, mainly financial burden, children's education, uncertainty of the situation, and many others. The study also suggests an association of parental concerns during COVID-19 with parenting practices. COVID-19 pandemic presents a global crisis not only of the health of the people but also on family relations and mental well-being. Findings of this research indicate the need for targeted and accessible interventions for mental health of parents especially during these challenging circumstances so that they can cope with the challenges in an effective way and be able to take care of their children better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of transparent communication regarding orthodontic risks during the informed consent process in paramount in terms of ensuring a strong orthodontistpatient relationship. Conducted on a national scale in Pakistan, the current study was planned to establish a consensus among orthodontic professionals regarding critical risks involved in such a discussion. The crosssectional survey involving 132 orthodontists across Pakistan led to the emergence of 10 key risks, including relapse, treatment duration and gingivitis. However, the study's sole focus on orthodontists' perspectives limited its insights, overlooking invaluable input from patients' experiences. Nevertheless, the consensus underscored the significance of addressing these risks to ensure informed consent and patient autonomy. Going forward, it is imperative to customise this evidence-based information according to individual patient needs, and maintain an ongoing dialogue regarding potential risks, fostering a collaborative approach to orthodontic care and decision-making.

Dengue is the most prevalent arthropod-transmitted infection worldwide. Its clinical presentation ranges from subclinical illness to multi-organ failure. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of its complications, having a number of different pathogeneses. The patient herein described presented with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and rhabdomyolysis, a combination never previously reported in the literature. He was diagnosed with dengue at a primary care hospital, after which he was referred to us with fever and oliguria. His blood workup and kidney biopsy revealed a picture of combined TMA and rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI. He developed sepsis after his first session of plasmapheresis, that had to be discontinued and he was further managed with dialysis and supportive care. The patient showed remarkable recovery, regaining kidney function after one month., Competing Interests: Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethical approval and consent to participate: The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines, and approved by the Institutional review board (or Ethics committee) of KRL General Hospital Islamabad. (Ref: KRL-HI-PUB-ERC/FEB24/01. Consent for publication: Informed and written signed consent was provided by the patient., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Italian Society of Nephrology.)

Termites are economically important wood-destroying and agricultural pests. The termite fauna almost consists of 2900 described species in 286 genera worldwide. In the present study, hundreds of termite samples from 42 different locations in the Riyadh province were collected. These samples were previously used for morphometric identification and reported two subterranean termite species, Coptotermes heimi and Psammotermes hypostoma, in the family Rhinotermitidae. In the present study, these samples were analysed using DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene to confirm the conventional taxonomical identification on a molecular basis. The obtained COI gene sequences of all 42 termite specimens were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers: ON529959-ON529969, OP825131-OP825132, and OP890882-OP890910). Eleven of the 42 samples were thus identified as C. heimi and the remaining 31 samples as P. hypostoma, which were phylogenetically analysed. All the 11 C. heimi sequences were grouped in a single clade, indicating close relatedness. While 31 sequences of P. hypostoma constituted two clades in the phylogenetic tree. Pairwise nucleotide sequence identity and divergence analysis showed that C. heimi sequences showed high nucleotide identities of 87.6-99.5% and less divergence ranging from 0.5% to 13.6%. Similarly, sequences of P. hypostoma also showed high nucleotide identity of 78.6-100% and low divergence among them ranging from 0-10.7%. A further application, significance, and shortcomings of COI-based DNA barcoding have been discussed. DNA barcoding using the COI gene is a reliable tool to distinguish C. heimi and P. hypostoma genotypes.

The world is currently dealing with a second viral outbreak, monkeypox, which has the potential to become an epidemic after the COVID-19 pandemic. People who reside in or close to forest might be exposed indirectly or at a low level, resulting in subclinical disease. However, the disease has lately emerged in shipped African wild mice in the United States. Smallpox can cause similar signs and symptoms to monkeypox, such as malaise, fever, flu-like signs, headache, distinctive rash, and back pain. Because Smallpox has been eliminated, similar symptoms in a monkeypox endemic zone should be treated cautiously. Monkeypox is transmitted to humans primarily via interaction with diseased animals. Infection through inoculation via interaction with skin or scratches and mucosal lesions on the animals is conceivable significantly once the skin barrier is disrupted by scratches, bites, or other disturbances or trauma. Even though it is clinically unclear from other pox-like infections, laboratory diagnosis is essential. There is no approved treatment for human monkeypox virus infection, however, smallpox vaccination can defend counter to the disease. Human sensitivity to monkeypox virus infection has grown after mass vaccination was discontinued in the 1980s. Infection may be prevented by reducing interaction with sick patients or animals and reducing respiratory exposure among people who are infected., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Khattak, Rauf, Ali, Yousaf, Liu, Wu and Ji.)

Natural products have been the focus of biomedical and pharmaceutical research to develop new therapies in recent years. 2-methoxy-6-acetyl-7-methyljuglone (2-methoxystypandrone, MAM) a natural bioactive juglone derivative, is known to have various levels of pharmacotherapeutic efficacies as an anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-HIV activities. MAM fights cancer progression by inducing apoptosis, necroptosis and deregulating signaling pathways through H2O2-induced JNK/iNOS/NO and MAPK, ERK1/2 pathways, JNK activation, and the RIP1/RIP3 complex. In this review, we summarize the pharmacological importance of MAM in the field of drug discovery. Furthermore, this review not only emphasizes the medicinal properties of MAM, but also discusses its potential efficacy in future medicinal products., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objective: To evaluate the relative power of social relations and social conditions in predicting depression using (CES-D scale) among rural pregnant women belonging to Sind, Pakistan., Methods: The study was conducted from January 2004 tp December 2004. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. During quantitative phase a total of 375 rural pregnant women were inquired about social conditions, social relations and pregnancy related concerns through a questionnaire based form. Variables were given scores when it applied to a situation of a pregnant woman. Concurrently, in a blind set-up, translated and validated Depression Scale (CES-D) was administered. In multivariate linear regression analysis, relation between scores of social relations and social condition variables with scores of CES-D scale were analyzed., Results: Prevalence of depression among rural pregnant women is high (62%).Social conditions as compared to social relations are more important determinants for depression among rural pregnant women., Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of depression in rural areas.