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Lions (Panthera leo) and tigers (Panthera tigris) are nocturnal animals. Opportunistically, they may hunt during the daytime in the wild. In captivity, they spend most of their time sleeping, resting, or pacing and face different conditions seasonally as compared to their natural habitat. It alters their activity and may reduce agility. By studying the impact of seasonal variation on captive behavior, the temperature and other seasonally dependent factors can be optimized in the zoo. This study was designed to investigate the effect of summer and winter seasons on adult and juvenile carnivores’ captive behavior. The study was conducted in Lahore Zoological Garden, Pakistan, documenting the cage area and behavioral ethogram. The subjects were two African lions, six African lionesses, four lion cubs, two Bengal tigers, and two Bengal tigresses which were observed for auditory, aggression, feeding, moving, resting, and excretory behaviors by scan sampling method. The winter data were collected in February and summer data were collected in June for ten days each month in three sessions (8:00-10:00 am, 12:00-2:00 pm, and 4:00-6:00 pm). A total of 60 h of data were collected for each season. The activity budget of animals for both seasons was compared and the alteration in any behavioral category was analyzed. The results showed that the significantly altered behavior in all animal groups was moving (p<0.05). Seasonal variation had a significant impact on the resting (p<0.05) of Bengal tigers, Bengal tigresses, and lion cubs. Auditory behavior (p<0.05) of Bengal tigers and lion cubs while aggressive behavior (p<0.05) of Bengal tigers significantly varied in the summer and winter seasons. All other behaviors were not significantly affected by the seasonal change in each of the carnivore groups. This study revealed the impact of seasonal variations on the behavior of captive carnivores and can be beneficial to optimize captive conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus laniger) are natural inhabitants of deciduous forests. They live solitary in their natural habitat. Their captive behaviour was studied by taking two Asiatic black bear pairs as study subjects in Lahore Zoo, Pakistan. The study was based on the provision of environmental enrichments to the bear pairs. Each pair's pre-enrichment activity budget data was collected by scan sampling method of 70 h, documenting the cage area and behavioural ethogram. The observed behaviours were resting, eating, drinking, locomotion, aggression, urination, defecation, fighting, pacing, playing, foaming, cage exploration, and being out of view. Two different enrichments were installed for two pairs. The first pair was provided with a feeding enrichment consisting of a large wood log applied with small wooden branches on it, upon which food-filled plastic tires were hung. The second enrichment was installed in the second bear pair's cage, consisting of two wooden platforms attached to the ground with iron rods. A 20-h post-enrichment activity budget of both bear pairs was recorded and compared with their pre-enrichment activity budget. The results showed that there was a significant increase (p=0.003) in cage exploration by the installation of feeding enrichment while a significant increase was observed in cage exploration (p=0.04), drinking (p=0.04), and resting (p=0.001) behaviours by the installation of wooden platforms. All the other activities had no significant impact of both enrichments. This study revealed the significance of environmental enrichments on the activity budget of black bears in captivity and can be proved as footprints for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Receipt of guideline-concordant treatment (GCT) is associated with improved prognosis in foregut cancers. Studies show that patients living in areas of high neighborhood deprivation have worse healthcare outcomes; however, its effect on GCT in foregut cancers has not been evaluated. We studied the impact of the area deprivation index (ADI) as a barrier to GCT. STUDY DESIGN: A single-institution retrospective review of 498 foregut cancer patients (gastric, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary adenocarcinoma) from 2018 to 2022 was performed. GCT was defined based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. ADI, a validated measure of neighborhood disadvantage was divided into terciles (low, medium, and high) with high ADI indicating the most disadvantage. RESULTS: Of 498 patients, 328 (66%) received GCT: 66%, 72%, and 59% in pancreatic, gastric, and hepatobiliary cancers, respectively. Median (interquartile range) time from symptoms to workup was 6 (3 to 13) weeks, from diagnosis to oncology appointment was 4 (1 to 10) weeks, and from oncology appointment to treatment was 4 (2 to 10) weeks. Forty-six percent were diagnosed in the emergency department. On multivariable analyses, age 75 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 0.39 [95% CI 0.18 to 0.87]), Black race (OR 0.52 [95% CI 0.31 to 0.86]), high ADI (OR 0.25 (95% CI 0.14 to 0.48]), 6 weeks or more from symptoms to workup (OR 0.44 [95% CI 0.27 to 0.73]), 4 weeks or more from diagnosis to oncology appointment (OR 0.76 [95% CI 0.46 to 0.93]), and 4 weeks or more from oncology appointment to treatment (OR 0.63 [95% CI 0.36 to 0.98]) were independently associated with nonreceipt of GCT. CONCLUSIONS: Residence in an area of high deprivation predicts nonreceipt of GCT. This is due to multiple individual- and system-level barriers. Identifying these barriers and developing effective interventions, including community outreach and collaboration, leveraging telehealth, and increasing oncologic expertise in underserved areas, may improve access to GCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematochemical parameters are often used by veterinarians to assess the health status of animals. The information on blood parameters of African lions (Panthera leo) is scarce in Pakistan, this research was conducted on captive African Lions kept at Safari Zoo, Lahore to see their blood profile. The hematochemical parameters included white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), lymphocytes (LYM) count, RBCs count, platelet count, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), bilirubin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Further, different biological, analytical and operational factors which impose significant effects on hematochemical factors were also considered to rationalize the results. Most of the values were in accordance with the mean values published in the literature, but values of few parameters e.g., hematocrit, platelet, AST, ALT, ALP and blood urea nitrogen were found different from the reference values. It was concluded that biological, analytical and operational factors as well as their respective partialities affect these values. The study contributes to the development of the normal values of hematochemical parameters of African lions kept at different Zoos of Pakistan and ultimately helps to improve their health status and conservation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelanos is habitat indicator and the information about its habitat characteristics and suitability is lacking. In the current study, presence of kalij pheasant was recorded from 166 sites of Mirpur Division Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The maximum abundance was recorded at Gaian site (2.33/ha). Estimation of Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) from 166 sites revealed that ten sites fell under the category of highly suitable habitat based on parameters including water, food, vegetation, disturbance, hunting and predation pressure. Kalij pheasant was distributed between 381-1689m (asl) elevation. Species presence data along with GIS database were used to model the habitat suitability of kalij pheasant through MaxEnt software, version 3.4.4. The model showed an average Area Under the Curve value (AUC) (0.802), showing the model precision for suitable habitat mapping. The analysis for the contribution of environmental variables through Jackknife test showed that temperature was the prime environmental variable. Results revealed that out of total, 4388 km², 406.03 km² area was calculated to be highly suitable for kalij pheasant. Identification of hotspots and potential habitats for kalij pheasant can be considered as an important initiative to conserve the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands are one of the major habitats that play a vital role in the survival of biodiversity. The recent study aimed to evaluate diversity, abundance and threats to birds of an important Ramsar site, Uchalli Wetland Complex, along with Ahmedabad lake. Data were collected by direct (point count) as well as indirect method (interviews) from December 2020 to May 2021. In total, 139 avian species of 27,450 individuals were recorded at study sites. Results revealed that the species richness was maximum at Uchalli (133), followed by Khabbaki (92), Jahlar (88), and Ahmedabad lake (79). The Shannon Weiner index and Simpson index values for Jahlar lake, Uchalli lake, Khabbaki lake, and Ahmedabad lake were (2.99, 0.90), (2.32, 0.82), (2.26, 0.66) and (1.72, 0.51) respectively. The omnivore was the most abundant (40%) feeding guild followed by carnivores (32%) and insectivores (20%). Four vulnerable species sarus crane (Grus antigone), southern grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca), and common pochard (Aythya ferina), four near-threatened species ferruginous pochard (Aythya nyroca), northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), alexandrine parakeet (Psittacula eupatria), and pallid harrier (Circus macrourus), and one endangered species steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis) were observed during the study. These species require special attention for conservation as illegal hunting is one of the major threats to the species in the study area. Other threats include fishing, use of insecticides and pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double circuit 765 kV Dasu Transmission Line (TL) of 250 kilometers length has been planned as Pakistan's first extra high voltage TL in the highlands. Collision risks for birds may be greatest around the Indus River and its tributaries. The study area is 7,951 km², stretching from the Dasu Hydropower Project in the north to the Islamabad West Grid Station in the south. Field surveys at 678 observation points were conducted from November 2017 to October 2018. A total of 38,939 birds were sighted, representing 215 different species. Tarbela Reservoir and the future Dasu dam site had the greatest abundance and diversity of avifauna. The number of individuals observed per survey peaked in November, at the height of fall migration; the secondary peak of back migration in March was much smaller. Most abundant species in the study area included Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) and Carrion Crow (Corvis corone) with relative abundance 9.36, 6.58 and 5.73 respectively. Out of 215 species, 27 are collision-prone based on published reports or morphology. Natural birds and migratory sub-routes in the study area highlight the study's significance. Researchers might benefit from this research for similar studies in future developmental projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use type changes the carrying capacity of habitats to support species diversity and maintain viable population. Avian studies provide substantial information about these changes as birds are predictor of ecological disturbances. The current research explored the avian diversity, richness, abundance and their feeding habit in selected habitats of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB). Data were collected from May 2017 to October 2017 using point count technique. Thirty points were selected from each habitat. A total of 175 species and 24,933 individuals belonging to 16 orders and 55 families were recorded. Human settlements had the highest species richness (106) while Dry Temperate habitat had the highest value of species diversity (H'=3.71). The most abundant species were Common Myna Acridotheres tristis (RA=8.599), Carrion Crow Corvus corone (7.486), Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos (6.240). Two threatened bird species Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis and Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus were observed. Habitat suitability index (HSI) of former species was maximum in rangelands (0.82) even though it was also observed in six habitats. Furthermore, Western Tragopan was found only in moist temperate habitat with HSI 0.70. The current study revealed that suitable habitat of these species is shrinking mainly due to habitat loss, its fragmentation and hunting pressure. Species prefer habitat with specific characteristics and this paper provides recommendations for the conservation and management of Steppe Eagle and Western Tragopan. Primary and secondary data based further studies are needed to manage the population of threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Captive breeding of wild animals can enhance conservation of species, while the prevalence of diseases and other pathological conditions is a very common issue in captive animals and birds. The present study investigated the prevalence of different diseases and health conditions among animal and bird species at 10 captive breeding facilities of Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, three-year data (2017-2019), regarding diseases and pathological conditions was collected from treatment register, stud books and post-mortem reports. Most prevalent health issues in animals were infectious diseases 26%, followed by generalized conditions 23%, gastrointestinal issues 17%, and cardiovascular issues 7%. In animals, out of total 102 different diseases and pathological conditions, the maximum variation was noted in mouflon sheep (Ovis orientalis orientalis), hog deer (Axis porcinus) and spotted deer (Axis axis). In birds, 37% infectious diseases, 24% generalized conditions, 15% gastrointestinal and 9% respiratory issues were recorded. Among infectious diseases, salmonellosis, infectious coryza and colibacillosis were most abundant with 34, 34 and 29 cases respectively. Out of 99 different diseases and pathological conditions in birds, maximum variety was recorded in ring-necked pheasant (Phasinaus colchicus), black-shouldered peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor). Comparison of different study sites revealed that Lahore Zoo had the highest disease prevalence in animals with significance value 0.002 (p<0.05). To reduce prevalence of diseases and health issues, various strategies and guidelines given by international authorities such as Association of Zoos and Aquariums and European Association of Zoos and Aquaria should be adopted and implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In epilepsy patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) as the epileptogenic focus, global cortical signal changes are generally not visible on conventional MRI. However, epileptic seizures or antiepileptic medication might affect normal-appearing cerebral cortex and lead to subtle damage.Purpose: To investigate cortical properties outside FCD regions with T2 -relaxometry.Study Type: Prospective study.Subjects: Sixteen patients with epilepsy and FCD and 16 age-/sex-matched healthy controls.Field Strength/sequence: 3T, fast spin-echo T2 -mapping, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR), and synthetic T1 -weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient-echoes (MP-RAGE) datasets derived from T1 -maps.Assessment: Reconstruction of the white matter and cortical surfaces based on MP-RAGE structural images was performed to extract cortical T2 values, excluding lesion areas. Three independent raters confirmed that morphological cortical/juxtacortical changes in the conventional FLAIR datasets outside the FCD areas were definitely absent for all patients. Averaged global cortical T2 values were compared between groups. Furthermore, group comparisons of regional cortical T2 values were performed using a surface-based approach. Tests for correlations with clinical parameters were carried out.Statistical Tests: General linear model analysis, permutation simulations, paired and unpaired t-tests, and Pearson correlations.Results: Cortical T2 values were increased outside FCD regions in patients (83.4 ± 2.1 msec, control group 81.4 ± 2.1 msec, P = 0.01). T2 increases were widespread, affecting mainly frontal, but also parietal and temporal regions of both hemispheres. Significant correlations were not observed (P ≥ 0.55) between cortical T2 values in the patient group and the number of seizures in the last 3 months or the number of anticonvulsive drugs in the medical history.Data Conclusion: Widespread increases in cortical T2 in FCD-associated epilepsy patients were found, suggesting that structural epilepsy in patients with FCD is not only a symptom of a focal cerebral lesion, but also leads to global cortical damage not visible on conventional MRI.Evidence Level: 21 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 3 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2020;52:1783-1789. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work is concerned with the numerical solution for rotating viscoelastic flow developed by an exponentially stretching impermeable surface. Temperature at the sheet is also assumed to vary exponentially. Energy equation involves the novel nonlinear radiation heat flux term. Suitable transformations are utilized to nondimensionalize the relevant boundary layer equations. Numerical solutions are developed by means of standard shooting approach. The results demonstrate that both rotation and viscoelasticity serve to reduce the hydrodynamic boundary layer thickness. Temperature function has a special S-shaped profile when the difference between wall and ambient temperatures is sufficiently large. Heat transfer coefficient at the surface diminishes when rotation parameter is increased. Current numerical computations are consistent with those of the existing studies in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]