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Background: Hepatitis B infection presents a significant global health challenge, with Pakistan experiencing particularly high prevalence rates. Moreover, jaundice is often regarded as a non-threatening metabolic condition by most individuals rather than an infectious concern. Given the strong association between hepatitis B and jaundice, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B serological markers among individuals with a history of jaundice in the state of AJK, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 participants from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, selected based on the history of jaundice within the last 6 months and aged over 18 years. Data collection included basic ethno-demographic information and screening for hepatitis B using immuno-chromatographic test (ICT) devices forHBsAg, anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HCV, and anti-HDV. HBV DNA was extracted for positive HBsAg cases and subjected to PCR amplification. We analyzed the data using GraphPad Prism V. 9.0. Results: Among the participants, 2% tested positive for HBsAg, 1% for HBV DNA, and 1% for HBeAg. Fortunately, none tested positive for Anti-HCV or Anti-HDV. Age-based analysis showed a higher (11.8%) prevalence of hepatitis B markers among participants aged above 25 years. Male participants showed a higher prevalence of HBsAg compared to females (9.5% vs. 0%; p = 0.0056; χ2 = 7.677). District-wise prevalence of hepatitis B varied, with Bagh district showing the highest rate of 10%, while some districts reported no cases. Job-based analysis showed higher prevalence among employees (28.6%) compared to students (0%). Tribal analysis revealed varying prevalence rates, with the Chaudhary tribe showing a positivity rate of 16.7%, and the Khan tribe exhibiting a positivity rate of 12.5% for hepatitis B markers. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of recommending hepatitis B screening for individuals with a history of jaundice, especially among older age groups and males. Understanding the differences in hepatitis B prevalence among different ethnic groups and demographics is necessary for creating effective prevention and control plans in AJK state, Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a cross sectional study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection among the general population of union council Sena Daman district Jhelum Valley, Azad Kashmir and to assess the risk factors for their transmission. From approximately 16000 total individuals of population of Union Council Sena Daman 710 (4.4%) individuals were randomly screened for hepatitis B and C prevalence using Immuno-Chromatography Kits, ELISA and further confirmed by PCR. Among the tested individuals 174 (24.5%) including 90(51.7%) male and 84(48.3%) were found positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV including 4.6% HBsAg positive, 19.7% anti-HCV positive. After ELISA 168 individuals were found positive which were also found positive after PCR. Out of these 29 were HBV positive and 138 were HCV positive. One individual was confirmed after PCR for co-infection of HBV and HCV. Out of 168 total individuals, 65(38.7%) individuals were found with an abnormal range of LFTs. Visit to local clinic, major or minor surgery and tattooing or piercing of nose, ears etc., were assessed significant risk factors in the spread of hepatitis B and C. Awareness of the general population was carried out through organizing awareness lectures and distribution of awareness material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Lack of infrastructure for disposal of effluents in industries leads to severe pollution of natural resources in developing countries. These pollutants accompanied by solid waste are equally hazardous to biological growth. Natural attenuation of these pollutants was evidenced that involved degradation by native microbial communities. The current study encompasses the isolation of pesticide-degrading bacteria from the vicinity of pesticide manufacturing industries. Methods. The isolation and identification of biodegrading microbes was done. An enrichment culture technique was used to isolate the selected pesticide-degrading bacteria from industrial waste. Results. Around 20 different strains were isolated, among which six isolates showed sig- nificant pesticide biodegrading activity. After 16S rRNA analysis, two isolated bacteria were identified as Acinetobacter baumannii (5B) and Acidothiobacillus ferroxidans, and the remaining four were identified as different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1A, 2B, 3C, 4D). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed their evolution from a common ancestor. All strains showed distinctive degradation ability up to 36 hours. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains 1A and 4D showed highest degradation percentage of about 80% for DDT, and P. aeruginosa strain 3C showed highest degradation percentage, i.e., 78% for aldrin whilst in the case of malathion, A. baumannii and A. ferroxidans have shown considerable degradation percentages of 53% and 54%, respectively. Overall, the degradation trend showed that all the selected strains can utilize the given pesticides as sole carbon energy sources even at a concentration of 50 mg/mL. Conclusion. This study provided strong evidence for utilizing these strains to remove persistent residual pesticide; thus, it gives potential for soil treatment and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to get more information about the genome and locate the taxonomic position of Schizothorax niger in Schizothoracinae through mitochondrial 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). These PCGs for S. niger were found to be 11409 bps in length ranging from 165 (ATPase 8) to 1824 bps (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5) and encode 3801 amino acids. In these PCGs, 4 genes overlap on the similar strands, while one shown on the opposite one: ATPase 6+8 and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4+4L overlap by 7 nucleotides. Similarly, ND5-ND6 overlap by 4 nucleotides, while ATP6 and COIII overlap by 1 nucleotide. Similarly, four commonly used amino acids in S. niger were Leu (15.6 %), Ile (10.12 %), Thr (8.12 %), and Ala (8.7 %). The results presented that COII, COIII, NDI, ND4L, and Cytb had substantial amino acid conservation as compared to the COI gene. Through phylogenetic analysis, it was observed that S. niger is closely linked with S. progastus, S. labiatus, S. plagiostomus, and S. nepalensis with high bootstrap values. The present study provided more genomic data to know the diversity of the mitochondrial genome and its molecular evolution in Schizothoracinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteases, especially neutrophil elastase (NE), enzyme provide innate immunity in the lung tissues against elastin protein disintegration by microbial attacks. Normally, an antiprotease, called alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT), is responsible to keep NE activity in normal range. In most of the leptin-resistant obese subjects, A1AT deficiency develops which leads to a concurrent higher activity of NE. Obesity associated antiprotease-protease imbalance induces various lung complications, i.e. asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders (COPD), cancer, etc. Past studies manifested that plant extracts/compounds reduce human NE activity. This knowledge will help in future to exploit phytochemicals as interventional therapeutic agents to decrease NE over-activity in susceptible obese individuals. Furthermore, the hypothesis discussed in this article will be helpful for researchers working in the fields of lung biology and obesity.