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Abstract The situation of global warming imparts negative impacts on crop growth and development. Cotton is the most important fiber crop around the globe. However, frequent drought episodes pose serious threats to cotton production worldwide. Due to the complex genetic structure of drought tolerance, the development of a tolerant cultivar is cumbersome via conventional breeding. Multiple omics techniques have appeared as successful tool for cotton improvement in drought tolerance. Advanced omics-based biotechniques have paved the way for generation of omics data like transcriptomics, genomics, metabolomics and proteomics, which greatly expand the knowledge of cotton response to drought stress. Omics methodologies and have provided ways for the identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs), gene regulatory networks, and other regulatory pathways against drought stress in cotton. These resources could speed up the discovery and incorporation of drought tolerant traits in the elite genotypes. The genome wide association study (GWAS), gene-editing system CRISPER/Cas9, gene silencing through RNAi are efficient tools to explore the molecular mechanism of drought tolerance and facilitate the identification of mechanisms and candidate genes for the improvement of drought tolerance in cotton.

The efficacy of cyclosporine compared with corticosteroid in reducing symptoms and signs in children with severe allergic conjunctivitis, either in vernal keratoconjunctivitis or atopic keratoconjunctivitis, is still unknown. Here we present the case of an 8-year-old boy with a case of allergic keratoconjunctivitis. The patient had been given steroid eye drops (Dexamethasone 1 mg) for 2 weeks and only slight improvement was found. Considering the steroid’s long-term effects, the doctor prescribed cyclosporine eye drops. Therefore, this case study is conducted to compare the better efficacy between cyclosporine eye drops and steroid eye drops as a treatment for severe allergic conjunctivitis. After conducting a systematic literature analysis following the PRISMA guidelines, full-text analysis was carried out on two RCTs by assessing their validity, clinical importance, and applicability according to the Oxford CEBM criteria. One of the studies did not meet the validity criteria, while another study showed that cyclosporine eye drops that were given to patients with severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis could reduce signs and symptoms. There was no significant difference between cyclosporine eye drops and dexamethasone eye drops. Cyclosporine's function to reduce signs and symptoms of severe allergic conjunctivitis in children is equivalent to that of corticosteroids. Keywords: Cyclosporine, corticosteroid, severe allergic conjunctivitis, therapy

Abstract Background Soil salinity is one of the major menaces to food security, particularly in dealing with the food demand of the ever-increasing global population. Production of cereal crops such as wheat is severely affected by soil salinity and improper fertilization. The present study aimed to examine the effect of selected microbes and poultry manure (PM) on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in saline soil. A pot experiment was carried out in research area of Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Saline soil (12 dS m− 1 w/w) was developed by spiking using sodium chloride, and used in experiment along with two microbial strains (i.e., Alcaligenes faecalis MH-2 and Achromobacter denitrificans MH-6) and PM. Finally, wheat seeds (variety Akbar-2019) were sown in amended and unamended soil, and pots were placed following a completely randomized design. The wheat crop was harvested after 140 days of sowing. Results The results showed a 10–39% increase (compared to non-saline control) in agronomic, physiological, and nutritive attributes of wheat plants when augmented with PM and microbes. Microbes together with PM significantly enhanced seedling emergence (up to 38%), agronomic (up to 36%), and physiological (up to 33%) in saline soil as compared to their respective unamended control. Moreover, the co-use of microbes and PM also improved soil’s physicochemical attributes and enhanced N (i.e., 21.7%-17.1%), P (i.e., 24.1-29.3%), and K (i.e., 28.7%-25.3%) availability to the plant (roots and shoots, respectively). Similarly, the co-use of amendments also lowered the Na+ contents in soil (i.e., up to 62%) as compared to unamended saline control. This is the first study reporting the effects of the co-addition of newly identified salt-tolerant bacterial strains and PM on seedling emergence, physiology, nutrient uptake, and growth of wheat in highly saline soil. Conclusion Our findings suggest that co-using a multi-trait bacterial culture and PM could be an appropriate option for sustainable crop production in salt-affected soil.

Controllable design of the catalytic electrodes with hierarchical superstructures is expected to improve their electrochemical performance. Herein, a self-supported integrated electrode (NiCo-ZLDH/NF) with a unique hierarchical quaternary superstructure was fabricated through a self-sacrificing template strategy from the metal–organic framework (Co-ZIF-67) nanoplate arrays, which features an intriguing well-defined hierarchy when taking the unit cells of the NiCo-based layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) as the primary structure, the ultrathin LDH nanoneedles as the secondary structure, the mesoscale hollow plates of the LDH nanoneedle arrays as the tertiary structure, and the macroscale three-dimensional frames of the plate arrays as the quaternary structure. Notably, the distinctive structure of NiCo-ZLDH/NF can not only accelerate both mass and charge transfer, but also expose plentiful accessible active sites with high intrinsic activity, endowing it with an excellent electrochemical performance for urea oxidation reaction (UOR). Specially, it only required the low potentials of 1.335, 1.368 and 1.388 V to deliver the current densities of 10, 100 and 200 mA cm−2, respectively, much superior to those for typical NiCo-LDH. Employing NiCo-ZLDH/NF as the bifunctional electrode for both anodic UOR and cathodic HER, an energy-saving electrolysis system was further explored which can greatly reduce the needed voltage of 213 mV to deliver the current density of 100 mA cm−2, as compared to the conventional water electrolysis system composed of OER. This work manifests that it is prospective to explore the hierarchically nanostructured electrodes and the innovative electrolytic technologies for high-efficiency electrocatalysis.

Sewage water is extensively used for irrigation, serving as a valuable resource for plant growth to enhance agricultural productivity. However, this practice also results in a significant accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, posing potential environmental and health risks. A study was designed to evaluate the combined effect of amendments on heavy metal immobilization in soil and improved growth and yield in pea plants. For this, the soil for each treatment was mixed with biochar (BC) (1% w/w), polyacrylamide (PAM) (0.5% w/w), and also applied in combination. Pea plants were irrigated with tap water (TW), sewage water (SW), and tap + sewage water (TW + SW). A factorial design was applied to analyze data statistically. The combined application of the biochar and polymer showed a positive response by significantly enhancing the plant growth parameters (39%–84%), physiological attributes (67%–69%), and reducing Cd (56%) and Cr (65%) concentration in soil applied with SW and TW + SW. Moreover, treatment with a combined application of BC and PAM significantly reduced Cd concentrations by 43% in roots, 50% in shoots, and 91% in grains. Similarly, Cr concentrations were reduced by 51% in roots, 51% in shoots, and 94% in grains compared to the control. Overall, the study results indicate reduced bioaccumulation and health risks associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), supporting the application of the polymer and biochar for irrigating pea plants with TW + SW. Leveraging the combined benefits of polymer and biochar amendments appears to be an effective strategy to remediate PTE-contaminated soil, thereby increasing plant growth and yield.

To uncover the security aspects of the Water-Energy-Food-Nexus (WEFN) and develop innovative methods for evaluating its security, we initially utilize the coefficient of variation-cumulative information contribution rate (COV-CICR) model to select assessment metrics. This approach ensures a well-suited set of indicators for assessing the security of the WEFN. Subsequently, the WEFN security assessment model is developed by utilizing a random forest model that has been fine-tuned with the aquila optimizer. To illustrate this model's application, we use the example of the Hongxinglong branch of China's Beidahuang Farming Group Co., Ltd. The study conducted a detailed analysis of the spatiotemporal variations in the security of the WEFN (Water-Energy-Food Nexus) system across 12 subsidiary farms. Furthermore, it identified key driving factors and elucidated their mechanisms by accounting for data fluctuations. The research included calculating the contribution index of these key driving factors to accurately determine the dominant factors under varying conditions. The results indicate that over time, the WEFN security level in the study trended upward. From 2002–2008, the WEFN security level slowly increased. From 2009–2018, WEFN security remained stable. From 2018–2021, the security level rapidly accelerated. Spatially, the WEFN security in the southern region is lower than that in the northern region, while the central region’s security remained stable. The primary controlling factors for WEFN security also vary at different scales. In comparison to the BP, RF, and PSO-RF models, the AO-RF model demonstrates outstanding advantages in terms of fitting performance, reliability, reasonableness, and stability. This fully supports the applicability of the AO-RF model in WEFN security assessment. The research findings enrich the integrated application of intelligent optimization and machine learning in WEFN studies, introduce a novel analytical model for WEFN security drivers, and expand our understanding of the new mechanisms underlying WEFN security operations.

The built environment is a significant contributor to global energy demand, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where it accounts for roughly two-thirds of total energy consumption. The GCC region is known for its high per capita energy consumption, and addressing the building sector’s excessive energy use is crucial for a sustainable future. Despite efforts by GCC governments to encourage the adoption of building energy efficiency (BEE) measures, numerous barriers hinder their implementation and diffusion. This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of the barriers to BEE adoption in the GCC, identifying and categorizing 46 such barriers into six distinct clusters: governmental and institutional, economic and financial, technical and technological, capacity and awareness, social and cultural, and market and industry barriers. The study employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing content analysis to identify common themes and patterns in the data collected from various sources, including academic literature, government publications, and international agency reports. The findings underscore that while GCC states have the financial capacity to augment energy efficiency measures through a state-driven approach, they have yet to fully embrace these initiatives, largely due to low energy tariffs and the political dynamics of rentier states. To effectively address these barriers, the study argues for a holistic, interconnected approach that recognizes the government’s role in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability. The implications of this study are crucial for stakeholders, offering insights to facilitate the enhancement of BEE measures in the GCC’s existing and new buildings. By identifying and understanding the complex interplay of factors hindering BEE adoption, policymakers and organizations can develop targeted strategies and policies to overcome these barriers and foster a more sustainable built environment in the GCC region.

As the demand for energy continues to rise unabated, an examination of the constraints posed by finite fossil fuel reserves becomes crucial. There is need to explore and underscore the imperative shift towards renewable energy resources, where, solar energy is widely available and can readily be used in different applications, especially in water desalination applications. In the present research, photothermal performance of water based nanofluids containing graphene oxide (GO), zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (FeO), and their composites (GO-ZnO and GO-FeO) have been studied under the natural sun to determine the potential for water desalination applications. All type of the nanofluid are prepared through a two-step method and are characterized morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). UV–visible spectroscopy is used to assess the optical absorbance of prepared nanofluids. The outcomes of this study show that pure GO nanofluids exhibited excellent absorption in the visible and near-infrared regions as compared to other nanofluids used in this research study, which makes them efficient nanofluids in converting solar energy into heat. For more assessment, a direct or volumetric solar thermal collector was used to evaluate the photothermal efficiency of water based nanofluids GO, ZnO, FeO, and their binary composites of GO-ZnO, and GO-FeO under natural solar flux at weight concentrations (0.01 wt%). The sensible heating efficiency due to the rise in temperature and latent heat of evaporation efficiency due to mass loss of nanofluid samples contributed towards photothermal efficiency. Pure GO nanofluids showed the highest photothermal efficiency, which is 71 % among all the nanofluids used in this study due to their carbon-based structure, highest optical absorption peak, excellent dispersion stability, and highest thermal conductivity. This experimental work also revealed that binary nanofluids containing composites of (GO-ZnO) and (GO-FeO) showed higher photothermal efficiency as compared to individual nanofluids ZnO and FeO except graphene oxide GO. According to the results and observation of this experimental work, pure GO-based nanofluids are potential candidates for direct absorption solar collection used in water desalination applications.

In modern research, nanotechnology is of great interest having certain advantageous and enormous applications in various fields. Among different metal oxides, titanium dioxide (Titania) stands out among metal oxides due to its advantageous properties such as being cost-effective, non-toxic, thermally and chemically stable, biocompatible, and having a suitable band gap for solar energy conversion. It exists in three allotropic forms and can be synthesized using chemical, physical, or biological methods, with biological approaches being particularly favored for their eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness. The multifunctional characteristics of titania enables its use in diverse industrial and research applications, including food packaging, wastewater treatment, degradation of pollutants, energy storage, and more. The review provides an overview of synthesis methods and extensive applications of titania across different life sciences and industries.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with marked increase in insulin resistance. The objective of study is to determine the relation of gestational diabetes with serum leptin and serum insulin levels during pregnancy and postpartum period. Methods: This case control study conducted on total ninety samples that include cases and controls taken after 24 weeks of gestation. The case sample included 40 pregnant women with GDM and 10 women with GDM at postpartum stage. The control sample included 30 normal pregnant women with no GDM and 10 normal women at postpartum. Fasting serum leptin and fasting serum insulin were measured by ELISA. HOMA index was calculated by fasting serum insulin and fasting blood glucose. Results: Serum leptin (30.89 ± 1.35), serum insulin (27.67 ± 1.32) and HOMA index (8.33 ± 0.53) significantly high in gestational diabetic women than normal pregnant (p

Objective: Doxorubicin is presently a leading antineoplastic drug with promising efficacy. This study was designed to investigate the histological effects of doxorubicin toxicity on rat kidneys and how much protection is provided by Nigella Sativa. Materials & Methods: A randomized controlled trial conducted on thirty adult male wistar rats divided randomly into three equal groups. Group A served as a control. Group B was injected with weekly intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin at a dose of 3mg/kg b.w. Group C rats received doxorubicin along with nigella sativa at a dose of 1000mg/kg b.w. orally daily. At the end of these interventions, animals were sacrificed and kidneys were removed for the purpose of histological staining. Renal glomerular and tubules related histopathological parameters were assessed qualitatively as mild, moderate & severe. Renal glomerular diameter was digitally measured by microscope. Ethical approval was taken from Ethical Committee, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. All the parameters were statistically analyzed. Results: Group B rats’ renal tissue was adversely affected by the drug showing marked necrosis of tubules and the glomeruli along with interstitial cells’ infiltration. Glomerular diameter was also significantly decreased in group B as compared to group A. These histological features in group C rats’ renal tissue were milder and glomerular diameter was close to that of group A. Conclusion: According to our study doxorubicin treatment proved noxious for the renal tissue, both tubules and glomeruli, while nigella sativa significantly competed against these pathological alterations.

Abstract Background Malaria remains a formidable worldwide health challenge, with approximately half of the global population at high risk of catching the infection. This research study aimed to address the pressing public health issue of malaria’s escalating prevalence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan, and endeavors to estimate the trend for the future growth of the infection. Methods The data were collected from the IDSRS of KP, covering a period of 5 years from 2018 to 2022. We proposed a hybrid model that integrated Prophet and TBATS methods, allowing us to efficiently capture the complications of the malaria data and improve forecasting accuracy. To ensure an inclusive assessment, we compared the prediction performance of the proposed hybrid model with other widely used time series models, such as ARIMA, ETS, and ANN. The models were developed through R-statistical software (version 4.2.2). Results For the prediction of malaria incidence, the suggested hybrid model (Prophet and TBATS) surpassed commonly used time series approaches (ARIMA, ETS, and ANN). Hybrid model assessment metrics portrayed higher accuracy and reliability with lower MAE (8913.9), RMSE (3850.2), and MAPE (0.301) values. According to our forecasts, malaria infections were predicted to spread around 99,301 by December 2023. Conclusions We found the hybrid model (Prophet and TBATS) outperformed common time series approaches for forecasting malaria. By December 2023, KP’s malaria incidence is expected to be around 99,301, making future incidence forecasts important. Policymakers will be able to use these findings to curb disease and implement efficient policies for malaria control.

OBJECTIVES Examine the efficacy of T2* gradient echo in detecting Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) among hypertensive patients, emphasizing its efficiency in acquisition time. Evaluate its potential as an alternative to susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in routine assessments for hypertensive individuals. METHODOLOGY A cross-sectional study from Sep 2021 to January 2023 was conducted at the Radiology Unit of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. Patients suspected of having a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) were referred from different units who had proven Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) on initial CT brain. The exclusion criteria were a history of recent trauma aneurysms/tumors on the present scan. The MRI examination included sequences like T1, T2, FLAIR, DWI/ADC, and T2*. The CMB was defined as a hypointense focus of signal drops out, measuring 5-10mm, with blooming artefact on T2* images and no surrounding edema. RESULTS 62 patients were included in the study, with an equal proportion of males and females and age ranges between 46 to 78 years (62 ± 4.7). Forty-one cases had CMBs on T2* sequence in these 62 cases (66%), and 18 (44%) cases out of 41 were visible on T2WI. No significant correlation was seen between grades of CMBs and the location or size of the microbleed on Spearman’s test. CONCLUSION T2*GRE weighting can effectively detect CMBs compared to SWI. Therefore, this sequence could be employed in hospitals with increased workloads due to short acquisition time instead of the longer time for SWI.

International peace and security is a meta-principle upon which all the aspects of international development rests. Territorial disputes pose great threat to the objective of maintaining peace and security and consequently to sustainable development. Out of several colonial legacies, Kashmir dispute is one that has the potential, demonstrated in several instances, to become a grave threat to international peace and security. The Security Council has failed to resolve this vital dispute, which makes Kashmir the oldest unresolved dispute on its agenda. The reasons for failure are three. The lack of effective implementation mechanism in international legal order. Failure of international political system to comprehend the explosive nature of this dispute. The fact that the main architects of Sustainable Development Goals, also the P5, are the top arms suppliers to the parties in this dispute. This research paper will provide a brief history of this dispute, timeline of Security Council’s engagement with Kashmir, the obligations and failure of Security Council of maintaining peace and security. It will investigate the fact that how and to what extent this failure of the Security Council has undermined regional and international security and to what extent it can disturb the SDGs agenda.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To determine the efficacy (achievement of castrate testosterone level at six months) of LHRH agonist therapy with different agonists, i.e., Leuprolide vs. Goserelin. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Radiation Oncology Department, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Oct 2020. Methodology: One hundred and seventy-eight patients (n=178) having histopathologically confirmed prostate adenocarcinoma, aged 60 to 80 years, with eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) performance status ≤2, men with advanced prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive different treatment, group 1(89) patients received Goserelin. 3.6mg vs group 2(89) received Leuprolide 7.5mg. The study achieved 100 % accrual in the initial 2.5 months from the start of the study. Each agent was injected intramuscularly six times every 28 days for six injections. The percentage of men whose serum testosterone concentrations fell to and remained at or below castrate levels was the primary endpoint. Results: Analysis was made on 178 patients in this study. No statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of achievement of castration levels of testosterone (Leuprolide 98.9% vs. Goserline 88.7%, respectively: p=0.126) from baseline to 6 months. The chi-square test was applied to the outcome in both groups, and results were found to be insignificant statistically (p=0.126). Conclusion: In this study, no significant difference was determined between groups in attaining and maintaining castration levels of serum testosterone at six months.

Objective: To compare the mean time of first rescue analgesia with Nalbuphine versus Tramadol as an adjuvant to Bupivacaine given for caudal block in children. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study Place and Duration of Study: Anesthesiology Department, Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta Pakistan, from Feb to Aug 2019. Methodology: The study included 60 patients, of either gender, aged 3-12 years. Group-A included patients who received 0.125% Bupivacaine 1ml/kg with Tramadol 2mg/kg body weight caudally. Group-B included patients who received 0.125% Bupivacaine with Nalbuphine 0.1mg/kg body weight caudally. The time required for the first rescue analgesia call was noted in all patients. Paracetamol 10 mg/kg intravenous was given as a rescue analgesic in all patients. Results: The mean age of patients was 8.30±3.03 years, and mean weight of patients was 23.33±6.92 Kg. There were 26(43.33%) female and 34(56.67%) male patients. The mean pain score was 3.53±1.43 in the Tramadol-Group and 1.86±1.25 in the Nalbuphine-Group (p-value

Water pollution has become a great challenge today. To address this problem regarding wastewater treatment by removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater, this research focused on the synthesis of a novel starch-modified NiCrMn-layered double hydroxide composite through the coprecipitation method and applied it as a photocatalyst for the degradation of reactive orange 13 dye. The synthesized photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), point of zero charges (PZC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Zeta potential techniques. These techniques revealed different characteristics of photocatalysts, like surface and structural properties. According to BET analysis, the final composite had 2.5 × 102 m2/g BET-specific surface area with a 45.56 nm pore radius value, and the overall composite found as mesoporous. Similarly, in DLS analysis, bare NiCrMn-LDH had 404 nm hydrodynamic size, which increased for the final starch composite up to 667 nm. Zeta potential value changed from −14.56 mV to 0.95 mV after the incorporation of starch with NiCrMn-LDH. They confirmed the incorporation of starch with trimetallic NiCrMn-layered double hydroxide (2:1:2). Starch association improved the properties of the photocatalyst like surface area. Different parameters like pH value, initial dye concentration, photocatalyst dose, hydrogen peroxide concentration, effect of sacrificial reagent, and effect of inorganic anions were studied for degradation of RO13. Overall, the photocatalysis process for RO13 followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Photocatalytic degradation reactions for reactive orange 13 were conducted with an initial dye concentration of 10 mg/L, photocatalyst dosage of 20 mg/50 mL, and pH value at 3 in the presence of sunlight, resulting in an impressive degradation removal rate of 86.68%. This remarkable degradation ability of the photocatalyst for reactive orange 13 proves this composite was highly efficient.

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers required for proper brain function, and any changes in their concentrations can lead to neuronal diseases. Therefore, sensitive and selective detection is crucial. This study presents a fast and simple colorimetric method for dopamine detection using three reagent solutions: AgNP and MPA, Ag/Au nanocomposite, and mercaptophenylacetic acid. TEM images showed a narrow distribution of Ag and Au nanoparticles with average sizes of 20 nm and 13 nm, respectively, with gold nanoparticles bound to the edges of silver nanoparticles. A paper-based biosensor was created using manual wax printing for the colorimetric detection of dopamine. Visual detection onsite showed color changes with both the silver nanoparticles and mercaptophenylacetic acid mixture and the silver–gold nanoparticle composite. Electrochemical detection using a glassy carbon electrode modified with 8 mM mercaptophenylacetic acid demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity towards dopamine, with a peak in the range of 0.7–0.9 V. Interferences were minimized, ensuring high sensitivity and selective detection of dopamine.

Emergence of analgesic tolerance and dependence to morphine is frequently the limiting factor in the use of this agent in the management of pain. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the beneficial effects of the natural compound carveol (CV) against morphine antinociceptive tolerance, dependence and conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice. Behavioural paradigms included hot plate and tail-flick (for tolerance), observation of withdrawal signs (for dependence) while biochemical tests involved the assays for mRNA expression, nitrite levels, antioxidants, and immunohistochemistry studies. Behavioural tests indicated that treatment with CV significantly attenuated the morphine analgesic tolerance, physical dependence and CPP in mice. It was observed during biochemical analysis that CV-treated animals exhibited reduced mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NR2B (an NMDA subtype). In addition, decreased levels of nitrite were observed in mouse hippocampus following CV treatment than morphine administration only. Further, CV enhanced the neuronal innate antioxidants including Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), while curtailed lipid peroxidase (LPO) levels in mice brain tissues. Moreover, CV exerted significant anti-inflammatory effects as evidenced by reduced expression of TNF-α and p–NF–κB in these animals than with morphine treatment only. Together, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects might confer needed neuro-protection following morphine administration. These observations warrant further investigations of the beneficial role of CV as a novel agent in overcoming the development of tolerance and physical dependence following morphine use.

Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites having superior mechanical properties are preferred for lightweight architectures. Rising demands for enhanced mechanical performance under certain types of loadings have focused researchers toward the hybridization of composite materials. In this study carbon and aramid fibers were employed to produce hybrid fabrics by weaving in two different woven architectures, 1/1 plain and 2/1 twill. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix was reinforced with these woven fabrics and hybrid composites were fabricated by compression molding. Un-hybrid carbon and aramid composites were fabricated using PVB matrix, as control samples. Tensile characteristics of hybrid composites offered intermediate strain at failures of 0.5% due to the combined rigid and ductile natures of carbon and aramid, respectively. Flexural strength and absorbed impact energy (200 MPa and 97 kJ/m 2 ) were higher for hybrid composites, and quick elastic recoveries were experienced in hybrid composites after impact. Plain woven reinforced hybridization had about 25% and 5% lower tensile and flexural characteristics respectively, as more interlocking zones of warp and weft yarns reduced strength. However, these interlocking zones positively contributed to impact performance by 11.5% higher energy absorption.

The most common cause of infertility and metabolic problems among women of reproductive age is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a multifaceted disorder. It is an endocrine disorder that occurs in approximately one in seven women. Among these PCOS patients, two thirds will not ovulate on a regular basis and seek treatment for ovulation induction. The symptoms vary in their severity, namely ovulation disorders, excessive androgen levels, or polycystic ovarian morphology. All these symptoms require a therapeutic approach. Many drugs are used to eradicate PCOS symptoms, like metformin, clomiphene citrate, spironolactone, and pioglitazone. Long-term treatment is required to achieve the desired outcome, which is often accompanied by significant adverse reactions. Some herbs and phytochemicals are equally effective for treating PCOS and produce minimal side effects. Recently, herbal products are gaining popularity due to their wide biological activities, safety, availability, and efficacy. The present review covers aetiology, current treatment, pathophysiology, and detailed pre-clinical and clinical studies on plants and phytochemicals that are proven to be useful for the treatment of symptoms associated with PCOS.

Abstract Amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation and tau hyper phosphorylation (p-tau) are key molecular factors in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The abnormal formation and accumulation of Aβ and p-tau lead to the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) which ultimately leads to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. β- and γ-secretases produce Aβ peptides via the amyloidogenic pathway, and several kinases are involved in tau phosphorylation. Exosomes, a recently developed method of intercellular communication, derived from neuronal stem cells (NSC-exos), are intriguing therapeutic options for AD. Exosomes have ability to cross the BBB hence highly recommended for brain related diseases and disorders. In the current study, we examined how NSC-exos could protect human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y (ATCC CRL-2266). NSC-exos were derived from Human neural stem cells (ATCC-BYS012) by ultracentrifugation and the therapeutic effects of the NSC-exos were then investigated in vitro. NSC-exos controlled the associated molecular processes to drastically lower Aβ and p-tau. A dose dependent reduction in β- and γ-secretase, acetylcholinesterase, GSK3β, CDK5, and activated α-secretase activities was also seen. We further showed that BACE1, PSEN1, CDK5, and GSK-3β mRNA expression was suppressed and downregulated, while ADAM10 mRNA was increased. NSC- Exos downregulate NF-B/ERK/JNK-related signaling pathways in activated glial cells HMC3 (ATCC-CRL-3304) and reduce inflammatory mediators such iNOS, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, which are associated with neuronal inflammation. The NSC-exos therapy ameliorated the neurodegeneration of human neuroblastoma cells SH-SY5Y by enhancing viability. Overall, these findings support that exosomes produced from stem cells can be a neuro-protective therapy to alleviate AD pathology.

Scientists have been concentrating on storing and converting energy resources in significant scenarios as the entire globe is currently experiencing an extreme energy shortage issue owing to a variety of factors. Supercapacitors and other energy storage technologies based on transition metals are currently in high demand. In this study, multi-component NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs and NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs/TiO2 nanocomposites were effectively constructed, characterised, and the performance of the synthesized materials was reported as super capacitance. The synthesis of NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs and NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs/TiO2 using thermal, heat-treatment, hydrothermal and ultrasonic exfoliation techniques. With impressive findings, the characterisation of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was conducted. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanic Charge Discharge (GCD), and scan rate influence on specific capacitance were used in the electrochemical experiments. Results of Electron Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) experiments revealed that the NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs/TiO2 electrode had a higher specific capacitance (388.76 Fg−1) than the NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs electrode (362.12 Fg−1). In comparison to NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs (360 Fg−1), the NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs/TiO2 electrode had a gravimetric capacitance of 541 Fg−1. The GCD curve and EIS results also support the conclusion that the NiO/g-C3N4/CNTs/TiO2 electrode material is an excellent candidate with impressive capacitive performance to be used as an energy storing source or supercapacitor because TiO2 contents are available, improving the charge transfer capability linked with CNTs bridged in g-C3N4 interlayered stacked and porous structure, ensuring ion diffusion pathways for better and improved conductivity.

Abstract The present study aimed to fabricate a novel polymeric spongy composite to enhance skin regeneration composed of Nystatin (antifungal agent) and Silver Nanoparticles (AgNps). Different formulations (F1–F8) were developed & characterized by using various analytical techniques. AgNps synthesized by chemical reduction method showed spherical morphology 2 µm in size showed by SEM and XRD. A fine porous structure of gel embedded with AgNps having an amorphous structure with 10 % crystallinity due to AgNps was found. IR spectra revealed no chemical interaction between polymers and Nystatin. An increase in thermal stability of formulation was observed till 700 ℃ analyzed by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Cytotoxic analysis on L929 mouse skin fibroblast cells showed a decrease in cell viability as Ag concentration increased (inactivating Fibroblast and keratinocytes) while 10 mg composition was found safest concentration (94%). Optimized formulation (F2) presented in-vitro drug release up to 90.59% ± 0.76 at pH 7.4, swelling studies (87.5% ± 0.57), water retention (26.60 ± 0.34), pH (5.31 ± 0.03). In the animal burn model, the group that received CHG/Ag/Nystatin healed the wound significantly (p < 0.05). These results suggested that optimized carrier can be used for other anti-fungal drugs facilitating the early healing of the wound.

Dengue virus (DENV) has caused about 12 large outbreaks in Pakistan, resulting in 286,262 morbidities and 1108 deaths. The most affected province is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This study was conducted to determine the average DENV prevalence in different areas of the Haripur endemic district of KP and the causing factors of DENV. Methods: This work was a cross-sectional study that was performed in the DENV endemic district Haripur. A total of 761 individuals were included in this study. The data were categorized according to sex, age and symptoms (like fever, body aches, bleeding, and skin rash). For data analysis, SPSS 23 version was applied. ArcGIS version 10.8 was used to map the study area. Results: In this study, there were 716 confirmed cases of DENV fever, including 421 males (58.8%) and 295 females (41.2%). The most affected age range, 16–30 years, reported by 301 (42.0%), was followed by 31–45 years, 184 (25.7%), above 46 years, 132 (18.4%), and 0–15 years, 99 (13.8%). The positive IgG cases were 581(81.0%). Those whose age ranges from 1 to 15 years 82 (8.7%) cases, 16–30 years 244 (34.1%), 31–45 years 156 (21.8%), above 46-year age 99 (13.8%) cases. In addition, this suggests that those between the ages of 16 and 30 are at the highest risk for DENV infection. However, this might be the fact that individuals in this age range are more likely to be out in the environment, making them more vulnerable to the virus. Conclusion: Over the past ten years, DENV fever has become increasingly prevalent in Pakistan. The risk is substantially higher for males. Dengue outbreaks hit those between the ages of 16 and 30 the hardest. The proper monitoring and assessment of DENV are necessary for prevention and controlling the disease. Disease surveillance includes identification and molecular characterization of infected persons and monitoring mosquito populations in high-risk locations for the purpose of vector surveillance. In order to assess the community's willingness to participate in DENV preventive efforts, behavioral impact surveillance is also necessary.

Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) such as hydro, wind, and solar are merging as preferred alternatives to fossil fuels. Among these RESs, solar energy is the most ideal solution; it is gaining extensive interest around the globe. However, due to solar energy’s intermittent nature and sensitivity to environmental parameters (e.g., irradiance, dust, temperature, aging and humidity), real-time solar plant monitoring is imperative. This paper’s contribution is to compare and analyze current IoT trends and propose future research directions. As a result, this will be instrumental in the development of low-cost, real-time, scalable, reliable, and power-optimized solar plant monitoring systems. In this work, a comparative analysis has been performed on proposed solutions using the existing literature. This comparative analysis has been conducted considering five aspects: computer boards, sensors, communication, servers, and architectural paradigms. IoT architectural paradigms employed have been summarized and discussed with respect to communication, application layers, and storage capabilities. To facilitate enhanced IoT-based solar monitoring, an edge computing paradigm has been proposed. Suggestions are presented for the fabrication of edge devices and nodes using optimum compute boards, sensors, and communication modules. Different cloud platforms have been explored, and it was concluded that the public cloud platform Amazon Web Services is the ideal solution. Artificial intelligence-based techniques, methods, and outcomes are presented, which can help in the monitoring, analysis, and management of solar PV systems. As an outcome, this paper can be used to help researchers and academics develop low-cost, real-time, effective, scalable, and reliable solar monitoring systems.

The main idea of this investigation is to introduce an integrated intelligence approach that investigates the chemically reacting flow of non-Newtonian fluid with a backpropagation neural network (LMS-BPNN). The AI-based LMS-BPNN approach is utilized to obtain the optimal solution of an MHD flow of Eyring–Powell over a porous shrinking wedge with a heat source and nonlinear thermal radiation (Rd). The partial differential equations (PDEs) that define flow problems are transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through efficient similarity variables. The reference solution is obtained with the bvp4c function by changing parameters as displayed in Scenarios 1–7. The label data are divided into three portions, i.e., 80% for training, 10% for testing, and 10% for validation. The label data are used to obtain the approximate solution using the activation function in LMS-BPNN within the MATLAB built-in command ‘nftool’. The consistency and uniformity of LMS-BPNN are supported by fitness curves based on the MSE, correlation index (R), regression analysis, and function fit. The best validation performance of LMS-BPNN is obtained at 462, 369, 642, 542, 215, 209, and 286 epochs with MSE values of 8.67 × 10−10, 1.64 × 10−9, 1.03 × 10−9, 302 9.35 × 10−10, 8.56 × 10−10, 1.08 × 10−9, and 6.97 × 10−10, respectively. It is noted that f′(η), θ(η), and ϕ(η) satisfy the boundary conditions asymptotically for Scenarios 1–7 with LMS-BPNN. The dual solutions for flow performance outcomes (Cfx, Nux, and Shx) are investigated with LMS-BPNN. It is concluded that when the magnetohydrodynamics increase (M=0.01, 0.05, 0.1), then the solution bifurcates at different critical values, i.e., λc=−1.06329,−1.097,−1.17694. The stability analysis is conducted using an LMS-BPNN approximation, involving the computation of eigenvalues for the flow problem. The deduction drawn is that the upper (first) branch solution remains stable, while the lower branch solution causes a disturbance in the flow and leads to instability. It is observed that the boundary layer thickness for the lower branch (second) solution is greater than the first solution. A comparison of numerical results and predicted solutions with LMS-BPNN is provided and they are found to be in good agreement.

Abstract Hepatic sinusoids play a key role in maintaining high activities of liver cells in the hepatic acinus. However, the construction of hepatic sinusoids has always been a challenge for liver chips, especially for large-scale liver microsystems. Herein, we report an approach for the construction of hepatic sinusoids. In this approach, hepatic sinusoids are formed by demolding a self-developed microneedle array from a photocurable cell-loaded matrix in a large-scale liver-acinus-chip microsystem with a designed dual blood supply. Primary sinusoids formed by demolded microneedles and spontaneously self-organized secondary sinusoids can be clearly observed. Benefiting from significantly enhanced interstitial flows by formed hepatic sinusoids, cell viability is witnessed to be considerably high, liver microstructure formation occurs, and hepatocyte metabolism is enhanced. In addition, this study preliminarily demonstrates the effects of the resulting oxygen and glucose gradients on hepatocyte functions and the application of the chip in drug testing. This work paves the way for the biofabrication of fully functionalized large-scale liver bioreactors.

Abstract Eggs are good sources of nutrients essential for the growth and development of infants. Introducing eggs as a weaning food can improve dietary adequacy in infants at risk for protein energy malnutrition (PEM). To evaluate the current objective, 72 pups (36 males and 36 females) were used to calculate the impact of various egg protein levels on blood parameters. Nonisonitrogenous and isocaloric pellet diets were offered to pups for 28 days using nine pups with three replicates according to a completely randomized design (CRD). The water intake and ad libitum diet were offered to weaned pups. The pups were randomly assigned to different concentrations of diet, which contained WF0, control diet, 14% of soybean protein; WF1, 14% of egg protein; WF2, 16% of egg protein; and WF3, 18% of egg protein, respectively. After weaning, the intraperitoneal injection with the drug (xylazine with ketamine) was used to anesthetize before killing on the 28th day. Blood samples were used to measure the blood metabolites. The results indicated that the concentration of red blood cells, white blood cells, serum triglycerides, and serum protein was significantly (p ≤ .05) increased in pups fed with high egg protein levels compared to the control. The highest platelet count was observed in the pups fed WF3 diet. In contrast, the amount of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase was significantly (p ≤ .05) reduced with increasing the level of egg protein in the diets of weaned pups. Immunity biomarkers (immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and immunoglobulin M) and kidney functions (creatinine and blood urine nitrogen) were nonsignificantly (p ≤ .05) increased in the pups fed a high level of protein due to a high biological value of soybean protein. Moreover, the concentration of immunoglobulin E in all pups remained unchanged. Egg protein in infant formula feed can be used for the growth and development of infants.

Purpose: This study explores the intricate relationships between various corporate governance variables and the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) as a proxy for the cost of equity for non-financial firms listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during the period from 2011 to 2020. Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing a convenience sampling approach and fixed effects regression to account for unobserved heterogeneity, the research discerns both significant and non-significant associations, offering insights into the unique dynamics of the Pakistani financial landscape. Findings: Notable findings include direct and statistically significant association between BETA and CAPM, as well as the influential role of CEO duality. The Coefficient of Variation (CV), Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT), and governance-related factors like the governance index and insider ownership exhibit significant associations with CAPM. Conversely, board size, board independence, market-to-book ratio (MBR), and market debt ratio do not show statistically significant impacts on the cost of equity. Implications/Originality/Value These nuanced results contribute valuable insights for financial decision-makers and policymakers operating within the specific context of the PSX.

Sustainable development of infrastructure requires the efficient and optimized utilization of nano-silica in concrete applications. Thus, current study aims to explore how the dosages of colloidal nano-silica (CNS) and its surface area affect the mechanical performance of cementitious mortar composites. To assess the compressive strength with aging (7, 28 and 56 days), CNS with different surface areas was used as cement substitutes at three different dosages levels. Additionally, to optimize nano-silica dosages and evaluate the outcomes of the experiment, statistical modelling based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and machine learning-based Artificial Neural Network (ANN) were applied. In comparison to the control and all other mixtures, the compressive strength was improved (51.5 MPa, 70.2 MPa, and 73.2 MPa) at 7, 28, and 56 days, respectively, by the CNS with higher surface area (CNS500) at their lower dosages (3%). However, at medium (5%) and high dosages (10%), CNS with a lower surface area (CNS80) resulted in better compressive strength (71.9 MPa, 87 MPa, and 90 MPa) at 7, 28, and 56 days, respectively, comparatively to control as well as all other mixtures. These findings were supported by both the RSM and ANN models, with the ANN model outperforming the RSM model in terms of performance. The ANN model was trained and validated using 70% and 30% of the data, respectively. For the validation data of ANN model, the Coefficient of Determination (R), the Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) were revealed as 0.925, 2.263 and 2.974 MPa, respectively. Whereas, for the quadratic RSM models, these values were determined as 0.86, 4.485, and 5.45 MPa, respectively. The results of statistical models validated the experimental results, thus showing that the developed RSM and ANN can be used as reliable prediction model to optimize CNS use in producing stronger and more sustainable concrete.

This study involves the preparation of cement grout samples by varying proportions of superplasticizer (SP) and water-cement (w/c) ratio (0.25–0.45) which were tested for computing flow value and 1-day, 7-day, and 28-day compressive strength. With 75 data points a neural network model was developed to predict the 28-day compressive strength based on w/c ratio, superplasticizer percentage, flow value, and compressive strengths of 1-day and 7-day as input variables. Due to the better performance of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) over other applied models, this study predicts a confident pattern of relationship between w/c ratio (indirect), superplasticizer (direct up to 3%), and the corresponding strength characteristics of the study samples. The prediction power of the developed model has been improved from R2 = 0.959 to R2 = 0.984 by optimizing the number of neurons, activation function, and optimizer. The best performance was observed in the case of Model45-R_A. The same model was used for assessing the effect of the percentage of superplasticizer and water cement ratio on 28 days compressive strength where the compressive strength of 73.941 MPa was recorded in the case of 3% superplasticizer and w/c of 0.25.

Objective: To know the pattern of skin disorders amongst patients reporting to the Dermatology outpatient of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology OPD Combined Military Hospital, Bahawalpur Pakistan from May to Oct 2022. Methodology: Eight thousand sixty-eight patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) for skin problems were included in the study. Consultants with Postgraduate qualifications in Dermatology diagnosed all cases. Diagnosis of skin problems were noted for each patient. Diseases were categorized into various groups. Results: The mean age of patients was 29.04±15.941 years. 54.35% of patients (n=4385) were in the 20-40 years age range. Infections were the most commonly seen disease group (n=2152,26.7%), followed by dermatitis and eczematous disorders (n=1784,22.1%), parasitic diseases (n=1341,16.6%) and acquired pigmentary disorders (n=579,7.2%) in descending order of frequency. Together, these four groups of diseases accounted for 72.6% of total patients. Infections and infestations accounted for 43.3% of patients reporting to our outpatients during the study period. Scabies was the most common disease in 15.6% (n=1262) of our patients. Scabies and dermatophyte infections were the two most commonly encountered diseases. These two diseases comprised 26.5% (n=2141) of the total cases. Conclusion: Infections and infestations accounted for 43.3% of patients reporting to our outpatients during the study period. Scabies and dermatophyte infections were the two most commonly encountered diseases. Public health education regarding personal hygiene and dermatological care availability can help lessen the burden of skin diseases.

Background: Prostate cancer is a significant public health issue, ranking as the second most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. In Pakistan, the prevalence of prostate cancer varies significantly across published articles. This study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of prostate cancer and its associated risk factors in Pakistan. Methods: MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science, Google Scholar, and local databases were searched from inception until March 2023, using key search terms related to the prevalence of prostate cancer. We considered a random-effects meta-analysis to derive the pooled prevalence and relative risks with 95% CIs. Two investigators independently screened articles and performed data extraction and risk of bias analysis. We also conducted meta-regression analysis and stratification to investigate heterogeneity. This study protocol was registered at PROSPERO, number CRD42022376061. Results: Our meta-analysis incorporated 11 articles with a total sample size of 184,384. The overall pooled prevalence of prostate cancer was 5.20% (95% CI: 3.72–6.90%), with substantial heterogeneity among estimates (I2 = 98.5%). The 95% prediction interval of prostate cancer was ranged from 1.74%–10.35%. Subgroup meta-analysis revealed that the highest pooled prevalence of prostate cancer was in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (8.29%; 95% CI: 6.13–10.74%, n = 1), followed by Punjab (8.09%; 95% CI:7.36–8.86%, n = 3), while the lowest was found in Sindh (3.30%; 95% CI: 2.37–4.38%, n = 5). From 2000 to 2010 to 2011–2023, the prevalence of prostate cancer increased significantly from 3.88% (95% CI: 2.72–5.23%) to 5.80% (95% CI: 3.76–8.24%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis provides essential insights into the prevalence of prostate cancer in Pakistan, highlighting the need for continued research and interventions to address this pressing health issue.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the significance of interim whole-body dynamic 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) Patlak parameters for predicting the prognosis of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. To estimate the predictive value of the whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak parameter for 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 2-year overall survival (OS). Methods: This study reports the findings of 67 patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). These patients underwent interim whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT scans from June 2021 to January 2023 at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. The predictive values of maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), maximum of net glucose uptake rate (Kimax) and the predictive model combining Kimax and interim treatment response on the prognosis of patients was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to screen for independent prognostic risk factors. Results: After a median follow-up of 18 months, 21 patients (31.3%) experienced disease recurrence or death. The cut-off values for the SUVmax and the Kimax were 6.1 and 0.13 μmol min−1·ml−1, respectively. Ann Arbor stage, IPI, SUVmax, Kimax and interim treatment response were associated with PFS and OS in the univariate analysis. However, only Kimax and interim treatment response were independent influences on PFS and OS in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Interim whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak imaging has significant prognostic value in patients with DLBCL. Among them, the interim dynamic parameter Kimax showed the best predictive value for prognosis compared with the interim SUVmax and interim treatment response. The predictive model established by Kimax and the interim treatment response allowed for the accurate stratification of the prognostic risk of DLBCL.

OBJECTIVES Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is an important but uncommon aetiology of stroke. The presentation of CVST is extremely variable clinically, moreover its onset can be either acute or subacute, and less frequently, chronic. Headache is the most common symptom of CVST. The headache is typically diffuse and progressing in severity over days to weeks. MRI and MRV have very high sensitivity and specificity and have become the modality of choice to confirm the diagnosis of CVST. The aim of this study was to weigh the benefits of added MRV in patients with headache, after a negative MRI for CVST. METHODOLOGY The total number of patients included was 207, with chief complaints of headache and suspicion of CVST. The MRV sequence used was dynamic coronal by using the time-of-flight technique. The diagnosis of CVST was made by the loss of normal signal void both on T1WI and T2WI as well as on non-visualization on MRV. RESULTS Out of these 207 patients, CVST was present in 52 patients. Superior sagittal sinus was involved in 8 cases, right transverse sinus in 2 cases, left transverse sinus in 7 cases, left sigmoid sinus in 3 cases, and multiple sinuses in 32 cases. 34 cases out of 52 had infarction which was mostly haemorrhagic i.e. 27. A total of 97 cases (46%) had aplastic/hypoplastic transverse segments which were mostly the left one (87, 42%) and 10 cases (4.8 %) on the right side. In none of the patients, CVST was picked by MRV alone after a negative T1 and T2 MRI. CONCLUSION In patients presenting with headache and suspected CVST additional MRV is only required if the routine MR sequences are not able to pick up the thrombus and the suspicion of CVST is very high.

The disposal of oily sludge (OS) and depletion of crude oil reservoirs has become a global problem for the petroleum industries. The rising cost of bituminous materials is also attributed to the depletion of crude oil reservoirs. Incorporating OS in the production of bitumen can reduce waste generation, thereby ensuring sustainability in petroleum industries. This study carried out a series of physicochemical, rheological and morphological tests to examine the suitability of OS as a bitumen modifier. OS and binders were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize their morphological and chemical configuration. Using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and response surface methodology (RSM), the performance characteristics of binders were analyzed and modeled. FTIR showed the identical functional groups responsible for the compatibility of OS and bitumen. Fit statistics and diagnostic graphs showed the significance and adequacy of the quadratic model for rutting and fatigue factors. Response surface plots showed that OS improved the fatigue resistance of bitumen. The OS up to 8 % addition improves fatigue resistance while keeping the performance grade (PG) identical to that of base bitumen.

Safety and quality of the final product depend on the oil quality that is normally used for the frying purpose. In current study, sunflower oil blend with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and palm olein was optimized by D-optimal design and the best blend was chosen for multiple frying of frozen potato fries. Ten frying were performed and free fatty acid (FFA), peroxide (PV) and iodine (IV) values including Fourier transform–infrared (FT-IR) spectral signatures were recorded after each frying. The spectral fingerprints were preprocessed with standard normal variate and then principle component analysis was applied, which showed clear differentiation for various frying. Similarly, partial least square regression was used to predict the FFA, PV and IV which showed high coefficient of determination (R2) 0.83, 0.92 and 0.85, respectively. It can be concluded that FT-IR can be used as an innovative tool for rapid and nondestructive evaluation of frying oils.

In this article, formulation studies for terbinafine hydrochloride nanoemulsions, prepared by high-energy ultrasonication technique, are described. Pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed in order to find out the optimal ratios of oil and surfactant/co-solvent mixture for nanoemulsion production. Clove and olive oils were selected as oil phase. Based on the droplet size evaluation, maximum nanoemulsion region were determined for formulation development. Further characterization included polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, morphology, pH, viscosity, refractive index, ex vivo skin permeation, skin irritation, and histopathological examination. Droplet sizes of optimized formulations were in colloidal range. PDI values below 0.35 indicated considerably homogeneous nanoemulsions. Zeta potential values were from 13.2 to 18.1 mV indicating good stability, which was also confirmed by dispersion stability studies. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed almost total skin permeation of terbinafine hydrochloride from the nanoemulsions (96–98%) in 6 hours whereas commercial product reached only 57% permeation at the same time. Maximum drug amounts were seen in epidermis and dermis layers. Skin irritation and histopathological examination demonstrated dermatologically safe formulations. In conclusion, olive oil and clove oil-based nanoemulsion systems have potential to serve as promising carriers for topical terbinafine hydrochloride delivery.

Niosomes are multilamellar vesicles that efficiently deliver active substance into skin systemic circulation or skin layers. They are used in topical drug delivery system to enhance the skin permeation of active substance. So, the prime objective of this study was to develop a niosomal gel of fusidic acid to increase its skin permeation. Different formulations of niosomes of fusidic acid were designed by varying the cholesterol to surfactant ratio. Formulations containing fusidic acid, cholesterol, dihexadecyl pyridinium chloride, Span 60, or Tween 60 were prepared by thin film hydration method in rotary evaporator. The thin film formed in rotary flask was hydrated by phosphate buffer saline of pH 7.2. The niosomes formed were characterized through entrapment efficiency, size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. The S3 formulation containing span 60 showed the highest entrapment efficiency (EE) of niosomes, so it was incorporated into Carbopol gel. Determination of pH, spreadability, rheological, and ex vivo permeation studies was conducted of niosomal gel. The results of ex vivo permeation studies showed high permeation of fusidic acid when gel was applied to an albino rat skin. According to the results and previous studies of niosomes, it can be concluded that niosomes enhanced the permeation of fusidic acid through the skin.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) use among bodybuilders in different cities of Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 380 bodybuilders utilizing convenience sampling from different cities of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. The study was conducted over a period of 6 months from January 2019 to June 2019. The sample included male bodybuilders aged 18 to 50 years. The basic demographic sheet and a self-designed form were used to collect data. SPSS software v. 21 was utilized for statistical analysis. The chi-square test was used to observe any relationship with P

Objective: To investigate the dosimetric advantages of volumetric modulated arc therapy over intensity-modulated radiation therapy for radical treatment of early-stage prostate cancer. Study Design: Retrospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Radiation Oncology, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jan to Jun 2019. Methodology: Two treatment plans; one volumetric modulated arc therapy and other intensity-modulated radiation therapy, were made for 13 patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. Conformity index, Homogeneity index, the volume of rectum and bladder receiving a dose of 50 Gy or more, monitor units employed and treatment delivery time were compared between both techniques. Results: Volumetric modulated arc therapy plans showed statistically better conformity index and Homogeneity index with significantly lower doses to the rectum and bladder than intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans. The number of monitor units (MUs) employed and treatment delivery time were also reduced significantly with volumetric modulated arc therapy. Conclusion: Volumetric modulated arc therapy generates dose-metrically better radiotherapy plans than intensity-modulated radiation therapy and can deliver the required dose faster. Keywords: Hypofractionated radiotherapy, Intensity-modulated radiation therapy, Prostate cancer, Volumetric modulated arc therapy.

In recent years, micro- and nano-encapsulation methods have received considerable interest in the field of environmental research. These simple coating approaches retain the active material of interest inside a semi-permeable membrane or carrier matrix, which allows the transfer of materials between the matrix and the reaction medium. This enables the development of particles with a controlled or triggered-release mechanism. The use of pH, temperature and pressure-responsive agents is commonly employed to regulate the release of core material from encapsulated particles. Diverse applications, from water treatment to energy storage and agricultural practices, have seen the use of encapsulated materials especially in the micro and nano size range. Within the water treatment sector, studies with encapsulated materials have shown improved stability and reusability of various adsorbents for pollutant removal. However, challenges remain in separating encapsulated metal and nonmetal-based matrix-type composites from the aqueous phase. Major applications of encapsulated materials in the energy sector involve their use in different energy storage systems such as phase change materials (PCMs). Encapsulation of PCMs in a suitable shell material provides a large surface area and excellent thermal properties and helps overcome leakage problems associated with conventional PCMs. Within the agriculture domain, encapsulated particles provide controlled and extended delivery of agrochemicals at target site and protect the core materials from harsh environmental conditions. Hydrogel-based products improve sustainability in agriculture by conserving water needs. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of encapsulation synthesis techniques, their merits and challenges, as well as highlight the applications and future prospects of encapsulated materials within the environmental domain.

Availability, simplicity of processing, biodegradability, sustainability, and compatibility with human skin in terms of moisture management and temperature regulation, cellulosic fibers are preferred for clothing. In this study four (04) different cellulosic yarns (cotton, bamboo, viscose, and tencel) and two weave designs (1/1 plain and 2/2 warp rib) were used to develop eight (08) woven fabrics with equal thread densities, and their volume porosity %, air permeability, thermal resistance, water vapor permeability index, and moisture management properties were compared. The results showed that tencel fabrics showed the highest water vapor permeability index and overall moisture management capability (OMMC) values, whereas cotton fabrics had the highest values of volume porosity %, air permeability, and thermal resistance. Furthermore, the 2/2 warp rib weave design showed higher values of volume porosity %, air permeability, and thermal resistance in comparison with 1/1 plain woven fabrics, while the water vapor permeability index and OMMC values were higher in 1/1 plain woven fabrics. Moreover, the statistical significance of both factors (cellulose material and weave design) on different results was also analyzed.

In the last ten years, it has become increasingly clear that tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells drive not just carcinogenesis via cancer-related inflammatory processes, but also tumor development, invasion, and metastasis. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in particular are the most common kind of leucocyte in many malignancies and play a crucial role in establishing a favorable microenvironment for tumor cells. Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) is vital as the primary immune cell subset in the tumor microenvironment (TME).In order to proliferate and spread to new locations, tumors need to be able to hide from the immune system by creating an immune-suppressive environment. Because of the existence of pro-tumoral TAMs, conventional therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy often fail to restrain cancer growth. These cells are also to blame for the failure of innovative immunotherapies premised on immune-checkpoint suppression. Understanding the series of metabolic changes and functional plasticity experienced by TAMs in the complex TME will help to use TAMs as a target for tumor immunotherapy and develop more effective tumor treatment strategies. This review summarizes the latest research on the TAMs functional status, metabolic changes and focuses on the targeted therapy in solid tumors.

Malaria is one of the major public health issues globally. Malaria infection spreads through mosquito bites from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on malaria prevalence in Pakistan from 2006 to 2021. We searched PubMed, Science Direct, EMBASE, EMCare, and Google Scholar to acquire data on the prevalence of malaria infections. We performed a meta-analysis with a random-effects model to obtain the pooled prevalence of malaria, Plasmodium vivax, and Plasmodium falciparum. Meta-analysis was computed using R 4.1.2 Version statistical software. I2 and time series analysis were performed to identify a possible source of heterogeneity across studies. A funnel plot and the Freeman-Tukey Double Arcsine Transformed Proportion were used to evaluate the presence of publication bias. Out of the 315 studies collected, only 45 full-text articles were screened and included in the final measurable meta-analysis. Pooled malaria prevalence in Pakistan was 23.3%, with Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium falciparum, and mixed infection rates of 79.13%, 16.29%, and 3.98%, respectively. Similarly, the analysis revealed that the maximum malaria prevalence was 99.79% in Karachi and the minimum was 1.68% in the Larkana district. Amazingly, this systematic review and meta-analysis detected a wide variation in malaria prevalence in Pakistan. Pakistan's public health department and other competent authorities should pay close attention to the large decrease in mosquito populations to curb the infection rate.