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Calotropis procera is a medicinal, traditional, and therapeutic plant in Pakistan. In this research study, the biological activities, for instance, anticancer, antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and brine shrimp lethality assay and GC-MS are studied. MTT assay, antileishmanial bioassay, microplate Alamar Blue assay, agar tube dilution method, oxidative burst assay using chemiluminescence technique, B-hatching techniques, and triple quadrupole acquisition method MS parameters were the methods used for anticancer, antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, brine shrimp lethality assay, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) inhibited 69.1% of the growth of HeLa cell line with an IC50 value of 3.1 ± 0.4 and whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) and whole plant and aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) inhibited the growth by 70.2% and 65.2% with IC50 values of 5.0 ± 0.3 and 17.1 ± 1.0. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) inhibited 70.1% of the growth of the PC3 cell line with an IC50 value of 5.1 ± 0.3 and whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) and whole plant aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) inhibited 61.6% and 59.7% with IC50 values of 3.7 ± 0.5 and 16.4 ± 1.0. None of the extract and fractions of Calotropis procera showed anticancer activities against the 3T3 cell line. None of the extract and fractions of Calotropis procera showed antileishmanial, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) exhibited lethality at the highest concentration while other fractions did not exhibit lethality. GC-MS studies revealed that the whole plant methanol extract of Calotropis procera (WMECP) consists of 11 compounds, whole plant n-hexane fraction of Calotropis procera (WHFCP) consists of 9 compounds, and whole plant aqueous fraction of Calotropis procera (WAFCP) consists of 7 compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: End‐user feedback in social media platforms, particularly in the app stores, is increasing exponentially with each passing day. Software researchers and vendors started to mine end‐user feedback by proposing text analytics methods and tools to extract useful information for software evolution and maintenance. In addition, research shows that positive feedback and high‐star app ratings attract more users and increase downloads. However, it emerged in the fake review market, where software vendors started incorporating fake reviews against their corresponding applications to improve overall software ratings. For this purpose, we conducted an exploratory study to understand how end‐users register and write fake reviews in the Google Play Store. We curated a research data set containing 68,000 end‐user comments from the Google Play Store and a fake review generator, that is, the Testimonial generator (TG). Its purpose is to understand fake reviews on these platforms and identify the common patterns potential end‐users and professionals use to report fake reviews by critically analyzing the end‐user feedback. We conducted a detailed survey at the University of Science and Technology Bannu, Pakistan, to identify the intelligence and accuracy of crowd‐users in manually identifying fake reviews. In addition, we developed a ground truth to be compared with the results obtained from the automated machine and deep learning (M&DL) classifier experiment. In the survey, 512 end‐users participated and recorded their responses in identifying fake reviews. Finally, various M&DL classifiers are employed to classify and identify end‐user reviews into real and fake to automate the process. Unlike humans, the M&DL classifiers performed well in automatically classifying reviews into real and fake by obtaining much higher accuracy, precision, recall, and f‐measures. The accuracy of manually identifying fake reviews by the crowd‐users is 44.4%. In contrast, the M&DL classifiers obtained an average accuracy of 96%. The experimental results obtained with various M&DL classifiers are encouraging. It is the first step towards identifying fake reviews in the app store by studying its implications in software and requirements engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sign languages are a fundamental source of communication for the deaf community, generated through movements of the human body. Similar to the natural languages, sign languages vary from region to region, and from nation to nation. Pakistan sign language (PSL) is inspired by Urdu, national language of Pakistan. It has 38 alphabet signs, and out of them, 36 are represented by the static hand gestures. Automatic recognition of a sign language helps in interaction between the hearing and deaf individuals. The number of quality efforts in context of Pakistan sign language recognition is quite limited, leaving a fair room for addressing open issues of research, i.e., (i) efficient hand detection under complex backgrounds and (ii) extracting signer independent feature vector that should not only be discriminant for all the PSL alphabets but reduced dimension as well. In this research, recognition of PSL static alphabets is addressed where the task of hand localization is accomplished through faster regional-convolutional neural networks (faster R-CNN). Feature extraction is achieved through presenting symmetric mean-based binary patterns (sMBP) that extend uniform local binary patterns. The proposed feature vector not only suppresses the noise but preserves the rotation invariance as well. Classification task is accomplished through error correction output codes (ECOC)-based support vector machines using linear, polynomial and radial basis function kernels with one-vs-one and one-vs-all modalities. The proposed technique is validated through PSL dataset, created by seven native signers, having 7174 images. The comparative results clearly demonstrate the authority of the proposed technique over all of its baseline and competitor techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To look for the low levels of haemoglobin and ferritin among the patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage-5 not undergoing dialysis and factors related to the presence of low levels of haemoglobin and ferritin. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Nephrology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2019 to Jan 2021. Methodology: A total of 800 cases were included in the study, diagnosed as chronic kidney disease Stage-5 in the nephrology outpatient department (OPD) by a consultant nephrologist who did not require hemodialysis. Haemoglobin and ferritin levels were recorded in all patients at the time of assessment in the outpatient department. In addition, the relationship of various factors was assessed with low haemoglobin and ferritin among the study participants. Results: Out of 800 non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients in the study, 421(52.7%) patients were males and 379(46.3%) were females. Of the participants, 471(58.9%) had either low ferritin or hemoglobin levels, while 329(41.1%) did not show low haemoglobin and/or ferritin levels. Long duration of illness and female gender was significantly associated with low haemoglobin/ferritin levels among the non-dialysis patients of chronic kidney disease Stage-5 (p-value<0.05). Conclusion: Low levels of hemoglobin and ferritin were found in most patients suffering from chronic kidney disease Stage-5 and not undergoing hemodialysis. Therefore, special attention should be paid to female patients and patients with a longer duration of chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological characterization is important in determining the genetic variation of genotypes among different plant species and its knowledge help the breeders and farmers to select the best variety. Alnus nitida is one of the native and most important plants in District Dir Lower, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, mostly used for medicinal purposes. In the present study, total 50 genotypes of Alnus nitida were collected from Dir lower and evaluated for morphological traits (leaf, petiole, nut, and catkin size). A significant level of variations was observed in the size of the leaf (10.22%), petiole (24.84%), catkin (9.19%), and nut (3.08%). There is a significant correlation between petiole size and leaf size, which is an important nutritional parameter that could be used successfully in future breeding programs. Based on cluster analysis all the genotypes were divided into two main lineages; lineage A which is further divided into 3 clusters (C1, C2, and C3), and lineage B, further divided into 2 clusters (C4 and C5). The principal component analysis estimated the total variations in the range of 51.43 to 100% with an Eigenvalue of 0.25. It was concluded from the results that Alnus nitida L. genotypes available in Pakistan have come from a narrow gene pool and such types of variations can be exploited to develop new varieties with desirable traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the investor overreaction catches the attention of the academicians and practitioners. The topic comes under the limelight of academicians and policymakers. This study, therefore, addresses investor overreaction and its relationship with the global financial crisis for the period of 2004–15. The study used stratified random sampling technique; equal allocation method of Krejcie and Morgan. By adopting the methodology of Debondt and Thaler, the study finds that there is highly significant overreaction (distinct reversal) in the stock market in the global-financial crisis period, which may attribute to the aggressive behavior of individual investors in the market. Overreaction has also been shown in the line graph shaded area which opposes the efficient market hypothesis and verifies the presence of a weak form of efficiency. Econometric tests are applied for robustness check that confirms weak form of efficiency in the PSX. The study has implications for both the investors and policymakers. This study is quintessential for those investors who have the aptitude to look introspectively and to evaluate their behavioral biases. Further, investors would learn to transmute behaviors and to build portfolios which will help them to stick to their long-term investment strategies and hence achieve their investment goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Urinary stone disease is very common in Pakistan. Most of cases of stone diseases are ureteric stones. Diff erent types of management are available for ureteric stones to dealt with a uretero-lithotomy (open/laproscopic), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, uretero-scopy with stone fragmentation. In comparison to other modalities, uretero-scopy with stone fragmentation is a well established treatment with bett er success statistics and decreased number of undesirable events for patients who are being treated for renal calculus disease. It is hoped that this study may help in recognizing better modality of treatment with increased satisfaction of patients and treating doctors and thus can reduce fi nancial burden in terms of decreased hospital stay and unnecessary use of antibiotics and resources. Objective: To determine the frequency of uro-sepsis during early post-operative period of ureter-oscopy in patients being treated for ureteric calculus disease. Sett ing: Department of Urology, Institute of Kidney Diseases Hayatabad Peshawar. Study design: Descriptive case series Duration: Six months 26th October, 2018 to 26th April, 2019. Material and Methods: In present study total number of patients were 293. Uretero-scopy and stone fragmentation was performed by senior registrar and above. Patients were called for follow up on 1st,2nd and 4th weeks and final calculations were made at the end of 4th week. Base line investigations such as full blood count, renal function test, Urine analysis, Urine culture were performed pre and post-operatively. All the data was collected using specially prepared proforma. Results: In this study research article mean age was calculated to be 38-years with SD+12.59. Total number of male gender was 62% and female patients ratio was 38%. Moreover 22% patients had uro-sepsis while 78% patients were urosepsis free. Conclusion: This research article concluded that the incidence of urosepsis during early post-operative period of uretero-scopy was 22% in patients being treated for ureteral calculus disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental durations of immature stages of Chrysoperla carnea, feeding on Corcyra cephalonica eggs at three constant temperatures 24 ±1 °C, 28 ±1 °C and 32 ±1 °C were studied. The results indicated that incubation period was 4.9±0.08, 3.8±0.08 and 3.0±0.06 days at three temperatures, respectively. Developmental duration of first instar were 3.6±0.07, 3.0±0.11, 2.0±0.06 days, second instar were 3.4±0.11, 3.0±0.07, 2.8±0.07 and third instars were, 4.9±0.10, 4.0±0.06, 3.4±0.13 days at three temperatures, respectively. The larval developmental duration were 11.9±0.13, 9.7±0.31, 8.2±0.14 and pupal duration were 9.2±0.10, 8.3±0.10 and 6.8±0.07 days at three temperatures respectively. Biological cycle of immature stages were 26.0±0.13, 21.8 ±0.08 and 18.0±0.56 days, respectively with total survival rate from egg to adult emergence of 82%, 68% and 42% at the respective temperature. The results indicate that developmental cycle of immature stages were significantly different at three different temperatures and with increasing temperature the developmental cycle decrease significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance levels of six barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) entries namely B-00080, NRB-37, V-8, Haider-93, B-99036 and JAU-87 of 2003-04 National Uniform Barley Yield Trial (NUBYT) were evaluated against the aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.). Evaluation was done by seedling bulk test method for finding out resistant, moderately resistant and susceptible entries. The entry B-99036 was found to be resistant. Further studies were conducted to determine the mechanisms of resistance like antixenosis, antibiosis and tolerance. Results indicated that the entry B-00080 had antibiosis and B-99036 was the tolerant one. So, on the basis of present studies the entry having high level of resistance against R. padi (B-99036) should be incorporated in the future breeding programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryIn December 1994 in a private hospital in Quetta, Pakistan, 3 health-workers contracted Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) after surgery on a bleeding patient who later died. We conducted a retrospective study to determine transmission risks among contacts. Fifty contacts gave blood for antibody tests and answered questions about exposure. Two of four people exposed percutaneously and one of five with cutaneous exposure contracted CCHF. The person with cutaneous exposure was a surgeon who tore his glove during surgery and noted blood on his hand but no cut. There were no anti-CCHF antibodies or CCHF cases among persons whose skin came into contact with body fluids other than blood (0/4), who had skin-to-skin contact (0/16) with patients or were physically close to them (0/21). Three index case relatives reported that although 10 family members had cutaneous exposure, none developed CCHF. The family refused blood tests. CCHF transmission in resource-constrained settings can be limited by focusing on avoiding health worker contact with blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Powders containing iron and other micronutrients are recommended as a strategy to prevent nutritional anaemia and other micronutrient deficiencies in children. We assessed the effects of provision of two micronutrient powder formulations, with or without zinc, to children in Pakistan., Methods: We did a cluster randomised trial in urban and rural sites in Sindh, Pakistan. A baseline survey identified 256 clusters, which were randomly assigned (within urban and rural strata, by computer-generated random numbers) to one of three groups: non-supplemented control (group A), micronutrient powder without zinc (group B), or micronutrient powder with 10 mg zinc (group C). Children in the clusters aged 6 months were eligible for inclusion in the study. Powders were to be given daily between 6 and 18 months of age; follow-up was to age 2 years. Micronutrient powder sachets for groups B and C were identical except for colour; investigators and field and supervisory staff were masked to composition of the micronutrient powders until trial completion. Parents knew whether their child was receiving supplementation, but did not know whether the powder contained zinc. Primary outcomes were growth, episodes of diarrhoea, acute lower respiratory tract infection, fever, and incidence of admission to hospital. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00705445., Results: The trial was done between Nov 1, 2008, and Dec 31, 2011. 947 children were enrolled in group A clusters, 910 in group B clusters, and 889 in group C clusters. Micronutrient powder administration was associated with lower risk of iron-deficiency anaemia at 18 months compared with the control group (odds ratio [OR] for micronutrient powder without zinc=0·20, 95% CI 0·11-0·36; OR for micronutrient powder with zinc=0·25, 95% CI 0·14-0·44). Compared with the control group, children in the group receiving micronutrient powder without zinc gained an extra 0·31 cm (95% CI 0·03-0·59) between 6 and 18 months of age and children receiving micronutrient powder with zinc an extra 0·56 cm (0·29-0·84). We recorded strong evidence of an increased proportion of days with diarrhoea (p=0·001) and increased incidence of bloody diarrhoea (p=0·003) between 6 and 18 months in the two micronutrient powder groups, and reported chest indrawing (p=0·03). Incidence of febrile episodes or admission to hospital for diarrhoea, respiratory problems, or febrile episodes did not differ between the three groups., Interpretation: Use of micronutrient powders reduces iron-deficiency anaemia in young children. However, the excess burden of diarrhoea and respiratory morbidities associated with micronutrient powder use and the very small effect on growth recorded suggest that a careful assessment of risks and benefits must be done in populations with malnourished children and high diarrhoea burdens., Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)