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This article investigates the rapid expansion of private schooling in the Northern Areas of Pakistan during the period 1993-2003. Our observations are mainly based on a survey of about 40% of the total number of private schools in the Northern Areas in which we attested trends that are characteristic of many private schools elsewhere, both nationally and internationally. For instance, most of the parents are by no means wealthy, most think that private schools provide better quality than government schools, English-medium instruction is a key requirement, and all have pragmatic expectations of the benefits for their children both from private schooling and from English-medium education.

Heavy metals have been recognized as a prominent hazard in today's world, causing pollution in the air environment. Woody tree species can play a significant role in the extraction and remediation of metal pollutants from the air, therefore promoting the air quality index. This study investigated the potential of four species of the Ficus genus (F. benjamina, F. microcarpa, F. religiosa, and F. virens) to remediate varying levels of heavy metal contamination in industrial, residential, and highway areas of Faisalabad City, Pakistan. For this purpose, six heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, zinc, and manganese) were assessed in young leaves (YL) as well as old leaves (OL) of subjected tree species at selected study sites. Eight fully expanded leaves were selected from each tree species: two from each cardinal direction from the shoot of the current year (young leaves, YL), as well as from the shoot of the previous year (old leaves, OL). The results showed that the same genus has different capabilities to accumulate different heavy metals, and the overall trend was in the following order: F. virens > F. religiosa > F. benjamina > F. microcarpa at all study sites. The heavy metal contents in both YL and OL of selected tree species decreased in the order of Manganese (Mn)> Zinc (Zn)> Copper (Cu) > Chromium (Cr) > Lead (Pb) > Cadmium (Cd) at all study sites. The metal accumulation index (MAI) values ranged between 2.14-5.42 for F. benjamina, 2.09-3.89 for F. microcarpa, 3.61-7.01 for F. religiosa and 4.77-6.48 for F. virens across all study sites. Among the studied  tree species, it has been determined that F. virens and F. religiosa are well-suited for urban areas with significant heavy metal contamination and can be strategically planted in barrier areas to effectively combat atmospheric pollution.

The convergence of high virulence and multidrug resistance (MDR) in Gram-negative pathogens circulating at the human-animal interface is a critical public health issue. We hereby report the genomic characteristics and virulent behavior of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli, serotype ONT:H26, belonging to ST6395, isolated from a healthy broiler in Pakistan. This strain harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, including mcr-1.1 and blaCARB-2, besides cma (colicin M) and astA [heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) toxin] virulence genes. In vivo experiments carried out with the Galleria mellonella infection model revealed that MCR-1-positive E. coli ST6395 killed 96.4% of the larvae at 18 hour post-infection. Interplay between resistance and virulence in clinically important pathogens could be a potential threat, representing a serious challenge to global public health., (© FEMS 2019.)

Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters, Berberis is among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10 Berberis species were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar-equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate-regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded for B. psodoumbellata 60-65 μm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed for B. lycium 29-35 μm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological characters are helpful in identification of Berberis genus at the species level., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Prevalence of zoonotic Mycobacterium bovis (bTB) disease in human population is underreported from the North of Pakistan. Here, we report on the proportion of human bTB disease among the overall TB patients, drug resistance pattern of bTB isolates, and knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP)-based analysis of bTB disease. For this purpose, sputum samples from a total of 300 clinically diagnosed TB patients and 100 randomly selected school children suspected of pulmonary TB were processed by culture as well as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for isolation, identification, and confirmation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (mTB) and bTB species. Isolates of bTB were processed for drug susceptibility tests. Data on KAP regarding TB were obtained on a pretested questionnaire. Sputum-based PCR results indicated that 288/300 (96%) were confirmed as mTB, while 12/300 (4%) were found as bTB diseases. Interestingly, none of the school child was declared positive for either mTB or bTB. Notably, 274/300 (91.3%) positively cultured samples were identified as mTB, 13/300 (4.3%) as bTB, while 5/300 (1.7%) as mixed containing both. Importantly, except one, all of the bTB isolates were found resistant to pyrazinamide. Surprisingly, most of the bTB isolates (~70%) were found resistant to a broad range of first- and second-line anti-TB drugs. SplitsTree and recombination analysis indicated no evidence of intergenic recombination. Finally, residence, occupation, presence of animals at home, and sleeping alongside animals were found significantly associated with occurrence of bTB disease. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time on the high (4%) burden of bTB disease in human TB patients in Peshawar, Pakistan.

The study analyzed the demographic and socio-economic determinants of neonatal mortality. The variables included one fetal variable (gender), three maternal variables (level of education, occupation, age), three paternal variables (level of education, occupation, age), and seven household (family) variables (nationality, consanguinity, family income, house ownership, type of housing, family type, domestic help). One calendar year data (January to December 2011) was extracted from Qatar's National Perinatal Registry and analyzed using a univariate regression model. Qatar had a total of 20,583 live births and 102 neonatal deaths during 2011 (NMR 4.95/1000). Less than secondary school maternal education level, as compared to secondary school or above maternal education level, was the only variable significantly associated with neonatal mortality (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.23 - 3.53, p=0.009). The association between the remaining thirteen variables and neonatal mortality was non-significant. Priority investment to raise female literacy above secondary school level may significantly improve neonatal survival.

Seasonal indoor radon measurement studies have been carried out in four districts, namely, Jhelum, Chakwal, Rawalpindi and Attock of the Punjab Province. In this regard, CR-39 based detectors were installed in bedrooms, drawing rooms and kitchens of 40 randomly selected houses in each district. After exposing to radon in each season, CR-39 detectors were etched in 6M NaOH at 80 degrees C and counted under an optical microscope. Indoor radon activity concentrations in the houses surveyed ranged from 15 +/- 4 to 176 +/- 7 Bq m(-3) with an overall average value of 55 +/- 31 Bq m(-3). The observed annual average values are greater than the world average of 40 Bq m(-3). Maximum indoor radon concentration levels were observed in winter season whereas minimum levels were observed in summer season. None of the measured radon concentration value exceeded the action level of 200-400 Bq m(-3). The season/annual ratios for different type of dwellings varied from 0.87 +/- 0.93 to 1.14 +/- 1.10. The mean annual estimated effective dose received by the residents of the studied area was found to be 1.39 +/- 0.78 mSv. The annual estimated effective dose is less than the recommended action level (3-10 mSv).