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Life on Earth has evolved in a form suitable for the gravitational force of 1 ×g. Although the pivotal role of gravity in gene expression has been revealed by multiomics approaches in space-flown samples and astronauts, the molecular details of how mammalian cells harness gravity have remained unclear. Here, we show that mitochondria utilize gravity to activate protein synthesis within the organelle. Genome-wide ribosome profiling unveiled reduced mitochondrial translation in mammalian cells andCaenorhabditis elegansunder microgravity in the International Space Station and under simulated microgravity in the 3D-clinostat on the ground. In addition, we found that cell adhesion through laminin–integrin interaction, which is attenuated by microgravity, and the downstream FAK, RAC1, PAK1, BAD, and Bcl-2 family proteins relay the signals for mitochondrial protein synthesis. Consistent with the role of integrin as a mechanosensor, we observed the decrease in mitochondrial translation by minimization of mechanical stress in mouse skeletal muscle. Our work provides mechanistic insights into how cells convert gravitational and mechanical forces into translation in an energy-producing organelle.

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to identify major barriers to the implementation of reverse logistics (RL). Also, the study addresses best practices among reuse, remanufacture, recycling, refurbishment and repair as alternatives for RL processes.Design/methodology/approachThis study targets supply chain management experts for their opinions regarding the identification of critical barriers and alternatives for RL implementation. Their opinions were extracted through a Web questionnaire based on 14 criteria with 5 alternatives. The tools of multi-criteria decision-making are used for analysis, i.e. fuzzy VIKOR and fuzzy TOPSIS.FindingsThe results indicate that lack of recognition of competitive advantage to be gained through RL practice is the most critical barrier to RL implementation. The least barrier or major facilitator for RL is “supportive initiative for end-of-life products.” The top-ranked alternative in this study is reuse followed by remanufacturing. The least important alternative is “repair” in the case of Pakistan. These alternatives are ranked based on “qvalues” derived through fuzzy VIKOR.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this study can only be generalized for the manufacturing sector of Pakistan during the period of the study.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will assist managers in deploying the best practices concerning RL.Originality/valueFuzzy VIKOR and fuzzy TOPSIS have not been applied to RL alternatives in previous research.

Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as a systematic autoimmune disease which causes chronic disabilities exclusively in bones that are aligned with synovium. RA aetiology is still unknown but previous studies have coined that several number of factors play a significant role e.g. environmental and genetic factors. Cellular signalling pathways orchestrate the inflammatory response that regulates various cellular functions like cellular progression, proliferation, death and secretion of signalling molecules (pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines) in response to genetic and environmental stimuli. These regulatory pathways are tightly controlled Rheumatoid arthritis is categorized as a systematic autoimmune disease which causes chronic disabilities exclusively in bones that are aligned with synovium. RA aetiology is still unknown but previous studies have coined that several number of factors play a significant role e.g. environmental and genetic factors. Cellular signalling pathways orchestrate the inflammatory response that regulates various cellular functions like cellular progression, proliferation, death and secretion of signalling molecules (pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines) in response to genetic and environmental stimuli. These regulatory pathways are tightly controlled and naturally activated by ligands that attach to their respective receptors on the cell surface. In diseased state, these signalling pathways escape the normal control mechanisms, resulting in intensification of cytokines and chemokines, transcription factors and mediatory proteins that disrupt normal cell processes and might bring about auto-destructive consequences such as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. The review highlights multiple levels of targeting molecules in signalling pathways that may be potential diagnostic markers and also attempts to underline potential therapeutic targets.and naturally activated by ligands that attach to their respective receptors on the cell surface. In diseased state, these signalling pathways escape the normal control mechanisms, resulting in intensification of cytokines and chemokines, transcription factors and mediatory proteins that disrupt normal cell processes and might bring about auto-destructive consequences such as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. The review highlights multiple levels of targeting molecules in signalling pathways that may be potential diagnostic markers and also attempts to underline potential therapeutic targets.

Environmental concerns are on the rise around the world, as carbon emissions are increasing rapidly and which is one of the leading causes of global warming. These emissions come from different sectors but the biggest contribution comes from the transport sector. As countermeasures, countries are shifting toward electric vehicles, which are much greener modes of transportation. Currently, different types of electric vehicles are available in the market. The selection of a viable type of electric vehicle for a developing country like Pakistan needs proper evaluation. In this study, two techniques are used. Firstly, fuzzy Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) approach is used for the selection of a suitable vehicle for the future market of Pakistan. Secondly, fuzzy linear programming is used to check the viability of electric vehicles in the current market scenario. Using these techniques, hydrogen fuel cell vehicle is selected as the most advantageous vehicle for Pakistan’s future market and the hybrid electric vehicle comes out as the best alternative for the current market. The techniques and the case study of Pakistan are the main novelty of this study, as no literature exists on electric vehicles with these methods on Pakistan’s perspective. Based on the results, different recommendations are given to the policymakers of Pakistan. The recommended policies could make electric vehicles a prime competitor to the combustion vehicles in the current and future markets.

Objectives: To assess serum vitamin D level in third trimester multiparous pregnant females and correlate them with different parameters (sun exposure and age). Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pathology, SMC, UOS, Sargodha. Period: April 17th to September 17th, 2017. Material & Methods: A total of fifty multiparous pregnant women in 3rd trimester were included in this study. On the basis of their 25 hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) levels, pregnant women were categorized into 2 groups: normal (>30ng/ml) and deficient (

Objective Human ABO blood groups are determined by the alleles A, B, and O (O01 and O02) of the ABO gene and have been linked to the risks for cardiovascular diseases and cancers that affect lifespan. We examined the genetic associations of the ABO gene and blood groups with longevity. Methods We inspected the frequencies of the A, B, O, and O02 alleles in a large Chinese centenarian population (n = 2201) and in middle‐aged controls (n = 2330). The single nucleotide polymorphisms were selected as allele A (rs507666), B (rs8176743, rs8176746, and rs8176749), O (rs687289), and O02 (rs688976, rs549446, and rs512770). Results Supported by allelic and genotypic association studies, the frequencies of blood types A, B, O, and AB in centenarian versus control participants were not statistically different: 0.2821 versus 0.2781 (χ2 = 0.09, P = 0.76), 0.2867 versus 0.3060 (χ2 = 2.03, P = 0.15), 0.3380 versus 0.3159 (χ2 = 2.52, P = 0.11), and 0.0859 versus 0.0910 (χ2 = 0.37, P = 0.54), respectively. Sex had little effect on these distributions. Conclusion Integrated with other previous reports, we conclude from this large Chinese cohort that genetic variants of the ABO gene and blood groups are not associated with longevity.

The proposed paper offers designing and simulation of a high-gain and high-efficiency DC/DC Boost converter intended for voltage sources with low inputs i.e. Photovoltaic (PV) cells, which enable the use of Proportional Integral Derivative controller for improved performance of complete system. Generally, high gains are offered by boost convertor at expense of extreme duty cycle, which establishes high voltage stresses across switches. Owing to these stresses, high on-state resistance switches ought to be used. The proposed research discusses in detail the design of high efficiency and high gain DC/DC boost converter, which step up lower DC voltages to higher voltages without compromising gain and efficiency by introducing a coupled inductor. The proposed research presents a comparative study on selection of optimal MOSFET to obtain high efficiency and high gain. Thus, several MOSFETs were studied, reviewed and assessed in terms of performance affecting parameters and results of various MOSFETs have been recorded. Resultantly, high efficiency and high gain were achieved with the removal of voltage spikes across switches and switch stresses were also mitigated Moreover, It is required to maintain constant output voltage at load end. Owing to change in voltage at load and source end, there is a constant variation in converter output voltage. Thus, Proportional Integral Derivative controller is employed to attain constant output voltage regardless of variations in source or load. The complete system has been designed and subsequently simulated in MATLAB Simulink to authenticate system operation.

Advanced age is an independent risk factor for natural death and common diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and cancers, which are life-threatening and cause disabilities. On the other hand, individual with healthy longevity is a plausible model for successful aging. Thus, search for longevity-associated genes and pathways likely provides a unique approach to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying aging and healthspan, and emerging evidence from model organisms has highlighted the significance of genetic components in longevity. Here we reviewed the uses of model organisms including yeast, ciliate, nematode, arthropod, fish, rodent, and primate as well as human to identify the genetic determinants of longevity and discussed the genetic contributions of conserved longevity pathways, such as adrenergic system, AMPK, insulin/IGF-1, and mTOR signaling pathways.

… Objective: Our primary objective was to estimate the vitamin D status amongboth the rural and urban dwellers of Sargodha. Study Design: A cross sectional population survey.Place and Duration of Study: Individuals were selected from six different medical centersin the Sargodha city, Vitamin D measurement was done in Khan Lab Sargodha from January2013 to June 2013. Methodology: After an awareness campaign, healthy individuals and medicalpatients from six different clinics in Sargodha city were selected after excluding the diseasesthat interfered with the metabolism of calcium and vitamin D. The initial assessment involvedan interview based questionnaire, at the clinic by the treating doctor. It recorded the informationregarding age, sex, weight, residence, and co-morbid conditions like, DM, hypertension,ischemic heart disease and kidney disease and medications especially oral vitamin D supplementation.The physical assessments included height, weight record and blood pressuremeasurements. The test: It was performed in Khan Lab Sargodha. Quantitative determinationof 25-OH vitamin D was done from the serum by using competitive immunoluminometric assayon Maglumi 1000 fully automated chemistry analyzer. Results: Out of total 100 specimens 46were found to be having low levels of vitamin D levels. Insufficient levels (21-29 ng/ml) were presentin 10 individuals. It was less than 10 ng/ml in 11, less than 5 ng/ml in 4, while 21 individualswere having levels between 10-20 ng/ml. Five individuals had levels more than 100 ng/ml.None of the individuals had level in toxic range. Out of 56 females 27(48.22%) had low vitaminD levels, while out of 44 males 19 (43.2%) were found to be having levels less than 30ng/ml.The median age of individuals having levels less than 30ng/ml was 37 years (14-57 years). Therelationship of high BMI and vitamin deficiency was statistically non-significant (p-value = .282).Conclusions: Although the sample size is small, however our study reveals that a large proportion(46%) of studied individuals representing the asymptomatic general population is havinglow level of vitamin D. in order to address this public issue concrete measures need to be takenin order to prevent adverse consequences of low vitamin D levels.

Infrastructure plays a vital role in the development and growth of a nation. Nevertheless, in modern times some infrastructure have become so significant that the future sustainability of the country is dependent on them. Such infrastructure is termed Critical Infrastructure (CI), a term coined in 1995 by the United States of America (USA). Thus, the USA and other developed countries have taken measures to protect and improve the resilience of their CI. However, CI is a new concept, therefore the developing countries are lacking a policy framework that could enhance the robustness of their CI. This paper aims to fill the gap by constructing a framework for the augmentation of resilience in the CI of developing countries like Pakistan. The formulation of the framework is achieved using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) based Fuzzy VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (FVIKOR) technique. FAHP results in the identification of the energy sector as the most important CI whereas FVIKOR identifies data acquisition and monitoring systems as the best resilience strategy. The study recommends to the policymakers of the developing countries to follow the proposed framework of the study to devise relative guidelines for their implementation and ensure the future sustainability of their countries. The devising of a framework for the improvement of CI resilience for developing countries and the practicality of the research based on the case study of Pakistan are the principal novelties of the paper.

Objectives: Quick ICT is reachable for the check of quality of the proteins which produces immune response and known as antibody against the flagellate protozoan with the use of an organism in which genetic rK39 antigen recombination has occurred. Methodology: The participants of the study were one hundred in which sixty participants were the admitted patients. Research was carried out at Allied Hospital, Faisalabad (September, 2016 to August, 2017). It was prescribed that there are chances of availability kala-azar (leishmaniasis of the viscera) in them. In addition to those hundred patients, forty healthy people were evaluated to check the reliability of the immune-chromatographic dipstick test. Spleen coating was gathered from all the available patients in the hospital to check the occurrence of the LD bodies with the help of particular medical instrument. A standard or model was made on the basis on patients who were found positive. These positive patients proved the occurrence of the leishmaniasis of the viscera. Results: There were total sixty patients under discussion. More than eighty percent sufferers were discovered as smear positive and more than ninety eight percent patients were found positive in ICT. All the positive smear patients were also positive in the ICT. Forty healthy people were selected as controls in which 20 controls were selected from the area of disease and 20 participants were selected from the area of non-disease zone of leishmaniasis of the viscera. They were found negative in the ICT. Sensitivity of the ICT was hundred percent and specificity of the ICT was found near about eighty seven percent. Conclusion: This research proved the reliability, simplicity and easy method of the ICT to check the kala-azar in the disease threatening areas. Key Words: leishmaniasis, viscera-azar, rK39. ICT, LD, flagellate, protozoan, intensity, recombination, antibody.

Objective: We aimed at the assessment of characteristics, frequency and related factors which affect dental pain severity in the children with age bracket of (11 – 14) years. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey in the month of September, 2017 for the assessment of characteristics, frequency and related factors which affect dental pain severity in the children with age bracket of (11 – 14) years who were studying in private sector schools. Research sample was 526 school going children from eleven to fourteen years of age and they were selected randomly from nine different schools. Government and private school’s participation was respectively 273 and 253 with a rate of response as (83.65%). Children completed fifteen items questionnaire and responded to questions about pain and demographics. Results: Children were reported with dental pain frequency as (29.1%). Dental pain in females and males was respectively 27.6% and 30.2%. There was no significant relation of dental pain that occurred in the period of recent 6 months and there was also no association of gender with dental pain (P-value = 0.618). School type was also not linked with the dental pain in the children (P-value = 0.302). However, Father’s occupation has a relation with dental pain (P-value = 0.027). White collar profession had less incidence of dental pain than the laborer’s. Discomforting dental pain was reported in (36.7%) children; whereas, mild pain was observed in almost (28.1%). There was no radiation of dental pain in the adjacent areas as observed in (36.7%) children. Moderate and mild pain radiation was reported respectively in (13.3% & 41.4%) children. Pain severity was not affected while chewing in the right side of the mouth as observed in (15.6%) children. Pain became severe after or while eating in (13.3%) cases. Conclusion: An overall dental pain frequency was observed in 29% children without any clear link with gender. Dental pain cause is to be determined in children. Oral health can promote life quality and it can also reduce the dental pain incidence in children. Keywords: Demographics, Associated factors, Prevalence, Dental Pain and School.

3 ORIGINAL PROF-2558 ABSTRACT… HbA1c gives an integrated index of glycemia over the entire 120 days life span of red blood cells. Therefore, measuring HbA1c would be appropriate in diagnosing a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and a gradual progression to complications. Objectives: our primary objective was to evaluate the use of HbA1c as screening test for undiagnosed diabetes (WHO criteria of Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of ≥ 7mmol/l (126mg/dl)) in healthy asymptomatic individuals in Pakistani population. Study Design and Methodology: A cross sectional population survey was carried on asymptomatic, healthy individuals without past history of diabetes. Venous blood was obtained to measure fasting plasma glucose (fasting > 8 hours) and Hb A1c. Place and Duration of Study: Khan lab Sargodha from July 2013 to March 2014. The test: It was performed by using NycoCard HbA1c in vitro diagnostic medical device for quantitative determination of glycated hemoglobin in whole blood. Results: In our sample size of 775, the lowest HbA1c was found to be 5% and Highest 13.2%. Arithmetic means was 6.7565%, while the median value was 6.2% and standard deviation 1.3323. When using FPG only, the detection rate of diabetes was 32.65% (female, 14.71%; male, 17.94%). When HbA1c was included as a diagnostic test, the detection rate increased to 40% (female, 18.84%; male, 21.16 %). An additional 7.6% of participants were diagnosed with diabetes when using HbA1c criteria. ROC (A receiver operating characteristic) curve was used for analysis. At HbA1c cutoff of ≥6.5% it demonstrated sensitivity of 98.02% (95% CI) and specificity of 88.12% (95% CI) for detection of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus in healthy asymptomatic individuals in Pakistani population. Area under the ROC curve was 0.981354 with significance level P (Area=0.5) 0.0001. Conclusions: Our study reveals that HbA1c is a highly specific and convenient alternative to fasting plasma glucose for screening of diabetes mellitus in Pakistani population. A large scale survey should be carried out to set our own national standardizations.

Objective: To assess the frequency of smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed at private laboratories ofSargodha not included in the national DOTS (Direct Observational Therapy Short Course) programme. Study Design: A retrospectivestudy. Place and Duration of Study: Private laboratories of Sargodha from January 2007 to December 2012. Methodology: Dataanalysis of 3952 patients who reported to private laboratories of Sargodha for staining of sputum for AFB was carried out. They were allself reporting and were either suspects of pulmonary tuberculosis or had a history of contact with a smear positive case of TB. Stainingwas done by Ziehl-Neelson method. The smear results were reported as positive or negative. Results: Out of total 3952 specimens 373(9.21%) were found to be positive for the presence of acid fast bacilli. From these 373 positive cases 164 (44%) were female and 209(56%) were males. The age group most frequently associated with the smear positive result was aged > 55 years (13.89%) followed byage < 15 years (10%). Conclusions: A large number of smear positive patients are diagnosed in private sector. These patients are notregistered in DOTS programme of World Health Organization. Their number is not included in the calculating the prevalence TB in ourcountry. It is recommended that TB case notification should be made mandatory by law by private sector health care providers.