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Plasmodium vivax variant interspersed repeats (vir) refer to the key protein used for escaping the host immune system. Knowledge in the genetic variation of vir genes can be used for the development of vaccines or diagnostic methods. Therefore, we evaluated the genetic diversity of the vir genes of P. vivax populations of several Asian countries, including Pakistan, which is a malaria-endemic country experiencing a significant rise in malaria cases in recent years. We analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of 4 vir genes (vir 4, vir 12, vir 21, and vir 27) in the Pakistan P. vivax population and compared these features to those of the corresponding vir genes in other Asian countries. In Pakistan, vir 4 (S=198, H=9, Hd=0.889, Tajima's D value=1.12321) was the most genetically heterogenous, while the features of vir 21 (S=8, H=7, Hd=0.664, Tajima's D value=−0.63763) and vir 27 (S=25, H=11, Hd=0.682, Tajima's D value=−2.10836) were relatively conserved. Additionally, vir 4 was the most genetically diverse among Asian P. vivax populations, although within population diversity was low. Meanwhile, vir 21 and vir 27 among all Asian populations were closely related genetically. Our findings on the genetic diversity of vir genes and its relationships between populations in diverse geographical locations contribute toward a better understanding of the genetic characteristics of vir. The high level of genetic diversity of vir 4 suggests that this gene can be a useful genetic marker for understanding the P. vivax population structure. Longitudinal genetic diversity studies of vir genes in P. vivax isolates obtained from more diverse geographical areas are needed to better understand the function of vir genes and their use for the development of malaria control measures, such as vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmodium falciparum apical membrane antigen-1 (PfAMA-1) is a major candidate for the blood-stage malaria vaccine. Genetic polymorphisms of global pfama-1suggest that the genetic diversity of the gene can disturb effective vaccine development targeting this antigen. This study was conducted to explore the genetic diversity and gene structure of pfama-1 among P. falciparum isolates collected in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. A total of 19 full-length pfama-1 sequences were obtained from KP-Pakistan P. falciparum isolates, and genetic polymorphism and natural selection were investigated. KP-Pakistan pfama-1 exhibited genetic diversity, wherein 58 amino acid changes were identified, most of which were located in ectodomains, and domains I, II, and III. The amino acid changes commonly found in the ectodomain of global pfama-1 were also detected in KP-Pakistan pfama-1. Interestingly, 13 novel amino acid changes not reported in the global population were identified in KP-Pakistan pfama-1. KP-Pakistan pfama-1 shared similar levels of genetic diversity with global pfama-1. Evidence of natural selection and recombination events were also detected in KP-Pakistan pfama-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triosteum pinnatifidum Maxim., an alpine plant, is traditionally used for several medicinal purposes. Here, both chloroplast DNA sequences and nuclear low copy sequence markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of T. pinnatifidum. Materials were collected from thirteen localities in the northeast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and adjacent highlands and advanced analytical toolkits were used to access their origin and range shifts. The results revealed a higher level of population differentiation based on chloroplastDNA(cpDNA) concatenated sequences compared with the nuclear DNA sequences (FST = 0.654 for cpDNA, FST = 0.398 for AT103), indicating that pollen flow was still extensive in T. pinnatifidum. A decline in haplotype variation was observed from the plateau edge and adjoining highlands toward the platform of the QTP. The hypothesis "dispersal into the QTP," proposing that T. pinnatifidum experienced migration from the plateau edge and adjacent highlands to the platform, was supported. These results were in line with the hypothesis that multiple refugia exist on the plateau edge and adjacent highlands rather than on the plateau platform. Our unimodal mismatch distribution, star-like network supported a recent expansion in T. pinnatifidum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species represent the hierarchical expression of vegetation as it is affected by various environmental gradients. We explored the plant species composition, distribution pattern, communities formation and their respective indicators under the influence of various environmental factors in the Dhirkot region, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It was hypothesized that different environmental factors were responsible for the formation of various plant communities each with a distinct indicator. Quantitative ecological techniques were used for the sampling of vegetation. A total of 114 quadrats were established in 13 selected sampling sites. Phytosociological attributes were calculated for each plant species at each quadrat. Soil samples were collected and analyzed using different standard protocols. All the collected data were analyzed using Cluster Analysis, Indicator Species Analysis and Canonical Correspondence Analysis of PCORD and CANOCO software, respectively. A total of 145 plant species were recorded belong to 62 different families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the dominant families, represented by 12 species each (8.27%). Cluster Analysis classify all the stations and plants into four major plant communities as 1) Olea-Desmodium-Prunilla community. 2) Abies-Zanthoxylum-Pteracanthus community 3) Cedrus-Elaeagnus-Hypericum community 4) Alnus-Myrsine–Ranunculus community. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, soil saturation, organic matter and altitude were the significant environmental factors that play its essential role in the plant species distribution, composition, formation of major plant communities and their respective indicators in the region. It is recommended that the identified indicator and rare plant species of the investigated area can further be grown for conservation and management purposes in in-situ environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver dysfunction is a major health problem worldwide. Stem cells therapy has opened up new avenues for researches to treat liver diseases due to their multi lineage differentiation. As mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be differentiated into hepatic lineages in the presence of different exogenous factors, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injured mice serum on MSCs differentiation toward hepatocytes in vitro. Male Balb/c mice were treated for liver injury with CCl4 as determined through biochemical tests spectrophotometrically and different growth factors (EGF, HGF) quantification through Sandwich ELISA in both normal and CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. Mice bone marrow derived-MSCs at second passage were treated with normal and CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. After 7 days, serum treated MSCs were investigated for hepatocytes like characteristics through RT-PCR. Serum biochemical tests (Bilirubin, ALT and ALP) and sandwich ELISA results of EGF and HGF showed marked increase in CCl4 treated mice serum as compared to normal mice serum. Periodic acid Schiff's staining and urea assay kit confirmed high level of glycogen storage and urea production in cells treated with CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum. RT-PCR results of CCl4-induced liver injured mice serum treated cells also showed expression of hepatic markers (Albumin, Cyto-8, Cyto-18, and Cyto-19). This study confirmed that CCl4-induced liver injured serum treatment can differentiate MSCs into hepatocyte-like cells in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]