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The southern tip of the Thal desert in Pakistan harbors the remnants of the original tropical thorn forest, amounting to two percent, which covered the province of Punjab a hundred years ago. In the past three decades, there has been a progressive decline in woody species cover on dunes, which is directly related to the increase in population in the surrounding area. Stabilized and destabilized dunes were subjectively selected followed by quantification of cover and diversity of woody species on the top and lower slopes. Dunes closely resembling the overall cover were grouped to suggest corresponding restoration measures. The results suggest that trends of decrease in cover and diversity of woody species were evident in the upper slopes of some stabilized dunes having less than 50% cover. The destabilized dunes with less than 20% cover are highly vulnerable to erosion. A general trend observed among dunes was that with a decrease in the cover of upper slopes, there is a decrease in the cover on lower slopes. The number of destabilized dunes is increasing without effective restoration measures against the prevailing trends of disturbances. Ranking dunes on the basis of cover could help in proposing simple restoration measures as a first step towards developing an understanding of designing adaptive strategies to restore the woody cover.

Crop irrigation with brackish water having high Na+ is a common practice in developing countries like Pakistan; hence increasing the saline-sodic soils throughout the region. Therefore, two independent studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of minerals enriched contrasting biochars (MECBs) in mitigating Na+ toxicity on soil physicochemical properties, wheat growth, and physiology. In 1st trial, an incubation experiment was conducted having 32 treatments including simple biochar (SBc), manganese enriched biochar (MnBc), zinc enriched biochar (ZnBc), and iron enriched biochar (FeBc) applied at two rates (0.1% and 0.5%) with four different salinity levels such as 10, 20, 30, and 40 dSm−1. The soil was sampled after the 8th, 16th, and 24th day of incubation. Among the four sources of biochar, MnBc (0.1%) + 40 dSm−1 and FeBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1 showed efficient results to tolerate salinity stress in soil by efficiently reducing the availability of Na+ (60% and 30%) when compared to SBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1. Then, a pot study was conducted with 20 different treatments (control, SBc, MnBc, ZnBc, and FeBc) at four different salinity levels, i.e., 0, 5, 10, and 15 dSm−1. There were four replicates and the crop was harvested after 60 days of germination. The application of brackish water (control+15 dSm−1) significantly reduced the fresh weight of root (28%) and shoot (34%) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as compared to FeBc+15 dSm−1. However, the soil Na+ toxicity was significantly decreased (23%) by the application of FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Similarly, a significant increase was observed in leaf chl. a, b and photosynthetic rate (75%, 3 and 2-folds); however, a significant decrease was observed in transpiration rate (50%) in T. aestivum L. treated with FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Interestingly, FeBc+15 dSm−1 also played a vital role to prevent oxidative damage by controlling the shoot CMP (63%) in T. aestivum L. by efficiently triggering the activities of shoot antioxidant enzymes such as APX (30%) and CAT (52%) when compared to control+15 dSm−1. In summary, it was evaluated that FeBc showed the highest adsorption capacity of Na+ ions to regulate salinity stress by improving soil health and crop physiology.

The rice leaf folder, Marasmia exigua (Butler), is dangerous pests and negatively affecting the rice production worldwide. Protein elicitors are considered to be bio-factors that induce rice resistance against herbivores. The present study was performed with two protein elicitors, Hrip 1 (extracted from Alternaria tenuissima) and PebB1 (from Beauveria bassiana) to study their efficacy against the rice leaf folder. Three different concentrations of Hrip 1 (68.88, 46.69 and 28.44 µg/ml) and PebB1 (56.66, 39.76 and 32.62 µg/ml) were assigned to evaluate the developmental time, survival rate, and fecundity of M. exigua. Both elicitors were applied to the three-leaf stage of the rice plant where newly emerged adult insects were released. Bioassay results showed that after the application of protein elicitors, the life cycle and survival rate of the rice leaf folder were prolonged, while fecundity decreased. The concentration of protein had a significant (p

Despite an increased number of studies on carbon stock estimates from tropical and temperate forests, little information is available for subtropical forests, although they constitute a significant proportion of global forest cover. In this present study, we aimed to assess the above- and below ground biomass allocation strategies and carbon stocks of Acacia modesta and Olea ferruginea, which co-dominate a subtropical dry forest in Pakistan covering approximately 1.6 Mha. This scrub forest has been subjected to mining, overgrazing, and other anthropogenic activities resulting in the loss of trees and habitat degradation. For the assessment of biomass and carbon stock, 11 trees of each species representing the diameter range of 10–52 cm at 1.3 m height were harvested. The harvested A. modesta and O. ferruginea trees showed 80% and 82% of biomass in the above-ground parts and 20% and 18% to below ground parts respectively. We developed power models from the destructive harvest data for both the above- and below-ground biomass components to assess the tree-level carbon. Furthermore, we also estimated the carbon content in the leaves, roots, and shoots of both species by using a carbon analyzer, which ranged from 43.42% to 46.50%. Using the developed models, we found that the total carbon stock was 49.82 t ha−1 in the studied forest with a basal area of 27 m2 ha−1, consisting of 568 trees ha−1. This study provides useful information about the tissue carbon content, on-site models for estimating the above- and below ground biomass and carbon stock in two dominant species from a subtropical dry forest, which can be applied to estimate the carbon stock of forests in arid climate.

Limestone quarrying is an active mining practices generating bulk of solid remains and altering the habitat by the removal of plants; however, the utilization of such waste for the growth of plants has not been investigated much. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of limestone quarry waste on the growth of two native plants by analyzing its physicochemical properties and utility for plantation purposes, while determining whether mitigation measures would be required for the habitat restoration of quarry site. Two species, Acacia modesta and Adhatoda vasica were selected from the quarry site habitat. These plants were grown in different proportions of quarry waste, and garden soil was used as a control. Growth was assessed by recording plant height, number of branches per plant, root and shoot length, and total biomass. We also analyzed the N, P, K, Na, Ca, and Mg contents of the root and shoot tissues of both species. We found a significant increase in plant height (1.24- and 1.19-fold greater than controls for A. modesta and A. vasica, respectively). Differences in the number branches, root, shoot length, and biomass were also found. A significant and positive relationship was found between the mineral content in roots and the total plant biomass across both species. We conclude that (1) the mining solid waste contained the necessary minerals for the studied plant species and no amelioration would be required for restoration of such sites with the selected indigenous plants; and (2) the quarry waste promoted the growth of the two selected species. The results of the present study can be used to plan habitat restoration in limestone mining areas that have lost plant cover.

Objective: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a growing public health concern that has not been extensively studied. Numerous studies have indicated that a variant (rs8050136) of the fat mass-associated gene, FTO, is associated with both GDM and Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). We conducted a meta-analysis on the association between the FTO single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8050136 and T2DM, followed by a case-control study on the association of the said SNP and GDM in a sample of Bangladeshi women. Method: A total of 25 studies were selected after exploring various databases and search engines, which were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The MetaGenyo web tool was used to conduct this meta-analysis. A case-control study was performed on 218 GDM patients and 284 controls to observe any association between FTO rs8050136 and GDM. Genotyping was performed using the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS) method, and statistical analyses were performed using various statistical softwares. Results: In the meta-analysis 26231 cases and 43839 controls were examined. Pooled association analyses revealed a statistically significant relationship between the FTO rs8050136 polymorphism and an elevated risk of T2DM under all genetic models (P<0.05). In the case-control study, synergistic analyses of the SNP and gravida with GDM revealed a significant (P<0.01) association with an increase in odds by 1.6 to 2.4 folds in multigravida and decrease in odds by 2 folds in primigravida. A positive family history of diabetes and the minor allele of this SNP collectively increased the risk of developing GDM by many-fold (1.8 to 2.7 folds). However, after accounting for family history of diabetes and gravidity, analyses showed no significant association with GDM. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis revealed a significant association between SNP rs8050136 of FTO with T2DM, and this variant was substantially associated with an increased risk of GDM in a sample of Bangladeshi multigravida women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive dependence on fossil fuels has precipitated various challenges, including Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, health hazards, and the depletion of natural resources. Such perils underscore the importance of conducting requisite risk assessments for alternative fuel sources like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to ensure their safe utilization. This study undertakes a quantitative risk assessment encompassing diverse facets of the CNG sector holistically, aiming to pinpoint, analyze, and appraise risks, thus empowering policymakers to devise targeted mitigation strategies. To achieve this goal, the collected data undergoes analysis via an integrated approach combining the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP) and Fuzzy Technique of Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (F-TOPSIS). The study's findings reveal a heightened risk of explosion within the CNG sector owing to its highly combustible nature. Additionally, it computes an overall risk index of 0.266 for the CNG sector in a developing nation like Pakistan, indicating a relatively lower risk level compared to other fuel sources. Policymakers are thus advised to undertake requisite measures concerning infrastructure, customer safety, and environmental and economic stability to accrue both immediate and long-term benefits. The application of hybrid techniques for the risk assessment of the CNG sector in the case of a developing country marks the novelty of this study and a study of the first of its kind.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an organic acid blend and essential oils individually and in combination on growth performance, blood biochemical profile, gut health, and nutrient digestibility of broilers fed a higher level of an animal protein concentrate. Five hundred day-old Ross-308 male broiler chicks (average body weight, 39 ± 1.2 g) were randomly assigned to five replicated (5 replicates/treatment; 20 birds/replica) dietary treatments (100 birds/treatment). Birds in these group were given five different experimental diets that were prepared and designated as (i) basal diet (negative control, NC); (ii) basal diet plus Enramycin (positive control, PC), 50 mg/kg feed; (iii) basal diet with the addition of organic acid (OA) at 200 mg/kg feed; (iv) basal diet plus essential oils (EO) at 150 mg/kg feed; (v) basal diet plus combination of OA and EOs 200 and150 mg/kg feed (OA + EO). Experimental diets were prepared and fed in two phases i.e. starter (1–21 d) and finisher (22–42 d) phases of rearing. The findings of the present study revealed that feed intake did not vary significantly among the treatment groups, however, better (p

Vitiligo is the most common skin depigmentation disorder, characterized by skin or mucous membrane depigmentation. It has a prevalence rate of 0.5 % to 2.0 %. It has an effect on the patient’s appearance and is known to cause mental problems such as anxiety and depression. Vitiligo appears to be a multigenic condition based on the pattern of inheritance, which skips generations but obviously clusters within families. The TYR (Tyrosinase) as categorized as a protein coding gene diseases associated linked with encompass albinism, oculocutaneous, typeIA, Albinism, Oculocutaneous and Type IB. TYR gene is located on human chromosome 11q14.3. This gene is about 117844 bp long starting from the molecular location 89177875 to 89295759 base pairs on chromosome 11 according to Homo Sapiens Annotation Release 110, GRCh38.p14 (NCBI), which includes 6 exons. In this current study an effort was put into the identification of SNP which change the structure and function of coded protein TYR. We have checked the pathogenicity of mutation (c.575C > A resulting into p.Ser192TYR) with the help of different computational protein prediction tools e.g. POLYPHEN-2, phd-SNP, Panther, SNP&GO, PredictSNP, I-Mutant and Mupro identified the SNP as disease causing. We conclude that mutation p.Ser192TYR changing the structural confirmation of protein due which effect on the stability of protein resulting into disease. The stability analysis of the tyrosinase protein was conducted using the I-Mutant and Mupro server. Gene-gene interactions were explored through STRING. Energy minimization was performed on both wild and mutant protein revealing substantial differences. The biovia discovery studio was utilized to superimpose the model structure of wild and mutant protein, illustrating difference in protein helix fold. The study offer in silico evidence of vitiligo as a protein folding disorder. Molecular docking analysis revealed that the tyrosinase protein significantly altered stability in the active binding site and surrounding ligand interaction surface. Then a, 100 ns MD simulation was conducted to validate the behavior of the complex structure formed the vitiligo protein under in silico physiological condition and explore its temporal stability. The results demonstrated consistent conformation and binding pattern within simulated environment enriched drug derivatives. Furthermore, to check the identification of structural and functional annotated the TYR gene as both biological process and molecular function.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and its associated chronic liver disease pose a significant health hazard. Chronic HBV infection is a major contributor to the development of liver cirrhosis, liver fibrosis, and liver cancer. This study focused on ISG12a and its inhibitory effect in Huh7 cells on HBV gene expression and replication. The mammalian hepatoma cells Huh7 were transfected with the pHBV1.3 vector (pCAGGS) or HA-tagged ISG12a to determine the overexpression, to test this hypothesis further, we did knockdown or silencing by transducing Huh7 cells with lentiviruses containing shRNAs targeting ISG12a or scramble control shRNA (shControl). The expression of ISG12a was evaluated through western blot analysis. The HBsAg and HBeAg secretion in the Huh7 cells’ culture media was examined using an ELISA test. The qRT-PCR confirmed the mRNA and 3.5 mRNA Kb of ISG12a. The HBV total RNA was extracted and evaluated through a Northern blot. The isolated DNA was detected through qPCR. Additionally, a mechanistic study of enhancer II (EnhII/Cp) was examined through luciferase reporter testing. Our research findings indicate that ISG12a, an interferon-stimulated gene (ISG), plays a crucial role in suppressing the replication and gene expression of HBV. According to our study using the Huh7 cell system, overexpression of ISG12a resulted in a notable reduction in HBV protein levels as well as intracellular core-associated DNA and RNA levels. On the other hand, silencing ISG12a in Huh7 cells resulted in increased HBV RNA transcripts, DNA, and secreted proteins, indicating that ISG12a plays a role in suppressing HBV replication. Additionally, the research revealed that ISG12a inhibits the function of the EnhII/Cp promoter, which results in reduced HBV gene expression. The EnhII/Cp promoter is involved in regulating HBV gene expression, and the study showed that ISG12a restricts its activity. ISG12a may have a regulatory role in controlling the expression of HBV genes. These findings highlight the importance of ISG12a in HBV gene expression and provide valuable insights for understanding its antiviral function.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most detrimental impacts of diabetes mellitus associated with osteomyelitis and gangrene, accounting for at least two-thirds of non-traumatic amputations with a 5-year survival rate. In this perspective, antimicrobial resistance has been a cause for grave concern for the last 50 years and is among the World Health Organization most pressing “calls to action” for the 21st century. The current study aimed to identify bacterial pathogens present in DFU, their antibiotic resistance profiles, and genetic diversity. A total of 180 samples were collected from DFU patients hospitalized at healthcare institutions in Pakistan. All samples were cultured on three distinct types of media − nutritional agar, McConkey agar, and mannitol salt agar to identify both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Biochemical, morphological, and molecular (16 s rRNA) investigations were employed to characterize the bacterial species. Out of the 180 samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was isolated from 98 (54 %) samples, Escherichia coli (E. coli) from 75 (41.6 %) samples, S. epidermidis from 20 (11.1 %) samples, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) from 18 (10 %) samples. Furthermore, PCR amplification confirmed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in the resistant E. coli and S. aureus isolates. In S. aureus, the most commonly found antibiotic resistance genes were erm(B) and aac(6′) aph (2′) whereas in E. coli the prevalent genes were ampC (tetA) and erm (B). The distributions of many genes associated with drug resistance differed from those documented worldwide. These findings will aid in guiding the empirical use of antibiotics for treating diabetic foot infections, thereby reducing the risk of inappropriate antibiotic use and the development of antibiotic resistance.

Abstract Reproductive cancers are malignancies that develop in the reproductive organs. One of the leading cancers affecting the male reproductive system on a global scale is prostate cancer (PCa). The negative consequences of PCa metastases endure and are severe, significantly affecting mortality and life quality for those who are affected. The association between inflammation and PCa has captured interest for a while. Inflammatory cells, cytokines, CXC chemokines, signaling pathways, and other elements make up the tumor microenvironment (TME), which is characterized by inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines are especially crucial for PCa development and prognosis. Cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-7, IL-17, TGF-β, TNF-α, CXCL1–CXCL6, and CXCL8–CXCL16 are thought to be responsible for the pleiotropic effects of PCa, which include inflammation, progression, angiogenesis, leukocyte infiltration in advanced PCa, and therapeutic resistance. The inflammatory cytokine and CXC chemokines systems are also promising candidates for PCa suppression and immunotherapy. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to provide insight on how the spectra of inflammatory cytokines and CXC chemokines evolve as PCa develops and spreads. We also discussed recent developments in our awareness of the diverse molecular signaling pathways of these circulating cytokines and CXC chemokines, as well as their associated receptors, which may one day serve as PCa-targeted therapies. Moreover, the current status and potential of theranostic PCa therapies based on cytokines, CXC chemokines, and CXC receptors (CXCRs) are examined.

Abstract This research explores the use of gated recurrent units (GRUs) for automated brain tumor detection using MRI data. The GRU model captures sequential patterns and considers spatial information within individual MRI images and the temporal evolution of lesion characteristics. The proposed approach improves the accuracy of tumor detection using MRI images. The model’s performance is benchmarked against conventional CNNs and other recurrent architectures. The research addresses interpretability concerns by employing attention mechanisms that highlight salient features contributing to the model’s decisions. The proposed model attention-gated recurrent units (A-GRU) results show promising results, indicating that the proposed model surpasses the state-of-the-art models in terms of accuracy and obtained 99.32% accuracy. Due to the high predictive capability of the proposed model, we recommend it for the effective diagnosis of Brain tumors in the E-healthcare system.

Prostate cancer (PC) and Ovarian cancer (OC) are two of the most common types of cancer that affect the reproductive systems of older men and women. These cancers are associated with a poor quality of life among the aged population. Therefore, finding new and innovative ways to detect, treat, and prevent these cancers in older patients is essential. Finding biomarkers for these malignancies will increase the chance of early detection and effective treatment, subsequently improving the survival rate. Studies have shown that the prevalence and health of some illnesses are linked to an impaired immune system. However, the age-associated changes in the immune system during malignancies such as PC and OC are poorly understood. Recent research has suggested that the excessive production of inflammatory immune mediators, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), transforming growth factor (TGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), CXC motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXC motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), and CXC motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), etc., significantly impact the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. Our review focuses on the latest functional studies of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines, which serve as biomarkers in elderly patients with PC and OC. Thus, we aim to shed light on how these biomarkers affect the development of PC and OC in elderly patients. We also examine the current status and future perspective of cytokines (interleukins) and CXC chemokines-based therapeutic targets in OC and PC treatment for elderly patients.