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Ayesha Iqbal,1,2 Saira Azhar,3 Ghulam Murtaza,4 Rashida Bibi,5 Sana Samreen,6 Muhammad Mamoon Iqbal,7,8 Wajid Syed,9 Mahmood Basil A Al-Rawi10 1Division of Pharmacy Practice and Policy, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK; 2Office of Lifelong Learning and the Physician Learning Program, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G1C9, Canada; 3College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan; 4Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 54000, Pakistan; 5Department of Pharmacy, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; 6Aurobindo College of Pharmacy, Warangal, Telangana, India; 7Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 22040, Pakistan; 8University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Balmoral Building Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square Leicester Leicestershire, Leicester, LE1 5WW, UK; 9Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 10Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Wajid Syed, Email wali@ksu.edu.saBackground: Thyroid dysfunction has a direct role in diagnosing, and assessment and indicates the development of thyroid carcinoma. This study aimed to assess thyroid dysfunction through medical camps in different age and sex groups in students of Comsats University Abbottabad Pakistan.Methods: In this study, a cross-sectional survey design was used. For data collection, a two-day medical camp was set in the Comsats University Abbottabad campus. The students were examined physically for symptoms of thyroid dysfunction using the survey questionnaire specifically designed for this study.Results: The current research revealed that 78 out of 1032 students, or 7.6% of the population, had thyroid disease. Although 39.3% (=406) were found to have low risk, followed by 36.7% (n=379) had moderate risk and 23.9% (n=247) had high risk of thyroid dysfunction. Altogether, 6.1% (n=63) of the students had high blood pressure (BP), 3.2% (n=33) had high cholesterolemia, 3.4% (n=33) had angina, and 0.9% (n=9) had diabetes mellitus (DM). In relation, students who exhibit signs and symptoms that last longer than five weeks include 42.2% (n=435) who felt the need for excessive sleep, 35.3% (n=364) who felt tired, 36.8% (n=380) who had trouble concentrating and 30.1% (n=311) who had palpitations. The high risk of thyroid being seen predominantly in students between the ages of 15– 20 years (31.2%, n=148), as opposed to other age groups (p=0.001). Similar to this, women having a higher risk of thyroid disease (26.5%) than men (22.8%) (p =0.001).Conclusion: In conclusion, few students suffer with thyroid found to have high risk of thyroid disease. This method of questionnaire-based screening for thyroid dysfunction is cost-effective, with no additive risk of adverse effects from excessive screening, and could help in the early detection of thyroid and help avoid excess costs related to thyroid dysfunction and cancer screening.Keywords: thyroid dysfunction, screening, medical camp, thyroid cancer

Context: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) can occur due to a neoplastic process or hyperplasia. While the disease presentation is predominantly asymptomatic in developed countries, this is not the case yet in India. Differentiation of the type of lesion can only be done based on histomorphology but has its own challenges. Immunohistochemical markers like Ki-67 have been studied to aid in diagnosis but data on this is sparse from India. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the clinical, biochemical and pathological profile of PHPT and to analyse the differences in immunohistochemical marker Ki-67 among the various lesions. Setting and Design: A descriptive study was carried out on 38 PHPT patients who were treated at our institute from January 2011 to March 2021. Materials and Methods: Post-surgery, the causative lesions were categorised as adenoma (31), hyperplasia (5) and carcinoma (2). Clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological features of all lesions were collected and analysed. Ki-67 proliferation index was calculated. The various parameters were compared across the three groups of lesions and correlated with Ki-67 index. Results: Out of 38 patients, 37 were symptomatic with skeletal symptoms being the most common followed by renal symptoms. There was no difference in clinical or biochemical parameters among the three types of lesions. Significant negative correlation was seen between serum iPTH and serum 25-OH Vitamin D levels (P0.006) The median Ki-67 index was found to be 0.40% in hyperplasia, 0.49% in adenoma and 5.84% in carcinoma. Conclusion: PHPT still presents as an overtly symptomatic disease in India. Diagnosis of the nature of lesion depends on the accurate application of morphological criteria. A high Ki-67 index was not found to be an absolute marker of carcinoma, as it was also seen in a small proportion of atypical adenomas.

Europium (Eu) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowders were successfully synthesized by the solid-state reaction method for three different weight percentages (3%, 5% and 7%) and investigated by using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy. Structural investigations showed that the synthesized nanopowders have a high purity of wurtzite structure, characterized by grain size in the range of 20–65 nm. The UV-Vis spectroscopy study shows an increase in the optical absorption from 35 to 70% and a decrease in the band gap from 3.23 to 3.14 eV. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the synthesized composite was studied experimentally for the degradation of the MB dye by hydrogen peroxide under UV-Vis irradiation and pH ∼ 6.4. A decolorization of 38% was reached after 30 min of light exposure. The photoluminescence study exhibits a violet, green, and blue emissions whose intensity and wavelength could be controlled by choosing the adequate Eu-doping percentage.

Diet is a key factor that shapes the gut microbiome. Maternal diet has been proposed as a potential modulator of the human milk microbiome. However, the effect of diet during lactation on the maternal microbiota remains unclear. This study, therefore, set out to determine the effect of a two-week reduced fat and sugar and increased fibre maternal dietary intervention on the maternal faecal and milk microbiota. Faecal swabs and human milk samples were collected from mothers (n = 11) immediately pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 4- and 8-weeks post-intervention, and were analysed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The maternal macronutrient intake was assessed across one week prior to the intervention using 24 h dietary recall and during the intervention using FoodWorks 10 Software. The maternal fat and sugar intake significantly decreased from pre-intervention (fat: 120.9 ± 39.4 g; sugar: 114.1 ± 40.9 g) to the first (fat: 52.9 ± 4.3 g, p < 0.001; sugar: 83.2 ± 5.1 g, p = 0.005) and second week of the intervention (fat: 52.3 ± 6.2 g, p < 0.001; sugar: 82.7 ± 6.5 g, p = 0.005). The dietary fibre intake significantly increased from pre-intervention (28.8 ± 8.3 g) to the first week of the intervention (34.6 ± 2.8 g, p = 0.012) but was not different in the second week of the intervention compared to pre-intervention. Significant changes in the bacterial composition of maternal faeces were detected after the dietary intervention, with decreases in the relative abundance of Bacteroides caccae and increases in the relative abundance of Faecalibacillus intestinalis. In human milk, a significant increase in Cutibacterium acnes and a decrease in Haemophilus parainfluenzae were detected. Significant differences in maternal faecal and human milk bacterial composition were maintained 4 to 8 weeks after the intervention. This pilot study demonstrates that short-term changes in maternal diet during lactation can alter the maternal faecal and human milk microbiota.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country with a population of 225 million and has health expenditure accounting for only 2.8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). Accordingly, there are a limited number of haematology-oncology and transplant centers in the country. The Pakistan Blood and Marrow Transplant (PBMT) group was established in 2020, and this report is the first activity survey from January 2021 to December 2022 focusing on the trends of matched-related donor, haploidentical, and autologous transplants in a developing country. A total of 12 transplant centers contributed data on the modified PBMT survey form retrospectively and 806 haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCTs) were carried out during the study duration. Allogeneic HSCT constituted 595 (73.8%) of all the transplants; this is in stark contrast to Western data, where autologous HSCT accounts for the majority of transplants. ß-thalassemia major and aplastic anemia were the commonest indications for allogeneic HSCT, in contrast to Western data, where acute leukemia is the leading transplant indication. Autologous transplants were more frequently performed for Hodgkin’s lymphoma as compared to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The use of peripheral and bone marrow stem cells was comparable. A myeloablative conditioning regimen was routinely used in patients with acute leukemia. This report provides an insight of HSCT trends in Pakistan which are different from those of Western centers contributing to transplant data from South Asia.

Human milk is composed of complex microbial and non-microbial components that shape the infant gut microbiome. Although several maternal and infant factors have been associated with human milk microbiota, no study has investigated this in an Australian population. Therefore, we aimed to investigate associations between human milk bacterial composition of Australian women and maternal factors (body mass index (BMI), mode of delivery, breast pump use, allergy, parity) and infant factors (sex, mode of feeding, pacifier use, and introduction of solids). Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to characterise milk bacterial DNA profiles. Milk from mothers with a normal BMI had a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus australis than that of underweight mothers, while milk from overweight mothers had a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus salivarius compared with underweight and obese mothers. Mothers who delivered vaginally had a higher relative abundance of Streptococcus mitis in their milk compared to those who delivered via emergency caesarean section. Milk of mothers who used a breast pump had a higher relative abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Streptococcus parasanguinis. Milk of mothers whose infants used a pacifier had a higher relative abundance of S. australis and Streptococcus gwangjuense. Maternal BMI, mode of delivery, breast pump use, and infant pacifier use are associated with the bacterial composition of human milk in an Australian cohort. The data from this pilot study suggests that both mother and infant can contribute to the human milk microbiome.

ObjectiveA growing body of literature has shown that maternal diet during pregnancy is associated with infant gut bacterial composition. However, whether maternal diet during lactation affects the exclusively breastfed infant gut microbiome remains understudied. This study sets out to determine whether a two-week of a reduced fat and sugar maternal dietary intervention during lactation is associated with changes in the infant gut microbiome composition and function.DesignStool samples were collected from four female and six male (n = 10) infants immediately before and after the intervention. Maternal baseline diet from healthy mothers aged 22–37 was assessed using 24-h dietary recall. During the 2-week dietary intervention, mothers were provided with meals and their dietary intake was calculated using FoodWorks 10 Software. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to characterize the infant gut microbiome composition and function.ResultsIn all but one participant, maternal fat and sugar intake during the intervention were significantly lower than at baseline. The functional capacity of the infant gut microbiome was significantly altered by the intervention, with increased levels of genes associated with 28 bacterial metabolic pathways involved in biosynthesis of vitamins (p = 0.003), amino acids (p = 0.005), carbohydrates (p = 0.01), and fatty acids and lipids (p = 0.01). Although the dietary intervention did not affect the bacterial composition of the infant gut microbiome, relative difference in maternal fiber intake was positively associated with increased abundance of genes involved in biosynthesis of storage compounds (p = 0.016), such as cyanophycin. Relative difference in maternal protein intake was negatively associated with Veillonella parvula (p = 0.006), while positively associated with Klebsiella michiganensis (p = 0.047). Relative difference in maternal sugar intake was positively associated with Lactobacillus paracasei (p = 0.022). Relative difference in maternal fat intake was positively associated with genes involved in the biosynthesis of storage compounds (p = 0.015), fatty acid and lipid (p = 0.039), and metabolic regulator (p = 0.038) metabolic pathways.ConclusionThis pilot study demonstrates that a short-term maternal dietary intervention during lactation can significantly alter the functional potential, but not bacterial taxonomy, of the breastfed infant gut microbiome. While the overall diet itself was not able to change the composition of the infant gut microbiome, changes in intakes of maternal protein and sugar during lactation were correlated with changes in the relative abundances of certain bacterial species.Clinical trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619000606189).

In present study, radon concentrations were measured for some fertilizers samples . These samples were collected from local markets of Najaf province, Iraq. CR – 39 plastic track detectors were used as measurement device with cylindrical diffusion technique. Also, radon exhalation rate was estimated for all samples under study. The results demonstrate that, the value of radon concentrations were ranged from 1.39 Bq/m3 to 593.06 Bq/m3 with an average of 101.23 Bq/m3, while the values of radon exhalation rate were ranged from 1.01 mBq/m2.h to 439.89 mBq/m2.h with an average of 73.72 mBq/m2.h. It is found that radon exhalation rate for all fertilizers samples were below the maximum permissible limit 57.6 (Bq/m2.hour), so it can be concluded that the samples under study may have no health risks.

Twosimple, sensitive,accurate, and precise spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of chlorpromazine – HCl in pure form and pharmaceutical formulation. The first method involved treatment of cited drug with a measured excess of permanganate in acid medium and the unreacted oxidant was measured at 525 nm. The second method involves the reaction of the drug with potassium permanganate in the presence of sodium hydroxide to produce a bluish – green colored manganite which is measurable at 610nm. All the experimental variables affecting the development of the manganite ions were investigatedand conditions were optimized. Working linearity ranges were 5-45 µg.mL-1and 1-20 µg.mL-1 by two methods respectively. The apparent molarabsorptivities are 4.015  103and 18.717 103L.mol-1.cm-1 respectively, with corresponding Sandell’s sensitivityvalues of0.0885and 0.01798µg.cm-2 respectively. The methods have successfully been applied to the determinationof drug in dosage forms.

Background: Risk taking behaviour refers to the tendency to engage in behaviours that have the potential to be harmful or dangerous, which has become a major concern and is rated as one of the public health issues that need special attention. The objective of the study was to compare the prevalence of risk taking behaviour and its associated factors among urban and rural adolescents. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 306 adolescents by multistage sampling from two selected schools with involvement of their parents. Results: The prevalence of risk taking behaviours was 81.7% in the urban and 83.7% in the rural area ( p = 0.650). Parental background factors such as parent’s education level, marital status, health status, and income were unrelated with risk taking behaviour among adolescents. The multiple logistic regression test showed that being a male (AOR = 4.55, 95% CI = 2.28–9.07), inadequate number of bedrooms (AOR = 11.54, 95% CI = 1.48–89.75), and presence of family conflict (AOR = 3.64, 95% CI = 1.49–8.89) were the predictors among adolescents for risk taking behaviour in rural areas. Conclusion: The absence of a balanced healthy family and conducive environment would lead to a negative influence towards adolescent behaviour, which may affect both the individual and community.

في الوقت الذي تعددت فروع العلم والتخصصات وتباينت اهدافها واصبح اثرها في حل مشكلات المجتمع في مختلف المجالات احد اهم تلك الاهداف، فان علم المناخ التطبيقي احد تلك العلوم الذي قام بدراسة العناصر والظواهر المناخية وتحليلها وبيان اثرها في نواحي الحياة المختلفة ولا سيما الاقتصادية منها وكيفية الاستفادة منها في تطوير تلك الجوانب، ولم يقف أثر علم المناخ التطبيقي على هذا فحسب، بل اتخذ وظيفة ابعد من ذلك وهي كيفية استغلال العناصر المناخية في خدمة المجتمع وتحقيق التنمية، وكان استثمار الاشعاع الشمسي والرياح في مجال توليد الطاقة احد هذه المجالات، وساعد التطور التقني وما تحقق من تقدم في مجال المعلومات والتحليل المكاني على فتح افاقاً واسعة في مجال الدراسات التطبيقية. يُعد البحث جانباً تطبيقياً مهماً من جوانب الدراسات والتحليل المكاني إذ يهدف الى كيفية اختيار افضل موقع في العراق يمكن ان يستثمر لإنشاء محطة لتوليد الطاقة الكهربائية من طاقة الرياح باعتماد تقانات نظم المعلومات الجغرافية. إنّ التخطيط لإقامة مزرعة لإنتاج الطاقة الكهربائية باعتماد طاقة الرياح لا يتوقف على سرعة الرياح فحسب وان كانت العامل الرئيس في الاختيار الا ان هناك شروطاً اخرى يجب ان تتميز بها المنطقة المختارة منها استواء المنطقة وقلة انحدارها وبعدها عن المسطحات المائية ومجاري الانهار، وقربها من شبكة طرق النقل العامة لسهولة نقل المعدات، وشبكة نقل الطاقة الكهربائية لتسهيل عملية الربط، وبناء على هذه المواصفات وبالاعتماد على برنامج(Arc GIS) في تمثيل تلك الضوابط على خرائط واجراء عملية التصنيف ومن ثم اجراء التطابق لتظهر المنطقة الاكثر ملائمة إذ تحتل اجزاء من محافظات(واسط، السماوة، ذي قار، ميسان، البصرة). وبمساحة قدرها(921كم2).

Low bearing capacity of weak soil under shallow footings represents one of construction problems. Kaolin with water content converges to liquid limit used to represent the weak soil under shallow footing prototype. On the other hand, fly ash, which can be defined as undesirable industrial waste material, was used to improve the bearing capacity of the soft soil considered in this research. The soft soil was prepared in steel box (36×36×25) cm and shallow square footing prototype (6×6) cm were used .Group of physical and chemical tests were conducted on kaolin and fly ash. The soft soil was improved by a bed of compacted fly ash placed under the footing with dimensions equal to that of footing but with different depth ratios. The results show that there is a noticeable improvement in the behavior of footing when improved by compacted fly ash. The improvement showed a decrease in settlement and increase in bearing capacity. The improvement ratio in bearing capacity was calculated by comparing the ultimate bearing capacity value when testing the kaolin alone with its value of kaolin improved with compacted fly ash at the same value of eccentricity. It is important to note that eccentricity values were chosen according to the rule of middle third of footing base(i.e.,e≤B/6). The improvement ratio was about (130%) in average value, that represent a good ratio of improvement

The study revealed that the ampullae of ductus deferens(vas deferens), seminal vesicle and bulbourethral glands are paired in number and well developed in ram and buck except the prostate gland have only disseminated part surrounding the pelvic urethra (embedded in pelvic urethral wall) without body of gland. The anatomical parameters of the ampullae in ram are generally with mean length 4.98± 0.28cm,mean width 0.63 ± 0.04cm ,mean weight 2.24 ± 0.007gms and mean volume 1.4 ±0.03cm3.The seminal vesicle have mean length 3.68± 0.05cm, mean width 2.50±0.06cm ,mean weight 4.42± 0.15gms , mean volume 3.35±0.05cm3 .The bulbourethral gland have mean length 1.59± 0.36cm ,mean width 1.493±0.02cm ,mean weight 3.46±0.01gms ,mean volume 2.35±0.04cm3. The anatomical parameters of the ampullae in buck have mean length 4.87±0.29cm ,mean width 0.62±0.007cm, mean weight 2.18±0.007gms , mean volume 1.15±0.02cm3. the seminal vesicle gland parameters have mean length 3.61±0.01cm ,mean width 2.44±0.01cm, mean weight 4.18±0.15gms mean volume 3.05±0.04cm3.The bulbourethral gland parameters have mean length 1.58±0.005cm, mean width 1.46±0.006cm , mean weight 3.23±0.11gms and mean volume 2.05±0.03cm3.Generally the study did not observe any anatomical differences between the male accessory genital glands of ram and buck.

Low bearing capacity of weak soil under shallow footings represents one of construction problems. Kaolin with water content converges to liquid limit used to represent the weak soil under shallow footing prototype. On the other hand, cement dust, which can be defined as undesirable industrial waste material come from cement industry, was used to improve the bearing capacity of the soft soil considered in this research. The soft soil was prepared in steel box (36×36×25) cm and shallow square footing prototype (6×6) cm were used .Group of physical and chemical tests were conducted on kaolin and cement dust. The improvement were performed by making trench under the footing filled with compacted cement dust (at its optimum moisture content) at three depths (D=B, D=2B, D=3B), the trench had the same footing Dimensions, note that (B) represent the footing width. Pressure-settlement curves were used to predict the ultimate bearing capacity. The improvement ratio in bearing capacity was calculated by comparing the ultimate bearing capacity value when testing the kaolin alone with its value of kaolin improved with compacted cement dust at the same value of eccentricity. It is important to note that eccentricity values were chosen according to the rule of middle third of footing base(i.e.,e≤B/6). The improvement ratio was about (197%) in average value, that represent a good ratio of improvement.

This study assessed the hazard indicators of common chemical and organic fertilizers widely available in the markets of Najaf Governorate, Iraq. The concentrations of natural radionuclides were measured in thirteen types of fertilizers by Gamma spectrum using NaI(Tl) (3*3) detector. The average radioactivity of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K was (48.91, 37.04, and 702.4675) Bq.kg-1, respectively, for (Di-Aluminum Phosphate) the chemical fertilizers of the type (DAP) and the (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) chemical fertilizers of the type (NPK) the average radioactivity of the nuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were (35.78, 42.356 and 1519.653) Bq.kg-1, respectively, while the average radioactivity of the organic fertilizers (Orga.) were 55.153, 23.148 and 1451.258 for the three studied nuclei. As for the average values for radium equivalent were 155.967, 213.363, and 200.0023 (Bq.kg-1) for (DAP), (NPK) and organic fertilizers, respectively. The values of the external severity index (Hex), gamma radiation hazard index (Iγ), and representative alpha index (Iα) were within the permissible limits determined by the UNCEAR 2000. The highest value of total annual effective dose equivalent(TAED) was 1.468 mSv.y-1, the lowest value was 0.302 mSv.y-1, and the mean values were 0.722 mSv.y-1. In contrast, the highest value for annual gonadal dose equivalent(AGED) was 1392.527 μSv.y-1, the lowest value was 275.361 μSv.y-1, and the average values for all models were 672.135 μSv.y-1. The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR), the highest value was 4.039 × 10-3, the lowest value was 0.833× 10-3, and the average value was 1.988× 10-3 for all fertilizers. The Pearson correlation between radioactive variables and cluster analysis was recognized for the three types of fertilizer samples despite it not being widely accepted. The study can be considered preliminary data for subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, often linked to chronic inflammation. Our study aimed to probe inflammation pathways at the genetic level and pinpoint biomarkers linked to HCC patient survival. Methods We analyzed gene transcriptome data from 246 resectable stage I and II HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). After selecting 917 inflammation-related genes (IRGs), we identified 104 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through differential expression analysis. Two significant prognostic DEGs, S100A9 and PBK, were identified using LASSO and Cox regression, forming the basis of a risk score model. We conducted functional enrichment and immune landscape analyses, validated our findings on 170 patients from the GSE14520 dataset, and performed mutational analysis using TCGA somatic mutation data. Results We analyzed 296 samples (246 HCC, 50 normal liver), showing significant survival differences between high and low-risk groups based on our risk score model. Functional enrichment analysis unveiled inflammation-associated pathways. Validation using the GSE14520 dataset confirmed our risk score’s predictive ability, and we explored clinical correlations. Conclusion Our study delineates inflammation-related genomic changes in HCC, unveiling prognostic biomarkers with potential therapeutic implications. These findings deepen our understanding of HCC molecular mechanisms and may guide personalized therapeutic approaches, ultimately improving patient outcomes.