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This study attempts to generate new insights into the wide spread online and offline conspiratorial discourse on COVID-19. Twofold analytical lens consisted of narrative interrelations framework and content analysis showed how the linguistic resources and conversational such as popular socio-religious discourses, hypothetical narratives, personal narratives, personal mental archives, and interpolated arguments are integrated in the interpretation of intertextual Bases such as Bill Gates’ TED talk 2015 (26%); Nematullah Wali’s predictions (32%); ‘End of Days’ book by Sylvia Browne (14.9%); and ‘The Eyes of Darkness’ novel by Dean Koontz (22%) by which the conspiracists in Pakistan construct an internally persuasive discourse promoting conspiracy theories on COVID-19. Several linguistic resources such as mood, modality, topicalization, insinuation, and intertextuality emerged as the main tools of making the conspiracy theories internally persuasive.

The β-galactosidase was extracted and purified from 100 g of C. arvensis seeds using a variety of protein purification procedures such as ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel filtration, and finally chromatography on a cationic ion exchanger. The effects of metal ions, kinetics parameters, and glycoprotein nature were determined, as well as the optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme. With a high specific activity (72 units/mg), β-galactosidase was isolated to a 24-fold apparent electrophoretic homogeneity. The molecular mass of β-galactosidase was determined as monomeric, which was further confirmed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF/MS analysis, with a 45 kDa molecular weight. The enzyme has a K

In today’s competitive market environment all the companies are trying to maximise their growth and profits. Each and every company has its own marketing strategies. Marketing strategies are different for different markets. Rural Marketing Strategies are totally different from Urban Marketing Strategies. In order to survive in the market one has to tap both urban market as well as rural market. In this paper researcher discussed about various opportunities, threats, different market strategies in rural markets in India. Researcher also throw the light on recent trends in Rural Marketing.

Introduction: Incivility is commonly observed in number of schools including nursing institutions around the world. It affects both, students and faculty members by interrupting class discipline and the learning environment. Thus, understanding the factors leading to incivility in nursing college will assist in identifying strategies to deal with the problem. Objective: To explore the perceptions of nursing students and faculty members about incivility and its factor in nursing education. Methodology: A qualitative descriptive design was used and participants, from a private college of nursing Islamabad, Pakistan, were recruited through purposive sampling. One on one in-depth interview was conducted with five faculty members and 12 students using an open-ended interview guide. Using content analysis, codes were identified and similar codes formed the categories and theme evolved from the categories. Results: Data analysis generated a description of incivility, uncivil behaviors, factors causing incivility, and strategies to overcome incivility as categories. The most leading factors of incivility were the lack of teaching-learning strategies and the socio-cultural and family background of students. The strategies that suggested overcoming incivility were orientation sessions, professional development activities, and developing policies to reduce incivility in the institution. Conclusion: For improving civility in nursing college, insight about incivility among students and faculty members is to be developed and policies to be in place to address unacceptable behaviors in a timely and effective manner.

Purpose: Different studies suggest the defending role of bilirubin and “heme-oxygenase-1(HO-1)” in inflammatory illnesses, but there are limited studies that evaluate these two in recovered patients. Methods: Therefore, the current study evaluates the bilirubin and HO-1 in patients who suffered from glomerulonephritis and recovered (6 months ago) from the glomerulonephritis and control group. Findings &Practical Implication: After obtaining the informed consent, sample of the urine and blood were collected from the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) in district Peshawar, Pakistan. After analysis, it was established that HO-1 and bilirubin levels were found to be greater in participants with kidney infections (HO-1:3.220 and bilirubin: 5.536) compared to the control group (HO-1:1.402 and bilirubin: 2.637). Surprisingly, the levels of HO-1 and bilirubin were in upper limits in the recovered individuals (HO-1:2.333 and bilirubin 4.295) compared to the control group but lower in the glomerulonephritis patients. Further, it was found from the regression analysis that there was no association among the level of HO-1 and bilirubin of the subjects in all study groups. Conclusion: From the current study, it was concluded that there was no effect of HO-1 on the level of bilirubin in blood plasma. Moreover, it was still unknown why HO-1 and bilirubin levels were in upper limits in the recovered patients. Future research should focus on the levels of HO-1 and bilirubin in recovered patients to see whether they indicate any underlying medical issues. Keywords: Heme-oxygenase-1; Bilirubin; Glomerulonephritis; Recovered patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bread incorporated with whole-grain red sorghum and barley flours on biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in humans. In a randomized cross-over study, 20 healthy subjects consumed either control bread made of all-purpose wheat flour only or bread containing 40% whole-grain red sorghum and barley flours (20% each), with a washout period of 1-2 week. The test breads were fed at breakfast after 12 h fast. Blood samples were collected at baseline (fasting) and 2 h after intake of breads. Plasma total polyphenols, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein were assessed. Compared to fasting values, the 2 h postprandial levels of plasma total polyphenols (

The COVID-19 pandemic radically affected the whole education system including nursing education. Nursing is a practice-based profession; therefore, it is necessary to transform acquired knowledge into practice. However, in the current situation of the pandemic, the nursing students were unable to learn and practise nursing skills in the skills lab on manikins or simulation. This paper aims to give an overview and practical application of alternative solutions to overcome this situation. Alternatives like virtual skills teaching along with sign-off were sought by using problem-solving approaches to facilitate students' learning and help them to acquire necessary skills timely. Key Words: Virtual skills teaching, Nursing students, Problem-solving approach, COVID-19.

To investigate the effect of dietary counselling on the nutritional status of end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis.This study was conducted at the Institute of Kidney Diseases, Peshawar, Pakistan, from November to December 2015, and comprised patients of either gender with protein energy wasting. The nutritional status assessment was based on four categories, including biochemical indicators (haemoglobin, serum albumin and cholesterol), measure of body mass index, reduced body fatness, decreased muscle mass and low protein or energy intake. Energy and nutrients intake of patients before and after counselling were estimated by 24-hour dietary recall method. SPSS 20 was used for data analysis.Of the 100 patients, 74(74%) were males and 26(26%) were females. The overall mean age was 41.45±17.44 years. Dietary counselling was significantly effective in increasing the intake of energy (p=0.010), protein (p=0.003) and fats (p=0.002). There was significant improvement in mid-upper arm circumference (p0.0001) and tricep fat fold (p0.0001) after counselling. Statistically significant effect was seen in improving serum cholesterol levels (p=0.039).Dietary counselling was found to be effective in improving the nutritional status and dietary intake of end-stage renal disease patients.

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis is highly contagious disease commonly transmitted through air droplets and is a global public health concern. Almost one third of world population is infected tuberculosis and in last 2-3 decades the resurgence of drug resistance have posed serious threat over the globe. This study was aimed to evaluate RIF resistance in category II TB patients. Methods: A total of 100 sputum samples were collected from category ii (relapse, loss of follow up, failure, interrupted) TB patients visiting Fatima Jinnah Chest Hospital Brewery Road Quetta. All the samples were examined through GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay and other relevant information were collected from patients using predesigned questionnaire. Results: About 23 patients were found RIF resistant with 7/23 (30 %) male and 16/23 (70%) female. While, 5 (21.7 %) patients from 15-34 year age group converted to smear negative in first month of treatment. Likewise, in second month 3/23(13%) patients in 15-54 years, followed by 5/23 (21.7%) in third month in 15-64 years and in fourth month 3/23 (13%) patients were seroconverted in 15-24 years age group. Similarly, in fifth month 4/23 (17.4%) patients were converted in the age 35-65 Years followed by seventh month 1/23 (4.3%) in, 15-24 years age group. while 2 (8.7%) in the age 25-34 were died. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of RIF resistance in category II TB patients and sero-conversion was found in 15- 34 years age group. Keywords: Tuberculosis, geneXpert MTB/RIF, rpoB gene, Sputum smear conversion

Streptococcus thermophilus is one of the commercially important dairy bacterium and considered as second most important starter culture in the manufacturing of dairy products (Yoghurt and cheese). To enhance the variety of these starter culture are not only essential to bring new strains with unique and desired characteristics, but also for the maintenance of these yoghurt starters which reduces with the overuse. In this review, different genes are used for the detection of S. thermophilus by molecular methods and as well strains producing exopolysaccharide are discussed. Molecular analysis including pulsed field gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction are addressed. Since the dairy industry is keep in searching of new dairy starters for increasing the diversity of its product range, nowadays their keen attention is to explore new starter strains with high potentiality to give fermentation products

Medicinal plants believed to have some medicinal properties and are extensively being used in herbalism. In tribal and rural areas for healthcare purposes they are the easily available source. A distinct branch of natural science which deals with numerous aspects such as archaeology, medicine and economics, cultural, religious, ecology, anthropology, botany and a number of other disciplines is called Ethnobotany. Worldwide greater importance in the above given studies of traditional remedies and herbal drugs is indicated and increase in the scientific investigation has been seen in this area. About 80% of world’s population rely upon these medicinal plants products, because they are thought to be as economical, effective and safe. Herbal plant Juniperus excelsa is extensively used as condiments, spice, herb and also use for the treatment of variety of diseases in traditional system. To review the ethnobotanical properties of Juniperus excelsa plant the present study was aimed. Different tribal communities widely uses various parts of this plant. The leaves of plant are used to lowering blood pressure, wound healing, intestinal worms, liver disease, bronchitis, treatment of hyperglycemia, ulcers, pneumonia and tuberculosis in traditional medicine. Researchers made numerous efforts through scientific biological screening to verify the efficacy of the plant. Some important pharmacological activities of the plant revealed after scrutiny of literature such as cytotoxic activity, antioxidant property, antifungal, antibacterial, anticholinesterase, antitumor, antileishmanial and antifouling potential and many more medicinal values.

Death and dying are the bitter truth that is faced by every person inevitably. Paying respect to the decision of a patient in a hospital setting is always a challenging task. In eastern countries, family plays an important role in decision making. But it always overrides the preferences and wishes of the patient and this leads to violation of ethical principles such as autonomy, informed consent and veracity. Looking a situation from different paradigms and deciding the best solution on the ground of ethical principles should be the utmost priority of the healthcare provider.