Search

ABSTRACT: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) a mycotoxin found in chicken feed that possess a global hazard to poultry health. However different potent compounds like bovine lactoferrin (bLF) may prove to be protective effects against AFB1. This study aims to explore the protective effect of bLF against AFB1-induced injury in the liver and kidney in broiler. For this purpose, 600 broilers chicks were randomly alienated into 5 groups (n = 120 each): negative control; positive control (3 mg/kg AFB1), and bLF high, medium, and low dosage groups (600 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg, respectively). The results highlight that AFB1 toxicity in birds exhibited low feed intake, reduction in weight gain, and a decrease in FCR while, bLF regulated these adverse effects. Meanwhile, AFB1 group showed higher levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSHpx) in liver, while urea and creatinine were decline in kidney. Supplementation with bLF effectively controlled these biomarkers and control the negative effects of toxicity. Furthermore, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining exhibited normal morphological structures within liver and kidney in the bLF treated groups, while degenerative changes were observed in AFB1 group. Similarly, bLF, decreased oxidative stress and thus prevented apoptosis in the liver and kidney cells of the birds. Whereas, mRNA level of mitochondrial apoptosis related gene including Bcl-2 (Bak and Bax), caspase-3 and caspase-9 was upregulated, while bcl2 gene were downregulated in AFB1 group. Dietary supplementation of bLF effectively normalizes the expression of these genes. AFB1 exposed birds shown to decrease gene expression level of the crucial component of Nrf2 pathway, responsible to regulate antioxidant defense. Interestingly, bLF reverse these detrimental effects of and restore the normal expression levels of Nrf2 pathway. Conclusively, our findings demonstrate that bLF mitigates the detrimental effects of AFB1, besides regulation of the apoptosis-related genes via mitochondrial pathways. These findings validate that the bLF (600 mg/kg) could be used as protective agent against AFB1-induced liver and kidney damage.

Celia’s encephalopathy or Progressive encephalopathy with or without lipodystrophy (PELD) is a rare childhood neurodegenerative syndrome, that is autosomal recessive mendelian trait, It is Seipin protein associated encephalopathy and results in regression of developmental mile stones. We report a case with global developmental delay and hypertonia, hyperreflexia, recurrent infections and dyskinesia. The diagnosis was done by exome sequencing revealing mutation in the BSCL2 gene on chromosome 11q13. The cases was very rare and found to mimic other diseases that is why patient was investigated and reported. The study was done to identify report and manage such cases appropriately. The patient was investigated in OPD in 2021. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was done for diagnosis after taking appropriate blood sample. A protein change p.(trp323leufs*15) was identified due to homozygous frameshift elongation likely pathogenic on chromosome 11 in BSCL gene.p. (trp323leufs*15) creates a shift in reading frame starting at codon 323. The new frame ends in stop codon after 15 proteins downstream. This new variant is absent in genomAD and local database. This variant has also not been reported yet in clinVar. This variant is classified as likely pathogenic class 2 based on ACMG recommendations. Any patient was favoring symptoms and features should be investigated with whole genome sequencing to confirm the diagnosis.

Abstract Trauma scientists have raised the alarm about the devastating consequences of the Ukraine war on mental health. We examined how higher education students—as indirect victims—coped with this conflict and how they emotionally reacted during 2022. We involved 2314 students from 16 countries through an online survey. A structural equation model indicated significant relations between war-related worry about military and macroeconomics domains and two coping strategies (opposition, support giving), in turn significantly linked with six emotions. The model was strongly invariant across gender, study field, and geographic area. The most frequent emotions were anger and anxiety, followed by two future-centred emotions (hopelessness and hope). Emotions were more frequent for females and students of the countries geographically close to the war region. Our findings call for evidence-based policy recommendations to be implemented by institutions to combat the negative short and long-term psychological sequelae of being witnesses of armed conflicts.

Purpose: The major purpose of the present study was to identify the gaps between acquired and required graduate attributes of pass out graduates of teacher education programs in Pakistan and investigate the influence of program accreditation on these gaps. Research Method: A quantitative research method was used to achieve the research objectives. 160 graduates of the accredited and nonaccredited master level teacher education programs associated with 24 different universities in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory participated in the study. A questionnaire based on national professional standards for teachers (NPSTs) in Pakistan was developed to collect the data. Findings: The study demonstrates that the participants' acquired attributes do not match the required attributes of their job. The gaps between acquired and required graduates' attributes are comparatively smaller among the graduates of accredited programs. The study supports the positive effects of accreditation on the output of teacher education programs. Implications for Research and Practice: The findings of this study strengthen the idea that a well framed accreditation mechanism positively influences the products of professional programs. Further research may be conducted on making teacher education accreditation programs more effective in Pakistan with respect to the graduate attributes.

Abstract In this research work, Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites have been synthesized via an eco-friendly green synthesis technique, solgel route and co-precipitation method respectively for the assessment of antibacterial activity as well as in vivo toxicity. The XRD patterns confirm the formation of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites showing monoclinic structures. Crystallite size and lattice strain are calculated by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and Willimson Hall plot methods. Average crystallite size measured for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites by Scherrer equation, Scherrer plot and WH-plot methods are (5.1, 13.9, 11.5)nm, (5.4, 14.2, 11.3)nm and (5.2, 13.5, 12.0)nm respectively. Optical properties such as absorption peaks and band-gap energies are studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The FTIR peaks at 513 cm−1, 553 cm−1 and 855 cm−1 confirms the successful synthesis of Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites. The antibacterial activity of synthesized Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites is examined against two gram-negative (Escherichia coli and pseudomonas) as well as gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) at dose 25 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg by disk diffusion technique. Zone of inhibition for Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against E. coli (gram − ve) are 12 mm, 17 mm and 18 mm respectively and against Pseudomonas (gram − ve) are 28 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm respectively. While the zone of inhibition for Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO at dose 40 mg/kg against B. cereus (gram + ve) are 8 mm and 8.5 mm respectively and against S. aureus (gram + ve) are 5 mm and 10.5 mm respectively. These amazing results reveal that Bi2O3, Bi2O3/GO and Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite as a kind of antibacterial content, have enormous potential for biomedical applications. In addition, the in vivo toxicity of synthesized Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposite is investigated on Swiss Albino mice at dose of 20 mg/kg by evaluating immune response, hematology and biochemistry at the time period of 2, 7, 14 and 30 days. No severe damage is observed in mice during whole treatment. The p value calculated by statistical analysis of hematological and biochemistry tests is nonsignificant which ensures that synthesized nanocomposites are safe and non-toxic as they do not affect mice significantly. This study proves that Bi2O3/CuO/GO nanocomposites are biocompatible and can be explored further for different biomedical applications.

Objective: To assess the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine among medical and non-medical undergraduate students and compare the COVID-19 vaccine receptivity differences between medical and non-medical undergraduate students. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Bahria University Medical & Dental College, and Bahria University Karachi Campus Pakistan, from Mar to Jun 2021. Methodology: In this study, a total of 392 participants, were selected by non-probability convenience sampling. Students aged 19-26 years were enrolled. Participants were required to sign a voluntary consent form prior to participation. The questionnaire included 21 questions inclusive of demographic characteristics, insight regarding COVID-19 disease, prior EPI vaccine exposure, attitude towards COVID-19 vaccine, including the importance of vaccine to end the pandemic, acceptance of vaccine along with reasons and non-acceptance and sent by email as a Google form to participants. Results: There were 171(43.6%) males and females 218(55.6%). The mean age of participants was 20.7±2.29 years. 217(55.4%) students were from the MBBS programs, and 175(44.6%) were from non-MBBS programs. COVID-19 vaccine acceptability was better amongst medical students, with 182(83.9%) considering it safe for use in contrast to 5(2.8%) non-medical students who considered it safe. Conclusion: The comparison of knowledge and attitudes towards accepting the COVID-19 vaccine between medical students and non-medical students revealed better acceptance amongst undergraduate medical students than non-medical undergraduate students.

Students' performance in online learning environments is associated with their readiness to adopt a digital learning approach. Traditional concept of readiness for online learning is connected with students' competencies of using technology for learning purposes. We in this research, however, investigated psychometric aspects of students' preparedness for online learning. Purpose of the activity was to examine students' emotional intelligence as a determinant of their readiness for online learning. 432 learners enrolled in distance learning programs participated in the study. Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS) and online learning readiness scale (OLRS) were adapted to collect the required data. Regression coefficient portrays a large predictive contribution of students' emotional intelligence in explaining variance in their readiness for e-learning.

The market for nanoparticles has grown significantly over the past few decades due to a number of unique qualities, including antibacterial capabilities. It is still unclear how nanoparticle toxicity works. In order to ascertain the toxicity of synthetic cobalt iron oxide (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles (CIONPs) in rabbits, this study was carried out. Sixteen rabbits in total were purchased from the neighborhood market and divided into two groups (A and B), each of which contained eight rabbits. The CIONPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Crystallinity and phase identification were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average size of the nanoparticles (13.2 nm) was calculated by Scherrer formula (Dhkl = 0.9 λ/β cos θ) and confirmed by TEM images. The saturation magnetization, 50.1 emug−1, was measured by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). CIONPs were investigated as contrast agents (CA) for magnetic resonance images (MRI). The relaxivity (r = 1/T) of the MRI was also investigated at a field strength of 0.35 T (Tesla), and the ratio r2/r1 for the CIONPs contrast agent was 6.63. The CIONPs were administrated intravenously into the rabbits through the ear vein. Blood was collected at days 5 and 10 post-exposure for hematological and serum biochemistry analyses. The intensities of the signal experienced by CA with CIONPs were 1427 for the liver and 1702 for the spleen. The treated group showed significantly lower hematological parameters, but significantly higher total white blood cell counts and neutrophils. The results of the serum biochemistry analyses showed significantly higher and lower quantities of different serum biochemical parameters in the treated rabbits at day 10 of the trial. At the microscopic level, different histological ailments were observed in the visceral organs of treated rabbits, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and brain. In conclusion, the results revealed that cobalt iron oxide (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles induced toxicity via alterations in multiple tissues of rabbits.

Texture analysis is an outstanding and fundamental task being used in many medical and computer vision applications. Malfunctioning of the human liver upsets almost all the other organs in the human body. Usually liver infections are difficult to analyze because of inconclusive side effects. More often, the liver could be confronting critically but it may not be significantly unveiled. The main objective of this research work is to provide some standard liver diagnostic measures to minimize the risk factors, as better diagnosis is essential requirement in radiology. The Computerized Tomography (CT) contributes important information to the clinical evaluation of diffuse liver diseases. Haralick texture parameters have been computed on the selected Regions of Interest. B11 is used for discrimination and interpretation of normal and cirrhotic liver diseases. Normal and diseased Liver CT images were collected from Bahawal Victoria Hospital. Normal and cirrhotic liver samples of clinically verified patients were obtained and total 900 Regions of Interest (ROIs) were taken from the selected data. Training of the classes was next step after texture parameter computation. In this work, supervised classification method was used to classify the selected images. In this way, the classes were trained in a supervised manner. The maximum accuracy obtained during this research work was 100%, linear dimensionality was 1 and the linear separability was 0.99%. Results of this research work suggested that texture parameters have high degree of reliability to automatically discriminate similar tissue textures, when regions are obvious. This framework separates benign from malignant liver tumors with moderately high precision and is therefore link up the psychophysics with machine vision to outline, recognize, categorize or discriminate textures.