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Yikeranmu Yiming,1 Sumaira Kayani,2 Abdulelah Ahmed Alghamdi,3 Jinhua Liu4 1Physical Education School, Shaanxi Normal University, Sports Learning Science Laboratory, Xi’an, Shaanxi, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Applied Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 3Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 24382-4752, Saudi Arabia; 4School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Sumaira Kayani; Jinhua Liu, Email sumaira@zjnu.edu.cn; liujinhua@kmmu.edu.cnIntroduction: Education and vocation are crucial to one’s identity. The current study aimed to see the association between educational identity and career identity development among Chinese PE students. The mediating effect of self-efficacy on educational identity and career identity was explored. Further, the study intended to see the moderating role of gender for the mediating effect of self-efficacy between educational identity and career identity development.Methods: A total of 369 (age range= 16– 22) Chinese PE students were recruited as participants in the study. There were 180 (48.8%) males and 189 (51.2%) females in the sample. Hayes process model 58 was applied to develop a moderated mediation model.Results: The results reported that there was a significant positive association between educational identity with self-efficacy and career identity. However, self-efficacy was not related to career identity. Further, self-efficacy did not play a mediating role between educational identity and career identity development. On the other hand, gender significantly moderated the mediating effect of self-efficacy between educational identity and career identity development.Discussion: The study suggests that individuals who have a strong sense of educational identity are more likely to possess higher levels of self-efficacy and a clearer understanding of their career goals. However, it is notable that self-efficacy did not directly impact career identity, suggesting the presence of other factors influencing this aspect of identity formation. Interestingly, moderating role of gender suggests that the influence of self-efficacy on career identity development may vary depending on one’s gender, highlighting the importance of considering gender-specific factors in career-related interventions and counseling programs. The practical and theoretical implications of the study are discussed.Implications: The practical implications of this study suggest the importance of educational identity, the need for comprehensive career counseling interventions, and the consideration of gender-specific factors. The theoretical implications contribute to identity development theory, mediation and moderation frameworks, and cross-cultural research on career identity.Keywords: educational identity, self-efficacy, career identity development, adolescents, physical education students

Rich accessibility of medicinal plants in the study area provides low cost health care for various ailments to local communities. This research report survey was commenced with an aim to document ethnic knowledge regarding the use of folk herbal medicine for various diseases among the local communities of Kaghan Valley. Rapid Appraisal Approach (RAA), semi-structured interviews, personal observations, group discussion with local people and meetings with herbalist were accompanied to acquire ethnomedicinal information. The current study recorded 62 poisonous plants belonging to 60 genera and 36 families. Which was reported by 243 informants (87 females, 137 males and 19 herbal specialists) from research area. The major uses of poisonous plants recorded from area were fish poison, antilice, anthelmintic, abortifacient, antiseptic, purgative and larvicides. Family Solanaceae was the most frequently used family with 6 reported medicinal plants followed by Euphorbiaceae, Papilionaceae and Ranunculaceae (4 each). The major source of herbal medicines was wild herbs (67.74%) followed by wild shrubs (22.58%) and trees (9.67). In plant part used, the whole plant (40.32%) and leaves (25%) were most dominant followed by root (16.12%) and seeds (10 %). These results suggest further phytochemical studies to explore new biological compounds for future drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the relative adverse symptomatic effects and benefits of therapy with oral corticosteroids at doses of 2 mg/kg vs 1 mg/kg daily in children with acute exacerbations of asthma.Methods: Using a questionnaire that addressed symptoms, we conducted a prospective study of the adverse effects and benefits of therapy with prednisone or prednisolone at two dose levels in 86 children who were 2 to 16 years of age with mild persistent asthma during an acute exacerbation and were unresponsive to therapy with inhaled steroids and beta-adrenergic agents. Parents and physicians were blinded to the dose level. Children were assigned to either of the two doses by random allocation. Behavioral side effects were assessed via a questionnaire administered by a physician. Benefits were measured by the resolution of asthma symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, and wheeze) at the completion of the treatment with oral steroids.Results: Behavioral side effects, particularly anxiety (p < 0.02) and aggressive behavior (p < 0.002), were twice as common in patients receiving a dose of 2 mg/kg/d. Benefits were comparable in the two groups. The number needed to harm (ie, the number of patients receiving experimental treatment that would lead to one additional person being harmed vs patients receiving standard treatment) was 6.1 for anxiety, 8.6 for hyperactivity, and 4.8 for aggressive behavior.Conclusions: Because the adverse side effects were greater at the higher dose but the benefits were comparable, we recommend using an oral corticosteroid dose of 1 mg/kg daily for children with mild persistent asthma who present with an acute exacerbation of asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to metal toxicity, widespread industrialization has negatively impacted crop yield and soil quality. The current study was aimed to prepare and characterize biochar made from wood shavings of Pinus roxburghii and to determine the plant growth promoting and heavy metal detoxification of cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) contaminated soil. FTIR SEM coupled with EDX characterization of biochar was performed; Cd and Cr were used at a rate of 20 mg/kg. Biochar was used at the rate of 50 mg/kg for various treatments. The completely randomized design (CRD) was used for the experiment and three replicates of each treatment were made. Various agronomic and enzymatic parameters were determined. The results indicated that all growth and enzymatic parameters were enhanced by the prepared biochar treatments. The most prominent results were observed in treatment T5 (in which shoot length, root length, peroxidase dismutase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalyzes (CAT), and chlorophyll a and b increased by 28%, 23%, 40%, 41%, 42%, and 27%, respectively, compared to the control). This study demonstrated that biochar is a sustainable and cost-effective approach for the remediation of heavy metals, and plays a role in plant growth promotion. Farmers may benefit from the current findings, as prepared biochar is easier to deliver and more affordable than chemical fertilizers. Future research could clarify how to use biochar optimally, applying the minimum amount necessary while maximizing its benefits and increasing yield., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 7 or CLN7 disease spectrum to characterize the clinical, electrophysiologic and neuroimaging phenotypes., Methods: We performed a single-center cross sectional data collection along with retrospective medical chart review in patients with a genetic diagnosis of CLN7. This study received ethical approval by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Institutional Review Board. A total of 8 patients were included between the ages of 4 to 6 years. All patients had a genetic diagnosis of CLN7 with homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the MFSD8 gene. The information collected includes patient demographics, developmental history, neurological events including seizures and neurodevelopmental regression along with further evaluation of brain magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiological findings. The clinical phenotype is described through cross sectional and retrospective data collection and standardized tools assessing quality of life and functional skills., Conclusions: Our findings in this cohort of CLN7 patients indicated that development is initially normal with onset of clinical symptoms as early as two years of age. Language problems were noted prior to or at the onset of seizures in all cases. Gait problems were noted prior to seizure onset in 3 of 8 patients, and at or within 6 months after the onset of seizures in 5 of 8 patients. All patients followed a progressive course of language, motor, and neurocognitive deterioration. Congruent with the medical history, our patients had significantly low scores on adaptive abilities. Natural history data such as this can be used to support future clinical trial designs., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Mitochondrial diseases have a heterogeneous phenotype and can result from mutations in the mitochondrial or nuclear genomes, constituting a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging group of disorders. We report our center's experience with mitochondrial encephalopathies and myopathies with a cohort of 50 genetically and phenotypically diverse patients followed in the Neurology clinic over the last ten years. Seventeen patients had mitochondrial DNA mutations, presented over a wide range of ages with seizures, feeding difficulties, extraocular movements abnormalities, and had high rates of stroke-like episodes and regression. Twenty-seven patients had nuclear DNA mutations, presented early in life with feeding difficulty, failure-to-thrive, and seizures, and had high proportions of developmental delay, wheelchair dependence, spine abnormalities and dystonia. In six patients, a mutation could not be identified, but they were included for having mitochondrial disease confirmed by histopathology, enzyme analysis and clinical features. These patients had similar characteristics to patients with nuclear DNA mutations, suggesting missed underlying mutations in the nuclear genome. Management was variable among patients, but outcomes were universally poor with severe disability in all cases. Therapeutic entryways through elucidation of disease pathways and remaining unknown genes are acutely needed., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Paediatric Neurology Society.)

We investigated the relationship between self-efficacy and career development via subjective well-being of students majoring in physical education. Life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect were the componennts of subjective well-being. Participants were the 1381 adolescents with major in physical education with an age range of 18-22 years (Mage = 19.5 ± 1; females = 34.76%). Hayes PROCESS model was used to develop a multiple mediation model. The results suggest that higher self-efficacy leads to better career development. Further, a significant mediating role was played by negative and positive affect in case of the relationship between self-efficacy and career exploration, but life-satisfaction is not significant mediator. Conversely, life satisfaction and positive affect are significant mediators between self-efficacy and career adaptability but negative affect is not. The findings suggest that self-efficacy and subjective well-being benefit career development of adolescents in the physical education field., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) are nutrients that are crucial for plant growth; however, when they are present at higher concentrations, they can cause toxicity in plants. The present study aimed to isolate plant growth promoting endophytic bacteria from Viburnum grandiflorum and assess its plant and defense promoting potential alone and in combination with RP in zinc (Zn) and nickel (Ni) toxic soil. The isolated endophytic bacteria were identified using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. For the experiment, twelve different treatments were applied using Zn, Ni, isolated endophytic Bacillus mycoides (Accession # MW979613), and rock phosphate (RP). The Ni, Zn and RP were used at the rate of (100 mg/kg) and (0.2 g/kg) respectively. A pot experiment with three replicates of each treatment was conducted using a complete randomized design (CRD)., Results: The results indicated that Ni (T5 = seed + 100 mg/kg Ni and T9 = seed + 100 mg/kg Zn) and Zn concentrations inhibited plant growth, but the intensity of growth inhibition was higher in Ni-contaminated soil. Bacillus mycoides and RP at 100 mg/Kg Zn (T12 = inoculated seed + 100 mg/kg Zn + RP0.2 g/kg.) increased the shoot length, leaf width, protein and sugar content by 57%, 13%, 20% and 34%, respectively, compared to the control. The antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases (SOD), peroxidase (POD) were decreased in contaminated soil. Furthermore, Ni and Zn accumulation was inhibited in T11 (seed + 100 mg/kg Zn + RP0.2 g/Kg) and T12 (inoculated seed + 100 mg/kg Zn + RP0.2 g/Kg) by 62 and 63% respectively. The Cu, Ca, and K, contents increased by 128, 219 and 85, Mn, Na, and K by 326, 449, and 84% in (T3 = inoculated seed) and (T4 = inoculated seed + RP 0.2 g/Kg) respectively., Conclusions: Ni was more toxic to plants than Zn, but endophytic bacteria isolated from Viburnum grandiflorum, helped wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants and reduced the toxic effects of Ni and Zn. The effect of Bacillus mycoides was more prominent in combination with RP which promoted and suppressed heavy-metal toxicity. The reported combination of Bacillus mycoides and RP may be useful for improving plant growth and overcoming metal stress., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is considered an immunologically mediated disease. However, some of its features are not consistent with the typical profile of autoimmune conditions. PSC is characterized by progressive biliary fibrosis that may ultimately result in the eventual development of cirrhosis. In recent years, multiple studies have reported that the incidence and prevalence of this disease are on the rise. Consequently, patients are often diagnosed without symptoms or signs of advanced liver disease, although many still present with signs of decompensated liver disease. This article discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic workup in patients with PSC., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Leigh Syndrome (LS) is a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder, that leads to the degeneration of the central nervous system and subsequently, early death. LS can be caused by over 80 mutations in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. Patient registries are important for many reasons, such as studying the natural history of the disease, improving the quality of care, and understanding the healthcare burden. For rare diseases, patient registries are significantly important as patient numbers are small, and funding is limited. Cure Mito Foundation started a global patient registry for LS in September 2021 to identify and learn about the LS patient population, facilitate clinical trial recruitment, and unite international patients and researchers. Priorities were to allow researchers and industry partners to access data at no cost through a clear and transparent process, active patient engagement, and sharing of results back to the community., Results: Patient registry platform, survey design, data analysis process, and patient recruitment strategies are described. Reported results include demographics, diagnostic information, symptom history, loss of milestones, disease management, healthcare utilization, quality of life, and caregiver burden for 116 participants. Results show a high disease burden, but a relatively short time to diagnosis. Despite the challenges faced by families impacted by Leigh syndrome, participants, in general, are described as having a good quality of life and caregivers are overall resilient, while also reporting a significant amount of stress., Conclusion: This registry provides a straightforward, no-cost mechanism for data sharing and contacting patients for clinical trials or research participation, which is important given the recruitment challenges for clinical trials for rare diseases. This is the first publication to present results from a global patient registry for Leigh Syndrome, with details on a variety of patient-specific and caregiver outcomes reported for the first time. Additionally, this registry is the first for any mitochondrial disease with nearly 70% of participants residing outside of the United States. Future efforts include continued publication of results and further collaboration with patients, industry partners, and researchers., (© 2023. Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM).)

Fuel influx and metabolism replenish carbon lost during normal neural activity. Ketogenic diets studied in epilepsy, dementia and other disorders do not sustain such replenishment because their ketone body derivatives contain four carbon atoms and are thus devoid of this anaplerotic or net carbon donor capacity. Yet, in these diseases carbon depletion is often inferred from cerebral fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. Further, ketogenic diets may prove incompletely therapeutic. These deficiencies provide the motivation for complementation with anaplerotic fuel. However, there are few anaplerotic precursors consumable in clinically sufficient quantities besides those that supply glucose. Five-carbon ketones, stemming from metabolism of the food supplement triheptanoin, are anaplerotic. Triheptanoin can favorably affect Glucose transporter type 1 deficiency (G1D), a carbon-deficiency encephalopathy. However, the triheptanoin constituent heptanoate can compete with ketogenic diet-derived octanoate for metabolism in animals. It can also fuel neoglucogenesis, thus preempting ketosis. These uncertainties can be further accentuated by individual variability in ketogenesis. Therefore, human investigation is essential. Consequently, we examined the compatibility of triheptanoin at maximum tolerable dose with the ketogenic diet in 10 G1D individuals using clinical and electroencephalographic analyses, glycemia, and four- and five-carbon ketosis. 4 of 8 of subjects with pre-triheptanoin beta-hydroxybutyrate levels greater than 2 mM demonstrated a significant reduction in ketosis after triheptanoin. Changes in this and the other measures allowed us to deem the two treatments compatible in the same number of individuals, or 50% of persons in significant beta-hydroxybutyrate ketosis. These results inform the development of individualized anaplerotic modifications to the ketogenic diet.ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT03301532, first registration: 04/10/2017., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Abundant research has shown that self-compassion robustly contributes to adults' psychological well-being. Meanwhile, a few studies have shown that self-compassion is rooted in early experiences with parents. However, it is unclear whether interactions with partners and children affect adults' self-compassion, and the role of their self-compassion in interactions with significant others. This study examined bidirectional longitudinal relationships between Chinese parents' marital satisfaction, parenting stress, and self-compassion following a three-wave longitudinal design. A sample of 322 Chinese father-mother dyads (father's M age  = 35.84, SD age  = 5.76; mother's M age  = 34.32, SD age  = 5.46) completed a set of questionnaires at three time points. The results showed that marital satisfaction positively predicted the fathers' and mothers' self-compassion, while parenting stress did not significantly predict the parents' self-compassion; In contrast, parents' self-compassion did not significantly predict marital satisfaction or parenting stress. Additionally, there was a bidirectional relationship between marital satisfaction and parenting stress in fathers and mothers. Finally, mothers' marital satisfaction positively mediated the relationship between parenting stress and self-compassion/next-stage parenting stress. This study revealed that adults' self-compassion can develop from caring and supportive relationships, including marital relationships. Highlighting key mechanisms of marital satisfaction, such as increasing self-compassion and reducing parenting stress, may contribute to the improvement of adults' mental health., (© 2022 Family Process Institute.)

The biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is an important step in developing eco-friendly and environmentally stable tools for ameliorating crop growth. In the current study, AgNPs were synthesized using Funaria hygrometrica and characterized using ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The UV spectrum showed an absorption peak at 450 nm. SEM revealed an irregular and spherical morphology, FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of various functional groups, while XRD displayed peaks at 45.24°, 38.17°, 44.34°, 64.54°, and 57.48° 2θ. The effects of the F. hygrometrica-mediated AgNPs on maize growth and germination were assessed at 0, 100, 300, and 500 ppm. The germination percentage and relative germination rate were increased to 95% ± 1.83% and 100% ± 2.48% at 100 ppm of synthesized AgNPs and then declined at 300 and 500 ppm. The length, fresh weight, and dry matter of the root, shoot, and seedlings were highest at 100 ppm NPs. The plant height, root length, and dry matter stress tolerance indices were also the highest (112.3%, 118.7%, and 138.20% compared with the control) at 100 ppm AgNPs. Moreover, the growth of three maize varieties, that is, NR-429, NR-449, and Borlog, were assessed at 0, 20, 40, and 60 ppm F. hygrometrica-AgNPs. The results indicated the highest root and shoot length at 20 ppm AgNPs. In conclusion, seed priming with AgNPs enhances the growth and germination of maize and can ameliorate crop production globally. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Funaria hygrometrica Hedw.-mediated AgNPs were synthesized and characterized. Biogenic AgNPs influenced the growth and germination of maize seedlings. All growth parameters were highest at 100 ppm synthesized NPs., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: This retrospective chart review evaluated the clinical characteristics of SURF1-related neurological disease spectrum to better characterize the phenotypes., Methods: Patient demographics, magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, neurological events, motor abnormalities, and gastrointestinal and respiratory assistance were evaluated in 27 patients with genetically diagnosed SURF1 deficiency., Results: The mean (S.D.) age of symptom onset collected from 13 patients was 19.7 (11.8) months. Mean (S.D.) age of diagnosis collected from 24 patients was 44.0 (45.1) months. The most common symptoms were gross motor delay (14 of 14), fine motor delay (10 of 11), verbal delay (9 of 10), and intellectual and learning disability (14 of 19). Neurological symptoms included ataxia (14 of 15), other abnormal movements (8 of 9), hypotonia (9 of 11), and dystonia (6 of 9). Three of nine reporting patients (33.3%) had a history of seizure, and 84.6% (11 of 13) had a history of regression/loss of acquired skills. Extraneurological clinical features included pulmonary complications (10 of 11) and feeding difficulties (13 of 13); cardiac complications were noted in three patients. Brainstem is frequently involved with the medulla and midbrain being the most common sites. As of July 2021, three patients were deceased., Conclusions: The most common clinical symptoms were motor delay, verbal delay, intellectual and learning disability, dysphagia, feeding difficulties, and reflux. Neurological presentations include ataxia, hypotonia, visual/ocular abnormalities, dystonia, and imaging abnormalities include basal ganglia and brainstem lesions. Although heterogeneous, SURF1 deficiency should be considered with these clinical and imaging presentations and may support earlier identification., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cognitive and interpersonal factors play an important role in the social adjustment of students. Factors affecting the social adjustment of university students have been verified in different cultures. However, no study has tested a concurrent model with the study variables in the Pakistani context. This study aimed to investigate the effect of personal and interpersonal factors on the social adjustment of university students in Pakistan. Three hundred participants from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir regions of Pakistan responded on a questionnaire package containing self-reported measures on social self-efficacy, social anxiety, teachers' social support, and peers' social support. The results indicate that self-efficacy, teachers' support, and peer support have a significant positive effect on the social adjustment of university students, suggesting that an enhanced self-efficacy, and increased teachers' and peers' support would increase social adjustment. However, academic anxiety is inversely associated with social adjustment, suggesting that a higher anxiety level would result in a reduction in social adjustment. Students should be given more opportunities to enhance self-efficacy, obtain social support, and reduce social anxiety.

Violent behavior and suicidal ideation are two major public health problems, with the former representing outward attack and the latter characterizing inward attack. The effects of emotional maltreatment in childhood will continue into adolescence. This study explores the impact of childhood emotional maltreatment on adolescent violent behavior/suicidal ideation and its mechanism. Participants were 3,600 adolescents (average age is 16.21 ± 0.99) from the middle east of China. They completed questionnaires measuring emotional maltreatment in childhood, deviant peer affiliation, depression, violent behavior, and suicidal ideation in adolescence. After controlling for demographic variables, we found that deviant peer affiliation and depression mediated between childhood emotional maltreatment and adolescent violent behavior/suicidal ideation. Multi-group analysis results showed that males' deviant peer affiliation would contribute to their violent behaviors. Among female groups, deviant peer affiliation and depression were risk factors for violent behavior and suicidal ideation. a) cross-sectional design was used in this study; b) all the measures were self-reported. Preventing emotional maltreatment in childhood can help reduce violent behavior and suicidal ideation by reducing deviant peer affiliation and depression in adolescence. Males who experienced emotional maltreatment in childhood are more likely to show violent behaviors shaped by external factors such as deviant peer affiliation. In contrast, females' interpersonal orientation and internalizing factors both influence their external and internal aggressive behaviors.

ECHS1 gene encodes a mitochondrial enzyme, short-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (SCEH). SCEH is involved in fatty acid oxidation ([Sharpe and McKenzie (2018); Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation disorders associated with short-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECHS1) deficiency, 7: 46]) and valine catabolism ([Fong and Schulz (1977); Purification and properties of pig heart crotonase and the presence of short chain and long chain enoyl coenzyme A hydratases in pig and guinea pig tissues, 252: 542-547]; [Wanders et al. (2012); Enzymology of the branched-chain amino acid oxidation disorders: The valine pathway, 35: 5-12]), and the dysfunction of SCEH leads to a severe Leigh or Leigh-like Syndrome phenotype in patients ([Haack et al. (2015); Deficiency of ECHS1 causes mitochondrial encephalopathy with cardiac involvement, 2: 492-509]; [Peters et al. (2014); ECHS1 mutations in Leigh disease: A new inborn error of metabolism affecting valine metabolism, 137: 2903-2908]; [Sakai et al. (2015); ECHS1 mutations cause combined respiratory chain deficiency resulting in Leigh syndrome, 36: 232-239]; [Tetreault et al. (2015); Whole-exome sequencing identifies novel ECHS1 mutations in Leigh, 134: 981-991]). This study aims to further describe the ECHS1 deficiency phenotype using medical history questionnaires and standardized tools assessing quality of life and adaptive skills. Our findings in this largest sample of ECHS1 patients in literature to date (n = 13) illustrate a severely disabling condition causing severe developmental delays (n = 11), regression (n = 10), dystonia/hypotonia and movement disorders (n = 13), commonly with symptom onset in infancy (n = 10), classical MRI findings involving the basal ganglia (n = 11), and variability in biochemical profile. Congruent with the medical history, our patients had significantly low composite and domain scores on Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition. We believe there is an increasing need for better understanding of ECHS1 deficiency with an aim to support the development of transformative genetic-based therapies, driven by the unmet need for therapies for patients with this genetic disease., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Physical activity (PA) and sports are extremely essential elements for physical and mental health among adolescents. Around 30% of 16 years old and above in Malaysia have mental health issues. For this purpose, 512 university students from Malaysia were surveyed through social media, with 74% response rate. Structural equation model partial least square (SEM-PLS) was used to examine the effect of PA and sports on mental health. The results revealed that both PA ( b = 0.402, p < 0.001) and sports ( b = 0.330, p < 0.001) significantly predict mental health among university students. The model explained 35.8% variance in mental health. The study suggests that PA and sports activity need to be promoted among university students to control prevailing mental health issues in adolescents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Congsheng, Kayani and Khalid.)

Background: Genomics enables individualized diagnosis and treatment, but large challenges remain to functionally interpret rare variants. To date, only one causative variant has been described for KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS). The genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of KIS has yet to be described and the precise mechanism of disease fully understood., Methods: This study discovers mechanisms underlying KCNK9 imprinting syndrome (KIS) by describing 15 novel KCNK9 alterations from 47 KIS-affected individuals. We use clinical genetics and computer-assisted facial phenotyping to describe the phenotypic spectrum of KIS. We then interrogate the functional effects of the variants in the encoded TASK3 channel using sequence-based analysis, 3D molecular mechanic and dynamic protein modeling, and in vitro electrophysiological and functional methodologies., Results: We describe the broader genetic and phenotypic variability for KIS in a cohort of individuals identifying an additional mutational hotspot at p.Arg131 and demonstrating the common features of this neurodevelopmental disorder to include motor and speech delay, intellectual disability, early feeding difficulties, muscular hypotonia, behavioral abnormalities, and dysmorphic features. The computational protein modeling and in vitro electrophysiological studies discover variability of the impact of KCNK9 variants on TASK3 channel function identifying variants causing gain and others causing loss of conductance. The most consistent functional impact of KCNK9 genetic variants, however, was altered channel regulation., Conclusions: This study extends our understanding of KIS mechanisms demonstrating its complex etiology including gain and loss of channel function and consistent loss of channel regulation. These data are rapidly applicable to diagnostic strategies, as KIS is not identifiable from clinical features alone and thus should be molecularly diagnosed. Furthermore, our data suggests unique therapeutic strategies may be needed to address the specific functional consequences of KCNK9 variation on channel function and regulation., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

The current study aims to construct and validate a measure of research misconduct for social science university students. The research is comprised of three studies; Study I presents the scale construction in three phases. In Phase I, the initial pool of items was generated by reviewing the literature and considering the results of semi-structured interviews. Phase II involved a psychometric cleaning of items, after which 38 items were retained. In Phase III, those 38 items were proposed to 652 university students, and data were exposed to exploratory factor analysis, which extracted a one-factor structure with 15 items and 55.73% variance. Study II confirmed the factorial structure of the scale using an independent sample ( N = 200) of university students. Confirmatory factor analysis of the scale demonstrates a good model fit to the data with the one-factor structure established through the exploratory factor analysis. The scale exhibits good internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.95. Study III involves validation of the scale, with evidence for convergent validity collected from a sample of university students ( N = 200). The results reveal that the research misconduct scale has significant positive correlations with academic stress and procrastination and a significant negative correlation with academic achievement. The obtained convergent validity testifies that the scale can be considered a psychometrically sound instrument to measure research misconduct among social science university students., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ghayas, Hassan, Kayani and Biasutti.)

The pollen morphology, with special reference to exine sculpture, of some species of the gymnosperms was assessed for the first time from the subalpine and alpine zones of western Himalayas northern Pakistan. The pollen of all these species is airborne and allergenic, so pollen morphology helps for identification of this allergenic pollen at specific level. Different morpho-palynological characteristics were analyzed including size range of pollen, polar and equatorial diameter ratio, exine ornamentation, sculpturing, exine thickness, pollen type, and shape. For accurate and quick identification of species, taxonomic key was made based on different morpho-palynological characteristics. The quantitative data were processed using SPSS software. Gymnospermal pollen includes inaperturate, rarely 1-colpate observed in (Cupressaceae), hexazonocolpate in (Ephedraceae), vesiculate, bissacate in (Pinaceae), and inaperturate in (Taxaceae). Different pollen shapes observed were prolate (4 spp), sub-spheroidal (7 spp), and oblate (1 spp). Variation was observed in exine sculpturing granular (4 spp), reticulate (1 spp), areolate-punctate (3 spp), and psilate (2 spp). This is based on the analysis of 10 plants belonging to four families of gymnosperms. Distinct pollen shape has emerged as the most diagnostic feature to separate some genera such as spheroidal in (Cupressaceae, Taxaceae), prolate and radiosymmetrical in (Ephedraceae), and bilateral in (Pinaceae). Exine thickness and sculpturing proved to be helpful at generic and specific levels. The results reinforced the significance of gymnospermal pollen morphological features which were used as aid for valuable taxonomic tool in plant systematics., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Empathy represents an essential prerequisite for developing effective interpersonal behavior and maintaining interpersonal relationships. Education is a result of teacher-student interaction, and, therefore, it is worth noting that teaching empathy is critical for the development of students and the professional growth of teachers. Recently, researchers began to explore the influential factors of empathy (e.g., empathic mindsets) based on motivation. Beyond their empathic attitudes, teachers also have a mindset toward the development of students. A survey study was adopted to explore the relationship between the theories of the growth of students and teacher empathy. Four hundred and eighty-four Chinese teachers completed the student development scale, the teacher empathic motivation scale, and the teacher empathy scale. The mediation model results showed that the theories of the development of students could significantly predict teacher empathy and teacher empathic motivation. The teacher empathic motivation mediated the positive relationship between the theories of the development of students and teacher empathy. This study proposes a new concept and method for teacher empathy intervention in future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Ge, Li, Chen, Kayani and Qin.)

The current study presents the validation process of a measure of institutional identity for university students. The research is composed of two studies. Study I consisted of the generation of an item pool based on the literature review, semi-structured interviews, and expert opinion, which were administered to a convenient sample of university students ( n = 707; 300 males and 407 females) in Pakistan. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a two-factor structure with 20 items, and the factors were named commitment (α = 0.84) and crisis (α = 0.74). The two-factor solution was confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis, which revealed an excellent model fit with the two-factor structure. Study II reports on the convergent and divergent validity of the scale which was carried out on an independent sample ( n = 120). Results provided evidence of convergent validity as depression correlated negatively with the commitment subscale and positively with the crisis subscale. Divergent validity was ensured by a non-significant correlation between the subscales of the newly developed scale and a measure of religious belief. Moreover, the implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to explore individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors that may influence the physical activity of adolescents (ages 10-14) in Pakistani schools. A set of questionnaires that included individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors and PA behavior was completed by the 618 students selected from Pakistani schools. Stepwise forward regression model was applied to check the possible effects of multilevel variables on physical activity and to extract the stronger predictors. The results showed that physical activity was significantly predicted by individual level factors such as self-efficacy, motivation, and attitude. Among the demographic correlates, gender, age, and BMI did not affect physical activity, while socioeconomic status and geographic characteristics had a meaningful association with PA. At the interpersonal level, adolescents' perception of family support had a potential influence on physical activity, while there was no impact of friends/peers and teachers support on adolescents' PA. A school environmental characteristic, such as PA facility, was positively related to PA; however, the impact of PA equipment, safety, and policy and PA culture were statistically non-significant. The findings suggest that public health intervention strategies aimed at promoting PA in adolescents should recognize multiple levels of influences that may either enhance or impede the likelihood of PA among adolescents.

The present study examined the role of self-enhancement and self-criticism in the relationship between physical activity and anxiety. A total of 305 students from Chinese universities, ranging in age from 18 to 36, completed a questionnaire package comprising a physical activity questionnaire, a self-enhancement strategies scale, a level of self-criticism scale, and a short form of state and trait anxiety scale. Findings highlighted that physical activity had a significant negative correlation with anxiety (r = -0.31, p < 0.01), a significant positive association with self-enhancement (r = 0.43, p < 0.01), and a significant negative relationship with self-criticism (r = -0.14, p < 0.05). It was also found that anxiety was significantly predicted by self-enhancement (-0.21, p < 0.01) and self-criticism (0.44, p < 0.01). Moreover, the mediation model supports the mediation of self-enhancement and self-criticism between physical activity and anxiety in university students. The findings suggest that interventions aimed at promoting physical activity and enhancing the self-system should be worthy strategies for reducing students' anxiety.

The medicinal plants are utilized globally considering the cheap and chemical free source, but their correct identification and authentication is prerequisite for safety and efficacy of plant-based medicines. The present study encompassed traded medicinal plants (16) with high therapeutic value from diverse families like Brassicaceae, Berberidaceae, Malvaceae, Salicaceae, Myrtaceae, Papilionaceae, Ascelpiadaceae, Colchicaceae, Violaceae, and Vitaceae for detailed microscopic study of characters that is, morphology, pollen shape and sizes, P/E ratio, pore length and width, spine length, colpi dimensions, and exine sculpture pattern. The plants showed noteworthy differences in microscopy of Wattakaka volubilis having pollinia, translator and corpusculum like structures while pores were visible in Colchicum luteum, Alcea rosea, and Hibiscus syriacus. The spines were observed in Centipeda minima, A. rosea, and H. syriacus being dimorphic spines in A. rosea and monomorphic in H. syriacus. The exine sculpturing pattern was reticulate in mostly studied plants however distinctive exine pattern was noted in Berberis aristata and Berberis lyceum. The highest polar diameter, equatorial diameter and exine thickness among studied plants were observed in H. syriacus (161 μm), C. luteum (50 μm) and Vitis jacquemontii (1.10), respectively. Thus, microscopy of medicinal plants in addition to other taxonomic evidence offers a supportive skill in authentication, consequently utilization by local consumers and pharmaceutical industries., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To characterize the phenotypic spectrum associated with GNAO1 variants and establish genotype-protein structure-phenotype relationships., Methods: We evaluated the phenotypes of 14 patients with GNAO1 variants, analyzed their variants for potential pathogenicity, and mapped them, along with those in the literature, on a three-dimensional structural protein model., Results: The 14 patients in our cohort, including one sibling pair, had 13 distinct, heterozygous GNAO1 variants classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. We attributed the same variant in two siblings to parental mosaicism. Patients initially presented with seizures beginning in the first 3 months of life (8/14), developmental delay (4/14), hypotonia (1/14), or movement disorder (1/14). All patients had hypotonia and developmental delay ranging from mild to severe. Nine had epilepsy, and nine had movement disorders, including dystonia, ataxia, chorea, and dyskinesia. The 13 GNAO1 variants in our patients are predicted to result in amino acid substitutions or deletions in the GNAO1 guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding region, analogous to those in previous publications. Patients with variants affecting amino acids 207-221 had only movement disorder and hypotonia. Patients with variants affecting the C-terminal region had the mildest phenotypes., Significance: GNAO1 encephalopathy most frequently presents with seizures beginning in the first 3 months of life. Concurrent movement disorders are also a prominent feature in the spectrum of GNAO1 encephalopathy. All variants affected the GTP-binding domain of GNAO1, highlighting the importance of this region for G-protein signaling and neurodevelopment., (Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2019 International League Against Epilepsy.)

In this study, plants belonging to family Solanaceae growing in Western Himalaya region have been observed palynologically under Light Microscope and Scanning electron microscope. Present investigation comprises of 10 genera and 23 species, namely, Atropa acuminata, Capsicum decoraticus, Capsicum frutescens, Cestrum aurantiacum, Cestrum diurnum, Cestrum nocturnum, Datura alba, Datura innoxia, Datura stramonium, Hyoscymus niger, Lycopersicon esculentum, Nicotiana rustica, Nicotiana tabacum, Petunia alba, Petunia hybrida, Solanum erianthum, Solanum melongena, Solanum miniatum, Solanum pseudocapsicum, Solanum surratense, Solanum tuberosum, Withania coagulans, Withania somnifera. Solanaceae is a eurypalynous family. Grains are usually Tricolporate and Tetracolporate, radially symmetrical, isopolar, prolate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal to oblate-spheroidal to subprolate to per prolate or suboblate to oblate, size range: 8.55-72 μm, amb circular, semi-angular or subangular, aperture drop-type, labrum common-type, exine usually 2 μm thick, nexine 1-1.5 μm thick. Tectum usually psilate, sexine reticulate, granulate or striato-reticulate, with obscure pattern, sexine 1-2 μm thick, nexine 1-1.5 μm thick, and intine 0.5-1 μm thick. Most striking variation has been found in the shape class, aperture-type, and tectal surface. Based on these characters, taxonomic keys have been made for correct identification of members in Solanaceae. However, the grains of this family are usually tricolporate and have direct relationship with certain members of the family Scrophulariaceae. Palyno-morphological characters of family Solanaceae have been studied for the first time in Western Himalayan region of Pakistan. These palyno-morphological characters are significant for identification of the members of family Solanaceae., (© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Artemisinin is well known for its irreplaceable curative effect on the devastating parasitic disease, Malaria. This sesquiterpenoid is specifically produced in Chinese traditional herbal plant Artemisia annua. Earlier studies have shown that phytohormone abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in increasing the artemisinin content, but how ABA regulates artemisinin biosynthesis is still poorly understood. In this study, we identified that AaABF3 encoded an ABRE (ABA-responsive elements) binding factor. qRT-PCR analysis showed that AaABF3 was induced by ABA and expressed much higher in trichomes where artemisinin is synthesized and accumulated. To further investigate the mechanism of AaABF3 regulating the artemisinin biosynthesis, we carried out dual-luciferase analysis, yeast one-hybrid assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results revealed that AaABF3 could directly bind to the promoter of ALDH1 gene, which is a key gene in artemisinin biosynthesis, and activate the expression of ALDH1 . Functional analysis revealed that overexpression of AaABF3 in A. annua enhanced the production of artemisinin, while RNA interference of AaABF3 resulted in decreased artemisinin content. Taken together, our results demonstrated that AaABF3 played an important role in ABA-regulated artemisinin biosynthesis through direct regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis gene, ALDH1 .

Background: Dignity is a concept that applies to all patients. Older patients can be particularly vulnerable to experiencing a loss of dignity in hospital. Previous tools developed to measure dignity have been aimed at palliative and end-of-life care. No tools for measuring dignity in acute hospital care have been reported., Objectives: To develop tools for measuring patient dignity in acute hospitals., Setting: A large UK acute hospital. We purposively selected 17 wards where at least 50% of patients are 65 years or above., Methods: Three methods of capturing data related to dignity were developed: an electronic patient dignity survey (possible score range 6-24); a format for nonparticipant observations; and individual face-to-face semi-structured patient and staff interviews (reported elsewhere)., Results: A total of 5,693 surveys were completed. Mean score increased from 22.00 pre-intervention to 23.03 after intervention (p < 0.001). Staff-patient interactions (581) were recorded. Overall 41% of interactions (239) were positive, 39% (228) were neutral, and 20% (114) were negative. The positive interactions ranged from 17%-59% between wards. Quality of interaction was highest for allied health professionals (76% positive), lowest for domestic staff (22% positive) and pharmacists (29% positive), and intermediate for doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and student nurses (40%-48% positive). A positive interaction was more likely with increased length of interaction from 25% (brief)-63% (longer interactions) (F[2, 557] = 28.67, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: We have developed a simple format for a dignity survey and observations. Overall, most patients reported electronically that they received dignified care in hospital. However, observations identified a high percentage of interactions categorised as neutral/basic care, which, while not actively diminishing dignity, will not enhance dignity. There is an opportunity to make these interactions more positive., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Animal rearing is the major occupation of most population of South Asian countries. Due to lack of resources and limited approach to modern medicine, most of the livestock raisers prefer to use plant-based traditional medicine also referred to as ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). Indeed, the use of medicinal plants in South Asia dates back to several centuries with documented evidences. However, there is currently a dearth of documentation and compilation of use of medicinal plants for animal diseases in this part of the world. This review aims to provide an up-to-date compilation of common medicinal plants used for the treatment and/or management of common animal diseases in South Asian countries. Extensive literature search was conducted online and relevant data was retrieved from well-known scientific databases. A total of 276 plants belonging to 95 families have been documented to be in common use for managing 14 different categories of animal diseases. Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Leguminosae were most common plant families in terms of their plant species used for EVM. Gastric diseases were commonly reported and accounted for 72 species of plants used for its treatment followed by the miscellaneous disorders category and skin diseases comprising of 65 and 39 plant species respectively. Herbs accounted for 46% of the total plant species, followed by trees (33%), and shrubs (18%). The EVM were applied through different routes of administration; oral administration accounted for 72% followed by topical application 27%, while burning of plant parts to create smoke around animals to repel insects was less common (1%). It is anticipated that the present review will stimulate further ethnoveterinary research among livestock disease management practices in South Asia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The uses of anti-diabetic plants are well anchored in the traditional health care system of Pakistan. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ethno-botanical study about the uses of plants for the treatment of diabetes. The aim of the study is to record indigenous knowledge on anti-diabetic plants from Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) and diabetic patients. In addition, it is aimed to ascertain and validate the traditional uses of anti-diabetic plants by citing pharmacological activities and phytochemical constitutes from previously published literature., Materials and Methods: The ethno-medicinal data was documented during 14 field surveys, each comprising of 10 days, from 3 regions of Pakistan (Islamabad, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and Deserts of Sindh). In total, 113 THPs and 44 diabetic patients were interviewed using open-ended and semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative indices, including Relative Frequency of Citation percentage (RFC %) and Disease Consensus Index (DCI) were calculated. The documented data is authenticated by comparing with 28 published articles on ethno-botanical aspects and many pharmacological studies., Results: In total, 120 plant species belonging to 50 families were reported. The ethno-botanical results indicated that Moraceae (11 species); herb (56 reports) is dominant life form; the leaves (56 reports) are the most used plant part and decoction (24%) is the preferred mode of preparation. The quantitative analysis shows that RFC% ranges from 14 to 42 and DCI varies from 0.15 to 0.74. By comparing to previous studies, 64 species are reported new in traditional treatment of DM; 40 species are new to pharmacological evidence and 3 species are new to phytochemical studies., Conclusions: This study recoded the significant indigenous knowledge about anti-diabetic plants among the THPs and diabetic patients in Pakistan. This type of ethno-botanical knowledge on traditional use of anti-diabetic plants is an important step in designing detailed pharmacological and clinical trials for Diabetes Miletus treatment. It is recommended that further pharmacological and phytochemical analysis should be conducted on those species which lack previous references in literature and have highest Frequency of Citation (FC), Disease Consensus Index (DCI) and Relative Frequency of Citation percentage (RFC%)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethno-Pharmacological Relevance: Medicinal plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for snake and scorpion bite among the rural communities of Northern Pakistan. This first ethno-botanical study aimed to document the indigenous knowledge and practices of using plants for snake and scorpion bite disorders in Northern Pakistan., Methods: Ethno-medicinal data is documented from 187 informants using semi-structured interviews. The data is analyzed using quantitative ethno-botanical indices of frequency citation (FC) and relative Frequency of Citation (RFC). In addition to this, the ethno-medicinal findings of this survey were compared with 10 previous published studies in order to report novel uses of medicinal plants against snake and scorpion bite disorders., Results: In total 62 medicinal plants belonging to 40 families are reported against snake and scorpion bite in this study. Our results showed that Asteraceae is the most used family (10 species), dominant life form is herb (48.38%), leaves were the most used plants part (18 Use-reports) and the paste is most used method of administration (22 reports). The range of RFC was 0.08-0.27 about the use of documented species. Compared to previous published studies, 33.87% similarity index while 66.12% novelty index is reported. About 40 plant species are first time reported with medicinal uses against snake and scorpion bite from Northern Pakistan., Conclusions: This study presents useful traditional knowledge of rural communities for the control of snake and scorpion bite using medicinal plants. The study mainly focused on ethno-medicinal documentation to preserve the valuable traditional knowledge that can be used in future phytochemical and pharmacological studies on medicinal plants of the area., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethno-Pharmacological Relevance: To best of our knowledge it is first quantitative ethno-botanical study from Alpine and Sub-alpine, Western Himalaya of Pakistan. The study aims to report, compare the uses and highlight the ethno-botanical significance of medicinal plants for treatment of various diseases., Methods: A total of 290 (278 males and 12 females) informants including 14 Local Traditional Healers (LTHs) were interviewed. Information was collected using semi-structured interviews, analyzed and compared by quantitative ethno-botanical indices such as Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative frequency of citation (RFC), use value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL) and Jaccard index (JI)., Results: A total of 125 plant species (Gymnosperms 7 species, Monocotyledons 2 and 116 Di-cotyledons) belonging to 41 families are collected, identified and ethno-botanically assessed. The most dominant family is Ranunculaceae (20 species) followed by Rosaceae (14 species). In diseases treated, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases have highest proportion (27.5%) followed by respiratory diseases (20%) in the mountain communities. The most dominant life form of plants used is herbs (78%) followed by shrubs (19%) while the most commonly used plant parts are leaves (44 reports) followed by underground part, the roots (37 reports). The highest ICF (0.68) is found for ear, nose and eye disease category followed by respiratory disorders (0.46). There are 15 medicinal plants having 100% FL. Use value (UV) and Relative frequency of citation (RFC) range from 0.03 to 0.53 and 0.04 to 0.23 respectively. In comparison, maximum similarity index is found in the studies with JI 19.52 followed by 17.39. Similarity percentage of plant uses range from 1.69% to 19.52% while dissimilarity percentage varies from 0% to 20%., Conclusions: The Alpine and Sub-alpine regions of Pakistan are rich in medicinal plants and still need more research exploration. On the other hand, ethno-botanical knowledge in study areas is decreasing day by day due to high emigration rates resulting from after effects of wars during the last few decades. Historically developed ethno-botanical heritage should be preserved and promoted on global level for analyzing phytochemical, pharmaceutical and other biological activities for future drug discovery., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Rich accessibility of medicinal plants in the study area provides low cost health care for respiratory disorders to local communities. This first report survey was commenced with an aim to document ethnic knowledge regarding the use of folk herbal medicine for respiratory diseases among the local communities of Gallies Abbottabad, Northern Pakistan using quantitative ethnobotanical approaches., Method: Field survey was carried out over the period of 2 years i.e., March 2012-March 2014 in study area. The ethnomedicinal data was collected through interviews among the local communities. Documented data was evaluated using use value (UV) and Relative Frequency Citation (RFC)., Results: A total of 120 species of plants belonging to 90 genera of 51 families were reported to be used ethnomedicinally for the treatment of 25 different respiratory disorders. Leaves were the most commonly used plant parts and most of the herbal medicines were prepared in the form of decoctions and administered orally. The most significant species according to their use value were Solanum virginianum (5.00), Althea officinalis (3.00), Inula obtusifolia (3.00), Saxifraga hirculus (3.00) and Sisymbrium erysimoides (3.00)., Conclusion: This study reported traditional herbal medicines for the first time to be used against respiratory disorders in the Gallies, Northern Pakistan are still in common practice by the local communities. Some of the new ethnobotanical claims documented in this investigation should need to be further explore clinically. The medicinal plants with highest use values recorded in this study may signpost the probable existence of valuable phytochemical compounds that requires a search for prospective new drugs to cure many respiratory disorders., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Herein is presented a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence related to operative outcomes associated with robotic-assisted laparoscopic myomectomy (RLM) compared with abdominal myomectomy (AM) and laparoscopic myomectomy (LM). Outcome measures included estimated blood loss (EBL), blood transfusion, operating time, complications, length of hospital stay (LOHS), and costs. Meta-analysis 1 compared RLM vs AM, and meta-analysis 2 compared RLM vs LM. Studies scored moderately well on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. No significant differences were found in age, body mass index, or number, diameter, and weight of myomas. In meta-analysis 1, EBL, blood transfusion, and LOHS were significantly lower; risk of complications was similar; and operating time and costs were significantly higher with RLM. In meta-analysis 2, no significant differences were noted in EBL, operating time, complications, and LOHS with RLM; however, blood transfusion risk and costs were higher. It was concluded that insofar as operative outcomes, RLM has significant short-term benefits compared with AM and no benefits compared with LM. Long-term benefits such as recurrence, fertility, and obstetric outcomes remain uncertain., (Copyright © 2013 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Vaginal myomectomy is an uncommon but advantageous approach for large interstitial uterine fibroids. Myomectomy is performed via laparotomy and laparoscopy; however, in selected cases, vaginal myomectomy has been proven to be a safe and an effective surgical procedure. We report the case of a 38-year-old para one woman with complaints of chronic lower abdominal pain. Preoperative workup revealed a thirteen-centimeter interstitial uterine myoma in the anterior wall. Successful myomectomy was performed via the vaginal route. We will share the preoperative images, operative technique, and postoperative images.