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Resveratrol is a natural grape-derived polyphenol with potent antioxidant properties that protect spermatozoa against lipid peroxidation (LPO) by eradicating free radicals. The objectives of this study were to 1) appraise the effects of resveratrol in extender on post-thaw quality parameters, antioxidant enzymes, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), DNA fragmentation, LPO and 2) fertilizing capability of buffalo bull spermatozoa. Semen was collected from four fertility proven bulls with artificial vagina thrice, evaluated initially, and diluted in five different extenders containing resveratrol (T4 = 100 μM, T3 = 50 μM, T2 = 20 μM, T1 = 10 μM), and control (no resveratrol), and evaluated after post-dilution and post-thawing stage of cryopreservation. Analysis of variance revealed that, there was no difference (P > 0.05) in any parameters due to treatments at post-dilution. However, at post-thawing, sperm progressive motility (%), plasma membrane integrity (%), mitochondrial membrane potential (%) and ATP levels (nmol/106) were found higher in semen samples cryopreserved in T3 and 4 than control. Sperm supravital plasma membrane integrity (%) and viable/acrosome integrity were found higher in semen samples cryopreserved in T4 than control and T1. Furthermore, sperm catalase (U/mL), glutathione peroxidase (μM) and superoxide dismutase (U/mL) concentrations were found significantly higher in resveratrol treated groups as compared to the control. Conversely, DNA fragmentation (%) and LPO (μM/mL) were significantly (P > 0.05) decreased in semen samples cryopreserved in T4 in comparison to the control. Fertilizing capability was found higher in semen samples cryopreserved in T4 as compared to the control (%, 77.33 vs. 57.41, P

Aim of this study was to evaluate the stimulating effects of quercetin (QUE) on post thaw quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. QUE is a well-known flavonoid having antioxidant properties to scavenge free radicals. Semen was collected from three buffalo bull through artificial vagina (42 °C) and were evaluated initially for volume, motility, concentration, followed by dilution in five extenders (n = 5 aliquots, control, C = no QUE; treatment 1, T1 = 50 μM QUE; treatment 2, T2 = 100 μM QUE; treatment 3, T3 = 150 μM QUE and treatment 4, T4 = 200 μM QUE supplementation). The experiment was repeated thrice (n = 3 replicates). At post dilution, sperm progressive motility (PM, %) plasma membrane integrity (PMI, %), supra vital plasma membrane integrity (SVPMI, %) and acrosome integrity (ACR-1, %) of buffalo bull were significantly higher (P

Introduction Stigma is a label that differentiates a person from others and associates them with unenviable attributes. There are various forms of stigma: enacted stigma, perceived stigma, and self-stigma manifesting as stereotyping and harboring negative thoughts about the stigmatized group. Stigmatization of the drug abuser leads to effects such as low self-esteem, depression, and personality changes in the stigmatized. Objectives: The purpose of the study is to know the impact of stigma on patients receiving substance abuse treatment in the Psychiatry Department, Mayo Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Design Cross-sectional study. Place: Psychiatry Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan Study Period: Six months (February 22, 2020, to July 18, 2020). Subjects and methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 100 patients were recruited in the study. The selection was made on laid down criterion after taking due consent. Interviews were conducted through a pretested questionnaire. Data were collected, compiled, and analyzed through SPSS version 20 (IBM Corp., Armonk, USA), and relevant frequency tables were drawn. Results: On analyzing the data, various forms of stigma were observed: enacted stigma (81% as considered less capable), perceived stigma (99% as having difficulties in the job seeking and relationships), and self-stigma (94% in having devaluation thoughts). Self-esteem was maintained (73% were content). Social support was present (76% from family). Moderate depression was seen in 17% of participants. Over 83% of our study population is aged 21 to 40 years, 15% between ages 41 and 60 years, and only 2% ranging between ages 1 and 20. A total of 80% of the population belonged to a low socioeconomic status, and 55% of participants abused opium, heroin, or brown sugar, followed by white crystal use in 37% of the study population. The majority reported the drug abuse duration of 1-5 years (70%). Conclusion Stigma in its various forms affects the drug abuser undergoing treatment. It results in low self-esteem and mild depression. Individuals from the broader socioeconomic range can be added in future studies, and a larger population can be studied by collecting data from other tertiary care hospitals and mental healthcare facilities. They can be assessed for factors contributing to their addiction and the challenges they had to go through to get the help they needed.

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genotype of Hepatitis C in District Swabi. Blood samples were collected from 100 seropositive patients from various hospitals of District Swabi, out of which, 93 samples were found positive by qualitative analysis through PCR. Positive samples were genotyped using Nested PCR. It was observed from the analysis of positive samples that 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b along with mixed genotypes are prevalent in Swabi. The most prevalent genotype was 3a with the rate of 73.13% followed by 3b with 11.82% rate and 1b to be the least common genotype at rate of 1.10%. From the present study it was concluded that HCV genotypes 1a, 1b, 3a and 3b are distributed in various parts of Swabi and genotype 3a is the most frequent genotype.

The present study about “Constraints of rural livelihood with reference of services providers and rural female in Mansehra” was conducted with objectives to determine the constraints of rural livelihood and the role of services providers i.e. government and NGOs and the rural female in enhancing rural livelihood. A sample size 210 respondents out of 460 was selected through random sampling procedure. The study concluded that a highly significant association was found between rural livelihood and finance is the core problem for all categories of entrepreneurs in rural areas was found highly significant (p=0.000), poor health issues block sustainability of rural livelihood (p=0.000), prevalence of diseases in livestock and crops contribute income decline in rural areas (p=0.003), marketing problem is a major obstacle in rural economy production (p=0.003), land shortage affects rural economy (p=0.005) and rural livelihoods affect adversely by any kind of shock (p=0.007) while Illiteracy affects negatively sustainability of rural livelihood (p=0.014), conflict leads decline in rural livelihoods (p=0.021). In addition, highly significant relationship was found (p=0.000) between rural livelihood and through NGOs efforts people adopted ability for livelihood choices. Moreover, skill development training on male side contributed good results in enhancing livelihood (p=0.018), microfinance service of government/NGOs plays a pivotal role in the development of rural economy (p=0.031),through rural livelihood programs, the NGO is promoting livelihood and food security activities (p=0.025), protective interventions are considered vital to facilitating livelihood recovery (p=0.016) and between livelihood promotion through irrigation development and introducing of productive yield is a good step by the government (p=0.024) had significant relation with rural livelihood. Furthermore, significant relation was found between absence of basic livelihood assets for female makes unstable livelihood (p=0.003), kitchen gardening, poultry and livestock rearing are major livelihood activities of rural female (p=0.004), female make contribution to run livelihood system to contribute household expenses (p=0.029) and rural livelihood. In light of the study it was suggested to policy makers to provide assistance in term of material and capacity building i.e. easy credit system, agriculture, livestock, health, illiteracy interventions and NGOs and rural female participation in sustaining rural livelihood to minimize the risk of rural livelihood vulnerability.

Among viral diseases of animals, Foot and Mouth Disease is an exceedingly transferable disease of clovenhoofed animals caused by the virus of class Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae. In the present study the Indirect Sandwich ELISA negative samples were tested through PCR and a range of OD for false negative ELISA samples was adjusted in order to decide whether the samples are actually positive or negative. Total 50 ELISA’s negative samples were confirmed through PCR. Out of total 50 ELISA’s negative samples, 23 were positive for PCR while rests of the 27 samples were found negative. In the PCR positive samples 13, 2 and 3 were positive for Serotype “O”, “A” and “Asia-1”, respectively. While 2 samples were positive for O and A and 3 for O and Asia-1 mixed infection. On the basis of type of samples, it was found that 18 out of 25 epithelial tissue samples and 5 out of 25 swab samples were positive. It was concluded that the ELISA negative samples with OD value 0.05 to 0.09 will be considered positive while the samples with OD value 0.04 or below should be considered negative. The epithelial tissues either from the oral commissar of foot region is the representative sample for diagnostic purpose.