40 results on '"Nawaz, Shuja"'
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2. Crossed swords: Pakistan, its army, and the wars within
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
BOOK REVIEWS - Published
- 2008
3. Costs to India, Pakistan of Confrontational Policies
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Nawaz, Shuja, primary
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. Molecular characterization and identification of bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus with satellite DNAs infecting okra plants of district Mardan, Pakistan
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Malik Nawaz Shuja, Hasan Riaz, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Qasim, Muhammad Anees, Stephan Winter, Sabry Hassan, Mohamed M. Hassan, and Mohsen Mohamed Elsharkawy
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Okra ,Yellow vein mosaic disease ,Alphasatellite ,Begomovirus ,Betasatellite ,Geminiviridae ,Agriculture - Abstract
Abstract Background Bhendi or okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important crop widely cultivated in the Indian subcontinent. The production of okra in tropical regions is constrained by several abiotic and biotic factors. Among biotic stresses, yellow vein mosaic disease (YVMD), transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.), causes significant production losses. Results Leaves showing symptoms of YVMD were collected from okra plants in the district of Mardan, Pakistan, from which the total nucleic acid was extracted. It was found that the viral genome was 2739 bp in the length and had seven conserved open reading frames, comparable to those of monopartite begomovirus species from the Old World. Nucleotide sequence comparison revealed that the genome has 97.7% identity with bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus (BYVMV). Additionally, alpha- and betasatellite DNA components were amplified and sequenced. The alpha- and betasatellite DNA sequences were 1367 and 1346 nt in length, respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that the alpha- and betasatellite sequences shared 97.9 and 98.7% similarity with cotton leaf curl Multan alphasatellite DNA (CLCuMuA) and croton yellow vein mosaic betasatellite DNA (CroYVMB), respectively. Conclusions Based on the prevailing classification system, the isolate was identified as a variant of BYVMV, CLCuMuA, and CroYVB. Alphasatellite presence in the begomovirus betasatellite complex detected in the present study indicated a recent mobilization into the viral complex infecting okra in this region. The study findings may facilitate the design of new management strategies to protect this valuable crop against begomovirus infection.
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. System level modeling and analysis of TNF-α mediated sphingolipid signaling pathway in neurological disorders for the prediction of therapeutic targets
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Sanam Banaras, Rehan Zafar Paracha, Maryum Nisar, Ayesha Arif, Jamil Ahmad, Muhammad Tariq Saeed, Zartasha Mustansar, Malik Nawaz Shuja, and Rizwan Nasir Paracha
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neurological disorders ,neurons ,microglia ,TNF-α ,sphingomyelin ,network analysis ,Physiology ,QP1-981 - Abstract
Sphingomyelin (SM) belongs to a class of lipids termed sphingolipids. The disruption in the sphingomyelin signaling pathway is associated with various neurodegenerative disorders. TNF-α, a potent pro-inflammatory cytokine generated in response to various neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is an eminent regulator of the sphingomyelin metabolic pathway. The immune-triggered regulation of the sphingomyelin metabolic pathway via TNF-α constitutes the sphingomyelin signaling pathway. In this pathway, sphingomyelin and its downstream sphingolipids activate various signaling cascades like PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathways, thus, controlling diverse processes coupled with neuronal viability, survival, and death. The holistic analysis of the immune-triggered sphingomyelin signaling pathway is imperative to make necessary predictions about its pivotal components and for the formulation of disease-related therapeutics. The current work offers a comprehensive in silico systems analysis of TNF-α mediated sphingomyelin and downstream signaling cascades via a model-based quantitative approach. We incorporated the intensity values of genes from the microarray data of control individuals from the AD study in the input entities of the pathway model. Computational modeling and simulation of the inflammatory pathway enabled the comprehensive study of the system dynamics. Network and sensitivity analysis of the model unveiled essential interaction parameters and entities during neuroinflammation. Scanning of the key entities and parameters allowed us to determine their ultimate impact on neuronal apoptosis and survival. Moreover, the efficacy and potency of the FDA-approved drugs, namely Etanercept, Nivocasan, and Scyphostatin allowed us to study the model’s response towards inhibition of the respective proteins/enzymes. The network analysis revealed the pivotal model entities with high betweenness and closeness centrality values including recruit FADD, TNFR_TRADD, act CASP2, actCASP8, actCASP3 and 9, cytochrome C, and RIP_RAIDD which profoundly impacted the neuronal apoptosis. Whereas some of the entities with high betweenness and closeness centrality values like Gi-coupled receptor, actS1PR, Sphingosine, S1P, actAKT, and actERK produced a high influence on neuronal survival. However, the current study inferred the dual role of ceramide, both on neuronal survival and apoptosis. Moreover, the drug Nivocasan effectively reduces neuronal apoptosis via its inhibitory mechanism on the caspases.
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- 2022
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- View/download PDF
6. Identification and Characterization of Urinary Tract Infectious Bacteria and its Antibiotic Sensitivity
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Madeeha Mehboob, Muhammad Hakim, Obaid Ullah, Sumaira Salahuddin Lodhi, Muhammad Anees, Irum Khalil, and Malik Nawaz Shuja
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antimicrobial sensitivity ,E. coli ,K. pneumoniae ,Urinary tract infection ,uropathogens ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Etiological patterns of uropathogens are different in different geographical regions due to the continuous evolution of bacteria, antibiotic sensitivity patterns and their misuse and overuse. Therefore, it is important to know the antibiotic susceptibility patterns for the prescription of suitable antibiotics. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of uropathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns in the Kohat region of Pakistan. In this study, 100 samples were collected from both male and female subjects of all ages. Out of these 100 samples, 70 samples contained microbes. In 30 samples, no microbial growth was recorded. The percentages of positive culture from male and female subjects were 57% and 43%, respectively. Both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria were found in UTI. Among them E.coli (34.21%) was predominant, followed by K. pneumoniae (10.52%), P. aeruginosa (9.21%), K. oxytoca (6.57%), C. albicans (5.26%), E. faecium (5.26%), E. faecalis (3.94%), S. aureus (3.94%), E. cloacea (2.63%), C. freundii (2.63%), P. mirabalis (2.63%) and A. baumannii (1.31%). Many of the isolates showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The sensitivity percentage of commonly used antibiotics against both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria are as follows: Ampicillin (13%), Ceftriaxone (25%), Amikacin (77%), Gentamicin (41%), Augmentin (44.77%), Fosfomycin (64%), Cotrimoxazole (36%), Nitrofurantoin (68%), Ciprofloxacin (37%), Imipenem (78%), Meropenem (67%), Cefepime (25%) and Tetracycline (40%). The most effective antibiotics against both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria were Fosfomycin, Imipenem, Meropenem Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin. In light of the findings of this study, it is strongly recommended to find new antimicrobial compounds. Moreover, it is imperative to evaluate the resistant patterns at genomic and proteomic levels to discover the genes responsible for antibiotic resistant patterns. Keywords: antimicrobial sensitivity, E. coli, K. pneumonia, urinary tract infection, uropathogens Copyright (c) The Author
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- 2021
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7. Parthenium hysterophorus, an Emergent Weedy Plant Species Expands its Geographical Ranges in Pakistan
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Muhammad Ali, Riaz Ahmad Afridi, Sadiq Ali, Manahal Sarooj, Malik Nawaz Shuja, and Hasan Riaz
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Parthenium hysterophorus ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus [commonly known as Carrot grass; native to American tropics; family Asteraceae] is a flowering, short-lived perennial or an annual invasive-weedy plant. In the recent few years, the plant is spread (in epidemic proportions) vigorously, at least, in the two provinces (KP and Punjab) and the twin capital cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). The weed came in the lame light soon after the monsoon rains and floods of September 2012 and August 2013 that hit larger areas of KP and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. The massive boom in the weed was witnessed in areas under floods of the river Kabul and the Indus Ocean. It is speculated that after initial entry into the flood zones, the seeds then germinated and dispersed into the near and farther areas in the country, including hilly areas. The plant is categorized as a poisonous weed, and a source of skin allergies and itching. It may be a cause of increased reports of asthma, cough, fever, and allergies related to eyes in these areas [1, 2]. Due to its vigorous growth and allelopathic effects, the plant soon dominated over all other weeds and crop plants. Furthermore, it has a tremendous potential to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses. Its vigorous growth has resulted in the loss of local floral biodiversity [3]. Specifically in Islamabad, it has dominated completely the wild cannabis (weeds). However, this year, the cannabis weed seems to overcome gradually the parthenium dominance. The coming years may witness the revival of other plant species suppressed by parthenium. Although the plant seems to be resistant/tolerant to biotic stresses, very few plants were identified with leaf rolling, vein yellowing, stunting and bunchy-top like diseases, indicative of begomovirus infection. PCR amplification and sequencing confirmed a symptomatic parthenium plant positive for the viral infection (unpublished observation; Figure 2). Previously, only a single report is available of parthenium being infected with geminiviruses [4]. Currently, no weedicide is available to eradicate the weedy plant. The only available alternative is to drag the plants out of soil along with their roots before they bear seeds. The presence of the plant everywhere on barren lands, streets, along the drains, hilly terraces, orchards, in lawn grass, and in crop fields makes complete eradication almost impossible (Figure 1a-c). Increased ailment linked with parthenium like – toxicity in the livestock and insect pollinators, skin allergies in humans and reduced agricultural productivity necessitates that the government and non-government stakeholders should take stringent measures to save human health, livestock and agricultural production. Copyright (c) Muhammad Ali, Riaz Ahmad Afridi, Sadiq Ali, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Hasan Riaz
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
8. Interspecies Recombination-Led Speciation of a Novel Geminivirus in Pakistan
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Aamir Lal, Eui-Joon Kil, Thuy T. B. Vo, I Gusti Ngurah Prabu Wira Sanjaya, Muhammad Amir Qureshi, Bupi Nattanong, Muhammad Ali, Malik Nawaz Shuja, and Sukchan Lee
- Subjects
Chenopodium album ,recombination ,Chenopodium leaf distortion virus ,begomovirus ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 - Abstract
Recombination between isolates of different virus species has been known to be one of the sources of speciation. Weeds serve as mixing vessels for begomoviruses, infecting a wide range of economically important plants, thereby facilitating recombination. Chenopodium album is an economically important weed spread worldwide. Here, we present the molecular characterization of a novel recombinant begomovirus identified from C. album in Lahore, Pakistan. The complete DNA- A genome of the virus associated with the leaf distortion occurred in the infected C. album plants was cloned and sequenced. DNA sequence analysis showed that the nucleotide sequence of the virus shared 93% identity with those of the rose leaf curl virus and the duranta leaf curl virus. Interestingly, this newly identified virus is composed of open reading frames (ORFs) from different origins. Phylogenetic networks and complementary recombination detection methods revealed extensive recombination among the sequences. The infectious clone of the newly detected virus was found to be fully infectious in C. album and Nicotiana benthamiana as the viral DNA was successfully reconstituted from systemically infected tissues of inoculated plants, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates. Our study reveals a new speciation of an emergent ssDNA plant virus associated with C. album through recombination and therefore, proposed the tentative name ‘Chenopodium leaf distortion virus’ (CLDV).
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
9. Molecular Characterization of the Begomovirus Associated Satellites Infecting Spinacia Oleracea and Capsicum Annum Plants in Kohat, Pakistan
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Ali Shah, Ayesha Ayub, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Taj Ali, and Fazal Akbar
- Subjects
alphasatellites ,begomovirus ,betasatellites ,geminiviridae ,pathogenic variants ,Microbiology ,QR1-502 ,Biology (General) ,QH301-705.5 - Abstract
Begomovirus is a major and economically important genus of the Geminiviridae family. It comprises a wide range of viruses that infect a number of dicot plants including the horticulture crops, cereal crops, aromatic plants, vegetable crops, medicinal plants and weeds in various regions of the world. This study aims to investigate and correlate the various symptoms of begomovirus / satellites in different plants grown in the vicinity of Kohat, Pakistan. Furthermore, the characterization of the selected virus-associated satellites at the molecular level is also studied. Samples of suspected plants showing begomoviral infection were collected from the Kohat District. Genomic DNA was extracted from the infected plants and subjected to PCR using DNA-1/DNA-2 and Beta01/Beta02 for alpha satellites and beta satellites, respectively. The amplified PCR products were cloned and sequenced commercially. After sequencing, in silico sequence and phylogenetic analysis was also performed. Our study discovered that many plants in the Kohat District display begomovirus and satellite disease symptoms with mild to extreme disease severity. Disease incidence is especially high in okra. Beta satellites were isolated and sequenced from Spinacia oleracea and Capsicum annum plants and they showed more than 90% sequence similarity with chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl beta satellites. The existence of betasatellites in spinach and chilli plants was discovered for the first time in the Kohat region. Moreover, the distribution of these highly pathogenic variants of chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl betasatellites in the district Kohat has been reported previously. Copyright (c) The Author
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Regional Challenges and Opportunities for South Asia in the Decades Ahead
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 2016
11. Molecular Characterization of the Begomovirus Associated Satellites Infecting Spinacia Oleracea and Capsicum Annum Plants in Kohat, Pakistan
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Taj Ali, Ayesha Ayub, Fazal Akbar, Malik Nawaz Shuja, and Ali Shah
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Veterinary medicine ,Spinacia ,Phylogenetic tree ,biology ,fungi ,Begomovirus ,food and beverages ,biology.organism_classification ,Genus ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Spinach ,Leaf curl ,Geminiviridae ,Medicinal plants ,General Environmental Science - Abstract
Begomovirus is a major and economically important genus of the Geminiviridae family. It comprises a wide range of viruses that infect a number of dicot plants including the horticulture crops, cereal crops, aromatic plants, vegetable crops, medicinal plants and weeds in various regions of the world. This study aims to investigate and correlate the various symptoms of begomovirus / satellites in different plants grown in the vicinity of Kohat, Pakistan. Furthermore, the characterization of the selected virus-associated satellites at the molecular level is also studied. Samples of suspected plants showing begomoviral infection were collected from the Kohat District. Genomic DNA was extracted from the infected plants and subjected to PCR using DNA-1/DNA-2 and Beta01/Beta02 for alpha satellites and beta satellites, respectively. The amplified PCR products were cloned and sequenced commercially. After sequencing, in silico sequence and phylogenetic analysis was also performed. Our study discovered that many plants in the Kohat District display begomovirus and satellite disease symptoms with mild to extreme disease severity. Disease incidence is especially high in okra. Beta satellites were isolated and sequenced from Spinacia oleracea and Capsicum annum plants and they showed more than 90% sequence similarity with chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl beta satellites. The existence of betasatellites in spinach and chilli plants was discovered for the first time in the Kohat region. Moreover, the distribution of these highly pathogenic variants of chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl betasatellites in the district Kohat has been reported previously. Copyright (c) The Author
- Published
- 2020
12. Molecular Characterization of the Begomovirus Associated Satellites Infecting Spinacia Oleracea and Capsicum Annum Plants in Kohat, Pakistan
- Author
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Malik Nawaz Shuja
- Subjects
fungi ,food and beverages ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,General Environmental Science - Abstract
Begomovirus is a major and economically important genus of the Geminiviridae family. It comprises a wide range of viruses that infect a number of dicot plants including the horticulture crops, cereal crops, aromatic plants, vegetable crops, medicinal plants and weeds in various regions of the world. This study aims to investigate and correlate the various symptoms of begomovirus / satellites in different plants grown in the vicinity of Kohat, Pakistan. Furthermore, the characterization of the selected virus-associated satellites at the molecular level is also studied. Samples of suspected plants showing begomoviral infection were collected from the Kohat District. Genomic DNA was extracted from the infected plants and subjected to PCR using DNA-1/DNA-2 and Beta01/Beta02 for alpha satellites and beta satellites, respectively. The amplified PCR products were cloned and sequenced commercially. After sequencing, in silico sequence and phylogenetic analysis was also performed. Our study discovered that many plants in the Kohat District display begomovirus and satellite disease symptoms with mild to extreme disease severity. Disease incidence is especially high in okra. Beta satellites were isolated and sequenced from Spinacia oleracea and Capsicum annum plants and they showed more than 90% sequence similarity with chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl beta satellites. The existence of betasatellites in spinach and chilli plants was discovered for the first time in the Kohat region. Moreover, the distribution of these highly pathogenic variants of chilli leaf curl and tomato leaf curl betasatellites in the district Kohat has been reported previously.
- Published
- 2020
13. Drone Attacks Inside Pakistan: Wayang or Willing Suspension of Disbelief?
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 2011
14. Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Urinary Tract Infectious Bacteria and the Effect of Different Antibiotics
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Malik Nawaz Shuja and Madeeha Mehboob
- Subjects
Imipenem ,medicine.drug_class ,Cefepime ,Antibiotics ,biochemical phenomena, metabolism, and nutrition ,Biology ,Fosfomycin ,bacterial infections and mycoses ,Meropenem ,Microbiology ,Ciprofloxacin ,Amikacin ,Ampicillin ,medicine ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,General Environmental Science ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Etiological patterns of uropathogens is different in different regions due to continuous evolution, of bacteria, antibiotics sensitivity patterns, misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Therefore, it is important to know the antibiotic susceptibility patterns for prescription of suitable antibiotic. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of uropathogens and their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern from Kohat region of Pakistan. In this study 100 samples were collected from both males and females of all ages in which 70 samples contained microbes. In 30 samples no microbial growth was recorded. The Percentage of positive culture from both male and female were 57% and 43% respectively Both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria were found in UTI but E.coli (34.21%) was predominant followed by K. pneumoniae (10.52%), P. aeruginosa (9.21%), K. oxytoca (6.57%), C. albicans (5.26%), E. faecium (5.26%), E. faecalis (3.94%), S. aureus (3.94%), E. cloacea (2.63%), C. freundii (2.63%), P. mirabalis (2.63%) and A. baumannii (1.31%). Many of the isolates showed resistance to commonly used antibiotics. The sensitivity percentage of different commonly used antibiotics against both Gram (+) and Gram(-) bacteria were Ampicillin 13%, Ceftriaxone 25%, Amikacin 77%, Gentamicin 41%, Augmentin 44.77%, Fosfomycin 64%, Cotrimoxazole 36%, Nitrofurantoin 68%, Ciprofloxacin 37%, Imipenem 78%, Meropenem 67%, Cefepime 25% and Tetracycline 40%. The most effective antibiotics against both Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria were Fosfomycin, Imipenem, Meropenem Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin. In light of the findings of this study, it is strongly recommended to discover new antimicrobial compounds and evaluate the resistant pattern at genomic and proteomics level to discover the genes which are responsible for antibiotics resistant pattern.
- Published
- 2021
15. Parthenium hysterophorus, an emergent weedy plant species expands its geographical ranges in Pakistan
- Author
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Hasan Riaz, Sadiq Ali, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Muhammad Ali, and Riaz Ahmad Afridi
- Subjects
Perennial plant ,fungi ,Biodiversity ,food and beverages ,Parthenium hysterophorus ,Lawn ,Tropics ,Biology ,biology.organism_classification ,Crop ,Parthenium ,Agronomy ,General Earth and Planetary Sciences ,Weed ,General Environmental Science - Abstract
Parthenium hysterophorus [commonly known as Carrot grass; native to American tropics; family Asteraceae] is a flowering, short-lived perennial or an annual invasive-weedy plant. In the recent few years, the plant is spread (in epidemic proportions) vigorously, at least, in the two provinces (KP and Punjab) and the twin capital cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi). The weed came in the lame light soon after the monsoon rains and floods of September 2012 and August 2013 that hit larger areas of KP and Punjab provinces of Pakistan. The massive boom in the weed was witnessed in areas under floods of the river Kabul and the Indus Ocean. It is speculated that after initial entry into the flood zones, the seeds then germinated and dispersed into the near and farther areas in the country, including hilly areas. The plant is categorized as a poisonous weed, and a source of skin allergies and itching. It may be a cause of increased reports of asthma, cough, fever, and allergies related to eyes in these areas [1, 2]. Due to its vigorous growth and allelopathic effects, the plant soon dominated over all other weeds and crop plants. Furthermore, it has a tremendous potential to withstand abiotic and biotic stresses. Its vigorous growth has resulted in the loss of local floral biodiversity [3]. Specifically in Islamabad, it has dominated completely the wild cannabis (weeds). However, this year, the cannabis weed seems to overcome gradually the parthenium dominance. The coming years may witness the revival of other plant species suppressed by parthenium. Although the plant seems to be resistant/tolerant to biotic stresses, very few plants were identified with leaf rolling, vein yellowing, stunting and bunchy-top like diseases, indicative of begomovirus infection. PCR amplification and sequencing confirmed a symptomatic parthenium plant positive for the viral infection (unpublished observation; Figure 2). Previously, only a single report is available of parthenium being infected with geminiviruses [4]. Currently, no weedicide is available to eradicate the weedy plant. The only available alternative is to drag the plants out of soil along with their roots before they bear seeds. The presence of the plant everywhere on barren lands, streets, along the drains, hilly terraces, orchards, in lawn grass, and in crop fields makes complete eradication almost impossible (Figure 1a-c). Increased ailment linked with parthenium like – toxicity in the livestock and insect pollinators, skin allergies in humans and reduced agricultural productivity necessitates that the government and non-government stakeholders should take stringent measures to save human health, livestock and agricultural production. Copyright (c) Muhammad Ali, Riaz Ahmad Afridi, Sadiq Ali, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Hasan Riaz
- Published
- 2021
16. The Mass Media and Development in Pakistan
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 1983
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Plant Probiotics: Technical Challenges and Emerging Solutions for Enhancing Food Crops
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Ramna Zia, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Sohail Afzal, and Malik Nawaz Shuja
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business.industry ,Biofertilizer ,food and beverages ,Pesticide ,Diversification (marketing strategy) ,Biology ,business ,Biotechnology - Abstract
The increased and non-judicious use of pesticides and fertilizers has associated complications on the human, animal and plant health. They may accumulate in water and soil to reduce diversification of croplands, limit nutrients availability and diminish genetic diversity of the associated microbes, flora and fauna. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers are also known to impart global warming, insect, animal and human genetic disorders and diseases. Plant probiotics, thereby enhancing plant health, growth and production, not only reduce/minimize the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers but also are helpful reclaiming the soil beneficial for all living organisms. However, there are certain shortcomings and challenges associated with the use of plant probiotics. This chapter circumvents the studies covering, in general, the origin, classification, mechanism of action, and in specific, the perspectives and challenges using plant probiotics.
- Published
- 2021
18. Virulence profiling of Shigella flexneri and emergence of serotype 2b as a highly virulent shigellosis causing strain in Pakistan
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Iqbal Nisa, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Muhammad Qasim, Fazal Adnan, Jeroen G. Nijland, Hazir Rahman, Arnold J. M. Driessen, and Molecular Microbiology
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0301 basic medicine ,Microbiology (medical) ,Serotype ,Shigellosis ,Virulence Factors ,030106 microbiology ,Virulence ,Serogroup ,Microbiology ,Shigella flexneri ,03 medical and health sciences ,Disease severity ,Genetics ,medicine ,Humans ,Pakistan ,Molecular Biology ,Gene ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics ,Dysentery, Bacillary ,biology ,Strain (chemistry) ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Diarrhea ,030104 developmental biology ,Infectious Diseases ,medicine.symptom - Abstract
Bacillary diarrhea caused by Shigella flexneri is mediated by various virulence factors which make it the leading agent of diarrhea in developing countries. Previously, a high prevalence of S. flexneri, associated with diarrhea has been reported in Pakistan but no data is available on their virulence profile. The present study reports for the first time analysis of various virulence factors among S. flexneri serotypes isolated from clinical (diarrheal stool) and non-clinical (retail raw foods and drinking water) sources. A total of 199 S. flexneri (clinical: 155, raw foods: 22, water: 22) belonging to various serotypes were subjected to virulence genes detection and virulence profiling. The most frequent virulence gene was found to be ipaH (100%), followed by sat (98%), ial (71.3%), set1B (65.8%) and set1A (38.7%). A high level of virulence was detected in serotype 2b as compared to other serotypes as 32.3% of all serotype 2b have the entire set of five virulence genes including ipaH (100%), ial (100%), sat (37.7%), set1A (89.3%), and set1B (100%). Seven different virulence gene profiles (V1 - V7) were detected and the most frequently observed to be V1 (ipaH+, ial+, sat+, set1A+, set1B+) followed by V3 (ipaH+, ial+, sat+, set1B+). The predominant virulence gene pattern in serotype 2b isolated from clinical and non-clinical samples were V1 and V3. Furthermore, about 32% strains belonging to serotype 2b contain the complete set of five virulence genes isolated from patients with high disease severity. In conclusion, the current finding revealed for the first times that serotype 2b was the most virulent strains in both clinical and non-clinical samples in Pakistan. In addition, the virulence of serotype 2b was well correlated with high disease severity.
- Published
- 2020
19. The genus Luteovirus from infection to disease
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Rajiv K. Tripathi, Sidra Anwar, Muhammad Ali, Malik Nawaz Shuja, and Jaswinder Singh
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0106 biological sciences ,0301 basic medicine ,Aphid ,biology ,Host (biology) ,viruses ,Luteovirus ,food and beverages ,RNA-dependent RNA polymerase ,Plant Science ,Horticulture ,biology.organism_classification ,01 natural sciences ,Virology ,Virus ,03 medical and health sciences ,030104 developmental biology ,Barley yellow dwarf ,Plant virus ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,Viral load ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
Luteoviruses are economically important plant viruses. Specifically, barley yellow dwarf virus is epiphytotic to almost all small-grain cereal growing areas. The disease cycle is complex. This luteovirus has evolved several intelligent mechanisms to communicate with both plant and phloem-feeding insect-vector aphid. Environmental cues influence disease severity, aphid infestation and viral load. Within an aphid, virus circulates persistently in a non-propagative manner and is transmitted selectively to the host plants. Selection of viruses within aphids has a role in virus isolate prevalence over a specific area. In the host-plant system, the virus has to release its single sense-strand RNA genome (approx. 5.6 to 6 kb), translate and subsequently replicate its genome using its own replicase and host machinery. This review summarizes our current understanding of disease epidemiology and reviews the current literature encompassing viral infectivity, economic impact and control measures.
- Published
- 2018
20. First Report of Duranta leaf curl virus Infecting Ficus virens Showing Leaf Curl Symptoms in Pakistan
- Author
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Phuong Thi Ho, Malik Nawaz Shuja, Sukchan Lee, Eui-Joon Kil, Thuy Thi Bich Vo, Aamir Lal, Chairina Fadhila, and Muhammad Ali
- Subjects
biology ,Duranta ,Begomovirus ,food and beverages ,Apple tree ,Plant Science ,biology.organism_classification ,Southeast asian ,Horticulture ,Duranta erecta ,Alphasatellite ,Leaf curl ,Ficus virens ,Agronomy and Crop Science - Abstract
Ficus virens (family: Moraceae) is a deciduous tree found in the Indian subcontinent, some other Southeast Asian countries, and northern Australia. It is valued for its latex, wood, and medicinal and edible products. In December 2018, during a routine survey to record begomoviruses other than cotton infecting viruses in Pakistan, curling of young leaves, which is a typical symptom of infection by viruses of the genus Begomovirus, was observed in F. virens trees in a park in Lahore, central Punjab, Pakistan. The total DNA of three trees was extracted using the Viral Gene-spin Viral DNA/RNA Extraction Kit (iNtRON Biotechnology, Seongnam, Korea) and used as a template in PCR amplification with begomovirus-specific primers: Beg-F (5′-CCGTGCTGCTGCCCCCATTGTCCGCGTCAC-3′) and Beg-R (5′- CTGCCACAACCATGGATTCACGCACAGGG-3′). The amplified 1-kb DNA was cloned into the pGEM-3Zf (+) vector (Promega, Madison, WI) and sequenced by a commercial sequencing service (Macrogen, Seoul, Korea). NCBI BLAST results revealed a nucleotide (nt) sequence identity of 95, 93, and 92% with chilli leaf curl India virus, rose leaf curl virus, and papaya leaf crumple virus, respectively. Based on the sequence obtained, new primers, DCP-F (5′-AGCACATTGGTAAAGTCATGTGTG-3′) and DCP-R (5′-GGATATCATGTCTGGACTCAAATG-3′), were designed to obtain full-length DNA-A of the begomovirus. An approximately 2.8-kb product was amplified and cloned. The resulting sequence (GenBank accession no. MN537564) showed 97.43% nt identity with duranta leaf curl virus (DLCV; KT948069), a Begomovirus species reported in the ornamental shrub Duranta erecta in Pakistan by Iram et al. (2005) and by Anwar et al. (2017). In the former case, only DNA-A of DLCV was found without any associated molecules such as DNA-B or DNA β, whereas, in the latter case, tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus DNA-B was found in association with the DNA-A of DLCV, like in many other Old World begomoviruses. The attempt to amplify DNA-B through PCR using newly designed primers NDB-F (5′-AAACACAGGAGGGATCGGAG-3′) and NDB-R (5′-CACAGATTTCCTTACGCGTATATT-3′) based on the sequence KT948071 was unsuccessful. Similarly, efforts to detect alphasatellite and betasatellite molecules in infected F. virens using universal primers (Bull et al. 2003; Briddon et al. 2002) were unsuccessful. Furthermore, Southern blot hybridization was carried out using [³²P]-radiolabeled PCR product of 1 kb obtained with Beg-F/R primers as a probe. This produced dsDNA bands of different conformations as well as a ssDNA band, which confirms the presence of DLCV in F. virens. Members of the family Geminiviridae, to which begomoviruses belong, mainly infect herbaceous hosts, but they have also been reported in a few woody hosts, such as citrus chlorotic dwarf associated virus in citrus (Loconsole et al. 2012), grapevine red blotch virus in grape (Al Rwahnih et al. 2013), jatropha mosaic virus in Jatropha multifida (Polston et al. 2014), and apple geminivirus 1 in apple tree (Liang et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of DLCV infecting F. virens in Pakistan. The results obtained here indicate that F. virens may serve as an alternative host of DLCV and a possible source of infection to the commonly grown D. erecta ornamental garden hedge.
- Published
- 2020
21. The Well at Mohenjodaro
- Author
-
Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 1986
22. Identification of a distinct strain of cotton leaf curl Burewala virus
- Author
-
Muhammad Tahir, Rob W. Briddon, and Malik Nawaz Shuja
- Subjects
Sequence analysis ,Genome, Viral ,Cotton leaf curl Burewala virus ,Genome ,Virus ,Viral Proteins ,Virology ,Genetic variation ,Pakistan ,Amino Acid Sequence ,Plant Diseases ,Gossypium ,biology ,Base Sequence ,fungi ,Begomovirus ,food and beverages ,Genetic Variation ,General Medicine ,Sequence Analysis, DNA ,biology.organism_classification ,Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite ,Plant Leaves ,DNA, Viral ,Leaf curl - Abstract
Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is the major biotic limitation to cotton production in Pakistan and northwestern India. The disease is caused by various distinct viruses of the genus Begomovirus (family Geminiviridae) in association with a disease-specific betasatellite - cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB). Since 2001, when resistance to CLCuD in cotton was broken, only one virus was consistently identified in cotton exhibiting CLCuD symptoms in Punjab province (Pakistan) - cotton leaf curl Burewala virus (CLCuBuV). An analysis of all CLCuBuV isolates available in the databases showed these to represent only a single strain, based on currently applicable criteria. Virus and betasatellite clones were obtained from a leaf sample (isolate C49) collected from a CLCuD symptomatic cotton plant in Layyah district, Punjab province, in 2012. Analysis of the sequence of the betasatellite showed this to be an isolate of CLCuMB containing the recombinant fragment typical of this satellite post-resistance-breaking. The virus was shown it to be an isolate of CLCuBuV but to be distinct from all previously characterised isolates and to represent a distinct strain. In common with previous CLCuBuV isolates, the virus from C49 is a recombinant containing sequences derived from viruses of two species that were prevalent in cotton pre-resistance-breaking but with distinct recombination break sites. As was the case with the earlier CLCuBuV, the newly identified strain of CLCuBuV lacks an intact transcriptional activator protein.
- Published
- 2014
23. Exiting Afghanistan: a regional approach
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja and Friedman, Abigail
- Subjects
Afghanistan Conflict, 2001-2021 ,Troop withdrawal -- Planning ,Company business planning ,Political science - Abstract
Now that the dust has settled on the Chicago Summit, it might be time to see what truly emerged from all the noise and celebration about the cooperation among NATO [...]
- Published
- 2012
24. Can Egypt avoid Pakistan's fate?
- Author
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Dunne, Michele and Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
General interest ,News, opinion and commentary - Abstract
Washington ONE year after the revolution that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, the Egyptian military is closing down civil society organizations and trying to manipulate the constitution-writing process to serve its [...]
- Published
- 2012
25. The Changing Pakistan Army Officer Corps
- Author
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Christine Fair, C., primary and Nawaz, Shuja, additional
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. Phytic acid: How far have we come?
- Author
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Muhammad, Ali, primary, Malik, Nawaz Shuja, additional, Muhammad, Zahoor, additional, and Ishtiaq, Qadri, additional
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
27. The First Kashmir War Revisited
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja, primary
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
28. Newspapers in Asia: Contemporary Trends and Problems. John A. Lent
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 1985
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
29. Setting the development agenda
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
Chile. Ministry of Finance -- Officials and employees -- Economic policy ,Economic assistance -- Economic aspects ,External debts -- International aspects -- Economic aspects ,Foreign investments -- International aspects -- Economic aspects ,Economic development -- International aspects -- Economic aspects ,Developing countries -- Economic aspects ,International agencies -- Economic policy -- Economic aspects ,Banking, finance and accounting industries ,Business ,Business, international - Abstract
The role of the Development Committee Is the Development Committee just a 'talking shop'? I don't think so. The Committee tackles very important policy issues. Take the last meeting in [...]
- Published
- 1991
30. Journeys
- Author
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Paranjape, Makarand, primary and Nawaz, Shuja, additional
- Published
- 1998
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
31. Why the world current account does not balance
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
International economic relations -- Finance ,Investments -- International aspects ,Balance of payments -- International aspects ,Banking, finance and accounting industries ,Business ,Business, international ,International Monetary Fund -- Accounting and auditing - Abstract
The global current account has shown an increasing discrepancy for the past ten years or so, particularly in accounts maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Major changes in the speed and nature of international financial transactions have been at the root of the growing statistical gaps in the income sector of the global balance of payments accounts. An IMF Working Party was established in 1984 to examine investment income accounts and the role of offshore financial centers in the compilation of world current accounts. Adjustments made by the Working Party helped cut the estimate of the global discrepancy from $109 billion at its height in 1982 to $57 billion, and in 1986 from a reported $56 billion to some $33 billion. The Working Party found that a more comprehensive and uniform application of flexible statistical techniques could help resolve problems leading to the global current account imbalance.
- Published
- 1987
32. Riverblindness controlled
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
West Africa -- Health aspects ,Developing countries -- Health aspects ,Public health -- International aspects ,Onchocerciasis -- Prevention ,World health -- International aspects ,Banking, finance and accounting industries ,Business ,Business, international ,World Bank -- International aspects - Abstract
A major aid program sponsored by agencies of international aid (including the World Bank) has succeeded in controlling the spread of onchocerciasis. This sickness, also known as riverblindness, was common on the banks of the Volta River until 1974, when the Onchocerciasis Control Program was established. In 1986, a new period of six years was inaugurated with funding of about $110 million. In 1974, near 100,000 people had become blind as a result of this sickness, but in 1986, close to 90 percent of the area is under control assuring a safer life for 3.5 million children born since the beginning of this multinational effort.
- Published
- 1986
33. Mass media in development: an overview
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
Developing countries ,Mass media -- International aspects ,Banking, finance and accounting industries ,Business ,Business, international - Abstract
Mass media is being used in some developing countries to promote economic development, educate the population, and at times, for political purposes. Developmental uses of mass media fall into two categories: formal education, which is classroom teaching or vocational education, and informal communication of information. Benefits of using the media for developmental purposes include a better education system, a communication system which can help in developing a national identity, and more awareness of developmental issues by the audience. Costs are identified as the cost of reaching the audience and in the creation of the message.
- Published
- 1984
34. UNGOVERNABLE.
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
- *
AFGHAN War, 2001-2021 , *PEACE , *ECONOMIC history ,PAKISTANI politics & government - Abstract
The article discusses the political and economic conditions in Pakistan in the context of its population. The U.S. government is seeking a smooth transition from its nine-year war in Afghanistan, and Pakistan is said to be a key to this. The administration of U.S. President Barack Obama sees Pakistan's problems as the greater danger to U.S. interests and regional peace. The Pakistani government is said to be incapable of governing/keeping peace, and could neither fall nor stabilize.
- Published
- 2011
35. The battle for Pakistan
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
Pakistan. Army -- Military policy ,Pakistan -- Military policy ,Armies -- Military policy ,Civilian casualties -- Statistics ,Islamic militants -- Military policy ,Islamic militants -- Control ,Military policy -- Analysis ,Terrorism -- Forecasts and trends ,Market trend/market analysis ,News, opinion and commentary ,Taliban -- Military policy ,Taliban -- Control - Published
- 2009
36. The Mass Media and Development in Pakistan
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja
- Published
- 1954
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Newspapers in Asia: Contemporary Trends and Problems Edited by John A. Lent. Hong Kong: Heinemann Educational Books (Asia) Ltd., 1983. xvi, 597 pp. Appendixes, Bibliography, Index. $17.50 (paperback).
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja, primary
- Published
- 1985
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. IMF chronology.
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja and Boughton, James
- Subjects
- INTERNATIONAL Monetary Fund
- Abstract
Presents a chart of the history of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Increase in membership; Total IMF credit and loans outstanding; Surveillance over member countries' adherance to the code of international monetary exchange conduct.
- Published
- 1995
39. Finance & Development
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja and Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
- Finance, Public, International finance, Finance
- Abstract
'March 1991.'
- Published
- 1991
40. Finance & Development
- Author
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Nawaz, Shuja and Nawaz, Shuja
- Subjects
- Finance, Public, International finance, Finance
- Abstract
'December 1992.'
- Published
- 1992
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