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Reestablishing an appropriate balance between T effector cells (Teff) and Tregs is essential for correcting autoimmunity. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic CNS disease characterized by neuroinflammation, demyelination, and neuronal degeneration, in which the Teff:Treg balance is skewed toward pathogenic Teffs Th1 and Th17 cells. STAT3 is a key regulator of Teff:Treg balance. Using the structure-based design, we have developed a potentially novel small-molecule prodrug LLL12b that specifically inhibits STAT3 and suppresses Th17 differentiation and expansion. Moreover, LLL12b regulates the fate decision between Th17 and Tregs in an inflammatory environment, shifting Th17:Treg balance toward Tregs and favoring the resolution of inflammation. Therapeutic administration of LLL12b after disease onset significantly suppresses disease progression in adoptively transferred, chronic, and relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Disease relapses were also significantly suppressed by LLL12b given during the remission phase. Additionally, LLL12b shifts Th17:Treg balance of CD4+ T cells from MS patients toward Tregs and increases Teff sensitivity to Treg-mediated suppression. These data suggest that selective inhibition of STAT3 by the small molecule LLL12b recalibrates the effector and regulatory arms of CD4+ T responses, representing a potentially clinically translatable therapeutic strategy for MS.

Daily moderate exercise (DME) and stress management are underemphasized in the care of patients with lupus nephritis (LN) due to a poor comprehensive understanding of their potential roles in controlling the inflammatory response. To investigate these effects on murine LN, disease progression was monitored with either DME or social disruption stress (SDR) induction in NZM2410/J mice, which spontaneously develop severe, early-onset LN. SDR of previously established social hierarchies was performed daily for 6 days and DME consisted of treadmill walking (8.5 m/min for 45 min/day). SDR significantly enhanced kidney disease when compared to age-matched, randomly selected control counterparts, as measured by histopathological analysis of H&E staining and immunohistochemistry for complement component 3 (C3) and IgG complex deposition. Conversely, while 88% of non-exercised mice displayed significant renal damage by 43 weeks of age, this was reduced to 45% with exercise. DME also reduced histopathology in kidney tissue and significantly decreased deposits of C3 and IgG complexes. Further examination of renal infiltrates revealed a macrophage-mediated inflammatory response that was significantly induced with SDR and suppressed with DME, which also correlated with expression of inflammatory mediators. Specifically, SDR induced IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and MCP-1, while DME suppressed IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, CXCL1, and anti-dsDNA autoantibodies. These data demonstrate that psychological stressors and DME have significant, but opposing effects on the chronic inflammation associated with LN; thus identifying and characterizing stress reduction and a daily regimen of physical activity as potential adjunct therapies to complement pharmacological intervention in the management of autoimmune disorders, including LN.

The Geographic Information System (GIS) is one of the modern database software which is used to collect, analyze, display, processing and produce geographic information maps for a specific objective. In addition, a statistical analysis can be generated within GIS on specific data to produce quantitative results. In this study, the GIS utilized to produce thematic maps showing the variation of bearing capacity of shallow foundation in Al-Basrah province soil. All the features mentioned above illustrate the importance of GIS exploring more valuable results such as the bearing capacity of shallow foundation from the results of standard penetration tests (SPT) conducted in Al-Basrah province soil. The total number of boreholes drilled was 135 distributed irregularly in the study area. In each borehole, three SPTs were performed at depths of 1.5, 6, and 9.5 m measured from the existing ground level (EGL). The results of the study can be summarized by the production of thematic maps showing the variation of the bearing capacity of the soil over the whole area of Al-Basrah city correlated with several depths. These maps can be used by different local authorities to predict soil bearing capacity and choose a suitable type of foundation. In addition, it can be utilized to assess the foundations of existing and irregularly constructed buildings and to assess the extent of the risks of failure and collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the Study: This research aimed to examine the protective antioxidant role of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) against H2O2 induced oxidative stress in male albino rats. Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group1 (Negative Control Group) (n=10): Normal diet and tap water for drinking, injected daily with 1ml/kg distilled water(DW) (i.p.) for 4 weeks. Group2: ( H2O2 Treated Group) (n=10) received normal diet, drinking water containing 0.5% H2O2 daily to induce oxidative stress and injected daily with 1 ml/kg body weight distilled water(i.p.) for 4 weeks. Group3: (NAC Group) (n=10) received normal diet, tap water for drinking and injected daily with NAC 150 mg /kg body weight (i. p.) for 4 weeks. Group 4: (Protected Group) (NAC+H2O2) (n=10) received normal diet and drinking water contain 0.5% H202 daily to induce oxidative stress and injected daily with NAC 150 mg. /kg body weight ( i. p.) for 4 weeks. Blood samples were collected from all the animals groups for testing the antioxidant enzymes (Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase) and blood glucose level. The body weights were checked. At end of the experiment the animals were anaesthetized. The salivary glands were dissected for histologic investigation. Results: Showed a significant reduction in levels of both Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase enzymes and a significant increase in the blood glucose level at p ≤0.05, and a severs degeneration in salivary glands tissue for the H2O2 Treated Group compared to the Negative Control Group, NAC Group and Protected Group (NAC+H2O2) which show no significant changes. Conclusion: This study indicates the prophylactic and protective roles of NAC against H2O2 induced oxidative stress deteriorating effect on salivary glands tissue, antioxidant enzymes, and blood glucose level in male albino rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background/Objectives This study aims to elucidate the genetic causes of congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), a rare genetic disorder resulting in GnRH deficiency, in six families from Pakistan. Methods Eighteen DNA samples from six families underwent genome sequencing followed by standard evaluation for pathogenic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small indels. All families were subsequently analyzed for pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) using CoverageMaster. Results Novel pathogenic homozygous SNVs in known CHH genes were identified in four families: two families with variants in GNRHR, and two others harboring KISS1R variants. Subsequent investigation of CNVs in the remaining two families identified novel unique large deletions in ANOS1. Conclusion A combined, systematic analysis of single nucleotide and CNVs helps to improve the diagnostic yield for variants in patients with CHH.

Abstract There is a growing interest in standardizing the biocompatible, cost‐effective, and eco‐friendly manufacturing techniques for metallic nanostructures due to their widespread applications in the industrial and medical sectors. In recent decades, green synthesis has been proven as the most suitable technique for synthesizing metal nanoparticles. The present research study investigates the use of Cassia angustifolia (senna) leaves and Pistacia vera (Pistachio) nuts to prepare crude aqueous extracts, ethanolic extracts, and biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The prepared aqueous extracts were used as reducing, stabilizing, and capping agents for the production of silver nanoparticles. These AgNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. The outcomes validated the formation of stable AgNPs with bioactive functional components. In vitro antibacterial, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant potentials were assessed by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion test, MIC test, MBC test, MTT assay, BSA denaturation inhibition assay, and DPPH antioxidant assay, respectively. Results confirmed that the tested plant extract possesses a variety of bioactive compounds with various biological activities and is therapeutically effective. These findings verified that C. angustifolia and P. vera are promising bioresources for the synthesis of therapeutic extracts and nanostructures with commendable therapeutic potency.

ABSTRACTInhalation of ambient particulate matter (PM) can disrupt the gut microbiome, while exercise independently influences the gut microbiome by promoting beneficial bacteria. In this study, we analyzed changes in gut microbial diversity and composition in response to combined interventions of PM exposure and aerobic exercise, extending up to 12 weeks. This investigation was conducted using mice, categorized into five groups: control group (Con), exercise group (EXE), exercise group followed by 3-day exposure to PM (EXE + 3-day PM), particulate matter exposure (PM), and PM exposure with concurrent treadmill exercise (PME). Notably, the PM group exhibited markedly lower alpha diversity and richness compared to the Con group and our analysis of beta diversity revealed significant variations among the intervention groups. Members of the Lachnospiraceae family showed significant enhancement in the exercise intervention groups (EXE and PME) compared to the Con and PM groups. The biomarker Lactobacillus, Coriobacteraceae, and Anaerofustis were enriched in the EXE group, while Desulfovibrionaceae, Mucispirillum schaedleri, Lactococcus and Anaeroplasma were highly enriched in the PM group. Differential abundance analysis revealed that Paraprevotella, Bacteroides, and Blautia were less abundant in the 12-week PM exposure group than in the 3-day PM exposure group. Moreover, both the 3-day and 12-week PM exposure groups exhibited a reduced relative abundance of Bacteroides uniformis, SMB53, and Staphylococcus compared to non-PM exposure groups. These findings will help delineate the possible roles and associations of altered microbiota resulting from the studied interventions, paving the way for future mechanistic research.

The present study examines the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the economic growth of the lower-middle income countries of South Asia. For empirical analysis, panel data approach comprising OLS, fixed effects, and random effects has been applied over the period 2000-2022. The results indicate that internet and mobile penetration induce economic growth in the lower-middle income countries of South Asia, while the estimated output elasticity for internet is highest amongst the three ICT indicators undertaken in the study. Thus, internet can be used as a growth propellant in the region to skip through the developmental stages.

The importance of image encryption in cryptography has surged due to advancement in image processing technology. Our research presents a novel image encryption technique using advanced image processing and permutation-based S-box generation. Utilizing a sine series expansion, we achieve a pseudorandom distribution of values applicable across various fields. Our systematic method for computing the Laplace transform of symbolic metrices ensures enhanced security. This study integrates core cryptographic principles: permutation, substitution, randomness, symbolic operations, and cyclic encryption. The proposed cryptosystem’s modular nature allows adaptability and customization for specific cryptographic needs, enhancing overall security. Our efforts to improve key generation, introduce randomness, and increase operational complexity drive advancements in secure cryptographic systems. Comprehensive analysis, including key sensitivity, key space, Information Entropy(IE), histogram correlation, Number of Pixel Change Rate (NPCR), Peak Signal Noise Ratio(PSNR), Unified Average Changing Intensity (UACI), and similarity assessments like Mean Square Error (MSE) and Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM),Validate the efficiency of our encryption scheme. Our results surpass previous efforts, setting a new standard in cryptographic research excellence.

Objective: To assess the clinical and laboratory parameters, interventions and their outcomes in children presenting with biliary atresia at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study. Place and Duration of study: Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb 2021 to Jan 2022. Methodology: Patients diagnosed with extrahepatic biliary atresia on the basis of liver histopathology and intra operative cholangiogram were enrolled consecutively during this period. The clinical parameters, liver function tests, radiological investigations and histopathology findings were recorded and correlated. The impact of Kasai procedure on outcome and prognosis of biliary atresia patients was noted along with an interval analysis at 1 year of age. Results: Forty patients were studied including 26 males and 14 females. Thirty (75%) patients underwent Kasai at a median age of 3.14±1.2 months with a success rate of 66.6% (p-value0.05). A statistically significant relation was established between one-year outcomes of patients undergoing Kasai Hepatic Portoenterostomy and without Kasai Hepatic Portoenterostomy (p-value 0.01). A significant difference in survival of patients undergoing Kasai Hepatic Portoenterostomy and those without Kasai Hepatic Portoenterostomy (p< 0.001) was observed. Conclusion: Intervention in the form of Kasai Hepatic Portoenterostomy significantly contributes towards an improved outcome in patients with Biliary Atresia.

Abstract Improved software for processing medical images has inspired tremendous interest in modern medicine in recent years. Modern healthcare equipment generates huge amounts of data, such as scanned medical images and computerized patient information, which must be secured for future use. Diversity in the healthcare industry, namely in the form of medical data, is one of the largest challenges for researchers. Cloud environment and the Block chain technology have both demonstrated their own use. The purpose of this study is to combine both technologies for safe and secure transaction. Storing or sending medical data through public clouds exposes information into potential eavesdropping, data breaches and unauthorized access. Encrypting data before transmission is crucial to mitigate these security risks. As a result, a Blockchain based Chaotic Arnold’s cat map Encryption Scheme (BCAES) is proposed in this paper. The BCAES first encrypts the image using Arnold’s cat map encryption scheme and then sends the encrypted image into Cloud Server and stores the signed document of plain image into blockchain. As blockchain is often considered more secure due to its distributed nature and consensus mechanism, data receiver will ensure data integrity and authenticity of image after decryption using signed document stored into the blockchain. Various analysis techniques have been used to examine the proposed scheme. The results of analysis like key sensitivity analysis, key space analysis, Information Entropy, histogram correlation of adjacent pixels, Number of Pixel Change Rate, Peak Signal Noise Ratio, Unified Average Changing Intensity, and similarity analysis like Mean Square Error, and Structural Similarity Index Measure illustrated that our proposed scheme is an efficient encryption scheme as compared to some recent literature. Our current achievements surpass all previous endeavors, setting a new standard of excellence.

Abstract High-fat diet-induced obesity is a pandemic caused by an inactive lifestyle and increased consumption of Western diets and is a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, exercise can positively influence gut microbial diversity and is linked to a decreased inflammatory state. To understand the gut microbial variations associated with exercise and high-fat diet over time, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine the effect of covariates on gut microbial diversity and composition. Young mice were divided into four groups: Chow-diet (CHD), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet + exercise (HFX), and exercise only (EXE) and underwent experimental intervention for 12 weeks. Fecal samples at week 0 and 12 were collected for DNA extraction, followed by 16S library preparation and sequencing. Data were analyzed using QIIME 2, R and MicrobiomeAnalyst. The Bacteroidetes-to-Firmicutes ratio decreased fivefold in the HFD and HFX groups compared to that in the CHD and EXE groups and increased in the EXE group over time. Alpha diversity was significantly increased in the EXE group longitudinally (p

Abstract Microorganism contamination on substrate surfaces is arousing increasingly concern as a serious health issue. In this research work, antimicrobial water-based acrylic paint containing silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was prepared using the facile Ag+ in situ reduction process, in which AgNO3 and reducing agent sodium acrylate were refluxed with acrylic polymeric solution to obtain an antimicrobial and antifungal polymeric material for substrate coating. The Synthesized antimicrobial and antifungal water-based acrylic paint were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The FTIR and UV–Visible spectroscopic analyses were investigated to study the water-based acrylic paint structure as well as the significant impact of Ag NPs on the paint matrix. The UV–Visible and FTIR Spectra peak shows successful integration of Ag NPs within the polymer matrix without altering the core functional groups of the paint. The water based acrylic paint exhibited a strong antimicrobial activity, revealed substantial inhibition zones against all four strains of Gram negative represented by Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gram-positive represented by Bacillus cereus. The coated film on substrate also shows great inhibition zone which exhibit a strong antimicrobial activity. Moreover, water based acrylic paint also exhibited a great antifungal activity, revealed substantial zone of inhibition against the Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus and Rhizopus arrhizus fungal strains. Also, the coated film showed the best adhesion at 50% and 80% solution of polymeric coating sample as compared to pure or very dilute sample coating. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize varies industries from healthcare to construction.

Abstract Background and aims The current systematic review aimed to elucidate the effects of lipid variability on microvascular complication risk in diabetic patients. The lipid components studied were as follows: High-density lipoprotein (HDL), High-density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglyceride (TG), Total Cholesterol (TC), and Remnant Cholesterol (RC). Method We carried out a systematic search in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS, up to October 2nd, 2023. After omitting the duplicates, we screened the title and abstract of the studies. Next, we retrieved and reviewed the full text of the remaining articles and included the ones that met our inclusion criteria in the study. Result In this research, we examined seven studies, comprising six cohort studies and one cross-sectional study. This research was conducted in Hong Kong, China, Japan, Taiwan, Finland, and Italy. The publication years of these articles ranged from 2012 to 2022, and the duration of each study ranged from 5 to 14.3 years. The study group consisted of patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 45 and 84 years, with a diabetes history of 7 to 12 years. These studies have demonstrated that higher levels of LDL, HDL, and TG variability can have adverse effects on microvascular complications, especially nephropathy and neuropathic complications. TG and LDL variability were associated with the development of albuminuria and GFR decline. Additionally, reducing HDL levels showed a protective effect against microalbuminuria. However, other studies did not reveal an apparent relationship between lipid variations and microvascular complications, such as retinopathy. Current research lacks geographic and demographic diversity. Increased HDL, TG, and RC variability have been associated with several microvascular difficulties. Still, the pathogenic mechanism is not entirely known, and understanding how lipid variability affects microvascular disorders may lead to novel treatments. Furthermore, the current body of this research is restricted in its coverage. This field's lack of thorough investigations required a more extensive study and comprehensive effort. Conclusion The relationship between lipid variation (LDL, HDL, and TG) (adverse effects) on microvascular complications, especially nephropathy and neuropathic (and maybe not retinopathy), is proven. Physicians and health policymakers should be highly vigilant to lipid variation in a general population.

The incidence of neurological disorders, particularly age-related neurodegenerative pathologies, exhibits an alarming upward trend, while current pharmacological interventions seldom achieve curative outcomes. Despite their diverse clinical presentations, neurological diseases often share a common pathological thread: the aberrant accumulation of misfolded proteins within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This phenomenon, known as ER stress, arises when the cell’s intrinsic quality control mechanisms fail to cope with the protein-folding burden. Consequently, misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER lumen, triggering a cascade of cellular stress responses. Recognizing this challenge, researchers have intensified their efforts over the past two decades to explore natural compounds that could potentially slow or even reverse these devastating pathologies. Flavonoids constitute a vast and heterogeneous class of plant polyphenols, with over 10,000 identified from diverse natural sources such as wines, vegetables, medicinal plants, and organic products. Flavonoids are generally divided into six different subclasses: anthocyanidins, flavanones, flavones, flavonols, isoflavones, and flavonols. The diverse family of flavonoids, featuring a common phenolic ring backbone adorned with varying hydroxyl groups and additional modifications, exerts its antioxidant activity by inhibiting the formation of ROS, as evidenced by research. Also, studies suggest that polyphenols such as flavonoids can regulate ER stress through apoptosis and autophagy. By understanding these mechanisms, we can unlock the potential of flavonoids as novel therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, this review critically examines the literature exploring the modulatory effects of flavonoids on various steps of the ER stress in neurological disorders.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of remdesivir, alone or in combination with corticosteroids, on the time to death in COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between March 20, 2020, and March 18, 2021, on 5318 patients with confirmed COVID-19 at three tertiary educational hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The treated group consisted of COVID-19 patients who received remdesivir, either alone or in combination with corticosteroids, while the untreated group included infected patients who did not receive these treatments. The two groups were matched by propensity score matching method, which adjusted for 92 confounding factors such as demographic, sign and symptom, clinical, and treatment-related factors, to provide balanced covariates between the treated and untreated groups. Results: Of the 4,322 patients, 791 received remdesivir alone and 694 received remdesivir combined with corticosteroids. Among the patients who received remdesivir, 456 were male, and the mean (±standard deviation) age was 59.52±16.49 with a median hospitalization stay of 8 (interquartile range: 5–13) days. After applying the nearest neighbor propensity score matching method, there were no significant differences found in the hazard of death between patients who received remdesivir alone and those who did not receive treatment (hazard ratio: 0.94; 95 % confidence interval: 0.76, 1.16). In addition, the combination of remdesivir and corticosteroids was not associated with a reduced hazard of death (hazard ratio: 1.00; 95 % confidence interval: 0.80, 1.26). The median hospitalization stay was significantly longer in the group treated with remdesivir (alone/combined with corticosteroids) compared to the untreated group, both before and after matching. Conclusion: No association was observed between remdesivir treatment (alone/combined with corticosteroids) and a reduced hazard of death among COVID-19 patients. However, longer hospitalization stays were observed in patients receiving remdesivir, either alone or in combination with corticosteroids, compared to the untreated group.

Background: The morphology of megakaryocytes plays a major role in thrombopoiesis. Dysmegakaryocytopoiesis and thrombocytopenia can result from imperfection in any phase of megakaryocytopoiesis. The structure, morphology, and characteristics of megakaryocytes can differentiate and identify the etiology of underlying diseases such as leukaemia, mixed anaemia, idiopathic, aplasia, or infiltration. This research aimed to comprehend megakaryocyte attributions and their contribution to the diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of all successive cases of thrombocytopenia bone marrow aspirates over 12 months (January 2019 to December 2019) at the Department of Pathology, Indus Medical College Hospital Tando Muhammad Khan. With a 100X lens, megakaryocyte morphology was studied. Data were analysed by SPSS and Chi-square was performed to find correlation at the 95% confidence interval. Results: Among the 91 subjects of thrombocytopenia, the commonest etiology of thrombocytopenia was idiopathic thrombocytopenia 34(37.36%). The common morphological changes in megakaryocytes were hypolobated megakaryocytes and bare megakaryocyte nuclei. Megakaryocyte numbers were increased for 31 (91.17%) patients among idiopathic thrombocytopenia, though the megakaryocyte numbers were decreased among 19 (90.47%) patients having acute leukaemia. A change to immature, young, less polyploid and bare nuclei forms was observed in immune thrombocytopenia. Immature types were seen in 15 cases, 14 cases of bare megakaryocytic nuclei, 15 cases of hypolobation and one case of micromegakaryocytes. Conclusion: Many similarities among various haematological diseases were observed in megakaryocytic morphology. However, in megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia, high megakaryocyte counts and evidence of bare nuclei of megakaryocytes (p=0.02) and hypolobic types (p=0.03) proved important and play a very essential role in diagnosis. Keywords: Megakaryocytes; Thrombocytopenia; Bone Marrow Aspirate; Diagnosis; Dysmegakaryopoiesis.

Abstract Sustainability is a vital perspective for banks to keep their survival in the long run. While nonperforming loans (NPLs) also impact sustainability, this study aims to examine the moderating impact of NPLs on the adoption of sustainable development goals and the financial performance of the banks. The central hypothesis assumes that even after adopting sustainable development goals, banks cannot get high profits if their NPLs are high. Economic, social, and environmental indicators represent SDG measurement using an ESE index. We are performing panel data analysis through regression and the GMM technique. This study also conducts independent research on economic, social, and environmental indicators. We found that NPL significantly moderates the relationship between the SDGs and the financial performance. This paper has the following vital contribution. Bank that adopts sustainable development goals may have low profits if it has a high nonperforming loan ratio so banks must focus on the customer to whom they offer loans. The novelty of this study is adopting the ESE index for measuring the adoption of SDGs.

The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) has confirmed that X-ray polarimetry is a valuable tool in astronomy, providing critical insights into the emission processes and the geometry of compact objects. IXPE was designed to be sensitive in the 2–8 keV energy range for three primary reasons: (1) celestial X-ray sources are bright within this range, (2) the optics are effective, and (3) most sources across various classes were expected to exhibit some level of polarization. Indeed, IXPE is a great success, and its discoveries are necessitating the revision of many theoretical models for numerous sources. However, one of IXPE’s main limitations is its relatively narrow energy band, coupled with rapidly declining efficiency. In this paper, we will demonstrate the benefits of devising a mission focused on a broader energy band (0.1–79 keV). This approach leverages current technologies that align well with theoretical expectations and builds on the successes of IXPE.

Introduction: One persistent complication of chronic kidney disease is secondary hyperparathyroidism. Early diagnosis of this disease will reduce morbidity in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Aims & Objectives: To determine the prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patients at National Institute of Kidney Diseases, SZH Lahore. Place and Duration of Study: A cross sectional study was conducted at Nephrology Department of Shaikh Zayed Hospital (SZH) Lahore after getting approval from Institutional Review Board of National Health Research Complex (NHRC). It was conducted from September 2023 to November 2023 &140 hemo-dialysis patients were selected. Material & Methods: We measured serum parathyroid hormone, hemoglobin and other variables, at Biochemistry laboratory of Sheikh Zayed Hospital, in 140 hemodialysis patients. Serum samples were measured for PTH levels using ELISA method. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.P value ? 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Fifteen patients had secondary hyperparathyroidism out of 140 hemodialysis patients. Hyperparathyroidism was observed in 10.71 % of the patients. Hyperparathyroidism patients had significantly low calcium, hemoglobin levels & higher phosphate levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of secondary hyperparathyroidism is low at 10.71% of patients undergoing hemodialysis at National Institute of Kidney Disease, SZH Lahore.

Objective: Regular physical activity is beneficial to both physical and emotional well-being. The present study goal is to observe how lack of physical exercise leads to various noncommunicable diseases. Methodology:A study was conducted at Central Park Housing Society, Lahore using cross sectional study design. Data was collected from 250 residents of Lahore, Pakistan’s Central Park Housing Society using the structured tool IPAQ-LF. Structured tool used in this study was applicable on age group between 15-69 years, therefore we included participants aged between 15-69 years in this study. While children, adolescences having age between 10-14 years, adults > 69 years old, pregnant women and those with existing non- communicable diseases were excluded from the study. The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was used to determine whether there was a significant relationship between physical activity and non-communicable diseases. Results: About 20.8% participants had family history of hypertension. Greater physical activity is linked to reduce hypertension risk. Lower physical activity is associated with a higher diabetes risk (18%) compared to the higher activity levels (14%). BMI (p-value=0.00) and random blood sugar level (p-value=0.03) is associated with physical activity. Conclusion: Most of the participants were not involved in moderate physical activity. People who participated in physical activities are at a lower risk of developing diabetes and hypertension. In general, physical activity aids in mitigating harmful chronic diseases.

The Aczel-Alsina t-norm and t-conorm were derived by Aczel and Alsina in 1982. They are modified forms of the algebraic t-norm and t-conorm. Furthermore, the theory of picture fuzzy values is a very valuable and appropriate technique for describing awkward and unreliable information in a real-life scenario. In this research, we analyze the theory of averaging and geometric aggregation operators (AOs) in the presence of the Aczel-Alsina operational laws and prioritization degree based on picture fuzzy (PF) information, such as the prioritized PF Aczel-Alsina average operator and prioritized PF Aczel-Alsina geometric operator. Moreover, we examine properties such as idempotency, monotonicity and boundedness for the derived operators and also evaluated some important results. Furthermore, we use the derived operators to create a system for controlling the multi-attribute decision-making problem using PF information. To show the approach's effectiveness and the developed operators' validity, a numerical example is given. Also, a comparative analysis is presented.

Objective: Regular physical activity is beneficial to both physical and emotional well-being. The present study goal is to observe how lack of physical exercise leads to various noncommunicable diseases. Methodology:A study was conducted at Central Park Housing Society, Lahore using cross sectional study design. Data was collected from 250 residents of Lahore, Pakistan’s Central Park Housing Society using the structured tool IPAQ-LF. Structured tool used in this study was applicable on age group between 15-69 years, therefore we included participants aged between 15-69 years in this study. While children, adolescences having age between 10-14 years, adults > 69 years old, pregnant women and those with existing non- communicable diseases were excluded from the study. The Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test was used to determine whether there was a significant relationship between physical activity and non-communicable diseases. Results: About 20.8% participants had family history of hypertension. Greater physical activity is linked to reduce hypertension risk. Lower physical activity is associated with a higher diabetes risk (18%) compared to the higher activity levels (14%). BMI (p-value=0.00) and random blood sugar level (p-value=0.03) is associated with physical activity. Conclusion: Most of the participants were not involved in moderate physical activity. People who participated in physical activities are at a lower risk of developing diabetes and hypertension. In general, physical activity aids in mitigating harmful chronic diseases.

Abstract Background In recent decades, efforts to produce more efficient poultry products have increased due to its high demand. Meanwhile, some stressors have a negative impact on poultry efficiency and reproduction. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with a high potential for inducing reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), with antioxidant properties, exerts a free radical‐neutralizing effect on biological systems under stressful conditions. Objectives This study aimed to determine the effect of dietary CoQ10 supplementation on reproductive variables of Cd‐challenged male quails. Methods Two hundred and sixteen 42‐day‐old Japanese quails with a male‐to‐female ratio of 1:3 were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n = 72) and fed by experimental diets from 9 to 13 weeks of age (woa). Treatments included a negative control (NC): feeding basal diet; positive control (PC): feeding basal diet and Cd administration (1 mg per 100 g body weight at 10 and 11 woa); and CdQ10: dietary supplementation of CoQ10 (900 mg per kg diet) and Cd administration. At 10 and 13 woa, liver and testis, cloacal gland index, sera concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and testosterone, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), testicular histology, mRNA abundance of Hsp70 and fatty acid profile of testis, as well as hatchability and fertility, were measured. Results Liver and testis weights, cloacal gland index, serum concentration of testosterone, ALT, MDA, TAC, mRNA abundance of HSP70, hatchability, and fertility were not affected by the treatments. However, Cd administration decreased seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness (SET) in the PC group compared to the NC group (p < 0.05). The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in testis tissue was increased, and the proportion of PUFA and n‐3 to n‐6 PUFA ratio was decreased in the PC group compared to the NC group (p < 0.05). In addition, CoQ10 supplementation ameliorated the effect of Cd on decreasing SFA and increasing n‐3 to n‐6 PUFA ratio proportions. Conclusions In conclusion, Cd exerts several adverse effects on reproductive‐associated variables; some, but not all, of them are mitigated by CoQ10 supplementation.

Abstract We aimed to propose a mortality risk prediction model using on-admission clinical and laboratory predictors. We used a dataset of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to three general hospitals in Tehran. Clinical and laboratory values were gathered on admission. Six different machine learning models and two feature selection methods were used to assess the risk of in-hospital mortality. The proposed model was selected using the area under the receiver operator curve (AUC). Furthermore, a dataset from an additional hospital was used for external validation. 5320 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study, with a mortality rate of 17.24% (N = 917). Among 82 features, ten laboratories and 27 clinical features were selected by LASSO. All methods showed acceptable performance (AUC > 80%), except for K-nearest neighbor. Our proposed deep neural network on features selected by LASSO showed AUC scores of 83.4% and 82.8% in internal and external validation, respectively. Furthermore, our imputer worked efficiently when two out of ten laboratory parameters were missing (AUC = 81.8%). We worked intimately with healthcare professionals to provide a tool that can solve real-world needs. Our model confirmed the potential of machine learning methods for use in clinical practice as a decision-support system.

Cybersecurity guarantees the exchange of information through a public channel in a secure way. That is the data must be protected from unauthorized parties and transmitted to the intended parties with confidentiality and integrity. In this work, we mount an attack on a cryptosystem based on multivariate polynomial trapdoor function over the field of rational numbers Q. The developers claim that the security of their proposed scheme depends on the fact that a polynomial system consisting of 2n (where n is a natural number) equations and 3n unknowns constructed by using quasigroup string transformations, has infinitely many solutions and finding exact solution is not possible. We explain that the proposed trapdoor function is vulnerable to a Gröbner basis attack. Selected polynomials in the corresponding Gröbner basis can be used to recover the plaintext against a given ciphertext without the knowledge of the secret key.

Purpose: The paper aims to review advancements and current literature in the field of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM). It further intends to understand the relationship of GHRM with multiple variables and to highlight multiple green initiatives that organizations can use to further their environmental agenda.

Abstract Programmed death-1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade therapy has become a game-changing therapeutic approach revolutionizing the treatment setting of human malignancies, such as renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Despite the remarkable clinical activity of anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, only a small portion of patients exhibit a positive response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy, and the primary or acquired resistance might ultimately favor cancer development in patients with clinical responses. In light of this, recent reports have signified that the addition of other therapeutic modalities to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy might improve clinical responses in advanced RCC patients. Until, combination therapy with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy plus cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor (ipilimumab) or various vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) inhibitors axitinib, such as axitinib and cabozantinib, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as first-line treatment for metastatic RCC. In the present review, we have focused on the therapeutic benefits of the PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy as a single agent or in combination with other conventional or innovative targeted therapies in RCC patients. We also offer a glimpse into the well-determined prognostic factor associated with the clinical response of RCC patients to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade therapy.

Abstract This study is an attempt to examine similarities and differences in the patterns of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) of India and China in the global market at different levels of classification. The study analyses whether RCAs of these economies have undergone any structural shift/change or whether the pattern of specialization in these economies is competitive or complementary in the world market. The study reveals that India holds a comparative advantage in 9 out of 16 product groups of Harmonized System (HS) classification, 41 out of 97 HS chapters at HS 2‐digit level, and 2377 out of 4163 traded commodities at HS 6‐digit level, while China holds a comparative advantage in 6 out of 16 HS product groups, 45 out of 97 HS chapters at HS 2‐digit level, and 2075 out of 4381 traded commodities at HS 6‐digit level in 2018. Major findings suggest that both the countries have been performing well and broadly maintained their comparative advantage, especially since 2000. A comparative analysis of India and China reveals a small structural change in RCA over time in both economies at disaggregated levels. The study highlights that India and China neither have a competitive nor a complementary relationship in the global market. These findings reflect a scope of independent expansion of the economies of both India and China, without hurting mutual interest in the global market. It may be inferred from the results that mutual cooperation will enhance the competitiveness of both economies and contributes to global economic progress.

Abstract In this letter, a new rail‐to‐rail two‐stage regenerative comparator for low supply voltage applications is presented. A rail‐to‐rail operation is achieved by utilizing an inverse inverter pre‐amplifier. The proposed comparator is post‐layout simulated within a standard 180‐nm CMOS technology. In the worst‐case scenario, the energy efficiency and the delay of the comparator are improved by more than 80% compared to the conventional single‐stage comparator.

As the outbreak of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout the world, steps are being taken to limit the impact on public health. In the realm of infectious diseases like COVID-19, social distancing is one of the effective measures to avoid exposure to the virus and reduce its spread.Traveling on public transport can meaningfully facilitate the propagation of the transmission of infectious diseases. Accordingly, responsive actions taken by public transit agencies against risk factors can effectively limit the risk and make transit systems safe. Among the multitude of risk factors that can affect infection spread on public transport, the likelihood of exposure is a major factor that depends on the number of people riding the public transport and can be reduced by socially distanced settings. Considering that many individuals may not act in the socially optimal manner, the necessity of public transit agencies to implement measures and restrictions is vital.In this study, we present a novel web-based application, T-Ridership, based on a hybrid optimized dynamic programming inspired by neural networks algorithm to optimize public transit for safety with respect to COVID-19. Two main steps are taken in the analysis through Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA): detecting high-density stations by input data normalization, and then, using these results, the T-Ridership tool automatically determines optimal station order to avoid overcrowded transit vehicles. Effectively our proposed web tool helps public transit to be safe to ride under risk of infections by reducing the density of riders on public transit vehicles as well as trip duration. These results can be used in expanding on and improving policy in public transit, to better plan the scheduled time of trains and buses in a way that prevents high-volume human contact, increases social distance, and reduces the possibility of disease transmission (available at:http://t-ridership.com and GitHub at: https://github.com/Imani-Saba/TRidership).

In this study, control over the wake flow of a single square cylinder exercised by a flat plate attached to the rear side of the cylinder is analyzed numerically via the lattice Boltzmann method. The Reynolds number (Re) is fixed at 150, and the length of the plate is varied from 0.1 to 8.5. Three distinct flow modes are observed in this study: unsteady, transient, and steady flow in the cases of plate lengths (L) in the ranges 0.1 ≤L≤ 6.5, 6.75 ≤L≤ 7.5, and 7.75 ≤L≤ 8.5, respectively. The streamlines exhibit different flow structures, termed hairpin-like, ellipse-like, and elongated bubble-like, at different values of L. Complete wake control is achieved at plate lengths beyond 7.75. This study reveals that the drag and lift coefficients exhibit unsteadiness at short plate lengths in early time steps, but as the plate length increases, unsteadiness slows down and eventually disappears, confirming the steady flow pattern. The mean drag coefficient (CDm), Strouhal number (St), and root-mean-square value of drag and lift coefficients (CDrms; CLrms) are reduced by maximums of 23.5%, 100%, 84.6%, and 99.5%, respectively, as a result of the presence of the plate.

Background: Stammering is a speech fluency disorder categorized by repetitions, prolongations and blocks that interrupt the normal flow and forward movement of speech. The Fluency shaping techniques including Easy Onset and Pantomiming treatment are commonly used techniques for the management of stuttering. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of Pantomiming and easy onset method for the treatment of blocks in stammering in school aged children. Material & Method: A randomized control trial (NCT04813588) was conducted in hospitals of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The Convenient sampling technique was used for data collection from National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (NIRM). The sample size was n=16, randomly divided in Easy onset (n=8) and Pantomiming (n=8) through lottery method. The schools going children and adolescent between 6-18 years of both genders with mild to moderate stammering with blocking symptoms were included. The severity of stuttering was assessed with real time analysis of speech fluency. The data was analysed at the baseline and after three months of intervention. The non-parametric tests were applied for within and between group analyses. Results: The mean age of the participants was 10.38±5.290 years. A total n=11 were males and n=5 were females. When compared both groups, there was no significant difference between Easy onset and Pantomiming technique {MR=9 vs MR=8, U=28, p=0.535} in the management of stuttering after three months of intervention. Conclusion: The easy onset and pantomiming techniques are equally effective in improving the blocking in stuttering. Keywords: Blocks, easy onset, fluency shaping, pantomiming, speech therapy, stammering, stuttering