Search

Background: The development of digital technologies and the evolution of open innovation approaches have enabled the creation of diverse virtual organizations and enterprises coordinating their activities primarily online. The open innovation platform titled "International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce" (INPST) was established in 2018, to bring together in collaborative environment individuals and organizations interested in natural product scientific research, and to empower their interactions by using digital communication tools. Methods: In this work, we present a general overview of INPST activities and showcase the specific use of Twitter as a powerful networking tool that was used to host a one-week "2021 INPST Twitter Networking Event" (spanning from 31st May 2021 to 6th June 2021) based on the application of the Twitter hashtag #INPST. Results and conclusion: The use of this hashtag during the networking event period was analyzed with Symplur Signals (https://www.symplur.com/), revealing a total of 6,036 tweets, shared by 686 users, which generated a total of 65,004,773 impressions (views of the respective tweets). This networking event's achieved high visibility and participation rate showcases a convincing example of how this social media platform can be used as a highly effective tool to host virtual Twitter-based international biomedical research events.

Inflammation-related diseases are recognized as the major cause of morbidity around the globe. In this study, the anti-inflammatory potential of sericin, curcumin, and their mixture was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Edema was induced via 1% carrageenan and then sericin (0.03, 0.06, 0.09 mg/ml), curcumin (1%, 2%, 3%), and their mixture doses were applied topically. The paw circumference and thickness were measured after 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-hour post-carrageenan injection. The levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were measured from the serum. In mice fibroblast cells, sericin (20, 40, 60 μg/ml), curcumin (5, 10, 20 μM), and mixture concentrations were applied and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Afterward, the cells were used for the analysis of gene expression, and the supernatant was collected for protein expression of IL-1β, IL-4, and IL-10. Our results demonstrated that sericin and curcumin caused a dose-dependent reduction in edema, whereas the mixture-treated group reduced the paw thickness and circumference most significantly (p = .0001). Furthermore, the mixture treatment of carrageenan-inflicted group increased the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 (650.87 pg/ml) and IL-10 (183.14 pg/ml), in comparison to the carrageenan control. The in vitro data revealed that among all the treatment doses, the mixture-treated group has effectively reduced the gene (1.13-fold) and protein (51.9 pg/ml) expression of IL-1β in comparison to McCoy cells stimulated with LPS. Moreover, mixture treatment elevated the expression of IL-4 and IL-10 at genes (4.3-fold and 3.7-fold, respectively) and protein levels (169.33 and 141.83 pg/ml, respectively). The current study reports the enhanced anti-inflammatory effects of the mixture of curcumin and sericin through modulating expressions of interleukins in vitro and in vivo. Thus, natural products (curcumin and sericin)-based formulations have greater potential for clinical investigations.

This paper studies the growth of Chinese imports into the United States from autarky during 1950–1970 to about 15 percent of overall imports in 2008, taking advantage of the rich heterogeneity in trade policy and trade growth across products during this period. Central to the analysis is an accounting for the dynamics of trade, trade policy, and trade-policy expectations. The analysis isolates the lagged effects of past reforms and the current effects of uncertainty about future reforms. It builds a multi-industry, heterogeneous-firm model with a dynamic export participation decision to estimate a path of trade-policy expectations. The findings show that being granted Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status in 1980 was largely a surprise and that, in the early stages, this reform had a high probability of being reversed. The likelihood of reversal dropped considerably during the mid-1980s, and, despite China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, changed little throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thus, although uncertainty depressed trade substantially following the 1980 liberalization, much of the trade growth that followed China’s WTO accession was a delayed response to previous reforms rather than a response to declining uncertainty.

Firms anticipate upcoming tariff changes by shifting their purchases to periods with lower costs. This paper shows that such anticipatory dynamics overstate the trade elasticity. Standard identification of the trade response to trade cost changes uses tariff variation from Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and assumes that trade flows equal their consumption. However, FTAs eliminate tariffs gradually through announced phaseouts. This allows firms to delay their purchases until tariff cuts are effective while consuming their inventories. Indeed, during NAFTA's staged tariff reductions, imports experienced sizable anticipatory slumps followed by liberalization bumps. To study the behavior of consumed imports we construct a measure that uses inventory-sales ratios to smooth out trade flows. Its application to the data yields that the annual trade-flow elasticity is 56% larger than the trade-consumption response and that the ratio of the long- to short-run elasticity increases from 2.3 with trade flows to 3.4 with consumed imports. The measure is validated through Monte Carlo simulations of a ( s _ , s ¯ ) ordering model that reproduces the observed trade pattern.

Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) is among the most common venomous species of scorpions in Punjab, Pakistan. The venom of this species has high risk of morbidity and mortality. Several medicinal plants have been reported to have anti-scorpion venom potential. However, there is scarcity of scientific evidences that could prove the anti-scorpion venom potential of plant extracts. The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-venom activity of four native plants extracts, i.e. Mangifera indica L., Achyranthes aspera L., Allium cepa L. and Ginkgo biloba L. using Swiss albino mice as model. The Methanolic/aqueous extracts of plants were mixed with LD99 of Hottenota tamulus and injected intraperitoneally. The response was recorded till 7th day of treatment. Moreover, hematological and serological analyses were performed after administration of LD50 and LD99 doses of venom. The extracts of A. aspera and A. cepa completely neutralized (100%) the effect of scorpion venom, but neutralization effect of G. biloba was comparatively less (83.3%). However, M. indica (leaves and flowers) did not neutralize the effect scorpion venom. The extracts of plants were analyzed by GC-MS for the compositional analysis. The major compounds found in A. aspera, A. cepa and G. biloba were Oleanolic acid, cyclopropane, Lupeol acetate, a cholesterol, palmitic acid and Stearic acid respectively. It is concluded that A. aspera and A. cepa completely neutralize the effect of venom and could be used in future to design anti-scorpion venom agent.

In late December 2019, a disease known as Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), later known to be caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, was first reported from Wuhan, China. In an unprecedented event, this highly contagious disease would become a global pandemic. The hospitalized patients are being treated mainly for a typical viral pneumonia with supplemental oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. This treatment ought to be helpful for COVID-19 patients, but the clinical outcomes are, thus far, not very promising. Therefore, there is an urgent need of new insights towards the pathophysiology of COVID-19 leading to the basis for better and more effective treatments. Recent research hints that SARS-CoV-2 may impair hemoglobin’s ability to perform gaseous exchange, which leads to oxidative stress. In this complex situation, oxygen therapy could only be of limited utility and would rather aggravate the oxidative stress and its’ downstream pathologies. We propose here that ideally these patients should be treated with exchange blood transfusions for immediate relief and resuscitation.

In the present study, effects of λ-cyhalothrin and emamectin benzoate on survival, locomotion, avoidance behaviour and growth of Plexippus paykulli Savigny Et Audouin, 1827 were studied. P. paykulli was found highly susceptible against the recommended field rate concentration of λ-cyhalothrin. The pesticide affected survival, locomotion and growth of the spiders. On the other hand, emamectin benzoate showed a negligible effect on spiders survival. However, emamectin benzoate significantly affected the locomotion and growth of P. paykulli. It is concluded that although emamectin benzoate is less toxic than λ-cyhalothrin for P. paykulli, it cannot be recommended for IPM programme.

This paper studies the effects on international trade from the annual tariff uncertainty about China’s Most Favored Nation (MFN) status renewal in the United States prior to joining the World Trade Organization. The paper makes four main findings. First, in monthly data trade increases significantly in anticipation of uncertain future increases in tariffs and falls upon renewal. Second, the probability of a tariff increase was perceived to be relatively small, with an average annual probability of non-renewal of about 4.5 percent. Third, what matters more is the expected future tariff rather than the uncertainty around it. These effects are identified using within-year variation in the risk of trade policy changes around the renewal vote and trade flows. An (s,S) inventory model generates this behavior and that variation in the strength of the stockpiling in advance of the vote is increasing in the storability of goods. Fourth, the costs associated with within-year trade policy induced stockpiling reduce entrants’ incentive to operate in a market with tariff uncertainty. The results explain why trade may hold up in advance of a prospective policy change, such as Brexit or the US-China escalating tariff war of 2018-19, but may fall sharply even if expected tariff increases do not materialize.

The present study was designed to record the effect of λ-cyhalothrin, Bifenthrin, and Glyphosate on the mortality, avoidance behavior, foraging activity, and activity of Acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and Carboxylesterase (CarE) in Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841). Highest mortality (70%) in N. theisi was recorded against λ-cyhalothrin. However, Glyphosate was found to be least toxic. Spider spent less time on insecticides/herbicide-treated surfaces. Insecticides/herbicide-treated N. theisi consumed less prey than untreated control spiders. Similarly, when N. theisi were offered insecticide/herbicide-treated prey, they consumed significantly less. Increased AChE and CarE activities were recorded in insecticides/herbicide-treated spiders as compared to control group. Total protein contents were less in insecticides/herbicide-treated spiders than control group. The results revealed that λ-cyhalothrin is more harmful to spiders as compared to Bifenthrin and Glyphosate. It is suggested that the effect of all pesticides used in agro-ecosystem on beneficial insects should be evaluated before using them in the fields.

During chronic inflammation, neutrophils acting locally as effector cells not only activate antibacterial defense but also promote the inflammatory response. Interleukin 8 (IL-8), the main cytokine produced by activated neutrophils, positively correlates with the severity of respiratory tract diseases. By screening European plants traditionally used for treating respiratory tract diseases, we found that extracts of aerial parts of Eupatorium cannabinum inhibit IL-8 release from neutrophils. Using bioassay-guided fractionation, we identified five sesquiterpene lactones, eupatoriopicrin (1), 5′-deoxyeupatoriopicrin (2), hiyodorilactone A (3), 3-hydroxy-5′-O-acetyleupatoriopicrin = hiyodorilactone D (4), and hiyodorilactone B (5), that efficiently (IC50 < 1 μM) inhibited IL-8 and TNF-α release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human neutrophils. Moreover, all these sesquiterpene lactones suppressed the adhesion of human neutrophils to an endothelial monolayer by downregulating the expression of the β2 i...

The impact of elevated blood lead level on some haematological parameters was studied in the field force of Lahore traffic police, in Pakistan. The blood samples were tested for total leucocytes count (TLC) and differential leucocytes count in the persons with high and low blood lead levels. The TLC and percentage of neutrophils and eosinophils were observed as being significantly elevated in the policemen. No significant change was observed in the percentage of lymphocytes, while the percentage of monocytes was observed as being significantly less in the field force of traffic police.

Cellular senescence is characterized by a permanent cell-cycle arrest and a pro-inflammatory secretory phenotype, and can be induced by a variety of stimuli, including ionizing radiation, oxidative stress, and inflammation. In endothelial cells, this phenomenon might contribute to vascular disease. Plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are increased in age-related and chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Although TNFα is a known activator of the central inflammatory mediator NF-κB, and can induce the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the question whether TNFα can induce senescence has not been answered conclusively. Here, we investigated the effect of prolonged TNFα exposure on the fate of endothelial cells and found that such treatment induced premature senescence. Induction of endothelial senescence was prevented by the anti-oxidant N-acetyl cysteine, as well as by plumericin and PHA-408, inhibitors of the NF-κB pathway. Our results indicated that prolonged TNFα exposure could have detrimental consequences to endothelial cells by causing senescence and, therefore, chronically increased TNFα levels might possibly contribute to the pathology of chronic inflammatory diseases by driving premature endothelial senescence.

Histopathological effects of Diazinon (DZ) were studied on adrenal gland in virgin young female mice divided into five groups (10 animals each): (1) Control (untreated); (2) and (3) 9 and 18 mg kg−1 single exposure groups (given distilled water on day 1 and 2 and DZ on day 3); (4) and (5) 9 and 18 mg kg−1 multiple exposure groups (given respective DZ doses on days 1–3). All doses were applied by gavage. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation on day 6. Adrenals were removed surgically for histological and micrometric assessments of medulla and cortex. Histological examination of adrenal medulla revealed apoptotic changes and granular depletion in chromaffin cells while cortex gave impression of increased thickness of Zona Fasciculata following multiple DZ exposures. Mean cell sizes in cortical and medullary regions showed dose and exposure dependent significant decline. In conclusion, DZ exposure caused granular depletion in chromaffin cells indicating a rapid release of adrenaline and increased f...

Pregnant mice (10 in 4 groups each) were exposed to diazinon (DZN) at 10 and 20 mg/kg on gestation day 6 (GD 6), 9 and 12. A group of 10 pregnant animals was maintained as untreated control. The ovaries were exteriorized on GD 18 by euthanizing the animals. The tissues were processed for histopathological and micrometric analysis. Oocytic nuclear derangements in terms of size increase followed by leakage of nuclear contents with increased duration of exposure were seen. Follicular and luteal cells also showed necrosis. The morphometric data showed significant increase in oocyte and para-follicular size (P_0.0001) along with similar increase in nuclear sizes (P_0.001). These findings indicate that DZN is toxic to bring about histopathological and micrometric derangements in the ovaries of the treated pregnant females. Key words : Pesticides, diazinon, toxic, gestation, ovaries, micro-anatomical, micrometric, derangements.

Genetic diversity in cytochrome c oxidase I (coxI) among 7 species of Anopheles mosquitoes from Pakistan, and 37 species from different geographical regions of the world, was recorded. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) analysis revealed a clear gap between intraspecific and interspecific distances of 7 species from Pakistan. However, genetic distances of 37 Anopheles species failed to adequately differentiate species in a global context. Intraspecific and interspecific divergences for 7 Anopheles species of Pakistan varied from 0.0% to 2.5% (mean = 0.49%) and 8% to 22.3% (mean = 12.77%), respectively. Similarly, intraspecific distances for 37 species from different parts of world ranged from 0.0% to 11.2% (mean = 0.65%) while values of interspecific divergences ranged from 3.4% to 35% (mean = 11.75%). Although phylogenetic tree revealed separate clades for 7 Anopheles species of Pakistan, it failed to produce separate clades for 37 species of the world. It is concluded that although standard barcode region is helpful for identifying Anopheles mosquitoes, combination of multi-locus approaches and morphology may be required to accurately identify species in this genus.

Present study was designed to investigate the role of non-specific esterases, glutathione-S-transferesaes and monooxygenases in insecticide resistance in Bactocera zonat. Flies were collected from Gauva orchids of Ajnala, Sargodha. For biochemical estimation of detoxifying enzymes, flies were exposed to the selected insecticides (i.e. Trichlorofon, Malathion and λ-cyhalothrin) for one hour, and then shifted to clean jars. The activity of insecticide detoxifying enzymes in the survivors and control were compared. The activity of insecticide detoxifying enzymes was higher in survivors compared to the susceptible flies (control). The activity of beta esterases, glutathione S-transfereases and monooxygenases of Trichlorofon and Malathion treated flies did not differ. However, both groups have higher activities of detoxifying enzymes compared to the control. Higher activities of insecticide detoxifying enzymes in survivors compared to the control groups indicate the involvement of these enzymes in insecticide resistance.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) was tested for feto-neuro-histopathological manifestations on fetal central nervous system (CNS) in mice at 3 maternally sub-toxic oral doses - 0, 9 and 18 mg/kg. Each dose group was further categorized as: single (gestation day (GD) 6) and triple exposures (9, and 12 respectively). Fetuses were exteriorized on GD18. No obvious signs of toxicity were seen in the dams at these exposures. Mean fetal weight showed a dose (9 and 18 mg/kg) and exposure (single and triple) dependent decrease compared to that of the 0 mg/kg group while the litter size remained unaffected. The neurohistopathological abnormalities include vacuolations of the medullary region along with cortical lesions in CNS in 9 and 18 mg/kg groups on triple exposure only. These neurohistopathological manifestations were considered as the indicatives of neuroglial cells necrosis apoptosis. Our findings suggest that gestational exposure of CPF at motherly safe dose levels in mice induce neuroglial cells apoptosis in fetal CNS. Key words: Chlorpyrifos, neuroteratology, neurotoxicity, neurohistopathology.

The current study was conducted to determine the influence of wheat cultivars on aphids and their coccinellid predator populations. Five cultivars of wheat (99T007, BK-2002, TW0135, INQLAB and CHAKWAL-97) were sown at Arid Zone Research Institute, Bhakkar during 2006. The INQLAB-91 appeared to be the most resistant cultivar, whereas 99T007 appeared to be the most susceptible one for aphid infestations. The 4th week of February was found to be very favourable for aphids in wheat fields in the study area. The highest and lowest populations of coccinellid predators (all species) were recorded on TW0135 and 99T007 cultivars, respectively. The highest population of coccinellid predators was recorded during the 3rd week of February. We observed a significant synchronization between aphids and coccinellids populations. It is concluded from the study that as INQLAB-91 is resistant to the attack of aphid’s population, this cultivar should be promoted in the areas of high aphid infestation. The populations of coccinellids follow the aphid’s population and coccinellids can be important biological control agents of aphids and can be imported tool for IPM programme in the study area.Key words: Aphids, wheat, coccinellids, wheat cultivars.

Chromium (Cr), being an excellent tanning agent, is widely used in the leather industry and tannery workers (TW) are exposed to it either in the form of inorganic Cr(III) compounds or Cr bound to proteins (leather dust) in the process of leather production. During the present study, the effect of Cr on the hematological indices in TW was evaluated. In this study, hematological indices of 92 male TW aged 20—60 years were compared with 79 control males who hardly had a chance of exposure to chromium. Both groups were subdivided into four age groups with an interval of 10: group A, 20—29 years; group B, 30—39 years; group C, 40—49 years; group D, 50—60 years. Total erythrocyte count (TEC) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in TW of age group A, B and C than control subjects. Packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in TW of age group B while mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in TW of age group D. Within the TW, MCH was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the age group D as compared to age group A and B. No significant changes were observed in the values of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration between TW and control individuals. The low values of TEC, PCV and MCH might be a result of chromium exposure in the tannery workers and may act as indicators of chromium toxicity.

Background Prescription of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial disease is a common practice in countries where malaria is endemic. However, unwarranted use of such drugs can cause side effects in some people and is a financial drain on local economies. In this study, we surveyed the prevalence of malaria parasites in humans, and the prevalence of the malaria transmitting mosquito vectors in the study area. We also investigated the use of antimalarial drugs in the local people. We focused on randomly selected rural areas of eastern Pakistan where no malaria cases had been reported since May 2004. Methods Mass blood surveys, active case detection, passive case detection, and vector density surveys were carried out in selected areas of Sargodha district from September 2008 to August 2009. Data pertaining to the quantities and types of antimalarial drugs used in these areas were collected from health centers, pharmacies, and the district CDC program of the Health Department of the Government of the Punjab. Results Seven hundred and forty four blood samples were examined, resulting in a Blood Examination Rate (BER) of 3.18; microscopic analysis of blood smears showed that none of the samples were positive for malaria parasites. Investigation of the mosquito vector density in 43 living rooms (bedrooms or rooms used for sleeping), 23 stores, and 32 animal sheds, revealed no vectors capable of transmitting malaria in these locations. In contrast, the density of Culex mosquitoes was high. Substantial consumption of a variety of antimalarial tablets, syrups, capsules and injections costing around 1000 US$, was documented for the region. Conclusion Use of antimalarial drugs in the absence of malarial infection or the vectors that transmit the disease was common in the study area. Continuous use of such drugs, not only in Pakistan, but in other parts of the world, may lead to drug-induced side effects amongst users. Better training of health care professionals is needed to ensure accurate diagnoses of malaria and appropriate prescription of antimalarial drugs delivered to communities.