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Fish substitution in fish products is an important issue in fish markets, as it is a widespread practice. An authentication protocol for Rohu, Thaila and Tilapia was developed by multiplex PCR. Three species-specific and one degenerate common forward primer were designed using the Cytb gene of the mitochondrial genome. These primers for Labeo rohita, Labeo catla and Oreochromis niloticus showed the fragment size of 235 bp, 186 bp and 506 bp on the agarose gel, respectively. The primers for L. rohita and L. catla were sensitive to 0.1 ng of DNA template, while for O. niloticus this value was 1 ng of DNA template. A total of 230 commercial samples (160 fried and 70 processed fish products) were screened, where 60% mislabeling in fried and 30% mislabeling in processed fish were found. This multiplex PCR protocol could give useful insights for food inspection and enforcement of regulatory food control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key intercellular communication and pathogenesis mediators. Parasitic organisms' helminths, causewidespread infections with significant health impacts worldwide. Recent research has shed light on the role of EVs in the lifecycle, immune evasion, and disease progression of these parasitic organisms. These tiny membrane-bound organelles including microvesicles and exosomes, facilitate the transfer of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs between cells. EVs have been isolated from various bodily fluids, offering a potential diagnostic and therapeutic avenue for combating infectious agents. According to recent research, EVs from helminths hold great promise in the diagnosis of parasitic infections due to their specificity, early detection capabilities, accessibility, and the potential for staging and monitoring infections, promote intercellular communication, and are a viable therapeutic tool for the treatment of infectious agents. Exploring host-parasite interactions has identified promising new targets for diagnostic, therapy, and vaccine development against helminths. This literature review delves into EVS's origin, nature, biogenesis, and composition in these parasitic organisms. It also highlights the proteins and miRNAs involved in EV release, providing a comprehensive summary of the latest findings on the significance of EVs in the biology of helminths, promising targets for therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is produced by activated T cells and play important role in immune response against antigen. It acts in both autocrine and paracrine manner. It can stimulate B cells and various other phagocytic cells like monocytes, lymphokine-activated killer cells and natural killer cells. Acting in autocrine fashion, IL-2 protein plays a crucial role in proliferation of T cells. IL-2 triggers the release of pro and anti- inflammatory cytokines by activating several pathways. In present study, exon 1 of IL-2 gene of four local Pakistani breeds (Dera Din Panah, Beetal, Nachi and Kamori) was amplified by using reported ovine IL-2 primers. Amplified products of 4 breeds of goat were bidirectionally sequenced to decipher polymorphisms. Only a single substitution (T→A) was found in non-coding region of IL-2 gene. Comparison of IL-2 gene sequence of all four breeds with other goat breeds showed high similarity in sequence. Phylogenetic analysis of our local breeds with other mammals showed that IL-2 was highly variable. This high substitution rate could be due to changed selective pressure. These rapid changes may also lead to the changes in the functions of immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a pioneering study undertaken in Pakistan, urban men's sexual behaviors, perceptions and knowledge regarding sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS were determined by employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Focus group discussions were carried out initially and followed by a structured cross sectional survey that interviewed 2400 men in six cities. While most men (90%) had heard of the term HIV/AIDS however nearly a quarter of the respondents had misconceptions regarding its mode of transmission. HIV/AIDS was generally perceived as a disease acquired by indulging in "immoral" activities. Knowledge regarding other sexually transmitted infections was negligible. The results from this study point to the need for developing awareness campaigns in Pakistan that mitigate stigma and reduce vulnerability. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is among the most important viruses of poultry; however, variants also cause clinical diseases in birds of the family Columbidae. From 2014 onwards, notable mortality rates have been observed in racing and rock pigeons, with a correlation to subgenotypes XXI.1.1 and XXI.1.2 of genotype XXI in Pakistan. In this study, we performed isolation and genetic characterization of 29 pigeon-derived NDV isolates of sub-genotypes XXI.1.1, XXI.1.2 and VII.2. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete fusion gene sequences classified seven (n = 7) isolates into sub-genotype XXI.1.1 and they were genetically closely related to isolates previously characterized in Pakistan (0.05–0.43% nucleotide divergence), and in Iran, Russia, Egypt, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Ukraine (3.75% to 6.67% nucleotide divergence) in the period from 2005–2018. In addition, nineteen (n = 19) isolates were clustered with viruses previously isolated in Pakistan (2014–2018) in sub-genotype XXI.1.2. In addition, three (n = 3) F-gene sequences assigned to subgenotype VII.2 were identified along with viruses repeatedly isolated (2011–2020) from several poultry and non-poultry avian species in Pakistan. The analysis showed that all isolates of sub-genotypes XXI.1.1 and XXI.1.2 were mesogenic (1.42–1.49) and the isolates belonging to sub-genotype VII.2 were velogenic (1.63–1.71) in nature according to the intracerebral pathogenicity index (ICPI). This study delivers a comprehensive description of the prevalence of sub-genotypes XXI.1.1 and XXI.1.2 in Pakistan since 2014. Additionally, it underscores the role of free-range pigeons as effective carriers of virulent sub-genotype VII.2 viruses, impacting both poultry and non-poultry avian species reared in open environments. Virulent NDV genotypes were repeatedly isolated from pigeons. Evidence of epidemiological links among viruses isolated from various locations. Distinct phylogenetic branches suggest separate, simultaneous evolution of NDVs. Study information could be helpful in the development of an effective vaccine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strain. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection can affect everyone, the kind and degree of infection and sickness vary widely between individuals and populations. It has been crucial since reported disease loads and case fatality rates vary greatly among countries. However, there are still uncertainties about the severity of the illness in certain people and, in other cases, the aetiology of a more severe illness. Various chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory ailments, and immunodeficiency disorders, have been identified as significant risk factors for COVID-19. These comorbidities not only increase the susceptibility to contracting the virus but also exacerbate the severity of symptoms and the likelihood of adverse outcomes, including hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and mortality. The objective of this article is to point out the proliferation of COVID-19 in relation to different diseases affecting the clinical outcome of COVID-19. The study included 1500 patients with various diseases such as HCV, HBV, kidney disease, heart disease, asthma, T.B., arthritis, smokers, and vaccinated or unvaccinated. Results showed that 22% of diabetic patients, 40% of heart patients, 40% of asthma patients, 26% of kidney patients, 25% of T.B patients, and 41% of smokers had high corona positive. Coronavirus positivity was found in 34% of vaccinated patients and 72% of non-vaccinated patients, with an overall calculated p-value of 0.0001 by ANOVA statistical analysis. The overall outcome of the results showed that the severity of Corona disease increased in relation to different diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]