New Issue Published; 8(2)

Methods: The extraction of DNA, the DNA Rapid Salting-out method was used. Then the observed DNA with electrophoresis technique referred for quantitative real-time PCR to identify the APOBEC3G variant rs6001417 genotypes and Taq Man genotyping.  

Results: Three genotypes of rs6001417 (CC, CG and GG) were compared both in HIV-1 infected patients and healthy control groups (p=0.73, p=0.007, p=0.01 respectively). The rs6001417 CG and GG genotype demonstrated a significant involvement in both the healthy and infected individuals and portraying possible protective effect against HIV-1 infection with predictive value of 36.43% and 13.57% respectively.

Conclusion: APOBEC3G (rs6001417) CG and GG genotypes may have a protective feature in the progression of HIV-1 infection and we may use this as a preliminary predictive marker in the country for HIV-1 infected individuals as well.  

Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among Saudi women who visited the Maternity and Children Hospital of Hail from November 2019 to March 2020. A fully automated blood bank analyzer was used in determining the Rh subgroups (D, C, c, E, e) and phenotypes. Inferential statistics and chi-square tests were used appropriately for comparisons.

Results: The study included a total of 500 Saudi female patients. The most prevalent antigen found was the “e” antigen, while phenotype CcDee has shown to have the highest frequency. A significant difference exists in comparison with the other studies from various ethnic groups.

Conclusions: The prevalence and distributions of Rh alleles and phenotypes among Saudi women were revealed in this study. The findings showed that Rh alleles and phenotypes are diverse across various races and regions globally.  

Methods: This examination was carried out to examine the SOD movement in 8 durum wheat genotypes from Iran and Azerbaijan under two different conditions in 2015-2016 cropping year. The impact of dry season weight on SOD, chlorophyll content list (CCI), and chlorophyll debasement were examined. Critical contrasts among genotypes and the genotype × climate collaboration among SOD and CCI content were distinguished.

Results: The mean examination indicated that the substance of SOD and CCI diminished in susceptible genotypes, while tolerant genotypes SOD and CCI stayed unaltered or increased. For measuring drought tolerance, the stress tolerance index (STI) used. The correlation between STI for Chlorophyll and Chlorophyll CI in drought was significant at 0.01 levels. The pressure resilience list (STI) for SOD and CCI characterized safe and defenseless genotypes into unmistakable gatherings.

Conclusion: Hence, these 2 characters can be utilized as a Selection index for screening dry spell safe plant materials.  

Methods: For the purpose of study, 900 number of day-old chicks (DOC) of each strain were purchased from the local market. The birds were reared in conventional broiler house with the provision of standard managemental conditions throughout the experimental period. The parameters recorded on weekly basis were feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality.

Results: Result shown that the total body weight of Cobb-500 and Ross-308 on 1^st week was 207.40±14 gram and 196.00±16 gram respectively and these result represented significant difference of weight gain (P<0.05) on 1^st week of experiment among both the strains. From 2^nd week of experiment till the last week (5^th week) the results shown the total body weight of Cob-500 and Ross-308 as 2180.4±38 gram and 2103.7±36 gram respectively which was non-significantly different (P>0.05) among the strains. Furthermore, significant difference of feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed (P<0.05) among both the strains but from day 7^th till the market age weekly FCR of Cob-500 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than Ross-308. Comparatively high mortality (4.8±0.4%) was noticed in Ross broiler strain than Cobb broiler strain (3.7±0.4%). 

Conclusion: It was concluded from the current study that the Cobb-500 is performing better in conventional open housing system at high altitude than Ros-308. 

Methods: Bacteria were isolated from hot water springs of Tatta Pani Kashmir and Karachi Mangrove forest Pakistan. Polyhydroxyalkanoate detection agar was used to isolates PHA producing bacteria and several carbon sources such as glucose, glycerol and palmitic acid were used for relative biomass and biopolymer productions. PHA was extracted by solvent extraction method using sodium hypochlorite and chloroform. Extracted polymer was characterized by Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Results: Rhodococcus pyridinivorans NK19 (KY703220) produced up to 60% PHA with glucose, 40% with palmitic acid and 58% with glycerol as carbon sources. FTIR spectrum confirmed the polymer produced as poly -3, hydroxybutyrate. A peak at 1720 cm ^-1 of FTIR confirmed the presence of PHB monomers in the polymer extracted.

Conclusion: Rhodococcus pyridinivorans NK19 produced short chain length PHA interchangeably known as P3HB while utilizing unrelated carbon sources up to 60%. 

Methods: Olea europaea (Olive) was found highly beneficial on the basis of its previous therapeutic applications. So, in the current study, its five different compounds (Catechin, Cynaroside, Elenolic Acid, Hydroxytyrosol, and Oleuropein) were chosen according to Lipinski physiochemical parameters, which were compared with already clinically used five anti-viral drugs (Ribavirin, Niclosamide, Nelfinavir, S-Nitroso-N-acetyl penicillamine, Chloroquine) against the Main-Peptidase (PDB ID:2GTB) of SARS-nCoV2 using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software.

Results: Among the chosen compounds of Olea europaea which were docked on the active site of Main-Peptidase, Oleuropein provide the best minimum binding energy of -8.3201kcal/mol followed by Cynaroside with -7.2121kcal/mol. These two energy complexes are considered to have better drug potential in this initial studies as compare to the already commercially used drug agents e.g. Chloroquine, Ribavirin, Niclosamide and S-Nitroso-N-acetyl Penicillamine having binding energy of -6.7168, -5.8171, -6.3361 and -5.4219kcal/mol respectively. Other three agents from olive were also docked to compare the binding energy of aforementioned clinically used drugs.

Conclusion: Oleuropein and Cynaroside are considered to be the most compelling compounds as a drug agent against coronavirus2 infection. Further, molecular dynamic simulations and in-vivo investigations are needed to endorse the current findings of these compounds as potential drugs. 

Methods: One hundred and thirty-three (133) clinical isolates of M. tuberculosis, collected by convenience sampling, were characterized for mutations in eth-A, gyrA, msh-A, rrs genes, and the promoter region of inh-A gene that confer resistance to second line anti-TB drugs. The mutations were detected by allele-specific-PCR and PCR amplification followed by SSCP and DNA sequencing.

Results: Mutations in gyrA gene at codon 91, 94 and 95 were found in 4 (3.0%) M. tuberculosis isolates. Mutations in rrs gene were found in 17 (12.8%) isolates, ten (7.5%) isolates had mutation at A1401G position, 5 (3.76%) isolates at C1402T position and 3 (2.25%) isolates had G1484T mutation. For resistance to ethionamide, none of the isolates showed mutation in eth-A gene. In promoter region of inh-A gene, mutations were detected at -C15T, -A112G, -C110T in two samples. Two mutations, A312T and A332G, were found in msh-A gene in one sample. Collectively, 24 (18%) isolates were found to harbor mutations associated with second line anti TB drug resistance.

Conclusion: Our work revealed high frequency of mutations (18%) associated with resistance against second line anti-TB drugs. This situation can lead to increase in XDR-TB cases. We, therefore, recommend improved diagnostic and drug sensitivity testing, better prescription, and development of superior drugs to control tuberculosis. 

Methods: In present study, we studied population structure and genetic diversity and developed DNA fingerprints of 13 olive varieties  using 63 Simple Sequence Repeat  markers.

Results: Collectively 618 alleles were amplified among which 582 were polymorphic and 36 were monomorphic. High allelic diversity per locus was found among 63 SSR markers, i.e., one for GAPU-12 to 23 for UDO099-008 and GAPU-47 with an average 9.80 alleles per locus. On the basis of cluster analysis genotypes were grouped into two clusters. Cluster I contained varieties Manzanilla, Sohawa-selection, Koroneki, Bulkasar-selection, Arbequina, Arbosona, Chugtai-selection, whereas cluster II was comprised of varieties Bari-Zatoon, Coratina, Gemlik, Frontaio, Pendolino and Ottobratica. UDO-24 marker alone identified seven olive varieties. Similarly, DCA-07 and EMO-02 identified six olive varieties each.

Conclusion: The findings of this manuscript will be helpful for future studies related to DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity assessment for choice of SSR markers and identification of olive varieties. 

Methods: A systematic study to confirm the best dose of P was conducted for six years in the P deficient soil in farmers’ fields. Based on the findings obtained from 2008-09 to 2010-11, the research was undertaken to determine the effect of different phosphorus levels on the yield of onion in the Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a total of 114 replicates  in 2011-12 to 2012-13. Four treatments (160, 210, 260 and 310 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1) were tested with N and K at 100 kg ha^-1.

Results: From the results of this investigation, the variance analysis showed the substantial P impact. The maximum marketable bulb yield (19.03 t ha^-1) was obtained from the fertilizer combination NPK @ 100-310-100 kg ha^-1 and was shown to be statistically higher than all other treatments.

Conclusion: Nonetheless, the nutshell of the overall economic study is that poor farmers (Land holders >12 acres) may have options to select the NPK fertilizer combination @ 100:210:100 kg ha^-1 and the average farmer may have options to select the NPK fertilizer combination @ 100:260:100 kg ha^-1. But rich farmers (Land holders >25 acres) who can spend more money on fertilizers and are interested in the higher gross margin should follow the combination of NPK fertilizers @ 100:310:100 kg ha^-1 to profitably increase their gross margin and maintain soil fertility for onion cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan.  

Methods: The study was designed to investigate the effect of edible oil on PPAR Alpha & Gamma expression on rabbit liver.

Results: Reduced Glutathione (GSH) activity showed a significant increase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity showed a significant decrease in batch II and batch III in comparison to control group was observed. Out of the total 3 batches, an increase was significantly increased in batch III (160%) in comparison to batch II (151%).  Inedible oil-treated Batches, PPAR α, and PPAR γ levels were found to decrease significantly for the control batch. The decrease in PPAR alpha levels in batch II and batch III was 1.7 and 2.2 fold with p<0.01. In the case of PPAR gamma, the corresponding values increased by 1.6 and 2.4 fold respectively with p<0.01.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that edible oil supplementation significantly increases mRNA levels up to two-fold in comparison to the control batch. 

Methods: Measurements have been performed with solid (AGMS-D+) and OSL detectors to determine the Air Kerma and the backscattering factor on a diagnostic radiology unit.

Results: The spectra simulated by GATE were in a good adequacy with spectra generated by IPEM  report 78, with slight differences in the X-rays intensity characteristic, and there was no statistically significant difference between Air Kerma simulated with GATE and those measured using the AGMS-D+ and OSL (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: Monte Carlo simulation responses were suitable and could provide an accurate alternative for Air Kerma and the entrance surface dose determination with non‐uniform primary x‐ray beams. 

Methods: Antibiogram of S. aureus was determined by Kirby Baur disc diffusion assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics and ZnO-NPs was determined by using the broth dilution method. The mecA gene in S. aureus was detected by PCR amplification with gene specific forward and reverse primers. The effects of subinhibitory concentration of ZnO-NPs on conventional antibiotics was determined by combined disk diffusion assay.

Results: Out of two hundred clinical specimens, twenty-eight showed the growth of S. aureus. Antibiogram of the isolates showed that S. aureus have acquired resistance to the majority of the conventional antibiotics. However, no isolate showed resistance to vancomycin. The confirmed methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates were sensitive to ZnO-NPs. The antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs appeared in a dose and time dependent manner since higher dose produced stronger effects in two hours than the effects produced from lower dose in three hours. Furthermore, ZnO-NPs enhanced the antibacterial activity of levofloxacin significantly (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: S. aureus has acquired strong resistance to multiple antibiotics. ZnO-NPs have potential synergism with levofloxacin antibiotic against the multiple drug resistant S. aureus including MRSA.  

Methods: Data of 192 small, medium and large farmers was collected from four randomly selected villages of salinity affected area of Hafizabad district of Punjab province of Pakistan using multistage probability sampling technique. SPSS version 21.0 was utilized to analyze the data for generating logical results.

Results: Farmers belonging to saline area communities were characterized on the basis of their education, experience, cultivated area, and method of irrigation and technological adoption for analyzing their livelihood typologies. Average yield of wheat was found to be 26mnds/acre, while marketable surplus was high for large farmers due to ownership of more area. Livelihood typologies were derived mainly from on-farm and off-farm income activities of the farmers. Agriculture farm earning in the saline area was estimated as Rs. 10 to 12 thousand per acre. Contribution of off-farm income in household cash flows was estimated in 79% of small, medium and large farmer as less than 15000 indicating the dependency status of the households.

Conclusion: Major livelihood source in Salt-affected soils was still agricultural cash inflows beside their contribution to the food basket of consumers. Farmers were in favour of provision of farming inputs on subsidized rates i.e. lime and gypsum as a poverty alleviation strategy in the area for positive promotion of sharing culture with public sector.  

Methods: All pediatric SCD patients were included in the study. Patient data was taken from hospital information system and analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Results: A total of 53 patients were studied. The male to female ratio was 1.4:1 and mean age was 3.3 years (range: 1-9). Eighteen (34%) did not present with sickle cell crisis possibly due to ameliorating effects of high HbF and G6PD deficiency. Although growth parameters of SCD patients were not statistically different from international standards, there was significant difference between weight of SCD patients in recurrent sickle cell crisis group and non-crisis sickle cell (NC-SC) group at diagnosis and after clinical interventions (p= 0.04 and 0.03, respectively) that included hydroxyurea. The corrected reticulocyte (at diagnosis and after clinical intervention) and WBC counts were statistically significant between hydroxyurea and non-hydroxyurea groups (p-value < 0.05).

Conclusions: Overall, one-third of SCD patients in Al-Ahsa region have mild disease and hydroxyurea can minimize the SCD severity through lowering corrected reticulocyte and WBC counts. Exact mechanisms of mild SCD and hydroxyurea in minimizing disease severity are needed to be elucidated.  

Methods: Screening method was used to isolate aerobic strains of nitrifying bacteria. Species identification for these isolates was done by biomolecular method based on 16S rDNA gene sequence. Ammonium, nitrite and nitrate concentrations from the culture were determined by spectrophotometry at the appropriate wavelength. Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and salinity were measured by specialized equipment. Formation and development of flocs during shrimp culture were determined based on their volume and weight. A trial of shrimp nursery was carried out on a small scale with 0.5 m³ tanks containing diluted seawater to 16-18‰ salinity at a density of 400 individual/m³ for 24 days on April 2019. 

Results: This study isolated two strains of Pseudomonas (BF01 and BF03) and one strain of Cupriavidus oxalaticus BF02 from seawater in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. These bacterial isolates have shown ability to remove nitrogen compounds such as ammonium, nitrite and nitrate in culture medium. Formation and development of flocs were found in trials of shrimp nursery with diluted seawater containing the isolates. Some water quality parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, ammonium and nitrite) were kept at a safe level and juvenile shrimp grown normally during culture.

Conclusion: The observations on the water quality and basic growth parameters of juvenile shrimp in the two treatments, diluted seawater and diluted seawater with commercial microbial products, showed that there were no significant differences between them with p = 0.05. This proves that three isolates have played an important role in shrimp nursery.  

Methods: Total eleven (11) Aspergillus strains were isolated from rice grains and aflatoxigenic genes i.e., aflR, nor1, omt1, ver1 were amplified to differentiate between aflatoxin producing and non-producing strains.

Results: Four (04) out of total eleven (11) strains showed the presence of aflatoxins producing genes, indicating the possible contamination of aflatoxins in rice grains being sold in local markets of Lahore.

Conclusion: This research provides the basis for the quantification of aflatoxins; a significant threat to the quality of foodstuffs and consumers. The situation demands the attention of rice growers, processors as well as government officials to tackle the problem to assure the safety of rice eaters.