The Frequency of Dyslipidemia in Young Overweight and Obese Students (Age 10-16 Years) in Schools of Swat, Pakistan

Obesity is a multifaceted disease caused by hormonal imbalance. There is a significant increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity across the globe. The study was conducted to estimate the frequency of Pediatric dyslipidemia. The Prevalence of obesity was determined by serum lipid concentrations of students in Private Schools of Swat. The cross-sectional analytical study enrolled 1374 Students, both boys (870) and girls (504). Detailed history of the students were recorded through a survey, which included student’s sociodemographic and clinical variables. BMI of students were calculated by the formula BMI=weight/height (kg/m2). The analysis of the data was done through SPSS Version 22. The students enrolled in this study were grouped on gender basis i.e, male (68) and female (31). The Prevalance of dyslipidemia was measured to be 42.4%. Significant association was found between the rate of dyslipidemia and BMI (59.5% in obese and 40.5% in overweight). No significant gender differences were found in serum lipid levels. The rate of dyslipidemia was measured to be a slightly increased in boys as compared to girls but not statistically significant

Validation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for assessing dry weight of dialysis patients in Pakistan

Accurate dry weight estimation (DW) to achieve euvolemia is one of the key objectives of hemodialysis (HD). While conventionally DW is estimated by clinical examination, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has been proposed as an objective method to determine DW and has been tested extensively in the Western population. We aim to validate BIA for determining DW in a Pakistani population against the conventional clinician\u27s method. This is a single-center validation study conducted at two outpatient HD units of Aga Khan Hospital, Karachi. One hundred and forty-eight DW readings of patients who were on maintenance HD were taken both by BIA technology and by clinical assessment. The clinician was blinded to readings obtained by BIA. Data analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. Median age of patients was 63 years (range 12-89). Nearly 54.1% of the samples were female (n = 80). Spearman\u27s correlation between the clinician\u27s estimate and BIA-derived DW showed a correlation coefficient of 0.982, which was statistically significant (

Therapeutic Potential of Seaweed Bioactive Compounds

Edible seaweeds are rich in bioactive compounds such as soluble dietary fibers, proteins, peptides, minerals, vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Previously, seaweeds were only used as gelling and thickening agents in the food or pharmaceutical industries, recent researches have revealed their potential as complementary medicine. The red, brown and green seaweeds have been shown to have therapeutic properties for health and disease management, such as anticancer, antiobesity, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiestrogenic, thyroid stimulating, neuroprotective, antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and tissue healing properties. In proposed chapter, we discussed various active compounds include sulphated polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids (e.g. fucoxanthin), minerals, peptides and sulfolipids, with proven benefits against degenerative metabolic diseases. Moreover, therapeutic modes of action of these bioactive components and their reports are summarized in this chapter

Integration of Bioagent and Bioproduct for the Management of Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne Incognita on Eggplant

Efficacy of bioagent (Paecilomyces lilacinus) and the bioproduct (Radiant) in various combinations was assessed on the reproduction of Meloidogyne incognita on eggplant. The influence of P. lilacinus and Radiant was determined on egg hatching and second stage juvenile (J2) mortality under in vitro conditions. The concentrations of 1% and 100% of Radiant and P. lilacinus respectively both alone and in combined application caused significant mortality and reduction in egg hatching at all time intervals. The interaction of P. lilacinus and Radiant was determined individually, concomitantly, and sequentially on reproduction of M. incognita on eggplant under greenhouse. The reproduction of M. incognita was significantly reduced in the concomitant treatment consisting of both P. lilacinus and Radiant followed by sequential and individual treatment of Radiant and the plant growth parameters incresed significantly. Our findings suggest that P. lilacinus and Radiant have the ability to regulate nematode population and may serve as nematicides. Keywords: P. lilacinus, Radiant, Egg hatching, Mortality, Concomitant, Sequentia

Speed control of wheeled mobile robot by nature-inspired social spider algorithm-based PID controller

: Mobile robot is an automatic vehicle with wheels that can be moved automatically from one place to another. A motor is built on its wheels for mobility purposes, which is controlled using a controller. DC motor speed is controlled by the proportional integral derivative (PID) controller. Kinematic modeling is used in our work to understand the mechanical behavior of robots for designing the appropriate mobile robots. Right and left wheel velocity and direction are calculated by using the kinematic modeling, and the kinematic modeling is given to the PID controller to gain the output. Motor speed is controlled by the PID low-level controller for the robot mobility; the speed controlling is done using the constant values Kd, Kp, and Ki which depend on the past, future, and present errors. For better control performance, the integral gain, differential gain, and proportional gain are adjusted by the PID controller. Robot speed may vary by changing the direction of the vehicle, so to avoid this the Social Spider Optimization (SSO) algorithm is used in PID controllers. PID controller parameter tuning is hard by using separate algorithms, so the parameters are tuned by the SSO algorithm which is a novel nature-inspired algorithm. The main goal of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in achieving precise speed control of the robot, particularly in the presence of disturbances and uncertainties

Functional genomics analysis of Leptin-Melanocortin system genes reveals candidate genes associated rapid growth and high carcass yield in sheep

The Leptin-Melanocortin System (LMS) is an important regulatory system involved in appetite and energy balance in many organisms, including sheep. Functional genomics analysis of LMS genes can provide insights into the genetic factors that influence rapid growth and high carcass yield in sheep. However, the genetic potential of sheep growth and reproduction has not been fully exploited. Therefore, identifying genes that regulate growth and reproduction would offer strategies for improving the yield and quality of sheep meat. In this study, to explore the possible molecular mechanisms underlying rapid growth and muscular high-yield carcass in sheep, we screened 14 genes, which were previously claimed to be associated with such traits in humans and rodents. The FST outlier approach implemented in LOSITAN detected the loci under selection. These candidate genes were connected to complicated biological processes, including the regulation of eating behavior, energy balance, and the positive regulation of the cAMP biosynthetic process, according to the gene ontology (GO) study. In addition, the 14 genes' re-sequence data revealed 7,226 SNPs. The MC4R, STAT3, BDNF, and TUB genes were discovered to be an outlier and significantly under positive selection using the fixation index (FST) based technique with the tentative combined allocation of mean heterozygosity and FST. Differentially expressed genes were found, and their functions were assigned using a functional genomics approach. Results showed that these genes are crucial in determining sheep features including size and meat quality. Insights are gained into the molecular mechanisms behind these phenotypic variations, and possible genes for future sheep breeding initiatives are provided. This research proves the value of functional genomics analysis in identifying the heritable components of valuable sheep agriculture traits.The authors extend their appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2023R27) King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Peer reviewe

Tocilizumab in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of tocilizumab in adult patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 with both hypoxia and systemic inflammation. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]), is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. Those trial participants with hypoxia (oxygen saturation <92% on air or requiring oxygen therapy) and evidence of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein ≥75 mg/L) were eligible for random assignment in a 1:1 ratio to usual standard of care alone versus usual standard of care plus tocilizumab at a dose of 400 mg–800 mg (depending on weight) given intravenously. A second dose could be given 12–24 h later if the patient's condition had not improved. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ISRCTN (50189673) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04381936). Findings: Between April 23, 2020, and Jan 24, 2021, 4116 adults of 21 550 patients enrolled into the RECOVERY trial were included in the assessment of tocilizumab, including 3385 (82%) patients receiving systemic corticosteroids. Overall, 621 (31%) of the 2022 patients allocated tocilizumab and 729 (35%) of the 2094 patients allocated to usual care died within 28 days (rate ratio 0·85; 95% CI 0·76–0·94; p=0·0028). Consistent results were seen in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including those receiving systemic corticosteroids. Patients allocated to tocilizumab were more likely to be discharged from hospital within 28 days (57% vs 50%; rate ratio 1·22; 1·12–1·33; p<0·0001). Among those not receiving invasive mechanical ventilation at baseline, patients allocated tocilizumab were less likely to reach the composite endpoint of invasive mechanical ventilation or death (35% vs 42%; risk ratio 0·84; 95% CI 0·77–0·92; p<0·0001). Interpretation: In hospitalised COVID-19 patients with hypoxia and systemic inflammation, tocilizumab improved survival and other clinical outcomes. These benefits were seen regardless of the amount of respiratory support and were additional to the benefits of systemic corticosteroids. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research

Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, open-label, platform trial

Background: Many patients with COVID-19 have been treated with plasma containing anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Methods: This randomised, controlled, open-label, platform trial (Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy [RECOVERY]) is assessing several possible treatments in patients hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK. The trial is underway at 177 NHS hospitals from across the UK. Eligible and consenting patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either usual care alone (usual care group) or usual care plus high-titre convalescent plasma (convalescent plasma group). The primary outcome was 28-day mortality, analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, 50189673, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04381936. Findings: Between May 28, 2020, and Jan 15, 2021, 11558 (71%) of 16287 patients enrolled in RECOVERY were eligible to receive convalescent plasma and were assigned to either the convalescent plasma group or the usual care group. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the two groups: 1399 (24%) of 5795 patients in the convalescent plasma group and 1408 (24%) of 5763 patients in the usual care group died within 28 days (rate ratio 1·00, 95% CI 0·93–1·07; p=0·95). The 28-day mortality rate ratio was similar in all prespecified subgroups of patients, including in those patients without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at randomisation. Allocation to convalescent plasma had no significant effect on the proportion of patients discharged from hospital within 28 days (3832 [66%] patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 3822 [66%] patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·94–1·03; p=0·57). Among those not on invasive mechanical ventilation at randomisation, there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients meeting the composite endpoint of progression to invasive mechanical ventilation or death (1568 [29%] of 5493 patients in the convalescent plasma group vs 1568 [29%] of 5448 patients in the usual care group; rate ratio 0·99, 95% CI 0·93–1·05; p=0·79). Interpretation: In patients hospitalised with COVID-19, high-titre convalescent plasma did not improve survival or other prespecified clinical outcomes. Funding: UK Research and Innovation (Medical Research Council) and National Institute of Health Research