An Intellectual & Technical Review of Irfan Siddiqui's Book ‘Makkah Madina’

Travelogue is a piece of literature that describes a journey. There is a profound tradition of travelogue writing in Urdu literature. Pilgrimage to Makkah and Madina has been narrated by many writers. Similarly, Irfan Saddiqui expressed his feelings and travel details while visiting Makkah and Madina through his travelogue ‘Makkah Madinah’ which highlights the beauty and spiritual quest of travelers and devotees. He reincarnates and revives the historical aspects of the Holy Pilgrimage. Saddiqui represents the true spirit of Islam, love for Holy Prophet (PBUH), peace, emotions and longings through visual imagery. An intellectual and technical review of the said book has been taken through this paper

The Impact of Heavy Smoking on Male Infertility and Its Correlation with the Expression Levels of the PTPRN2 and PGAM5 Genes

Smoking has been linked to male infertility by affecting the sperm epigenome and genome. In this study, we aimed to determine possible changes in the transcript levels of PGAM5 (the phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5), PTPRN2 (protein tyrosine phosphatase, N2-type receptor), and TYRO3 (tyrosine protein kinase receptor) in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers, and to investigate their association with the fundamental sperm parameters. In total, 118 sperm samples (63 heavy-smokers (G1) and 55 non-smokers (G2)) were included in this study. A semen analysis was performed according to the WHO guidelines. After a total RNA extraction, RT-PCR was used to quantify the transcript levels of the studied genes. In G1, a significant decrease in the standard semen parameters in comparison to the non-smokers was shown (p < 0.05). Moreover, PGAM5 and PTPRN2 were differentially expressed (p ≤ 0.03 and p ≤ 0.01, respectively) and downregulated in the spermatozoa of G1 compared to G2. In contrast, no difference was observed for TYRO3 (p ≤ 0.3). In G1, the mRNA expression level of the studied genes was correlated negatively with motility, sperm count, normal form, vitality, and sperm membrane integrity (p < 0.05). Therefore, smoking may affect gene expression and male fertility by altering the DNA methylation patterns in the genes associated with fertility and sperm quality, including PGAM5, PTPRN2, and TYRO3

Analyzing the Differential Impact of Semen Preparation Methods on the Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Sperm separation plays a critical role in assisted reproductive technology. Based on migration, density gradient centrifugation and filtration, a properly selected sperm could help in increasing assisted reproductive outcomes in teratozoospermia (TZs). The current study aimed to assess the prognostic value of four sperm selection techniques: density gradient centrifugation (DGC), swim-up (SU), DGC-SU and DGC followed by magnetic-activated cell sorting (DGC-MACS). These were evaluated using spermatozoa functional parameters. A total of 385 infertile couples underwent the procedure of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with an isolated teratozoospermia in the male partner. Semen samples were prepared by using one of the mentioned sperm preparation techniques. The improvements in the percentage of normal mature spermatozoa, rate of fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy and the number of live births were assessed. The normal morphology, spermatozoa DNA fragmentation (SDF) and chromatin maturity checked by using chromomycin A3 (CMA3) with DGC-MACS preparation were better compared to the other three methods. Embryo cleavage, clinical pregnancy and implantation were better improved in the DGC-MACS than in the other tested techniques. The DGC-MACS technique helped in the selection of an increased percentage of normal viable and mature sperm with intact chromatin integrity in patients with teratozoospermia

Neurochemical Alterations in Sudden Unexplained Perinatal Deaths—A Review

Sudden unexpected perinatal collapse is a major trauma for the parents of victims. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unexpected and mysterious death of an apparently healthy neonate from birth till 1 year of age without any known causes, even after thorough postmortem investigations. However, the incidence of sudden intrauterine unexplained death syndrome (SIUDS) is seven times higher as compared with SIDS. This observation is approximated 40–80%. Stillbirth is defined as death of a fetus after 20th week of gestation or just before delivery at full term without a known reason. Pakistan has the highest burden of stillbirth in the world. This basis of SIDS, SIUDS, and stillbirths eludes specialists. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors behind failure in control of these unexplained deaths and how research may go ahead with improved prospects. Animal models and physiological data demonstrate that sleep, arousal, and cardiorespiratory malfunctioning are abnormal mechanisms in SIUDS risk factors or in newborn children who subsequently die from SIDS. This review focuses on insights in neuropathology and mechanisms of SIDS and SIUDS in terms of different receptors involved in this major perinatal demise. Several studies conducted in the past decade have confirmed neuropathological and neurochemical anomalies related to serotonin transporter, substance P, acetylcholine α7 nicotine receptors, etc., in sudden unexplained fetal and infant deaths. There is need to focus more on research in this area to unveil the major curtain to neuroprotection by underlying mechanisms leading to such deaths

Micro-Watershed Management for Erosion Control Using Soil and Water Conservation Structures and SWAT Modeling

This study evaluated the effectiveness of soil and water conservation structures for soil erosion control by applying a semi-distributed Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model in various small watersheds of the Chakwal and Attock districts of Pothwar, Pakistan. The validated model without soil conservation structures was applied to various ungauged small watershed sites with soil conservation stone structures. The stone bund-type structure intervention was used in the model through the modification of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to support the practice factor (P-factor), the curve number, and the average slope length for the sub-basin (SLSUBBSN). The structures had significant effects, and the average sediment yield reduction caused by the soil conservation stone structures at these sites varied from 40% to 90%. The sediment yield and erosion reductions were also compared under conditions involving vegetation cover change. Agricultural land with winter wheat crops had a higher sediment yield than fallow land with crop residue. The fallow land facilitated sediment yield reduction, along with soil conservation structures. The slope classification analysis indicated that 60% of the agricultural area of the Chakwal and Attock districts lie in a slope range of 0&ndash;4%, where considerable potential exists for implementing soil conservation measures by installing soil conservation stone structures. The slope analysis measured the suitability of conservation structures in the semi-mountainous Pothwar area in accordance with agriculture practice on land having a slope of less than 5%. The SWAT model provides reliable performance for erosion control and watershed management in soil erosion-prone areas with steep slopes and heavy rainfall. These findings can serve as references for policymakers and planners

<i>H2BFWT</i> Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy

Abnormalities in sperm nuclei and chromatin can interfere with normal fertilization, embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy. We aimed to study the impact of H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA on ICSI outcomes in couples undergoing ART treatment. One hundred and nineteen partners were divided into pregnant (G1) and non-pregnant (G2) groups. After semen analysis, complete DNA was extracted from purified sperm samples. The sequence of the H2BFWT gene was amplified by PCR and then subjected to Sanger sequencing. The results showed that there are three mutations in this gene: rs7885967, rs553509, and rs578953. Significant differences were shown in the distribution of alternative and reference alleles between G1 and G2 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0020, respectively) for rs553509 and rs578953. However, there was no association between these SNPs and the studied parameters. This study is the first to shed light on the connection between H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA and pregnancy after ICSI therapy. This is a pilot study, so further investigations about these gene variants at the transcriptional and translational levels will help to determine its functional consequences and to clarify the mechanism of how pregnancy can be affected by sperm DNA

H2BFWT Variations in Sperm DNA and Its Correlation to Pregnancy

Abnormalities in sperm nuclei and chromatin can interfere with normal fertilization, embryonic development, implantation, and pregnancy. We aimed to study the impact of H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA on ICSI outcomes in couples undergoing ART treatment. One hundred and nineteen partners were divided into pregnant (G1) and non-pregnant (G2) groups. After semen analysis, complete DNA was extracted from purified sperm samples. The sequence of the H2BFWT gene was amplified by PCR and then subjected to Sanger sequencing. The results showed that there are three mutations in this gene: rs7885967, rs553509, and rs578953. Significant differences were shown in the distribution of alternative and reference alleles between G1 and G2 (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0020, respectively) for rs553509 and rs578953. However, there was no association between these SNPs and the studied parameters. This study is the first to shed light on the connection between H2BFWT gene variants in sperm DNA and pregnancy after ICSI therapy. This is a pilot study, so further investigations about these gene variants at the transcriptional and translational levels will help to determine its functional consequences and to clarify the mechanism of how pregnancy can be affected by sperm DNA

Decolorization of Remazol Black-B azo dye in soil by fungi

Textile industry is known to release huge amount of dyes in the water and soil environments during the dyeingprocess. The present study was planned with the aim to remove azo dye toxicants from the soil using fungal strains.The fungi were isolated by using Remazol Black-B azo dye as the sole source of C and N. Ten isolates were initiallyselected for testing their decolorization potential in the liquid medium. Three most effective strains were used tostudy the decolorization of Remazol Black-B in soil. The strain S4 was found to be very effective in removing thedye Remazol Black-B from liquid medium as well as in soil suspension. More than 95% decolorization by the strainS4 was observed in soil under optimal incubation conditions. Overall, the dye decolorization was maximum at 100mg dye kg-1 soil at pH 7-8 under static conditions. Glucose, moisture and aeration also affected the decolorizationefficacy of the fungal strain in soil. This study implies that fungi could be used for bioremediation of dyecontaminatedsites

Analyzing the Differential Impact of Semen Preparation Methods on the Outcomes of Assisted Reproductive Techniques

Sperm separation plays a critical role in assisted reproductive technology. Based on migration, density gradient centrifugation and filtration, a properly selected sperm could help in increasing assisted reproductive outcomes in teratozoospermia (TZs). The current study aimed to assess the prognostic value of four sperm selection techniques: density gradient centrifugation (DGC), swim-up (SU), DGC-SU and DGC followed by magnetic-activated cell sorting (DGC-MACS). These were evaluated using spermatozoa functional parameters. A total of 385 infertile couples underwent the procedure of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), with an isolated teratozoospermia in the male partner. Semen samples were prepared by using one of the mentioned sperm preparation techniques. The improvements in the percentage of normal mature spermatozoa, rate of fertilization, cleavage, pregnancy and the number of live births were assessed. The normal morphology, spermatozoa DNA fragmentation (SDF) and chromatin maturity checked by using chromomycin A3 (CMA3) with DGC-MACS preparation were better compared to the other three methods. Embryo cleavage, clinical pregnancy and implantation were better improved in the DGC-MACS than in the other tested techniques. The DGC-MACS technique helped in the selection of an increased percentage of normal viable and mature sperm with intact chromatin integrity in patients with teratozoospermia