Epidemiological Survey of Bovine Babesia and Theileria Parasites in Buffaloes in District Dera Ismail, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Piroplasmosis (babesiosis and theileriosis) are the leading blood parasites responsible for significant economic losses to the dairy enterprises. These parasites are transmitted by Ixodid ticks from a diseased animal to a healthy animal. This study was executed to determine the prevalence of Theileria and Babesia in water buffaloes in District Dera Ismail Khan for their risk assessment. During this trial, 350 random blood samples were obtained from buffalos within the region of District Dera Ismail Khan and examined for Babesia and Theileria parasites using Giemsa staining technique under an oil immersion lens. Forty-eight blood samples were found positive and the prevalence of Babesiosis was 7.43 %, followed by the prevalence of Theileriosis (6.28 %). Babesiosis had a significantly higher (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence among both males and females (6.9 % and 7.7 %, respectively) followed by Theileria (5.38 % and 6.8 %, respectively). The significantly highest (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence of Theileria was seen in calves younger than 2 years (16.7 %). Babesiosis was most prevalent (p \u3c 0.05) in calves aged 2 to 5 (11.7 %). The Kundhi buffalo breed had the highest (p \u3c 0.05) prevalence of babesiosis, followed by the Nili Ravi breed, while, the Nili Ravi breed had the highest frequency (p \u3c 0.05)of Theileria. Piroplasmosis prevalence significantly (p \u3c 0.05) peaked in the summer season. Piroplasmosisis the major risk factor in endangering the general health of the buffalo’s population, therefore, stringent control measures are recommended for the management of the tick population

In-vitro and in-vivo assessment of the anti-diabetic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory potenstials of metal-based carboxylates derivative

In the current research work, an amide based metal carboxylate chemical ([((5-((5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylthiazol-3-ium-3-yl)methyl)-2-methylpyrimidin-4-yl)amino)bis((4-((4-methoxy-2-nitrophenyl)amino)-4-oxobutanoyl)oxy)zinc]) was identified as anti-diabetic analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The identified chemical(MT-1) was tested for acute toxicity (the MT-1 was fund safe), antidiabetic analgesic, and anti-inflammatory potentials. The in-vitro study was conducted for antidiabetic enzyme inhibition (α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and the in-vivo studies included analgesic (acetic acid-induced writing and hot plate model) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan etc induced edema) effects. The tested compound showed 88.63% (IC50 = 3.23 μg/ml) and 89.10%(IC50 = 5.10 μg/ml) againstα-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. A significant (p < 0.001) analgesic effect was noted by MT-1 in acetic acid-induced animal models with a percent effect of 86.00, 60.,06, and 55.29 at the tested doses of 20, 1,0, and 5 mg/kg respectively. In the case of the hot plate model, the MT-1 showed a significant (p < 0.001) effect with maximum percent prolongation in latency observed after 60 min.08, 22.2,9, and 11.61) against 20, 1,0, and 5 mg/kg. The analgesic effect in the hot plate model was significantly (p < 0.01) reversed by the injection of naloxone (0.125 mg/kg). The paw edema induced by carrageenan, histamine, bradykinin, arachidonic acid, and PGE2 was significantly antagonized with percent attenuation of 34.09, 33.57, 34.60, 34.14, and 48.04 respectively. Furthermore, to predict the interactions between the MT-1 compound and COX-2 molecular docking was carried out and the result was compared with the standard compound. The docking score of MT-1 was predicted as −6.30 while that of Diclofenac was predicted as −6.82. Both compounds made several hydrogen bond interactions with the active site of the COX-2 enzyme. The docking study revealed the potent inhibitory potential of the compound MT-1 against the COX-2 receptor

Behavioral Modeling Paradigm for DC Nanogrid Based Distributed Energy Systems

The remarkable progress of power electronic converters (PEC) technology has led to their increased penetration in distributed energy systems (DES). Particularly, the direct current (dc) nanogrid-based DES embody a variety of sources and loads, connected through a central dc bus. Therefore, PECs are required to be employed as an interface. It would facilitate incorporation of the renewable energy sources and battery storage system into dc nanogrids. However, it is more challenging as the integration of multiple modules may cause instabilities in the overall system dynamics. Future dc nanogrids are envisioned to deploy ready-to-use commercial PEC, for which designers have no insight into their dynamic behavior. Furthermore, the high variability of the operating conditions constitute a new paradigm in dc nanogrids. It exacerbates the dynamic analysis using traditional techniques. Therefore, the current work proposes behavioral modeling to perform system level analysis of a dc nanogrid-based DES. It relies only on the data acquired via measurements performed at the input&ndash;output terminals only. To verify the accuracy of the model, large signal disturbances are applied. The matching of results for the switch model and its behavioral model verifies the effectiveness of the proposed model

Whole exome sequencing reveals a homozygous SGCB variant in a Pakhtun family with limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMDR4) phenotype

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a term used for proximal muscles weakness mainly affecting arms, shoulders, legs and thighs. These patients have altered body posture due to weak muscles, and have difficulty in holding, standing or walking. Genetic causes of both autosomal dominant (LGMDD/LGMD1) and recessive (LGMDR/LGMD2) forms have been identified. We analyzed a consanguineous Pakhtun family from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The disease started at early childhood (7–8 years). The phenotype worsened, and the patients had become completely wheelchair bound in teenages. Whole exome sequencing (WES) at 100× coverage on Illumina NovaSeq6000 platform followed by Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous variant (c.610T > C; p.Ser204Pro) in the SGCB gene known for LGMDR4 phenotype. Structural protein prediction tools and molecular docking analyses showed critical structural changes in the binding interface and SGCB protein tunnel. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of SGCB variant identified in a Pakistani family. Structural analysis of p.Ser204Pro substitution gives insight into SGCB pathogenicity causing LGMDR4 phenotype. WES analysis can be used as a first line tool in rare diseases molecular diagnostics. Encouraging premarital testing in the closest relatives of such patients may have positive impact on reduction of the recurrence risk in their subsequent generations

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE &amp; BIOLOGY Full Length Article Evaluation of a Saponin Adjuvanted Inactivated Mycoplasma bovis (A Field Isolate from Cattle Lungs in Balochistan, Pakistan) Vaccine

Abstract An inactivated saponin adjuvanted vaccine was prepared from Mycoplasma bovis local field isolate and its efficacy was evaluated. Nine calves (n=9) were split in three groups (three calves in each group). Calves in group A were vaccinated with M. bovis saponin adjuvanted (inactivated) vaccine and challenged with live M. bovis strain by nasal spray at day 21 post vaccination. Calves in group B were only challenged with live M. bovis culture through same route and Group C was kept as control. All groups of calves were monitored for 7 weeks. The antibody profile of all vaccinated and challenged animal were assessed through IHA test. The saponated M. bovis (inactivated) vaccines with protein concentration (2 mg/mL) was found very effective. Any pathological lesion, mortality and any other clinical manifestation was not observed in vaccinated group of calves. Over all the immune status with a GMT (40.3) was found satisfactory with this vaccine, which was achieved 3 weeks post-vaccination and this titer has risen to a GMT (80.6) after four week and was maintained to a GMT of (64.0) on 49 th days at the end of experiment