Limnological Study of River Soan (Punjab), Pakistan

River Soan is one of the important aquatic systems of the Punjab province in Pakistan and flows into Indus River near Kalla Bagh (District Mianwali). In order to measure the quality of water and to evaluate planktonic community, an integrated monitoring system was applied from May to December 2001. During the study period total of 202 genera were observed of which 134 were of phytoplankton present in various phylums including Cyanophyta (22), Cyarophyta (7), Xanthophyta (5), Bacillariophyta (22), Euglenophyta (5), Chlorophyta (62), Chrysophyta (8), Pyrrophyta (1) and Cphryrotophyta (2). 53 genera of zooplankton were observed including Protozoa (33), Rotifera (8), Cladocera (7), Copepoda (4) and Aquatic insecta (1). In addition to phyto and zooplankton 3 genera of Charophyta and 11 genera of Macrophyta were observed. Diversity index of phytoplankton ranged from 4.6 to 13.5 and of zooplankton from 1.94 to 5.90. Water samples were collected on monthly basis for estimation of various physical and chemical water quality parameters i.e., water temperature (9-31 0C), light penetration (1.2-22.3 cm), viscosity (0.8570-1.0572 mNS m-2), conductivity (7-19 mv), surface tension (69.28-72.63 dynes cm-1), density (0.980-1.022 mg l-1), specifi c gravity (0.796-1.025), boiling point (95-98 0C), turbidity (0.02-0.48 mg l-1), pH (8-9), dissolved oxygen (4.6- 9.3 mg l-1), alkalinity (19-36 mg l-1), acidity 1.0-1.8 mg l-1), carbonates (0), bicarbonates (19-36 mg l-1), total solids (0.56-4.24 mg l-1), total dissolved solids (0.53-4.83) and total dissolved volatile solids (0.05-0.29). Among elements, sodium (22.50-168.75 ppm), potassium (3.94-12.31 ppm), calcium (2.75-34.25 ppm), strontium (0.00-0.47 ppm), magnesium (0.00 ppm) and zinc (0.00 ppm) were detected through atomic absorption while seasonal variation in planktonic diversity was analyzed by calculating the frequency of occurrence, relative abundance and diversity index of planktonic life. The overall water quality of the study site remained within safe limits throughout the study period

Screening for drought tolerance: comparison of maize hybrids under water deficit condition

Background: Maize is an important cereal crop, grown throughout the globe for human food and livestock feed, but biotic and abiotic factors had shown adverse effects on biomass and grain yield. Changing climatic conditions have imposed drought (water scarcity) as a major problem to combat with yield losses and biomass in maize and other cereals. Methods: The prescribed study was conducted to evaluate F1 hybrids at seedling subject to 45% moisture level. The data was recorded and subjected to multivariate analysis to find the significant variation attributed by various traits under stress conditions for efficient root/shoot development.Results: Significant differences were found in F1 hybrids for all studied traits. Higher heritability was found for root length, shoot length and fresh shoot weight, while fresh shoot weight, dry shoot weight and dry root weight showed higher genetic advance. Significant correlation was found for dry root weight to fresh shoot length and fresh root length, fresh root weight to fresh root/shoot weight ratio and fresh shoot weight. The hybrids Sh-139×B-316, Raka-poshi×B-316, B-327×B-316, Sh-139×EV-340, EV-1097Q×EV-347, EV-1097Q×EV-340, EV-1097Q×Pop/209 and B-327×EV-340 showed higher and positive heterosis and heterobeltiosis for most of the studied traits. To assess the overall variation on dependent structure, we used multivariate analysis, an important tool in breeding program, for efficient selection.Conclusions: EV-1097Q×Pop/209 and Sh-139×EV-340 showed significant results for root and shoot development under various water stress regimes at seedling stage, thus further studies should be carried out to find out the known and un-known loci regarding root and shoot development traits in high yielding maize cultivars under arid/semi-arid regions

Exposure to Multiple Communication Channels and Preventive Behaviors during COVID-19 in Pakistan: An Application of Extended Parallel Process Model

COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic in March 2020. Pakistan became the 20th most-affected country as of June, the same year. This study attempts to explore the relationship between exposure to different communication channels and preventive behaviors during COVID-19. The study finds its conceptual roots in the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) which described the two components (i.e. threat, efficacy) through which communication could influence the adoption of preventive behaviors during a health crisis. A Survey of 620 students was collected in the month of May and June from different Pakistani universities. The study extended the EPPM model to be used on measuring the behavioral effect of the exposure to multiple communication channels along with suggesting the health professional and government officials take into account the four components of threat and efficacy during COVID-19 to effectively implement the strategies about preventive behaviors. Findings show a positive association between exposure to different communication channels and preventive behaviors. Moreover, the components of the theoretical underpinning positively mediated the relationship

Individual-Level Factors and Variation in Exposure to Online Hate Material: A Cross-National Comparison of Four Asian Countries

Internet has become one of the key drivers of social evolution. It has also provided an array of help forming certain kinds of negative behaviors against deviant groups through hate material. South Asia has witnessed a significant raise in online hate activities in recent past. To explore the possible explanations behind this spike, a survey method is used to collect the data from young adults (19-28) from different universities of Pakistan (n=457), India (n=523), Bangladesh (n=426), and Sri Lanka (n=381). The study found the conceptual roots in Routine Activity to understand the nexus between possible offenders (hate groups) and potential victims (internet users). The results showed that there was a significant difference between the exposures to online hate material across four Asian countries. The study theorized three of the possible explanations to account for this variation that include the score of each country on Inglehart-Welzel's self- expression scale, anti-hate-speech laws, and literacy rate. The data partially fits in the explanation of the variation by literacy rate better than the other two. Moreover, men are more prone to exposure to online hate material as well as the people with more social networking sites use, frequent visit to dangerous websites, using internet as anonymous, and having more Facebook friends. The study recommends taking into account the individual factors while formulating anti-hate-speech laws in South Asia. Also, the study recommends conducting a similar cross-national consideration in particularly those countries where the militant groups are using online space to make people radicalized.&nbsp

BioMatriX: Sequence analysis, structure visualization, phylogenetics and linkage analysis workbench

The BioMatriX (Build Mine Xplore) is a bioinformatics work bench (http://www.bmx-biomatrix.blogspot.com) developed for biological science community to augment scientific research regarding genomics, proteomics, phylogenetics and linkage analysis in one platform. BioMatriX offers multi-functional services to perform specific tasks like DNA/RNA/Protein sequence analysis with graphical representations, sequence editing, sequence alignment, restriction enzyme mapping, protein structure visualization, mutation and structure superimposition programs along with phylogenetics tree construction supporting dendrograms, neighbor joining and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) programs. Genomic studies like linkage programs are also implemented. Special emphasis has been paid to integrate all the resources in one software so that the researcher does not have to install numerous pieces of software to analyze his data.Keywords: Bioinformatics, linkage, visualizer, alignment, superimposition, phylogenetic

Recent developments in the understanding of NSAID-induced liver fibrosis: linking fundamental mechanisms to specific therapy ideas

One of the most often prescribed medicine class worldwide is that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs exhibit the action of a common mechanism consisting of cyclooxygenase inhibition, the enzymes in charge of producing prostanoids. NSAIDs are primarily weak organic acids and have been connected to liver disease for multiple decades. Interstitial collagens are produced in excess and deposited in the liver's extracellular matrix, resulting in hepatic fibrosis. Only a few NSAIDs exhibit inherent dose-dependent toxicity. Dietary changes, alcohol abstinence, and antiviral drugs are examples of current therapy. Nevertheless, such etiology-driven treatment is typically inadequate in patients with late-stage fibrosis or cirrhosis. The development of practice guidelines by multidisciplinary panels of experts includes suggestions of helpful remedy options for the particular reason of liver injury, stage of fibrosis, or occurrence of co-morbidities linked to a continuing loss of liver function. We listed the causes of hepatic injuries, including NSAIDs, and the prevailing theories behind anti-fibrotic treatments

Eco-Friendly Management of Nausinoe Geometralis Through Botanical Extracts on Jasmine Plant

Jasmine leaf webworm, Nausinoe geometralis, is a significant pest of Jasminum spp. commonly known as Jasmine plant. This plant holds a special place in Pakistan\u27s culture; as it is declared as its national flower. N. geometralis feeds on the leaves of the jasmine plant; leaving it damaged and unattractive. Current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of four botanical extracts (i.e. Neem, Taramira, Lemon grass, and Cactus) against N. geometralis; to explore an effective and eco-friendly method to protect the jasmine plant. Different concentrations of extracts were prepared using distilled water. Bioassays were performed on third instar larvae of N. geometralis following leaf dip method for various exposure intervals. Outcomes revealed that Neem extract was highly effective to manage the test insect pest followed by Taramira, Lemon grass, and Cactus. LC50 values of Neem after 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours were 22.25, 11.11, 11.31, and 15.82 ppm, respectively. It was concluded that botanical extracts can be utilized as promising agents in developing effective management strategies against N. geometralis. Future research should focus on optimizing the application methods and exploring the synergistic effects of these botanical extracts with other eco-friendly control measures to enhance their effectiveness against N. geometralis in field conditions

Histopathology of Heart and Spleen as a Result of Chromium Exposure in Mice

Potassium dichromate (K2CR2O7) contains hexavalent chromium that was tested for cardiac and splenic histopathology and micro anatomical and morphometric analysis at sub-toxic chronic exposure in drinking water in mice at 50 ppm, 100 ppm and 200 ppm concentration. Its duration of exposure was 30 days. The forty animals were divided into 4 groups as Group I was designated as Control (Ctl) received free normal drinking water, other groups (Group II-IV) were Cr (VI)50 ppm, Cr(VI)100 ppm, Cr(VI)200 ppm received 50, 100 and 200 ppm chromium in drinking water respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 30 days of exposure to obtain the heart and spleen for histological preparation. The digital photographs obtained from selected slides were analyzed histo-anatomically. Considerable decrease in red pulp of spleen was observed in Cr(VI)50 ppm (8.07±0.76), Cr(VI)100 ppm (7.74±0.30) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (7.35±0.65) in a dose dependent manner as compared to Ctl (8.24±0.86). Relative cell abundance in red pulp of Cr(VI)50 ppm (0.81±0.13), Cr(VI)100 ppm (0.65±0.16) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (0.6±0.1) was decreasing as compared to Ctl group (1.47±0.20). However, interestingly white pulp of spleen was increased in Cr (VI)50 ppm (1.31±0.15), Cr(VI)100 ppm (1.47±0.10) and Cr(VI)200 ppm (1.72±0.15) in dose dependent manner as compared to Ctl (1.55±0.15). While heart tissue indicate variation in the mean cross sectional area (CSA) of the cardiac fibers along with damaged to end plates, merger of the adjacent fibers necrosis followed by fibrosis in the myocardial myometrium. The results shows clear impression that persistent low concentration (50 ppm)chromium exposure in drinking water can be dangerous to myometrium leading to congestive heart problems, cardiac failure, brady cardia along with many hematological implications

Ameliorations of Olea Ferruginea Fruit Pulp Extract in CCl4 induced Testicular Pathology in Mice

In present study the testicular histo-ameliorations of wild olive (Olea ferruginea) fruit pulp extract (OFPE) against intra-gastric CCl4 exposure in mice was investigated. Thirty male albino mice were allocated into three groups of ten each: 1) Vehicle control (Vc); 2) CCl4 (C); and 3) CCl4+ Olea ferruginea (COf). All groups, except the Vc, were administered CCl4 (0.1mL of a 0.2mLkg−1 solution) in corn oil. Over the subsequent five days, the COf group received 0.1mL of Olea ferruginea plant extract (OFPE) daily, while the Vc and CCl4 groups were provided water in place of OFPE. Testes were recovered at day 7. Within the CCl4 group, there was significant misalignment of spermatogenic cells, such as spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and tailless sperm heads, observed in the seminiferous tubules, along with a concomitant depletion of interstitial tissue. Partial recovery of the interstitial and spermatogonial density and realignment of spermatogenic cells were seen in COf group. Nevertheless, aggregates of dislocated spermatogenic cells were present in the middle of the seminiferous tubules. Micrometric analysis showed significant decrease (P \u3c 0.05) in cross-sectional area (CSA) of the seminiferous tubules in COf than the Vc and Cgroups. Contrary to the sperm tail length the CSA’s of spermatogenic cell were significantly higher in C than the Vc and COf groups. So results show that OFPE can rescue the ruined testicular parameters of CCl4 exposure

Automated feature detection in dental periapical radiographs by using deep learning

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate automated feature detection, segmentation, and quantification of common findings in periapical radiographs (PRs) by using deep learning (DL)–based computer vision techniques. Study Design: Caries, alveolar bone recession, and interradicular radiolucencies were labeled on 206 digital PRs by 3 specialists (2 oral pathologists and 1 endodontist). The PRs were divided into “Training and Validation” and “Test” data sets consisting of 176 and 30 PRs, respectively. Multiple transformations of image data were used as input to deep neural networks during training. Outcomes of existing and purpose-built DL architectures were compared to identify the most suitable architecture for automated analysis. Results: The U-Net architecture and its variant significantly outperformed Xnet and SegNet in all metrics. The overall best performing architecture on the validation data set was “U-Net+Densenet121” (mean intersection over union [mIoU] = 0.501; Dice coefficient = 0.569). Performance of all architectures degraded on the “Test” data set; “U-Net” delivered the best performance (mIoU = 0.402; Dice coefficient = 0.453). Interradicular radiolucencies were the most difficult to segment. Conclusions: DL has potential for automated analysis of PRs but warrants further research. Among existing off-the-shelf architectures, U-Net and its variants delivered the best performance. Further performance gains can be obtained via purpose-built architectures and a larger multicentric cohort