In vitro regeneration of Pakistani peanut (Arachis hypogea L.) varieties using de-embryonated coteledonary explants

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belongs to the family leguminosae and is one of the world’s largest oilseed crops. This study is the first report on peanut regeneration from Pakistan using four commercially released peanut varieties, that is, Golden, BARI-2000, BARD-479 and BARD-92. Longitudinally, halved cotyledons with removed embryos were employed as explants. Among various tested combinations of BAP and NAA, the best combination was 4 and 0.1 mg/L respectively. BARI-2000 proved to be the best responsive variety for in vitro regeneration in terms of number of shoots/explant (133.3%) and number of rooted plants/explant (124.99%). The optimized protocol, which is the first one in the country, would be used to incorporate important traits in future breeding programmes of peanut in Pakistan.Key words: Arachis hypogea, de-embryonated cotyledons, BAP, NAA, in vitro regeneration, Pakistan

Assessing the potential of GHG emissions for the textile sector: A baseline study.

The carbon footprint (CFP) is a measure of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted throughout the lifecycle of a product or activity, while the energy footprint (EFP) and water footprint (WFP) measure energy and water consumption, respectively. These footprints are essential for managing emissions and consumption and promoting low-carbon consumption. A carbon labeling scheme could help consumers make informed choices. Asia is a major textile producer and consumer, so studying textiles' carbon, energy, and water footprints is essential for managing domestic emissions, energy and water consumption, and international trade negotiations. This paper presents a method and framework for assessing CFP, EFP, and WFP at the product level and calculates the footprints for textile products. The results show that the total CFP of all textile products produced is 42,624.12 MT CO2e, with indirect emissions contributing significantly more than direct emissions. The total EFP is 248.38 PJ, with electricity consumption being the main contributor, while the total WFP is 80.71 billion liters. The spinning stage of production has the highest CFP and EFP, and energy consumption is the main contributor to all footprints. These results can help compare different products and reduce the footprints of the textile sector

The Psychological Impact of COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis of Pre-Lockdown and During-Lockdown Periods Among Saudi General Population

Junaid Amin,1 Ammar Ahmed Siddiqui,2 Muhammad Ilyas,3 Salman Amin,4 Mishal M Aldaihan,5 Hamayun Zafar5 1Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 2440, Saudi Arabia; 2Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Ha’il, Ha’il, 2440, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Management & MIS, College of Business Administration, University of Hail, Ha’il, 2440, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University College of Medicine and Dentistry,The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; 5Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11433, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Junaid Amin, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Ha’il, 2440, Ha’il, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966-580931017, Email [email protected]: Prior research has revealed substantial psychological impacts of COVID-19 among the general population. However, there is a noticeable gap in studies addressing the enduring anxiety levels before and during lockdown periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: The study assessed and compared the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic before and during lockdown periods among the general population in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A validated and reliable General Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7 instrument was used to quantify stress levels by measuring anxiety. Nonprobability snowball sampling was used to collect data from 516 participants residing in Saudi Arabia. The difference in scores for each of the seven related questions of GAD-7 was determined using a non-parametric Wilcoxon rank test.Results: A mild level of anxiety was consistently observed both before and during the lockdown, as indicated by GAD-7 scores of 6.17 (SD = 5.5) before the lockdown and 6.42 (SD = 5.7) during the lockdown. There were no differences in GAD-7 scores before 6.17 (SD = 5.5) and during 6.42 (SD = 5.7) the lockdown periods. However, levels of moderate anxiety increased by 5% during the lockdown period. Anxiety levels before and during lockdown were significantly associated with gender (χ 2 (3, n = 516) =11.23 p = 0.01) and employment status (χ 2 (3, n = 516) = 9.41 p = 0.024). Among the GAD-7 questionnaire items, item number 1 (“Feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge”) (p= 0.00) and item number 7 (“Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen”) (p= 0.025) showed a significant association with anxiety levels before and during the lockdown periods.Conclusion: The enduring prevalence of mild anxiety, persisting both before and during the lockdown periods, underscores the profound impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of the general population in Saudi Arabia.Plain Language Summary: This study aimed to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental well-being of people in Saudi Arabia, specifically looking at anxiety levels before and during lockdown. We used a survey with 516 participants and found that, overall, people reported mild anxiety both before and during the lockdown. However, there was a 5% increase in moderate anxiety during the lockdown.Interestingly, we discovered that gender and employment status were linked to anxiety levels. Women and those with certain employment statuses reported different anxiety levels. Specific questions in the survey, such as feeling nervous or afraid, were mainly associated with anxiety during both periods.In conclusion, even though anxiety levels were generally mild, some groups and specific concerns showed differences. This information can help us understand how to better support people’s mental health during challenging times like a pandemic.Keywords: anxiety, COVID-19, GAD-7, general population, psychological impact, Saudi Arabi

Patient-reported outcome measures of the impact of cancer on patient’s everyday lives: a systematic review

Purpose: Patients with advanced disease are living longer and commonly used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) may miss relevant elements of the quality of extended survival. This systematic review examines the measures used to capture aspects of the quality of survival including impact on patients’ everyday lives such as finances, work and family roles. Methods: Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO restricted to English language articles. Information on study characteristics, instruments and outcomes was systematically extracted and synthesised. A predefined set of criteria was used to rate the quality of studies. Results: From 2761 potentially relevant articles, 22 met all inclusion criteria, including 10 concerning financial distress, 3 on roles and responsibilities and 9 on multiple aspects of social well-being. Generally, studies were not of high quality; many lacked bias free participant selection, had confounding factors and had not accounted for all participants. High levels of financial distress were reported and were associated with multiple demographic factors such as age and income. There were few reports concerned with impacts on patients’ roles/responsibilities in everyday life although practical and emotional struggles with parenting were identified. Social difficulties were common and associated with multiple factors including being a caregiver. Many studies were single time-point surveys and used non-validated measures. Exceptions were employment of the COST and Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI), validated measures of financial and social distress respectively. Conclusions: Impact on some important parts of patients’ everyday lives is insufficiently and inconsistently captured. Further PROM development focussing on roles and responsibilities, including work and caring for dependents, is warranted. Implications for Cancer Survivors: Factors such as finances, employment and responsibility for caring for dependents (e.g. children and elderly relatives) can affect the well-being of cancer survivors. There is a need to ensure that any instruments used to assess patients’ social well-being are broad enough to include these areas so that any difficulties arising can be better understood and appropriately supported

Population‐based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications in a prospective population‐based cohort. Methods Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all‐cause 30‐day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two‐level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2). Results Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications. Conclusion Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics

Clinical Experience with Insulin Detemir: Results from the Bangladesh Cohort of Global A 1 chieve Study

Abstract Objective: To present results from the Bangladesh cohort of the A 1 chieve study receiving insulin detemir (Levemir) ± oral anti diabetic drugs. Methods: Out of 1093 patients recruited from 49 sites in Bangladesh, 370 were initiated on insulin detemir (Levemir).Study visits were defined as baseline, interim (around 12 weeks from baseline) and final (around 24 weeks from baseline) visit. Results: Glycaemic control was poor in all the groups at baseline. In the entire cohort at 24 weeks, significant reductions from baseline were observed in mean HbA 1c (from 10.0 % to 7.2%, p<0.001), FPG (from 10.5 to 6.7 mmol/L, p<0.001) and PPPG (from 15.3 to 8.9 mmol/L, p<0.001) levels. Overall 45.5% of th

Prospects of Catalysis for Process Sustainability of Eco-Green Biodiesel Synthesis via Transesterification: A State-Of-The-Art Review

Environmental pollution caused by conventional petro-diesel initiates at time of crude oil extraction and continues until its consumption. The resulting emission of poisonous gases during the combustion of petroleum-based fuel has worsened the greenhouse effect and global warming. Moreover, exhaustion of finite fossil fuels due to extensive exploitation has made the search for renewable resources indispensable. In light of this, biodiesel is a best possible substitute for the regular petro-diesel as it is eco-friendly, renewable, and economically viable. For effective biodiesel synthesis, the selection of potential feedstock and choice of efficient catalyst is the most important criteria. The main objective of this bibliographical review is to highlight vital role of different catalytic systems acting on variable feedstock and diverse methods for catalysis of biodiesel synthesis reactions. This paper further explores the effects of optimized reaction parameters, modification in chemical compositions, reaction operating parameters, mechanism and methodologies for catalysts preparation, stability enhancement, recovery, and reusability with the maximum optimum activity of catalysts. In future, the development of well-planned incentive structures is necessary for systematic progression of biodiesel process. Besides this, the selection of accessible and amended approaches for synthesis and utilization of specific potential catalysts will ensure the sustainability of eco-green biodiesel

Sustainable Production of Biodiesel from Novel and Non-Edible Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Seed Oil from Green and Recyclable Potassium Hydroxide Activated Ailanthus Cake and Cadmium Sulfide Catalyst

Heterogeneous catalyst prepared from Ailanthus altissima oil cake along with cadmium sulphide catalyst proved to be an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable source of biodiesel synthesis from Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) seed oil. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) is a non-edible wild plant having significant oil content of 40%, being an ideal low cost and sustainable source of biodiesel production. After extraction of oil from the seeds, the remaining Ailanthus cake was treated through different techniques to be used as a novel heterogeneous catalyst. Free fatty acid content of the seeds was measured as 0.7%, which is very reasonable for effective trans-esterification process. The potassium hydroxide (KOH)-activated Ailanthus cake (KAC), calcined Ailanthus cake (CAC) and cadmium sulphide nanoparticles (CdS) were characterised with different techniques such as SEM at different magnifications, XRD and EDX. These catalysts were effectively utilised for biodiesel production owing to promising reusability, cost-effective and eco-friendly behaviour. For trans-esterification of Ailanthus altissima oil (AAO), the operating conditions on which maximum biodiesel yield obtained were 3:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.5 wt.% catalyst concentration, 90 min reaction time, 60 °C and 600 rpm. The fuel properties of biodiesel obtained from Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) were also determined and analysed in detail. These properties, such as viscosity, density, pour point and cloud point, fall within the limits set by international standards of biodiesel

Share of afghanistan populace in hepatitis B and hepatitis C infection's pool: is it worthwhile?

There is a notable dearth of data about Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus(HCV) prevalence in Afghanistan. Awareness program and research capacity in the field of hepatitis are very limited in Afghanistan. Number of vulnerabilities and patterns of risk behaviors signal the need to take action now

Association between expatriation and HIV awareness and knowledge among injecting drug users in Kabul, Afghanistan: A cross-sectional comparison of former refugees to those remaining during conflict

BACKGROUND: Little is known about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) awareness among Afghan injecting drug users (IDUs), many of whom initiated injecting as refugees. We explored whether differences in HIV awareness and knowledge exist between Afghan IDUs who were refugees compared to those never having left Afghanistan. METHODS: A convenience sample of IDUs in Kabul, Afghanistan was recruited into a cross-sectional study through street outreach over a one year period beginning in 2005. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire and underwent voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B surface antigen, and hepatitis C antibody. Differences in HIV awareness and specific HIV knowledge between IDU who lived outside the country in the last decade versus those who had not were assessed with logistic regression. RESULTS: Of 464 IDUs, 463 (99%) were male; median age and age at first injection were 29 and 25 years, respectively. Most (86.4%) had lived or worked outside the country in the past ten years. Awareness of HIV was reported by 46.1%; those having been outside the country in the last decade were significantly more likely to have heard of HIV (48.3% vs. 31.7%; OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.14 – 3.53). However, of those aware of HIV, only 38.3% could name three correct transmission routes; specific HIV knowledge was not significantly associated with residence outside the country. CONCLUSION: Accurate HIV knowledge among Afghan IDUs is low, though former refugees had greater HIV awareness. Reported high-risk injecting behavior was not significantly different between IDU that were refugees and those that did not leave the country, indicating that all Afghan IDU should receive targeted prevention programming