Current Standing and Future Challenges of Dairying in Pakistan: A Status Update

Pakistan is considered among the leading raw milk producing countries. Unlike the production systems in the developed countries, milk production systems in Pakistan represent smallholding with subsistence- or market-oriented-level farming followed by peri-urban or commercial-level farming. Historically, dairy sector has been owned and managed by the private sector. During the past two decades, new initiatives have been taken because of the active involvement of corporate private sector. These efforts have resulted in improvements like enlargement of herds and import of high-quality milk germ plasm, the productivity per animal, milk collection, processing and marketing, the supply of dairy inputs (machinery, equipment, feeds, semen, and elite dairy animals), and farmers knowledge, and skills on modern management practices. Conclusively, the dairy sector is performing at some sustainable level to meet the food requirements of the growing population and helping save a handful of foreign exchange. Yet, challenges like local replacements of high genetic potential dairy animals, health hazards of β-casein proteins, antibiotics and aflatoxins, and uneconomical operational costs facing the dairy industry in the near future need to be addressed. The main objective of this chapter is to identify the current trends in dairy industry of Pakistan and describe those factors, which can influence the sustainability and profitability of dairying in the near future

Potato peel waste-its nutraceutical, industrial and biotechnological applacations

With ever increased food processing in the new millennia, production of agro-industrial waste has been increased tremendously. Although, these waste are rich sources of essential bioactive compounds. In developing countries, the waste materials from agro-industries can help to obtain valuable components. The objective of this manuscript is to manage industrial potato peel waste and to highlight its nutritional and industrial uses. Potato peel waste, by various procedures such as fermentation, extraction and other treatments, can ensue into the products such as bio-fuels, dietary fibre, biofertilizer, biogas, biosorbent, antioxidants and food additives. This paper enlightens the application of potato peel utilization in food and nonfood purposes for example extraction, utilization of bioactive components, biotechnological usage, livestock feed and miscellaneous use. The present article summarized the literature pertaining to the studies of the last twenty years

The Merging of Two Dynasties—Identification of an African Cotton Leaf Curl Disease-Associated Begomovirus with Cotton in Pakistan

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) is a severe disease of cotton that occurs in Africa and Pakistan/northwestern India. The disease is caused by begomoviruses in association with specific betasatellites that differ between Africa and Asia. During survey of symptomatic cotton in Sindh (southern Pakistan) Cotton leaf curl Gezira virus (CLCuGV), the begomovirus associated with CLCuD in Africa, was identified. However, the cognate African betasatellite (Cotton leaf curl Gezira betasatellite) was not found. Instead, two Asian betasatellites, the CLCuD-associated Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB) and Chilli leaf curl betasatellite (ChLCB) were identified. Inoculation of the experimental plant species Nicotiana benthamiana showed that CLCuGV was competent to maintain both CLCuMB and ChLCB. Interestingly, the enations typical of CLCuD were only induced by CLCuGV in the presence of CLCuMB. Also in infections involving both CLCuMB and ChLCB the enations typical of CLCuMB were less evident. This is the first time an African begomovirus has been identified on the Indian sub-continent, highlight the growing threat of begomoviruses and particularly the threat of CLCuD causing viruses to cotton cultivation in the rest of the world

Time to endoscopy for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: results from a prospective multicentre trainee-led audit

Background: Endoscopy within 24 hours of admission (early endoscopy) is a quality standard in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB). We aimed to audit time to endoscopy outcomes and identify factors affecting delayed endoscopy (>24h of admission).Methods: This prospective multicentre audit enrolled patients admitted with AUGIB who underwent inpatient endoscopy between Nov-Dec 2017. Analyses were performed to identify factorsassociated with delayed endoscopy, and to compare patient outcomes, including length of stay and mortality rates, between early and delayed endoscopy groups.Results: Across 348 patients from 20 centres, the median time to endoscopy was 21.2h (IQR 12.0- 35.7), comprising median admission to referral and referral to endoscopy times of 8.1h (IQR 3.7- 18.1) and 6.7h (IQR 3.0-23.1) respectively. Early endoscopy was achieved in 58.9%, although this varied by centre (range: 31.0% - 87.5%, p=0.002). On multivariable analysis, lower Glasgow-Blatchford score, delayed referral, admissions between 7am-7pm or via the Emergency Department were independent predictors of delayed endoscopy. Early endoscopy was associated with reduced length of stay (median difference 1d; p= 0.004), but not 30-day mortality (p=0.344).Conclusions: The majority of centres did not meet national standards for time to endoscopy. Strategic initiatives involving acute care services may be necessary to improve this outcome

Characterization of a Begomovirus-Betasatellite Complex, Producing Defective Molecules in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a New Host for Begomovirus and Betasatellite Complex in Pakistan

Spinach is a vegetable crop which is widely grown over a large area especially in Punjab province of Pakistan. Leaf curling and enations on spinach plant collected shown to be associated with the begomovirus Pedilanthus leaf curl virus (PeLCV) and Shahdadpur strain of Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMBSha). Defective molecules of half and quarter size derived from monopartite begomoviruses are usually generated by the deletion of virion-sense sequences. Characterization of defective molecules of PeLCV from spinach revealed that the molecules of half the size are derived from the deletion of complementary-sense genes while quarter size molecule appears to have evolved by further deletion. This is the first report of the begomovirus-betasatellite complex on spinach and unusual defective molecules derived from deletion of complementary-sense genes in Pakistan

Factors influencing Outcome of Extradural Hematoma in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan

Background: The outcome for this neurosurgical problem is still far from set target in many developing countries like Pakistan. Major proportion of cases presenting with EDH in hospital still has poor outcome. This poor outcome of EDH is attributed to many factors including weak health systems of most developing countries. Objective of study was to analyze factors influencing outcome among patients of head injury with an extradural hematoma before surgery admitted in neurosurgery department of Dera Ghazi Khan Medical College, Dera Ghazi Khan. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in neurosurgery department of Dera Ghazi Khan Medical College from January 2019 to December 2019 after ethical approval. All the patients with extradural hematoma of either gender admitted in the department during the study duration in which surgery was performed to evacuate extradural hematoma were included in the study. Data was collected by using preformed, pretested questionnaire. A vital signs and Glasgow coma scale record was maintained at thirty minutes interval. Computerized tomography was done in every patient. The EDH volume was calculated by using Peterson and Epperson equation a x b x c x 0.5. Data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 22. Chi square test was applied to observe any statistically significant difference between various strata if existed and p value <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Total 237 patients with Extradural Hematoma (EDH) were admitted in neurosurgery department during the study period were included in study. More than half 136 (57.4%) patients were more or equal to the age of 18 years. Majority of the patients 218 (91.9%) in the study were male.  Major cause of extradural hematoma among patients in this study was road traffic accident 154 (64.9%). The outcome of EDH was found to be significantly (p <0.001) associated with age of patients. More than ninety percent of the patients who were directly admitted to tertiary care hospital has good outcome as compared to 109 (60.2%) patients which were referred and difference in outcome was statistically significant (p<0.001). The volume of EDH is not significantly associated with the outcome (p=0.090). The GSC score of the patients at the time of admission is significantly associated with the outcome (p<0.001). Study findings showed that GCS score of the patients at the time of surgery was also found to be significantly associated with outcome of EDH (p<0.001). Conclusion: There is a strong association of outcome in extradural hematoma with age, gender and GCS of the patient. In higher GCS the outcome was excellent but in low GCS the outcome was poor

Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Study of Traumatic Brain Injuries at a Tertiary Care Trauma Center in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract Introduction: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are 1 of the most common reasons for young adult death and disability. This study sought to provide novel data for TBIs in Southern Punjab, as well as to identify any areas of service improvement to reduce the acute and long-term burden of this condition. Methods: A survey in English was created, which was then circulated to members of the emergency and neurosurgical department for a 3-wk period. Results: A total of 450 patients (379 male [84.2%] and 71 female [15.2%]) were included as TBI admissions or attendances with a mean age of 28.9 y. Of the total, 420 people (93.2%) had experienced a TBI following a road traffic incident (RTI), with 78.7% (n = 354) of TBIs involving motorbike users who were not wearing helmets. A total of 226 (50.1%) patients arrived by car to the hospital, and 201 (44.7%) arrived by means of provincial government-funded emergency ambulance services. Conclusions: TBIs in Southern Punjab mostly affect younger males involved in RTIs while riding motorbikes. Recommendations to reduce the acute and long-term burden of TBIs in this region include formal training of all hospital and prehospital staff in the management of acute trauma cases according to international guidelines and operating provincial government emergency ambulance services in a wider geographic area. </jats:sec

Autotomy: An Important Tool in Spiders to Avoid Life Threatening Situations

In the present study autotomy was induced in pholcid and lynx spiders. We recorded self amputation in only 13.45% house spiders compared to 42.5% in lynx spiders. Highest self-amputation rate in house spiders was observed in leg II (21%). However, lynx spiders showed 60% self-amputation in leg II. Almost 89% house spiders removed their legs when stretched from femur. However, lynx spiders (90%) automize their leg when stretched from metatarsus. For both group of spiders self amputation was higher in adult and between coxa and trochanter. It is confirmed from the study that self amputation is an important phenomenon in spiders to protect themselves in life-threatening situations

Regional Changes in the Sequence of Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Betasatellite

Cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) in Pakistan and northwestern India is caused by monopartite begomoviruses in association with an essential, disease-specific satellite, Cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite (CLCuMB). Following a recent upsurge in CLCuD problems in Sindh province (southern Pakistan), sequences of clones of CLCuMB were obtained from Sindh and Punjab province (central Pakistan), where CLCuD has been a problem since the mid-1980s. The sequences were compared to all sequences of CLCuMB available in the databases. Analysis of the sequences shows extensive sequence variation in CLCuMB, most likely resulting from recombination. The range of sequence variants differ between Sindh, the Punjab and northwestern India. The possible significance of the findings with respect to movement of the CLCuD between the three regions is discussed. Additionally, the lack of sequence variation within the only coding sequence of CLCuMB suggests that the betasatellite is not involved in resistance breaking which became a problem after 2001 in the Punjab and subsequently also in northwestern India

Screening for sugarcane yellow leaf virus in sorghum in Florida revealed its occurrence in mixed infections with sugarcane mosaic virus and a new marafivirus

Sugarcane yellow leaf virus (SCYLV) is an aphid-transmitted virus for which Melanaphis sacchari is the main vector. Almost all sugarcane varieties grown in Florida are susceptible to SCYLV infection. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of SCYLV in accessions of Sorghum bicolor which is another natural host of this virus. Two field experiments, one in 2016 with 19 sorghum lines and the other in 2017 with 15 lines, were established at Belle Glade, FL. Stalks collected randomly in planted and ratoon crops were tested by tissue-blot immunoassay (TBIA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Over the two-year period, 366 of 423 S. bicolor samples tested positive by TBIA but SCYLV was detected by RT-PCR in only 12 of 161 randomly selected subsamples. Full genome sequences of SCYLV, sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and a new marafivirus were obtained by high-throughput sequencing (HTS) from three TBIA positive sorghum samples. HTS data for all three viruses were confirmed by RT-PCR. The SCMV isolates from S. bicolor appeared to be a new strain of this virus species. Positive reaction of S. bicolor by TBIA using SCYLV antibodies could not be systematically associated with plant infection by SCYLV or another virus. This suggested the occurrence of a non-specific serological reaction with an unknown S. bicolor antigen. SCMV and the new marafivirus were also detected in Sorghum almum, suggesting that this weed is a reservoir for S. bicolor-infecting viruses in Florida