Genome-Wide Identification of Natural Selection Footprints in Bos Indicus Using Principal Component Analysis

Background: To describe natural selection, numerous analytical methods for ascertaining candidate genomic region have been developed. There is a substantial drive in population genomics to identify loci intricate in local adaptation. A potent method to find genomic regions subject to local adaptation is to genotype numerous molecular markers and look for outlier loci. Methods: In this study, population structure and genome wide footprints scan of natural selection in cattle was performed using principal component analysis based on alternative individual method assumed in the PCAdapt R-package. This method was used on the hypothesis that extremely related population markers are also local population adaptation candidates. To test PCAdaptmethod in cattle, the data of sixty three animals were collected from four different origins or agro-ecological zones (Achai = 18, Cholistani = 13, Lohani = 19, and Tharparkar = 13) and genotyped using the high density SNPs BeadChip.Results: As expected from the sampling from different zones the principal component result indicated the clear division in these animals into three clusters. K=3 was the optimal number suggested by eigenvalues.Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that the genomic regions harboring signals of the candidate genes were associated with immunity system and muscle formation. Signature of selection detecting in this study targeted the historical adaptation in these breeds that will be useful in future to understand cattle origin under different environment

Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy and Correlation with HbA1c in Patients Admitted in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar

Objective: To determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in patients admitted in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar and to correlate different stages of diabetic retinopathy with HbA1C levels. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, MTI, Peshawar from December 2019 to May 2020. All patients over the age of 15 years who were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus were included in the study while patients with cataract or retinopathy due to other pathologies were excluded. All diabetic patients were admitted through outpatient department. In the ward their blood pressures were recorded and HbA1c levels were also measured. Visual acuity (VA) was checked. Screening for diabetic retinopathy was done by a consultant ophthalmologist by Optos Ultrawide Field Imaging of retina and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of macula to establish stages of diabetic retinopathy and presence of diabetic macular edema respectively. Results: A total of 103 diabetic patients were included. Their retina was photographed, viewed and analyzed. Diabetic retinopathy, irrespective of the type, was found in 69 patients with a prevalence of 66.9%. Patients with lower ranges of HbA1c (below 6%) showed no evidence of DR. The clustering of majority of patients with diabetic retinopathy with HbA1c levels of 8 to 12 %, showed a significant relationship between high blood sugar levels and severity. Conclusion: In our study the higher frequency of retinopathy is alarming by considering it one of the leading causes of blindness in working class. It is highly recommended that routine ophthalmologic examination may be carried out along with optimal diabetic control

Genome-wide SNPs analysis of indigenous Zebu breeds in Pakistan

Prospects of high throughput technology in animal genetics makes easy to investigate hidden genetic variation in farm animal's genetic resources. However, many SNPs technologies are currently practicing in animal genetics. In this study, we investigated genome wide SNPs variations and its distribution across the indigenous cattle population in Pakistan using Illumina Bovine HD (777K) SNPs bead chip. A total of 136 individuals from ten different breeds were genotyped and after filtration 500, 939 SNPs markers were used for further analysis. The mean minor allele frequency (MAF) was 0.23, 0.20, 0.22, 0.22, 0.20, 0.18, 0.20, 0.22, 0.21 and 0.18 observed for Achi, Bhagnari, Cholistani, Dhanni, Dajal, Kankraj, Lohani, Red sindi, Sahiwal and Tharparkar cattle, respectively. Significant difference (P0.05) within breeds and remaining 36% were considered as monomorphic markers. Average observed (Ho) and expected (HE) heterozygosity values 0.662 and 0.640 were estimated among these breeds. In conclusion, this preliminary study results revealed that these SNPs variation level could potentially be used for genetic characterization of zebu cattle breeds and could also be used to estimate genetic potential of these cattle breeds for livestock improvement in country

Negative faculty role modelling - is it a reflection of deteriorating societal values?

BACKGROUND: Negative faculty role modelling is an area of growing concern especially due to its implications on medical professionalism. The study aims to explore the impacts of negative role modelling on professionalism of medical students in the context of Pakistan.METHODS: This qualitative study is part of a larger study exploring impacts of role modelling on professionalism of students. It is based on Constructivist Grounded Theory involving six semi-structured interviews with clinical faculty and three focus group discussions with 22 students. Initial, focused, selective coding and thematic analysis was used to find the core category.RESULTS: Three overarching categories were developed: traits observed with negative role models; impact of negative role modelling; factors promoting negative role modelling. Subcategories of impacts included negative impact on professionalism, emotional impact, and its paradoxical positive impact. Negative role modelling, a manifestation of declining professionalism, was attributed to deteriorating societal values; further compounded by the lack of required mechanisms by institutions and the regulatory authority at their respective levels.CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of a strong moral platform at societal level, the burden of responsibility rests with the faculty and more importantly with institutions and regulatory bodies to discourage negative role modelling and educate students to recognize, reflect on and avoid negative behaviours and adopt strong professional values.</p

Genome-Wide Identification of Natural Selection Footprints in Bos Indicus Using Principal Component Analysis

Background: To describe natural selection, numerous analytical methods for ascertaining candidate genomic region have been developed. There is a substantial drive in population genomics to identify loci intricate in local adaptation. A potent method to find genomic regions subject to local adaptation is to genotype numerous molecular markers and look for outlier loci. Methods: In this study, population structure and genome wide footprints scan of natural selection in cattle was performed using principal component analysis based on alternative individual method assumed in the PCAdapt R-package. This method was used on the hypothesis that extremely related population markers are also local population adaptation candidates. To test PCAdapt method in cattle, the data of sixty three animals were collected from four different origins or agro-ecological zones (Achai = 18, Cholistani = 13, Lohani = 19, and Tharparkar = 13) and genotyped using the high density SNPs BeadChip. Results: As expected from the sampling from different zones the principal component result indicated the clear division in these animals into three clusters. K=3 was the optimal number suggested by eigenvalues. Conclusion: The result of this study revealed that the genomic regions harboring signals of the candidate genes were associated with immunity system and muscle formation. Signature of selection detecting in this study targeted the historical adaptation in these breeds that will be useful in future to understand cattle origin under different environment

To Assess the Frequency and Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adult Population of District Peshawar Pakistan

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in Pakistan is 17.1% reported in National survey conducted in 2017-2018 exposing the people to high risk of complications. Objective: To find frequency of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its risk factors, in adults >30 years of district Peshawar and to identify risk factors. Study type, settings & duration: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 04 areas of district Peshawar (Palosi Village, Hayatabad, Tehkal and Shaheen Town) from January 2019 to December 2019. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used to survey adult population (aged 30+ years) of district Peshawar. Data was collected from Tehkal, Shaheen town, Palosi and Hayatabad. Random blood sugar of 123 participants was checked through digital glucometer. Weight and height of participants were checked for BMI calculation. Questions were asked from participants to find risk factors of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The frequency of type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be 13.0%. Among 123 participants, 13 were pre diabetic, 16 diabetic and 94 people were non-diabetic. The result showed that frequency of type 2 diabetes increased with age, 62.5% of diabetic people were above 50 years. Results also showed positive relation of BMI with the diabetes, 87.5% of diabetic people had BMI more than 25. 62.5% diabetic people had positive family history. Hypertension had positive influence on type 2 diabetes mellitus, 56.25% people among diabetics were hypertensive. Among diabetics, about 60% were male and 40% were females. Physical inactivity had positive relation with type 2 diabetes, 62% of diabetic had no physical activity. Conclusion: We found some other factors which also affected type 2 diabetes mellitus, like sedentary life style, taking mixed meal and polycystic ovary syndrome. The study results also showed no difference in DM prevalence if someone is on medications for other diseases

Negative faculty role modelling – is it a reflection of deteriorating societal values?

Negative faculty role modelling is an area of growing concern especially due to its implications on medical professionalism. The study aims to explore the impacts of negative role modelling on professionalism of medical students in the context of Pakistan. This qualitative study is part of a larger study exploring impacts of role modelling on professionalism of students. It is based on Constructivist Grounded Theory involving six semi-structured interviews with clinical faculty and three focus group discussions with 22 students. Initial, focused, selective coding and thematic analysis was used to find the core category. Three overarching categories were developed: traits observed with negative role models; impact of negative role modelling; factors promoting negative role modelling. Subcategories of impacts included negative impact on professionalism, emotional impact, and its paradoxical positive impact. Negative role modelling, a manifestation of declining professionalism, was attributed to deteriorating societal values; further compounded by the lack of required mechanisms by institutions and the regulatory authority at their respective levels. In the absence of a strong moral platform at societal level, the burden of responsibility rests with the faculty and more importantly with institutions and regulatory bodies to discourage negative role modelling and educate students to recognize, reflect on and avoid negative behaviours and adopt strong professional values.</p