Natural and Unanticipated Modifiers of RNAi Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans

Organisms used as model genomics systems are maintained as isogenic strains, yet evidence of sequence differences between independently maintained wild-type stocks has been substantiated by whole-genome resequencing data and strain-specific phenotypes. Sequence differences may arise from replication errors, transposon mobilization, meiotic gene conversion, or environmental or chemical assault on the genome. Low frequency alleles or mutations with modest effects on phenotypes can contribute to natural variation, and it has proven possible for such sequences to become fixed by adapted evolutionary enrichment and identified by resequencing. Our objective was to identify and analyze single locus genetic defects leading to RNAi resistance in isogenic strains of Caenorhabditis elegans. In so doing, we uncovered a mutation that arose de novo in an existing strain, which initially frustrated our phenotypic analysis. We also report experimental, environmental, and genetic conditions that can complicate phenotypic analysis of RNAi pathway defects. These observations highlight the potential for unanticipated mutations, coupled with genetic and environmental phenomena, to enhance or suppress the effects of known mutations and cause variation between wild-type strains

The influence of Parents Educational level on Secondary School Students Academic achievements in District Rajanpur

This study was conducted to focus the influence and impact of parents educational  level on students academic achievement at secondary level of education. The study utilizes the students results of the 9th class in secondary school certificate examination taken by the Board of Intermediate & Secondary Education Dera Ghazi Khan. Oral interview, observation and a questionnaire were used for this study. This article tries to find out the impact of parental education status at students  academic achievements of secondary school level. Research population was the students of different public and private high schools of District Rajanpur, South Punjab. 200 students of Grade 10th were taken as a sample randomly. Null hypothesis was formulated and tested using independent Z-test analysis. Descriptive study based on empirical data was tested to correlate the described variables. After analysis of the data the research finds significant positive relationship between parents education level and academic achievements of students. Key Words: parents education level, secondary schools, academic achievements

Severe Eosinophilia in a Case of Giardiasis

A case of severe eosinophilia is reported in a child with giardiasi

Women's Political Participation in a Pakistani Metropolis: Navigating Gendered Household and Political Spaces

The male–female gap in voter turnout in the 2018 Pakistani general elections stood at 9.1 per cent, with 11 million fewer women exercising their right to vote than men. This report shows that the largest city in each of Pakistan’s four provinces did much worse in terms of gender inequality in voter turnout in compared to the remaining constituencies of each province. The report argues that it would not be possible to forge an effective agenda of action to address the gender inequality in participation in big cities without recognising that it is a product of a complex dynamic between women, social attitudes in households and the gendered nature of political space and political engagement. The main aim of the report is to provide an understanding of this complex dynamic by unpacking the constraints women face in exercising political agency. It is led by a simple question – why does a gender gap in political participation exist in a big city context? We answer this question by using evidence from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with close to 250 women and men and an original baseline citizen survey of 2,500 randomly selected households across 7 of Lahore’s 14 national assembly constituencies and one third of the city’s local government electoral wards. Within each household, one man and one woman member were randomly selected and interviewed, providing us with a total sample of 5,000 respondents. We also draw on an original turnout survey that validated the turnout of women and men in Election 2018 by observing indelible ink marks on the thumbs of the respondents within two days of the elections

Impact of data center placement on the power consumption of flexible-grid optical networks

The increasing trend of global IP traffic is mainly driven by high-definition video services and cloud computing and storage. Moreover, to maintain a high quality of service in content delivery networking, data are geographically replicated in data centers distributed within network topologies. Thus, data centers are an emerging scenario for research and development aimed at energy-efficient transmission and networking solutions. Previous research work has focused on intradata center energy efficiency while interdata center energy issues have not been extensively analyzed yet. We propose heuristics and meta-heuristics for optimal placement of data centers with minimum power consumption over a network topology relying on flex-grid spectral use. In order to minimize the network's power consumption, we have performed a detailed comparison of heuristic and meta-heuristic designs for different network scenarios based on real topologies. Moreover, our results show that meta-heuristic provides an optimum data center placement in a reasonable amount of time for a small- to medium-sized network

Predictors of poor quality of life after primary lower limb deep venous thrombosis: A perspective from a developing nation

Objective: We aimed to determine predictors of poor long term quality of life, using the VEINES Quality of Life (QOL) questionnaire, in patients with lower limb deep venous thrombosis (DVT).Material and Methods: This study included adult patients with primary lower limb DVT between January 2007 and December 2017. Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) was assessed using the Villalta score and Quality of Life (QoL) by the VEINES quality of life questionnaire.Results: Our study included 125 patients, 57 (45.6%) of whom were males. The patient population\u27s median age was 41 years (IQR: 34-47 years). The median follow up was 450 days (IQR: 390-1020 days). PTS occurred in 49 (39.2%) patients. Independent predictors of poor quality of life post DVT were progression to PTS, complete occlusion of vein, proximal (Ileofemoral) DVT, poor control of INR, poor compliance with compression stockings, severity of PTS, ileofemoral DVT and poor control of therapeutic anticoagulation.Conclusion: Predictors who are independently associated with poor quality of life post DVT are PTS, inability to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation and ileofemoral DVT

Systematic comparison of bacterial feeding strains for increased yield of Caenorhabditis elegans males by RNA interference-induced non-disjunction

AbstractRare Caenorhabditis elegans males arise when sex chromosome non-disjunction occurs during meiosis in self-fertilizing hermaphrodites. Non-disjunction is a relatively rare event, and males are typically observed at a frequency of less than one in five hundred wild-type animals. Males are required for genetic crosses and phenotypic analysis, yet current methods to generate large numbers of males can be cumbersome. Here, we identify RNAi reagents (dsRNA-expressing bacteria) with improved effectiveness for eliciting males. Specifically, we used RNAi to systematically reduce the expression of over two hundred genes with meiotic chromosome segregation functions, and we identified a set of RNAi reagents that robustly and reproducibly elicited male progeny

Emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance among drug resistant tuberculosis patients at a tertiary care facility in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Pakistan is classified as one of the high multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden countries. A poorly regulated private sector, over-prescription of antibiotics and self-medication has led to augmented rates of drug-resistance in the country. Pakistan\u27s first national anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey identified high prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance among MDR-TB patients. Further institutional evidence of fluoroquinolone drug-resistance can support re-evaluation of treatment regimens as well as invigorate efforts to control antibiotic resistance in the country.Findings: In this study, data for drug-susceptibility testing (DST) was retrospectively analyzed for a total of 133 patients receiving MDR-TB treatment at the Chest Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan. Frequency analyses for resistance patterns was carried out and association of fluoroquinolone (ofloxacin) resistance with demographics and past TB treatment category were assessed. Within first-line drugs, resistance to isoniazid was detected in 97.7% of cases, followed by rifampicin (96.9%), pyrazinamide (86.4%), ethambutol (69.2%) and streptomycin (64.6%). Within second-line drugs, ofloxacin resistance was detected in 34.6% of cases. Resistance to ethionamide and amikacin was 2.3% and 1.6%, respectively. Combined resistance of oflaxacin and isoniazid was detected in 33.9% of cases. Age, gender and past TB treatment category were not significantly associated with resistance to ofloxacin.Conclusion: Fluoroquinolone resistance was observed in an alarmingly high proportion of MDR-TB cases. Our results suggest caution in their use for empirical management of MDR-TB cases and recommended treatment regimens for MDR-TB may require re-evaluation. Greater engagement of private providers and stringent pharmacy regulations are urgently required

Impressions and attitudes of adult residents of Karachi towards a possible public health insurance scheme

Objective: To gauge the general population\u27s knowledge and attitude towards a possible public health insurance scheme.Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April to May 2015, and comprised permanent residents of the city. Convenience sampling was used. Data was collected via questionnaires. SPSS 22 was used for data analysis.Results: There were 340 participants in the study with an overall mean age of 32.9±12.4 years. Besides, 159(46.8%) participants were aware of the concept of medical insurance while the correct definition was identified by 160(50.5%) respondents. Overall, 256(75.3%) participants were willing to join a theoretical public health insurance scheme. Of all the respondents, 107(31.5%) had faced a catastrophic event in the past and consequently were more willing to join. Of those unsure or not willing to join, 33(37.9%) respondents identified lack of trust in government programmes as the main reason for their choice.CONCLUSIONS: A large majority of adults had a favourable attitude towards the implementation of a possible public health insurance scheme

Potential and prospects of biomass as a source of renewable energy in Pakistan

In an agricultural country like Pakistan, producing affordable and clean energy can be a challenging task. However, Pakistan has the potential to utilize various biomass feedstocks to generate renewable energy and tackle climate change while promoting sustainable development. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and corn are the four main crops that yield a significant amount of residue, totaling 112.1 million tons per year. These residues have the potential to produce 3,050 kWh/ton of energy, which can meet 14% of the energy demand in Pakistan, equivalent to 9.85TW, starting in 2022. Gasification technology is a versatile option that efficiently converts biomass into energy while reducing negative environmental impacts. The current research explores the feasibility of generating clean energy from crop residues with low emissions, addressing the country’s energy needs, and supporting policymakers in promoting the use of biomass for energy production. According to this study, rice husk, corn cobs, wheat straw, and sugar bagasse all produce hydrogen at rates of 6.9 wt.%, 6.4 wt.%, 5.69 wt.%, and 5.35 wt.%, respectively. Therefore, our study demonstrates that corn cobs have a significant potential for energy production