A Cross-Cultural Examination of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Lumpy Skin Disease in Bovine Herds in Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan

Medicinal plants are being used for the treatment of various livestock ailments by the local peoples since earliest times. It is a recognized fact that plants are an important source of ethnoveterinary medicines. From the last decade, ethnoveterinary practices have gained tremendous importance due to the discovery of some effective ethnoveterinary products. Ethnoveterinary practices are more common in developing countries including Pakistan due to different socioeconomic factors. The studies showed that many medicinal plants used for the treatment of Lumpy skin disease (LSD). Ethno-pharmacological content was obtained from 200 people with knowledge and experience of using plants as medicines for this disease in different areas of Sargodha and Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan. The field study was carried out from January-2023 to June-2023. All the data was collected by evaluation and interviews by calculating Use value (UV). The result from this study shows that 20 medicinal plants that belong to fifteen families greatly represented by Family Meliaceae were significant in treating LSD. This study indicated that the ethno-medicinal practices and knowledge are still used in District Sargodha and Khushab plants that support health care and help in the improvement of alternative system of medicines. These results gave commencing information on the significance use of medicinal plants. It can be tested for use in the future that leading to new discoveries of medicines in the treatment of LSD and other diseases of cattle

Protein Engineering of Endoglucanase CelR of Clostridium thermocellum for Enhanced Expression

Background: Enhanced production and improved properties of cellulases for a greater activity on plant biomass would rank amongst the top priorities for second-generation ethanol production. Based on the emergence of protein engineering as a cutting-edge technology for enhancing enzyme activity and expression level, the present study is aimed at the application of this technique to the major cellulosomal processing endoglucanase of C. thermocellum, CelR for refining enzyme characteristics. Methods: The full-length native enzyme gene (CelR) and a truncated version without the docking domains at C-terminus (CelR-CB) were PCR amplified using gene specific primers. The amplified PCR products were T/A cloned in the vector pTZ57 R/T and transformed in E. coli DH5α. The cellulase genes from the confirmed transformed plasmids were sub-cloned in T7 promoter-based expression vector pET-28a and expression analysis was done in E. coli (DE3) BL21 codon Plus. Results: An SDS PAGE analysis of both the CelR derivatives revealed that the truncated version i.e. CelR-CB showed a two-fold increase in expression level as compared to the full-length enzyme. Conclusion: The increased expression level of CelR in E. coli coupled with its increased production therefore makes it a promising method for augmenting the recombinant enzyme production for potential applications.

Predator- Prey Interaction In Plant –Associated Ecosystems. Effect On Plant Fitness And Trophic Cascade

Predator-prey interactions in plant-associated ecosystems play a crucial role in shaping ecosystem dynamics and stability. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the implications of these interactions, highlighting the intricate web of relationships among predators, herbivores, and plants. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining predator-prey interactions for ecosystem stability and functioning. Trophic cascades initiated by predator-prey interactions have been shown to regulate herbivore populations, indirectly benefiting plant communities. However, human activities can significantly impact predator populations and trophic cascades, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to preserve these important ecological dynamics. The integration of molecular techniques and modeling approaches can enhance our understanding of trophic cascades in plant-associated ecosystems. Conservation strategies aimed at promoting predator diversity and enhancing plant fitness are essential for maintaining ecosystem stability and promoting sustainable management of plant-associated ecosystems. Further research is needed to investigate the complex dynamics of predator-prey interactions and trophic cascades, as well as to develop effective conservation strategies to preserve these important ecological dynamics

Consumer preferences toward organic food and the moderating role of knowledge: a case of Pakistan and Malaysia

The present study aimed to identify the elements of the Theory of Planned Behaviour along with health consciousness and determine the role of knowledge as a moderating variable in Pakistan and Malaysia. Three hundred and forty-one observations from Pakistan and 280 observations from Malaysia were acquired through questionnaire; while, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling was applied for the analysis. The magnitude of the results varied across both countries; however, attitude, subjective norms and health consciousness, as well as their interaction terms, were significant predictors, whereas, perceived behavioural control and its knowledge interaction terms had insignificant impacts on the purchase intentions of consumers for both countries. This research will help to further understand about consumer perception in the purchase of organic food items, which will assist retailers, advertisers and manufacturers in developing strategies for such products

Mitigating Salt-Induced Damages in Wheat with Foliar-Applied Nigella sativa Seed Extract: A Comprehensive Study

Nigella sativa, a medicinal plant, known for its diverse bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and phytohormones, have shown potential in mitigating salt stress in various plant species. Amongst naturally occurring plant growth stimulants, it has attained enormous attention being rich in thymoquinineand carvacrol in seeds for scavenging free radicals. This research aimed to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa seed extract (NSE) as foliar spray (0, 50, 100 and 150g seeds per liter each) on wheat growth under salt stress (0mM, 75mM and 150mM). Results revealed that salinity decreased growth attributes and accumulation of photosynthetic pigments. On the other hand, salinity stress boosted the contents of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, glycinebetaine, leaf free proline, Na+ and Cl-. Foliar application of NSEameliorated the negative effects of salinity to considerable extent by enhancing growth traits, chlorophyll contents, glycinebetaine and prolineand decreased Na+, Cl-,malondialdehyde andhydrogen peroxide. This research provides valuable insights into the potential use of NSE as natural and sustainable solution to alleviate salt stress in wheat crop. These findings contribute to the development of eco-friendly strategies for enhancing crop resilience in saline environments, ultimately addressing the global challenge of food security in the face of increasing soil salinity

Black Tea: Chemical and Pharmacological Appraisal

Medicinal plants are gaining popularity as folk medicine due to future demand to get rid of synthetic health promoting medicines. Nowadays, black tea is gaining interest as the most frequently consumed therapeutic drink after the water. The importance of black tea is due to existence of flavonoids such as (Thearubigins (TRs) and theaflavins (TFs) and catechins) that are the main therapeutic agents and are more bio-direct and stable compounds compared to those exist in other herbal plants alongside some other promising compounds which enhance is credentials as therapeutic drug. Numerous scientific explorations have elucidated the biological worth of these bioactive moieties against plethora of ailments with special reference to metabolic disorder. The mandate of current chapter is to discuss the black tea chemistry for elucidating its pharmacological worth

The Role of Political Civil Jihād after Soviet Withdrawal in Afghānistan to Establish Peace in Contemporary Situation

Not much changed after USSR departure from Afghānistan. There remained series of civil wars between 1989–1996 and then Tālibān appeared on the scene. The scale of fighting between the Afghāns themselves even increased and so many people joined the majority. Apparently, that bloodshed benefited those who had benefited greatly from war and those who had been receiving dividends. Meanwhile, an entire Afghāns generation had come of age to whom fighting was a highly lucrative profession. Having survived for three years after the end of military assistance and support from the USSR, the Najībullah regime nevertheless ended on April 1992. It seemed that the war had ended as all Mujāhid leaders proclaimed unanimously to establish peace. But the war broke out with new vigour between the Mujāhidīn and the rivals groups. The Mujāhid leadership was totally unable to share power. The country was divided into zones where this or that Mujāhid gourd would manage the affairs. The political and territorial integrity of Afghānistan was virtually shattered. The situation among the militant groups became so horrible that the Afghānis grew utterly hopeless of establishment of peace. There had not occurred as horrible devastation in Afghānistan at the hands of Soviet Forces as it was due to war between Hizb Islāmi and Jamiat Islāmi and their allies. Under the peace agreement between United State of America and Afghānistan on 29 February, 2020, USA will evacuate Afghānistan in fourteen months. After withdrawal, the US forces the Afghān’s political and Jihād parties need to move ahead politically and democratically learning a lesson from the political crisis created by the Post-Soviet civil war

Sample Size determination for Censored Data

This study aims to describe sample size determination procedure in survival analysis using a real-world example. In this method simulation is used for sample size and precision calculations with censored data that concentrates on various sample sizes involved in carrying out the estimates and precision calculation. The Kaplan-Meier (K-M) estimator is chosen as a point estimator, and the precision measurement focuses on the mean square error, standard error, and confidence limits. Information obtained on the recovery time, in days, of patients from the population are compared with results taken from the sample group. Results showed a cutoff point of sample of size 675 on the basis of mean square error, standard error and confidence limit.&nbsp

Excessive use of medically important antimicrobials in food animals in Pakistan: a five-year surveillance survey

Demand for poultry meat is rising in low- and middle-countries, driving the expansion of large commercial farms where antimicrobials are used as surrogates for hygiene, good nutrition. This routine use of antimicrobials in animal production facilitates the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Despite potentially serious consequences for the animal industry, few studies have documented trends in antimicrobial use (AMU) at the farm-level in low- and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate AMU in a broiler chicken farm in Pakistan over a five-year period and to extrapolate national AMU in commercial broiler farming. Between 2013 and 2017, we monitored AMU in 30 flocks from a commercial broiler farm in Punjab, the most populous province of Pakistan. The amount of antimicrobials administered was calculated in milligram/population unit of the final flock weight (mg/fPU) and in used daily dose (UDD). The annual on-farm antimicrobial use was 250.84 mg of active ingredient per kilogram of the final flock weight. This consumption intensity exceeds the amount of antimicrobial used per kilogram of chicken of all countries in the world except China. Measured in mg per kg of final flock weight or population unit (fPU), medically important drugs such as colistin (31.39 mg/fPU), tylosin (41.71 mg/fPU), doxycycline (81.81 mg/fPU), and enrofloxacin (26.19 mg/fPU) were the most frequently used antimicrobials for prophylactic or therapeutic use. Lincomycin was the most frequently used antimicrobial used in-feed (29.09 mg/fPU). Our findings suggest that the annual consumption of antimicrobials in the broiler sector in Pakistan could be as high as 568 tons. This alarmingly high consumption estimate is the first baseline study on antimicrobial use in animals in Pakistan. Our findings call for immediate actions to reduce antimicrobial use in Pakistan, and countries with comparable farming practices

Deep eutectic solvents as alternative green solvents for the efficient desulfurization of liquid fuel: A comprehensive review

Increase in the requirement of energy consumption has been followed by a consistent rise in sulfur emission with economic and health issues. Moreover, it considerably decreases the efficacy of developed emission control systems of diesel engines, thus ultimately harms the atmosphere. It leads to a strict sulfur discharge limit to approximately 15 ppm and sequentially served as a goal for investigating different desulfurization technologies. Hydrodesulfurization, a conventional refinery desulfurization process is operated at higher pressure and temperature, employing expensive catalysts and hydrogen gas. This review aims to consider the merits and demerits of main areas of the substitute desulfurization processes, comprising adsorptive, extractive, oxidative, and biodesulfurization and comprehensively discuss the role of DESs emphasizing on the factors affecting in extractive and oxidative desulfurization. Different factors such as DESs selection, extraction temperature, extraction time, DESs regeneration, and multistage extractions are considered that affect the desulfurization efficiency. Deep eutectic solvents explored in 2001, a less toxic solvent have been keenly investigated as an alternative solvent for extractive desulfurization since 2013. DESs showed a higher capability for sulfur elimination. Low synthetic cost and economical raw materials, less solvent to feed ratio, and valuable green characteristics show DESs suitable for the desulfurization process