Ebola, the Negative Stranded RNA Virus

Ebola virus (EBV) is a deadly virus that has resulted in a number of deaths during its outbreaks in Africa in 2014–2016 and 2018–2019. This virus causes a hemorrhagic fever like other pathogenic viruses of the Filoviridae family with high mortality rate. The exact reservoir of the ebola virus is not known, but different mammal groups are the source from which it is transferred to the human population. The transmission among the human population is through body fluids of patients and also through aersol droplets in the air. The role of different glycoproteins in the budding formation has helped a lot in understanding the physiology of the ebola virus. Most of these viral glycoproteins synthesis and the replication enzymes offer a good inhibitory target for drug design against the ebola virus. Recently, different groups have claimed the development of a successful vaccine for the ebola virus. However, the availability of the vaccines to the poor population of Africa and other parts of the world is still not practical

The Frequency of Low Serum Cortisol Level in Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

Objective:  The study focused on evaluating the frequency of low serum cortisol levels in acute traumatic brain injury. Material and Methods:  Patients with Acute Traumatic Brain Injury of both genders between the ages of 2 and 70 years old with a GCS of 12 or below were included. Information including name, age, gender, pregnancy, GCS, serum cortisol level, history of steroid use, and hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction were all recorded on a predesigned proforma. The results were stratified among age, sex, and GCS concerning outcome variables. Results:  The majority of patients (42%) ranged in age from 26 to 50. Male patients outnumbered female patients (77%). The GCS ranged between 9 and 12 in 63% of cases. Furthermore, 88 percent of patients had cortisol levels greater than 300nm/L. Hypocortisolemia was found in 13 people aged 26 to 50, 12 between the ages of 2 and 25, and only 7 between the ages of 51 and 70. There were 25 males and 7 women in the group. In 86 instances, GCS ranged from 9 to 12, while in 12 individuals, it varied from 3 to 8. Conclusion:  Although the majority of patients recovered, early hypopituitarism was common in severe TBI. It is required to identify concealed pituitary dysfunction in the course of the rehabilitation process of TBI patients. Keywords:  Cortisol, Traumatic Brain Injury, Hypocortisolemi

Phylogenetic study of 46 Ancient Mitochondrial Human Genomes

Background: In the third era of ancient DNA field, it has endured the mesmerising modifications, which should be revealed. From side to side period, analysis of mitochondrial DNA permits to determine the evolutionary relationship among the species, to expose the terrestrial roots of the entities, to standardise the molecular clocks and to study the demographic pasts. Methods: In the current study we used bioinformatics tools for prediction of mitochondrial haplogroups and phylogenetic analysis. The ancient complete mitochondrial genomes were retrieved from online resources and were further used for phylogenetic analysis to know the evolutionary position of the ancient populations lived thousands of years ago. Results: We aligned 46 ancient genomes, collected online and estimated trees by using neighbour-joining, maximum parsimony and maximum-likelihood. Support for nodes was assessed with bootstrap replicates. During our analysis a strong bond between genomes of Altai Neanderthal, Motala 12, Motala 1, Loschbour, Ust'-Ishim, LBK, Mezmaiskaya Neanderthal, Denisova, RISE391(ERR844272), Clovis Anzick-1, RISE395(ERR844275) and RISE210(ERR844262) were found. In this context these ancient samples recommended the presence of a mutual earliest genomic signature. Conclusion: A significant population immigrations and alternates, accountable for influencing main parts of current demographic structure together in Europe and Asia is supported by the Bot15 (ERR668415) and RISE family. In the initial bronze period, ancestral similarity among these populations also share the theorised blow-out of Indo-European languages. Mechanisms of pathogen development and alteration for evolving and reappearing toxicities is also explained by this study. We aim that this study will help researchers in understanding the evolutionary position of ancient populations resided around the world.

Infection of neonatal mice with the murine norovirus strain WU23 is a robust model to study norovirus pathogenesis

Noroviruses are the leading cause of severe childhood diarrhea and foodborne disease worldwide. While they are a major cause of disease in all age groups, infections in the very young can be quite severe, with annual estimates of 50,000-200,000 fatalities in children under 5 years old. In spite of the remarkable disease burden associated with norovirus infections, very little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms underlying norovirus diarrhea, principally because of the lack of tractable small animal models. The development of the murine norovirus (MNV) model nearly two decades ago has facilitated progress in understanding host-norovirus interactions and norovirus strain variability. However, MNV strains tested thus far either do not cause intestinal disease or were isolated from extraintestinal tissue, raising concerns about translatability of research findings to human norovirus disease. Consequently, the field lacks a strong model of norovirus gastroenteritis. Here we provide a comprehensive characterization of a new small animal model system for the norovirus field that overcomes prior weaknesses. Specifically, we demonstrate that the WU23 MNV strain isolated from a mouse naturally presenting with diarrhea causes a transient reduction in weight gain and acute self-resolving diarrhea in neonatal mice of several inbred mouse lines. Moreover, our findings reveal that norovirus-induced diarrhea is associated with infection of subepithelial cells in the small intestine and systemic spread. Finally, type I interferons (IFNs) are critical to protect hosts from norovirus-induced intestinal disease whereas type III IFNs exacerbate diarrhea. This latter finding is consistent with other emerging data implicating type III IFNs in the exacerbation of some viral diseases. This new model system should enable a detailed investigation of norovirus disease mechanisms

ESL LEARNERS PERCEPTIONS ABOUT ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT AT BS LEVEL

                The present research explores English language assessment at BS level and suggests possible solutions to different academic problems. In modern electronic era, with the rapid economic and social development of Pakistan, there has been a large influx of Pakistani students into English- speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom etc. The present study includes population of 300 students of BS (4 years) program of Islamia University Bahawalpur. Two instruments have been used to collect data from ESL Learners of IUB. These instruments are English Language Proficiency Test (ELTP) and Attitude Motivation Scale (AMS). To collect data from ESL Learners, an English Language Proficiency Test (ELTP) has been developed for BS Level Students to measure English language proficiency and assessment of IUB students. In this study, a five- point Likert type scale has been used. Findings claimed that overall students exposed their keen interest in English language learning by recording responses through English Language Proficiency Test (ELTP) and questionnaire. Similarly, the students belonging to urban areas performed better than the students belonging to rural areas. The attitudes and motivation towards English language of IUB students were more positive and goal oriented. In the same way, the attitudes and motivation towards learning English language of urban students were more positive as compared to rural students. This research study may be beneficial to curriculum development reviewers, textbook, writers/ reviewers, working and perspective teachers to promote standard based education

Resilience and Agency: A Feminist Analysis of Beyond The Fields by Ayesha Baqir

The present research study aims to analyze Ayesha Baqir’s Beyond the Fields through providing a feminist perspective in light of Marxist Feminism. This conveys the idea that women have been the victim of gender stereotyping and gender discrimination for decades. They are fighting to have the recognition of their worthy identity under the movement of feminism across the globe. The present study has the motive to highlight this issue through the feminist analysis of Ayesha Baqir’s Beyond The Fields. The analysis reveals that gender stereotyping is present in typical mindset of rural community. The study opens the minds towards certain enlightenment to break the manacles of gender stereotyping and gender discrimination through the mode of education to lit the dark minds. In Pakistani society, the unconventional role of women is still not an acceptable option. The issue has been raised by different literary figures to fight against the marginalization. Baqir also raises the voice against female oppression. The findings delineate that the selected fiction is the moving account of Zara’s struggle to get her twin sister Tara back. Zara has to go through a hard journey to accomplish her goal. But her sufferings bring the worthy results. The tragedy commences when one afternoon, Tara is raped in the fields. The horrible reality of the village gets surfaced where home is the best choice for a woman while fields are meant for men. When a woman enters into the world of man, she is robbed of her honor. The novel addresses other gender biased issues like marriage, education, divorce as well

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common bloodborne viral infections reported in Pakistan. Frequent dialysis treatment of hemodialysis patients exposes them to a high risk of HCV infection. The main purpose of this paper is to quantify the prevalence of HCV in hemodialysis patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS:We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Pakistani Journals Online and Web of Science to identify studies published between 1 January 1995 and 30 October 2019, reporting on the prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to obtain pooled estimates. A funnel plot was used in conjunction with Egger's regression test for asymmetry and to assess publication bias. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were used to identify potential sources of heterogeneity among the included studies. This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42019159345). RESULTS:Out of 248 potential studies, 19 studies involving 3446 hemodialysis patients were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HCV in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan was 32.33% (95% CI: 25.73-39.30; I2 = 94.3%, p < 0.01). The subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence of HCV among hemodialysis patients in Punjab was significantly higher (37.52%; 95% CI: 26.66-49.03; I2 = 94.5, p < 0.01) than 34.42% (95% CI: 14.95-57.05; I2 = 91.3%, p < 0.01) in Baluchistan, 27.11% (95% CI: 15.81-40.12; I2 = 94.5, p < 0.01) in Sindh and 22.61% (95% CI: 17.45-28.2; I2 = 78.6, p < 0.0117) in Khyber Pukhtoonkhuwa. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, we found a high prevalence (32.33%) of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan. Clinically, hemodialysis patients require more attention and resources than the general population. Preventive interventions are urgently needed to decrease the high risk of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients in Pakistan

Palladium and copper catalyzed Sonogashira cross coupling has been an excellent methodology for C-C bond formation for 17 years: a review

Sonogashira coupling involves coupling of vinyl/aryl halides with terminal acetylenes catalyzed by transition metals, especially palladium and copper. This is a well known reaction in organic synthesis and plays a role in sp2-sp C-C bond formations. This cross coupling was used in synthesis of natural products, biologically active molecules, heterocycles, dendrimers, conjugated polymers and organic complexes. This review paper focuses on developments in the palladium and copper catalyzed Sonogashira cross coupling achieved in recent years concerning substrates, different catalyst systems and reaction conditions

Total Synthesis of Terpenes and Their Biological Significance: A Critical Review

Terpenes are a group of natural products made up of molecules with the formula (C5H8)n that are typically found in plants. They are widely employed in the medicinal, flavor, and fragrance industries. The total synthesis of terpenes as well as their origin and biological potential are discussed in this review