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

Basic science232. Certolizumab pegol prevents pro-inflammatory alterations in endothelial cell function

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a leading cause of death. Chronic systemic inflammation involving tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) could contribute to endothelial activation and atherogenesis. A number of anti-TNF therapies are in current use for the treatment of RA, including certolizumab pegol (CZP), (Cimzia ®; UCB, Belgium). Anti-TNF therapy has been associated with reduced clinical cardiovascular disease risk and ameliorated vascular function in RA patients. However, the specific effects of TNF inhibitors on endothelial cell function are largely unknown. Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms underpinning CZP effects on TNF-activated human endothelial cells. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) were cultured in vitro and exposed to a) TNF alone, b) TNF plus CZP, or c) neither agent. Microarray analysis was used to examine the transcriptional profile of cells treated for 6 hrs and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysed gene expression at 1, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. NF-κB localization and IκB degradation were investigated using immunocytochemistry, high content analysis and western blotting. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect microparticle release from HAoECs. Results: Transcriptional profiling revealed that while TNF alone had strong effects on endothelial gene expression, TNF and CZP in combination produced a global gene expression pattern similar to untreated control. The two most highly up-regulated genes in response to TNF treatment were adhesion molecules E-selectin and VCAM-1 (q 0.2 compared to control; p > 0.05 compared to TNF alone). The NF-κB pathway was confirmed as a downstream target of TNF-induced HAoEC activation, via nuclear translocation of NF-κB and degradation of IκB, effects which were abolished by treatment with CZP. In addition, flow cytometry detected an increased production of endothelial microparticles in TNF-activated HAoECs, which was prevented by treatment with CZP. Conclusions: We have found at a cellular level that a clinically available TNF inhibitor, CZP reduces the expression of adhesion molecule expression, and prevents TNF-induced activation of the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CZP prevents the production of microparticles by activated endothelial cells. This could be central to the prevention of inflammatory environments underlying these conditions and measurement of microparticles has potential as a novel prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in this patient group. Disclosure statement: Y.A. received a research grant from UCB. I.B. received a research grant from UCB. S.H. received a research grant from UCB. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Anti-inflammatory Components from Functional Foods for Obesity

Obesity, defined as excessive fat accumulation that may impair health, has been described throughout human history, but it has now reached epidemic proportions with the WHO estimating that 39% of the world’s adults over 18 years of age were overweight or obese in 2016. Obesity is a chronic low-grade inflammatory state leading to organ damage with an increased risk of common diseases including cardiovascular and metabolic disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, osteo-arthritis and some cancers. This inflammatory state may be influenced by adipose tissue hypoxia and changes in the gut microbiota. There has been an increasing focus on functional foods and nutraceuticals as treatment options for obesity as drug treatments are limited in efficacy. This chapter summarises the importance of anthocyanin-containing fruits and vegetables, coffee and its components, tropical fruit and food waste as sources of phytochemicals for obesity treatment. We emphasise that preclinical studies can form the basis for clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of these treatments in humans

Holstein ineklerde anne laktasyon sırasının, yavrularda; süt ve döl verimi performansları, buzağılık dönemi hastalık insidensi ve sürüde kalma süresine etkisi

Present information on the maternal parity influences on reproductive and milk production parameters is ambiguous and less information is available on maternal parity effects on the calf duration disease incidence and longevity. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of parity on the calf duration diseases incidence, milk yield and reproductive parameters, and longevity of offspring in Holstein dairy cows. Data were retrieved from a commercial dairy farm present at Karacabey-Bursa state in Turkey. All the data was organized and subjected to statistical analysis, and correlations were established between all first lactation production parameters (peak yield, days to peak yield, 100-d yield, and 305-d yield), reproduction (age at first insemination, number of inseminations), and longevity of the dams and their heifers. In all parity calves, the incidence of calf duration diseases averaged 16.8%, and the rate reduced as mother parity increased (p0.05) effect of the parity was found on all these heifer’s reproduction and first lactation milk production parameters. A non-significant correlation established for reproduction and milk production studied parameters of the dams and heifers. Longevity averaged 32.43, 27.93, and 26.57 months for first, second and third parity dams offspring respectively, but results remained non-significant (p>0.05) for all parity. Non-significant (p>0.05) correlation was found between maternal longevity and the longevity of offspring. Among culling reasons investigated, reproductive diseases were the primary culling reason (28.9%), followed by low production (8.4%), mastitis and udder problems (4.8%), foot problems (6.0%), and abomasum displacement (3.6%), and we found a significant (p0.05) etkisi bulunmuştur. Sürüde kalma süresi ve düvelerin incelenen parametreleri ile üreme ve süt üretimi için önemli olmayan bir ilişki kurulmuştur. Uzun ömür, birinci, ikinci ve üçüncü parite sürüde kalma süresi yavruları için sırasıyla ortalama 32,43; 27,93 ve 26,57 aydı, ancak parite içindeki tüm pariteler için sonuçlar anlamlı değildi (p>0,05). Annenin sürüde kalma süresi ile yavrunın sürüde kalma süresi arasında anlamlı olmayan (p>0,05) bir ilişki bulundu. Araştırılan sürüden çıkarma nedenleri arasında üreme hastalıkları birincil sürüden çıkarma nedeni (%28,9) olurken, bunu düşük üretim (%8,4), mastitis ve meme sorunları (%4,8), ayak sorunları (%6,0) ve abomazum displasman (%3,6) izlendi. Annenin sürüden çıkarma nedenleri ve düvelerin sürüden çıkarma nedenleri arasında anlamlı (p<0,01) pozitif bir ilişki bulduk. Anne paritenin buzağı süresindeki hastalıkları ve uzun ömür etkilediği sonucuna varılabilir, hemde ilk iki parite buzağıya ekstra bakım ödenmesi gerekir. Ancak ilk laktasyon sırasında daha iyi üreme ve üretim performansı için büyüme ve üreme kararlarına daha fazla önem verilmesi anlamlıdır.Presidency For Turks Abroad And Related Communities (YTB

An Analysis Of Rise And Fall Of SCM- ICT Integration By The FMCG Sector In Pakistan

Abstract—An extensive amount of research has been done in the important domain of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and its Integration with Information and Communication Technology (ICT). However pragmatic insight to address the SCM-ICT integration challenges based upon real world contemporary case studies are scant.This work targets Fast Moving Consumer Good (FMCG) companies located in Pakistan. This paper examines data from the FMCG sector in Pakistan and proposes a model for Key Realization Concepts for Supply Chain Success (KRC-SCS). During the course of this study it was discovered that those FMCG companies which integrated ICT with SCM in a sequentially structured approach, took shorter learning curves, had realistic Return on Investment (ROI) expectations, and where the top management demonstrated greater appreciation and commitment towards technology as a solution facilitator, proved to be more successful than those who did not have these characteristics. It is concluded that successful integration of ICT and SCM requires strategic commitment by the stakeholders and the top management, well thought and methodical plans of integration, rational ROI potential, and up to date technical knowhow

Use of Camelina sativa and By-Products in Diets for Dairy Cows: A Review

Camelina sativa, belonging to the Brassicaceae family, has been grown since 4000 B.C. as an oilseed crop that is more drought- and cold-resistant. Increased demand for its oil, meal, and other derivatives has increased researchers&rsquo; interest in this crop. Its anti-nutritional factors can be reduced by solvent, enzyme and heat treatments, and genetic engineering. Inclusion of camelina by-products increases branched-chain volatile fatty acids, decreases neutral detergent fiber digestibility, has no effect on acid detergent fiber digestibility, and lowers acetate levels in dairy cows. Feeding camelina meal reduces ruminal methane, an environmental benefit of using camelina by-products in ruminant diets. The addition of camelina to dairy cow diets decreases ruminal cellulolytic bacteria and bio-hydrogenation. This reduced bio-hydrogenation results in an increase in desirable fatty acids and a decrease in saturated fatty acids in milk obtained from cows fed diets with camelina seeds or its by-products. Studies suggest that by-products of C. sativa can be used safely in dairy cows at appropriate inclusion levels. However, suppression in fat milk percentage and an increase in trans fatty acid isomers should be considered when increasing the inclusion rate of camelina by-products, due to health concerns

Emmer wheat (Triticum dicoccum)-based intervention in Japanese quail's diet and its impact on performance, carcass yield, meat fatty acids, and fecal volatile fatty acids

The high nutritional and nutraceutical qualities of emmer wheat make it a valuable cereal grain. The present study was designed to quantify the contribution of emmer wheat inclusion into Japanese quail's rations in terms of their productive responses, alterations in the fatty acid profile of their meat, and changes in the composition of volatile fatty acids in their feces. For this purpose, a total of 160, 1-day-old Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (4 replicates and 10 quails/replicate) with different levels of emmer wheat including 0% (control), 5% (T5), 10% (T10), and 15% (T15). These dietary treatments were administered for a period of 35 days. The results obtained from the study showed that dietary changes led by incorporation of increasing levels of emmer wheat into quail rations had no negative impact on quail's health and production. Moreover, supplemental emmer could promote better feed conversion ratio and higher carcass yield, while it did not affect the relative weights of internal organs including liver, gizzard, and heart. In addition, the incorporation of increasing levels of emmer wheat into quail rations was characterized by a reduction in total saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, whereas an increase was observed in the levels of total unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast meat. Emmer wheat inclusion also increased the levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in breast meat. Regarding volatile fatty acid profile, a lower percentage of propionic acid while a higher percentage of acetic acid were recorded in feces of quails fed emmer wheat-based diets when compared to those fed control diets. Overall, as confirmed by the present findings, the incorporation of emmer wheat into quail diets could be proposed as a valuable strategy for the promotion of animal health and performance. More research is needed to further investigate the promising roles of using emmer wheat in poultry nutrition

Identification of Potential HCV Inhibitors Based on the Interaction of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate with Viral Envelope Proteins

Hepatitis C is affecting millions of people around the globe annually, which leads to death in very high numbers. After many years of research, hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a serious threat to the human population and needs proper management. The in silico approach in the drug discovery process is an efficient method in identifying inhibitors for various diseases. In our study, the interaction between Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a component of green tea, and envelope glycoprotein E2 of HCV is evaluated. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is the most promising polyphenol approved through cell culture analysis that can inhibit the entry of HCV. Therefore, various in silico techniques have been employed to find out other potential inhibitors that can behave as EGCG. Thus, the homology modelling of E2 protein was performed. The potential lead molecules were predicted using ligand-based as well as structure-based virtual screening methods. The compounds obtained were then screened through PyRx. The drugs obtained were ranked based on their binding affinities. Furthermore, the docking of the topmost drugs was performed by AutoDock Vina, while its 2D interactions were plotted in LigPlot+. The lead compound mms02387687 (2-[[5-[(4-ethylphenoxy) methyl]-4-prop-2-enyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl] sulfanyl]-N-[3(trifluoromethyl) phenyl] acetamide) was ranked on top, and we believe it can serve as a drug against HCV in the future, owing to experimental validation

Exploring the ‘January effect’ at a university hospital in Pakistan: a retrospective cohort study investigating the impact of trainee turnover on patient care quality outcomes

Abstract Objective There are reports of a potential rise in a teaching hospital’s morbidity and mortality rates during the trainee turnover period, i.e., with the induction of new residents and house staffs, and the changeover of clinical teams. The published literature displays mixed reports on this topic with lack of reproducible observations. The current study was conducted to explore existence of any such phenomenon (January effect) in Pakistan. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Five-year (2013–2018) record of all the patients in all age groups related to these outcomes was retrieved and recorded in specifically designed questionnaire. Different outcome measures were used as indicators of patient care and change in these outcomes at the time of new induction was related to possible January effect. Results During the five-year study period, more than 1100 new trainees were inducted into the post graduate medical education program (average of 237 per year) with more than 22,000 inpatient admissions (average of 45,469 per year). Some patterns were observed in frequencies of surgical site infections, medication errors, sentinel events, patient complaints, and adverse drug reactions. However, these were not consistently reproducible and could not be directly attributed to the trainee turnover. All other indicators did not show any pattern and were considered inconclusive. No effect of overlap was observed. Conclusions Inconsistency in the patient care quality indicators do not favor existence of January effect in our study. Further research is recommended to establish our results