Neither East nor West: A Critical Study of Appropriation and Abrogation in Mohsin Hamin’s the Last White Man

This study aims to explore the themes of abrogation and appropriation within Mohsin Hamid's novel "The Last White Man" through a postcolonial lens. Comprising an introductory segment, four subsequent chapters, and a concluding section, this thesis delves into various aspects of the novel. The introduction contextualizes the work by delving into the author's biography and his literary oeuvre, alongside an examination of relevant literature and prior research pertaining to the central themes of the thesis. Additionally, the introduction serves to elucidate the postcolonial theoretical framework that will underpin the analysis throughout the thesis. Within the novel, the concept of abrogation is epitomized by Anders' nuanced experiences, wherein he grapples with the complexities of his identity as a former member of the dominant white culture in his homeland. His transition to a new environment underscores the struggle to reconcile his past with the present realities shaped by a different cultural landscape. This perpetual state of flux is underscored by the myriad memories of his previous identity juxtaposed against the challenges posed by assimilation into a new cultural milieu. Through an in-depth examination of the text, the study reveals instances of both abrogation and appropriation woven into the narrative fabric of the novel. The central characters are profoundly impacted by their respective circumstances, which in turn shape their experiences of abrogation and appropriation. The social dynamics depicted within the novel illuminate the profound influence of societal rejection and power dynamics on individuals undergoing cultural transformation. In conclusion, the study posits that "The Last White Man" effectively portrays the themes of abrogation and appropriation, highlighting the multifaceted ways in which individuals navigate the complexities of identity within postcolonial contexts. Through the lens of postcolonial theory, the novel offers poignant insights into the enduring legacy of colonialism and its profound impact on individual and collective identities Keywords: Abrogation, appropriation, transformation, white, colored skin                  &nbsp

Dataset of 16S rRNA gene sequences of 111 healthy and Newcastle disease infected caecal samples from multiple chicken breeds of Pakistan

The article presents a processed dataset from amplicon sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to recover bacterial and archaeal taxa from the caeca of multiple chicken breeds of Pakistan. These include chicken breeds commonly raised at commercial level, Naked Neck, Black Australorp, Rhode Island Red, White Layer, and Broiler. All the breeds were challenged with Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), with vaccination against the disease also explored. This resulted in samples belonging to four treatment groups as: Control; Vaccinated; Vaccinated and Challenged; and Non-vaccinated and Challenged. These were raised on an antibiotic free diet in a semi-controlled farming setup. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of caecal DNA from day old and mature chicken samples (22 weeks for Naked Neck, Black Australorp, Rhode Island Red and White Layer; 8 weeks for Broiler) of the four groups was performed. The paired-end reads from all the samples were quality trimmed, error corrected, and overlapped, on which unique Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were obtained at 99 % similarity. Using predictive modelling, the MetaCyc functional pathways, as well as KEGG orthologs were also recovered. The generated data may be used to explore microbial interactions in gastrointestinal tract with respect to NDV vaccination and infection, together with increased understanding of chicken health and productivity

Dataset of 130 metagenome-assembled genomes of healthy and diseased broiler chicken caeca from Pakistan

This article presents metagenomic-assembled genomes (MAGs) of prokaryotic organisms originating from chicken caeca. The samples originate from broiler chickens, one group was infected with Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) and one uninfected control group. There were four birds per group. Both groups were raised on commercially available antibiotic free feed under a semi-controlled setup. The binning step of the samples identified 130 MAGs with ≥50% completion, and ≤10% contamination. The data presented includes sequences in FASTA format, tables of functional annotation of genes, and data from two different approaches for phylogenetic tree construction using these MAGs. Major geochemical cycles at community level including carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen cycles are also presented

Dataset of 16S rRNA gene sequences of 111 healthy and Newcastle disease infected caecal samples from multiple chicken breeds of Pakistan.

The article presents a processed dataset from amplicon sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to recover bacterial and archaeal taxa from the caeca of multiple chicken breeds of Pakistan. These include chicken breeds commonly raised at commercial level, Naked Neck, Black Australorp, Rhode Island Red, White Layer, and Broiler. All the breeds were challenged with Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), with vaccination against the disease also explored. This resulted in samples belonging to four treatment groups as: Control; Vaccinated; Vaccinated and Challenged; and Non-vaccinated and Challenged. These were raised on an antibiotic free diet in a semi-controlled farming setup. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of caecal DNA from day old and mature chicken samples (22 weeks for Naked Neck, Black Australorp, Rhode Island Red and White Layer; 8 weeks for Broiler) of the four groups was performed. The paired-end reads from all the samples were quality trimmed, error corrected, and overlapped, on which unique Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) were obtained at 99 % similarity. Using predictive modelling, the MetaCyc functional pathways, as well as KEGG orthologs were also recovered. The generated data may be used to explore microbial interactions in gastrointestinal tract with respect to NDV vaccination and infection, together with increased understanding of chicken health and productivity

Risk Factors and Secondary Infections in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Patients

Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a fatal manifestation of dengue disease. DHF’s risk factors profile holds significance importance in the clinical practice and efficient care plan are required during dengue disease flare-up. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for pathogenesis of dengue disease and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data was obtained from 256 patients with diagnoses of Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Comprehensive history, physical assessment and biochemical estimations were recorded. Patients were followed to identify and assess the risk factors for DHF. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences for analysis of data. Stratification of residence and socioeconomic status to see effect of these on result variable by applying chi square test. p value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Among the 256 patients, the mean age of the age (Mean±SD) of study population was 28.4±12.1 years, 162 (63.28%) were less than 40 years of age and 94 (36.72%) were ≥40 years. The males were 181 (70.70%) and females were 75 (29.30%). The frequency of risk factors was observed to be 26 (10.8%) patients had Diabetes Mellitus, 55(21.5%) hypertension, 25(9.8%) hyperlipidemia. Secondary infection occurred in 192 (75%) but results were insignificant (p>0.05). All diseases were common in participants who belonged to the urban area. Conclusion: Secondary infection was most common risk factor in patients with DHF and found mostly in less than 40 age than older patients. Whereas, males were predominately affected more than the females (p<0.05). Keywords: Severe Dengue, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, Risk Factor

Antibiotic consumption at community pharmacies : a multicenter repeated prevalence surveillance using WHO methodology

Background: Antibiotics are losing their effectiveness because of the rapid emergence of resistant bacteria. Unnecessary antimicrobial use increases antimicrobial resistance (AMR). There are currently no published data on antibiotic consumption in Pakistan at the community level. This is a concern given high levels of self-purchasing of antibiotics in Pakistan and variable knowledge regarding antibiotics and AMR among physicians and pharmacists. Objective: The objective of this repeated prevalence survey was to assess the pattern of antibiotic consumption data among different community pharmacies to provide a baseline for developing future pertinent initiatives. Methods: A multicenter repeated prevalence survey conducted among community pharmacies in Lahore, a metropolitan city with a population of approximately 10 million people, from October to December 2017 using the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology for a global program on surveillance of antimicrobial consumption. Results: The total number of defined daily doses (DDDs) dispensed per patient ranged from 0.1 to 50.0. In most cases, two DDDs per patient were dispensed from pharmacies. Co-amoxiclav was the most commonly dispensed antibiotic with a total number of DDDs at 1018.15. Co-amoxiclav was followed by ciprofloxacin with a total number of 486.6 DDDs and azithromycin with a total number of 472.66 DDDs. The least consumed antibiotics were cefadroxil, cefotaxime, amikacin, and ofloxacin, with overall consumption highest in December. Conclusion: The study indicated high antibiotic usage among community pharmacies in Lahore, Pakistan particularly broad-spectrum antibiotics, which were mostly dispensed inappropriately. The National action plan of Pakistan on AMR should be implemented by policymakers including restrictions on the dispensing of antimicrobials

Chamuangone-enriched rice bran oil ameliorates neurodegeneration in haloperidol-induced Parkinsonian rat model via modulation of neuro-inflammatory mediators and suppression of oxidative stress markers

A natural bioactive compound chamuangone extracted from Thai salad Garcinia cowa leaves exhibited robust medicinal properties, targeting central oxidative stress pathways, and having neuroprotective potential. Chamuangone-enriched rice bran oil (CERBO), with 1.97 mg/mL chamuangone, was obtained through green extraction. The study was designed to evaluate the anti-Parkinson’s activity of CERBO in the haloperidol-induced Parkinsonian rat model. Animals were categorized into six groups as control, disease control and treatment groups. Parkinson’s disease (PD)-like symptoms were induced by administration of haloperidol 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally; CERBO treatment groups received 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg/kg orally before the administration of haloperidol for 21 days. Neurobehavioral, biochemical, neurochemical, and histopathological studies along with gene expression analysis were performed at the completion of the study. CERBO markedly recover the motor and non-motor PD-like symptoms in treatment groups dose-dependently. The levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase, increased, while malondialdehyde levels decreased dose-dependently in CERBO-treated groups. CERBO dose-dependent elevations were observed in neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline). PD-associated specific biomarker (α-synuclein) decreased dose-dependently with downregulation in messenger RNA expression of neuro-inflammatory mediators (interleukin α, interleukin 1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α). Histopathological studies revealed recovery in neuronal loss, formation of Lewy’s bodies, and neurofibrillary tangles in the treatment groups. It was concluded from the data that CERBO possessed good anti-Parkinson’s activity and could be a novel, safe, and effective remedy for the treatment of PD.peer-reviewe

Biomarkers in Human and Environmental Health Risk Studies

Uncertainties in human health risk assessment, and the measuring on the impacts of contaminants have attracted great concern. Uncertainties, source-to-outcome, exposure assessment, hazard and risk characterisations are a number of techniques that have been applied to maximize results. Experts’ opinions and quantitative tools have been applied to narrow the gap between data and rules for regulatory purposes. Bio monitoring information, in vitro data streams and computational toxicology are major areas for human health risk assessment. A need for a biomarkers data bank is of utmost need to minimize uncertainties in the toxicological environmental human health risk assessment field

Biomarkers in Human and Environmental Health Risk Studies

Uncertainties in human health risk assessment, and the measuring on the impacts of contaminants have attracted great concern. Uncertainties, source-to-outcome, exposure assessment, hazard and risk characterisations are a number of techniques that have been applied to maximize results. Experts’ opinions and quantitative tools have been applied to narrow the gap between data and rules for regulatory purposes. Bio monitoring information, in vitro data streams and computational toxicology are major areas for human health risk assessment. A need for a biomarkers data bank is of utmost need to minimize uncertainties in the toxicological environmental human health risk assessment field