Transcriptome Analysis and Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the most powerful technology of this century which is dramatically revolutionizing the agriculture, health, pharmaceutical, and food industries all over the world. Transcriptomics and genetic engineering go hand in hand from the development of a genetically modified organism (GMO) to its utilization by the humans. Transcriptome analysis is the analysis of messenger RNAs (mRNAs), which are produced by transcription of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in an organism in response to a specific internal/external environment. Transcriptome analysis is not only useful to dig out the potential target genes for genetic modifications but also utilized to study the proper functioning of a genetically engineered gene, evaluation of the GMO for biosafety risks and for monitoring the presence and movement of GMO. Despite huge scope of genetic engineering, these manipulations can upset the natural balance of a genome by insertional, soma clonal, and pleiotropic effects of a foreign gene resulting in unintended alterations along with the targeted changes. The untargeted alterations pose risks to environment and health of animals and plants. In this chapter, the key advancements in the field of biotechnology and the relevant biosafety issues are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of the current methods used for the evaluation, monitoring, and regulation of GMOs are discussed

A CADAVERIC STUDY OF THE BRANCHING PATTERN OF RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY IN PAKISTANI POPULATION

Background:  It is very common for coronary arteries to vary in their origin, course and area of distribution. The knowledge about these variations is unequivocally important for a cardiac surgeon and physician. However, the prevalence of such variations varies among different populations. The already available data on variations in the anatomy of coronary arteries is mostly based on studies conducted on the western population and quite a few studies report the coronary arterial patterns of Asian population. Between the two main coronary arteries, i.e. the right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary arteries (LCA), variation in the branching pattern of RCA is more common than LCA. The present study investigated the branching pattern of RCA in the local population in Pakistan and hence will add to the existing data on inter- and intra-population frequencies of branching pattern of RCA among non-Europeans.   Methods:  It was an observational study of six months duration and conducted on dissection cadavers available in various medical colleges of Rawalpindi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The branching pattern of RCA was studied by blunt dissection method.   Results:  Right marginal, conus, Sinuatrial (SA) nodal, atrioventricular (AV) nodal and posterior descending arteries (PDA) were arising from RCA in majority of cases. However, the branching pattern varied from one heart to another as reported in other studies carried out in developed countries. The frequencies of branching patterns of RCA varied from those already reported in literature.  Conclusions:   RCA manifest anatomical variations in branching pattern as reported in international literature and this variation is different in different populations of the world which indicates that postnatal development, along with differences based on geography and ethnicities might contribute to the modification of anatomical pattern of coronary arteries in humans. 

ANALYSING THE ROLE OF DRIVER BEHAVIORS IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: AN APPLICATION OF MACHINE LEARNING

Continuous innovations are taking place worldwide to develop solutions for problems encountered by human beings. The prevention of a variety of accidents due to burning, drowning, terrorism, electric shocks, and road traffic is among the important concerns of researchers and solution developers. Specifically, this current study aims to analyse the contributions of different driver behaviours that resulted in road accidents, followed by proposing a viable solution and reducing the road accident frequencies to benefit society at large. This study employed two methods to analyse data. One was through SEM, and the second was through Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The study is descriptive in nature and it used the survey method to collect sample data from 345 drivers from various professional backgrounds. The questionnaire consisted of independent variables, namely slips, errors, mistakes, lapse violations and unintentional violations. To measure the contributions of these variables towards accidents, age was taken as the moderator. The statistical techniques used included reliability, correlation, and normality analyses, in addition to artificial neural networks and regression analyses. Each factor was found to be a significant contributor to road accidents. Moreover, no significant difference was found in drivers’ behaviour between males and females, but age was found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between driver behaviours and accidents. Additionally, the rate of accidents decreases with the increases in age and vice versa.

Lipoma at Conus Medullaris without Spinal Dysraphism causing Neurological Deficit: A Rare Occurrence

It's uncommon to have an intradural lipoma without spinal dysraphism. The majority are asymptomatic, however, neurological impairments might occur. For the past six months, a 35-year-old man had been experiencing growing weakening in both lower limbs. The L1 intradural space-occupying lesion was detected during a clinical examination and radiological workup. The patient underwent surgery to address a worsening neurological impairment. The patient had fully recovered neurologically after a six-month follow-up. If the neurological damage is progressive, intradural lipomas should be surgically removed. The surgical treatment produces positive results

Predictors of Surgical Outcome Following Cerebral Contusion in Severe Head Injuries

Objective:  There are controversies regarding the management of Cerebral Contusion. The study sought to identify parameters influencing the surgical outcome of individuals suffering from a brain contusion. Methods:  A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Hospital Lahore, and 37 patients were included. The information on the mode/mechanism of injury, time of presentation, clinical presentation, and contusion type/location was collected. GCS (at 1st, 2nd and 6th weeks) and GOS were used for the neurological assessment of pre-operative and post-operative status. Results:  The average age of presentation was 42.57 years. There were 21.6% female and 78.4% male patients. 64.9% presented with road traffic accidents. 4% of patients presented to the hospital within 12 hours of injury, 16.2% between 12 to 24 hours, and 5.4% between 24 to 48 hours. 29% had seizures and upgoing plantar. 18% had hemiparesis or hemiplegia. Light reflex was absent in 40.5% of patients. The GCS kept improving postoperatively. GCS at admission was averaging 8 which improved to 10, 12, and 13 after surgery. The presenting mean GCS at 1st-week, 2nd-week, 6th-week, and mean GOS at 30th PAD. Counter coup injury improved to 15/15 right in 1st week. Mean GOS was 5 at 30th PAD. The most improvement was seen in the frontoparietal, temporoparietal, and fronto-temporo-parietal locations. The mean GOS at 30th PAD was 4. Conclusion:  The outcome following cerebral contusion depends upon the initial presenting GCS and GOS. Therefore, the better the presenting GCS and GOS better is the prognosis of the patient

Barriers in Social Distancing during Covid19 pandemic - Is a message for forced lockdown

The world currently faces the predicament of the fast-spreading COVID-19 which as of 21st April 2020 affects 210 countries over the globe. As the disease started spreading its shadow at an alarmingly rapid rate, new information about the novel coronavirus was extracted and it has been reported to be mainly transmitted directly from person-to-person, droplet spread by cough or sneezing or by fomites. Till an effective vaccine becomes available the most potent preventive measure that can be taken is for people to maintain distance and avoid gatherings. Importance of social distancing has been discussed on many forums and disseminated among the public but the problem arises when the practical implementation does not encompass the entirety of the theoretical concepts. Understanding the barriers that stand between applying social distance in community is imperative if authorities and public health sectors expect a substantial change in incident cases. It's imperative that measures should be taken to stop the spread of misinformation, and guide the masses regarding the importance of social distancing. Since the virus spreads by droplet transmission, so without these proper social distancing measures, the burden will increase and it will not be possible to put a stop to this pandemic

Efficacy of mannan-oligosaccharide and live yeast feed additives on performance, rumen morphology, serum biochemical parameters and muscle morphometric characteristics in buffalo calves

The objective of the current study was to assess the effect of dietary supplementations of mannan-oligosaccharide, live yeast, and a combination of these two additives on growth performance, histo-morphology of the rumen, and muscle morphometric attributes in buffalo calves. A total of twenty buffalo calves (average weight of 25 kg) having 3 months of age were distributed according to a complete randomized design. All animals were individually stalled in the shed and were fed ad-libitum. Experimental animals were divided into four groups for 67 days: Control group(without the inclusion of dietary supplementation); MOS group (Mannan oligosaccharide 5 g/clave/day; Yeast group (Live yeast 2g/calve/day) and Mixed group (MOS + Live Yeast 2.5g + 1g )/calve/day. Experimental results revealed that combined supplementation of MOS and Yeast and MOS alone resulted in an increased number of short-chain fatty acids in the rumen as well as ruminal pH (P<0.05). Results showed a significant improvement in average daily gain and FCR of MOS and Mixed supplemented groups (P<0.05). Histomorphological evaluation of rumen mucosal epithelium showed a significant improvement in the mixed-supplemented group (P<0.05) as compared to the yeast-supplemented and control groups. Muscle quality parameters such as meat texture showed significant improvement in MOS and mix-supplemented groups. Histological examination of longissimus dorsi muscle cross-section showed a significantly higher(P<0.05) muscle fiber and muscle fascicle diameter in both MOS and mix-supplemented calves groups. In conclusion, the results of this experiment revealed that the dietary addition of MOS, Live yeast, and their combination have positive effects on growth performance, rumen histology indices, and muscle morphometric features in buffalo calves.Comment: Pages 13, 4 figure

Sonographic Evaluation of Urinary Tract in Patients with Abnormal Renal Function Tests and Urine Examination

Background: Our study will provide reliable ways to diagnose Urinary tract abnormalities to health care professionals to further evaluate, follow up and  surveillance of the pathology . Materials and methods:A  cross-sectional study included 71 patients  with provisional diagnosis of  Urinary Tract Diseases along with the associated clinical manifestations and study duration is 4 months.Results: Our results  shows that among 71 patients, urinary tract diseases is recorded to be maximum in 40.21(57%)  patients and minimum  to be around 34 (44%). In urine analysis out of  71 patients, creatinine level is increase in (24%),  echogenicity of right kidney was increased in (1.4%)  and bilateral echogenicity was noticed in (17%) . Serum urea level is abnormal in (59.1%), echogencity of right and left kidney is increase in (6%) and (1.4%) respectively. Bilateral echogencity is notice in(28%). Calcium oxalate Crystal level is present  in (28%) and hydronephrosis is increased in (15.4%).Urinary bladder wall thickness is abnormal in (21%) patients, many and fewer Red blood cells present in (20%) and (2.8%) respectively . Pus Cells are increase in (36.6%) , hydronephrosis is noted in (15.4%).Patients have many and fewer pus cells (15.4%) and (17%) respectively.Conclusion: We concluded that  ultrasound parameters with correlation of laboratory tests has significant credibility to detect urinary tract diseases . Keywords: Renal Function Test,Urine analysis, Ultrasound. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/90-14 Publication date:June 30th 202

New Risk Factors Defined for Anemia Among School-Going Children in Peshawar, Pakistan

Background: Anemia, “a hidden hunger” is among one the major nutritional public health problems across the globe affecting both developed and developing countries. In children, it results in impaired cognitive performance, behavioral, linguistic development and scholastic achievement. The study aimed to estimate the frequency and new risk factors of anemia in school-going children of Peshawar. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2020 to January 2022. A sample of 240 children between the ages of 5-15 years from eight different schools, were selected. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Chi-square test was used to see association between different variables. p≤0.05 was taken as a minimum level of significance. Results: Among a total of 240 school-going children, 93 (38.75%) were anemic and 147 (61.2%) were non-anemic. The anemia prevalence was higher in female children and younger age groups. The percentage of anemic children was significantly higher who don’t take nutritional supplements (19.7%) compared to those who do (47.5%) (p˂0.001). The anemic children with worm infestation history, were significantly higher (51.6%) in number compared to (25.4%) without infestation (p˂0.001). Majority (66.6%) of children from lower socioeconomic groups were anemic (p˂0.001). Conclusion: Children, school-going, and vegetarian were found significantly anemic (p<0.001). Female children were more prone to anemia than male children. Keywords: Anemia, School Going Children, Pakistan

Effects of 1-methyl-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline on a diabetic neuropathic pain model

Background: Neuropathy is a prevalent and debilitating complication of poorly managed diabetes, contributing towards poor quality of life, amputation risk, and increased mortality. The available therapies for diabetic neuropathic pain (DPN) have limitations in terms of efficacy, tolerability and patient compliance. Dysfunction in the peripheral and central monoaminergic system has been evidenced in various types of neuropathic and acute pain. The objective of the present study was to investigate 1-methyl 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), an endogenous amine found in human brain with a known neuroprotective profile, in a model of streptozotocin (STZ) induced neuropathic pain. Methods: Diabetic neuropathy in male BALB/c mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of STZ (200 mg/kg). Upon development of DPN after 4 weeks, mice were investigated for mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament pressure test) and thermal hyperalgesia (tail immersion test). Ondansetron (1.0 mg/kg i.p.), naloxone (3.0 mg/kg i.p.) and yohimbine (2.0 mg/kg i.p.) were used to elucidate the possible mechanism involved. Postmortem frontal cortical, striatal and hippocampal tissues were dissected and evaluated for changes in levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection. Results: Acute administration of 1MeTIQ (15–45 mg/kg i.p.) reversed streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathic static mechanical allodynia (von Frey filament pressure test) and thermal hyperalgesia (tail immersion test), these outcomes being comparable to standard gabapentin. Furthermore, HPLC analysis revealed that STZ-diabetic mice expressed lower concentrations of serotonin in all three brain regions examined, while dopamine was diminished in the striatum and 1MeTIQ reversed all these neurotransmitter modifications. These findings suggest that the antihyperalgesic/antiallodynic activity of 1MeTIQ may be mediated in part via supraspinal opioidergic and monoaminergic modulation since they were naloxone, yohimbine and ondansetron reversible. Conclusion: It was also concluded that acute treatment with 1MeTIQ ameliorated STZ-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia and restored brain regionally altered serotonin and dopamine concentrations which signify a potential for 1MeTIQ in the management of DPN