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

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

COVID-19 vaccine related menstrual irregularities: A cause of vaccine hesitation?

To, The Editor-in-Chief Vaccination against Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (Covid-19) has shown remarkable progress in controlling the ongoing pandemic. Currently, over nine billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered worldwide(1), and although this widespread vaccination has shown great progress in managing the pandemic, multiple side effects have been noted. Most of these side effects are mild such as pain at injection site, fever, rash, etc., but some are serious and long-lasting like myocarditis and other cardiovascular complications. Recently, there have been reports of several women experiencing menstrual irregularities after being administered Covid-19 vaccines, and that has created hesitation amongst women to get their shot.(2)  Table 1. summarizes the number of menstrual disturbances recorded by Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme until 22nd December 2021. While several factors have been implicated to be the cause of these irregularities, a definitive reason still remains to be established. A recent meta-analysis by Sharifian-Dorche M et al. has shown that Covid-19 vaccines induce thrombocytopenia.(3) This can result in the loss of endometrial haemostasis, and consequently, vaccinated women might experience increased blood loss/heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB). Moreover, since body's immune system is activated by Covid-19 vaccines(4), immune cells lining the uterus can contribute to early shedding of uterine wall, and that may manifest as intermenstrual bleeding (IMB) or postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). Women who have recovered from Covid-19 infection continue to suffer from menstrual irregularities for prolonged times. Therefore, the possibility of Long Covid Syndrome causing these menstrual disturbances cannot be disregarded.(5) Additionally, the prevailing gender bias in pre-and post-covid literature has led to under-reporting of events related to female reproductive health, further limiting our understanding of this subject. In conclusion, to minimize vaccine hesitation among women, it is imperative that a better understanding of these side effects should be sought. Further research should be encouraged to investigate vaccines' short- and long-term effects on reproductive health. Questions regarding menstrual cycle should be included in clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccines, and women should be encouraged to report any unusual post-vaccination changes in menstrual cycles to their doctors. Moreover, strict pharmacovigilance should be practiced to monitor people with pre-existing coagulopathies, and those on certain medications in order to limit the possibility of life-threatening conditions such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) after taking the Covid-19 vaccines. ---Continu

ENGLISH-ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY- EXPLORING INTERSECTION OF ISLAMIC LAWS AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK IN PAKISTAN

This study aims to explore the intersection of Islamic laws and legal frameworks in Pakistan related to environmental protection and ecological sustainability. Numerous Laws and governmental and non-government organizations to protect and sustain the environment have evolved with the passage of time in Pakistan. Islam as a comprehensive religion underpins the Islamic law of ecological sustainability, which stresses humankind's duty to safeguard the ecosystem. Islam's extensive character means its environmental rulings simultaneously apply to individuals, societies, and states. The present investigation intends to offer some insight into the possibility of harmonization and the incorporation of both structures for efficient ecological conservation by studying the ideas, notions, and legal processes existent in Islamic law and Pakistani environmental law. The methodology used in this study is a thorough assessment and comparative analysis of the pertinent literature, which includes scholarly papers, case laws, environmental laws of Pakistan, and Islamic legal texts (Quran, Hadith, etc.). Contemporary ecological paradigms might benefit from the legal and pragmatic suggestions of the Islamic concept of sustainable development. This abstract claims that Islamic law's ideas and precepts can promote equitable growth, ecological awareness, and harmony among humans and nature

TEACHERS’ PERSPECTIVES TOWARDS SIGNIFICANCE OF COLLOCATION LEARNING AT GRADUATE LEVEL

Vocabulary learning is the integral part of linguistic proficiency because no-language can be learnt properly without vocabulary storage in cognition. Collocation is the integral part of vocabulary learning as English language has a lot of collocations consisting on their denotative meanings. The study is quantitative in its nature and is conducted through a survey. Selected sample is 100 teachers teaching at graduate level in Multan. Five Likert scale questionnaires are used to note the perception of teacher teaching at graduate level. Analysis is made through the percentage of response and mean value. The study describes that 71% of the teachers have high intentions regarding collocations learning at graduate level and highly recommend making sure collocations part and parcel at graduate level. The disagreeing attitude is shown by 17% of the teachers while 11% remain neutral. The calculated mean value is 3.7 which describe the high intentions of the teachers to include the contents and other relevant constituents of collocations learning in the syllabus