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Zulfiqar S, Moawia A, Waseem SS, Ali Z, Ramzan S, Anjum I, Baig SM, Tariq M. Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel variant causing cockayne syndrome type I in a consanguineous Pakistani family. Int J Neurosci 2024; 134:28-33. [PMID: 35645363 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2082967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by impaired neurological functions, cachectic dwarfism, microcephaly and photosensitivity. Complementation assays identify two groups of this disorder, CS type I (CSA) and CS type II (CSB), caused by mutations in ERCC8 and ERCC6, respectively. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the genetic basis of a consanguineous Pakistani family with three affected individuals presenting with typical clinical symptoms of CS. METHODS We employed whole exome sequencing of the proband and then Sanger sequenced all the family members to confirm its segregation in the family. Different bioinformatics tools were used to predict pathogenicity of this variant. RESULTS Variants were filtered according to the pedigree structure. We identified a novel homozygous variant (c.202A>T; p.Ile68Phe) in ERCC8 gene in the proband. The variant was found to segregate in the family. CONCLUSIONS These findings add to the genetic heterogeneity of ERCC8 and expands the mutation spectrum. Also, identification of this variant can facilitate prenatal diagnosis/genetic counselling set ups in Pakistan where this disease largely remains undiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumaila Zulfiqar
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abubakar Moawia
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University and Ulm University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | - Syeda Seema Waseem
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Zafar Ali
- Centre for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Shafaq Ramzan
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Iram Anjum
- Department of Biotechnology, Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mahmood Baig
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan
- Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan
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Vaqar M, Tariq M, Khan MR, Khan S, Riaz Q, Mahmood S, Ali N, Haider AH. A Journey of Innovation: 40 years of Pioneering Medical Education at the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan. Postgrad Med J 2024; 100:350-357. [PMID: 38648192 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
This article presents an overview of Aga Khan University's (AKU) pioneering medical education initiatives over the past 40 years, exploring its impact on healthcare in the region and its commitment to advancing medical education and research in the developing world. Established in 1983 as the first private university in Pakistan, AKU has evolved into a global institution with a focus on improving healthcare standards and addressing healthcare needs in the developing world. The article also discusses the undergraduate and postgraduate medical education programs at AKU Medical College, Pakistan, highlighting their unique features and pioneering approaches to medical education. The institution's journey highlights its ability to adapt to the evolving healthcare landscape while maintaining a focus on quality and excellence, offering a model for other institutions striving to meet healthcare needs in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maham Vaqar
- Research Fellow, Dean's Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Vice Dean, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rizwan Khan
- Associate Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Khan
- Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Qamar Riaz
- Assistant Dean, Postgraduate Medical Education, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Sana Mahmood
- Director, Strategy and Advancement, Medical College, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Natasha Ali
- Associate Dean, Department of Continuing Professional Education, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
| | - Adil H Haider
- Dean, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi 74800, Pakistan
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Afreen A, Hameed H, Tariq M, Sharif MS, Ahmed R, Waheed A, Kousar MB, Akram Z. Shining insights: Deciphering the biogenic synthesis of Ajuga bracteosa-mediated gold nanoparticles with advanced microscopy techniques. Microsc Res Tech 2024. [PMID: 38619301 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
In this study, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were bioreduced from Ajuga bracteosa, a medicinal herb known for its therapeutic properties against various diseases. Different fractions of the plant extract were used, including the methanolic fraction (ABMF), the n-hexane fraction (ABHF), the chloroform fraction (ABCF), and the aqueous extract for AuNPs synthesis. The characterization of AuNPs was performed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR, XRD, EDX, and TEM. UV-Vis spectroscopy confirmed the formation of AuNPs, with peaks observed at 555 nm. FT-IR analysis indicated strong capping of phytochemicals on the surface of AuNPs, which was supported by higher total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) in AuNPs. XRD results showed high crystallinity and a smaller size distribution of AuNPs. TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of AuNPs, with an average size of 29 ± 10 nm. The biologically synthesized AuNPs exhibited superior antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities compared to the plant extract fractions. The presence of active biomolecules in A. bracteosa, such as neoclerodan flavonol glycosides, diterpenoids, phytoecdysone, and iridoid glycosides, contributed to the enhanced biological activities of AuNPs. Overall, this research highlights the potential of A. bracteosa-derived AuNPs for various biomedical applications due to their remarkable therapeutic properties and effective capping by phytochemicals. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This research underscores the growing significance of herbal medicine in contemporary healthcare by exploring the therapeutic potential of Ajuga bracteosa and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The study highlights the notable efficacy of A. bracteosa leaf extracts and AuNPs in treating bacterial infections, demonstrating their bactericidal effects on a range of strains. The anti-inflammatory properties of plant extracts and nanoparticles are evidenced through paw edema method suggesting their applicability in managing inflammatory conditions. These findings position A. bracteosa and AuNPs as potential candidates for alternative and effective approaches to modern medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshan Afreen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Hajra Hameed
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shakeeb Sharif
- Department of Clinical and Translational Oncology, Scuola Superiore Meridionale Via Mezzocannone, Naples, Italy
| | - Rashid Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Momina Bint Kousar
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Zeeshan Akram
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur, Pakistan
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Taj S, Ashfaq UA, Ahmad M, Noor H, Ikram A, Ahmed R, Tariq M, Masoud MS, Hasan A. The antihyperglycemic potential of pyrazolobenzothiazine 1, 1-dioxide novel derivative in mice using integrated molecular pharmacological approach. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7746. [PMID: 38565861 PMCID: PMC10987501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels caused by inadequate insulin production, which subsequently leads to hyperglycemia. This study was aimed to investigate the antidiabetic potential of pyrazolobenzothiazine derivatives in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. Molecular docking of pyrazolobenzothiazine derivatives was performed against α-glucosidase and α-amylase and compounds were selected based on docking score, bonding interactions and low root mean square deviation (RMSD). Enzyme inhibition assay against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was performed in vitro using p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (PNPG) and starch substrate. Synthetic compound pyrazolobenzothiazine (S1) exhibited minimal conformational changes during the 100 ns MD simulation run. S1 also revealed effective IC50 values for α-glucosidase (3.91 µM) and α-amylase (8.89 µM) and an enzyme kinetic study showed low ki (- 0.186 µM, - 1.267 µM) and ki' (- 0.691 µM, - 1.78 µM) values with the competitive type of inhibition for both enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, respectively. Moreover, studies were conducted to check the effect of the synthetic compound in a mouse model. A low necrosis rate was observed in the liver, kidney, and pancreas through histology analysis performed on mice. Compound S1 also exhibited a good biochemical profile with lower sugar level (110-115 mg/dL), increased insulin level (25-30 μM/L), and low level of cholesterol (85 mg/dL) and creatinine (0.6 mg/dL) in blood. The treated mice group also exhibited a low % of glycated haemoglobin (3%). This study concludes that S1 is a new antidiabetic-agent that helps lower blood glucose levels and minimizes the complications associated with type-II diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Taj
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Matloob Ahmad
- Department of Chemistry, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Hasnat Noor
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Ayesha Ikram
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City, 10250, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City, 10250, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shareef Masoud
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
- Biomedical Research Center (BRC), Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Tariq M, Shahab S, Saeed JR, Hussain Z, Zaidi U, Farzana T, Ahmad S. Impact of MLL::AF9 Gene Rearrangement on Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Patients: An Insight into Pakistani Population. J Coll Physicians Surg Pak 2024; 34:424-428. [PMID: 38576284 DOI: 10.29271/jcpsp.2024.04.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To ascertain the frequency of the MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement and its association with survival in Pakistani patients suffering from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). STUDY DESIGN Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan, from 2015 to 2020. METHODOLOGY Patients without a history of past AML chemotherapy, aged from 10 to 75 years, were included. Individuals with metastatic cancer, chronic myeloid leukaemia, or other haematological conditions were excluded. Identifying the MLL::AF9 gene involved RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and Real-time PCR amplification. The Chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between survival and the MLL::AF9 mutation. A Welch two-sample t-test was used to evaluate survival days depending on the MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement, while ANOVA was used to analyse survival days across various death statuses. RESULTS The mean age of 130 patients was 36.65 ± 13.01 years, with 64.62% being males. The most common leukaemia type was AML-M2 (n = 32, 24.62%). During the study follow-up, 22.31% were still alive, 40.77% died, and the status of 36.92% were unknown. MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement was present in 11.54%. The group with MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement had significantly longer mean 'survival days' (1,542.33 ± 926.07) compared to the group without the gene rearrangement (206.42 ± 359.57, p <0.001). CONCLUSION MLL-AF9 mutation was present in 11.54%. Age and MLL::AF9 gene rearrangement were significant predictors of survival in leukaemia patients. KEY WORDS Acute myeloid leukaemia, MLL::AF9, Gene rearrangement, Survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
- Regional Blood Centre, Saidu Sharif, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Sadaf Shahab
- Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Javeria Rauf Saeed
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Saidu Medical College, Swat, Pakistan
- Department of Pathology, Saidu Medical College, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Zeeshan Hussain
- Department of Pathology, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Uzma Zaidi
- Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Tasneem Farzana
- Department of Haematology, National Institute of Blood Diseases and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Karachi, Pakistan
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Haque ME, Boren SB, Mills J, Schneider KG, Parekh M, Fraser SM, Bach I, Hariharan P, Zelnick PJ, Guerra Castanon FS, Naveed A, Tariq M, Arevalo OD, Hasan KM, Escobar M, Zhao X, Sitton C, Narayana PA, Grotta JC, Aronowski J, Savitz SI. Dynamic Imaging of Blood Coagulation Within the Hematoma of Patients With Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke. Stroke 2024; 55:1015-1024. [PMID: 38275117 PMCID: PMC10962442 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.123.044343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dynamics of blood clot (combination of Hb [hemoglobin], fibrin, and a higher concentration of aggregated red blood cells) formation within the hematoma of an intracerebral hemorrhage is not well understood. A quantitative neuroimaging method of localized coagulated blood volume/distribution within the hematoma might improve clinical decision-making. METHODS The deoxyhemoglobin of aggregated red blood cells within extravasated blood exhibits a higher magnetic susceptibility due to unpaired heme iron electrons. We propose that coagulated blood, with higher aggregated red blood cell content, will exhibit (1) a higher positive susceptibility than noncoagulated blood and (2) increase in fibrin polymerization-restricted localized diffusion, which can be measured noninvasively using quantitative susceptibility mapping and diffusion tensor imaging. In this serial magnetic resonance imaging study, we enrolled 24 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage between October 2021 to May 2022 at a stroke center. Patients were 30 to 70 years of age and had a hematoma volume >15 cm3 and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score >1. The patients underwent imaging 3×: within 12 to 24 (T1), 36 to 48 (T2), and 60 to 72 (T3) hours of last seen well on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging system. Three-dimensional anatomic, multigradient echo and 2-dimensional diffusion tensor images were obtained. Hematoma and edema volumes were calculated, and the distribution of coagulation was measured by dynamic changes in the susceptibilities and fractional anisotropy within the hematoma. RESULTS Using a coagulated blood phantom, we demonstrated a linear relationship between the percentage coagulation and susceptibility (R2=0.91) with a positive red blood cell stain of the clot. The quantitative susceptibility maps showed a significant increase in hematoma susceptibility (T1, 0.29±0.04 parts per millions; T2, 0.36±0.04 parts per millions; T3, 0.45±0.04 parts per millions; P<0.0001). A concomitant increase in fractional anisotropy was also observed with time (T1, 0.40±0.02; T2, 0.45±0.02; T3, 0.47±0.02; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS This quantitative neuroimaging study of coagulation within the hematoma has the potential to improve patient management, such as safe resumption of anticoagulants, the need for reversal agents, the administration of alteplase to resolve the clot, and the need for surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad E. Haque
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Seth B. Boren
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - James Mills
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City (J.M.)
| | - Kerry G. Schneider
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Maria Parekh
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Stuart M. Fraser
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Ivo Bach
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Praveen Hariharan
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Pamela J. Zelnick
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Felix S. Guerra Castanon
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Asim Naveed
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Octavio D. Arevalo
- Department of Radiology, Louisiana State University, Shreveport (O.D.A.)
| | - Khader M. Hasan
- Department of Interventional Diagnostic Radiology (K.M.H., P.A.N., C.S.)
| | - Miguel Escobar
- McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (M.E.)
| | - Xiurong Zhao
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Clark Sitton
- Department of Interventional Diagnostic Radiology (K.M.H., P.A.N., C.S.)
| | | | - James C. Grotta
- Stroke Research and Mobile Stroke Unit, Department of Neurology, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX (J.C.G.)
| | - Jaroslaw Aronowski
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
| | - Sean I. Savitz
- Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases and Department of Neurology (M.E.H, S.B.B., K.G.S., M.P., S.M.F, I.B., P.H., P.J.Z., F.S.G.C., A.N., M.T., X.Z., J.A., S.I.S.)
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Bakhshi SK, Afzal N, Merchant AAH, Abdul Rahim K, Shaikh NQ, Noorali AA, Lakhdir MPA, Tariq M, Haider AH. Undergraduate Medical Education Curriculum Reforms in Pakistan: A Mixed Methods Study of Academic Leadership Perspectives. Acad Med 2024:00001888-990000000-00783. [PMID: 38442198 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000005683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Periodic revision of undergraduate medical education (UGME) curricula is an essential part of evidence-based educational practices. Pakistan's national UGME curriculum, last updated in 2005, was reviewed, and recommended updates were made in 2022. The authors explore academic medical school leaders' perspectives about the proposed reforms, gaps within the existing curriculum, and how to ensure the reform implementation is effective, collaborative, and feedback-driven. METHOD Using a mixed methods approach, data were collected from April-July 2022. Academic leadership (principals, who could designate vice principals or medical educators) at all medical schools across Pakistan (n = 117) were invited. Agreement with each of 20 proposed reforms was measured via a survey employing a Likert scale. A semi-structured interview guide expanded on the survey questions with probes. RESULTS Eighty-eight survey responses, from private (59; 67.0%) and public (29; 33.0%) institutions, were obtained (75.2% response rate). Participants recommended most of the proposed reforms. The 3 reforms that received the highest agreement were teaching professionalism as an integral part of the curriculum (83; 94.3%), mandating bedside procedural skills training (80; 90.9%), and including patient safety in the UGME curriculum (79; 89.8%). Including multidisciplinary tumor boards and surgical oncology had the lowest agreement (26; 29.5%). Fifteen interviews were conducted, which revealed 3 major themes: perceptions about changes to the curricular content; limitation of human and financial resources as barriers to reform implementation; and recommendations for effective implementation of an updated curriculum. CONCLUSIONS The findings reflect an overall positive attitude of academic medical school leadership toward the 20 proposed UGME curriculum reforms, which could aid with on-the-ground implementation. However, major limitations, such as a lack of trained faculty and financial resources, must be addressed. The authors propose future research on the resources required for implementing UGME reforms and the reforms' impact after national implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqib Kamran Bakhshi
- S.K. Bakhshi is assistant professor, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Afzal
- N. Afzal is instructor of research, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Asma Altaf Hussain Merchant
- A.A.H. Merchant is clinical research fellow, Dean's Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Komal Abdul Rahim
- K.A. Rahim is research associate, Dean's Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Namra Qadeer Shaikh
- N.Q. Shaikh is a clinical research fellow, Dean's Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Ali Aahil Noorali
- A.A. Noorali is research associate, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Maryam Pyar Ali Lakhdir
- M.P.A. Lakhdir is senior instructor, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- M. Tariq is professor of medicine and vice dean of the medical college, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Adil H Haider
- A.H. Haider is professor, Departments of Surgery and Community Health Sciences, and dean of the medical college, Aga Khan University, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
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Tariq M, Badshah F, Khan NU, Zafar MI, De Los Ríos-Escalante PR, Ibáñez-Arancibia E, Mehnaz S, Mubashir M, Khan MS, Khan MS, Rafiq N, Shaheen N, Saeed S, Ben Said M. Assessment of Babesia spp. prevalence in various domestic animals across Southern Punjab, Pakistan. BRAZ J BIOL 2024; 84:e277636. [PMID: 38422286 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.277636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Parasitic diseases, notably babesiosis, exert a substantial impact on the global cattle industry, posing challenges to commerce, economies, and human health. This study, conducted in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, aimed to assess the prevalence of Babesia spp. across various livestock species using microscopic and PCR methods. A total of 180 blood samples (60 from each district) were systematically collected from apparently healthy animals, with 36 samples obtained from each domestic animal species, including camel, cattle, buffalo, goat, and sheep, noting that 12 samples were collected from each district for each animal species. Overall prevalence was determined to be 32.8% (59/180), with varying rates among species: 25.0% in cattle, 41.66% in buffalo, 30.55% in goats, 33.3% in sheep, and 33.3% in camels. Microscopic examination revealed slightly varied infection rates among large and small domestic animals (22.2%), while PCR results indicated a 32.8% overall infection rate in both large and small domestic animals, with no statistical significance. District-wise analysis showed regional variations, with Muzaffargarh recording a prevalence rate of 23.33% through microscopic examination, while Lodhran and Bahawalpur recorded 21.67%. PCR results revealed higher rates (38.33%, 26.67%, and 33.33%, respectively), underlining the importance of employing PCR for accurate detection. Examining ruminant types, large ruminants exhibited a 32.4% infection rate, while small domestic animals showed 33.3%, with no significant difference (p=0.897). District-wise prevalence showcased significant variation, with Muzaffargarh demonstrating a 25% prevalence, Lodhran 22%, and Bahawalpur 22%, through microscopic examination. PCR results displayed 38.33%, 27%, and 33.3%, respectively, with no statistical significance. Detailed analysis of individual districts highlighted variations in infection rates among camels, cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep. The binomial test indicated significant differences through microscopic analysis (P=0.011) but non-significant variations through PCR (P=0.065), emphasizing the precision of PCR. Regional variations in prevalence, notably with Punjab exhibiting the highest frequency (33.87%) and KPK the lowest (13.24%), suggest potential influences from varying veterinary practices and environmental factors. This study underscores the pivotal role of PCR alongside microscopy for accurate babesiosis diagnosis. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of babesiosis prevalence, emphasizing the necessity of advanced molecular techniques for informed control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tariq
- Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - F Badshah
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Department of Zoology, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - N U Khan
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Collage of Veterinary Science, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - M I Zafar
- Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - P R De Los Ríos-Escalante
- Universidad Católica de Temuco, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Temuco, Chile
- Universidad Católica de Temuco, Nucleo de Estudios Ambientales, Temuco, Chile
| | - E Ibáñez-Arancibia
- Universidad Católica de Temuco, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Químicas, Temuco, Chile
- Universidad de la Frontera, Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Mención Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Temuco, Chile
- Universidad de la Frontera, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Laboratorio de Ingeniería, Biotecnología y Bioquímica Aplicada - LIBBA, Temuco, Chile
| | - S Mehnaz
- University of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Department of Parasitology, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - M Mubashir
- Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M S Khan
- Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Zoology, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M S Khan
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Department of Zoology, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - N Rafiq
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Department of Zoology, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - N Shaheen
- University of Peshawar, Department of Zoology, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - S Saeed
- The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - M Ben Said
- University of Manouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Sidi Thabet, Department of Basic Sciences, Manouba, Tunisia
- University of Manouba, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Laboratory of Microbiology, Manouba, Tunisia
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Tariq M, Iqbal B, Khan I, Khan AR, Jho EH, Salam A, Zhou H, Zhao X, Li G, Du D. Microplastic contamination in the agricultural soil-mitigation strategies, heavy metals contamination, and impact on human health: a review. Plant Cell Rep 2024; 43:65. [PMID: 38341396 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-024-03162-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a critical global environmental issue due to its widespread distribution, persistence, and potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Although research on microplastic pollution in aquatic environments has gained significant attention. However, a limited literature has summarized the impacts of microplastic pollution the agricultural land and human health. Therefore, In the current review, we have discussed how microplastic(s) affect the microorganisms by ingesting the microplastic present in the soil, alternatively affecting the belowground biotic and abiotic components, which further elucidates the negative effects on the above-ground properties of the crops. In addition, the consumption of these crops in the food chain revealed a potential risk to human health throughout the food chain. Moreover, microplastic pollution has the potential to induce a negative impact on agricultural production and food security by altering the physiochemical properties of the soil, microbial population, nutrient cycling, and plant growth and development. Therefore, we discussed in detail the potential hazards caused by microplastic contamination in the soil and through the consumption of food and water by humans in daily intake. Furthermore, further study is urgently required to comprehend how microplastic pollution negatively affects terrestrial ecosystems, particularly agroecosystems which drastically reduces the productivity of the crops. Our review highlights the urgent need for greater awareness, policy interventions, and technological solutions to address the emerging threat of microplastic pollution in soil and plant systems and mitigation strategies to overcome its potential impacts on human health. Based on existing studies, we have pointed out the research gaps and proposed different directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Babar Iqbal
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ismail Khan
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Ali Raza Khan
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Eun Hea Jho
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Abdul Salam
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology of the Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Zhou
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
- Zhenjiang New District Environmental Monitoring Station Co. Ltd, Zhenjiang, 212132, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Guanlin Li
- School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Emergency Management, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Centre of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Daolin Du
- Jingjiang College, Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
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Iqbal B, Khan I, Anwar S, Jalal A, Okla MK, Ahmad N, Alaraidh IA, Tariq M, AbdElgawad H, Li G, Du D. Biochar and saline soil: mitigation strategy by incapacitating the ecological threats to agricultural land. Int J Phytoremediation 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38318857 DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2024.2310001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Soil salinity caused a widespread detrimental issue that hinders productivity in agriculture and ecological sustainability, while waste-derived soil amendments like biochar have drawn attention for their capacity to act as a mitigating agent, by enhancing the physical and chemical features of soil, and contributing to the recovery of agricultural waste resources. However, the information concerning biochar and salinity which affect the physicochemical characteristics of soils, crop physiology, and growth is limited. To investigate whether biochar mitigates the salinity stress on wheat crop seedlings, we grow them with salinity stress (120 mM), and biochar (20 tons ha-1), and its interactive effects. The soil properties of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and soil available phosphorus (SAP) decreased in the saline soil by 36.71%, 46.97%, 26.31%, and 15.00%, while biochar treatment increased SOC, DOC, and SAP contents by 7.42%, 31.57%, and 15.00%, respectively. On the other hand, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) contents decreased in all the treatments compared to the control. The root growth traits, SPAD values, leaf nitrogen, photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant enzymes, and reactive oxygen species decreased in the saline treatment while increasing in the biochar and interactive treatment. Thus, these activities resulted in higher leaves and root biomass in the biochar treatment alone and interactive treatment of salinity and biochar. According to principal component analysis, redundancy analysis, and the mantel test, using biochar in conjunction with salinity treatment was found to be more effective than salinity treatment alone. The results of this study suggest that biochar can be used as a sustainable agricultural technique and a means of mitigation agent by lowering soil salinity while increasing the biomass of crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babar Iqbal
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Ismail Khan
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Shazma Anwar
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Jalal
- School of Engineering, Department of Plant Health, Rural Engineering and Soils, São Paulo State University - UNESP-FEIS, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mohammad K Okla
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Naveed Ahmad
- Joint Center for Single Cell Biology, Shanghai Collaborative Innovation Center of Agri-Seeds, School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ibrahim A Alaraidh
- Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hamada AbdElgawad
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni Suef, Egypt
| | - Guanlin Li
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Nankai University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Daolin Du
- Jingjiang College, Institute of Environment and Ecology, School of Emergency Management, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, School of Agricultural Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China
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Dawar K, Dawar A, Tariq M, Mian IA, Muhammad A, Farid L, Khan S, Khan K, Fahad S, Danish S, Al-Ghamdi AA, Elshikh MS, Tahzeeb-Ul-Hassan M. Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) through Ammonia volatilization mitigation and nitrogen management approaches. BMC Plant Biol 2024; 24:74. [PMID: 38279107 PMCID: PMC10821210 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-04749-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
Management of nitrogen (N) fertilizer is a critical factor that can improve maize (Zea mays L.) production. On the other hand, high volatilization losses of N also pollute the air. A field experiment was established using a silt clay soil to examine the effect of sulfur-coated urea and sulfur from gypsum on ammonia (NH3) emission, N use efficiency (NUE), and the productivity of maize crop under alkaline calcareous soil. The experimental design was a randomized complete block (RCBD) with seven treatments in three replicates: control with no N, urea150 alone (150 kg N ha-1), urea200 alone (200 kg N ha-1), urea150 + S (60 kg ha-1 S from gypsum), urea200 + S, SCU150 (sulfur-coated urea) and SCU200. The results showed that the urea150 + S and urea200 + S significantly reduced the total NH3 by (58 and 42%) as compared with the sole application urea200. The NH3 emission reduced further in the treatment with SCU150 and SCU200 by 74 and 65%, respectively, compared to the treatment with urea200. The maize plant biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake enhanced by 5-14%, 4-17%, and 7-13, respectively, in the treatments with urea150 + s and urea200 + S, relative to the treatment with urea200 alone. Biomass, grain yield, and total N uptake further increased significantly by 22-30%, 25-28%, and 26-31%, respectively, in the treatments with SCU150 and SCU200, relative to the treatment with urea200 alone. The applications of SCU150 enhanced the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by (72%) and SCU200 by (62%) respectively, compared with the sole application of urea200 alone. In conclusion, applying S-coated urea at a lower rate of 150 kg N ha-1 compared with a higher rate of 200 kg N ha-1 may be an effective way to reduce N fertilizer application rate and mitigate NH3 emission, improve NUE, and increase maize yield. More investigations are suggested under different soil textures and climatic conditions to declare S-coated urea at 150 kg N ha-1 as the best application rate for maize to enhance maize growth and yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khadim Dawar
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Atif Dawar
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Ishaq Ahmad Mian
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Asim Muhammad
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25130, Pakistan
| | - Laiba Farid
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Shadman Khan
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Kashif Khan
- Department of Soil and Environmental Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Shah Fahad
- Department of Agronomy, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 23200, Pakistan.
- Department of Natural Sciences, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon.
| | - Subhan Danish
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.
| | - Abdullah Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Passias PG, Passfall L, Moattari K, Krol O, Kummer NA, Tretiakov P, Williamson T, Joujon-Roche R, Imbo B, Burhan Janjua M, Jankowski P, Paulino C, Schwab FJ, Owusu-Sarpong S, Singh V, Ahmad S, Onafowokan T, Lebovic J, Tariq M, Saleh H, Vira S, Smith JS, Diebo B, Schoenfeld AJ. Factors Influencing Maintenance of Alignment and Functional Improvement Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A 3-Year Outcome Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2024; 49:90-96. [PMID: 37199423 DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000004717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective review. OBJECTIVE To assess the factors contributing to durability of surgical results following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND Factors contributing to the long-term sustainability of ASD correction are currently undefined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Operative ASD patients with preoperatively (baseline) and 3-year postoperatively radiographic/health-related quality of life data were included. At 1 and 3 years postoperatively, a favorable outcome was defined as meeting at least three of four criteria: (1) no proximal junctional failure or mechanical failure with reoperation, (2) best clinical outcome (BCO) for Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) (≥4.5) or Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) (<15), (3) improving in at least one SRS-Schwab modifier, and (4) not worsening in any SRS-Schwab modifier. A robust surgical result was defined as having a favorable outcome at both 1 and 3 years. Predictors of robust outcomes were identified using multivariable regression analysis with conditional inference tree for continuous variables. RESULTS We included 157 ASD patients in this analysis. At 1 year postoperatively, 62 patients (39.5%) met the BCO definition for ODI and 33 (21.0%) met the BCO for SRS. At 3 years, 58 patients (36.9%) had BCO for ODI and 29 (18.5%) for SRS. Ninety-five patients (60.5%) were identified as having a favorable outcome at 1 year postoperatively. At 3 years, 85 patients (54.1%) had a favorable outcome. Seventy-eight patients (49.7%) met criteria for a durable surgical result. Multivariable adjusted analysis identified the following independent predictors of surgical durability: surgical invasiveness >65, being fused to S1/pelvis, baseline to 6-week pelvic incidence and lumbar lordosis difference >13.9°, and having a proportional Global Alignment and Proportion score at 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Nearly 50% of the ASD cohort demonstrated good surgical durability, with favorable radiographic alignment and functional status maintained up to 3 years. Surgical durability was more likely in patients whose reconstruction was fused to the pelvis and addressed lumbopelvic mismatch with adequate surgical invasiveness to achieve full alignment correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G Passias
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Lara Passfall
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Kevin Moattari
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Oscar Krol
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Nicholas A Kummer
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Peter Tretiakov
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Tyler Williamson
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Rachel Joujon-Roche
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Bailey Imbo
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | | | - Pawel Jankowski
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Carl Paulino
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Frank J Schwab
- Department of Orthopaedics, Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health, New York, NY
| | | | - Vivek Singh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Salman Ahmad
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Tobi Onafowokan
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Jordan Lebovic
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Hesham Saleh
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, Newport Beach
| | - Shaleen Vira
- Departments of Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Justin S Smith
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Bassel Diebo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Andrew J Schoenfeld
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Shaukat A, Bakhtiari MH, Chaudhry DS, Khan MHF, Akhtar J, Abro AH, Haseeb MA, Sarwar A, Mazhar K, Umer Z, Tariq M. Mask exhibits trxG-like behavior and associates with H3K27ac marked chromatin. Dev Biol 2024; 505:130-140. [PMID: 37981061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The Trithorax group (trxG) proteins counteract the repressive effect of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes and maintain transcriptional memory of active states of key developmental genes. Although chromatin structure and modifications appear to play a fundamental role in this process, it is not clear how trxG prevents PcG-silencing and heritably maintains an active gene expression state. Here, we report a hitherto unknown role of Drosophila Multiple ankyrin repeats single KH domain (Mask), which emerged as one of the candidate trxG genes in our reverse genetic screen. The genome-wide binding profile of Mask correlates with known trxG binding sites across the Drosophila genome. In particular, the association of Mask at chromatin overlaps with CBP and H3K27ac, which are known hallmarks of actively transcribed genes by trxG. Importantly, Mask predominantly associates with actively transcribed genes in Drosophila. Depletion of Mask not only results in the downregulation of trxG targets but also correlates with diminished levels of H3K27ac. The fact that Mask positively regulates H3K27ac levels in flies was also found to be conserved in human cells. Strong suppression of Pc mutant phenotype by mutation in mask provides physiological relevance that Mask contributes to the anti-silencing effect of trxG, maintaining expression of key developmental genes. Since Mask is a downstream effector of multiple cell signaling pathways, we propose that Mask may connect cell signaling with chromatin mediated epigenetic cell memory governed by trxG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammad Shaukat
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Mahnoor Hussain Bakhtiari
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Daim Shiraz Chaudhry
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Haider Farooq Khan
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Jawad Akhtar
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Hassan Abro
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Abdul Haseeb
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Aaminah Sarwar
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Khalida Mazhar
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Zain Umer
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Epigenetics and Gene Regulation Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore, 54792, Pakistan.
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Naseer N, Mustafa MM, Latief N, Fazal N, Tariq M, Afreen A, Yaqub F, Riazuddin S. Sarcococca saligna fabricated gold nanoparticles alleviated in vitro oxidative stress and inflammation in human adipose-derived stem cells. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2023; 111:2032-2043. [PMID: 37560935 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.35303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a destructive phenomenon that affects various cell structures including membranes, proteins, lipoproteins, lipids, and DNA. Oxidative stress and inflammation owing to lifestyle changes may lead to serious diseases such as Cancers, Gout, and Arthritis etc. These disorders can be prevented using different therapeutic strategies including nanomedicine. Biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bioactivities can be key player in reversal of these ailments. This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of bio fabricated GNPs with Sarcococca saligna (S. saligna) extract on injured human adipose-derived Mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs). GNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive x-ray (EDS). Phytochemical screening of biosynthesized GNPs exhibited a significant release of polyphenols, that is, total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). GNPs priming amended the in vitro injury caused by Monosodium Iodoacetate (MIA) as exhibited by improved cell viability, wound closure response and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD). The anti-inflammatory conduct assessed through NF-κB pathway and other associated inflammatory markers reported down-regulation of TNF-α (0.644 ± 0.045), IL-1β (0.694 ± 0.147) and IL-6 (0.622 ± 0.112), apoptosis causing genes like Caspase-3 (0.734 ± 0.13) and BAX (0.830 ± 0.12), NF-κB pathway, p65 (0.672 ± 0.084) and p105 (0.539 ± 0.083) associated genes. High SOD activity (95 ± 5.25%) revealed by treated hADMSCs with GNPs also supported the antioxidant role of GNPs in vitro model. This study concludes that S. saligna bio fabricated GNPs priming may improve the therapeutic potential of hADMSCs against chronic inflammatory problems by regulating NF-κB pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Naseer
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Munam Mustafa
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Latief
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Numan Fazal
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Afreen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, Pakistan
| | - Faiza Yaqub
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Sheikh Riazuddin
- Jinnah Burn and Reconstructive Surgery Center, Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC), Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
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15
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Asghar MU, Ain NU, Zaidi AH, Tariq M. Molecular distribution of biocide resistance genes and susceptibility to biocides among vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) isolates from intensive care unit (ICU) of cardiac hospital- A first report from Pakistan. Heliyon 2023; 9:e22120. [PMID: 38046134 PMCID: PMC10686860 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The study was conducted with the aim to investigate the VRSA isolates in terms of their susceptibility to routinely used biocides influenced by the co-occurrence of biocide resistant gene (BRGs) and efflux pumps genes. Methodology Frequently touched surfaces within intensive care unit (ICU) of cardiac hospital were classified into three primary sites i.e., structure, machines and miscellaneous. Over a period of six months (January 2021 to July 2021) twenty three swabs samples were collected from these sites. Subsequently, these samples underwent both phenotypic and molecular methods for VRSA isolation and identification. Susceptibility and efficacy testing of biocides (benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetrimide (CET) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)) were evaluated using microdilution broth and suspension method. Furthermore, specific primers were used for singleplex PCR targeting BRGs (cepA, qacA, and qacE) and efflux pump (norA, norB, norC, sepA, mepA and mdeA) associated genes. Results We found that 72.2 % S. aureus demonstrate the presence of vanA or vanB genes with no significant difference among three sites (p > 0.05). cepA is the most dominant BRGs followed by qacA and qacE from structure site as compared to other sites (p < 0.05). BAC showed reduced biocide susceptibility and MIC50. There was no significant difference between presence or absence of BRGs and high MIC values of VRSA isolates from all three sites. However, efflux pump genes (EFPGs) particularly norA and norA + sepA had a significant association with BRGs and reduced biocide. Conclusion BAC is the most effective disinfectant against VRSA. Proper and controlled use of BAC is required to overcome the VRSA contamination. We recommend continuous monitoring of the BRGs prevalence for better prevention of microorganism dissemination and infection control in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Umer Asghar
- National Probiotic Lab, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering-College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan
| | - Noor Ul Ain
- Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan
| | - Arsalan Haseeb Zaidi
- National Probiotic Lab, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering-College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Probiotic Lab, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering-College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
- Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad, 45650, Pakistan
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16
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Ahmad H, Tariq M, Yasin A, Razzaq S, Chaudhry MA, Shaikh IUH, Ali A, Qaisar SM, Iqbal J. Investigation of vibration's effect on driver in optimal motion cueing algorithm. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290705. [PMID: 38032929 PMCID: PMC10688641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The increased sensation error between the surroundings and the driver is a major problem in driving simulators, resulting in unrealistic motion cues. Intelligent control schemes have to be developed to provide realistic motion cues to the driver. The driver's body model incorporates the effects of vibrations on the driver's health, comfort, perception, and motion sickness, and most of the current research on motion cueing has not considered these factors. This article proposes a novel optimal motion cueing algorithm that utilizes the driver's body model in conjunction with the driver's perception model to minimize the sensation error. Moreover, this article employs H∞ control in place of the linear quadratic regulator to optimize the quadratic cost function of sensation error. As compared to state of the art, we achieve decreased sensation error in terms of small root-mean-square difference (70%, 61%, and 84% decrease in case of longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, and yaw velocity, respectively) and improved coefficient of cross-correlation (3% and 1% increase in case of longitudinal and lateral acceleration, respectively).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazoor Ahmad
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology University (ITU), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Alternate Energy Research & Innovation Lab (AERIL), Al-Khwarizmi Institute of Computer Science, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Awais Yasin
- Computer Engineering Department, National University of Technology (NUTech), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sohail Razzaq
- Faculty of Information Technology, Majan University College, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
| | - Muhammad Ahmad Chaudhry
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, Pakistan
| | - Inam Ul Hasan Shaikh
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, Pakistan
| | - Ahsan Ali
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Taxila, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Mian Qaisar
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Effat University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- CESI LINEACT, Lyon, France
| | - Jamshed Iqbal
- School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
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Shahzadi M, Khan SR, Tariq M, Baloch SS, Shahid A, Moosajee M, Samon Z. Review of current literature on gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. J Egypt Natl Canc Inst 2023; 35:37. [PMID: 38008872 DOI: 10.1186/s43046-023-00195-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN) is a disease of the reproductive age group with an incidence rate of <1% among all tumors involving the female reproductive tract. It occurs because of aberrant fertilization. Patients are diagnosed early because of aggravated symptoms during pregnancy. Moreover, patients also bleed from the tumor sites, which leads to early presentation. A cure rate of 100% can be achieved with adequate treatment. MAIN BODY In this literature review, the authors have brought to attention the risk factors, classification, and various treatment options in GTN patients according to their stratification as per the WHO scoring system. Patients are categorized into low and high risk based on the FIGO scoring system. Patients with low risk are treated with single-agent methotrexate or actinomycin-D. Despite the superiority of actinomycin-D in terms of efficacy, methotrexate remains the first choice of therapy in low-risk patients due to its better toxicity profile. Multi-agent chemotherapy with etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin-D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO) leads to complete remission in 93% of high-risk GTN patients. Around 40% of patients with incomplete responses are salvaged with platinum-based multi-agent chemotherapy. Isolated chemo-resistant clones can be salvaged with surgical interventions. CONCLUSION The mortality in patients with GTN has significantly reduced over time. With adequate multi-disciplinary support, patients with GTN can ultimately be cured and can spend every day healthy reproductive life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehwish Shahzadi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Saqib Raza Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Medical Oncology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | | | - Aisha Shahid
- Department of internal medicine, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Munira Moosajee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zarka Samon
- Department of Oncology, Monash Health, Bentleigh East, Australia
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Tang Y, Li G, Iqbal B, Tariq M, Rehman A, Khan I, Du D. Soil nutrient levels regulate the effect of soil microplastic contamination on microbial element metabolism and carbon use efficiency. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 267:115640. [PMID: 37922780 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging environmental contaminants in soil ecosystems that disrupt the soil carbon (C) pool. Therefore, the response of microbial metabolism to MP-contaminated soil is crucial for soil-C stabilization. We undertook factorial experiments in a greenhouse with three types of soil microplastics with three levels of soil nutrients and undertook soil physiochemical analyses after 60 days. The present study revealed how the presence of degradable polylactic acid (PLA) and non-degradable polyethylene (PE) MPs affects soil microbial nutrient limitation and C use efficiency (CUE) at varying nutrient concentrations. The presence of PLA in soil with low nutrient levels led to a significant increase (29%) in the activities of nitrogen (N)-acquiring enzymes. In contrast, the presence of MPs had no effect on C- and N-acquiring enzymes. The occurrence of PE caused a 41% reduction in microbial C limitation in high-nutrient soils, and microbial nutrient metabolism was limited by the occurrence of MPs in soils amended with nutrients. A strong positive correlation between microbial C and nutrient limitation in the soil indicates that addressing C limitation followed by amendment of soil with MPs could potentially intensify microbial N limitation in soils with varying nutrients. In comparison, the microbial CUE increased by 10% with the application of degradable MPs (PLA) to soils with a low nutrient status. These findings highlight the significant influence of both degradable PLA and non-degradable PE MPs on soil microbial processes and C dynamics. In conclusion, PLA enhances metabolic efficiency in nutrient-rich soils, potentially aiding C utilization, whereas PE reduces microbial C limitation, offering promise for soil C sequestration strategies. Our findings underscore the importance of considering MPs in soil ecosystem studies and in broader sustainability efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tang
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanlin Li
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China; Department of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Babar Iqbal
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, People's Republic of China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Abdul Rehman
- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, 63100 Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Ismail Khan
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Daolin Du
- School of Emergency Management, Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center of Green Technology and Contingency Management for Emerging Pollutants, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, People's Republic of China
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Tariq M, Richard V, Kerin MJ. MicroRNAs as Molecular Biomarkers for the Characterization of Basal-like Breast Tumor Subtype. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3007. [PMID: 38002007 PMCID: PMC10669494 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11113007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease highlighted by the presence of multiple tumor variants and the basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) is considered to be the most aggressive variant with limited therapeutics and a poor prognosis. Though the absence of detectable protein and hormonal receptors as biomarkers hinders early detection, the integration of genomic and transcriptomic profiling led to the identification of additional variants in BLBC. The high-throughput analysis of tissue-specific micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs/miRNAs) that are deemed to have a significant role in the development of breast cancer also displayed distinct expression profiles in each subtype of breast cancer and thus emerged to be a robust approach for the precise characterization of the BLBC subtypes. The classification schematic of breast cancer is still a fluid entity that continues to evolve alongside technological advancement, and the transcriptomic profiling of tissue-specific microRNAs is projected to aid in the substratification and diagnosis of the BLBC tumor subtype. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on breast tumor classification, aim to collect comprehensive evidence based on the microRNA expression profiles, and explore their potential as prospective biomarkers of BLBC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinitha Richard
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
| | - Michael J. Kerin
- Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland;
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20
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Merchant AAH, Shaikh NQ, Afzal N, Noorali AA, Abdul Rahim K, Ahmad R, Ahmer A, Khan AA, Bakhshi SK, Mahmood SBZ, Lakhdir MPA, Khan MR, Tariq M, Haider AH. Disparities in patient-resident physician communication and counseling: A multi-perspective exploratory qualitative study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288549. [PMID: 37871016 PMCID: PMC10593213 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Effective communication between physicians and patients plays an integral role in clinical care. Gaps in a physician's ability to ensure effective communication, especially with patients from diverse backgrounds, are known causes of medical errors. This study explores the potential biases and disparities in patient-resident communication, which may influence a patient's quality of care. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted at the largest academic medical center in Pakistan. Purposive sampling was used to approach participants from surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and family medicine. Faculty, fellows and residents working in these departments and medical students in their fourth and fifth years of undergraduate education with prior experience of at least one month in these specialties during their clinical rotations were included. Focus group discussions (FGDs) lasting 45-60 minutes were conducted with each cohort of healthcare professionals separately, using a semi-structured interview guide. Sixty participants (19 males and 41 females, mean age: 32.9, SD: 10.9) took part in the study. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes. Four themes focused on residents' biases and patient disparities hindering patient-resident communication: (1) patient-resident gender discordance (2) ethnicity and language barriers, (3) differing social class of the patient, and (4) challenging patient-resident interactions (patients resistant to treatment, exceedingly inquisitive and those with multiple attendants, etc.). The fifth theme identified the need for a communication skills curriculum in postgraduate medical education. Opposite gender and discordant socioeconomic/cultural backgrounds of patients pose a challenge to effective patient-physician communication. Self-identification and awareness of residents' biases when interacting with patients can ensure their active elimination and improve their communication skills. Integrating these components in a standardized curriculum within postgraduate programs can enable resident-physicians to provide the same level of care and communicate more efficiently with patients of all backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Noreen Afzal
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Komal Abdul Rahim
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rida Ahmad
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Areesha Ahmer
- Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Muhammad Tariq
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Adil H. Haider
- Dean’s Office, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
- Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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21
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Bakhshi SK, Abdul Rahim K, Merchant AAH, Afzal N, Qadeer Shaikh N, Noorali AA, Lakhdir MPA, Mahmood SBZ, Tariq M, Haider AH. Barriers to research productivity amongst postgraduate trainees: results from a survey of 333 medical and surgical residents. Postgrad Med J 2023; 99:1182-1188. [PMID: 37544657 DOI: 10.1093/postmj/qgad062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to determine the perceptions of, barriers to, and predictors of research engagement amongst residents at a national level in Pakistan. METHODS This cross-sectional study used REDCap for online survey dissemination to residents from 12 institutes accredited by the national accreditation body (College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan) for core medical and surgical specialties. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between likelihood of publications and participant characteristics. RESULTS The response rate was 79% (333/423), with 171 (51%) medical and 162 (49%) surgical residents. The mean ± standard deviation age was 28.8 ± 2.7 years; 137 (41%) were males and 195 (59%) females. More than half the residents, 202 (61%), had received research training, but 189 (57%) scored <33% on basic research knowledge. While most residents agreed on the positive impact of research on their careers (P = .012) and realized that they should be involved in it (P = .33), they also strongly believed that it was difficult to engage in research during training (P < .01). Only 60 (18%) trainees had published a paper in local and 37 (11%) in international journals, respectively. The most significant barriers to conducting research included time limitation due to clinical work, lack of financial support, and unavailability of data (P < .01). CONCLUSION Residents have a positive attitude towards research. However, research engagement among residents is low. Improving research mentorship and creating systems that enable protected time and institutional access to data are needed to increase research output of postgraduate trainees. Key messages What is already known on this topic Postgraduate trainees benefit academically from research conducted during residency training. However, in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan, research output among residents has remained low over the years. The nation has consistently produced very little research. What this study adds The current study helped shed light on the reasons for low research productivity amongst medical and surgical residents in Pakistan. How this study might affect research, practice, or policy The potential predictors for low research involvement highlighted in this study necessitate modification of the existing national residency curriculum to increase research engagement and productivity among residents. Not only can the potential factors be improved, but the study also helps in bringing stakeholders' attention to increasing research opportunities in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqib K Bakhshi
- Section of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Komal Abdul Rahim
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
- Dean's Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Asma A H Merchant
- Dean's Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Noreen Afzal
- Dean's Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Namra Qadeer Shaikh
- Dean's Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Ali A Noorali
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | | | - Saad B Z Mahmood
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Adil H Haider
- Dean's Office, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
- Department of Surgery, Medical College, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
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22
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Qureshi AK, Farooq U, Shakeel Q, Ali S, Ashiq S, Shahzad S, Tariq M, Seleiman MF, Jamal A, Saeed MF, Manachini B. The Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Avena fatua Extract: Antifungal Activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. Pathogens 2023; 12:1247. [PMID: 37887762 PMCID: PMC10609796 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12101247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Using plant extracts as eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant attention in recent years. The current study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the Avena fatua extract and evaluates their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol), a fungal plant pathogen. A green and sustainable approach was adopted to synthesize silver nanoparticles before these nanoparticles were employed for anti-fungal activity. The primary indication that AgNPs had formed was performed using UV-vis spectroscopy, where a strong peak at 425 nm indicated the effective formation of these nanoparticles. The indication of important functional groups acting as reducing and stabilizing agents was conducted using the FTIR study. Additionally, morphological studies were executed via SEM and AFM, which assisted with more effectively analyzing AgNPs. Crystalline behavior and size were estimated using powder XRD, and it was found that AgNPs were highly crystalline, and their size ranged from 5 to 25 nm. Synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Fol at a concentration of 40 ppm. Furthermore, the inhibitory index confirmed a positive correlation between increasing AgNPs concentration and exposure duration. This study suggests that the combined phytochemical mycotoxic effect of the plant extract and the smaller size of synthesized AgNPs were responsible for the highest penetrating power to inhibit Fol growth. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents for the green synthesis of AgNPs with antifungal properties. The study concludes that A. fatua extract can synthesize antifungal AgNPs as a sustainable approach with robust antifungal efficacy against Fol, underscoring their promising potential for integration into plant protection strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Kaleem Qureshi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan;
- Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan; (U.F.); (S.A.)
| | - Umar Farooq
- Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan; (U.F.); (S.A.)
| | - Qaiser Shakeel
- Cholistan Institute of Desert Studies, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Sajjad Ali
- Department of Entomology, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan;
| | - Sarfraz Ashiq
- Department of Chemistry, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan; (U.F.); (S.A.)
| | - Sohail Shahzad
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sahiwal, Sahiwal 57000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Multan 60800, Pakistan;
| | - Mahmoud F. Seleiman
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Aftab Jamal
- Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar 25130, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Farhan Saeed
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari 61100, Pakistan;
| | - Barbara Manachini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Forest Sciences, University of Palermo, 90128 Palermo, Italy
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Samreen HS, Hussain A, Yar M, Alshammari MB, Ayub K, Adeel M, Tariq M, Lateef M, Bakht MA, Rasool F. Photophysical and biological aspects of α, β-unsaturated ketones: Experimental and in silico approach. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2023; 37:e23433. [PMID: 37394811 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
In this work, four fluorinated α, β-unsaturated ketones named as 3-(3-bromophenyl)-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (1), 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (2), 3-(3-bromo-5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one (3) and 3-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-1-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (4) were synthesized by Claisen-Schmidt reaction. The synthesized molecules were then characterized through ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, and mass spectrometry. The antioxidant potential, Urease inhibition, and interaction of compounds 1-4 with Salmon sperm DNA were experimentally explored and supported by molecular docking studies. The synthesized compounds strongly interact with SS-DNA through intercalative mode. It was noticed that compound 1 served as potent Urease inhibitor while compound 4 as better antioxidant among synthesized compounds. Moreover, frontier molecular orbitals, nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, natural bond orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, natural population analysis, and photophysical properties of synthesized compounds were accomplished through density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. The band gap of all the compounds have been worked out using Taucs method. In addition to that, a precise comparative account of UV and IR data obtained from theoretical and experimental findings showed good agreement between theoretical and experimental data. The findings of our studies reflected that compounds 1-4 possess better NLO properties than Urea standard and the band gap data also reflected their prospective use towards optoelectronic materials. The better NLO behavior of compounds was attributed to the noncentrosymmetric structure of synthesized compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiza Saba Samreen
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Ajaz Hussain
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Yar
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammed Battah Alshammari
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz university, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khurshid Ayub
- Department of Chemistry, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Adeel
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Gomal University, Dera Ismaeel Khan, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Mehreen Lateef
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratories, Bahria University Medical and Dental College, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mohammed Afroz Bakht
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam bin Abdul Aziz university, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faiz Rasool
- Institute of Chemical Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
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Hassam M, Khan K, Jalal K, Tariq M, Tarique Moin S, Uddin R. Lead identification against Mycobacterium tuberculosis using highly enriched active molecules against pantothenate synthetase. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-18. [PMID: 37747063 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2260483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The Pantothenate synthetase (PS) from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) holds a crucial role in the survival and robust proliferation of bacteria through its catalysis of coenzyme A and acyl carrier protein synthesis. The present study undertook the PS drug target in complex with a co-crystallized ligand and subjected it to docking and virtual screening approaches. The experimental design encompassed three discrete datasets: an active dataset featuring 136 compounds, an inactive dataset comprising 56 compounds, and a decoys dataset curated from the zinc library, comprising an extensive compilation of approximately 53,000 compounds. The compounds' binding energies were observed to be in the range of -5 to ∼-14 kcal/mol. Additionally, binding energy results were further refined through Enrichment Factor analysis (EF). EF is a new statistical approach which uses the scores obtained from docking-based virtual screening and predicts the precision of the scoring function. Remarkably, the Enrichment Factor (EF) analysis produced exceptionally favorable outcomes, attaining an EF of approximately 49% within the uppermost 1% fraction of the compound distribution. Finally, a total of eight compounds, evenly distributed between the active dataset and the decoys dataset, emerged as potent inhibitors of the Pantothenate synthetase (PS) enzyme. The analysis of inhibition constants and binding energy revealed a notable correlation, with an r-squared value (r2) of 0.912 between the two parameters. Furthermore, the shortlisted compounds were subjected to 100 ns MD simulation to determine their stability and dynamics behavior. The decoy compounds that have been identified, exhibiting properties comparable to the active compounds, are postulated as potential candidates for targeting the Pantothenate synthetase (PS) enzyme to treat Mtb infection. Nevertheless, in the pursuit of a comprehensive investigation, it is advisable to undertake additional experimental validation as a component of the subsequent study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Hassam
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kanwal Khan
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Khurshid Jalal
- HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Third Word Center for Science and Technology, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Tarique Moin
- Third Word Center for Science and Technology, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Reaz Uddin
- Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
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Sajjad N, Ahmad MS, Mahmood RT, Tariq M, Asad MJ, Irum S, Andleeb A, Riaz A, Ahmed D. Purification and characterization of novel isoforms of the polyphenol oxidase from Malus domestica fruit pulp. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0276041. [PMID: 37624797 PMCID: PMC10456193 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs), belong to the group of oxidoreductases that are copper containing enzymes and are responsible for plant browning. PPOs are extensively distributed in plant kingdom and can oxidize wide range of aromatic compounds of industrial importance. The aim of this study was purification and characterization of PPO isoforms from the fruit pulp of Golden delicious apple. High performance liquid chromatography was used to purify the two novel isoforms of PPO and further their molecular weights (45 and 28 kDa) were determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified isoforms have optimum pH (6.5), optimum temperature (40°C), the Vmax (4.45 μM/min) and Km (74.21 mM) with catechol substrate. The N-terminal microsequences of both PPO isoforms were determined using a pulse liquid protein sequencer and found to be AKITFHG (28 kDa) and APGGG (45 kDa). Polyphenol oxidases are efficiently used in the pharmaceutical, paper and pulp, textiles and food industries. Recently, the PPOs have been used for bioremediation and in the development of biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naila Sajjad
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UIBB) & National Center of Industrial Biotechnology (NCffigIB) Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - M. Sheeraz Ahmad
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UIBB) & National Center of Industrial Biotechnology (NCffigIB) Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Raja Tahir Mahmood
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Javaid Asad
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UIBB) & National Center of Industrial Biotechnology (NCffigIB) Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Shamaila Irum
- Department of Zoology, University of Gujrat, Gujrat, Pakistan
| | - Anisa Andleeb
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur AJK, Pakistan
| | - Abid Riaz
- Department of Plant Pathology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Dawood Ahmed
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University of Haripur, Haripur, KP, Pakistan
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Ahmad I, Lokau J, Kespohl B, Malik NA, Baig SM, Hartig R, Behme D, Schwab R, Altmüller J, Jameel M, Mucha S, Thiele H, Tariq M, Nürnberg P, Erdmann J, Garbers C. The interleukin-11 receptor variant p.W307R results in craniosynostosis in humans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13479. [PMID: 37596289 PMCID: PMC10439179 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39466-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Craniosynostosis is characterized by the premature fusion and ossification of one or more of the sutures of the calvaria, often resulting in abnormal features of the face and the skull. In cases in which growth of the brain supersedes available space within the skull, developmental delay or cognitive impairment can occur. A complex interplay of different cell types and multiple signaling pathways are required for correct craniofacial development. In this study, we report on two siblings with craniosynostosis and a homozygous missense pathogenic variant within the IL11RA gene (c.919 T > C; p.W307R). The patients present with craniosynostosis, exophthalmos, delayed tooth eruption, mild platybasia, and a basilar invagination. The p.W307R variant is located within the arginine-tryptophan-zipper within the D3 domain of the IL-11R, a structural element known to be important for the stability of the cytokine receptor. Expression of IL-11R-W307R in cells shows impaired maturation of the IL-11R, no transport to the cell surface and intracellular retention. Accordingly, cells stably expressing IL-11R-W307R do not respond when stimulated with IL-11, arguing for a loss-of-function mutation. In summary, the IL-11R-W307R variant, reported here for the first time to our knowledge, is most likely the causative variant underlying craniosynostosis in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilyas Ahmad
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, and University Heart Center, University of Lübeck, Building 67, BMF, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
- DZHK (German Research Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Juliane Lokau
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Birte Kespohl
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Naveed Altaf Malik
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mahmood Baig
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Roland Hartig
- Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology and Service Unit Multiparametric Bioimaging and Cytometry, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Behme
- University Clinic for Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Roland Schwab
- University Clinic for Neuroradiology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Core Facility Genomics, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association (MDC), Berlin, Germany
| | - Muhammad Jameel
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Aga Khan University, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Sören Mucha
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, and University Heart Center, University of Lübeck, Building 67, BMF, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- Institute of Epidemiology, Kiel University, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Holger Thiele
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG) and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jeanette Erdmann
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, and University Heart Center, University of Lübeck, Building 67, BMF, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
- DZHK (German Research Center for Cardiovascular Research), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Christoph Garbers
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Health Campus Immunology, Infectiology and Inflammation (GC:I3), Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Center for Health and Medical Prevention (ChaMP), Otto-Von-Guericke-University, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Institute of Clinical Biochemistry, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
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Baloch SS, Khan SR, Tariq M, Wasio A, Ali AA, Shahzadi M, Moosajee M, Anwar S, Raza A, Uddin S. Multiple myeloma and its rare paraneoplastic manifestations simmering under the surface. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154689. [PMID: 37478520 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Paraneoplastic syndromes are complex clinical manifestations that occur because of the underlying malignancy in which the malignant cells produce hormones, cytokines, peptides or antibodies that causes symptoms and may affect multiple organ systems. These paraneoplastic conditions may be associated with different solid and hematological malignancies. Multiple Myeloma (MM) accounts for 10-15 % of hematological malignancies and 1-2 % of all malignancies. It is associated with some atypical clinical and laboratory paraneoplastic manifestations. Although there is a low incidence of these paraneoplastic, significant knowledge of these manifestations may assist in making a differential diagnosis in cases of doubt. The clinical presentation may vary and be evident even before or after the diagnosis of malignancy. These include vascular, neurological, dermatological, physiological, and other atypical conditions. Furthermore, these rare paraneoplastic manifestations need more valid, relevant scientific information, as most information about these conditions is derived from case reports. After the literature search, we have reported the paraneoplastic manifestations associated with multiple myeloma, published in the English literature, and the cognate management in this review article. To our knowledge, this is the first review article discussing various paraneoplastic manifestations of multiple myeloma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saqib Raza Khan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Medical Oncology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wasio
- Department of Medicine, Carney Hospital, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ayesha Arshad Ali
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Shahzadi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Munira Moosajee
- Department of Medical Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Shaheena Anwar
- Department of Biosciences, Salim Habib University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Afsheen Raza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, the United Arab Emirates
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, the State of Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, the State of Qatar.
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Tariq M, Utkarsh, Syed NA, Behravesh AH, Pop-Iliev R, Rizvi G. Optimization of Filler Compositions of Electrically Conductive Polypropylene Composites for the Manufacturing of Bipolar Plates. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3076. [PMID: 37514466 PMCID: PMC10383071 DOI: 10.3390/polym15143076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In this research, polypropylene (PP)-graphite composites were prepared using the melt mixing technique in a twin-screw extruder. Graphite, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), carbon black (CB), and expanded graphite (EG) were added to the PP in binary, ternary, and quaternary formations. The graphite was used as a primary filler, and MWCNT, CB, and EG were added to the PP-graphite composites as secondary fillers at different compositions. The secondary filler compositions were considered the control input factors of the optimization study. A full factorial design of the L-27 Orthogonal Array (OA) was used as a Design of Experiment (DOE). The through-plane electrical conductivity and flexural strength were considered the output responses. The experimental data were interpreted via Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the significance of each secondary filler. Furthermore, statistical modeling was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) to predict the properties of the composites as a function of filler composition. The empirical model for the filler formulation demonstrated an average accuracy of 83.9% and 93.4% for predicting the values of electrical conductivity and flexural strength, respectively. This comprehensive experimental study offers potential guidelines for producing electrically conductive thermoplastic composites for the manufacturing of bipolar fuel cell plates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Utkarsh
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Nabeel Ahmed Syed
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Amir Hossein Behravesh
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Remon Pop-Iliev
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
| | - Ghaus Rizvi
- Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 0C5, Canada
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Alam KM, Xuemei L, Baig S, Muhammad F, Sun J, Tariq M. Impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor on the China-Europe and China-Middle East trading route selection. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288328. [PMID: 37440552 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This research examines the potential impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the selection of trading routes between China, the Middle East, and Europe, with a specific focus on the transportation of a 40-foot standard container carrying general commodities. The study compares traditional routes with the new CPEC routes in terms of time, distance, and cost. The findings indicate that the new CPEC routes offer reduced travel time and distance when compared to the traditional routes across all provinces involved. The research reveals that the cost of road transportation along the new CPEC route is lower for Xinjiang province, but higher for the other provinces. By utilizing the new CPEC routes, the time required for goods to travel from China to the Middle East and Europe will be reduced by 10 to 20 days. Furthermore, the distance covered in this trade route will be shortened by 3,000 to 10,000 kilometres. Specifically, the province of Xinjiang in western China stands to benefit significantly from the new CPEC routes, saving approximately $2,000 on trade with the Middle East and Europe. These findings highlight the potential advantages and economic benefits that can be realized by leveraging the CPEC for trade between China, the Middle East, and Europe, particularly in terms of reduced transportation time and distance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Mehmood Alam
- China Study Centre, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, 15100, Pakistan
| | - Li Xuemei
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Saranjam Baig
- College of Economics and Political Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Faqeer Muhammad
- China Study Centre, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, 15100, Pakistan
| | - Jingxiao Sun
- School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Jiangning District, Nanjing, 211189, China
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Javed R, Ijaz S, Hameed H, Nazish M, Sharif MS, Afreen A, Alarjani KM, Elshikh MS, Mehboob S, Abdul Razak S, Waheed A, Ahmed R, Tariq M. Phytochemical-Mediated Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Strobilanthes glutinosus: Exploring Biological Applications. Micromachines 2023; 14:1372. [PMID: 37512683 PMCID: PMC10386440 DOI: 10.3390/mi14071372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The application of green synthesis for silver nanoparticles in nanomedicine has experienced significant growth. Strobilanthes glutinosus, a plant primarily located in the Himalayas, remains largely unexplored. Considering the biomedical value of S. glutinosus, phytochemicals from this plant were used for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized from aqueous extract of root and leaves of Strobilanthes glutinosus. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of plants were determined and compared with nanoparticles. The biomedical efficacy of plant extracts and silver nanoparticles was assessed using antioxidant and antibacterial assays. The UV-Vis spectra of leaf- and root-extract-mediated AgNPs showed characteristic peaks at 428 nm and 429 nm, respectively. TEM images revealed the polycrystalline and spherical shapes of leaf- and root-extract-mediated AgNPs with size ranges of 15-60 nm and 20-52 nm, respectively. FTIR findings shown the involvement of phytochemicals of root and leaf extracts in the reduction of silver ions into silver nanoparticles. The crystalline face-centered cubic structure of nanoparticles is depicted by the XRD spectra of leaf and root AgNPs. The plant has an ample amount of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), which enhance the scavenging activity of plant samples and their respective AgNPs. Leaf and root AgNPs have also shown good antibacterial activity, which may enhance the medicinal value of AgNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabia Javed
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Shumaila Ijaz
- Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Hajra Hameed
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Moona Nazish
- Department of Botany, Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shakeeb Sharif
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Afreen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Khaloud Mohammed Alarjani
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saadia Mehboob
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Sarah Abdul Razak
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Rashid Ahmed
- Nick Holonyak Jr. Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
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Tariq M, Xu Y. Correction to: Heterogeneous effect of GHG emissions and fossil energy on well‑being and income in emerging economies: a critical appraisal of the role of environmental stringency and green energy. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:81316. [PMID: 37332033 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28296-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq
- School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Jingguan Building, Dongnandaxue Road 2, Jiangning District, Nanjing, 211189, China
| | - Yingzhi Xu
- School of Economics and Management, Southeast University, Jingguan Building, Dongnandaxue Road 2, Jiangning District, Nanjing, 211189, China.
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Yousaf H, Rehmat S, Jameel M, Ibrahim R, Hashmi SN, Makhdoom EUH, Iwaszkiewicz J, Saadi SM, Tariq M, Baig SM, Toft M, Fatima A, Iqbal Z. A homozygous founder variant in PDE2A causes paroxysmal dyskinesia with intellectual disability. Clin Genet 2023. [PMID: 37317634 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Intellectual developmental disorder with paroxysmal dyskinesia or seizures (IDDPADS, OMIM#619150) is an ultra-rare childhood-onset autosomal recessive movement disorder manifesting paroxysmal dyskinesia, global developmental delay, impaired cognition, progressive psychomotor deterioration and/or drug-refractory seizures. We investigated three consanguineous Pakistani families with six affected individuals presenting overlapping phenotypes partially consistent with the reported characteristics of IDDPADS. Whole exome sequencing identified a novel missense variant in Phosphodiesterase 2A (PDE2A): NM_002599.4: c.1514T > C p.(Phe505Ser) that segregated with the disease status of individuals in these families. Retrospectively, we performed haplotype analysis that revealed a 3.16 Mb shared haplotype at 11q13.4 among three families suggesting a founder effect in this region. Moreover, we also observed abnormal mitochondrial morphology in patient fibroblasts compared to controls. Belonging to diverse age groups (13 years-60 years), patients presented paroxysmal dyskinesia, developmental delay, cognitive abnormalities, speech impairment, and drug-refractory seizures with variable onset of disease (as early as 3 months of age to 7 years). Together with the previous reports, we observed that intellectual disability, progressive psychomotor deterioration, and drug-refractory seizures are consistent outcomes of the disease. However, permanent choreodystonia showed variability. We also noticed that the later onset of paroxysmal dyskinesia manifests severe attacks in terms of duration. Being the first report from Pakistan, we add to the clinical and mutation spectrum of PDE2A-related recessive disease raising the total number of patients from six to 12 and variants from five to six. Together, with our findings, the role of PDE2A is strengthened in critical physio-neurological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hammad Yousaf
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Shagufta Rehmat
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM), The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Jameel
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research (CRM), The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rabab Ibrahim
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sohana Nadeem Hashmi
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Ehtisham Ul Haq Makhdoom
- Neurochemicalbiology and Genetics Laboratory (NGL), Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Justyna Iwaszkiewicz
- Molecular Modeling Group, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Saadia Maryam Saadi
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahid M Baig
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mathias Toft
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ambrin Fatima
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zafar Iqbal
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Parveen A, Tariq M, Khan SA, Kakar N, Arif A, Wasif N. A novel frameshift variant in UBA2 causing split-hand/foot malformations in a Pakistani family. Hum Genome Var 2023; 10:16. [PMID: 37221169 PMCID: PMC10206101 DOI: 10.1038/s41439-023-00242-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) shows diverse heterogeneity and manifests with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity. This study investigated the underlying genetic cause of a family segregating SHFM. Exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing identified a novel single nucleotide heterozygous variant (NC_000019.9 (NM_005499.3):c.1118del) in UBA2 cosegregating in the family in an autosomal dominant manner. Our findings conclude that reduced penetrance and variable expressivity are the two remarkable and unusual features of SHFM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asia Parveen
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab (UCP), Lahore, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry Faculty of Life Sciences, Gulab Devi Educational Complex, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, University College of Duba, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sher Alam Khan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST), Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Naseebullah Kakar
- Department of Biotechnology, BUITEMS, Quetta, Pakistan
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Amina Arif
- Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Central Punjab (UCP), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Naveed Wasif
- Institute of Human Genetics, Ulm University and Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany.
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
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Parveen S, Khan A, Jahan N, Aaliya K, Muzaffar A, Tabassum B, Inayatullah S, Moeezullah S, Tariq M, Rehmat Z, Ali N, Hussain A. Expression of Chitinase and shRNA Gene Exhibits Resistance to Fungi and Virus. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14051090. [PMID: 37239450 DOI: 10.3390/genes14051090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increasing global population, saving crops from diseases caused by different kinds of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes is essential. Potato is affected by various diseases, destroying many crops in the field and storage. In this study, we developed potato lines resistant to fungi and viruses, Potato Virus X (PVX) and Potato Virus Y (PVY), by inoculating chitinase for fungi and shRNA designed against the mRNA of the coat protein of PVX and PVY, respectively. The construct was developed using the pCAMBIA2301 vector and transformed into AGB-R (red skin) potato cultivar using Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The crude protein extract of the transgenic potato plant inhibited the growth of Fusarium oxysporum from ~13 to 63%. The detached leaf assay of the transgenic line (SP-21) showed decreased necrotic spots compared to the non-transgenic control when challenged with Fusarium oxysporum. The transgenic line, SP-21, showed maximum knockdown when challenged with PVX and PVY, i.e., 89 and 86%, while transgenic line SP-148 showed 68 and 70% knockdown in the PVX- and PVY-challenged conditions, respectively. It is concluded from this study that the developed transgenic potato cultivar AGB-R showed resistance against fungi and viruses (PVX and PVY).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Parveen
- Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Anwar Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Nusrat Jahan
- Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Khadija Aaliya
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Muzaffar
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Bushra Tabassum
- School of Biological Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Syed Inayatullah
- Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Syed Moeezullah
- Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
| | - Zainia Rehmat
- Department of Biotechnology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University Balochistan, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
| | - Niaz Ali
- Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra 21300, Pakistan
| | - Abrar Hussain
- Department of Biotechnology, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta 87300, Pakistan
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Hameed H, Waheed A, Sharif MS, Saleem M, Afreen A, Tariq M, Kamal A, Al-Onazi WA, Al Farraj DA, Ahmad S, Mahmoud RM. Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles from Green Algae and Their Assessment in Various Biological Applications. Micromachines (Basel) 2023; 14:mi14050928. [PMID: 37241552 DOI: 10.3390/mi14050928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The biosynthesis of algal-based zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles has shown several advantages over traditional physico-chemical methods, such as lower cost, less toxicity, and greater sustainability. In the current study, bioactive molecules present in Spirogyra hyalina extract were exploited for the biofabrication and capping of ZnO NPs, using zinc acetate dihydrate and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as precursors. The newly biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized for structural and optical changes through UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A color change in the reaction mixture from light yellow to white indicated the successful biofabrication of ZnO NPs. The UV-Vis absorption spectrum peaks at 358 nm (from zinc acetate) and 363 nm (from zinc nitrate) of ZnO NPs confirmed that optical changes were caused by a blue shift near the band edges. The extremely crystalline and hexagonal Wurtzite structure of ZnO NPs was confirmed by XRD. The involvement of bioactive metabolites from algae in the bioreduction and capping of NPs was demonstrated by FTIR investigation. The SEM results revealed spherical-shaped ZnO NPs. In addition to this, the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the ZnO NPs was investigated. ZnO NPs showed remarkable antibacterial efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The DPPH test revealed the strong antioxidant activity of ZnO NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajra Hameed
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City 10250, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Muhammad Shakeeb Sharif
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City 10250, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City 10250, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Afreen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City 10250, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, New Mirpur City 10250, Pakistan
| | - Asif Kamal
- Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Wedad A Al-Onazi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dunia A Al Farraj
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shabir Ahmad
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rania M Mahmoud
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Fayoum, Fayoum 63514, Egypt
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Ullah W, Ilyas M, Tariq M, Imdad M, Ullah I, Efthymiou S, Faheem M, Abbas M, Aamir M, Nouman M, Houlden H. Exome sequencing identifies a novel pathogenic variant in RAB3GAP1 causing Warburg Micro syndrome in a Pakistani family. Int J Dev Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37186309 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Warburg Micro (WARBM) syndrome is a rare heterogeneous recessive genetic disorder characterized by ocular, neurological, and endocrine problems. To date, disease-causing variants in four genes have been identified to cause this syndrome; of these, RAB3GAP1 variants are the most frequent. Very little is known about WARBM syndrome in rural populations. OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the genetics underpinnings of WARBM syndrome in a Pashtun family with two patients from Pakistan. The patients presented with spastic diplegia, severe intellectual disability, microphthalmia, microcornea, congenital cataracts, optic atrophy, and hypogonadism. METHODS Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis revealed pronounced cerebral atrophy including corpus callosum hypoplasia and polymicrogyria. Exome sequencing and subsequent filtering identified a novel homozygous missense variant NM_001172435: c.2891A>G, p.Gln964Arg in the RAB3GAP1 gene. The variant was validated, and its segregation confirmed, by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Multiple prediction tools assess this variant to be damaging, and structural analysis of the protein shows that the mutant amino acid residue affects polar contact with the neighboring atoms. It is extremely rare and is absent in all the public databases. Taken together, these observations suggest that this variant underlies Micro syndrome in our family and is extremely important for management and family planning. CONCLUSIONS Identification of this extremely rare variant extends the mutations spectrum of Micro syndrome. Screening more families, especially in underrepresented populations, will help unveil the mutation spectrum underlying this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wahid Ullah
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ilyas
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Swat, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Maria Imdad
- Centre for Human Genetics, Hazara University, Mansehra, Pakistan
| | - Ikram Ullah
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammad Faheem
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Abbas
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Aamir
- Centre for Omic Sciences, Islamia College University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | | | - Henry Houlden
- Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
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Sultan AS, Ali R, Zahid N, Akbar R, Ali M, Fatima S, Ghias K, Martins R, Tariq M, Ajani K. Experiences of Undergraduate Medical, Nursing Students and Faculty regarding Flipped Classroom: A Mixed Method Study at Private Medical University in Pakistan. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070276. [PMID: 37076143 PMCID: PMC10124245 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The 'flipped classroom (FCR)' is a teaching pedagogy where students are actively involved in the learning process. It reduces passivity, enables students to become active learners through reasoning and concept application and facilitates student interaction with their peers and instructors. This instructional approach enhances retention and decreases distraction by engaging students. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to train the faculty of the medical college and school of nursing in developing FCRs as an innovative teaching and learning strategy, to facilitate them in conducting flipped sessions for their students and to explore the experiences of medical, nursing students along with faculty members regarding the FCR they had attended and conducted. SETTING Private medical college. PARTICIPANTS A total of 442 students from medical college and school of nursing and midwifery participated in the evaluation survey with a female to male ratio of 339:103. Students who attended the flipped class sessions were included in the study sample. Students who did not complete the forms were excluded from the study. Nine faculty members who attended the workshop, agreed to facilitate the FCR session were invited to participate in the focus group discussion. RESULTS Both medical and nursing students found FCR format stimulating. A significantly higher proportion of medical students (73%) found the FCR more engaging and interesting than a traditional lecture as compared with nursing students (59%) (p=0.009). Similarly, 73% of medical students believed the learning objectives of both the non-face-to-face and face-to-face sessions were shared with them as compared with the 62% of nursing students who believed the same (p=0.002). A significantly higher proportion of medical (76%) versus nursing (61%) students found the FCR format more useful for application of their theoretical knowledge into clinical practice (p=0.030). CONCLUSION Students found the FCR more engaging and interesting in terms of applying theoretical knowledge into practice. Similarly, faculty found this strategy as effective but challenging in terms of involving and engaging students in the learning process. It is recommended to conduct more FCR sessions for an interactive and student-centred learning, but proper planning of the session and using variety of technological tools to engage learners is a key to success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Shamim Sultan
- Department for Educational Development & Surgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rahila Ali
- Department for Educational Development, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Nida Zahid
- Department of Surgery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Rozmeen Akbar
- Department of Biological and Biomedical science, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mehdia Ali
- Research Department, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Fatima
- Department of Biological and Biomedical science, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Kulsoom Ghias
- Department of Biological and Biomedical science, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Russell Martins
- Research Department, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Khairulnissa Ajani
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
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Sharif MS, Hameed H, Waheed A, Tariq M, Afreen A, Kamal A, Mahmoud EA, Elansary HO, Saqib S, Zaman W. Biofabrication of Fe 3O 4 Nanoparticles from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa and Their Antibacterial Applications. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28083403. [PMID: 37110639 PMCID: PMC10144552 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28083403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted substantial interest due to their superparamagnetic features, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. The latest progress in the biological production of Fe3O4 NPs by green methods has improved their quality and biological applications significantly. In this study, the fabrication of iron oxide NPs from Spirogyra hyalina and Ajuga bracteosa was conducted via an easy, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective process. The fabricated Fe3O4 NPs were characterized using various analytical methods to study their unique properties. UV-Vis absorption peaks were observed in algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs at 289 nm and 306 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyzed diverse bioactive phytochemicals present in algal and plant extracts that functioned as stabilizing and capping agents in the fabrication of algal and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs. X-ray diffraction of NPs revealed the crystalline nature of both biofabricated Fe3O4 NPs and their small size. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that algae and plant-based Fe3O4 NPs are spherical and rod-shaped, averaging 52 nm and 75 nm in size. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed that the green-synthesized Fe3O4 NPs require a high mass percentage of iron and oxygen to ensure their synthesis. The fabricated plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited stronger antioxidant properties than algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. The algal-based NPs showed efficient antibacterial potential against E. coli, while the plant-based Fe3O4 NPs displayed a higher zone of inhibition against S. aureus. Moreover, plant-based Fe3O4 NPs exhibited superior scavenging and antibacterial potential compared to the algal-based Fe3O4 NPs. This might be due to the greater number of phytochemicals in plants that surround the NPs during their green fabrication. Hence, the capping of bioactive agents over iron oxide NPs improves antibacterial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shakeeb Sharif
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Hajra Hameed
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Waheed
- Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Afshan Afreen
- Department of Biotechnology, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Mirpur 10250, Pakistan
| | - Asif Kamal
- Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Eman A Mahmoud
- Department of Food Industries, Faculty of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta 34511, Egypt
| | - Hosam O Elansary
- Department of Plant Production, College of Food & Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saddam Saqib
- State Key Laboratory of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wajid Zaman
- Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
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Valkovskaya M, Hassan A, Zartaloudi E, Hussain F, Umar M, Khizar B, Khattak I, Gill SA, Khan SUDA, Dogar IA, Mustafa AB, Ansari MA, Qalb I Hyder S, Ali M, Ilyas N, Channar P, Mughal N, Channa S, Mufti K, Mufti AA, Hussain MI, Shafiq S, Tariq M, Khan MK, Chaudhry ST, Choudhary AR, Ali MN, Ali G, Hussain A, Rehman M, Ahmad N, Farooq S, Naeem F, Nasr T, Lewis G, Knowles JA, Ayub M, Kuchenbaecker K. Study protocol of DIVERGE, the first genetic epidemiological study of major depressive disorder in Pakistan. Psychiatr Genet 2023; 33:69-78. [PMID: 36538573 PMCID: PMC9997631 DOI: 10.1097/ypg.0000000000000333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Globally, 80% of the burdenof major depressive disorder (MDD) pertains to low- and middle-income countries. Research into genetic and environmental risk factors has the potential to uncover disease mechanisms that may contribute to better diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, yet has so far been largely limited to participants with European ancestry from high-income countries. The DIVERGE study was established to help overcome this gap and investigate genetic and environmental risk factors for MDD in Pakistan. METHODS DIVERGE aims to enrol 9000 cases and 4000 controls in hospitals across the country. Here, we provide the rationale for DIVERGE, describe the study protocol and characterise the sample using data from the first 500 cases. Exploratory data analysis is performed to describe demographics, socioeconomic status, environmental risk factors, family history of mental illness and psychopathology. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Many participants had severe depression with 74% of patients who experienced multiple depressive episodes. It was a common practice to seek help for mental health struggles from faith healers and religious leaders. Socioeconomic variables reflected the local context with a large proportion of women not having access to any education and the majority of participants reporting no savings. CONCLUSION DIVERGE is a carefully designed case-control study of MDD in Pakistan that captures diverse risk factors. As the largest genetic study in Pakistan, DIVERGE helps address the severe underrepresentation of people from South Asian countries in genetic as well as psychiatric research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arsalan Hassan
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Eirini Zartaloudi
- Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Fahad Hussain
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Muhammad Umar
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Bakht Khizar
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | | | | | | | | | - Ali Burhan Mustafa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan
| | - Moin Ahmed Ansari
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Syed Qalb I Hyder
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Nilofar Ilyas
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Parveen Channar
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Nazish Mughal
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | - Sumera Channa
- Sir Cowasjee Jehangir Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Sciences, Hyderabad
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gohar Ali
- Department of Psychiatry, Saidu Teaching Hospital
| | | | | | - Noman Ahmad
- Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saeed Farooq
- School of Medicine, Keele University, Keele
- Innovation Department, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Staffotdshire, UK
| | - Farooq Naeem
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
- Center for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tanveer Nasr
- Lahore Institute of Research and Development, Lahore
| | - Glyn Lewis
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - James A. Knowles
- Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey (HGINJ), Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Muhammad Ayub
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karoline Kuchenbaecker
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- UCL Genetics Institute, University College London, London, UK
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40
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Ulhuq FR, Barge M, Falconer K, Wild J, Fernandes G, Gallagher A, McGinley S, Sugadol A, Tariq M, Maloney D, Kenicer J, Dewar R, Templeton K, McHugh MP. Analysis of the ARTIC V4 and V4.1 SARS-CoV-2 primers and their impact on the detection of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 lineage-defining mutations. Microb Genom 2023; 9:mgen000991. [PMID: 37083576 PMCID: PMC10210939 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The ARTIC protocol uses a multiplexed PCR approach with two primer pools tiling the entire SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) genome. Primer pool updates are necessary for accurate amplicon sequencing of evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants with novel mutations. The suitability of the ARTIC V4 and updated V4.1 primer scheme was assessed using whole genome sequencing of Omicron from clinical samples using Oxford Nanopore Technology. Analysis of Omicron BA.1 genomes revealed that 93.22 % of clinical samples generated improved genome coverage at 50× read depth with V4.1 primers when compared to V4 primers. Additionally, the V4.1 primers improved coverage of BA.1 across amplicons 76 and 88, which resulted in the detection of the variant-defining mutations G22898A, A26530G and C26577G. The Omicron BA.2 sub-variant (VUI-22JAN-01) replaced BA.1 as the dominant variant by March 2022, and analysis of 168 clinical samples showed reduced coverage across amplicons 15 and 75. Upon further interrogation of primer binding sites, a mutation at C4321T [present in 163/168 (97 %) of samples] was identified as a possible cause of complete dropout of amplicon 15. Furthermore, two mutations were identified within the primer binding regions for amplicon 75: A22786C (present in 90 % of samples) and C22792T (present in 12.5 % of samples). Together, these mutations may result in reduced coverage of amplicon 75, and further primer updates would allow the identification of the two BA.2-defining mutations present in amplicon 75: A22688G and T22679C. This work highlights the need for ongoing surveillance of primer matches as circulating variants evolve and change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima R. Ulhuq
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Madhuri Barge
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Kerry Falconer
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Jonathan Wild
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Goncalo Fernandes
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Abbie Gallagher
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Suzie McGinley
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Ahmad Sugadol
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Daniel Maloney
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JR, UK
| | - Juliet Kenicer
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Rebecca Dewar
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Kate Templeton
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Martin P. McHugh
- Viral Genotyping Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, EH16 4SA, UK
- School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 9TF, UK
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Mooneyhan E, Qureshi H, Mahmood H, Tariq M, Maqbool NA, Anwar M, Aslam M, Azam F, Blach S, Khan AG, Hamid S, Hussain T, Akhter MK, Khan A, Khan U, Khowaja S, Mahmood K, Mazhar S, Nawaz A, Rose A, Ghorezai GSA, Shah S, Sarwar SZ, Razavi H. Hepatitis C prevalence and elimination planning in Pakistan, a bottom-up approach accounting for provincial variation. J Viral Hepat 2023; 30:345-354. [PMID: 36650932 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In Pakistan, substantial changes to hepatitis C virus (HCV) programming and treatment have occurred since the 2008 nationwide serosurvey estimated a 4.8% anti-HCV prevalence. In the absence of an updated national study, this analysis uses provincial data to estimate a national prevalence and the interventions needed to achieve elimination. Using a Delphi process, epidemiologic HCV data for the four provinces of Pakistan (accounting for 97% of the population) were reviewed with 21 subject-matter experts in Pakistan. Province-level estimates were inputted into a mathematical model to estimate the national HCV disease burden in the absence of intervention (Base), and if the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination targets are achieved by 2030 (80% reduction in new infections, 90% diagnosis coverage, 80% treatment coverage, and 65% reduction in mortality: WHO Elimination). An estimated 9,746,000 (7,573,000-10,006,000) Pakistanis were living with viraemic HCV as of January 1, 2021; a viraemic prevalence of 4.3% (3.3-4.4). WHO Elimination would require an annual average of 18.8 million screens, 1.1 million treatments, and 46,700 new infections prevented anually between 2022 and 2030. Elimination would reduce total infections by 7,045,000, save 152,000 lives and prevent 104,000 incident cases of hepatocellular carcinoma from 2015 to 2030. Blood surveys, programmatic data, and expert panel input uncovered more HCV infections and lower treatment numbers in the provinces than estimated using national extrapolations, demonstrating the benefits of a bottom-up approach. Screening and treatment must increase 20 times and 5 times, respectively, to curb the HCV epidemic in Pakistan and achieve elimination by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Mooneyhan
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDAF), Lafayette, Colorado, USA
| | - Huma Qureshi
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hassan Mahmood
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | | | - Farooq Azam
- Chemonics International, Lahore, Pakistan.,United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Sarah Blach
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDAF), Lafayette, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Saeed Hamid
- Aga Khan University and Hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | - Uzma Khan
- Interactive Research and Development (IRD) Pakistan, Karachi, Pakistan.,IRD Global, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Saira Khowaja
- Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Samra Mazhar
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Ayub Rose
- Chemonics International, Lahore, Pakistan.,United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Sabeen Shah
- Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Homie Razavi
- Center for Disease Analysis Foundation (CDAF), Lafayette, Colorado, USA
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Tariq M, Hussain N, Rehman K, Akash MSH, Al Haddad AHI, Said ASA, Fatease AA, Alamri A, Safhi AY, Sabei FY, Awadh AAA, Hussain M. Macrophages M2 polarization is involved in lapatinib-mediated chemopreventive effects in the lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 161:114527. [PMID: 36931028 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
M2 polarized tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have a multifunctional role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and contribute to chemotherapeutic resistance. Therefore, identifying M2 polarized TAMs is a potential target for cancer therapeutic intervention. The underlying mechanism that target the TAMs M2 polarized macrophages remains primarily uncharacterized; however, only a few compounds have been identified that inhibit TAMs M2 polarized macrophages. In this research, we investigated that lapatinib could effectively suppress the expression of IL_13-induced M2 polarized macrophages surface markers i.e., CD163 and CD206, and downregulation of M2 genes such as Fizz1, Mrc1, Arg1, IL-10, Ym1, nd CCL2 in vitro. Moreover, lapatinib abrogated the M2 polarized macrophage-mediated cancer cells invasion and migration. Mechanistically, in our study, lapatinib inhibited IL-13 triggered STAT6 phosphorylation. Furthermore, in LLCs tumor model, lapatinib significantly reduced tumorigenesis, followed by the downregulation of percentages of M2 marker CD206+ and CD68+ in the tumor. This downregulation correlates with chemopreventive effect of lapatinib. All taken together, these results demonstrated that lapatinib effectively prevents the macrophage M2 polarization and indicates a potential mechanism for preventing the tumor growth via M2 polarized polarization intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Pharmacology, Lahore Pharmacy College Lahore, Pakistan; College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Nadia Hussain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Al Ain 64141, United Arab Emirates
| | - Kanwal Rehman
- Department of Pharmacy, The Women University, Multan, Pakistan
| | | | - Amal H I Al Haddad
- Chief Operations Office, Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC), Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amira S A Said
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Adel Al Fatease
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Alamri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awaji Y Safhi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Y Sabei
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Abdullah Al Awadh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, 1988, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia
| | - Musaddique Hussain
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur 63100, Pakistan.
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Ullah K, Abbas S, Tariq M, Mahmood N, Kaechele H. The symmetric and asymmetric impacts of green energy, eco-innovation, and urbanization in explaining low-carbon economy for Pakistan. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2023; 30:33375-33395. [PMID: 36478536 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, global economic development patterns have considerably affected the natural environment, and economies have endured a plethora of environmental concerns as a result of the negative effects of climate change. Among them, Pakistan is the fifth most vulnerable country, and climate change has harmfully affected the ecological and socio-economic conditions of the country. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the role of green energy consumption, eco-innovation, and urbanization while explaining the dream of low-carbon economy and environmental sustainability in the context of Pakistan using annual time series dataset spanning from 1990 to 2020. The short-run and long-run associations among explained and explanatory variables were investigated using the symmetric, asymmetric, and quantile autoregressive distributed lag models. The findings of the study demonstrated that low-carbon economy, green energy consumption, ecological innovation, urbanization, GDP per capita, and labor force are cointegrated for the long-term association in symmetric, asymmetric, and quantile autoregressive distributed lag models. Furthermore, green energy consumption and effective eco-innovation are the most important paths to ensure environmental sustainability, while urbanization, GDP per capita, and labor force contribute negatively to the low-carbon economy. The findings of the study provide a policy framework for the development of a comprehensive strategy to promote environmental sustainability in Pakistan by emphasizing green energy consumption, ecological innovation, and controlled urbanization, as well as the incorporation of environment friendly policies into economic development policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kifayat Ullah
- Department of Economics, Karakoram International University, Gilgit, Pakistan.
- Gongqing Institute of Science and Technology, Gongqing, Jiangxi Province, China.
| | - Shah Abbas
- Gongqing Institute of Science and Technology, Gongqing, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- School of Economics and Management, Southeast University Jiangning District, Nanjing, China
| | - Nasir Mahmood
- Department of Economics & Agricultural Economics, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Harald Kaechele
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schickler Str.5, 16225, Eberswalde, Germany
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Ali G, Kamran MA, Amir M, Mumtaz B, Khan I, Tariq M. Frequency of Hyperuricemia in Type-2 Diabetes Mellites and its Relation with Diabetic Nephropathy. PAFMJ 2023. [DOI: 10.51253/pafmj.v73i1.3916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the frequency of Hyperuricemia in patients with type-2 Diabetes Mellitus and to compare frequency of Diabetic Nephropathy in Hypouricemic vs Normouricemic patients with type-2 Diabetes.
Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.
Duration and Place of Study: Medicine Department Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, from Dec 2018 to May 2019.
Methodology: Patients from both genders with type 2 Diabetes having glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥6.5%, Fasting Blood glucose ≥ to 7.0 mmol/L or random blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L were recruited from out Patient department.Participants were tested for serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and Spot Urine Albumin Creatinine Ratio after 8 hours fasting.
Results: Out of 111 patients enrolled Hyperuricemia was present in 40 (36.04%) patients of which 21 (52.50%) were male and 19 (47.50%) were female. Diabetic Nephropathy was present in 43(38.74%). Out of 43 patients having diabetic nephropathy, 25 (58.14%) were having hyperuricemia. The study observed a linear relationship between serum uric acid and type-2 diabetes duration, fasting blood glucose levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and urinary Albumin creatinine ratio.
Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is positively linked with diabetic complications in majority of patients with type-2 diabetes. Serum uric acid levels can be used as an early diagnostic parameter and can prognosticate diabetic nephropathy.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic nephropathy, Hyperuricemia, Microalbuminuria
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Noor Ul Ayan H, Ali PS, Korejo AA, Thiele H, Nürnberg P, Tariq M, Jamal SZ, Erdmann J, Ahmad I. Homozygous frameshift variant in desmoglein 2 gene causes biventricular arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Clin Genet 2023. [PMID: 36843528 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy caused by a homozygous frameshift variant (c.2358delA) in DSG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiza Noor Ul Ayan
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, and University Heart Center Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Pir Sheeraz Ali
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Holger Thiele
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIBGE-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Jeanette Erdmann
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, and University Heart Center Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ilyas Ahmad
- Institute for Cardiogenetics, University of Lübeck, DZHK (German Research Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, and University Heart Center Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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46
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Amin N, Tariq M, Arshad M, Cheema MA. Frequency of visual impairment in autistic children of autism school of Lahore, Pakistan. British Journal of Visual Impairment 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/02646196221145367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a condition in which abnormal development of the brain takes place, manifesting in the first 3 years of life. Visual impairment is one of the major factors of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and measurement of visual impairment is necessary for proper management of the disorder. The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of visual impairment associated with ASD in Lahore Pakistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. A convenient and purposive sample of 127 students enrolled in various autism schools of Lahore was enrolled. Written informed consent of teacher’s autistic children was taken. Children having diseases like cerebral palsy, other developmental disorders, and/or serious cognitive disability were excluded from this study. Participant’s undergone ocular assessment including visual acuity, ocular motility examination, refraction, and fundoscopy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-20 and Pearson’s chi-square analysis was conducted to determine the associations of refractive error and squint with ASD. A total of 127 participants were included in this study, of which 77 (60.6%) were male and 50 (39.4%) were female. More than 60% were emmetropes (having no refractive errors), 19 (15%) were having myopes, 15 (11.8%) were hypermetropic, and 9 (7.1%) were Astigmatic, while 20 were diagnosed with a squint. The major cause of visual impairment in autistic children was refractive errors 33.8% and squint 15.7%. A high frequency of visual impairment was present in autistic children in Lahore autistic schools. As vision is a basic right so we have to pay attention also toward autistic children, in that way every child should have screened for factors that are responsible for visual impairments, Identifying refractive errors in these children early and providing appropriate corrective lenses may help optimize their visual functioning and impact their activities of daily life positively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nida Amin
- Green International University, Pakistan; The University of Faisalabad, Pakistan
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Anjum J, Quach A, Wongkrasant P, Nazir S, Tariq M, Barrett KE, Zaidi A. Potentially probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri from human milk strengthens the gut barrier in T84 cells and a murine enteroid model. J Appl Microbiol 2023; 134:6902067. [PMID: 36724218 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxac029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
AIMS At conception, the infant gut barrier is immature, gradually developing with regular intake of maternal milk. This study addressed whether the barrier-strengthening effect of breast feeding might be attributable, at least in part, to autochthonous beneficial human milk bacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS Twelve bacterial strains from the breast milk of Pakistani mothers who underwent cesarean delivery (NPL-88, NPL-157, NPL-179, NPL-181, NPL-388 (Limosilactobacillus reuteri), NPL-76, NPL-495, NPL-504 (Limosilactobacillus fermentum), NPL-415 (Lactobacillus pentosus), NPL-412, NPL-416 (Lactiplantibacilllus plantarum) and NPL-374 (Bifidobacterium longum) were shortlisted based on their tolerance to acidic pH (2.8-4.2) and bile (0.1-0.3%). The effect of these bacteria on gut barrier function in the presence and absence of pathogens was assessed as changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in the human T84 colonic epithelial cell line and in murine enteroid-derived monolayers (EDMs). The TEER of T84 cells monolayers rose in the presence of most of the human milk strains, being most pronounced in case of L. reuteri NPL-88 (34% within five h), exceeding the effect of the well-known probiotic L. acidophilus (20%). qRT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescent staining associated the increase in TEER with enhanced expression of tight junction proteins. Pretreatment of murine EDMs with NPL-88 also largely prevented the ability of the pathogen, Salmonella, to decrease TEER (87 ± 1.50%; P < 0.0001, n = 4). CONCLUSIONS Human milk lactic acid bacteria are potential probiotics that can strengthen gut barrier function and protect breastfed neonates against enteric infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasia Anjum
- National Probiotic Laboratory, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad 38000, (Punjab)Pakistan.,Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad 45650, (ICT)Pakistan.,Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0063, USA
| | - Andrew Quach
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0063, USA
| | - Preedajit Wongkrasant
- Current affiliation: Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4610 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Rajathevi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Shahid Nazir
- Dept of Pediatrics, Shifa International Hospitals Ltd, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- National Probiotic Laboratory, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad 38000, (Punjab)Pakistan.,Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad 45650, (ICT)Pakistan
| | - Kim E Barrett
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0063, USA.,Current affiliation: Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4610 X Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Arsalan Zaidi
- National Probiotic Laboratory, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering College (NIBGE-C), Faisalabad 38000, (Punjab)Pakistan.,Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Nilore, Islamabad 45650, (ICT)Pakistan
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Tahir B, Jolfaei A, Tariq M. A Novel Experience-Driven and Federated Intelligent Threat-Defense Framework in IoMT. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2023; PP:1-8. [PMID: 37018715 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2023.3236072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The Artificial Intelligence-enabled Internet of Medical Things (AI-IoMT) envisions the connectivity of medical devices encompassing advanced computing technologies to empower large-scale intelligent healthcare networks. The AI-IoMT continuously monitors patients' health and vital computations via IoMT sensors with enhanced resource utilization for providing progressive medical care services. However, the security concerns of these autonomous systems against potential threats are still underdeveloped. Since these IoMT sensor networks carry a bulk of sensitive data, they are susceptible to unobservable False Data Injection Attacks (FDIA), thus jeopardizing patients' health. This paper presents a novel threat-defense analysis framework that establishes an experience-driven approach based on a deep deterministic policy gradient to inject false measurements into IoMT sensors, computing vitals, causing patients' health instability. Subsequently, a privacy-preserved and optimized federated intelligent FDIA detector is deployed to detect malicious activity. The proposed method is parallelizable and computationally efficient to work collaboratively in a dynamic domain. Compared to existing techniques, the proposed threat-defense framework is able to thoroughly analyze severe systems' security holes and combats the risk with lower computing cost and high detection accuracy along with preserving the patients' data privacy.
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Nisar S, Wakeel A, Tahir W, Tariq M. Minimizing Viral Transmission in COVID-19 Like Pandemics: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities. IEEE Sens J 2023; 23:922-932. [PMID: 36913229 PMCID: PMC9983691 DOI: 10.1109/jsen.2022.3170521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has incurred huge loss to human lives throughout the world. Scientists, researchers, and doctors are trying their best to develop and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine throughout the world at the earliest. In current circumstances, different tracking systems are utilized to control or stop the spread of the virus till the whole population of the world gets vaccinated. To track and trace patients in COVID-19 like pandemics, various tracking systems based on different technologies are discussed and compared in this paper. These technologies include, cellular, cyber, satellite-based radio navigation and low range wireless technologies. The main aim of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive survey that can overview all such tracking systems, which are used in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 like pandemics. This paper also highlights the shortcoming of each tracking systems and suggests new mechanisms to overcome such limitations. In addition, the authors propose some futuristic approaches to track patients in prospective pandemics, based on artificial intelligence and big data analysis. Potential research directions, challenges, and the introduction of next-generation tracking systems for minimizing the spread of prospective pandemics, are also discussed at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibli Nisar
- Department of Electrical EngineeringMilitary College of SignalsNational University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Rawalpindi 46000 Pakistan
| | - Abdul Wakeel
- Department of Electrical EngineeringMilitary College of SignalsNational University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Rawalpindi 46000 Pakistan
| | - Wania Tahir
- Department of Electrical EngineeringBalochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) Quetta 87300 Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq
- Department of Electrical EngineeringNational University of Computer and Emerging Sciences Islamabad 44000 Pakistan
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Karekar A, Schicktanz C, Tariq M, Oßwald K, Reincke K, Cepus V, Langer B, Saalwächter K. Effects of artificial weathering in NR/SBR elastomer blends. Polym Degrad Stab 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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