Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Variation Analysis of Acanthopagrus Latus found in the Coastal Belt of Lasbela by using Mitochondrial DNA, D- Loop Region
Get PDFBackground: Fish is a major source of food and plays a major role in the blue economy of Baluchistan, Pakistan. The Yellow fin Sea Bream (A. latus) is found in coastal belts and locally known as “Dhandya”. Variation analysis between fish species was studied, using mitochondrial DNA. To understand genetic diversity of fish, mitochondrial DNA D-loop provides a good source of information for the management as well as the selective breeding of the sea fauna.Methods: The current study was focused on variation analysis, phenotypic and genetic variation in A. latus fish found in different regions of coastal belt of Baluchistan. A total of forty-five fish A. latus from three different areas of Baluchistan (Gaddani, Dam, and Kund Malir) were collected aseptically. The Phenotypic study was done on the basis of their body shape, body color and color of the fins. Four different kinds of A. latus were observed and named as type A, B, C and D. The genetic characteristics were studied by observing the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region.Results: For Mitochondrial DNA analysis, the blood samples were collected from the selected samples and processed for DNA extraction. Primers were designed and PCR was performed. PCR products were sequenced and analyzed for observing genetic variation in the mitochondrial DNA of A. latus. Conclusion: The analysis revealed three genetic variations; two heterozygous variations at 32 and 172 nucleotide positions (adenine substituted by thymine and thymine substituted by guanine) and one homozygous variation at 72 nucleotide position (an insertion of a thymine).Keywords: Acanthopagrus latus; Mitochondrial DNA; Fish; Polymerase Chain ReactionEditorial Note: You are viewing latest version of this article having language corrections
Prevalence and Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing of Bacteria Isolated from Open Wounds of Hospitalized Patients
Get PDFBackground: Substantial infectivity of open wounds by microorganisms not only precipitates in terms of complexity, morbidity and mortality because of encouraging other fatal comorbidities but also becomes challenging to handle by medical practitioners.Methods: To ascertain the bioburden associated particularly with bacteria in open wounds, this research work was conducted at the Microbiology and Molecular Genetics department of Women University, Multan in association with Pathology Department of Nishtar Hospital and College, Multan from January to June 2018. 65 different wound samples were collected from different wards and analyzed by highly standard procedures for bacterial isolation and characterization, employing biochemical tests including catalase, oxidase, coagulase, motility, triple-sugar iron (TSI), citrate and indole tests. The isolated bacterial strains were also evaluated for sensitivity or resistance against twelve different antibiotics.Results: All the 65 samples were found to be positive for bacterial presence. Gram-positive cocci constituted 63% of the isolates and gram-negative rods comprised 37%. Biochemical tests revealed that the predominant pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (63.1%) followed by Proteus spp., (15.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.3%) and Escherichia coli (9.2%), respectively. Antibiotic sensitivity testing disclosed that the most effective antibiotics against these isolates were Tigecycline and Polymyxin B while the least effective antibiotics were Ceftazidime and Ampicillin.Conclusion: These findings can prove beneficial in understanding the prevalence of various bacteria in wound infections. In addition, they indicate the need to develop and implement antibiotic stewardship programs so as to combat drug resistance among pathogens.Keywords: Gram-positive cocci; Drug resistance; Staphylococcus aureus Editorial Expression of Concern20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about errors in metadata. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we do the required corrections.Editorial Note24 June 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having correction in article info (metadata) section. Expression of concern is hereby revoked.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Association between polymorphism of the CRP gene rs1130864 and hypertension among Iraqi hypertensive patients
Get PDFBackground: C-reactive protein (CRP) a reactant of the acute phase and a measure of persistent low-grade inflammatory processes. Objectives of this paper to the role of rs1130864 polymorphism in CRP gene among Iraqi hypertensive patients.Methods: Samples of blood were collected from patients with hypertension and controls, their age (37 to 75). Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was used to calculate the risk score for the disease of hypertension, Moreover, PCR/SNP (specific primers) was used to do genotyping.Results: HWE analysis of hypertensive patients and controls showed that the rs1130864 genotypes were in agreement with the equilibrium, without differences clear between the observed and expected genotype frequencies (p >0.153, 0.238). The frequencies of genotype and alleles were compared in hypertensive patients with controls, with no significant differences. The common GG genotype of rs1130864 recorded a significant increase in hypertensive patients and controls and was regarded as a preventative fraction (RR = 0.76), whilst, GA , AA genotype were considered the etiological fraction (RR = 1.06, 2.59) and associated with hypertension. Compared to A allele, which might be the cause of the disease, G allele might be preventive.Conclusion: The findings showed that the Iraqi population's GA, AA genotype, and A allele are risk factors for hypertension. However, the need for additional findings utilizing bigger samples is needed are necessary to verify our findings.Keywords: Hypertension; C-reactive protein; Polymorphism, 1444G>A; rs1130864 Retraction Note24 Sept 2025: The Editor-in-Chief has retracted this article due to the below mentioned scientific deficiencies revealed by an internal audit.1. The central finding claimed in the abstract, results, and discussion is that the GA and AA genotypes are significantly associated with hypertension. However, the paper's own statistical results in Table 5 show p-values ranging from 0.404 to 1.000, all of which are clearly not significant. The paper's conclusion is demonstrably false based on its own evidence.2. The authors have systematically misinterpreted non-significant p-values as significant. This is a major error that invalidates the entire analysis and all claims derived from it. The scientific findings are, therefore, unreliable.3. The authors report Relative Risk (RR) for a case-control study, a methodological error, as the Odds Ratio (OR) is the correct measure of association for this study design.The authors do not agree to this retraction
Evaluation and determining of the Pattern of the Human Albumin Utilization at Shahid Rahimi Hospital, Khorramabad, Iran
Get PDFBackground: The World Health Organization (WHO) has supported many intervention strategies, including executive, educational, and monitoring proceedings to improve the evaluation of drug use and the drug management system. Since the resources are limited, it is essential to utilize existing resources properly. Serum albumin is the most abundant blood protein produced in the liver. Different forms of albumin are available in the market and employed to treat hypovolemia, Cirrhotic ascites, severe burns, septic shock, hyperstimulation syndrome, etc. Due to the high price of albumin and its importance for saving patient’s lives.Methods: precisely according to the determined protocols, and it’s unreasonable and irrational medication should be avoided. Statistical analysis was performed in Shahid Rahimi Hospital of Khorramabad, Iran, from March 2018 to March 2019. Albumin administration for randomly selected patients receiving albumin in different wards was evaluated. The main sources to retrieve information were pharmacy drug folders, patient folders (including laboratory information), and nursing folders. Age, sex, weight, ward, albumin level, symptoms, and final dose were recorded for each patient. Contraindications to the administration of albumin or any caution in its use were also considered. Data were analyzed by using SPSS16 and Excel software. Independent T-test and Chi-square test were employed to compare quantitative and qualitative variables. 271 patients were studied, including 160 men and 111 women.Results: The two male and female surgical wards with 41 patients had the highest percentage of patients admitted with albumin administration. Also, the most common cause of albumin administration in patients was hypoalbuminemia. 55% of albumin prescriptions in Shahid Rahimi Hospital of Khorramabad were irrational, driving a substantial financial burden for the healthcare system and patients. Among all the prescribed cases, only 5.2% were approved by the pharmacist. Finally, 77.1% of patients recovered, and 22.9% died.Conclusion: Considering that the highest percentage of patients receiving albumin administration, both among patients with irrational administration and in general, were in men's and women's surgical wards, it is recommended that the drugs prescribed in these wards be further investigated and get pre- Approved by a pharmacist to prevent higher medical costs for patients and healthcare system. Keywords: Albumin; Hypovolemia; Cirrhotic Ascites; Septic Shock; Hyperstimulation Syndrome
Correlation of Osteocalcin and Fetuin-A levels with Renal Function and other Biomarkers in CKD patients from Baghdad
Get PDFBackground: This investigation aims to determine if a correlation existed between the levels of Osteocalcin, Fetuin-A, and other biochemical markers in patients with CKD compared to healthy.Methods: One hundred eighty samples divided into 120 (CKD) patients in end-stage divided into 70 males and 50 females, and 60 healthy controls 35 males and 25 females were taken between November 2022 and March 2023 from three major hospitals in Baghdad. diagnosed using symptoms, biochemical testing, history, and clinical examination by specialized nephrologists. Urea, creatinine, calcium, albumin, and phosphate were measured by spectrophotometer (Roche Cobas C111). Furthermore, a spectrophotometer (Beckman coulter au480) was used to measure sodium and potassium levels. On the other hand, vitamin D3 level and PTH were measured by spectrophotometer (Roche Cobas E411). Moreover, Osteocalcin and Fetuin-A were done by ELISA technique.Results: The present study found that male patients were more numerous than female patients, and the highest percentage of CKD cases were found in the age group of 50-59 years. also, indicates a strong positive correlation between the levels of Fetuin-A and GFR. while a strong negative correlation between the levels of Fetuin-A with creatinine, urea, and Osteocalcin, moreover, a strong negative correlation between the level of Osteocalcin with GFR and Fetuin-A. The study also found a strong positive correlation between the levels of Osteocalcin with urea and creatinine.Conclusion: Decreased Fetuin-A concentrations have been linked to increased calcification in the vasculature and mortality, increased Osteocalcin levels in CKD may not confer a protective effect against bone disorders.Keywords: Chronic kidney disease (CKD); Creatinine; Fetuin-A; GFR Osteocalcin; UreaEditorial Note: This article has been updated with language corrections
Capability of Trichoderma viride to Produce Cellulolytic and Pectolytic Enzymes
Get PDFBackground: Species of the genus Trichoderma have been used in the food and textile industries to produce cellulases and other enzymes that degrade complex polysaccharide structures. The study investigated the nutritional requirements and the production of enzymes by the fungus Trichoderma viride fungus's ability to produce enzymes.Methods: We used a medium supplemented with cellulolytic and pectic substances for enzyme production.Results: The results of the study proved that methionine, glutamic acid, and leucine effectively enhanced mycelial growth. Findings regarding impact of pH level on the development of the fungus T. viride indicated that the maximum growth was at pH 5.0. However, growth decreased dramatically with increasing pH values. We examined the power of the fungus T. viride to produce cellulolytic and pectolytic enzymes in various substrates in the current study.Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that Pectin was the best substrate for pectolytic enzyme synthesis, whereas Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was the best substrate for the cellulolytic enzyme.Keywords: Carboxymethyl cellulose; Rhizosphere; Digestibility; HemicellulasesEditorial Note: You are viewing the latest version of this article having language and data presentation corrections
Bioactivity and Metabolomics Profiling of Endophytic Actinobacteria Isolated from Roots of the Medicinal Plants Dominant in South Asian Region
Get PDFBackground: Plant-derived endophytic actinobacteria are the center of attention due to their capacity to produce diverse antimicrobial and anticancer compounds and their metabolites influence plant growth.Methods: In this study, 40 endophytic actinobacteria strains were isolated from the roots of eight medicinal plants used as folk medicine in South Asian region. The isolates were characterized morphologically, biochemically and physiologically and the genus level identification of the selected strains was done by 16SrRNA gene sequencing. In small scale cultivation (50ml broth), the isolates were grown in A-medium to prepare the crude extracts. These crude extracts were subsequently evaluated for their antimicrobial, anticancer and antioxidant activity and the metabolomics profile of each of the extract was determined by TLC and HPLC-UV/MS.Results: The taxonomic studies showed that the isolates belong to the group actinobacteria based on their morphological and physiological characteristics and the 16SrRNA gene sequencing of the selected strains identified the genera including Streptomyces, Micromonospora and Nocardia. Cumulatively,53% of extracts exhibited anti-Gram-(+) activity,47% exhibited anti-Gram-(-) activity,32% exhibited antifungal activity and 30% were cytotoxic to PC3 and A549 cancer cell lines and most of the extracts have shown antioxidant activity greater than 50%. The metabolomics analysis predicted the presence of an array of low molecular weight metabolites and indicated the promising isolates in collection for further studies for novel bioactive metabolite isolation and structure elucidation.Conclusion: Overall the study provides an overview of the endophytic actinobacteria residing in the roots of the selected medicinal plants prevalent in south Asian region and their potential to produce the medicinally and biotechnologically useful compounds.Keywords: Endophytic Actinobacteria; Metabolomic Profiling; Natural Products; Antimicrobial Compounds; Anticancer CompoundsEditorial Note: This article has post-publication language corrections
Evaluation of the Profile and Treatment Results for Allergic Children
Get PDFBackground: The majority of allergy sufferers produce IgE antibodies, which are antigen-specific antibodies; the term sensitivity addresses the clinical expression of IgE-mediated allergic disease.Methods: This retrospective analytical study was carried out in the Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Unit, Muhammad Al-Mousawi Children's Hospital. The data included were those of 422 patients (286 males and 136 females). The mean age at disease onset was 0.97 ± 1.33 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 4.31 ± 2.93 years. Data regarding bronchial asthma, course of the disease, treatment received and outcome at last visit were obtained from the patients' records. The ultimate objective was to evaluate the current epidemiologic and clinical profile as well as risk factors and the therapeutic responses of allergic diseases in our community.Results: According to a statistical analysis of the patient records, allergic diseases were more prevalent in males than in females (ratio 2.1: 1) and in metropolitan than rural and rustic regions. Positive family background of other atopic sicknesses to be specific unfavorably susceptible rhinitis and atopic dermatitis was higher than positive family background of bronchial asthma in our series. The most common causes of bronchial asthma were environmental and viral factors. Dyspnea and cough were the most common symptoms of asthma exacerbation. Exclusive breastfeeding didn't appear to safeguard against the improvement of bronchial asthma. The prevalence of mild and moderate cases was higher than that of severe cases. Eosinophils and serum total IgE were both elevated in the laboratory, and the most common treatment in this investigation was inhaled corticosteroids.Conclusion: The procedure can be used in other facilities and pertinent investigations, but these results are particular to our unit and should not be interpreted generally. The sample size and retrospective design of the study limit the validity of the findings and conclusions.Keywords: Evaluation; Profile and management; Outcome; Allergic childrenEditorial Expression of Concern20 June 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about insufficient peer review. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community of this incidence as we asses if the reported scientific findings are reliable.Retraction in Process26 June 2025: Following a detailed post-publication review, significant ethical, methodological, and analytical concerns have been identified in this article. Specifically, the study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 422 pediatric patients without any declaration of institutional ethical approval or documentation of informed consent, which constitutes a serious breach of ethical standards for human subject research. In addition, multiple methodological and statistical deficiencies were observed including but not limited to internal contradictions in reported findings (e.g., sex-based prevalence). These deficiencies make the findings scientifically unreliable. A formal retraction process has therefore been initiated in accordance with COPE guidance and established publishing standards. The retraction process will conclude upon receiving responses from the corresponding authors. In the meantime, the full text of the article shall remain inaccessible for citation. A show cause notice has also been issued to the responsible editorial team member for the evident oversight during the peer-review and editorial decision process.Rescinded: Editorial Expression of Concern23 July 2025: Editorial expression of concern issued on 20 June 2025 is hereby rescinded on account of authors' following justifications of the found technical shortcomings in light of COPE guidelines. An institutional ethical approval statement has also been provided by the authors to address research ethics concern.1. Justification for the Retrospective Study Design:This study was designed as a retrospective analysis because it allowed assessment of a large patient population over an extended period within limited resources. Retrospective studies are valuable for identifying epidemiological trends, clinical features, and treatment responses in real-world settings, especially in specialized units such as pediatric allergy clinics.Moreover, retrospective data are often the first step before conducting prospective, longitudinal studies to generate hypotheses and detect local patterns.2. Justification for Limited Generalizability:We clearly stated that the results are specific to our unit and patient population and may not be generalized broadly. Our unit primarily serves urban and suburban populations, and referral patterns, environmental exposures, and healthcare accessibility likely influence the findings.However, these results still provide a reliable baseline for future research in similar settings or populations.3. Justification for Sex and Location Differences:The observed male predominance (2.1:1 ratio) and higher urban prevalence are consistent with many global studies, particularly in pediatric populations where males are biologically more prone to wheezing illnesses early in life, likely due to anatomical and immunological differences.Urban predominance may reflect greater exposure to pollution, indoor allergens, viral infections, and differing healthcare-seeking behaviors compared to rural areas.4. Justification for Feeding Type Analysis:The analysis of breastfeeding vs. artificial feeding is included because early feeding patterns are frequently studied for their impact on immune system development. While exclusive breastfeeding is generally considered protective, some studies have shown conflicting results in high-risk populations, particularly when strong genetic predisposition or environmental triggers are present. Our findings align with some reports showing no consistent protective effect against asthma in certain populations.5. Justification for Using Total IgE and Eosinophil Counts:Total IgE and eosinophil counts are commonly used clinical markers in the diagnosis and monitoring of allergic diseases. While they are not highly specific, elevated levels are often associated with allergic asthma, and their use is justified as part of routine allergy workups, particularly in resource-limited settings where advanced molecular testing is not feasible.6. Justification for Outcome Classification:Our classification of active vs. remission state was based on clear, clinically relevant criteria using patient symptoms and medication use. This approach provides a pragmatic method to assess treatment outcomes in real-world clinical settings and is suitable for retrospective studies.7. Justification for the Role of Environmental Factors and Viral Triggers:The inclusion of viral infections, cold air, indoor allergens, fumes, foods, puberty, and psychological stress as precipitating factors reflects both the clinical reality and the literature showing that asthma exacerbations often have multiple, overlapping triggers. The statistical analysis helped us identify which factors were associated with active or remission states in our cohort.8. Justification for Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) as Primary Therapy:ICS remains the mainstay of asthma management worldwide according to global guidelines (e.g., GINA). Our finding that most patients received ICS aligns with best-practice recommendations, reinforcing the validity of our treatment protocols.9. Justification for Small Sample in Some Subgroups (e.g., Sulfonamide Reactions):Some subgroups, such as reactions to specific drugs, had small sample sizes due to their rarity in the pediatric population. Despite small numbers, we presented these results for completeness and transparency.10. Justification for Limitations:We openly acknowledged the limitations of our study, including its retrospective nature, sample size, and single-center setting. However, these limitations are inherent to many hospital-based epidemiological studies and do not diminish the value of identifying local clinical patterns.Editorial Note: You are viewing latest version of this article having language and unit corrections
Extending the Storage Life of Foods Using Shungite
Get PDFBackground: Shungite has gained popularity in recent years as a material for water purification and food preservation. The purpose of the study is to develop a fast method of assessing the biological activity of shungite batches and to determine the time of contact between shungite and water to increase or reduce the bioactivity of shungite water in the food industry, specifically in the production of baked goods with extended shelf life.Methods: The authors study the bioactivity of pre-prepared water using yeasts of Saccharomyces cerevisiae species based on the evaluation of the fermentation rate of sugar solutions in their presence. Infused shungite was used in kneading dough and by applying shungite water after baking. The experiment involved infusing distilled water on shungite for varying periods of time, preparing three versions of 30% aqueous solutions with distilled water and shungite water, adding 2% dry baking yeast to each solution, conducting fermentation processes, and mixing dough for bread with regular and shungite water. The bread samples were evaluated for their organoleptic characteristics and physical and chemical properties.Results: The study concludes that the use of shungite water in the preparation of bread dough has no negative impact on the quality of the final product. It can even help to prolong the shelf life of baked goods, making it a promising material for the food industry. As a result, the authors propose a process of bread processing to increase its shelf life.Conclusion: The results suggest that further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using shungite water and its potential benefits for human health, as well as to explore the impact of different contact times between shungite and water on the biological activity of water and its effect on the quality of the final product.Keywords: Shungite; Fullerene; Water; Sugar solution; Yeast; Baked goodsEditorial Note: This article has post-publication language corrections
Coding Genome Sequence and Protein Sequence Analysis of Dengue Strains: In Silico Correlation
Get PDFBackground: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4 are the four serotypes of dengue viruses (DENV) that are transferred from person to person through the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue fever has surged 30-fold in occurrence over the last 50 years, making it one of the world's most serious arboviral diseases. The aim of this study was to bioinformatically correlate the coding sequences of four DENV strains to check their genetic & functional diversity based on the similarity of the sequences.Methods: The coding sequences (CDs) and protein sequences of newly reported dengue strains (DENV 1, DENV 2, DENV 3, and DENV 4) were obtained from the National center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) nucleotide and protein databases. We compared the genetic and functional compatibility of selected gene sequences from four dengue strains by using various bioinformatics tools and software such as BLAST, MEGA 11.0, ProtParam, GOR4 and SWISS Model.Results: The total number of amino acids in dengue strains DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4 is 3392, 3391, 3390, and 3387, according to Physicochemical analysis. The phylogenetic analysis reveals that DENV-1 and DENV-2 have more genetic similarity than DENV-2 and DENV-3, with bootstrap values greater than 90%. While different percentages of alpha helices were predicted in secondary structure, such as 33.23%, 36.51%, 31.21%, and 32.27% of DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4 show little variation. The non-structural proteins NS1 and NS5 of all four DENV strains show more than 65 percent similarity index in 3D structure analysis.Conclusion: This study first presented a bioinformatics comparison of all four DENV strains. The 3D and 2D structures of DENV strains (1-4) show some similarity and dissimilarity index, however the four DENV strains differ in their 2D structure's alpha helix (H), random coil, and number of amino acids.Keywords: Bioinformatics; Dengue strains; Non-structural protein; Coding sequence; Viral pathogenesisEditorial Note: You are viewing latest version of this article having language corrections