Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Stevia rebaudiana: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1966-2019
Get PDFThis study has been carried out to analyze research papers published on Stevia rebaudiana during 1966-2019 using a bibliometric approach. The data is mined from the Web of Science Core Collection, returning 1835 articles on the topic for analysis. The study documents most productive countries and authors delved into Stevia research. India appears to be the most productive country, followed by USA. The top-cited articles, top-organizations and funding agencies, and journals with most publications on subject are also identified. The analysis shows an increasing trend for research on Stevia during recent years with an Annual Percentage Growth Rate of 1.29 and the number jumped from only 03 publications in 1966-1971 to 1000 in 2014-2019. Pakistan has a comparable global share of 2.84% on Stevia research but further attention on research is needed in this field apprehending the commercial and health potential of this plant and considering the status of Pakistan as an agrarian country.Keywords: Stevia rebaudiana; Economic potential; Research productivity; Bibliometri
A Review on the impacts of Azadirachta indica on Multi-drug Resistant Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase-positive of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia
Get PDFNeem trees have long been considered the holy grail of holistic and nature-based treatments. The medicinal properties that constituents of the trees possess to range from traits that are immunomodulatory to traits combat different disease and infections such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, to insulating properties that include cardioprotective and hepatoprotective effects. The role of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase positive (ESBL+) bacteria in the occurrence and recurrence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) infections, particularly in the Gulf region has been studied extensively. However, suggested treatment methods have had little success due to a variety of factors which include drug resistance, the inability of doctors to calculate the optimal duration for treatment, which has resulted in wrong antibiotic prescriptions, as well as lack of understanding of how UTIs work and thrive in different demographics/ populations which again, results in inappropriate antibiotic treatment of the disease. These discoveries raised the issue of professionals needing better training and education in issues to do with UTIs amongst different demographics of people. In this investigation, the medicinal and pharmacological properties of A. indica from neem leaves were assessed by studying how they affected the activity of ESBL+ bacteria, based on literature from similar studies. The goal and objective of this study were to see if ESBL+ bacteria persisted in the presence of A. Indica from leaf extract, as well as gaining an understanding of the factors that affected the persistence and subsequent treatment of the bacteria using A. indica.Keywords: Azadirachta indica; Neem; UTI; ESBL; E. coli; K. Pneumonia
Biofilm Forming Bacteria Isolated from Medical Implants
Get PDFBackground: Biofilm formation in indwelling medical devices poses serious risk of infection and increases the likelihood of recurrence of infections. The study was carried out to identify the microbes which form biofilms on medical implants and are thus involved in nosocomial infections, to assess the potential of biofilm producing ability of these isolated microbes and to determine antibiotic resistance towards ampicillin, vancomycin ceftazidime, streptomycin and tetracycline.Methods: For this, 11 samples of 5 different implants were taken from Tertiary Care Hospital Multan, Pakistan. Bacteria were isolated and identified by culture plate method. Tryptone soy broth (TBS) media was used for biofilm development by microbes in plastic tubes. Developed biofilm in tubes was visualized with crystal violet staining method and then biofilm forming potential was estimated by measuring the optical density through spectrophotometer. Antibiotic susceptibility was done by Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method to determine the resistance and susceptibility pattern of biofilm producers.Results: Out of 11 different samples of indwelling medical devices, a total of 131 bacterial strains were isolated. The percentage of bacterial isolates which produced biofilms were Staphylococcus spp. (41%) followed by Escherichia coli (18%), Pseudomonas spp. (4%), Proteus spp. (7.2%), Klebsiella spp. (8.6%), Bacillus spp. (8.6%), Fusobacterium spp. (1.4%) Clostridium spp.(1.4%), Enterococcus spp. (7.2%) and Neisseria spp. (1.4%). Sixty-nine isolates were considered positive for biofilm formation while 58 were considered negative. The resistance was maximum against ampicillin (42%) followed by ceftazidime (17.1%), tetracycline (34%) and streptomycin (30%) while against vancomycin no resistance was observed.Conclusion: Biofilms produced on medical implants by different bacteria are considered to be the major cause of hospital acquired infections and are very difficult to eradicate. These biofilms associated implant infections are challenging to treat because of their resistance towards various antibiotic therapies. Therefore, some efficient methods of prevention of biofilm formation should be introduced.Keywords: Bacterial biofilms; Biofilm associated infections; Medical implants; Hospital acquired infections; Antibiotic resistance
Determinants of COVID-19 Anxiety in Pakistan Through Binary Logistic Regression
Get PDFBackground: This study was conducted to evaluate the determinants of anxiety among the people living in hassled environment for last few months due to outbreak of COVID-19.Methods: 279 participants were interviewed through a questionnaire about COVID-19 anxiety on four likert scales. Data was analyzed by using statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics 21. A binary logistic regression was used to estimate relationship between anxiety and T.V news, social media news, social isolation, disturbance of sleep and decrease in daily income. Significance of these factors are tested at 5 percent level of significance.Results: 90.33 percent of the respondents are feeling COVID-19 anxiety while 9.67 percent peoples are taking it mild. The values of test statistics for the variables listening of T.V news, social media news, social isolation, disturbance of sleep and decrease in daily income are highly significant at p < 0.05.Conclusion: The existence of anxiety was found to be highly significance due to listening of T.V news, social media news, social isolation, disturbance of sleep and decrease in daily income.Keywords: COVID-19; Anxiety; T.V news; Social media news; Social isolation; Binary logistic regression
DNA methylation profile of multiple genes involved in bladder cancer among Saudi population – A pilot study
Get PDFBackground: To identify bladder cancer specific methylated DNA sequences for the Saudi population in order to detect and predict bladder cancer progression.Methods: In this study, we analysed DNA methylation levels of 48 tumour suppressor genes loci in 24 bladder tissues (19 bladder cancer samples and 5 control samples taken from histologically normal bladders). DNA Methylation analysis was done using Human Tumour Suppressor Genes EpiTect Methyl II Complete PCR Array from Qiagen TM.Results: We identified significant difference in DNA hypermethylation levels at APC, BRCA1, CDH1, CDH13, CDKN2A, DAPK1, ESR1, FHIT, MGMT, RASSF1, SOCS1, TIMP3, TP73, VHL, WIF1 between controls and cancerous samples. It was also observed that CADM1 and DKK3 were differentially methylated in non-muscle invasive versus muscle invasive bladder cancer samples. Additionally, DNA hypermethylation of ESR1 was notified as the novel tumour suppressor gene specific for the Saudi population in bladder cancer.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that these aberrant DNA methylation patterns in bladder cancer are disease and population specific and have a potential to develop as distinct DNA methylation-based biomarkers in future.Keywords: Bladder Cancer; DNA methylation; Epigenetics; Hypermethylation; Tumor Markers
DNA Fingerprinting and Cultivar Identification of Olive (Olea europaea L.) using SSR markers
Get PDFBackground: Genetic diversity and population structure of the olive varieties cultivated in Pakistan are yet to be explored.Methods: In present study, we studied population structure and genetic diversity and developed DNA fingerprints of 13 olive varieties using 63 Simple Sequence Repeat markers.Results: Collectively 618 alleles were amplified among which 582 were polymorphic and 36 were monomorphic. High allelic diversity per locus was found among 63 SSR markers, i.e., one for GAPU-12 to 23 for UDO099-008 and GAPU-47 with an average 9.80 alleles per locus. On the basis of cluster analysis genotypes were grouped into two clusters. Cluster I contained varieties Manzanilla, Sohawa-selection, Koroneki, Bulkasar-selection, Arbequina, Arbosona, Chugtai-selection, whereas cluster II was comprised of varieties Bari-Zatoon, Coratina, Gemlik, Frontaio, Pendolino and Ottobratica. UDO-24 marker alone identified seven olive varieties. Similarly, DCA-07 and EMO-02 identified six olive varieties each.Conclusion: The findings of this manuscript will be helpful for future studies related to DNA fingerprinting and genetic diversity assessment for choice of SSR markers and identification of olive varieties. Keywords: Cluster analysis; Polymorphic Information Content; Structure analysis; Similarity matrix
Socio-economic effects of COVID-19 – a study of the University students and teachers in Pakistan
Get PDFBackground: Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID–19) has appeared as a deadly pandemic affecting most of the countries across the world. The disease has caught humanity unprepared; therefore, there has been a lack of awareness about the causes, and transmission and mortality rates. It has also affected the overall socioeconomics from individual to worldwide levels. COVID-19 is an unprecedented and first-time challenge for Pakistan and a lockdown imposed by the Government of Pakistan has further devastated the economy of the country. This online survey was conducted to know the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the social life and economic status of the people of Pakistan. In this article, we mainly focused on teachers and students from different Universities of Pakistan for data generation because they can provide better information due to the use of modern technologies as a source of information.Methods: An online questionnaire survey covering 11 parameters including age, gender, employment status, mortality rate, education, marital status and, information about the pathogen responsible for the disease was filled by 1260 individuals from Pakistan.Results: The results obtained show that 56.6% of the responders were males,43.4% were females, 59.9% were unmarried, 37.7% were graduate students and, 48.7% unemployed. Most of the responders (55.6%) said that COVID-19 negatively affected the jobs of the people. We found (93%) of the responders with good knowledge about COVID-19.Conclusion: We conclude from the results that most of the responders were males, educated and they knew the pathogenic effect of the COVID-19 virus on humans. These results also show that the disease has drastically affected the economy and social life of the people of Pakistan.Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; Knowledge; Socio-economic; Pakistan
Local Radiation Dosimetry Method using Optically Stimulated Pulsed Luminescence and Monte Carlo Simulation
Get PDFBackground: This is the first study that has been done in Morocco with the aim of optimizing protection and protocols in diagnostic radiology, by using Monte Carlo simulation and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL). Methods: Measurements have been performed with solid (AGMS-D+) and OSL detectors to determine the Air Kerma and the backscattering factor on a diagnostic radiology unit.Results: The spectra simulated by GATE were in a good adequacy with spectra generated by IPEM report 78, with slight differences in the X-rays intensity characteristic, and there was no statistically significant difference between Air Kerma simulated with GATE and those measured using the AGMS-D+ and OSL (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Monte Carlo simulation responses were suitable and could provide an accurate alternative for Air Kerma and the entrance surface dose determination with non‐uniform primary x‐ray beams. Keywords: Radiation Dosimetry; Pulsed Luminescence; Monte Carlo Simulation
Molecular probing of Aflatoxigenic fungi in rice grains collected from local markets of Lahore, Pakistan
Get PDFBackground: Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus strains have emerged as a serious threat to food safety and quality assurance. The objective of this study was to identify the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus sp. by targeting the amplification of aflatoxigenic genes i.e., aflR, nor1, omt1, ver1, in different fugal strains isolated from the rice grains being marketed in local markets of Lahore city, Pakistan.Methods: Total eleven (11) Aspergillus strains were isolated from rice grains and aflatoxigenic genes i.e., aflR, nor1, omt1, ver1 were amplified to differentiate between aflatoxin producing and non-producing strains.Results: Four (04) out of total eleven (11) strains showed the presence of aflatoxins producing genes, indicating the possible contamination of aflatoxins in rice grains being sold in local markets of Lahore.Conclusion: This research provides the basis for the quantification of aflatoxins; a significant threat to the quality of foodstuffs and consumers. The situation demands the attention of rice growers, processors as well as government officials to tackle the problem to assure the safety of rice eaters.Keywords: Aflatoxins; Aspergillus; Cereal grains; Contamination; Mycotoxigenic Editorial Expression of Concern08 July 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 Note26 July 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having correction in article info (metadata) section. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
Clinical Guidelines for Management of Acute Painful Episodes of Vaso-Occlusive Crisis in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Get PDFSickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disease resulted due to a single mutation in beta globin gene. It changes normal red blood cells into sickle-shaped cells, just rendering their ability to carry oxygen to tissues and cells. SCD involves many fatal clinical complications including very painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC), the later caused by sickled erythrocytes-mediated ischemic tissue injury and obstruction of blood flow that leads. Pain in VOC is caused by hypoxia, acidosis, fever, infections, dehydration, obstructive sleep apnea, abrupt changes in weather (hot / cold), menstruation and pregnancy etc. Pain in VOC is very severe and is associated with many other life-threatening clinical complications. Therefore, it is needed be managed as early as possible, otherwise persistent pain can weaken patients physically and psychologically. There are no specific laboratory indicators for VOC and diagnosis is made on the basis of history and physical examination. We formulated clinical guidelines for the management of acute painful crisis (VOC) in sickle cell patients based upon updated published medical literature, in addition to our experience of treating sickle cell patients King Abdulaziz National Guards Hospital, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia, which is its application to an Asian publication. This report describes details of these clinical guidelines for management of acute painful vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell patients.Keywords: Sickle cell disease; Vaso-Occlusive Crisis; Acute pain management; Pediatri