38 research outputs found
Adaptogenic medicinal plants utilized for strengthening the power of resistance during chemotherapy–a review
No full textCorrelation of iPTH, Serum Calcium, and Serum Phosphorous with Different Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
No full textAbstract: Background: CKD-mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) include abnormalities in blood calcium (Ca), phosphate (P), and parathyroid hormone (PTH), as well as bony derangements and vascular calcification, which are increasingly more frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4 and 5.
Objective: To assess the correlation of chronic kidney disease, mineral, and bone disorder (CK-MBD) with stages of CKD.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional, study conducted at the Tabba Kidney Institute, Serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and intact PTH (iPTH) were measured as part of the study at baseline. The statistical package of Social Sciences version 22 was used to enter, sort, and analyze data. To assess the risk of vascular calcification in different stages of CKD, odds ratio (OR) test was performed, keeping confidence interval as 95% and OR of 1 as positive risk of outcome after exposure.
Result: A total of 82 patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 59.6 ± 13.3 years. The results indicated positive odds of vascular calcification in CKD stage V with 1.418 and Confidence interval of 95% as a lower bound and upper bound of 1.121-10.817, indicating higher chances of vascular calcification in stage V patients. Similarly, CKD stage IV reported 0.042 OR with lower and upper bound of 0.352-4.162 confidence interval respectively.
Conclusion: This study concludes that CKD progression is directly associated with Bone mineral disorders and allied complications, including the risk of vascular calcification in patients which increases from stage III to V.  
From Info Seeker to Startup Superhero: How Information Literacy Influences Entrepreneurial Intention and Skills Among Business Students
No full textAbstract
This study examined the effects of information literacy (IL) on entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial skills among business students in Sargodha, Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed along with a survey method. The data were gathered using a structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 277 students, recruited through a convenient sampling process. Data analysis involved the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS (Version 21). The results suggested that the business students’ IL levels were not optimal, with no significant differences noted based on age, gender, semester, and academic disciplines. However, IL skills showed a positive correlation with students’ CGPA. The results also showed that IL had a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial skills. In essence, students with higher levels of IL tended to exhibit better entrepreneurial intention and skills compared to those with lower IL levels. These results inform educators and policymakers in shaping policies and practices for business education in general and entrepreneurial education in particular. This research would be a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge on IL research in the context of academia in general and business and entrepreneurial education in particular, as a limited number of studies have appeared in the existing literature.Abstract
This study examined the effects of information literacy (IL) on entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial skills among business students in Sargodha, Pakistan. A quantitative research design was employed along with a survey method. The data were gathered using a structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from a sample of 277 students, recruited through a convenient sampling process. Data analysis involved the application of descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS (Version 21). The results suggested that the business students’ IL levels were not optimal, with no significant differences noted based on age, gender, semester, and academic disciplines. However, IL skills showed a positive correlation with students’ CGPA. The results also showed that IL had a positive effect on entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurial skills. In essence, students with higher levels of IL tended to exhibit better entrepreneurial intention and skills compared to those with lower IL levels. These results inform educators and policymakers in shaping policies and practices for business education in general and entrepreneurial education in particular. This research would be a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge on IL research in the context of academia in general and business and entrepreneurial education in particular, as a limited number of studies have appeared in the existing literature
Author Correction: Proline-mediated redox regulation in wheat for mitigating nickel-induced stress and soil decontamination
No full textArtificial nesting success and nest building behavior of common myna, Acridotheres tristis using paper/plastic
No full textThe objective of this paper is to analyze the nesting success and nest building behavior of myna, Acridotheres tristis, using paper/plastic Myna in artificial nest. The boxes were placed at different sites, including University Town, Rahat Abad and Qadir Abad in Peshawar City, Pakistan. The artificial nests were designed 56 × 22 cm and 21 × 16 cm in dimension with respective opening of 8 cm and 7 cm. Total number of artificial nests were 55, therein, number of successful next recorded 42 and unsuccessful 13. Artificial nests were installed in breeding season of common myna. Total nesting success was 85.71 in March-April; 68.18 in May-June and 78.94 in July-August 2022. Nest losses were recorded during six months (March to August). Total success rate (%) was 76.36% and the mean (± SD) number of plastic collected as nesting material per day was 18.8 ± 3.12
Author Correction: Synthesis of vitamin D3 loaded ethosomes gel to cure chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease: physical characterization, in vitro and ex vivo studies
No full textAntiplatelet and thrombolytic activity of phenolic-insistent fractions from the new-fangled stem of Ficus benghalensis with concurrent GC-MS analysis
No full textFicus benghalensis is the ingredient of a variety of Ayurvedic herbal formulations for the management of blood-related illnesses. In the current study, the new-fangled stem ethanol extract fractions in chloroform and methanol (CFFB & MFFB) were assessed for antiplatelet, thrombolytic and toxicity studies, as well as for phytoconstituent identification GC/MS was performed. The dried powdered stem bud was extracted with 80% ethanol and successively fractionated by chloroform and methanol (CFFB & MFFB). The anti-platelet, anti-thrombotic, and thrombolytic, activity of CFFB & MFFB were tested in ex vivo mode and toxicity of methanol fraction (MFFB) was tested in in vivo. The chief feasible marker components for antiplatelet activity recognized by GC-MS in the MFFB are Diethyl phthalate, (E)-4-(3-Hydroxyprop-1-en-1-yl)-2-methoxyphenol, 7,9-Di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro (4,5) deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione and trans-Sinapyl alcohol might act as irreversible cyclooxygenase inhibitors like Aspirin. In the study, at 50 μg/mL, the antiplatelet activity of CFFB, MFFB, and aspirin was 50.41, 82.19, and 86.34%, and a substantial adjournment in clot development was observed whereas CFFB at different dosages did not exhibit significant outcome on the adjournment of clot formation, antiplatelet, and antioxidant activity. The toxicity examination of MFFB did not confirm any substantial signs of toxicity and mortality up to 1.5 g/kg, b.w and non-toxic up to 1.0 g/kg, b.w which is capable of the comportment of atherothrombotic ailments. The MFFB exhibited anti-platelet, anti-thrombotic, thrombolytic, and anti-oxidant activity, and capacity to prevent cardiovascular disorders without causing toxicity
Ex Vivo Antiplatelet and Thrombolytic Activity of Bioactive Fractions from the New-Fangled Stem Buds of <i>Ficus religiosa</i> L. with Simultaneous GC-MS Examination
No full textDifferent parts of Ficus religiosa are the common components of various traditional formulations for the treatment of several blood disorders. The new-fangled stem buds’ powder was extracted with 80% ethanol and successively fractionated by chloroform and methanol. Chloroform and methanol fractions of Ficus religiosa (CFFR and MFFR) were tested for antiplatelet, antithrombotic, thrombolytic, and antioxidant activity in ex vivo mode. The MFFR was particularly investigated for GC-MS and toxicity. The antiplatelet activity of the CFFR, MFFR, and standard drug aspirin at 50 μg/mL was 54.32%, 86.61%, and 87.57%, and a significant delay in clot formation was noted. CFFR at different concentrations did not show a significant effect on the delay of clot formation, antiplatelet, and free radical scavenging activity. The most possible marker compounds for antiplatelet and antioxidant activity identified by GC-MS in the MFFR are salicylate derivatives aromatic compounds such as benzeneacetaldehyde (7), phenylmalonic acid (13), and Salicylic acid (14), as well as Benzamides derivatives such as carbobenzyloxy-dl-norvaline (17), 3-acetoxy-2(1H)-pyridone (16), and 3-benzylhexahydropyrrolo [1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione (35). A toxicity study of MFFR did not show any physical indications of toxicity and mortality up to 1500 mg/kg body weight and nontoxic up to 1000 mg/kg, which is promising for the treatment of atherothrombotic diseases
Author Correction: Bioinformatics approach for the construction of multiple epitope vaccine against omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2
No full textCo-occurrence of mycotoxins and other fungal metabolites in total mixed rations of cows from dairy farms in Punjab, Pakistan
No full textAfter India and the USA, Pakistan is the third country leading in global dairy production, a sector of very high socioeconomic relevance in Asia. Mycotoxins can affect animal health, reproduction and productivity. This study analysed a broad range of co-occurring mycotoxins and fungal secondary metabolites derived from Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and other fungal species. To complete this, a validated multi-metabolite liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometric (LC/ESI-MS/MS) method was employed, detecting 96 of > 500 tested secondary fungal metabolites. This first preliminary study demonstrated that total mixed rations (TMRs) (n = 30) from big commercial dairy cattle farms (> 200 lactating cows) in Punjab, Pakistan, presented ubiquitous contamination with mixtures of mycotoxins. The mean of mycotoxins per sample was 14, ranging from 11 to 20 mycotoxins among all TMR samples. Metabolites derived from other fungi and Fusarium spp. showed the highest levels, frequency and diversity among the detected fungal compounds. Among the most prevalent mycotoxins were Fusarium toxins like fumonisins B1 (FB1) (93%), B2 (FB2) (100%) and B3 (FB3) (77%) and others. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was evidenced in 40% of the samples, and 7% exceeded the EU maximum limit for feeding dairy cattle (5 µg/kg at 88% dry matter). No other mycotoxin exceeds the EU guidance values (GVs). Additionally, we found that dietary ingredients like corn grain, soybean meal and canola meal were related to increased contamination of some mycotoxins (like FB1, FB2 and FB3) in TMR from the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Among typical forage sources, the content of maize silage was ubiquitous. Individually, the detected mycotoxins represented relatively low levels. However, under a realistic scenario, long-term exposure to multiple mycotoxins and other fungal secondary metabolites can exert unpredictable effects on animal health, reproduction and productivity. Except for ergot alkaloids (73%), all the groups of metabolites (i.e. derived from Alternaria spp., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., Penicillium spp. and other fungi) occurred in 100% of the TMR samples. At individual levels, no other mycotoxins than AFB1 represented a considerable risk; however, the high levels of co-occurrence with several mycotoxins/metabolites suggest that long-term exposure should be considered because of their potential toxicological interactions (additive or synergistic effects). [Abstract copyright: © 2023. The Author(s).
