Comparative analysis of breeding patterns and reproductive efficiency of mares in subtropical conditions of Pakistan.

Background And Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the overall and breed-specific seasonal breeding patterns, fertility rates, cyclicity, and follicular dynamics of Arab, Thoroughbred, and Percheron mares under the subtropical conditions of Pakistan.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis of climatic data and breeding records of eleven breeding studs spanning four years (2020-2023) was made to find out the overall seasonality in the breeding pattern of mares. Fifty mares of each breed (n = 150 in total) were scanned by ultrasonography for a calendar year to find the cyclicity pattern and follicular dynamics (follicular growth rate, size of ovulatory follicle, and days from estrus till ovulation).

NiO/MnFeO Nanocomposite Photoluminescence, Structural, Morphological, Magnetic, and Optical Properties: Photocatalytic Removal of Cresol Red under Visible Light Irradiation.

In this study, pure nickel oxide (NiO), manganese ferrite (MnFeO or MFO), and binary nickel oxide/manganese ferrite (NiO/MFO1-4) nanocomposites (NCs) were synthesized using the Sol-Gel method. A comprehensive investigation into their photoluminescence, structural, morphological, magnetic, optical, and photocatalytic properties was conducted. Raman analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques were used to characterize the materials.

A comparative absorption study of sucrosomial orodispersible vitamin D3 supplementation vs. a reference chewable tablet and soft gel capsule vitamin D3 in improving circulatory 25(OH)D levels in healthy adults with vitamin D deficiency-Results from a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency (VDD), associated with diverse health conditions, is commonly treated with Vit D3 supplements. However, the gastrointestinal (GI) absorption of Vit D3 in different formulations has not been well studied.

Objective: We aimed to compare the absorption of an innovative phospholipids-sucrester matrix biodelivery vehicle-based (sucrosomial) orodispersible Vit D3 preparation against a reference chewable tablet and soft gel capsule (SGC) Vit D3 formulations in Vit D-deficient healthy adults.

Optical, Photocatalytic, Electrochemical, Magnetic, Dielectric, and Ferroelectric Properties of Cd- and Er-Doped BiFeO Prepared via a Facile Microemulsion Route.

A series of Cd- and Er-doped bismuth ferrites were synthesized using a simple microemulsion technique. The influence of Cd and Er doping on the structural, ferroelectric, photocatalytic, and dielectric properties of bismuth ferrite (BFO) was examined in this research. The prepared materials were examined by X-ray diffraction, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis techniques.

Effect of three schemes of ovum pick-up on the follicular dynamics, gene expression, and in-vitro developmental competence of oocytes in Sahiwal cattle.

This study aimed to compare the effect of three schemes of ovum pick-up (OPU) on follicular dynamics, oocytes recovery, oocytes quality, gene expression, nuclear maturation and in-vitro developmental competence of oocytes in Sahiwal cattle. Considering the follicle population, all the cows were divided equally in a 3 × 3 cross over design, and each cow received one of the three treatments: (a) twice weekly (TW; n = 6), (b) once weekly (OW; n = 6) and (c) bi-weekly OPU (BW; n = 6) in three periods, with the first OPU conducted on 4, 7 and 14 days after second dominant follicle puncture (DFP) in the TW, OW and BW OPU interval groups, respectively. The collected cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) were graded into A, B, C and D grades depending on the number of layers of cumulus cells and homogeneous nature of cytoplasm.

Influence of endometritis on the follicular dynamics, recovery, quality, gene expression, nuclear maturation and in-vitro developmental competence of oocytes in Sahiwal cattle.

Uterine infections often lead to culling of valuable animals from a herd, resulting in genetic drain. The genetic potential of problematic females could be harvested by in-vitro embryo production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of clinical endometritis on follicular dynamics, recovery, quality, gene expression, nuclear maturation and in-vitro developmental competence of oocytes in Sahiwal cattle.

Phenotypic characterization and genome analysis of a novel Salmonella Typhimurium phage having unique tail fiber genes.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a foodborne pathogen causing occasional outbreaks of enteric infections in humans. Salmonella has one of the largest pools of temperate phages in its genome that possess evolutionary significance for pathogen. In this study, we characterized a novel temperate phage Salmonella phage BIS20 (BIS20) with unique tail fiber genes.

Genome Analysis and Therapeutic Evaluation of a Novel Lytic Bacteriophage of Typhimurium: Suggestive of a New Genus in the Subfamily .

Typhimurium, a foodborne pathogen, is a major concern for food safety. Its MDR serovars of animal origin pose a serious threat to the human population. Phage therapy can be an alternative for the treatment of such MDR serovars.

Emergence of plasmid-mediated mcr genes from Gram-negative bacteria at the human-animal interface.

Background: The global emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (Col-R) conferred by mcr genes in gram-negative rods (GNRs) has jeopardized the last treatment option for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in humans. This study aimed to assess the emergence of mcr gene-mediated Col-R in GNRs isolated from humans and animals in Pakistan.

Methods: Animal and clinical specimens collected from various sources were prospectively analysed using standard microbiological procedures.

Exploring the prevalence and diversity of bovine ticks in five agro-ecological zones of Pakistan using phenetic and genetic tools.

Tick infestation is a leading cause of tick-worry and tick-borne diseases in livestock and associated economic losses in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The cattle and buffalo populations in Pakistan are exposed to tick infestation throughout the year, but very little is known about the biology, diversity and distribution of tick species across different agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of the country. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence (number of bovines infested with ticks out of the investigated population) and diversity of hard ticks infesting bovines in 30 villages located in five distinct AEZs (i.

Effect of carboxylated poly l-Lysine as a cryoprotectant on post-thaw quality and in vivo fertility of Nili Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull semen.

Buffalo bull sperm are more prone to cryo-injuries. Glycerol being the most common permeable cryoprotectant exerts cytotoxic effects on sperm which cause a reduction in fertility. Thus, the exploration of new cryoprotectant is needed.

Isocratic High Performance Liquid Chromatography Assay for Quantification of Ceftiofur Hydrochloride in Bubaline Plasma.

We optimized and validated an isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay for quantification of ceftiofur hydrochloride in bubaline plasma. Ceftiofur, its metabolic products and protein-bound residues were cleaved, derivatized into desfuroylceftiofur acetamide and injected into HPLC system. The mobile phase comprising of sodium dihydrogen phosphate (0.

Prevalence and Phylogenetics of H9n2 in Backyard and Commercial Poultry in Pakistan.

Surveillance of H9N2 is currently focused on areas central to the commercial poultry industry. This study determined the prevalence of H9N2 virus in commercial and backyard poultry flocks in Punjab Province, Pakistan. Oral and tracheal swabs were collected from commercial and backyard poultry from January 2015 through June 2016.

Avian Influenza A(H9N2) Virus in Poultry Worker, Pakistan, 2015.

Avian influenza A(H9N2) virus isolated from a poultry worker in Pakistan in 2015 was closely related to viruses detected in poultry farms. Observed mutations in the hemagglutinin related to receptor-binding affinity and antigenicity could affect cross-reactivity with prepandemic H9N2 vaccine strains.

Immunomodulatory activities of gemifloxacin in mice.

Objectives: Gemifloxacin is a broad spectrum antibiotic and has shown excellent coverage against a wide variety of microorganisms. In this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the immunomodulatory potential of gemifloxacin in male swiss albino mice .

Materials And Methods: Three doses of gemifloxacin 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg were used intraperitoneally (IP) for the evaluation of immune responses in mice.

Nanotoxicity of Inert Materials: The Case of Gold, Silver and Iron.

Nanotechnology has opened a new horizon of research in various fields including applied physics, chemistry, electronics, optics, robotics, biotechnology and medicine. In the biomedical field, nanomaterials have shown remarkable potential as theranostic agents. Materials which are considered inert are often used in nanomedicine owning to their nontoxic profile.

Genetic diversity of Newcastle disease virus in Pakistan: a countrywide perspective.

Background: Newcastle disease (ND) is one of the most deadly diseases of poultry around the globe. The disease is endemic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are being reported regularly in wild captive, rural and commercial poultry flocks. Though, efforts have been made to characterize the causative agent in some of parts of the country, the genetic nature of strains circulating throughout Pakistan is currently lacking.

Role of PelF in pel polysaccharide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces three exopolysaccharides, Psl, Pel, and alginate, that play vital roles in biofilm formation. Pel is a glucose-rich, cellulose-like exopolysaccharide. The essential Pel biosynthesis proteins are encoded by seven genes, pelA to pelG.

Role of exopolysaccharides in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation and architecture.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen and has been established as a model organism to study bacterial biofilm formation. At least three exopolysaccharides (alginate, Psl, and Pel) contribute to the formation of biofilms in this organism. Here mutants deficient in the production of one or more of these polysaccharides were generated to investigate how these polymers interactively contribute to biofilm formation.

Paclitaxel and immune system.

Chemotherapy remains the mainstay of treatment for both early stage as well as metastatic tumors. Paclitaxel (PTX), a novel anticancer drug, is a prominent taxane which is active against a broad range of tumors that are generally considered to be refractory to conventional chemotherapy, with benefits gained in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival. PTX is initially characterized as a mitotic inhibitor, and its anti-neoplastic effect is derived from binding to tubulin and excessive microtubule stabilization.

Accuracy of surgeon-performed abdominal utrasound for gallstones.

Background: Gallstone disease is common in Pakistan. It is primarily diagnosed by ultrasonography. which is traditionally done by radiologists.

Small bowel obstruction in children due to persimmon phytobezoars.

Objective: To present the clinical picture of small bowel obstruction caused by Persimmon phytobezoars in children of Hazara (Northern Pakistan).

Design: Descriptive case series.

Place And Duration Of Study: Three general surgical units of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from November 1998 to March 2003.

Gastrointestinal perforation in children due to blunt abdominal trauma in Hazara, Northern Pakistan.

A retrospective study of 25 children with gastrointestinal perforation due to blunt abdominal trauma in a single region of Pakistan is presented. The age, sex, aetiology, site of perforation, abdominal and X-ray findings, associated injuries, surgical procedures and outcome were analysed. There were 20 boys and 5 girls: mean age was 10 years.