Mutational and expressional association of the PIK3CA gene with the risk of breast cancer in the Pakistani population.

PI3K pathway is a very important pathway that is reported to be involved in breast cancer. Mutation of PI3K and p110 alpha-catalytic subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PIK3CA) is of high predictive and prognostic values in breast cancer. The purpose of the current study was to screen the hotspot mutations of the PIK3CA gene i.

Comparative Analysis of Different ELISA Methods for the Serodiagnosis of Infestation in Goats.

(warble fly) grubs cause myiasis in goats, in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas and different regions in Pakistan, and cause substantial losses to livestock. The palpation method for detecting warble flies generally neglects the infestation intensity; therefore, the development of a reliable and efficient diagnostic technique is extremely necessary. This study compared three indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods for detecting anti- antibodies using the hypodermin C (HyC) purified from Hypoderma spp.

Prevalence and Distribution of Hard Ticks and Their Associated Risk Factors in Sheep and Goats from Four Agro-Climatic Zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan.

Hard ticks are blood-sucking ectoparasites infesting all types of domestic ruminants throughout the world and serve as vectors in the dissemination of a wide variety of pathogens. Sheep and goat farming is a vital economic source for resource-poor farming communities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. The aim of present study is to study the epidemiological profile of ticks in various agro-climatic zones of KPK.

Genetic analysis of failed male puberty using whole exome sequencing.

Objectives: Although at least 598 genes are involved in the development of the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, mutations in only 75 genes have so far been shown to cause delayed puberty.

Methods: Six male patients with failed puberty, manifested as absence of pubertal changes by 18 years of age, underwent whole exome sequencing of genomic DNA with subsequent bioinformatics analysis and confirmation of selected variants by Sanger sequencing. Genes having plausibly pathogenic non-synonymous variants were characterized as group A (previously reported to cause delayed puberty), group B (expressed in the HPT-axis but no mutations therein were reported to cause delayed puberty) or group C (not reported previously to be connected with HPT-axis).

A classification of genes involved in normal and delayed male puberty.

Puberty is a pivotal biological process that completes sexual maturation to achieve full reproductive capability. It is a major transformational period of life, whose timing is strongly affected by genetic makeup of the individual, along with various internal and external factors. Although the exact mechanism for initiation of the cascade of molecular events that culminate in puberty is not yet known, the process of pubertal onset involves interaction of numerous complex signaling pathways of hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis.

Natural plant extracts mediated expression regulation of TGF-β receptors and SMAD genes in human cancer cell lines.

Background: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily has key role in cell proliferation which leads to tumor promoting activities at metastatic stage of cancer. Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta receptor (TGFβR) signaling pathway can provide better therapeutic strategy to control cancer. Natural products are best known for their safety, less toxic nature, antioxidant characteristics making them a promising candidate to inhibit TGFβR signaling pathway.

The association between chronic stress, hair cortisol, and angiographically documented coronary atherosclerosis, a case-control study.

Cardiovascular diseases remain the principal contributor to global mortality and morbidity. Chronic stress has emerged as a strong prognostic factor for cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to measure hair cortisol concentration (HCC) in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary atherosclerosis and find the association between HCC and classic cardiovascular risk factors in a case-control study.

Seroepidemiology of human fascioliasis and its relationship with anti- IgG and liver enzymes as biomarkers of pathogenicity.

Background: Fascioliasis has never been considered a public health concern in Pakistan, although the increasing numbers of human cases reported in south Asia need a re-consideration in the country. The current study aimed to find the seroprevalence of human fascioliasis, associated risk factors and its relationship with liver enzymes as biomarkers of pathogenicity.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in different districts of Punjab region from May 2014 to August 2016.

Calcium based siRNA coating: a novel approach for knockdown of HER2 gene in MCF-7 cells using gold nanoparticles.

Surface functionalization of nanoparticles (NPs) for therapeutic siRNA delivery into cancer cells has gained interest. The present study was designed for surface functionalization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for efficient siRNA delivery and knockdown in cancer cells. In order to achieve this objective, AuNPs were coated with HER2-siRNA in the presence of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA), calcium chloride (CaCl2) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) in alternate charge bearing successive layers.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of Entamoeba histolytica infection among gastroenteritis patients visiting the public healthcare system, Pakistan.

Objectives: To investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of entamoeba histolytica among patients with gastrointestinal complaints, and to measure the eventual changes in serum biochemical parameters to reflect its pathogenicity.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in different hospitals of Potohar region in Punjab province and in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan from September 2015 to February 2017, and comprised individuals of either gender belonging to diverse backgrounds, inhabiting different areas of the country. The patients were enrolled from among those who visited outpatient departments with complaints of vague abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion and diarrhoea.

Risk factors and causes of stillbirths among pregnant women in Pakistan.

Background: Globally 3 million stillbirths occur per year, and Pakistan is ranked 3 among the countries having the highest burden. Despite being a major public health problem, efforts to reduce this figure are insufficient.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and measure the inequalities in stillbirth associated risk factors, causes and fertility risk behaviors.

An investigation on the prevalence and efficiency of immunochromatographic testing in suspected malarial patients of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan.

Background/aim: The prevalences of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax are increasing rapidly in Pakistan, but recent data on the epidemiology of malaria are not properly reported with scarce diagnostic methods for quick diagnosis. This study was designed to determine the current prevalence and distribution of Plasmodium species in the vicinity of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and report on the validity of the immunochromatographic test (ICT) in diagnosing malarial infections.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1500 blood samples obtained from a local hospital were screened during the course of this study via microscopic examination and ICT.

Risk mapping of bovine hypodermosis using geographical information system (GIS) in cattle of subtropical region, Pakistan.

Introduction: Hypodermosis is an ectoparasitic disease of cattle caused by Hypoderma lineatum and Hypoderma bovis. It is an important health problem of cattle, leading to considerable economic losses. There are various factors that are involved in the spread of this disease such as herd size, location, temperature, humidity, and precipitation.

Anthelmintic activity of Artemisia vestita Wall ex DC. and Artemisia maritima L. against Haemonchus contortus from sheep.

Current study was designed to evaluate in vivo and in vitro anthelmintic activity of Artemisia vestita Wall ex DC. and Artemisia maritima L. against Haemonchus contortus in comparison with ivermectin to investigate the effect of plant extracts on survival of infective L3 and adults under in vitro condition.

Empirical evidence of cold stress induced cell mediated and humoral immune response in common myna (Sturnus tristis).

Common myna (Sturnus tristis) is a bird indigenous to the Indian subcontinent that has invaded many parts of the world. At the onset of our investigation, we hypothesized that the immunological profile of myna makes it resistant to harsh/new environmental conditions. In order to test this hypothesis, a number of 40 mynas were caught and divided into two groups, i.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for toxoplasmosis in large ruminants in northern Punjab, Pakistan.

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a widespread zoonosis that causes significant economic losses due to abortions and other developmental disabilities in livestock animals. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in cattle and buffaloes in northern parts of Punjab, Pakistan, where no such work previously existed.

Methodology: Serum samples obtained from 400 cattle and 422 buffaloes present on different private and government-owned farms were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibodies by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Impact of climate change and man-made irrigation systems on the transmission risk, long-term trend and seasonality of human and animal fascioliasis in Pakistan.

Large areas of the province of Punjab, Pakistan are endemic for fascioliasis, resulting in high economic losses due to livestock infection but also affecting humans directly. The prevalence in livestock varies pronouncedly in space and time (1-70%). Climatic factors influencing fascioliasis presence and potential spread were analysed based on data from five meteorological stations during 1990-2010.

Isolation of antibacterial compounds from Quercus dilatata L. through bioassay guided fractionation.

Background: Four medicinal plants (Chrozophora hierosolymitana Spreng, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L., Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf, and Quercus dilatata L.

Biological monitoring of blood naphthalene levels as a marker of occupational exposure to PAHs among auto-mechanics and spray painters in Rawalpindi.

Background: Routine exposure to chemical contaminants in workplace is a cause for concern over potential health risks to workers. In Pakistan, reports on occupational exposure and related health risks are almost non-existent, which reflects the scarce availability of survey data and criteria for determining whether an unsafe exposure has occurred. The current study was designed to evaluate blood naphthalene (NAPH) levels as an indicator of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among automobile workshop mechanics (MCs) and car-spray painters (PNs).

Di- and triorganotin(IV) esters of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenylpropenoic acid: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and biological screening for antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antitumor activities.

Nine biologically significant organotin(IV) esters of 3,4-Methylenedioxyphenylpropenoic acid (L) were synthesized with the general formulae [R2SnL2], where R includes Me(1), Et(3), But(4), Oct(5), Ph(8), and [R3SnL], in which R is Me(2), Cy(6), Ph(7), and But(9). The acid and its compounds were characterized by basic analytical techniques comprising elemental analysis, FTIR and mass spectrometry in solid state and by Multinuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR in solution form, which provides some important information about the different coordination behaviors of metal in both solid and solution. Methylenedioxy moiety in these compounds enhances the biological activity of these compounds.

Development and survival of Haemonchus contortus infective larvae derived from sheep faeces under sub-tropical conditions in the Potohar region of Pakistan.

Assessment on the development and survival of Haemonchus contortus larvae was made to evaluate the influence of microclimatic variables viz., relative humidity (%), temperature (degreesC), rainfall (mm) and intensity of sunlight (hrs). Pasture plots in a subtropical area, Pakistan were contaminated with H.