Risk of infection with arboviruses in a healthy population in Pakistan based on seroprevalence.

Infectious diseases caused by arboviruses are a public health concern in Pakistan. However, studies on data prevalence and threats posed by arboviruses are limited. This study investigated the seroprevalence of arboviruses in a healthy population in Pakistan, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), Tamdy virus (TAMV), and Karshi virus (KSIV) based on a newly established luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assays, and Zika virus (ZIKV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

Genotypic analysis of hepatitis E virus (HEV) from sporadic symptomatic cases in Pakistan.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous nation in the world and faces several challenges, including devastating floods, sub-optimal sanitary conditions, clustered accommodations, and unregulated cross-border movements. These drastic population shifts make it vulnerable to the efficient spread of the Hepatitis E virus (HEV). The current study analyzed the genotypic characteristics and variants of the Hepatitis E virus circulating in the population of Pakistan.

Impact of Prosocial Motivation on Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Organizational Commitment: The Mediating Role of Managerial Support.

This study, based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, explores the impact of contextual variables, such as prosocial motivation, on employee discretionary behavior and organizational commitment. The mediating mechanism of managerial support at work defines the nature of the proposed relationships. Data from 303 administrative, instructional, and supervisory staff-predominantly male (95%) and with an average age of 30 years-working on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for Pakistan's public sector were collected and analyzed by employing SPSS version 24.

Impact of Authoritative and Laissez-Faire Leadership on Thriving at Work: The Moderating Role of Conscientiousness.

This study empirically investigates the less discussed catalytic effect of personality in the relationship of leadership style and employee thriving at work. The growth and sustainability of the organization is linked with the association of leadership style and employee thriving at the worplace. The objectives of this study are to explore the impact of authoritative and laissez-faire leadership styles and the moderating role of the personality trait of conscientiousness on thriving in the workplace.

Interferon α2-Thymosin α1 Fusion Protein (IFNα2-Tα1): A Genetically Engineered Fusion Protein with Enhanced Anticancer and Antiviral Effect.

Human interferon α2 (IFNα2) and thymosin α1 (Tα1) are therapeutic proteins used for the treatment of viral infections and different types of cancer. Both IFNα2 and Tα1 show a synergic effect in their activities when used in combination. Furthermore, the therapeutic fusion proteins produced through the genetic fusion of two genes can exhibit several therapeutic functions in one molecule.

Serologic Evidence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus and Related Viruses in Pakistan.

We describe the seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) and the association of antibody occurrence with location, sex, and age among the human population in Pakistan. Our results indicate substantial activity of SFTSV and SFTSV-related viruses in this country.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Humans and Livestock, Pakistan, 2015-2017.

We detected Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus infections in 4 provinces of Pakistan during 2017-2018. Overall, seroprevalence was 2.7% in humans and 36.

Dissecting microbial community structure in sewage treatment plant for pathogens' detection using metagenomic sequencing technology.

Continuous observation of wastewater treatment plants is very crucial to keep them safe for proper use and protection from pathogenic contamination. Illumina sequencing technology was used for microbiome structuring from various samples taken from different portions of the wastewater treatment plant, including influent, activated, return sludge and effluent, where different microbial compositions were found. The effluent section was found to have pathogenic microbes such as viruses, Alpha- and deltaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, clostridia, and bacilli in various concentrations.

High yield expression, characterization, and biological activity of IFNα2-Tα1 fusion protein.

The use of interferon α-2 in combination with thymosin α-1 shows higher anti-cancer effect in comparison when both are used individually because of their synergistic effects. In this study we produced an important human interferon α-2-thymosin α-1 (IFNα2-Tα1) fusion protein with probable pharmaceutical properties coupled to its high-level expression, characterization, and study of its biological activity. The IFNα2-Tα1 fusion gene was constructed by over-lap extension PCR and expressed in expression system.

Development of latent Interferon alpha 2b as a safe therapeutic for treatment of Hepatitis C virus infection.

Interferon therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection has very limited clinical application due to short serum half-life and side effects of therapy in systemic route of administration. In the present study, we have focused to improve the interferon therapy by overcoming the limitation of side effects. We hypothesized that latent interferon alpha 2b (IFNα2b) produced by fusion of Latency associated protein (LAP) domain of TGFβ and IFNα2b having HCV NS3 protease cleavage site as linker that will be activated only at target site (liver) by viral protease (HCV NS3 protease) present on the surface of infected cells.

Detection of West Nile virus lineage 1 sequences in blood donors, Punjab Province, Pakistan.

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the presence of West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito specimens and human blood donors in Pakistan.

Methods: A total of 4150 mosquito specimens were collected using CO-baited traps from five selected districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The mosquitoes were taxonomically identified using standard morphological keys, resulting in 166 pools.

Countrywide Survey for MERS-Coronavirus Antibodies in Dromedaries and Humans in Pakistan.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing severe respiratory disease in humans. Although dromedary camels are considered as a major reservoir host, the MERS-CoV infection dynamics in camels are not fully understood. Through surveillance in Pakistan, nasal (n = 776) and serum (n = 1050) samples were collected from camels between November 2015 and February 2018.

Detection of Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Drug Resistance Mutations Based on Multicolor Melting Curve Analysis.

Detection of anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drug resistance mutations is critical for therapeutic decisions for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. We describe a real-time PCR-based assay using multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) that could accurately detect 24 HBV nucleotide mutations at 10 amino acid positions in the reverse transcriptase region of the HBV polymerase gene. The two-reaction assay had a limit of detection of 5 copies per reaction and could detect a minor mutant population (5% of the total population) with the reverse transcriptase M204V amino acid mutation in the presence of the major wild-type population when the overall concentration was 10 copies/μl.

Use of Moringa oleifera Flower Pod Extract as Natural Preservative and Development of SCAR Marker for Its DNA Based Identification.

The use of Moringa oleifera as natural food preservative has been evaluated in the present study. In addition, for quality assurance, the study has also been focused on the shelf life of product to authenticate the identification of plant by development of DNA based marker. Among the different extracts prepared from flower pods of Moringa oleifera, methanol and aqueous extract exhibited high antibacterial and antioxidant activity, respectively.

Rapid detection of HCV genotyping 1a, 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b and 6a in a single reaction using two-melting temperature codes by a real-time PCR-based assay.

The genotype of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important indicator for antiviral therapeutic response. We hereby described development of a rapid HCV genotyping approach that enabled the identification of the six most common HCV subtypes of Asia, i.e.

The IFN-λ Genetic Polymorphism Association With the Viral Clearance Induced by Hepatitis C Virus Treatment in Pakistani Patients.

Background: Polymorphisms in the interferon λ (INF λ) genes on chromosome 19 have been associated with clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced by interferon and ribavirin therapy however there is no such data available for Pakistani patients with HCV infection.

Objectives: In this study, the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been investigated in response to treatment with interferon-α and ribavirin in a cohort of 75 HCV genotype 3a patients.

Patients And Methods: A total number of 50 SNPs from the Interferon λ region on chromosome 19 were genotyped to investigate allelic associations with the treatment response in HCV type 3a patients.

On-site cellulase production by Trichoderma reesei 3EMS35 mutant and same vessel saccharification and fermentation of acid treated wheat straw for ethanol production.

Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic raw materials involves process steps like pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation. In this study, wheat straw was explored as feedstock for on-site cellulase production by T. reesei 3EMS35 mutant, and as a substrate for second generation bioethanol production from baker yeast.

Heterologous expression, immunochemical and computational analysis of recombinant human interferon alpha 2b.

Interferon alpha 2b (IFNα-2b) is an important cytokine and used for antiviral and anticancer treatment. The low cost production of IFNα-2b with high biological activity is necessary to provide the interferon therapy to the hepatitis patients in Pakistan. In the present study, human interferon alpha 2b (hIFNα-2b) gene from a healthy person was cloned and overexpressed in E.

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus genotypes in different geographical regions of Punjab Province in Pakistan and a phylogenetic analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a causative agent of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Pakistan, more than 10 million people are living with HCV. Very little is known about the genotype distribution in Punjab Province, the largest province of Pakistan.

Identification and purification of antigenic 34 kDa outer membrane protein of Salmonella typhi.

Background: Salmonella Typhi is a pathogenic bacterium that causes a number of infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. In this study, an antigenic (34 kDa) protein was identified, purified, and characterized from outer membrane of Salmonella typhi.

Methods: Immunoblot analysis was used to screen antigenic proteins from outer membrane of Salmonella Typhi.

Biocatalytic activity of recombinant human β-mannosidase immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles for bioprocess.

Recombinant human β-mannosidase (rhMANB) is an important glycosidase enzyme that degrades mannose-linked glycoproteins and mannan polysaccharides. rhMANB was purified and covalently immobilized onto magnetic nanoparticles. The immobilization of the enzyme was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and magnetic nanoparticles linked immunosorbent assay (MagLISA).

Determination of oxygen derived free radicals producer (xanthine oxidase) and scavenger (paraoxonase1) enzymes and lipid parameters in different cancer patients.

Background: Cancer is a major cause of death throughout the world. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is considered an oxygen derived free radicals producer and paraoxonasel (PON1) is known as a free radicals scavenger. This study was undertaken to determine the activity of PON1 and XO and their concentration along with the lipid profile, lipid peroxide, and thiol level in cancer patients and healthy persons.

Predictors of response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C from Pakistani population.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a major public health issue around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In this study, we assessed outcome of interferon (INF) treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients categorized by gender, age, and viral load.

Methods: In this study, 750 HCV positive patients with genotype 3 were selected, out of which 616 completed the entire treatment.

Evaluation of prognostic factors for Peg Interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin treatment on HCV infected patients in Pakistan.

The effective standard therapeutic regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C is pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. The efficacy of treatment in chronic hepatitis C is defined as absence of detectable virus at six months after treatment. Analysis of patient dependent and virus related factors that enable us to predict the response to antiviral treatment is very important.