Publications by authors named "Muhammad Zahoor"

A rising corpus of research has shown the beneficial effects of probiotic on human health, contributing to the growing popularity of these microorganisms in recent decades. The gastrointestinal and urinary tracts are home to these bacteria, which play a vital role in the microbial flora of both humans and animals. The probiotic, i.

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  • Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a medicinal plant native to Asia Minor and Europe, analyzed for its genetic variance through morphological and molecular traits.
  • Different varieties were collected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, revealing a significant range of 26 morphological traits, with the Tindodag variety showing the highest fruit weight and distinct origins.
  • Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and principal component analysis, indicated noteworthy variations among genotypes, confirming Tindodag's uniqueness and suggesting its potential for further research and utilization.
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The reproductive efficiency of livestock is crucial for agricultural productivity and economic sustainability. One critical factor in successful fertilization and the viability of offspring is the quality of semen. Poor semen quality, especially in frozen-thawed semen used in artificial insemination (AI) have been shown to influence conception outcomes, resulting a negative impact on livestock production.

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Endometritis is a common inflammatory condition of the uterine endometrial lining that primarily affects perinatal dairy animals and causes significant economic losses in agriculture. It is usually triggered by pathogenic bacteria and is associated with chronic postpartum reproductive tract infections. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are known to increase levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and inflammation through the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway and the inhibition of Nrf2 nuclear translocation, which regulates antioxidant response elements (AREs).

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Millions of lives have been lost to the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. Vaccines and antiviral drugs are essential scientific tools in combating viral infections. This study focused on the RdRp inhibitor favipiravir, exploring new analogs by substituting the fluorine atom on the pyrazine ring with both homocyclic and heterocyclic moieties.

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Antibiotics have been a vital component in the fight against microbial diseases for over 75 years, saving countless lives. However, the global rise of multi-drug-resistance (MDR) bacterial infections is pushing us closer to a post-antibiotic era where common infections may once again become lethal. To combat MDR Acinetobacter baumannii, we investigated chiral phthalimides and used molecular docking to identify potential targets.

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Mastitis is a significant inflammatory condition of the mammary gland in dairy cows. It is caused by bacterial infections and leads to substantial economic losses worldwide. The disease can be either clinical or sub-clinical and presents challenges such as reduced milk yield, increased treatment costs, and the need to cull affected cows.

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  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in communication and disease processes for parasitic helminths, which are significant contributors to global health issues.
  • Recent studies show that EVs, which include microvesicles and exosomes, are involved in the lifecycle, immune evasion, and disease progression of helminths by transferring various biological materials between cells.
  • These findings suggest that EVs serve as promising tools for diagnosing and treating parasitic infections, along with identifying potential targets for new therapies and vaccines.
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Splicing and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-proteostasis are two key processes that ultimately regulate the functional proteins that are produced by a cell. However, the extent to which these processes interact remains poorly understood. Here, we identify SNRPB and other components of the Sm-ring, as targets of the unfolded protein response and novel regulators of export from the ER.

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Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a rare childhood manifested disease associated with impaired bile secretion with severe pruritus yellow stool, and sometimes hepatosplenomegaly. PFIC is caused by mutations in ATP8B1, ABCB11, ABCB4, TJP2, NR1H4, SLC51A, USP53, KIF12, ZFYVE19, and MYO5B genes depending on its type. ABCB11 mutations lead to PFIC2 that encodes the bile salt export pump (BSEP).

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  • - The study examined how adding naringenin to a semen extender impacts the quality of buffalo bull sperm post-thaw, focusing on aspects like motility, viability, and gene expression related to fertility.
  • - Semen samples were treated with various concentrations of naringenin and analyzed using multiple tests to evaluate sperm characteristics, revealing that lower concentrations (50, 100, and 150 μM) significantly improved sperm quality compared to higher doses (200 μM), placebo, and control groups.
  • - The analysis showed that 150 μM naringenin enhanced the expression levels of important fertility-related genes SPACA3 and PRM1, while the pro-apoptotic gene BAX was notably higher at 200 μM
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Mycotoxin contamination poses a significant problem in developing countries, particularly in northern Pakistan's fluctuating climate. This study aimed to assess aflatoxin contamination in medicinal and condiment plants in Upper Dir (dry-temperate) and Upper Swat (moist-temperate) districts. Plant samples were collected and screened for mycotoxins (Aflatoxin-B1 and Aflatoxin-B-2).

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Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, or long COVID, is a condition characterized by persistent COVID-19 symptoms. As long COVID is defined by clinical criteria after an elapsed period, an opportunity for early intervention may aid in future prophylactic approaches; however, at present, the pathobiological mechanisms are multifactorial. By analyzing early virally infected upper respiratory tract tissue prior to eventual clinical diagnosis, it may be possible to identify biomarkers of altered immune response to facilitate future studies and interventions.

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During in-vitro maturation, the oocyte experiences stressful conditions that likely compromise its development. Epinephrine is a catecholamine that plays a vital role during cellular stress by scavenging free radicals. The hypothesis is that epinephrine addition in maturation media improves the developmental competence of oocytes in cattle and buffalo.

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Coxiella burnetii is the worldwide zoonotic infectious agent for Q fever in humans and animals. Farm animals are the main reservoirs of C. burnetii infection, which is mainly transmitted via tick bites.

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Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's antioxidant defenses. It poses a significant threat to the physiological function of reproductive cells. Factors such as xenobiotics and heat can worsen this stress, leading to cellular damage and apoptosis, ultimately decreasing reproductive efficiency.

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  • This text talks about a rare bone disorder called spondylocarpotarsal synostosis syndrome, caused by a change in a specific gene (FLNB).
  • Researchers studied a family in Pakistan to find out more about this disorder using advanced DNA testing methods like whole exome sequencing.
  • They discovered a new genetic change in the FLNB gene that helps understand the disorder better and can assist in giving advice to families about their genetic risks.
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In the current study, seven (7) aurone derivatives (ADs) were synthesized and employed to LOX and COX-2 assays, models of acetic acid-induced mice writhing, formalin-induced mice paw licking and tail immersion test to evaluate their analgesic potential at the doses of 10 mg and 20 mg/kg body weight. Molecular docking was performed to know the active binding site at both LOX and COX-2 as compared to standard drugs. Among the ADs, 2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzylidene)benzofuran-3(2)-one ()possessed optimal LOX and COX-2 inhibitory strength (= and ) as compared to standard (Zileuton = 0.

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Background Aims: Pegylated interferon-α (PegIFNα) is of limited utility during immunotolerant or immune active phases of chronic hepatitis B infection but is being explored as part of new cure regimens. Low/absent levels of IFNα found in some patients receiving treatment are associated with limited/no virological responses. The study aimed to determine if sera from participants inhibit IFNα activity and/or contain therapy-induced anti-IFNα antibodies.

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Background: One of the most challenging aspects of nucleic acid amplification tests is the extraction of genomic DNA. However, achieving satisfactory quality and quantity of genomic DNA is not always easy, while the demand for rapid, low-cost and less laborious DNA isolation methods is ever-increasing.

Methods And Results: We have developed a rapid (⁓2 min) crude DNA extraction method leading to direct-PCR that requires minimum reagents and laboratory equipment.

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Objective: To determine the association of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).

Study Design: A case-control study. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, de Montmorency, College of Dentistry/ Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from 1st April 2019 to 31st April 2020.

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Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus (DM), is a metabolic disorder characterized by an abnormal rise in blood sugar (glucose) levels brought on by a complete or partial lack of insulin secretion along with corresponding changes in the metabolism of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. It has been reported that medicinal plants play a pivotal role in the treatment of various ailments such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The current study involved exploring the acute toxicity and antidiabetic activity of berberine (), palmatine (), and 8-trichloromethyl dihydroberberine () previously isolated from Stapf using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model.

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Amnesia is a major health problem prevalent in almost every part of the world specifically in old age peoples. Vanillin analogues have played an important role in the field medicines. Some of them have been documented to be promising inhibitors of cholinesterases and could therefore, be used as antidepressant, anti-Alzheimer and as neuroprotective drugs.

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A novel adsorbent designated as terpolymer hydrogel (gellan gum--acrylamide--methacrylic acid) was prepared by free radical polymerization of gellan gum (GG), methacrylic acid (MAA), and acrylamide (AAm) using ,-methylene bis-acrylamide (MBA) as cross-linker and ammonium per sulfate (APS) as the initiator of the reaction. The synthesized gel was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and was used for the adsorptive removal of methyl violet (MV) and Fuchsin Basic (FB) dyes from aqueous solution. The effect of temperature, contact time, pH, and concentration on them under the study adsorption process was evaluated.

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