Publications by authors named "Zulfiqar S"

Pakistan with a population of approximately 200 million people faces a significant burden of genetic disorders. Higher preference for consanguinity (73%) is one of the significant reasons. Despite being a hub for rare genetic disorders, the country lacks professionally trained genetic counselors due to the absence of postgraduate degree programs or diplomas in genetic counseling.

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  • Exposing wheat to physical mutagens generated new genetic resources that may help in managing various environmental stresses.
  • A high throughput GBS-DArTseq™ assay revealed significant genetic diversity among 33 stable wheat mutants, identifying over 1.5 million PAV markers distributed across different wheat chromosomes, with the highest counts found on Chr-7D and Chr-7B.
  • The study highlighted specific mutants with notable PAV counts linked to beneficial traits like disease resistance, enhanced photosynthesis, larger grain size, and improved yield, proving useful for molecular geneticists and breeders in developing resilient wheat varieties.
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With growing environmental concerns, the removal of toxic industrial dyes from wastewater has become a critical global issue. In this study, TiO-CuSe composites were synthesized using a cost-effective and simple chemical method to determine the optimal concentration of CuSe for the efficient degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light. The TiO samples exhibited a mix of rutile and anatase phases, while CuSe formed in a hexagonal phase.

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The increasing need to tackle major societal challenges such as environmental sustainability and resource scarcity has heightened global interest in green and efficient separation technologies. The separation of organic acids, particularly tartaric acid, holds significant industrial importance in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Purifying tartaric acid is crucial due to its roles as a chiral catalyst, antioxidant, and stabilizer, which are vital for ensuring product quality and efficiency.

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Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in term and preterm neonates with respiratory distress by evaluating successful outcomes, identifying factors contributing to treatment failure, and documenting associated complications.

Method: A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. The research was conducted at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalpindi from November 2022 to July 2023.

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In this study, NiSe nanocubes, ZnO rods, and their composites were prepared by simple chemical methods to investigate their photocatalytic response and antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of NiSe nanocubes was explored for enhanced photocatalytic performance by varying its percentage in the NiSe-ZnO composites. The findings suggested that the optical response of ZnO was significantly improved and shifted towards visible region by incorporating NiSe as a co-catalyst.

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Purpose: Fascioliasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease spread by genus Fasciola that causes considerable health and economic losses to both humans and livestock. Pakistan is an endemic region for fascioliasis and only a few molecular studies have been conducted to describe the etiology of disease in the country.

Methods: Current study involved the molecular characterization of adult fluke specimens (n = 31) through ITS-1 region of rDNA collected from four host species (sheep, goats, cattle and buffaloes) of district Sargodha.

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In the current study, CuO, ZnCoO, CuO/ZnCoO, and CuO/ZnCoO/CNTs photocatalysts were prepared to remove crystal violet (CV) and colorless pollutants (diclofenac sodium and phenol) from wastewater. Herein, sol-gel and co-precipitation methods were used to synthesize CuO and ZnCoO, respectively. The sonication method was used to synthesize CuO/ZnCoO and a CNTs-based composite (CuO/ZnCoO/CNTs).

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  • The strain NCCP-602, isolated from tannery effluent, is an aerobic, gram-positive, non-motile bacterium that thrives at 30°C, pH 7.0, and 1% NaCl concentration, and can tolerate high levels of various heavy metals.
  • Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequences places NCCP-602 in the Brevibacterium genus, closely related to Brevibacterium ammoniilyticum, and reveals it as a distinct novel genospecies.
  • The biochemical composition, including its polar lipid and fatty acid profiles, supports the classification of NCCP-602 as a new species, Brevibacterium metallidurans sp.
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This study explores the use of sugarcane bagasse (SCB), a byproduct of sugarcane processing, as a bio-filler in the production of flexible polyurethane foam (FPU), focusing on its benefits for both the environment and the economy. By varying the inclusion of SCB waste from 1 to 6 wt%, the research aims to enhance the FPU's mechanical and acoustic characteristics. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) were utilized to analyze the chemical structure and surface characteristics of both SCB and the FPU/SCB composites.

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  • Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten sensitivity, previously thought to only affect white Europeans, but now recognized in various racial groups including South Asians and Africans.
  • Recent research focused on genetic variations LPP rs1464510 and ZMIZ1 rs1250552 in the Punjabi Pakistani population, revealing significant associations with CD risk.
  • Findings indicated that the LPP rs1464510 A allele reduces CD risk by approximately 52%, while having the C allele increases risk by about 2.6 times; similarly, the AG genotype of rs1250552 decreases risk by 73%.
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Designing innovative microstructures and implementing efficient multicomponent strategies are still challenging to achieve high-performance and chemo-mechanically stable electrode materials. Herein, a hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide (GO) assisted TiCT MXene aerogel foam (MXene-GAF) impregnated with battery-type bimetallic nickel vanadium selenide (NiVSe) has been prepared through a hydrothermal method followed by freeze-drying (denoted as NiVSe-MXene-GAF). 3D-oriented cellular pore networks benefit the energy storage process through the effective lodging of NiVSe particles, improving the access of the electrolyte to the active sites, and alleviating volume changes during redox reactions.

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Androgenic alopecia (AGA) affects both men and women worldwide. New blood vessel formation can restore blood supply and stimulate the hair regrowth cycle. Recently, our group reported that 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR) is 80%-90% as effective as VEGF in the stimulation of neovascularization in models and in a chick bioassay.

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This study explores the iodine and nickel-doped cobalt hydroxide (I & Ni-co-doped-Co(OH)) as a potential material for energy storage and conversion applications owing to its excellent electrochemical characteristics. According to our analysis, it was revealed that this material exhibits pseudocapacitive-like behavior, as evident from distinct redox peaks observed in cyclic voltammetry, which confirms its ability to store charges. The diffusion coefficient analysis reveals that this material possesses conductivity and rapid diffusion kinetics, making it particularly advantageous compared to materials synthesized in previous studies.

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  • Different upland cotton cultivars from China and Pakistan show varying resistance to cotton leaf curl disease (CLCuD) and heat, with significant genetic differences identified through 175 SNPs and 82 InDel loci linked to yield and fiber quality.
  • Elite alleles found in Pakistani cotton accessions indicate a strong adaptation to local climatic conditions, suggesting tailored breeding could improve cotton varieties in diverse environments.
  • The research highlights how unique genetic adaptations in Pakistani accessions, particularly for resisting CLCuD and high temperatures, may enhance the overall resilience of upland cotton and inform global breeding strategies.
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  • Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are explored as innovative alternatives to conventional antibiotic treatments for infections, utilizing chitosan membranes loaded with copper-MOF.
  • The study confirms the safety and compatibility of the materials through various tests, revealing effective antibacterial properties of the higher concentration copper–MOF dressing against multiple bacterial strains, including MRSA.
  • In a rat model for infected wounds, the copper-MOF dressings significantly enhanced healing, showing greater tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation compared to standard treatments.
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Exploring new strategies to design non-precious and efficient electrocatalysts can provide a solution for sluggish electrocatalytic kinetics and sustainable hydrogen energy. Transition metal selenides are potential contenders for bifunctional electrocatalysis owing to their unique layered structure, low band gap, and high intrinsic activities. However, insufficient access to active sites, lethargic water dissociation, and structural degradation of active materials during electrochemical reactions limit their activities, especially in alkaline media.

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  • - This study was conducted at a military hospital in Pakistan to compare the effectiveness of two treatments, intralesional chloroquine and intralesional meglumine antimoniate, for cutaneous leishmaniasis, over a six-month period.
  • - A total of 64 patients were divided into two groups, with one group receiving chloroquine and the other receiving meglumine antimoniate, both treated twice a week and evaluated after eight weeks.
  • - Results showed that 53.1% of patients treated with meglumine antimoniate achieved efficacy, compared to only 18.8% in the chloroquine group, indicating a statistically significant difference favoring meglumine antimoniate as the more effective treatment.
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Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) in women of childbearing age is a major public health concern with ∼15 million women aged 15-49 years living with HCV globally in 2019. Evidence suggests HCV in pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. This includes ∼6% risk of infants acquiring HCV vertically, and this is the leading cause of HCV in children globally.

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Diseases in fish due to helminth parasites, especially Philometra species, are the primary worry in aquaculture. Philometra are responsible for health problem in fishes they directly affect fish growth and population parameters. A comprehensive survey was conducted involving the examination of the marine fish species Terapon jarbua, gathered from the coastal waters of Sindh, Pakistan In this research different Philometra species from marine fish Terapon jarbua during 2021 and 2022.

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Variceal bleeding is a major complication and the leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of terlipressin vs octreotide as an adjuvant to endoscopic management of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding in a real-time scenario. We reviewed the medical records of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding from January 2005 to December 2020 at our tertiary care Aga Khan University Hospital.

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() is a commensal bacterium and an opportunistic pathogen causing a wide variety of infections ranging from localized skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening severe bacteremia, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, atopic dermatitis, prosthetic joint infection, staphylococcal food poisoning, medical device-related infections, and pneumonia. It is attributed to an acquired resistant gene, , encoding penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a). PBP2a is an essential protein responsible for the resistivity of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) to various beta-lactam antibiotics.

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Reports on development of resilient wheat mutants to aphid infestation-causing heavy losses to wheat production in many parts of the world, are scanty. The present study aimed to identify genetic diversity of wheat mutants in terms of varying degree of resistance to aphid infestation which can help protect wheat crop, improve yields and enhance food security. Resistance response to aphid infestation was studied on newly developed 33 wheat mutants, developed through irradiating seed of an elite wheat cultivar "Punjab-11" with gamma radiations, during three normal growing seasons at two sites.

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Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were surface functionalized using four distinct chemical moieties (amidoxime, hydrazone, ethylenediamine (EDA), and diethylenetriamine (DETA)), producing modified HNTs (H1-H4) capable of binding with Cr(vi) ions. Advanced techniques like FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX provided evidence of the successful functionalization of these HNTs. Notably, the functionalization occurred on the surface of HNTs, rather than within the interlayer or lumen.

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