The impact of COVID-19 on the economic performance of Wuhan, China (2019-2021).

This paper attempts to evaluate the impact of massive infectious and contagious diseases and its final impact on the economic performance anywhere and anytime. We are considering to evaluate the case of Wuhan, China. We are taking in consideration the case of COVID-19 to be evaluated under a domestic, national, and international level impact.

Physicochemical, antidiarrheal and antidiabetic potential of super food (Moringa oleifera Lam.).

There is a long history of natural products for the treatment of infections and diseases. The objective of present study was to investigate the organoleptic, microscopic, physico-chemical, phytochemical, antidiarrheal and antidiabetic potential of leaf, flowering bud and stem bark of Moringa oleifera L. Macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical parameters and phytochemical screening were carried out.

A comparative toxic effect of oil on larval protein contents and its behavioral effect on larvae of mealworm beetle () (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

(deodar) is practically used, as insect repellent, in the northern areas of Pakistan but no data available therefore this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of deodar oil as an alternate of conventional insecticides against the larval pest stage of mealworm beetle (), by feeding method. The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of deodar oil as an alternate of conventional insecticides against the larval pest stage of mealworm beetle (), by feeding method. All tested chemicals showed efficacy against the pests.

Isolation and Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting Antagonistic Bacteria from Cotton and Sugarcane Plants for Suppression of Species.

Background: Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) may be utilized to augment plant growth and suppress the plant pathogens. Objective: The present study was conducted to isolate and characterize the antagonistic bacteria indigenous to cotton and sugarcane rhizosphere in Pakistan, and to evaluate their ability to suppress phytopathogenic spp. Out of 63 isolates 37 different morphotypes were studied for their antagonistic activity against , and Among these 31 strains showed the percentage suppression ranging from 40 to 66% against spp.

Markedly Improves Cognitive Functions in Animal Models and Modulate Oxidative Stress Markers in the Brain.

Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine for the management of various diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of ethanol (Li.Et) and chloroform (Li.

Invention and Early History of Telepathology (1985-2000).

This narrative-based paper provides a first-person account of the early history of telepathology (1985-2000) by the field's inventor, Ronald S. Weinstein, M. D.

Decreased serum PON1 arylesterase activity in familial hypercholesterolemia patients with a mutated LDLR gene.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is a serum enzyme associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) regulation through its paraoxonase and arylesterase activity. PON1 inhibits the oxidation of HDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL), and is involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases including atherosclerosis. Conversely, mutations in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) result in failure of receptor mediated endocytosis of LDL leading to its elevated plasma levels and onset of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).

Bioassay-guided isolation of novel and selective urease inhibitors from Diospyros lotus.

Two new dimeric naphthoquinones, 5',8'-dihydroxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (1; Di-naphthodiospyrol D) and 5',8'-dihydroxy-5,8-dimethoxy-6,6'-dimethyl-7,3'-binaphthyl-1,4,1',4'-tetraone (2; Di-naphthodiospyrol E), along with known naphthoquinones diospyrin (3) and 8-hydroxy diospyrin (4) were isolated from the chloroform fraction of extract of Diospyros lotus roots. Their structures were elucidated by advanced spectroscopic analyses, including HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and J-resolved NMR experiments. The fractions and compounds 1-4 were evaluated for urease activity and phosphodiesterase-I, carbonic anhydrase-II and α-chymotrypsin enzyme inhibitory activities.

Occurrence of selected elements (Ti, Sr, Ba, V, Ga, Sn, Tl, and Sb) in deposited dust and human hair samples: implications for human health in Pakistan.

The current study determined, for the first time, the levels of titanium (Ti), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), vanadium (V), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), thallium (Tl), and antinomy (Sb), in deposited dust, and human hair collected from general population of different geographical areas of Pakistan. All the samples were prepared by microwave digestion and measured by ICP-MS. The results showed that on deposited dust samples, the detected elements followed the descending trend as: Ti > Sr > Ba > V > Ga > Sn > Tl > Sb similar to the upper continental crust.

Arsenic activates the expression of 3β-HSD in mouse Leydig cells through repression of histone H3K9 methylation.

Arsenic exposure has been associated with male reproductive dysfunction by disrupting steroidogenesis; however, the roles of epigenetic drivers, especially histone methylation in arsenic-induced steroidogenic toxicity remain not well documented. In this study, we investigated the role of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation in steroidogenesis disturbance in mouse Leydig cells (MLTC-1) due to arsenic exposure. Our results indicated that mRNA and protein expression levels of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) were both significantly up-regulated while the rest of key genes involved in steroidogenesis were down-regulated.

Descriptive study of plant resources in the context of the ethnomedicinal relevance of indigenous flora: A case study from Toli Peer National Park, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.

Background: This paper presents the first quantitative ethnobotanical study of the flora in Toli Peer National Park of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Being a remote area, there is a strong dependence by local people on ethnobotanical practices. Thus, we attempted to record the folk uses of the native plants of the area with a view to acknowledging and documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge.

Prevalence of rotavirus, adenovirus, hepatitis A virus and enterovirus in water samples collected from different region of Peshawar, Pakistan.

Viral gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases are the most neglected areas of research in Pakistan. To determine the quality of water, 4 enteric viruses were studied from different localities of Peshawar, Pakistan. The study validates the viral detection method for Rotavirus (RV), Human adenovirus (HAdV), Enterovirus (EV) and Hepatitis A virus (HAV), directly from water sources of rural areas of Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan.

Association of the C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism with idiopathic male infertility in a local Pakistani population.

The present study determined an association between idiopathic sperm disorders in a local Pakistani infertile male population and the C677T polymorphism. After ruling out non genetic factors, a total of 437 idiopathic infertile men including 57 azoospermic, 66 oligospermic, 44 asthenozoospermic, 29 teratozoospermic, 20 oligoasthenospermic and 221 infertile normospermic men were recruited. Furthermore, 218 normospermic fertile men, who had two children (or more) were included as controls.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor dust samples from Cities of Jeddah and Kuwait: Levels, sources and non-dietary human exposure.

This study reports levels and profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in dust samples collected from three different microenvironments (cars, air conditioner (AC) filters and household floor dust) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (KSA) and Kuwait. To the best of our knowledge, this is first study reporting PAHs in indoor microenvironments of KSA, which makes these findings important. Benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF), benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), phenanthrene (Phe), and pyrene (Pyr) were found to be the major chemicals in dust samples from all selected microenvironments.

In vitro antimalarial and xanthine oxidase inhibition of 2-Aminoanthraquinone.

In the present research study 2-Aminoanthraquinone were scrutinized for their antimalarial and Xanthine oxidase inhibitor potential. It demonstrated marked concentration dependent antimalarial activity with maximum effect of 89.06% and with IC50 of 34.

Spatial distribution of dust-bound trace elements in Pakistan and their implications for human exposure.

This study aims to assess the spatial patterns of selected dust-borne trace elements alongside the river Indus Pakistan, their relation with anthropogenic and natural sources, and the potential risk posed to human health. The studied elements were found in descending concentrations: Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cr, Co, and Cd. The Index of Geo-accumulation indicated that pollution of trace metals were higher in lower Indus plains than on mountain areas.

Organohalogenated contaminants in type 2 diabetic serum from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Most of the organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) have high environmental stability and are lipophilic in nature, thus bioaccumulate through the various routes e.g., inhalation, dermal contact and food intake.

Human Arsenic exposure via dust across the different ecological zones of Pakistan.

The present study aims to assess the arsenic (As) levels into dust samples and its implications for human health, of four ecological zones of Pakistan, which included northern frozen mountains (FMZ), lower Himalyian wet mountains (WMZ), alluvial riverine plains (ARZ), and low lying agricultural areas (LLZ). Human nail samples (N=180) of general population were also collected from the similar areas and all the samples were analysed by using ICP-MS. In general the higher levels (p<0.

Portable Nanoparticle-Based Sensors for Food Safety Assessment.

The use of nanotechnology-derived products in the development of sensors and analytical measurement methodologies has increased significantly over the past decade. Nano-based sensing approaches include the use of nanoparticles (NPs) and nanostructures to enhance sensitivity and selectivity, design new detection schemes, improve sample preparation and increase portability. This review summarizes recent advancements in the design and development of NP-based sensors for assessing food safety.

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of dioxin-like PCBs along the Chenab river, Pakistan.

This study aimed to assess the occurrence, distribution and dietary risks of seven dl-PCBs (dioxin-like PCBs) in eleven collected fish species from Chenab river, Pakistan. ∑7dl-PCBs (ng g(-1), wet weight) burden was species-specific and the maximum average concentrations were found in Mastacembelus armatus (5.43), and Rita rita (5.

Arsenic levels from different land-use settings in Pakistan: Bio-accumulation and estimation of potential human health risk via dust exposure.

The present study aims at assessing arsenic (As) levels in outdoor dust and human exposure risks at different land use setting (i.e., rural, industrial, urban) from Punjab, Pakistan.

Toxic metals signature in the human seminal plasma of Pakistani population and their potential role in male infertility.

Aims of this study were to provide firsthand data on the incidence of trace metals in human seminal plasma and find possible correlations between levels of toxic metals and semen quality of Pakistani population. Human semen samples were collected from male partners of couples undergoing infertility assessment at the National Institute of Health Islamabad (Pakistan). We investigated seventy-five seminal plasma samples, which were further categorized into three groups (normozoospermia, oligozoospermia and azoospermia) according to WHO guidelines.

Antimicrobial and cytotoxicity activities of the medicinal plant Primula macrophylla.

Primula macrophylla (Primulaceae) is reported as to be useful in asthma, restlessness, insomnia and fish poisoning. Antifungal and toxic activities of crude extract, fractions and a pure isolated compound exhibited statistically significant activities. Excellent antifungal activity was found in the crude extract, benzene and ethyl acetate fractions against T.