Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the chitinase gene family in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) for fungal stress resistance.

Chitinases, enzymes responsible for hydrolyzing chitin, a significant component of fungal cell walls, play a crucial role in plant defense mechanisms, growth, symbiotic relationships, and stress resistance. In this study, we identified 27 chitinase genes in chickpeas (CaChi) and classified them into five classes based on phylogenetic analysis. Overall, chitinase genes are clustered on eight chromosomes.

Creeping through the sinuses-unusual intrusion of ascariasis in the nasal cavity of a young female: a case report.

Ascaris lumbricoides, a prevalent nematode affecting humans, frequently infests the gastrointestinal tract but can also be seen in atypical locations such as the middle ear, nose, epiglottis, and maxillary sinuses. Herein, we present the case of a three-year-old baby girl from a rural background, managed at the Department of ENT, Chaudhary Mohammad Akram Teaching& Research Hospital, Lahore. She presented with 15-day history of unilateral nasal blockage and repugnant nasal discharge from the right nostril.

Multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 editing of chlorophyll biosynthesis genes in chickpea via protoplast and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.

Chickpea is an important legume consumed worldwide and a rich source of protein. Chickpea is less amenable to recent gene editing techniques despite its economic significance. Accelerating the improvement process and enabling novel trait development in chickpea will require new approaches for genetic intervention.

Infection Control Strategies for Preventing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Related Surgical Site Infections in Pakistan: A Mixed-Methods Analysis.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) significantly contributes to surgical site infections (SSIs) in Pakistan, with high prevalence rates among isolates, leading to increased morbidity and healthcare costs.

Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness of infection control strategies in reducing MRSA-related SSIs in Pakistani healthcare facilities, identified implementation barriers, and proposed context-specific recommendations.

Methods: A mixed-methods study, conducted from January to March 2025, surveyed 100 healthcare professionals (32% surgeons, 28% nurses, and 18% infection control specialists) across public, private, and rural hospitals in all Pakistani provinces.

Investigating the Efficacy of Nano Bioactive Glass in Promoting Enamel Remineralization and Inhibiting Demineralization: An Study.

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of nano bioactive glass 45S5 in promoting enamel remineralization and inhibiting demineralization, comparing it to traditional fluoride varnish and CPP-ACP treatments.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five freshly extracted human permanent premolar teeth were sectioned and exposed to a demineralization solution for 48 hours. The teeth were then treated with fluoride varnish (Group I), CPP-ACP paste (Group II), or nano bioactive glass 45S5 paste (Group III) for 10 days.

Unintended pregnancies: a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of family planning investment in Pakistan.

Introduction: Unintended pregnancies, which account for 19.4 to 38.2% of all births, present a significant and pressing public health challenge in Pakistan.

A mathematical framework of HIV and TB co-infection dynamics.

The biological processes involved in diseases like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) require extensive research, particularly when both diseases occur together. This piece of research delves to explore a new fractional-order mathematical model that examines the co-dynamics of HIV and TB, taking into account the treatment effects. Although no definitive vaccine or cure for HIV exists, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can slow disease spread and prevent subsequent complications.

Developing multifaceted drug synergistic therapeutic strategy against neurological disorders.

Drug synergism can alter the ultimate biological effects and bioavailability of phytoconstituents. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors as symptomatic drugs are potent therapeutic regimen for neurodegenerative diseases. In this context, this study characterized the synergistic antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-AChE effects of the selected phytochemicals including standard drugs followed by enzyme kinetics, structure-based ligands screening and molecular dynamics simulation study.

Expression of mastitis causing fibrinogen binding protein of gram positive bacteria in genetically engineered switchgrass and antibodies production in mice.

The current study is the first comprehensive report on the expression of fibrinogen binding protein (FIB) antigen in the genetically engineered switchgrass. Mammary tissue inflammation is one of the major infectious diseases caused by in the dairy animals. The aim of the present study is to develop an efficient and economical bioengineered immunogen for controlling mastitis in developing countries.

Flexible Electromagnetic Sensor with Inkjet-Printed Silver Nanoparticles on PET Substrate for Chemical and Biomedical Applications.

For this article, a low-cost, compact, and flexible inkjet-printed electromagnetic sensor was investigated for its chemical and biomedical applications. The investigated sensor design was used to estimate variations in the concentration of chemicals (ethanol and methanol) and biochemicals (hydrocortisone-a chemical derivative of cortisol, a biomarker of stress and cardiovascular effects). The proposed design's sensitivity was further improved by carefully choosing the frequency range (0.

Utilizing novel species for bio-flocculation: A cost-effective approach to harvest microalgae for biofuel production.

The present study aimed to isolate a bioflocculating fungal strain from wastewater collected from a local bike garage. The isolate showed maximum similarity to species The fungus was identified as species (accession no OP703382). The isolated fungus was evaluated in terms of biomass recovery efficiency in Sp.

Genome editing for improvement of biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in cereals.

Global agricultural production must quadruple by 2050 to fulfil the needs of a growing global population, but climate change exacerbates the difficulty. Cereals are a very important source of food for the world population. Improved cultivars are needed, with better resistance to abiotic stresses like drought, salt, and increasing temperatures, and resilience to biotic stressors like bacterial and fungal infections, and pest infestation.

Direct synthesis, characterization, and studies of simple chalcones as potential antimicrobial and antileishmanial agents.

Chalcone represents a vital biosynthetic scaffold owing to its numerous therapeutic effects. The present study was intended to synthesize 17 chalcone derivatives (-) by direct coupling of substituted acetophenones and benzaldehyde. The target chalcones were characterized by spectroscopic analyses followed by their antimicrobial, and antileishmanial investigations with reference to standard drugs.

Tran slation , cultural adap tation an d psycho metric anal ysis of U rd u ver sion of Vic torian; institu te of sp or ts ass es sme nt: Achill es quest i onnaire fo r athletes with achilles tendinopathy.

Objective: To translate, culturally adapt and psychometrically analyse the Urdu version of the Victorian Institute of Spor t Assessment-Achilles questionnaire.

Methods: The cross-sec tional study was conducted at the Pak istan Sports Board, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 17, 2021, to February 15, 2022, and comprised patients with Achilles tendinopathy in group A and healthy controls in group B. Beaton's guidelines for cultural adaptation and validation for self-repor ted measures were followed to translate and validate the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire in Urdu language.

Exploring the resistome, virulome, and mobilome of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates: deciphering the molecular basis of carbapenem resistance.

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae, a notorious pathogen for causing nosocomial infections has become a major cause of neonatal septicemia, leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. This opportunistic bacterium has become highly resistant to antibiotics due to the widespread acquisition of genes encoding a variety of enzymes such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases. We collected Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from a local tertiary care hospital from February 2019-February 2021.

Cloning of maize chitinase 1 gene and its expression in genetically transformed rice to confer resistance against rice blast caused by Pyricularia oryzae.

Fungal pathogens are one of the major reasons for biotic stress on rice (Oryza sativa L.), causing severe productivity losses every year. Breeding for host resistance is a mainstay of rice disease management, but conventional development of commercial resistant varieties is often slow.

Thalassaemia Patients with Polymorphism of COL1A1 Sp1 are at Greater Risk of Spine Degenerative Changes.

Objective: To explore the association of the COL1A1 Sp1 polymorphism with decreased bone density and spinal changes in β-thalassaemia patients.

Study Design: Cross-sectional, comparative study. Place and Duration of the Study: University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from May 2020 to June 2021.

Characterization of exclusively non-commensal Neisseria gonorrhoeae pangenome to prioritize globally conserved and thermodynamically stable vaccine candidates using immune-molecular dynamic simulations.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ngo) has emerged as a global threat leading to one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world. It has also become one of the leading antimicrobial resistant organisms, resulting in fewer treatment options and an increased morbidity. Therefore, in recent years, there has been an increased focus on the development of new treatments and preventive strategies to combat its infection.