A DNA barcode survey of insect biodiversity in Pakistan.

Although Pakistan has rich biodiversity, many groups are poorly known, particularly insects. To address this gap, we employed DNA barcoding to survey its insect diversity. Specimens obtained through diverse collecting methods at 1,858 sites across Pakistan from 2010-2019 were examined for sequence variation in the 658 bp barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene. Sequences from nearly 49,000 specimens were assigned to 6,590 Barcode Index Numbers (BINs), a proxy for species, and most (88%) also possessed a representative image on the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). By coupling morphological inspections with barcode matches on BOLD, every BIN was assigned to an order (19) and most (99.8%) were placed to a family (362). However, just 40% of the BINs were assigned to a genus (1,375) and 21% to a species (1,364). Five orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera) accounted for 92% of the specimens and BINs. More than half of the BINs (59%) are so far only known from Pakistan, but others have also been reported from Bangladesh (13%), India (12%), and China (8%). Representing the first DNA barcode survey of the insect fauna in any South Asian country, this study provides the foundation for a complete inventory of the insect fauna in Pakistan while also contributing to the global DNA barcode reference library.

A review of Gryllidae (Grylloidea) with the description of one new species and four new distribution records from the Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Seventeen species of the family Gryllidae were reviewed and a Modicogryllussindhensis is described herein as new. Four species, namely Achetahispanicus Rambur, 1838, Gryllusseptentrionalis F. Walker, 1869, Callogryllussaeedi Saeed, 2000, and Miogryllusitaquiensis Orsini & Zefa, 2017 are recorded as new country and state records. Differences between similar species and a taxonomic key to the species of Sindh are provided.

Role of heart fatty acid binding protein in early detection of non ST-elevation myocardial infarct and its comparison with other cardiac markers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of heart fatty acid-binding protein in early detection of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction and its comparison with two other cardiac markers. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi, from June 2012 to June 2014, and comprised patients presenting at the emergency department within two hours of chest pain and who were subsequently referred to the cardiology department with a provisional diagnosis of either unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Relevant history was taken on a specific proforma and electrocardiogram as well as routine investigations were done in the emergency department. Blood samples from the subjects were tested for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction through detection of heart fatty acid-binding protein, Troponin-I and Creatine kinase-myocardial band. Sensitivity and specificity of the three markers were calculated keeping coronary angiography as the gold standard. Data was analysed using SPSS 17. RESULTS: Out of 250 patients, 153(61.2%) were males. The overall mean age was 54.45±13.92 years. Sensitivity and specificity of heart fatty acid-binding protein were 80.6% and 78.5% (p<0.05), for Troponin-I, 37.7% and 75% (p>0.05), and for Creatine Kinase-myocardial band, 29.5% and 67.8% (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Heart fatty acid-binding protein was found to be a good diagnostic tool for the detection of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Genome-Wide Identification of the Tify Gene Family and Their Expression Profiles in Response to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses in Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis).

The TIFY family is a plant-specific gene family that is involved in regulating a variety of plant processes, including developmental and defense responses. The chromosome-level genome of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) has recently been released, but a comprehensive view of the TIFY family in C. sinensis (the CsTIFY genes) is lacking. The current study performed an extensive genome-wide identification of CsTIFY genes. The phylogenetics, chromosome location, exon/intron structure, and conserved domains of these genes were analyzed to characterize the members of the CsTIFY family. The expression profiles of the CsTIFY genes in four organs were analyzed, and they showed different spatial expression patterns. All CsJAZ genes were observed to be induced by jasmonate acid (JA) and exhibited different responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. Six of seven CsJAZ genes (CsJAZ1, CsJAZ2, CsJAZ3, CsJAZ4, CsJAZ7, and CsJAZ8) were upregulated by mechanical wounding and infestation with the tea geometrid (Ectropis obliqua), while infection with tea anthracnose (Colletotrichum camelliae) primarily upregulated the expression levels of CsJAZ1 and CsJAZ10. In addition, CsJAZs were observed to interact with CsMYC2 and AtMYC2. Therefore, the results of this study may contribute to the functional characterization of the CsTIFY genes, especially the members of the JAZ subfamily, as regulators of the JA-mediated defense response in tea plant.

Structure based medicinal chemistry-driven strategy to design substituted dihydropyrimidines as potential antileishmanial agents.

In an attempt to explore novel and more potent antileishmanial compounds to diversify the current inhibitors, we pursued a medicinal chemistry-driven strategy to synthesize novel scaffolds with common pharmacophoric features of dihydropyrimidine and chalcone as current investigational antileishmanial compounds. Based on the reported X-ray structure of Pteridine reductase 1 (PTR1) from Leishmania major, we have designed a number of dihydropyrimidine-based derivatives to make specific interactions in PTR1 active site. Our lead compound 8i has shown potent in vitro antileishmanial activity against promastigotes of L. Major and Leishmania donovani with IC50 value of 0.47 µg/ml and 1.5 µg/ml respectively. The excellent in vitro activity conclusively revealed that our lead compound is efficient enough to eradicate both visceral and topical leishmaniasis. In addition, docking analysis and in silico ADMET predictions were also carried out. Predicted molecular properties supported our experimental analysis that these compounds have potential to eradicate both visceral and topical leishmaniasis.

Genus Exitianus (Auchenorrhyncha, Cicadellidae, Deltocephalinae, and Chiasmini) in Tando Jam, Sindh, Pakistan.

Exitianus Ball, 1929 is studied from Tando Jam, Pakistan. Two species, Exitianus indicus (Distant, 1908) and Exitianus nanus (Distant, 1908), are reviewed and their characters, habitus, and line drawing are given.

Systematic status of true katydids Sathrophyllia (Orthoptera, Tettigonioidea, Pseudophyllinae) from Pakistan, with description of two new species.

The genus Sathrophyllia Stål, 1874 from Pakistan is reviewed with four species recorded. The diagnostic characters are given and two new species Sathrophylliasaeedi sp. n. and Sathrophylliairshadi sp. n. are described. In addition to that Sathrophyllianr.rugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) and Sathrophylliafemorata (Fabricius, 1787) are re-described. Further information on the distribution and ecology of the species is given and a key to studied species of Sathrophyllia is presented. Sathrophylliafemorata (Fabricius, 1787) and Sathrophylliarugosa (Linnaeus, 1758) are recorded from Rawalakot (KPK) and Tharparker (Sindh), Pakistan for first the time.

The prevalence and clinical profile of angiographic coronary ectasia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of Coronary Artery Ectasia (CAE) at our teaching hospital to describe the patients and angiographic characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on all coronary angiograms performed at the catheterization laboratory of Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases, a tertiary care center, between the period of August 2006 and August 2008. A one year follow up was performed to look for primary and secondary endpoints. Data were collected from catheterization films, and medical records. RESULTS: Five thousand coronary angiograms were performed during the periof of the study. A total of 140 (2.8%) angiograms showed coronary ectasia of both mixed and pure types. Pure ectasia with no coronary obstructive lesions was seen in 75 (1.5%). The left anterior descending artery (LAD) was the most commonly affected vessel (63%) followed by the right coronary artery (RCA) 25% and 10% patients had circumflex artery involvement. The primary composite endpoint showed 6 (4.2%) patients with non-ST elevation MI, 5 (3.6%) with ST elevation inferior wall myocardial infarction, 70 (50%) with unstable angina and 2 (1.4%) deaths due to pulmonary oedema. Secondary endpoints showed 50% of the patients still complaining of chest pain. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of Coronary ectasia in the population presenting to KIHD during the study period was 1.5%. Majority of patients were males, associated with dyslipidaemia, hypertension and smoking. CAE was associated with obstructive coronary artery disease in about 80% of cases. LAD was the most commonly affected vessel.

Percutaneous coronary intervention for chronic total coronary occlusion in patients at Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the successful revascularization in chronic total coronary occlusion lesions and to examine the relationship between lesion characteristics and procedural success and the frequency of in-hospital major adverse cardiac events after percutaneous coronary intervention in these patients. METHODS: All patients subjected to percutaneous coronary intervention from 2006 to 2008 were identified. These patients had unstable angina ranging from 2 weeks to more than 3 months duration, and majority was subjected to stent implantation. RESULTS: A total of 110 consecutive patients were studied. They had been treated for chronic total coronary occlusion lesions during this period. There were 76 males and 34 females. Drug eluting stents (DES) were used in 84 patients whereas 26 received Bare metal stents (BMS). Successful revascularization was achieved in 103 lesions (94%). Only 6% patients showed unsuccessful results due to failure of the wire to cross the lesion. There was no recorded death during the procedure. CONCLUSION: Due to latest guide wire technology, procedural techniques and operator experience, our study showed more than 90% success in percutaneous revascularization of chronic total coronary occlusion lesions, with an excellent survival rate .

Cardiac arrhythmias and left ventricular hypertrophy in systemic hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias and mortality. Objective was to investigate the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and LVH in systemic hypertension. METHODS: In all subjects blood pressure was measured, electrocardiography and echocardiography was done. Holter monitoring and exercise test perform in certain cases. There were 500 hypertensive patients, 156 (31.2%) men and 344 (69%) women > 30 years of age in the study. Among them 177 (35.4%) were diabetic, 224 (45%) were dyslipidemia, 188 (37.6%) were smokers, and 14 (3%) had homocysteinemia. Duration of hypertension (HTN) was > or = 2 years). Mean systolic BP (SBP) was 180 +/- 20 mm Hg and diastolic BP (DBP) was 95 +/- 12 in male and female patients. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was 119.2 +/- 30 gm/m2 in male while 103 +/- 22 gm/m2 in female patients. Palpitation was seen in 126 (25%) male and 299 (59.8%) female patients. Atrial fibrillation was noted in 108 (21.6%) male and 125 (25%) female patients, 30 (6%) male and 82 (16.4%) female patients had atrial flutter. Ventricular tachycardia was noted in 37 (7.4%) male and 59 (11.8%) female patients. Holter monitoring showed significant premature ventricular contractions (PVC'S) in 109 (21.8%) male and 128 (25.69%) female patients while Holter showed atrial arrhythmias (APC'S) in 89 (17.8%) males and 119 (23.8%) females. Angiography findings diagnosed coronary artery disease in 119 (23.8%) with CAD male and 225 (45%) without CAD while 47 (9.4%) females presented with CAD and 109 (21.8%) without CAD. CONCLUSION: A significant association has been demonstrated between hypertension and arrhythmias. Diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle, left atrial size and function, as well as LVH have been suggested as the underlying risk factors for supraventricular, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in hypertensives with LVH.

Door to needle time of streptokinase and ST segment resolution assessing the efficacy of reperfusion therapy at Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Early start of treatment including coronary revascularisation has been recognised as crucial variable in the outcome of acute ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI). Objectives of the study were to determine the magnitude of ST-segment resolution after thrombolytic therapy predicts short- and long-term outcomes in patients with an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). METHODS: The duration of quasi experimental study was 3 years, from July 2006 to June 2009, conducted at Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases. Total 1,023 patients of STEMI treated with streptokinase (SK) were enrolled in the study. RESULT: Of the total 1023, 689 (67.3%) patients were males and 334 (32.6%) were females. Six hundred and twenty-nine (61.5%) were successfully resolved after thrombolytic therapy while in 395 (38.5%) patients ST-segment could not resolve into 3 conventional ST-segment resolution categories at 60 minute and 90 minute after thrombolysis. Three hundred and twelve (30%) and 444 (43.4%) with complete resolution, 344 (33.62%) and 325 (31.76%) with partial resolution, 367 (35.8%) and 491 (19.29%) were with no resolution at 60 and 90 minutes respectively. CONCLUSION: Shock, congestive heart failure, and recurrent angina and ischemia occurred more often in patients with partial or no ST resolution as compare to complete resolution.

Relation of hypertension with body mass index and age in male and female population of Peshawar, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, a condition developed as a result of high blood pressure is strongly correlated with body mass index (BMI). Obesity was noted to be a single best predictor of hypertension incidence, and was regarded as a major controllable contributor to hypertension. Overweight and obesity is conveniently determined from BMI. Present study was conducted in Khyber Medical College (KMC) Peshawar to investigate the relation of hypertension with BMI and age. The objective of the present investigation is to establish a relationship between hypertension and BMI in male and female population of Peshawar with consideration of age. METHODS: This study was conducted at KMC, Peshawar during 2008-2009. A total of 1006 adult male and female volunteers were the subject of present research and were categorised in terms of their ages. BMI was determined from weight and height; the subjects were grouped as normal, overweight and obese. Hypertension was determined from the measure of blood pressure. RESULTS: The results show a consistence relation between BMI and hypertension within age groups in both male and females. The figures exhibited a relation of age with BMI and hypertension in both males and females subjects. CONCLUSION: The results showed a higher trend of hypertension with increasing BMI. In young females it was noted that with a shift from normal BMI the incidence of hypertension was very high.