Highly efficient aramid fiber supported polypropylene membranes modified with reduced graphene oxide based metallic nanocomposites: antimicrobial and antiviral capabilities.

Polypropylene hybrid polymeric membranes with aramid support have been fabricated using Thermally Induced Phase Separation (TIPS). Different modifying materials, such as metallic nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), improve the properties of these membranes. The nanomaterials and the fabricated membranes have been characterized with FTIR spectrometer, SEM and UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. Following that, the disinfection capabilities of the fabricated hybrid membranes were investigated. The antibacterial capability of the membranes is established through the testing of the membranes against bacterial strains S. aureus and E. coli, whereas the antiviral evaluation of the membranes was made against H9N2 and IBV strains. This research aims to develop advanced hybrid membranes that effectively disinfect water by incorporating novel nanomaterials and optimizing fabrication techniques.

Efficacy and safety of fezolinetant for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Vasomotor symptoms (VMS), such as hot flashes and night sweats, are highly prevalent and burdensome for women experiencing menopausal transition. Fezolinetant, a selective neurokinin 3 receptor (NK3R) antagonist, is a potential therapeutic option for mitigating VMS. OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to assess the efficacy and evaluate the safety profile of fezolinetant compared with placebo in post-menopausal women suffering from VMS, by pooling all the relevant data and reflecting the most current evidence. SEARCH STRATEGY/SELECTION CRITERIA: An extensive literature search was performed in the PubMed, Medline and Cochrane Library databases from inception until June 2023 to identify relevant trials. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous outcomes. Risk ratios (RRs) were calculated for dichotomous outcomes. All statistical analyses were performed using R Statistical Software. MAIN RESULTS: A total of six randomized controlled trials were added. For the frequency of daily VMS, the combined pooled result favored the fezolinetant group over placebo (MD -2.38, 95% CI -2.64 to -2.12; P < 0.001, I2 = 0%). For the severity of daily VMS, fezolinetant was again found to be superior to the placebo group (MD -0.40, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.29; P < 0.001, I2 = 70%). Fezolinetant (120 mg) consistently demonstrated a significant reduction in the severity of daily moderate/severe VMS compared with other doses at both 4 and 12 weeks. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS), PROMIS the Sleep Disturbance Short Form 8b and Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQoL) scores indicated significant improvement with fezolinetant. No significant difference in efficacy of fezolinetant at 4 and 12 weeks were observed in any outcome. As for safety, no significant differences in the treatment emergent adverse events at 12 weeks were found between fezolinetant and placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study significantly favors fezolinetant over placebo regarding the primary efficacy outcomes of daily moderate to severe VMS frequency and severity, including PROs, while both the groups are comparable in terms of treatment emergent adverse events. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Fabrication of NIPMAM based polymer microgel network assisted rhodium nanoparticles for reductive degradation of toxic azo dyes.

The aim of this study was to prepare poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamide-co-acrylic acid-acrylamide [p-(NIPMAM-co-AA-AAm)] via precipitation polymerization in an aqueous medium. Rhodium nanoparticles were formed in the microgel network by an in-situ reduction technique with the addition of sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. Pure p-(NIPMAM-co-AA-AAm) and hybrid microgels [Rh-(p-NIPMAM-co-AA-AAm)] microgels were examined by using UV-Visible, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy), DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) techniques. The catalytic activities of the hybrid microgel [Rh-(p-NIPMAM-co-AA-AAm)] for the degradation of azo dyes such as alizarin yellow (AY), congo red (CR), and methyl orange (MO) were compared and the mechanism of the catalytic action by this system was examined. Various parameters including the catalyst amount and dye concentration influenced the catalytic decomposition of azo dyes. In order to maximize the reaction conditions for the dye's quick and efficient decomposition, the reaction process was monitored by spectroscopic analysis. The rate constants for reductive degradation of azo dyes were measured under various conditions. When kapp values were compared for dyes, it was found that [Rh-(p-NIPMAM-co-AA-AAm)] hybrid microgels showed superior activity for the degradation of MO dyes compared to the reductive degradation of CR and AY.

Deranged Liver Function Test After COVID 19 Vaccination: A Rare Presentation With Review Of Literature.

Word Health Organization declared COVID 19 infection as pandemic in 2020. Since then different countries had started working on vaccination. After multiple trials different vaccinations got approved. The first vaccine to be received in Pakistan was Sinopharm and was provided to nearly all health care professionals on priority basis. The safety profile of different vaccines were satisfactory and there were very few side effects reported till date. We are reporting the first case in Pakistan where a female health care professional developed vaccination induced deranged liver function test with delayed but complete recovery. Extensive workup was done to rule out all other differentials of deranged liver function test.

Point prevalence probing of antimicrobial prescription patterns from a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Irrational use of antibiotics intensifies resistance and jeopardizes advances made in modern medicine. We aimed to conduct a baseline gap analysis survey on antibiotic prescription practices across Pakistan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multi-centered cross-sectional survey was conducted at six public sector tertiary care hospitals from February 2021 to March 2021. Data related to various variables including hospital infrastructure, policies and practices, monitoring and feedback, and epidemiological, clinical, and antibiotic prescription for surveyed patients was collected using World Health Organization (WHO) Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) methodology. RESULTS: In a survey of 837 inpatients, 78.5% were prescribed antibiotics. Most commonly prescribed antimicrobial was ceftriaxone (21.7%), followed by metronidazole (17.3%), cefoperazone-sulbactam (8.4%), amoxicillin-clavulanate (6.3%), and piperacillin/tazobactam (5.9%). Surgical prophylaxis (36.7%) and community-acquired infections (24.7%) were the main reasons for antibiotic prescriptions. Single antibiotics were given to 46.7% of patients, 39.9% received a combination of two antibiotics, and 12.5% were prescribed three or more antibiotics. Among six hospitals surveyed, two had drug and therapeutic committees, three had infection prevention and control committees, and one had an antibiotic formulary. CONCLUSION: Findings demonstrate high consumption of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and emphasize the importance of expanding antimicrobial stewardship programs among hospitals. Mentoring clinical teams could help rationalize antimicrobial use.

Association of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio with clinical, pathological, radiological, laboratory features and disease outcomes of invasive breast cancer patients: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Inflammatory conditions play part in the progression of malignancies, and markers signifying growth of these factors can indicate prognosis. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) is used as a marker of subclinical inflammation that may become an integral part of workup to indicate prognosis and associated pathology. This study aims to explore the association of NLR ratio with clinical characteristics, radiological assessment and staging, histopathology, and disease outcomes of breast cancer. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a tertiary care center to include breast cancer patients that were diagnosed between January 2001 and December 2020. Data including tumor size, lymph nodes, metastasis, histological grading, ER/PR/HER2-neu status, molecular subtypes, clinical staging); nodal findings (sentinel and axillary); pathology from frozen section; and disease outcomes were assessed. Multivariable regression and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were employed to indicate the association of NLR with breast cancer features and disease-free survival. A total of 2050 patients had a median age of 50 years, median NLR levels of 2.14, most common pathology ductal followed by lobular, and most common site of metastasis being lungs followed by bones. Disease-free rate was 7.6%, and a recurrence rate of 1.8%, while 1.6% deaths were reported. NLR was found associated with age, treatment outcomes, tumor size, lymph nodes, metastasis and clinical staging. Other positive correlations were with Ki67 proliferation index, molecular subtypes, and tumor size on frozen section (at transverse and craniocaudal dimensions). Negative correlations were seen with estrogen and progesterone receptors. However, NLR was not found predictable of disease-free survival (P = .160). Significant predictors of disease-free survival were histological grading, ER, PR status, molecular subtype, and Ki67 proliferation index. NLR being a readily available marker has shown novel findings in its association with tumor staging, disease outcomes and characteristics of breast malignancy.

Reinforcement of single-walled carbon nanotubes on polydimethylsiloxane membranes for CO2, O2, and N2 permeability/selectivity.

In this study, PDMS incorporated with SWCNTs have been fabricated via solution casting method for industrial applications and characterized by the analyses of SEM, FTIR, TGA, AFM, and MST. The modified membranes were further analyzed for CO2, O2, and N2 gas permeability. The strategic membranes have five different weight ratios (0.013, 0.025, 0.038, 0.050, 0.063) compared to neat PDMS membranes. The even distribution of SWCNTs in PDMS provided results that showed improvement in thermal stability. However, mechanical strength has been weakened with increased concentration of nanofiller because of the increase in the number of SWCNTs by increases that imperfections become more severe. The designed polymeric membranes with good thermal stability and adequate mechanical strength can be used for the selectivity and permeability of CO2, O2, and N2 gases. The effect of the PDMS-SWCNTs on gas permeability has been studied. 0.063 wt.% SWCNTs presented the maximum permeability of CO2 gas while maximum O2 and N2 gas permeability have been obtained by 0.013 wt.% SWCNTs. The ideal selectivity of mixed (50:50) gas conditions has been tested. The maximum CO2/N2 ideal selectivity was obtained by 0.050 and 0.063 wt.% SWCNTs while maximum O2/N2 ideal selectivity obtained by 0.050 wt.% SWCNTs. Therefore, the fabrication of this novel SWCNTs-PDMS membrane may lead to separating the industrial exhaust and be used as a potential membrane for environmental remediation in the future.

Synergistic effect of GO/ZnO loading on the performance of cellulose acetate/chitosan blended reverse osmosis membranes for NOM rejection.

Declining freshwater resources along with their pollution are threatening the life existence on earth. To meet the freshwater demand, one of the most appropriate and possible ways which has been adopted all over the world is to reuse wastewater by removing its impurities. Among many water pollutants, natural organic matter (NOM) is found to be responsible as major precursor for the formation of other pollutants. Removal of NOM from wastewater is being done by using membrane filtration systems incorporated with certain nanofillers to increase membranes efficiency and permeability. In this study, novel nanocomposite reverse osmosis (RO) membranes were prepared using cellulose acetate and chitosan in N,N-Dimethyl formamide. Graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets and zinc oxide (ZnO) in different concentration were loaded to modify the membranes for tuning their RO performance. The confirmation of the functional groups is demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which revealed the specific peaks indicating the formation of the nano-composite membranes. The surface morphology was studied by scanning electronic microscopy which shows a gradual transformation of the membrane surface from voids-free to macro-voids filled surface up to threshold concentration of GO and ZnO. The thermal properties of GO based membranes were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The uniform interaction of the GO and ZnO with polymers induced the remarkable thermal properties of the synthesized membranes. Permeate flux and contact angle measurements were considered to estimate their water content (96%) capacity and NOM rejection (96%) using 0.1 ppm humic acid solution. The permeate flux, NOM rejection and the water content changed directly with GO and inversely with ZnO wt% in the membranes up to GO5 (GO:0.14: ZnO:0.03) whereas the contact angle exhibited the inverse relationship with GO and ZnO concentration in casting solution of the synthesized membranes. Hence it can be concluded that prepared RO membranes are suitable for NOM rejection and recommended for water treatment.

Outcomes of COVID-19 patients with acute kidney injury and longitudinal analysis of laboratory markers during the hospital stay: A multi-center retrospective cohort experience from Pakistan.

The frequency of acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients can be varied and related to worse outcomes in the disease population. AKI is common among hospitalized patients with COVID-19, particularly the ones needing critical care. This study was conducted in order to determine the outcomes of hospitalized patients with prolonged hospital stays who suffered from COVID-19 associated AKI. It was conducted as a multi-centered, retrospective, cohort study, and including all patients who were diagnosed on COVID-19 PCR. End-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis were excluded. The cohort included 1069 patients, with 68% males, mean age of 56.21 years, and majority within 50 to 75 years age group (60%). Mean disease onset was 14.43 ± 7.44 days and hospital stay was 7.01 ± 5.78 days. About 62% of patients stayed in intensive care and 18% of them were on invasive ventilation. The mortality rate was 27%. Frequency of AKI was 42%, around 14% of them were resolving during hospital stay and other 28% worsened. The mortality rate was significantly higher with AKI (OR: 4.7, P < .001). Alongside AKI, concomitant liver dysfunction was also significantly contributing to mortality (OR: 2.5), apart from ICU stay (OR: 2.9), invasive ventilation (OR: 9.2), and renal replacement therapy (OR: 2.4). Certain laboratory markers were associated with AKI throughout in-hospital stay.

Multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 Gene-Editing Can Deliver Potato Cultivars with Reduced Browning and Acrylamide.

Storing potato tubers at cold temperatures, either for transport or continuity of supply, is associated with the conversion of sucrose to reducing sugars. When cold-stored cut tubers are processed at high temperatures, with endogenous asparagine, acrylamide is formed. Acrylamide is classified as a carcinogen. Potato processors prefer cultivars which accumulate fewer reducing sugars and thus less acrylamide on processing, and suitable processing cultivars may not be available. We used CRISPR-Cas9 to disrupt the genes encoding vacuolar invertase (VInv) and asparagine synthetase 1 (AS1) of cultivars Atlantic and Desiree to reduce the accumulation of reducing sugars and the production of asparagine after cold storage. Three of the four guide RNAs employed induced mutation frequencies of 17-98%, which resulted in deletions, insertions and substitutions at the targeted gene sites. Eight of ten edited events had mutations in at least one allele of both genes; for two, only the VInv was edited. No wild-type allele was detected in both genes of events DSpco7, DSpFN4 and DSpco12, suggesting full allelic mutations. Tubers of two Atlantic and two Desiree events had reduced fructose and glucose concentrations after cold storage. Crisps from these and four other Desiree events were lighter in colour and included those with 85% less acrylamide. These results demonstrate that multiplex CRISPR-Cas9 technology can generate improved potato cultivars for healthier processed potato products.

Functional bioinspired nanocomposites for anticancer activity with generation of reactive oxygen species.

Cancer is a debilitating and deadly disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of aberrant cell populations. This disease cannot always be controlled with traditional therapies and medicines. Different medicines are being used for this purpose, however these medicines have their side effects and are harmful to healthy cells. A better way to cure cancer disease is by limiting the agglomeration of cancer cells, minimizing their growth and their population by destroying these harmful cells. This could be achieved by controlling the function of mitochondria and DNA in cancer cells with the use of biocompatible materials with tuneable physical properties. Accordingly, research is ongoing as to the use of nanomaterials and nanotechnology in medicine. Zinc oxide semiconductor nanoparticles have displayed good anticancer behaviour. They have unique properties such as biocompatibility, good stability, and are environmentally friendly. Owing to these characteristics, they are focused on biological applications such as drug delivery and cancer therapy. In the present research work, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and titanium oxide-zinc oxide nanocomposites were successfully trailed for anti-cancer activity. Pure zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and their nanocomposites (TiO2+ZnO NPs) were prepared by the co-precipitation technique. The structural properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction, which confirmed the Wurtzite structure of pure ZnO NPs. The morphology of the NPs was checked by scanning electron microscopy. For incident light having a higher energy band gap of nanomaterials, the electrons are excited to the conduction band and these electrons generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). The efficacy of these nanomaterials was checked by exposing the NPs to the human liver cancer cell HepG2. The MTT assay describes anticancer activity via cell viability. The cell viability of composites was observed to be greater than pure ZnO NPs. Their results showed that the structure of ZnO NPs remains the same with composites of TiO2 NPs, but the band gap of the composite was intermediate for individual samples. It also showed that the anticancer activity of composites was also less than pure ZnO NPs which is due to the reduction of ROS generation. This is observed that nanocomposites of ZnO and TiO2 could be effective in the development of a treatment of human liver cancer cells.

Split Dosage Weekly Regimen of Oral Methotrexate is Associated With Improved Side Effect Profile in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background and objectives: Methotrexate (MTX) is globally used by physicians to treat patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Previously conducted researches indicate prevalent side effects associated with conventional once-weekly dosage amongst a population sample of patients consuming MTX. The objectives of our study were to find out whether there is a difference between the two studied regimens in efficacy and adverse effects of methotrexate. Materials and methods: Study participants were recruited from the outpatient rheumatology department after ethical approval and informed patient consent. Disease activity was assessed at baseline with various reliable and validated scales (SDAI, PAS, DAS-28 among others) after the propensity score-matched 1:1 among the two groups. One group continued their once-weekly regimen (group A), while the other group had their dosage of oral MTX split into alternate days per week (group B). The propensity-matched groups of 123 patients each were included in the final analysis. Results: The most frequently reported side effect was decreased appetite, followed by gastritis, nausea, headache, and vomiting. Within the two groups, no significant differences were found in disease activity scales. The only considerable difference was mean corpuscular volume (MCV) being higher in Group A (p = 0.0128). Comparison of side effect profile at 6 months after intervention showed improved gastritis (63.4 vs 41.5%), nausea (51.2% vs 35.8%), appetite (74.0% vs 60.2%) and hepatotoxicity (14.6% vs 5.7%) in Group B. Conclusion: An alternate-day regimen may prove more beneficial to the patient's compliance due to fewer side effects and similar efficacy to the conventional dosage.

Enabling Trade in Gene-Edited Produce in Asia and Australasia: The Developing Regulatory Landscape and Future Perspectives.

Genome- or gene-editing (abbreviated here as 'GEd') presents great opportunities for crop improvement. This is especially so for the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, which is home to more than half of the world's growing population. A brief description of the science of gene-editing is provided with examples of GEd products. For the benefits of GEd technologies to be realized, international policy and regulatory environments must be clarified, otherwise non-tariff trade barriers will result. The status of regulations that relate to GEd crop products in Asian countries and Australasia are described, together with relevant definitions and responsible regulatory bodies. The regulatory landscape is changing rapidly: in some countries, the regulations are clear, in others they are developing, and some countries have yet to develop appropriate policies. There is clearly a need for the harmonization or alignment of GEd regulations in the region: this will promote the path-to-market and enable the benefits of GEd technologies to reach the end-users.

Novel antibacterial polyurethane and cellulose acetate mixed matrix membrane modified with functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles for water treatment applications.

Bacterial contamination is one of the leading causes of water pollution. Antibacterial polyurethane/cellulose acetate membranes modified by functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles were processed and studied. TiO2 nanoparticles were prepared and ultraviolet (UV) irradiated to activate their photocatalytic activity against Escherichia coli (E. Coil) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Functionalized TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated in flat-sheet mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). These membranes were characterized for their different properties such as morphology, thermal stability, mechanical strength, surface wettability, water retention, salt rejection, water flux, and their antibacterial performance against E. Coil and MRSA was also tested. The activity of nanoparticles against MRSA and E. coli was analyzed using three different concentrations, 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt% and 1.5 wt% of nanoparticles and 0.5 wt% of TiO2 nanoparticles showed maximum growth of bacteria. The maximum inhibition was observed in membranes with maximum nanoparticles when compared with other membranes. All these characteristics were strongly affected by increasing the concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles in the prepared membranes and the duration of their UV exposure. Hence, it was proved from this analysis that these TiO2 modified membranes exhibit substantial antibacterial properties. The results are supporting the utilization of these materials for water purification purposes.

COVID-19 infection among pregnant and non-pregnant women: Comparison of biochemical markers and outcomes during COVID-19 pandemic, A retrospective cohort study.

Background: & Objectives: We conducted this single-centered retrospective study including female patients infected with COVID-19 with aim to compare laboratory findings and the outcomes between pregnant and non-pregnant women infected with COVID-19. Previous data rendered pregnant women as vulnerable population for COVID-19. Methods: We included 131 patients in our analysis out of which 60 were pregnant females and rest 71 were non-pregnant females. Results: Factors like fatigue, total leukocyte count (TLC) and neutrophils were higher in pregnant patients, while mean age, fever, hemoglobin, ferritin, D-dimer and use of mechanical ventilation was lower in pregnant patients as compared to non-pregnant females. Conclusion: Our study concluded that COVID-19 do not show significant high risk of disease severity when compared with non-pregnant females of similar age group.

Role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

We conducted this study on patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome without identifiable stressors and replaced them with vitamin D supplements for 3 months. Almost 97 cases have repeated the vitamin D status that appeared to be sufficient, while 14 patients were missing data for follow-up. The advised option was intramuscular injection replacement but 34 out of 97 were taken oral route for replacement of Vitamin D and incidental finding is noted that serum vitamin D levels rise less in the oral group than in the intramuscular group. Mean age of our subjects was 35.97 ± 9.89 years, comprising 54% males (n = 60) and 46% females (n = 51). In the outcomes of our study, 56.7% of individuals showed complete relief from IBS symptoms after vitamin D replacement, while 36.1% reported considerable improvement. Another 6.2% had exhibited moderate relief with about 14 individuals lost to follow-up.

Formulation and Evaluation of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose-dicyclomine Microsponges for Colon Targeted Drug Delivery: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to design novel colon targeted delivery of Dicyclomine Hydrochloride (DCH) microsponges. METHODS: Microsponges (MS1-MS4) based on different ratios of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and DCH were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. Micro-sponges were analyzed by determining percent yield, encapsulation efficiency, drug content, drug-polymer compatibility and thermal stability. Kinetic analysis of thermal stability data was done by Chang method, Friedman method and Broido method. In vitro dissolution study was carried out at pH 1.2, pH 6.8 and pH 7.4 at different time intervals. RESULTS: Results showed that there was no chemical interaction between DCH and HPMC in all microsponge formulations. Production yield, drug content and encapsulation efficiency were enhanced on increasing the drug-polymer ratio. Thermal stability of all the micro-sponges was greater than that of pure drug. In vitro drug release was decreased on increasing the polymer concentration at different pH levels. The newly prepared micro-sponges based on HPMC were confirmed as a promising means of colon-targeted delivery of DCH. An HPLC method was developed and validated for the bioequivalence study of newly designed microsponges. Pharmacokinetics parameters were calculated using the linear trapezoidal method after single oral administration of microsponges in white albino rabbits. Pharmacokinetics results indicate an enhancement in the value of t1/2, tmax, Cmax and AUC0-t of DCH in the microsponges as compared to standard DCH showing enhanced bioavailability of the drug after microsponges formation. CONCLUSION: The current study shows a new approach for colon-specific delivery of DCH based on microsponges.

Genome-Wide Identification and Validation of Target Genes Associated with Insecticide Treatment of the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae.

Next-generation sequencing and analyses of whole-genome transcripts can be used to identify genes and potential mechanisms that may be responsible for the development of resistance to insecticides. Such genes can be identified by isolating and sequencing high-quality messenger RNA and identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and gene variants from insecticide-treated and untreated colonies of the Green peach aphid (GPA) or resistant and susceptible GPA populations. Datasets generated would reveal a set of genes whose expression may be associated with the insecticide treatment. The DEGs can then be validated using quantitative PCR assays.

Functional Characterization of Target Genes Associated with Insecticide Resistance of the Green Peach Aphid, Myzus persicae.

Identifying genes responsive to insecticide treatment is the first step towards understanding the mechanism(s) of insecticide resistance and the development of effective insecticides against economic insect pests such as the Green peach aphid (GPA). Functional and Reverse Genetics approaches such as the RNA interference (RNAi) technology can be used to assess the possible involvement of genes whose expression is associated with an insecticide treatment. For GPA, this can be done by comparing the behavior and development of the insect following RNAi of a putative gene associated with insecticide treatment and exposure of the RNAi-treated insects to lethal doses of insecticides. In a case where knockdown of a gene or genes increases the susceptibility of RNAi-treated populations compared to controls, the target gene may have a direct role in the development of resistance to the insecticide or the gene may be involved in other metabolic processes that may be required for resilience against the insecticide.

Effect of drinking high fluoride water on liver enzymes a comparitive cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of drinking water with high fluoride level on liver functions. Method: This is a descriptive comparative cross-sectional study conducted at Sammu rind village where the drinking water has increase fluoride content. The comparative area was Gadap town where the drinking water has normal fluoride level. Sampling was done randomly and sample size was calculated by WHO calculator and found to be 121 each for exposed and unexposed population. Blood samples taken for liver functions included bilirubin, AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphate, Gamma GT, total protein, albumin and globulin. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Mean and SD calculated for quantitative variable and the two comparative groups were cross-tabulated. To check the statistical significance t-test was applied. Results: There was no statistically significant difference with consideration to serum bilirubin, ALT, and AST. However, statistically significant difference was established with respect to alkaline phosphatase, Gamma GT total proteins and A/G ratio between two groups. Conclusion: In our study, there was no evidence of impaired liver function tests in subjects drinking water with high fluoride content.