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  1. Article ; Online: Molecular phylogenetics of Black Cobra (Naja naja) in Pakistan

    Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Asif Nadeem / Eric Nelson Smith / Maryam Javed / Utpal Smart / Tahir Yaqub / Abu Saeed Hashmi

    Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 42, Iss , Pp 23-

    2019  Volume 29

    Abstract: Background: Snakes are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, and on smaller land masses. Being ecologically important, they also cause a large number of bites, leading to millions of deaths. Mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences are ...

    Abstract Background: Snakes are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, and on smaller land masses. Being ecologically important, they also cause a large number of bites, leading to millions of deaths. Mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences are being used to identify, characterize, and infer genetic biodiversity among different snake species. Furthermore, phylogenetics helps in inferring the relationships and evolutionary histories among these species. Black cobra is one of the four most venomous snakes in Pakistan. Four mitochondrial (ND4, Cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) and four nuclear (C-mos, RAG-1, BDNF, and NT3) genes were used to trace diversity and infer the phylogenetic relationship of black cobra in Pakistan. Results: Almost similar phylogenies were obtained through maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, showing two species of cobra in Pakistan, namely, black cobra (Naja naja) and brown cobra (Naja oxiana). All Naja species were divided into three clades: black cobra (N. naja) and brown cobra (N. oxiana) cladding with different species of Naja; N. naja (Pakistan) cladding with N. naja from Nepal; and N. oxiana showed close relationship with Naja kaouthia from Thailand and Naja siamensis from Thailand. Conclusion: It was confirmed genetically that there are two cobra species in Pakistan, i.e., black and brown cobras. This study will help in not only genetic conservation but also developing anti-venom against snake species.How to cite: Ashraf MR, Nadeem A, Smith EN, et al. Molecular phylogenetics of Black Cobra (Naja naja) in Pakistan. Electron J Biotechnol 2019;42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2019.10.005. Keywords: Bungarus, Cobra, Mitochondrial DNA, Naja, Nuclear DNA, Pakistan, PCR, Phylogenetics, Reptiles, Snakes, Venomous snakes
    Keywords Biotechnology ; TP248.13-248.65 ; Biology (General) ; QH301-705.5
    Subject code 590 ; 580
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Elsevier
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Social Support, Self-Care Behaviour and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

    Premalatha Paulsamy / Rizwan Ashraf / Shadia Hamoud Alshahrani / Kalaiselvi Periannan / Absar Ahmed Qureshi / Krishnaraju Venkatesan / Vani Manoharan / Natarajan Govindasamy / Kousalya Prabahar / Tamilselvi Arumugam / Kumar Venkatesan / Kumarappan Chidambaram / Geetha Kandasamy / Rajalakshimi Vasudevan / Kalpana Krishnaraju

    Healthcare, Vol 9, Iss 1607, p

    A Cross-Sectional Study

    2021  Volume 1607

    Abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue that considerably impacts mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc in diabetes management, too, like other spectrums of life. A descriptive, cross- ... ...

    Abstract Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue that considerably impacts mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc in diabetes management, too, like other spectrums of life. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was adopted to determine the effect of Social Support, Self-Care Behaviour and Self-Efficacy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) during this COVID-19 pandemic. Two hundred T2D patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were chosen using a convenient sampling procedure. The tool consists of four sections, including socio-demographic characteristics, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) Scale and modified Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the obtained data. The mean and SD of diabetic management self-efficacy is 5.74 (1.95) and 4.37 (1.4), respectively, for patients with HbA1c < 6.5% and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. The self-care activities of the patients who had good glycemic control were 4.31 (2.06) compared to 3.50 (1.73) who did not. The social support received by the patients was 6.13 (2.13) vs. 5.31 (1.67) among patients with glycemic control vs. no control. The results show that social support ( p = 0.04), self-efficacy ( p =0.01) and self-care activities ( p = 0.001) were significantly related to the level of glycemic control of the T2D patients. A significant relationship was also identified between gender ( p = 0.036), age ( p = 0.001) and education status ( p = 0.000) with HbA1c control of the participants. This study demonstrates a significant relationship between social support, self-care behaviours, self-efficacy and glycemic management in T2D patients. During this COVID-19 pandemic, interventions to enhance the self-care activities like exercise and social support to boost their self-efficacy; for better diabetes management, reducing diabetes complications or prolonging their onset are the need of ...
    Keywords Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) ; self-efficacy ; self-care activities ; social support ; Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) scale ; HbA1c control ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 300
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: Association of Maternal Observation and Motivation (MOM) Program with m-Health Support on Maternal and Newborn Health

    Premalatha Paulsamy / Vigneshwaran Easwaran / Rizwan Ashraf / Shadia Hamoud Alshahrani / Krishnaraju Venkatesan / Absar Ahmed Qureshi / Mervat Moustafa Arrab / Kousalya Prabahar / Kalaiselvi Periannan / Rajalakshimi Vasudevan / Geetha Kandasamy / Kumarappan Chidambaram / Ester Mary Pappiya / Kumar Venkatesan / Vani Manoharan

    Healthcare, Vol 9, Iss 1629, p

    2021  Volume 1629

    Abstract: Maternal and child nutrition has been a critical component of health, sustainable development, and progress in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). While a decrement in maternal mortality is an important indicator, simply surviving pregnancy and ... ...

    Abstract Maternal and child nutrition has been a critical component of health, sustainable development, and progress in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). While a decrement in maternal mortality is an important indicator, simply surviving pregnancy and childbirth does not imply better maternal health. One of the fundamental obligations of nations under international human rights law is to enable women to endure pregnancy and delivery as an aspect of their enjoyment of reproductive and sexual health and rights and to live a dignified life. The aim of this study was to discover the correlation between the Maternal Observation and Motivation (MOM) program and m-Health support for maternal and newborn health. A comparative study was done among 196 pregnant mothers (study group—94; control group—102 mothers) with not less than 20 weeks of gestation. Maternal outcomes such as Hb and weight gain and newborn results such as birth weight and crown–heel length were obtained at baseline and at 28 and 36 weeks of gestation. Other secondary data collected were abortion, stillbirth, low birth weight, major congenital malformations, twin or triplet pregnancies, physical activity, and maternal well-being. The MOM intervention included initial face-to-face education, three in-person visits, and eight virtual health coaching sessions via WhatsApp. The baseline data on Hb of the mothers show that 31 (32.98%) vs. 27 (28.72%) mothers in the study and control group, respectively, had anemia, which improved to 27.66% and 14.98% among study group mothers at 28 and 36 weeks of gestation ( p < 0.001). The weight gain ( p < 0.001), level of physical activity ( p < 0.001), and maternal well-being ( p < 0.01) also had significant differences after the intervention. Even after controlling for potentially confounding variables, the maternal food practices regression model revealed that birth weight was directly correlated with the consumption of milk ( p < 0.001), fruits ( p < 0.01), and green vegetables ( p < 0.05). As per ...
    Keywords pregnant mothers ; physical activity ; maternal well-being ; antenatal mothers ; newborn outcomes ; m-health ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 796
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article: The earthworm species Pheretima hawayana influences organic wastes decomposition, nitrogen mineralization and maize N recovery

    Waqar, Atika / Behzad Murtaza / Ghulam Mustafa Shah / Hafiz Faiq Bakhat / Muhammad Aslam / Muhammad Imtiaz Rashid / Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Muhammad Shahid / Rashid Hafeez

    European journal of soil biology. 2019 Jan., Feb., v. 90

    2019  

    Abstract: We investigated the influence of the anecic earthworm Pheretima hawayana (Rosa, 1891) on decomposition, nitrogen (N) mineralization and maize apparent N recovery from farmyard manure (M), wheat straw + M (WSM), maize straw + M (MSM), compost (CO), and ... ...

    Abstract We investigated the influence of the anecic earthworm Pheretima hawayana (Rosa, 1891) on decomposition, nitrogen (N) mineralization and maize apparent N recovery from farmyard manure (M), wheat straw + M (WSM), maize straw + M (MSM), compost (CO), and slurry (SL) applied to a sandy loam soil. Results revealed that inoculation of earthworm in organic waste treatments significantly increased CO2 emission (P = 0.02). The earthworms’ induced CO2 emission was the highest in MSM and the lowest in M treatment. Earthworms did not influence total dry matter yield or N uptake by maize (P > 0.05), however, organic wastes significantly affected these parameters (P < 0.01). Overall, earthworm enhanced apparent crop N recovery from M, CO and SL treatments by 543, 105, and 109%, respectively. Out of the total N applied, about 14, 8, 6, 2, and −11% was recovered in maize plants from M, SL, CO, MSM and WSM, respectively. The lower apparent N recovery in MSM and WSM could be attributed to the higher C:N ratio of these crop residues that may cause N immobilization. This was confirmed from the calculated N balance of WSM treatment, where net immobilization equal to 15% of the organic N was occurred. Despite of higher CO2 emission from WSM and MSM, earthworm could not increase maize N uptake or N recovery from crop straw treatments. Hence, in short interval-cropping systems like maize, earthworms may need an extra available N source to improve crop growth, where crop residues are part of fertilizer management strategy.
    Keywords animal manures ; carbon dioxide ; carbon nitrogen ratio ; composts ; corn ; corn straw ; dry matter accumulation ; earthworms ; greenhouse gas emissions ; mineralization ; nitrogen ; Pheretima ; Rosa ; sandy loam soils ; slurries ; wheat straw
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2019-01
    Size p. 1-8.
    Publishing place Elsevier Masson SAS
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 1150007-4
    ISSN 1164-5563
    ISSN 1164-5563
    DOI 10.1016/j.ejsobi.2018.11.003
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  5. Article: Silicon mitigates biotic stresses in crop plants: A review

    Bakhat, Hafiz Faiq / Faiz Rabbani / Ghulam Mustafa Shah / Hafiz Mohkum Hammad / Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Najma Bibi / Shafqat Saeed / Shah Fahad / Sunaina Abbas / Zahida Zia

    Crop protection. 2018 Feb., v. 104

    2018  

    Abstract: Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the lithosphere. Soils commonly contain as much as 30% Si, the majority of which is found in minerals and rocks. In plants, the element Si is recognized as a “beneficial quasi-essential” mineral ... ...

    Abstract Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the lithosphere. Soils commonly contain as much as 30% Si, the majority of which is found in minerals and rocks. In plants, the element Si is recognized as a “beneficial quasi-essential” mineral nutrient. It is taken up by the plant roots and trans-located to aerial parts through transpiration streams. Naturally, its accumulation in aerial parts augments its polymerization in the intercellular spaces and beneath the cuticles creates a barrier against pathogen attack. Moreover, soluble Si in the cytosol triggers various metabolic pathways that result in the production of jasmonic acid and herbivore induced plant organic compounds. Combination of these Si-mediated physical and biochemical processes enhances plant defenses against biotic stresses (insects, fungus and bacteria). In addition, soluble Si in the plant system attracts natural predators and parasitoids during pest attack and consequently increases biological control. Although, a large set of data shows that Si provides natural defense against pest attack, application of Si as a pest control agent has not gained much attention from the scientists, policy makers and farming communities. Here, current knowledge regarding Si-mediated plant defense to pest attack is reviewed. Si-application tends to reduce pest infestations and may provide a sustainable environment friendly integrated strategy as an alternative to extensive pesticide use.
    Keywords aerial parts ; bacteria ; biochemical pathways ; biological control ; biotic stress ; crops ; cytosol ; environmental sustainability ; fungi ; herbivores ; insects ; intercellular spaces ; issues and policy ; jasmonic acid ; minerals ; parasitoids ; pathogens ; pesticides ; polymerization ; predators ; rocks ; roots ; silicon ; soil ; transpiration
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2018-02
    Size p. 21-34.
    Publishing place Elsevier Ltd
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 786839-x
    ISSN 1873-6904 ; 0261-2194
    ISSN (online) 1873-6904
    ISSN 0261-2194
    DOI 10.1016/j.cropro.2017.10.008
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  6. Article: Assessment and public perception of drinking water quality and safety in district Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan

    Khalid, Samina / Behzad Murtaza / Fariha Rehman / Iftikhar Ahmad / Iram Shaheen / Muhammad Imran / Muhammad Irfan Ullah / Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Sana Khalid / Sunaina Abbas / Tahira Abbas

    Journal of cleaner production. 2018 Apr. 20, v. 181

    2018  

    Abstract: Most of the developing countries including Pakistan have poor sanitary conditions which cause numerous diseases in human. Therefore, the present work aimed at evaluating the physicochemical and microbial contamination of drinking water in urban areas of ... ...

    Abstract Most of the developing countries including Pakistan have poor sanitary conditions which cause numerous diseases in human. Therefore, the present work aimed at evaluating the physicochemical and microbial contamination of drinking water in urban areas of three tehsils (Vehari, Mailsi and Burewala) of district Vehari based on occurrence of water-borne diseases. Forty-one water samples (six from tehsil municipal administration (TMA) water supply and 35 from electric pump) were collected from various locations of district Vehari for physicochemical and microbial analysis. In all the sampling sites pH (7.2–7.7), Phosphate (PO4−3) (0.00–0.94 mg/L), Sulphate (SO4−2) (0.00–172.8 mg/L), Magnesium (Mg+2) (4.55–40.7 mg/L), Iron (Fe+2) (0.00–0.09 mg/L), Copper (Cu+2) (0.00–0.04 mg/L), Zinc (Zn+2) (0.00–0.15 mg/L) and Manganese (Mn+2) (0.00–0.01 mg/L) were found under WHO limits. Microbial contamination of Eschrichia coli and coliform were found in water samples of F-Block, D-Block and C-Block of tehsil Vehari. Results revealed that the values of certain parameters such as electrical conductivity (0.34–2.23 mS/cm), total dissolved solids (123–1430.4 mg/L), Sodium (Na+) (55.5–327.5 mg/L), Calcium (Ca+2) (7.1–115 mg/L), Potassium (K+) (3.9–17.75 mg/L), Chloride (Cl−) (0.00–479.25 mg/L), and Nitrate (NO3−) (0.59–12.14 mg/L) exceed WHO limits in Sharqi Colony, Lalazar, Health Colony, TMA Sharqi Colony, Y-Block, 9-11 WB, College Town and 13-WB areas of district Vehari. Moreover, the survey of the sampled area was also conducted to assess public perception regarding water quality, its treatment, sanitation practices and possible reasons for the occurrence of water borne diseases. The survey results showed that 48.6% of the respondents disagreed that drinking water of their area is good. Cross tab analysis exhibited that respondents from different gender (65.3%), marital status (65.3%) and family type (65.3%) did not treat drinking water before use. Peoples who were not satisfied with their drinking water quality reported more disease development (45.8%) compared to those who were satisfied (11.1%) with their drinking water quality.
    Keywords calcium ; chlorides ; coliform bacteria ; copper ; developing countries ; drinking water ; electrical conductivity ; gender ; humans ; iron ; magnesium ; manganese ; marital status ; microbial contamination ; nitrates ; pH ; phosphates ; potassium ; public opinion ; sanitation ; sodium ; sulfates ; surveys ; total dissolved solids ; urban areas ; water quality ; water supply ; waterborne diseases ; World Health Organization ; zinc ; Pakistan
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2018-0420
    Size p. 224-234.
    Publishing place Elsevier Ltd
    Document type Article
    ISSN 0959-6526
    DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.01.178
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  7. Article: Uptake and toxicological effects of pharmaceutical active compounds on maize

    Hammad, Hafiz Mohkum / Farheen Zia / Hafiz Faiq Bakhat / Shah Fahad / Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Carol Jo Wilkerson / Ghulam Mustafa Shah / Wajid Nasim / Ikramulah Khosa / Muhammad Shahid

    Agriculture, ecosystems & environment. 2018 Apr. 15, v. 258

    2018  

    Abstract: Contamination of the soil environment with pharmaceutical active compounds (PACs) is an emerging issue. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects and accumulation of PACs in maize (Zea mays L.). After screening a variety of maize hybrid seeds ... ...

    Abstract Contamination of the soil environment with pharmaceutical active compounds (PACs) is an emerging issue. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects and accumulation of PACs in maize (Zea mays L.). After screening a variety of maize hybrid seeds for tolerance and sensitivity to paracetamol, two maize hybrids, ICI 339 and Syngenta 7720 (PACs tolerant and sensitive, respectively) and were selected for this experiment. Five paracetamol solutions were applied in two splits with 500 ml of water containing 0, 0.31, 0.62, 0.93 and 1.24 g paracetamol l−1. The application of paracetamol significantly (P < 0.05) decreased grains yield by up to 50%. Hybrid Syngenta 7720 accumulated 0.063 ng g−1 paracetamol in the grain, which was 8% more (0.058 ng g−1) than the amount accumulated in hybrid ICI 339. Similarly, significant (P < 0.05) amounts of paracetamol (0.132 and 0.153 ng g−1 in ICI 339 and Syngenta 7720, respectively) were accumulated in the root. The accumulation of paracetamol in maize grain and root increased linearly when the dose of paracetamol was increased, but grain protein contents were not affected. The results indicate that under the current experimental conditions, edible parts of the crop plants are contaminated with paracetamol as a PAC and could have negative effects on consumers.
    Keywords Zea mays ; acetaminophen ; active ingredients ; corn ; crops ; edaphic factors ; grain protein ; hybrids ; protein content ; screening ; seeds
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2018-0415
    Size p. 143-148.
    Publishing place Elsevier B.V.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 602345-9
    ISSN 1873-2305 ; 0167-8809
    ISSN (online) 1873-2305
    ISSN 0167-8809
    DOI 10.1016/j.agee.2018.02.022
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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  8. Article: Effect of water management and silicon on germination, growth, phosphorus and arsenic uptake in rice

    Zia, Zahida / Ghulam Mustafa Shah / Hafiz Faiq Bakhat / Hafiz Mohkum Hammad / Muhammad Rizwan Ashraf / Muhammad Shahid / Shah Fahad / Wajid Naseem / Zulfiqar Ahmad Saqib

    Ecotoxicology and environmental safety. 2017 Oct., v. 144

    2017  

    Abstract: Silicon (Si) is the 2nd most abundant element in soil which is known to enhance stress tolerance in wide variety of crops. Arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid enters into the human food chain through contaminated water and food or feed. To alleviate the ... ...

    Abstract Silicon (Si) is the 2nd most abundant element in soil which is known to enhance stress tolerance in wide variety of crops. Arsenic (As), a toxic metalloid enters into the human food chain through contaminated water and food or feed. To alleviate the deleterious effect of As on human health, it is a need of time to find out an effective strategy to reduce the As accumulation in the food chain. The experiments were conducted during September-December 2014, and 2016 to optimize Si concentration for rice (Oryza sativa L.) exposed to As stress. Further experiment were carried out to evaluate the effect of optimum Si on rice seed germination, seedling growth, phosphorus and As uptake in rice plant. During laboratory experiment, rice seeds were exposed to 150 and 300µM As with and without 3mM Si supplementation. Results revealed that As application, decreased the germination up to 40–50% as compared to control treatment. Arsenic stress also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the seedling length but Si supplementation enhanced the seedlings length. Maximum seedling length (4.94cm) was recorded for 3mM Si treatment while, minimum seedling length (0.60cm) was observed at day7 by the application of 300µM As. Silicon application resulted in 10% higher seedling length than the control treatment. In soil culture experiment, plants were exposed to same concentrations of As and Si under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Irrigation water management, significantly (P˂0.05) affected the plant growth, Si and As concentrations in the plant. Arsenic uptake was relatively less under aerobic conditions. The maximum As concentration (9.34 and 27.70mgkg DW−1 in shoot and root, respectively) was found in plant treated with 300µM As in absence of Si under anaerobic condition. Similarly, anaerobic condition resulted in higher As uptake in the plants. The study demonstrated that aerobic cultivation is suitable to decrease the As uptake and in rice exogenous Si supply is beneficial to decrease As uptake under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions.
    Keywords aerobic conditions ; anaerobic conditions ; arsenic ; crops ; human food chain ; human health ; irrigation management ; Oryza sativa ; phosphorus ; rice ; roots ; seed germination ; seedling growth ; seedlings ; seeds ; shoots ; silicon ; soil ; stress tolerance ; toxicity ; water pollution
    Language English
    Dates of publication 2017-10
    Size p. 11-18.
    Publishing place Elsevier Inc.
    Document type Article
    ZDB-ID 436536-7
    ISSN 1090-2414 ; 0147-6513
    ISSN (online) 1090-2414
    ISSN 0147-6513
    DOI 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.06.004
    Database NAL-Catalogue (AGRICOLA)

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