ABSTRACT: Members of the genus Lanius, known as shrikes, are economically important song birds distributed widely in several Asian countries. DNA sequencing, based on a partial segment of the cytochrome oxidase b (Cyt b) gene, was used to determine genetic variations and population genetic structure in four populations of shrike samples from north, east, and west Pakistan. We observed nucleotide diversities in L. isabellinus(= 0.02), L. schach(= 0.005), L. vittatus(= 0.004) and L. lahtora(= 0.008) . FST values were significant (P < 0.05) in all species populations apart from L. isabellinus, which were non-significant. The negative values of Fu’s Fs and Tajima’s D showed significant population expansion in three species, L. schach, L. vittatusand L. Lahtora, whereas they were insignificant in populations of L. isabellinus. Fu’s Fs and Tajima’s D values explain that a strong genetic structure is present among members of L. isabellinus. On this basis, it is inferred that strong genetic structuring in L. isabellinuspopulations within this region was largely shaped by a common origin, with secondary influences from geographical factors and isolation.

RESUMO: Membros do gênero Lanius, conhecidos como picanços, são pássaros canoros economicamente importantes, amplamente distribuídos em vários países asiáticos. O sequenciamento de DNA, baseado em um segmento parcial do gene citocromo oxidase b (Cyt b), foi usado para determinar as variações genéticas e a estrutura genética da população em quatro populações de amostras de picanço do norte, leste e oeste do Paquistão. As diversidades de nucleotídeos em L. isabellinus (= 0,02), L. schach (= 0,005), L. vittatus (= 0,004) e L. lahtora (= 0,008) foram observadas. Os valores de FST foram significativos (P < 0,05) em todas as populações de espécies, exceto L. isabellinus, que não foram significativos. Os valores negativos de Fs de Fu e D de Tajima mostraram expansão populacional significativa em três espécies, L. schach, L. vittatus e L. Lahtora, enquanto foram insignificantes em populações de L. isabellinus. Os valores Fs de Fu e D de Tajima explicam que uma forte estrutura genética está presente entre os membros de L. isabellinus. Com base nisso, infere-se que a forte estruturação genética nas populações de L. isabellinus nessa região foi amplamente moldada por uma origem comum, com influências secundárias de fatores geográficos e isolamento.

Abstract The goal of this study is to review the overall prevalence, burden, and distribution of the dengue disease in Pakistan from 2000 to 2019. Literature was searched using different search engines like Google scholar, PubMed, etc. providing the keywords “Dengue disease/infection, Dengue virus, DENV, DF/DHF/ DSS Pakistan”. All the published research papers/reports on the dengue virus over the period 2000 to 2019 were studied and selected data were summarized using MS Excel for windows such as total cases, age wise, gender, DENV serotype distribution, total DHF, and DSS patients. The literature providing insufficient data was excluded. The total number of cases reported during 2000-19 were 201,269. The maximum number of cases during the mentioned literature survey period was reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) (23.3%) followed by Punjab (3.8%) and Sindh (1.9%). The majority of dengue-infected cases were reported as Dengue fever (74.4%) followed by DHF (24.1%) and DSS (1.5%). Overall the deaths during the mentioned literature survey were 1082, of which the maximum mortalities were reported from KP (N=248) followed by Punjab (N=220). DENV remains a major public health problem in Pakistan and seems to remain endemic for a long time. The total prevalence of dengue infection is increased accordingly with time from 2000 to 2019. Moreover, all the four serotypes exist in Pakistan with increased mortalities.

Resumo A literatura foi examinada através de diferentes mecanismos de pesquisa, como Google Acadêmico, PubMed, etc., fornecendo as palavras-chave “Dengue disease/infection, Dengue virus, DENV, DF/DHF/ DSS Pakistan”. Todos os trabalhos/relatórios de pesquisa publicados sobre o vírus da dengue no período de 2000 a 2019 foram analisados e os dados selecionados foram coletados e resumidos usando o MS Excel para janelas como total de casos, idade, sexo, distribuição de sorotipos, total de DHF e pacientes com DSS. A literatura que forneceu dados insuficientes foi excluída. O número total de casos notificados de 2000 a 2019 foi de 201.269. O número máximo de casos durante o período de levantamento da literatura mencionado foi relatado em KP (23,3%), seguido por Punjab (3,8%) e Sindh (1,9%). A maioria dos casos de infecção por dengue foi relatada como Dengue (74,4%), seguida por FHD (24,1%) e DSS (1,5%). No geral, as mortes durante a pesquisa de literatura mencionada foram 1.082, das quais as morbidades máximas foram relatadas em KP (248), seguidas por Punjab, com um total de 220 mortes. O DENV continua sendo um grande problema de saúde pública no Paquistão e é considerado endêmico agora e provavelmente permanecerá por muito tempo. A prevalência total de infecção por dengue foi aumentada conforme a pesquisa de literatura publicada entre 2000 e 2019. A mortalidade por DENV também aumentou. Todos os 4 sorotipos, bem como em várias formas, existem no Paquistão.

BACKGROUND: Entrepreneurship is an important economic driver, and universities are increasingly trying to create an entrepreneurial mindset among their students. This involves nurturing certain personality traits congruent with entrepreneurial intentions, such as inter alia self-esteem, a need for achievement and a risk-taking propensity. AIM: This study aimed to determine the influence of self-esteem and need for achievement on students' risk-taking propensity and, consequent, entrepreneurial intentions. SETTING: This study was conducted on students from two South African universities. METHODS: Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire distributed via the online platforms of two universities to a sample of 502 students. Data analysis included confirmatory factor analysis and path analysis. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis suggests that the influence of self- esteem and the need for achievement on students' risk-taking propensity and, consequent, entrepreneurial intentions is a four-factor model that is valid and reliable. The path analysis estimates indicate that self-esteem and the need for achievement explain 26% of the variance of students' risk-taking propensity, which, together with its predictors, explains 24% of the variance in their entrepreneurial intentions. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the importance of a high risk-taking propensity in forging students' entrepreneurial intentions, and the salience of nurturing students' self-esteem and need for achievement in encouraging them to embrace calculated risks. CONTRIBUTION: This study confirms that a high risk-taking propensity is a determinant of students' entrepreneurial intentions and highlights the importance of developing tactics to nurture students' self-esteem and need for achievement in order to enable them to embrace calculated risks

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypogonadism is one of the most frequent complications in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients and early recognition and treatment is the core element in restoring impaired gonadal function. Despite the high burden of disease, relevant studies are scarcely addressing the gonadal function of such patients in Bangladesh. The pattern of gonadal function in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients must be characterized before planning a generalized management plan. Moreover, since iron overload is a key reason behind hypogonadism in thalassemia patients, investigating the role of serum ferritin level as a diagnostic tool for hypongadism was also an aim of this study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Transfusion Medicine of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 94 patients were enrolled in this study. A detailed history and thorough clinical examination were carried out in each patient and recorded using a pretested structured questionnaire. In addition, the laboratory assessment of serum ferritin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and estradiol in serum were also performed. The data were analyzed using the STATA (v.16). Results: The mean age of the patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia was 18.81 ± 4.65 (SD), with 53.3% of the patients being male. The overall prevalence of hypogonadism was 35.11%, 18.1% being normogonadotropic, 11.7% being hypogonadotropic and 5.3% being hypergonadotropic. The serum ferritin level was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with hypogonadism (Eugonadal: 2,174.79 (± 749.12) ng/ml; Hypogonadal: 3,572.59 (± 1,199.49) ng/ml). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of serum ferritin was high (0.83) and the p-value was highly significant (< 0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, the serum ferritin level and gonadal hormone analysis of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients can be considered a screening tool for assessing gonadal function and early detection and prevention of hypogonadism.

BACKGROUND: This qualitative study explored the knowledge to practice gaps of occupational therapists who have a vital role in neurodevelopmental supportive care for high-risk infants METHODS: Via purposive sampling, 17 therapists working in public health in South Africa were recruited to participate in virtual focus groups. Data were thematically analysed using a hybrid approach FINDINGS: Five themes emerged, which included (i) occupational therapy and neonatal care in the public health sector, (ii) knowledge acquisition and knowledge synthesis, (iii) knowledge translation and utilisation, (iv) contextual barriers and adaptation and (v) the ideal occupational therapist in the ideal neonatal setting. Facilitators, inhibitors, referrals, and interest in occupational therapy neonatal care were also highlighted CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge to practice gaps in occupational therapy include insufficient training, a decreased interest in neonatal care, staff shortages, multi-disciplinary team rotations and a reduced understanding of the professional role and scope of occupational therapy. Resources, training, and policy development appear to be necessary to inform a standard of care Implication for practice The role of the occupational therapist in supporting high risk infants is generally limited and remains somewhat unknown in current South African contexts. It is essential to identify knowledge-to-practice gaps for occupational therapists supporting high-risk infants in the public health sector for successful implementation of neurodevelopmental supportive care. By the exploration of practitioner opinions and insight through appreciating the role of the occupational therapist in managing high risk infants, contextually specific and relevant knowledge translation interventions may be developed and implemented which have implications for evidence-based practice and more successful outcomes in the high-risk infant.

Abstract The current study aimed at the quinoa-wheat composite flour's characterization (including total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity) as well as its effect on dry cake sensory quality. Findings revealed a rise in ash content, fat, protein, and crude fiber of composite-flour (0.56-1.23%, 1.13-1.76%, 10.14-11.02%, and 0.23-1.04%, respectively) with an increase of quinoa flour (5-20%). The addition of quinoa flour to the composite flour enhanced cake texture (0.26-.70 kg), but it also decreased L-value of cake crumb (55.29-50.73). Total flavonoids (56.44-59.48 mg QE/100 g) and antioxidant activity (4.66-9.76%) increased as quinoa flour was increased, whereas total phenolics (8.68-5.46 mgGAE/g) decreased. By mixing wheat flour with quinoa flour, the nutritional value of wheat flour was increased. During sensory evaluation, the cake made from composite-flour containing 10% quinoa-flour scored the highest overall acceptability. Sensory quality of last two treatments, which included 15% and 20% quinoa flour, was lower. Quinoa seeds had a better nutritional profile than wheat, with higher levels of amino acids, minerals, dietary fibers, and oil. Since wheat is a staple food in Pakistan, adding quinoa-flour would help to reduce malnutrition in Pakistan. Furthermore, no previous research on the suitability of quinoa-wheat flour for dry cake has been conducted on Pakistani wheat flour.

Malaria is one of the most severe vector-borne diseases caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Laboratory-reared anophelines are essential to advance research needed to reduce or eliminate malaria. The success of laboratory rearing as well as studies on parasite-mosquito transmission, is advanced by using an artificial membrane feeding systems. These require the optimisation of mosquito feeding to ensure that an optimal number of mosquitoes feed, thereby enabling successful reproduction or research sample sizes. In this study, various parameters such as the type of artificial membrane, density of adults in the feeding cup, age of the mosquito, duration of starvation, method of starvation, the volume of blood meal, duration of feeding, feeding in the light or dark and the effect of lactic acid were evaluated to determine their impact on the feeding rate of a main African malaria vector, Anopheles funestus. By optimising the artificial membrane feeding parameters, an increase in the feeding rate of the An. funestus mosquitoes was observed. The results obtained from these parameters increased the feeding rate of An. funestus above 50%. However, feeding rates were not significantly increased by the type of membrane, mosquito density, the volume of blood meal, duration of feeding and the addition of lactic acid to the cattle intestine membrane. Therefore, this study provides information on suitable conditions for adult mosquito feeding that allows for successful laboratory rearing and colony maintenance. Furthermore, it provides additional information for research studies that are dependent on blood-feeding, such as transmission blocking studies, endectocide studies etc.

Abstract Introduction Recently, evidence has been accumulating that both smoking and mental health disorders are continuously increasing among adolescents. This systematic review elucidates the research into evidence of the direction of the association and risk factors influencing the relationship between smoking and depression. We also highlight recent studies on the effects of electronic cigarettes and developments on the association between depression and smoking. Methods A literature search was conducted on databases including PubMed, Ovid Medline, EMBASE, and PsycINFO and in relevant neurology and psychiatry journals. Terms used for electronic searches included smoking, tobacco, cigarettes; depression; adolescent, youth; direction. Relevant information was then utilized to synthesize findings on the association between smoking and depression among adolescent population. Results The initial database searches yielded 2,738 related articles. After screening and cross-referencing, duplicate articles, articles published in languages other than English, and studies on animals, social and lifestyle factors, mood disorders, and substance use were excluded. Of these, a total of 122 publications only focusing on smoking and depression in the adolescent population were selected for synthesis in this qualitative systemic review. These include 110 original research articles, eight meta-analyses and reviews, and four reports and websites. Conclusion The relationship between smoking and depression in the literature does not reflect the cause-effect relationship. The lack of evidence on the direction of the association may reflect futile study designs, confounding factors and/or use of indirect measures of depression and quantification of smoking. Future prospective randomized studies should target elucidation of the causal association.

Abstract Microbial proteases are one of the most demanding enzymes for various industries with diverse applications in food, pharmaceutics, and textile industries to name the few. An extracellular alkaline metalloprotease was produced and purified from moderate halophilic bacterial strain, Bacillus cereus TS2, with some unique characteristics required for various industrial applications. The protease was produced in basal medium supplemented with casein and was partially purified by ion exchange chromatography followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation. The alkaline metalloprotease has molecular weight of 35 kDa with specific activity of 535.4 µM/min/mg. It can work at wide range of pH from 3 to 12, while showing optimum activity at pH 10. Similarly, the alkaline metalloprotease is stable till the temperature of 80 °C and works at wide range of temperature from 20 to 90 °C with optimum activity at 60 °C. The turnover rate increases in the presence of NaCl and Co+2 with k cat/KM of 1.42 × 103 and 1.27 × 103 s-1.M-1 respectively, while without NaCl and Co+2 it has a value of 7.58× 102. The alkaline metalloprotease was relatively resistant to thermal and solvent mediated denaturation. Applications revealed that the metalloprotease was efficient to remove hair from goat skin, remove blood stains and degrade milk, thus can be a potential candidate for leather, detergent, and food industry.

Resumen La eficacia de la mayoría de los insecticidas sintéticos contra Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) se ha visto comprometida debido al comportamiento alimentario críptico de éste insecto. Es por ello que existe una necesidad imperiosa de buscar otros enfoques de manejo efectivos y ecológicos para combatir esta plaga. Se evaluó la susceptibilidad del 2do y 4to estadio de la fase larvaria de C. partellus frente a Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Bt-k) (Berliner) y Metarhizium anisopliae (Mechnikov) en un entorno controlado. Se trató a las larvas con tratamientos individuales y combinados de una dosis única de B. thuringiensis (Bt: 0,75 µg/g) y tres concentraciones de conidios de M. anisopliae (1x104, 1x106 y 1x108 conidios/ml). La aplicación individual e integrada de ambos entomopatógenos afectó de manera significativa la mortalidad, la pupación, la emergencia de adultos, la micosis y la esporulación de estadios larvales de C. partellus. La máxima mortalidad se registró (2do: 94,63%) y (4to: 91,43%) cuando las larvas fueron sometidas a aplicaciones combinadas de M. anisopliae (1x108 conidios/ml) y B. thuringiensis (0,75 µg/g). El mismo tratamiento integrado también provocó una disminución significativa de la pupación (2do: 0,00% y 4to: 6,66%) y de la emergencia de adultos (2do: 0,00% y 4to: 0,00%) de C. partellus en comparación con el resto de los tratamientos experimentales. Además, se registró una tasa significativamente mayor de micosis y esporulación en ambas fases larvarias (2do: 88,52% y 143,96 conidios/ml) y (4to: 82,04% y 131,85 conidios/ml), cuando se expusieron a una concentración individual menor de M. anisopliae (1×104 conidios/ml). Los resultados actuales sugieren que la aplicación integrada de M. anisopliae y B. thuringiensis podría ser una táctica ecológica viable para el control de C. partellus.

Abstract Aging and oxidative stress are important biological processes with extensive medical and social significance. The D-Galactose (D-Gal) has been used in animals for inducing oxidative stress and brain aging. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of Lactobacillus brevis MG000874 in inhibiting the aging process and oxidative stress in D-Gal induced oxidative stress murine model. The cognitive responses and biochemical indicators were used to estimate the anti-aging and antioxidant potential of L. brevis MG000874 in mice. Tests used to assess cognitive responses, included object recognition, open field and T Maze. While antioxidant status was assessed by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity in mice brain tissues. Results suggested that D-Gal can seriously impair the object recognition in mice. It led to significant reduction in ambulation, rearing, leaning and grooming. Similar trend was observed in antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT and GSH except for GST where elevation was observed. Treatment with L. brevis MG000874 and ascorbic acid inhibited this reduction and kept levels close to control. Likewise, values of GSH of probiotic group were lower than negative control but significantly higher than positive control group. Probiotic supplementation in the presence of D-Gal displayed improvement in GSH, while no such improvement could be observed with ascorbic acid treatment. It can be concluded from the present study that L. brevis MG000874 can be used as anti-aging and antioxidant agent. It is recommended that L. brevis MG000874 could be included in the list of probiotics.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature on knowledge translation (KT) interventions for occupational therapists (OTs) in assessing and caring for the neonate and at-risk infant. Care at this stage of life is paramount, requiring a shift from the survival of the neonate, to the quality of survival. Consequently, clinicians working with neonates have a crucial role in ensuring optimal development and preventing long-term adverse developmental outcomesAIM: This study aimed to explore experts' opinions on KT interventions for OTs working with neonates and at-risk infants in South AfricaSETTING: This study was located in South Africa. Due to the virtual nature of data collection, no geographical limitations within the country were imposedMETHOD: A two-round Delphi study with a multidisciplinary expert panel (n = 20; n = 18) was conducted. The round one survey was developed based on a literature review, findings from a preceding focus group, and a pilot study. The subsequent round was based on the data and comments generated from the first round. Results were pooled and presented to participants following both roundsRESULTS: Consensus on 127 items out of 130 was achieved. These included consensus on the definition of KT in neonatal care, the knowledge that OTs should possess, professional competencies, skills required, professional values, and characteristics. Further agreement was reached on the KT process, the usefulness of KT modalities, recommended courses in neonatal care, barriers to KT, best-practice and requirements for undergraduate trainingCONCLUSION: Knowledge translation required for OTs working with neonates and at-risk infants were established in this studyCONTRIBUTION: This study may be useful for consideration in contextually relevant KT interventions for clinicians working in neonatal care

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Online consumer reviews have significantly enhanced consumer decision-making and are a particularly popular purchasing decision-making aid amongst the young adult consumer segment, currently classified as members of Generation Y. Despite the significance of such reviews in Generation Y consumer behaviour, there is a dearth of studies on the purchase influence of online consumer reviews amongst this segment, especially in the context of emerging economies such as South Africa. In addressing this limitation in the literature, this study applied an adapted version of the information adoption model to test the influence of perceived information quality, trustworthiness and usefulness on the purchase influence of such reviews amongst Generation Y university students in South Africa DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Following a single cross-sectional descriptive research design, data were collected from a sample of 538 university students from the campuses of three South African public universities. Data analysis included structural equation modelling FINDINGS: The results infer that Generation Y students in South Africa perceive online consumer-generated reviews and the information contained therein as being trustworthy, of a high quality, as useful and they have adopted such reviews into their consumption-related decision-making in that those reviews influence their purchase decisions. Furthermore, information trustworthiness and quality explain 51 percent of the variance in their perceived usefulness of online consumer reviews and perceived usefulness, together with its predictors, explain 32 percent of the variance in their adoption of such reviews into their purchase decision-making processes RECOMMENDATIONS/VALUE: These findings augment managerial understanding of the role of online consumer reviews in South African Generation Y consumers' purchasing decision-making MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings highlight the degree to which Generation Y consumers have integrated consumer-generated online reviews into their consumption-related decision-making and the extent to which those reviews exert an influence their purchase behaviour, thereby highlighting the necessity of incorporating such reviews into managerial strategies targeting Generation Y consumers in South Africa JEL CLASSIFICATION: M31

Abstract Objective: To compare porcelain and metal repair done with both nanocomposite and conventional composite. Material and Methods: A total of 30 cylinders were fabricated from Porcelain (I), Porcelain fused to metal (II), and metal (III) substrate each. Control group (A) was bonded with conventional micro-hybrid composite and experimental group (B) was bonded with nanocomposite in a 2 mm thickness. All specimens were thermocycled and stored in distilled water at 37 °C for 7 days. A universal testing machine was used to measure the Shear bond strength (SBS). The difference between bond strengths of the groups was compared using an independent t-test. Results: In all three groups, the SBS was higher in the experimental group as compared to the control group. The use of nanocomposite of metal alloy presented maximum shear bond strength, followed by samples of porcelain fused to metal and finally porcelain, showing the lowest values of SBS. Conclusion: Porcelain and alloys bonded with nanocomposite exhibit enhanced adhesiveness as well as aesthetic and mechanical properties. This subsequently would translate into providing higher clinical serviceability and durability and hence a cost-effective and accessible repair option for human welfare.