ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to quantitatively assess the general public's awareness, attitude and perception of polio and its vaccination in Peshawar KPK, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a survey-based study to understand the surge in polio cases from 2015 to 2019 in the Peshawar city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A pre-tested questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2019 to assess the attitude and general perception of residents of Peshawar KPK towards polio vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 241 country-wide polio cases, 63 (26.1%) polio cases were reported in Peshawar city from 2015–2019. The questionnaire revealed that individuals between 18–30 years of age had sufficient knowledge (65.1%) about polio. Male and female participants had equal awareness (~ 43%). Participants with higher education (45.9%), those with better financial status (49.5%), individuals with children < 5 years of age (46.4%), and those who had experience of a polio patient (63.1%) had better knowledge. Participants inhabiting the central city were better aware (50.5%) of polio than individuals living in the outskirts. CONCLUSION: The data indicated that poor knowledge and negative attitudes of people towards polio vaccination are the main causes of the polio eradication program's failure. Moreover, religious beliefs, unchecked migration between the Pak-Afghan border, and lack of knowledge about polio vaccination are identified as critical barriers to polio eradication.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to quantitatively assess the general public's awareness, attitude and perception of polio and its vaccination in Peshawar KPK, Pakistan. METHODS: We conducted a survey-based study to understand the surge in polio cases from 2015 to 2019 in the Peshawar city of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A pre-tested questionnaire-based study was conducted in 2019 to assess the attitude and general perception of residents of Peshawar KPK towards polio vaccination. RESULTS: Out of 241 country-wide polio cases, 63 (26.1%) polio cases were reported in Peshawar city from 2015–2019. The questionnaire revealed that individuals between 18–30 years of age had sufficient knowledge (65.1%) about polio. Male and female participants had equal awareness (~ 43%). Participants with higher education (45.9%), those with better financial status (49.5%), individuals with children < 5 years of age (46.4%), and those who had experience of a polio patient (63.1%) had better knowledge. Participants inhabiting the central city were better aware (50.5%) of polio than individuals living in the outskirts. CONCLUSION: The data indicated that poor knowledge and negative attitudes of people towards polio vaccination are the main causes of the polio eradication program's failure. Moreover, religious beliefs, unchecked migration between the Pak-Afghan border, and lack of knowledge about polio vaccination are identified as critical barriers to polio eradication.

Abstract The bacteria residing in the gut of honey bees (HB) has demonstrated a significant role in protecting bees against various pathogens, production of honey and wax. However, no information exists about the antibacterial potential of bacterial isolates from gut of Asian HB, Apis cerana Indica F. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), against human pathogens. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial and multienzyme potential of aerobic bacteria from A. cerana gut using culture dependent approach. A total of 12 HB gut bacteria were characterized morphologically and biochemically. These strains were further screened for their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic human microorganisms Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis using cross streak (primary screening) and agar well diffusion methods (secondary screening). Preliminary characterization of cell-free supernatant (CFS) of two promising isolates was performed by measuring lactic acid concentrations, enzymatic digestion of antimicrobial compounds, stability over a range of temperature, pH and amplification of spaS (subtilin) and spoA (subtilosin) genes. In primary screening, among 12 HB isolates, eight strains showed statistically significant highest zones of inhibition (p≤0.05) against E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that these isolates belong to Bacillus genus, identified as B. tequilensis, B. pumilus, B. xiamenensis, B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. safensis, B. licheniformis, B. altitudinis (Accession numbers: MT186230-MT186237). Secondary screening revealed that among eight isolates, B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens showed statistically significantly strong inhibition (p≤0.05) against all tested pathogens. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that both isolates were resistant to antibiotics and possesses proteolytic, lipolytic and cellulolytic activities. The nature of the compound causing inhibitory activity was found to be proteinaceous and showed stability over a wide range of temperature as well as pH. PCR study confirmed the presence of bacteriocins by successful amplification of important antimicrobial peptide biosynthesis genes spaS and spoA. These results suggest that the HB gut is a home to bacteria that possess antimicrobial activity and important enzymes with antimicrobial potential. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the antimicrobial potential of bacteria isolated from gut of HB (A. cerana) against human pathogens.

Abstract Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) is an important legume and oilseed crop, native to South America and grown in all tropical and temperate regions of the world. A simplified and rapid direct gene delivery system in peanut was developed by vortexing silicon carbide whiskers with callus and with plasmid harboring chitinase and hygromcin genes. The effects of callus age and whisker quantity on transformation efficiency were evaluated. Transformation efficiency (6.88%) was highest when 200 mg of whiskers were used with 5 µg plasmid for 2 g of 20-day-old callus. Hygromcin-resistant calli were regenerated to complete plants which produced seeds normally. Transgene insertion and number of transgene copieswere confirmed by PCR and southern blot analyses, respectively. Transgene expression was evaluated by a pathogenecity test and RT-PCR analysis. In transgenic events, the resistance level to leaf spot disease was far higher than in control plants.

Four commercially grown wheat varieties of Pakistan, namely Inqilab-91, Chakwal-97, Tatara and Manthar were used for this investigation. For callus induction different concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyaceticacid (2,4-D) along with 0.1 mg/L of Kinetin were evaluated. For regeneration initially different concentrations of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) and 6-BenzylAminoPurine (BAP) were tested. Best hormone combinations were further subjected to Kinetin and 6-γ-γ-dimethylallylaminopurine (2iP). For Inqilab-91, Chakwal-97 and Manthar, 3 mg/L of 2,4-D was found optimum, which induced 83.25%, 77.75% and 95.20% of embryogenic calli, respectively. Maximum callus induction (97.18%) was observed in Tatara when 2 mg/L of 2,4-D was used. As regard to regeneration, Inqilab-91, Chakwal-97 and Manthar showed maximum regeneration on media containing 0.1 mg/L IAA, 0.4 mg/L Kinetin and 0.5 mg/L 2iP, regenerating 87.25%, 81.75% and 68.75% respectively. For Tatara maximum regeneration of 12.25% was obtained on 0.1 mg/L IAA and 2 mg/L of BAP. Presently optimized regeneration method holds promise for facilitating the deployment of agronomical important trait through genetic transformation for the improvement of this important food crop.