Abstract: Let G be a nontrivial connected graph. Then G is called a rainbow connected graph if there exists a coloring c : E(G) → {1, 2, ..., k}, k ∈ N, of the edges of G, such that there is a u − v rainbow path between every two vertices of G, where a path P in G is a rainbow path if no two edges of P are colored the same. The minimum k for which there exists such a k-edge coloring is the rainbow connection number rc(G) of G. If for every pair u, v of distinct vertices, G contains a rainbow u − v geodesic, then G is called strong rainbow connected. The minimum k for which G is strong rainbow-connected is called the strong rainbow connection number src(G) of G. The exact rc and src of the rotationally symmetric graphs are determined.

Abstract Health safety of spirulina (Spirulina platensis) for food application was evaluated through hematology and histopathology of liver, spleen and kidney in Sprague Dawley rats fed on three isoproteic diets maintained to 10% protein for forty five days. Three groups of rats were maintained as control diet casein (R-C); diet containing crude spirulina (R-S) and diet containing purified spirulina protein (R-SPI). Hematological profile of the rats group fed on spirulina diets showed no significant increase in white blood cells (WBCs), while there was decreasing trend in the levels of neutrophils (60.46 ± 2.60%) and lymphocytes (33.53 ± 1.06%) in rats that were fed on spirulina diet (R-S) than the other tested experimental diet group. Histopathological examination revealed normal architecture of the liver with no abnormality in kidneys and spleen exhibiting safety of spirulina in both forms to mitigate protein energy malnutrition widely prevalent in developing countries.

Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer type globally and contributes significantly to burden of disease in South Asia. In Pakistan, HNSCC is among the most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and females. The increasing regional burden of HNSCC along with a unique set of risk factors merited a deeper investigation of the disease at the genomic level. Whole exome sequencing of HNSCC samples and matched normal genomic DNA analysis (n=7) was performed. Significant somatic single nucleotide variants (SNVs) were identified and pathway analysis performed to determine frequently affected signaling pathways. We identified significant, novel recurrent mutations in ASNS (asparagine synthetase) that may affect substrate binding, and variants in driver genes including TP53, PIK3CA, FGFR2, ARID2, MLL3, MYC and ALK. Using the IntOGen platform, we identified MAP kinase, cell cycle, actin cytoskeleton regulation, PI3K-Akt signaling and other pathways in cancer as affected in the samples. This data is the first of its kind from the Pakistani population. The results of this study can guide a better mechanistic understanding of HNSCC in the population, ultimately contributing new, rational therapeutic targets for the treatment of the disease.

Abstract We analyzed the genome sequence of an endophytic bacterial strain Pseudomonas putida TJI51 isolated from mango bark tissues. Next generation DNA sequencing and short read de novo assembly generated the 5,805,096 bp draft genome of P. putida TJI51. Out of 6,036 protein coding genes in P. putida TJI51 sequences, 4,367 (72%) were annotated with functional specifications, while the remaining encoded hypothetical proteins. Comparative genome sequence analysis revealed that the P. putida TJI51genome contains several regions, not identified in so far sequenced P. putida genomes. Some of these regions were predicted to encode enzymes, including acetylornithine deacetylase, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, benzoylformate decarboxylase, hydroxyacylglutathione hydrolase, and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. The genome of P. putida TJI51 contained three nonribosomal peptide synthetase gene clusters. Genome sequence analysis of P. putidaTJI51 identified this bacterium as an endophytic resident. The endophytic fitness might be linked with alginate, which facilitates bacterial colonization in plant tissues. Genome sequence analysis shed light on the presence of a diverse spectrum of metabolic activities and adaptation of this isolate to various niches.

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial de ligação de mucilagem de Mulva neglecta (MNM), com posterior comparação ao PVP K30. Oito lotes de comprimidos de diclofenaco de sódio foram preparados pela técnica de granulação úmida, mantendo diferentes concentrações (4, 6, 8 e 10% w/w) de mucilagem de Mulva neglecta (extraída de folhas de Mulva neglecta) e PVP K30 como ligante padrão. Os grânulos de lotes formulados mostraram densidade aparente (g/mL) 0.49 ± 0.00-0.57 ± 0.00, densidade compactada (g/mL) 0.59 ± 0.01-0.70 ± 0.01, índice de Carr 09.27 ± 0.95-19.65 ± 0.59, a relação de Hausner 1.12 ± 0.00-1.24 ± 0.01 e ângulo de repouso 30.37 ± 2.90 °C a 36.86 ± 0.94 °C. Os comprimidos foram prensados à dureza de 7.50-7.95 kg/cm2. Os comprimidos apresentaram 0.39 ± 0.02-0.39 ± 0.01% friabilidade e 7:20-14:00 min de tempo de desintegração. A avaliação de grânulos e pós-compressão revelou que todos os parâmetros estavam dentro dos limites da farmacopeia. Os resultados (dureza, desintegração e dissolução) provaram que a mucilagem de Mulva neglecta tem maior capacidade de ligação na preparação da forma de dosagem de comprimido não revestido em relação à PVP K30. Entre todas as formulações, MN-1 e MN-4 mostraram liberação lenta em comparação com PV-1 e PV-4 e, assim, a mucilagem de Mulva neglecta exibiu liberação do fármaco satisfatória para os comprimidos de diclofenaco de sódio.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate binding potential of Mulva neglecta mucilage (MNM) with subsequent comparison to PVP K30. Eight batches of Diclofenac sodium tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique keeping different concentrations (4, 6, 8 & 10% w/w) of Mulva neglecta mucilage (extracted from leaves of Mulva neglecta) and PVP K30 as standard binder. The granules of formulated batches showed bulk density (g/mL) 0.49 ± 0.00 to 0.57 ± 0.00, tapped density (g/mL) 0.59 ± 0.01 to 0.70 ± 0.01, Carr's index 09.27 ± 0.95 to 19.65 ± 0.59, Hausner's ratio 1.12 ± 0.00 to 1.24 ± 0.01 and angle of repose 30.37 ± 2.90 °C to 36.86 ± 0.94 °C. Tablets were compressed to hardness 7.50 to 7.95 kg/cm2. The tablets showed 0.39 ± 0.02 to 0.39 ± 0.01% friability and 7:20 to 14:00 min disintegration time. Granules and post-compression evaluation revealed that parameters assessed were all found to be within the pharmacopoeial limits. The results (hardness, disintegration and dissolution) proved that Mulva neglecta mucilage has better binding capacity for preparation of uncoated tablet dosage form as compared to PVP K30. Among all the formulations, MN-1 to MN-4 showed slow release as compared to PV-1 to PV-4 and thereby Mulva neglecta mucilage exhibited satisfactory drug release phenomenon tablets of diclofenac sodium.

Para avaliar a propriedade aglutinante da goma Prunus domestica em formulações de comprimidos, seis lotes (F-1B para F-6B) foram preparados pelo método de granulação úmida, contendo Avicel pH 101 como diluente e diclofenaco de sódio como fármaco modelo, usando 10, 15 e 20 mg de goma de Prunus domestica como agente aglutinante e PVP K30 como aglutinante padrão. O estearato de magnésio foi utilizado como lubrificante. Propriedades de fluxo dos grânulos, como a densidade, índice de Carr, razão de Hausner, ângulo de repouso, bem como parâmetros físicos dos comprimidos, incluindo o tempo de dureza, friabilidade, espessura e desintegração foram determinados e se mostraram satisfatórios. A análise espectroscópica no FTIR mostrou que a formulação contendo goma vegetal é compatível com o fármaco e outros excipientes utilizados na formulação dos comprimidos. Assim, a goma vegetal tem papel potencial como aglutinante em formulações de comprimidos. O perfil de dissolução das formulações que contêm 15 mg/200 mg do peso total do comprimido em goma de Prunus domestica como aglutinante mostrou melhores resultados comparativamente ao PVP K30.

To evaluate binding potential of Prunus domestica gum in tablets formulations. Six tablet batches (F-1B to F-6B) were prepared by wet granulation method, containing Avicel pH 101 as diluent, sodium diclofenac as model drug using 10, 15 and 20 mg of Prunus domestica gum as binder and PVP K30 was used as standard binder. Magnesium stearate was used as lubricant. Flow properties of granules like bulk density, tapped density, Carr index, Hausner’s ratio, angle of repose as well as physical parameters of the compressed tablets including hardness, friability, thickness and disintegration time were determined and found to be satisfactory. The FTIR spectroscopic analysis showed that the formulation containing plant gum is compatible with the drug and other excipients used in tablets formulation. Hence the plant gum has role as a potential binder in tablets formulations. The dissolution profile showed that tablets formulations containing Prunus domestica gum 15 mg/200 mg of total weight of tablet as binder showed better results as compared to PVP K30.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the screening measures that would have been required to assess all travellers at risk of transporting A(H1N1)pdm09 out of Mexico by air at the start of the 2009 pandemic. METHODS: Data from flight itineraries for travellers who flew from Mexico were used to estimate the number of international airports where health screening measures would have been needed, and the number of travellers who would have had to be screened, to assess all air travellers who could have transported the H1N1 influenza virus out of Mexico during the initial stages of the 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic. FINDINGS: Exit screening at 36 airports in Mexico, or entry screening of travellers arriving on direct flights from Mexico at 82 airports in 26 other countries, would have resulted in the assessment of all air travellers at risk of transporting A(H1N1)pdm09 out of Mexico at the start of the pandemic. Entry screening of 116 travellers arriving from Mexico by direct or connecting flights would have been necessary for every one traveller at risk of transporting A(H1N1)pdm09. Screening at just eight airports would have resulted in the assessment of 90% of all air travellers at risk of transporting A(H1N1)pdm09 out of Mexico in the early stages of the pandemic. CONCLUSION: During the earliest stages of the A(H1N1) pandemic, most public health benefits potentially attainable through the screening of air travellers could have been achieved by screening travellers at only eight airports.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las medidas de detección sistemática que tendrían que haberse aplicado con el fin de analizar a todos los pasajeros de avión con riesgo de transportar el virus de la gripe A (H1N1) pdm09 desde México al principio de la pandemia de 2009. MÉTODOS: Se analizaron los datos de los itinerarios de vuelo de los pasajeros que volaron desde México en esas fechas. A partir de dichos datos, se calculó el número de aeropuertos en los que habría sido necesario aplicar medidas de control sanitario y el número de pasajeros que se habría sometido a una detección sistemática. De este modo, se habría analizado a todos los que podrían haber transportado el virus de la gripe H1N1 desde México durante las fases iniciales de la pandemia de gripe A (H1N1) de 2009. RESULTADOS: La detección sistemática a la salida de 36 aeropuertos mexicanos o a la entrada de los pasajeros de vuelos directos procedentes de México en 82 aeropuertos de 26 países podría haber dado como resultado la evaluación de todos los pasajeros de avión con riesgo de transportar el virus de la gripe A (H1N1)pdm09 desde México al principio de la pandemia. Para poder detectar a todos los pasajeros de avión con riesgo de transportar el virus de la gripe A (H1N1)pdm09 habría sido necesario aplicar la detección sistemática a la entrada de 116 pasajeros de los aviones procedentes de México (directos o con escala). De haber aplicado la detección sistemática en tan solo ocho aeropuertos se habría obtenido una evaluación del 90% de todos los pasajeros con riesgo de transportar el virus de la gripe A (H1N1) desde México en las primeras fases de la pandemia. CONCLUSIÓN: Durante las primeras fases de la pandemia del virus de la gripe A (H1N1) podrían haberse alcanzado los mayores beneficios en cuanto a sanidad pública aplicando la detección sistemática de pasajeros en tan solo ocho aeropuertos.

OBJECTIF: Évaluer les mesures de dépistage qui auraient été nécessaires pour dépister tous les voyageurs potentiellement porteurs du virus A(H1N1)pdm09 au départ du Mexique par avion au début de la pandémie de 2009. MÉTHODES: Les données provenant des itinéraires de vol des voyageurs qui ont quitté le Mexique en avion ont été utilisées pour estimer le nombre d'aéroports internationaux où des mesures de dépistage médical auraient été nécessaires, et le nombre de voyageurs qui auraient dû être dépistés afin d'évaluer tous les voyageurs aériens qui pourraient avoir été porteurs du virus de la grippe H1N1 au départ du Mexique pendant les premiers stades de la pandémie A(H1N1) de 2009. RÉSULTATS: Le dépistage de sortie dans 36 aéroports mexicains, ou le dépistage d'entrée des voyageurs arrivant sur des vols directs depuis le Mexique dans 82 aéroports de 26 autres pays, aurait permis d'évaluer tous les voyageurs aériens potentiellement porteurs du virus A(H1N1)pdm09 au départ du Mexique au début de la pandémie. Le dépistage d'entrée de 116 voyageurs arrivant du Mexique par des vols directs ou des correspondances aurait été nécessaire pour chacun des voyageurs aériens potentiellement porteurs du virus A(H1N1)pdm09. Le dépistage dans 8 aéroports seulement aurait permis d'évaluer 90% de tous les voyageurs aériens potentiellement porteurs du virus A(H1N1)pdm09 au départ du Mexique lors des premiers stades de la pandémie. CONCLUSION: Au cours des premiers stades de la pandémie de grippe A(H1N1), la plupart des points bénéfiques pour la santé et potentiellement réalisables par le biais du dépistage des voyageurs aériens auraient pu être obtenus en dépistant les voyageurs dans seulement 8 aéroports.