Abstract The national burden of HCV has significantly mounted over the period of last few decades placing Pakistan at the worst placement of second largest burden of HCV globally. Herein for the first time from Pakistan, we examined clinical correlation of potential biomarkers with HCV. Nation-wide study was conducted on 13,348 suspected HCV patients during 2018-2022. During pre-COVID-19 era of 2018-2019, prevalence of HCV remained 30%. During 2018, among HCV positive patients, 91% of ALT, 63% of AST, 67% of GGT, 28% of Bili T, 62% of HB, 15% of HBA1C, 25% of CREAT, 15% of PT, 15% of aPTT and 64% of AFP were abnormal. During 2019, among HCV infected 74.47% of ALT, 63.54% of AST, 70.24% of GGT, 24.71% of Bili T, 8.77% of HB and 75% of AFP were raised. CT/CAT scan revealed 4.65% liver complications (mild 13.04%, moderate 30.43% and severe 56.52%). During 2020, HCV prevalence remained 25%. 65.17% of ALT, 64.20% of AST, 68.75% of GGT, 31.25% of Bili T, 20.97% of HB, 4.65% of CREAT and 73.68% of AFP levels were raised. CAT analysis revealed liver complications among 4.41% (14.81% mild, 40.74% moderate, and 44.44% sever). 85.71% of participants diabetes was out of control. During 2021, HCV prevalence remained 27.1%. ALT (73.86%), AST (50.6%), GGT (67.95%), Bili T (28.21%), HB (20%), CREAT (5.8%) and AFP (82.14%) levels were abnormal. During 2022, the levels of ALT (56.06%), AST (56.36%), GGT (56.6%), Bili T (19.23%), HB (43.48%), HBA1C (14.81), CREAT (18.92%), AFP (93.75%) were abnormal. CAT analysis revealed 7.46% liver complications (25% mild, 30.36% moderate, and 42.86% sever). During 2021-2022, 83.33% of subject’s diabetes was not controlled. globally Nationwide Nation wide 13348 13 348 13,34 20182022. 20182022 2018 2022. 2022 2018-2022 preCOVID19 preCOVID pre COVID 19 pre-COVID-1 20182019, 20182019 2019 2018-2019 30 30% 91 63 67 28 62 15 HBAC HBA C 25 PT 64 abnormal 7447 74 47 74.47 6354 54 63.54 7024 70 24 70.24 2471 71 24.71 877 8 77 8.77 75 raised CTCAT CT 465 4 65 4.65 mild 1304 04 13.04% 3043 43 30.43 56.52%. 5652 56.52% . 56 52 56.52%) 2020 6517 17 65.17 6420 20 64.20 6875 68 68.75 3125 31 31.25 2097 97 20.97 7368 73 73.68 441 41 4.41 14.81% 1481 14 81 (14.81 4074 40 40.74 4444 44 44.44 sever. sever sever) 8571 85 85.71 control 2021 271 27 1 27.1% 73.86%, 7386 73.86% , 86 (73.86%) 50.6%, 506 50.6% 50 6 (50.6%) 67.95%, 6795 67.95% 95 (67.95%) 28.21%, 2821 28.21% 21 (28.21%) 20%, 20% (20%) 5.8% 58 5 (5.8% 82.14% 8214 82 (82.14% 56.06%, 5606 56.06% 06 (56.06%) 56.36%, 5636 56.36% 36 (56.36%) 56.6%, 566 56.6% (56.6%) 19.23%, 1923 19.23% 23 (19.23%) 43.48%, 4348 43.48% 48 (43.48%) 14.81, 14.81 (14.81) 18.92%, 1892 18.92% 18 92 (18.92%) 93.75% 9375 93 (93.75% 746 7 46 7.46 (25 3036 30.36 4286 42 42.86 20212022, 20212022 2021-2022 8333 83 33 83.33 subjects subject s controlled 1334 34 13,3 2018202 201 202 2018-202 preCOVID1 pre-COVID- 2018201 2018-201 3 9 2 744 74.4 635 63.5 702 70.2 247 24.7 87 8.7 4.6 130 0 13.04 304 30.4 565 56.52 651 65.1 642 64.2 687 68.7 312 31.2 209 20.9 736 73.6 4.4 148 (14.8 407 40.7 444 44.4 857 85.7 27.1 738 73.86 (73.86% 50.6 (50.6% 679 67.95 (67.95% 282 28.21 (28.21% (20% 5.8 (5.8 82.14 821 (82.14 560 56.06 (56.06% 563 56.36 (56.36% 56.6 (56.6% 192 19.23 (19.23% 434 43.48 (43.48% 14.8 189 18.92 (18.92% 93.75 937 (93.75 7.4 (2 303 30.3 428 42.8 2021202 2021-202 833 83.3 133 13, 201820 2018-20 pre-COVID 74. 63. 70. 24. 8. 4. 13.0 30. 56.5 65. 64. 68. 31. 20. 73. (14. 40. 44. 85. 27. 73.8 (73.86 50. (50.6 67.9 (67.95 28.2 (28.21 (20 5. (5. 82.1 (82.1 56.0 (56.06 56.3 (56.36 56. (56.6 19.2 (19.23 43.4 (43.48 14. 18.9 (18.92 93.7 (93.7 7. ( 42. 202120 2021-20 83. 20182 2018-2 13. (14 (73.8 (50. 67. (67.9 28. (28.2 (5 82. (82. (56.0 (56.3 (56. 19. (19.2 43. (43.4 18. (18.9 93. (93. 20212 2021-2 2018- (1 (73. (50 (67. (28. (82 (56 (19. (43. (18. (93 2021- (73 (67 (28 (8 (19 (43 (18 (9 (7 (6 (4

Resumo A carga nacional de HCV aumentou significativamente ao longo das últimas décadas, colocando o Paquistão na pior colocação da segunda maior carga de HCV globalmente. Pela primeira vez no Paquistão, examinamos a correlação clínica de potenciais biomarcadores com HCV. Um estudo nacional foi realizado com 13.348 pacientes suspeitos de HCV de 2018 a 2022. Durante a era pré-COVID-19 de 2018 a 2019, a prevalência do HCV permaneceu em 30%. Durante 2018, entre pacientes positivos para HCV, 91% de ALT, 63% de AST, 67% de GGT, 28% de Bili T, 62% de HB, 15% de HBA1C, 25% de CREAT, 15% de PT, 15% de aPTT e 64% de AFP eram anormais. Durante 2019, entre os infectados pelo HCV, 74,47% de ALT, 63,54% de AST, 70,24% de GGT, 24,71% de Bili T, 8,77% de HB e 75% de AFP foram elevados. A TC/TAC revelou 4,65% de complicações hepáticas (leve 13,04%, moderada 30,43% e grave 56,52%). Durante 2020, a prevalência do HCV permaneceu em 25%. 65,17% de ALT, 64,20% de AST, 68,75% de GGT, 31,25% de Bili T, 20,97% de HB, 4,65% de CREAT e 73,68% de AFP estavam elevados. A análise de TAC revelou complicações hepáticas em 4,41% (14,81% leves, 40,74% moderadas e 44,44% graves). 85,71% dos participantes o diabetes estava fora de controle. Durante 2021, a prevalência de HCV permaneceu em 27,1%. Os níveis de ALT (73,86%), AST (50,6%), GGT (67,95%), Bili T (28,21%), HB (20%), CREAT (5,8%) e AFP (82,14%) estavam anormais. Durante 2022, os níveis de ALT (56,06%), AST (56,36%), GGT (56,6%), Bili T (19,23%), HB (43,48%), HBA1C (14,81), CREAT (18,92%), AFP (93,75%) eram anormais. A análise de TAC revelou 7,46% de complicações hepáticas (25% leves, 30,36% moderadas e 42,86% severas). Durante 2021 e 2022, 83,33% do diabetes do sujeito não foi controlado. décadas globalmente 13348 13 348 13.34 201 2022 préCOVID19 préCOVID pré COVID 19 pré-COVID-1 2019 30 30% 91 63 67 28 62 15 HBAC HBA C 25 PT 64 anormais 7447 74 47 74,47 6354 54 63,54 7024 70 24 70,24 2471 71 24,71 877 8 77 8,77 75 elevados TCTAC TC 465 4 65 4,65 leve 1304 04 13,04% 3043 43 30,43 56,52%. 5652 56,52% . 56 52 56,52%) 2020 6517 17 65,17 6420 20 64,20 6875 68 68,75 3125 31 31,25 2097 97 20,97 7368 73 73,68 441 41 4,41 14,81% 1481 14 81 (14,81 leves 4074 40 40,74 4444 44 44,44 graves. graves graves) 8571 85 85,71 controle 271 27 1 27,1% 73,86%, 7386 73,86% , 86 (73,86%) 50,6%, 506 50,6% 50 6 (50,6%) 67,95%, 6795 67,95% 95 (67,95%) 28,21%, 2821 28,21% 21 (28,21%) 20%, 20% (20%) 5,8% 58 5 (5,8% 82,14% 8214 82 (82,14% 56,06%, 5606 56,06% 06 (56,06%) 56,36%, 5636 56,36% 36 (56,36%) 56,6%, 566 56,6% (56,6%) 19,23%, 1923 19,23% 23 (19,23%) 43,48%, 4348 43,48% 48 (43,48%) 14,81, 14,81 (14,81) 18,92%, 1892 18,92% 18 92 (18,92%) 93,75% 9375 93 (93,75% 746 7 46 7,46 (25 3036 30,36 4286 42 42,86 severas. severas severas) 202 8333 83 33 83,33 controlado 1334 34 13.3 préCOVID1 pré-COVID- 3 9 2 744 74,4 635 63,5 702 70,2 247 24,7 87 8,7 4,6 130 0 13,04 304 30,4 565 56,52 651 65,1 642 64,2 687 68,7 312 31,2 209 20,9 736 73,6 4,4 148 (14,8 407 40,7 444 44,4 857 85,7 27,1 738 73,86 (73,86% 50,6 (50,6% 679 67,95 (67,95% 282 28,21 (28,21% (20% 5,8 (5,8 82,14 821 (82,14 560 56,06 (56,06% 563 56,36 (56,36% 56,6 (56,6% 192 19,23 (19,23% 434 43,48 (43,48% 14,8 189 18,92 (18,92% 93,75 937 (93,75 7,4 (2 303 30,3 428 42,8 833 83,3 133 13. pré-COVID 74, 63, 70, 24, 8, 4, 13,0 30, 56,5 65, 64, 68, 31, 20, 73, (14, 40, 44, 85, 27, 73,8 (73,86 50, (50,6 67,9 (67,95 28,2 (28,21 (20 5, (5, 82,1 (82,1 56,0 (56,06 56,3 (56,36 56, (56,6 19,2 (19,23 43,4 (43,48 14, 18,9 (18,92 93,7 (93,7 7, ( 42, 83, 13, (14 (73,8 (50, 67, (67,9 28, (28,2 (5 82, (82, (56,0 (56,3 (56, 19, (19,2 43, (43,4 18, (18,9 93, (93, (1 (73, (50 (67, (28, (82 (56 (19, (43, (18, (93 (73 (67 (28 (8 (19 (43 (18 (9 (7 (6 (4

Resumo Os antioxidantes são materiais que eliminam ou removem os radicais livres dos sistemas vivos. O processo de oxidação termina na produção de radicais livres. Esses radicais livres são o principal local de nascimento das células cancerosas. Os agentes antioxidantes removem os intermediários dos radicais livres ao encerrar os processos de oxidação ao serem eles próprios oxidados. Por outro lado, as doenças infecciosas afetam o mundo em grande escala. Para combater essas doenças, diversos compostos sintéticos têm sido utilizados. Os medicamentos à base de plantas desempenham um papel importante a este respeito. Assim, o objetivo da pesquisa atual é investigar o efeito antibacteriano e antioxidante do extrato da casca da raiz de Berberis lycium Royle (BLR). Berberis lycium Royle foi utilizado para análises fitoquímicas e também como agentes antimicrobianos e antioxidantes. A atividade antimicrobiana foi avaliada pelo método de difusão em ágar em poço. A partir do estudo atual, observou-se que o BLR era rico em fitoquímicos e tóxico contra bactérias patogênicas testadas. BLR apresentou maior atividade contra S. pyogenes (13,3 ± 0,8 mm). A menor atividade antibacteriana foi relatada contra E. coli (0 ± 0 mm). No caso de concentração inibitória mínima, observou-se que BLR com concentração de 10 μg / mL apresentou maior atividade, enquanto BLR 2,5 μg / mL apresentou menor atividade inibitória. A maior atividade antioxidante in vitro foi registrada como 65% a 100 µg / mL. No caso do nível de atividade antioxidante in vivo de CAT, GSH e SOD diminuiu, enquanto o de MDA aumentou nos grupos tratados com CCl4 em comparação com o grupo controle. O tratamento com extrato de BLR reverteu todas essas mudanças significativamente. Os resultados atuais indicam que o BLR é eficaz contra patógenos bacterianos e também tem atividade antioxidante.

Abstract Antioxidants are materials that scavenge or remove free radicals from living systems. The oxidation process ends in the production of free radicals. These free radicals are the chief birthplace of cancerous cells. Antioxidizing agents remove free radical intermediates by terminating oxidation processes by being oxidized themselves. On the other hand, infectious diseases affect the world on a large scale. To fight these diseases several synthetic compounds have been used. Plant based medications play important role in this regard. So, the current research aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant effect of Berberis lycium Royle root bark (BLR) extract. Berberis lycium Royle was used for phytochemical analysis and also as antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method. Current study revealed that BLR was rich in phytochemicals and toxic against tested pathogenic bacteria. BLR showed the highest activity against S. pyogenes (13.3±0.8 mm). The lowest antibacterial activity was reported against E. coli (0±0 mm). In case of minimum inhibitory concentration, it was observed that BLR with 10 μg/mL concentration showed the highest activity while 2.5 μg/mL of BLR showed the least inhibitory activity. The highest In vitro antioxidant activity was recorded as 65% at 100 µg/mL. In case of in vivo antioxidant activity level of CAT, GSH and SOD were decreased while that of MDA was enhanced in groups treated with CCl4 as compared to the control group. BLR extract treatment reversed all these changes significantly. Current results indicate that BLR is effective against bacterial pathogens and also has antioxidant potential.

Abstract The phytosociological survey was conducted during 2018-2020. The research area was classified into five ecological zones based on habitat, physiognomy and species composition. Pc-Ord software was used for cluster analysis and four vegetation communities were established. The Quercus baloot-Quercus incana community is situated in Sair at an altitude of 1196 (mean ± SE) m altitude with a 14.1 ± 0 slope angle and contains eleven tree species. The Pinus wallichiana- Ailanthus altissima community had a relatively small number of tree species reported in Shakawlie at 1556 (mean ± SE) with a 17.5 ± 0 slope angle. The Pinus wallichiana- Quercus incana community is distributed in Wali Kandao and Mangi Kandao at altitudes of 2030.5 (mean ± SE) m and the slope angle was 19.2 ± 1.4. This community possesses a total of twenty-one tree species and is highly diverse. Similarly, the Populus alba - Platanus orientalis group was present in Banr Pate, with an altitude of 1613 (mean ± SE) m and a 16.3 slope angle. The principal component analysis (PCA) and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) ordination methods were applied to study the relationships between ecological and soil variables with trees species. The NMS ordination of axis 1 was significantly correlated with Sand% (p<0.2), Nitrogen% (p<0.1) and Pb (mg/kg) (r= 0.876751, p<0.05), while the ordination of axis 2 was significantly correlated with Silt% (p<0.2), Sand% (p<0.2), Organic matter% (p<0.2), K (mg/kg) (r=0.882433, p<0.02), Fe (mg/kg)(r=0.614833, p<0.2), Ca (mg/kg) (r=0.721712, p< 0.2) and Zn (mg/kg) (r=0.609545, p<0.2). Similarly, the PCA ordination of axis 1 revealed that it was significantly correlated with phosphorus, calcium and slope angle, while that of axis 2 was significantly correlated with altitude, zinc and manganese. 20182020. 20182020 2018 2020. 2020 2018-2020 habitat composition PcOrd Pc Ord established balootQuercus baloot 119 mean SE 141 14 14. wallichiana 155 175 17 5 17. 20305 2030 2030. 192 19 19. 4 1.4 twentyone twenty one diverse Similarly Pate 161 163 16 3 16. (PCA nonmetric non metric (NMS Sand p<0.2, p02 p p<0.2 , (p<0.2) Nitrogen p<0.1 p01 (p<0.1 mg/kg mgkg mg kg (mg/kg r= r (r 0876751 876751 0.876751 p<0.05, p005 p<0.05 05 p<0.05) Silt matter r=0.882433, r0882433 882433 (r=0.882433 p<0.02, p002 p<0.02 02 p<0.02) mg/kgr=0.614833, mgkgr0614833 mgkgr r=0.614833, 614833 (mg/kg)(r=0.614833 p<0.2) r=0.721712, r0721712 721712 (r=0.721712 0.2 r=0.609545, r0609545 609545 (r=0.609545 p<0.2. . phosphorus manganese 2018202 201 202 2018-202 11 15 203 1. p0 p<0. (p<0.2 (p<0. 087675 87675 0.87675 p00 p<0.0 r=0.882433 r088243 88243 (r=0.88243 kgr mg/kgr=0.614833 mgkgr061483 r0614833 r=0.614833 61483 (mg/kg)(r=0.61483 r=0.721712 r072171 72171 (r=0.72171 0. r=0.609545 r060954 60954 (r=0.60954 201820 20 2018-20 p<0 (p<0 08767 8767 0.8767 r=0.88243 r08824 8824 (r=0.8824 mg/kgr=0.61483 mgkgr06148 r061483 r=0.61483 6148 (mg/kg)(r=0.6148 r=0.72171 r07217 7217 (r=0.7217 r=0.60954 r06095 6095 (r=0.6095 20182 2018-2 (p< 0876 876 0.876 r=0.8824 r0882 882 (r=0.882 mg/kgr=0.6148 mgkgr0614 r06148 r=0.6148 614 (mg/kg)(r=0.614 r=0.7217 r0721 721 (r=0.721 r=0.6095 r0609 609 (r=0.609 2018- (p 087 87 0.87 r=0.882 r088 88 (r=0.88 mg/kgr=0.614 mgkgr061 r0614 r=0.614 61 (mg/kg)(r=0.61 r=0.721 r072 72 (r=0.72 r=0.609 r060 60 (r=0.60 08 8 0.8 r=0.88 r08 (r=0.8 mg/kgr=0.61 mgkgr06 r061 r=0.61 6 (mg/kg)(r=0.6 r=0.72 r07 7 (r=0.7 r=0.60 r06 (r=0.6 r=0.8 r0 (r=0. mg/kgr=0.6 mgkgr0 r=0.6 (mg/kg)(r=0. r=0.7 r=0. (r=0 mg/kgr=0. (mg/kg)(r=0 r=0 mg/kgr=0 (mg/kg)(r= mg/kgr= (mg/kg)(r mg/kgr

Resumo O levantamento fitossociológico foi realizado durante o período 2018-2020. A área de pesquisa foi classificada em cinco zonas ecológicas com base no habitat, na fisionomia e na composição de espécies. O software Pc-Ord foi utilizado para análise de agrupamento e quatro comunidades de vegetação foram estabelecidas. A comunidade Quercus baloot-Quercus incana está situada em Sair, a uma altitude de 1.196 m (média ± SE) de altitude, com um ângulo de inclinação de 14,1° ± 0, e contém 11 espécies de árvores. A comunidade Pinus wallichiana-Ailanthus altissima teve um número relativamente pequeno de espécies de árvores relatadas em Shakawlie, em 1.556 m (média ± SE) de altitude, com um ângulo de inclinação de 17,5° ± 0. A comunidade de Pinus wallichiana-Quercus incana está distribuída em Wali Kandao e Mangi Kandao, em altitude de 2.030,5 m (média ± SE) e ângulo de inclinação de 19,2° ± 1,4. Esta comunidade possui um total de 21 espécies de árvores e é altamente diversificada. Da mesma forma, o grupo Populus alba-Platanus orientalis esteve presente em Banr Pate, com altitude de 1.613 m (média ± SE) e ângulo de inclinação de 16,3°. Os métodos de análise de componentes principais (PCA) e ordenação de escala multidimensional não métrica (NMS) foram aplicados para estudar as relações entre variáveis ecológicas e de solo com espécies arbóreas. A ordenação NMS do eixo 1 foi significativamente correlacionada com as porcentagens de Areia (p<0,2), Nitrogênio (p<0,1) e Chumbo (mg/kg) (r=0,876751, p<0,05), enquanto a ordenação do eixo 2 foi significativamente correlacionada com as porcentagens de Silte (p<0,2), Areia (p<0,2), Matéria Orgânica (p<0,2), Potássio (mg/kg) (r=0,882433, p<0,02), Ferro (mg/kg) (r=0,614833, p<0,2), Cálcio (mg/kg) (r=0,721712, p< 0,2) e Zinco (mg/kg) (r=0,609545, p<0,2). Da mesma forma, a ordenação PCA do eixo 1 revelou que estava significativamente correlacionada com fósforo e cálcio, e ângulo de inclinação, enquanto a do eixo 2 estava significativamente correlacionada com zinco e manganês, e altitude. 20182020. 20182020 2018 2020. 2020 2018-2020 habitat PcOrd Pc Ord estabelecidas balootQuercus baloot Sair 1196 196 1.19 média SE 141 14 14,1 0 wallichianaAilanthus wallichiana Ailanthus Shakawlie 1556 556 1.55 175 17 5 17,5 wallichianaQuercus 20305 030 2.030, 192 19 19,2 4 1,4 diversificada forma albaPlatanus alba Platanus Pate 1613 613 1.61 163 16 3 16,3° (PCA (NMS arbóreas p<0,2, p02 p p<0,2 , (p<0,2) p<0,1 p01 (p<0,1 mg/kg mgkg mg kg (mg/kg r=0,876751, r0876751 r 876751 (r=0,876751 p<0,05, p005 p<0,05 05 p<0,05) r=0,882433, r0882433 882433 (r=0,882433 p<0,02, p002 p<0,02 02 p<0,02) r=0,614833, r0614833 614833 (r=0,614833 p<0,2) r=0,721712, r0721712 721712 (r=0,721712 0,2 r=0,609545, r0609545 609545 (r=0,609545 p<0,2. . cálcio manganês 2018202 201 202 2018-202 119 1.1 14, 155 55 1.5 17, 2030 03 2.030 19, 1, 161 61 1.6 16,3 p0 p<0, (p<0,2 (p<0, r=0,876751 r087675 87675 (r=0,87675 p00 p<0,0 r=0,882433 r088243 88243 (r=0,88243 r=0,614833 r061483 61483 (r=0,61483 r=0,721712 r072171 72171 (r=0,72171 r=0,609545 r060954 60954 (r=0,60954 201820 20 2018-20 1. 15 203 2.03 6 16, p<0 (p<0 r=0,87675 r08767 8767 (r=0,8767 r=0,88243 r08824 8824 (r=0,8824 r=0,61483 r06148 6148 (r=0,6148 r=0,72171 r07217 7217 (r=0,7217 r=0,60954 r06095 6095 (r=0,6095 20182 2018-2 2.0 (p< r=0,8767 r0876 876 (r=0,876 r=0,8824 r0882 882 (r=0,882 r=0,6148 r0614 614 (r=0,614 r=0,7217 r0721 721 (r=0,721 r=0,6095 r0609 609 (r=0,609 2018- 2. (p r=0,876 r087 87 (r=0,87 r=0,882 r088 88 (r=0,88 r=0,614 r061 (r=0,61 r=0,721 r072 72 (r=0,72 r=0,609 r060 60 (r=0,60 r=0,87 r08 8 (r=0,8 r=0,88 r=0,61 r06 (r=0,6 r=0,72 r07 7 (r=0,7 r=0,60 r=0,8 r0 (r=0, r=0,6 r=0,7 r=0, (r=0 r=0 (r= r= (r

Digital modelling of a surface is crucial for Earth science and mining applications for many reasons. These days, high-tech digital representations are used to produce a high-fidelity topographic surface in the form of a digital terrain model (DTM). DTMs are created from 2D data-points collected by a variety of techniques such as traditional ground surveying, image processing, LiDAR, radar, and global positioning systems. At the points for which data is not available, the heights need to be interpolated or extrapolated from the points with measured elevations. There are several interpolation/extrapolation techniques available, which may be categorized based on criteria such as area size, accuracy or exactness of the surface, smoothness, continuity, and preciseness. In this paper we examine these DTM production methods and highlight their distinctive characteristics. Real data from a mine site is used, as a case study, to create DTMs using various interpolation techniques in Surfer® software. The significant variation in the resulting DTMs demonstrates that developing a DTM is not straightforward and it is important to choose the method carefully because the outcomes depend on the interpolation techniques used. In mining instances, where volume estimations are based on the produced DTM, this can have a significant impact. For our data-set, the natural neighbour interpolation method made the best predictions (R² = 0.969, β = 0.98, P < 0.0001).

Resumo Plasma de radiofrequência, plasma de RF, tem sido empregado em diversas aplicações industriais. Experimentos de laboratório foram conduzidos para determinar o potencial de plasma de RF no controle de Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Foram examinados nesse estudo três variáveis de tratamento: (1) plasma de hélio ou argônio; (2) dois níveis de potência (50 e 100 watts); e (3) diferentes tempos de exposição ao plasma de RF (0, 20, 40, 60 e 90 segundos). A suscetibilidade do T. castaneum ao tratamento varia conforme o gás, o nível de energia e o tempo de exposição. Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva dentre a porcentagem de mortalidade de insetos no tratamento de larvas, bem como as pupas tratadas e o tempo de exposição ao plasma de RF, e também o nível de potência da irradiação. Os resultados revelaram que não foram encontrados insetos vivos após 90 segundos, com 100 watts de tratamento com plasmas de hélio e RF. As porcentagens de sobrevivência dos adultos foram desenvolvidas a partir de larvas tratadas, e as pupas tratadas foram significativamente reduzidas pelo aumento do tempo de exposição ou nível de potência. Os dados obtidos indicaram que o tratamento com plasma de RF pode ser considerado como um suplemento ambientalmente compatível ou alternativo aos outros métodos de controle para o manejo de produtos-pragas armazenados.

Abstract Radio frequency plasma, RF plasma, has been applied to a number of industrial applications. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the RF plasma potential in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) control. Three treatment variables: (1) helium or argon plasmas; (2) two power levels (50 and 100 watt); and (3) different RF plasma exposure times (0, 20, 40, 60 and 90 seconds) were examined in this study. The susceptibility of T. castaneum to treatment varies as gas, power level, and the exposure time varies. A positive correlation was found between insect mortality percent in treating larvae as well as treated pupae and exposure time to RF plasma and also the power level of irradiation. The results revealed that no live insects were found after a 90 second, 100 watt helium RF plasma treatment. The survival percents of the adults were developed from treated larvae and treated pupae were significantly reduced by increasing of the exposure time or power level. Obtained data indicated that the treatment with RF plasma might be considered as an environmentally compatible or alternative supplement to the other control methods for stored product-pests management.

Abstract An 8-week experiment was carried out to assess the impact of supplemental dietary pyridoxine (PY), protease (PR), zinc (Zn) and their mixture (MIX) with low protein diet (LP; 14.76% CP) or high protein diet (HP; 18.53% CP) on rabbit growth, feed utilization, and nutrients digestibility. Rabbits were divided into ten similar groups in a 2 (protein level) ×5 (treatments) factorial design. Treatments included a control group (without any additives), 5 mg PY/kg of diet, 100 mg Zn/kg of diet, 500 mg PR/kg of diet or a mixture of all tested feed additive with the same doses. Results indicated that growth performance, feed utilization, and nutrients digestibility indicators were retarded significantly with reduction of dietary crude protein. Growth performance and feed conversion were significantly enhanced as a result of PY, PR, Zn, and MIX supplementation. All feed supplements had significantly improved the digestibility of crude protein and digestible crude protein. No change in carcass traits was recorded in response to protein level and tested feed supplements. It is concluded that the growing rabbit responded positively to PY, Zn, PR, and MIX (particularly PY) supplemental of LP or HP diets, in terms of growth performance, feed conversion, and nutrient digestibility.

ABSTRACT Proteus species are found in the human intestinal tract as part of normal flora. Proteus species are also found in multiple environmental habitats, including long-term care facilities and hospitals, and can cause both community and nosocomial infections. For a long time Proteus was known to be susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics but nowadays they become resistant. The aim of this study was to detect the Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) TEM and CTX-M genes in 90 Proteus species isolated from urine and wound swabs, obtained from different hospitals in Khartoum state, Sudan, from January to August 2018. Antimicrobial sensitivity was carried out using the following set of antibiotics: amoxiclav, ceftazidime, gentamicin, meropenem, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, ceftriaxone and cotrimoxazole. ESBL producing strains were detected by double disc diffusion synergy test and the resistance genes TEM and CTX-M were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Antibiotic resistance was found: amoxicillin 40%, ceftazidime 25.6%, ceftriaxone 23.3%, gentamicin 22.2%, cotrimoxazole 21.1%, and cefotaxime 18.9%. Most of the isolates were sensitive to meropenem 92.2% and ciprofloxacin 86.7%. In double-disk diffusion synergy test, 20 isolates (22.2%) were found to be positive for ESBL. The PCR demonstrated that TEM gene was present in 18 isolates (90%). It was present alone in 11 isolates (55%) and in combination with CTX-M gene in seven isolates (35%). The percentage of ESBL producing strains of Proteus was 23.5%. This percentage is a bit lower than in previous studies in Sudan. In conclusion; it seems that the CTX-M gene is emerging among Proteus species in Sudan.

RESUMEN Las especies de Proteus se encuentran en el tracto intestinal humano y forman parte de su flora normal. También se localizan en el medio ambiente y otros hábitats, incluyendo hospitales y diversas instituciones de salud, provocando tanto infecciones en la comunidad como nosocomiales. Durante mucho tiempo, las especies de Proteus fueron susceptibles a los antibióticos betalactámicos, pero actualmente se han tornado resistentes. El propósito de este estudio fue detectar genes de resistencia betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) TEM y CTX-M, en 90 especies de Proteus aisladas en orina y heridas, provenientes de diversos hospitales del estado de Jartum, Sudán, entre enero y agosto de 2018. La sensibilidad antimicrobiana se determinó con el siguiente juego de antibióticos: amoxiclav, ceftazidima, gentamicina, meropenem, cefotaxima, ciprofloxacina, amoxicilina, ceftriaxona y cotrimoxasol. Las cepas productoras de BLEE se detectaron mediante la técnica de sinergia de doble disco, y los genes de resistencia TEM y CTX-M mediante Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa (PCR). Se encontró resistencia antibiótica: amoxicilina 40%, ceftazidima 25,6%, ceftriaxona 23,3%, gentamicina 22,2%, cotrimoxasol 21,1% y cefotaxima 18,9%. La mayor parte de los aislamientos fueron sensibles a meropenem (92,2%) y ciprofloxacina (86,7%). Con la técnica de sinergia de doble disco se detectó positividad a BLEE en 20 aislamientos (22,2%). Mediante PCR se demostró que el gen que codifica TEM estaba presente en 18 aislamientos (90%); de forma aislada en 11 aislamientos (55%) y combinado con el gen CTX-M en los otros siete (35%). El porcentaje de cepas de Proteus productoras de BLEE fue de 23,5%. Este valor es ligeramente inferior que los detectados en estudios previos en Sudán. En conclusión, hay evidencias de que el gen CTX-M está emergiendo entre las especies de Proteus en Sudán.

Smokeless tobacco (ST) leaves are being consumed by millions in Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen, where the locally manufactured form is called shammah. We intended to explore and compare the phytocomponents of 21 different varieties of shammah that are commonly available in different cities of Jazan province of Saudi Arabia using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A total of 61 different constituents were tentatively identified in these samples including both hazardous and non-hazardous compounds. Solvents of different polarity, such as petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water were used to prepare the extracts. Interestingly, a number of new and unusual constituents were identified in some samples. N-methoxycarbonyl-amphetamine was detected as 6.76 %, 4.88 % and 2.58 % of total compounds in Khadrah, Arishi and Sudani shammah samples, respectively. Similarly, the presence of caffeine (0.44-1.41 %) in Adani cold from Jazan city and Abu Arish and Adani hot shammah from Abu Arish suggested the possibility of adulteration. Extremely hazardous arsenic and benzopyran derivatives were present in Sudani shammah from Sabya in small but significant amounts. Furthermore, carcinogenic components were also detected in significant amounts which indicate a relation between ST amounts used and different types of cancer, especially oral cancer. Chemometric hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed the existence of sufficient differences between samples from different extracts based on the polarity and dendrograms.

Abstract Jet stirred tank reactors are usually preferred to mechanically stirred tank reactors in the case of high pressure stirred tank reactors in order to avoid the mechanical problems inherent with mechanically agitated reactors. Owing to the impact force exercised by the fluid jet on the tank bottom, the tank bottom is subjected to severe corrosion. The aim of the present work is to address this problem using an accelerated system which simulates natural diffusion-controlled corrosion of metals. Diffusion-controlled corrosion of a fixed copper disc, at the bottom of a cylindrical tank, under a single phase forced jet flow of acidified dichromate solution was investigated. Variables studied were: physical properties of the solution, solution velocity through different diameters of jet nozzle, distance between the jet outlet nozzle and the copper disc surface; and the effect of using a drag reducing polymer. An overall correlation was obtained: Sh = 0.579 Sc 0.33 Re 0.975 (h/d) 0.049 valid for 850 < Sc < 1322, 1852 < Re < 5000 and 0.3 < h/d < 1.2. Addition of polyethylene oxide as a drag reducing polymer was found to diminish the rate of corrosion under single phase forced jet flow by an amount depending on the operation conditions.

SUMMARY: Osteoarthritis (OA) caused by ageing joints or as a secondary complication of diabetes is a common health problem. We sought to develop an animal model of OA induced by a combination of the chondrocyte glycolytic inhibitor mono-iodoacetate (MIA) and streptozotocin (STZ), the agent that induces diabetes mellitus. We then hypothesized that the extent of damages to the knee joint induced by this model can be greater than OA induced by either MIA or STZ. Rats were either injected with MIA (model 1) or STZ (model 2) or both agents (model 3). After 8 weeks, harvested tissues from the knee joint of these groups were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In addition, blood samples were assayed for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin -6 (IL-6) that are known to be modulated in OA and diabetes. Compared to control group, substantial damages to the articular cartilage of the knee joint were observed in the three models with the severest in model 3. In addition, rats in model 3 showed significant (P<0.0001) increase in TNF-α and IL-6 compared to model 1 and 2. Thus, we have developed a new model of knee OA in rats that mimics a type of OA that is common among elderly people who have both, “ageing” joints and diabetes.

RESUMEN: La osteoartritis (OA) es un problema generalizado de salud a causa de un envejecimiento de las articulaciones, o bien de una complicación secundaria de la diabetes. El objetivo de este estudio fue desarrollar un modelo animal de OA inducido por una combinación dos drogas, un inhibidor de los condrocitos glucolíticos, el mono-iodoacetato (MIA), y la estreptozotocina (STZ), agente que induce la diabetes mellitus. Se consideró como hipótesis que el alcance de los daños a la articulación de la rodilla inducida por este modelo puede ser mayor que la OA inducida por MIA o STZ. Las ratas fueron inyectadas con MIA (grupo 1) o STZ (grupo 2) o ambos agentes (grupo 3). Se extrajeron muestras de la articulación de la rodilla de estos grupos al término de 8 semanas, y se examinaron mediante microscopía electrónica de barrido y de transmisión. Además, se analizaron muestras de sangre para el factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-α) e interleucina-6 (IL-6), que están moduladas en OA y en la diabetes. En comparación con el grupo control, se observaron daños sustanciales en el cartílago articular de la articulación de la rodilla en los tres modelos, encontrándose los daños más severos en el grupo 3. Además, las ratas del grupo 3 mostraron un aumento significativo (P <0,0001) de los niveles de TNF-α e IL- 6, en comparación con los grupos 1 y 2. Hemos desarrollado un nuevo modelo de OA de rodilla en ratas que imita un tipo de OA el cual, además de la diabetes, es común entre las personas mayores con un nivel importante de daño en las articulaciones.

The corrosion inhibition and adsorption of ethanol extracts of leaves (LV), stems (ST) and roots (RT) of Rotula aquatica plant for mild steel in H2SO4 solutions were investigated using conventional weight loss, gasometric techniques, electrochemical polarizations and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that all the three extracts of Rotula aquatica plant performed well as inhibitor for the corrosion of steel in sulphuric acid media and the inhibition efficiencies of the extract follow the trend RT > LV > ST. Inhibition efficiencies increased with increasing concentration of the plant extracts but decreased with the temperature rise for all cases. Both the cathodic hydrogen evolution and the anodic dissolution of mild steel were inhibited, hence the active molecules of all the extracts studied acted as mixed type corrosion inhibitors.

A síntese de alguns novos derivados de pirido[1,2-b][1,2,4]triazinas (2-12) foi obtida através da ciclocondensação de 4-aril-1,6-diamino-2-oxo-1,2-diidropiridina-3,5-dicarbonitrilas (1a, b) com compostos α,β-bifuncionais. Foram também preparadas pirido[1,2:2´,3´]triazino[5´,6´-f]triazinas (13-14). O comportamento de 1a, b frente às interações com indol-2,3-diona e seu análogo N-acetil foi estudado em diferentes condições de reação. As estruturas dos novos produtos foram deduzidas a partir de análise elementar e de dados espectroscópicos (UV, IR, ¹H RMN, 13C RMN e espectrometria de massas). Os novos compostos sintetizados foram testados quanto à atividade antifungos.

The synthesis of some new pyrido[1,2-b][1,2,4]triazines (2-12) was achieved by cyclocondensation of 4-aryl-1,6-diamino-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitriles (1a, b) with α,β-bifunctional compounds. Pyrido[1,2:2´,3´]triazino[5´,6´-f]triazines (13-14) were also prepared. The behavior of 1a, b toward interactions with indole-2,3-dione and its N-acetyl analogue have been studied under different reaction conditions. The structures of the new products have been deduced from elemental analysis and spectral data (UV, IR, ¹H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectra). The new synthesized compounds were screened for their antifungal activities.

In this work, we establish new exact solutions for the Hirota-Satsuma equations. New approach for the tanh is used and extended tanh methods to construct traveling wave solutions in terms of a hyperbolic tangent functions. New families of solitary wave solutions and periodic solutions are also obtained for Hirota-Satsuma equations. Our approach is reduce the size of the computational adopted in other techniques without any conditions to apply on any system of partial differential equations.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infections in Somalia. METHODS: Patients with clinical malaria in Merca, an area of high transmission of the disease, were treated with the standard regimens of chloroquine (25 mg/kg) or sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (25 mg sulfadoxine and 1.25 mg pyrimethamine per kg). Similar patients in Gabiley, an area of low transmission, received the standard regimen of chloroquine. The clinical and parasitological responses were monitored for 14 days. FINDINGS: Chloroquine treatment resulted in clinical failure in 33% (n = 60) and 51% (n = 49) of the patients in Merca and Gabiley respectively. There were corresponding parasitological failures of 77% RII/RIII and 35% RII/RIII. Patients who experienced clinical failure had significantly higher initial parasitaemia than those in whom there was an adequate clinical response, both in Merca (t = 2.2; P t = 2.8; P n = 50) of the patients achieved an adequate clinical response despite a parasitological failure rate of 76% RII/RIII. CONCLUSION: Chloroquine should no longer be considered adequate for treating clinical falciparum malaria in vulnerable groups in the areas studied. Doubts about the therapeutic life of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine in relation to malaria are raised by the high levels of resistance in the Merca area and underline the need to identify suitable alternatives.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de la cloroquina y la sulfadoxina/ pirimetamina en el tratamiento de las infecciones por Plasmodium falciparum sin complicaciones en Somalia. MÉTODOS: Se trató a pacientes con paludismo clínico de Merca, un área de alta transmisión de la enfermedad, con las pautas estándar de cloroquina (25 mg/kg) o sulfadoxina/pirimetamina (25 mg/kg de sulfadoxina y 1,25 mg/kg de pirimetamina). Se administró también el régimen ordinario de cloroquina a pacientes comparables de Gabiley, una zona de transmisión baja. La respuesta clínica y parasitológica se controló por espacio de 14 días. RESULTADOS: El tratamiento con cloroquina no tuvo efecto clínico en el 33% (n = 60) y el 51% (n = 49) de los pacientes de Merca y Gabiley, respectivamente. Los casos correspondientes sin efecto parasitológico (fracasos RII/RIII) representaron el 77% y el 35%. Los pacientes que no respondieron clínicamente presentaron una parasitemia inicial significativamente mayor que la de quienes sí lo hicieron, tanto en Merca (t = 2,2; P t = 2,8; P n = 50) de los pacientes respondieron favorablemente a nivel clínico, pese al 76% de fracasos RII/RIII observado a nivel parasitológico. CONCLUSIÓN: La cloroquina ha dejado de constituir una opción adecuada para tratar el paludismo clínico por falciparum entre los grupos vulnerables de las áreas estudiadas. Los altos niveles de resistencia observados en el área de Merca plantean dudas respecto a la vida terapéutica de la sulfadoxina/pirimetamina como agente antipalúdico y subrayan la necesidad de identificar alternativas adecuadas.

OBJECTIF: Evaluer l'efficacité de la chloroquine et de la sulfadoxine/pyriméthamine dans le traitement des infections non compliquées à Plasmodium falciparum en Somalie. MÉTHODES: Les patients atteints de paludisme clinique dans la région de Merca, où la transmission de la maladie est intense, ont été traités selon le schéma standard par la chloroquine (25 mg/kg) ou la sulfadoxine/pyriméthamine (25 mg/kg de sulfadoxine et 1,25 mg/kg de pyriméthamine). Des patients de mêmes caractéristiques mais dans la région de Gabiley, où la transmission de la maladie est faible, ont reçu le traitement standard par la chloroquine. La réponse clinique et la réponse parasitologique ont été suivies pendant 14 jours. RÉSULTATS: Le traitement par la chloroquine s'est soldé par un échec clinique chez 33 % des patients (n = 60) dans la région de Merca et 51 % des patients (n = 49) dans la région de Gabiley. Les taux d'échec parasitologique correspondants (RII/RIII) étaient respectivement de 77 % et 35 %. Chez les patients ayant présenté un échec clinique, la parasitémie initiale était significativement plus élevée que chez ceux ayant montré une réponse clinique satifaisante, aussi bien dans la région de Merca (t = 2,2 ; p<0,04) que dans celle de Gabiley (t = 2,8 ; p<0,01). Avec la sulfadoxine/pyriméthamine, 98 % des patients (n = 50) ont présenté une réponse clinique satisfaisante malgré un taux d'échec parasitologique (RII/RIII) de 76 %. CONCLUSION: Dans les régions étudiées, la chloroquine ne doit plus être considérée comme traitement adéquat du paludisme clinique à falciparum dans les groupes vulnérables. Les hauts niveaux de résistance observés dans la région de Merca soulèvent des doutes quant à la durée de vie thérapeutique de la sulfadoxine/pyriméthamine pour le traitement du paludisme et soulignent la nécessité d'identifier des alternatives convenables.

The objective of this population-based study was to estimate the liver morbidity attributable to Schistosoma mansoni infection by ultrasonography adopting the proposed standard protocols of the Cairo Meeting on Ultrasonography, 1991. We examined 2384 individuals representing 20 of the households of the rural population of the Ismailia Governorate, East of Delta, Egypt. Prevalence of S. mansoni and S. haematobium infections were 40.3 and 1.7 respectively. Portal tract thickening (PTT) grade 1, 2 and 3 considered diagnostic of schistosomal liver morbidity was detected in 35.1, 1.3 and 0.2 individuals respectively. Generally, ultrasonographically-detected pathological changes increased with age, but correlated with intensity of infection only in age group 20-59 years. Comparing individuals with and without S. mansoni infections in an endemic and a non-endemic community indicated no significant difference between the former and the latter in either case. In conclusion: ultrasonography had a limited value in estimating schistosomal liver morbidity in our population-based study where early grades of liver morbidly were prevalent. The criteria of diagnosing grade I portal fibrosis need to be revised as well as the staging system proposed by the Cairo Meeting on ultrasonography in schistosomiasis.