BioScientific Review
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR
<p style="text-align: justify;">BioScientific Review (BSR) is an open-access peer-reviewed journal published on a quarterly basis. It provides a modern and multidisciplinary platform for free and fast publications broadly covering all aspects of life sciences. Research in the field of life sciences has grown at a bewildering pace during the last decade and BSR intends to publish momentous advances in all specialized areas of life sciences and bring them to light. </p>en-US<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>BSR</em> follows an open-access publishing policy and full text of all published articles is available free, immediately upon publication of an issue. The journal’s contents are published and distributed under the terms of the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International</a> (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a>) license. Thus, the work submitted to the journal implies that it is original, unpublished work of the authors (neither published previously nor accepted/under consideration for publication elsewhere). On acceptance of a manuscript for publication, a corresponding author on the behalf of all co-authors of the manuscript will sign and submit a completed the Copyright and Author Consent Form.</p>[email protected] (Dr. M. Sohail Afzal)[email protected] (Syeda Saira Iqbal)Fri, 06 Sep 2024 09:35:59 +0000OJS 3.1.2.1http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss60Bioactivity of Medicinal Plants Piper nigurm and Tamarindus indica against Heterotermes indicola (Wasmann)
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5533
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Termites, notorious for causing significant damage to crops, plantation forests, and buildings, pose a serious threat as pests. Conventional control methods rely on the use of insecticides, which have been reported to be hazardous to various other forms of life as well. In contrast, lower termites host protozoa in their gut, facilitating cellulose digestion through the release of cellulase enzymes.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>This study explored the efficacy of ethanolic leaf extracts from two medicinal plants namely<em> Piper nigrum</em> and <em>Tamarindus indica</em> against <em>Heterotermes indicola</em> (Wasmann). GC-MS analysis of the plant extracts revealed their distinct chemical compositions.</p> <p><strong>Results</strong>. The<em> T. indica</em> extract comprised compounds such as Benzene, 1,1’(1-methylethylidene) Bis [4-methoxy, 3-0-Methyl-d-glucose, Benzoic acid, 3,4,5-trihydroxy-, methyl ester, 9,12,15, octadecatyrien-1-ol, (Z, Z, Z), 1,3,3-Trimethyl-2-hydroxymethyl3,3-dimethyl-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyl), Di-n-decylsulfone, and 2R-Acetoxymethyl-1,3,5-trimethyl4c-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1ccyclohexanol. On the other hand, <em>P. nigrum</em> extract contained Octacosanol, Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo-, methyl ester, (+)-, B-Amyrin, Behenic alcohol, and Humulane-1,6-dien-3-ol. Both plant extracts exhibited repellent properties against <em>H. indicola</em>.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion</strong>. The LC<sub>50</sub> values for <em>T. indica</em> and <em>P. nigrum</em> were found to be 14.83% and 12.20%, respectively. While, the LC<sub>90 </sub>values for <em>T. indica</em> and <em>P.</em> <em>nigrum</em> were -4.26% and -1.19%, respectively.</p>Rafia Tabassum, Ayesha Aihetasham
Copyright (c) 2024 Ayesha Aihetasham
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5533Wed, 03 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000Microbiological Evaluation of Blepharitis: A Case-Controlled Study
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5230
<p><strong>Background. </strong>Blepharitis is a chronic inflammatory eyelid infection. The current study was designed to check the association of normal bacterial flora of normal eyelids with the potential pathogenic bacteria of blepharitis infected eyelids of blepharitis patients.</p> <p><strong>Methodology. </strong>A total of (n=50) blepharitis patients were recruited for this study. Then, 100 swab samples were taken from these patients. Sample distribution indicated that 50 swab samples were taken from infected eyelids and 50 from the uninfected part of eyelids of blepharitis patient. Bacterial flora was characterized in these samples through different biochemical tests and antibiotic resistance was checked by using the Kirby Bauer (KB) method.</p> <p><strong>Results. </strong>A total of 52 bacterial strains were isolated from 50 infected swab samples of 50 blepharitis patients including <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> 31/52 (60%), <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis </em>7/52 (13%),<em> Klebsiella </em>spp. 6/52 (11%), <em>E. coli</em> 2/52 (4%), <em>Acinetobacter </em>spp. 2/52 (4%), <em>Enterobacter</em> spp. 1/52 (2%), <em>Serratia marcescens</em> 1/52 (2%), <em>Shigella</em> spp. 1/52 (2%) and<em> Bacillus cereus </em>1/52 (2%). Further, 48 bacterial strains were isolated from uninfected swab samples of 50 blepharitis patients including <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> 24/48 (50%), <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> 22/48 (42%), <em>Klebsiella</em> spp. 1/48 (2%), <em>Enterobacter</em> spp. 1/48 (2%), <em>Serratia</em> spp. 1/48 (2%), and <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp. 1/48 (2%). All Gram-positive bacteria isolated from both infected and uninfected eyelids were found to be sensitive to vancomycin antibiotics. The percentage of methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) was 21% among the bacterial isolates obtained from infected eyelids. While, its percentage was 18.7% in the bacterial isolates obtained from the uninfected eyelids of the patients. Hence, the percentage of MRSA was higher in the infected eyelids of blepharitis patients as compared to their uninfected eyelids.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The identification of pathogens involved in blepharitis and performing their antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) are important steps in reducing bacterial resistance for blepharitis treatment.</p>Sourat Mudassar, Abida Bano, Maryam Shahid, Farah Asghar, Fadia Waheed, Numan Javed
Copyright (c) 2024 Sourat Mudassar, Abida Bano, Maryam Shahid, Ayesha Khan, Muhammad Bilal, Numan Javed
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5230Thu, 18 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000Supplemental Effects of Sodium Gluconate (SG) on Growth Promotion, Organ Development, and Selected Serum Blood Metabolites in Broiler Chickens
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5767
<p><strong>Background.</strong> The poultry sector is crucial in addressing nutritional deficiencies since it provides essential nutrients and proteins. To achieve optimal chicken production, it is important to understand how the gut microbiota functions, as it affects immunity, digestion, and pathogen control. This study examines the effects of Sodium Gluconate (SG) as a growth promoter and investigates its impact on growth promotion, organ development, and selected serum blood metabolites.</p> <p><strong>Methodology. </strong>A total of one hundred (100) one-day-old broiler chicks were used in this investigation. The chicks were procured from a hatchery and housed at an experimental farm at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Department of Physiology, Lahore, Pakistan. The chicks were divided into four (04) groups of twenty-five (25) birds each. Then, each group was split up into four (04) duplicates. Four SG treatments (control, SG3.5%, SG4.5%, and SG5.5%) were made, combined with ration, and fed to the birds.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> In the first week, feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed substantial impacts, with the SG 3.5% group showing a significantly greater FCR than the control. Similarly, in week 5, the SG 5.5% group showed a considerable higher FCR compared to the control and SG 4.5% groups. The addition of SG did not change the weights of the viscera or the length of the small intestine. When the SG 5.5% supplemented birds were compared to SG 3.5% supplemented birds, the only item that showed a significant increase (<em>p < 0.05</em>) was the caecum length. Except for uric acid and cholesterol, all of the chosen blood metabolites remained unaffected by the dietary SG addition. In contrast to the control and SG 3.5% groups, the cholesterol concentration was lower in the SG 4.5% and SG 5.5% groups. Additionally, the SG 3.5% group had higher uric acid (<em>p < 0.05</em>) than the SG 4.5% and SG 5.5% groups.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>The results support sustainable poultry production methods by offering insightful observations about the effectiveness of SG as a growth enhancer and its effects on broiler health indices.</p>Hira Nawaz, Inam Ullah, Abdul Hameed, Obaid Ullah, Rahat Ullah Khan, Rahman Ullah, Muhammad Adil, Qurat ul Ain, Baseer Ahmad, Aamir Iqbal, Mirwaise Khan
Copyright (c) 2024 Hira Nawaz, Inam Ullah, Abdul Hameed, Obaid Ullah, Rahat Ullah Khan, Rahman Ullah, Muhammad Adil, Qurat ul Ain, Baseer Ahmad, Aamir Iqbal, Mirwaise Khan
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5767Mon, 29 Jul 2024 11:00:26 +0000Bacterial Assisted Phytoremediation of Selenite in Mung Bean Plants
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5830
<p><strong>Background. </strong>Heavy metals causing environmental pollution have become a severe global threat. Moreover, their accumulation in soil poses significant risks to human health. Bioremediation is widely accepted as a cost-effective, non-destructive, and natural process for soil remediation. Additionally, phytoremediation, which involves using plants to remediate polluted soil and reduce toxic effects in the environment, is an efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-cost method currently in practice. The current study attempted to analyze the selenite reduction potential of bacteria by the efficient plant microbe interaction. Moreover, it also determined the effects of bio-transformed selenium on plant yield and growth.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>The current study compared the protein content, plant chlorophyll content, plant dry weight and fresh weight, and yield parameters (such as the number of pods and the weight of grains per pod) in <em>Vigna radiata</em> plants treated with selenium and inoculated with selenium-resistant bacterial strains, to plants inoculated with bacterial strains without selenium treatment.</p> <p><strong>Results. </strong>The study reported significant enhancements in <em>Vigna radiata</em> treated with selenium as compared to controls. For instance, protein content increased by 50%, pigment production by 43%, fresh weight by 61%, dry weight by 95%, number of pods by 72%, and grain weight by 90%. Selenium-resistant strains C3, F6, G7, H8, I9, N14, Q17, and R18 notably increased plant yield.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>These findings support the benefits of bio-transformed selenium in improving both yield and growth parameters. The current study suggested that phytoremediation using selenium-resistant bacteria can be scaled up to remediate contaminated land and boost crop yield. The bacterial strains also demonstrated 80-90% cross metal reduction potential.</p>Ifra Sohail, Rabia Shahdin, Ayesha Siddiqa
Copyright (c) 2024 Ifra Sohail, Rabia Shahdin, Ayesha Siddiqa
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5830Wed, 07 Aug 2024 05:43:34 +0000Mesowear and Paleodiet Analysis of Middle Miocene Artiodactyls from Kanhatti, Punjab, Pakistan
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5028
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Mesowear is a broadly used tooth wear method that is indicative of herbivore diet. This study evaluates the paleodiet of Middle Miocene artiodactyls from the subtropical Siwaliks of South Asia.</p> <p><strong>Methodology.</strong> New specimens of artiodactyls were recovered from the Kanhatti outcrops, Khushab, Pakistan. These specimens were tested by recording the sharpness and height of tooth cusps, both with unaided eye and lens.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> The results depicted that suids and tragulids were browsers, bovids were mixed feeders which spent some time in browsing, and anthracotheriids were mixed feeders, pre-dominantly grazers.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The findings support the presence of a mixed palaeoenvironment from moist, humid, and closed forests to grassland during the Middle Miocene period in Kanhatti, Punjab, Pakistan.</p>Asra Ghaus, Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Akbar Khan, Muhammad Asim, Muhammad Shadab, Muhammad Adeeb Babar
Copyright (c) 2024 Asra Ghaus, Khalid Mahmood, Muhammad Akbar Khan, Muhammad Asim, Muhammad Shadab, Muhammad Adeeb Babar
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5028Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:42:12 +0000Effects of Dietary Levels of Vitamin E on Broiler Breeder Performance
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5689
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Broiler breeders can directly affect the production of broiler stock, so their performance is critical. Dietary supplements also play a crucial role in improving their performance. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of vitamin E supplements on broiler breeder performance, including egg production, hatching egg fertility, hatchability, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease and avian influenza.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>A total of 1500 breeder hens were divided into five groups A, B, C, D, and E. Each group had five (05) replicates. The control group A received no treatment. Group B received 30 mg/kg of vitamin E through feed mixing, Group C received 45 mg/kg; Group D received 60 mg/kg, and Group E received 70 mg/kg of vitamin E through feed mixing. Treatments included two doses of vitamin E (30 and 70 mg/kg) and Zinc-L-selenomethionine and sodium selenite, the two sources of selenium.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> The current study showed that egg production was not affected by dietary vitamin E levels or sources of vitamin E (<em>p</em> > 0.05). Compared to breeders fed 30mg at 29 weeks, the fertility and hatchability of eggs from breeders fed 70 mg/kg of vitamin E diet was also higher.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion. </strong>The outcome of the current trial demonstrates that dietary supplements consisting of vitamin E (70mg/kg feed) and Zinc-L-selenomethionine may improve egg quality and incubation response.</p>Abdul Ghaffar , Abdul Samad, Muhammad Asif Raza, Asghar Abbas, Kashif Hussain, Hafeez Ur Rehman Ali Khera, Muhammad Umair Waqas, Rana Muhammad Shahbakht, Junaid Ali Khan, Atif Rehman
Copyright (c) 2024 Abdul Ghaffar , Abdul Samad, Muhammad Asif Raza, Asghar Abbas, Kashif Hussain, Hafeez Ur Rehman Ali Khera, Muhammad Umair Waqas, Rana Muhammad Shahbakht, Junaid Ali Khan, Dr. Atif Rehman
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/5689Tue, 27 Aug 2024 04:33:06 +0000Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Implications for Clinical Management and Public Health
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4923
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Diarrheal diseases, exacerbated by limited access to clean water, remain a significant global health concern. <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em>, particularly <em>Escherichia coli (E. coli),</em> are their prevalent causative agents. The emergence of antibiotic resistance poses a grave public health threat, with extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases contributing significantly. This study aimed to identify the antibiogram patterns and virulence genes in <em>E. coli</em> isolates obtained from patients in a tertiary care hospital.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>A cross-sectional study involving 395 clinical samples from tertiary care hospital of Lahore was conducted over a period of six months. The isolation and characterization of bacterial strains were performed using culture-based, biochemical, and morphological assessments. Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) was carried out using the Kirby-Bauer (KB) disk diffusion method. DNA extraction and molecular identification of virulence genes were conducted through PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> Of the 395 samples, <em>E. coli</em> was found to be the most prevalent (47.6%), followed by <em>Klebsiella </em>spp. (43.3%). AST revealed high resistance to cefuroxime (85%) and ciprofloxacin (80%). Molecular analysis identified virulence genes with traT being the most prevalent (37.2%), followed by <em>fimH</em> and <em>aer</em> (28.7%). Notably, <em>sfa</em>, <em>papA</em>, <em>hly</em>, and <em>cnf</em> genes were undetected.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The results showed the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in <em>E. coli</em> isolates in patients from a tertiary care hospital. The high resistance rates necessitate vigilant antimicrobial stewardship. The presence of specific virulence genes emphasizes the potential pathogenicity of these isolates, underscoring the importance of effective infection control measures.</p>Ali Ahsan, Fatima Tul Zahra, Alina Asif , Muhammad Fawad , Tazeela Mariam , Maliha Mazhar , Abdul Qadeer, Adnan Yaseen , Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Anees Sharif
Copyright (c) 2024 Ali Ahsan, Fatima Tul Zahra, Alina Asif , Muhammad Fawad , Tazeela Mariam , Maliha Mazhar , Muhammad Abdul Qadeer, Adnan Yaseen , Muhammad Ilyas, Muhammad Annes Sharif
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4923Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:59:24 +0000Antioxidant Activity of Rosemary Oil and Olive Oil and its Impact on the Shelf Life of Fish Fillets
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4320
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Microbial spoilage is causing losses to food production at a large scale. This research aims to use oil-based natural preservatives with excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It provides updated information regarding the protein, fats, ash, and moisture contents of fish fillets after preservation with rosemary and olive oils, with glycerin and gelatin powder-based nanoemulsions.</p> <p><strong>Method. </strong>To check the effect of oil-based preservation, proximate analysis and antioxidant activity tests were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.</p> <p><strong>Result.</strong> The experimental groups showed significant (<em>p </em>< 0.05) differences in different parameters as compared to the control group.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The study found that rosemary and olive oil-based nanoemulsions significantly improved the nutritive value of fish fillets and extended their shelf life due to their strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.</p>Zunaira Khan, Roheela Yasmeen, Huma Shafique, Sana Shahbaz
Copyright (c) 2024 Dr. Roheela Yasmeen, Sana Shahbaz, Huma Shafique, Zunaira Khan
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4320Sat, 31 Aug 2024 03:28:14 +0000Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates in A Tertiary Care Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4330
<p><strong>Background.</strong><em> Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> is an opportunistic pathogen that takes advantage of the host’s weakened system and causes many life-threatening, persistent infections including cystic fibrosis and other lung infections that account for high mortality rates. The presence of several resistant genes (multiple MDR efflux pumps, beta-lactamases) in the genome of <em>P. aeruginosa</em> makes it resistant to many available antibiotics, thus making the currently used treatment options ineffective.</p> <p><strong>Method.</strong> The current study was cross-sectional and focused on examining patients with reported <em>Pseudomonas</em> infections and the analysis of their antibiotic susceptibility profile. Convenient random sampling technique was used.</p> <p><strong>Results.</strong> A total of 101 male and 74 female patients were analyzed and admitted at Rehman Medical Institute. Among them, patients in the age group 41-60 years were the most affected. Antibiotic sensitivity testing reported colistin sulphate as a highly sensitive drug since all the isolates were sensitive to it, followed by imipenem and amikacin.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> It was concluded that the most effective antibiotics reported against pseudomonal infections were colistin sulphate and imipenem, whereas aminoglycosides yielded variable outcomes.</p>Anwar Ullah, Wajid Sultan, Saba Mazhar , Farah Shireen, Muhammad Rabnawaz , Kabir Khan, Muhammad Mansoor Kamal, Arfa Hamid, Aamina Azam, Muhammad Umair
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Umair
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4330Fri, 06 Sep 2024 03:18:22 +0000Small Cell Neuroendocrine Cervical Carcinoma: A Review
https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4099
<p>Small cell neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (SCNCC) are neuroendocrine tumors neoplasms (NEN), an intrusive and rare disease originating from neuroendocrine cells that is basically linked with poor treatment or prognosis. Postoperative adjuvant peripheral radiotherapy has been described as a routine treatment. In spite of violent and unusual remedies, high mortality rate was observed in patients with earlier stage of neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma (NECC). The understanding was studied during the early stage of this malignancy, considered the desired work for the identification of predictive issues and optimum multi-modality treatment was concluded. By illustrating cytological elements along with reassessing the consequences of cytological smudges of cervix towards disease manifestations, the investigative specificity might be increased along with patient outcomes. Thus, a unique and novel methodology needs to be introduced to comprehend and cure this malignancy.</p>Saba Saeed, Muhammad Amir Iqbal, Momil Liaquat, Shakeela Parveen, Eiman Sehar
Copyright (c) 2024 Saba Saeed, Muhammad Amir Iqbal, Shakeela Parveen
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https://journals.umt.edu.pk/index.php/BSR/article/view/4099Sat, 13 Jul 2024 10:32:33 +0000