Biosciences Reports is a peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly journal published by EXPEDITION RESEARCH & EDUCATION HUB (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED. The journal is dedicated to the advancement and dissemination of high-quality research across diverse domains of the biosciences. It provides an academic platform for original research articles, review papers, and short communications that contribute to theoretical understanding and practical applications in biological sciences.
EXPEDITION RESEARCH & EDUCATION HUB (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED
LONG‑TERM OUTCOMES OF MULTIMODAL ANALGESIC STRATEGIES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NEUROPATHIC PAIN DISORDERS
The effectiveness of multimodal analgesic interventions is not studied in a longitudinal study and chronic neuropathic pain is a significant clinical problem. It was a combination of efficacy, sustainability, safety and cost-effectiveness of multimodal regimens during the long-term in the vast array of etiologies of neuropathic pain. They have done a systematic review and meta-analysis of 47 articles (21 random controlled trials, 18 prospective cohorts, 8 retrospective analyses) that involved 8 342 patients suffering chronic neuropathic pain. The multimodal regimens might be characterized as applying two or more alternative regimens (pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological). The outcomes included intensity of pain, rate of respondents, indices of durability, safety, functionality and cost-effectiveness, 12-60 months follow-ups. Meta-analyses, random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression as well as phenotypic subgroup analysis were performed.PGB+SNRI+SCS Multimodal regimens (triple and quadruple) were better at long-term effectiveness with PGB+SNRI+SCS regimen the most effective at reducing pain and highest response rate (64.9) at 24 months. The durability analysis displayed that half-lives of impacts of intensive regimens were higher than those of the two combinations . The overall mean standardized difference between multimodal and monotherapy was found to be 0.68 with a great heterogeneity . Phenotype-treatment matching turned out to be the best response predictor . Regimens containing opioids showed less efficacy (lower efficacy at 12 months) and poorer safety profiles The regimen was the one preferred in the cost effectiveness analysis due to the positive QALY changes , and decreased healthcare usage.The multimodal analgesic regimes and specifically those involving the interventional and non-pharmacological with a phenotype-based selection has improved and sustainable efficacies and is cost effective when it comes to long-term neuropathic pain. The index of phenotype-treatment match is another important aspect of the long-term success, that is why it is necessary to change the paradigm, based on the individual, phenotype-based multimodal strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSMENT OF HEARING LOSS PROGRESSION IN ADULTS WITH RECURRENT OTITIS MEDIA AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY SURGICAL INTERVENTION
To ascertain the spontaneous outcome of hearing loss in adults with recurrent otitis media and to ascertain the cost-effectiveness and long term effectiveness of early surgical treatment as compared to conventional medical treatment. A mixed-method study was carried out including a retrospective cohort analysis to model the disease progression and a prospective interventional cohort study of early surgical intervention (tympanoplasty or ossiculoplasty within three months) versus medical treatment. Main results were change of air-bone gap ( ΔABG ) at 12 months. The secondary outcomes included the occurrence of timpanae membrane closures, recurrence of otorrhea, quality of life (COMOT-15), the presence of the inflammatory biomarkers , microbial biofilm load, and the cost-effectiveness (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, ICER). Longitudinal mixed-effects modeling and multivariate regression analyses were performed. The retrospective cohort showed the fact of loss of hearing with +0.28 dB/month . The future trial showed that the ABG improvement of early surgical intervention was much more than medical management . The Tympanic membrane was closed in 92.6% of surgical patients as compared to 25.0% of medical patients. The recurrence of otorrhea was decreased by 83.5% . Inflammatory cytokines in the middle ear are IL-1 (reduced by 50.5) and TNF-a (reduced by 52.7) and the percentage of bacteria biofilm in the middle ear significantly reduced postoperative. There was a great improvement in quality of life . The ICER was 5, 041/quality adjusted life year and the probability of cost-effectiveness was 98.7 percent with willingness to pay of 50, 000. Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative, active otorrhea and biofilm formation and TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism were independent predictors of poor outcome.Surgical correction of recurring otitis media in adults, done at an early age not only helps in preventing progressive hearing loss, but also cures the inflammation chronicity, decreases the occurrence of the disease and enhances the quality of life vastly. It is very economical and ought to be considered as routine treatment of patients that present with high-risk characteristics that induce a paradigm shift towards long-term medical care.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND THEIR LONG‑TERM IMPACT ON NASAL MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a widespread inflammatory disorder that is extremely morbid and recurrent even after conventional medical and surgical treatments. With the creation of the biologic therapies that target the type 2 inflammatory pathways, the situation in the sphere of therapy has changed, yet there is little comparative long-term data of the treatment options and reaction patterns to endotypes. To critically compare and contrast long-term effects of traditional pharmacotherapy, endoscopic sinu surgery (ESS) and biologic therapy (dupilumab, mepolizumab, omalizumab) on the inflammation of nasal mucosa, disease recurrence, quality of life and histopathological remodelling of patients with CRSwNP.A network was conducted of 47 studies (8412 patients with a mean follow up of 78.4 weeks) in order to conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review. The outcomes included the endoscopic scores, patient-reported outcomes, rate of surgery revision, histopathological parameters, biomarker dynamics, and safety profiles. Treatment response biomarkers were determined by conducting endotype-specific response analyses and prediction modeling. It was also shown that dupilumab is more efficient in the long run, the highest score change in endoscopy (0 -7.82 ± 1.45: -4.21 ± 0.98) and the lowest revision surgery rate (4.2% at 10 Histopathological analyses revealed dupilumab produced the most significant remodelling of the mucosa and hyperplasia of the goblet Serum IL-5 proved to be the most significant predictor of mepolizumab response (PPV: 0.81), and serum IgE was the predictor of omalizumab response (PPV: 0.85). ESS gave the quickest increase in mucociliary clearance but paid with an increase in revision operation rates (18.2% at 104 weeks) in comparison to biologic treatment. Biologic therapies in particular dupilumab therapy have been found to be more effective in long-term management of the disease, mucosal remodeling and quality of life in suitable patients with type 2-high CRSwNP compared to conventional therapies. Baseline biomarkers are ideal as they enable selection of endotypes and give the most optimal results, and this shift towards precision medicine in the case of managing refractory CRSwNP.
INVESTIGATING THE CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF COMBINATION IMMUNOTHERAPY AND TARGETED THERAPY IN ADVANCED NON SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER PATIENTS
Combination of tyrosine kinase and immune checkpoint inhibitors can be a potentially effective, therapeutic strategy to overcome the resistance in non-small cell lung cancer harboring a mutated EGFR and distribution of response and resistance are not uniformly distributed in clinical practice and mechanism of the response and resistance are not well understood. This mixed-methods study was a synthesis of 24 studies, including 4,872 patients, of a systematic review, meta-analysis, and qualitative synthesis, which was a mechanistic synthesis. The random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled hazard ratios of progression-free survival and overall survival. Subgroup analyses based on the mechanism of resistance, sequence of treatment and biomarker, such as radiogenomic, circulating tumor DNA, multi-omics, and ferroptosis-related markers. The third-generation TKI-ICI combinations had a better survival than the first/second-generation combinations , but The order of the treatment was also a major determinant of efficacy where anti-VEGF and ICI run simultaneously had a hazard ratio of 0.68 of progression-free survival and anti-VEGF run alone before ICI had a hazard ratio of 1.31. The ferroptosis-sensitive phenotype (GPX4 Low / ACSL4 High) was strongly correlated with the good outcomes, and the poor response with the resistant phenotype (HR 1.62). A clearance of ctDNA in week 3 (HR 0.52) and the multi-omics signatures were predicted to yield good results with an area under the curve of up to 0.81 to predict the progression-free survival at 12 months. The reaction of TKI-ICI combinations to EGFR-mutant NSCLC greatly depends on the resistance mechanism, sequence of therapy, and molecular biomarkers like the ferroptosis state and ctDNA dynamics. The foundation of adaptive, biomarker-guided combination strategies to optimize the timing of treatment and allow real-time monitoring of resistance to promote long-term clinical outcomes is based on such results.
EVALUATING THE ROLE OF TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENT HETEROGENEITY IN THE PROGRESSION AND TREATMENT RESISTANCE OF PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a cancer that still poses one of the most deadly malignancies with a complicated and heterogeneous tumor microenvironment that has contributed to the universal resistance to treatment. In this study, a multi-dimensional, problem-oriented methodology was utilized that combines high-dimensional spatial proteomics, microfluidic organotypic systems, measurements of therapeutic recalcitrance in tumor microenvironment metabolic flux and computer modeling of agents to comprehend the mechanistic nature of therapeutic recalcitrance in tumor microenvironment. We demonstrated by multiplex immunohistochemistry and imaging mass cytometry of untreated and treated samples of patients that the canonical chemotherapy induces a so much remodelling of spatial distributions that both inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts and M2 macrophages become more colocalized by 76 percent and The crosstalk of Single-cell metabolic profiling revealed a functional dichotomy with inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts having high glycolytic and glutaminolytic flux and myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblasts specialising in collagen synthesis. Goal-oriented agent-based computational modeling found that combination therapy based on triple combination therapy that included extracellular matrix degradation, transforming growth factor-beta inhibition and chemotherapy, led to a higher likelihood of tumor control of nearly 90 percent as compared to monotherapies with less than 15 percent success. M2 to M1 macrophage ratio was found to be the most critical negative prognostic of overall survival, as well as the tissue stiffness and effective drug diffusivity. In other words, this concerted study confirms that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma therapeutic resistance is the concerted action of physical, cellular, immunological and metabolic defenses that have to be rationally designed combination strategies that act in concert to destroy these interrelationships of defenses to produce a long-term clinical response.
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AND ISCHEMIC STROKE: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY INVESTIGATION OF THEIR INTERRELATIONSHIP
This paper explores both the association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke (IS), and how AF increases the risk of ischaemic stroke and the interdisciplinary approaches to the management of both comorbid conditions. The results that we obtained highlight that patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an extremely high risk of being exposed to ischaemic stroke (IS) because of thromboembolic events triggered by irregular heart rhythms. The paper also discusses the impact of the hypercoagulable condition that accompanies AF on the occurrence of strokes where early diagnosis and treatment is essential. Among the most important factors, we identified the effectiveness of anticoagulation treatment in stroke reduction, the role of rhythm control over rate control measures, and the role of advanced imaging tools in predicting the risk of a stroke in patients with AF. It is demonstrated by the study as well that the model of providing care to such patients requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves the combination of cardiology, neurology, and stroke rehabilitation knowledge to achieve the most successful outcomes. Our results complement the understanding of the complex interplay of the pathophysiology between atrial fibrillation (AF) and ischaemic stroke (IS) and suggest the potential therapeutic options that can help to minimise this risk.
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdul Waheed Shah, Ezza Fatima (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
PREVALENCE AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF DEPRESSION IN URBAN POPULATIONS
In fast developing urban regions, socioeconomic disparities, environmental pressures, and limited access to mental health services have resulted in depression becoming an important population health concern because of psychological vulnerability. The paper explores the issue of depression levels and social determinants among metropolitan populations by using wide-ranging, multi-dimensional survey data. The findings indicate that men aged 30-44 were at the highest risk of having depressive symptoms. These symptoms were significantly more intense among the individuals of families with low income. Social economic gradient was evident on different indices as the respondents with lowest levels of formal education, uncertain jobs, and financial insecurity showed disproportionately high levels of depression scores. There were many effects by the environment; residents of densely populated, heavily polluted metropolitan areas showed stronger contacts with stress markers and said they had higher tendencies to be depressed. Also, social support was also found to be a major protective measure where individuals who had weak familial or community networks had higher rates of psychological discomfort. There were significant disparities in the access to healthcare, particularly to mental health services, among the urban clusters, which exacerbated systemic inequalities. Tabular findings were confirmed by graphic analysis showing high positive correlations between the levels of environmental stress and depressed severity, specific patterns of socioeconomic burden, as well as high dissimilarity of mental health outcomes according to the risk categories and demographic layers. Composite and hybrid representations also highlighted the complex presence of depression, with the example of the interdependence of the lifestyle variables, living conditions and socioeconomic determinants. The paper points to the complex interplay between structural inequities, environmental stressors, and social support systems in determining the prevalence of depression among urban populations, which constitutes a strong need to pay attention to specific issues of public health and distribute mental health resources equally among the population
Copyright (c) 2025 Mashal Shahzadi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SEDATION PROTOCOLS IN MECHANICALLY VENTILATED ICU PATIENTS
The purpose of the study was the comparison of the effectiveness and safety of various sedation regimes among the intubated patients in intensive care (ICU) units. We analyzed sedation strategies i.e. light sedation, profound sedation and no sedation to determine the effect of each of these on patient outcome i.e. ventilation time, level of sedation, delirium rate and haemodynamic stability. It was a multicenter, randomised controlled trial, that entailed 200 patients under mechanical ventilation and were critically ill. We found that light sedation was very effective in lowering the time of mechanical ventilation than deep sedation with no increase in delirium rate. The patients under light sedation were also more haemodynamically stable as well as fewer cases of ventilator induced pneumonia. However, severe sedation, on the contrary, was linked with the longer ICUization and the higher chance of developing complications like decreasing blood pressure and breathing problems. The existing study demonstrates that the light sedation guidelines are not only safe but might be utilized to enhance the outcomes by decreasing ICU hospitalization, ventilation-dependent, and associated concerns. These results indicate the necessity of the existence of individualised guidelines on sedation depending on the clinical condition of patients in the ICUs.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Asadullah Usman, Irum Habib (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MEDICATION ADHERENCE AND POLYPHARMACY RISKS IN ELDERLY CARDIAC PATIENTS
Two of the most critical aspects, which influence the health of elderly individuals with heart issues, are medication adherence and polypharmacy, particularly in individuals with a large number of health issues and a complex treatment regimen. This paper analysed compliance behaviours, drug burden and polypharmacy related risk indicators in a group of elderly individuals undergoing chronic cardiac treatment. The results of nine detailed analytical tables and twelve advanced visual models suggested that adherence behaviours exhibited a great heterogeneity and approximately 40-45% of the subjects experienced moderate adherence and more than 30% were high-risk non-adherents. The majority of the patients were taking more than single medicine, with the range of 5 to 10 meds most widely used. Age has shown positive relationship with number of medications; however the growing drug load was a consistent relationship with the increasing adverse drug interaction risk scores. Additional visualisations that included scatter and hybrid size underscored the concentration of the high-risk groups in relation to older age groups (≥75 years), as these age groups are cumulative based on age, comorbidity, and complexity of the drugs. Frequency study also indicated that individuals that were given over seven medications in one day missed drug doses most. This is an indication that behaviour is directly influenced by the complexity of the regimen. Hybrid risk-adherence models showed a strong negative correlation between the percent of adherence and the index of polypharmacy severity. The overall findings indicate that polypharmacy does not only increase the risk of drug interactions but also intensifies the ability of older individuals with heart issues to adhere to their medications making them more susceptible within the clinical environment. These results support the imperative need to implement adherence-support therapies, simplification regimen strategies, and close observation of high-risk individuals to reduce the adverse effects in geriatric heart car
Copyright (c) 2025 Hammad Ur Rehman, Muhammad Waqar Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
VIRAL ETIOLOGIES OF CHRONIC DERMATOLOGIC INFECTIONS: A CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
This clinical trial explored the viral etiologies of chronic dermatologic infections using the quantitative viral load profiling, lesion-duration analytics, and severity-score modelling on a heterogeneous patient cohort. The review of nine large clinical samples revealed a steady high viral load - ranging between moderate (1,500 copies/mL) and very high (>50,000 copies/mL) - in patients that had persistent lesions, which showed a strong positive correlation between the intensity of viral loads and the duration of lesions. The results showed that patients who had high viral replication index showed a significantly greater chronicity and clinical severity score of their lesions, indicating that viral persistence is one of the main factors affecting the course of the disease. These findings were also supported by twelve higher graphical models. The line-trend analysis demonstrated that the virus activity persisted following the acute phase and hybrid bar-line graphs indicated the influence of viral replication on the increment of symptoms with time. The results of scatter and composite correlation showed that the groups of patients with high severity were significantly clustered with both prolonged duration of the lesion and high viral load. The use of pie-distribution modelling revealed that not all viral subtypes had an equal contribution, with some of them being more prevalent in chronic patients.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zia Ur Rehman, Mashal Shahzadi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
TUMOR ANGIOGENESIS IN TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a clinically aggressive and therapeutically challenging subtype, is characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 expression. This study presents a comprehensive secondary analysis of tumor angiogenesis as a central driver of TNBC progression. Drawing on recent preclinical and clinical evidence, we explored the molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental mechanisms that contribute to pathological neovascularization in TNBC. The findings reveal a pronounced upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), with a 4.5-fold increase in expression, positioning it as the dominant pro-angiogenic factor in TNBC. Additional mediators such as FGF-2, PDGF-BB, Angiopoietin-1, and Ephrin-A1 also demonstrated significant elevation, supporting a multifactorial angiogenic landscape. The VEGF-VEGFR signalling pathway plays the most influential role. Nonetheless, angiogenesis is facilitated by displacement of the VEGF-VEGFR pathway by the angiopoietin-Tie2 and ephrin-Eph systems. Angiogenic signalling in the tumour microenvironment is greatly amplified through activities of hypoxic regions, cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells. Anti-angiogenic drugs such as bevacizumab and sorafenib have had limited success in clinical practice due to the complex and multifaceted ways by which angiogenic signalling is regulated in TNBC. Several illustrations and tables provide visual evidence of VEGF’s dominant role, the complexity of signalling networks and treatment approaches’ limited effectiveness. These findings suggest that angiogenesis in TNBC is governed by a complex and interchangeable pathway, calling for combination therapies to be most effective. Combining angiogenesis inhibition with immunomodulatory and targeted treatments may lead to improved responses in patients with TNBC.
Copyright (c) 2025 Roohan Ahmad, Muhammad Rehan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF NEEM AND SHEESHAM EXTRACTS ON WHEAT SEED PRIMING
The present research assessed the biochemical and physiological effects of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo) leaf extracts as seed priming agents on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under laboratory conditions at the Department of Botany, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Wheat seeds were primed with aqueous extracts of Neem and Sheesham at concentrations of 2.5% and 5%, along with distilled water (hydropriming) and unprimed seeds as control. Results showed a significant improvement in germination proportion, seedling vigor, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Maximum germination percentage (96.3%) was recorded in seeds primed with 5% Neem extract, significantly higher than control (80.3%). Mean germination time (MGT) was lowest (3.2 days) in 5% Neem extract, indicating faster germination. Seedling vigor index (SVI) increased markedly with 5% Sheesham extract (1345), compared to control (987). Antioxidant enzyme activities, comprising superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), were significantly enhanced. The highest SOD activity (11.6 U mg⁻¹ protein), CAT (9.4 U mg⁻¹ protein), and POD (8.3 U mg⁻¹ protein) were observed in 5% Neem extract treatment. Furthermore, total soluble proteins increased up to 3.28 mg g⁻¹ FW, while proline content peaked at 6.74 µmol g⁻¹ FW in 5% Sheesham extract. The results demonstrate that seed priming with Neem and Sheesham extracts effectively enhances germination traits and activates antioxidant defense mechanisms in wheat. This eco-friendly approach may serve as a promising seed enhancement strategy in sustainable agriculture.
Copyright (c) 2025 Hafiz Muhammad Bilal , Irfan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE CROSSTALK BETWEEN AUTOPHAGY AND APOPTOSIS IN HYPOXIC TUMOR MICROENVIRONMENTS
Hypoxia is a hallmark of the tumor microenvironment that drives profound metabolic and molecular changes in cancer cells. This study investigates the dynamic crosstalk between autophagy and apoptosis in response to hypoxic stress using in vitro models of solid tumors. Our quantitative findings demonstrate that under early hypoxic conditions, autophagy is significantly upregulated as a pro-survival response, evidenced by increased LC3B-II/LC3B-I ratios and p62 degradation, while apoptotic markers remain relatively suppressed. However, prolonged exposure to hypoxia results in a marked shift toward apoptosis, characterized by increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratios, mitochondrial depolarization, caspase-3/7 activation, and loss of cell viability. HIF-1α expression was consistently elevated, triggering transcription of autophagy-related genes such as BNIP3 and ULK1, yet also contributing to oxidative stress and ER stress pathways that activate intrinsic apoptosis. Assays for cell functions indicated that interrupting autophagy in cells increases the likelihood of cell death from hypoxia, whereas stopping apoptosis allows cells to survive by relying on autophagy. The use of flow cytometry, JC-1 staining, MTT viability assays and clonogenic survival increases the evidence for a shift from protective autophagy to death by apoptosis. Using integrated approaches of protein and gene expression, coupled with imaging and function analysis, it was found that cell type is determined by the delicate balance of molecules in response to hypoxia time and pathway changes. Thanks to these results, we can see how stress in tumors changes over time and how controlling autophagy-apoptosis interactions may help treat cancer more effectively when tumors lack oxygen.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jawad Ali, Sajjad Mehdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BLADDER WALL REMODELING IN RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) present a persistent clinical challenge due to their high prevalence, especially among women, and their propensity to induce chronic structural and functional changes in the bladder wall. This study aimed to investigate the extent of bladder wall remodeling in individuals with rUTIs using a multimodal approach encompassing clinical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analyses. A cohort of patients with a documented history of rUTIs was compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Histopathological assessments revealed a significant increase in fibrosis scores (mean 2.6 ± 0.4) and marked urothelial disruption in rUTI patients, in contrast to minimal alterations in control tissues. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated elevated expression of immune cell markers CD3 and CD68, along with increased deposition of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen I and fibronectin. Conversely, epithelial markers E-cadherin and ZO-1 showed notable downregulation, suggesting compromised barrier function. Gene expression analysis via qPCR confirmed a several-fold upregulation of key pro-inflammatory and fibrotic genes—IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and COL1A1—in the rUTI group. Clinically, these molecular and structural alterations corresponded with higher infection recurrence rates and increased history of catheterization. The integrated findings provide robust evidence that rUTIs contribute to a self-sustaining cycle of bladder wall remodeling, characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, which likely exacerbate symptom burden and predispose patients to future infections. These insights highlight the urgent need for therapies targeting the inflammatory and fibrotic pathways alongside antimicrobial treatment to break the recurrence cycle and preserve bladder function. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive bladder assessment in patients with recurrent infections and supports a multidisciplinary strategy for long-term disease management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Wesam Taher Almagharbeh, Syeda Iram Batool, Humayun Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI IN ENHANCING DROUGHT TOLERANCE IN NATIVE PLANTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION
Drought stress poses a significant challenge to the establishment and persistence of native plant communities in degraded, semi‐arid landscapes. In this study, we evaluated the role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) in enhancing drought tolerance of three ecologically important native species under field conditions. Randomized plots were inoculated with AMF, EMF, or left uninoculated (control) and subjected to well‐watered (80% field capacity) or drought (30% field capacity) regimes for eight weeks. We monitored above‐ground biomass, leaf water potential, stomatal conductance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and soil moisture dynamics, and quantified root colonization via staining and qPCR. AMF‐inoculated plants maintained 25 g biomass under well‐watered and 15 g under drought conditions—significantly higher than EMF (23 g; 14 g) and controls (20 g; 10 g). AMF treatments also exhibited less negative water potentials (–0.40 MPa vs. –0.80 MPa under drought), higher stomatal conductance (160 vs. 120 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and improved photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm = 0.82 vs. 0.75) compared to controls. Soil moisture in AMF‐drought plots averaged 30.5%, exceeding both control (28.3%) and EMF (29.0%) plots. Root colonization surpassed 70% for AMF and ~60% for EMF, confirming symbiont establishment. Moreover, AMF treatments achieved the highest water‐use efficiency (0.50 g biomass per % water), underscoring their capacity to optimize resource use under water limitation. These findings demonstrate that targeted mycorrhizal inoculation—especially with AMF—can significantly improve plant performance, water relations, and biomass production in drought‐prone restoration sites. Incorporating such biotic amendments into restoration protocols offers a practical strategy to bolster ecosystem resilience amid escalating climate stress.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ayesha Irum, Ahmed Mukhtar (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
SPINACH GROWTH ENHANCEMENT IN DIFFERENT CULTIVATION MEDIA THROUGH SEPTIC TANK WASTE ADDITION
Septic tank waste has the potential to be used as an alternative organic fertilizer due to the presence of essential nutrients essential for plant growth. This study intended to assess the effects of liquid organic fertilizer resulting from fermented septic tank waste, along with different planting media, on the progression and yield of spinach (Spinacia oleracea). The research was conducted using a factorial arrangement in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with nine treatment combinations and three replications. The first factor was the dose of fermented septic tank waste: 0 mL/plant (LOF1), 0.5 mL/plant (LOF 2), and 1.0 mL/plant (LOF 3). The second factor was the planting medium: control (soil alone, PM0), soil + Farm Manure (PM1), and soil + Biochar (PM2). Growth parameters, including the number of leaves, root length, plant height, fresh and dry biomass, and root weight, were recorded. Results indicated that soil amended with chicken manure (PM2) significantly improved all measured variables compared to other media. However, there was non-significant interaction between septic tank waste application and the planting media for measured parameters. It is therefore concluded that while septic tank waste may serve as a potent nutrient source and further studies are needed to optimize its application for sustainable spinach cultivation.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Sufyan, Javeria Maqbool, Muhammad Zaryab (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF ZINC OXIDE NANOPARTICLE OINTMENT AND COMMERCIAL ZINC OXIDE OINTMENT FOR WOUND HEALING IN RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)
As the human body's largest organ the skin protects internal areas from both physical harm and outside threats including virus rays and toxic substances. The body uses this organ to maintain balance and protect against invaders. Injury to the skin's barrier breaks down its protective defenses which puts the body at risk of life-endangering infections and high physiological pressures. The wound healing process consists of four stages that work together in a dynamic sequence: hemostasis begins first while inflammation follows next and leads directly into proliferation as tissue forms. Finally, the remodeling stage helps close and regenerate damaged tissues. The skin naturally heals itself but different environmental and internal influences make this recovery challenging. The wounds from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus secondary infections lead to delayed healing with damaged tissue and poor recovery. Medical practitioners use different skin treatments to improve the speed of wound recovery. Zinc oxide (ZnO) serves as a well-used antiseptic because it reduces inflammation and kills harmful bacteria when applied to the skin. ZnO creates skin protection and assists the regrowth of skin tissue as it fights gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growth. Nanotechnology enables zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to effectively address cutaneous burns through increased surface area-to-volume ratio and better product penetration since the particles disrupt bacterial membranes and generate more reactive oxygen species at a nanoscale level. Our research tested whether ZnO-NPs ointment works better than regular ZnO ointment at aiding wound recovery in chemically burned second-degree skin wounds of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The researchers assigned eighteen adult rabbits to three groups known as A, B, and C for scientific analysis. The research tested three groups with patients who received ZnO-NP ointment in Group A, received commercially available ZnO ointment in Group B while Group C received normal saline as a control. Scientists created identical injuries on three areas of each rabbit through an organized experiment. The healing progress was evaluated through different methods that included outside appearance studies combined with measurements of wound size reduction rates and tissue regeneration times. We measured the effects of each treatment method to establish which method provides the best way to heal burn wounds.
Copyright (c) 2024 Norina Jabeen, Zia Ur Rehman, Mashal Shahzadi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF RAISING FAYOUMI, ALBALADY, AND BLACK AUSTRALORP BREEDS FOR EGG PRODUCTION IN NARC, ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
This research examines the business potential of running Fayoumi, Albalady, and Black Australorp chickens as an egg production farm under consistent controls at NARC Islamabad. Three hundred hens representing all breeds entered the 52-week test production period. Our team tracked farm numbers of eggs produced alongside average egg weight measurements and determined how much feed chickens took in. Additionally they recorded labor hours put in with bird losses and current farm egg market prices. The evaluation of breed performance used economic indicators like gross margin, cost-benefit ratio and return on investment. The Fayoumi breed generated better returns on investment compared to all other breeds because it used less food and saw few bird deaths while producing small eggs at affordable prices. The Black Australorp produced the most marketable eggs for highest revenue yet needed extensive feeding programs since it needed more feed and had higher death rates. The Albalady birds produced at an average rate while experiencing high death rates that hurt company profits. Breed selection should focus on farm profits combined with native environment tolerance. The Fayoumi chicks make the best choice for small-scale farmers while Black Australorps do better in larger commercial poultry production. The findings will benefit poultry experts and authorities who can support Pakistani poultry breeders to develop more profitable and sustainable egg farming systems.
Copyright (c) 2024 Mubarik Ali, Shahid Iqbal, Abdul Wadood Jan, Muhammad Umer Farooq, Muhammad Usman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EXPLORING THE RISKS OF ANALGESIC CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY ON FETAL DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN
Analgesic use during pregnancy presents a significant public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings like Pakistan, where self-medication and limited access to healthcare exacerbate associated risks. This study aims to examine the prevalence, types, and fetal outcomes linked to prenatal analgesic exposure in Pakistan, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. This includes cross-sectional surveys of 500 pregnant women and a retrospective analysis of 1,200 hospital birth records. Our findings indicate that 42% of participants self-medicated with analgesics, with the most commonly used medications being paracetamol (68%), ibuprofen (22%), and aspirin (10%). Notably, adverse fetal outcomes such as preterm birth (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.7), low birth weight (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.4–3.0), and congenital anomalies (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.5–5.9) were significantly associated with first-trimester exposure to these drugs. Socioeconomic factors, including lower education levels (p < 0.001) and rural residency (p = 0.003), were identified as predictors of increased misuse. Qualitative interviews further revealed a lack of awareness about the risks of analgesic use during pregnancy and a cultural reliance on over-the-counter medications. These findings align with global research but underscore region-specific challenges, such as unregulated pharmacy practices and gender disparities in healthcare access. To mitigate these risks, we recommend stricter analgesic sales regulations, targeted educational campaigns, and the integration of prenatal counseling into primary care. Limitations of this study include recall bias and the use of single-center data. Future research should explore the long-term effects of prenatal analgesic exposure and investigate ethno pharmacological practices.
Copyright (c) 2024 Saad Abdullah, Sami Ullah, Muska Hayat (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HARNESSING CRISPR-CAS9 FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE: PRECISION GENOME EDITING TO DEVELOP CLIMATE-RESILIENT AND HIGH-YIELDING CROPS
Basic agriculture methods and genetic engineering methods do not work fast enough to stop food safety hazards that arise from growing populations and climate change. Researchers have proven that CRISPR/Cas systems transform the way crop genomes are modified especially in rice and maize production. Scientists explore CRISPR/Cas system breakthroughs and describe new discoveries that make genome editing better for agriculture. Advancements in genome editing techniques have developed methods to make specific gene changes that boost crop resistance against environmental pressures. CRISPR/Cas creates high-yielding crops that gather more light for photosynthesis and take in more nutrients and resist lodging as well as produce better food for taste and nutritional content. Our research confirms that CRISPR/Cas delivers important solutions to food security problems while dealing with ethical and legal obstacles today. Research on CRISPR and its applications with advanced technologies must continue to realize its potential in designing great agricultural methods.
Copyright (c) 2024 Shafiq Ahmad, Muhammad Asad Hameed (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
MAIZE GROWTH AND YIELD PERFORMANCE WITH THE APPLICATION OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA
Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a pivotal role in improving the crop productivity and soil health through several mechanisms, counting nutrient solubilization, hormone production and improved soil structure. This research trial intended to appraise the effects of diverse PGPR strains on maize progression, yield and soil properties. Field experimentations were carried out to assess the impact of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Azospirillum lipoferum, Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus fimosus on key agronomic parameters. The results validated that PGPR application significantly improved root and shoot biomass, plant height and maize yield equated to control. Among the tried strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Azospirillum lipoferum were the most effective leading to substantial upsurges in maize productivity. Additionally, PGPR treatments boosted soil porosity and reduced bulk density signifying their role in improving soil structure. These outcomes advocate that PGPR can function as a justifiable alternative to conventional fertilizers, promoting maize growth while maintaining soil health.
PGPR (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria)
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Rizwan, Syed Adeel Sajid (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
THE IMPACT OF IMMUNIZATION IN PREVENTING AND REGULATING AVIAN INFLUENZA IN POULTRY
Avian influenza (AI), caused by influenza A viruses, remains a significant challenge to both the poultry industry and global public health. The rapid transmission and potential for mutation of the virus complicate efforts to control outbreaks. Immunization has become one of the most effective methods for managing AI in poultry, helping to reduce the frequency of outbreaks and the severity of infections. This review examines the role of immunization in preventing and regulating avian influenza, focusing on vaccine types, effectiveness, and the challenges associated with their implementation.Inactivated vaccines have played a pivotal role in AI control, offering considerable protection against circulating strains in poultry populations. These vaccines trigger robust immune responses, reduce viral load, prevent severe disease, and limit viral transmission among birds. However, challenges persist, including the emergence of new viral strains, incomplete cross-protection between vaccines and circulating strains, and variability in vaccine efficacy across poultry breeds. Successful vaccination programs require a strong infrastructure for proper administration, surveillance, and monitoring. Recent innovations, such as recombinant technology and adjuvants, are expanding the range of protection, addressing some of these challenges. Despite these advancements, obstacles like high costs, regulatory issues, and concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy continue to hinder widespread adoption. The success of immunization strategies depends on an integrated approach that combines vaccination with biosecurity measures and continuous surveillance to detect emerging strains.In conclusion, effective management of AI outbreaks requires coordinated strategies that integrate vaccination, biosecurity, surveillance, and international cooperation. Ongoing research into improved vaccine formulations and management practices will be essential in reducing AI’s impact on the poultry industry and minimizing risks to human health.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Fahim Ul Ehsan, Ammara Zulqarnain, Asif Khan, Aman Ullah, Naeem Sajjad, Muhammad Waqas, Zaighum Ali (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUTONOMOUS ROBOTS FOR PRECISION SEEDING AND PLANTING
The agriculture sector leads development efforts for sustainable technology since environmental concerns and growing populations require new ways of producing sufficient amounts of food. The planting and harvesting operations of agricultural robots disrupted traditional farming practices and they now function as a disruptive industrial force. This article provides an extensive review of current agricultural robots by explaining their applications combined with technological advancements and benefits and limitations alongside projected developments. The agricultural sector underwent a fundamental transformation when various robots were developed to maximize planting and harvesting operations during the past few years. The agricultural sector now utilizes autonomous vehicles to plant efficiently as well as robotic arms to harvest accurately and drones which employ superior sensors. A fusion of these technological systems will reduce environmental impacts on farming operations alongside decreased staffing costs and maximized resource performance. The core value of precision agriculture relies on harvesting robots because these machines utilize computer vision and machine learning to detect ripened crops while performing accurate harvesting functions. The research outcomes confirm that well-implemented robotic systems for harvesting fruits and vegetables bring about better output levels along with reduced waste during production. The seeding operational area has proven suitable for agricultural robots because they now automate seeding activities from transplanting to sowing. The technologies provide precise seed spacing and depth guarantees that lead to higher accuracy with planting operations and better harvest outcomes. The article examines seeding robot uses and advancements to show how they modify standard seed planting approaches. Industrial progress in navigation control systems sensing and imaging technology directly influences agricultural robotics development. Real-time log analysis with sensors and cameras and autonomous navigation structures enables these robots to perform with extreme accuracy which helps achieve the ultimate goal of automated agricultural structures.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muzammil Ali, Irfan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AS A RISK FACTOR FOR POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that is very common in reproductive age women and the evidence associated with the vitamin D deficiency is increasing. This was a cross sectional study conducted to determine the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and PCOS in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. A total of 80 women (40 women with PCOS and 40 controls) aged 18–45 years old, were recruited from fertility clinics and daily OPD of DHQ hospitals. Serum 25(OH)D, hormonal (testosterone, LH, FSH), and metabolic parameters (BMI, insulin resistance, lipid profile) were analyzed. Results indicated that 72.5% of PCOS patients were vitamin D deficient (<20 ng/ml) as against 35% in the control group (p < 0.001). Elevated serum testosterone (4.9 vs. 3.9ng/dL, p = 0. 003), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR 3.8 vs. 2.4, p = 0. 01) and dyslipidemia (LDL 142vs. 118 mg/dL, p = 0. 02) were significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, these findings show that vitamin D deficiency is a modifiable risk factor for PCOS in KP, Pakistan and that supplementation programs targeting this deficiency are required.
Copyright (c) 2024 Roohan Ahmad, Rabia Kiran (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INNOVATIVE NANOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS IN MODERN AGRICULTURE: ADVANCING CROP PRODUCTIVITY, SUSTAINABLE PEST MANAGEMENT, AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
The population of the earth is growing, straining the earth’s current resources. For this problem to be addressed, there should be use of morally and financially sound technology that can put end to the ongoing problem and offer long term solution. Creative solutions are made as a response to the increase in demands of the population that can be applied in the practices of sustainable agriculture. It is a detailed study of the nanotechnology based agriculture comprising the role of chitosan nanoparticles in the construction of current agriculture. Nanotechnology based processing and packaging of food as well as nanomaterials for food safety, protection and preservation are also covered under the topic. The evaluation of nanoparticle risk is discussed and details on potential future developments in this area made. The progress of nanotechnology is explored within the domain of agriculture and its impact on agricultural yield, environmental effects and food security to counter the world population growth problems by way of the use of nanomaterials and nanodevices. This paper shows research and development efforts in nanotechnology and shows how it has the capability to change agriculture and solve the problems arising from increased demands of the populace. Nanotechnology will revolutionize the paradigm of agricultural processes by means of uses of technologies like precision agriculture, nanosensors, nanocapsules, nanopesticides and nanofertilizers. This shift towards sustainable technologies guarantees healthier seed life, improved plant performance and better soils. Nanotechnology is very useful for obtaining very specific results of agriculture use as it is site specific in nature. Yet, there is still a lot of confusion with regard to the use of nanotechnology in agriculture, therefore making the process somewhat slow and long.
Copyright (c) 2024 Sajid Hussain, Muhammad Asadullah Usman, Muhammad Aitzaz Akram (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0