Forman Christian College

This research highlights the facile green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Phoenix dactylifera seed extracts and its photocatalytic application for the degradation of toxic dyes. The AgNPs synthesis was confirmed by the appearance of its representative absorption peak at 416 nm in UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Moreover, the reduction of silver ions to Ag was justified through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction pattern revealed crystalline AgNPs structure with particle size ranging from 5 to 15 nm calculated using the Debye-Scherrer equation. The rectangular-like structural morphology of synthesized AgNPs was observed in scanning electron micrographs. The as-synthesized AgNPs demonstrated higher photocatalytic activity for the degradation of malachite green (MG) and congo red (CR) followed by methylene blue (MB), and crystal violet (CV) under UV irradiation. In addition, rate constant (k) and percentage degradation were also calculated. The present study presents a facile green synthesis pathway and its potentially successful manipulation in the reduction of toxic dyes under the illumination of UV-light.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with high self-renewal and multilineage differentiation abilities, playing an important role in tissue healing. Recent advancements in stem cell-based technologies have offered new and promising therapeutic options in regenerative medicine. Upon tissue damage, MSCs are immediately mobilized from the bone marrow and move to the injury site via blood circulation. Notably, allogenically transplanted MSCs can also home to the damaged tissue site. Therefore, MSCs hold great therapeutic potential for curing various diseases. However, one major obstacle to this approach is attracting MSCs specifically to the injury site following systemic administration. In this review, we describe the molecular pathways governing the homing mechanism of MSCs and various strategies for improving this process, including targeted stem cell administration, target tissue modification, in vitro priming, cell surface engineering, genetic modifications, and magnetic guidance. These strategies are crucial for directing MSCs precisely to the injury site and, consequently, enhancing their migration and local tissue repair properties. Specifically, our review provides a guide to improving the therapeutic efficacy of clinical applications of MSCs through optimized in vivo administration and homing capacities.

Background The development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) has emerged as a substantial barrier to interventional treatment for coronary heart disease. Drug-coated balloon (DCB) is an efficacious interventional technique for the management of ISR. This meta-analysis compares the efficacy of DCB in the treatment of ISR with that of an uncoated balloon (UCB). Methods We comprehensively searched literature on MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and clinicaltrials.gov using MeSH terms and relevant keywords for “Balloon Angioplasty” and “in-stent Restenosis” from inception to June 1, 2024, followed by a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess both strategies for treatment of ISR. Random effects model was used to aggregate the risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The search strategy retrieved 2330 studies. Duplicates and irrelevant articles were removed and data from seven RCTs (1,408 patients) was extracted. The mean age ranged from 64 to 74 years. The mean clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years. DCB was found to be superior to UCB at latest follow up in terms of target lesion revascularization (TLR) (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.19-0.58; p 0.0001; I2 79%), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.23-0.73; p 0.003; I2 84%), late lumen loss (LLL) (MD -0.46 mm, 95% CI -0.64- -0.28]; p <0.00001; I2 64%), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) (RR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.70; p 0.0003; I2 67%). The two groups were comparable at latest follow up in terms of mortality (RR 0.87, 95% CI 0.65-1.16; p 0.35; I2 0%), cardiac death (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.66-1.19; p 0.43; I2 0%), myocardial infarction (MI) (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.39-1.24; p 0.22; I2 28%) and stent thrombosis (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.04-1.10; p 0.06; I2 46%). Conclusion DCB showed promising results in the treatment of patients with coronary ISR. DCB outperformed UCB in significantly reducing TLR, MACE, LLL and TVR risks. The risk of mortality, cardiac death, MI, and stent thrombosis was similar between DCB and UCB. </div

Limeum indicum (LI), a plant from the Aizoaceae family, has garnered interest due to its potential health benefits. In this study, we explore the antidiabetic, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti‐inflammatory properties of a chemically characterized whole extract from LI. In vitro assays included DPPH and reducing power tests to assess antioxidant activity. For in vivo investigations, adult Wistar rats were used. Alloxan‐induced diabetic rats received oral doses of LI whole extract (ethanol (LI‐EE), DCM (LI‐DE), and n‐Hexane (LI‐HE)) or glimepiride for 21 days. Carrageenan‐induced inflammation and nociceptive effects were also evaluated. Molecular docking studies aided in identifying potential targets for the extract's bioactivity. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and fixed oils in the extract. Both DPPH and reducing power assays demonstrated substantial total phenolic and flavonoid content, indicative of strong antioxidant activity. The extracts dose‐dependently reduced blood glucose levels in alloxan‐induced diabetic rats and mitigated inflammation and nociception. Furthermore, the significant antidiabetic and anti‐inflammatory activities of n‐hexane extract, suggested to identify the potential components by employing molecular docking studies.

The Prunus armeniaca L. (bitter apricot) is an apricot fruit tree categorized on the basis of the bitter taste of its seed kernel. In this study, the functional, medicinal, and therapeutic potential of bitter apricot seed kernel oil (BASKO) was evaluated. The qualitative screening of BASKO was performed using standard methodologies. The chemical profile of the oil was analyzed with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results revealed the presence of different phytochemical constituents comprising steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by a 2,2,diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition essay. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 10.6±1.32 mg GAE/g and 4.75±0.11 mg QE/g, respectively. DPPH inhibition of 89.5% was achieved at 1000 μg/mL of BASKO, with IC50=90.44 μg/mL (83.47–96.67 μg/mL with 95% CI). The antimicrobial potential of the BASKO revealed the inhibition of Escherichia coli (20.3±2.08 mm), Salmonella typhi (19.3±2.51 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.6±1.52 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17±2 mm), and Staphylococcus aureus (25±1.01 mm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was 250 μL/mL for K. pneumoniae, S. typhi, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus, whereas 62.5 μL/mL for E. coli. Moreover, BASKO showed antifungal potential against Trichophyton tonsurans (77.3±2.08%), Epidermophyton floccosum (69.6±3.51%), Aspergillus niger (74.3±2.56%), Aspergillus flavus (90±3%), and Mucor mucedo (78.3±2.51%). Antileishmanial activity of oil was evaluated against Leishmania major by MTT assay, and an IC50 value of 89.75 μg/mL was observed. The study revealed that BASKO is a good source of biologically active compounds to be used as functional, therapeutical, and antimicrobial agents in food and pharmaceutical products.

In the realm of connected networks, distance-based parameters, particularly the partition dimension of graphs, have extensive applications across various fields, including chemistry and computer science. A notable variant of the partition dimension is the fault-tolerant resolving partition, which is critical in computer science for networking, optimization, and navigation tasks. In networking, fault-tolerant partitioning ensures robust communication pathways even in the event of network failures or disruptions. In optimization, it aids in developing efficient algorithms capable of withstanding errors or changes in input data. In navigation systems, fault-tolerant partitioning supports reliable route planning and navigation services under uncertain or dynamic conditions. This paper focuses on the fault-tolerant partition dimension within the specific context of the cycle with chord graphs, exploring its properties and implications for enhancing the robustness and reliability of networked systems.

This study investigates the projected impact of air pollution on mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) across SAARC countries. Utilizing Time Series and Machine Learning methodologies such as Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, Exponential Smoothing, and Neural Network, the research aims to accurately forecast the mortality and DALYs attributed to air pollution from 2020 to 2030. Statistical analyses reveal a consistent upward trend in deaths and DALYs during the forecasting period, primarily driven by Ambient Particulate Matter Pollution (APM) and Ambient Ozone Pollution (AOP). Comparing the predictive accuracy of the models, Neural Network outperformed other methods, as indicated by Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values. Specifically, the study finds that deaths and DALYs due to Ambient Particulate Matter pollution are least prevalent in the Maldives, while India and Pakistan exhibit the highest rates, and deaths and DALYs due to Ambient Ozone pollution are lowest in the Maldives and highest in Bangladesh and Pakistan. Moreover, deaths and DALYs attributed to Household Air Pollution (HAP) are lowest in Pakistan and highest in Nepal. These findings underscore the urgent need for air pollution control measures and informed policymaking in SAARC countries to mitigate the escalating health burden associated with air pollution.

Amine-terminated aromatic amide oligomer (ATAAO) was used to cure diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resin. P-phe-nylenediamine (PPDA) and isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) underwent a condensation reaction to synthesize the oligomer using dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) as the solvent. The successful synthesis and semi-crystalline nature of oligomer was confirmed using 1 HNMR, FT-IR, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The curing reaction was carried out by mixing ATAAO and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy resin in DMAc, followed by curing at 363.15 K and 393.15 K for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min, respectively. Moreover, the ring-opening curing phenomenon in epoxy was confirmed by 1 HNMR and FT-IR. XRD analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the cured epoxy. Thermal analysis revealed an increase in thermal stability (553.21 K to 580.32 K) and glass transition temperature (423.21 K to 481.61 K) with increasing curing temperature (363.15 K to 393.15 K) and curing duration (30 min to 120 min). Stress-strain analysis revealed an increase in Young's modulus (5.93 MPa to 41.09 MPa) and stress at the break (7.79 MPa to 31.92 MPa) of cured epoxy films with changing curing conditions. Moreover, a homogeneous surface of cured epoxy films containing slight bumps and small globular without any phase separation was observed in scanning electron micrographs.

Extensive literature has documented the impact of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on various crops but studies are scant on PGPR application methods. In this study, we tested three different application methods, viz., biopriming, foliar and rhizospheric application on the growth of two sugarcane lines (CPSG-2525 and CPSG-2730). Pseudomonas aurantiaca (PB-St2) and Bacillus spp. strains (SB-1 and CRN8) were selected and their synergistic interaction was evaluated by competitive growth assay. Subsequently, sugarcane plants were inoculated with PGPRs, either individually or their consortia in pot experiment. The survival analysis of inoculated strains was carried out at various time intervals, whereas plant’s morpho-chemical data were noted after 90 days of sowing. Biopriming notably enhanced the above-ground sugarcane growth, with maximum shoot length (156.1 cm) with SB-1 + CRN8 in CPSG-2525, followed by 146.4 cm in CPSG-2730 with PB-St2, compared with 113.7 and 114.13 cm respectively in control plants. Moreover, a substantial increase in shoot dry matter (11.4 g) was noted with PB-St2 in CPSG-2730 and 12.1 g in CPSG-2525 with PB-St2 + CRN8 in contrast to non-inoculated plants (5 g). Rhizospheric application of PB-St2 led to a significant increase in root length (79 cm) and dry weight (2 g) in both sugarcane lines. In terms of biochemical attributes, significantly (p < 0.05) higher chlorophyll content (2.98 and 3.78 mg/g), total soluble sugars (7.54 and 5.72 mg/g) and sucrose content (52.21 and 24 mg/g) were observed in biopriming in CPSG-2525 and CPSG-2730, respectively. Our findings suggest that biopriming is more convenient and effective method of applying PGPRs to sugarcane, while Pseudomonas aurantiaca (PB-St2) enhanced sugarcane growth, both individually and in combination with Bacillus results in improved plant growth and biochemical attributes.

Introduction: This review article gives an overview of the biogenic synthesis of metal nanoparticles (mNPs) while using Litchi chinensis extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The subtropical fruit tree i.e lychee contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids, terpenoids, and polyphenolic compounds which act as reducing agents and convert the metal ions into metal atoms that coagulate to form mNPs. Methodology: Different methodologies adopted for the synthesis of lychee extract and its use in the fabrication of mNPs under different reaction conditions such as solvent, extract amount, temperature, and pH of the medium have also been discussed critically in detail. Techniques: Different techniques such as FTIR, UV-visible, XRD, SEM, EDX, and TEM adopted for the analysis of biogenic synthesis of mNPs have also been discussed in detail. Applications of mNPs: Applications of these prepared mNPs in various fields due to their antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, anticancer, and catalytic activities have also been described in detail.

The study primarily aims to identify and analyze socio-cultural obstacles that prevent women from pursuing higher education in rural Quetta. It focuses on examining how women perceive the effectiveness of these barriers. This study utilized a qualitative research methodology to investigate the experiences of ten young female participants encountering socio-cultural obstacles that hindered their pursuit of higher education. The researchers conducted in-person interviews with participants using a semi-structured questionnaire, allowing for a full analysis of their experiences. The socio-cultural impediments examined include patriarchal culture, early marriages, priority for sons' education, co-education and male teachers, and social bias towards females. The findings indicate that although these obstacles exist, many young females do not view them as effective in discouraging their pursuit of higher education. This study highlights women's unfavorable situation in rural areas of Quetta, highlighting the need for more effective strategies to encourage women to pursue higher education.

This study examines factors influencing contraceptive use among married women aged 15-49 in Pakistan using data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). This research aims to identify the demographic, economic, and sociocultural factors contributing to this disparity, focusing on the four provinces (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan). The study employs secondary analysis of data from over 103,000 women, exploring the association of CPR with variables such as age, education, economic status, fertility preference, and internalized patriarchy. Geographically, 40.9% of the sample was from Punjab, 23% from KPK, 18.8% from Balochistan, and 17.3% from Sindh, with 72.3% residing in rural areas and 27.3% in urban areas. Findings contribute to understanding provincial disparities and highlight the need for localized, culturally sensitive family planning strategies in Pakistan. The study calls for targeted interventions to improve birth control use among rural, less-educated, and poorer women, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.

Current literature on student mental health offers ample evidence of a worldwide increase in the prevalence of mental health issues among university students. However, there is limited literature from a social constructionist approach within Pakistan examining the student perception of mental illness, stigma, stigma management, and barriers to help-seeking. This study attempts to bridge the gap by conducting a descriptive qualitative study using the social constructionist framework to understand the perception of mental illness and its corresponding stigma in a fluid, non-canonical fashion. Semi-structured interviews with 11 university students reveal the personalized meanings given to the critical terms within the study. Intersectional dimensions of gender, class, and level of education are extensively explored, considering the student’s perceptions. The reflexive thematic analysis identifies perceived determinants of mental illnesses, the perceived relationship between mental illness and stigma, stigma management strategies employed by respondents, and perceived coping mechanisms. In Pakistan, where mental illness is not only prevalent but highly stigmatized, this research hopes to be a valuable addition to scholarly research on mental health and illness among young people in higher education institutes.

PVC nanocomposite (NC) films with cubic CeO 2 and Ni-doped CeO 2 (NDC) have been prepared using a conventional solution-casting technique. The prepared films were characterized with FT-IR spectrometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical and thermal properties of the films were evaluated using a UV-visible spectrophotometer and TGA/DSC. The optical study revealed a decrease in optical band gap energies (4.19 to 4.06 eV) whereas the increase in other optical constraints such as optical conductivity, Urbach energy, dispersion energy, refractive index, and dielectric constant of PVC NCs than pristine PVC was observed. The XRD patterns showed the presence of cubic crystalline NDC with a relatively narrower principal diffraction peak in the PVC matrix and the nonexistence of unexpected vibrational peaks in the FTIR spectra of PVC NCs confirmed the successful incorporation of nanostructured CeO 2 and NDC into PVC. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the higher thermal stability of NDC/PVC NC than PVC whereas differential scanning calorimetry declared no significant change in the glass transition temperature (T g) of the NCs. Moreover, a good dispersion of Ni-doped CeO 2 nanofiller was noticed in scanning electron micrographs.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is a crucial enzyme involved in folate metabolism and serves as a prime target for anticancer and antimicrobial therapies. In this study, a series of 4-pyrrolidine-based thiosemicarbazones were synthesized and evaluated for their DHFR inhibitory activity. The synthesis involved a multistep procedure starting from readily available starting materials, leading to the formation of diverse thiosemicarbazone 5(a–r) derivatives. These compounds were then subjected to in vitro assays to evaluate their inhibitory potential against DHFR enzyme. The synthesized compounds 5(a–r) exhibited potent inhibition with IC50 values in the range of 12.37 ± 0.48 μM to 54.10 ± 0.72 μM. Among all the derivatives 5d displayed highest inhibitory activity. Furthermore, molecular docking and ADME studies were performed to understand the binding interactions between the synthesized compounds and the active site of DHFR. The in vitro and in silico data were correlated to identify compounds with promising inhibitory activity and favorable binding modes. This comprehensive study provides insights into the structure–activity relationships of 4-pyrrolidine-based thiosemicarbazones as DHFR inhibitors, offering potential candidates for further optimization towards the development of novel therapeutic agents.

Solid supported catalysts have several synthetic applications. Herein, finely ground eggshells were used as a solid support for the preparation of transition metal (Ni, Zn, Cu, Sn and Co) based catalysts to synthesize 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (3) and dihydropyrimidinones (7 and 8). The effect of catalyst load, time and temperature on product yield was studied. Box Behnken Model was employed, and three predictors named catalyst amount (A), reaction time (B), and reaction temperature (C) were used to find the correlation of the predictors with the yield. Second order polynomial equation was used to estimate the effects of these factors. According to the statistical model, about 12% increase in yield was observed as a result of one-unit increase in reaction time while all other terms were kept constant. The values of S (18.1616) and R² (71.2%) indicate that the statistical model gave an adequate fit to data. Quadratic model for the response surface was used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, the larger F-values, and smaller p-values indicated that the predictors are in good agreement. The linear model terms of predictors were found to be significantly effective for yield (P < 0.05). The response surface and contour plots were also in agreement with the predicted model.

Graphene-based nanomaterials have been proved to be robust sorbents for efficient removal of environmental contaminants including arsenic (As). Biobased graphene oxide (bGO-P) derived from sugarcane bagasse via pyrolysis, GO-C via chemical exfoliation, and magnetite nanoparticles (FeNPs) via green approach using Azadirachta indica leaf extract were synthesized and characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometer (UV-vis.), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mean particle size and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) along with Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Compared to cellulose and hemicellulose, the lignin fraction was less in the precursor material. The GOC, bGO-P and FeNPs displayed maximum absorption at 230, 236, and 374 nm, respectively. FTIR spectrum showed different functional groups (C-OH, C-O-C, COOH and O-H) modifying the surfaces of synthesized materials. Graphene based nanomaterials showed clustered dense flakes of GO-C and thin transparent flakes of bGO-P. Elemental composition by EDX analysis of GO-C (71.26% C and 27.36% O), bGO-P (74.54% C and 24.61% O) and FeNPs (55.61% Fe, 4.1% C and 35.72% O) confirmed the presence of carbon, oxygen, and iron in synthesized nanomaterials. Sorption study was conducted with soil amended with different doses of synthesized nanomaterials (10, 50 and 250 mg) and exposed to 100, 300 and 500 ppm of As. Arsenic concentrations were estimated by colorimetry and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). GO-C, bGO-P, and FeNPs showed substantial As removal efficiency i.e., 81 to 99.3%, 65 to 98.8% and 73.1–89.9%, respectively. Green synthesis of bGO-P and magnetite nanoparticles removed substantial amounts of As compared to GO-C and can be effectively deployed for As removal or immobilization. Higher and medium sorbent doses (250 and 50 mg) exhibited greater As removal and data was best fitted for Freundlich isotherm evidencing favorable sorption. Nevertheless, at low sorbent doses, data was best fitted for both models. Newly synthesized nanomaterials emerged as promising materials for As removal strategy for soil nano-remediation and can be effectively deployed in As contaminated soils.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), an essential enzyme in folate metabolism, presents a promising target for drug development against various diseases, including cancer and tuberculosis. Herein, we present an integrated approach combining in vitro biochemical assays with in silico molecular docking analysis to evaluate the inhibitory potential of 4-piperidine-based thiosemicarbazones 5(a-s) against DHFR. In our in vitro study, a novel series of 4-piperidine-based thiosemicarbazones 5(a-s) were assessed for their inhibitory activity against DHFR enzyme. The synthesized compounds 5(a-s) exhibited potent inhibition with IC50 values in the range of 13.70 ± 0.25 µM to 47.30 ± 0.86 µM. Among all the derivatives 5p displayed highest inhibitory activity. Simultaneously, in silico analysis were performed and compared with standard drug (Methotrexate) to predict the binding affinity and interaction pattern of synthesized compounds with DHFR active site. SAR analysis was done to elucidate how structural modifications impact compound’s biological activity, guiding the rational design of potent and selective drug candidates for targeted diseases. These findings may provide a comprehensive assessment of 4-piperdine-based thiosemicarbazones as DHFR inhibitors and contribute to the development of novel therapeutics targeting DHFR-associated diseases.

This study explores the impact of capital structure, firm size, and liquidity on the financial performance of firms in the textile industry, a sector that is both labor-intensive and capital-dependent. Using secondary data collected from 30 publicly listed textile companies over a five-year period, the research applies panel data regression analysis to examine how these variables influence profitability. The results indicate a significant negative relationship between capital structure and financial performance, suggesting that high debt levels can reduce profitability by increasing financial strain and risk. In contrast, firm size and liquidity show positive correlations with financial performance, implying that larger firms with efficient liquidity management are better positioned to enhance profitability and sustain operations during market fluctuations. The findings emphasize the importance of maintaining an optimal balance in capital structure, where excessive debt is avoided, and liquidity is carefully managed to support growth and operational stability. This study provides practical recommendations for managers and policymakers in the textile industry, highlighting the need for strategic financial management to improve overall firm performance. By focusing on the unique financial dynamics of the textile sector, this research contributes to the existing literature and offers valuable insights for optimizing financial outcomes in an industry facing global competition and market volatility