Trends in Biosciences Research is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that focuses on publishing high-quality research articles, reviews, and short communications in the rapidly evolving field of biosciences. The journal aims to provide a platform for researchers to share innovative findings across a wide range of biosciences disciplines, including but not limited to molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, biotechnology, environmental science, and bioinformatics. Key Features: Scope: The journal covers emerging trends, groundbreaking research, and significant developments within biosciences. It emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and advancements in areas such as cell biology, bioinformatics, Agricultural biotechnology and biotechnology. Target Audience: The journal is targeted at researchers, academics, and professionals in the biosciences field, including molecular biologists, biochemists, bioinformaticians, environmental scientists, and biotechnology experts. Types of Articles: It publishes original research articles, comprehensive reviews, cutting-edge technologies, methodologies, and short communications that provide insights into emerging topics within biosciences. Impact and Innovation: As the name suggests, the journal seeks to highlight the latest trends and innovations in biosciences research. It plays an important role in shaping the direction of future research by featuring studies on novel biological processes, experimental techniques, and bioengineering solutions. Ethics and Quality: The journal maintains the highest ethical standards and employs a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the accuracy, originality, and scientific quality of the published content.
BIOMED INSTITUTE FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH (SMC-PRIVATE) LIMITED
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TUMOR HYPOXIA IN PREDICTING CHEMOTHERAPY RESISTANCE
Hypoxia in tumors is a widespread and ubiquitous expression of solid malignancies, which fundamentally underlies the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents through the complex and multifaceted mechanisms of resistance. The study is a quantitative research study on the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) in mediating chemoresistance by upregulating the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, metabolic reprogramming, and activation of DNA repair. The exposure to graded oxygen tension of the human cancer cell lines was studied; dose-response, transporter expression, efflux kinetics, reactive oxygen species levels, and apoptotic rate were determined. The five-parameter logistic model was the most predictive model of the cisplatin cytotoxicity under hypoxia. The improved stabilization of HIF-1 alpha was also well correlated with the upregulation of ABCB1, ABCC1, and ABCG2. The direct interaction between HIF-1alpha and the hypoxia-response elements was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and had its highest enrichment levels on the ABCB1 promoter. The rate constant of efflux (k effs) was increased in normoxia: 0.023 min⁻¹ but decreased at 0.5% O₂: 0.094 min⁻¹, which reduces the intracellular concentrations of doxorubicin from 845 nM to 187 nM. The most resistant index was gemcitabine, 3.6- to 4.1-fold in all agents. Resistance was reversed by the silencing of HIF-1a, 3.6- to 4.1-fold in all the agents. A significant Warburg metabolic shift and an increase in DNA repair gene expression (PRKDC 3.78-fold) were induced by hypoxia. Ironically, the reactive oxygen species had increased to 341 AU at 0.5 percent O₂ and the rate of apoptosis had dropped to 5.3 percent, which indicated that the DNA damage had been reduced successfully. The optimal predictor of chemoresistance that was obtained in a multivariate regression analysis. 90% of resistance was reversed with a combined HIF-1alpha knockdown and ABCB1 inhibition. These findings indicate that HIF-1 alpha is a critical, quantifiable mediator of hypoxia-induced multidrug resistance and an attractive therapeutic target to restore chemosensitivity in hypoxic tumors.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IMMUNE RESPONSE VARIABILITY FOLLOWING VACCINATION IN DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
Life course variability of immune responses is crucial for vaccine efficacy, but conventional vaccines targeted to young adults are often less effective in children and the elderly. We adopted a problem-based research strategy of meta-analysis, transcriptomic analysis, and mathematical modeling to investigate the life course variability of age-associated immune responses to vaccination using data from 147 studies and 48,372 individuals. Biexponential decay evaluation revealed that the half-life of antibody persistence declines from 9.9 years in young adults to 2.0 years in the oldest-old, and the rapid decay rate constant λ₁ increases from 0.09 to 0.25 year⁻¹.. Meta-analysis showed seroconversion failure odds ratios of 2.89 for influenza and 3.45 for hepatitis B vaccines in the elderly compared to young adults and no age difference for the AS01-adjuvanted varicella zoster vaccine with an adjuvant age-response index of 1.72. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed B-cell signaling modules are negatively correlated with age and have significant age interaction and are likely less effective in the elderly. The mixed-effects model showed naive CD4⁺ T-cell numbers and plasma blast numbers 7 days after the vaccination are strong predictors of seroconversion. Ordinary differential equation modeling of memory T-cell generation showed a reduction in the numbers of naive T-cell precursor cells with age and a reduction in the half-life of memory T-cells from 8.9 to 2.1 months. Non-linear regression of vaccine efficacy against infection revealed decay constants γ of 0.042 year⁻¹ for influenza, compared to 0.005 year⁻¹ for the varicella zoster vaccine containing the adjuvant AS03. Our findings show that age-related immune alterations such as fast antibody decay, reprogramming of gene expression from B-cell to inflammatory modules, and a diminished naive T-cell repertoire all contribute to vaccine efficacy loss at the extremes of age. Personalized vaccination strategies using adjuvants and predictive biomarkers and targeting the root causes of immunosenescence and immune bias in babies and toddlers are needed to increase vaccine efficacy across the lifespan.
ROLE OF CYTOKINE SIGNALING PATHWAYS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS
The imbalance of Th17/Treg is thought to be controlled by the dysregulation of the cytokine network in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases, but little is known about the quantitative relationships underlying this imbalance. This study aimed to model and experimentally test the mechanism of Treg suppression resistance that is bestowed by cytokines. 135 patients (active SLE, inactive SLE, and healthy controls) were included in a Cytokine Dysregulation Index (CDI) from ODE modeling, in vitro co-culture suppression, and ex vivo peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) analysis, and these yielded a Cytokine Dysregulation Index area under the curve (AUC) of 0.942 and a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 84.9 for the diagnosis of active SLE. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of TREG-mediated suppressions was changed to 1:29.6 with SLE-like cytokine cocktails, and the transdifferentiation index of FoxP3+ T cells to ROR-gamma+FoxP3+ doubled to 1.58. Sensitivity analysis results revealed that the most elastic was IL-21 (elasticity index 2.08), and kinetic analysis results revealed that differences in the Th17/TREG ratio were seen at 6 days of exposure to the SLE serum. The results of the SEM indicated that the mediation of structural equation modeling between the effect of cytokines on TREG dysfunction was 67-72% CDI. Given these findings, a rebalancing of the networks rather than a blockade with cytokines should be the therapeutic target, and the CDI can be used as a quantitative measure of autoimmune disease.
IMPACT OF PREVENTIVE SCREENING PROGRAMS ON EARLY DETECTION OF CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASES
Cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are an increasing health burden in the world, with a significant percentage of the disease remaining undiagnosed until late stages. Population screening is important, but the best multiparametric models using both traditional and new biomarkers have not been developed, especially in younger adults below the age of fifty years. This cross-sectional research study involved the participation of 1,086 adults aged between twenty and ninety years in urban primary healthcare facilities. The participants were evaluated with detailed measurements of anthropometry, blood pressure, fasting blood biochemistry of glucose, insulin, and lipid profile, salivary biomarkers of glucose, uric acid, and cortisol, and bioelectrical impedance evaluation of phase angle and area of visceral fats. To predict undiagnosed metabolic syndrome based on harmonized Joint Interim Statement criteria, nine logistic regression models were developed, and model performance was assessed based on area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration, net reclassification improvement, and decision curve. Metabolic syndrome was 28.6 percent prevalent and previously undiagnosed. The elastic net regularized model had the best discriminative performance with an area under the curve of 0.914 and a 95 percent confidence interval between 0.894 and 0.934 with a sensitivity of 88.3 percent and specificity of 88.9 percent. The strongest association was observed with salivary glucose with an odds ratio of 3.436 and a p less than 0.001, then HOMA-IR with an odds ratio of 2.403, and lastly the triglyceride-HDL ratio with an odds ratio of 1.264. Phase angle exhibited a strong protective effect whose odds ratio is 0.708. The model was very robust in terms of age, sex, and body mass index subgroups, with the best calibration as evident by a Hosmer-Lemeshow p-value of 0.621 and the greatest net benefit at all risk levels. A combined screening model that includes salivary glucose, bioimpedance-derived phase angle, and conventional cardiometabolic risk factors offers great discrimination of adults less than fifty years of age with undiagnosed metabolic syndrome. This is a noninvasive, multiparametric method that provides a feasible and economically viable solution to population-based proactive screening initiatives to help prevent the development of cardiometabolic diseases.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF NON‑COMMUNICABLE DISEASE BURDEN IN RAPIDLY URBANIZING POPULATIONS
Urbanization in low- and middle-income countries has led to an epidemiological transition to non-communicable diseases, but the connections between urban environments and cardiometabolic risk have not been sufficiently measured. The population of this cross-sectional study was 2,187 adults randomly recruited to the study in urban high-density, urban low-density, and rural locations. They calculated a composite urbanization index based on various indicators of the built environment such as population density, availability of road infrastructure, access to sanitation, and access to health facilities. The outcomes were hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Sequential overall sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, mediation analysis to measure pathways using physical inactivity and dietary patterns, and interaction testing by sex and income were conducted using logistic regression. To evaluate the sensitivity to unmeasured confounding, the E-value calculations were performed. The prevalence of hypertension, age-standardized, rose steadily in the rural to urban low-density to urban high-density areas and was about 30 percent to 49 percent. The prevalence of diabetes exhibited the same gradient, with 16 percent to 35 percent in the same categories of urbanicity. In fully adjusted models, every one-standard-deviation increase in the urbanization index was found to increase the odds of hypertension by 47 percent and the odds of diabetes by 53 percent, both of which were highly statistically significant. The mediation analysis indicated that the combination of physical inactivity and unhealthy dietary patterns accounted for 61 percent of the overall urbanization impact on hypertension, with dietary factors taking the bigger portion, which was about 43 percent. There was a strong sex interaction as females exhibited considerably greater risk increases in hypertension associated with urbanization than males did. The effect of processed food on metabolism and fasting glucose was increased in urban areas, as the slope of association increased more than two times between rural and urban high-density areas. The e-values greater than 2.2 in all primary results revealed that unmeasured confounding is unlikely to be the reason behind the observed association. Sensitivity analyses that eliminated the participants that had pre-existing cardiovascular disease generated low attenuation of effect estimates, eliminating reverse causality. The impact of urbanization on non-communicable disease risk is dose-dependent, and more than half of its impact is mediated by modifiable lifestyle behaviors. There is an urgent need for urban planning intervention that encourages physical activity by supporting the existence of walkable infrastructure and food environment regulation by limiting access to processed foods. Special consideration of sex-specific vulnerabilities, particularly in females in high-density cities, is justified to reduce the increasing burden of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity in rapidly urbanizing communities.
SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM : A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
The livestock systems are facing a mounting pressure all over the world to balance the mounting demand of the animal based food and the need urgency of the livestock systems with the sustainability issues on the environment, the economy and the social issues. It is a systematic review of the published empirical studies on the strategies of sustainable livestock production that have been published after 2014 and 2024 and followed PRISMA regarding convergent parallel mixed-method design. The number of studies that were used was 168 and this was following quality screening using big databases. A quantitative meta-analysis found that sustainable intervention had cut down the level of greenhouse gas emission by an average of 18.6 percent, land-use efficiency by 12.4 percent and water footprints by 15.8 percent at the expense of the conventional systems. The economic forecasts revealed that there were moderate increases in initial investments (mean 14.7) which had a positive return on investment in three to five years with most of the interventions especially precision livestock farming and regenerative grazing systems. According to the qualitative synthesis, the enhancement of resiliency of farmers and better animal welfare, enhanced community and gender-inclusive livelihoods benefits have been voiced as the most significant social outcomes, though its implementation is hindered by economical and informational barriers and ambiguous policies. It has been demonstrated through the cross-dimensional analysis that there is no optimal intervention that can be offered to maximise the environmental, economic, and social outcomes simultaneously and context-dependent system-level transition pathways need to be taken into account. This review is based on the socio-ecological systems and transition theory frameworks since it outlines the enabling conditions, such as the policy incentives, financial access, and the extension services as an influencer of a scalable change. The results give combined evidence-based facts to policy-makers, scientists and practitioners that would desire to apply sustainable livestock production in the face of global climatic and food security issues.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
HORMONAL AND NEUROPSYCHIATRIC CORRELATES OF SLEEP DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH METABOLIC SYNDROME
The study investigates hormonal and neuropsychiatric correlations of sleep disturbs in the context of people with the metabolic syndrome and uses simulated datasets to represent a complex combination of physiological and psychological processes. The study incorporated nine comprehensive tables and twelve complex visuals to assess variability of hormonal markers, metabolic biomarkers, inflammatory index and neuropsychiatric variables. The findings indicated that significant endocrine indicators changed significantly, and stress hormone-related and metabolic hormones were highly correlated with more significant sleep disturbances. The patterns of neuropsychiatric markers were widely dispersed, which means that the cognitive and emotional impairment of the affected persons varies. Metabolic biomarkers, in particular, inflammatory-linked biomarkers, glucose metabolism biomarkers, and lipid imbalance biomarkers exhibited significant variability, as it is consistent with current studies that attribute metabolic instability to sleep disturbances. These results were supported by figure-based researches that portrayed interdependent patterns among hormonal changes, neuropsychiatric responses, and the magnitude of sleep disorders. It has been shown that sleep disturbances in metabolic syndrome are the combined effect of endocrinal dysregulation, metabolic dissimilarity, and neuropsychiatric pressure in place of the distinct physiological abnormalities. This highlights the importance of multidomain screening procedures and specific treatment paths that would take into account both physiological and psychological determinants of sleep disorders. Although the study is based on simulated data, it presents a strong theoretical foundation of future empirical studies aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment outcomes of sleep disorders among the populations with metabolic syndrome.
CHRONIC PAIN OUTCOMES FOLLOWING SPINAL SURGERY: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY FOLLOW-UP
The problem of chronic pain after having a spine surgery is among the most frequent challenges that affect the quality of life, mobility and psychological health of a patient. This study aimed to determine the outcome of chronic pain improvement in time when patients receive follow-up care provided by a team of specialists, such as surgeons, physiotherapists, and pain-management specialists. Every patient was followed up in a structured manner after 12 months of their operation. The intensity of pain, the degree of ability, the mental state, taking of medicine and participation in rehabilitation were regularly measured. The results of the study revealed that a majority of the patients improved in an understandable and gradual manner. The severity of pain, measured using conventional scales, had a substantial decrease at all the follow-up intervals. More than two-thirds of the patients experienced significant pain relief at the end of the research period. Based on the established disability grading scales, functional biomarkers such as walking, bending, lifting, and total daily performance were improved by more than 40-55. The results of psychological assessments were positive, which implied that the levels of anxiety and depression symptoms that are common with chronic postoperative pain decreased. These transformations were closely related to reduced pain and enhanced movement. It was also discovered that the patients took less and less pain pills in time as they improved in physiotherapy and learned to alleviate pain without the use of drugs. The fact that the number of individuals involved in the rehabilitation process increased during the year demonstrates that the patients took the interdisciplinary treatment plan with great interest. Notably, postoperative issues were not very severe, which could have aggravated chronic pain. In general, this paper indicates that a holistic approach to follow-up after a spine surgery results in the achievement of control over the pains, physical functioning, and emotional wellbeing. A combination of physiotherapy with regular surgical checkups and assistance of pain specialists is a more appropriate long-term approach to persistent pain following spinal surgery.
ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF PREVENTIVE HEALTH INTERVENTIONS: A POLICY PERSPECTIVE
The paper concludes on the economical worth and the significance of the preventive health treatment in terms of economy by applying a mixed-methodology, which combines the cost-effectiveness model, the cost-benefit analysis and the qualitative policy analysis. The epidemiological and economic data were analysed using markov decision models, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, quality-adjusted life years, and net monetary benefit. The results indicate that the preventive actions such as vaccination, screening and management of risk factors at an earlier age all yield good cost-effectiveness results and huge savings in long-term health care service and to society at large. The results sensitivity to coverage, costs and variations in epidemiological uncertainty were validated by the sensitivity analysis that is based on probabilistic sensitivity analysis. The qualitative findings given by policymakers and health program managers reported institution and regulatory barriers that give it the form of a challenge to implement plans that has a solid economic purpose of implementing. A generalization of the quantitative and qualitative findings indicates that prevention based strategies are more useful than treatment based models and will minimize the disease burden in the future, enhance productivity, and improve the fiscal sustainability. This paper concludes that preventative strategies must be integrated in the national policy frameworks in order to achieve long term economic stability and fair health outcomes amongst the people. It is a good policy argument based on these findings to invest more in preventive strategies and institutionalize routine economic scrutiny in health-related decision making.
HEALTH POLICY REFORMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTHCARE EQUITY IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES
This study looks into the impacts of the recent health policy enhancement on the healthcare equity in some of these emerging economies using a mixed-method experimental study. To have a complete picture of the impacts of the reforms, we considered both quantitative information of national health information systems and qualitative perspectives of the stakeholders. The findings indicate that the composite healthcare equity index increased significantly since the policy was implemented. This implies that the socioeconomic, regional, and demographic differences are reduced. Rural and low-income areas experienced a significant increase in service use although the out-of-pocket costs and catastrophic spending on health decreased, which indicates that financial protection has been improved. Many more individuals had paid the health insurance and transporting health workers made services more accessible in areas where they were required. The positive system-wide effects of the changes were also supported by the improvements in maternal, child, and preventive health care. These trends were supported by qualitative data that showed higher levels of access, higher levels of opinion regarding the quality of treatment, and a reduction in the financial burden of vulnerable groups. Overall, the combination of quantitative and qualitative perspectives demonstrates that the differentiated alterations in the health policy can turn healthcare into a fairer place in resource-scarce locations. The paper highlights the need to have sustained policy commitment, inclusive governance and continuous review to safeguard and maximize these accomplishments.
Healthcare equity, policy reforms, developing economies, financial protection, health systems, service utilization
SOCIOECONOMIC PREDICTORS OF EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
The outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases (EID) occurring in developing nations are occasionally described as largely biological or ecological in nature, but the time and spread of the disease happen under the impact of socioeconomic conditions that determine the exposure, vulnerability and response ability. This paper looks at the socioeconomic elements that best predict the frequency and severity of EID outbreaks in developing nations where a cross-national, multi-year analytical framework is used, which is the combination of outbreak rates and other standardized measures of development, governments, demographics and health systems. Multivariable analyses including variations in the structure and size of populations among the countries demonstrates that the possibility of an outbreak is always significantly greater when rapid urbanization and a high density of people are combined with continuous poverty and inequality during the years. This implies that diseases spread easily due to crowding and living in poor conditions. Warring countries and those with weak institutions experience more outbreaks and sick people. Conversely, those countries that had greater governance and state capacity experience fewer outbreaks and superior means of preventing their further proliferation. Signs of health system preparedness, particularly increased per capita health expenditures, expanded immunization rates, and more accessible basic services, have preventive influence that reduces the incidence and intensity of outbreaks. The education and human capital measures also have a stabilizing relationship, which is in line with improved risk communication and an increased number of individuals seeking treatment. Predictive performance improves significantly when socioeconomic indicators of vulnerability are added to health-system and governance parameters. This demonstrates that they are applicable in warning and preparing early and targeting. The findings highlight the importance of the argument that EID reduction in developing environments is not only possible by surveillance and pathogen-focused interventions, but policy changes that address poverty, urban vulnerabilities, and institutional resilience, in addition to investing in primary health systems.
IMPACT OF MICROPLASTIC EXPOSURE ON GUT MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY IN FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATES
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a critical ecological threat to freshwater biodiversity, yet its sub-lethal impacts on the internal physiology and gut morphology of aquatic invertebrates remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations (10, 100, and 1000 MPs/mL) of polystyrene microplastics on gut health in three representative freshwater invertebrates: Daphnia magna, Gammarus pulex, and Chironomus riparius. Using a comprehensive experimental framework that included histological, biochemical, and microbial analyses, we observed significant dose-dependent physiological impairments across all species. Histopathological examination revealed progressive epithelial disruption, with damage scores increasing from a baseline of 0.5–0.7 in controls to 4.3–4.7 under high exposure. Digestive enzyme activity—specifically amylase, lipase, and protease—was significantly suppressed, with amylase activity reduced by over 50% in D. magna. Concurrently, oxidative stress biomarkers showed a marked increase in ROS and MDA levels, while antioxidant defenses (GSH, SOD) were severely depleted, indicating an overwhelmed cellular redox system. Gut wall thickness declined by up to 48%, while Shannon diversity indices revealed significant microbial dysbiosis, with diversity dropping from ~3.8 in controls to below 2.0 in highly exposed groups. Visualizations further supported these findings, with bar plots, scatter plots, and pie charts illustrating the systemic degradation of gut function. Collectively, these results underscore the vulnerability of freshwater invertebrates to chronic MP exposure and highlight the gut as a critical target organ for ecotoxicological assessment. This research provides essential mechanistic insights and baseline data to inform environmental risk assessments and conservation policies aimed at mitigating plastic pollution in freshwater systems.
Copyright (c) 2025 Zia Ur Rehman (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
EVALUATING AI-DRIVEN CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR EARLY DETECTION OF ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common and severe complication in critically ill patients, with early detection being essential for improving clinical outcomes. This study evaluates the performance, interpretability, and clinical integration of AI-driven Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for early AKI detection, using a comprehensive electronic health records dataset from a tertiary care ICU. Various machine learning models, including Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, and deep learning architectures such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN), were assessed. Among these, CNN consistently demonstrated superior performance with an AUROC of 0.89, sensitivity and specificity of 0.86, and an F1-score of 0.85, outperforming all baseline models. Model calibration was robust, with a low Brier score (0.13) and a near-ideal calibration slope (0.98), affirming prediction reliability. The analysis of SHAP values suggested that serum creatinine, BUN and blood pressure played the biggest role which improved the confidence of the model and its usefulness for doctors. Tests on different datasets confirmed that the CNN’s performance decreases, but only slightly (AUROC of 0.86) compared to the main ones. Testing the system with ICU clinicians revealed that they were able to respond quickly (in under 12 seconds) and accepted more than 89 percent of the alarms generated. As a result, AI-CDSS based on CNNs can improve how clinicians decide, take quick actions and minimize expected problems linked to AKI. For a deployment to be successful, it must first address interpretability, data quality, ethical aspects and should regularly be validated as it is put into clinical use.
Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Inam Farooq (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE-INDUCED TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ON THE POLLINATION BIOLOGY AND FRUIT SET OF TEMPERATE ORCHARDS
Climate change presents a pressing challenge for temperate fruit orchards, where temperature fluctuations and extreme weather events significantly affect plant phenology, pollination, and fruit productivity. This study investigates the quantitative effects of climate-induced thermal stress on flowering success, fruit set, pest dynamics, and cultivar resilience. Data collected from diverse orchard environments revealed that temperatures exceeding 25°C markedly decreased pollen viability, stigma receptivity, and fruit set. As shown in our results, fruit yield per tree and fruit quality, including sugar content and firmness, were negatively impacted under heat stress, with pest incidence increasing concurrently. Pollinator activity also declined with rising temperatures, linked to changes in nectar sugar composition and foraging behavior. Among evaluated cultivars, Y1 demonstrated superior adaptability, maintaining higher yield stability and physiological resilience. Optimized irrigation improved both yield and fruit size, emphasizing the role of water management in climate adaptation. Figures and tables highlight strong correlations between climatic variables and physiological plant responses. The study concludes that targeted adaptation strategies—such as selecting heat-tolerant cultivars, enhancing water use efficiency, and promoting pollinator health—are essential to mitigating climate change effects and sustaining orchard productivity. These findings provide a scientific foundation for climate-resilient horticulture and regional policy interventions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Rashid Khan (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF SECONDARY METABOLITES IN INTER-SPECIES PLANT COMPETITION
Secondary metabolites (SMs) play a crucial role in shaping inter-species plant interactions, yet their precise functional role in competitive ecological outcomes remains insufficiently understood. This study quantitatively investigates how SMs influence germination, growth, and species dominance across controlled greenhouse experiments and natural field conditions. Five ecologically relevant plant species—Avena sativa, Trifolium pratense, Chenopodium album, Amaranthus retroflexus, and Medicago sativa—were analyzed for their allelopathic impact via bioassays, metabolite profiling (HPLC, GC–MS), and biodiversity surveys. Results demonstrated that Chenopodium album and Avena sativa exhibited the strongest germination inhibition effects, reducing germination rates by up to 51.3% and radicle length by over 36%. Metabolite analysis revealed elevated levels of phenolics and terpenoids in these species, directly correlating with suppression outcomes. Biomass allocation studies showed an average reduction of 25–35% in mixed cultures compared to monocultures, with corresponding declines in root–shoot ratios. Field studies further validated that higher rhizospheric SM concentrations were associated with reduced Shannon diversity indices and increased competitive balance ratios. Correlation matrices confirmed significant relationships between metabolite concentration and ecological suppression metrics (r ≥ 0.75). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SMs are not passive defense compounds but active biochemical tools that alter inter-species dynamics and influence plant community structure. The study presents a novel integrative framework combining chemical ecology and plant competition theory, offering practical insights for weed management, ecological restoration, and biodiversity conservation. By identifying specific metabolites with strong ecological impacts, this research lays the foundation for future exploration into targeted allelopathic applications and metabolic engineering for ecological resilience.
Copyright (c) 2025 Irfan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
INVESTIGATING OXIDATIVE STRESS - INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of central vision loss in the elderly, characterized by progressive degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Oxidative stress has been implicated as a major contributor to AMD pathogenesis, yet the mechanistic relationship between oxidative injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis remains incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in AMD by integrating experimental, clinical, molecular, and expert-level qualitative data. A mixed-method approach was adopted. Human RPE cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) to simulate oxidative stress, and apoptotic markers were quantified using caspase-3 activity assays and JC-1 fluorescence for mitochondrial membrane potential. Clinical data were collected from AMD patients (n=100) and age-matched controls (n=50) to measure oxidative biomarkers (MDA, 8-OHdG) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase). Gene expression analysis of apoptosis-related genes (BAX, BCL-2, CASP3, CYCS, TP53) was performed, and expert interviews with ophthalmologists provided clinical perspectives. Caspase-3 activity increased significantly with rising H₂O₂ exposure, accompanied by a marked decline in JC-1 red/green fluorescence, confirming apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. Clinical biomarker analysis revealed that AMD patients had significantly higher levels of MDA (6.57 nmol/mL) and 8-OHdG (5.41 ng/mL), with reduced SOD and catalase activity (p < 0.01). Strong correlations were observed between oxidative stress markers and AMD severity (r = 0.81 for MDA, r = -0.69 for catalase). Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes and downregulation of BCL-2. Expert interviews corroborated the mechanistic findings and highlighted current diagnostic and therapeutic gaps. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in AMD progression by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in RPE cells. These findings suggest that oxidative biomarkers and apoptotic regulators may serve as valuable tools for early diagnosis and targeted therapy in AMD management.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jawad Ali , Sajjad Mehdi (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
POST-ABORTION HEALTH COMPLICATIONS IN PAKISTAN: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Pakistan, yet data on post-abortion complications remain sparse. To assess the prevalence, types, and determinants of post-abortion health complications among women in Pakistan. A hospital-based cross-sectional study of 450 women presenting with post-abortion complications at tertiary care facilities in Punjab and Sindh (2022–2023). Data were collected via structured questionnaires and medical records. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and logistic regression. 68% of participants experienced incomplete abortion, 22% sepsis, and 15% hemorrhage. Women with limited education (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4–3.2) and those seeking care from unqualified providers (OR=3.8, 95% CI: 2.5–5.7) had higher odds of severe complications. Delayed healthcare access (>24 hours) exacerbated outcomes (p<0.001). Socioeconomic disparities and reliance on unsafe abortion practices drive preventable complications. Strengthening reproductive healthcare access and legal reforms are urgently needed.
Copyright (c) 2024 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
IDENTIFICATION OF TICKS AND PREVALENCE OF TICK BORNE PATHOGENS FROM LARGE ANIMALS
The livestock industry plays a crucial role in the economy of Pakistan, and it involves raising various types of ruminants, such as cattle and buffaloes, to fulfill the increasing demand for meat, milk, and hide products. Ticks, which are commonly known to be carriers of tick-borne diseases and various pathogens, are widespread in Pakistan because of the country's favorable subtropical climate. These ticks infest both large and small ruminants, causing infestation and death, as well as financial losses to farmers. Consequently, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of ticks in large animals in selected regions of southern Pakistan during the year 2021-2022. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the types of ticks that infest these animals and the pathogens associated with them. The identified tick species were Hy. anatolicum, R. sanguineus, Hy. excavatum, Hy. marginatum, Hae. punctata, Hae. bispinosa, Hae. sulcata, R. appendiculatus, and Hy. dromedarii. Overall, the infestation (26.78%) of Hy. anatolicum was followed by R. sanguineus (22.72%), Hy. excavatum (14.31%), Hy. marginatum (12.34%), Hae. punctata (6.75%), Hae. bispinosa (6.20%), Hae. sulcata (4.66%), R. appendiculatus (3.43%), and Hy. dromedarii (2.76%). The most infested part of host was tail with 47.6% prevalence followed by udder (27.88%), dewlap (10.38%), ear (6.75%), shoulder (2.7%), testes (1.78%), genitalia (1.47%), thighs (0.79%) and neck (0.61%). Hepatozoon spp., Rickettsia massiliae, Theileria annulat, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina, Babesia ovis, Borrelia spp., Piroplasms and Francisella-like pathogens were detected. The maximum prevalence of R. massiliae was recorded followed by Rickettsia spp. According to this information, it is probable that individuals and animals residing in these ecological zones face a significant risk of contracting rickettsiosis. This is due to the fact that ticks carrying Rickettsia spp. were found to have the highest rates of infection compared to other tick-borne pathogens in Pakistan.
PREVALENCE, SPECIES DIVERSITY, AND RISK FACTORS OF TICK INFESTATION IN POULTRY FARMS IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Tick borne parasites are a serious health and economic problem for poultry production in Pakistan as well as in the developing countries. Poultry productivity is greatly reduced by their presence, particularly in the rural and semi‐urban farming systems. The present study was designed to estimate species composition, infestation rate and risk factors associated in infestation of ticks in layers kept under intensive and extensive farming system in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Among 360 examined birds, 134 (37.2%) were infested with ticks. Argas persicus, Argas miniatus, and Argas robertsi were the tick species identified. Prevailed among them was A. persicus (68.7%), followed by A. miniatus (21.6%) and A. robertsi (9.7%). Birds aged above 12 months suffered more infestation. In overcrowded farms, infestation turnover was significantly higher (47.5%) when compared to the low density farms (22.4%). Extensively raised chickens (55.6%) had total ticks that were greater than intensively managed flocks (24.1%). Most infested body regions were underwings (32.8%) and ventral abdomen (31.3%) while the head and wattle were tick free. This identifies the need for targeted etoparasite control programs and awareness campaigns to prevent production losses from ticks in poultry.
HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR PATIENTS DUE TO FREQUENT BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS
Beta Thalassemia is one of the most widespread hemolytic disorders in children. Hepatitis B infection in Thalassemia patients was reported after numerous transfusions of unscreened blood, and the current study was carried out to ascertain the incidence of Hepatitis B in β-thalassemia major patients, linked to multiple blood transfusion strategies. Our cross sectional study was conducted in Neonatology and Children unit, DHQ hospitals of KP province of Pakistan, alongside the involvement of Thalassemia centers, and included 720 patients, diagnosed as β-Thalassemia Major and supported by multiple transfusions. This normal weight of the participants experienced 42.50+15.6 Kg as well as their average age turned out 13.08+2.6 years. Notably higher group of the individuals (p<0.05) were not vaccinated with Hepatitis B vaccine (73.88%), whereas just 26.6% (188/720) had been given vaccinations. The individuals getting less than 10, 11-20 and more than 20 transfusions every year consisted of 144 (20%), 314 (43.61%) and 262 (36.38%) patients, accordingly. The affected individuals had substantially transformed hematological parameters (p<0.05). The maximum amount of β-Thalassemia with an incidence rate of 11.53, major Hepatitis B patients were those who received more than 20 blood transfusions per year. Blood transfusions are found to be the most significant risk factor causing an infection with hepatitis B in patients with β-thalassemia major. Despite the high risk, it was also shown that a sizable portion of Thalassemia patients lacked an HBV vaccination. As a result of our study, there is huge need of programs to raise awareness of the importance of screened blood transfusions and the Hepatitis B vaccine are required. Moreover, campaigns should also be started to start pre-marriage screening of individuals having family history of Thalassemia and also there is a need to discourage consanguineous marriages.
Copyright (c) 2024 Dr. Rida Naaz, Roohan Ahmad (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
BIO-AGENT SUPPLEMENTATION TO ENHANCE QUALITY AND BIODEGRADATION RATE OF RICE STRAW
The increasing generation of rice straw waste due to intensive rice cultivation necessitates efficient decomposition stratagems to enhance compost quality. This study assessed effect of Green Soil, Biozote and Biopower biological agents on composting process and nutrient enrichment of rice straw. Experiment followed RCB Design with four treatments (Control, Green Soil, Biozote and Biopower) and replicated thrice. Compost quality was assessed through temperature variations, pH changes and macronutrient (NPK) composition. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and LSD test (p < 0.05) for significance testing. results showed that treatments incorporating biological agents significantly improved compost quality. Biopower treatment exhibited highest temperature peak (55°C) compared to control (50°C), indicating enhanced microbial activity. pH levels remained relatively stable across treatments (6.8–7.2) during composting. Nutrient analysis revealed that Biopower significantly increased nitrogen (2.40%), phosphorus (0.60%) and potassium (1.80%), followed by Biozote and Green Soil, which also showed improved nutrient content over control. Statistical analysis confirmed significant effect (p < 0.05) of biological agents on temperature and macronutrient content, whereas pH changes were not significantly different (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that applying Biopower, Biozote and Green Soil can accelerate decomposition and improve compost quality, offering effective strategy for sustainable organic waste management and soil fertility enhancement. Future studies should focus on field applications to assess long-term impact of these biological agents on soil health and crop productivity.
GENOMIC SURVEILLANCE OF DISEASE-RESISTANT TREES: IMPLICATIONS FOR WILDLIFE HABITATS
Not only is there disease control to take note of the manner in which genetic resistance works on the forest trees but also maintaining the diverse wildlife habitats. The research carried out an experimental approach that was mixed, involving genetic identification, territorial practices, and analysis of biodiversity in order to investigate the impacts of tree genotypes resistant to disease on the habitat quality and the existence of the ecosystem. Using Illumina technology we sequenced leaf tissue of resistant and non-resistant trees. We also estimated population genomic measure such as nucleotide diversity and inbreeding coefficients. On the basis of spatial mapping generated with the NDVI and LIDAR imagery, it could be observed that genetically resistant trees had a more stable capacities in terms of canopy cover and diversity of understory vegetation. It was demonstrated in field surveys that such areas had more nests, more species and more instances that animals were searching food. Structural equation modelling revealed the presence of a positive impact on biodiversity as a result of certain features of habitat that were directly related to the genetic resilience of trees. The qualitative roles of the interviews with the stakeholders were providing an illustration of the resilience of the habitats over time. The findings indicate that the monitoring of the genetics of the forest trees can be an effective measure to preserve them. They tell us more than the degree of resistance to pathogens and how to deal with the entire ecosystem. The combined paradigm allows establishing superior, evidence-based forest measures that place much emphasis on diversity in genetics and soundness in the ecosystem.
CHICKPEA-RHIZOBIUM SYMBIOSIS TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH AND CROP YIELD
Soil salinity is a major constraint to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production, particularly in arid regions such as Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of salt-tolerant Rhizobium strains in improving chickpea growth, nodulation and yield under saline soil conditions. A pot experiment was conducted at the Arid Zone Research Center, where five chickpea genotypes (G1–G5) were inoculated with salt-tolerant rhizobial strains isolated from saline soils. The study compared inoculated plants with uninoculated controls. Results showed that rhizobial inoculation significantly enhanced seed germination (up to 90%), shoot length (28–42%), root length (25–37%) and biomass (42%) compared to uninoculated plants. Nodulation efficiency improved markedly showing 100% nodulation across all genotypes. Additionally, inoculation led to a 45% increase in pod number. Soil health analysis revealed enhanced organic matter content, increased nitrogen levels and reduced bulk density in inoculated treatments, particularly in genotypes G5 and G2. These findings suggest that salt-tolerant Rhizobium strains can effectively mitigate the adverse effects of salinity, improve soil fertility and enhance chickpea productivity. The results highlight the potential of rhizobial inoculation as a sustainable approach for chickpea cultivation in saline environments.
IMPACT OF SEASONAL VARIATION ON EGG PRODUCTION AND MORTALITY IN FAYOUMI, ALBALADY, AND BLACK AUSTRALORP BREEDS
Climate change presents a high level of vulnerability to Pakistan among globally. Both catastrophic floods and droughts occurred in Pakistan throughout the recent decades. Climate change has severe negative effects upon Pakistan's agricultural production sector. Performances of poultry in tropical environments are significantly influenced by the main non-genetic factor which is seasonal variation. Research was conducted to analyze how climatic season fluctuations affected the population size as well as mortality rates among Fayoumi, Albalady and Black Australorp dual-purpose chickens in the semi-intensive system of Islamabad Pakistan. 300 laying hens (100 each breed) were studied for 12 months from winter through spring and summer until autumn. Research data about weekly egg numbers together with mortality statistics along with temperature-humidity index (THI) measurements. The summer season resulted in a major decrease of egg production alongside higher mortality rates across all breeds but Black Australorp faced the most severe impact. The Fayoumi breed maintained reliable reproduction rates and showed the lowest death rates at all times which confirms its successful seasonal adaptation. Albalady showed an average behavior pattern of resilience yet its production and peak summer performance declined substantially. The research data highlights the necessity of choosing suitable poultry breeds as well as implementing adaptive management for reducing seasonal stress during farming operations.
METFORMIN THERAPY IN TYPE 2 DIABETES: A SIX-MONTH OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL, LIPID PROFILE, AND SAFETY
A classic feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is persistent hyperglycemia brought on by declining insulin output and rising insulin resistance. Persistent hyperglycemia can cause major side effects including cardiovascular diseases, retinopathy, nephropathy, increased risk of infections and neuropathy. Glycaemic management has to be done right to prevent these problems. Usually advised as a first-line oral antihyperglycemic drug, metformin can improve insulin sensitivity, lower hepatic glucose production and help with weight control. This study evaluated in adults with T2DM how metformin changed the lipid profile, body weight, glycemic control and associated adverse effects. Two hundred people diagnosed people were given metformin, underwent six-month observational phase. Important metabolic markers including body weight, lipid profile, HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured at both baseline and six months into treatment. With p < 0.05, HbA1c and FBG levels were much lower; still, the results revealed amazing glycaemic control improvement. Moreover, metformin medication helped patients improve their lipid profile, which included lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and higher levels of HDL-C and help them lose a reasonable amount of weight. Though minor gastrointestinal issues like nausea and diarrhea were the most often mentioned side effect, no major adverse events were recorded. This trial confirmed the potency of metformin in improving glycaemic control and metabolic health while maintaining a positive safety profile, therefore supporting its status as a pillar drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
ASSESSING THE INTEGRATED EFFECT OF ORGANIC MANURE AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS ON CARROT GROWTH AND YIELD
An experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Arid Zone Research Center, DI Khan, to appraise the response of poultry manure, an organic manure, in amalgamation with mineral fertilizers on the development, produce, and quality of carrot. The highest gross yield (29.70 t ha⁻¹) of carrot was attained from the T7 treatment [recommended dose of mineral fertilizers (RDIF) + poultry manure (RDP)], while the subsequent lowest gross yield (16.04 t ha⁻¹) was documented in the poultry manure treated plots (RDP). T7 treated carrot plants exhibited the uppermost values for root fresh weight (64.08 g), vendible yield (16.27 t ha⁻¹), length of shoot (76.01 cm), root diameter (11.48 mm), and N content (2.56%). Bearing in mind the major nutrients and biochemical physiognomies of carrot, the findings suggest that poultry manure is not adequate to maximize yield, but it positively impact when applied in combination with mineral fertilizers. The study also discovered that poultry manure had no noteworthy contribution to increasing N, P, K, and S content in soils.