A novel nonsense mutation in NPR2 gene causing Acromesomelic dysplasia, type Maroteaux in a consanguineous family in Southern Punjab (Pakistan)

Saima Mustafa,Zafrin Akhtar,Muhammad Latif,Mubashir Hassan,Muhammad Faisal,Furhan Iqbal 한국유전학회 2020 Genes & Genomics Vol.42 No.8

Background Acromesomelic dysplasia, type Maroteaux (AMDM) is a rare skeletal dysplasia following autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and characterized by abnormal growth plates, short and abnormal bones in the extremities and spine. Objective Present study was designed to report the molecular basis of AMDM in enrolled consanguineous family from Pakistan. Methods A consanguineous family from Vehari District in Pakistan having multiple siblings suffering from AMDM was enrolled in present study. Whole exome sequencing (WES) approach was adopted to identify causative agent of AMDM. Human full length NPR2 gene and sequence with nonsense mutation was amplified by using Myc-tagged pXN vector and transformed in E. coli DH5α cells to confirm mutation. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting were done to confirm the production of truncated protein. Computational three dimensional structure generation through homology modeling approach was done to compare protein structure between patients and controls. Results WES reveled a nonsense mutation (c.613 C>T, p.R205X) in exon 1 of NPR2 gene leading to premature termination codon in mRNA of NPR2 gene resulting in a truncated protein with 204 amino acid residues that was confirmed by SDSPAGE and Western blotting. Sanger sequencing confirmed that mutation in all subjects and mutation followed Mendalian pattern of inheritance. Multiple sequence alignment by ClustalW revealed that mutated domain of NPR2 is conserved region. Proetin structure comparison revealed a significant structural part of NPR2 was missing in truncated protein as compared to control. Conclusion We are reporting that a novel nonsense mutation (c.613 C>T, p.R205X) in exon 1 of NPR2 gene is causing AMDM in a consanguineous Pakistani family.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors of Overweight and Obesity among Pakistani Adults

Muhammad Asif,Muhammad Aslam,Saima Altaf,Saima Atif,Abdul Majid 대한비만학회 2020 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.29 No.1

Background: Obesity is a serious public health problem that is growing alarmingly worldwide. The main objective of this study is to examine the current prevalence of overweight and obesity among Pakistani adults and to identify the sociodemographic factors that are associated with overweight and obesity. Methods: Secondary data from a population-based household survey (the Pakistan Panel Household Survey) were used for this study. A total of 10,063 participants (3,916 men and 6,147 women) were included. Overweight and obese individuals were identified using the World Health Organization-recommended cutoffs for body mass index (kg/m2). Along with descriptive statistics, the Pearson chi-square test was used to investigate the association among categorical variables. Odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using univariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the most significantly associated risk factors for overweight/obesity. Results: The mean age and body mass index of the participants were 38.2 years and 22.9 kg/m2, respectively. Overall, 22.8% of the participants (23.9% of the women and 21.1% of the men) were overweight, and 5.1% (6.3% of the women and 3.2% of the men) were obese. Sociodemographic factors, such as sex, marital status, and residential area, were significantly associated with body mass index categories. Women (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23–1.47; P<0.01), ever-married individuals (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.70–2.16; P<0.01), and individuals living in urban areas (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.12–1.35; P<0.01) were more likely to become overweight/obese than their counterparts. Conclusion: We have found the excess weight problem to be quite high in the Pakistani adult population. The government and other health agencies should take initiatives in launching programs about nutritional awareness for adults to prevent obesity.

Antibacterial activity of flower of Melia azedarach Linn. and identification of its metabolites

Muhammad, Munira Taj,Lubna, Lubna,Fayyaz, Nida,Tauseef, Saima,Razaq, Ummarah,Versiani, Muhammad Ali,Ahmad, Aqeel,Faizi, Shaheen,Rasheed, Munawwer The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistr 2015 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.58 No.2

Constituents of eight different extracts and fractions, obtained from flowers of Melia azedarach, were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and mass spectral library search. Altogether, 38 phytochemicals were identified, all for the first time from the flowers. Only 14 of these were known from parts of M. azedarach other than flowers, while 24 are reported for the first time from any part of the plant. These metabolites included branched and n-hydrocarbons, aromatics, a polyisoprenoid, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, and fatty alcohols, which were found to be different from its essential oil constituents. One major constituent 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4) was not only identified but also isolated as a pure compound from ethyl acetate extract. Extracts, compound 4 and its derivatives gallic acid and methyl gallate were tested for antimicrobial potential. Gallic acid and methyl gallate exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Methyl gallate also showed some activity against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium. hofmannii. Among the extracts, only methanol extract exhibited activity against Pseudomonas sp. The extracts only inhibited the growth of dermatophytic fungi.

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-TiO2-based polyurethane bionanocomposites

Muhammad Fiayaz,Khalid Mahmood Zia,Muhammad Asif Javaid,Saima Rehman,Shahzad Ali Shahid Chatha,Mohammad Zuber 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.12

A novel green series of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) based polyurethane (PUs) prepolymersblended with TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by reaction of Isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). The chain was further extended with 1,4-butanediol (BDO) to get final HEC based polyurethane bio nanocomposites (FPUNC). A mixture of HEC based polymer and TiO2 nanoparticles was formed in solution polymerization, in which the TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed depending on interaction of TiO2 nanoparticles with polymer chains. The molecular structure of the synthesized PU bionanocomposites was confirmed by FTIR. A series of FPUNCs was prepared by varying the percent composition of the TiO2 nanoparticles into the PU matrix. The morphology of the bionanocomposites was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images verified the good dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles into PU matrix. The thermal stability of the synthesized FPUNCs was done by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and the FPUNC12 with 5% contents of TiO2 nanoparticles showed better thermal stability. The resultant HEC-TiO2 based FPUNCs material have promising bio-degradable and bio functional materials with good thermal properties and have potential applications in the field of biomaterials.

Bending behavior of microfilaments in living cell with nonlocal effects

Muhammad Safeer,Muhammad Taj,Mohamed A. Khadimallah,Muzamal Hussain,Saima Akram,Faisal Mehmood Butt,Abdelouahed Tounsi Techno-Press 2023 Advances in nano research Vol.15 No.1

Dynamics of protein filamentous has been an active area of research since the last few decades as the role of cytoskeletal components, microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments is very important in cell functions. During cell functions, these components undergo the deformations like bending, buckling and vibrations. In the present paper, bending and buckling of microfilaments are studied by using Euler Bernoulli beam theory with nonlocal parametric effects in conjunction. The obtained results show that the nonlocal parametric effects are not ignorable and the applications of nonlocal parameters well agree with the experimental verifications.

Mid-upper-arm circumference as a screening measure for identifying children with elevated body mass index: a study for Pakistan

Muhammad Asif,Muhammad Aslam,Saima Altaf 대한소아청소년과학회 2018 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.61 No.1

Purpose: Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) is considered an alternative screening method for obesity. The aims of this investigation were to examine the ability of MUAC to correctly identify children with elevated body mass index (BMI) and to determine the best MUAC cutoff point for identification of children with high BMI. Methods: Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and MUAC) from a cross-sectional sample of 7,921 Pakistani children aged 5–14 years were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients between MUAC and other anthropometric measurements were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal MUAC cutoff point for identifying children with high BMI. Results: Among 7,921 children, the mean (±standard deviation) age, BMI, and MUAC were 10.00 (±2.86 years), 16.16 (±2.66 kg/m2), and 17.73 (±2.59 cm), respectively. The MUAC had a strong positive correlation with BMI. The optimal MUAC cutoff points indicating elevated BMI in boys ranged from 16.76 to 22.73, while the corresponding values in girls ranged from 16.38 to 20.57. Conclusion: MUAC may be used as a simple indicator of overweight/obesity in children, with reasonable accuracy in clinical settings.

Adsorption and thermodynamic mechanisms of manganese removal from aqueous media by biowaste-derived biochars

Idrees, Muhammad,Batool, Saima,Ullah, Hidayat,Hussain, Qaiser,Al-Wabel, Mohammad I.,Ahmad, Mahtab,Hussain, Amjad,Riaz, Muhammad,Ok, Yong Sik,Kong, Jie Elsevier 2018 Journal of molecular liquids Vol.266 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>In the present investigation, poultry manure and farmyard manure-derived biochars were applied as cost-effective adsorbents for manganese (Mn) removal from aqueous media. Effects of functional parameters such as solution pH, contact time, temperature and concentration on the Mn removal efficiency of biochars were evaluated. Poultry manure-derived biochar exhibited greater adsorption efficiency than farmyard manure-derived biochar due to its porosity and surface functionality. The maximum adsorption was achieved at pH 6, temperature 298 K and contact time of 3 h. The adsorption isotherm data was well fitted to the Freundlich model indicating multilayer adsorption onto heterogeneous surfaces of the biochars. Thermodynamics calculations affirmed that Mn adsorption onto biochars was spontaneous and exothermic process governed by hydrogen bonding type of electrostatic interaction. Post-adsorption spectroscopic analysis of Mn-loaded biochars evidenced the binding of Mn with active surface functionalities of biochars.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Biochar, a by-product of pyrolysis, was prepared as a low cost adsorbent precursor. </LI> <LI> Effect of derived biochars on Manganese removal efficiency was investigated. </LI> <LI> FBC and PBC characteristics were analyzed. </LI> <LI> Langmuir and Freundlich models were used for equilibrium modeling. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

First ever successful potato nucleus seed production through aeroponic technology in Pakistan; a step forward for the Self Sufficiency of Virus Free Potato Seed Multiplication

Aish Muhammad,Cho Gyoungrae,Iqbal Hussain,Kazim Ali,Muhammad Zeeshan,Saima Noor,Hina Hafeez,Shahid Hameed,Shahid Hameed,Cha Jaebeom,Waqas Ahmed Dogar 한국국제농업개발학회 2022 한국국제농업개발학회 학술대회 Vol.2022 No.09

Potato is an important cash crop of Pakistan and widely cultivated in plains and mountains of Punjab. Khyber Pakhtun Khawa Gilgit Baltistan, on an area of 0.313 million hectares in summer, autumn and spring with an annual production of 07.9 million tons. In Pakistan potato yield is 25.2 tons per hectare, which is although above the world average but comparatively low as compare to the potential and other advance potato growing countries because of several reasons. Availability of healthy seeds and advance production technology are the major constraints to achieve the higher potato production goals. It is very alarming that in spite of good position in potato growing countries, we are unable to produce good quality seed. In Pakistan >01% quality seed is available against the seed demand around 0.5-0.7 million tons per annum and mostly depend upon the imported seed 15000-20000 tons per annum. Tissue culture industry has been a proven global technology in potato seed production, so it is dire need of the growing population and climatic change to adopt these modern technologies of potato production for sustainable and higher production and income to contribute potato growing farmers of Pakistan. It is possible with the commercial use of tissue culture and allied techniques as aeroponic potato seed production along with good management and plant protection measures to provide indigenous high vigor and high yield potential potato seed. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council has established Aeroponic Potato Seed Production facility at National Agricultural Research Center with the collaboration of Korean Govt RDA-KOPIA Pakistan. The Aeroponics is a modern technology for growing plants by providing a nutrient solution in the air without soil. Plants grow rapidly in the growth chamber under the aseptic environment, balanced nutrition and sufficient oxygen availability that improves potatoes production in the aeroponic system. This can produce 10 times more yield than conventional production systems. Aeroponics techniques are credited for making potato yield more efficient, and can reduce the number of steps in the potato seed multiplication. Through tissue culture and aeroponics facilities development in Pakistan, first ever more than 200,000 nucleus mini harvested at NARC from the autumn 2021 and spring 2022 planation at KOPIA screen houses. Further seed multiplication from the harvest is under progress at up hills and more than 500,000 tubers (G1) are expected to be harvested during October-November 2022. It is very encouraging, impressive and successful venture of KOPIA at Pakistan for the potato seed production and self-sufficiency to insure food security in the country.

Mid-upper-arm circumference as a screening measure for identifying children with elevated body mass index: a study for Pakistan

Asif, Muhammad,Aslam, Muhammad,Altaf, Saima The Korean Pediatric Society 2018 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.61 No.1

Purpose: Mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC) is considered an alternative screening method for obesity. The aims of this investigation were to examine the ability of MUAC to correctly identify children with elevated body mass index (BMI) and to determine the best MUAC cutoff point for identification of children with high BMI. Methods: Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and MUAC) from a cross-sectional sample of 7,921 Pakistani children aged 5-14 years were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients between MUAC and other anthropometric measurements were calculated. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal MUAC cutoff point for identifying children with high BMI. Results: Among 7,921 children, the mean (${\pm}$standard deviation) age, BMI, and MUAC were 10.00 (${\pm}2.86years$), 16.16 (${\pm}2.66kg/m^2$), and 17.73 (${\pm}2.59cm$), respectively. The MUAC had a strong positive correlation with BMI. The optimal MUAC cutoff points indicating elevated BMI in boys ranged from 16.76 to 22.73, while the corresponding values in girls ranged from 16.38 to 20.57. Conclusion: MUAC may be used as a simple indicator of overweight/obesity in children, with reasonable accuracy in clinical settings.

Antibacterial activity of flower of Melia azedarach Linn. and identification of its metabolites

Munira Taj Muhammad,Lubna,Nida Fayyaz,Saima Tauseef,Ummarah Razaq,Muhammad Ali Versiani,Aqeel Ahmad,Shaheen Faizi,Munawwer Rasheed 한국응용생명화학회 2015 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.58 No.2

Constituents of eight different extracts and fractions, obtained from flowers of Melia azedarach, were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and mass spectral library search. Altogether, 38 phytochemicals were identified, all for the first time from the flowers. Only 14 of these were known from parts of M. azedarach other than flowers, while 24 are reported for the first time from any part of the plant. These metabolites included branched and n-hydrocarbons, aromatics, a polyisoprenoid, fatty acids, fatty acid methyl esters, and fatty alcohols, which were found to be different from its essential oil constituents. One major constituent 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4) was not only identified but also isolated as a pure compound from ethyl acetate extract. Extracts, compound 4 and its derivatives gallic acid and methyl gallate were tested for antimicrobial potential. Gallic acid and methyl gallate exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Methyl gallate also showed some activity against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium. hofmannii. Among the extracts, only methanol extract exhibited activity against Pseudomonas sp. The extracts only inhibited the growth of dermatophytic fungi.