National Journal of Biological Sciences (NJBS)

Authors:   Rameez Raja Kaleri ^[1], Hubdar Ali Kaleri ^[2], Ghulam Mustafa Solangi ^[3], Raza Ali Mangi ^[4], Habibullah Janyaro ^[5], Farooque Ahmed Khushk ^[6], Imran Ahmed ^[7], Depeesh Kumar Bhuptani ^[8], Zafar Ali Khoso ^[9], Shoab Ikhlaque ^[10], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/1

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of indigenous chickens in Tando Allahyar raised by rural communities. The study involved 50 villagers from 470 households with more than 10 indigenous chickens. The findings showed that 72% of cockerels reached maturity between 4-6 months and 24% between 7-8 months. Female chickens matured at 6–8 months (44%), 8-9 months (40%), and 9-11 months (10%). Male chickens had significantly higher live body weight during maturity and adulthood compared to female chickens. Egg production from indigenous chickens in freerange scavenging systems was low, ranging from 55 to 65 eggs per year, but improved to 80 to 95 eggs per year in backyard scavenging systems. Male chickens had significantly higher live body weight during maturity and adulthood compared to female chickens. The study identified four periods of broodiness per year, averaging 13-15 days and increasing to 30 days in some instances. The average incubation period was 11-14 days (80%) and 15-18 days (20%), with a hatchability rate of 78-82%. Regarding the characteristics of backyard poultry birds in Tando Allahyar, 30% had yellow skin color, while 70% had white skin. Plumage color distribution was 40% black, 45% barred, and 15% white. Most chickens laid brown eggs with an average weight of 47.01±0.43 grams and a high quality of 61 Haugh units. Mortality percentages, mainly due to ND+IB and predators, were observed at 45%, although this was reduced in backyard scavenging systems with minimal health care management. The study concluded that enhancing backyard chicken production can be achieved through improved management practices, including proper vaccination and treatment provisions

Authors:   Kamran Khan ^[1], Abdul Basit ^[2], Alia Gul ^[3], Tayyiba Ali ^[4], Azhar Abbas ^[5], Sidra Sattar ^[6], Syed Jawad Ali Shah ^[7], Attaullah ^[8], Abdul Majid ^[9], Muhammad Sabir ^[10], Noshin Shafqat ^[11], Nadia Jabeen ^[12], Asma ^[13], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/2

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus is endemic throughout the world, with approximately 170–200 million unhygienic cases of which Pakistan contributes 17 million cases. HCV is known as the primary origin of liver disorders (Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma). HCV is responsible for causing something like 27% of cirrhosis and 25% of hepatocellular carcinoma cases throughout the world. Every year about 350,000 cases faces to death because of HCV. This revision was performed in common residents of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 793 patently cases were examined containing 481 males and 312 females under the age of 1–75 years which are classified in to 5 groups. These cases were examined for HCV by ICT (Immuno chromatographic) technique and further conformed was done by PCR technique. Out of total 793 samples, 418 (52.71%) cases are with 245 (50.93%) males and 173 (55.44%) females were PCR positive. The maximum Hepatitis C infection was recognized in agegroup of 1-15 and minimum infection was recognized in age-group of 31-45. Second largest HCV infection was demonstrated in 61-75 and 46-60, sensible infection was determined in 16-30 of age-group. Shortage of suitable blood test infrastructure in district Bannu and lack of awareness regarding to the potential routes factors of HCV are giving a grand contract in the direction of broaden of disease between the societies. Appropriate sterilization and test practice should be made to avoid a far superior risk of further Hepatitis C infection in upcoming era.

Authors:   Rida Zainab ^[1], Ayesha Asghar ^[2], Shahid Naseer ^[3], Munir Ahmad ^[4], Sabtain Abbas ^[5], Iqra Zahid ^[6], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/3

Abstract

Discharge of bisphenol A (BPA) and other phenolic compounds by the industries in to water bodies has adverse effects on wildlife and human health. It is necessary to treat this wastewater before draining. The present work is evaluated the cheap and environmental technique for the removal of BPA by different adsorbents. Recent studies have been reported that the ability of Peanut husk (PH) as an adsorbent to eliminate BPA from the surface water. Study of different experimental conditions like pH (6 for native and 7 for its composites), contact time, temperature, adsorbent dose 0.05 g and initial BPA concentration (25 ppm) have been done. The pseudo second-order kinetics equations fit in the adsorption data of BPA. The Thermodynamic parameters including ΔS (entropy changes), ∆H (enthalpy change), and ΔG (Gibbs free energy change) were studied to determine the spontaneity of adsorption. The nature of adsorption is exothermic for the adsorption of BPA onto peanut husk and its composites. Adsorption data has also been analyzed by regression model.

Authors:   Mazhar Attique ^[1], Sajid Ali ^[2], Hamid Ali ^[3], Umar Saeed ^[4], Raja Sheraz Rafique ^[5], Irfan Ullah ^[6], Muhammad Haris ^[7], Israr Ahmed ^[8], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/4

Abstract

Rice, a staple food for over half of the world's population, is a critical crop that requires ongoing improvement in disease resistance, crop duration, and yield to ensure food security and sustainability. Field variability plays a crucial role in determining the success of rice breeding programs, especially in relation to these factors. This study, conducted at ARS Baffa Mansehra, evaluated 20 rice breeding lines, developed by National Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), including the local check (Fakhre Malakand), for diversity in disease infestation, crop duration, and yield parameters. Data were collected on rice blast incidence and severity, days to panicle emergence, anthesis, grain filling, maturity, plant height, grain weight, and grain yield. The highest rice blast incidence was recorded for NARC-8 (66.7%), followed by NARC-4 (50.0%), with the lowest incidence in Fakhre Malakand (0%) and breeding lines NARC-12 and NARC-1 (14.3%). Rice blast severity increased from 28.9 to 36.4 on average. Panicle emergence days ranged from 83 (NARC-3 and NARC-6) to 119 (NARC-18). Plant height varied, with NARC-17 being the tallest (87 cm) and NARC-14 and NARC-15 the shortest (64 cm). The maximum thousand-grain weight was observed in NARC-6, NARC-10, and NARC-11 (34 g), while NARC-19 had the lowest (27 g). NARC-12 had the highest grain yield (193 g), followed by NARC-13 (182 g) and NARC14 (162 g), with the lowest yields in NARC10 (107 g), NARC-17, and NARC-6 (112 g). The overall variability observed among the advanced breeding lines of rice could be used for subsequent genetic improvement of rice, with particular emphasis on Hazara Division.

Authors:   Sumbal Nazir ^[1], Nimra Wakeel Manj ^[2], Adila Arooj ^[3], Irum Naureen ^[4], Mahwish Najeeb ^[5], Ahsan-ul-Haq ^[6], Abad Ali Nadeem ^[7], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/5

Abstract

Vegetables are a wonderful source of proteins, nutrients, dietary fibers, carbohydrates, and vitamins. They can help with digestive system inflammation, and maintained of blood pressure, skin glowing, and eye protection. Vegetables are full of cancer-fighting antioxidants and nutrients. They are abundant in phytochemicals and antioxidants, which may help the immune system in reducing chronic inflammation. In the present study, five different type of vegetables were taken as samples i.e., Potato, green chili, carrot, ladyfinger and Tomato were collected from main market of Narowal. Five samples of each vegetable product was collected. Ten grams of each vegetable sample was weighed and then homogenized in 90ml saline solution. Serial dilutions of samples were made up to 10-5 with sterile normal saline Gram positive and gramnegative bacteria were isolated by the using gram staining procedure. Bacterial identification was taken place by using different biochemical tests. Antibiotic resistance was checked by disk diffusion method on Muller-Hinton agar medium by using antibiotic disks. Different types of bacteria were identified in collected samples, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Coagulase negative staphylococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcesscens. The gram-negative bacteria were Klebsiellaa and Escherichia coli while gram-positive in nature were Serratia marcesscens, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, epridermidis, Coagulase negative staphylococcus. In this study, all samples of vegetables were contaminated with bacteria. The highest microbial load (9.0 X 105CFU/ml) was shown in tomato while the lowest microbial load (1.0 X 106 CFU/ml) was shown in Carrot. Ladyfinger showed the lowest significance in the viable bacterial count and green chili showed a highly significant viable bacterial count. Applied different types of disks and checked the resistivity and sustainability of isolated organi

Authors:   Abdul Basit ^[1], Kamran Khan ^[2], Alia Gul ^[3], Noshin Shafqat ^[4], Nadia Jabeen ^[5], Nazia Shaheen ^[6], Asma ^[7], Attaullah ^[8], Abdul Majid ^[9], Muhammad Sabir ^[10], Tayyiba Ali ^[11], Sidra Sattar ^[12], Syed Jawad Ali Shah ^[13], Abdul Basit ^[14], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/6

Abstract

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections in colorectal cancer patients are a significant concern due to their potential exacerbation of existing gastrointestinal abnormalities. Excessive antibiotic use heightens the risk of C. difficile infections, particularly in cancer patients. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of C. difficile and its toxins in colorectal cancer patients undergoing antibiotic therapy and chemotherapy. A total of 50 patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea and receiving chemotherapy were enrolled. Samples were analyzed using the immuno-chromatography test (ICT) and quantitative PCR. Additionally, the Cepheid Gene Xpert kit was employed to detect binary toxins A and B. Results revealed that 6 out of 50 patients (12%) tested positive for C. difficile and its toxins via ICT, while only 3 patients (6%) were positive through PCR. Moreover, 2 patients (4%) were found to be positive for toxin B using the Gene Xpert technique. The study's findings suggest that the prevalent C. difficile strains in this population are not highly virulent. This observation may be attributed to the early sampling strategy, conducted within the first week of initiating antibiotic therapy, possibly before the development of virulent strains. A limitation of the study was the short duration of hospital stays for most patients, necessitating early sampling. These findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions to mitigate C. difficile infections in colorectal cancer patients undergoing antibiotic treatment and chemotherapy.

Authors:   Arshad Ali Kaleri ^[1], Jay Kumar Sootaher ^[2], Asif Ali Kaleri ^[3], Naveed Yaseen Sial ^[4], Rafia Sahar ^[5], Rida Khanzada ^[6], Danish Manzoor ^[7], Salman Adil ^[8], Zaheer Ud Din ^[9], Waqar Ahmad ^[10], Awais ^[11], Zain Ali Soomro ^[12], Ghulam Mujtaba Soomro ^[13], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/7

Abstract

Rice exhibits sensitivity to salinity, with varying degrees among different varieties, therefore to improve rice productivity under such conditions, it's necessary to select salttolerant genotypes (both parents and hybrids). The purpose of this examination was to explore the interrelationships among 15 vigorous F1 hybrids. The study entailed an assessment of the attributes of the six parent plants and their performance concerning yield and other relevant traits. This evaluation was predicated on the physio-morphological characteristics observed during the Kharif season of 2021. The findings demonstrated significant genotype variations (P ≤ 0.01) across all the traits examined. Fifteen F1 hybrids and their parental plants underwent assessment for various morpho-physiological traits across distinct salt treatments. In a hydroponic environment, Treatment 1 (control), Treatment 2 (6 dS m1 ), and Treatment 3 (8 dS m1 ) of sodium chloride were administered. The findings showed a strong and positive relationship between the number of productive tillers per plant, plant height, harvest index, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, leaf area, and grain production per plant when it comes to genetic features. Grain yield is a complicated attribute that depends on a number of other yield-related factors. According to our research, there is a strong positive association between harvest index, 1000 grain weight, potassium content, chlorophyll content, and other features and grain production per plant. On the other hand, there is an inverse relationship with sodium content. Therefore, giving priority to these particular features will help identify the best-performing F1 hybrids that produce more seeds per plant.

Authors:   Abad Ali Nadeem ^[1], Amir Hussain ^[2], Munim Shaukat ^[3], Sumbal Nazir ^[4], Tallat Anwar Faridi ^[5], Mahnoor Zahid ^[6], Mahwish Najeeb ^[7], DOI: https://doi.org/10.37605/njbs.v5i1/8

Abstract

Industrial fermentation is a commercial process involving the use of microbes to produce various goods with significant economic importance. The downstream processing of these products involves separating required metabolites and products from the fermentation broth and purifying them to the required level. Product recovery can cost 30-60% of the entire production cost. Factors such as product placement, chemical and physical characteristics of the culture broth, impurities, metabolite concentration, intentional application, required purity, consumer expectations, and finished product cost influence recovery method development. The article explores the potential of a bio-based economy, focusing on the efficient use of biomass in agriculture to create end goods like medicines and active pharmaceutical components. It discusses sustainable bioenergy production methods, bio-based goods, and biofuels, aiming to meet local needs and provide opportunities for larger markets. The study also discusses biotechnological alternatives, innovative fermentation methods, cultivation conditions improvement, enzyme synthesis, and metabolite extraction and purification procedures. It also discusses recent developments in downstream processing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and their fundamental and biotechnological features.