• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.323-328
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• 1998

The liver extract of chicks, Gallus domesticus, suffering from hydropericardium syndrome (HPS) was inoculated intraperitoneally into healthy chicks to produce HPS. After inoculation the blood serum and the pericardial fluid of the newly infected chicks were analyzed, at regular intervals for a total period of 72 hours for concentration of proteins, $K^+$ ions, $Na^+$ ions and the LDH activity. The protein content was significantly decreased both in the blood serum (30%) and the pericardial fluid (39%) within 24 hours of inoculation, which was then maintained during the subsequent period. The $K^+$ ions and the LDH activity, on the other hand, were significantly increased in the blood serum (26% and 169%, respectively) as well as the pericardial fluid (131% and 217%, respectively) within 24 hours of inoculation. After 72 hours this increase was, respectively, 43% and 191% in blood serum, and 153% and 200% in the pericardial fluid. Accumulation of $K^+$ ions, and decrease of protein and $Na^+$ ions in the pericardial fluid indicate homoestatic imbalance, which may prove fatal. The increased LDH activity is indicative of heptocytic damage.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1002-1008
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• 2007

PreS domain of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen is a good candidate for an effective vaccine as it activates both B and T cells besides binding to hepatocytes. This report deals with overexpression and purification of adr subtype of surface antigen that is more prevalent in Pakistan. PreS region, comprising 119 aa preS1 region plus a 55 aa preS2 region plus 11 aa from the N-terminal S region, was inserted in pET21a+ vector, cloned in E. coli $DH5\alpha$ cells and expressed in E. coli BL21 codon+ cells. The conditions for over expression were optimized using different concentrations of IPTG (0.01-5 mM), and incubating the cells at different temperatures (23-$41^{\circ}C$) for different durations (0-6 h). The cells were grown under the given optimized conditions (0.5 mM IPTG concentration at $37^{\circ}C$ for 4 h), lysed by sonication and the protein was purified by ion exchange chromatography. On the average, 24.5 mg of recombinant protein was purified per liter of culture. The purified protein was later lyophilized and stored at $-80^{\circ}C$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.509-515
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• 2002

Copper deficiency was induced in eight male buffalo calves by adding molybdenum (30 ppm wet basis) to their diet. Copper status was monitored from the liver copper concentration and a level below 30 ppm (DM basis) was considered as deficient. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, total and differential leucocyte numbers were determined. The functions of peripheral neutrophils were assessed by in vitro phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus. The effect of molybdenum induced copper deficiency on bone marrow was monitored. The mean total leucocyte count was unaffected whereas a significant fall in neutrophil count coincided with the fall in hepatic copper level to $23.9{\pm}2.69$ ppm. Reduced blood neutrophil numbers was not accompanied by any change in the proportion of different neutrophil precursor cells in bone marrow. It was hypothesised that buffalo calves were more tolerant to dietary molybdenum excess than cattle. It was concluded that neutropenia in molybdenum induced copper deficiency occurred without any effect on their synthesis and maturation process. Bone marrow studies in healthy calves revealed higher percentage of neutrophilic myelocytes and metamyelocytes as compared to cattle.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3035-3041
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• 2016

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of women worldwide. In the past it was considered as disease of older middle aged women, but the incidence of BC in young females is growing in recent years concordant with studies in Pakistan. In this paper, we reviewed the mutant functions of tumor suppressor genes (BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, ATM and PTEN), epigenetic transformation and involvement of estrogen receptors in development of breast cancer. We further reviewed the current situation of BC in Pakistan that depicts a higher incidence in young females. According to SKMCH and RC data, age group 45-49 years is more prone to BC with high rate of incidence 45.42%. A few studies explored the high expression of ER, PR and HER-2/neu in Pakistani females. Moreover, presence of BRCA1 (c.1961dupA) mutation in Pakistani shows concordance with data in different areas of world. But we are unable to find an authentic study that can explore epigenetic based transformation of breast tumors in Pakistan. This area of research needs more attention to explore the complete picture of BC in Pakistan.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.190-194
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• 2006

Silajit is a blackish brown pitch-like gummy substance. It is an important Unani and Ayurvedic medicine widely used in the treatment of many diseases and as nutritional supplement It is found in certain mountainous regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Australia and Russia. Silajit samples of Pakistani origin were obtained from different sources and analyzed for their physical characteristics and biochemical & elemental composition. X-ray diffraction studies on Silajit showed that it is an amorphous substance and has no crystalline structure. Also, pH studies of Silajit (2 g/L of water) indicated that it was slightly acidic in nature and ranged from 3.45 to 7.23. Conductivity ranged from 157.7 to 330. Amino acid analysis revealed that Silajit contained lysine and alanine in higher amounts than all other amino acids and ranged from 1456 to 2240 and 68 to $1615{\eta}mole/g$, respectively. Mean concentration of arsenic, mercury, cadmium, lead, copper and zinc was 73.15, 104.92, 0.496, 3.89, 4.04 and 17.23 ppm, respectively. Silajit samples were also analyzed for calcium, potassium and sodium.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.1678-1682
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• 2001

The total proteins were estimated in both deoxycholate (DOC)-extract of sperm membrane and seminal plasma of chilled as well as frozen semen obtained from five Murrah buffalo bulls. Proteins were further characterized by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) in three bulls. The protein content of sperm membrane extract (SME) and that of seminal plasma (SP) decreased gradually with increase in freezing period from 6 to 24 mo when compared with the values observed in freshly chilled semen in all bulls. The total decrease in protein content of SME and SP varied from 30-40% and 28-59% respectively during 6-24 mo of freezing. The number of glycoproteins/proteins (GP/P) in SME varied from 4-8 in freshly-chilled semen of all bulls and reduced to 2-4 after 24 mo of freezing. In SP, the number of proteins varied from 6-10 in freshly chilled semen of all bulls and reduced to 3-8 after 24 mo of freezing. Some of the proteins in SME and SP disappeared, others got altered and appeared with change in molecular weight after different freezing times. These studies reveal that alterations in the sperm membrane proteins may be responsible for damage to their membrane during freezing and thus lowering their fertilizability.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.411-422
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• 2021

Technological adaption and innovative activities foster small and medium enterprises (SMEs) growth, especially women-owned SMEs in Pakistan, However, the impact of technological adaption and innovative activities on SMEs growth in the context of Pakistan has been examined by very researchers. This study aims to identify the effect of technology and open innovation policies on the growth of women-owned SMEs and the present trends and management challenges for successful full implementation of open innovation. The study considered a sample of 693 women enterprises located in different cities in Pakistan. Open innovation is measured through eight innovative practices, reflecting the exploration and exploitation of technology in SMEs. Study findings revealed that women enterprises were involved in several open innovation policies during the last five years. Moreover, the study indicated no significant differences between manufacturing and service SMEs regarding open innovation practices; however, women enterprises are more impressively engaged in open innovation practices. Findings also reveal that women-owned SMEs follow open innovation, mainly for market-related intentions, to compete with competitors and meet customers' demands. Thus, it is suggested that government policy relating to thriving SMEs owned by women should be innovation-oriented. The study contributes to the theoretical and practical implications. Further, the study is helpful for SMEs, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.139-154
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• 2021

This study's impetus is to explore fresh evidence to answer the question, i.e., whether remittances asymmetrically influence financial development in Bangladesh from 1975 to 2019. The study employs several tests, i.e., nonlinear unit root test, Autoregressive Distributed Lagged (ARDL), NARDL, and asymmetric causality test for establishing the pattern of association. Nonlinear unit root tests confirm that variables follow a nonlinear system of being stationary after the first difference. nonlinearity among variables is investigated by performing the BDS test and nonlinear OLS. Directional causality is investigated through both linear and nonlinear effects of remittance inflows by following the non-granger casualty test. The test statistics of Fpass and tBDM showed the Long-run cointegration in the empirical model and positive effect running from remittances inflow to financial development both in the long-run and short-run. Furthermore, the results of a standard Wald test divulge the presence of long-run and short-run asymmetry. Asymmetry causality test established unidirectional causality due to positive and negative shocks in remittances inflows to Bank-based financial development and feedback hypothesis hold for explaining causality between positive and negative shocks in remittance inflows and Stock-based financial development.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.23-36
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• 2021

The study explores the nexus between foreign direct investment (FDI), financial innovation, and exchange rate volatility in selected South Asian countries for 1980 to 2017. The study applies the unit root test, Autoregressive Distributed Lagged, nonlinear ARDL, and causality test following Toda-Yamamoto. Unit root tests ascertain that variables are integrated in a mixed order; few variables are stationary at a level and few after the first difference. Empirical model estimation with ARDL, Long-run cointegration revealed with the tests of FPSS, WPSS, and tBDM by rejecting the null hypothesis of "no cointegration." This finding suggests that, in the long-run financial innovation, FDI inflows, and exchange rate volatility move together. Moreover, study findings established adverse effects running from FDI inflows and financial innovation to exchange rate volatility in the long run. These findings suggest that continual FDI inflows and innovativeness in the financial system assist in lessening the volatility in the foreign exchange market. Furthermore, nonlinear ARDL confirms the presence of asymmetric cointegration in the model. The standard Wald test established asymmetric effects running from FDI inflows and financial innovation to exchange rate volatility, both in the long and short run. Directional causality unveils feedback hypothesis holds for explaining causality between FDI, financial innovation, and exchange rate volatility.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.389-399
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• 2022

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are one of the basic building blocks of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. However, the wireless sensing nodes in WSNs suffer from energy constraint issues because the replacement/recharging of the batteries of the nodes tends to be difficult. Furthermore, a number of realistic IoT scenarios, such as habitat and battlefield monitoring, contain mobile sensing elements, which makes the energy issues more critical. This research paper focuses on realistic WSN scenarios that involve mobile sensing elements with the aim of mitigating the attendant energy constraint issues using the concept of radio-frequency (RF) energy extraction. The proposed technique incorporates a cluster head election workflow for WSNs that includes mobile sensing elements capable of RF energy harvesting. The extensive simulation analysis demonstrated the higher efficacy of the proposed technique compared with the existing techniques in terms of residual energy, number of functional nodes, and network lifetime, with approximately 50% of the nodes found to be functional at the 4000th, 5000th, and 6000th rounds for the proposed technique with initial energies of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 J, respectively.