2024-03-28T23:03:41Z
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/oai
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/1548
2023-01-21T22:12:11Z
ALS:C%26C
Towards Building Blue Life Science Economy
Shahzad, Prof. Dr. Sajid Mehmood
The overexploitation and lack of land resources have compelled marine governments to rely on the oceans for economic prosperity. The term for this notion is "the blue economy." As a case study, the subject research focuses on the significance of changing from a green economy to a blue economy while stressing Pakistan's blue economy's potential and problems. Pakistan has failed to maximize the use of its abundant resources. Due to several obstacles confronted by Pakistan, the blue economy's resources are not being harnessed, as indicated by the data gathered throughout this topic study. This is a fallacy; in reality, these obstacles are already being overcome. The underlying reason these resources are not being utilized is a lack of will at all levels. Lack of nautical expertise and the capacity to see the sea, or "sea blindness," is seen to be the biggest obstacle to the development of Pakistan's marine industry. Islamic nations must agree on a plan to move from the Green Economy to the Blue Economy so that musharka, ijar, and sukuk can be used to meet future needs. Keywords: Pakistan; Blue economy
The RunningLine
2023-01-21
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Unpeer-reviewed corresoondence, Invited Commentary
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/1548
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 9, No 4 (2022): Advancements in Life Sciences; 458-461
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/1548/844
Copyright (c) 2022 Advancements in Life Sciences
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/336
2016-11-25T00:02:34Z
ALS:C%26C
Re-engineering of RuBisCO for the purpose of producing algal biofuels may be a lost cause
Alexandrov, Svetoslav Dimitrov
Biotechnology; Biochemistry
Proponents of algal biofuels hope that photosynthesis could be improved, which would make them economically feasible. One of the means to do that would be by engineering and making the slow enzyme RuBisCO more efficient. In this commentary article I discuss the possibility it could be a lost cause, because the proper place of the enzyme in the evolutionary history is still misunderstood. The interest in algal biofuels was only moderate prior to 2006-2007 [1], after which the publications of research articles on this subject bloomed. One of the articles that facilitated the ignition of the scientific debate was written by Chisti in 2007 [2] and as of 29 August 2016, this article has been cited totally 6276 times, including self-citations (Google Scholar Data). Regardless of the hype, the prospects of biofuel production from microalgal biomass are unrealistic in the near future. Research teams in our department have published two articles on the subject– in 2012 [3], concerning biodiesel, and in 2015 [4], concerning other types of algal fuels: bioethanol, biohydrogen, biogas, hydrocarbons, and direct burning of algal biomass. In both manuscripts the conclusions are clear: mass production of algal biomass and its subsequent treatment to extract valuable components remain difficult and expensive and as such, algae should be best utilized as food and not as fuel.Now I’d like to add more to the discussion of algal biofuels by focusing on only one of the significant obstacles. If we would really like to produce biofuels in a fast and efficient way, a primary goal would be to fixate CO2 as quickly into organic compounds as possible. This leads straight to the point. The enzyme RuBisCO, responsible for the first major step of the carbon fixation, is very slow, being only able to fix 3 CO2 molecules per second. Not only that - the problem with RuBisCO is also tied to its oxygenase ability. Petkov et al [3] have already pointed out that if the algae are not supplied with additional CO2, after the depletion of the naturally available CO2 the enzyme starts using O2 as a substrate due to its oxygenase ability. As a result photorespiration levels are higher, and the quantity of the biomass is low. Regrettably, supplying algae with additional CO2 adds to the cost. Chatterjee & Basu [5] discuss the possibilities of reengineering and improving RuBisCO, as they describe it as “the world's most abundant protein is perhaps the most incompetent enzyme”. The authors claim that familiar tools of the Green Revolution are providing diminishing returns and according to them RuBisCO is a tempting target.There is certain research dedicated to re-engineer the RuBisCO and changing CO2/O2 specificity factor. Unfortunately, results from experiments with cyanobacteria are so far met with mixed success. Durall and Lindbald [6] have written a very detailed review article about engineering approaches in cyanobacteria for increased carbon fixation. Concerning RuBisCO substitutions of certain amino acids may lead to an increase of the specificity factor, but simultaneously to a decrease of CO2 fixation rate. Some experiments lead to a decrease of the specificity factor and there are also some who report both increase of the specificity factor and the CO2 fixation rate. But overall, these researchers say that “it has not been possible to significantly improve the RuBisCO specificity for CO2, the affinity to CO2 and/or the carbon fixation rate”, “the enzyme may already be optimized through evolution”, and “it still remains unclear if a significant improvement of the carboxylation by RuBisCO can be achieved”. Could the enzyme be indeed already optimized? This is a very interesting question that needs to be discussed in-depth. Evolutionary, RuBisCO is described as a relic of a bygone age, it has evolved under conditions different from these of today and it hasn’t changed significantly since then [7]. This could easily make some researchers think that RuBisCO is probably maladapted and non-efficient in its function. But could it be that it is simply misunderstood? This question was asked by Morell et al [8] in 1992, more than two decades ago, but since scientists continue suggesting RuBisCO could be improved, probably it’s still relevant today. Researchers may hope that engineering methods would significantly improve RuBisCO’s performance, however, if it hasn’t already happened before by natural means, is this hope justified? Here it must be reminded that during the later stages of the Earth history, internal CO2 concentration mechanisms appeared, for example, the C4 mechanism in higher plants [9]. It seems that evolutionary forces pushed neither for drastic modifications of the structure of RuBisCO, nor for an alternative catalytic system. Instead, they pushed for supplementary mechanisms that concentrate CO2 and saturate RuBisCO’s catalytic capacity.ConclusionI suggest the engineering efforts should focus on improving these, rather than touching RuBisCO. But so far the goal to create fast growing algae which are independent of additionally supplied CO2 remains unmet and I still think that the future of obtaining biofuels from algal biomass remains bleak.
The RunningLine
2016-11-25
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/336
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 4, No 1 (2016): Advancements in Life Sciences; 01-02
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/336/135
Copyright (c) 2016 Advancements in Life Sciences
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/504
2017-08-25T01:03:45Z
ALS:C%26C
Glyphosate: cancerous or not? Perspectives from both ends of the debate
Aamna Hassan, Syeda
Akhlaq, Farwa
Tayyab, Muhammad
Raza Awan, Ali
Firyal, Sehrish
Ahmad Khan, Waqas
Saif, Rashid
Wasim, Muhammad
Molecular Biology; Biotechnology
Glyphosate is non-selective herbicide. Studies published in the last decade, point towards glyphosate toxicity. Shikimic acid pathway for the biosynthesis of folates and aromatic amino acids is inhibited by glyphosate. Glyphosate carcinogenicity is still considered to be a controversial issue. The World Health Organizations’ International Agency recently concluded that glyphosate is “probably carcinogenic to humans.” Some researchers believed that glyphosate is not linked with carcinogenicity.
The RunningLine
2017-08-25
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Unpeer-reviewed corresoondence, Invited Commentary
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/504
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 4, No 4 (2017): Advancements in Life Sciences; 108-112
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/504/177
Copyright (c) 2017 Advancements in Life Sciences
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/21
2014-06-13T04:44:26Z
ALS:C%26C
Copy Number Variation in Forensic Science
Israr, Muhammad
Ilyas, Muhammad
Rahman, Ziaur
Copy Number Variation (CNV) refers to duplication or deletion in the DNA sequence. Studying the pattern of these duplications or deletions can add value to forensic and population genetics. These can also be used for the study of genetic diseases and development of personalized medicine. Further research may improve the utilization and benefits of CNV in forensic investigations.
The RunningLine
2014-02-25
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Unpeer-reviewed corresoondence, Invited Commentary
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/21
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 1, No 2 (2014): Advancements in Life Sciences; 71-72
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/21/13
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/933
2020-09-03T04:55:48Z
ALS:C%26C
MinION as a Teaching tool in a Graduate course in Pakistan
Ullah, Wahid
Ullah, Ikram
Rahman, Gohar
Khan, Nasir
Sohail, Khawar
Ilyas, Muhammad
molecular biology, genomics, genetics
Genomics is a rapidly evolving field of study that is increasingly being utilized as a tool to detect ethnic and tribal-specific mutations that may be the key to rare and common diseases with higher prevalence in the population under study [1]. However, researchers and science educators in remote areas can often find it difficult to access the latest genetic technologies, probably due to its high costs and lack of suitable infrastructure. Recent technological innovations are resulting in portable, low-cost instruments that enable next-generation sequencing in remote environments, offering new opportunities to generate a more widespread network of trained geneticists [2]. We need to formalize educational efforts to teach students and young researchers with hands-on training to excel in molecular and bioinformatics knowledge. Here, we report our experience of using the MinION pocket size sequencer in a graduate course. The graduate course had some theoretical lectures that explained the basic principles of genomics followed be practical sessions. We hope that the training material developed during this course will provide the community with useful tools to help educate future generations of genome scientists in Pakistan.
The RunningLine
Pakistan Hospital & Industrial Laboratory Company (PHILCO), Lahore, Pakistan
2020-09-02
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/933
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 7, No 4 (2020): Advancements in Life Sciences; 190-192
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/933/412
Copyright (c) 2020 Advancements in Life Sciences
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/113
2015-02-25T00:00:25Z
ALS:C%26C
Pakistan at the verge of potential epidemics by multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria
Hussain, Tahir
Microbiology; Health; Public Health
Antibiotic resistant pathogens are booming in community and healthcare institutions worldwide. Increasing resistance to modern antimicrobials not only limits the treatment options, but also leads to severity of infections and increases the costs of hospitalization. Recent estimates predict that economic losses incurred due to infections of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens are incalculable, but mortality and morbidity rates are increasingly becoming more significant rendering MDR pathogens soon to be the leading cause of deaths worldwide [1]. The most devastating situation is the complete disaster of the entire health care system, where antimicrobial drugs will not only stop working against simple infections, but all types of surgeries and transplantation will also face a complete failure because of the attacks of resistant pathogens on vulnerable organs.Pakistan is a developing country with compromised healthcare infrastructure and economic conditions. Lack of access to basic healthcare facilities and unhygienic life style add up to worsen the conditions. There exists deep deficit in understanding and compliance of biosafety issues in community, academic and healthcare institutions in Pakistan. The rampant use of medicine is on the rise. Medicines are sold in grocery stores and by bus hawkers [2]. Lack of education and poor financial conditions incite people to buy such substandard drugs and ultimately misuse them.The malpractice of medicine has challenged the very efficacy of these magic drugs i.e; the antibiotics. Antibiotic abuse is directly linked to the emerging resistance in bacteria. Resistance is booming in bacteria even to the last line antibiotics carbapenems. The sub-continental carbapenem resistant superbug, NDM-1, is rapidly disseminating in clinical [3], and non-clinical environments in Pakistan [4].NDM-1 stands for New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase enzyme. Which belongs to class B, one of the four beta-lactamase enzymes molecular classes that hydrolyse the most important and most widely used group of antimicrobials in clinical practice i.e; the beta-lactam antibiotics. NDM-1 has zinc ions in its active site, unlike other molecular classes of beta-lactamases (A, C, D), that have serine residue at their active site.NDM-1 was first identified in a Swedish tourist to India when he was hospitalized in New Delhi and diagnosed with an untreatable infection, which later was named NDM-1. NDM-1 was identified in 2008 [5], and was reported as predominant carbapenemase in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh [3]. NDM-1 harbouring bacteria have been found resistant to all available antibiotics which are in clinical use. NDM-1 gene being residing on plasmid can readily be shared between bacteria even not closely related. ARG (antibiotic resistance genes) when reside on mobile genetic elements (plasmids, transposons, integrons) can easily disseminate between bacterial population [6]. Even these genes can be taken up by normal flora and can donate them to pathogenic bacteria at times. Since HGT (horizontal gene transfer) and clonal expansion of antibiotic resistant bacteria is facilitated by sub-standard medical practices in Pakistan [7], there is an extremely threatening environment of potential epidemics of drug resistant bacteria.In Pakistan, which is among the lowest spending countries on healthcare in the world, such epidemics will lead to a complete disaster. And since infectious diseases respect no borders this could circumvent other countries too. There is an urgent need of the day to make legislations on proper use of antibiotics so that people should not be deprived of the blessings of these wonder drugs. If prompt actions were not taken these superbugs will bring a complete disaster to the health care system.
The RunningLine
2015-02-25
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/113
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 2, No 2 (2015): Advancements in Life Sciences; 46-47
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/113/53
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/1540
2023-01-21T22:12:11Z
ALS:C%26C
Marine Life & Fish Management an Effective Tool of Blue Economy of Pakistan
Shahzad, Prof. Dr. Sajid Mehmood
Currently, all fishery-related operations in Pakistan are handled by four major fish harbors: Karachi Fish Harbor, Korangi Fish Harbor, Pasni Fish Harbor, and Gwadar Fish Harbor. Pakistan's fishing communities are not only home to generations of people who have relied on the industry to make a living, but also to a wealth of natural beauty. However, with a growing population comes a rise in demand, and as supplies dwindle, so does the world's ability to feed its people. It's a similar story in marine fisheries, where declining interest from local and foreign corporations and the use of antiquated methods of fishing have made it difficult for fishermen to earn a livable wage. Keywords: Fish harbor; Pasni; Gwadar; Korangi; Karachi; Fishery
The RunningLine
2023-01-21
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info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Unpeer-reviewed corresoondence, Invited Commentary
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/1540
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 9, No 4 (2022): Advancements in Life Sciences; 453-457
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/1540/843
Copyright (c) 2022 Advancements in Life Sciences
oai:ojs.submission.als-journal.com:article/244
2016-08-25T01:00:24Z
ALS:C%26C
Is the war on terror induced-post traumatic stress disorder; the cause of suicide attack? An approach from psycho-cognitive and neurobiological perspective
Khan, Muhammad Imran
Sameem, Bilqees
Nikoui, Vahid
Dehpour, Ahmad-Reza
Health and Epidemiological studies; Molecular Biology;
Understanding suicide attack is one of the highly complicated problems in the field of psychological disorders. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may occur in individuals subjected to traumatic assaults like terrorism, warfare, sexual abuse or natural disaster. Individual's living within war affected area often develops PTSD, which may consequently leads to cognitive and memory impairment. The war induced PTSD patient, is under the influence of severe stress; terror and helplessness as it manipulate and retrieve the past trauma as a current threat. Substantial evidences support that PTSD patients are more prone to varying degree of neurological and psychological complications. In this correspondence, we wish to highlight the biological consequence of suicide attack from the perspective of war induced PTSD. Earlier research also supports that PTSD and suicide have some common basis like alterations in hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis, nitric oxide and catecholamine like norepinephrine and serotonin level. Thus it is important to uncover the risk of PTSD due to war on terror with precision towards suicide attack and minimize the detriment followed by it. PTSD through the development of depression, irritability and anger, is one amongst the major causes of suicide attack.In order to clarify the underlying psychological mechanism, there is a pressing need to address it from different aspects like disease causing synaptic plasticity and abnormal brain development. PTSD is a reaction to past traumatic events. For instance, the danger of perceived threat due to witness of deaths in a war, may develop a constellation of properties that may leads to PTSD. Usually, it initiates a sequence of behavioral and cognitive changes that can be anticipated to reduce the perceived threat. However, the consequences of perceived threat lead to cognitive changes and thus maintain a devastating disorder. Appraisals of such memory not only generate situational fear but also the avoidance, which leads to enhanced trepidation and over-activity. For example, a person exposed to a road side traumatic accident may avoid driving; for having an impractical faith that it may happen again, thereby affecting its social life.Patients suffering from PTSD due to war may interpret that the trauma will persist for long time and thus he is no longer safe. He or she may suffer from depression, irritability, anger outbursts, emotional numbing, flashbacks, and nightmares [1]. It has been reported that numbing is an ordinary reaction to traumatic events. Individuals should realize that it is a normal aspect of the recovery process, otherwise it can lead to permanent changes which may worsen their physical or psychological well-being [2-4]. Children experiencing the PTSD, usually underwent alterations in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, catecholamine and norepinephrine, which results in pathological and detrimental brain development [5]. Interestingly, the inhibition of nitric oxide in hippocampus by antidepressant has promising outcome to alleviate the PTSD symptoms [6]. While, the augmented level of plasma nitrates in depressive patients are found to be associated with suicide attempts [7].Figure 1The intention of a suicide attack is to kill a large crowd or bringing mass destruction, even with the notion that he will die in this act. Suicide bombings termed as "suicide bombing" constitute an overall 4% of terrorist attacks, which dates back to the beginning of the 19th century. In most of the modern suicide terrorist is used against non-combatants for the accomplishment of impact on political situation. Although a suicide attack aims to annihilate a primary target, however it can be used as a weapon of psychological warfare to affect the large public population. The main target of this action is not those who are killed but those witnessed it [8]. Intriguingly, it is reported that the level of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) is directly associated with suicide while indirectly it can affect PTSD. Also, defining body of research proved that altered level of serotonin in dorsal raphe nucleus, amygdala, median raphe, frontal cortex, hypothalamus and hippocampus is associated with aggressive behavior and suicide [9]. PTSD-induce symptoms like impulsivity, violence, suicide attempts, depression, panic, and anxiety can also be associated with altered serotonin levels [10].ConclusionThe mechanism of suicide attack is still highly debated; and need much more to address. Since, PTSD through the development of depression, irritability and anger, accomplish various physiological and cognitive changes in the brain, so it might be one of the causes which increases the susceptibility of acceptance for being a volunteer to suicide attack? This discussion was put forward; as some war induced PTSD patients among temporary displaced people in different regions of the world showed strong willingness for suicide attack as a counter revenge of war. Therefore, we also need to address suicide attack from the perspective of psychological disorders like war induced PTSD.
The RunningLine
2016-08-25
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info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/244
Advancements in Life Sciences; Vol 3, No 4 (2016): Advancements in Life Sciences; 109-111
2310-5380
eng
https://submission.als-journal.com/index.php/ALS/article/view/244/127
Copyright (c) 2016 Advancements in Life Sciences