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Artificial intelligence (AI) is intervening in the media industry and revolutionizing the concept of news anchoring and reporting through AI characters. Discover Pakistan, a Pakistani mainstream TV channel, launched the first AI talk show, as claimed by the CEO of the channel, Mr. Qaisar. It showcased one AI clone of Mr. Qaisar himself with three other AI characters of different nationalities. This research intends to discourse on the semiotics of representation of nationality, religious connotations, gender implications, and political evaluation of AI characters portrayed in the program. The study incorporated representation theory to highlight the value and the meaning of reality through the optics of AI and its implications in the future of the media industry. Results denoted that there are generalized judgments about religious association, political disinformation, virtual nationalism, and the prevalent idea of surrendering before AI. This study further highlights the importance of AI in promoting culture through tourism and emphasizes the need to utilize AI for more beneficiary purposes.

ObjectiveChildren are vulnerable to secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure because of limited control over their indoor environment. Homes remain the major place where children may be exposed to SHS. Our study examines the magnitude, patterns and determinants of SHS exposure in the home among children in 21 countries (19 low-income and middle-income countries and 2 high-income countries).MethodsGlobal Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data, a household survey of people 15 years of age or older. Data collected during 2009–2013 were analysed to estimate the proportion of children exposed to SHS in the home. GATS estimates and 2012 United Nations population projections for 2015 were also used to estimate the number of children exposed to SHS in the home.ResultsThe proportion of children younger than 15 years of age exposed to SHS in the home ranged from 4.5% (Panama) to 79.0% (Indonesia). Of the approximately one billion children younger than 15 years of age living in the 21 countries under study, an estimated 507.74 million were exposed to SHS in the home. China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines accounted for almost 84.6% of the children exposed to SHS. The prevalence of SHS exposure was higher in countries with higher adult smoking rates and was also higher in rural areas than in urban areas, in most countries.ConclusionsA large number of children were exposed to SHS in the home. Encouraging of voluntary smoke-free rules in homes and cessation in adults has the potential to reduce SHS exposure among children and prevent SHS-related diseases and deaths.

Background Multidrug resistance (MDR) in the family Enterobacteriaceae is a perniciously increasing threat to global health security. The discovery of new antimicrobials having the reversing drug resistance potential may contribute to augment and revive the antibiotic arsenal in hand. This study aimed to explore the anti- Enterobacteriaceae capability of bioactive polyphenols from Punica granatum ( P. granatum ) and their co-action with antibiotics against clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae predominantly prevalent in South Asian countries. Methods The Kandhari P. granatum (Pakistani origin) extracts were tested for anti- Enterobacteriaceae activity by agar well diffusion assay against MDR Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi , serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli . Predominant compounds of active extract were determined by mass spectrometry and screened for bioactivity by agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. The active punicalagin was further evaluated at sub-inhibitory concentrations (SICs) for coactivity with nine conventional antimicrobials using a disc diffusion assay followed by time-kill experiments that proceeded with SICs of punicalagin and antimicrobials. Results Among all P. granatum crude extracts, pomegranate peel methanol extract showed the largest inhibition zones of 25, 22 and 19 mm, and the MICs as 3.9, 7.8 and 7.8 mg/mL for S. typhi, S. typhi murium and E. coli, respectively. Punicalagin and ellagic acid were determined as predominant compounds by mass spectrometry. In plate assay, punicalagin (10 mg/mL) was active with hazy inhibition zones of 17, 14, and 13 mm against S. typhi, S. typhi murium and E. coli, respectively. However, in broth dilution assay punicalagin showed no MIC up to 10 mg/mL. The SICs 30 μg, 100 μg, and 500 μg of punicalagin combined with antimicrobials i.e., aminoglycoside, β -lactam, and fluoroquinolone act in synergy against MDR strains with % increase in inhibition zone values varying from 3.4 ± 2.7% to 73.8 ± 8.4%. In time-kill curves, a significant decrease in cell density was observed with the SICs of antimicrobials/punicalagin (0.03–60 μg/mL/30, 100, 500 μg/mL of punicalagin) combinations. Conclusions The P. granatum peel methanol extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against MDR Enterobacteriaceae pathogens. Punicalagin, the bacteriostatic flavonoid act as a concentration-dependent sensitizing agent for antimicrobials against Enterobacteriaceae . Our findings for the therapeutic punicalagin-antimicrobial combination prompt further evaluation of punicalagin as a potent activator for drugs, which otherwise remain less or inactive against MDR strains.

Joyland, a 2022 Pakistani film that gained popularity worldwide but got banned in Pakistan, depicted the problems of patriarchy, suppression of individuals' self-identity, intervention in sexual and reproduction liberty of married couples, taboos associated with women employment, household participation, and sexual pleasure. This study adopts multimodal discourse analysis which critically discusses the patriarchal influence of Pakistani men in a joint family system, by purposefully selected scenes of the film that showcase the characters' depiction of being dominated by the ideology of a patriarchal mindset. It further analyzes the role of a man, the eldest in the family, who decides everyone's fate, irrespective of gender, financial status, or sibling positions in the family. This study also sheds light on how the sexual lives of individuals get affected through joint family pressures, which results in disoriented sexual relationships and indecisive preferences between partners.

The research was conducted to evaluate in-vitro efficacy of numerous fungicides against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. capsici . In present research, six treatments (T) viz. Carbendazim, Benomyl, Topsin-M, Difenoconazole, Nativo, and Alliete along with control, various concentrations (C), days (D), and their interactions, i.e., (T × C), (T × D), (C × D), and (T × C × D) were exploited in a laboratory through food poison technique. Alliete expressed maximum colony growth (1.93 cm) as compared to all other fungicides with respect to control. Interaction between treatments and concentration (T × C) exhibited maximum colony growth of all treatments (Carbendazim, Benomyl, Topsin-M, Difenoconazole, Nativo, and Alliete), i.e., 0.87, 1.23, 1.73, 2.20, 2.53, and 2.93 cm at 300 ppm as compared to 500 and 700 ppm concentrations, respectively. Similar trend was also observed concerning interaction between (fungicides × days) and (tested concentrations × days). Results of the present study revealed that among tested fungicides, Carbendazim at 700 ppm expressed significant reduction in fungal growth.

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of energy drink on renal tubules of albino rats. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: King Edward Medical University, Lahore from Aug 2018 to Dec 2019. Methodology: Group A and B were experimental groups received 1.5ml/kg and 2.2ml/kg body weight of energy drink, respectively. Group C received 1ml/kg body weight of distilled water. Comparison among groups was made by applying One-Way ANOVA for quantitative variables. Tukey’ test was used for post hoc analysis. For qualitative variables, chi-square test was applied to make comparison among groups Results: The mean initial and final weight of animals was around 152.7 ± 5.3g and 171.9 ± 5.1g, respectively. The mean paired kidney weight, relative tissue weight index, length and width of kidneys for all three groups were found insignificant. Microscopic examination showed tubular vacuolization in groups A and B showing p-value of 0.027. Conclusion: Consumption of energy drinks results in histopathological injury of epithelial cells of renal tubules.

Objective: To evaluate the histomorphological effects of Vitamin D on Norethisterone-induced hepatosteatosis in female rats. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences Rawalpindi in collaboration with the National Institute of Health (NIH), Pathology Laboratory Pak Emirates Military hospital,and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, (AFIP) Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug to Nov 2021. Methodology: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250-300 gm were randomly divided into three groups (10 for each group). Group-A served as control. For eight weeks, Group-B was given Norethisterone 4.55 mg/kg/day by oral gavage.Group-C was given 1000 IU/kg/day of Vitamin D by intraperitoneal injection for five consecutive days/week, along with Norethisterone for eight weeks. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The colour and consistency of the liver specimen were noted. Liver specimens were processed and staining was done with H & E stains. Histologically steatosis in the specimen was assessed. Results: The results were compared among the groups. Experimental Group-B, when compared with Control Group-A,showed a significant change in the colour (p-value 0.033) and consistency of the liver (p-value 0.033) along with marked steatosis (p-value 0.001). There was a significant improvement in hepatosteatosis (p-value 0.001), which led to improved colour (p-value 0.029) and consistency of the liver (p-value 0.029) in Experimental Group-C when compared with Experimental Group- B. Conclusion: Vitamin D ameliorates hepatosteatosis induced by Norethisterone in the female rat.

Objective: to evaluate how well biparietal diameter and transcerebellar diameter performed in estimating the gestational age of pregnant women in their third trimester. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of radiology and Imaging, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Feb to Aug 2022. Methodology: There were 120 pregnant women who went to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Departmental walk-in clinic or Emergency room between weeks 28 and 40 of their pregnancies. Ultrasound was done on all patients that had been preselected after a complete history and physical examination had been completed; transcerebellar diameter (TCD) and biparietal diameter (BPD) were measured and compared with LMP. Results: Mean age of the participants recruited in the study was 27.08±1.45 years. There was a significant increase in mean BPD from 28 weeks of gestation (68.01±7.4 mm) to 36 weeks of gestation (89.77±2.35 mm). During 28 weeks of gestation, the mean TCD was 30.3±1.49 mm, whereas at 36 weeks it peaked at 48.1±1.21 mm. By looking at the median gap between real and estimated GA by BPD, we find that when real GA rises, the magnitude of the age estimation error decreases significantly. The error was 3.22±0.17 days for GA at 28 weeks, 2.48±0.09 days at 34 weeks, and 2.18±0.01 days at 36 weeks. A statistically significant (p<0.001) shift in the mean error was observed. ... Conclusion: Both TCD and BPD were shown to be helpful in this study's context, however statistically speaking, TCD was superior to BPD. ...

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the effect of aloe vera extract on glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) and blood glucose levels in albino rats. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health, Islamabad Pakistan, from Oct 2018 to Mar 2019. Methodology: Ninety male Sprague Dawley rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 250±50 grams, were divided into three Groups. In Group-A, non-diabetic rats were given a standard lasb diet. In Groups B and C, diabetic rats were given a standard laboratory diet. In Group-C, an extract of Aloe Vera at 300mg/kg body weight was also given once daily. Before the commencement of the experiment, blood glucose was measured, and then after injection, STZ on the fourth-day record of blood glucose was taken. At the end of the experiment, a blood sample was taken from the tail vein to analyze glycosylated haemoglobin levels and blood glucose. Results: The difference in blood glucose levels at the start of the experiment was significant statistically (p-value <0.001) when Group-B was compared to Group-A. The difference in fasting glucose levels at the termination of the experiment was statistically significant when Group-C was juxtaposed to Groups B and A (p-value <0.05). The difference in glycosylated haemoglobin levels was significant statistically between Groups A and B and Groups A and C, (p-value of <0.001). Conclusion: Aloe vera extract has an ameliorative effect on blood glucose levels in diabetic rats.