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result(s) for
"Khalid, Zubair"
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Molecular Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation In Vitro
2025
Avian reovirus (ARV) is an important pathogen of poultry, yet the molecular responses to ARV across cell types remain unknown. The present study explores the differential transcriptomic responses to ARV S1133 infection in three cell types, i.e., chicken embryo kidney (CEK), chicken embryo liver (CELi), and macrophage-derived cells (HD11) at 6, 12, and 24 h post-inoculation (hpi). CELi cells exhibited the highest viral replication rates at all timepoints, with maximal titer observed at 24 hpi, whereas HD11 cells showed limited viral replication but extensive host transcriptional activity. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that macrophage-derived (HD11) cells, despite the lower viral load, presented the most pronounced transcriptional changes. CEK cells demonstrated a unique activation of immune-related pathways, specifically those related to lymphocyte chemotaxis and type II interferon response. CELi cells showed upregulation of expression of genes involved in defense against viruses. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis identified key antiviral genes, including IFI6, OASL, RSAD2, SAMD9L, and MX1, as central nodes. In CELi, significant alternative splicing events were observed in transcripts of several genes, including those implicated in immunity. Taken together, results indicate that inoculation of ARV triggered cell-type and time-dependent viral replication and stimulated transcriptional activity linked with unique but functionally interconnected pathways.
Journal Article
Tissue-Specific Transcriptomic Responses to Avian Reovirus Inoculation in Ovo
2025
Avian reovirus (ARV) infections significantly impact the global poultry industry, but host responses across infection models remain poorly characterized. Using specific-pathogen-free chicken embryos, this study examined tissue-specific transcriptomic changes following in ovo inoculation with two doses of ARV S1133 at embryonic day 18. Quantitative PCR confirmed dose- and time-dependent viral replication, with the liver exhibiting the highest viral load at 24 h post-inoculation (hpi), whereas the kidneys, intestines, and bursa were only positive at 48 hpi with the higher viral dose. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the intestines mounted an extensive gene expression response, implicating early immune activation. Liver samples demonstrated strong upregulation of antiviral pathways, including interferon signaling and viral replication inhibition, while kidneys and intestines were enriched for coagulation and wound healing pathways. The bursae exhibited minimal immunity-related responses, suggesting insufficient maturation. Functional analyses confirmed tissue-specific immune and metabolic adaptations to infection. These findings indicate that ARV replication efficiency and host molecular responses are dose-, tissue-, and time-dependent. Notably, intestinal responses suggest preemptive immune engagement, while hepatic antiviral mechanisms may play a critical role in restricting viral spread. This study establishes foundational knowledge of host molecular responses to ARV in late-stage embryos, with implications for in ovo vaccination and early immunity.
Journal Article
Designing super-fast trimodal sponges using recycled polypropylene for organics cleanup
2023
Sorbent pads and films have been commonly used for environmental remediation purposes, but designing their internal structure to optimize access to the entire volume while ensuring cost-effectiveness, ease of fabrication, sufficient strength, and reusability remains challenging. Herein, we report a trimodal sorbent film from recycled polypropylene (PP) with micropores, macro-voids, and sponge-like 3D cavities, developed through selective dissolution, thermally induced phase separation, and annealing. The sorbent has hundreds of cavities per cm
2
that are capable of swelling up to twenty-five times its thickness, allowing for super-fast saturation kinetics (within 30 s) and maximum oil sorption (97 g/g). The sorption mechanism follows a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Moreover, the sorbent is easily compressible, and its structure is retained during oil sorption, desorption, and resorption, resulting in 96.5% reuse efficiency. The oil recovery process involves manually squeezing the film, making the cleanup process efficient with no chemical treatment required. The sorbent film possesses high porosity for effective sorption with sufficient tensile strength for practical applications. Our integrated technique results in a strengthened porous polymeric structure that can be tailored according to end-use applications. This study provides a sustainable solution for waste management that offers versatility in its functionality.
Journal Article
Life cycle assessment of high value activated carbon production based on mass and functional performance metrics
2025
The production of activated carbon (AC) from biomass holds substantial environmental potential, but its impact varies widely depending on the synthesis methods employed. However, unreliable experimental data results in inconsistent life cycle assessments (LCA), often dependent on generic or highly localized information. Most available data focuses solely on production metrics, neglecting crucial performance-based indicators. This study conducts LCA for a conceptual AC production facility designed to produce 1 kg of AC per batch of coconut shell (CS), particularly examining potassium hydroxide (KOH) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) activation routes. Environmental impacts (EIs) are evaluated using two functional units—mass-based and adsorption-based—and span eighteen metrics, including six key ones: net energy, climate change (CC), ozone depletion, fine particulate matter formation, marine eutrophication, and metal depletion. CC (kg CO₂ eq.) for 1 kg of AC production is 1.255 for KOH and 1.209 for NaOH, while energy requirements (in MJ) are 28.314 for KOH and 27.063 for NaOH. Notably, the pyrolysis step emerges as the most energy-intensive and significant contributor to carbon emissions. Per the adsorption-based unit, the KOH-led pathway shows a higher adsorption capacity of 729 g/kg versus 662 g/kg for NaOH, requiring less AC per kg of dye adsorbed. Consequently, the KOH pathway achieves 5% greater energy efficiency and 6% lower carbon emissions than the NaOH pathway. Synthesized ACs outperform commercial AC in all metrics, especially in energy use and carbon emissions. The study proposes improvements, such as alternative drying methods, to mitigate EIs and emphasizes the need to consider both production efficiency and functional performance to guide sustainable AC production and application.
Journal Article
Sustainable Solution for Plastic Pollution: Upcycling Waste Polypropylene Masks for Effective Oil-Spill Management
by
Saleem, Junaid
,
Shakoor, Rana Abdul
,
Moghal, Zubair Khalid Baig
in
Adsorption
,
Carbon
,
Chemical spills
2023
The use of Polypropylene PP in disposable items such as face masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment has increased exponentially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing significantly to microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Upcycling of waste PP provides a useful alternative to traditional thermal and mechanical recycling techniques. It transforms waste PP into useful products, minimizing its impact on the environment. Herein, we synthesized an oil-sorbent pouch using waste PP, which comprises superposed microporous and fibrous thin films of PP using spin coating. The pouch exhibited super-fast uptake kinetics and reached its saturation in fewer than five minutes with a high oil uptake value of 85 g/g. Moreover, it displayed high reusability and was found to be effective in absorbing oil up to seven times when mechanically squeezed between each cycle, demonstrating robust oil-sorption capabilities. This approach offers a potential solution for managing plastic waste while promoting a circular economy.
Journal Article
3D Oleophilic Sorbent Films Based on Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene
by
Saleem, Junaid
,
Moghal, Zubair Khalid Baig
,
McKay, Gordon
in
Density
,
Dielectric films
,
Glass substrates
2023
Recycling low-end, one-time-use plastics—such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE)—is of paramount importance to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainability in the modern green economy. This study valorizes LDPE waste by transforming it into 3D oleophilic swellable thin films through a process involving dissolution, phase separation, and extraction. These films are subsequently layered using a customized polypropylene (PP) based nonwoven fabric separator and securely sealed in a zigzag pattern. The zigzag-shaped seal enhances the adhesion of pollutants to the sorbent by providing wire curvatures that increase retention time and uptake capacity. As a result, the sorbent exhibits impressive oil uptake capacities, with immediate and equilibrium values of 120 g/g and 85 g/g, respectively. Notably, the as-prepared sorbent demonstrates low water retention and high selectivity for oil, outperforming commercially available oil sorbents. The unique design involving a 3D-film structure, superposed films, and a zigzag-shaped seal offers a sustainable and value-added solution to the issues of LDPE waste and oil spills on water surfaces.
Journal Article
GC-MS based bioactive profiling of Phyllanthus niruri and its antibacterial potential through experimental and computational studies
2026
The study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potential of Phyllanthus niruri by identifying its bioactive compounds through GC-MS, assessing their in vitro antibacterial efficacy, and validating their interactions with bacterial target proteins through molecular docking and pharmacokinetic analyses.
Methanolic extracts were prepared and fractionated into petroleum ether (PSF), chloroform (CSF), carbon tetrachloride (CTF), ethyl acetate (ESF), methanol (MSF), and aqueous (AQF) fractions using the Kupchan method. Phytochemical screening, total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined spectrophotometrically. GC-MS analysis identified volatile constituents in the methanol extract. Antibacterial activity was evaluated against nine bacterial strains using the disc diffusion assay, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) tests. Molecular docking (PyRx), ADMET (pkCSM), and drug-likeness (SwissADME) analyses were performed to assess pharmacological suitability.
Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of major secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics. The methanol fraction (MSF) exhibited the highest TPC (119.10 ± 0.11 µg GAE/g) and TFC (128.01 ± 0.11 µg QE/g), followed by the ethyl acetate fraction (TPC = 102.06 ± 0.11 µg GAE/g; TFC = 109.09 ± 0.21 µg QE/g). GC-MS profiling revealed 75 compounds, including 3,4-dimethoxy-dl-phenylalanine (13.24 µg/mL), benzeneacetamide (3,4-dimethoxy-, 13.24 µg/mL), and 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propionic acid (13.24 µg/mL). In vitro assays demonstrated that the methanolic and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of 33.2 ± 0.96 mm and 15.1 ± 0.52 mm against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. MIC values ranged from 62.5 µg/mL to 250 µg/mL, and MBC/MIC ratios ≤ 4 confirmed potent bactericidal activity. Molecular docking revealed strong ligand protein affinities, with benzeneacetamide (-9.4 kcal/mol) and 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-propionic acid (-8.7 kcal/mol) showing the highest binding energies toward DNA gyrase and penicillin-binding protein 1B (PBP1B). ADMET and SwissADME analyses indicated favorable gastrointestinal absorption, no hepatotoxicity, and compliance with Lipinski's rule of five.
Phyllanthus niruri, particularly its polar fractions, possesses potent antibacterial phytochemicals validated through GC-MS, in vitro, and in silico studies. These findings establish its potential as a promising natural source for the development of novel antimicrobial drugs.
Journal Article
Methanolic crude extract of Litsea Monopetala leaves combats oxidative stress, clot formation, inflammation and stool frequency in animal model
2025
Litsea monopetala (LM) leaves are used in traditional medicine system in the South Asian region for treating ailments such as digestive issues, respiratory problems and skin disorders. In this study, we investigated the possible antioxidant, thrombolytic, analgesic and antidiarrheal properties of the methanolic extract of LM leaves.
We assessed the antioxidant activity using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging and total phenolic content tests, while thrombolytic activity was evaluated by clot lysis assays. The in-vivo analgesic and antidiarrheal activities were tested by two standard methods, e.g., acetic acid-induced and castor oil-induced animal model, respectively. Prior to in vivo and in vitro evaluation of the pharmacological activities phytochemical screening was also performed to estimate the bioactive compounds (e.g., phenol, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and steroids) present.
Among the tested phytochemicals, our results reveal carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins as the major phytocompounds present in the extract. Within the different solvent extractives, the methanolic extract exhibited DPPH free radical scavenging features with an IC50 of 8.99 µg/ml compared to ascorbic acid, an IC50 of 13.38 µg/ml. At 500 mg/kg dose, the extract produced 67.05% decrease in the frequency of acetic acid-induced writhing while diclofenac sodium showed decrease by 74.25%. The extract also significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the frequency of castor oil-induced diarrhea in compared to the standard drug of loperamide. Finally, the clot lysis assay with the methanolic extract demonstrated an increase in the thrombolytic activity by 40.79% compared to streptokinase, which increased by 69.52%.
Overall, this study shows promise that the methanolic crude extract of LM leaves may contribute to the alternative or additive strategy to modulate conditions of oxidative stress, thrombolytic, inflammation and diarrhea. Further comprehensive investigation is necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of action and the phytochemical composition of LM leaves.
Journal Article
Assessment of phytochemical screening, antibacterial, analgesic, and antipyretic potentials of Litsea glutinosa (L.) leaves extracts in a mice model
2025
Litsea glutinosa (LG) leaves have been traditionally used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various ailments, including pain, fever, and microbial infections. This study aims to scientifically evaluate the therapeutic potential of cold methanol extracts of LG leaves, specifically focusing on their analgesic, antipyretic, and antibacterial activities. In addition, the research includes preliminary phytochemical screening to identify key bioactive compounds and an acute toxicity test to assess the safety profile of the extract.
In this study, we conducted an initial investigation of the major phytochemical groups present in L. glutinosa leaves using both modern chromatographic techniques, specifically High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and conventional phytochemical screening methods applied to cold methanol extracts. Both approaches consistently identified phenols and flavonoids as the predominant bioactive compounds. Following this phytochemical characterization, we assessed the analgesic efficacy of the extracts using acetic acid-induced writhing and electrical heat-induced nociceptive pain stimuli, evaluated antipyretic effects through Brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia, and determined antibacterial activity via the disc diffusion method. Additionally, the toxicity of the extracts was evaluated through preclinical testing.
In hot plate method, the highest pain inhibitory activity was found at a dose of 500 mg/kg of crude extract (3.37 ± 0.31 sec) which differed significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001) with that of the standard drug morphine (6.47 ± 0.23 sec). The extract significantly prolonged reaction latency to thermal-induced pain in hotplate model. Analgesic activity at 500 mg/kg, LG extract produced a 70% suppression of writhing in mice, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001) compared to standard morphine's (77.5%) inhibition. In antipyretic activity assay, the crude extract showed notable reduction in body temperature (36.17 ± 0.32 °C) at dose of 300 mg/kg-body weight, when the standard (at dose 100 mg/kg-body weight) exerted (36.32 ± 0.67 °C) after 3 h of administration. In antibacterial studies, results showed that inhibition of bacterial growth at 400 μg dose of each extract clearly inhibited growth of bacteria from 11 to 22 mm. The extractives carbon tetrachloride fraction, chloroform soluble fraction, ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated notably greater inhibitory zone widths (p < 0.05) against tested strains.
Overall, the cold methanol extract of LG leaves demonstrates the therapeutic potential in preclinical settings. Future research is warranted to isolate the specific bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action to further support the development of new treatments and contributing to modern medicinal practices based on this plant leaves.
Journal Article
Sustainable Valorization of Plastic Waste and Palm Fronds into Chemically Activated Carbon–Polymer Composite
by
Saleem, Junaid
,
Tahir, Furqan
,
Moghal, Zubair Khalid Baig
in
Activated carbon
,
Alternative energy sources
,
Biomass
2025
Polyolefin waste is an abundant yet underutilized resource for developing value-added materials, while palm fronds (PF), a lignocellulosic biomass, offer a promising feedstock for activated carbon (AC) production. However, conventional AC from biomass is typically obtained in powdered form, making it difficult to handle and recover in aqueous systems without external support. Incorporating polyolefins during synthesis enables the formation of chemically activated polymer–carbon composite (PCC), which offers improved usability and recovery. This study aims to evaluate the environmental sustainability of producing PCC from PF and polyolefins, using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to quantify energy consumption and climate change impact. The LCA results show a net energy demand of 88.59 MJ and a climate change impact of 3.57 kg CO2 eq. per kg of PCC. Substituting conventional petroleum-based AC with PCC led to a 28% reduction in climate change impact and a 30% decrease in energy demand. By integrating biomass and plastic waste, this research supports sustainable material development and promotes circular economy practices in water treatment applications.
Journal Article