Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering

Lumpy Skin Disease Virus is an economically important poxviral pathogen of cattle that causes nodular skin lesions, reduced milk yield, and trade limitations. Molecular characterization, including whole-genome sequencing, can reveal markers of disease susceptibility and inform diagnostic and preventive strategies. Objective: To identify, isolate, and characterize Lumpy Skin Disease Virus strains circulating in native and exotic cattle in Sindh Province, Pakistan, and to assess their in vitro behaviour during cell-culture adaptation and stabilization. Methods: A field-based sampling of clinically suspected cattle cases was conducted under veterinary supervision in Sindh Province. Laboratory confirmation of infection was performed using validated molecular and serological assays. LSDV-positive samples were subjected to controlled recovery and propagation in accredited cell-culture facilities, followed by phenotypic evaluation during adaptation and stabilization phases. Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genetic analysis were performed to assess diversity among isolates relative to reference strains. All procedures were completed in accordance with approved biosafety and animal welfare protocols. Results: LSDV infection was successfully confirmed in the selected field samples using standardized molecular and serological methods. Viable viral isolates were recovered and showed consistent replication patterns during cell-culture adaptation and stabilization. Comparative phenotypic evaluation demonstrated distinguishable growth characteristics across isolates. Genomic analysis revealed measurable diversity between local strains and reference isolates, suggesting region-specific viral evolution. These findings provide actionable molecular evidence to strengthen surveillance and diagnostic preparedness in Sindh. Conclusion: The study successfully identified and characterized LSDV strains endemic to Sindh Province and demonstrated notable phenotypic and genomic variability. These insights support improved regional surveillance, diagnostic capacity, biosafety planning, and vaccine policy development. Enhanced molecular understanding will contribute to more effective control measures and reduced economic and welfare losses in affected cattle populations.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGWL) by achieving a negative surgical margin rate of at least 90% and a re-excision rate below 15% in 185 patients. It also seeks to assess the safety of the procedure by limiting complication rates to less than 5% and to identify patient and lesion characteristics that influence these outcomes.Methodology: This study retrospectively analyzed data from 185 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGWL) for breast lesions after receiving Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The primary goal was to evaluate the procedure's efficacy by assessing localization success, negative margin rates, and re-excision rates. Secondary outcomes provided a broader view of the procedure's impact, including operative time, resected tissue volume, complication rates, local recurrence, and patient-centric measures like cosmetic outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction. An exploratory analysis was also performed to examine the influence of variables such as the use of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS), the surgeon's experience, prior neoadjuvant therapy, and the proximity of the wire to the lesion. Results: Localization using USGWL was successful in 96.2% of cases, leading to a negative margin rate of 89.2%. The use of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) showed a positive but non-significant trend toward improving outcomes, with a higher negative margin rate (92.3% vs. 87.5%) and a lower re-excision rate (4.6% vs. 10.0%). On an average, the procedure took 60.9 minutes with a resected tissue volume of 45.3 cm³. The safety profile was excellent, with a low complication rate of 2.7% and a local recurrence rate of just 1.1% after 12 months. Patients reported high satisfaction, with an average score of 8.2 out of 10, and 88% reported good to excellent cosmetic results. Crucially, the study found that surgeon experience (over 50 procedures) and a close wire proximity to the lesion (less than 2 mm) were significant factors in achieving clear margins, with negative margin rates of 92.1% and 94%, respectively, in these groups. Neoadjuvant therapy, however, had no significant effect on the outcomes. Conclusion: This study confirms that ultrasound-guided wire localization (USGWL) is a highly effective and safe technique for breast conservation surgery, demonstrating high success rates and low complication rates. The data also highlights that outcomes are significantly improved by increased surgeon experience and precise wire placement. Therefore, focusing on surgeontraining and meticulous technique can further enhance the already reliable clinical performanceof USGWL.Keywords: Breast Neoplasms, Ultrasonography, Margins of Excision, Surgical Procedures,Operative, Treatment Outcome

Weed infestation severely reduces sunflower growth and yield. A field experiment was conducted using a split-plot RCBD with weed control methods (manual and chemical) as main plots and weeding times (weed-free, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 days after emergence, and weedy check) as subplots. Significant differences were observed for weed density, biomass, growth, and yield traits. Maximum achene yield (2774.3 kg ha⁻¹) and net return (Rs 1.69 ha⁻¹) were recorded in weed-free treatment under manual control, followed by manual weeding at 30 days after emergence. Chemical control also produced higher returns compared with the weedy check. Overall, timely and effective weed management substantially improved sunflower productivity and profitability under spring planting conditions.

Background: Mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) is a severe late toxicity of head and neck radiotherapy (RT) characterized by non-healing necrotic bone, with an estimated incidence of 4-8% in the modern IMRT era [1]. Multiple patient, tumor, and treatment factors (e.g., dental extractions, tumor proximity, smoking, and high radiation dose) all contribute to ORN [1,2]. Predictive models that quantify individualized ORN risk could help guide preventive strategies, but there were no validated normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models for ORN until recently [3]. This study creates a multi-institutional deep learning (DL) model that uses 3D dose distributions ("dosiomic" data) and clinical variables to predict mandibular ORN, with the hypothesis that a large, diverse dataset will improve predictive performance and generalizability. Methods: A retrospective multi-institutional cohort of 1,184 head and neck cancer patients (389 ORN cases) from seven centers was created [4]. Clinical, demographic, and dosimetric information (3D mandibular dose-volume maps and dose-volume histogram metrics) was gathered. The mandibular dose distribution was processed using late fusion convolutional neural network (DenseNet architecture), with clinical risk factors integrated via late fusion. Model training applied 5-fold cross-validation to 80% of the pooled data and was tested on an internal test set (20%) and an external hold-out institution. Performance was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve (AUC), calibration, and F1-score. Results: ORN patients received significantly higher mandibular radiation doses (median D30% and V70Gy), as well as a higher rate of pre-RT dental extractions and smoking [4]. The multi-modal DL model had an internal test AUC of ~0.72 and good calibration, similar to a logistic regression model (AUC ~0.69) [3]. In an independent external cohort, performance was lower (AUC ~0.60), indicating institutional heterogeneity [3]. In terms of discrimination and calibration, a late-fusion DL model performed slightly better than early-fusion and single-modality models [3]. Conclusions: This large-scale study demonstrates the feasibility of predicting ORN risk with multi-institutional data and deep learning. While the DL model performed similarly to traditional models, it offers spatial dose-response insights. Key predictors included mandibular dose-volume metrics (D30%, V70Gy) and dental risk factors [4]. Further research will concentrate on incorporating advanced architectures (e.g., transformers) and addressing domain shifts in order to improve generalizability. This approach shows promise for personalized ORN risk stratification, allowing for tailored prophylactic dental care or adaptive RT planning to reduce ORN in high-risk patients.

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women and remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In Pakistan, the increasing incidence of breast cancer is particularly concerning, yet the absence of a centralized cancer registry limits comprehensive risk assessment and effective disease monitoring. The present study was designed to explore potential risk factors for breast cancer in a Pakistani cohort by analyzing hospital-based epidemiological data in conjunction with previously published findings from the same population. Data were collected from patients at hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad through a structured questionnaire covering demographic, reproductive and lifestyle variables such as age at diagnosis, age at menarche, marital status, parity, age at first childbirth, breastfeeding history, menopausal status, family history, occupation, socioeconomic background and substance use. Clinical features including stage, histological type, metastasis, obesity, receptor status, and tumor grade were also evaluated. Comparative analysis with earlier reports revealed that none of the conventionally recognized breast cancer risk factors exhibited a significant association with disease prevalence in this population, suggesting a divergence from global patterns. These findings emphasize the possibility that genetic, molecular, or population-specific determinants may contribute more substantially to breast cancer susceptibility in Pakistani women. Therefore, large-scale genetic and molecular investigations are urgently needed to clarify the underlying causes of this rising trend and to inform more effective strategies for prevention, early detection, and management.

The paper examines Indo-US strategic partnership through a structural realist lens, and analyses how India’s long-standing policy of non-alignment has always had some inclination. Since the 1950s, India has depended on the policy of non-alignment to strengthen ties with the opposing major powers, the US and Russia, and to secure national interests without binding itself to commitment of reciprocity. While Indo-US relations developed diplomatic relation in 1947, closer strategic relations only emerged in post-2000 era, which have now transformed into Global Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. However, despite closer ties with the US during this period, India has continued to deepen its historic defence and diplomatic ties with Russia, and has had significant economic relationship with China. New Delhi has also actively participated in multilateral forums and promoted global decisions that undermine the US global interests. The research assesses the interplay of India’s non alignment, role of defence cooperation, multi alignment behaviour, its strategic hedging and part in building alternative global systems. The paper argues that Indian foreign policy of strategic autonomy presents challenges for Washington. It concludes that overlooking India’s independent trajectory under the cover of strategic autonomy would encourage India to diversify its options with some having an impact on the US global hegemony and the regional stability in South Asia. Washington needs to recalibrate its approach towards India in a manner that recognises India’s reluctance.

Natural product research has an exciting and glorious past that spans over millennia. Accordingly, natural products mediated inhibition of carcinogenesis by mechanistic modulation of deregulated signaling pathways has revolutionized the field of translational oncology. Lycium barbarum has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic effects. The antioxidant activity of the extract and its effect on Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) were investigated using in vivo and in vitro techniques. EAT cells were injected into Balb/C mice to create stock mice. EAT cells withdrawn from stock mice were used in equal volumes in the studies. The in vivo study consisted of control and treatment groups (200 mg/kg fractions above and below 50 kDa of extracts). The liver tissues were evaluated for histopathological (H&E), DNA damage (Comet assay), and proliferation (AgNOR staining) status. The in vitro study consisted of control and treatment groups (1500 and 2000 µg/ml of extracts). Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated. As a result, a decrease in the adhesion of EAT cells, and decreased DNA damage were observed in mice intraperitoneally administered with the fractions of Lycium barbarum. The extracts both below and above 50 kDa increased apoptotic death in cancer cells. The extract above 50 kDa was more active than those below 50 kDa. Lycium barbarum consumption may be effectual in preventing cancer formation and slowing the progression of cancer.

Apitherapy has started to gain tremendous recognition because of extraordinary pharmacological importance of honeybee-related ingredients and their derivatives. There has been a renewed interest in the bee venom-based therapies. Interdisciplinary researchers are studying the chemistry and translational value of venom for effective cancer treatment. Bee venom and its major component, melittin, are cytotoxic in cancer cells. In this study, MTT and scratch assays were performed for analysis of melittin-mediated antimetastatic effects. QPCR was used for expression profiling of metastasis-related genes. Three anti-metastatic genes (BRMS1, DRG1, and KAI1/CD82) were studied for the first time after bee venom and melittin treatment in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells compared with normal breast cells, and two prometastatic genes (EGFR and WNT7B) were also examined. KAI1/CD82 and BRMS1 are the negative regulators of EGFR. WNT7B is a negative regulator of KAI1/CD82. Selective cytotoxicity of bee venom and melittin was found to be higher as compared to cisplatin. Melittin induced an increase in the expression of BRMS1 and DRG1, whereas bee venom upregulated DRG1 and KAI1/CD82 expression in breast cancer. WNT7B was downregulated in bee venom-treated breast cancer cells. Results suggested that bee venom/melittin exerted antimetastatic effects primarily through upregulation of BRMS1, DRG1, and KAI1/CD82, and downregulation of WNT7B.

Stem cells, which were initially identified in the 1900s, are distinct cells with the potential to replenish themselves as well as differentiate into specialised cells with certain forms and functions. Cancer stem cells play a significant role in the growth and recurrence of the tumours and, similar to normal stem cells, are capable of proliferating and differentiating. Traditional cancer treatments are ineffective against cancer stem cells, which leads to tumour regrowth. Cancer stem cells are thought to emerge as a result of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition pathways. Brain, prostate, pancreatic, blood, ovarian, lung, liver, melanomas, AML, and breast cancer stem cells are among the most prevalent cancer forms. This review aims to comprehend the possibility of using specific forms of nanotechnology to replace cancer stem cells. In terms of nanotechnology, magnetic nanoparticles can deliver medications, especially to the target region without harming healthy cells, and they are biocompatible. In order to kill glioma cancer stem cells, the gold nanoparticles bond with DNA and function as radio sensitizers. In contrast, liposomes can circulate and traverse biological membranes and exhibit high therapeutic efficacy, precise targeting, and better drug release. Similar to carbon nanotubes, grapheme, and grapheme oxide, these substances can be delivered specifically when utilized in photothermal therapy. Recent treatments including signaling pathways and indicators targeted by nanoparticles are being researched. Future research in nanotechnology aims to develop more effective and targeted medicinal approaches. The results of the current investigation also showed that this technology's utilization will improve medical therapy and treatment.

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a major cereal crop that balances the food demand of the worldwide population. The crop quality drops daily due to their exposure to biotic and abiotic stresses, especially pathogens. It needs to be improved to maintain the consumption level to cope with increasing population demands for food. The current study was designed to analyze the comparison of the effects of green synthesis approaches on pathogens associated with rice seeds. In this study, essential oils were extracted from Cymbopogon citratus, Thymus vulgaris, and Origanum vulgaris medicinal plants and used as fungicides on fungal strains of Aspergillus spp. T. vulgaris effectively controlled the growth of Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus terreus as compared with O. vulgaris and Cymbopogon. Further, silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) were synthesized from rice husk to evaluate their antifungal activities. SiNPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy with a broad peak at 281.62 nm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum confirms the presence of Si-H, Si-OH, and Si-O-Si bonds functional groups, and SiO4 tetrahedral coordination unit. X-ray diffraction pattern describes the crystalline structure with a sharp peak at 2θ = 22°. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy confirmed the spherical shape, size 70-115 nm, and elemental composition with pure silica contents. SiNPs showed no significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus strains. Moreover, Trichoderma was isolated from the rhizosphere of rice fields and showed a surprising antifungal effect against A. terreus, A. niger, and A. flavus. The current study successfully revealed environment-friendly and cost-effective green synthesizing approaches for analyzing biocontrol potential against rice seed-related Aspergillus spp. They will also help to improve pathogen control strategies in other cereals.