Lahore College for Women University

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by recurrent itching, predominantly affecting children but also impacting adults. Geraniol, a monoterpene alcohol found in various aromatic plant-based essential oils, possesses a pleasant rose-like scent. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of geraniol in a mouse model of atopic dermatitis by elucidating its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Mice were subjected to 2% 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce AD, and treated with both oral and topical administrations of prednisolone and geraniol from day 7 to day 19. Macroscopic assessments of ear and dorsal skin, as well as ear thickness, were conducted on days 0, 7, and 19. Total leukocyte count (TLC) and differential leukocyte count (DLC) were measured in blood samples using an automatic hematology analyzer. Ear tissues were analyzed for mRNA expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the binding affinity of geraniol to these cytokines. Histopathological examination using hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted on ear and dorsal skin tissues to assess eosinophil and mast cell infiltration, as well as epidermal thickness. The results demonstrated that both oral and topical geraniol significantly alleviated AD-like symptoms. Geraniol treatment led to a reduction in DLC and TLC levels in the blood, as well as downregulation of IL-4 and IL-13 expression in ear tissue. In silico studies revealed that geraniol exhibited moderate binding affinities of --4.5 kcal/mol with IL-4 and --4.9 kcal/mol with IL-13. Histopathological analysis indicated a reduction in epidermal thickness and infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils in geraniol-treated mice. In conclusion, geraniol effectively alleviated atopic dermatitis in mice by reducing clinical scores, inflammatory cell infiltration, epidermal thickening, and regional downregulation of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA expression. The in silico docking studies support the hypothesis of a potential Th2-modulatory effect of geraniol.

Abstract Ensuring food security goals through the provision of sustainable energy and food without compromising environmental sustainability is the current requirement amid threats from climate change, uncontrolled global population, and scarcity of natural resources. Increased agricultural dependence on chemical inputs to boost food productivity has become less ecologically efficient, threatening ecological balance. The utilization of favorable soil microbes as a key substitute for chemical fertilizers can prove a potential solution to this riddle. Cyanobacteria, a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes, have been considered as potential sources of various bioenergy forms (biogas, biodiesel, and bioethanol) due to their native abilities to efficiently harvest solar energy and convert it into biomass by simple dependence on CO 2 , nutrients, and water. Efficient application of cyanobacteria can mitigate climate change by lowering the greenhouse gas emissions and bioremediation of contaminated soil and water. This article reviews specific knowledge of the ecological mechanisms, including carbon sequestration, nitrogen fixation efficiency, and soil microbial enhancement, about how these mechanisms can be further improved through the incorporation of cyanobacteria. This suggests that future research should focus on utilizing already available indigenous cyanobacterial strains and searching for new species to explore the symbiotic mechanisms executed with other beneficial soil microbes, from an environmentally friendly perspective, toward the management of the rhizosphere to encourage plant growth and development. Moreover, it is necessary to explore the composition, diversification, distribution, and environmental factors of cyanobacteria in rice ( Oryza sativa L.)‐based soils under different ecological conditions to better utilize the biotechnology tool.

The pure MoS, binary ZnS/MoS, and ternary ZnS/MoS/composites incorporated with carbonaceous materials such as SWCNT, MWCNT, and GO nano-composites are synthesized using a hydrothermal technique. The compositions of the pure, binary, and ternary nano-composites are maintained at ratios of 100, 90:10, and 86:10:4, respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of a hexagonal single-phase structure. The surface morphology revealed well-defined nano-spheres with clear boundaries. Among the prepared materials, the ternary ZnS (86 %)–MoS (10 %)–GO (4 %) composite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, delivering an average specific capacitance of 1098 F/g at various scan rates. It also demonstrated a high energy density of 1093 Wh/kg and a power density of 9.3 W/kg. A predominant pseudocapacitive charge-storage behavior is observed, with a diffusive contribution of 85.47 % at a scan rate of 5 mV/s, indicating its potential as a promising candidate for advanced energy storage systems. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of transition metal sulfides combined with carbonaceous materials.

The May 2025 Pakistan-India crisis demonstrated the effectiveness of deterrence in South Asia. Nuclear weapons deter a complete scale war, but not prevent limited or conventional ones. This research paper examines May crisis 2025 with the shifting deterrence dynamics. It analyse the role of nuclear capabilities in the escalation, and also investigate the new types of non-nuclear domains, including sophisticated conventional weapons, cyberspace, space resources, and financial instruments. The study is based on the qualitative design of a case-study, which will compare the May 2025 crises with previous Pakistan and India crises. It contextualizes the findings within wider theoretical and regional references. The research points out the increased significance of multi-domain deterrence, in which the combination of nuclear and non-nuclear assets may provide a more integrated perception of stability. These insights provide a framework for understanding crisis management and strategic behavior in South Asia, reflecting the changing nature of conflict in a technologically interconnected region.

In the original publication [...]

The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of plasma on the shadow of a charged, static and spherically symmetric black hole in [Formula: see text] gravity. Plasma surrounding black holes can affect the propagation of light rays, influencing the observed shape and size of the black hole shadow. To explore this phenomenon, we formulate the radius of photon sphere, the angular size of the shadow and radius of shadow in low-density plasma. We find that the size of shadow becomes smaller in the presence of plasma. The observed reduction in the size of the shadow in the presence of plasma can be attributed to the interaction between light and the plasma medium. The study of the rate of energy emission is also investigated in the presence of plasma medium and we find the peak position shifts from high to low frequency. The reduction in the rate of energy emission due to plasma can affect the dynamics of these accretion disks. We explore the angular radius for distant observer which has a decreasing behavior.

Abstract Introduction: Non-prescription sale of controlled medicines is a growing public health problem, especially amongst low-middle-income countries, not helped by weak regulatory enforcement. Consequently, controlled medicines continue to be purchased without a prescription, exacerbating misuse and increasing morbidity and mortality. Currently, little is known about this in Pakistan. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of non-prescription dispensing of controlled medicines in Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional study using simulated clients (SC) was conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. SC visited 378 drug outlets (285 pharmacies and 93 medical stores) to purchase controlled medicines without providing a prescription. Data about dispensing, interactions and grounds for refusal were acquired. Results: About 61.9% of outlets dispensed controlled medicines without a prescription. The most commonly dispensed controlled medicines were tramadol (29.5%), followed by codeine (26.1%) and alprazolam (23.1%). There was no significant difference in non-prescription dispensing between pharmacies and medical stores. However, outlets lacking licenced personnel were significantly more likely to dispense controlled drugs without a prescription ( P = 0.049). Refusals were mainly due to prescription requirements (55.6%) or product unavailability (44.4%). Conclusions: There was appreciable dispensing of controlled medicines without a prescription, greater when licenced personnel were not present. Enhanced regulatory enforcement and increased presence of certified personnel are necessary going forward.

Key findings from the PDHS 2017−18 indicate that the total demand for family planning among married women in Pakistan was 52%. Research is needed to understand the persistently low contraceptive use in the country. This study aimed to identify the individual and community-level contextual factors that influence contraceptive use in Pakistan. Data were taken from all four waves of the Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHS); 1990−91, 2006−07, 2012−13, and 2017−18. A multi-level logistic regression model was used to estimate the strength of the association between contraceptive use for both individual and community-level factors. The final adjusted model revealed that the likelihood of contraceptive use among women increased from 1991 to 2013 but slightly declined in 2017−18. Specifically, in 2006−07 PDHS, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 3.14) of contraceptive use was lower than that in 2012−13 PDHS (AOR = 4.33). In the 2017−18 PDHS, the AOR = 4.02 was slightly lower than that in 2012−13. Contraceptive use was found to be lower among uneducated, older women and those with a low wealth index. This study found that decisions about contraceptive use are shaped by not only individual-level factors but also by community-level factors. Increases in contraceptive use were associated with individual-level characteristics such as women’s age at first cohabitation, education, work status, parity, husband’s education, and wealth index. A major community-level factor contributing to increased contraceptive uptake was community-level education.