tahir ali - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by tahir ali
Effect of Valsalva Maneuver in Attenuating Spinal Needle Puncture Pain
Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, May 26, 2022
Characterization and performance evaluation of tomato genotypes grown under unheated greenhouse condition
Pure and Applied Biology
Neuronal lack of PDE7a disrupted working memory, spatial learning, and memory but facilitated cued fear memory in mice
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Dec 10, 2018
Ischemic stroke is characterized by permanent or transient obstruction of blood flow, which initi... more Ischemic stroke is characterized by permanent or transient obstruction of blood flow, which initiates a cascading pathological process, starting from acute ATP loss to subsequent membrane depolarization, glutamate excitotoxicity, and calcium overload. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that exerts protective effects in different experimental stroke models. In this study, melatonin effects were demonstrated by a proteomic and in silico approach. The proteomic study identified differentially expressed proteins by 2D gel electrophoresis in the striatum 24 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Proteomic analysis revealed several proteins with aberrant expression and was validated by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Homology modeling was performed to build 3D structures for γ-enolase, thioredoxin (TRX), and heat shock 60 (HSP60) by the template crystal structures using a protein data bank as a sequence database. The structure refinement of each model was achieved by energ...
Vitamin E boosted the protective potential of Aloe vera in CCl4-treated rats
Biologia, 2021
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant widely used for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applicati... more Aloe vera is a medicinal plant widely used for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Oodles studies are going on to evaluate the protective role of Aloe vera while treating it along with different adjuvants compounds/drugs or plants. Therefore, here we aimed to illuminate the combined effect of Aloe vera and Vitamin E against CCl4-induced toxicity. Rats treated with CCl4 displayed reduced body weight, impaired peripheral and cellular (serum/tissues) redox/defense system, abnormal liver function tests, and abnormal histology (liver/Brain); the effect was rescued by the Aloe vera ( ethanolic extract) treatment. However, the adjuvant treatment of Vitamin E significantly enhanced the anti-toxic impact of Aloe vera by attenuating free radical production, boosting antioxidants enzyme activities, and improving liver and brain tissues histology. Our findings suggest that Vitamin E enhances the beneficial effects of Aloe vera and could be used as an adjuvant.
The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among... more The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among primary school children. This was a cross-sectional study. Clinical examination was conducted by calibrated examiners. Dean’s fluorosis index as recommended by WHO (1997) was used to determine severity of dental fluorosis. The burden of the disease in the community was also calculated through Community Fluorosis Index. Three hundred fifteen 6- to 15 year-old school children (219 boys and 96 girls) comprised the sample. Some high school age children who were in primary section were also included in the study. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 53.33 % in the study sample. The difference among genders was found which did not increase with age. In males of age groups 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 years CFI values of 1.09, 1.11 and 1.39 were found respectively. Whereas in females of age groups 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 years lower CFI values of 0.64, 0.43 and 0.55 were recorded respectively. Th...
Journal of Inflammation Research, 2021
This review covers the preclinical and clinical literature supporting the role of melatonin in th... more This review covers the preclinical and clinical literature supporting the role of melatonin in the management of brain injury-induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, and reviews the past and current therapeutic strategies. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a neurodegenerative condition, unpredictably and potentially progressing into chronic neurodegeneration, with permanent cognitive, neurologic, and motor dysfunction, having no standard therapies. Due to its complex and multi-faceted nature, the TBI has highly heterogeneous pathophysiology, characterized by the highest mortality and disability worldwide. Mounting evidence suggests that the TBI induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, which is involved in the progression of chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases. Defenses against such conditions are mostly dependent on the usage of antioxidant compounds, the majority of whom are ingested as nutraceuticals or as dietary supplements. A large amount of literature is available regarding the efficacy of antioxidant compounds to counteract the TBI-associated damage in animal and cellular models of the TBI and several clinical studies. Collectively, the studies have suggested that TBI induces oxidative stress, by suppressing the endogenous antioxidant system, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) increasing the lipid peroxidation and elevation of oxidative damage. Moreover, elevated oxidative stress may induce neuroinflammation by activating the microglial cells, releasing and activating the inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators, and energy dyshomeostasis. Thus, melatonin has shown regulatory effects against the TBI-induced autophagic dysfunction, regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, such as ERK, activation of the NLRP-3 inflammasome, and release of the inflammatory cytokines. The collective findings strongly suggest that melatonin may regulate TBI-induced neurodegeneration, although further studies should be conducted to better facilitate future therapeutic windows.
Cell Journal (Yakhteh), 2015
Objective Oxidative stress down regulates antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD... more Objective Oxidative stress down regulates antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and contributes to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) can enhance the SOD activity, so the aim of this study is to highlight the inhibitory role of NAC against endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Materials and Methods In this experimental study at QAU from January, 2013 to March, 2013. ET-1 (50 µg/kg) and NAC (50 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally to 6-day old neonatal rats in combination or alone. All rats were sacrificed 15 days after the final injection. Histological analysis was carried out to observe the effects caused by both drugs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis and SOD assay were also carried out. Expression level of hyper- trophic marker, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), was detected by western blotting. Results Our findings showed that ET-1-induced cardiac hypertrophy leading towards heart failure was due to the imbalance of ...
The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (D... more The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (DRR) research. Responding to this call, we synergized a holistic philosophical framework (comprising ecological systems theory, symbolic interactionism, and intersectionality) and social constructionist grounded theory and ethnography within a critical Indigenous research paradigm as a methodology for exploring how diverse individual and contextual factors influence DRR in a remote Indigenous community called Galiwinku, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Working together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers collected stories in local languages using conversations and yarning circles with 20 community members, as well as participant observations. The stories were interpreted and analysed using social constructivist grounded theory analysis techniques. The findings were dialogued with over 50 community members. The findings deeply resonated with the community members, validating ...
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2021
Historically, non-Indigenous researchers have contributed to colonisation by research based on We... more Historically, non-Indigenous researchers have contributed to colonisation by research based on Western positivistic philosophical frameworks. This approach led to disembodying knowledge from Indigenous people's histories, worldviews, and cultural and social practices, thus perpetuating a deficit-based discourse which situates the responsibility of problems within Indigenous peoples and ignores the larger socioeconomic and historical contexts in which problems are rooted. Rectifying this position requires decolonising Western positivistic research by shifting to basing research on social constructionist paradigms that lead to strength-based approaches. Based on our experiences gained exploring disaster risk reduction perspectives with two remote Indigenous communities in Australia and Pakistan, we suggest in this conceptual paper that a synergy of systems theory and symbolic interactionism offers an appropriate philosophical lens to non-Indigenous researchers for gaining a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of Indigenous holistic and relational perspectives, experiences, interpretations and actions/ interaction. Research based on these philosophical worldviews promotes a strength-based approach that aligns with and empowers Indigenous ways of facilitating health and wellbeing. We offer our experiences of utilising these two frameworks and of how they could assist other non-Indigenous researchers to discover valuable insights into Indigenous perspectives and interpretations that might otherwise be ignored or neglected.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2021
UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework of Action 2015-2030 place great importa... more UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework of Action 2015-2030 place great importance on including Indigenous communities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning through community-based strategies. However, working with Indigenous communities requires developing a holistic understanding of the complexities of Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and practices that influence Indigenous DRR. To date, efforts to do so have been limited. To fill this gap, we combined systems theory and symbolic interactionism as holistic philosophical lens to explore the complex interactions of individual and contextual factors that influence DRR in a remote Pakistani Indigenous community. A synergy of critical Indigenous methodology, grounded theory, case study and ethnography as research methodologies led to employing conversations, yarning circles and participant observation as data collection methods. The data from nineteen participants were collected, interpreted and analysed with the help of a local Indigenous co-researcher over the period of four months. The emerged grounded theory identified eleven categories pertaining to the facilitators and barriers of community' DRR. The local culture Pukhtunwali and its components, Islamic teachings, good physical health, NGOs, community organisations and community's adaptive capacities facilitated DRR; whereas, lack of community-based DRR structure, inadequate welfare services, some religious beliefs, poverty and climate change hindered DRR of the community. The categories were weaved together to generate a core category that indicates that development agencies specialising in different areas need to work with Indigenous communities in interdependent and complementary partnerships for sustainable development in Pakistan. We offer our recommendations to accomplish genuine interdependent and complementary partnerships.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019
Editorial on the Research Topic Natural Products-Based Drugs: Potential Therapeutics Against Alzh... more Editorial on the Research Topic Natural Products-Based Drugs: Potential Therapeutics Against Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurological Disorders Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia are disorders of the aging population and becoming major health care burden worldwide due to unavailability of complete therapy. AD is the most frequent cause of dementia among 60% to 80% patients and has effected 45 million people globally which is estimated to triple by 2050 (Alzheimer's, 2015). AD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by behavioral turbulence, cognitive dysfunctions, imperfection in routine life activities, thus putting a huge socioeconomic burden on the health care system (Ahmad et al., 2015; Ali et al., 2017; Ayaz et al., 2017b). Among the pathophysiological hallmarks of the disease are the deficiency of vital neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), deposition of amyloid plaques (Aβ), highly phosphorylated tau proteins, and imbalance in gluatamatergic system (Ayaz et al., 2017a; Khalil et al., 2018; Ovais et al., 2018a). Only five drugs are clinically approved for use, among which tacrine, galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine are cholinesterase inhibitors whereas the fifth one memantine is glutamatergic system modulator (Ayaz et al., 2015; Kamal et al., 2015). These drugs have limited efficacy and are associated with side effects like tacrine is hepatotoxic (Watkins et al., 1994). Currently, results from clinical trials performed in mild to moderate AD dementia have directed researchers to find more effective yet safe alternatives from natural sources (Yiannopoulou and Papageorgiou, 2013; Cummings et al., 2014; Ovais et al., 2018b). The plant kingdom consists of a huge number of species with tremendous diversity of bioactive metabolites with different chemical scaffold (Ramawat et al., 2009; Ahmad et al., 2016; Mir et al., 2019). According to reports, only 6% and 15% of medicinal plants have been systematically investigated for pharmacological and phytochemical potentials respectively (Choudhary, 2001). Since, natural products are synthesized by living organisms, they have naturally optimized properties for various biological functions including binding to specific bimolecules or target proteins. Comparison of the structural features of natural and compounds synthetic revealed that the major difference between the two sources originates from starting points which makes synthesis more easy. For instance, separation of chiral compounds is a big challenge, so usually molecules with less number of chiral centers is synthesized and favored (Jan et al., 2019; Hussain et al., 2019). Besides the less number of chiral centers, synthetic molecules have low molecular weight, high chain lengths, less number of Lipinski type H-bond receptors and donors, less oxygen, and more halogen, nitrogen and sulfer.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (D... more The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (DRR) research. Responding to this call, we synergized a holistic philosophical framework (comprising ecological systems theory, symbolic interactionism, and intersectionality) and social constructionist grounded theory and ethnography within a critical Indigenous research paradigm as a methodology for exploring how diverse individual and contextual factors influence DRR in a remote Indigenous community called Galiwinku, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Working together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers collected stories in local languages using conversations and yarning circles with 20 community members, as well as participant observations. The stories were interpreted and analysed using social constructivist grounded theory analysis techniques. The findings were dialogued with over 50 community members. The findings deeply resonated with the community members, validating ...
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2021
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Integrating Spectral Indices, Topographic Factors, and Field Data Into Detecting Post-Fire Burn Severity
Series II: Forestry Wood Industry Agricultural Food Engineering, 2020
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2000
Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi isolates from four outbreaks of typhoid fe... more Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi isolates from four outbreaks of typhoid fever in southern Vietnam between 1993 and 1997 were compared. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, bacteriophage and plasmid typing, and antibiotic susceptibilities showed that independent outbreaks of multidrug-resistant typhoid fever in southern Vietnam are caused by single bacterial strains. However, different outbreaks do not derive from the clonal expansion of a single multidrug-resistant serotype Typhi strain.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1999
The rate of multiple-antibiotic resistance is increasing among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ... more The rate of multiple-antibiotic resistance is increasing among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains in Southeast Asia. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and other typing methods were used to analyze drug-resistant and -susceptible organisms isolated from patients with typhoid fever in several districts in southern Vietnam. Multiple PFGE and phage typing patterns were detected, although individual patients were infected with strains of a single type. The PFGE patterns were stable when the S. enterica serovar Typhi strains were passaged many times in vitro on laboratory medium. Paired S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates recovered from the blood and bone marrow of individual patients exhibited similar PFGE patterns. Typing of S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates from patients with relapses of typhoid indicated that the majority of relapses were caused by the same S. enterica serovar Typhi strain that was isolated during the initial infection. However, some individuals were infe...
Magnetocaloric effect and large refrigerant capacity at paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in Ni50Mn33In17
Materials Research Express, 2019
Medicina, 2019
Background and Objective: Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine ... more Background and Objective: Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine for the management of various diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of Lawsonia inermis ethanol (Li.Et) and chloroform (Li.Chf) extracts as memory-enhancing agents in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Li.Et and Li.Chf were phytochemically characterized via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Samples were tested for nootropic potentials at doses of 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (per oral in experimental animals (p.o.)). Swiss albino mice of either sex (n = 210) were divided into 21 × 10 groups for each animal model. Memory-enhancing potentials of the samples were assessed using two methods including “without inducing amnesia” and “induction of amnesia” by administration of diazepam (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Piracetam at 400 mg/kg (i.p.) was used as positive control. Cognitive behavioral models including elevated plus maze (EPM) and the passive...
Medicina, 2019
Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that deterior... more Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that deteriorates daily life due to loss of memory and cognitive impairment. It is believed that oxidative stress and cholinergic deficit are the leading causes of AD. Disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of AD are a challenging task for this century. The search for natural and synthetic agents has attracted the attention of researchers. The objective of this study was a scientific approach to search for most suitable remedy for AD by exploiting the potential of Albizia lebbeck (L.) seeds. Materials and Methods: Hydromethanolic extract of Albizia lebbeck seeds (ALE) was prepared by maceration. The plant was characterized by physico-chemical, phyto-chemical, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were used in this study and divided into six groups (n = 6). Group I: normal control; Group II: disease control (AlCl3; 100 mg/kg); Group III: standard contr...
Effect of Valsalva Maneuver in Attenuating Spinal Needle Puncture Pain
Pakistan Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, May 26, 2022
Characterization and performance evaluation of tomato genotypes grown under unheated greenhouse condition
Pure and Applied Biology
Neuronal lack of PDE7a disrupted working memory, spatial learning, and memory but facilitated cued fear memory in mice
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Dec 10, 2018
Ischemic stroke is characterized by permanent or transient obstruction of blood flow, which initi... more Ischemic stroke is characterized by permanent or transient obstruction of blood flow, which initiates a cascading pathological process, starting from acute ATP loss to subsequent membrane depolarization, glutamate excitotoxicity, and calcium overload. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant that exerts protective effects in different experimental stroke models. In this study, melatonin effects were demonstrated by a proteomic and in silico approach. The proteomic study identified differentially expressed proteins by 2D gel electrophoresis in the striatum 24 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Proteomic analysis revealed several proteins with aberrant expression and was validated by western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. Homology modeling was performed to build 3D structures for γ-enolase, thioredoxin (TRX), and heat shock 60 (HSP60) by the template crystal structures using a protein data bank as a sequence database. The structure refinement of each model was achieved by energ...
Vitamin E boosted the protective potential of Aloe vera in CCl4-treated rats
Biologia, 2021
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant widely used for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applicati... more Aloe vera is a medicinal plant widely used for biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. Oodles studies are going on to evaluate the protective role of Aloe vera while treating it along with different adjuvants compounds/drugs or plants. Therefore, here we aimed to illuminate the combined effect of Aloe vera and Vitamin E against CCl4-induced toxicity. Rats treated with CCl4 displayed reduced body weight, impaired peripheral and cellular (serum/tissues) redox/defense system, abnormal liver function tests, and abnormal histology (liver/Brain); the effect was rescued by the Aloe vera ( ethanolic extract) treatment. However, the adjuvant treatment of Vitamin E significantly enhanced the anti-toxic impact of Aloe vera by attenuating free radical production, boosting antioxidants enzyme activities, and improving liver and brain tissues histology. Our findings suggest that Vitamin E enhances the beneficial effects of Aloe vera and could be used as an adjuvant.
The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among... more The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among primary school children. This was a cross-sectional study. Clinical examination was conducted by calibrated examiners. Dean’s fluorosis index as recommended by WHO (1997) was used to determine severity of dental fluorosis. The burden of the disease in the community was also calculated through Community Fluorosis Index. Three hundred fifteen 6- to 15 year-old school children (219 boys and 96 girls) comprised the sample. Some high school age children who were in primary section were also included in the study. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was found to be 53.33 % in the study sample. The difference among genders was found which did not increase with age. In males of age groups 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 years CFI values of 1.09, 1.11 and 1.39 were found respectively. Whereas in females of age groups 6-9, 10-12, 13-15 years lower CFI values of 0.64, 0.43 and 0.55 were recorded respectively. Th...
Journal of Inflammation Research, 2021
This review covers the preclinical and clinical literature supporting the role of melatonin in th... more This review covers the preclinical and clinical literature supporting the role of melatonin in the management of brain injury-induced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, and reviews the past and current therapeutic strategies. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a neurodegenerative condition, unpredictably and potentially progressing into chronic neurodegeneration, with permanent cognitive, neurologic, and motor dysfunction, having no standard therapies. Due to its complex and multi-faceted nature, the TBI has highly heterogeneous pathophysiology, characterized by the highest mortality and disability worldwide. Mounting evidence suggests that the TBI induces oxidative and nitrosative stress, which is involved in the progression of chronic and acute neurodegenerative diseases. Defenses against such conditions are mostly dependent on the usage of antioxidant compounds, the majority of whom are ingested as nutraceuticals or as dietary supplements. A large amount of literature is available regarding the efficacy of antioxidant compounds to counteract the TBI-associated damage in animal and cellular models of the TBI and several clinical studies. Collectively, the studies have suggested that TBI induces oxidative stress, by suppressing the endogenous antioxidant system, such as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) increasing the lipid peroxidation and elevation of oxidative damage. Moreover, elevated oxidative stress may induce neuroinflammation by activating the microglial cells, releasing and activating the inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators, and energy dyshomeostasis. Thus, melatonin has shown regulatory effects against the TBI-induced autophagic dysfunction, regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, such as ERK, activation of the NLRP-3 inflammasome, and release of the inflammatory cytokines. The collective findings strongly suggest that melatonin may regulate TBI-induced neurodegeneration, although further studies should be conducted to better facilitate future therapeutic windows.
Cell Journal (Yakhteh), 2015
Objective Oxidative stress down regulates antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD... more Objective Oxidative stress down regulates antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and contributes to the development of cardiac hypertrophy. N-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) can enhance the SOD activity, so the aim of this study is to highlight the inhibitory role of NAC against endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Materials and Methods In this experimental study at QAU from January, 2013 to March, 2013. ET-1 (50 µg/kg) and NAC (50 mg/kg) were given intraperitoneally to 6-day old neonatal rats in combination or alone. All rats were sacrificed 15 days after the final injection. Histological analysis was carried out to observe the effects caused by both drugs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis and SOD assay were also carried out. Expression level of hyper- trophic marker, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), was detected by western blotting. Results Our findings showed that ET-1-induced cardiac hypertrophy leading towards heart failure was due to the imbalance of ...
The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (D... more The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (DRR) research. Responding to this call, we synergized a holistic philosophical framework (comprising ecological systems theory, symbolic interactionism, and intersectionality) and social constructionist grounded theory and ethnography within a critical Indigenous research paradigm as a methodology for exploring how diverse individual and contextual factors influence DRR in a remote Indigenous community called Galiwinku, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Working together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers collected stories in local languages using conversations and yarning circles with 20 community members, as well as participant observations. The stories were interpreted and analysed using social constructivist grounded theory analysis techniques. The findings were dialogued with over 50 community members. The findings deeply resonated with the community members, validating ...
International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 2021
Historically, non-Indigenous researchers have contributed to colonisation by research based on We... more Historically, non-Indigenous researchers have contributed to colonisation by research based on Western positivistic philosophical frameworks. This approach led to disembodying knowledge from Indigenous people's histories, worldviews, and cultural and social practices, thus perpetuating a deficit-based discourse which situates the responsibility of problems within Indigenous peoples and ignores the larger socioeconomic and historical contexts in which problems are rooted. Rectifying this position requires decolonising Western positivistic research by shifting to basing research on social constructionist paradigms that lead to strength-based approaches. Based on our experiences gained exploring disaster risk reduction perspectives with two remote Indigenous communities in Australia and Pakistan, we suggest in this conceptual paper that a synergy of systems theory and symbolic interactionism offers an appropriate philosophical lens to non-Indigenous researchers for gaining a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of Indigenous holistic and relational perspectives, experiences, interpretations and actions/ interaction. Research based on these philosophical worldviews promotes a strength-based approach that aligns with and empowers Indigenous ways of facilitating health and wellbeing. We offer our experiences of utilising these two frameworks and of how they could assist other non-Indigenous researchers to discover valuable insights into Indigenous perspectives and interpretations that might otherwise be ignored or neglected.
International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 2021
UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework of Action 2015-2030 place great importa... more UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sendai Framework of Action 2015-2030 place great importance on including Indigenous communities in disaster risk reduction (DRR) planning through community-based strategies. However, working with Indigenous communities requires developing a holistic understanding of the complexities of Indigenous worldviews, knowledges, and practices that influence Indigenous DRR. To date, efforts to do so have been limited. To fill this gap, we combined systems theory and symbolic interactionism as holistic philosophical lens to explore the complex interactions of individual and contextual factors that influence DRR in a remote Pakistani Indigenous community. A synergy of critical Indigenous methodology, grounded theory, case study and ethnography as research methodologies led to employing conversations, yarning circles and participant observation as data collection methods. The data from nineteen participants were collected, interpreted and analysed with the help of a local Indigenous co-researcher over the period of four months. The emerged grounded theory identified eleven categories pertaining to the facilitators and barriers of community' DRR. The local culture Pukhtunwali and its components, Islamic teachings, good physical health, NGOs, community organisations and community's adaptive capacities facilitated DRR; whereas, lack of community-based DRR structure, inadequate welfare services, some religious beliefs, poverty and climate change hindered DRR of the community. The categories were weaved together to generate a core category that indicates that development agencies specialising in different areas need to work with Indigenous communities in interdependent and complementary partnerships for sustainable development in Pakistan. We offer our recommendations to accomplish genuine interdependent and complementary partnerships.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2019
Editorial on the Research Topic Natural Products-Based Drugs: Potential Therapeutics Against Alzh... more Editorial on the Research Topic Natural Products-Based Drugs: Potential Therapeutics Against Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurological Disorders Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia are disorders of the aging population and becoming major health care burden worldwide due to unavailability of complete therapy. AD is the most frequent cause of dementia among 60% to 80% patients and has effected 45 million people globally which is estimated to triple by 2050 (Alzheimer's, 2015). AD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by behavioral turbulence, cognitive dysfunctions, imperfection in routine life activities, thus putting a huge socioeconomic burden on the health care system (Ahmad et al., 2015; Ali et al., 2017; Ayaz et al., 2017b). Among the pathophysiological hallmarks of the disease are the deficiency of vital neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), deposition of amyloid plaques (Aβ), highly phosphorylated tau proteins, and imbalance in gluatamatergic system (Ayaz et al., 2017a; Khalil et al., 2018; Ovais et al., 2018a). Only five drugs are clinically approved for use, among which tacrine, galantamine, donepezil, and rivastigmine are cholinesterase inhibitors whereas the fifth one memantine is glutamatergic system modulator (Ayaz et al., 2015; Kamal et al., 2015). These drugs have limited efficacy and are associated with side effects like tacrine is hepatotoxic (Watkins et al., 1994). Currently, results from clinical trials performed in mild to moderate AD dementia have directed researchers to find more effective yet safe alternatives from natural sources (Yiannopoulou and Papageorgiou, 2013; Cummings et al., 2014; Ovais et al., 2018b). The plant kingdom consists of a huge number of species with tremendous diversity of bioactive metabolites with different chemical scaffold (Ramawat et al., 2009; Ahmad et al., 2016; Mir et al., 2019). According to reports, only 6% and 15% of medicinal plants have been systematically investigated for pharmacological and phytochemical potentials respectively (Choudhary, 2001). Since, natural products are synthesized by living organisms, they have naturally optimized properties for various biological functions including binding to specific bimolecules or target proteins. Comparison of the structural features of natural and compounds synthetic revealed that the major difference between the two sources originates from starting points which makes synthesis more easy. For instance, separation of chiral compounds is a big challenge, so usually molecules with less number of chiral centers is synthesized and favored (Jan et al., 2019; Hussain et al., 2019). Besides the less number of chiral centers, synthetic molecules have low molecular weight, high chain lengths, less number of Lipinski type H-bond receptors and donors, less oxygen, and more halogen, nitrogen and sulfer.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021
The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (D... more The Sendai Framework of Action 2015–2030 calls for holistic Indigenous disaster risk reduction (DRR) research. Responding to this call, we synergized a holistic philosophical framework (comprising ecological systems theory, symbolic interactionism, and intersectionality) and social constructionist grounded theory and ethnography within a critical Indigenous research paradigm as a methodology for exploring how diverse individual and contextual factors influence DRR in a remote Indigenous community called Galiwinku, in the Northern Territory of Australia. Working together, Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers collected stories in local languages using conversations and yarning circles with 20 community members, as well as participant observations. The stories were interpreted and analysed using social constructivist grounded theory analysis techniques. The findings were dialogued with over 50 community members. The findings deeply resonated with the community members, validating ...
Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2021
This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.
Integrating Spectral Indices, Topographic Factors, and Field Data Into Detecting Post-Fire Burn Severity
Series II: Forestry Wood Industry Agricultural Food Engineering, 2020
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2000
Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi isolates from four outbreaks of typhoid fe... more Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi isolates from four outbreaks of typhoid fever in southern Vietnam between 1993 and 1997 were compared. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, bacteriophage and plasmid typing, and antibiotic susceptibilities showed that independent outbreaks of multidrug-resistant typhoid fever in southern Vietnam are caused by single bacterial strains. However, different outbreaks do not derive from the clonal expansion of a single multidrug-resistant serotype Typhi strain.
Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1999
The rate of multiple-antibiotic resistance is increasing among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi ... more The rate of multiple-antibiotic resistance is increasing among Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains in Southeast Asia. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and other typing methods were used to analyze drug-resistant and -susceptible organisms isolated from patients with typhoid fever in several districts in southern Vietnam. Multiple PFGE and phage typing patterns were detected, although individual patients were infected with strains of a single type. The PFGE patterns were stable when the S. enterica serovar Typhi strains were passaged many times in vitro on laboratory medium. Paired S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates recovered from the blood and bone marrow of individual patients exhibited similar PFGE patterns. Typing of S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates from patients with relapses of typhoid indicated that the majority of relapses were caused by the same S. enterica serovar Typhi strain that was isolated during the initial infection. However, some individuals were infe...
Magnetocaloric effect and large refrigerant capacity at paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in Ni50Mn33In17
Materials Research Express, 2019
Medicina, 2019
Background and Objective: Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine ... more Background and Objective: Medicinal plants represent an important source of alternative medicine for the management of various diseases. The present study was undertaken to assess the potential of Lawsonia inermis ethanol (Li.Et) and chloroform (Li.Chf) extracts as memory-enhancing agents in experimental animals. Materials and Methods: Li.Et and Li.Chf were phytochemically characterized via gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Samples were tested for nootropic potentials at doses of 25, 50, 100, 200 mg/kg (per oral in experimental animals (p.o.)). Swiss albino mice of either sex (n = 210) were divided into 21 × 10 groups for each animal model. Memory-enhancing potentials of the samples were assessed using two methods including “without inducing amnesia” and “induction of amnesia” by administration of diazepam (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally. Piracetam at 400 mg/kg (i.p.) was used as positive control. Cognitive behavioral models including elevated plus maze (EPM) and the passive...
Medicina, 2019
Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that deterior... more Background and Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that deteriorates daily life due to loss of memory and cognitive impairment. It is believed that oxidative stress and cholinergic deficit are the leading causes of AD. Disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of AD are a challenging task for this century. The search for natural and synthetic agents has attracted the attention of researchers. The objective of this study was a scientific approach to search for most suitable remedy for AD by exploiting the potential of Albizia lebbeck (L.) seeds. Materials and Methods: Hydromethanolic extract of Albizia lebbeck seeds (ALE) was prepared by maceration. The plant was characterized by physico-chemical, phyto-chemical, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thirty-six Wistar albino rats were used in this study and divided into six groups (n = 6). Group I: normal control; Group II: disease control (AlCl3; 100 mg/kg); Group III: standard contr...