Mining is vital for human sustenance and a crucial sector in the state economy. However, its impacts on the environment and biodiversity cannot be underestimated. Which are potent to the attract government’s attention. Environment and wildlife are subject to the harmful impacts of mining and its related activities. In this study, districts, namely Mardan and Mohmand have been targeted with respect to mining impacts. The assessment was carried out on wildlife adversely affected by the mining sector. The fauna has been keenly observed to bring the calculated risks and threat perception of the regional wildlife. Total 9 species of mammals, 21 species of birds, were recorded in District Mardan. While in District Mohmand 2 species of mammals, 9 species of birds, and 4 species of reptiles were studied. The Study explored that mining primarily responsible for land degradation. Which lead to food and agriculture losses. Several other factors like blasting, pollution, hunting, deforestation, habitat loss was also observed. Deforestation surfaced one of the major causes for extinction of fauna in the said region. preemptive measures are needed to seize the man-made catastrophe.

Staphylococcus aureus is a prominent cause of food-borne diseases worldwide. Enterotoxigenic strains of this bacteria are frequently found in raw milk, and some of these strains are resistant to antimicrobials, posing a risk to consumers. The main objectives of this study were to determine the antimicrobial resistance pattern of S. aureus in raw milk and to detect the presence of mecA and tetK genes in it. A total of 150 milk samples were obtained aseptically from lactating cattle, including Holstein Friesian, Achai, and Jersey breeds, maintained at different dairy farms. The milk samples were checked for the presence of S. aureus, and it was detected in 55 (37%) of them. The presence of S. aureus was verified by culturing on selective media, gram staining, and performing coagulase and catalase tests. Further confirmation was performed through PCR with a species-specific thermonuclease (nuc) gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the confirmed S. aureus was then determined by using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion technique. Out of the 55 confirmed S. aureus isolates, 11 were determined to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). The highest resistance was found to penicillin (100%) and oxacillin (100%), followed by tetracycline (72.72%), amikacin (27.27%), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (18.18%), tobramycin (18.18%), and gentamycin (9.09%). Amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin were found to be susceptible (100%). Out of 11 MDR S. aureus isolates, the methicillin resistance gene (mecA) was detected in 9 isolates, while the tetracycline resistance gene (tetK) was found in 7 isolates. The presence of these methicillin- and tetracycline-resistant strains in raw milk poses a major risk to public health, as they can cause food poisoning outbreaks that can spread rapidly through populations. Our study concludes that out of nine empirically used antibiotics, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were highly effective against S. aureus compared to penicillin, oxacillin, and tetracycline.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Giardia lamblia infection and identify associated risk factors at both individual and community levels in a pediatric population in different agroecological zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to December 2022. Using stratified sampling, 1026 households were recruited from nine agroecological zones. Stool samples were collected from 1026 children up to the age of five years and processed for detection of Giardia using a commercial ELISA kit. Data on potential risk factors were collected using a pre-structured questionnaire. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors associated with giardiasis. Results: The study found that the prevalence of giardiasis in the study area was 3.31%. Children aged 13–24 months were found to be at higher risk for giardiasis. Illiterate mothers and fathers attending daycare institutions/kindergartens, mothers not practicing hand washing during critical times, households with companion animals, and homes where stray dogs/cats enter were identified as predictors of giardiasis at the individual level. Children living in sub-mountain valleys use un-piped water, inadequate domestic water storage vessels, drink un-boiled or unfiltered water, live near rubbish heaps or un-paved streets/pathways, and have unimproved latrine facilities were identified as risk factors of giardiasis at the community level. Conclusions: The study highlights the need for integrated intervention approaches at both individual and community levels to reduce the incidence of giardiasis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Interventions aimed at promoting behavioral change and providing safe and adequate water sources, combined with individual-level interventions such as hand washing and awareness of giardiasis prevention methods, would be critical to addressing this health concern. Inter-sectoral collaboration between the health sector and other sectors would also be necessary to achieve meaningful progress in reducing the incidence of giardiasis in resource-limited areas.

Background and Aim: Coccidiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria, is a significant concern in poultry farming, leading to substantial economic losses worldwide. In Pakistan, poultry is a major component of the agricultural sector, with both broiler and egg-laying chickens playing crucial roles in meeting the country’s protein needs. Despite the importance of the poultry industry, there is limited data on prevalence and species distribution of Eimeria in different types of chickens in District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and determine the distribution of Eimeria species in broiler and egg-laying chickens in this region. Materials and Methods: Nine hundred fecal samples were collected from broiler (380) and egg-laying domestic chickens (520) in District Swabi, Pakistan. Microscopic analysis was used to identify Eimeria parasites in all samples. After microscopic examination for positive identification, Eimeria species were determined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Results: Microscopic examination identified Eimeria oocysts in 44.4% (400/900) of the samples. Eimeria parasite infection significantly varied based on chicken type, age, and gender (p < 0.05). The study found that broiler chickens (52.63%, 235/450), young chickens (4–6 weeks) (55.5%, 285/500), and females (52.2%, 200/380) were more infected with Eimeria spp. than egg-laying domestic chickens (38.5%, 200/520), adults (above 6 weeks) (28.8%), and males (36.7%, 165/450). PCR indicated a distribution rate of 42.5% (170/400) Eimeria tenella, 26.25% (105/400) Eimeria acervulina, 20% (80/400) Eimeria maxima, and 11.25% (45/400) Eimeria mitis. None of Eimeria necatrix, Eimeria brunetti, or Eimeria praecox was found in the study. Conclusion: This study underlines the essential requirement for targeted interventions due to the prevalence and predominance of E. tenella among identified Eimeria species. Future research should focus on refined sampling strategies and investigate the clinical significance of these parasites for effective disease management in the local poultry industry. Keywords: coccidiosis, domestic chickens, Eimeria species, microscopic and molecular identification, Pakistan, prevalence.

Background: The SARS-COV-2's spread from continent to the continent has resulted in an increased number of mutations in the viral gene encoding proteins. As a result, mutations in target proteins provide a significant challenge in creating antiviral drugs and vaccines. The present review discussed the COVID-19 epidemiology and the effects of drugs being tested against COVID-19/SARS-COV-2. Dosage of these drugs along with associated challenges was also discussed. Methodology: Systematic review was conducted after a thorough search in the "PubMed, NIH, Elsevier, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar database. 45 studies on drugs associated with COVID-19 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were selected for this review. Results: The FDA only accepted the Remdesivir drug against SARS-COV-2, as the hospitalized patients recovered very quickly by taking it. Antiviral EIDD-2801 has been found to make the SARS-COV-2 unable to infect cells by causing genetic modifications in the virus RNA. Similarly, Nitazoxanide appeared beneficial against SARS-COV-2 in a primary intervention and severe conditions (including pregnancy) without undesirable effects on the newborns. Children with mild cases can be handled solely by proper caring. Conclusion: Although Remdesivir and Dexamethasone are recommended in severe cases, clinical trials are ongoing to investigate other possible therapies like MAb and Convalescent Plasma antibodies for COVID-19. Older drugs (usually used to treat other conditions) are also under-tested by researchers to see if they are effective for COVID-19. Further tests are essential to validate whether any of the mentioned above possible therapies would be helpful for COVID-19 treatment.