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Adenoviruses cause economically important diseases in vertebrates. Effective vaccines against adenoviral diseases are currently lacking. Here, we report a highly conserved epitopic region on hexon proteins of adenoviruses that generate a strong immune response when used as a virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccine, produced by inserting the epitopic region into the core protein of hepatitis B virus. For evaluation of its protective efficacy, the epitopic region from a representative adenovirus, fowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4), was tested as a VLP vaccine which conferred 90% protection against challenge with a virulent FAdV-4 isolate in chickens. Importantly, such a high level of protection is not achieved when the epitopic region is employed as a part of a subunit vaccine. As the sequence and the structure of the epitopic region are highly conserved in hexon proteins of adenoviruses, the epitopic region could be employed as a promising VLP vaccine candidate against adenoviral diseases, in general.
Soban Tufail; Majid Ali Shah; Maryam Zafar; Tayyab Ali Asif; Aamir Shehzad; Muhammad Salahuddin Shah; Mudasser Habib; Muhammad Kashif Saleemi; Muhammad Muddassar; Osman Mirza; Mazhar Iqbal; Moazur Rahman. Identification of potent epitopes on hexon capsid protein and their evaluation as vaccine candidates against infections caused by members of Adenoviridae family. Vaccine 2021, 39, 3560 -3564.
AMA StyleSoban Tufail, Majid Ali Shah, Maryam Zafar, Tayyab Ali Asif, Aamir Shehzad, Muhammad Salahuddin Shah, Mudasser Habib, Muhammad Kashif Saleemi, Muhammad Muddassar, Osman Mirza, Mazhar Iqbal, Moazur Rahman. Identification of potent epitopes on hexon capsid protein and their evaluation as vaccine candidates against infections caused by members of Adenoviridae family. Vaccine. 2021; 39 (27):3560-3564.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSoban Tufail; Majid Ali Shah; Maryam Zafar; Tayyab Ali Asif; Aamir Shehzad; Muhammad Salahuddin Shah; Mudasser Habib; Muhammad Kashif Saleemi; Muhammad Muddassar; Osman Mirza; Mazhar Iqbal; Moazur Rahman. 2021. "Identification of potent epitopes on hexon capsid protein and their evaluation as vaccine candidates against infections caused by members of Adenoviridae family." Vaccine 39, no. 27: 3560-3564.
Salmonellae are foodborne pathogens and the major cause of gastroenteritis in humans. Salmonellae express multidrug efflux transporters that play a key role in their drug resistance, which is becoming an increasing problem for therapeutic intervention. Despite their biomedical importance, the mechanisms underlying substrate transport by multidrug efflux transporters remain poorly understood. Here, we describe the first characterization of a multidrug transporter belonging to the major facilitator superfamily from the genus Salmonella. We show that several clinical S. Typhi isolates constitutively express the styMdtM (STY4874) gene, which encodes a known multidrug‐resistance (MDR) transporter. Guided by the structure of the E. coli homolog, we studied two residues critical for substrate transport, Asp25 and Arg111. Mutation of Asp25 to glutamate did not affect the transport function of styMdtM, whereas mutation to alanine reduced its transport activity, suggesting that a negative charge at this position is critical for substrate translocation across the membrane. Substrate‐affinity measurements by intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the Asp25Ala mutant retained its capacity to bind substrate, albeit at a lower level. Mutation of Arg111 to alanine resulted in a decrease in secondary structure content of the transporter, and mutation to lysine completely destabilized the structure of the transporter. A homology model of styMdtM suggests that Arg111 is important for stabilizing the transmembrane domain by mediating necessary interactions between neighboring helices. Together, our studies provide new structural and mechanistic insights into the Salmonella MDR transporter styMdtM .
Aqsa Shaheen; Fouzia Ismat; Mazhar Iqbal; Abdul Haque; Zaheer Ul‐Haq; Osman Mirza; Rita De Zorzi; Thomas Walz; Moazur Rahman. Characterization of the multidrug efflux transporter styMdtM from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleAqsa Shaheen, Fouzia Ismat, Mazhar Iqbal, Abdul Haque, Zaheer Ul‐Haq, Osman Mirza, Rita De Zorzi, Thomas Walz, Moazur Rahman. Characterization of the multidrug efflux transporter styMdtM from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAqsa Shaheen; Fouzia Ismat; Mazhar Iqbal; Abdul Haque; Zaheer Ul‐Haq; Osman Mirza; Rita De Zorzi; Thomas Walz; Moazur Rahman. 2021. "Characterization of the multidrug efflux transporter styMdtM from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi." Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics , no. : 1.
Objectives: Aminoacidopathies are inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) that cause intellectual disability in children. Luckily, aminoacidopathies are potentially treatable, if diagnosed earlier in life. The focus of this study was the screening of aminoacidopathies in a cohort of patients suspected for IEMs. Methods: Blood samples from healthy (IQ > 90; n = 391) and intellectually disabled (IQ < 70; n = 409) children (suspected for IEMs) were collected from different areas of Northern Punjab, Pakistan. An analytical HPLC assay was used for the screening of plasma amino acids. Results: All the samples (n = 800) were analyzed on HPLC and forty-three out of 409 patient samples showed abnormal amino acid profiles mainly in the levels of glutamic acid, ornithine and methionine. Plasma concentration (Mean ± SD ng/mL) were significantly high in 40 patients for glutamic acid (patients: 165 ± 38 vs. controls: 57 ± 8, p < 0.00001) and ornithine (patients: 3177 ± 937 vs. controls: 1361 ± 91, p < 0.0001). Moreover, 3 patients showed abnormally high (53.3 ± 8.6 ng/mL) plasma levels of methionine. Conclusion: In conclusion, biochemical analysis of samples from such patients at the metabolites level could reveal the underlying diseases which could be confirmed through advanced biochemical and genetic analyses. Thus, treatment to some of such patients could be offered. Thus burden of intellectual disability caused by such rare metabolic diseases could be reduced from the target populations.
Muhammad Wasim; Haq Nawaz Khan; Hina Ayesha; Abdul Tawab; Fazal E Habib; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Fazli Rabbi Awan. High levels of blood glutamic acid and ornithine in children with intellectual disability. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities 2020, 1 -7.
AMA StyleMuhammad Wasim, Haq Nawaz Khan, Hina Ayesha, Abdul Tawab, Fazal E Habib, Muhammad Rafique Asi, Mazhar Iqbal, Fazli Rabbi Awan. High levels of blood glutamic acid and ornithine in children with intellectual disability. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 2020; ():1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Wasim; Haq Nawaz Khan; Hina Ayesha; Abdul Tawab; Fazal E Habib; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Fazli Rabbi Awan. 2020. "High levels of blood glutamic acid and ornithine in children with intellectual disability." International Journal of Developmental Disabilities , no. : 1-7.
Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a (HCV G3a) is highly prevalent in Pakistan. Due to the elevated cost of available Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs against HCV, medicinal natural products of potent antiviral activity should be screened for the cost-effective treatment of the disease. Furthermore, from natural products, active compounds against vital HCV proteins like non-structural protein 3 (NS3) protease could be identified to prevent viral proliferation in the host. To develop cost-effective HCV genotype 3a NS3 protease inhibitors from citrus fruit extracts. Full-length NS3 without co-factor non-structural protein 4A (NS4A) and codon optimized NS3 protease in fusion with NS4A were expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed protein was purified by metal ion affinity chromatography and gel filtration. Citrus fruit extracts were screened using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay against the protease and polyphenols were identified as potential inhibitors using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS technique. Among different polyphenols, highly potent compounds were screened using molecular modeling approaches and consequently the most active compound was further evaluated against HCV NS4A-NS3 protease domain using FRET assay. NS4A fused with NS3 protease domain gene was overexpressed and the purified protein yield was high in comparison to the lower yield of the full-length NS3 protein. Furthermore, in enzyme kinetic studies, NS4A fused with NS3 protease proved to be functionally active compared to full-length NS3. So it was concluded that co-factor NS4A fusion is essential for the purification of functionally active protease. FRET assay was developed and validated by the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of commercially available inhibitors. Screening of citrus fruit extracts against the native purified fused NS4A-NS3 protease domain showed that the grapefruit mesocarp extract exhibits the highest percentage inhibition 91% of protease activity. Among the compounds identified by LCMS analysis, hesperidin showed strong binding affinity with the protease catalytic triad having S-score value of -10.98. Fused NS4A-NS3 protease is functionally more active, which is effectively inhibited by hesperidin from the grapefruit mesocarp extract with an IC50 value of 23.32 µmol/L.
Mahim Khan; Waqar Rauf; Fazal-E- Habib; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. Screening and identification of bioactive compounds from citrus against non-structural protein 3 protease of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay and mass spectrometry. World Journal of Hepatology 2020, 12, 976 -992.
AMA StyleMahim Khan, Waqar Rauf, Fazal-E- Habib, Moazur Rahman, Mazhar Iqbal. Screening and identification of bioactive compounds from citrus against non-structural protein 3 protease of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay and mass spectrometry. World Journal of Hepatology. 2020; 12 (11):976-992.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMahim Khan; Waqar Rauf; Fazal-E- Habib; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. 2020. "Screening and identification of bioactive compounds from citrus against non-structural protein 3 protease of hepatitis C virus genotype 3a by fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay and mass spectrometry." World Journal of Hepatology 12, no. 11: 976-992.
The prime objective of the current study was to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxin patulin (PAT) in apples, grapes and their value added products. PAT was determined by a validated method based on HPLC with UV detector. A total of 381 samples comprising apple and grape fruits (n = 133 each), apple-based products (n = 76, juice, puree, jam) and grape juice (n = 39) were analyzed. PAT was found in 58.9% samples of apple and apple-based products, with a mean of 49.8 µg/kg (maximum 396 µg/kg), while 27.3% samples contained PAT beyond the maximum regulatory limit of 50 µg/kg. The average levels of PAT contamination in apple-derived products was higher in apple juice concentrate, followed by apple puree, apple juice and apple jam. The incidence of PAT in table grapes was 65.1%, with a mean of 53.9 µg/kg (maximum 505 µg/kg), whereas 23.8% exceeded the maximum level. Among the fruit samples, there were differences in PAT contents due to apple variety (6 types) or grape variety (8 types), as well as for sampling location. Our investigations showed the wide PAT occurrence in fruits and derived value-added products affecting consumer product safety, so that the population is chronically exposed to this toxin.
Shabbir Hussain; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Muhammad Akhtar; Muhammad Imran; Agustín Ariño. Surveillance of Patulin in Apple, Grapes, Juices and Value-Added Products for Sale in Pakistan. Foods 2020, 9, 1744 .
AMA StyleShabbir Hussain, Muhammad Rafique Asi, Mazhar Iqbal, Muhammad Akhtar, Muhammad Imran, Agustín Ariño. Surveillance of Patulin in Apple, Grapes, Juices and Value-Added Products for Sale in Pakistan. Foods. 2020; 9 (12):1744.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShabbir Hussain; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Muhammad Akhtar; Muhammad Imran; Agustín Ariño. 2020. "Surveillance of Patulin in Apple, Grapes, Juices and Value-Added Products for Sale in Pakistan." Foods 9, no. 12: 1744.
LC/MS-based variant profiling of lipid A component of endotoxic lipopolysaccharides of Pasteurella multocida type B:2, a causative agent of haemorrhagic septicaemia in water buffalo and cattle.
Abdul Tawab; Noor Akbar; Mujtaba Hasssan; Fazale Habib; Aamir Ali; Moazur Rahman; Abdul Jabbar; Waqar Rauf; Mazhar Iqbal. Mass spectrometric analysis of lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Pasteurella multocida. RSC Advances 2020, 10, 30917 -30933.
AMA StyleAbdul Tawab, Noor Akbar, Mujtaba Hasssan, Fazale Habib, Aamir Ali, Moazur Rahman, Abdul Jabbar, Waqar Rauf, Mazhar Iqbal. Mass spectrometric analysis of lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Pasteurella multocida. RSC Advances. 2020; 10 (51):30917-30933.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAbdul Tawab; Noor Akbar; Mujtaba Hasssan; Fazale Habib; Aamir Ali; Moazur Rahman; Abdul Jabbar; Waqar Rauf; Mazhar Iqbal. 2020. "Mass spectrometric analysis of lipid A obtained from the lipopolysaccharide of Pasteurella multocida." RSC Advances 10, no. 51: 30917-30933.
Antibiotic resistance is a global threat to public health, further accelerated by the misuse of antibiotics in humans and animals. Our recent studies have shown that gut bacteria of animals living in polluted environments are a potential source of antibacterials. Gut bacteria of cockroaches, water monitor lizards and the turtle exhibited molecules such as curcumenol, docosanedioic acid, N-acyl-homoserine lactone, L-homotyrosine and Di-rhamnolipids. Using purified compounds, assays were performed to determine their antibacterial properties using serial dilution method, cytotoxic effects using lactate dehydrogenase release, and cell viability using MTT assay. The results revealed that the purified compounds exhibited significant antibacterial activities (p < 0.05) against selected Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes) with effective MIC50 and MIC90 at µg concentrations, and with minimal effects on human cells as observed from LDH and MTT assays. These findings are significant and provide a basis for the rational development of therapeutic antibacterials. Future studies are needed to determine in vivo effects of the identified molecules together with their mode of action, which could lead to the development of novel antibacterial(s).
Noor Akbar; Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui; Mazhar Iqbal; Naveed Ahmed Khan. Antibacterial Activities of Selected Pure Compounds Isolated from Gut Bacteria of Animals Living in Polluted Environments. Antibiotics 2020, 9, 190 .
AMA StyleNoor Akbar, Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui, Mazhar Iqbal, Naveed Ahmed Khan. Antibacterial Activities of Selected Pure Compounds Isolated from Gut Bacteria of Animals Living in Polluted Environments. Antibiotics. 2020; 9 (4):190.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNoor Akbar; Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui; Mazhar Iqbal; Naveed Ahmed Khan. 2020. "Antibacterial Activities of Selected Pure Compounds Isolated from Gut Bacteria of Animals Living in Polluted Environments." Antibiotics 9, no. 4: 190.
The human zinc transporter 8 (hZnT8) plays important roles in the storage of insulin in the secretory vesicles of pancreatic β cells. hZnT8 consists of a transmembrane domain, with its N- and C-termini protruding into the cytoplasm. Interestingly, the exchange of arginine to tryptophan at position 325 in the C-terminal domain (CTD) increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). In the present study, the CTDs of hZnT8 (the wild-type (WT) and its disease risk variant (R325W)) were expressed, purified, and characterized in their native forms by biophysical techniques. The data reveal that the CTDs form tetramers which are stabilized by zinc binding, and exhibit negligible differences in their secondary structure content and zinc-binding affinities in solution. These findings provide the basis for conducting further structural studies aimed at unravelling the molecular mechanism underlying the increased susceptibility to develop T2D, which is modulated by the disease risk variant.
Raheem Ullah; Aamir Shehzad; Majid Ali Shah; Matteo De March; Fouzia Ismat; Mazhar Iqbal; Silvia Onesti; Moazur Rahman; Michael J. McPherson. C-Terminal Domain of the Human Zinc Transporter hZnT8 Is Structurally Indistinguishable from Its Disease Risk Variant (R325W). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020, 21, 926 .
AMA StyleRaheem Ullah, Aamir Shehzad, Majid Ali Shah, Matteo De March, Fouzia Ismat, Mazhar Iqbal, Silvia Onesti, Moazur Rahman, Michael J. McPherson. C-Terminal Domain of the Human Zinc Transporter hZnT8 Is Structurally Indistinguishable from Its Disease Risk Variant (R325W). International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020; 21 (3):926.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRaheem Ullah; Aamir Shehzad; Majid Ali Shah; Matteo De March; Fouzia Ismat; Mazhar Iqbal; Silvia Onesti; Moazur Rahman; Michael J. McPherson. 2020. "C-Terminal Domain of the Human Zinc Transporter hZnT8 Is Structurally Indistinguishable from Its Disease Risk Variant (R325W)." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 21, no. 3: 926.
The objective of the study was to explore the incidence of patulin (PAT) mycotoxin in mango and orange fruits and derived products marketed in Pakistan. A total of 274 samples, including 70 mango fruits, 63 mango-based products (juices, pulp, and jam), 77 orange fruits, and 64 orange-based products, were collected. PAT was determined by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV-Vis detector (276 nm). Linear detector response was observed (R2 > 0.99), the limit of detection (LOD) was 5 µg/kg and recovery percentage was 97.4%. The incidence of PAT in mango samples was 61.7%, and the concentration ranged from
Shabbir Hussain; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Nisha Khalid; Syed Wajih-Ul-Hassan; Agustín Ariño. Patulin Mycotoxin in Mango and Orange Fruits, Juices, Pulps, and Jams Marketed in Pakistan. Toxins 2020, 12, 52 .
AMA StyleShabbir Hussain, Muhammad Rafique Asi, Mazhar Iqbal, Nisha Khalid, Syed Wajih-Ul-Hassan, Agustín Ariño. Patulin Mycotoxin in Mango and Orange Fruits, Juices, Pulps, and Jams Marketed in Pakistan. Toxins. 2020; 12 (1):52.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShabbir Hussain; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal; Nisha Khalid; Syed Wajih-Ul-Hassan; Agustín Ariño. 2020. "Patulin Mycotoxin in Mango and Orange Fruits, Juices, Pulps, and Jams Marketed in Pakistan." Toxins 12, no. 1: 52.
Background and objectives: Anwar Ratol is one of the most famous cultivar of mango in South Asia, especially Pakistan. Mango leaves are left as food waste. This study evaluated the potential of mango (Anwar Ratol) leaves for their use against diabetes mellitus. Material and Methods: In this study, hydro-alcoholic extract of the plant leaves was prepared and evaluated by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the presence of phytochemicals. The plant extract was administered to Alloxan induced diabetic mice followed by evaluation through oral glucose tolerance test; determination of postprandial glucose, body weight, lipid profile and histopathological evaluation of pancreas. Results: Chemical evaluation revealed the presence of mangiferin, rhamnetin, catechin, epicatechin, iriflophenone 3-C-β-D-glucoside, gallic acid and other phenolic and flavonoid compounds. The plant extract exhibited a decrease in postprandial blood glucose following seven days therapy in diabetic mice. The extract also prevented the rise in blood glucose level as determined by glucose tolerance test in diabetic mice. Furthermore, therapy of diabetic mice with the extract prevented a decrease in body weight and decline in beta-cell mass associated with alloxan and improved lipid profile. Conclusion: The findings of the study clearly suggested that the leaf extract of the plant might possess anti-diabetic activity possibly due to the presence of mangiferin and other phytochemicals such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds. This study will serve as a basis for the use of mango leaf extract against diabetes. Furthermore, this study will also provide basis for the bioassay-based fractionation and isolation of active principles responsible for the antidiabetic potential of mango leaves.
Mohammad Saleem; Muiz Tanvir; Muhammad Furqan Akhtar; Mazhar Iqbal; Ammara Saleem. Antidiabetic Potential of Mangifera indica L. cv. Anwar Ratol Leaves: Medicinal Application of Food Wastes. Medicina 2019, 55, 353 .
AMA StyleMohammad Saleem, Muiz Tanvir, Muhammad Furqan Akhtar, Mazhar Iqbal, Ammara Saleem. Antidiabetic Potential of Mangifera indica L. cv. Anwar Ratol Leaves: Medicinal Application of Food Wastes. Medicina. 2019; 55 (7):353.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammad Saleem; Muiz Tanvir; Muhammad Furqan Akhtar; Mazhar Iqbal; Ammara Saleem. 2019. "Antidiabetic Potential of Mangifera indica L. cv. Anwar Ratol Leaves: Medicinal Application of Food Wastes." Medicina 55, no. 7: 353.
A simple, reliable and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based confirmatory method was redeveloped and validated for the simultaneous determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in chicken muscles. The analytes were extracted from minced chicken muscle with acetonitrile and ammoniated water mixture. A second extraction with ethyl acetate was followed by evaporation and dissolution of the residue in ammoniated methanol before defatting with n-hexane. Finally, the extract was further cleaned up by dispersive solid phase extraction using C-18 end-capped dispersive material. The validation protocol was adapted from the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and all the performance characteristics were successfully satisfied. The recoveries of all the analytes were found to be in the range of 86.4-108.1% and the precision values, within day and between days, ranged from 2.7% to 11% and 4.4% to 16.3%, respectively. The method was tested in various incurred samples and applied to analyse a wide range of random poultry market samples (n = 120) collected from three cities of the Punjab, Pakistan. Chloramphenicol and florfenicol residues were detected at low levels in less than 11% of the samples. Chloramphenicol was detected only in 4 samples with the concentration range of 0.17-0.477 µg kg-1, whereas the levels of florfenicol/florfenicol amine residues detected in 9 samples ranged from 8.7 to 32.8 µg kg-1. Moreover, most of the florfenicol residues were identified as tissue bound, extractable only after strong acid hydrolysis.
Muhammad Imran; Fazal-E- Habib; Saima Majeed; Abdul Tawab; Waqar Rauf; Moazur Rahman; Muhammad Umer; Mazhar Iqbal. LC-MS/MS-based determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in poultry meat from the Punjab-Pakistan. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 2018, 35, 1530 -1542.
AMA StyleMuhammad Imran, Fazal-E- Habib, Saima Majeed, Abdul Tawab, Waqar Rauf, Moazur Rahman, Muhammad Umer, Mazhar Iqbal. LC-MS/MS-based determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in poultry meat from the Punjab-Pakistan. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 2018; 35 (8):1530-1542.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Imran; Fazal-E- Habib; Saima Majeed; Abdul Tawab; Waqar Rauf; Moazur Rahman; Muhammad Umer; Mazhar Iqbal. 2018. "LC-MS/MS-based determination of chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, florfenicol and florfenicol amine in poultry meat from the Punjab-Pakistan." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 35, no. 8: 1530-1542.
Mycotoxin contamination in rice can create a health risk for the consumers. In this study, the measurement of 23 mycotoxins in rice samples (n = 180) was performed using a validated LC–MS/MS method. A food frequency questionnaire was used to get rice consumption data for the assessment of mycotoxin dietary exposure, before calculating the health risk in adults and children of north and south regions of the Pakistani Punjab province. The prevalence of aflatoxin B1 (56%), aflatoxin B2 (48%), nivalenol (28%), diacetoxyscirpenol (23%), fumonisin B1 (42%), zearalenone (15%), HT-2 toxin (10%), deoxynivalenol (8%), and ochratoxin A (6%) was estimated in samples with a mean concentration range between 0.61 and 22.98 µg/kg. Aflatoxin degradation by traditional Pakistani cooking recipes was evaluated and observed to be 41–63%. The dietary exposure to aflatoxins exceeded the tolerable daily intake at all levels, and ochratoxin A and zearalenone posed health risk at high contamination and high consumption levels. The margin of aflatoxin B1 exposure ranged between 10 and 69 in adults and 10 and 62 in children. The mean cancer risk by aflatoxin B1 exposure was 0.070 (adults) and 0.071 (children) cases/year/100,000 people in South Punjab population, and 0.122 (adults) and 0.127 (children) cases/year/100,000 people in North Punjab population. This study will provide new insights for the planning and management of mycotoxins in Pakistan.
Saima Majeed; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Waqar Rauf; Abdul Tawab; Fazal- E- Habib; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. Multiple Mycotoxins in Rice: Occurrence and Health Risk Assessment in Children and Adults of Punjab, Pakistan. Toxins 2018, 10, 77 .
AMA StyleSaima Majeed, Marthe De Boevre, Sarah De Saeger, Waqar Rauf, Abdul Tawab, Fazal- E- Habib, Moazur Rahman, Mazhar Iqbal. Multiple Mycotoxins in Rice: Occurrence and Health Risk Assessment in Children and Adults of Punjab, Pakistan. Toxins. 2018; 10 (2):77.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaima Majeed; Marthe De Boevre; Sarah De Saeger; Waqar Rauf; Abdul Tawab; Fazal- E- Habib; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. 2018. "Multiple Mycotoxins in Rice: Occurrence and Health Risk Assessment in Children and Adults of Punjab, Pakistan." Toxins 10, no. 2: 77.
Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is widely prevalent and causes Bacterial Leaf Blight (BLB) in Basmati rice grown in different areas of Pakistan. There is a need to use environmentally safe approaches to overcome the loss of grain yield in rice due to this disease. The present study aimed to develop inocula, based on native antagonistic bacteria for biocontrol of BLB and to increase the yield of Super Basmati rice variety. Out of 512 bacteria isolated from the rice rhizosphere and screened for plant growth promoting determinants, the isolate BRp3 was found to be the best as it solubilized 97 µg/ mL phosphorus, produced 30µg/ mL phytohormone indole acetic acid and 15 mg/ L siderophores in vitro. The isolate BRp3 was found to be a Pseudomonas aeruginosa based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing (accession no. HQ840693. This bacterium showed antagonism in vitro against different phytopathogens including Xoo and Fusarium spp. Strain BRp3 showed consistent pathogen suppression of different strains of BLB pathogen in rice. Mass spectrometric analysis detected the production of siderophores (1-hydroxy-phenazine,pyocyanin and pyochellin), rhamnolipids and a series of already characterized 4-hydroxy-2-alkylquinolines (HAQs) as well as novel 2,3,4-trihydroxy-2-alkylquinolines and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxy-2-alkylquinolines in crude extract of BRp3. These secondary metabolites might be responsible for the profound antibacterial activity of BRp3 against Xoo pathogen. Another contributing factor towards the suppression of the pathogen was the induction of defense related enzymes in the rice plant by the inoculated strain BRp3. When used as an inoculant in a field trial, this strain enhanced the grain and straw yields by 51% and 55%, respectively, over non-inoculated control. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) used in combination with immunofluorescence marker confirmed Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRp3 in the rice rhizosphere under sterilized as well as field conditions. The results provide evidence that novel secondary metabolites produced by BRp3 may contribute to its activity as a biological control agent against Xoo and its potential to promote the growth and yield of Super Basmati rice. Key words: Xanthomonas oryzae, Super Basmati, mass spectroscopy, HAQ, CLSM, BLB.
Sumera Yasmin; Fauzia Y. Hafeez; Muhammad S. Mirza; Maria Rasul; Hafiz M. I. Arshad; Muhammad Zubair; Mazhar Iqbal. Biocontrol of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Rice and Profiling of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Rhizospheric Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRp3. Frontiers in Microbiology 2017, 8, 1895 .
AMA StyleSumera Yasmin, Fauzia Y. Hafeez, Muhammad S. Mirza, Maria Rasul, Hafiz M. I. Arshad, Muhammad Zubair, Mazhar Iqbal. Biocontrol of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Rice and Profiling of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Rhizospheric Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRp3. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2017; 8 ():1895.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSumera Yasmin; Fauzia Y. Hafeez; Muhammad S. Mirza; Maria Rasul; Hafiz M. I. Arshad; Muhammad Zubair; Mazhar Iqbal. 2017. "Biocontrol of Bacterial Leaf Blight of Rice and Profiling of Secondary Metabolites Produced by Rhizospheric Pseudomonas aeruginosa BRp3." Frontiers in Microbiology 8, no. : 1895.
Florfenicol, a broad spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotic belonging to amphenicol class, is widely used in poultry and livestock for the treatment of various infections. The major metabolite of florfenicol in different animal species is florfenicol amine which is exploited as the marker residue for the determination of florfenicol. Analysis of florfenicol merely by solvent extraction cannot determine the accurate amount of the drug present in incurred tissues (muscle, liver and kidney) of treated birds, as indicated by this study. Thus the methods solely based on solvent extraction may lead to false negative results. A reliable LC-MS/MS based confirmatory method for the analysis of florfenicol and its metabolites in chicken muscle was developed and validated according to the European Union Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. The method was based on acid hydrolysis to liberate non-extractable residues having presumably been covalently bound to tissues, and to convert all the florfenicol residues as well as its metabolites into florfenicol amine. The amine was subsequently recovered with ethyl acetate at pH 10.5, defatted and further cleaned up with dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE). The LC separation was achieved on reverse phase C-18 column with isocratic elution using acetonitrile/water mobile phase and the analysis was performed on linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Calibration curve was obtained over a concentration range of 25-600μg/kg for chicken muscles. The accuracy values ranged from 84 to 101.4% and the precision values for within day and between days ranged from 1.2-11.7%, respectively. Limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOD), CCα and CCβ values were 0.98, 3.2, 113 and 126μg/kg, respectively. The developed method was highly robust and was further applied to estimate the relative distribution of solvent-extractable against solvent-non-extractable florfenicol drug residues in muscle, liver and kidney samples of broiler chicken after 5days of oral dosing.
Muhammad Imran; Fazal- E- Habib; Abdul Tawab; Waqar Rauf; Moazur Rahman; Qaiser Mehmood Khan; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal. LC–MS/MS based method development for the analysis of florfenicol and its application to estimate relative distribution in various tissues of broiler chicken. Journal of Chromatography B 2017, 1063, 163 -173.
AMA StyleMuhammad Imran, Fazal- E- Habib, Abdul Tawab, Waqar Rauf, Moazur Rahman, Qaiser Mehmood Khan, Muhammad Rafique Asi, Mazhar Iqbal. LC–MS/MS based method development for the analysis of florfenicol and its application to estimate relative distribution in various tissues of broiler chicken. Journal of Chromatography B. 2017; 1063 ():163-173.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Imran; Fazal- E- Habib; Abdul Tawab; Waqar Rauf; Moazur Rahman; Qaiser Mehmood Khan; Muhammad Rafique Asi; Mazhar Iqbal. 2017. "LC–MS/MS based method development for the analysis of florfenicol and its application to estimate relative distribution in various tissues of broiler chicken." Journal of Chromatography B 1063, no. : 163-173.
Proton-dependent oligopeptide transporters (POTs) are secondary active transporters found in all kingdoms of life. POTs utilize the proton electrochemical gradient for the uptake of nutrient dipeptides and tripeptides. The human POT hPepT1 is known to transport a number of drugs. As part of ongoing studies on substrate specificities of POTs from Escherichia coli, our aim in this study was to investigate whether bacterial POTs could also transport these drugs. For this, we selected the common orally administered drugs sulpiride, bestatin, valacyclovir, ampicillin and oseltamivir, that are all transported by hPepT1. The transport of these drugs was evaluated using the prototypical POT YdgR from E. coli. The transport studies were pursued through combining cell-based assays with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) analysis. These investigations revealed that YdgR from E. coli is able to transport five (sulpiride, bestatin, valacyclovir, ampicillin and oseltamivir) drugs. Furthermore, cells not overexpressing YdgR were also able to transport these drugs in a POT-like manner. Orthologues of YdgR are found in several species in the gut microbiome; hence, our findings could have implications for further understanding about the interaction between gut microbes and orally administered drugs.
Bala K. Prabhala; Nanda Gowtham Aduri; Mazhar Iqbal; Moazur Rahman; Michael Gajhede; Paul R. Hansen; Osman Asghar Mirza. Several hPepT1-transported drugs are substrates of the Escherichia coli proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter YdgR. Research in Microbiology 2017, 168, 443 -449.
AMA StyleBala K. Prabhala, Nanda Gowtham Aduri, Mazhar Iqbal, Moazur Rahman, Michael Gajhede, Paul R. Hansen, Osman Asghar Mirza. Several hPepT1-transported drugs are substrates of the Escherichia coli proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter YdgR. Research in Microbiology. 2017; 168 (5):443-449.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBala K. Prabhala; Nanda Gowtham Aduri; Mazhar Iqbal; Moazur Rahman; Michael Gajhede; Paul R. Hansen; Osman Asghar Mirza. 2017. "Several hPepT1-transported drugs are substrates of the Escherichia coli proton-coupled oligopeptide transporter YdgR." Research in Microbiology 168, no. 5: 443-449.
Majid Ali Shah; Raheem Ullah; Matteo De March; Muhammad Salahuddin Shah; Fouzia Ismat; Mudasser Habib; Mazhar Iqbal; Silvia Onesti; Moazur Rahman. Overexpression and characterization of the 100K protein of Fowl adenovirus-4 as an antiviral target. Virus Research 2017, 238, 218 -225.
AMA StyleMajid Ali Shah, Raheem Ullah, Matteo De March, Muhammad Salahuddin Shah, Fouzia Ismat, Mudasser Habib, Mazhar Iqbal, Silvia Onesti, Moazur Rahman. Overexpression and characterization of the 100K protein of Fowl adenovirus-4 as an antiviral target. Virus Research. 2017; 238 ():218-225.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMajid Ali Shah; Raheem Ullah; Matteo De March; Muhammad Salahuddin Shah; Fouzia Ismat; Mudasser Habib; Mazhar Iqbal; Silvia Onesti; Moazur Rahman. 2017. "Overexpression and characterization of the 100K protein of Fowl adenovirus-4 as an antiviral target." Virus Research 238, no. : 218-225.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) establishes latency in resting memory CD4+ T cells and cells of myeloid lineage. In contrast to the T cells, cells of myeloid lineage are resistant to the HIV-1 induced cytopathic effect. Cells of myeloid lineage including macrophages are present in anatomical sanctuaries making them a difficult drug target. In addition, the long life span of macrophages as compared to the CD4+ T cells make them important viral reservoirs in infected individuals especially in the late stage of viral infection where CD4+ T cells are largely depleted. In the past decade, HIV-1 persistence in resting CD4+ T cells has gained considerable attention. It is currently believed that rebound viremia following cessation of combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART) originates from this source. However, the clinical relevance of this reservoir has been questioned. It is suggested that the resting CD4+ T cells are only one source of residual viremia and other viral reservoirs such as tissue macrophages should be seriously considered. In the present review we will discuss how macrophages contribute to the development of long-lived latent reservoirs and how macrophages can be used as a therapeutic target in eradicating latent reservoir.
Wasim Abbas; Muhammad Tariq; Mazhar Iqbal; Amit Kumar; Georges Herbein. Eradication of HIV-1 from the Macrophage Reservoir: An Uncertain Goal? Viruses 2015, 7, 1578 -1598.
AMA StyleWasim Abbas, Muhammad Tariq, Mazhar Iqbal, Amit Kumar, Georges Herbein. Eradication of HIV-1 from the Macrophage Reservoir: An Uncertain Goal? Viruses. 2015; 7 (4):1578-1598.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWasim Abbas; Muhammad Tariq; Mazhar Iqbal; Amit Kumar; Georges Herbein. 2015. "Eradication of HIV-1 from the Macrophage Reservoir: An Uncertain Goal?" Viruses 7, no. 4: 1578-1598.
Sara Sadiq; Muhammad Imran; Muhammad Nadeem Hassan; Mazhar Iqbal; Yusuf Zafar; Fauzia Yusuf Hafeez. Potential of bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis inhabiting low pH vegetables to produce nisin variants. LWT - Food Science and Technology 2014, 59, 204 -210.
AMA StyleSara Sadiq, Muhammad Imran, Muhammad Nadeem Hassan, Mazhar Iqbal, Yusuf Zafar, Fauzia Yusuf Hafeez. Potential of bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis inhabiting low pH vegetables to produce nisin variants. LWT - Food Science and Technology. 2014; 59 (1):204-210.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Sadiq; Muhammad Imran; Muhammad Nadeem Hassan; Mazhar Iqbal; Yusuf Zafar; Fauzia Yusuf Hafeez. 2014. "Potential of bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis inhabiting low pH vegetables to produce nisin variants." LWT - Food Science and Technology 59, no. 1: 204-210.
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are functionally diverse group of bacteria having immense potential as biofertilizers and biopesticides. Depending upon their function, they may serve as partial replacements for chemical fertilizer or pesticides as an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives as compared to their synthetic counterparts. Therefore, isolation, characterization and practical evaluation of PGPRs having the aforementioned multifaceted beneficial characteristics, are essentially required. This study describes the detailed polyphasic characterization of Bacillus sp. strain RMB7 having profound broad spectrum antifungal activity and plant growth promoting potential. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, strain RMB7 was identified as Bacillus specie. This strain exhibited the production of 8 mg. L−1of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in tryptophan-supplemented medium. It was able to solubilize 50.6 mg. L-1 tri-calcium phosphate, reduced 601ηmol acetylene h-1/vial and inhibited >70% growth of nine fungal phytopathogens tested in vitro. Under natural pathogen pressure, inoculation with strain RMB7 and RMB7-supernatant conferred resistance by arugula plant against Pythium irregulare with a concurrent growth improvement over non-inoculated plants. The T-RFLP analysis based on 16S rRNA gene showed that inoculation with RMB7 or its supernatant have a major impact on the indigenous rhizosphere bacterial population. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed the production of lipopeptide surfactins as well as iturin A presence in crude extract of RMB7. PCR-amplification further confirmed the presence of genes involved in the biosynthesis of these two bioactive lipopeptide compounds. The data show that Bacillus sp. strain RMB7 has multifaceted beneficial characteristics. It may be an ideal plant growth promoting as well as biocontrol agent, for its integrated use in disease and nutrient management strategies.
Saira Ali; Sohail Hameed; Asma Imran; Mazhar Iqbal; George Lazarovits. Genetic, physiological and biochemical characterization of Bacillussp. strain RMB7 exhibiting plant growth promoting and broad spectrum antifungal activities. Microbial Cell Factories 2014, 13, 1 -15.
AMA StyleSaira Ali, Sohail Hameed, Asma Imran, Mazhar Iqbal, George Lazarovits. Genetic, physiological and biochemical characterization of Bacillussp. strain RMB7 exhibiting plant growth promoting and broad spectrum antifungal activities. Microbial Cell Factories. 2014; 13 (1):1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSaira Ali; Sohail Hameed; Asma Imran; Mazhar Iqbal; George Lazarovits. 2014. "Genetic, physiological and biochemical characterization of Bacillussp. strain RMB7 exhibiting plant growth promoting and broad spectrum antifungal activities." Microbial Cell Factories 13, no. 1: 1-15.
Aberrant DNA methylation profiles are a characteristic feature of almost all types of cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and play an important role in carcinogenesis. In spite of the accumulating evidence that suggests appearance of such aberrations at precancerous stages, very little effort has been invested to investigate such possible methylation events in patients at risk of developing HCC i.e. those suffering from chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and liver cirrhosis (LC). We reasoned that such an analysis could lead to the identification of novel predictive biomarkers as well as potential drug targets.
Muhammad Umer; Sohail A Qureshi; Zahid Y Hashmi; Asif Raza; Janbaz Ahmad; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. Promoter hypermethylation of Wnt pathway inhibitors in hepatitis C virus - induced multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Virology Journal 2014, 11, 117 -117.
AMA StyleMuhammad Umer, Sohail A Qureshi, Zahid Y Hashmi, Asif Raza, Janbaz Ahmad, Moazur Rahman, Mazhar Iqbal. Promoter hypermethylation of Wnt pathway inhibitors in hepatitis C virus - induced multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. Virology Journal. 2014; 11 (1):117-117.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMuhammad Umer; Sohail A Qureshi; Zahid Y Hashmi; Asif Raza; Janbaz Ahmad; Moazur Rahman; Mazhar Iqbal. 2014. "Promoter hypermethylation of Wnt pathway inhibitors in hepatitis C virus - induced multistep hepatocarcinogenesis." Virology Journal 11, no. 1: 117-117.