The reprogramming of energy metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer and is crucial for tumor progression. Altered aerobic glycolysis is a well-known characteristic of cancer cell metabolism. In the present study, the expression profiles of key metabolic genes (HK2, PFKM, and PKM2) were assessed in the breast cancer cohort of Pakistan using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and IHC. Expression patterns were correlated with molecular subtypes and clinical parameters in the patients. A significant upregulation of key glycolytic genes was observed in tumor samples in comparison to their adjacent controls (p < 0.0001). The expression of the studied glycolytic genes was significantly increased in late clinical stages, positive nodal involvement, and distant metastasis (p < 0.05). HK2 and PKM2 were found to be upregulated in luminal B, whereas PFKM was overexpressed in the luminal A subtype of breast cancer. The genes were positively correlated with the proliferation marker Ki67 (p < 0.001). Moreover, moderate positive linear correlations between HK2 and PKM2 (r = 0.476), HK2 and PFKM (r = 0.473), and PKM2 and PFKM (r = 0.501) were also observed (p < 0.01). These findings validate that the key regulatory genes in glycolysis can serve as potential biomarkers and/or molecular targets for breast cancer management. However, the clinical significance of these molecules needs to be further validated through in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Milk is seen as a chief source of protein and other biologically available nutrients for human beings. Pakistan, the fourth largest milk-producing country, is badly affected by the contagious transboundary apthoviral disease of ungulate animals; the foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus. FMD is endemic in Pakistan and has caused significant economic loss to the dairy industry in the form of a profound decrease in milk production and increased morbidity and deaths of dairy animals. Inclusively, the case fatality ratio of FMD was 15.11%. Of the seven FMDV serotypes, (O, A, C, Asia 1, SAT 1, SAT 2, and SAT 3), three serotypes (O, A, and Asia-1) are endemic in Pakistan. Rapid and highly sensitive diagnostic tools are required for efficient control of this disease. Presently, FMD in the laboratory is diagnosed via ELISA and molecular approaches, i.e., RT-PCR. Serotype-specific RT-PCR analysis not only confirms ELISA serotyping results but can also be used for the screening of ELISA negative samples. Genotypically, FMDV serotype O has a topotype (Middle East–South Asia (ME–SA) and lineage PanAsia-2) that is reported frequently from different areas of Pakistan. Confirmed cases of serotype A and Asia-1 are also reported. The information gathered can be used for understanding the molecular epidemiology of FMD in Pakistan. Further studies on the molecular dynamics of FMD could be useful for ensuring the timely diagnosis of this deadly pathogen, which would ultimately be beneficial for the mass vaccination programs of FMD in Pakistan.

Among the main intimidation to the sheep and goat population, PPR outbreaks are causing huge losses especially in endemic areas. During recent times, six outbreaks of PPR were confirmed at semi-organized goat farms/herds in various regions of Punjab province and Islamabad capital territory (ICT), Pakistan. The disease started after introduction of new animals at these farms with no history of previous PPR vaccination. The clinical signs appeared affecting respiratory and enteric systems and spread quickly. Disease caused mortality of 10-20% and morbidity of 20-40% within a time period of four weeks. Morbidity and mortality rates were 30.38% (86/283) and 15.55% (44/283), respectively. Three treatment regimes were executed to demonstrate the role of vaccination during outbreak at these farms. First was to use only the broad spectrum antibiotics (Penicillin & Streptomycin and/ or Trimethoprim and Sulfadiazine) at two farms (Texilla and Attock). Second treatment regime was to use the same broad spectrum antibiotic along with extensive fluid therapy (Farms at ICT-1 and ICT-2). The third regime was to use of broad spectrum antibiotic plus fluid therapy along with vaccinating the herd against PPR during first week of outbreak (ICT-3 and ICT-4). The third scheme of treatment gave the better results as there was no mortality in third week post-outbreak. Therefore, it is suggested to give proper importance to PPR vaccination along with conventional symptomatic treatment when dealing the PPR outbreaks in endemic disease conditions.

Agricultural farming outputs are dependent upon the production type because different farming systems create different products. Intensive animal farming is widely used for the production of products that have societal importance, including meat, milk, wool, leather, fur, eggs, and honey. To ensure their timely production with limited cost, advanced technological processes, and chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers in large amount) are carried out in this intensive factory farming. Amongst animal farming, the livestock sector is the fastest-growing agricultural sector. The global shift toward intensive animal farming for high productivity yield has rendered a negative impact on the environment and biodiversity and is now an alarming sign for global warming. It has also resulted in soil, water, and air pollution due to the emission of greenhouse gases from the waste generated by these animals. Rapid use of antimicrobials in these farming systems has led to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Therefore, an integrated and comprehensive approach covering the nonmarket outputs of the farming system is required for monitoring these global trends.

Estrogen Receptor α(ERα) is reported to regulate the expression of many target genes by binding to specific estrogen response elements (EREs) in their promoters. c-myc is known to be over-expressed in most of the human carcinomas due to dysregulated transcription, translation, or protein stability. Estrogen (E) can induce the c-myc expression by binding to an upstream enhancer element in its promoter. This suggests that elevated estradiol (E2), a potent form of estrogen, levels could induce the expression of c-myc in breast cancer (BC). The expression of c-myc and estradiol were induced at Stage III and Stage IV of breast cancer. c-myc and estradiol expression was also associated with the established risk factors of breast cancer, such as BMI. Age at the time of the disease was alsocorrelated with the relative expression of c-myc and estradiol (p < 0.0007 and p < 0.000001). The correlation coefficient (R = 0.462) shows a positive relationship between estradiol bound ER, ER, and c-myc. Docking energy −229 kJ/mol suggests the binding affinity of estradiol bound ER binding to 500 bp upstream of proximal promotor of c-myc at three distinct positions. The data presented in this study proposed that the expression of c-myc and estradiol are directly correlated in breast cancer. The prognostic utility of an induced level of c-myc associated with the normal status of the c-myc gene and estradiol for patients with metastatic carcinoma should be explored further.