A vast variety of nonstructural proteins have been studied for their key roles and involvement in a number of biological phenomenona. Interleukin-32 is a novel cytokine whose presence has been confirmed in most of the mammals except rodents. The IL-32 gene was identified on human chromosome 16 p13.3. The gene has eight exons and nine splice variants,namely, IL-32α, IL-32β, IL-32γ, IL-32δ, IL-32ε, IL-32ζ, IL-32η, IL-32θ, and IL-32s. It was found to induce the expression of various inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1βas well as macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and has been reported previously to be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of a number of inflammatory disorders,namely, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastric inflammation and cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In the current review, we have highlighted the involvement of IL-32 in gastric cancer, gastric inflammation, and chronic rhinosinusitis. We have also tried to explore various mechanisms suspected to induce the expression of this extraordinary cytokine as well as various mechanisms of action employed by IL-32 during the mediation and progression of the above said problems.

Thioacetamide (C₂H₅NS; TAA), an organosulfur compound is formally used in leather processing, laboratories, textile and paper industries. TAA is a model hepatotoxicant, consumed to induce acute and chronic liver injury due to its effects on protein synthesis, RNA, DNA and Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity. TAA undergoes a two-step bioactivation to sulfine, and afterward to sulfene, a reactive metabolite. Sulfine is accountable for the enlargement of nucleoli, increase in nuclear volume and intracellular concentration of Ca⁺⁺, change in cell permeability, and inhibit mitochondrial activity. At the same time Sulfene is responsible for the release of nitric oxide synthase and NF-jB directing to centrilobular necrosis, protein denaturation and lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, it impairs the urea cycle and the activity of ornithine aminotransferase. Prolonged oral intake of this compound directs to macro liver nodules, liver cell adenomas, cholangiomas and hepatocarcinomas, histologically similar to that caused due to viral hepatitis infection.

The present study investigated the (i) socio-demographic predictors of psychological distress, (ii) socio-demographic predictors of satisfaction from online classes, and (iii) the relationship between psychological distress and satisfaction from online classes among university students of Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire-based survey was conducted. A total of 2220 respondents that was enrolled at the University of the Punjab (PU), University of Management and Technology (UMT), and the University of Central Punjab (UCP) were involved in the current study. Data were collected at a 64% response rate and analyzed with SPSS IBM Version 21.0. Results revealed that approximately 41% of the students were facing severe psychological distress while about 65% were found unsatisfied with online classes. Besides, a linear negative relationship between the independent variable, i.e. psychological distress and the dependent variable, i.e. satisfaction from online classes was found. Therefore, to minimize the level of psychological distress and increase students’ satisfaction with online classes it is highly recommended to take precautionary measures by the relevant stakeholders.

Background: The cryptic diversity of bat fauna in Pakistan demands to incorporate an efficient and reliable approach for morphological species identification. The traditional taxonomic approaches are effective in exploring variations of characters but have proved to be less efficient in quantifying the interspecific and intraspecific differences. Geometric morphometric method has recently act as an efficient tool to analyze the overall changes in shape and size of biological features. The present study is therefore conducted to exploit the use of geometric morphometric methods along with traditional morphological measurements to examine the size and shape differences among four geographically isolated population groups of insectivorous bat species (Pipistrellus coromandra). Methods: Specimens were collected from different locations of Punjab, Pakistan. Twelve well-defined landmarks to quantify the variation in right wing of bats were analyzed using geometric morphometric tools and wing measurements of 5 selected parameters were also taken using traditional morphological measurements. Results: The results of external measurements for wing overlapped for most part among the different studied population groups. Fur colour photographs displayed in the inter-population had shown visible change from dark brown to light brown giving an indication of more morphological differences. Regarding the geometric morphometric results, wing-shape differences were found to dominate in inter-population as compared to intra-population for bats species (Pipistrellus coromandra) which clearly reflects the effects of habitat factors on different populations phenotypically. The wireframe for the first two PCs indicated an overall shape change trend with the displacement of landmark points representing the expansion along the upper wing margins in PC1 compared to PC2. Conclusion: The current study has successfully explored the power of geometric morphometric in reflecting the variations in wing shape among different populations of bats species (Pipistrellus coromandra).