The role of peptides in cardiovascular events and in treating osteoporosis signifies their importance. The role of peptides against pathogens, skin infections, pain-relieving effects, anti-malarial and anti-viral effects are discussed in detail. We further, summarized the classification of scorpion peptides among different toxins, their evolutionary process and the pattern of scorpion venom resource analysis.

Patrón de consumo de leña y sus impactos en la estructura del bosque en Cachemira, Himalaya SUMMARYFuel wood is the major source of energy for the rural populations of Kashmir Himalayas. Immense fuel wood extraction from the local forests has resulted in deterioration of forest structure. Although, the fuel wood extraction pattern strongly impacts the structure and species composition of natural forests, detailed investigations remain scarce. The current research was designed to quantify fuel wood consumption levels and analyze the dynamics; emphasizing on variations in fuel wood patterns along an altitudinal gradient during different seasons and information about the preferred fuel wood species in western Himalayan forest stands of Kashmir, Pakistan. Forest stands were surveyed by using systematic quadrate sampling to determine the impact of fuel wood harvesting on natural forest structure. Fuel wood consumption per household was estimated in 16.2 Mg year -1 , and 5.9 kg day -1 per capita (ranging from 6.6 kg in summer to 3.9 kg in winter). Consumption at the higher and lower altitudinal villages was recorded as 18.3 and 10.7 Mg annually. Average density for the whole forest stands was calculated to be 73.8 trees ha -1 , whereas deforestation intensity was 52.95 stumps ha . Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindrow and Quercus dilatata were highly exploited species which can lead to the loss of biodiversity and disturbance in the local forests. The results imply that increased fuelwood harvest, combined with low tree density, high population growth and severe climatic conditions, is causing intense forest destruction and associated biodiversity loss. Local forest reserves demand immediate attention in order to conserve the depleting forest structure.Key words: deforestation, altitudinal gradient, climatic conditions, phytosociology. RESUMENLa leña es la principal fuente de energía para poblaciones rurales de Cachemira, Himalaya. Una enorme extracción de leña de bosques locales ha producido deterioro de su estructura. Aunque el patrón de extracción de leña impacta fuertemente la estructura y composición de especies de los bosques naturales, las investigaciones detalladas son escasas. La presente investigación pretendió cuantificar el consumo de leña y analizar su dinámica; se enfatizó en variaciones del patrón de leña a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal, durante diferentes épocas del año y la identificación de especies preferidas para combustible en bosques del Himalaya occidental de Cachemira, Pakistán. Mediante muestreo sistemático se determinaron impactos de la extracción de leña en la estructura del bosque. El consumo de leña por hogar fue 16,2 Mg año -1 y 5,9 kg día -1 per capita (desde 6,6 kg en verano a 3,9 kg en invierno); en pueblos altitudinalmente superiores e inferiores fue 18,3 y 10,7 Mg anuales, respectivamente. Para el conjunto de bosques, la densidad media fue 73,8 árboles ha -1 , la intensidad de deforestación 52,95 tocones ha -1 y la regeneración 12,87 plantas ha -1 . Pinus wallichiana, Abies pindro...

Background Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a hereditary lysosomal storage disease with progressive brain neurodegeneration. Mutations in ceroid lipofuscinosis neuronal protein 5 (CLN5) cause CLN5 disease, a severe condition characterized by seizures, visual failure, motor decline, and progressive cognitive deterioration. This study aimed to identify causative gene variants in Pakistani consanguineous families diagnosed with NCL. Methods After a thorough clinical and neuroradiological characterization, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 3 patients from 2 unrelated families. Segregation analysis was subsequently performed through Sanger sequencing Analysis WES led to the identification of the 2 novel homozygous variants c.925_926del, (p.Leu309AlafsTer4) and c.477 T > C, (p.Cys159Arg). Conclusion In this study, we report two novel CLN5 cases in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Our observations will help clinicians observe and compare common and unique clinical features of NCL patients, further improving our current understanding of NCL.

In the present study, we aimed to synthesize (Ag)1−x(GNPs)x nanocomposites in variable ratios (25% GNPs–Ag, 50% GNPs–Ag, and 75% GNPs–Ag) via an ex situ approach to investigate the incremental effects of GNPs (graphene nanoparticles) on AgNPs (silver nanoparticles). The prepared nanocomposites were successfully characterized using different microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopic analysis. For the evaluation of morphological aspects, shape, and percentage elemental composition, SEM and EDX analyses were employed. The bioactivities of the synthesized nanocomposites were briefly investigated. The antifungal activity of (Ag)1−x(GNPs)x nanocomposites was reported to be 25% for AgNPs and 66.25% using 50% GNPs–Ag against Alternaria alternata. The synthesized nanocomposites were further evaluated for cytotoxic potential against U87 cancer cell lines with improved results (for pure AgNPs IC50: ~150 µg/mL, for 50% GNPs–Ag IC50: ~12.5 µg/mL). The photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposites were determined against the toxic dye Congo red, and the percentage degradation was recorded as 38.35% for AgNPs and 98.7% for 50% GNPs–Ag. Hence, from the results, it is concluded that silver nanoparticles with carbon derivatives (graphene) have strong anticancer and antifungal properties. Dye degradation strongly confirmed the photocatalytic potential of Ag-graphene nanocomposites in the removal of toxicity present in organic water pollutants.