In vitro Study on the Antimicrobial Activity of Human Tears with Respect to Age

( Muhammad Zahoor ),( Haji Bahadar ),( Muhammad Ayaz ),( Ajmal Khan ),( Muhammad Jalat Shah ) 대한임상검사과학회 2018 대한임상검사과학회지(KJCLS) Vol.50 No.2

Lysozyme is present in tears and has the ability to inhibit bacterial growth. In addition, it acts as a physiological scavenger for harmful substances. In the present study, sixteen tear samples from people of different ages were evaluated for their antibacterial spectrum against selected bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica Typhi). A radial diffusion assay was used to evaluate the antibacterial potential of tear samples. To correlate the antibacterial activities of these tear samples, the concentration of lysozyme in the tear samples was also determined. Ampicillin was used as a standard drug. The zone of inhibition (mm) was used to measure the antibacterial property of the tears. All samples showed good antibacterial activities. The tear samples of children showed antibacterial activities in the range of 4.40∼5.00 mm inhibition zones against the selected bacterial strains. The tear samples from the young and adults showed good antibacterial potential with a zone of inhibition in the range of 3.20∼4.00 and 4.00∼5.50 mm, respectively. The tear samples from the old age group showed inhibition zones from 1.50∼5 mm. The adult tear samples showed the maximum inhibition against the selected bacterial strains among all groups. The lysozyme concentration was 1.7 mg/mL, 1.95 mg/mL, 2.13 mg/mL, and 1.76 mg/mL for children, young, adults, and elderly, respectively. In conclusion, the tears from adults have the high inhibition potential. In addition, this data also showed that the lysozyme contents in the tear sample increased with age until 40∼42 years.

Runoff Estimation Using the NRCS Slope-Adjusted Curve Number in Mountainous Watersheds

Ajmal, Muhammad,Waseem, Muhammad,Ahn, Jae-Hyun,Kim, Tae-Woong American Society of Civil Engineers 2016 Journal of irrigation and drainage engineering Vol.142 No.4

<P>In mountainous watersheds, rainfall generates runoff quickly because of the decreased depression storage, high downslope flow velocity, and smaller chance for rainwater infiltration. In order to obtain precise event-based runoff estimations in mountainous watersheds, a slope-adjusted curve number (CNII) with a smaller initial abstraction ratio () is indispensable in the standard natural resources conservation service (NRCS) curve number (CN) model. Using measured rainfall-runoff data from 39 mountainous watersheds in South Korea, this study investigated two existing CNII approaches and suggested a new approach that was accompanied by a lower value. The new CNII equation was calibrated with 1,402 measured rainfall-runoff events from 31 watersheds and validated with 377 rainfall-runoff events from the remaining eight watersheds. Most of the runoff events, used for both calibration and validation, were underestimated using a CN without a slope-adjusting factor. By considering the combined effect of the proposed CNII and setting equal to 0.01, the performance measures based on the root mean squares error (in mm), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency, and coefficient of determination were significantly improved from averages of 27.10, 0.64, and 0.75 to 18.69, 0.82, and 0.87, respectively, as compared to the standard NRCS model. The proposed modification exhibited superior results compared to the two existing CNII approaches. Findings from this study support the adjustment of both the CN and in the NRCS model to increase its runoff prediction capabilities.</P>

Soil moisture dynamics with hydro-climatological parameters at different soil depths

Ajmal, Muhammad,Waseem, Muhammad,Ahmad, Waqas,Kim, Tae-Woong Springer-Verlag 2016 Environmental Earth Sciences Vol.75 No.2

<P>The soil-water interaction is crucial for effective hydrological processes determination. The soil moisture (SM) is an important parameter to provide priori information for the interactions imparting and affecting the energy fluxes response for such kind of processes. This work investigated the effects of climatic, geophysical and hydrological parameters on SM at 9 stations within Utah State, USA, for daily data recorded between 2010 and 2012 at 5 different soil depths (approximately 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 cm). A high correlation was found for soil temperature, evapotranspiration (ET), and surface temperature, respectively, in most of the stations at either alpha = 5 % or 1 %. All stations exhibited a downward trend in SM for the top three soil depths, whereas, for other depths some stations depicted an upward trend. From time series analysis, it was found that surface average temperature, ET and soil temperature varied on seasonal basis with maximum in June and minimum in January of each year. In addition, SM availability in the top 5 cm of soil depth showed more significance for having strong correlation with hydroclimatic variables and were essential in interpreting many hydrological processes. From analyses at shallow soil depths (5 and 10 cm), the spatial SM variability across the stations was consistent during winter and spring whereas inconsistent during summer and autumn. In addition, the SM exhibited a temporal cyclic variability for almost all stations.</P>

Designed synthesis of silver nanoparticles in responsive polymeric system for their thermally tailored catalytic activity towards hydrogenation reaction

Muhammad Shahid,Zahoor Hussain Farooqi,Robina Begum,Khalida Naseem,Muhammad Ajmal,Ahmad Irfan 한국화학공학회 2018 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.35 No.5

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylamide-methacrylic acid) [p(NIPa-AAm-Ma)] polymer microgels were prepared by free radical precipitation polymerization method. AgNPs were fabricated in the sieves of polymer network by chemical reduction using AgNO3 salt as a precursor of silver ions. Various techniques like dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), and UV-Visible spectroscopy were used for characterization of pure and composite microgels. The diameter of AgNPs fabricated in polymeric network was found to be in the range of 10-15 nm. Stimuli responsive behavior of hybrid microgels was same as that of pure microgels. Catalytic efficiency of the hybrid microgels was investigated by reducing 4-Nitroaniline (4-NA) into 4-Aminoaniline (4-AA) using NaBH4 as reducing agent under different conditions of temperature of the medium, concentration of reducing agent, 4-Nitroaniline and hybrid microgels to explore the catalysis process. Kinetic and thermodynamic aspects of reduction of 4-Nitroaniline in the presence of catalyst were also discussed on the basis of values of Arrhenius and Eyring parameters like pre-exponential factor, activation energy, enthalpy of activation and entropy of activation. Catalytic activity of the hybrid microgels was found to be thermally tunable in the temperature range of 25- 70 oC. The value of rate constant (kapp) for reduction of 4-NA was minimum at 55 oC, which can be attributed to volume phase transition of the hybrid microgels.

Improved Runoff Estimation Using Event-Based Rainfall-Runoff Models

Ajmal, Muhammad,Waseem, Muhammad,Ahn, Jae-Hyun,Kim, Tae-Woong D. Reidel 2015 Water resources management Vol.29 No.6

<P> Event-based rainfall-runoff models are effective tools in operational hydrological forecasting and preparedness for extreme events. In the current study, the popular Natural Resources Soil Conservation curve number (NRCS-CN) model and the proposed simple nonlinear models were employed for runoff estimation. The runoff prediction capability of the NRCS model for the CN values obtained from tables was very poor in comparison to those calculated from the measured rainfall-runoff (storm-events) data. The proposed models were calibrated based on the rank-order, measured rainfall-runoff data (1,005 events) from 25 watersheds and validated in six watersheds for runoff estimation (170 events). The quantitative models’ performances were evaluated and compared based on the <I>root mean square error</I> (<I>RMSE</I>), <I>Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency</I> (<I>NSE</I>), and <I>percent bias</I> (<I>PBIAS</I>). Using tabulated CNs, the NRCS model exhibited comparatively insignificant results in the maximum number of watersheds (high <I>RMSE</I>, low <I>NSE</I>, and statistically poor <I>PBIAS</I> values). Using storm-event based calibrated CNs, the NRCS model showed improvement for runoff estimation. Furthermore, the proposed models without the CN concept were superior (with comparatively low <I>RMSE</I>, high <I>NSE</I>, and statistically significant <I>PBIAS</I> values) for depicting improved performance in almost all of the watersheds. </P>

Genetic Diversity for Biometrics Traits in Local Landraces of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Muhammad Jamil,Saif ullah Ajmal,Shafiq Rehman,Eui Shik Rha 한국국제농업개발학회 2005 韓國國際農業開發學會誌 Vol.17 No.4

Quantifying Excess Stormwater Using SCS-CN-Based Rainfall Runoff Models and Different Curve Number Determination Methods

Ajmal, Muhammad,Kim, Tae-Woong American Society of Civil Engineers 2015 Journal of irrigation and drainage engineering Vol.141 No.3

<P> Estimation of excess storm water is among the most basic hydrological challenges for hydrologists and engineers. The initial abstraction ratio λ (= 0.2) assumed in the original U.S. Soil Conservation Service curve number (SCS-CN) is ambiguous and must be calibrated from rainfall-runoff measurements for better runoff estimation. Eight different models including the original SCS-CN model, modified models inspired by it, and three newly proposed models were investigated to assess the accuracy of runoff estimation using rainfall-runoff measurements from 15 watersheds in South Korea. Different methods for CN determination were evaluated to see the effect of CN and λ on runoff estimation. The optimized λ and CN exhibited better results than fixed values as in the original SCS-CN model. Using three different goodness-of-fit statistics to assess the accuracy of the estimates, our proposed models outperformed in all watersheds in the study area when compared with the original SCS-CN model and some of its modified models. </P>

Chemical Composition, In situ Digestion Kinetics and Feeding Value of Oat Grass (Avena sativa) Ensiled with Molasses for Nili-Ravi Buffaloes

Khan, Muhammad Ajmal,Sarwar, M.,Nisa, M.,Iqbal, Z.,Khan, M.S.,Lee, W.S.,Lee, H.J.,Kim, H.S. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2006 Animal Bioscience Vol.19 No.8

This study examined the effect of cane molasses and fermentation time on chemical composition and characteristics of oat grass silage (OGS) and its in situ digestion kinetics, intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Oat grass (OG) harvested at 50-days of age was ensiled in laboratory silos with cane molasses at the rate of 0, 2, 4 and 6% of OG dry matter (DM) for 30, 35 and 40 days. Silage pH was decreased while lactic acid content increased with increasing level of cane molasses and fermentation time. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and true protein (TP) content of OGS were (p<0.05) significantly higher with higher cane molasses levels. However, they were not affected by the fermentation time. Similar trends were observed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose, acid detergent lignin and ash content of OGS. The OG ensiled for 30-days with 2% molasses was screened from laboratory study and used to determine comparative in situ DM and NDF digestion kinetics of OG and its silage. In situ DM and NDF digestibilities of OG were significantly (p<0.05) higher than OGS. Ruminal DM and NDF lag time, rate and extent of digestion of OG and its silage were similar. Two experimental diets of OG and OGS were formulated using 75:25 forage to concentrate ratio on a DM basis. Dry matter and CP intakes were similar in lactating buffaloes fed either OG- or OGS-based diets. However, NDF intake was higher in buffaloes fed the OG-compared with OGS-based diet. Apparent DM, CP and NDF digestibilities were similar in lactating buffaloes fed either OG- or OGS-based diets. Milk yield (4% FCM) was similar in buffaloes fed either OG-(10.3 kg/d) or OGS-(9.95 kg/d) based diets. Milk fat, total solids and true protein content were higher with OG compared with the OGS diet. Solids not fat and CP content were similar in milk of buffalo fed either OG or OGS. The results of this study indicate that OG ensiled with 2% molasses could safely replace 75% DM of green oat fodder in the diets of lactating buffaloes without negatively affecting intake, digestibility, milk yield and composition.

Biologically Active C-Alkylated Flavonoids from Dodonaea viscosa

Akhtar Muhammad,Itrat Anis,Ajmal Khan,Bishnu P. Marasini,Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary,Muhammad Raza Shah 대한약학회 2012 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.35 No.3

A new C-alkylated flavonoid (5,7-dihydroxy-3'-(4''-acetoxy-3''-methylbutyl)-3,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (1), along with two known C-alkylated flavonoids (5,7-dihydroxy-3'-(3-hydroxymethylbutyl)-3,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (2), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3'-(3-hyroxymethylbutyl)-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (3) and two new source C-alkylated flavonoids (5,7-dihydroxy-3'-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyl)-3,6,4'-trimethoxyflavone (4), 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxy-3'-isoprenyl-flavone (5) were isolated from the aerial parts of Dodonaea viscosa. The structures of all compounds were established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on urease and α-chymotrypsin enzyme. All the compounds (1-5) exhibited mild inhibition against urease but remained recessive in case of α-chymotrypsin.

Effect of Feeding Saturated Fat on Milk Production and Composition in Crossbred Dairy Cows

Sarwar, Muhammad,Sohaib, Amer,Khan, Muhammad Ajmal,Nisa, Mahr-un Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.2

To see the effect of Beragfat T-300, a by pass fat, on the production and composition of milk, four primiparous crossbred cows in their early lactation were used in a $4{\times}4$ Latin Square Design. Each period was of 30 days including 15 days of adjustment period. The diets were formulated to contain 0, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5% of Bergafat and were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. The intake of DM, OM, CP, NDF, ADF, Cellulose and ADL were not affected, however, the EE intake was increased by the supplementation of Bergafat in the diet of cows. The digestibilities of NDF and EE remained unaffected, whereas the digestibilites of DM, OM and CP were reduced. Milk yield remained unaltered, while 4%FCM yield increased as a result of adding Bergafat in the daily ration. Bergafat upto 4.5% of the diet DM can be added in the diet of crossbred cows without any adverse effect on the DM intake and digestibilities of DM and NDF. Furthermore, Bergafat does not cause any butter fat depression in the milk of cows.