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Scientists identify new gene differences in severe COVID patients

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  • The scientists said their discoveries, could help prioritise the likely treatments that could work against the disease.
  • The information could even help predict which patients were likely to become severely ill.
  • The new findings could help guide scientists in their search for existing drugs that might be useful for treating COVID-19.

Scientists have pinpointed 16 new genetic variants in people who developed severe COVID-19 in a large study published on Monday that could help researchers develop treatments for very sick patients.

The results suggest that people with severe COVID have genes that predispose them to one of two problems: failure to limit the ability of the virus to make copies of itself, or excessive inflammation and blood clotting.

The scientists said their discoveries, published in the journal Nature, could help prioritise the likely treatments that could work against the disease.

Eventually, the information could even help predict which patients were likely to become severely ill.

“It is potentially possible in future that we will be able to make predictions about patients based on their genome at the point of presenting (for) critical care,” said Kenneth Baillie, consultant in critical care medicine at the University of Edinburgh and one of the study authors, told reporters.

The genetic analysis of nearly 56,000 samples from people in Britain showed differences in 23 genes in COVID-19 patients who became critically ill, when compared with the DNA of other groups included in the study, including 16 differences that had not been previously identified.

The new findings could help guide scientists in their search for existing drugs that might be useful for treating COVID-19.

For example, the researchers found changes in key genes that regulate the level of factor VIII, a protein involved in forming blood clots.

“Blood clotting is one of the main reasons why patients with COVID develop a shortage of oxygen. So that’s potentially targetable to prevent those clots from forming,” Baillie said.

But “we can’t know if these medicines will work until we try them in people”.

One of the previously discovered genes, TYK2, is targeted by Eli Lilly’s arthritis drug baricitinib, now being studied as a treatment for COVID-19.

The drug was shown last week to cut the risk of death and hospitalisation in COVID-19 patients by 13% in a trial.

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Kite flying and trade in Punjab will cost an arm and a leg.

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The Punjab government has declared a “complete” ban on kite flying and said that those who violate it will face harsh penalties.

With the passage of an amended law by the Punjab Assembly, kite flying is no longer punishable by bail.

Depending on the seriousness of the incident, the offenders could be imprisoned for three to seven years.

Anyone found to be involved in any linked activity, including kite manufacturers and distributors, could be fined between Rs500,000 and Rs5 million.

Anyone spotted flying a kite in Punjab faces a two-million rupee fine, three to five years in prison, or both.

A punishment of Rs. 5 million, five to seven years in prison, or both might be imposed on kite manufacturers or suppliers.

In case of a child, the violator will be fined Rs50,000 for the first time and Rs100,000 for repeating the crime.

Penalties for using life-threatening twine and flying kites have been announced by the Punjab government. Several casualties are reported in parts of Punjab due to use of dangerous thread.

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With SIFC assistance, Pakistan develops EV infrastructure.

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With major assistance from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan’s EV industry is expanding, and the government has announced plans to install 10,000 charging stations nationwide by 2030.

A 44% decrease in electricity tariffs for EV charging stations and the provision of $90 million for the development of charging infrastructure are only two of the significant milestones that the project has already accomplished. ADM Group, a Chinese company, has pledged $250 million to build an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Pakistan.

According to industry standards, the next generation of electric vehicles that are scheduled for production will be able to go up to 300 kilometers between charges. In an effort to improve environmental sustainability, the government has put new rules for EV charging infrastructure into effect.

To date, the nation’s EV industry has received $250 million in private investment thanks to SIFC’s facilitation. The national EV strategy is being implemented by the council in collaboration with the government, ushering in a new era of ecologically friendly transportation in Pakistan.

It is anticipated that switching to electric vehicles will result in significant fuel import savings and a decrease in carbon emissions, supporting international environmental activities. Standards for the expanding EV ecosystem are intended to be established by the government’s regulations governing charging infrastructure.

The project is a component of a larger plan to create environmentally friendly transportation choices in Pakistan. According to officials, the lower electricity costs for charging stations will contribute to the increased consumer accessibility of electric vehicles.

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The NAB is taking action to extradite Malik Riaz to Pakistan in the 190 million pound case: Tarar

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Property tycoon Malik Riaz has been designated a proclaimed offender, and the NAB is working to have him extradited to Pakistan, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

Speaking about the Islamabad mega-corruption case, Atta Tarar stated that the NAB had made it clear that Malik Riaz’s investments in Dubai were money laundering.

He said that Malik Riaz and his son were the targets of numerous land-grabbing and corruption charges.

The Minister continued by claiming that the misuse of funds belonging to the Pakistani government is the worst example of corruption.

According to him, the ruling in the 190 million pound case has been portrayed as corruption by the international press.

He added that there is concrete proof of 190 million pounds in corruption.

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