Crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films with highly preferential c-axis-oriented crystals were prepared using the reactive e-beam evaporation technique. Prior to deposition, ZnO targets were prepared from ZnO (99.999%) powder. Post-deposition thermal annealing was performed at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 700 °C for 2 h in air to investigate the effect of annealing on the structural and optical properties. Structural characterization including that of the crystal structure, crystal orientation, phase, stress, strain, grain size and surface morphology was carried out using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Optical characterization including transmission, absorption coefficient and band gap estimation was carried out using a spectrophotometer. The XRD results showed that the films were highly c-axis oriented before and after annealing. Crystallinity and grain size improved with annealing temperature. AFM results showed that the surface morphology improved with annealing temperature. Optical transmittance increases slightly and the band gap decreases with increasing annealing temperature. The effect of the stress formation during thin film deposition and its variation with post-deposition heat treatment and the effect of this stress on optical properties of the thin films were also studied. The residual compressive stress in as-deposited thin films relaxes with heat treatment and becomes tensile with further increase in annealing temperature. The optical band gap decreases with increasing grain size and decreases with increasing tensile stress.

Adenosine plays a significant role in neurotransmission process by controlling the blood pressure, while adenosine triphosphate (ATP) acts as a neuromodulator and neurotransmitter and by activation of P2 receptors, regulates the contractility of the heart. Adenosine signaling is essential in the process of regeneration by regulating proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of stem cells. In this review, we have selected neurological disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy) with clinical trials using antagonists and epigenetic tools targeting adenosine receptor as a therapeutic approach in the treatment of these disorders. Promising results have been reported from many clinical trials. It has been found that higher expression levels of A2A and P2X7 receptors in neurological disorders further complicate the disease condition. Therefore, modulations of these receptors by using antagonists of these receptors or SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) therapy as an epigenetic tool could be useful in reversing the complications of these disorders. Finally, we suggest that modulation of adenosine receptors in neurological disorders can increase the regenerative phase by increasing the rate of proliferation and differentiation in the damaged tissues.

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Aim: The aim of this study was to systematically describe the gender and ethnic differences regarding the prevalence of general/central obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia among the indigenous and immigrant Pakistani communities. Methods: The search engine used was PubMed, supplemented with regional data from the Medical Institutes of Pakistan. The focus was on the adult Pakistani population (18 years and older). Results: We found only 7 studies among the immigrant Pakistani community and 24 studies among the indigenous Pakistani community. The studies had limitations such as low participation rates and use of self-reported data. There is a higher prevalence of central obesity among women (42.2%) than among men (14.7%) (National Health Survey of Pakistan). Certain ethnicities such as Muhajir and Baluchis showed a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors when compared to other ethnicities in the indigenous Pakistani population. The results also indicate that the prevalence of obesity is 10-20% higher among the immigrant Pakistanis than in the indigenous Pakistanis. Conclusion: The relatively high prevalence of obesity and associated CVD risk factors (especially in women) among both indigenous and immigrant Pakistani populations require the attention of the healthcare professionals and policy makers, both inside and outside Pakistan.