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Drought stress, at different growth stages, causes substantial yield loss in major crops, thus, threatening global food security. Enhancement of drought stress tolerance in plants has been reported with the sole application of silicon (Si) and Zinc (Zn). However, the synergistic effects of their combined application and the exact mechanisms through which they enhance drought tolerance are still not fully understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the potential of Si and Zn to ameliorate drought stress in Eruca sativa (L.) and associated morphological and physio-biochemical mechanisms. The seeds were soaked in individual or combined Si (3 mM, from calcium silicate) and Zn (10 mM, from zinc sulfate) solutions for 8 h and 12 h. Water-primed and unprimed seeds were kept as control. Later, primed seeds were grown under various levels of drought viz. control (100% field capacity, FC) and 50% FC. Results revealed that drought stress significantly reduced growth traits, photosynthetic pigments, and reactive oxygen species and decreased antioxidative enzymes activities. Seed priming with Si and Zn increased seedling lengths, and their fresh and dry weights under drought stress with significantly higher values for the combined application of both. Moreover, Si and Zn-treated plants also showed a significant increase in chlorophyll pigments, i.e., chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in drought-exposed seedlings. Seed priming treatments improved drought-induced oxidative stress tolerance associated with higher activities of enzymatic and non-enzyme antioxidant activities and soluble sugar and proline contents. The results suggested that the combined application of Si and Zn serves as an appropriate treatment to increase the seedling growth, and physiological and biochemical attributes of E. sativa under drought stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and salt-affected soils detrimentally affect crop production in arid regions. Reclaiming these soils for crops and carbon sequestration can mitigate climate change and enhance food security. A laboratory-scale experiment was conducted on a wheat-maize crop rotation system for three consecutive years to check the effectiveness of organic amendments in reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils, improving soil health, sequestering carbon, and improving food grain production. This study included five treatments namely control (T1), gypsum alone at 100% gypsum requirements (G100), and its combinations with different organic amendments and 50% gypsum requirements (farm manure (FYM+G50), poultry manure (PM+G50), and green manure (GM+G50)) were used. Results indicated that sandy clay loam textured soil showed highest potential for its properties improvement after 45 days, i.e., EC decreased up to 3.9 dS m−1, pH 7.9 and, SOC increase up to 0.25%. After the fallow period, three consecutive years of crop production study indicated up to 39 and 70% increase in wheat and maize yields, respectively, compared to inorganic fertilizer alone. Maximum soil aggregation was noted in treatment with gypsum and farmyard manure application in loam soils (50%). The maximum soil organic carbon accumulation over the whole experiment was recorded in farmyard manure application in combination with gypsum (0.44 g kg−1) in both loam and sandy clay loam soil, while 0.31 g kg−1 in the clay loam soil. Based on the results, it was concluded that reclaiming marginally salt-affected soils enhances food crop production and incorporating manures improves soil through aggregation and carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the status of antimicrobial‐resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan, their association in terms of co‐occurrence with the biofilm‐forming genes, resistance profiling and associated discrepancies in diagnostic methods. Methodology: A total of 384 milk samples from bovine was collected by using convenient sampling technique and were initially screened for subclinical mastitis, further preceded by isolation and confirmation of S. aureus. The S. aureus isolates were subjected to evaluation of antimicrobial resistance by phenotypic identification using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, while the genotypic estimation was done by polymerase chain reaction to declare isolates as methicillin, beta‐lactam, vancomycin, tetracycline, and aminoglycoside resistant S. aureus (MRSA, BRSA, VRSA, TRSA, and ARSA), respectively. Results: The current study revealed an overall prevalence of subclinical mastitis and S. aureus to be 59.11% and 46.69%, respectively. On a phenotypic basis, the prevalence of MRSA, BRSA, VRSA, TRSA, and ARSA was found to be 44.33%, 58.49%, 20.75%, 35.84%, and 30.18%, respectively. The results of PCR analysis showed that 46.80% of the tested isolates were declared as MRSA, 37.09% as BRSA, and 36.36% as VRSA, while the occurrence of TRSA and ARSA was observed in 26.31% and 18.75%, respectively. The current study also reported the existence of biofilm‐producing genes (icaA and icaD) in 49.06% and 40.57% isolates, respectively. Lastly, this study also reported a high incidence of discrepancies for both genotypic and phenotypic identification methods of resistance evaluation, with the highest discrepancy ratio for the accA‐aphD gene, followed by tetK, vanB, blaZ, and mecA genes. Conclusion: The study concluded that different antibiotic resistance strains of S. aureus are prevalent in study districts with high potential to transmit between human populations. The study also determined that there are multiple resistance determinants and mechanisms that are responsible for the silencing and expression of antibiotic resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-oxide-based gas sensors are extensively utilized across various domains due to their cost-effectiveness, facile fabrication, and compatibility with microelectronic technologies. The copper (Cu)-based multifunctional polymer-enhanced sensor (CuMPES) represents a notably tailored design for non-invasive environmental monitoring, particularly for detecting diverse gases with a low concentration. In this investigation, the Cu-CuO/PEDOT nanocomposite was synthesized via a straightforward chemical oxidation and vapor-phase polymerization. Comprehensive characterizations employing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and micro Raman elucidated the composition, morphology, and crystal structure of this nanocomposite. Gas-sensing assessments of this CuMPES based on Cu-CuO/PEDOT revealed that the response current of the microneedle-type CuMPES surpassed that of the pure Cu microsensor by nearly threefold. The electrical conductivity and surface reactivity are enhanced by poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) polymerized on the CuO-coated surface, resulting in an enhanced sensor performance with an ultra-fast response/recovery of 0.3/0.5 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), a globally cultivated leguminous crop valued for its nutritional and economic significance, faces a critical challenge of soil salinity, which significantly hampers crop growth and production worldwide. A pot experiment was carried out in the Botanical Garden, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur to alleviate the negative impacts of sodium chloride (NaCl) on pea through foliar application of ascorbic acid (AsA). Two pea varieties Meteor (V1) and Sarsabz (V2) were tested against salinity, i.e. 0 mM NaCl (Control) and 100 mM NaCl. Three levels of ascorbic acid 0 (Control), 5 and 10 mM were applied through foliar spray. The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) with three replicates. Salt stress resulted in the suppression of growth, photosynthetic activity, and yield attributes in pea plants. However, the application of AsA treatments effectively alleviated these inhibitory effects. Under stress conditions, the application of AsA treatment led to a substantial increase in chlorophyll a (41.1%), chl. b (56.1%), total chl. contents (44.6%) and carotenoids (58.4%). Under salt stress, there was an increase in Na+ accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the application of AsA increased the contents of proline (26.9%), endogenous AsA (23.1%), total soluble sugars (17.1%), total phenolics (29.7%), and enzymatic antioxidants i.e. SOD (22.3%), POD (34.1%) and CAT (39%) in both varieties under stress. Salinity reduced the yield attributes while foliarly applied AsA increased the pod length (38.7%), number of pods per plant (40%) and 100 seed weight (45.2%). To sum up, the application of AsA alleviated salt-induced damage in pea plants by enhancing photosynthetic pigments, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities, maintaining ion homeostasis, and reducing excessive ROS accumulation through the limitation of lipid peroxidation. Overall, V2 (Sarsabz) performed better as compared to the V1 (Meteor). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphates are toxic compounds commonly used in agriculture, industry and warfare, making their detection a critical issue for public health and safety. Gold nanoparticles have emerged as a promising tool for the detection of organophosphates due to their unique optical properties and surface chemistry. This review discusses the various methods for synthesizing gold nanoparticles and their functionalization for improved organophosphate detection. The sensitivity and selectivity of the detection method are also discussed, as well as its potential applications in environmental monitoring, food safety, clinical diagnosis and industrial applications. The use of gold nanoparticle-based detection methods for organophosphates has the potential to provide a rapid, sensitive and reliable tool for the detection and monitoring of these toxic compounds in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal Agronida / Jurnal Agronida is the property of Universitas Djuanda and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pakistan hosts over 1.4 million Afghan refugees and is facing extreme challenges in accomplishing the UN's refugee pacts and 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The inflow and longer stay of refugees in the host country may affect the local population's socio-economic conditions. However, not all refugees are a "burden" to the host economy. Some refugees can contribute positively to the local economy given the opportunity. This study investigates the leading hurdles to establishing businesses for refugees to provide a different perspective to policymakers and scholars in achieving refugee integration. Through a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with Afghan entrepreneurial refugees, this study identifies ten hurdles and five opportunities they face while conducting business in Pakistan. Fuzzy Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (FSWARA) prioritizes the central theme, i.e., a lack of policies, among other hurdles, by allocating weights. Hypotheses on hurdles and opportunities are built and tested through multiple regression analysis (MRA). All the hypotheses on hurdles and three on opportunities are accepted. This study highlights the importance of a comprehensive framework for entrepreneurial refugees for their smooth integration into Pakistani society. This study helps policymakers and scholars identify the main barriers for refugee entrepreneurs in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compares the two emerging seaports: Gwadar port (Pakistan); and Chabahar port (Iran). The study evaluates the trade attractiveness among the neighboring countries, i.e., Afghanistan, China, and the Central Asian States, while keeping China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in perspective. The two ports may provide one of the closest sea links for the resource-rich Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. At the same time, Gwadar provides China with an alternative and short trade route via Pakistan. The study employs the Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) technique of Multi-Criteria Decision Making methods to evaluate and select the best seaport. The findings establish that Gwadar is a better option. The study also provides recommendations for the authorities of the two ports and the prospective other countries in the neighborhood to ensure maximum return on their investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban atmospheric pollution is global problem and and have become increasingly critical in big cities around the world. Issue of toxic emissions has gained significant attention in the scientific community as the release of pollutants into the atmosphere rising continuously. Although, the Pakistani government has started the Pakistan Clean Air Program to control ambient air quality however, the desired air quality levels are yet to be reached. Since the process of mapping the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants in urban areas is intricate due to its dependence on multiple factors, such as urban vegetation and weather conditions. Therefore, present research focuses on two essential items: (1) the relationship between urban vegetation and atmospheric variables (temperature, relative humidity (RH), sound intensity (SI), CO, CO2, and particulate matter (PM0.5, PM1.0, and PM2.5) and (2) the effect of seasonal change on concentration and magnitude of atmospheric variables. A geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized to map urban atmospheric variables dispersion in the residential areas of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Pearson correlation and principal component analyses were performed to establish the relationship between urban atmospheric pollutants, urban vegetation, and seasonal variation. The results showed a positive correlation between urban vegetation, metrological factors, and most of the atmospheric pollutants. Furthermore, PM concentration showed a significant correlation with temperature and urban vegetation cover. GIS distribution maps for PM0.5, PM1.0, PM2.5, and CO2 pollutants showed the highest concentration of pollutants in poorly to the moderated vegetated areas. Therefore, it can be concluded that urban vegetation requires a rigorous design, planning, and cost–benefit analysis to maximize its positive environmental effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate correlation of fasting serum cholesterol level with severity of chronic liver disease (CLD). Study Design: Cross-sectional Survey. Setting: North Medical Ward, Mayo Hospital Lahore. Period: June 2020 to December 2020. Material & Methods: Patients having chronic liver disease with age 25-85 years and of either gender, were included. After 12 hours of fasting, 5ml of blood was drawn from patients under all aseptic precautions into sterile disposable syringes and blood samples were sent to laboratory for measurement of total cholesterol. Total cholesterol (TC) in mg/dl was noted from their reports. CLD severity patients was defined by using Modified Child Pugh classifications. Data was entered in SPSS version 20 and analyzed by same software. Results: Total 100 cases diagnosed with chronic liver disease (CLD) were studied, with an average age of 53.8±10.76 years. The majority of participants, constituting 72%, were male. Overall average TC was 119.85±31.51mg/dl. Out of all 27% patients belonged to CPT class A, 28% had CPT class B and 45% had CPT class C. Spearman correlation between Child Pugh score and total cholesterol level was calculated. A negative spearman correlation was found as r= -.672. It was significant at the level of 0.01. Conclusion: As per the study conclusion, total serum cholesterol level was observed to be the significantly corelated with degree of liver damage. The significance of this correlation highlights the potential clinical utility of serum total cholesterol as a prognostic tool for evaluating the degree of liver damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

During the green revolution in the mid-twentieth century, the consumption of inorganic phosphorous and phosphate-based fertilizers (P-fertilizers) in the developing world skyrocketed, resulting in a proliferation of P-fertilizer industries. Phosphate-based fertilizer industries are ranked among the most environment-polluting industries. The worldwide phosphorus market, which was 68.5 million metric tons in 2020, is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.5% to 81 million metric tons by 2027. The release of untreated hazardous pollutants from these fertilizer industries into the soil, water, and atmosphere has resulted in severe environmental health issues. Excessive surface runoff of phosphorus from agricultural fields and its deposition in water promote the growth of algae and macrophytes and lower dissolved oxygen concentration through eutrophication, which is detrimental to aquatic life. Fluorides (F−) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and/or heavy metals (potentially toxic elements, PTEs) are also detected in the emissions from these fertilizer industries. The main solid waste generated from the phospho-gypsum plant produced up to 5 tons of di-hydrogen phosphate (H2PO4), including PTEs and radioactive substances. Phosphates and fluorenes from these industries are usually disposed of as sludge in storage ponds or trash piles. Humans inhaling poisonous gases released from the P-fertilizer industries can develop hepatic failure, autoimmune diseases, pulmonary disorders, and other health problems. The objectives of this review are to provide guidelines for eliminating the bottleneck pollutions that occur from the phosphate-based fertilizer industries and explore the management practices for its green development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive lead (Pb) in industrial dust increases serious concerns about its potential impact on human health and environment. Urban trees, as a green and cost-effective alternative, are now considered an eco-sustainable tool used to monitor and mitigate this environmental pollution. The present study investigated the effect of dust particles and lead deposition on plant functioning and micromorphology of two common roadside plants, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Conocarpus lancifolius, in an industrial city, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Tree leaf samples were collected from 20 sites varying in dust exposure intensity. These samples were analyzed for antioxidant enzymes such as superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidases (POD), and catalases (CAT), as well as for proline and protein contents. An increased leave of reactive oxygen species and proline contents in response to increasing dust load and lead tissue lead concentrations across the tested locations suggested the sensitivity of plants to urban dust. This study suggested that C. lancifolius leaves accumulated relatively higher dust particles and lead contents than E. camaldulensis. However, this excessive dust deposition and lead uptake inhibited carbon and protein synthesis in E. camaldulensis and C. lancifolius, as evidenced by relatively lower leaf photosynthesis and protein contents. We also found that the concentration of CAT (4.90 nmol min–1 g–1 protein), SOD (38.42 U mg–1 protein), and POD (2.64 µmol min–1 g–1 protein) were higher in E. camaldulensis. The results provide experimental support for the hypothesis that genetically rich populations are better adapted to changing conditions and suggest that C. lancifolius is less sensitive to dust load and lead uptake in terms of growth reduction. Regarding lead uptake and dust removal, C. lancifolius performed better as compared to E. camaldulensis. The above findings are helpful in the quantification of services, assessing the diversity, and identification of eco-friendly trees in urban areas. Furthermore, this study will be helpful for the formulation of future tree-planting policies in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop a new dental adhesive based on the nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) along with silica in the resin matrix. Both filler components, including NCC and silica, were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, thermographic analysis, and cell viability. The fillers showed structural stability and cytocompatibility was achieved. After characterization, the fillers were added to the resin matrix in different concentrations (0–5 wt%) to prepare the dental adhesive. The prepared dental adhesives were evaluated by Vicker's microhardness, biaxial flexural strength, flexural modulus, and shear bond strength. By adding NCC in the dental adhesives, the mechanical properties increased substantially. Nanocrystalline cellulose alone and in combination with silica filler has been investigated first time to improve the properties of dental adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and air pollution caused by heavy metals and limestone dust are prevalent in urban environments and they are an alarming threat to the environment and humans. This study was designed to investigate the changes in morphological and physiological traits of three urban tree species seedlings (Bombax ceiba, Conocarpus lancifolius, and Eucalyptus camaldulensis) under the individual as well as synergetic effects of heavy metal lead (Pb) and limestone dust toxicities. The tree species were grown under controlled environmental conditions with nine treatments consisting of three levels of dust (0, 10, and 20 g) and three levels of Pb contaminated water irrigation (0, 5, and 10 mg L-1). The results depicted that the growth was maximum in T1 and minimum in T9 for all selected tree species. B. ceiba performed better under the same levels of Pb and limestone dust pollution as compared with the other two tree species. The B. ceiba tree species proved to be the most tolerant to Pb and limestone pollution by efficiently demolishing oxidative bursts by triggering SOD, POD, CAT, and proline contents under different levels of lead and dust pollution. The photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, evapotranspiration rate, and transpiration rate were negatively influenced in all three tree species in response to different levels of lead and dust applications. The photosynthetic rate was 1.7%, 3.1%, 7.0%, 11.03%, 16.2%, 23.8%, 24.8%, and 30.7%, and the stomatal conductance was 5%, 10.5%, 23.5%, 40%, 50.01%, 61.5%, 75%, and 90.9%, greater in T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, and T9 plants of B. ceiba, respectively, as compared to T1. Based on the findings, among these three tree species, B. ceiba is strongly recommended for planting in heavy metal and limestone dustpolluted areas followed by E. camaldulensis and C. lancifolius due to their better performance and efficient dust and heavy metal-scavenging capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to prepare cellulose fibers decorated with titanium dioxide, and then incorporate them into the formulation of dental adhesive composites. The influence of this filler on the mechanical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the composites was examined. Different proportions of the filler were mixed with the monomers and then the prepared materials were analyzed through chemical, mechanical, and microscopic characterization. Biocompatibility tests were performed using fibroblast cell lines. Mechanical characterization included the hardness test, the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) test, and the shear bond strength test (SBT). The fillers were found biocompatible, as suggested by the Alamar blue assay, while the mechanical properties of the composites increased with higher filler content. The experimental composite presented good mechanical and biological properties, and thus, it can be used as a dental adhesive material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To see the pattern of bone involvement in metastatic breast carcinoma. To study the distribution of bone metastasis, central skeleton vs. peripheral skeleton, in metastatic breast carcinoma. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Department of Surgery, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, in accordance with Breast Clinic MINAR. Period: March, 2021 to August, 2022. Material & Methods: The study was done in breast clinic MINAR, Multan. It was retrospective, non-randomized and single institution based study. The female patients who presented with breast carcinoma from March 2021 to August 2022, aged 25 to 70 years were scrutinized. Among these, the patients with metastatic breast carcinoma having metastasis in bones, confirmed on bone scan, were included in the study. 90 cases were collected in this research. The tumours which primarily arise from bone, lymphoid tumours, soft tissue tumours and bone marrow tumours and bone metastasis due to malignancies arising from other visceral organs were excluded. All the data was entered and analyzed using computer programme SPSS version 25.0. Results: The highest range of patients were between ages of 46-65 years. 87.8% were married, 2.2% were unmarried and 10% were divorced or widow. 43.3% were from rural area and 56.7% were from urban area. 93.3% previously had not any history of breast carcinoma. Only 6.7% had family history of breast carcinoma. 64.4% had menarche during the age of 12 to 14 years. And 42.2% had menopause between 50 to 55 years. While in all these cases 46.7% were those who had no menopause at all when they presented with metastatic breast carcinoma. Among these 13.3% had solitary bone metastasis and 86.7% had metastasis to multiple bones. 46.7% had central or axial skeletal involvement, 13.3% had peripheral skeletal involvement and 40% had both, including central and peripheral skeleton. Conclusion: This study has shown that among all the patients there were 46.7% patients had central skeletal involvement and 13.3% had peripheral skeleton involvement and 40% had both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N), the building block of plant proteins and enzymes, is an essential macronutrient for plant functions. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different N application rates (28, 57, 85, 114, 142, 171, and 200 kg ha−1 ) on the performance of spring wheat (cv. Ujala-2016) during the 2017–2018 and 2018– 2019 growing seasons. A control without N application was kept for comparison. Two years mean data showed optimum seed yield (5,461.3 kg ha−1 ) for N-application at 142 kg ha−1 whereas application of lower and higher rates of N did not result in significant and economically higher seed yield. A higher seed yield was obtained in the 2017–2018 (5,595 kg ha−1 ) than in the 2018–2019 (5,328 kg ha−1 ) growing seasons under an N application of 142 kg ha−1. It was attributed to the greater number of growing degree days in the first (1,942.35°C days) than in the second year (1,813.75°C). Higher rates of N (171 and 200 kg ha−1 ) than 142 kg ha−1 produced more number of tillers (i.e., 948,300 and 666,650 ha−1, respectively). However, this increase did not contribute in achieving higher yields. Application of 142, 171, and 200 kg ha−1 resulted in 14.15%, 15.0% and 15.35% grain protein concentrations in comparison to 13.15% with the application of 114 kg ha−1 . It is concluded that the application of N at 142 kg ha−1 could be beneficial for attaining higher grain yields and protein concentrations of wheat cultivar Ujala-2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt-affected soil reclamation provides opportunities for crop production and carbon sequestration. In arid regions such as Pakistan, limited studies have been reported involving soil reclamation and crop production under wheat–maize rotation, but no study has reported predictions on long-term carbon sequestration in reclaimed soils for the treatments used in this study. Thus, a field-scale fallow period and crop production experiment was conducted for wheat–maize rotation on salt-affected soils in Pakistan for 3 years to check the effectiveness of organic amendments for reclamation of the salt-affected soils, carbon sequestration and food grain production. Treatments used were the control (with no additional amendments to reduce salinity), gypsum alone and gypsum in combination with different organic amendments (poultry manure, green manure, and farmyard manure). The treatment with gypsum in combination with farmyard manure was most effective at increasing soil carbon (+169% over the three-year period of the trial). The maximum wheat yield was also recorded in year 3 with gypsum in combination with farmyard manure (51%), while the effect of green manure combined with gypsum also showed a significant increase in maize yield in year 3 (49%). Long-term simulations suggested that the treatments would all have a significant impact on carbon sequestration, with soil C increasing at a steady rate from 0.53% in the control to 0.86% with gypsum alone, 1.25% with added poultry manure, 1.69% with green manure and 2.29% with farmyard manure. It is concluded that food crops can be produced from freshly reclaimed salt-affected soils, and this can have added long-term benefits of carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils has greatly disturbed the quality and productivity of soils. In this study, we investigated the uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and nickel (Ni) by two Brassica cultivars (Khanpur raya and Sandal canola) grown on soil irrigated with metal-contaminated water. Distilled water was spiked with salts to prepare irrigation water with various levels of metals (Ni application at 90, Cd at 20, Pb at 500, Ni + Pb at 20 + 500, Ni + Cd at 90 + 20, Cd + Pb at 20 + 500, and Ni + Cd + Pb at 90 + 20 + 500 mg L−1). These treatments were compared with water without the addition of any salt. The results indicated that compared to the control treatment, increasing metal concentrations decreased the shoot weight (44.25%, 29.03%), root length (33.33%, 12.74%), and shoot length (19.73%, 11.06%) in Khanpur raya and Sandal canola, respectively. Compared to the control treatment, irrigation with contaminated water decreased the photosynthesis rate (98.42%, 99.34%), chlorophyll content (18.27%, 13.73%), respiration rate (7.97%, 6.47%), and transpiration rate (9.90%, 33.33%) in both varieties, respectively. Notably, the concentrations of Ni (0.01 and 0.003), Cd (0.01 and 0.012), and Pb (0.03 and 0.05%) in the seeds were increased, as well as in Khanpur raya and Sandal canola, respectively, compared to the controls. Furthermore, the PTE accumulation in different components was recorded, with the order of soil > root > shoot > seed. It was observed that brassica cultivars differed significantly in their response to the growth and accumulation of PTEs in edible parts. It was concluded that Khanpur raya did not exhibit a decline in growth due to PTEs in irrigation water and prevented the translocation of PTEs towards edible parts compared to Sandal canola and thus can be safely grown in soils receiving PTE-contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncontrolled concentrations of heavy metals introduced into the water sources need an effective method for their removal. The dithiocarbamate (dtc) ligands are the most popular precipitating agents used for the removal of metals from wastewater. Presently, two novel dtc ligands, one without methylene linker (K2L1) and the other with methylene linker (K2L2) were used for the removal of eight heavy metals ions including Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, Ag+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ from the aqueous solution. These dtc ligands contain acyl (NH-C = O) and S, S (thiolate) functional groups. The results indicated that the metal removal efficiency of both ligands was almost 100% at pH 4 and 7 and free of the linker effect and acyl functional groups but depends on the S, S binding sites. It exhibited a distinct selectivity for the removal of metal ions (Pb2+ ∼ Cu2+ ∼ Ag1+ > Cd2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Fe2+). The developed methods have the potential for the removal of heavy metals and can be used for other thiophilic metals that are water-soluble. HIGHLIGHTS Water treatment, contaminated by heavy metal ions. Synthesis and characterization of two novel dithiocarbamate ligands. Effect of methylene (-CH2-) linker of dithiocarbamtes on heavy metals extraction. pH and temperature effect on the extraction efficiency of ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Performance characteristics and egg quality in layers decline steadily in the last stage of laying owing to maturity which harmfully influences the meta- bolism of the birds. The effects of vitamin D3 supplementation (2500, 3000, 3500, and 4000 IU/kg diet) on production parameters of layers were exa- mined. Eight hundred eighty Lohmann egg layers (age of 81 weeks) were allotted randomly into 5 dietary treatments with 4 replication of 44 birds each. The standard ration in the present trial contained 3.25% of calcium contents along with natural vitamin D3 in feed ingredients. The addition of dietary vitamin D3 at all levels substantially (p ≤ .05) improved the rate of laying, egg weight, feed intake, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, and broken eggs rate compared to the control diet. Besides this, the addition of vitamin D3 at 3000, 3500, and 4000 IU/kg to basal diets enhanced (p ≤ .05) the indexes of shape, albumen and yolk, specific gravity, Haugh unit score, shell thickness, and shell strength than those of control and 2500 IU vitamin D3/kg diets. Increasing vitamin D3 levels from 2500 to 4000 IU/kg diets elevated serum calcium, phosphorus, and VIT-D3 compared to the control diet. In conclusion, the addition of various levels of vitamin D3 (2500--4000 IU/kg diet) in the layer's basal ration at the last production stage might be helpful means to develop the performance of layers, egg worth traits, as well as physiological status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Punjab has been deeply connected to the history of the Sub-continent. The people of Punjab belong to different religions i.e Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism, and possess various beliefs; thus have been playing a significant role in the continuity of its social and cultural development. The history of Sikhism originates from their spiritual leader "Bābā Gurū Nānak". Their famous holy books 'Gurū Granth has been written in Punjabi language. During the Sikh rule, the Punjab consisted of twelve (12) Misals in other words, twelve people ruled there. The reign of Maha Raja Ranjīt Singh witnessed an organized rule; thus it is called the golden period of the Punjab history. This manuscript „Tārīkh-e-Punjāb', is a unique and unmatched manuscript in Persian language, about the history of the Punjab during the reign of Maha Raja Ranjīt Singh. This manuscript reflects the political, geographical, military, economical, religious and social aspects of the Punjab in the 19th century. The images of various customs, dresses and ornaments have also been provided. Although, it was written in Persian language, in 19th century; yet it is a bit different from the modern Persian language of Iran. Since, it includes the words from other languages of the Punjab, including Sanskrit, Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu; its text is difficult and complicated. Inspite of the use of a number of allegories and idioms, there are many textual mistakes. These have been corrected and editing. Its detail comes in the Preface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paradox, bringing two apparently contradictory statements in a verse containing any truth, reality and satire has been counted as an important artistic characteristic in poetry since long and poets have always used it to enhance the beauty and depth of their poetry. Indian style of Persian poetry has been known as a style of novelty and artistic display. Poets of these styles apart from other techniques have rewmendoxy used paradox and presented beautiful examples of imagery. This article presents an analysis of exhibition of use of paradox in the poetry of prominent Persian poets of Indian style along with its examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the affective domain indicates it is a less explored area in Pakistan. The study focuses on the factors of writing anxiety and how motivation affects writing anxiety are the two affective variables associated with foreign language learning. The data was collected from 36 students from a private university in Lahore. The study's findings revealed that despite their low anxiety level, they still experience writing anxiety due to grammar, evaluation, and topical knowledge. In addition, they had a lot of instrumental and integrative motivation. They valued the English subject's instrumental function and contributions, the communicative activities, and the instructor's teaching. According to correlation and regression analyses, writing anxiety levels decrease as motivation to learn a language rises. It concluded that encouraging students to learn English can reduce writing anxiety. According to the findings, English teachers should prioritize motivation in their classrooms by serving as effective role models for their students, encouraging students to write to learn, encouraging students to write to learn, appreciating the writing they produce, and exposing them to real-world applications of the English macro skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency of breast carcinoma among females above 30 years of age presenting with palpable breast lumps in south Punjab. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Surgery, Ward No.4, Nishtar Medical University/Hospital, Multan. Period: 1st July, 2021 to 31st December 2021. Material & Methods: One hundred and thirty six patients with palpable breast lumps were included in the study. History, clinical examination, mammography, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and Tru cut biopsy was done in all the patients. Finally the report of Tru cut biopsy was used to find out the frequency of breast carcinoma in all these patients. Results: Carcinoma was present in 43 (31.6%) patients and benign diseases were present in 93 (68.4%) patients. Conclusion: Carcinoma was present in higher frequency (31.6%) among patients above 30 years of age who presented with palpable breast lumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of nitrogen (N) forms on growth and accumulation of nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) by wheat genotypes viz. Lasani‐2008 and Sahar‐2006 is investigated. Genotypes are grown in Ni‐contaminated soil with different N forms viz. urea, NH4–N, mixed N (NH4–NO3), and NO3–N. Lasani‐2008 produces maximum shoot dry weight (SDW) with NO3–N while Sahar‐2006 produces maximum SDW with NH4–N. Lasani‐2008 has higher SDW (24%), greenness index (7%), photosynthetic rate (18%), and transpiration rate (29%) compared to Sahar‐2006. This genotype accumulates more N with mixed N (NH4–NO3) and NH4–N and has 47% higher remediation factor. Lasani‐2008 contains 43% more Ni and maximum Zn in roots with NH4–N while minimum with NO3–N. Lasani‐2008 accumulates Ni and Zn more in shoots while Sahar‐2006 retains more Ni in roots. Sahar‐2006 contains 16% higher Mn in shoot compared to Lasani‐2008. Manganese is maximum with NO3–N followed by urea in roots. It is concluded that genotypes differ for Ni accumulation in response to N forms. Lasani‐2008 proves effective for remediation of Ni‐contaminated soils while Sahar‐2006 can be a good choice for restricting the entry of potentially toxic elements into food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening various plant species to act as hyperaccumulators and associated health risks could serve as a sustainable solution for the bioremediation heavy metals (HMs). For the first time, the present study explored the phytoremediation potential of native plants, soil enrichment, and human health risks associated with the contamination of HMs in soil and plant samples collected from a municipal solid-waste open dump site. Soil and plant samples (n = 18 + 18) from the dumpsite and (n = 18) from the control site were analyzed for selected HMs, i.e., Chromium (Cr), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Iron (Fe), and Zinc (Zn). The phytoremediation potential of plants was assessed using the bioaccumulation factor (BAF), bioaccumulation coefficient (BAC), and translocation factor (TF), while soil pollution levels were evaluated using the contamination factor (CF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factor (EF), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and human health risk indices. The results revealed that based on TF and BAC values, Alhagi maurorum Medic., Astragalus creticus Lam., Cichorium intybus L., Berberis lycium Royle, and Datura stramonium L. were hyperaccumulators for Cr while Parthenium hysterophorus L. was a promising species for both Ni and Cr. Similarly, CF values for Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cr were >6, thereby showing very high contamination, while Igeo values for Fe, Ni, Pb, and Cr were (class 6, >5), showing that the soil was extremely polluted. Furthermore, EF values for Fe, Ni, Pb, Cr, and Zn were 2 < EF ≤ 5, depicting moderate enrichment, while PERI values were in the range of 91.31–195.84, employing moderate ecological risks (95 < PERI < 190) from the dumpsite's soil. Moreover, for non-carcinogenic exposure, none of the analyzed metals exceeded the threshold limit HRI values > 1 in both adults and children. Likewise, in the case of carcinogenic effects, the CRI values were lower than the tolerable limits (1 × 10−6–1 × 10−4) in both adults and children. Moreover, almost all studied plants could be utilized for the phytoextraction of mentioned HMs. In future, the present study can help in the implementation of public policies to ensure sustainability and developmental activities in contaminated sites. Based on these results, it is concluded that there is a dire need of monitoring solid waste dumpsites due to various types of potential risks associated with the contamination of HMs. Moreover, to minimize the potential health problems arising from the dumpsite, it is substantive that special attention should be paid to work on sustainable and eco-friendly remedial measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice between organic and inorganic farming is an exciting debate in scholarly literature. A large number of studies has enriched the discussion. However, this particular study adds to this debate in unique ways. This study uses a hybrid model based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a methodological contribution to the debate of organic and inorganic farming by using multicriteria decision analysis. Also, this study uses several conflicting criteria (such as health benefits, environmental benefits, soil fertility, consumer awareness, etc.) that have not been combined in a single research study earlier to consider the choice of organic and inorganic farming. The study is based on a questionnaire survey undertaken by consumers, farmers and agriculture experts. After the application of the AHP-TOPSIS based hybrid model, several interesting results have been founded that have important policy implications for farming in Pakistan and other developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the quality of drinking water and its possible effects on human health in the Dera Ghazi Khan (D. G. Khan) district of Pakistan. Samples were collected from three tehsils of the D. G. Khan district, namely D. G. Khan, Kot Chutta, and Taunsa. A total of 50 samples (n = 50) were collected from the study area using standard procedures. The pH of the water samples ranged from 6.52–8.75, EC 0.31–9.78 dS m−1, and TDS 105–985 mg L−1. The bacterial analysis showed that 9 out of 50 samples (18%) contained pathogenic E. coli bacterial. The results showed that the pH and EC values of some sampling sites exceeded the WHO guidelines for drinking water. It was observed that the pH of only 1 sample, and the EC of 18 samples in D. G. Khan—5 in Kot Chutta and 16 in Tehsil Taunsa—exceeded the WHO guidelines. In terms of E. coli presence and related diseases (hepatitis A, B, and C), we collected data, which were screened and belonged to the sampling sites, from 1378 patients receiving treatment related to hepatitis A, B, and C. It was revealed that 530 patients belonged to the D. G. Khan site, followed by Taunsa (460), and Kot Chutta (388). Based on the results, it was concluded that the quality of drinking water samples generally was good, except for 6% of the samples, assessed using (SAR) and Kelly's ratio (KR), and 9 sites were positive for E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The pharmaceutical retail industry faces leadership challenges, emphasizing the importance of a mechanism to support sales managers. This paper aims to demonstrate how shared leadership (SL) might improve team performance (TP), with knowledge sharing (KS) and psychological safety (PS) serving as dual mediation effects. Design/methodology/approach: The authors used social learning theory (SLT) to support their hypotheses. Using a purposive sampling technique, 440 respondents (65 leaders and 375 team members) from 65 pharmaceutical sales teams in Pakistan were obtained through data collection from dyad sources. The authors also used partial least square-structured equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 3.3.9 to assess the measurement model and the direct paths testing. The authors also used PROCESS macro version 4 to examine dual mediation effects. Findings: The results revealed that SL does not directly impact TP; rather, it depends on the dual mediating mechanisms of KS and PS. Originality/value: This is an initial attempt to establish a conceptual model based on SLT, with KS and PS acting as dual mediation mechanisms. This research contributes to the current knowledge of team leadership by concentrating on how SL approaches might promote TP in the pharmaceutical sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmentation of images is a common task within medical image analysis and a necessary component of medical image segmentation. The segmentation of the liver and liver tumors is an important but challenging stage in screening and diagnosing liver diseases. Although many automated techniques have been developed for liver and tumor segmentation; however, segmentation of the liver is still challenging due to the fuzzy & complex background of the liver position with other organs. As a result, creating a considerable automated liver and tumour division from CT scans is critical for identifying liver cancer. In this article, deeply dense-network ResU-Net architecture is implemented on CT scan using the 3D-IRCADb01 dataset. An essential feature of ResU-Net is the residual block and U-Net architecture, which extract additional information from the input data compared to the traditional U-Net network. Before being fed to the deep neural network, image pre-processing techniques are applied, including data augmentation, Hounsfield windowing unit, and histogram equalization. The ResU-Net network performance is evaluated using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) metric. The ResU-Net system with residual connections outperformed state-of-the-art approaches for liver tumour identification, with a DSC value of 0.97% for organ recognition and 0.83% for segmentation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As) is very common pollutant of the environment categorized as class-I human carcinogen. Rice crop is inherently efficient at accumulating As that is also triggered by conventional cropping methods (flooded conditions). A pot experiment was conducted with the objectives to (i) determine the accumulation of As in rice grains and shoots and As species in rice grains, (ii) determine the effect of As concentrations on physiological and agronomic characteristics of the rice crop, and (iii) assess the changes in fractions of As within the soil under different water regimes. Water regimes included flooding, intermittent, intermittent + aerobic, and aerobic irrigation. Grain As concentration from flood-irrigated rice was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced in rice grown in 10 and 50 mg kg−1 As-contaminated soil with less applied irrigation. Water management techniques have influenced As speciation in rice grains. As the irrigation techniques were shifted from flooding to intermittent, intermittent + aerobic, and aerobic irrigation, a significant decrease in concentration of inorganic species (11.98–76.81% at 10 mg kg−1 and 66.04–93.61% at 50 mg kg−1) was observed. Aerobic irrigation has effectively reduced the concentration of arsenic in rice grain as compared to other irrigation techniques in both the As-contaminated soils. This study indicated that irrigation management techniques other than flood irrigation have significantly affected the As (total and speciation) concentration within the rice grains and non-significantly affecting crop yield and this must be considered if regulations are based on inorganic As percentage of total As concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a pot experiment to evaluate the potential for soil- and foliar-applied silicon (Si), alone and in combination, to a Cd-contaminated soil in order to evaluate the effects on such amendments on the Cd translocation from soil to wheat root, shoot and grains. Five treatments were used, T1) control with no external factor added, T2 received only Cd, while T3–T5 treatments received Cd in combination with soil, foliar and soil plus foliar applied Si. Except control (T1), soil was contaminated with Cd at 10 mg kg−1 in all the treatments and 1% solution of Si as an amendment was used for soil and/or foliar application or their combination. Overall, while Si application improved both plant growth and yield in Cd-contaminated soil. Control and combined soil- and foliar-applied Si in Cd contaminated treatments showed equally positive (2.5%) increase in plant height over Cd contaminated treatment. Grain yield was also highest in the treatment receiving Cd plus soil-applied Si (29%) followed by control (26%). It was concluded that Si can alleviate Cd toxicity in wheat irrespective of whether the Si was soil-applied or applied via a foliar method, but soil applied Si proved the best in this regard. Novelty statement Immobilization of metals i.e., cadmium (Cd) with soil-applied amendments like biomaterials and organic manure to decrease Cd concentration in plants have already been widely investigated. Silicon (Si) is a cheap in-organic and readily available element in the nature and also used for the same purpose. It can be applied both in soil as well as by foliar and soil + foliar application to decrease the metals concentration in soil and plants. However, comparative effectiveness of these three methods have not been checked simultaneously. In this study, we have studied the comparative effectiveness of Si application to soil, foliar and their combination (soil + foliar) to decrease Cd concentration during wheat crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major environmental problems is the fast accumulation of brick kiln emissions near the peripheries of almost all urban centers. An enormous quantity of substandard coal, wood, rubber tires, or saw wood is used as fuel in these brick kilns, creating environmental pollution through carbon and heavy metals present in the emissions. The present study was designed to determine the distribution pattern of heavy metals in a soil–water-plant system under the influence of brick kiln emissions. Ash, soil (0–15 cm), water, and plant samples were collected from the adjacent areas of the brick kilns. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factors were used to assess the toxicity of metals to soil and plants. It was found that the concentrations of Cd in water, soil, coal, and plant samples were found in the range of 0.004–0.024 mg L−1, 0.02–0.66, 0.002–0.042, and 0.06 to 0.07 mg kg−1, respectively, while Pb concentration was found within the range of 0–0.08 mg L−1, 0.30–8.60, 0.011–0, and 0.01–0.08 mg kg−1 in water, soil, and plant samples, respectively. The concentration of Cd in brick kilns ash was in the range of 0–0.04 mg kg−1 while Pb was found within the range of 0.01–0.05 mg kg−1 for ash. Geo-accumulation index and contamination factor values for Cd were found higher suggesting proper pollution prevention measures to be implemented. Based on the results, it was concluded that Cd concentrations in soil, plants, and water samples were higher in the subject area due to brick kiln emissions and higher Cd concentrations in the fuel material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust is the collection of fine particles of solid matter, and it is a major issue of atmospheric pollution. Dust particles are becoming the major pollutants of the urban environment due to hyperbolic manufacturing and automobile pollution. These atmospheric pollutants are not only hazardous for human beings, but they also affect tree growth, particularly in urban environments. This study was designed to examine the changes in morphological and physiological traits of three tree species seedlings (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Conocarpus erectus, and Bombax ceiba) in response to different dust types. In a pot experiment under controlled conditions, three-month-old seedlings of selected trees species were subjected to four treatments of dust: T1 = controlled; T2 = wood dust; T3 = soil dust; and T4 = carbon dust. During the whole experiment, 10 g/plant/dose was applied in 8 doses with a one-week interval. The results depicted that the growth was the maximum in T1 (control) and the minimum in T4 (carbon dust). In our findings, B. ceiba performed better under the same levels of dust pollution as compared with the other two tree species. The B. ceiba tree species proved to be the most tolerant to dust pollution by efficiently demolishing oxidative bursts by triggering SOD, POD, and CAT under different dust types compared to controlled conditions. Stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate were negatively influenced in all three tree species in response to different dust applications. Based on the findings, among these three tree species, B. ceiba is recommended for dust polluted areas followed by E. camaldulensis and Conocarpus erectus due to their better performance and efficient dust-foraging potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afforestation is one potential action for improving the environment from local to global scales. Deforestation plagues many regions of the world and in recent times, there are ongoing efforts by some countries to expand afforestation programs. One key decision in the design of afforestation programs is species selection. Here, we demonstrate species selection for afforestation using two different multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The study covers two regions within the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan and is based on their ongoing project, the Billion Tree Tsunami. We considered six criteria for decision making. These criteria included cost, reproducibility, growth rate, environmental compatibility (including soil compatibility, temperature, rainfall requirements), environmental effects (including transpiration rate, evergreen or not, soil erosion control) and uses (medical, constructional and fodder). The results of both MCDM methods were comparable, suggesting that our findings are acceptable and consistent. The study is useful for the forestry department at local and international levels. Additionally, it is informative for researchers and readers with an interest in the application of MCDM in forestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the role of ascorbic acid (AsA) to alleviate nickel (Ni) induced adverse effects on growth and concentration of Ni, copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) in hydroponically grown wheat varieties viz. Galaxy, Punjab-2011, and FSD-08. Plants were exposed to five levels of Ni viz. 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 mg L−1. After 1 week, AsA (1 mM) was sprayed onto the Ni-stressed plants. FSD-08 produced the maximum SDW with and without AsA compared to other varieties. FSD-08, Galaxy, and Punjab-2011 witnessed 2.61-, 2.83-, and 7.5-fold increases in SDW with AsA, respectively. Wheat plants contained the maximum Ni in shoots and roots with a Ni level of 20 mg L−1 irrespective of varieties. Nickel in shoots decreased with AsA witnessing 13, 12, and 10% decrease in FSD-08, Punjab-2011, and Galaxy, respectively. Nickel in roots of FSD-08 decreased by 18% while increased by 3.34-fold and 3.50-fold in Galaxy and Punjab-2011, respectively with AsA. Nickel decreased Cu in shoot and Mn in shoot and root while Cu in roots of all wheat varieties increased. It was concluded that AsA improved the growth of Ni-stressed and FSD-08 performed better by maintaining good growth and less Ni in shoots compared to other varieties. Exploiting plant internal mechanisms with foliar application of different organic substances have widely been investigated to decrease metal accumulation and their adverse effects on plants. However, the differential response of different varieties to metal accumulation in response to foliar application of ascorbic acid is not well documented. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous application of ascorbic acid on growth response, the concentration of Ni, Cu, and Mn in three wheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic (As), a class-A human carcinogen, is ubiquitously present in the earth's crust and soil and may enter the air, water, and surface environments through different natural and anthropogenic sources. In this experiment, soil, irrigation water, and rice grains were sampled from conventional rice-growing areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 15 cm surface soil of rice growing fields, and rice grains were collected from the same field at crop maturity. Irrigation water samples were collected from the source used to irrigate the respective rice fields. Coordinates of sampling locations were noted using a global positioning system, and a locations map was made using ArcGIS. Soil samples were digested in a microwave digester using aqua regia, and plant samples were block digested using nitric acid. Arsenic concentration was determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer coupled with an auto-sampler and integrated samples introduction system. The mean concentration of As in rice grains, soil, and water samples was found within the safe limit set by WHO except for a sample from Narowal (148.54 µg l−1) that exceeded the irrigation water standard limit, i.e., 100 µg l−1 for irrigation water. Principal component analysis was performed to reduce the multidimensional space of variables and samples. Through the calculations of estimated daily intake, it has been revealed that the As levels measured in this study would only contribute a small amount (less than 5%) of the total recommended daily intake allowance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes the use of multi-criteria decision models (MCDM) for transportation mode-route choice decisions. This method is beneficial when trips' microdata are unavailable. Route-mode choice decisions were investigated for three public transportation modes (buses, railways, and airlines) in the post-China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) investment in Pakistan Railways (PR) for a link between Peshawar and Karachi. TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) was used for the mode choice decisions and a hybrid model of AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Approach) - TOPSIS was used for the route choice decision ML-1 link of PR. This study concludes that rails were the best mode of transportation in post-CPEC investment. Furthermore, route 3, linking Karachi to Peshawar via Lodhran, Multan, and Miniawali, is the best route connection among the four considered routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of variable durations of loud noise stress on the histomorphology of the thyroid gland in adult rats. METHODS: This laboratory-based experimental study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Army Medical College/National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to December 2020. Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Control group A (no noise exposure), experimental group B (100 dB noise for 4 hours daily), and experimental group C (100 dB noise for 6 hours daily) for four months. At the end of the experiment, the rats were weighed, euthanized, and their thyroid glands removed. The glands were analyzed microscopically after Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, measuring the diameter and epithelial height of thyroid follicles. RESULTS: All rats remained healthy with no statistically significant differences in weight gain between the groups. The follicular epithelial height significantly increased in groups B (9.86±0.38 µm) and C (10.37±0.39 µm) compared to the control group A, (p-values <0.001 and 0.001, respectively). The follicular diameter significantly decreased in groups B (86.61±7.68 µm) and C (95.47±5.24 µm) compared to group A, (p-values <0.001 and 0.003, respectively. Microscopic examination revealed that experimental groups exhibited disrupted thyroid follicles and increased inflammatory infiltrates compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Exposure to variable durations of loud noise stress in adult rats leads to histomorphological changes in the thyroid gland, including increased follicular epithelial height and reduced follicular diameter. These findings are suggestive of potential hyperactivity of thyroid follicles in response to noise stress exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the common endocrine complications found in children having thalassemia major. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Combined Military Hospital Multan, from May to Nov 2019. Methodology: A total of 160 Children with thalassemia were taken in this study. Once registered, venous blood sample was taken and sent to the laboratory for endocrine profile. SPSS-21 was applied for analysis of collected data. Results: Out of 160 study cases, 100 (62.5%) were boys while 60 (37.5%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 8.58 ± 1.98 years. Mean duration of disease was 5.28 ± 3.29 years. Parental consanguinity was positive in 122 (76.3%) and only 47 (29.4%) were taking chelation therapy. Mean HbA1C level was 6.23 ± 1.18% mg/dl and diabetes was noted in 41 (25.6%) of our study cases. Mean FT4 was 0.98 ± 0.13 ng/dl and hypothyroidism was noted in 24 (15%) of our study cases. Conclusion: Diabetes and hypothyroidism were the common endocrine complications noted in our study among children having thalassemia. All physicians treating such patients should always screen such patients for early diagnosis and timely management in order to reduce burden of related morbidities and enhance quality of life of these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airway inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an amplified response of the normal immune system that occurs as a result of chronic irritation by toxic substances, such as cigarette smoke. This leads to the characteristic pathological changes in the inflammatory cells of COPD patients. ADAM33 has been reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of COPD in East Asia by affecting airway inflammation and other immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine the potential role of ADAM33 (mRNA and soluble levels) as a biomarker of inflammation in COPD patients. This is a case control study using consecutive sampling. The COPD case and control (non-COPD) groups comprised 37 and 29 patients, respectively. We used univariate analysis to assess differences in the parameters between the groups and bivariate analysis to non-parametrically compare these parameters between the two groups. We observed significantly higher mRNA levels of ADAM33 in the COPD patients (10.39 ± 1.76) as compared to that in the non-COPD individuals (6.93 ± 0.39; P < 0.001). The levels of soluble ADAM33 were also significantly higher in the COPD patients (2.188 ± 1.142 ng/ml) compared to the non-COPD individuals (0.487 ± 0.105 ng/ml; P < 0.001). The mRNA and soluble ADAM33 levels were significantly higher in COPD patients compared to those in the parameter-matched non-COPD individuals. Thus, ADAM33 is a potential biomarker and treatment for inflammation in COPD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is an important nutritional constraint for crop productivity in alkaline-calcareous saline-sodic soils. Generally, farmers apply different P fertilizers to overcome P deficiency; however, different P fertilizers may have different efficiency in saline-sodic and normal soils. An experiment was conducted to investigate the comparative effect of phosphatic fertilizers, viz. single super phosphate (SSP), di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP), on the growth of rapeseed. These fertilizers were applied to three different types of soils, viz. normal, saline-sodic soil-I {EC, 7 dS m−1; SAR, 25 (mmol L−1)1/2} and saline-sodic soil-II {EC, 14 dS m−1; SAR, 50 (mmol L−1)1/2). In normal soil, DAP was effective to enhance growth compared to other fertilizers. In saline-sodic soil-I, SSP enhanced shoot dry weight (SDW) to the maximum (51%) compared to control and by 12% and 21% compared to TSP and DAP, respectively. In saline-sodic-II, SSP increased SDW by 51% compared to control and by 14% and 20% compared to TSP and DAP, respectively. In saline-sodic soil-I, SSP-fertilized plants had 22% and 7% higher membrane stability index compared to plants grown with DAP and TSP. In saline-sodic soil-I and II, plants grown in pots fertilized with SSP accumulated the maximum chlorophyll contents, while control plants contained the minimum. In saline-sodic soils, SSP increased P concentration in shoot and Olsen P compared to other fertilizers. It is concluded that SSP is relatively more effective and improves plant growth in saline-sodic soils, while DAP is suitable for normal soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Diabetes mellitis, when chronic and uncontrolled, is undeniably associated with myriad health complications, most importantly immune dysfunction and healing abnormalities. The ensuing tissue injury and the ineffective healing, particularly in the foot, is oft en compounded by bacterial and fungal infections, which predispose to the development of infected diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) - a grave complication ending up in foot amputation in significant number of patients. This study assesses the prevalence and patt ern of dermatophytes in diabetic foot ulcer. Material and Methods: In this study we included a total of 298 diabetic patients with diabetic foot ulcers who presented to JPMC from June 2019 till June 2020. We recorded their demographic features and blood glucose level at the time of sample taking. The foot ulcers were graded according to Wagner/Meggit ulcer grading scale. Taking aseptic measures, samples were taken from the ulcers and skin at the ulcers edge and, processed and interpreted according to standard guidelines. Results: Fungal positivity was more in men (61%) than women (39%). Overall mean age (± SD) was 50.0(± 8.1) years. On fungal culture, total fungus positive cases were 92 (30.9%) out of which 49 (53%) were dermatophytes (p<0.01). Prevalence of dermatophytes in the DFU (tinea pedis) of population studied was found to be 16.44%. The most frequently isolated species was Tinea rubrum (43%) followed by Tinea mentagrophytes (29%). Conclusion: This study showed that dermatophytes are associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcer in significant number of cases. Specific antifungals must be prescribed to treat dermatophyte infection (tinea pedis) and prevent its most horrendous complication, foot amputation. This is only possible when a high clinical suspicion is supported by timely and appropriate screening for fungi, such as dermatophytes, especially, when lesions are refractory to repeated anti-bacterial therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]