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Since a decade ago, nanotechnology has become more advanced and promising technology due to its diverse applications in different fields of life. Nanotechnology has progressively emerged as an interesting field of science owing to its various uses in agriculture, genome manipulation, diseases diagnosis and treatment, manufacturing of drugs and medicines, cosmetics and packing industry. Nanoparticles as compared to their bulk counterparts have more effective properties due to their high surface to volume ratio and charges. Although nanoparticles are prepared by many physical and chemical methods but green synthesis i.e. using biological organisms for their synthesis is much more reliable due to cost effectiveness, being environment friendly and easy synthesis properties. Biological materials i.e. plants, algae, bacteria and viruses usually convert inorganic ions into nanoparticles with the help of metabolites by the reduction method. Of all other methods plants play more important and efficient role in the synthesis of green nanoparticles due to the presence of secondary metabolites which readily reduce ions of metal salts to nanoparticles. Green nanoparticles are being utilized in almost all fields of science at industrial and commercial level. This review describes some applications of nanotechnology in different areas of science with more emphasis on preparation of nanoparticles via green synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to investigate the awareness, attitude and practices of common people about dengue vector and its impact on control of Aedes (A.) aegypti population in Lahore, Pakistan. Data were collected during 2010 to 2011 by a questionnaire method. In total, 1000 open ended questionnaires were distributed among different houses, teachers, employees, workers and students. Out of the total, 940 filled questionnaires were received back from the respondents, of which, 400 were from different houses and 540 from students (graduates, post graduates, intermediate, and secondary schools), teachers, employees and workers of different institutions. The results showed significantly different (P<0.05) demographic characteristics of Dengue Fever/ Dengue Hemorrhage fever (DF/DHF) patients for age and sex. Significant (x² =366.29) differences between alive DF/DHF susceptible patients were found, whereas the differences between dead DF/DHF susceptible patients were non-significant (P=0.13). Area-wise distribution revealed maximum prevalence of DF/DHF at Allama Iqbal Town, whereas minimum prevalence (1.8%) was observed at Aziz Bhati and Wahga Towns of Lahore. Similarly, overall patients of DF/DHF were greater in 2011 compared with those in 2010. Regarding gender, female patients were greater than male patients and children. The patients between 16 to 25 years of age had highest percentage of DF/DHF. The preventive practices from dengue mosquito adopted by the respondents were sprays (66.7%), coils (51.38%) and mosqoils (36.81%). In conclusion, this study suggests conducting these types of studies for generation of data bases from public that may serve as a baseline for controlling A. aegypti population and formulating policies against epidemics by the competent authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solarium tuberosum) is an economical food crop since it provides a cheap source of energy to the human beings. The present study was focused to enhance the shelf life of potatoes by gamma radiation and its effect on the nutritional value of potatoes. The potato samples were irradiated using 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15 kGy of doses and were stored at room temperature after irradiation. Various parameters were studied for both the control and irradiated samples. The study concluded that there was no significant difference in the proximate analysis of potato. At 0.15 kGy the nutritional value of the entire treated sample was considered acceptable as the gamma radiation has significant effect on the shelf life of potatoes without affecting its nutritional composition. The sensory properties of treated samples were also satisfactory. It was also concluded that irradiation treatment could be effectively used to protect from sprouting and enhance shelf life. Samples which were irradiated at dose 0.15 kGy showed 75.45% moisture content after three weeks of storage, 0.70% ash content, 2.3% fiber content, 0.47% fat content, 1.8% protein content and 19.28% carbohydrate content and was optimized as favorable dose for potato to manage the shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]