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Background: Zinc (Zn) deficiency and source-dependent Zn fertilization to achieve optimum Zn levels in rice and wheat grains remain global concern for human nutrition, especially in developing countries. To-date, little is known about the effectiveness of bioactive Zn-coated urea (BAZU) to enhance the concentration, uptake, and recovery of Zn in relation to agronomic efficiency in paddy and wheat grains. Results: Field experiments were carried out during 2020–21 on the rice-wheat system at Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Multan, Punjab, Pakistan using four treatments viz.T1 (Urea 46% N @ 185 kg ha-1 + zero Zn), T2 (Urea 46% N @ 185 kg ha-1 + ZnSO4 33% Zn @ 15 kg ha-1), T3 (BAZU 42% N @ 103 kg ha-1 + Urea 46% N @ 62 kg ha-1 + 1% bioactive Zn @ 1.03 kg ha-1) and T4 (BAZU 42% N @ 125 kg ha-1 + Urea 46% N @ 62 kg ha-1 + 1% bioactive Zn @ 1.25 kg ha-1) in quadruplicate under Randomized Complete Block Design. Paddy yield was increased by 13, 11, 12, and 11% whereas wheat grain yield was enhanced by 12, 11, 11, and 10% under T4 at Multan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Lahore, respectively, compared to T1. Similarly, paddy Zn concentration was increased by 58, 67, 65 and 77% (32.4, 30.7, 31.1, and 34.1 mg kg-1) in rice whereas grain Zn concentration was increased by 90, 87, 96 and 97% (46.2, 43.9, 46.7 and 44.9 mg kg-1) in wheat by the application of BAZU (T4) at Multan, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Lahore, respectively, in comparison to T1. Zinc recovery was about 9-fold and 11-fold higher in paddy and wheat grains, respectively, under BAZU (T4) treatment relative to T2 while, the agronomic efficiency was enhanced up to 130% and 141% in rice and wheat respectively as compared to T2. Conclusion: Thus, T4 application at the rate of 125 kg ha-1 could prove effective in enhancing the rice paddy and wheat grain yield along with their Zn biofortification (∼34 mg kg-1 and ∼47 mg kg-1, respectively) through increased agronomic and Zn recovery efficiencies, the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms of which can be further explored in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of calf rearing methods in Sahiwal cows on milk and feed intake, weight gain, body condition score, and locomotion score. We randomly selected the eight Sahiwal cows just before their calving and divided into two groups. After parturition, claves from both groups were reared under natural restricted suckling (RS) and artificial rearing system (AR) at Livestock Experimental Station, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Restricted suckling calves were allowed to suckle from cow's udder just before milking in the morning and evening (twice milking arrangement) up to weaning. In an artificial rearing system, calves were fed milk through bucket feeders @ 10% of their body weight up to weaning. Post-weaning data for two months were also conceded to complete the trial. The results for weight gain kg week-1 was significantly(P<0.05) higher in RS group (3.35± 0.15) than AR group (2.88 ± 0.31) calves. The average daily weight gain in RS (465 g) group was higher (P<0.05) as compared to AR group (332 g) in the pre-weaning phase (90 days). The average weekly weight gain was also higher (P<0.05) in RS group (3.26 ± 0.24) as compared to AR group (2.33 ± 0.36) up to weaning. There was no significant difference in weight gain of calves in RS group (3.64 ± 0.16) as compared to AR (3.23 ± 0.15) group in post-weaning. The results of milk composition did not show any difference (P>0.05), but the effect of the suckling method had demonstrated a positive impact on the performance of calves. A higher (P<0.05) level of cortisol concentration was found in AR group as compared to RS group. Based on results, it is concluded that natural milk feeding had a positive effect in preweaning on the growth and stress of Sahiwal calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the influence of diabetes mellitus on circadian rhythm affecting the onset of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Design: Observational study. Period: February to August 2010. Setting: Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Faisalabad. Materials and methods: Three hundred and seven consecutive patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and presented with first MI were studied. All patients were divided into four groups according to the 6:00 hours interval of the day (Circadian rhythm). Group I comprised of patients presenting with onset of symptoms between 0-6 hours, Group II 6:01 to 12:00 hours, Group III 12:01 to 18:00 hours and Group IV 18:01 to 24:00 hours. Data was analyzed for variations within groups. Results: Two peaks of onset of symptoms were observed, first between 0-6 hours 144 (33.9%) patients and the second between 6:01 to 12:00 hours 87 (28.3%) and a non significant association was observed in time of onset of acute myocardial infarction P = 0.082. The trough was evening time 12:01 to 18:00 hours where only 63 (20.5%) patients had acute myocardial infarction. Mean age of study population was 56 ± 12.7 years. Mean age was similar in all the four groups P = 0.155. There were 228 (74.3%) males, 79 (25.5%) females. The circadian morning peak of MI symptom onset was attenuated in patients with diabetes as Group IV consisted of higher number 24 (37.5%) of diabetics followed by group I 23 (34.7%). Overall group II had the maximum number of hypertensive patients 41 (47.1%) as compared to other groups. Obesity was observed in 55 (18%) with similar number of patients in all groups P = 0.492. Majority of patients 117 (38.1%) presented between 4-8 hours after the onset of symptoms. Overall 170 (55.4%) patients had anterior wall myocardial infarction followed by inferior wall myocardial infarction in 82 (26.7%) patients. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that the circadian morning peak of MI symptom onset was attenuated in patients with diabetes, suggesting a role of autonomic dysfunction. Inconsistency in observation of such an effect in patients with diabetes in the past may well have been due to differences in the duration of diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution induced by heavy metals has been identified as a leading threat in the modern era. Woody tree species may play a crucial role in the removal of heavy metals from soil and air, thus minimizing pollution potential. The present study was designed to evaluate the phytoremediation potential of six tree species; Azadirachta indica , Cassia fistula , Conocarpus erectus , Eucalyptus camaldulensis , Morus alba , and Populus deltoids , respectively, in the industrial and residential areas of Faisalabad based on the concentrations of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in their leaves and barks in winter (2018) and summer (2019) seasons. The seasonal contents of heavy metals in both the leaves and barks of these trees decreased in the order of: Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd at both study sites. The highest heavy metal contents were recorded in the leaves and barks of trees grown in the industrial areas as compared to residential areas, with leaves and barks having higher contents of heavy metals in the summer than winter. The tree species exhibited significantly different capacity for heavy metal accumulation, with the accumulation of Cd decreased in the order of: E. camaldulensis > M. alba > C. erectus > A. indica > P. deltoids > C. fistula , and while the order varied for different heavy metals. Overall, M. alba , E. camaldulensis and A. indica performed well in accumulating the targeted heavy metals from the ambient environment. Among the six tree species grown commonly in Faisalabad city, M. alba , E. camaldulensis , and A. indica are recommended for the industrial and residential areas due to their phytoremediation capacity for heavy metals. • Contents of heavy metals in tree leaf and bark samples were determined. • Heavy metal contents in leaves and barks decreased in the order of Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. • Commonly grown woody trees effectively removed heavy metals from the air and soil. • The barks accumulated more heavy metals than the corresponding leaves. • M. alba and E. camaldulensis removed heavy metals more efficiently than other tested tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]