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Schools throughout the world are faced with the challenge of developing teaching approaches which can take advantage of new technologies and integrate these into the learning experiences of future generations. In developed countries, this has moved forward rapidly. However, in developing countries, the pace of change has been held back by inadequate resources. In all countries, teachers have had to develop new skills while, in many countries, the school students are often far more advanced than their teachers in the skills of using smart boards, smart phones, iPads and laptops. This study explores the issues relating to the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Physics in secondary schools in Pakistan and, working with large samples, the perceptions, experiences and aspirations of teachers and students were surveyed by means of questionnaires and interviews. The findings showed a clear picture where teachers were enthusiastic to embrace the new technologies although they were not fully aware of the potential in all areas. It was essential that adequate resources are made available to teachers in their own teaching areas and not in central locations while training issues involved technical expertise as well as credible pedagogical expertise was necessary. There were clearly considerable inequalities across the two main school sectors and there was a pressing need to reduce curriculum overload and the over-emphasis on memorization and recall, allowing the teachers and students to engage with an understanding of the materials being studied.

Objectives: The study aims to evaluate the severity of heart failure (HF) and its impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL). Methodology: A multicenter, observational study was conducted across 100 medical facilities in Pakistan. Symptomatic HF patients (NYHA Class-II to IV) diagnosed ≥ 1 year ago, aged ≥ 18 years, and advised for echocardiography were invited. A total of 961 patients agreed to participate. HF severity was assessed based on ejection fraction (EF %) and NYHA class. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) was used to assess the effect of HF on the patient's QoL. Results: The patients' overall health status exhibited poor scores, with a mean KCCQ score of 20.26±8.34. Concerning left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), 25.9% of patients displayed moderate dysfunction (LVEF 30% to 39%), while 29.1% had severe dysfunction (LVEF < 30%). The distribution across NYHA classes was Class II included 451 patients (46.9%), Class III included 317 patients (33.0%), and Class IV included 193 patients (20.1%). High-quality-of-life (HR-QoL) assessments using the KCCQ exhibited significant correlations with both LVEF (rs=-0.394, p<0.01) and NYHA class (rs=-0.615, p<0.01). Notably, the mean KCCQ score displayed considerable variation across NYHA classes, Class II had a mean score of 25.42±7.95, Class III had 20.90±7.67, and Class IV had 16.41±8.94. Significant predictors of quality of life (KCCQ score) included age and NYHA. Conclusion: It is concluded from the study results that HR-QoL is significantly correlated with the severity of HF based on ejection fraction and NYHA class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject research is an exhaustive study of the practice of code-switching and codemixing among bilinguals in the context of the Pakistan Defense Forces... The frequency of mixing of codes is carried out using the Gumperz' (1982) model of metaphorical and conversational code-switching in which each function of context-based conversational code-switching is mentioned with its respective proportion. The manipulation or purpose of such code-mixing is also discussed using the conversational code-switching model, each function is thoroughly elaborated along with its implications in a social context. The findings of the proportion or frequency do not equally match that of the findings of Gumperz. The data analysis of the subject research shows the proportion of this is a function only 3%, which is less than all other five functions of conversational code-switching due to certain reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant performance is mainly estimated based on plant architecture, leaf features and internal microstructural changes. Olive (Olea europaea L.) is a drought tolerant, oil yielding, and medium sized woody tree that shows specific structural and functional modifications under changing environment. This study was aimed to know the microstructural alteration involving in growth and yield responses of different Olive cultivars. Eleven cultivars were collected all over the world and were planted at Olive germplasm unit, Barani Agricultural Research Institute, Chakwal (Punjab) Pakistan, during September to November 2017. Plant material was collected to correlate morpho-anatomical traits with yield contributing characteristics. Overall, the studied morphological characters, yield and yield parameters, and root, stem and leaf anatomical features varied highly significantly in all olive cultivars. The most promising cultivar regarding yield was Erlik, in which plant height seed weight and root anatomical characteristics, i.e., epidermal thickness and phloem thickness, stem features like collenchymatous thickness, phloem thickness and metaxylem vessel diameter, and leaf traits like midrib thickness, palisade cell thickness a phloem thickness were the maximum. The second best Hamdi showed the maximum plant height, fruit length, weight and diameter and seed length and weight. It also showed maximum stem phloem thickness, midrib and lamina thicknesses, palisade cell thickness. Fruit yield in the studied olive cultivars can be more closely linked to high proportion of storage parenchyma, broader xylem vessels and phloem proportion, dermal tissue, and high proportion of collenchyma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of pathogens responsible for superadded bacterial infection in COVID-19 patients and correlate the association of these infections with serological markers. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of study: Department of Pathology, Combined Military Hospital, Multan Pakistan, from Jan to Dec 2021. Methodology: A total of 290 patients having positive RT-PCR for SARS CoV-2 were included. All samples were processed per Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) protocols. API 20E and API 20NE were used for the identification of Gramnegative rods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Serological markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), total leucocyte count (TLC) and serum Ferritin, were determined and compared for significance in positive and negative culture cases. Results: A total of 75 patients had positive bacterial cultures. Among these, 42(56%) were blood culture, 26(35 %) were respiratory culture and 7(9%) were urine culture. Commonly isolated organisms were Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., 23(31%), 20(27%), 13(17%), and 12(16%) respectively. CRP, TLC and S. ferritin were markedly raised in superadded bacterial infection compared to patients with COVID-19 infection only. Conclusion: The frequency of superadded bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients is high. The pathogens isolated in these cases were multidrug-resistant, reflecting mostly hospital-acquired flora. The association of serological markers in depicting superadded infection is statistically significant and may be used to screen for superadded bacterial infection in COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the impact of knowledge-oriented leadership on project success via team cohesion and the moderating role of valuing people and project complexity on this relationship. We collected data from 121 project employees in Pakistan in a two-wave field survey at an interval of 15 days. The results showed a positive association between knowledge-oriented leadership and project success, and team cohesion partially mediated this relationship. Valuing people positively moderated the relationship between knowledge-oriented leadership and team cohesion. Project complexity had a negative but insignificant moderating effect on project success. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of Colistin agar for detection of Colistin resistance in clinical isolates of Multi- Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Feb to Aug 2019. Methodology: A total of 100 Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli in clinical isolates were included. Isolates were identified using Gram stain, Catalase, Oxidase, API 20E, and API 20NE. After approval from the institutional ethical review committee, Colistin susceptibility was determined simultaneously by Colistin agar and Broth Micro Dilution Minimum Inhibitory Concentration method as per CLSI. For susceptibility criteria, EUCAST guidelines were followed. Results were validated with the gold standard test, i.e., Broth Micro Dilution. Results: Out of 100 Multi-Drug Resistant clinical isolates, the distribution was K. pneumoniae n=60, E.coli n=16, A. baumannii n=11, C. freundii n=8, and E. cloacae n=5. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of Colistin agar for detection of Colistin resistance, keeping Broth Micro Dilution Minimum Inhibitory Concentration method as the gold standard was 96.67%, 97.14%, 93.55%, 98.55%, and 97%, respectively. Conclusion: Colistin agar has excellent diagnostic accuracy for the detection of colistin resistance with standardized inoculum density. Due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and accurate results, it can be used in lab setups deficient in manpower and advanced equipment for Broth Micro Dilution or genetic sequencing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-nine accessions were collected from arid and semi-arid areas of Pakistan to explore adaptive components in red-grained wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Single-line selections of these accessions were grown on an arid and a control site; that is, Uchkera Farm (UF) and Botanical Garden (BG), Faisalabad. The accessions grown at BG exhibited significantly better biomass and grain yield production than those grown at UF. Accession Ck5 from Chakwal produced the maximum grain yield (17.7 g plant−1) at BG and Jm3 (8.1 g plant−1) at UF. Among the eight accessions selected for further anatomical studies, Dg2 showed increased yield per plant at UF, which was related to root modifications like increased cortical region thickness, endodermal cell area, vascular region thickness, metaxylem area, and root hair length. Stem modifications included increased vascular bundle area, phloem area and stomatal density, while leaves showed increased cuticle thickness, bulliform cell thickness, trichome density, and length. Increased stomatal density and area were also found. Accession Jm3 showed a decrease in yield at UF. Root modifications in Jm3 included increased epidermal cell area, sclerenchymatous thickness, endodermal cell area, and root hair length. Stem modifications in this accession included increased stem cellular region thickness and sclerenchymatous cell area. Leaves had increased abaxial epidermal cell area, trichome number and length, and abaxial stomatal density. In conclusion, morpho-anatomical characteristics varied greatly in the red-grained wheat accessions at both experimental sites that have potential for incorporation into breeding efforts for drought tolerance in modern wheat cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focused on this particular situation in which doctoral candidates become anxious, impatient, and disappointed while experiencing a prolonged delay in processing their dissertation during and after the submission. The researchers tend to explore doctoral candidates' storied experiences they had while confronting such procedural barriers and delays. We undertook a narrative mode of inquiry to explore the events and storied experiences through interviewing doctoral candidates from public universities in the province of Punjab, Pakistan. Nine doctoral candidates were selected through snowball sampling with the criterion of including those participants who were waiting for their external reviews at least for more than 1 year. From the narratives, the emergent themes include supervisors' mutual relationships, the pressure of paper publication, lack of administrative support, external evaluation and follow-up and stress of delayed evaluation. The study has implications for relaxing procedural formalities during and after submission of a doctoral dissertation to facilitate students in the timely attainment of their doctoral degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSIs) have specific mode of action on insects and lower toxicity against non-target organisms and are potential alternative to control insect populations which are resistant to traditional insecticides. Therefore, to assess the safe alternatives to commonly used organophosphate and pyrethroid, against which insects are resistant already, in stored grain insect management, three commercially available (CSIs): Flufenoxuron (0.0015, 0.003 and 0.006ppm), Triflufenuron (0.02, 0.04 and 0.08ppm) and Lufenuron (0.01, 0.02 and 0.04ppm) were applied to evaluate their potential side effects (mortality and transgenerational effects) on Trogoderma granarium, one of the world's most destructive pests of grain products and seeds, in wheat grains at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days interval during 2008-2010 at storage management cell of department of Entomology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. The tested larval instars of T. granarium were released in pesticides mixed flour in vials. As a result, the highest concentration of each CSI at the longest exposure interval showed greater effectiveness than lower concentrations and shorter exposures. Triflumuron at 0.08 ppm gave rise to 42% larval mortality after 18 days of exposure, 44% reduction in adult emergence, and 60% fewer F1 progeny. The effectiveness of these CSIs was found to be positively correlated with treatment concentration and duration. These findings provide coherence understanding in storage pest management in Pakistan where wheat in mills and goodowns damaged annually due to T. granarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of study was to develop a training model for in-service English language teachers at secondary level. For this purpose total 223 including 144 boys' and 79 girls' high schools were selected out of 2063 schools from 05 divisions of Punjab province by using disproportionate stratified random sampling technique. The strata were developed on the basis of gender. The two main strata were Govt. Girls' High Schools and Govt. Boys' High Schools. A structured interview was also conducted to obtain information from headmistresses and headmasters. The responses of interview were analyzed percentage wise. Data were analyzed by mean performance wise, percentage and chisquare test was also computed. It was concluded from the study that teachers were in favor of the training. Majority of the teachers were of the opinion that they never attended training for teaching English so a training program may be arranged to improve their methods of teaching as required in the subject area. They were also of the opinion that the training must be incentive-based. The areas for training were also mentioned by the respondent teachers. By keeping in view the recommendations and suggestions of teachers, a training model for English language teachers was designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This explorative study was undertaken for the first time in Kel village located in the Upper Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. The purpose was to document the indigenous knowledge of the native people used in the preparation of herbal medicines. Methods: To get the data on traditional uses of medicinal plants, 20 informants were interviewed. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, i.e., use value (UV), relative frequencies of citation (RFC), informant consensus factor (Fic), fidelity level (FL), data matrix ranking (DMR), preference ranking (PR), and jaccard index (JI), were calculated for the recorded medicinal plants. Results: A total of 50 medicinal plants belonging to 33 families used in 13 disease categories were documented. Leaves were the frequently used plant parts, and decoction was the commonly used method for herbal medicine. Plants with high use value were Berberis lycium (2.05), Impatiens glandulifera (1.95), Artemisia scoparia (1.75), Ageratum conozoides (1.75), and Achillea millefolium (1.7). The highest RFC value was calculated for Berberis lycium (0.75), Cynoglossum lanceolatum (0.65), and Impatiens glandulifera and Achillea millefolium (0.60 each). The maximum informant consensus factor was for urinary system, cardiac diseases, baldness, and abortion and miscarriage (1.00). Berberis lyceum (95%) used in jaundice, hepatitis, typhoid, fever, and tuberculosis disorders. Plants with maximum fidelity level (FL) were Berberis lycium (95%) followed by Dioscorea bulbifera, Impatiens glandulifera, and Artemisia vulgaris (90%). Olea ferruginea was the most multipurpose plant and exports (21.2%) was the leading threat in the area. The pearson correlation coefficient (0.500) showed a positive correlation between the use value and relative frequency of citation. Conclusion: The present study provides useful information about traditional uses of medicinal plants used by local communities in different ailments. The plants with the highest use values could be employed in pharmacological research and biotechnological approaches in order to achieve adequate revenue. Some of the plants in the study area are facing high threats of becoming rare, and conservation initiatives are needed to conserve them for sustainable management in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This paper aims to empirically examine the long- and short-run relationship between macroeconomic indicators (exchange rates, interest rates, exports, imports, foreign reserves and the rate of inflation) and sovereign credit default swap (SCDS) spreads for Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach The authors apply the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model to explore the level relationship between the macroeconomic variables and SCDS spreads. The error correction model is estimated to examine the short-run effects of the underlying macroeconomic variables on SCDS spreads. Finally, the long-run estimates are obtained in the ARDL framework. The study uses monthly data covering the period January 2001-February 2015.Findings The results indicate that there is a significant long-run relationship between the macroeconomic indicators and SCDS spreads. The estimated long-run coefficients reveal that both the interest rate and foreign exchange reserves are significantly and negatively, whereas imports and the rate of inflation are positively related to SCDS spreads. Yet, the results suggest that the exchange rate and exports do not have any significant long-run impact on SCDS spreads. The findings regarding the short-run relationship indicate that the exchange rate, imports and the rate of inflation are positively, whereas the interest rate and exports are negatively related to SCDS spreads.Practical implications The results suggest that State Bank of Pakistan should design monetary and foreign exchange rate polices to minimize unwanted variations in the exchange rate to reduce SCDS spreads. The results also suggest that it is incumbent to Pakistan Government to improve the balance of payments to reduce SCDS spreads. The findings also suggest that the inflation targeting policy can also help in reducing SCDS spreads.Originality/value This is the first study to examine the empirical determinants of SCDS spreads for Pakistan. Second, it estimates the short- and long-run effects in the ARDL framework. Third, it considers both internal and external empirical determinants of SCDS spreads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to find out the importance of machine vision approach for the classification of five types of land cover data such as bare land, desert rangeland, green pasture, fertile cultivated land, and Sutlej river land. A novel spectra-statistical framework is designed to classify the subjective land cover data types accurately. Multispectral data of these land covers were acquired by using a handheld device named multispectral radiometer in the form of five spectral bands (blue, green, red, near infrared, and shortwave infrared) while texture data were acquired with a digital camera by the transformation of acquired images into 229 texture features for each image. The most discriminant 30 features of each image were obtained by integrating the three statistical features selection techniques such as Fisher, Probability of Error plus Average Correlation, and Mutual Information (F + PA + MI). Selected texture data clustering was verified by nonlinear discriminant analysis while linear discriminant analysis approach was applied for multispectral data. For classification, the texture and multispectral data were deployed to artificial neural network (ANN: n-class). By implementing a cross validation method (80-20), we received an accuracy of 91.332% for texture data and 96.40% for multispectral data, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper is based on a Doctoral study. The aim of the present study was to find out the relationship of self-concept and achievement of students at higher education level. Here, higher education level means university level (Masters Level students only). The total sample of students consisted of 389 students (both male and female) from seven universities (six from the Province of Punjab, Pakistan and one from Federal level, Pakistan). Two research instruments were used namely, Achievement Test in the subject of Education, based on five core courses taught generally at most of the universities of Pakistan with minor variations of titles and content of the courses of M.A Education and a Self-Concept Scale which was an adapted version of SDQ-III constructed by Marsh (1992). For the analysis of data, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation, t-test and z-test were used. Results of the study showed positive, weak but significant relationship between self-concept and achievement of students. Correlation of factors (Academic, Social, Physical, Moral, Emotional, Problem Solving and Self-Esteem) of self-concept and achievement was also found to be negligibly correlated with each other. It was concluded that both self-concept and academic achievement complement each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this qualitative study was to document the perspectives of religious teachers regarding the role of madrassa education system in present globalized society. All the teachers of the madrassas of the four major sects of Muslims (Brailvi, Ahlehadith, Deobundi, Ahletashsho) serving in Southern Punjab constituted the population for this study. To achieve the objective, twenty eight (28) madrassa teachers, seven (07) from each sect (05 male+ 02female) were purposefully selected as sample from madrassas of Multan city keeping in view their experience and extent of willingness. Data were collected through a self-developed semi-structured interview protocol and analyzed by applying qualitative techniques. It was found that madrassa teachers were satisfied with the madrassa curriculum as for as its basic goals and purposes were concerned. Madrassa education system does not prepare graduates to compete in present day economy market. The data revealed that madrassa education system of Pakistan was peace loving and unjustly blamed for extremism. The religious teachers urged that multi-social roles of madrassa education system justify its existence even in present globalized society. It was suggested that radical reforms were imperative in some areas of madrassa education to bring it in line with modern education system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bus rapid transit (BRT) systems have emerged as efficient, convenient, and cost-effective solutions to meet customer transport needs. Since their advent in developing countries, a plethora of research has examined the service quality attributes of such systems that contribute to customers' overall satisfaction. Yet, there have been some methodological gaps that have limited understanding of what maximizes customer satisfaction with the service quality of the BRT system. This current study intends to fill such gaps and examines drivers of explicit and derived customer satisfaction with BRT systems in the emerging economy of Pakistan. In-depth interviews were first conducted to identify key service quality dimensions for BRT customers from four major Pakistani cities. A structured survey was then used to collect data from a total of 481 respondents (useable responses) using the Qualtrics platform. Data were analyzed via gap analysis, importance-performance grid, and regression analyses in SPSS to identify service quality elements that derive BRT customer satisfaction. These three data analysis techniques produced varying findings regarding service quality dimensions needing improvement to increase satisfaction. This study provides critical insights to improve the customers' BRT experience and some theoretical contributions for future researchers. • Four BRT systems are analyzed in a developing economy. • Importance Performance analysis is conducted. • Explicit and derived satisfaction approaches yield different results. • Ease of access, coverage, and timely information are attributed to focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of developing intelligence test is to enhance teachers' capacity to deal with the growing needs of slow learner and gifted children. What distinguishes intelligence test from the teacher made test is its highly valid and reliable. The items were constructed on the base of Thurstone Model. Students' score on intelligence will provide teacher about the learning preferences of the student, which can be utilized for better lesson planning. The sample included 9645 students from 335 schools including boys and girls from four divisions of Punjab, Pakistan. Finally, 60 items were selected through item analysis, reliability and validity standards. Each of the tests contains 12 items. Strong correlation between each test and total test confirmed the overall coherence of the test. The reliability of the test was established by using the Kudar and Richardson's formula KR#20 and KR#21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of developing intelligence test is to enhance teachers’ capacity to deal with the growing needs of slow learner and gifted children. What distinguishes intelligence test from the teacher made test is its highly valid and reliable. The items were constructed on the base of Thurstone Model. Students’ score on intelligence will provide teacher about the learning preferences of the student, which can be utilized for felicitous lesson designing. The sample included 12120 students from 331 schools including boys and girls from four divisions of Pakistan. Finally, 60 items are selected through item analysis, reliability and validity standards. Each of the factors contains 12 items. Strong correlation between each factor and total test confirmed the overall coherence of the test. The reliability of the test was established by using the Kudar and Richardson’s formula KR#20 and KR#21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the impact of parents' education towards the science aptitude of the students at elementary level in Southern Punjab. To study the impact of parents' education towards the science aptitude of the students at elementary level, the technique of correlation was used. The students were divided into two groups on the basis of parents' education. The students having both fathers and mothers graduate or above qualification were scored 1 while the students having uneducated both fathers and mothers were scored 0. There were 1127 students whose fathers and mothers were graduates or above while there were 3641 students whose fathers and mothers were uneducated. The correlation coefficient (r) between science aptitude score and parents' education score calculated by Pearson Product Moment Correlation was 0.63. The mean of science aptitude score of students having parents with graduate or above education is 20.05 and mean of science aptitude score of students having uneducated parents is 15.98. There is positive magnitude, high relationship and 40% variance between students having parents with graduate and above education shows and students having uneducated parents. So, at the time of admission in secondary classes in science education, parents' education should be seriously considered with other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radioactivity in Granites of Pakistan systematically increases from south to north. The Ambella Granite found at the northern edge of Pakistan is highly radioactive. Radioactivity measurements made on, so called, Bajaur Granite, located in northern Pakistan, have been found to be lowest among all the granitic rock of the area. In order to find out the exact nature of Bajaur rocks, mineralogical studies were carried on rock chips and powdered samples. The Bajaur Norite contains plagioclase feldspar more than 45% as the chief constituent. Orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene are 27% and 18%. Quartz, biotite, and some opaque minerals are also found in accessory amounts. Bajaur Granite is in fact not a granite but Norite, which is rich in Na-Ca plagioclase series of feldspars. The plagioclase feldspar rich in Na-Ca are low in radioactivity. Moreover, the average gamma activities of 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K (4.98 ± 0.13 Bqkg − 1 , 4.03 ± 0.31 Bqkg − 1 , 204.40 ± 4.72 Bqkg − 1 and a total of all three radionuclides are 214.00 ± 5.39 Bqkg − 1 ) for Bajaur Norites are found too be much less than the average of the world's Granites. Indoor and outdoor hazard indices of Bajaur Norite are much below building materials used throughout the world and largely beneath their criterion restrictions. As per radiations' hazards are concerned, the Bajaur Norite as a building stone may be considered as the safest material available in the area that does not pose any radiological hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fimbristylis complanata is an aquatic halophytic sedge that thrives in salt-affected land, marshes, and water channels. Two ecotypes (HR-Rasool headworks ECe 19.45; SH- Sahianwala 47.49 dS m -1 ) of F. complanata were collected from two salt-affected wetlands of Punjab, Pakistan. Five rhizomes of each ecotype were grown in plastic pots in the Botanical garden research area and treated with three intensities of salt [0 mM (control), 200 mM (moderate), 400 mM (high) NaCl for three durations (0, 15 and 30 days). The pots were arranged using a completely randomized block design (CRD) with three replications. After each duration, sampling was done. The HR ecotype optimally performed better under moderate salt incubation and moderate to higher salt exposure. This ecotype had improved growth traits, including shoot fresh weight (SFW), shoot dry weight (SDW), leaf area (LA), root length (RL), leaf mass fraction (LMF), relative growth rate (RGR), and unit leaf area (ULA) at higher NaCl (400 mM) in comparison with control NaCl (0 mM). This improvement in growth occurs due to the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments, better photosynthesis, and water use efficiency (A/E). The leaf microstructure increased in HR ecotype as midrib (MrT), leaf blade (LTh), bulliform cells (BTh), and cortical cells (CcT) thicknesses to prevent water loss under salinity, increase aerenchymatous area (ArA) for efficient gas movements at moderate salt levels and less exposure time concerning absolute control (0 mM NaCl). The SH ecotype affirmed more tolerance to salt by securing higher biomass (SFW, SDW), increased growth traits (LA, RL, LMF, ULA), photosynthetic pigments (Chl a, b, Car), and maximum photosynthetic performance at high salt regimes and prolonged duration in comparison to control (0 mM NaCl). Additionally, increased MrT, LTh, BTh, ECA, abaxial and adaxial stomatal area, and density, broadened metaxylem and phloem area, large aerenchyma, more cortical cell thickness under moderate to high salt regimes under moderate to high salt levels and time. Overall, changes in morpho-physiological traits and leaf microstructures in both ecotypes are linked to salt tolerance under temporal salt regimes. Our findings suggest that both ecotypes of F. complanata can potentially rehabilitate the salt-affected wetlands., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Skeletal dysplasias are a heterogeneous group of disorders presenting mild to lethal defects. Several factors, such as genetic, prenatal, and postnatal environmental may contribute to reduced growth. Fourteen families of Pakistani origin, presenting the syndromic form of short stature either in the autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant manner were clinically and genetically investigated to uncover the underlying genetic etiology. Homozygosity mapping, whole exome sequencing, and Sanger sequencing were used to search for the disease-causing gene variants. In total, we have identified 13 sequence variants in 10 different genes. The variants in the HSPG2 and XRCC4 genes were not reported previously in the Pakistani population. This study will expand the mutation spectrum of the identified genes and will help in improved diagnosis of the syndromic form of short stature in the local population., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS) is a disorder of autopod and craniofacial abnormalities. Autopod anomalies include preaxial and/or postaxial polydactyly together with or without syndactyly while craniofacial features include hypertelorism and macrocephaly. GCPS is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner and is caused by sequence variants in GLI3 . Methodology and Results: In this study, we examined four unrelated families with GCPS segregating in an autosomal dominant manner. Sanger sequencing revealed three novel (p.Tyr146Leufs*19, p.Glu99Serfs*60, and p.Thr541Arg) and one previously reported non-sense variant (p.Arg792*) in GLI3 . Conclusion: The study expands the spectrum of the variants in the GLI3 gene linked to GCPS, and should also facilitate genetic counseling of GCPS patients in the Pakistani population.

Background: Aging population, is a reality in many countries because of improvement in the health care, patient safety and other supplemental factors. Pharmacotherapy in this population must be evaluated due to their higher susceptibility to adverse drug outcomes, like potential drug-drug interactions (PDDIs). Research in this regard is limited particularly in developing countries. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and associated factors in this population., Methods: The multicentered study evaluated the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions and associated factors in elderly population at critical care units in Peshawar, Pakistan. Potential drug-drug interactions were evaluated using Micromedex DrugReax, while statistical analysis was performed using SPSS., Results: A total of 70.17% elderly patients were observed to have at least one PDDI. A significant association was observed between presence of PDDIs and number of prescribed drugs, duration of stay and age (p < 0.05). A total of 3019 PDDIs were observed, attributing to 225 drug pairs. Prevalent PDDIs were of moderate severity, good documentation and pharmacodynamic in nature. One-way ANOVA revealed a significant difference in the means of PDDIs between Northwest general hospital and the rest of the hospitals. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the means of PDDIs of CCU and SU with rest of the units., Conclusion: The prevalence of PDDIs was observed to be high in elderly population which can be managed by avoiding or managing a limited number of drug combinations. Such studies are necessary to evaluate the risks of these PDDIs in a population which is already physiologically compromised.

Ectodermal dysplasia syndactyly syndrome 1 (EDSS1) is a rare form of ectodermal dysplasia including anomalies of hair, nails, and teeth along with bilateral cutaneous syndactyly of hands and feet. In the present report, we performed a clinical and genetic characterization of a consanguineous Pakistani family with four individuals affected by EDSS1. We performed exome sequencing using DNA of one affected individual. Exome data analysis identified a novel homozygous missense variant (c.242T>C; p.(Leu81Pro)) in NECTIN4 (PVRL4). Sanger sequencing validated this variant and confirmed its cosegregation with the disease phenotype in the family members. Thus, our report adds a novel variant to the NECTIN4 mutation spectrum and contributes to the NECTIN4-related clinical characterization., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd/University College London.)

Autosomal-recessive woolly hair/hypotrichosis (ARWH/H) is a rare genetic disorder of hair caused by variants in the LIPH and LPAR6 genes. The disease is characterized by congenital tightly curled hair leading to sparse hair later in life. In the present report genetic characterization of three consanguineous families of Pakistani origin, displaying clinical features of ARWH/H, was performed. Haplotype and DNA sequence analysis of the LIPH gene revealed a novel homozygous nonsense variant (c.688C > T; p.Gln230*) in family A. In two other families, B and C, sequence analysis of the LPAR6 gene revealed a novel homozygous frameshift variant (c.68&#95;69dupGCAT; p.Phe24Hisfs*29) and a previously reported missense variant (c.188A > T; p.Asp63Val), respectively. Taken together, our findings will expand the spectrum of variants reported in the LIPH and LPAR6 genes., (© 2017 Japanese Teratology Society.)

Hypotrichosis is characterised by sparse scalp hair, sparse to absent eyebrows and eyelashes, or absence of hair from other parts of the body. In few cases, the condition is associated with tightly curled woolly scalp hair. The present study searched for disease-causing sequence variants in the genes in four Pakistani lineal consanguineous families exhibiting features of hypotrichosis or woolly hair. A haplotype analysis established links in all four families to the LIPH gene located on chromosome 3q27.2. Subsequently, sequencing LIPH identified a novel non-sense mutation (c.328C>T; p.Arg110*) in one and a previously reported 2-bp deletion mutation (c.659&#95;660delTA, p.Ile220ArgfsX29) in three other families., (© 2014 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.)

Background: Once considered as disease of the affluent and developed countries, coronary artery disease is emerging as epidemic in the developing world in general and South Asia in particular., Objective: To observe the trend of presentation of acute coronary syndrome in the local population over the last 16 years., Material and Methods: Clinical audit from 1995 to 2010 was carried out in which the data was retrieved from the computerised database of the Department of Cardiology, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. The period was divided into four quartiles, and the data of each quartile was analyzed for the total number of admissions, the type of ACS, whether ST-elevated MI or non-ST elevated ACS (comprising unstable angina and non-STEMI), age, gender and mortality., Results: The total admissions into the unit in the first quartile (1995-1998) were 23,827, in the second quartile (1999-2002) 29,005, in the third quartile (2003-2006) 33,206 and in the fourth quartile (2007-2010) were 40,110. Total ACS brunt constituted 8340 (35%), 10,384 (35.8%), 12,180 (36.68%) and 14,920 (37.2%) patients respectively. The mean age of patients was 49.70 +/- 6.4 years, 48.21 +/- 7.2 years, 47.38 +/- 7.1 years and 46.81 +/- 6.2 years respectively. Women were 2356 (28.25% of the total ACS burden) in the first quartile, increasing to 3554 (34.225%), 4817 (39.55%) and 6281 (42.1%) in the following quartiles. STEMI constituted 45.88% (3826) of the total ACS presentations in the first quartile, 47.24% (4905) in the second, 49.55% (6035) in the third and 49.87% (7440) in the last quartile. The mortality rate, however, remained constant throughout (8.4% to 8.8%)., Conclusion: An increasing trend is seen in the burden of CAD in the local population with increasing presentation as STEMI. It is also evident that CAD is occurring at younger ages and more so in the female population.

Objective: To determine the role of clinical features, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and computed tomography (CT) scan in diagnosing parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumours and treatment options., Design: A descriptive study., Place and Duration of Study: From July 2000 to July 2002 at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad., Patients and Methods: Patients diagnosed as having PPS tumours were studied. The medical record of patients was reviewed for their age, gender, clinical features, investigations (FNAC and CT scan) and treatment. The mean age, percentage of different clinical features and the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was determined., Results: The mean age of patients presenting with PPS tumours was 33.6 years. The most common clinical features were neck mass (93%) and bulge in lateral pharyngeal wall (80%). The CT scan showed exact location and extent of tumour in 11 out of 15 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was 70% and 85% respectively. The most common tumours were neurogenic tumours (6) and salivary gland tumours (4). Surgery was performed in all except 2 patients with lymphoma in whom radiation and chemotherapy was recommended., Conclusion: This study indicates that PPS tumours are usually benign neurogenous and salivary gland tumours presenting with neck mass and bulge in oropharynx. FNAC and CT scan are important in diagnostic work up and treatment planning. Surgery has the best results in most cases.