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In recent decades, the world has been facing climate change issues in terms of global warming, heat waves, droughts, and other factors as well. Over the period, climate gradually impacts the globe, particularly in South Asia, and Pakistan is one of those countries that are directly and indirectly affected by climate change, including health, agriculture, water resources, and migration impacts. Climate change has led to extensive challenges, including droughts, heat waves, and global warming, especially in South Asia. Climate change has both direct and indirect effects on Pakistan's health, the agricultural sector, water resources, and migratory patterns. This study aims to emphasize the effects of climate change on immigration, poverty, and health challenges within Pakistan, as well as how it causes property and livelihood losses and harms social well-being. Likewise, this study uses a qualitative method to investigate the socioeconomic elements and national security challenges associated with climate change in Pakistan. It examines the factors that contribute to these effects and investigates how climate hazards serve as catalysts for displacement. The study found that Pakistan's significant reliance on agriculture, along with disastrous floods, exacerbates food insecurity, property loss, poverty, and migration. For instants It also demonstrates that people encounter difficulties while attempting to alter their agricultural techniques. Comprehensive methods and government action are required to alleviate the negative effects of climate change in Pakistan, including food security, property protection, and socioeconomic stability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to explore the long‐ and short‐run impact of the functional income distribution variables of Pakistan. Three main variables were analysed, real wage, non‐agricultural wage and operating surplus (OS), as all three are the pillars of the functional income distribution. Annual data were collected from 1986 to 2019 from the State Bank of Pakistan, and time series analysis co‐integration and vector error correlation model have been applied. We found that only two variables, real wage and non‐agricultural wage, are affected in the long run while the OS is not affected in the long run. There is no short‐term effect of any variable except real wage and non‐agricultural wage. It is recommended that the government should invest in the human capital of both agriculture and industrial sectors to overcome the problem of unequal functional income distribution in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the worldwide dispersion of COVID-19, banking sector, among others, needs to adapt to unexpected challenges. For this purpose, this study examines the impact of sustainable banking regulations on bank-specific characteristics pre and during COVID-19 period in Pakistan for the period spanning from 2006 to 2020. Moreover, financial stability is employed to test its moderating role on sustainable banking regulations. The dynamic estimator, named the system-Generalized Method of Moments, is used to analyze the endogenous nature of the data. Findings suggest that capital adequacy ratio, deposit ratio, and loan ratio are positive whereas leverage ratios are negatively related to profitability and market return. Overall, findings reveal that sustainable banking regulations influenced the bank-specific characteristics substantially. Importantly, the year-wise averages of variables reveal that Pakistani banks have made significant improvements in profitability, market return, capital adequacy, and deposit ratio pre and during pandemic era. Additionally, the financial stability significantly moderates the relationship highlighting lower default risk and the effectiveness of sustainable banking operations. Practically, despite global lockdowns, economic and trade restrictions during COVID-19, State Bank of Pakistan, sustained health of banking sector through its well-regulated monitoring mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing global temperature has adverse effects on crop health and productivity at both seedling and reproductivity stages. It is paramount to develop heat tolerant wheat cultivars able to sustain under high and fluctuating temperature conditions. An experiment was conducted to characterize 194 historical wheat cultivars of Pakistan under high temperature at seedling stage to identify loci associated with heat tolerance using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A quantitative trait locus, TaHST1, on chr4A was also characterized to identify the haplotypes at this locus associated with heat tolerance in wheat from Pakistan. Initially, the diversity panel was planted under control conditions (25°C/20°C day and night temperature) in a glass house. At three leaf stage, plants were subjected to heat stress (HS) by increasing temperature (40°C/35°C day and night), while one treatment was kept at control condition. After 7days of HS, data were collected for seedling morphology. Heat stress reduced these traits by 25% (root weight) to 40% (shoot weight), and shoot biomass was largely affected by heat stress. A GWAS model, fixed and random model circulating probability unification (FarmCPU), identified 43 quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) on all chromosomes, except chr7B, were associated under both HS and control conditions. Thirteen QTNs were identified in control, while 30 QTNs were identified in HS condition. In total, 24 haplotypes were identified at TaHST1 locus, and most of the heat tolerant genotypes were assigned to Hap-20 and Hap-21. Eleven QTNs were identified within 0.3-3.1Mb proximity of heat shock protein (HSP). Conclusively, this study provided a detailed genetic framework of heat tolerance in wheat at the seedling stage and identify potential genetic regions associated with heat tolerance which can be used for marker assisted selection (MAS) in breeding for heat stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the Paracetamol induced liver enzyme (AST/ALT) changes in dengue fever in a tertiary care hospital of Hyderabad. Study Design: Observational Study. Setting: Emergency Department of Medicine, Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad. Period: May 2018 to May 2019. Material & Methods: A total of 100 patients of age =12 years with dengue fever were included. AST and ALT levels were obtained in the first week and third week of course of illness. Paracetamol was used for anti-pyretic/analgesia purpose was compared of first week with third week. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. Chi-square test and student's t-test were applied as appropriate. P value =0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Out of total 100 patients, there were 56% males and 44% females and overall mean age was 35.21±15.13 years. The overall mean weight, height, BMI, and mean duration of fever in days was 61.13±17.26 kg, 1.60±0.14 meter, 23.85±6.73 kg/m2, and 4.20±1.43 days, respectively. Independent t test shows significant mean difference of AST/ALT ratio at 1st week (p=0.000) as well as at 3rd week (p=0.020) according to paracetamol dose. Conclusion: In our study, results showed significant improvement in AST, ALT, and AST/ALT ratio at 1st week and 3rd week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) is a slow-growing tumour with 20% of the cases having distant metastasis. Its prognosis can vary by its histological characteristics, extension and spread. The data on metastatic DTC patients in Pakistan is scarce; therefore, the purpose of our study was to assess the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of metastatic DTC in our population. Methods: This retrospective, single-centre study was carried out on 117 patients with metastatic DTC with their age at diagnosis, gender, tumour size and extent and spread of the tumour, and its histologic characteristic recorded. The treatment they received and the outcome in terms of status, at last, follow-up were also recorded. Results: The mean age of diagnosis was found to be 46.6 ± 17.2 years with an almost equal male to female ratio. The most common site of metastasis was the lung followed by bone. Papillary carcinoma was the most common subtype with 89.7% of the cases followed by follicular carcinoma occurring in 7.7%. The overall survival in years was found to be 5.6 ± 2.6 years. Ninety-six per cent had complete surgical resection followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) in 91.5%. Conclusion: Our study shows that the most significant factors in predicting the outcome in metastatic DTC are age, an extrathyroidal extension of the primary tumour and distant metastasis. However, further multicentric studies done on a much larger population will be needed to further support and strengthen our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare type of thyroid cancer that occasionally occurs as part of MEN2A. The universal treatment of MTC is total thyroidectomy with central lymph node dissection. For disease progression, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and calcitonin (CTN) need to be followed. Our aim was to study the presence and patterns of the above-mentioned characteristics of MTC in our population. Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan in which data of thirty-two medullary thyroid cancer patients over the past 20 years were reviewed and analysed after fulfilment of inclusion criteria. Their clinical, pathological, biochemical and treatment modalities were recorded through a retrospective review of their medical record files. Results: The mean age of patients was 42.88 ± 2.67 years in our study, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. Patients with sporadic MTC were 68.8%, while 31.2% were familial. The rates of metastasis were highest in bones followed by lungs and liver. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 26 (81.2%) patients and among those chemotherapy and XRT were performed in one and two patients, respectively. Histologically, the mean tumour size was 7.62 ± 3.64 cm. Median pre-surgery calcitonin was 5756 pg/ml that decreased to 29.3 pg/ml post-surgery. Median pre-surgery CEA level was 246.5 ng/ml that decreased to 6.39 ng/ml post-surgery. Two patients were RET positive. Conclusion: MTC usually presents in the fourth decade of life with male predominance and mostly sporadic occurrence. Total thyroidectomy with subsequent serial calcitonin and CEA levels thereafter are the mainstay of treatment and follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pro-poor growth and environmental sustainability are the twin agendas widely discussed in environmental science literature. The technology-embodied growth helps to attain both agendas through knowledge sharing and technology transfer, which trickle down to the poor income group and improve their living standards. Hence, the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is deemed crucial in boosting economic growth and is under deep consideration to establish its role in reducing poverty and environmental pollution. The current study examines the long-run relationship between ICTs, poverty reduction, and ecological degradation in Pakistan using time series data from 1975–2018. The short- and long-run parameter estimates were obtained through the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model for robust inferences. The results substantiate the inverted U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve relationship between income and emissions with a turning point at US$1000 in the short-run and US$800 in the long-run. The results confirmed the decisive intervention of ICTs factors in the poverty reduction, i.e., computer communications and mobile-telephone-broadband subscriptions support to reduce poverty incidence with the mediation of inbound FDI in a country. As far as income inequality is concerned, it shows that computer services support minimizing income inequality via a channel of high–technology exports in a country. The technology embodied emissions verified in the long-run, where mobile-telephone-broadband subscriptions increase carbon emissions. Finally, mobile-telephone-broadband subscriptions and inbound FDI both are significant contributors to amplify the country's economic growth. The results conclude that poverty reduction and environmental sustainability agenda are achieved by developing green ICT infrastructure in a country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the research work was to observe the rarely seen behavior in morphological domestic Goat (Capra aegagrushircus) have hermaphroditic condition. This case has been reported in a domestic goat (Capra aegagrushircus) having age of 3.5 years from Sunigram valley district Buner KP. The reported species having both male and female characters. The pictures have been taken from the reported species and shows clearly both male and female organs. This type of case has been reported for the first time from Pakistan. The male characters observed are having testes and scrotum. The neck morphology shows male character. The body is stout. Snout shape shows male character. Eyes show male character. The tail is erect above this also shows male character. Having a long beard. The hairs on front legs show male character. Hairs on the neck show male character. The male goat teasing the female goat but cannot mate. The female characters observed having Ears are elongated and suspended. Having two teats (mammary glands) and vegina. The belly has slope shape. Nose shows female character. Breast shows female character. Mouth is broad and shows female character. It is useful information for the Geneticists in future study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus worldwide was 171 million one and half decade ago, while the prediction is 366 million patients by 2030 and more than 640 million people by 2040. HbA1c value represents average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months and accounts for both preprandial and post-prandial blood glucose levels. A link between HbA1c and diabetic complications has been confirmed. In general, patients with controlled diabetes mellitus should have at least biannual testing, while patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus or unmet glycemic targets should be tested every three months. The objective was to see compliance of checking HbA1c in tertiary care hospital of a developing world. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study done from 1st February 2019 to 31st March 2019 in the Department of Medicine and Surgery, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. All patients of age 18 years and above, admitted with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) from 1st February 2019 to 31st March 2019 were included. If HbA1c was less than 7% the patients were labelled as having controlled DM, otherwise, uncontrolled DM. If HbA1c of patients with controlled DM was not checked in last six months and if HbA1c of patients with uncontrolled DM was not checked in last three months then it was labelled as non-compliance of checking HbA1c. Results: Out of 1732 diabetic patients only 94 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. Out of these 94 patients 43 (45.7%) were male. Mean HbA1c was 7.90% (1.4) and 69 (73.4%) patients had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Overall, the compliance of checking HbA1c was 58.5%. In uncontrolled diabetes mellitus patients, the compliance of checking HbA1c was 45% and in controlled diabetes mellitus patients the compliance was 96%. Conclusion: The compliance of checking HbA1c is inadequate in diabetic inpatients. The considerable prevalence of diabetes and the benefits of timely interventions in diagnosed patients to prevent complications suggest the need for a comprehensive awareness among the doctors for checking HbA1c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roses are marvelous cut flowers that possess renowned status in floriculture trade. Elite cultivars respond unreliably in new habitat. It is mandatory to explore the prospective of the introduced cultivars to assess the adoptability in new habitat. Therefore, this research was executed at Floriculture Research Substation, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2017-2018 to check the adoptability of elite rose cultivars (Kardinal and Gold medal) in climatology of Faisalabad. Results describes that cultivar kardinal exhibited maximum plant height (98.93cm), minimum days to bloom (59.83), maximum flower life (7.2), more number of flowers (15.58) highest flower diameter (6.27cm), excellent fragrance (3.4) and highest number of petals/flower(24.92). Keeping in view the flourishing growth and potential of this cultivar, it is recommended that kardinal can be grown in climatic condition of Faisalabad for commercial cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study was conducted at experimental area of Citrus Research Institute, Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan during 2016-18 to examine the response of exogenous growth regulator and fungicide against fruit drop of Kinnow before harvesting. Ten years old kinnow plants grafted on rough lemon rootstock were selected for spray of growth regulators and fungicides for three successive seasons 2016-18. Exogenous application of growth regulators and fungicide were applied at three different times during growth season i.e. first application in July, second in August and third application in October every year. Data indicated that maximum physiological fruit drop (6%) was recorded in control and minimum fruit drop (1.76%) was recorded in T6: 2, 4-D @ 20 ppm + Topsin – M 1.5 g L-1 treatment. Similarly, maximum (6.01%) pathological fruit drop occurred in control whereas effective results depicted by T6 2,4-D @ 20 ppm + Topsin-M 1.5 g L-1 with 0% fruit drop. Correspondingly, minimum fruit due to insect attack was recorded in T6: 2, 4-D @ 20 ppm + Topsin-M 1.5 g L-1 despite of that control depicted maximum fruit drop with 5% value. This experiment concluded with a good degree of success. Out of various and alone combination of growth regulator and fungicide treatments 2, 4-D + Topsin-M @ 20ppm and 1.5 g L-1 reduced the drop significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To find out presenting complaints of mucormycosis in the nose and paranasal sinuses and its treatment Material and Methods: This case series was conducted in the Department of ENT, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, and Abaseen Medical Centre Peshawar, Pakistan, from May 2020 to March 2021. A total of 12 patients were included. Among them, 08 patients were admitted in Khyber Teaching Hospital, and 04 patients were treated at Abaseen Hospital, Peshawar. In addition, literature was reviewed, and results compiled. Results: Among 12 cases, 3 (25%) were females, and 9 (75%) were males. The age range was 55 to 80 years. All patients were diabetic Type 2. At the time of presentation, 35% of patients presented with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in whom immediate medical opinion was sought. Before doing surgery, their blood glucose levels was within normal limits. In 83.3 % of cases, there was complete nasal obstruction, while in 17%, there was partial nasal obstruction. There were right maxillary sinusitis in 8 (66.6%) cases, and in 4 (33.33%) patients, there was left maxillary sinusitis. In 2 Patients, all of the paranasal sinuses were involved except frontal sinuses. Nearly all the patients had severe headache as well. Conclusion: Mucormycosis was commonly seen in elderly diabetic patients, mostly involving the nose and paranasal sinuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the xeroderma pigmentosum is a group of rare inherited cancer‑prone skin conditions characterized by sever sensitivity to the DNA damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiations and results in hyperpigmentation, and high risk of skin carcinoma. Topics include the proteins are involved in the repair of UV‑induced DNA damage, the removal of UV‑induced damage has associated from the DNA, and the eighth group is associated with replication of DNA containing unrepaired damage.

We investigated alleles at 31 loci associated with adaptability, yield, and end-use quality in 107 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) landraces (WLRs) and 121 improved historical wheat cultivars (HWCs) from Pakistan. The WLRs were categorized into two further subgroups: 36 pre-Green-Revolution landraces released as cultivars and 71 geographically spread landraces from all over Pakistan. Alleles VrnA1a, TaGW2-6A-A, TaCKX6-D1b, Pinb-D1b, Psy-A1b, and Wx-D1b were absent in WLRs, whereas ample diversity was observed at all other loci. In HWCs, only Wx-D1b and Glu-A3e were absent among the alleles tested, whereas the alleles Ppd-D1a (90%), Rht-B1b or Rht-D1b (83.4%), TaCwi-A1a (95%), TaGW2-6A-G (76%), TaCKX6-D1a (77.3%), Glu-A1b (66.1%), Glu-D1d (61.3%), Pina-D1b (88.2%), Pinb-D1a (90%), Psy-A1a (66.1%), Psy-B1b (81.8%), Psy-D1a (86.5%), Ppo-A1a (70%), TaZds-D1b (73.9%), TaLox-B1b (80.1%), and Wx-D1a (100%) predominated, indicating significant improvement in adaptability, yield potential, and end-use quality and unconscious selection for favored alleles. Higher frequencies of favored alleles at the TaCwi-A1 and TaCKX6-D1 loci influencing 1000-kernel weight (TKW) in HWCs indicated that selection pressure on these alleles during breeding successfully contributed to cultivar improvement. Wright's pairwise fixation index (Fst) statistics indicated greater genetic divergence between HWC and WLR collections (0.16) than HWC and WLR cultivars (0.14). Population structure based on functional markers (FMs) using principal component analysis partitioned the germplasm into two distinct groups. High genetic divergence and low admixture between HWCs and WLRs indicated limited use of landraces in wheat breeding in Pakistan. Our results suggested these collections as rich reservoirs of alleles and haplotype combinations that may be useful in future breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycoalkaloids (α-solanine and α-chaconine) are naturally occurring toxic compounds in potato tuber ( Solanum tuberosum L.) that cause acute intoxication in humans after their consumption. Present research was conducted to evaluate α-chaconine, α-solanine, and total glycoalkaloids (TGAs) contents in the peel and flesh portions by high-performance liquid chromatography method in selected Pakistani potato cultivars. The α-solanine content varies 45.98 ± 1.63 to 2742.60 ± 92.97 mg/100 g of dry weight (DW) in peel and from 4.01 ± 0.14 to 2466.56 ± 87.21 mg/100 g of DW in flesh. Similarly, α-chaconine content varied from 4.42 ± 0.16 to 6818.40 ± 211.07 mg/100 g of DW in potato peel and from 3.94 ± 0.14 to 475.33 ± 16.81 mg/100 g DW in flesh portion. The TGA concentration varied from 177.20 ± 6.26 to 5449.90 ± 192.68 mg/100 g of DW in peel and from 3.08 ± 0.11 to 14.69 ± 0.52 mg/100 g of DW in flesh portion of all the potato cultivars tested. All the potato cultivars contained lower concentration of TGA than the limits recommended as safe, except 2 cultivars, that is FD8-3 (2539.18 ± 89.77 mg/100 g of DW) and Cardinal (506.16 ± 17.90 mg/kg). The dietary intake assessment of potato cultivars revealed that Cardinal, FD 35-36, FD 8-3, and FD 3-9 contained higher amount of TGA in whole potato, although FD 8-3 only possessed higher content of TGA (154.93 ± 7.75) in its flesh portion rendering it unfit for human consumption. Practical Application: This paper was based on the research conducted on toxic compounds present in all possible potato cultivars in Pakistan. Actually, we quantify the toxic compounds (glycoalkaloids) of potato cultivars through HPLC and their dietary assessment. This paper revealed safety assessment and their application in food industries especially potato processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen sorghum varieties, hybrids and advanced lines were evaluated for grain and other associated traits at Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan during kharif-2007. Analysis of variance revealed that sorghum varieties/hybrids differed significantly for grain yield, stalk yield, plant height, days to 50 percent flowering and maturity. Hybrid 85-G-83 produced higher grain yield (4250 kg/ha) followed by MR-Buster (3805 kg) against the lowest (745 kg/ha) by RIS-101. Variety CSV-15 performed better (3611 kg/ha) than other varieties. Hybrids RIS-102 and RIS-101 produced higher stalk yield (76.5 and 76.0 t/ha) whereas variety PARC-SS-2 produced the lowest stalk yield (27 t/ha). The highest plant height (325 cm) was recorded in RIS-102 against the lowest (108 cm) in S-2244. Sorghum hybrids S-2244 and RIS-102 took maximum days to 50 percent flowering (82) followed by variety RS-29 (81 days) while hybrid 86- G-87 and 84-G-01 took minimum days (62) to 50 percent flowering. DS-97-1 developed at ARI, D. I. Khan took 67 days to 50 percent flowering. It was concluded that sorghum hybrids showed superiority in grain yield over varieties. Hybrids 85-G-83 and MR-Buster are recommended for general cultivation in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - Pakistan is an agricultural country having the world's largest canal irrigation system. Indus basin that covers 70 percent of irrigated area for crop production is the major source of water in the country. Owing to rapid increase in population and uncertain environmental conditions, this water is not adequate to cope with the crop water requirement and needs additional means to provide extra water for agricultural purposes. The main source of irrigation is canal and ground water but the quality of ground water is so poor for the sustainability of agriculture system. To cope with the present demand, use of municipal sewage water that consists of domestic liquid waste, as well as industrial effluents, is becoming a common practice. The present study aims to reflect the hazardous effects of sewage water on the environment, with the main focus on heavy metals and chemical composition of soil and vegetables. Design/methodology/approach - Industrial effluent was collected from one ghee mill, one flour mill, three textile industries and three hosieries located in Faisalabad, an industrial city of Pakistan highly affected with water pollution. All water samples were analyzed for pH, EC, SAR and RSC. Water analysis was also carried out for various nutrients and heavy metals (K+1, P2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ Ni2+ and Pb2+). Soil samples from various depths (0-15, 15-30, 30-60, 60-90 and 90-120 cm) were taken to analyze for EC, pH, SAR, Na+l, SO4, K+1 P2+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Pb2+ after irrigation with canal water and sewage water. Cadmium, lead and copper concentration was determined in various vegetables grown in areas irrigated with canal water and industrial effluents to determine their final concentration in the final product ultimately affecting the human health. Findings - Although the sewage water is a source of many nutrients, it also includes a significant amount of heavy metals like Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ Ni2+, Pb2+ and pathogens. Extensive use of this effluent for irrigation purpose has resulted in an upsurge of such metals in soils and various crops, which ultimately resulted in clinical problems in human beings. Originality/value - The present study reflects the composition of sewage water and heavy metal accumulation in soil, as well as crops. It further highlights the different potential hazards to humans due to these contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was carried out to findout the best planting time (February, March, August & September) for survival and root induction of indole butyric acid (IBA) treated (@ 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6 %) guava softwood cuttings (GSWCs) during 2018-19 to 2020-21. Study was conducted at Horticultural Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Guave cuttings (15 cm long) having 4-5 nodes with healthy leaves were taken from 5-10 years old plant (cv. Gola). Cuttings were dipped in IBA solutions for five minutes, while untreated cuttings served as control. Cuttings were planted in raised beds (3ft x 4ft x 0.75ft) in low tunnel (5ft x 6ft x 3ft ) covered with polythene sheet, maintaining inside relative humidity (80- 85%) and temperature (25-28°C). Treatment of cuttings with 0.4% IBA and plantation during September showed highest survival percentage (57.3%), branch length (13.8 cm) and number of leaves per plant (25.8) at 60 days. Highest number of roots per plant (26.0) recorded at transplantation stage (90 days from planting) were also found for same treatment. Minimum values for success percentage (5.3%), increase in branch length (2.8 cm), number of leaves per plant (4.0) and number of roots (8.5) were recorded for control during March. Overall, treatment of guava softwood cuttings with IBA improved survival percentage as compared to control for both seasons. The study validated the potential of clonal propagation of guava through softwood cuttings to preserve genetic purity and productive traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lemon (Citrus limon) cultivars (Desi and Chinese) were subjected to gamma radiations for mutation induction. The current investigation was performed with the objective of exploring the effect of gamma irradiation on morphological characteristics of lemon and for development of lemon mutants for the sake of crop improvement. Seeds and bud wood of two lemon cultivars were exposed to various gamma ray concentrations (i.e 20,50,80,110 and 140 Gy). The irradiated buds were then budded on a rootstock (rough lemon) at standard growth stage of the root stock and seeds were sown in sterilized growing media in order to get disease free plants with maximum germination. The experimentation was carried out according to Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The recorded observations were arranged and analyzed using statistical software Statistix 8.1 for employing statistical techniques. The research findings of the current investigation showed that there was significant variation in morphological variables among the irradiated and control plants of both cultivars. With the increase in radiation intensity, there was marked reduction in growth variables of both lemon varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics and their metabolites detected in food are hazardous to human health being a causative agent of allergic reactions as well as are responsible for antibiotic resistance in pathogenic microorganisms. The present study was conducted to determine the antibiotic residues in raw beef samples collected from different slaughterhouses of Lahore, i.e., Baker Mandi, PAMCO, Zenith and M. Yousaf & Sons. A total of 150 samples were collected from these slaughterhouses and examined in connection with antibiotics residues. Antibiotic residues demonstrated higher occurrence in beef samples collected from M. Yousaf & Sons (36%) followed by Baker Mandi (32%), Zenith (18%) and PAMCO (14%). Analysis of all the beef samples collected from slaughterhouses showed that 70% were contaminated with antibiotic residues. The results of the present study suggest a serious threat of antibiotic residues in humans due to consumption of contaminated beef sold in these slaughterhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current experiment was carried out at Horticultural Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan during the year 2017-18 to evaluate impact of various pruning intensities on quality and yield of guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.). Various pruning intensities viz. control (no pruning), 25% pruning, 50% pruning and 75% pruning were carried out after harvesting of winter crop (in the month of April). Results showed that maximum flower count/shoot (18 number), fruit number/plant (2237), yield/plant (172.6 kg/tree), average fruit weight (102 g) and SSC (8.11%) were found with 25% pruning intensity; whereas, minimum fruit number/plant (720) and yield (70.11 kg/plant) was found in trees treated with 75% pruning intensity. Maximum fruit length (57.49 mm) and fruit width (64.75 mm) was observed in 25% pruned trees. It can be concluded that among various pruning intensities 25% pruning level is best to increase quality and yield guava fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven cultivars of plum (Plum red buet, hersimmor, fazal-e-mannani, santa rosa, methlay, wickson and cherry plum seitha) were evaluated for their performance under climatic conditions of Soan Valley, Punjab during 2018-19. Experiment was laid according to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments, replicated four times. Parameters studied for the experiment included flower initiation (date), flowering duration (days), fruit setting (%) and fruit drop (%) during flowering and fruit setting stage. After fruit harvesting organoleptic and physicochemical characters were studied for all varieties. Results showed that earlier flowering was observed in Plum Red Buet and Santa Rosa. Shortest flowering duration was observed in fazale-mannani (6 days) while highest fruit setting percent (23%) and minimum fruit drop (10.81%) was observed in plum cv. methlay. Maximum fruit yield (48.56 kg/tree) was found in methlay. Fazal-e-mannani showed highest hedonic scale reading for all sensory parameters. Maximum fruit size (1250 mm2 ) and weight (32.94 g) was found in wickson, whereas highest stone weight (1.3 g), total sugars (6.33%), reducing sugar (3.86%) and non-reducing sugars (2.41%) were observed in fazal-e-mannani. Plum red buet and Methlay had maximum TSS (14.5°Brix). Santa rosa depicted maximum value for TA (1.24%). Therefore, it was concluded that methlay was the highest yield producing cultivar of plum while better fruit quality was found in fazal-e-mannani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventeen maize entries comprising advanced breeding lines and commercial varieties alongwith a check "Soan-3" were evaluated at Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan during 2008. Analysis of variance revealed that maize varieties differed significantly for days to 50 percent silking, plant height and grain yield per hectare. Varieties Sahiwal-2002 and AZC-3 took maximum days (56) to 50 percent silking whereas variety EV-1097 took minimum days (44). The highest plant height (222 cm) was attained by Margala and Sahiwal-2002 against the lowest (155 cm) by Agaiti-2002. Maize variety EV- 5098 produced higher grain yield (5.804 t/ha) whereas variety AZC-3 produced the lowest (3.332 t/ha). Islamabad Gold and Sahiwal-2002 produced significantly at par grain yield with the check. The maize varieties showed wide genetic back ground and hence yield ranged from 3.332 to 5.804 tons per hectare. Varieties EV-5098, Sahiwal-2002 and Islamabad Gold were found as the most promising. These varieties possess the potential to increase average maize grain yield in D.I.Khan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: HCV has very diverse genotypes in nature, divided into variable number of subtypes. Due to epidemiologically divergent subtypes, it shows diverse geographical distributions, which makes it difficult to treat. This disease plays havoc with underdeveloped and developing countries due to scarcity of data and poor awareness among common people. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the geographical distribution of HCV genotypes and RNA viral load along with hemato-biochemical analysis of HCV patients in underdeveloped and neglected areas of Punjab province, Pakistan. Results: Out of 1115 samples, 583 (52.3%) from males and 532 (47.7%) from females were declared as HCV RNA positive samples. In all the three regions, genotype 3 (46.3%) was found to be the most frequent genotype in both genders followed by genotype 2 (28.9%), genotype 1 (12.5%), genotype 4 (2.2%), genotype 5 (1.8%), genotype 6 (1.2%), untypeable genotypes (5.2%), and mixed genotypes (2.41%). Most of the patients had viral load less than 600,000 IU/mL. Conclusions: HCV genotype 3a is the most prevalent genotype in various regions of Punjab. Effective HCV awareness programs and novel therapeutic measures should be enforced tocombatagainstHCVinfection. Moreover, geographical distributionandmapping of HCV in Pakistan should be studied to develop better control strategies against HCV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2, an RNA virus, has been prone to high mutations since its first emergence in Wuhan, China, and throughout its spread. Its genome has been sequenced continuously by many countries, including Pakistan, but the results vary. Understanding its genomic patterns and connecting them with phenotypic features will help in devising therapeutic strategies. Thus, in this study, we explored the mutation landscape of 250 Pakistani isolates of SARS-CoV-2 genomes to check the genome diversity and examine the impact of these mutations on protein stability and viral pathogenesis in comparison with a reference sequence (Wuhan NC 045512.2). Our results revealed that structural proteins mainly exhibit more mutations than others in the Pakistani isolates; in particular, the nucleocapsid protein is highly mutated. In comparison, the spike protein is the most mutated protein globally. Furthermore, nsp12 was found to be the most mutated NSP in the Pakistani isolates and worldwide. Regarding accessory proteins, ORF3A is the most mutated in the Pakistani isolates, whereas ORF8 is highly mutated in world isolates. These mutations decrease the structural stability of their proteins and alter different biological pathways. Molecular docking, the dissociation constant (K D ), and MM/GBSA analysis showed that mutations in the S protein alter its binding with ACE2. The spike protein mutations D614G-S943T-V622F (-75.17 kcal/mol), D614G-Q677H (-75.78 kcal/mol), and N74K-D614G (-73.84 kcal/mol) exhibit stronger binding energy than the wild type (-66.34 kcal/mol), thus increasing infectivity. Furthermore, the simulation results strongly corroborated the predicted protein servers. Our analysis findings also showed that E, M, ORF6, ORF7A, ORF7B, and ORF10 are the most stable coding genes; they may be suitable targets for vaccine and drug development., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

This study was conducted to determine the compliance and knowledge of sepsis guidelines among resident physicians in a tertiary care hospital of a developing country. A self-structured validated questionnaire was prepared to evaluate compliance and knowledge of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines. A total of 76 resident physicians completed the questionnaire; out of these, 51 (67%) were from Internal Medicine department and 25 (33%) were from Emergency Medicine department of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. A total of 71 (93%) participants claimed to be aware of the SSC guidelines but only 20 (26%) considered themselves very knowledgeable on the subject. Thirty-five (46%) physicians claimed that they were using the guidelines regularly. We concluded that the overall knowledge and compliance of sepsis guidelines was suboptimal. This emphasises the need for increased awareness and teaching of sepsis and SSC guidelines to improve patient outcomes in developing countries.

Background: Hospital waste management (HWM) rules in Pakistan were issued in 2005. Despite a decade of enactment, adherence to HWM 2005 rules has been inconsistent and systematic assessment of adherence using a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended questionnaire has not been done in all teaching hospitals of Peshawar District., Aims: This study assessed the adherence to HWM 2005 rules by tertiary care teaching hospitals of Peshawar District with respect to HWM personnel, policy and practices., Methods: Pretested structured questionnaires based on WHO recommendations were used to survey all teaching hospitals of Peshawar District from January to March 2015. Data were also collected on HWM infrastructure and processes from 1 randomly selected medical, surgical, paediatric, and obstetrics/gynaecology unit in each hospital. Besides descriptive statistics, public and private hospitals were compared using Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests., Results: Most surveyed hospitals lacked formal HWM plans (70%), written procedures (80%), related job descriptions (80%) or records (90%). Many hospitals neither had trained HWM supervisors (56%) nor did they organize formal HWM trainings for new staff (40%). None of the hospitals followed waste segregation and colour coding. When compared to national HWM 2005 rules, multiple gaps in appropriate transportation, storage and disposal were found with no statistically significant difference between public and private hospitals., Conclusions: Serious gaps in adherence to HWM 2005 rules exist in surveyed hospitals. With recent devolution of environmental function, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should enact provincial HWM rules (and ensure their implementation) to facilitate effective HWM practice across provincial healthcare facilities., (Copyright © World Health Organization (WHO) 2018. Some rights reserved. This work is available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).)

Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (EVC) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by short limbs, short ribs, postaxial polydactyly, dysplastic nails, teeth, oral and cardiac abnormalities. It is caused by biallelic mutations in the EVC or EVC2 gene, separated by 2.6 kb of genomic sequence on chromosome 4p16. In the present study, we have investigated two consanguineous families of Pakistani origin, segregating EVC in autosomal recessive manner. Linkage in the families was established to chromosome 4p16. Subsequently, sequence analysis identified a novel nonsense mutation (p.Trp234*) in exon 8 of the EVC2 gene and 15 bp duplication in exon 14 of the EVC gene in the two families. This further expands the mutations in the EVC or EVC2 genes resulting in the EVC syndrome.