Resumo O crescimento das plantas é severamente reduzido devido ao estresse hídrico, afetando a fotossíntese, incluindo a atividade do fotossistema II (PSII) e o transporte de elétrons. Este estudo enfatizou as mudanças comparativas e prioritárias na atividade do PSII devido à seca progressiva em sete populações de Panicum antidotale (P. antidotale) coletadas no Deserto do Cholistão e regiões fora do Cholistão. Perfilhos de igual crescimento de sete populações de P. antidotale cultivadas em vasos de plástico cheios de solo foram submetidos à seca progressiva, retendo a irrigação com água por três semanas. A seca progressiva reduziu o teor de umidade do solo, teor de água relativo nas folhas, pigmentos fotossintéticos e biomassa fresca e seca dos brotos em todas as sete populações. Populações de Dingarh Fort, Dingarh Grassland e Haiderwali tiveram maior crescimento do que as de outras populações. As populações de Cholistani, especialmente em Dingarh Grassland e Haiderwali, apresentaram maior capacidade de ajuste osmótico, refletido pelo potencial osmótico e maior acúmulo de proteínas solúveis totais. H2O2 máximo sob estresse hídrico foi observado em populações de Muzaffargarh e Khanewal, mas estas foram intermediárias no conteúdo de MDA. Sob estresse hídrico, as populações de Muzaffargarh e Dingarh Fort tiveram maior acúmulo de K+ em suas folhas. Durante a seca progressiva, as populações não cholistanesas mostraram rolagem completa das folhas após 23 dias de seca, e essas populações não conseguiram suportar mais condições de estresse hídrico, enquanto as populações cholistani toleraram mais condições de estresse hídrico por 31 dias. Além disso, a seca progressiva causou danos ao PSII após 19 dias e tornou-se severa após 23 dias em populações não cholistanesas de P. antidotale do que em populações cholistanesas.

Abstract Growth of plants is severely reduced due to water stress by affecting photosynthesis including photosystem II (PSII) activity and electron transport. This study emphasised on comparative and priority targeted changes in PSII activity due to progressive drought in seven populations of Panicum antidotale (P. antidotale) collected from Cholistan Desert and non-Cholistan regions. Tillers of equal growth of seven populations of P. antidotale grown in plastic pots filled with soil were subjected progressive drought by withholding water irrigation for three weeks. Progressive drought reduced the soil moisture content, leaf relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and fresh and dry biomass of shoots in all seven populations. Populations from Dingarh Fort, Dingarh Grassland and Haiderwali had higher growth than those of other populations. Cholistani populations especially in Dingarh Grassland and Haiderwali had greater ability of osmotic adjustment as reflected by osmotic potential and greater accumulation of total soluble proteins. Maximum H2O2 under water stress was observed in populations from Muzaffargarh and Khanewal but these were intermediate in MDA content. Under water stress, populations from Muzaffargarh and Dingarh Fort had greater K+ accumulation in their leaves. During progressive drought, non-Cholistani populations showed complete leaf rolling after 23 days of drought, and these populations could not withstand with more water stress condition while Cholistani populations tolerated more water stress condition for 31 days. Moreover, progressive drought caused PSII damages after 19 days and it became severe after 23 days in non-Cholistani populations of P. antidotale than in Cholistani populations.

Resumo Acacia modesta (AM) e Opuntia monocantha (OM) estão distribuídas no Paquistão, Afeganistão e Índia. Ambas as plantas têm propriedades farmacológicas diferentes. Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar o potencial anticancerígeno de Acacia modesta (AM) e Opuntia monocantha (OM). A linha celular de câncer de fígado HepG2 foi usada para avaliação da atividade anticâncer. Para a avaliação dos efeitos antiproliferativos, a viabilidade celular e a morte celular em todos os grupos de células foram avaliadas através dos ensaios de MTT, cristal violeta e azul de tripano. Para a avaliação da apoptose foi realizado ELISA de p53. Além disso, o ensaio de LDH para descobrir a capacidade das células malignas de metabolizar o piruvato em lactato e a atividade das enzimas antioxidantes (GSH, CAT e SOD) no final da HPLC foi realizado para encontrar o composto ativo de AM e OM. Citotoxicidade (MTT), ensaios de viabilidade (azul de tripano, viabilidade de cristal, análise MUSE) mostraram mais células mortas e menos células vivas nos grupos tratados com plantas com aumento da concentração. O ensaio de arranhão para o efeito anti-migratório dessas plantas mostrou que os grupos tratados não têm capacidade de cicatrizar arranhão/ferida. ELISA de p53 para apoptose celular mostrou maior liberação de p53 nos grupos tratados. Ensaio antioxidante via glutationa (GSH), superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) mostrou menor potencial antioxidante nos grupos de câncer tratados. O ensaio de LDH mostrou mais liberação de lactato desidrogenase nos grupos tratados em comparação com os não tratados. A análise de HPLC mostrou a presença de fitoquímicos como esteróides, alcalóides, fenóis, flavonóides, saponinas, taninos, antraquinona e aminoácidos nos extratos vegetais AM e OM. Com base em todos esses achados, pode-se concluir que os extratos etanólicos de Acacia modesta e Opuntia monocantha apresentam potencial anticancerígeno promissor.

Abstract Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM) are distributed in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. Both of these plants have different pharmacological properties. This study was designed to evaluate anticancer potential of Acacia modesta (AM) and Opuntia monocantha (OM). Liver cancer cell line HepG2 was used for assessment of anticancer activity. For the evaluation of anti-proliferative effects, cell viability and cell death in all groups of cells were evaluated via MTT, crystal violet and trypan blue assays. For the evaluation of apoptosis ELISA of p53 performed. Furthermore, LDH assay to find out the ability of malignant cells to metabolize pyruvate to lactate and antioxidant enzymes activity (GSH, CAT and SOD) at the end HPLC was performed to find active compound of AM and OM. Cytotoxicity (MTT), Viability assays (trypan blue, crystal viability, MUSE analysis) showed more dead, less live cells in plant treated groups with increase of concentration. Scratch assay for the anti-migratory effect of these plants showed treated groups have not ability to heal scratch/wound. ELISA of p53 for cellular apoptosis showed more release of p53 in treated groups. Antioxidant assay via glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) showed less anti-oxidative potential in treated cancer groups. LDH assay showed more lactate dehydrogenase release in treated groups compared with untreated. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phytochemicals such as steroids, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, anthraquinone and amino acids in AM and OM plant extracts. Based on all these findings, it can be concluded that ethanolic extracts of Acacia modesta and Opuntia monocantha have promising anti-cancer potential.

Resumo Covid-19 é relatada como uma doença extremamente contagiosa com sintomas comuns de febre, tosse seca, dor de garganta e cansaço. A literatura publicada sobre incidência e prevalência de Covid-19 com base no gênero é escassa no Paquistão. Portanto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo comparar a distribuição, o período de incubação e a taxa de mortalidade de Covid-19 entre a população masculina e feminina do distrito de Attock. Os dados foram coletados entre 1 de abril de 2020 e 7 de dezembro de 2020 da população do distrito de Attock, Paquistão. Um total de 22.962 indivíduos foi selecionado, e 843 foram considerados positivos para RT-qPCR para SARS-CoV-2. Os casos positivos confirmados foram monitorados cuidadosamente. Entre os casos positivos, a incidência de Covid-19 foi de 61,7% no sexo masculino e 38,2% no feminino. O período médio de recuperação dos homens foi de 18,89 ± 7,75 dias e das mulheres 19 ± 8,40 dias do SARS-CoV-2. A mortalidade geral foi de 8,06%. A taxa de mortalidade de pacientes do sexo masculino foi significativamente maior (P < 0,05) em comparação com pacientes do sexo feminino. Além disso, a taxa de mortalidade foi maior (P < 0,05) em pacientes do sexo masculino com 40-60 anos de idade em comparação com pacientes do sexo feminino da mesma faixa etária. Além disso, a taxa de mortalidade aumentou significativamente (P < 0,05) com o aumento da idade, independentemente do sexo. Em conclusão, a incidência e a taxa de mortalidade de Covid-19 são maiores no sexo masculino em comparação com a população feminina. E também, independentemente do sexo, a taxa de mortalidade foi significativamente menor entre os pacientes com idade < 40 anos.

Abstract COVID-19 is reported as an extremely contagious disease with common symptoms of fever, dry cough, sore throat, and tiredness. The published literature on incidence and gender-wise prevalence of COVID-19 is scarce in Pakistan. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the distribution, incubation period and mortality rate of COVID-19 among the male and female population of district Attock. The data were collected between 01 April 2020 and 07 December 2020 from the population of district Attock, Pakistan. A total of 22,962 individuals were screened and 843 were found positive for RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2. The confirmed positive cases were monitored carefully. Among the positive cases, the incidence of COVID-19 was 61.7% among males and 38.2% among females. The average recovery period of males was 18.89±7.75 days and females were 19±8.40 days from SARS-CoV-2. The overall mortality rate was 8.06%. The death rate of male patients was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to female patients. Also, the mortality rate was higher (P<0.05) in male patients of 40-60 years of age compared to female patients of the same age group. Moreover, the mortality rate significantly increased (P<0.05) with the increase of age irrespective of gender. In conclusion, the incidence and mortality rate of COVID-19 is higher in males compared to the female population. Moreover, irrespective of gender the mortality rate was significantly lower among patients aged <40 years.

Abstract Cobalt metal is considered as an essential trace element for the animals. Present investigation was undertaken in the peri-urban area to analyze the cobalt availability in animal food chain by using different indices. Cow, buffalo and sheep samples along with forage and soil samples were collected from the three different sites of District Jhang and analyzed through atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Cobalt values differed in soil samples as 0.315-0.535 mg/kg, forages as 0.127-0.333 mg/kg and animal samples as 0.364-0.504 mg/kg. Analyzed cobalt concentration in soil, forage and animal samples was found to be deficient in concentration with respect to standard limits. Soil showed the minimum cobalt level in Z. mays while maximum concentration was examined in the forage C. decidua samples. All indices examined in this study has values lesser than 1, representing the safer limits of the cobalt concentration in these samples. Enrichment factor (0.071-0.161 mg/kg) showed the highly deficient amount of cobalt enrichment in this area. Bio-concentration factor (0.392-0.883) and pollution load index (0.035-0.059 mg/kg) values were also lesser than 1 explains that plant and soil samples are not contaminated with cobalt metal. The daily intake and health risk index ranged from 0.00019-0.00064 mg/kg/day and 0.0044-0.0150 mg/kg/day respectively. Among the animals, cobalt availability was maximum (0.0150 mg/kg/day) in the buffaloes that grazed on the C. decidua fodder. Results of this study concluded that cobalt containing fertilizers must be applied on the soil and forages. Animal feed derived from the cobalt containing supplements are supplied to the animals, to fulfill the nutritional requirements of livestock.

Resumo O metal cobalto é considerado um oligoelemento essencial para os animais. A presente investigação foi realizada na área periurbana para analisar a disponibilidade de cobalto na cadeia alimentar animal usando diferentes índices. Amostras de vacas, búfalos e ovelhas, juntamente com amostras de forragem e solo foram coletadas em três locais diferentes do Distrito Jhang e analisadas por meio de espectrofotômetro de absorção atômica. Os valores de cobalto diferiram em amostras de solo como 0,315-0,535mg/kg, forragens como 0,127-0,333 mg/kg e amostras de animais como 0,364-0,504 mg/kg. A concentração de cobalto analisada no solo, forragem e amostras de animais foi considerada deficiente em relação aos limites padrão. O solo apresentou o teor mínimo de cobalto em Z. mays enquanto a concentração máxima foi examinada nas amostras de forragem C. decidua. Todos os índices examinados neste estudo possuem valores menores que 1, representando os limites mais seguros da concentração de cobalto nestas amostras. O fator de enriquecimento (0,071-0,161 mg/kg) mostrou a quantidade altamente deficiente de enriquecimento de cobalto nesta área. Os valores do fator de bioconcentração (0,392-0,883) e do índice de carga de poluição (0,035-0,059 mg/kg) também foram menores que 1, o que explica que as amostras de plantas e solo não estão contaminadas com cobalto metálico. A ingestão diária e o índice de risco à saúde variaram de 0,00019-0,00064 mg/kg/dia e 0,0044-0,0150 mg/kg/dia, respectivamente. Entre os animais, a disponibilidade de cobalto foi máxima (0,0150 mg/kg/dia) nos búfalos que pastaram na forragem de C. decidua. Os resultados deste estudo concluíram que fertilizantes contendo cobalto devem ser aplicados no solo e nas forragens. A ração animal derivada dos suplementos contendo cobalto é fornecida aos animais, para atender às necessidades nutricionais do gado.

ABSTRACT The objective of the current study was to examine the effect of replacing maize with new or stored wheat on the nutrient intake, digestibility, digesta viscosity, and growth performance of growing broilers from 1-21 days of age. For this purpose, 560 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly divided into seven experimental treatments, each with 8 replicates of 10 birds. The control diet was a corn soybean-based diet, while six other experimental treatments replaced the corn of the control diet with either 50% or 100% of new, 1.5 year, and 2.5-year-old wheat. The results showed that the replacement of corn with new wheat at 50% and 100% in the diet of broilers significantly reduced feed intake and body weight gain, and increased FCR (p<0.05) at week 3. Similarly, in the overall period of the starter phase (1-21 days), replacement of corn with new wheat at 50% and 100% in the diet of broilers significantly reduced feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and body weight gain, and increased digesta viscosity and FCR (p<0.05). Based on the findings of the current study, it is concluded that stored wheat successfully replaces corn and new wheat in the diet of broilers. Furthermore, stored wheat has a positive impact on feed intake, performance parameter, digesta viscosity, and nutrient digestibility as compared to new wheat.

Abstract Study objective Patients undergoing open nephrectomy surgery experience severe perioperative pain, which is primarily due to incision of several muscles. Abdominal wall blocks are known to reduce pain without causing epidural-associated hypotension. We conducted this study to compare unilateral ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and posterior transversus abdominis block in combination with general anesthesia alone in terms of intraoperative and postoperative analgesics and hemodynamics and postoperative complications. Methods This was a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial conducted in the operating room. This study included 48 patients aged 20-60 years, with ASA I and II, and a body mass index ≤ 30 kg.m-2 who were scheduled for open nephrectomy procedure.The 48 patients scheduled for nephrectomy were randomly allocated into one of the following three groups after induction of general anesthesia: Group A (n = 16) received USG transmuscular QLB; Group B (n = 16) received unilateral USG posterior transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block; and Group C (n = 16; control group) did not receive any blocks. Introperative fentanyl consumption, and hemodynamics (heart rate and mean arterial pressure (MAP)) were recorded after anesthesia induction, at surgical incision, and every 15 min till the end of surgery. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was evaluated immediately at 30 min and 1,2,4,6, and 12 hours postoperatively. The time of first analgesic request was also recorded. Results Intraoperative fentanyl consumption (µg) was significantly lower in Groups A and B (164.69 ± 27.35 and 190.31 ± 44.48, respectively) than in Group C (347.50 ± 63.64) (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, total pethidine consumption was significantly lower in Groups A and B than in Group C (85.31 ± 6.68, 84.06 ± 4.17 mg, and 152.19 ± 43.43 mg, respectively) (p < 0.001. Time to rescue analgesia was longer in Groups A and B than in Group C (138.75 ± 52.39 min, 202.50 ± 72.25 min, and 37.50 ± 13.42 min, respectively) (p < 0.001). VAS score was significantly lower in Groups A and B than in Group C at 30 min and 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours postoperatively. Conclusion Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block and posterior transversus abdominis blocks were effective in providing perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing open nephrectomy. However, quadratus lumborum block provided superior analgesia.

Abstract A simple quasi-3D sinusoidal shear and normal deformations theory for the hygro-thermo-mechanical bending of functionally graded piezoelectric (FGP) plate is developed under simply-supported edge conditions. The governing equations are deduced based on the principle of virtual work. The exact solutions for FGP plate are obtained. The current study investigates the effect of some parameters, like piezoelectricity, hygrothermal parameter, gradient index and electric loading on the mechanical and electric displacements, electric potential and stresses. They are explored analytically and numerically presented and discussed in detail. The numerical results clearly show the effect of piezoelectric and hygrothermal parameter on the FGP plate.

Bitter orange, Citrus Aurantium (CA), extract and one of its chemical constituents, Linalool, have been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 0.5 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution using potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and atomic force spectroscopy (AFM) techniques. Functional groups of CA and Linalool were identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance studies showed that CA and Linalool act as mixed type inhibitors. The activation parameters showed that the corrosion inhibition takes place by spontaneous physical adsorption on the mild steel surface. Thermodynamic-kinetic model and Flory-Huggins isotherms were used to investigate the adsorption characteristics of CA and Linalool. The surface morphologies of mild steel specimens were studied using AFM, in which the surface roughness of the metal specimens on a micro scale was characterized.

Effect of composting on the extractability of plant nutrients in organic wastes is essential for their recycling in sustainable soil fertility management. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to determine the concentrations of total C, total N, extractable P, K, Na and B in five types of fresh and composted manures (namely buffalo, camel, cow, goat and poultry). Laboratory results showed that the extractability of elements varied considerably with the type of composted manure. Total C varied in the order cow > goat > buffalo > poultry > camel while total N was in the order buffalo > poultry > cow > camel > goat. Total C, total N, extractable K and Na decreased with composting, whereas extractable P and B increased. Goat manure had higher pH and EC values than cow and poultry manures whether in fresh or composted samples. A marked increase in the EC value was observed in composted manures, whereas pH was reduced with composting.

In Pakistan, salinization of agricultural lands is a serious problem prevailing in arid and semi-arid regions of the country. The main objective of the present study was to investigate the carbohydrates dynamics of the salt-affected soil, amended with different organic matter combinations and incubated for varying time periods (0, 15, 30 and 60 days) and temperatures (15 and 37 ºC). Replenishment of soil organic matter (SOM) was made with Green manure (GM) and Farmyard manure (FYM). The soil pH, EC, Na+ and K+ contents were evaluated through standard methods. An improvement in the soil organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) contents ranging from 0.10 to 1.40% and 0.05 to 0.55% was achieved through the selected soil amendment practices. Total carbohydrates were found to be enhanced with organic treatments alone or in combination, accounting for 13.20% to 26.30% of the total soil. Non-glycosidic interactions of soil carbohydrates with minerals were investigated by applying powdered X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis using a Rigaku wide range goniometer (PW 1050/23). Semi-quantitative analysis of the soil organo-mineral interactions, based on their relative frequency abundance, was expressed in terms of a system of nine components. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed interactions of varying magnitude namely major, minor, trace and rare between the soil carbohydrates and minerals.