Maximizing the extraction yield of plant gum exudate using response surface methodology and artificial neural networking and pharmacological characterization.

Prunus armeniaca gum is used as food additive and ethno medicinal purpose. Two empirical models response surface methodology and artificial neural network were used to search for optimized extraction parameters for gum extraction. A four-factor design was implemented for optimization of extraction process for maximum yield which was obtained under the optimized extraction parameter (temperature, pH, extraction time, and gum/water ratio).

Deciphering host-pathogen interaction during Streptomyces spp. infestation of potato.

Potato crop, currently, is the staple food crop of about 1.3 billion global population. Potato is attaining even more admiration globally day by day owing to its public acceptability.

Differential Effect of Heat Stress on Drought and Salt Tolerance Potential of Quinoa Genotypes: A Physiological and Biochemical Investigation.

Soil salinity, drought, and increasing temperatures are serious environmental issues that drastically reduce crop productivity worldwide. Quinoa ( Willd) is an important crop for food security under the changing climate. This study examined the physio-biochemical responses, plant growth, and grain yield of four quinoa genotypes (A7, Titicaca, Vikinga, and Puno) grown in pots containing normal (non-saline) or salt-affected soil exposed to drought and elevated-temperature treatments.

Influence of ionic cerium and cerium oxide nanoparticles on Zea mays seedlings grown with and without cadmium.

Cerium (Ce) and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO-NPs) have diversified reported effects on plants. Once dispersed in the environment their fate is not well understood, especially in co-existence with other pollutants like cadmium (Cd). The effect of co-application of Ce and Cd are reported in various studies, but the role of Ce source (ionic or bulk) and nanoparticle size is still unknown in cereal plants like maize (Zea mays).

Spectroscopic and crystallographic analysis of nephrite jade gemstone using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.

The elemental composition, mineral phases, and crystalline structure of nephrite jade were investigated using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). For compositional analysis, the laser-induced plasma was generated on the surface of nephrite jade. The plasma emissions were then acquired and analyzed, which revealed several elements in the sample, including Si, Mg, Ca, Li, Fe, Al, Na, K, and Ni.

Trends in bacteriological spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility on blood culture in pediatric cardiac patients at a tertiary childcare health facility.

Objectives: To report trends in bacteriological spectrum and antibiotic susceptibility on blood culture in admitted pediatric cardiac patients at a Tertiary Childcare Health Facility.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Multan from January 2018 to December 2020. We included admitted children of both genders aged one day to 12 years and whose blood sample was sent for blood culture analysis.

Celebrity endorsements, whitening products, and consumer purchase intentions: A review of literature.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how much celebrity endorsement stimulates skin color racism in the cosmetics industry.

Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from Google Scholar and Web of Science published articles, and researchers had chosen 45 research articles. Some of the research articles used a quantitative research approach while others had used qualitative research approach.

Assessment of wheat productivity responses and soil health dynamics under brackish ground water.

The continuous use of brackish groundwater for irrigation is detrimental for soil and crop attributes. A three-year research study was designed for the wheat crop to assess the effects of brackish groundwater on crop yield and soil health under a surface irrigation system. Three sites were selected in different cropping zones of Pakistan.

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: The Efficacy Comparison of Vasodilators Sildenafil Plus Bosentan Versus Sildenafil Plus Beraprost at a Tertiary Childcare Health Facility.

Background Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) has been known for more than three decades, and lots of advancements have been made regarding its diagnosis and management. However, the exact causes of PPHN and the best treatment strategies remain debatable. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of sildenafil and bosentan versus sildenafil and beraprost in the management of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

Postnatal causes and severity of persistent pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn.

Background & Objective: Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is described as severe respiratory failure along with hypoxaemia. PPHN is known to be linked with high morbidity and mortality around the world. This study was planned to determine the postnatal causes and assess the severity of persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn in babies presenting to the Children's Hospital, Multan.

Effect of green and chemically synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles on cadmium accumulation in wheat grains and potential dietary health risk: A field investigation.

A field study was designed to explore the impacts of foliar-applied chemically and green synthesized titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) on cadmium (Cd) uptake in wheat plants. The wheat was grown in field which was contaminated with Cd and plants were subjected to foliar episodes of TiO NPs during plant growth period. Leaf extracts of two plant species (Trianthema portulacastrum, Chenopodium quinoa) were used for green synthesis while sol-gel method was used for chemical preparation of TiO NPs.

How do private practitioners in Pakistan manage children suspected having tuberculosis? A cross sectional study.

Background: In Pakistan, private providers provide a large portion of health care, including for tuberculosis (TB). All TB patients are supposed to be reported to the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), which provides drugs free of charge in addition to monitoring, supervision, and support. However, diagnosis of TB in children is difficult.

Cadmium, chromium, nickel and nitrate accumulation in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using wastewater irrigation and health risks assessment.

The wastewater utilization for irrigation purposes is common practice in peri-urban areas located in vicinity of developed cities. This water contains elements like chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd) and nitrate (NO-N) that poses health risk when exposed to human. In this study effect of wastewater irrigation from Chakara wastewater plant, Faisalabad on growth of wheat and health risks was assessed.

Effects of arsenite on physiological, biochemical and grain yield attributes of quinoa ( Willd.): implications for phytoremediation and health risk assessment.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of arsenic (As) on physiological and biochemical attributes of quinoa, and human health risks associated with the consumption of As contaminated grains of quinoa. Quinoa genotype, Puno was grown on soil contaminated with various levels of arsenite; 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg As kg soil. Results revealed that plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, stomatal conductance, and grain yield of As treated plants were significantly less as compared to control plants.

Frequency and pattern of Paediatric Heart Diseases: Five years experience at The Children's Hospital, Multan.

Background & Objectives: Heart diseases in paediatric population are considered to be significant contributors to mortality and morbidity. Congenital heart disease (CHD) as well as acquired heart disease (AHD) are frequent causes of hospital admission among children. This study was aimed at finding out frequency and pattern of heart diseases in admitted patients at The Children's Hospital, Multan.

Combined application of Bacillus sp. MN-54 and phosphorus improved growth and reduced lead uptake by maize in the lead-contaminated soil.

Lead (Pb) is considered an important environmental contaminant due to its considerable toxicity to living organisms. It can enter and accumulate in plant tissues and become part of the food chain. In the present study, individual and combined effects of Bacillus sp.

Pediatric Abdominal X-rays in the Acute Care Setting - Are We Overdiagnosing Constipation?

Introduction Constipation represents 3% of all office visits to pediatricians and 10% - 45% of consultations with pediatric gastroenterologists. It has been reliably established that the role of abdominal x-rays (AXR) in the diagnosis of constipation in pediatrics is limited; yet, significant overdiagnosis of constipation exists when plain abdominal x-rays are used in the acute setting for abdominal pain or to screen for other disorders. This results in loss of time, resources, exposure to unnecessary radiation, and potentially missing the primary diagnosis.

Efficiency of various silicon rich amendments on growth and cadmium accumulation in field grown cereals and health risk assessment.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of arable soils and its subsequent accumulation in food is one of the global issues which needs urgent attention. Field experiments were conducted to explore the impacts of ten silicon (Si) rich amendments on Cd bioavailability and accumulation by maize and wheat irrigated with sewage effluents. Results depicted that applied amendments decreased the total Cd accumulation in shoots and grains of both crops with and the maximum decrease was observed in rice husk biochar (RHB) treatment.

Silicon nutrition improves growth of salt-stressed wheat by modulating flows and partitioning of Na, Cl and mineral ions.

Silicon (Si) is reported to improve salt stress tolerance of cereals, but little is known about the effects of Si on flows and partitioning of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and essential mineral ions at the tissue and cellular level. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was exposed to 200 mM NaCl for 30 d in hydroponics, with or without 2 mM Si.

Comparative effectiveness of different biochars and conventional organic materials on growth, photosynthesis and cadmium accumulation in cereals.

Although biochar and conventional organic materials have been widely studied for lowering cadmium (Cd) uptake by plants but information regarding their comparative effectiveness is lacking. In this study, biochars from different feedstocks viz. rice husk biochar (RHB), cotton sticks biochar (CSB) and wheat straw biochar (WSB) were compared with conventional organic materials viz.

Characterization of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria in Constructed Wetland Microcosms Used to Treat Crude Oil Polluted Water.

Ten plant species were grown in constructed wetlands (CWs) to remediate water containing 2% (w/v) crude oil. The plant species with better growth and biomass production were Typha latifolia and Cyperus laevigatus, and they were significantly correlated (R = 0.91) with hydrocarbon degradation.

Factor Structure of Urdu Version of the Flourishing Scale.

A great deal of research has been carried out on the assessment of the eudaimonic perspective of psychological well-being and the hedonic perspective of subjective well-being. The Flourishing Scale (FS) has been extensively used in research and practice, as it assesses the fundamental aspects of social psychological functioning. Nevertheless, the psychometric properties of Urdu versions of eudaimonic measures, such as the FS, have not yet been ascertained.

Feeding Patterns and Predictors of Malnutrition in Infants from Poor Socioeconomic Areas in Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Survey.

Introduction: Malnutrition, a state of under or over nutrition caused by improper food intake, causes significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries. It leads to a number of diseases which can be further divided into those caused by protein-caloric malnutrition and those caused by vitamin deficiencies, micronutrient, and mineral deficiencies. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which contribute to malnutrition and to assess the dietary pattern in the pediatric population from birth up to five months belonging to poor socioeconomic areas.

Frequency and Mortality Associated with Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Children.

Objective: To determine the frequency of hyperglycemia in critically ill children admitted in PICU of a tertiary care hospital of Karachi and to compare the mortality of critically ill children with and without hyperglycemia.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, from November 2011 to April 2012.