Supplemental Sodium Nitroprusside and Spermidine Regulate Water Balance and Chlorophyll Pigments to Improve Sunflower Yield under Terminal Drought.

Drought is an inevitable environmental stress that drastically hampers the growth, productivity, and quality of food crops. Exogenous sodium nitroprusside and spermidine have decisive functions in the growth enhancement of plants; nevertheless, their specific role in mediating stress responses to improve drought tolerance in sunflowers at the reproductive stage (terminal drought) remains largely unknown. In the present study, we explored the positive effects of sodium nitroprusside and spermidine on physiological responses to increase in sunflower yield during periods of terminal drought.

ZnO/CuSe composite-mediated bandgap modulation for enhanced photocatalytic performance against methyl blue dye.

The removal of toxic dye pigments from the environment is of utmost importance since even trace amounts of these pollutants can lead to harmful impacts on ecosystems. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is a potential technique for eliminating microbiological, inorganic, and organic pollutants from wastewater. Here, we report the band gap alteration of ZnO by making its composites with CuSe to enhance photocatalytic activity.

Introducing ACTFAiREST to implement online assessments amid COVID-19: a case study from a low resource setting.

Background: Amid COVID-19, soon after the closure of academic institutions, academia was compelled to implement teaching and assessments virtually. The situation was not the same for all countries. This transition was much more challenging in low-resource settings like Pakistan, where the students were geographically distant with minimal connectivity.

The frequency and pattern of deranged lipid profile in patients with ischemic stroke: a retrospective study.

Ischemic Stroke has been recognized as the principal cause of disability and the third leading cause of mortality worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in patients presenting with ischemic stroke at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan and to evaluate the effect of demographic and clinical factors on the frequency and pattern of dyslipidemia in ischemic stroke subjects.   Methods: A cross-sectional study carried on a sample size of 235 patients presenting to the out-patient clinic with paralysis, difficulty in speech, and/or loss of consciousness lasting for one hour or more.

Experiences of community midwives receiving helping baby breathe training through the low dose high-frequency approach in Gujrat, Pakistan.

Background: Pakistan's neonatal mortality rate has the highest proportion in the South Asian region and it is higher in the rural areas as compared to the urban areas. Poor resuscitation techniques and lack of basic newborn resuscitation skills in birth attendants are contributing factors towards neonatal deaths. Based on the significant outcomes of the Helping Baby Breath (HBB) training, similar training was implemented for Community Midwives (CMWs) in a low-resource setting in Gujrat, Pakistan, to improve their knowledge and skills.