Role of zinc in plant nutrition- a review

Zinc is plant micronutrient which is involved in many physiological functions its inadequate supply will reduce crop yields. Zinc deficiency is the most wide spread micronutrient deficiency problem, almost all crops and calcareous, sandy soils, peat soils, and soils with high phosphorus and silicon are expected to be deficient. Zinc deficiencies can affect plant by stunting its growth, decreasing number of tillers, chlorosis and smaller leaves, increasing crop maturity period, spikelet sterility and inferior quality of harvested products. Beside its role in crop production Zn plays a part in the basic roles of cellular functions in all living organisms and is involved in improving the human immune system, due to its insufficient intake, human body will suffer from hair and memory loss, skin problems and weakness in body muscles

Retrospective and prospective study of amputation in burn patients in Kashmir

Background: Burn is the coagulation necrosis of tissue caused as a result of application of heat which is categorized depending upon its depth. Amputation in burn patient is widely reported especially in severe burn to enhance survival. Though the number of amputations is low in civilian population but it represents a significantly large economic loss. Objective was to do a retrospective and prospective study of amputation in burn patients in Kashmir.Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively from July 2007 to June 2017 and prospectively from July 2017 to June 2019 in department of plastic and reconstructive surgery, SKIMS, Srinagar. For prospective group the patients were admitted and resuscitated as per the protocol and then shifted to the burn unit. The patients were closely monitored and the procedures like early and delayed amputation were done as needed.Results: We had finally a total of 35 patients with 24 in retrospective and 11 in prospective group. In retrospective group, 9 patients had minor while as 15 had major amputation. Majority of the patients were in the age group of 20-40 years (58.3%). In prospective group, 6 patients had major while as 5 patients had minor amputation. Majority of the patients belonged to the age group of 20-40 years (45.5%).Conclusions: The amputation rate in burn patients is not reassuring in Kashmir with minor or major amputation needed in almost all patients and the most effected age group is the “productive age group” representing a significant economic loss.

Risk assessment of gallstone among indoor patients of chronic liver diseases secondary to Hepatitis C.

Introduction: Gallstones (GS) are widely reported as the major cause of mortality and morbidity globally.1 The frequency of GS in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is considerably higher than in the general population.1-7 Moreover, prevailing risk of gallstone is associated with disease frequency and severity in advance stages of CLD.1,3 The predictable local incidence of gallstones in CLD patients is approximately 24-31%.6-7 HCV is presumed to be the major cause of CLD in the local settings6-7. Despite high prevalence of GS and HCV CLD in our population, the occurrence of GS in HCV CLD cases has not been assessed so far. Objective: To assess gallstone disease in indoor patients of chronic liver diseases secondary to Hepatitis-C.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out at Department of Gastroenterology, Liaquat National Hospital (LNH), Institute for postgraduate medical studies and health sciences, Karachi from January 2013 to July 2013. Totalof145 patients of chronic liver disease (CLD) secondary to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) of either gender, regardless of duration of disease, having age more than 30 years were selected purposively. Structured questionnaire used for data collection. Ultrasonography was done to diagnose gallstones. The routine investigations such as platelet count, anti HCV antibodies, and prothrombin time (PT) were performed. SPSS version 20 was used to analyze data. Variables like gallstone was presented through percentages and frequencies, age as mean and SD. After stratification of age, gender and severity of liver disease, chi-square test was applied and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean age of patients (n=145) was 54.8±9.4 years, whereas mean of males was 53.9±9.3 years and females were 56.2±9.5years. Among total cases86(59.3%) were males and59(40.7%) were females. The gallstones in male patients (n= 30, 58.8%) was higher than female patients (n=21, 41.2%). However, this difference with regards to gender, was not statistically significant (p-value=0.9). The Child-Pugh score with gallstones patients was (10.0±2.1) slightly higher than patients without gallstone (10.7±2.1). In patients with gallstone, Child’sPughclass-Cwasfoundin51(54.3%) patients, class-Bin37(39.4, %) and class-A in 6 (6.3%) patients. Conclusion: HCV infection is independent risk factor for gallstones in cirrhotic patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Child-Pugh A and B patients with symptomatic gallstone disease is a safe procedure. Keywords: Gallstones, HCVCLD, Child-Turcotte-Pugh, Cholecystectom

Study of the indoor decontamination using nanocoated woven polyester fabric

This research primarily deals with the photocatalytic degradation of methanol in indoor air using nanocoated indoor textiles used for curtains as household textiles. The woven polyester was coated by titanium dioxide by sol gel method, using silicon-based binder. The characterization of the coating has been done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis, energy dispersive analysis using X-ray (EDAX) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The DIY instrument providing the similar environment as of indoor was designed to assess the performance of the degradation of formaldehyde under UV light. The photocatalytic degradation rate was measured using the absorption value of the solutions obtained in the result of liquid chromatography of test solution and reagent solution. Different amount of dosages (1–3 %) and different time period of coatings (half hour to 3 h) have been evaluated for optimization

Efficacy of crushed ore colemanite as boron fertilizer for rice grown under calcareous soil conditions

Boron (B) deficiencies occur over a wider range of soils and crops in the world. Different sources of fertilizers are used to supply sufficient amounts of B for healthier plant growth. The effectiveness of crushed ore colemanite as B source for rice crop under flooded calcareous soil was evaluated in a glass house study. We studied the effects of powder colemanite (PC) and granular colemanite (GC) at the rates of 0, 1, 2, and 3 kg B ha-1 on growth and yield parameters of rice crop. Powder colemanite application at 2 and 3 kg B ha-1 significantly increased plant height, number of tillers and panicles plant-1, number of grains panicle-1, weight of 1000 grains and B concentration in grain compared to those observed due to application of 0 and 1 kg B ha-1. Rice crop applied B at 3 kg ha-1 in the form of PC produced significantly (18% increase over control) higher grain yield than 0 kg B ha-1 treatment. The effectiveness of PC was higher in terms of yield and yield parameters of rice than the GC, The B source of PC was very effective in supplying B to rice crop, however GC applied pots produced significantly lower yields because of its larger particle size which was the controlling factor in B release from the fertilizer

Boron fertilizers borax and colemanite application on rice and their residual effect on the following crop cycle

Boron (B) is one of the essential micronutrients and its deficiencies occur over a range of soils and crops. The effectiveness of borax and colemanite as B sources for two seasons of rice crop under flooded acidic soil were evaluated in a field study. We studied the direct and residual effects of borax, powder colemanite (PC) and granular colemanite (GC) fertilizers which were applied to rice crop at the rates of 0, 1, 2, and 3 kg B ha−1. One application of B significantly increased the growth and yield of crop for two seasons. Results of the first season field experiment showed that application of borax and PC at 3 kg B ha−1 improved all plant growth parameters, B concentration in spikelet and rice yield over the control and other B rates. Residual B from borax and PC significantly increased the plant height, number of tillers and panicles per plant, number of grains per panicle and weight of 1000 grains compared to the control. However, the residual GC showed no significant effect on plant growth parameters. Residual borax and PC at 3 kg B ha−1 produced higher yield than the levels of 1 and 2 kg B ha−1. Yield difference between residual borax and PC was not significant at 3 kg B ha−1, although at 2 kg B ha−1, PC produced significantly higher yield than the borax. Both of these B sources were found to be equally effective in supplying B to rice crop for two seasons. The PC was more efficient than GC in supplying B to rice due to its finer particle size making it more water soluble

Comparison of Percentage Depth Doses with the Published Data for Co-60 Radiotherapy Machine at a Regional Cancer Hospital

In external beam radiation therapy, the percentage depth dose (PDD) is a main factor for estimation of patient’s dose and dose distribution in target volume, therefore its accurate estimation is important. The purpose of this article is to compare PDDs with the published PDDs of different authors along central axis at different depths and field sizes for cobalt-60 (Co-60) radiotherapy machine at a regional cancer hospital Pakistan. A dedicated water phantom was used for estimation of PDDs at different depths and different field sizes, for Theratron phoenix Co-60 machine. It was observed that for 10×10 cm2 filed size of Co-60 beam mean percent variation in measured PDDs and published PDDs by different authors was -0.29% to 1.13%, which was within acceptable limit of ± 2%. However, for one author who used semi-empirical equation for PDDs calculation, the mean percent variation between measured PDDs and that of the author was -3.23%, 4.69% and 5.88% for 10×10 cm2, 25×25 cm2 and 30×30 cm2 field sizes of Co-60 beam respectively, which were within acceptable limit of   ±10%. A noticeable increase in PDDs was observed with increase of the field size at given depth which shows obvious contribution of secondary scattered radiation. Also measured PDDs were well matched with that of published PDDs of most of the authors i.e. ± 2%, but the measured PDDs were moderately matched with that of PDDs for only one author for some field sizes and some depths i.e. ±10%, which need to be rectified by taking more such data.

Boron status of paddy soils in the states of Kedah and Kelantan, Malaysia

Management of micronutrient B in soil is difficult because of its high mobility. Soil sampling and analysis is the first important step in managing the nutrients required by plants. This study was conducted to evaluate the B status in soils of rice growing areas in Kedah and Kelantan which are the main rice growing states of the country. Soil samples were collected from 15 soil series namely Kranji, Sedeka, Guar, Kundur, Tualang, Teluk Chengai, Kuala Kedah, Rotan, Sedu, Kangkong, Batu Hitam, Lubok Itek, Tepus, Telemong and Chempaka to determine B status and other physico-chemical properties. The soils of paddy growing areas investigated were very low in available B status. All the fifteen soil series had B below 0.5 mg kg-1, irrespective of depth and locations. Kundur and Chempaka Series soils had the highest B content (0.46 mg kg-1) among all the series while the Tualang Series soil had the lowest B (0.22 mg kg-1). Boron status in soils differed significantly with depth; the upper layers had higher B concentrations compared to lower depths because of high organic carbon content. Boron showed a positive correlation with organic carbon content but a negative correlation with soil pH

Comparison of Intra-articular Platelet Rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid Injections for the Treatment of Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective:  To compare the efficacy of intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and platelet rich plasma in cases of moderate knee osteoarthritis. Study design: Prospective comparative study. Place and Duration of study: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Khairpur Medical College, Khairpur Mirs, from January 2021 till December 2021 Methodology: A total of 100 patients were selected for the study and were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group C patients received intra-articular corticosteroid injection along with local anesthetic (Prednisolone acetate 40 mg + 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine) under ultrasound guidance. Group P patients received 3 injections of PRP, each of 8 ml volume given at one week’s interval. Patients with signs of hemodynamic compromise, sepsis, past history of any intra-articular injection in the same joint were also excluded from the study. Follow up of patients was carried out at 1, 3 and 6 months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) scale was used to assess the patients prior to injection and then at each follow up. WOMAC scale consists of three subsets i-e pain, stiffness and physical function. Results: Demographic data was comparable between both groups. Pre-injection WOMAC score in group C and P was 71.54±12.18 and 75.20±8.58 respectively (p-value=0.086); after one month of injections, it was 34.20±10.48 and 35.38±6.31 respectively (p-value=0.580). After 3 months of injection, it was 33.20±8.13 and 31.10±5.50 respectively (p-value=0.195). After 6 months of injection, it was 35.32±10.41 and 32.10±6.63 respectively (p-value=0.68). Conclusion: It is concluded in our study that intra-articular injections of prednisolone acetate and PRP are equally effective in patients of moderate knee osteoarthritis.