Environment, Agriculture, and Land Use Pattern

This study aimed at the environment, agriculture, and land use pattern and in the arid region of Pakistan. Physiography and location of the study area with respect to coastal region are the key factors that control the climate. There are a number of factors that have their influence on the cropping pattern in the area apart from climate. They include the type of soils, availability of irrigation water, government policies, socioeconomic condition, advance technologies, market value, human demand, etc. The soil of irrigated plain in lower Punjab and Sind is more suitable for the agriculture than other parts, where the water is insufficient for cultivation

Infective agents in diabetic foot ulcers and their sensitivity patterns

Background: Diabetic-foot syndrome is a difficult & debilitating complication of inadequately regulated Diabetes Mellitus. Attributed to neural & vascular pathology, the condition is further potentiated by glycemic healing impairment.  A wide array of microorganisms have been implicated & sensitivity-guided antibiotics are essential to save both limb as well as to minimize rampant microbial resistance. Present study aims to determine the culture & sensitivity pattern of bacteria in stated cohort of patients at a Surgical Unit. Materials & Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted over a period of 1 year-duration at a tertiary-care-Hospital. All patients presenting with diabetic-foot who had not been subjected to empiric antibiotic-therapy were enrolled. Demographic & lesion-based variables were studied and the Culture & Sensitivity pattern was evaluated and statistically analyzed. Results:100 patients were included in the study,of which 80 were male (mean-age 60.8±12.7 years) & rest female (mean-age 58.4±11.3-years).35% cultures yielded no growth. Remaining cases showed following pathogens in descending order of incidence. Maximal sensitivity was also reported as mentioned. 1) Staphylococcus-aureus & Klebseilla-Pneumoenae– Piperacillin/Tazobactam,2) Pseudomonas-Aerugionas-Cefotaxime,3)E-coli–Amikacin& Sulbactam,4) Proteus -Gentamicin, 5) Streptococci– Amikacin and 6) Bacteroides – Cefoperazone & Aztreonam. Of 71 cases, 70  had aerobic-organisms isolates & only 1 had anaerobic-isolate.   Conclusions: Six pathogens were identified in present study of which Staphylococcus-Aureus was the most prevalent as well as the most resistant. Streptococci & Gram-negative Organisms were observed in remaining cases. While formulation of an adequate antibiotic regime is rendered difficult by resistance & mixed infections, targeted antibiotic administration is decisively crucial to achieve optimal & timely outcome in diabetic foot. &nbsp

Compositional analysis of dark colored particulates homogeneously emitted with combustion gases (dark plumes) from brick making kilns situated in the area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

In Pakistan raw coal and a little quantity of waste plastics are burnt to sustain high temperature inside brick making kilns. The gaseous emissions of the kilns contain a considerable amount of darkish colored particulates. It is currently believed that the plastic burning produces these particulates. Advanced characterization instruments, such as a scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffractometer, surface area analyzer using nitrogen gas adsorption isotherms, and thermogravimetric analyzer, were used to find out the chemistry and physics of the particulates. At a magnification of 30,000x, the SEM picture shows masses that are roughly roundish in shape and their size is in between 0.1 to 0.5 microns. The elements detected in these particles are carbon, oxygen, and sulfur (EDS analysis), or in other words, these elements are a typical composition of raw coal. This elemental analysis suggest that fine coal particles come out with usual combustion gases and these emitted particulates are not plastic combustion product. To strengthen this finding, the sample when calcined discarded a significant amount of sulphur oxides species, as determined in the XRF study by noticing a considerable decrease of sulphur content in the calcined particles, suggesting that the particles are actually a coal. The N2 isotherm graph reveals that the light weight flying coal particles has a very low surface area. Additionally, the XRD and TGA studies supports the conclusion that these dark colored particulate emissions are primarily fine coal particles (cenosphere)

Studies on tracheorelaxant and anti-inflammatory activities of rhizomes of polygonatum verticillatum

Background: The present study describes the tracheorelaxant and anti-inflammatory effects of Polygonatum verticillatum which may support its medicinal use in hyperactive airway complaints and inflammatory disorders.Methods: The tracheorelaxant activity of crude extract of the rhizomes of P. verticillatum (PR) was assessed in isolated guinea-pig tracheal tissues immersed in tissue organ bath filled with Tyrode\u27s solution and a continuous supply of carbogen gas (95% O2 and 5% CO2). The contractile and relaxant responses of the tissue were measured using isometric transducers coupled with Power-Lab data acquisition system. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model, while the lipoxygenase inhibitory activity was performed in the in-vitro assay. Various chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques were used for the isolation and characterization of pure molecules.Results: In isolated guinea-pig tracheal preparations, PR caused complete inhibition of the high K+ (80 mM) and carbachol-induced contractions however, it was more potent against K+ than CCh, similar to verapamil. Pretreatment of the tissue with PR, displaced the Ca2+ concentration-response curves to the right, similar to that induced by verapamil, indicating the presence of Ca2+ channel blocking like activity. When tested on carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, PR demonstrated a marked reduction in edema with 65.22% protection at 200 mg/kg, similar to aspirin. In the in-vitro assay, PR showed lipoxygenase inhibitory activity (IC50: 102 ± 0.19 μg/mL), similar to baicalein. Bioactivity-guided fractionation led to the isolation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid and β-sitosterol.Conclusions: These results indicate that the plant possesses tracheorelaxant, mediated possibly through a Ca2+ channel blockade mechanism, and anti-inflammatory activities, which may explain the medicinal use of this plant in airway disorders and inflammation

Evaluation of gut modulatory and bronchodilator activities of Amaranthus spinosus Linn.

Background The aqueous-methanolic extract of Amaranthus spinosus (A. spinosus Linn.,) whole plant, was studied for its laxative, spasmolytic and bronchodilator activities to validate some of its medicinal uses. Methods The crude extract of A. spinosus was studied in-vivo for bronchodilator and laxative activities and in-vitro using isolated tissue preparations which were mounted in tissue baths assembly containing physiological salt solutions, maintained at 37°C and aerated with carbogen, to assess the spasmolytic effect and to find out the possible underlying mechanisms. Results In the in-vivo experiments in mice, the administration of A. spinosus increased fecal output at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg showing laxative activity. It also inhibited carbachol-induced bronchospasm in anesthetized rats at 1, 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg indicative of bronchodilator activity. When tested on isolated gut preparations, the plant extract showed a concentration-dependent (0.01-10.0 mg/ml) spasmogenic effect in spontaneously contracting rabbit jejunum and guinea-pig ileum. The spasmogenic effect was partially blocked in tissues pretreated with atropine (0.1 μM). When tested on K+ (80 mM)-induced sustained contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum, the plant extract caused complete relaxation and also produced a shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curves (CRCs) towards right, similar to diltiazem. In rabbit trachea, the plant extract completely inhibited K+ (80 mM) and carbachol (CCh, 1 μM)-induced contractions at 1 mg/ml but pretreatment of tissue with propranolol (1 μM), caused around 10 fold shift in the inhibitory CRCs of the plant extract constructed against CCh-induced contraction. The plant extract (up to 0.3 mg/ml) also increased both force and rate of spontaneous contractions of isolated guinea-pig atria, followed by relaxation at higher concentration (1.0-5.0 mg/ml). The cardio-stimulant effect was abolished in the presence of propranolol, similar to that of isoprenaline. Activity-directed fractionation revealed that the spasmolytic component(s) was separated in the organic fraction, whereas the spasmogenic component was concentrated in the aqueous fraction. Conclusion These results indicate that A. spinosus possesses laxative activity partially mediated through cholinergic action. The spasmolytic effect was mediated through calcium channel blocking (CCB), while bronchodilator activity through a combination of β-adrenergic and CCB pathways, which may explain the traditional uses of A. spinosus in gut and airways disorders

Design and Development of a Smart Vortex Turbine

The growing demand for clean energy has led many engineers and scientists to find a way to effectively generate and distribute electricity without any carbon footprints. One of the most prominent and widely known methods of generating electricity is Hydropower. One of the leading researches in harvesting energy from low-head water sources is through a gravitational vortex turbine. Gravitational vortex turbine is special type of micro-hydro turbine that relies on the rotational energy of a water vortex. This research delves into techniques required to increase the efficiency of vortex turbines. This project bolsters an extensive design methodology used to finalize a system of smart vortex turbine. It includes a section on CAD modelling and governing equations followed by an ANSYS simulation to predict and study the vortex generated in main tank. The main goal of this project is to achieve a water tight sealing to ensure that generator does not gets damaged. In addition, reducing mechanical losses due to vibrations by using a smaller shaft is one of the set targets of this project. Our mission is prove that electricity can be generated in off the grid communities with low-head water sources by using 3D printing as Pakistan does not have the modern expensive fabrication techniques to manufacture complex geometries. There is a need to look for a cost effective, efficient and green manufacturing method