Indigenous Plants Based Biodiesel Resources in Pakistan

Biodiesel is an emerging solution for the present day concerns about rising oil prices and depletion of fossil fuel resources throughout the world. In current scenario due to shortage of energy resources, biodiesel is very good option for energy security in Pakistan. There are large arable lands with good climatic conditions for large biomass production of biodiesel yielding species. In this study data is compiled to identify plant species bearing seeds rich in oil for biodiesel production. Among them the most important are Pongamia pinnata, Brassica spp. and Ricinus communis. Bio fuel reduce dependence on imported petroleum with associated political and economic vulnerability, reduce green house gas emissions and other pollutants, and revitalize the economy by increasing demand and prices for agricultural products. This paper suggests decision makers in government of Pakistan to take initiative to develop project for commercial production of biodiesel by using indigenous plants based resources

Aquatic Plants of District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

In this taxonomic account 18 aquatic plants, which are reported for the first time from Dera Ismail Khan District are presented. The species were Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) DC., Azolla pinnata R. Br., Bacopa moneiri (Linn.) Pennell., Ceratophyllum demersum Linn., Eleocharis palustris (Linn.) R. Brown., Hydrilla verticillata Royle., Marselia quadrifolia Linn., Nelumbium nelumbo (Linn.) Druce., Nymphoide cristata Roxb.) O.Ketze., Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin., Pistia stratiotes Linn., Polygonum barbatum Linn; Polygonum flaccidum Meissn., Potammogeton crispus Linn., Potamogeton nodosus Poiret, Spirodela polyrrhiza (Linn.) Schield, Typha domenginsis Pers., Typha elephantia Roxb

Medicinal Plant Biodiversity used among the rural communities of Arid Regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan

226-241One-third of the earth’s surface is categorized as arid. Arid regions throughout the world having unique biodiversity comprising of different climatic conditions. The current study focused on Medicinal Plant Biodiversity used among the rural communities of Arid regions of Northern Punjab, Pakistan. Total 225 households were interviewed by using a semi-structured questionnaire. By using different quantitative indices, results were analyzed that includes frequency of citation (FC), the relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL), Informant consensus factor (ICF) and use value (UV). In this study 98 plants, species were reported, used for medicinal purposes. Asteraceae was found to be a dominant family. The most frequently used parts were leaves (46%) as compared to other plants parts. The mostly used herbal medicinal preparation method was a powder (44%) as compared to decoction (43%), paste (20%). The highest ICF was reported for respiratory system disorders (Asthma, cold, chest problems, flue, and cough). The fidelity level varies from 50% to 96%. Species having the highest use value was Ficus benghalensis (0.16) while the plant species with the highest RFC was Ficus palmate (0.42). The findings exposed that medicinal plants are the main source of medicines for primary health care. Medicinal plants having high used value help to identify a phytochemical compound that are bio-active that are essential for the synthesis of new drugs for various diseases

Medicinal Plants Used for Treatment of Prevalent Diseases in Northern Pakistan of Western Himalayas

In this research study, we have scientifically assessed medicinal species and herbal preparations used by inhabitants of Northern Pakistan to treat joint pain, hypertension, skin diseases and glottis infections. The aim of the study is to document and highlight the ethnopharmacological significance and compare the uses of medicinal herbs for curing prevalent ailments in Northern Pakistan. Ethnomedicinal data were collected from 180 informants using semi-structured interviews and group meetings. A total of 80 plant species in 54 families were reported for the treatment of various health conditions. Heliotropium lasiocarpum, Geranium wallichianum, Parkinsonia aculeata, Rubia cordifolia and Salvadora persica were the favored plants for curing these diseases. Highest RFC was recorded for Neolitsea chinensis (0.956), Rubia cordifolia (0.928). The similarity of the informer’s knowledge about used medicines was found in Aesculus indica and Abies pindrow with high UV. Cuscuta reflexa and Lawsonia inermis had 98–99% fidelity level for management of joint pain, skin diseases, glottis infection and hypertension respectively. In Northern Pakistan, a rich diversity of medicinal plants was used in curing various diseases. The results of this study help us in screening of herbal plants for further phytochemical and pharmacological study which leads to discovery of natural drug and development with global interest for cure of various ailments

Clinical Presentation and Postoperative Outcome in Patients with Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Objective was to study the clinical features of chronic subdural hematoma and Postoperative outcome after one week of surgery in chronic subdural hematoma. It was a descriptive study. It was a hospital based study which was conducted in the department of neurosurgery at PIMS; from 1st July 2002 to 30th June 2003.Thirty patients of chronic subdural hematoma were included in this study. This study was conducted on thirty patients suffering from chronic subdural hematoma. These patients were selected on the basis of history, clinical features and C.T. scan or M.R.I. findings, showing the evidence of chronic subdural hematoma. For data analysis, spss 8 software was used.Results: Thirty patients were studied. Among them, there were twenty four male patients and six female patients. The male to female ratio was 4:1. The age range was 40 to 88 with average of 61 years. Twenty one patients (70%) gave a history of head injury. Nine patients (30%) did not remember any injury to the head. Twenty two patients (73%) had hemipresis. Twenty patients (66%) presented with headache. Seventeen patients (56%) had a history of bed wetting. Fourteen patients (47%) presented with behavioral changes. CT scan of twenty three (76.6%) patients showed unilateral hematoma while the remaining seven (23.3%) showed bilateral chronic subdural hematoma. Twenty eight were operated under general anesthesia while the rest were operated under local anesthesia. On discharge twenty six 86.6% patients showed excellent outcome. Mortality rate was 6.6%.Conclusion: Chronic subdural hematoma is an important reversible cause of disability in the elderly. Most of them present with hemipresis, headache, and urinary incontinence. While some of them present with behavioral changes and memory loss. When patients were followed after one week of surgery it was found that most of them had an excellent outcome. Mortality and morbidity of chronic subdural hematoma has decreased markedly in recent years because of improved diagnostic facilities and prompt surgical intervention

Comparison of post-dural puncture headache- incidence and severity in obstetric patients after spinal anesthesia for caesarean section with 25G and 27G quincke needle

Background: The use of neuraxial anesthesia for caesarean section has dramatically increased in last 2 decades because it is easier to perform, safe to the mother and the fetus, and has a high degree of success rate. However, post-dural puncture headache is a well-known complication of spinal anesthesia. It is a common and incapacitating compliation following dura-arachnoid puncture and results in increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, increased cost, and patient dissatisfaction.Methods: It was a double-blinded comparative study conducted on 75 consecutive pregnant patients meeting the inclusion criteria of the study. Patient and anesthesiologist involved in collection of data were blinded to the gauge of the needle used. Standard anesthesia protocol was followed in all the patients and spinal anesthesia performed using 25G Quincke needle in 38 patients and 27G Quincke needle in 37 patients.Results: we included 75 consecutive patients in the age group 20-35 years in the study. Overall incidence of PDPH was 14.67% (11/75) in present study. 23.68% (9/38) and 5.4% (2/37) patients who received spinal anesthesia with 25G and 27G needles respectively developed PDPH. Difference was statistically insignificant.Conclusions: The incidence of PDPH was less in patients who underwent caesarean section under spinal anesthesia with 27G needle compared to that of patients in whom block was performed using 25G needles. However, there was no definite advantage of 27G Quincke needle over 25G Quincke needle as far as the incidence of PDPH is concerned

Algal biomass as a global source of transport fuels: Overview and development perspectives

Abstract As a result of the global fuel crisis of the early 1970s, coupled with concerns for the environment, the use of biofuel has been on the increase in many regions throughout the world. At present, a total of approximately 30 billion (30×109) liters of biofuel are utilized worldwide annually, although most countries rely hugely on the first generation biofuel. The limitations of the first and second generation biofuel gave rise to current interest in algae as a promising alternative to these conventional biofuel sources. Algal biomass could provide a lion׳s share of the global transport fuel requirements in future. The present review highlights some important developments in, and potentials of algaculture as a major biomass resource of the future. However, the major constraint to commercial-scale algae farming for energy production is the cost factor, which must be addressed adequately before its potentials can be harnessed