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Cucumber, (Cucumis sativus L.) is an essential vegetable crop globally. A field study was conducted to assess morphological diversity of cucumber germplasm at Vegetable Research Area, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Pakistan during the year of 2018 and 2019. Present study was designed with 25 genotypes of cucumber taken from National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, Pakistan for determining their performance based on quantitative and qualitative characters. Cluster analysis and principle component analysis (PCA) were carried out for classifying cucumber genotypes on the basis of resemblances in the phenotypical attributes of fruits, vine, leaves, and flowers by employing XLSTAT (2018). Phenotypic diversity was highest in color of leaves, size of leaves, skin color of fruits and shape of fruits. Genotypes C-32149, C-574, Wandri 700, C-571 were closely associated to one another for several morphological attributes. Results of PCA analysis for the quantitative phenotypical attributes showed that major first two principle components (PCs) described 23.64% and 17.89% (Combined 41.53%) diversity. Cluster analysis of all cucumber genotypes of Pakistan classified them into main two clusters with 24.44% diversity within classes and 75.56% variability between the classes. Genotypes C-32149, C-574, Wandri 700 and C-571 showed greatest diversity various phenotypic traits including color of leaf, skin color of fruit and size of leaf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Milligan Morgan Hemorrhoidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries. Post-operative pain is the major cause of morbidity in post hemorrhoidectomy patients. Metronidazole has an established role in relieving post hemorrhoidectomy pain. The objective was to evaluate the pain score by using topical and oral metronidazole in post Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy patients. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trail was done in surgical departments of Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad. A total of 166 consecutive patients with 3rd and 4th degree hemorrhoids were presenting in surgical OPD and who underwent Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy between July 2018 and December 2018 were included in the study. Patients allocated in two groups, Group-A received topical metronidazole 10% post hemorrhoidectomy for seven days and Group-B were given oral metronidazole 400mg for 07 days. Analgesics were given on patient's requirement. Patients post hemorrhoidectomy pain was recorded by using VSA scale at baseline (1st day) and on 7th post-operative day. Data analysis was done by using SPSS 21. Pain calculated by compared in terms of mean, standard deviation between groups and independent sample T test was used. Association between demographic details like gender and ages of the patients with pain scale on 7th day was measured and chi-square distribution was used. Results: Total 166 patients were included in this study. The mean ages of the patients were 44.07±10.62 years with minimum 20 and maximum 60 years. Out of 166 patients, female were 55 (33.1%) and male were 111 (66.9%). Results showed significantly lower pain in patients using topical metronidazole as compared to oral metronidazole (p=0.001). Association of pain with respect to ages was insignificant (p=0.202) whereas between genders inside the groups showed significant difference (p=0.028). Conclusion: These results showed that topical metronidazole significantly reduces pain in post hemorrhoidectomy patients as compared to oral metronidazole overall and even when data stratified among age, gender and type of hemorrhoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate patient experience (fear of getting Covid-19) from elective surgery and challenges of elective surgical practice and ways to overcome during this pandemic era. Materials & Methods: This study was an observational cross-sectional survey and it has been conducted in the General Surgery Department of Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad, from May to August 2021 after approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Fear of Covid-19 infection was measured through the "fear of Covid-19 scale" by Ahorsu et al and analyzed. All findings were entered in a structured Proforma. Data was entered in SPSS version 26 and analyzed. Effect modifier chi-square was used to find out the patient's dropout due to getting Covid-19 infection from surgery. Results: A total of 200 patients were included; 62% of patients were male and 38% were females. The mean age of the patients was 38.64±12.08 years. The statistical analysis showed that there was a very significant association between the FCV-19 scale and getting Covid-19 infection from elective surgeries (p ≤ 0.05). When stratified the FCV-19 scale with the education status of all patients there was a very significant association between them (p=0.001). In the patient's observations regarding the FCV-19 questionnaire, most of the patients disagreed (46.3%) with getting Covid-19 infection from their elective surgeries or any fear of Covid-19 infection. Conclusion: Fear of getting Covid-19 is still present in some of the patients who visit hospitals for elective surgeries. Discussing the various steps taken by the institute to improve patient safety and minimize the risk of Covid-19, greatly enhanced their confidence in elective surgery and improved satisfaction level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]