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Changing climate, food shortage, water scarcity and rapidly increasing population are some of the emerging challenges globally. Drought stress is the most devastating threat for agricultural productivity. Natural plant growth substances are intensively used to improve the productivity of crop plants grown under stressed and benign environments. The current study evaluated whether leaf extract of different moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) could play a role in improving drought-tolerance of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Rice plants were grown under three drought conditions, i.e., no, moderate and severe drought (100, 75 and 50% field capacity, respectively). Moringa leaf extract (MLE) obtained from four landraces (Multan, Faisalabad, D. G. Khan and exotic landrace from India) was applied during critical crop growth stages, i.e., tillering, panicle initiation and grain filling. Drought stress adversely affected the gas exchange attributes, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzymes' activities, yield and quality parameters of rice. Application of MLE from all landraces significantly improved physiological, biochemical and yield parameters under stressed and normal environmental conditions. The highest improvement in gas exchange traits (photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and respiration rate), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) and enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase) and oxidative marker (H2O2) was recorded with MLE obtained from Faisalabad landrace. The application of MLE of Faisalabad landrace also improved yield and grain quality of rice grown under drought stress as well as drought-free environment. Thus, MLE of Faisalabad can be successfully used to improve growth, productivity and grain quality of rice under drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the outcomes of three-port versus four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and assess the safety and efficacy of three-port LC as routine procedure. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Kohat/CMH Multan, from Oct 2013 to Dec 2016. Methodology: Total of 403 patients were selected and were divided into two groups based on the principles of non-randomized clinical trial; group A having three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and group B having four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Fourth port in right axillary line at umbilicus level was not established in group A. Outcomes were recorded in terms of operating time, complications, pain assessment/analgesic requirement and hospital stay. Results: A total of 218 (54.09%) patients in group A and 185 (45.91%) patients in group B were assessed. The difference in terms of verbal pain score, analgesic requirement and duration of hospital stay/return to activity were significant statistically, all being less in group A. Cosmetic outcome as perceived by patients was also better in the group A because of less numbers of scars. Operative time (minutes) was less in group A in our study (35.59 ± 10.75) as compared to group B (50.17 ± 10.14). Results of other variables including intra-operative/postoperative complications were comparable among the two groups. Conclusion: Three-port LC has advantages of being less painful, with less analgesics requirement and reduced hospital stay without compromising the safety and efficacy. It is more acceptable to patients due to less numbers of scars and better cosmesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the stage of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) at the time of presentation. Methods: This cross sectional observational prospective study was carried out at Gastro Department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Multan from August 2017 to December 2018. Patients were diagnosed on the basis of alpha fetoprotein, abdominal ultrasound, triphasic contrast enhanced computerized tomography (CECT). They were evaluated for etiology including Hepatitis B, C and non B & C. The patients were inquired about the previous treatment and when they came to know about the HCC. Staging of the tumor was done on the basis BCLC (Barcelona cancer liver clinic) and Melan's criteria. Performance status (PS) of the patient was checked by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) criteria. Severity of cirrhosis was assessed by CTP (Child Turcotte Pugh) and Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score. The data was analyzed in IBM SPSS version 22. Results: Out of 135 patients 78% were males and 22% females. Age Mean SD was 58.81± 9.366. Frequency of hepatitis C, B, combined B, C and non-B non-C was 80%, 11%, 2.8% and 6.2% respectively. 96(73.8%) never got the treatment before for Hepatitis. 81(62.3%) came to know first time on this index admission. Maximum numbers of patients were in BCLC stage B i.e. 82(55.2%) with ECOG grade of one i.e.57 (39.3%), at the time of presentation. Mean MELD and CTP score were 12.24, 7.34 (class B) respectively. Conclusion: HCV was the most common in HCC, never treated before, presented for the first time in advance stage of the disease where very limited treatment options left behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Subancistrocerus pakistanensis Qasim, Carpenter et Rafique sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Pakistan, based on several specimens collected in the Multan Region. Genus Subancistrocerus is recorded for the first time from Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]