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Wheat is an important staple crop not only in Pakistan but all over the globe. Although the area dedicated to wheat cultivation expands annually, the quantity of wheat harvested is declining due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Global wheat production and output have suffered as a result of the drought, which is largely driven by a lack of water and environmental factors. Organic fertilizers have been shown to reduce the severity of drought. The current research was conducted in semi-arid climates to mitigate the negative effects of drought on wheat during its critical tillering (DTS), flowering (DFS), and grain filling (DGFS) stages through the application of three different abscisic acid treatments: ABA0 (0 mgL−1) control, ABA1 (100 mgL−1) and ABA2 (200 mgL−1). Wheat growth and yield characteristics were severely harmed by drought stress across all critical development stages, with the DGFS stage being particularly vulnerable and leading to a considerable loss in yield. Plant height was increased by 24.25%, the number of fertile tillers by 25.66%, spike length by 17.24%, the number of spikelets per spike by 16.68%, grain count per spike by 11.98%, thousand-grain weight by 14.34%, grain yield by 26.93% and biological yield by 14.55% when abscisic acid (ABA) was applied instead of the control treatment. Moreover, ABA2 increased the more physiological indices (water use efficiency (36.12%), stomatal conductance (44.23%), chlorophyll a (24.5%), chlorophyll b (29.8%), transpiration rate (23.03%), photosynthetic rate (24.84%), electrolyte leakage (− 38.76%) hydrogen peroxide (− 18.09%) superoxide dismutase (15.3%), catalase (20.8%), peroxidase (− 18.09%), and malondialdehyde (− 13.7%)) of drought-stressed wheat as compared to other treatments. In the case of N, P, and K contents in grain were maximally improved with the application of ABA2. Through the use of principal component analysis, we were able to correlate our results across scales and provide an explanation for the observed effects of ABA on wheat growth and production under arid conditions. Overall, ABA application at a rate of 200 mgL−1 is an effective technique to boost wheat grain output by mitigating the negative effects of drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated factors among age 15 years and above in federally administered tribal areas (FATA) of Pakistan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2016 till August 2017 among 729 individuals including both males and females of age 15 years and above were randomly selected from FATA. FATA was divided into 7 areas (Khyber, Mohmand, Bajaur, Orakzai, Kurram, North and south Waziristan). A pre-tested questionnaire in local language with informed consent was taken from 729 respondents who were selected for the study after sample size calculation. Fasting blood was analyzed for sugar, cholesterol. Blood pressure was recorded among both gender. RESULTS: Among 729 individual prevalence of hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg) was 49.1% (n=358). The prevalence of blood cholesterol 200 mg/dl and above was 156(21.4%). Fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dl was 4.7% (n=134). Anxiety and depression was 50.3% (n=367). BMI ≥25 kg/m² was 47.7% (n=347). Current smoker were 19.8% (n=144). Snuff user were 180 (24.7%). Cannabis user were 4.8% (n=35). Family history of Hypertension, increase BMI and male or female age more than 40 years were significantly associated factors for hypertension. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of elevated blood pressure in FATA above the age of 15 and above when compared with local data. Both male and female with age more than 40 years, increase BMI and family history of hypertension were significant associated with hypertension in FATA population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To find out the prevalence of active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among general public in Lahore city, since data concerning the prevalence of active HCV in this city is currently unavailable. Methods Blood samples were collected randomly from individuals visiting different clinical laboratories in Lahore. Serum was separated and processed by nested PCR qualitative assay for the detection of HCV RNA. The samples were categorized into different age groups on the basis of pre-test questionnaires in order to record the age-wise differences regarding the prevalence of active HCV. Data were analyzed statistically using Chi-Square test. Results Out of the 4246 blood samples analyzed in this study, 210 were confirmed to be positive for active HCV infection. Gender-wise active HCV prevalence revealed no significant difference [OR = 1.10 CI = (0.83-1.46), p > 0.05]. However, among the age groups the highest prevalence was observed in the age groups 20-29 (7.7%) and 30-39 years (6.4%) with odds of prevalence of 14.8% (OR = 2.48, CI = (1.40-4.38), p < 0.05) and 10.3% (OR = 2.03, CI = (1.10-3.71), respectively. In age groups above 40 years (40-49, 50-59 and >59 years), a decrease in levels of active HCV prevalence was observed. Conclusions Among tested samples, 4.9% of the subjects were confirmed to harbour active HCV infections and the "middle aged" population in Lahore was found to be at a higher risk of the HCV ailments compared to both their younger and older peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peaches are well-liked amongst the stone fruits in Pakistan. The peach industry faces significant losses, from harvesting to marketing. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of foliar sprays of salicylic acid (SA) on the fruit quality of peaches (cv. 'Flordaking') at the harvest and postharvest life or stages. Different concentrations of SA (control, 1, 2 and 3 mM) were sprayed on the plants at three growth stages of fruit, i.e., the cell division, cell enlargement and pit-hardening stages. In general, all the SA treatments improved the fruit quality at harvest and maintained higher levels of flesh firmness, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid during storage. However, fruit weight loss, soluble solid contents, membrane leakage, chilling injury, color development, disease and decay incidence and the climacteric peak of ethylene were lowered by SA treatment after six weeks of low-temperature storage. SA at a 3-mM concentration was proven to be the most effective in maintaining the quality for a longer period of time during low-temperature storage. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the application of SA at fruit development stages can improve the harvest quality and storability of 'Flordaking' peaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]