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Objective: To explore the perception regarding skin colour and decline in mental health due to an increased obsession with fair complexion among young adults, specifically in Pakistan. Study Design: Exploratory study. Place and Duration of Study: Public and Private Universities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Jun to Aug 2022. Methodology: Three independent focus group discussions were carried out with young adults (aged 18-35). Focus group discussions were recorded and transcribed by keeping in mind the ethical consideration. Moreover, two interviews, one with the dermatologist and the other with the beautician, were also conducted to gain more information. The data was gathered and transcribed and then, themes emerged by using Thematic Analysis. Inter-rater reliability of themes was computed by four independent raters which were found to be substantial for focus groups and each interview. Results: The results reveal major themes that emerged from the present study, which influenced young adults' perception regarding skin colour and damaged their mental health. New dimensions were revealed in which both males and females were studied, which had not previously been explored in Pakistan. Conclusion: This study identifies those factors contributing to the deteriorating mental health of a person related to skin colour and mental health professionals. The Young adults of Pakistan are dissatisfied and preoccupied with the notion of perfect skin colour, which leads them to opt for different unhealthy means to beautify themselves and damaging their mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the depression, suicidal ideation, and future concerns among domestic violence spectators. Study Design: Exploratory study design. Place and Duration of Study: Shelter Homes and Community Centres, in Rawalpindi/Islamabad Pakistan, from Aug to Nov 2022. Methodology: In-depth interviews with 30 participants aged 12 to 17 years were conducted to assess the future apprehensions and worries of domestic violence spectators. Interviews were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Transcribed data were critically reviewed, and themes were identified. Inter-rater reliability was calculated with the help of Cohen Kappa and was found to be in substantial agreement. Results: The study findings identified major themes related to psychological issues and future apprehensions among participants who witnessed domestic violence. Maladaptive relationships with parents and intensification of social problems such as isolation, self-harm, social withdrawal, suicidal ideation, difficulty in making friends, and apprehensions about the future relationship with a partner were also perceived as serious future concerns among domestic violence spectators. Conclusion: Domestic violence takes a toll on the mental and physical well-being of not only its victims but also its spectators. Early detection and prevention of violent exposure are essential to mitigate its long-term psychological impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungicidal potential of three different concentrations (3.15, 6.30 and12.5 mg mL-1) of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of shoot and root of Cenchrus pennisetiformis (Hochst. & Steud) Wipff was evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici under Cr(III) and Cr(VI) toxicity. Ethyl acetate sub-fraction of methanolic root extract exhibited greater antifungal activity than that of shoot extract either alone or combined with the metal ions. Different concentrations of Cr(VI) were found to be more inhibitory to F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici than that of Cr(III). Various concentrations (3.15-12.5 mg mL-1) of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of methanolic root and shoot extracts significantly decreased fungal biomass by 20-70% and 10-50%, respectively over negative control (without Cr ions or plant extracts). Fungal biomass was significantly declined by 60-90% and 40-60% due to different concentrations (100, 200 and 300 ppm) of Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively, over negative control. There was up to 100% and 80% reduction in the fungal biomass due to combined effect of ethyl acetate sub-fraction of root and shoot extract, respectively, with various concentrations of Cr(III) or Cr(VI). It was concluded that ethyl acetate sub-fractions of both methanolic shoot and root extracts exhibited significant antifungal potential against F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici in the presence as well as in the absence of Cr ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophomina phaseolina is the cause of charcoal rot in green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] and black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. A pot experiment was carried out in March 2013 to study the effect of soil amendment with a biological control agent Trichoderma harzianum and dry biomass of a brassicaceous weed Sisymbrium irio on charcoal rot disease of green gram. The present experiment was a continuation of that study and carried out in the same pots in September 2013 to study the effect of the soil amendments on crop growth of black gram. In general, number of leaves, and various root and shoot growth parameters were significantly decreased due to M. phaseolina inoculation. Application of 1, 2 and 3% dry biomass of S. irio or T. harzianum separately failed to alleviate biotic stress of M. phaseolina. However, combined application of 1% dry biomass of S. irio and T. harzianum significantly increased number of leaves by 23% over positive control inoculated only with M. phaseolina. Various parameters of root and shoot growth were also higher in this treatment as compared to other soil amendment treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study conducted during 2009-10 prescribed the potential of varyingly devised osmotic constrains on germination and growth as well as mycorrhizal association of Parthenium hysterophorus, an alien and highly invasive weed species. The effects of differential salinity concentrations of three selected salts viz. NaCl, KCl, and MgSO4 were evaluated on germination and growth of P. hysterophorus in lab as well as field trials at Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore. The different concentrations of test salts for lab experiments were 10, 20, 30, 40 mM, and for field experiments were 500, 750, 1000, 1250 mM. The control treatment with simple water irrigation was marked as 0 (zero). The parthenium plants were allowed to grow in silty loam textured soils in pots. Twenty five days old seedlings were allowed to establish in the pots. Saline sprays with test salts were carried out one week after transplantation. In the results, different salts had different mechanisms of affecting the plants. Average decline of 86% was observed in germination of parthenium against maximum concentrations. In both of the lab and field experiments, shoot and root fresh weights were severely affected in comparison to the dry weights. Mycorrhizal colonization was higher in the control treatments against all the saline conditions. Significant decline in chlorophyll content was evidenced in case of KCl. The salinity threshold of P. hysterophorus was estimated up to 0.75 M, growth was strongly decreased and growth was significantly reduced at higher salinity regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing consumption of soft drinks, juices, and other beverages as a replacement for water have made the fluoride content in beverages an important issue. Fluoride intake greater than a certain limit may increase the risk for and development of dental fluorosis. This study was designed to evaluate the fluoride content in some commonly used brands of industrialized beverages consumed in Rawalpindi, a highly populated city of Pakistan. All the samples were chosen on the basis of their high public demand. an ion selective electrode (ISE) was used for the determination of the fluoride contents in juice and soft drink samples. The concentration of fluoride observed in all the analyzed samples ranged between 0.002 mg/L and 0.2 mg/L. The concentration of fluoride in most of the examined beverages was below 0.1 mg/L and lay within the values provided by the USDA database on the fluoride content of particular beverages. Therefore, it was concluded that ingestion of these beverages where concentration was below 0.1 mg/L at moderate level may not increase the human exposure to fluoride. However, a few brands were identified with greater concentrations of fluoride that may affect the teeth and skeleton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr(III) removal ability of indigenous soil fungus of Pakistan (i.e. Rhizopus arrhizus Fisher) was checked through batch trails. Experiments were performed by taking 0.1 g of powdered fungal biomass in 100 mL of metal solution kept at 150 rpm for 3 hours. Results of FTIR spectroscopy revealed that amine (-NH2) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups participated in Cr(III) binding with the fungal biomass. There was an inversely proportional relationship between adsorption efficiency and capacity on increasing initial metal concentration in the range of 20-100 mg/L. The adsorption capacity of fungal biomass was 43.47 mg/g as determined by Langmuir isotherm. High correlation coefficient (R²: 0.99) acquired through Langumir and Frendulich models adequately described the adsorption mechanism on fungal biomass. pH optimization trials in the range of 2-10 exhibited significantly greater adsorption efficiency of 75% at pH 4, while metal removal rate declined with increasing pH. Adsorption/adsorption trials with four acids indicted that maximum desorption of Cr(III) was found with HCl, followed by HNO3, CH3COOH, and H2SO4. Adsorption-based trials summarized that R. arrhizus is a potential and inexpensive biomaterial with viable application in the removal of Cr(III) from the aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]