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Continuous increase in the population of the world along with multiple nutrient deficiencies and poor water use efficiency offers a challenging scenario for agriculture sector to meet the increasing demand of food. Use of organic amendments like biochar and compost has been suggested as a novel approach for restoration of degraded soil further improving crop productivity and water productivity. Thus here, we have reviewed the publications on individual and combined application of biochar and compost to find out the potential role of these amendments in agriculture sector. We have concluded that (1) data on well-designed field studies and long-term effect of biochar and compost is limited; (2) traditional methods have been adopted for production of biochar and compost; and (3) biochar and compost have the potential to enhance soil fertility, crop production and water productivity with reduced environmental impacts. Furthermore, combined application of biochar and compost found to be more effective as compared to sole application of these amendments. This review article will play a dynamic role for scientists to conduct research to evaluate these ecological fertilizers best suited for soils, which will be helpful to reduce the chances of soil degradation caused by application of unsuitable amendments. Application of amendments not suitable for a soil may increase the demand of synthetic fertilizers thus making it uneconomical for farmers. Thus, it is suggested for the scientists and policy makers to make a great collaboration to implement this promising technology worldwide.

Organic amendments of soil have the ability to enhance crop production and influence soil health by altering its physical and chemical properties. However, studies are limited regarding field evalu...

Recently, biochar has emerged as an effective nutritive source that plays a noteworthy contribution in improving the growth of various crops. Current research signifies the role of Biochar-composite in the growth of wheat seedlings. In this study, the carbonaceous biomass synthesized from garden waste was impregnated with macro- and micro-nutrients. The effectiveness of this synthesized Biochar-composite (GW-B) was studied by using wheat (Triticum aestivum) as an experimental crop. The GW-C was applied to wheat seeds grown in petri plates and pots by supplementing them with different concentration of prepared biochar. Application of biochar composites improved the growth of wheat seedlings in both petri plates and pots in addition to enhancement in morphological attributes. Higher concentration of biocharcomposites improved the morphology of wheat seedlings in a dose-dependent manner e.g. shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, number of leaves per plant, plant height, leaf area and root length. Biochar-composite at concentration of 0.8 enhanced morphology of supplemented wheat seedlings sown in petri plates at equidistance manner over 5 layers of Whatman filter paper (no. 1). Biochar-composite of 0.03 g enhanced the morphological attribute of wheat seedling that were sown in equidistance manner in pot experiment. It was found that biochar amended soil improved the growth and morpho-physiological attributes of wheat seedlings, thereby enhancing the yield of crop.

Objective: To study the magnitude and correlates of overweight and obesity among the patients presenting with first episode of depression at a teaching hospital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Study Design: Correlational study. Place and Duration of Study: Poonch Medical College Rawalakot, from Jan 2018 to Jun 2018. Methodology: The sample population comprised of 110 patients of first episode of depression reporting in the psychiatry outpatient department at a teaching hospital in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu Kashmir. Depression was diagnosed by using the routine ICD-10 criteria for a depressive episode. Overweight were the patients with BMI 25 or more and obese were with the body mass index 30 or more. Relationship of the age, gender, smoking, family income and lipid profile were studied with the presence of overweight or obesity among these patients suffering from the first depressive episode. Results: A total of 110 patients suffering from first episode of depression were included in the final analysis. Out of these 43 (39.1%) had body mass index in normal range, 24 (21.8%) were overweight while 43 (39.1%) were obese. It was found that female gender and abnormal lipid profile at first presentation had significant association with the overweight or obesity among the target population. Conclusion: Patients with first episode of depressive illness showed high prevalence of obesity and overweight. Female patients suffering from depression and those having abnormal lipid profile indices at first presentation should be considered at a high risk of obesity and overweight.

Nanotechnology now a days recognized and widely accepted technology in industrial sector including therapeutic industry, tissue engineering, micro-electronics, automation, and drugs industry. Spinach contains phytochemicals such as saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phlobatannins, phenols and glycosides. Spinach extract is beneficial for anti-aging and protection of central nervous systems along with cure from iron deficiency, oxidative stress, diabetes, hepato-toxicity, and many diseases of eyes. Due to biodiversity of plants, green synthesis of iron nanoparticles has great potential. In this experiment phytochemical analysis of Spinach extracts were done. Initial phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phlobatannins, terpenoids and saponins at different concentration of spinach extracts. Terpenoids, flavonoids, and phlobatannins were present in aqueous extract while presence of saponins and tannins were observed in ethyl acetate extract. Iron nanoparticles were synthesized from spinach leaves extract in the presence of FeCl3. Characterization of iron nanoparticles was done by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), UV-visible spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopic analysis (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Green synthesis of iron nanoparticles was performed to investigate the antibacterial activity against human pathogen Escherichia coli. Thus, it is concluded in this study that biosynthesized iron nanoparticles have potential of biomedical activities that would be a robust benchmark for scientists towards sustainability.

The choice of the antipsychotic medication is based upon the risks, benefits and the cost. There has been still a debate that which group of antipsychotics is overall better amongst the two so we planned this study with the objective to compare the efficacy of the 1st2nd generation antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia.This RCT was conducted at in/out patient department of Psychiatry at a tertiary care hospital of Pakistan over the time period of six months. All the patients of schizophrenia between 18-50 years of age of either gender and all the socioeconomic groups were included in the study. Each patient was assessed with the Simpson-Angus Scale (SAS) for the EPS and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for the schizophrenia at the baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after starting the designated medication.The mean age of the 350 patients included in the study was 34.25±16.74 years. One hundred and forty-eight (42.3%) patients were female and 202 (57.7%) were male. The overall response of 1st Generation2nd Generation antipsychotics was 51 (140) 36% and 135 (210) 64% respectively (p-value=0.00024). Sixty-three (45%) patients who were taking 1st Generation Antipsychotics had relapse of the disease as compared to the 29 (13.7%) patients who were taking the 2nd Generation antipsychotics. Dryness of mouth, sedation and EPS were the common side effects with the 1st generation antipsychotics while dryness of mouth, cardiac arrhythmias, and sexual dysfunction were the common side effects with the 2nd generation antipsychotics.This study concluded that the 2nd generation antipsychotics were superior to the 1st generation antipsychotics among the patients of schizophrenia in terms of the success rate, relapse rate and the tolerability.

Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the levels of antioxidants after the use of Ropivacaine for anesthesia. Material and method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Nishtar Hospital, Multan during March 2019 to December 2020. To measure the levels of lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the levels of catalases (CAT), samples were taken from the vein before anesthesia (0 min) and at 5, 15, and 60 min. after anesthesia. Results: The levels of MDA , SOD and GSH slightly increased at 5 min after spinal injection of ropivacaine and this increase continued throughout anesthesia (PConclusion: In conclusion, we found that spinal injection of ropivacaine increased free radical levels in spinal fluid which may be supported antioxidant environment of spinal fluid during anesthesia.

Objectives of the study: The main objective of the study is to find the relationship of high blood pressure and heart stroke in Pakistan. Methodology of the study: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Nishtar Hospital, Multan during January 2019 to July 2019. This research will help towards next findings of effect of blood pressure in high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases. Results: The data shows that there is a significant relationship between high blood pressure and CVD. There is also some positive relationship between socio-economic status and high blood pressure with respect to CVD. Conclusion: In conclusion, Increase in number of deaths due tocardiovascular diseasesin recent years diverted researchers' attention to prevention and controlling of HBP which is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases.