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The primary objective of this research was to examine the correlation between financial sector development, savings, and economic growth in Pakistan. As a developing nation, Pakistan holds considerable potential to enhance its economic condition through natural resources and favorable geographic allocation for both domestic and foreign investment. To accomplish this goal, the research utilized 2SLS techniques and yearly time-series data spanning from 1980 to 2022. The outcomes of all equations demonstrated that financial development is adversely impacted by inflation. Furthermore, high-interest rates are unfavorable for economic growth as they motivate individuals to deposit their funds in banks instead of investing them, which eventually leads to a reduction in economic activity. On the other hand, output had a positive connection with savings, whereas inflation had a negative impact on savings. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of developing the financial sector and promoting savings mobilization for fostering economic growth in Pakistan. These findings could assist policymakers and the government in implementing strategies to enhance the economic development of the country.

Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that act mainly by disrupting the structure of bacterial cell membranes and are found in many compartments of the body. Defensins play a central role in defense against pathogens and they are considered part of the innate immune response. Material and methods-Reagents: Animal cell culture media - Growth medium D-MEM, RPMI and alpha -MEM was purchased from gibco, CA, USA. Fetal bovine serum (FBS)was obtained from Invitrogen, CA, USA. DAPI, agarose was purchased from SRL, India. Penicillium streptomycin solution was obtained from himedia, Mumbai, India. Animal modal: In bred populations of Swiss albino mice of either sex and at 6-8 weeks of age were used. Mice obtained from the Animal House, All India Institute of Medical Science, NewDelhi-110029 and India Standardization, Isolation and purification and characterization of bone marrow from Swiss albino mice. Bone marrow is consisting of multiple type of stem cells such as -Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) which are multipotent stem cells that have the potential to self-renew and differentiate into a variety of specialized cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and neurons. Result: Cells were harvested by adherence purification, the adherence of cells which is a symbol of macrophage and acentric nucleus is visible in DAPI stain. The extended cytoplasmic surface and CD14 positive staining show the purified macrophage as 98% purity. BM-MSC were harvested by adherence purification, the adherence of cells to the plastic culture dish surface is a symbol of Mesenchymal stem cell and nucleusis visible in DAPI stain. Conclusion: This procedure is widely used to study macrophage biology since moderate numbers of resident, unstimulated macrophages can easily be obtained fromthe peritonealcavity.

Rice (Oryza sativa L) is an important source of food, as the population of the world is increasing the additional supply of rice is requisite to feed the population. Moringa leaf extract, salicylic acid and zinc sulphate are excellent growth regulators used worldwide. A field experiment was conducted on rice at Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. Fine rice (super basmati) was sown by two methods (S1= transplanting method and S2= direct-seeded rice) supplied with three growth regulators G1= moringa leaf extract (30 times diluted), G2= salicylic acid (50 mg per liter) and G3= zinc sulphate (50 g per liter) as foliar applications and G0devised as control treatment. Foliar application of growth regulators to respective treatments was done at two stages (before and after flowering). Data regarding growth (crop growth rate, photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance), yield (number of grains per panicle, thousand grains weight, grain yield, biological yield and harvest index) and quality (normal kernel, sterile kernel, amylose contents, protein contents and brown rice rate) were studied. Compiled results of the study showed that moringa leaf extract along with the transplanting method performed better in most of the parameters than all other treatments. Transplanting with salicylic acid gave better results in the normal kernel, amylose contents and protein contents whereas zinc sulphate gave better results in brown rice rate.

Purpose: Over and under dose application and of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leads to inferior growth and yield reduction in field crops. Different nutrients have synergetic and antagonistic effects according to soil properties, climate, crop type and management practices at the same time. Research Methods: In this field study, we tried to explore the combined effect of N and P on peanut phenology, yield and soil N and P status. Three N (N1=20, N2=40, N3=60 kg ha-1) and three P (P1=60, P2=80, P3=100kg ha-1) application rates were applied in a split-plot complete randomized design in 2016 and 2017 growing seasons of peanut, while after harvesting of peanut field was fallow. Findings: Our results demonstrated that combined or individual application of N and P not affected phenophases of peanuts (germination, flowering and pegging) except physiological maturity, and a low rate of N application increased maturity duration time in peanut. While pod production in low N doses was more as compared to high dose application of N and P, except N3P2 in both years, a greater number of pods attained less grain weight and lower yield. Concurrently, a higher dose of N and P individually produced higher yield (2614, 2647 in N3, 2549, 2527 kg ha-1 in N2) and lower yield was quantified 2216 and 2205 in N1 in both years (2016-2017) respectively. Similarly, 2658, 2647, and 2496, 2507 kg ha-1 were weighted in P3 and P2 respectively. But their combined effect was non-significant (P0.05). In the case of soil total N and available P, N increment doubled (~0.8 g kg-1) as compared to initial N status regardless of N application rate but P had no effect on available P contents in upper soil (0-15 cm) surface. So, peanut cultivation can be a promising strategy for N increment in a semi-arid area of Pakistan. Limitations: Due to the limited availability of funds, we analyzed areas of topsoil (0-15). It will be better to do soil analysis in depth for further studies. These findings are valuable for researchers, farmers, and regional agriculture departments, because alternation in nitrogen rate application didn’t change the soil N level with the combination of phosphorus in peanut. So, Findings suggested that low N application was enough for peanut cultivation. Nitrogen and phosphorus have a significant effect on the growth and yield of peanuts. Peanut crop needs the half amount of nitrogen than phosphorus because it is a leguminous crop and has nitrogen factories in the root nodules.

Water scarcity is the most serious issue in crop production around the globe. Because of less water availability, various breeding and agronomic management techniques are being used to cope with this issue. For this purpose, a pot experiment was performed to screen hybrids and synthetic maize cultivars for drought-tolerance under various irrigation regimes at green-house of Agronomic Research Farm, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan during 2017. Experimental treatments comprise five maize hybrids viz. H1=DK-6317, H2=DK-6724, H3=P-1543, H4=P-1429, and H5= P-1574 and three locally synthetic maize cultivars viz. S1= Neelum, S2= Pak- Afghoi, and S3= Sadaf and three irrigation regimes viz. Control (CK) =80%WHC (water holding capacity), low drought (LD) =60% WHC and severe drought (SD) =40% WHC. It was resulted that irrigation regimes significantly affect growth and plant water relation. Results regarding maize hybrids growth showed that maximum plant height (5.20, 46.8 and 38.77 cm), number of leaves (6.41, 6.19, and 5.65), leaf area per plant (415.5, 361.5 and 305.8 cm2), dry weight of shoot per plant (6.09, 5.09 and 4.39 g) and dry weight of root per plant (0.85, 0.82 and 0.78 g) was obtained from DK-6724 under CK, LD and SD, respectively. While the minimum plant height (45.23, 36.47 and 28.87 cm), number of leaves (5.38, 5.05 and 4.79), leaf area per plant (11.87, 10.99 and 10.01 cm2), dry weight of shoot per plant (5.71, 4.75 and 4.02 g) and dry weight of root per plant (0.66, 0.63 and 0.61 g) was measured in P-1429 under CK, LD and SD, respectively. Likewise, in synthetic cultivars, Neelum performed well followed by Pak-Afghoi and Sadaf in all irrigation regimes. Results regarding plant water relation revealed that DK-6724 and Neelum maintained their osmotic potential and are considered as drought-tolerant. While P-1429 and Sadaf could not maintain their osmotic potential and were considered as drought-sensitive under normal and drought stress.

Trade openness is the foundation of economic growth for developed as well as underdeveloped countries. Many countries are now trying to promote their energy sector because energy is an important factor in the production process. A country can trade with other countries only if the country has a surplus of production of Goods and Services. This is the key factor for the development of a country. This study provides empirical evidence of energy use and trade openness on carbon dioxide emission in Pakistan’s economy by using annual time series data from 1976-to 2019. Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Philips Perron tests are employed to check the stationary of the variables, and the ARDL method is employed to check the long-run relationship of variables. The result explores the effect of energy on the trade openness of Pakistan. Trade is the most significant variable in both the long run and short run. The CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) becomes the cause of environmental degradation. This study recommends that government must take serious steps regarding trade policies in Pakistan. Government must also take care of the poor farmers and traders through subsidies. With good policy implications, the trade level of a country will increase.

The aim of this paper is to find the relationship among government and private capital formation in Pakistan during the period 1981 to 2018. This study employs Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) bound test. The results show that government infrastructure investment negatively effects on private infrastructure capital formation in long run and short run, indicating that government infrastructure investment crowds out private infrastructure investment. In determining the role of the government in investment and liberalization policies, the results of this paper have important policy implications.

Muhammad Asif Syed,1 Aneela Atta Ur Rahman,2 Muhammad Nadeem Shah Syed,3 Naveed Masood Memon4 1Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Karachi, Pakistan; 2Department of Community Medicine & Public Health Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan; 3Federal NSTOP Officer, National Emergency Operation Center, Islamabad, Pakistan; 4Provincial Disease Surveillance and Response Unit, Hyderabad-Sindh, Field Epidemiology & Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Karachi, PakistanCorrespondence: Muhammad Asif SyedField Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) Pakistan, Karachi, Sindh, PakistanTel +0092-286-34-77Email asif.mph@gmail.ccomIntroduction: Drug-induced aplastic anemia has long been a menacing outcome of modern pharmacotherapy. The incidence of idiosyncratic, drug-induced aplastic anemia varies depending on the genetic susceptibility and the associated drug. Only scarce studies have explained the epidemiology and actual incidence of this reaction.Purpose: The aim of the study was to establish the association between drugs and aplastic anemia.Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 191 cases and 696 controls at a tertiary hospital for blood diseases in Karachi-Pakistan. Cases were patients of aplastic anemia diagnosed through bone marrow biopsy. The controls did not have either AA or chronic diseases. Each case was paired with four sex and age group match controls. Cases and controls were compared with respect to the drugs used. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed in order to delineate the association.Results: Median age of the study-participants was 27 years (04– 69 years). The majority 84 (44%) were from age group 16 to 30 years. The male-to-female ratio was 2:1. Among study participants, various drugs were significantly associated with aplastic anemia. Treatment of epilepsy with carbamazepine showed a positive association (OR=2.7, 95% C.I, 1.0– 6.8). An increased risk of aplastic anemia was noted with exposure to thiazide (OR=3.1, 95% C.I, 1.3– 7.4) and mebendazole (OR=3.7, 95% C.I, 1.5– 9.2). However, risks were not increased with chloramphenicol, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, and herbal medicine.Conclusion: This large-scale case–control study provide association of aplastic anemia with exposure to carbamazepine, thiazides and mebendazole in population of Pakistan. Patients should be monitored with complete blood indices for early detection of drug toxicity.Keywords: drug induced aplastic anemia, case–control study, Karachi, Pakistan

Calving difficulty is associated with cow mortality, calf loss, veterinary and labor costs, and causes delayed return to estrus and lower conception rate. Dystocia is common in heifers, and the frequency decreases with the increasing age of the cow. Farmers need to consider both genetics and management factors in an attempt to reduce dystocia. Calf birth weight, the pelvic area of the dam and their interrelationships are major determinants of dystocia. The weight of the calf is governed by genetic, environmental and management factors. Genetic factors include sex, length of gestation, breed, inbreeding, and genotype. Non-genetic factors include age and parity of the dam, nutrition of the dam during various phases of gestation, and environmental temperature and humidity. Dystocia management must begin with a selection of heifer for mating with respect to the body weight of heifers, body condition score (BCS) and dam’s pelvic area should be considered before heifer selection. Not only heifer selection but sire selection using an estimated breeding value for calving ease should also be considered to lessen the dystocia rate in a herd. A combination of culling heifers with small pelvic areas and using bulls reported to be calving ease sire may reduce dystocia significantly. Apart from all these factors, genomic selection for reducing calving difficulties is a new tool for dystocia management.

BACKGROUND: Stopping serotype 1 wild poliovirus transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan requires ensuring all children 90% across HRMP type, ethnic group, language and mobility means. CONCLUSION: Large numbers of HRMPs were found across Pakistan, with substantial links throughout the country and with Afghanistan. While vaccination coverage of HRMPs was high, ensuring these populations are consistently vaccinated remains a priority.

Earlier, it was said that a bull is half of the herd because of its half contribution towards the genetic makeup in each subsequent generation. Nowadays, bulls are considered more than half of the herd because of the extensive use of frozen semen samples in artificial insemination. Bull's low fertility accounts for a major economic loss to livestock farmers. It is well known that fertility is a low-heritable trait governed by many factors such as genetics, epigenetics, climate, stress, and physical soundness. Apart from all these factors, the nutritional status of the bull also affects the semen quality. It has been seen that a bull given undernutrition at an early age is affected by androgen synthesis and semen quality. The nutrition given to the pregnant dam also affects the male progeny's postnatal semen quality. However, more studies are needed to elucidate the effect of periconception nutrition on the fertility of progeny as far as bulls are considered. This review focused on the effect of maternal undernutrition during the periconception period and undernutrition during the early growth phase of bull calves on the postnatal fertility of bulls.

Recognition of peatlands as a key natural store of terrestrial carbon has led to new initiatives to protect and restore them. Some afforested bogs are being clear-felled and restored (forest-to-bog restoration) to recover pre-afforestation ecosystem function. However, little is known about differences in the peat properties between intact, afforested and restored bogs. A stratified random sampling procedure was used to take 122 peat cores from three separate microforms associated with intact (hollows; hummocks; lawns), afforested and restored bogs (furrows; original surface; ridges) at two raised and two blanket bog locations in Scotland. Common physical and chemical peat properties at eight depths were measured in the laboratory. Differences in bulk density, moisture and carbon content between the afforested (mean = 0.103 g cm−3, 87.8% and 50.9%, respectively), intact (mean = 0.091 g cm−3, 90.3% and 51.3%, respectively) and restored bogs (mean = 0.095 g cm−3, 89.7% and 51.1%, respectively) were small despite their statistical significance. The pH was significantly lower in the afforested (mean = 4.26) and restored bogs (mean = 4.29) than the intact bogs (mean = 4.39), whereas electrical conductivity was significantly higher (mean: afforested = 34.2, restored = 38.0, intact = 25.3 μS cm−1). While significant differences were found between treatments, effect sizes were mainly small, and greater differences in pH, electrical conductivity, specific yield and hydraulic conductivity existed between the different intact bogs. Therefore, interactions between geographic location and land management need to be considered when interpreting the impacts of land-use change on peatland properties and functioning.

Almost all species at the time of origin were seasonal breeders for assurance of feed to their young ones for better survival. But as domestication started this phenomenon is no more applicable for most of the species. Goats of the temperate regions are still seasonal breeders. Period of sexual quiescence can be minimized by different strategies like hormonal, male effect, etc. to get progeny throughout the year., {"references":["Arroyo, L.J., Gallegos-Sanchez, J., Vila-Godoy, A., Berruecos, J.M., Perera, G., Valencia, I. 2007. Reproductive activity of Pelibuey and Suffolk ewes at 19º north latitude. Animal Reproduction Science. 102: 24-30.","Chemineau, P., Malpaux, B., Delgadillo, J.A, Guerin, Y., Ravault, J.P, Thimonier, J., Pelletier, J. 1992b: Control of sheep and goat reproduction: use of light and melatonin. Animal Reproduction Science. 30: 157-184.","Gómez-Brunet, A., Santiago-Moreno, J., del Campo, A., Malpaux, B., Chemineau, P., Tortonese, D.J., Gonzalez-Bulnes, A., López-Sebastian, A. 2008. Endogenous circannual cycles of ovarian activity and changes in prolactin and melatonin secretion in wild and domestic female sheep maintained under a long-day photoperiod. Biology of Reproduction. 78: 552-562.","Malpaux, B. 2006. Seasonal regulation of reproduction in mammals. In Knobil and Neill´s Physiology of Reproduction. Third Edition. Ed. D Neill Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 2231-2281."]}

Mid-latitude fjords have recently been identified as important environments for carbon storage. This research highlights the importance of the lateral transport of carbon from land to sea as we assess the influence of catchment land use (primarily forestry) on carbon transport and sediment carbon burial. Establishing the influence of land use, specifically forestry, on coastal biogeochemical cycling is particularly important if afforestation is to help mitigate climate change impacts, and to better understand the impact of deforestation. The relationship between carbon and iron in fjord sediments is the focus of this study. We provide insights into carbon and iron coupling in a mid-latitude fjord. Here we show the variability of carbon burial, and how this is influenced by terrestrial inputs and iron speciation in fjord sediments. We use bulk organic carbon and elemental data, isotopic analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy and chemical extractions to better understand the relationship between carbon and iron. Observed decreases in organic carbon from the upper to lower basin are influenced by the input of terrestrial material. Organic carbon is up to three times higher in the upper basin and terrestrial organic carbon is ~20% higher in comparison to the lower basin of the fjord. The strength of the reactive iron signal is found to vary vertically (with depth, over time) and laterally (from upper – lower basin) within this fjord. Results highlight that there is a changing relationship between iron and carbon within this system. Understanding land-sea controls on coastal carbon transport and burial is crucial during this period of climate change.

Muhammad Asif Syed,1 Aneela Atta Ur Rahman,2 Abdul Ghani,3 Muhammad Nadeem Shah Syed,4 Muhammad Ilyas Siddiqui,2 Hina Riaz,5 Feriha Fatima Khidri,6 Nayyar Nawaz Baloch1 1Field Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Karachi, Pakistan; 2Department of Community Medicine & Public Health Sciences, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan; 3Department of Health, Jam Ghulam Qadir Government Teaching Hospital, Hub, Pakistan; 4National Emergency Operation Center, National Stop Transmission of Polio (N-STOP), Islamabad, Pakistan; 5Department of Physiology/Medical Research Centre, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan; 6Medical Research Centre, Bilawal Medical College, Jamshoro, PakistanCorrespondence: Muhammad Asif SyedField Epidemiology Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), Karachi, Sindh, PakistanTel +0092-333-286-34-77Email asif.mph@gmail.ccomIntroduction: In Pakistan, the incidence rate of aplastic anemia is 3.5 cases/million. The associated risk factors are exposure to pesticides, chemicals, and some drugs. The link between aplastic anemia and socio-demographic factors is debatable.Purpose: We conducted this study to investigate the role of socio-economic and -demographic factors with aplastic anemia.Methodology: A total of 191 lab-confirmed incident cases of aplastic anemia were identified from the tertiary hospital of Karachi-Pakistan in between 2015 and 2018. Age and gender-matched 694 controls were randomly selected from the same institute admitted or visited for other non-neoplastic conditions. Socio-demographic and exposure information was gathered using a data collection form. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed for selected socio-demographic factors.Results: Among socio-demographic factors, significant associations of aplastic anemia risk emerged for illiteracy (aOR: 2.3; 1.5; 3.5) occupation (any type) (aOR: 2.1; 1.7; 2.5), living in rural environments (aOR: 2.9; 1.9; 4.2). The odds of aplastic anemia increased with the age group 31– 50 years (aOR: 1.8; 1.7; 3.5) and > 50 years (aOR: 2.5; 2.1; 4.2). We observed no association of income with the risk of aplastic anemia.Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of socio-demographic factors as a risk factor for the development of aplastic anemia in the population of Pakistan. In order to reduce disease incidence, health education program and use of personal protective equipment and organization of screening camps in high-risk population is warranted.Keywords: aplastic anemia, Socio-demographic factors, case-control study, Pakistan

To participate in sperm-oocyte fusion, spermatozoa need to be motile. In the testes, spermatozoa are immotile, although these gametes acquire the capacity for motility during the transit through the epididymis. During the period of epididymal transport from the male genital tract to the female genital tract, spermatozoa exhibit various types of motility that are regulated by complex signalling and communication mechanisms. Because motility is very dynamic, it can be affected by small changes in the external or internal environment of spermatozoa within a very short time. This indicates that regulatory membrane proteins, known as sperm ion channels, are involved in the regulation of sperm motility. Research results from studies, where there was use of electrophysiological, pharmacological, molecular and knock-out approaches, indicate ion channels are possibly involved in the regulation of sperm membrane polarisation, intracellular pH, motility, energy homeostasis, membrane integrity, capacitation, hyperactivity, acrosome reaction and fertilisation processes. In this review, there is summarisation of the key functions that ion channels have in the regulation, initiation, maintenance, and modulation of sperm motility. In addition, in this review there is highlighting of novel insights about the pathways of ion channels that are activated in spermatozoa while these gametes are located in the oviduct leading to the fertilisation capacity of these cells.

The carbon sequestration potential of peatlands has led to increasing interest in the restoration of bogs previously subjected to plantation forestry. However, little information exists about the effects on hydrological processes of what has become known as forest-to-bog restoration. The hydrological functioning of three afforested, two intact and four forest-to-bog restoration sites was compared at a raised bog and blanket bog location. For the raised bog location, the annual runoff/rainfall coefficient was 59.7% for the intact site, 41.0% for the afforested site and 53.1% for the oldest restoration site (9 years post-felling). At the blanket bog location, the coefficient was 80.6% for the intact site, 63.0% for the afforested site and 71.6% for the oldest restoration site (17 years post-felling). Compared with intact bog, median peak storm discharge was significantly greater in the restoration sites for the raised bog location but not for the blanket bog location. Water-table peak lag times were greatest, and water-table depths deepest in the afforested sites and the most recent raised bog restoration site and least in the oldest blanket bog restoration site. The estimated contribution of overland flow in the afforested sites was 2.9% for the raised bog and 11.9% for the blanket bog, increasing to 8.7% and 32.2% at the oldest restoration sites for the raised bog and blanket bog, respectively. Overall, hydrological functioning of the raised bog and blanket bog restoration sites was different from the intact sites but was most similar to intact bog in the oldest restoration sites.

There is strong evidence that the source of terrestrial carbon and iron geochemistry play an important role in organic carbon transport and preservation in coastal and marine sediments 1,2,3. There is a global drive to increase forestry and Scotland is undergoing a period of afforestation4. A portion of this is being planted in sea loch (fjord) catchments; however the effect of this increase in forestry on coastal carbon transport and storage is poorly understood. Fjord systems have recently been identified as significant terrestrial carbon stores5 therefore understanding how afforestation of these catchments changes the carbon dynamics from source to sea, is key.In this study Mossbauer spectroscopy, XRD and XRF are used to examine how iron concentration and speciation differs within Scottish fjord sediments. This preliminary data provides insight of the variation in iron speciation in fjord systems, processes controlling iron transport and speciation and potential mineral binding mechanisms in coastal sediments. This enables us to start addressing key knowledge gaps in the transport of organic carbon and iron from land (forested source areas) to sea (fjords). Thus, contributing to our overarching aim of tracing the movement and interactions of organic carbon across the terrestrial - aquatic interface.Through this project, further analytical techniques such as biomarker analysis, isotopic analysis and SEM, will be used to improve our understanding of source to sea processes in fjord systems throughout the northern hemisphere. This will hopefully enable improved understanding and quantification of local and national carbon stocks. Further insights into carbon and iron burial mechanisms may allow us to tailor land use and management around fjord environments to maximise natural carbon storage.

Afforestation is a significant cause of global peatland degradation. In some regions, afforested bogs are now undergoing clear-felling and restoration, often known as forest-to-bog restoration. We studied differences in water-table depth (WTD) and porewater chemistry between intact, afforested, and restored bogs at a raised bog and blanket bog location. Solute concentrations and principal component analysis suggested that water-table drawdown and higher electrical conductivity (EC) and ammonium (NH4-N) concentrations were associated with afforestation. In contrast, higher dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and phosphate (PO4-P) concentrations were associated with deforestation. Drying-rewetting cycles influenced seasonal variability in solute concentrations, particularly in shallower porewater at the raised bog location. WTD was significantly deeper in the oldest raised bog restoration site (~9 years post-restoration) than the intact bog (mean difference = 6.2 cm). However, WTD in the oldest blanket bog restoration site (~17 years post-restoration), where furrows had been blocked, was comparable to the intact bog (mean difference = 1.2 cm). When averaged for all porewater depths, NH4-N concentrations were significantly higher in the afforested than the intact sites (mean difference = 0.77 mg L−1) whereas significant differences between the oldest restoration sites and the intact sites included higher PO4-P (mean difference = 70 μg L−1) in the raised bog and higher DOC (mean difference = 5.6 mg L−1), EC (mean difference = 19 μS cm−1) and lower SUVA254 (mean difference = 0.13 L mg−1 m−1) in the blanket bog. Results indicate felled waste (brash) may be a significant source of soluble C and PO4-P. Mean porewater PO4-P concentrations were between two and five times higher in furrows and drains in which brash had accumulated compared to other locations in the same sites where brash had not accumulated. Creating and maintaining brash-free buffer zones may therefore minimise freshwater impacts.

There has been increasing interest in peatlands over the last two decades after their recognition as a primary worldwide carbon store and potential to mitigate climate change. Afforestation is a significant global source of peatland degradation, and concentrated efforts to restore affected peatlands are ongoing. Our study monitored the pore-water quality, with respect to the water table depth (WTD), over 18 months from a raised bog and a blanket bog study site where the first forest-bog restoration work started in 2002. We collected pore-water samples from 4 small, hydrologically disconnected catchments which included intact forestry, a near-natural bog and two restored catchments of differing ages and restoration techniques, at each of the study sites. The WTD was significantly different between the afforested catchments (deepest) and near-natural bog (shallowest), increasing with time since restoration for the restored catchments at both study sites. In periods of low rainfall, the WTD receded faster at the raised bog site, which may be because of the increased water demand from more mature tree stands. There were significant spatial and temporal variations in pore-water chemistry. However, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and soluble reactive phosphate (PO4-P) concentrations were significantly higher than the near-natural bog (difference in means of 30.37 mg L-1 and 412 µg L-1, respectively), 5-6 years after restoration. DOC and PO4-P concentrations reduced with time since restoration, and, at the blanket bog site, there was no significant difference between the near-natural bog and a catchment that had been restored 17 years earlier. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that DOC, PO4-P and nitrite (NO2-N) concentrations are controlled by similar processes and primarily a component of the restoration work; dissolved ammonium (NH4-N), water table depth and electrical conductivity were more closely associated with afforestation. Higher NH4-N concentrations within the forest pore-water are likely because of increased mineralisation rates within the peat after a lowering of the WTD through drainage and the water demands from the trees; increased electrical conductivity is likely connected to atmospheric scavenging from forest canopies. The lowland raised bog site had significantly higher mean DOC concentrations which we hypothesise could be a result of increased plant production or the hydrological differences between lowland raised bog and blanket bogs. The humic fractions of the DOC, measured by the E4:E6 ratio of absorption, were significantly higher in the restored sites of the raised bog and negatively correlated with the depth to the water below the surface. We found significant differences between the afforested microforms (furrows, original surface and ploughed ridges) for many of the pore-water variables measured, and we believe newly developed ground smoothing techniques could help restore the natural balance. Dominant vegetation cover was also a significant factor, and other methods such as plug planting of bog species could be beneficial.

The aim of our study was to characterize the voltage gated sodium channel Nav 1.8 in bull spermatozoa. Forty ejaculates were collected from four Hariana bulls and semen samples were pooled in view of the nonsignificant variations between different ejaculates. Functional characterization was undertaken using A-803467, a selective blocker of Nav1.8, and veratridine as an opener of the voltage gated sodium channels while molecular characterization was done using western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence assays. In vitro capacitation was induced using heparin, and to study the functional involvement of Nav 1.8 in regulation of capacitation induced hyper sperm motility, A-803467 was used. Selective blocking of NaV 1.8 by A-803467 at 6 and 8 μM concentration significantly (P

Greater than optimal diluting of semen for producing a large number of doses containing relatively small numbers of sperm can lead to compromised quality of sperm, post-thawing. In the present study the French mini-straw plug position was modified and the effect of re-positioning was evaluated on the quality of sperm after thawing subsequent to cryopreservation of small doses of sperm. Four types of mini-straws were used based on the position of cotton plug including no plug displacement (Type 1; Manufacturers location for plug-placement in 0.25 mL French mini-straws), and Type II, III, and IV with re-positioning the cotton plug being 2.5, 5, and 7.5 cm, respectively, further from the manufacturer's placement location. Each ejaculate was proportioned into four Aliquots (I, II, III, and IV) and diluted to 80, 60, 40, and 20, million sperm/mL, respectively. Aliquot I was placed in all types of straws, while Aliquots II, III, IV were placed only in Type I straws. Semen straws were equilibrated, cryopreserved and sperm kinetic and functional variables were evaluated post-thawing. The results indicate that in Aliquots III and IV there were lesser (P < 0.05) values for sperm kinetic and function variables compared with sperm from Aliquot I (i.e., unmodified mini-straw). In conclusion, cryopreservation of small doses of sperm in modified French mini-straws resulted in acceptable values for kinetic and function variables, post-thawing.

This work reports the applicability of self-learning for health workers in India through the methodology of Spoken Tutorial. The study was conducted in Dharavi Mumbai with 60 Anganwadi health workers. An animated tutorial on the recruitment of Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM) and Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) children were shown to the participants. Participants were found to successfully adopt the methodology. Demographic factors like age and education did not have any impact on learning.

How rainfall infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics develop over time under forests of different ages in temperate regions is poorly understood. In this study, infiltration rate and soil hydrological characteristics were investigated under forests of different ages and under grassland. Soil hydraulic characteristics were measured at different scales under a 250-year-old grazed grassland (GL), 6-year-old (6yr) and 48-year-old (48yr) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) plantations, remnant 300-year-old individual Scots pine (OT) and a 4000-year-old Caledonian Forest (AF). In situ field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) was measured, and visible root:soil area was estimated from soil pits. Macroporosity, pore structure and macropore connectivity were estimated from X-ray tomography of soil cores, and from water-release characteristics. At all scales, the median values for Kfs, root fraction, macroporosity and connectivity values tended to AF > OT > 48yr > GL > 6yr, indicating that infiltration rates and water storage increased with forest age. The remnant Caledonian Forest had a huge range of Kfs (12 to >4922 mm h−1), with maximum Kfs values 7 to 15 times larger than those of 48-year-old Scots pine plantation, suggesting that undisturbed old forests, with high rainfall and minimal evapotranspiration in winter, may act as important areas for water storage and sinks for storm rainfall to infiltrate and transport to deeper soil layers via preferential flow. The importance of the development of soil hydrological characteristics under different aged forests is discussed.

Following the declaration of eradication of wild poliovirus (WPV) type 2 in September 2015, trivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (tOPV) was withdrawn globally to reduce the risk for type 2 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV2) transmission; all countries implemented a synchronized switch to bivalent OPV (type 1 and 3) in April 2016 (1,2). Any isolation of VDPV2 after the switch is to be treated as a potential public health emergency and might indicate the need for supplementary immunization activities (3,4). On August 9, 2016, VDPV2 was isolated from a sewage sample taken from an environmental surveillance site in Hyderabad, Sindh province, Pakistan. Possible vaccination activities in response to VDPV2 isolation include the use of injectable inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), which poses no risk for vaccine-derived poliovirus transmission. Fractional-dose, intradermal IPV (fIPV), one fifth of the standard intramuscular dose, has been developed to more efficiently manage limited IPV supplies. fIPV has been shown in some studies to be noninferior to full-dose IPV (5,6) and was used successfully in response to a similar detection of a single VDPV2 isolate from sewage in India (7). Injectable fIPV was used for response activities in Hyderabad and three neighboring districts. This report describes the findings of an assessment of preparatory activities and subsequent implementation of the fIPV campaign. Despite achieving high coverage (>80%), several operational challenges were noted. The lessons learned from this campaign could help to guide the planning and implementation of future fIPV vaccination activities.

Objective: To determine the frequency and source of infection in patients with sepsis. Patients and Methods: This one year cross sectional study was carried at tertiary care teaching hospital. The criteria for selection is any patient of ≥12 years of age, either gender admitted in ward who came under the criteria for sepsis accordingly as systemic inflammatory response syndrome due to infection as existent etiology or at least with clinical evidence of infection while the necessary specific and relevant investigations were also advised and sort accordingly whereas the blood and urine sample for bacterial culture / sensitivity was collected and sent soon to confirm the diagnosis. The frequency and percentages was calculated while the numerical statistics were used to compute mean ±SD. Results: During one year study period total fifty patients diagnosed with sepsis with the mean age ±SD for whole population was 40.84±6.85 years, of fifty individuals 28 (56%) were males and 22 (44%) were females and majority belonged to rural population (60%). The organ system dysfunction identified were coagulopathy (50%), central nervous system (40%), hepatic (38%) and renal (42%). The common source of infection detected were Respiratory tract infection (16%), urinary tract infections (16%), intravenous catheters (16%) and urethral catheterization (18%) respectively. Conclusion: The study detected higher incidence of infection with gram negative pathogen was common microorganism while the common source of infections identified urethral catheterization (18%), intravenous catheters (16%), urinary tract infections (16%) and respiratory tract infections (16%). Keywords: Sepsis, Blood culture, Source of infection & Systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Objective: To evaluate the demographical and clinical profile of patients with various hematological disorders. Patients and Methods: This one year cross sectional study was conducted at tertiary care hospital for the evaluation of various haematological disorders. Complete clinical data were recorded including detail history, clinical examination and haematological study along with specific investigations and proforma filled. All the patients of ≥12 years of age, either gender presented with prolonged fever, repeated infections, unexplained weight loss, refractory anemia, recurrent bleeding episodes and on blood complete picture (CBC) had abnormalities of red blood cells /hemoglobin, white blood cells, platelet count for long duration along with abnormal peripheral smear shown the atypical / blast cells were recruited and enrolled in the study to had bone marrow aspiration & biopsy. The frequency and percentages was calculated while the numerical statistics were used to compute mean ±SD. Results: During one year study period total thirty patients diagnosed with various haematological disorders were observed. The mean age ±SD for whole population was 42.92±7.97, of thirty individuals 18 (60%) were males and 12 (40%) were females. The common clinical presentation identified as Pallor (83.3%), fever with night sweats (66.6%), recurrent infections (63.3%), loss of appetite (76.6%) and weight loss (70%). Regarding hematological disorders, megaloblastic anemia (13.3%), aplastic anemia (26.6%), acute myeloid leukemia (13.3%), myelo-proliferative disorders (13.3%) and lympho-proliferative disorders (16.6%). Conclusion: The common hematological disorders detected were megaloblastic anemia, aplastic anemia, acute myeloid leukemia, myelo-proliferative disorders and lympho-proliferative disorders while the bone marrow biopsy is a safe and simple diagnostic procedure. Keywords: Hematological disorders, Bone marrow biopsy and Bone marrow aspiration.

Objective: To determine the frequency of psychiatric diagnosis in patients involved in crime. Patients and Methods: All cases in CSJIP inpatient and outpatients referred from civil surgeon for psychiatric assessment, above 18 to 60 years and who are consenting to interview. All the patients involved in crime brought by law enforcing agencies of Pakistan through a valid legal documentation with history of offender crimes. The data was collected on semi structured proforma designed with the help of demographic variables and psychiatric diagnosis. Results: Age group 20-30 year was most common 75(38.3%). Out of 196 cases married patients were in the majority 130(66.3%). According to the psychotic diagnosis, Psychotic disorder, Bipolar disorder, Personality disorder, Substance related disorder and Development disorder were found with percentage of 35.71%, 22.95%, 20.40%, 12.75% and 08.16% respectively. Conclusion: We concluded that psychiatric diagnosis diagnosis are the most important criminal acts in the patients involved in crime and the present study detect the psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder and personality disorders with majority were between 21-30 years age group. Key Words: Psychiatric disorders, crime and Bipolar disorders

Schistosomus reflexus (SR) is seen most commonly in cattle, but is rare in sheep, goat and swine (Roberts et al., 1971). The highest prevalence of SR is believed to occur in cattle ranging from a low of 0.01% (Sloss and Johnston, 1967) to a high of 1.3% (Knight, 1996) of bovine dystocia. Such occurrences are costly to the cattle industry because of the reduction in the number of viable offspring, loss of milk production, infertility or prolonged inter-calving interval and expenses on management of dystocia. Schistosomus reflexus is a major congenital anomaly which occurs during embryonic development. The aetiology is unknown but it may be due to genetic factors, mutation, chromosomal anomalies, infectious agents and environmental factors or combination of all the factors (Ozsoy et al., 2009). The main defect is acute angulations of the vertebral column such that the tail lies close to the head. This fatal congenital syndrome is characterized by the presence of exposed abdominal and sometimes thoracic viscera (Noakes et al., 2002). The present case report describes dystocia due to schistosomus reflexus in a Hariana cow and its successful management through fetotomy.

In our previous study, we have reported the molecular presence of Na v 1.8 in bull spermatozoa and its potential involvement in regulation of sperm functions. With the selective blocking of Nav 1.8 using A-803467, alterations in sperm functions were observed, therefore, we envisaged of investigating the involvement of Na v in regulating sperm function and the mechanism(s) involved in it using veratridine, a selective opener of Na v channels. Forty ejaculates were collected from four Hariana bulls and semen samples were pooled in view of the non-significant variations between the different ejaculates. Treatment of sperm cells with veratridine (6, 8, and 10 μM) resulted in concentration- and time-dependent increase in forward progressive sperm motility and it persisted up to 6 h. However, hyperactive motility was induced by veratridine at higher concentrations (8 and 10 μM) and after 2 h of incubation, which was confirmed by subjective assessment followed by chlortetracycline staining showing the increased B-pattern spermatozoa, and thereby suggesting the involvement of Na v in regulation of capacitation in spermatozoa. To substantiate the functional study observations especially veratridine-induced capacitation, immunoblotting and indirect immune fluorescence assays were performed for detection of the tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. The immune blot study revealed the presence of five tyrosine phosphorylated proteins, namely-p17, p30, p54, p90 and p100. The p17 protein showed the highest band intensity compared to other protein bands indicating its potential involvement in the process of capacitation. Immunolocalization study revealed positive immunoreactivity for tyrosine phosphorylated proteins in the middle piece, post acrosomal region (high fluorescence) and tail of the spermatozoa (low fluorescence). From the results of present study, it is evident that activation of Na V by veratridine, especially at higher concentrations, induced capacitation which is evidently mediated through phosphorylation of the tyrosine containing proteins localized in the post acrosomal regions, middle piece and tail of the spermatozoa. However, further studies will help in unraveling the involvement of Na v and other ion channels regulating different physiological functions of sperm.