[en] Visible laser cleaning of charcoal particulates from yellow acid mechanical ground wood cellulose paper was compared with that from bleached sulphite softwood cellulose paper. About one order of magnitude of fluence range is available for a cleaning dynamics between the cleaning threshold and the destruction threshold for two laser pulses. Wood cellulose paper exhibited a higher destruction threshold of the original paper than that of the contaminated specimen because of heat transfer from the hot or evaporating charcoal particulates. In contrast, the contaminated bleached cellulose paper exhibited a higher destruction threshold due to shading by the particulates. The graphite particles are not only detached thermo-mechanically, but also by evaporation or combustion. A cleaning effect was found also outside the illuminated areas due to lateral blasting. Infrared measurements revealed dehydration/dehydrogenation reactions and cross-links by ether bonds together with structural changes of the cellulose chain arrangement and the degree of crystallinity.

[en] Some physicochemical and rheological properties of five commercial wheat varieties cultivated in Sindh, Pakistan, namely, Mehran-89, Kiran-95, Anmol-91 and Sarsabz were analyzed. These wheat varieties were obtained from wheat Research Institute, Sakrand, Sindh, Pakistan in August 2004. The results revealed that the shriveled and broken grains ranged between 0.5 to 9.0% test weight 75 to 79kg/hectoliter, thousand grain mass 31.8 to 42.2 g, moisture content 10.3 to 10.8% protein content 11.9 to 15.5% wet gluten 23 to 39.7%, dry gluten 7 to 12%, gluten index 36.6 to 85.8%, near-infrared (NIR) hardness score 53 to 61, farinograph water absorption 69.1 to 73.3%, dough development time 2 to 4.5 min, dough stability 2 to 11 min, and degree of softening 30 to 100 Brabender unit. The coefficients of correlation (r) between various quality parameters were also calculated. A significantly positive correlation oxisted between the hardness score and test weight (r 0.886). the degree of softening was found to be significantly correlated with moisture content (r = 0.943) and gluten index (r = -0.886). It was also observed that the capacity of gluten to bind water was positively correlated with farinograph water absorption (r = 0.891). (author)

[en] To determine the burden of carotid artery disease among the patients of ischemic stroke and to analyze the relationship of associated socio demographic factors including the diabetes mellitus (DM). Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from 10th May 2017 to 10th Nov 2017. Material and Methods: The sample population comprised of 190 patients of ischemic stroke presenting at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. CT-scan brain was performed to confirm the presence of acute ischemic stroke. Ultrasound Doppler was done by a consultant radiologist to assess the presence of clinically significant carotid artery stenosis. Relationship of age, gender, diabetes mellitus and duration of disease, education status, dyslipidemias and tobacco smoking was assessed with the presence of carotid artery stenosis among the patients of ischemic stroke. Results: Out of 190 patients of stroke assessed through ultrasound doppler, 53.7% showed the presence of significant carotid artery stenosis while 46.3% had no clinically significant stenosis. Hundred patients were suffering from DM. After applying the logistic regression we found that presence of DM and long duration of DM had significant association with the presence of carotid artery stenosis among the patients of ischemic stroke. Conclusion: This study showed a high frequency of carotid artery stenosis among the patients of ischemic stroke in Pakistan. Special attention should be paid to the patients who have been suffering from a metabolic disorder like DM. Long duration of DM also emerged as independent risk factor for carotid artery stenosis in our study population. (author)

[en] To assess the association between Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and semen parameters in order to evaluate whether the current laboratory reference for abnormal FSH levels should be readjusted. Study Design: Observational, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Infertility Clinic of Gynecology Unit 1, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from May 2015 to April 2016. Methodology:The study included 100 sub-fertile males inducted from the clinic. Those above 45 years of age, with hypo gonadotrophic hypogonadism, and those on anabolic steroids were excluded. After history and examination, semen parameters and FSH levels were tested. Abnormal semen values were based on WHO 1999 criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS 17 and mean, frequencies and percentages were calculated. Chi-square test was applied to check association between variables. Results: The FSH levels had a significant association with abnormal semen sperm concentration, motility and morphology but not with semen volume (p=0.246). The mean FSH level was 5.8 ±1.80 IU/L with two-thirds of individuals having value >4.5 IU/L. Frequency of semen abnormalities increased as the level of FSH increased. Conclusion: There is significantly an increased possibility of abnormal semen characteristics at FSH levels >4.5, so the current reference level should be lowered down and adjusted again. (author)

[en] Sawan Gas field is tectonically stable area as it is a part of Platform region and far away from collision zone. The present study deals with the interpretation of available seismic and well logs data to evaluate the subsurface structure to interpret the occuring of hydrocarbons in the study area of Lower Indus Basin. Seismic modeling (structural interpretations of seismic sections and 3D subsurface structure modeling) and petrophysical properties of reservoir were carried out in this work using the software SMT Kingdom Suite 8.3. Reflectors marked in all seismic sections are continuous with little folding there by indicating presence of subsurface stratigraphic-cum-structural traps. Petrophysical parameters point to presence of reservoir potentials at different depth in both wells due to low water saturation and good effective porosities. (author)

[en] To assess the efficacy of intralesional bleomycin in treating plantar warts. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jan 2015 to Sep 2015. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in Dermatology outpatient department, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jan 2015 to Sep 2015. Total of 60 plantar warts in 20 patients were treated with 1 mg/ml intralesional injection of bleomycin. Patients received a total of four doses of bleomycin every three weeks, and were followed for next three months. We categorized the response to treatment as complete or partial resolution, and nonresponsive. Results: Out of 60 warts 46 warts (76.66%) showed complete resolution and 8 (13.33%) warts showed partial resolution (p<0.001). The cure rate was better in warts smaller than 20 mm in diameter in comparison with larger lesions. After six months follow-up, 3 (15%) of the completely resolved warts showed recurrence. Recurrence was more among those with greater number of warts. Conclusion: Intralesional bleomycin injections were found to be a reliable, safe and acceptable mode of treatment for plantar warts. (author)

[en] Objective: To study the maternal and fetal outcome in pregnant and parturient women with cardiac disease admitted in Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Rawalpindi. Type of Study: Cross sectional descriptive study. Place and Duration: Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology Rawalpindi Jan 2008 to June 2008. Patients and Methods: All pregnant patients beyond 28 weeks gestation with cardiac disease diagnosed before pregnancy or during the index pregnancy admitted for delivery or with cardiac complications were included in the study. All neonates less than 2.5 kg were taken as low birth weight and deliveries between 28 and 37 weeks were considered preterm. Cardiac patients with pregnancy less than 28 weeks were excluded from the study. Results: Maternal mortality was 5% with 31% mortality in NYHA Class III and IV. Perinatal mortality was 9% and low birth weight babies were 17%.Perinatal mortality was 0% in NYHA Class I and II and 60% in NYHA class III and IV. There was no maternal mortality in booked patients. All patients who expired were unbooked. Conclusion: Functional cardiac status is the most important factor affecting maternal and perinatal outcome. Antenatal booking status of the patient is the next important factor. (author)

[en] Meteorology has an important role in helping to predict the ability of air to disperse contaminants. The operation of Multipurpose Reactor and nuclear installations support in Serpong Nuclear area (KNS) generates a potential release of radioactive substances into the environment and residents. The dispersion of radioactive substances in the air is strongly influenced by the weather conditions. In the year 2009, meteorological monitoring system has been revitalized by replacing weather sensors at a height of 4, 15 and 60 meters. In the year 2011, it has been developed on meteorological data processing by publishing on the website coupled with the monitoring of ambient air dose rate. In the year 2012, it has been developed by some changes includes addition of weather sensors at a height of 30 m, addition of hard disk capacity, replacement of Microsoft Access database format into Microsoft SQL, and improvement on data processing software of wind direction and wind speed for windrose display. The main purpose of meteorological monitoring system revitalization is to improve the quality of meteorological observations. Evaluation of the improvement of KNS meteorological monitoring system showed that all improved components have operated as expected. Validation of weather data at 30 m in the new sensor installed was done using standard range performance on the device specifications, using data filtering criteria as suggested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and comparing changes in the same parameter values for different sensor altitude. (author)

[en] Family Verbenaceae has immense importance for ornamental, forage resources, aromatic and medicinal purposes. In the present study chloroplast rps14 gene is used for determination of phylogenetic relationship among Verbenaceae species and structural validation of rps14 protein through Ramachandran plots. The rps14 gene was amplified and sequenced analysis was done by MEGA7, I-TASSER and RAMPAGE. In phylogram the Verbenaceae species show little genetic distance of 0.0050 that revealed close genetic relationship between them. The genetic diversity ranges from 0.092 to 0.017 and value of overall mean distance was 0.067. The nucleotide diversity in Tajima’s Neutrality Test was 0.063165. The phylogenetic tree based on rps14 gene depicted close relationship of Verbena tenuisecta, V. officinalis, V. bonariensis and V. incisa among them with BS value of 67% The Duranta erecta and Citharexylum spinosum show close relationship in group I with BS value of 57%. In Group II V. tenuisecta and V. officinalis depicted close phylogenetic association with BS value of 100%. The rps14 protein structure validation by RAMPAGE revealed that V. tenuisecta, C. spinosum, V. bonariensis, V. incisa and P. volubilis had good quality protein structural models because these species had ≤ 2% amino acid residues occurred in the outlier region. This study shows close genetic relationship and low genetic diversity between Verbenaceae species. The low nucleotide diversity also revealed close relationship between Verbenaceae species. The phylogenetic tree indicated close genetic relationship between Verbenaceae species with well supported BS values. The validation of rps14 protein structure by RAMPAGE predicted the best quality protein structural models. This study demonstrated the rps14 gene as useful marker for assessment of phylogenetic studies. (author)

[en] Objective: To determine the frequency of successful trials of vaginal birth after Caesarean section (VBAC) using the Flamm and Geiger model. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit II of Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from August 2022 to January 2023. Methodology: Women with singleton pregnancy having cephalic presentation, previous one lower segment caesarean section (LSCS), and without any contraindication for vaginal delivery were included. Women bearing foetus having estimated weight >3.5kg, morbid obesity, multiple pregnancies, non-cephalic presentation, placenta praevia, abruptio placentae, uncontrolled maternal comorbidities, or had previous two or more Caesarean sections were excluded. Flamm and Geiger score was applied to record observations of successful and unsuccessful trials. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the score were calculated by ROC curve, along with its area under the curve (AUC) and Youden’s index curve, with 95% confidence interval. Results: This study included 258 participants. Successful vaginal delivery was possible in 125 (48.4%) participants, whereas 133 (51.6%) underwent emergency Caesarean section. Cervical dilatation and effacement were the main factors assessing the success. The Flamm and Geiger score of >5 had an area under the curve of 0.813 (0.762-0.864). The score's sensitivity was 75% (67-82%), specificity 76% (68-82%), and PPV of 75% with an accuracy of 76%. Conclusion: The Flamm and Geiger score of >5 demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and accuracy in predicting later successful vaginal birth. It is recommended as a promising and valuable tool for assessing VBAC's success in low-resource countries. (author)