[en] The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on the increase. Among the other factors, obesity is considered to be a major contributor in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes by disturbing the metabolic regulators of the body. These regulators are certain hormones and peptides produced in the adipocytes and control the intermediary metabolism of the body. These regulators regulate the lipid load up to a certain level and beyond that complication arises. Diabetes mellitus is one of the complications among others. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of action of these regulators under the influence of lipid load and discusses the factors affecting the rehabilitation of the regulators.

[en] Allelopathic potential of Digera muricata was tested on different crops by germinating them in different concentrations of D. muricata extract. It was observed that germination of all test species were highly affected in the higher concentration of D. muricata extract. Bulrush-millet was the most affected species. Decaying plant material of D. muricata was also found to be highly phytotoxic. Maximum reduction in growth of bulrush-millet was observed in the decaying root material. Phenolic compounds (Quercetin, sinapic and ferluic acid), alkaloids (cystine and berbine) and a terpenoid (limonene) were detected from roots and shoots of D. muricata, Greater quantities of all these allelochemicals were present in the roots followed by shoots. (author)

[en] A study of vegetation structure, composition and diversity of Hub-dam catchment area was conducted. A total of 106 species were recorded of which 57 were annuals while 49 were perennials. The vegetation was dominated by small trees and shrubs. Spatial patterns within-community of plant populations using variance/mean ratio and Morisita's index was also investigated. Of the 14 perennial species investigated seven (Barleria acanthoides, Grewia tenax, Indigofera oblongifolia, Aerva persica, Rhazya stricta, Iphiona grantioides and Cymbopogon jwarancusa) predominately exhibited aggregated pattern. Four species (Acacia senegal, Prosopis juliflora, Salvadora oleoides and Calotropis procera) usually exhibited random distribution but infrequently aggregated pattern. Three species (Senna holosericea, Zizyphus nummularia and Vernonia cinerescens) showed aggregated pattern or random distribution more or less equally often. The distribution pattern of vegetation composition and the underlying environmental gradients, correspondence analysis (CA) ordination and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were employed. Group structure inherent in the vegetation was disclosed using Ward's agglomerative cluster analysis. Species diversity was measured and diversity was averaged for each group. Diversity of group I (Acacia senegal and Prosopis juliflora community type) was highest because this community included a number of mid-succession species, while diversity was lowest for group 4 (Prosopis juliflora and Capparis decidua community type) as this community was highly disturbed. In the climax community (group 3), the diversity level slightly decreased, suggesting the monopolization of resources by this community. Four major community types were recognized by Ward's cluster analysis, each of which was associated with particular topographic-edaphic factors, while one was mainly governed by anthropogenic disturbance. Biological spectrum constructed for the flora showed dominance of therophytes and chamaephytes. (author)

[en] Present study was conducted to evaluate the fungicidal property of methanolic extracts of some indigenous plants of Karachi such as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (leaves), The spesia populnea (leaves, stem and fruit), Withania somnifera (leaves and stem), Solanum surattense (shoot) and Melia azedarach (fruit) against common soil-borne phytopathogens viz., Macrophomina phaseolina, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum by using food poison technique. Among the eight methanolic extracts of tested parts of plants, seven showed antifungal activity, of which T. populnea leaves and S. surattense shoots inhibited growth of all three test pathogens. Leaves of H. rosa-sinensis did not exhibit antifungal activity. T. populnea (leaves and stem), W. somnifera (stem) and M. azedarach (fruit) suppressed growth of Rhizoctonia solani by 100 percent. T. populnea leaves and M. azedarach fruit inhibited growth of M. phaseolina by 100 percent and 82 percent, respectively T. populnea leaves inhibited 99 percent mycelial growth of F. oxysporum. It is concluded that the methanolic extracts of the tested indigenous plants contain natural fungicidal compounds, which can be used for the control of common soil-borne pathogens. (author)

[en] To determine the effect of soyabean oil supplementation on perivascular inflammation in lungs of adult mice induced by Bisphenol A (BPA). Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Animal House, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, from June to November 2016. Methodology:Thirty male and female BALB/c mice were divided into three groups, of 10 animals each. Group A animals served as control. Group B animals were given BPA at a dose of 50 mg/Kg body weight/day. Group C animals were given BPA and soyabean oil at doses of 50 mg/Kg body weight/day and 500 mg/day, respectively. All treatments were given once daily for a period of eight weeks. Animals were dissected 24 hours after receiving the last dose. Lung tissue specimen processing and H and E staining was carried out for routine histological study. Perivascular inflammation was morphometrically graded and statistically analysed using Chi-square test with p<0.05. Results: Grade 2 inflammation was recorded in two (20%) animals and grade 3 perivascular inflammation in 80% specimens in Group B; whereas 20% specimens of Group C had grade 2 inflammation and eight (80%) showed grade 1 inflammation. None of the control animals showed any inflammation. All groups were significantly different at p<0.001. Conclusion: BPA produced perivascular inflammation and con-commitant administration of soyabean oil diet protected against it in rodent. (author)

[en] The study focuses on the use of Waste Stabilization Ponds (WSP) effluent for irrigation and also aims to compare the efficiency of effluent with the Hoagland solution. Results revealed that the number of flowers, size of flower and the petals per flower increased by the use of both Hoagland solution and treated effluent while the height of plant and the fresh weight of flowers were increased significantly by the Hoagland solution only. Moreover, the leaves showed high concentration of reducing and non-reducing sugars as compared to flowers whereas, only the leaves of plants which were treated by the ponds effluent had low content of reducing sugars as compared to leaves of untreated plants serving as controls. The variation in chlorophyll content was similar to that of reducing and non-reducing sugars. In addition, leaves of plants that were treated by pond's effluent showed highest concentration of total phenol content. It is concluded that treated effluent is as effective as Hoagland for the irrigation of rose. Additionally, the use of treated effluent for irrigation reduces the demand of fresh water and the use of inorganic fertilizers for the commercial production of roses. (author)

[en] Both irrigation and potable water are in diminutive supply in most of the developing countries particularly those situated in tropical and subtropical regions where, often untreated wastewater is utilized for the purpose of irrigation. Treated wastewater has proved to be a potential asset serving as an alternate source for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Waste stabilization ponds (WSP) are considered as less costly and effective substitute for the wastewater water treatment in tropics. The principle of wastewater treatment in waste stabilization pond is based on the symbiotic relationship between bacteria and various algal species. In this study, an attempt was made to relate algal growth and different extrinsic factors using multiple regression models. The predominant algal species found in WSP systems were Chlorella, Euglena, Oscillatoria and Scenedesmus. The growth of individual algal species and overall algal growth was principally governed by temperature, total sunshine hours and Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen (TKN). The study suggested that algal bacterial symbiotic relationship works well and the dissolved oxygen production through algal photosynthesis was optimum to decompose heavy organic load resulting in oxygen-rich effluent (liquid fertilizer) which could be successfully exploited for unrestricted irrigation. (author)

[en] Objective: To determine the frequency of cerebral aneurysm in patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage on CT cerebral angiography. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Radiology, JPMC, Karachi from 5th June 2022 to 30th January 2023. Total 176 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage irrespective of gender were selected. CT angiography of cerebral vessels was performed. Cerebral aneurysm was noted as per operational definition and recorded. Results: Age range was from 18 to 60 years. Mean age was 39.516±6.77 years, Mean BMI 29.630±3.08 Kg/m2. and mean duration of symptoms was 7.721±2.40 days. Male patients were 80.1% and females were 19.9%. Cerebral aneurysm was observed in 91.4% female and 78.7% male patients. Aneurysmal percentage was slightly higher in younger (18-40 years) age group (84.2% vs 80.4%) as compared to older (40-60) age group but statistically not significant. Although total percentage of female was quite less 19.9% (n=35 vs n=141 male), in this lesser female percentage, aneurismal detection was higher as compared to male gender (91.4% vs 78.7%). Distribution of aneurysms according to vessel involved was; 28.7% along anterior communicating artery, 28.3% related to middle cerebral artery and, 22.9% were along posterior communicating vessel. Rest was distributed among other vessels including tip of basilar artery. Conclusion: In Our study aneurysms was seen 81.3% in patients of subarachnoid hemorrhage having CT angiography at our center in Karachi Pakistan. (author)

[en] This paper calculates the expected probabilities of fatigue failures and associated core damage frequencies at a 40-year and 60-year plant life for a sample of components from five PWR and BWR plants. These calculations were made possible by the development of an enhanced version of the pc-PRAISE probabilistic fracture mechanics code

[en] Objective: To evaluate histologically the deposition of iron in the epiphyseal cartilage of offspring’s of dams given iron supplementation during pregnancy and lactation in rat model. Study Design: Laboratory based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health (NIH) Islamabad, from Mar to Nov 2016. Methodology: In this study, 16 female and 4 male adult rats were chosen for breading. After confirmation of pregnancy, pregnant rats were separated in two groups. One group was given oral iron supplementation for four weeks till delivery and half of the pups fed by mothers who were given iron during lactation. The other group was kept on normal lab diet. Deposition of iron in the epiphyseal cartilage of newborn rats after four weeks was evaluated histologically in pups. Results: Iron deposition was maximum in group C i.e. 1.30 ± 0.48; in group B it was 0.20 ± 0.44. Statistically significant iron deposition (p<0.001) was observed in the growth plate of off springs when mothers were given iron supplements during pregnancy and lactation. Conclusion: Present study proves that injudicious iron supplementation through pregnancy results in deposition of iron in epiphyseal growth plate of the fetus and it can have damaging effects on bones of fetus. (author)