[en] The objective of this work is to numerically solve one group and multi-group steady state diffusion equation by transforming into finite difference form. A program has been developed for the solution of diffusion equation which requires suitably averaged cross sections as input. Output of the program includes multiplication factor and neutron flux in one dimension in slab, cylindrical, or spherical geometry. In addition this program has the capability of conducting a search on poison concentration to achieve a specified value of multiplication factor. The criticality search was also performed to determine the critical radius for a particular composition. (author)

[en] The major issue of the developing countries, i.e. malnutrition, results from intake of diet deficient in proteins. The problem can be resolved by searching for novel and cheap protein sources. Bioconversion of inexpensive fruit waste to an economical product like microbial protein can be useful in the present situation. The aim of the present study was to enhance the crude protein content of banana peels by Arachniotus ruber under solid state fermentation for utilization in broiler feed. Different physicochemical parameters were optimized to increase the yield. Biological evaluation was carried out by replacing 25 and 50% of sunflower meal in broiler feed with the biomass protein. Different parameters e.g.: weight gain, feed efficiency, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were recorded. The optimum conditions to achieve highest amount of crude protein (15.8%) on fermentation of banana peels was 1:1.5 substrate water ratio, 2mL inoculum volume, pH 4 after 72 hours of incubation time. Addition of glucose (0.5%), corn steep liquor (0.25%) and MgSO4 (0.05%) enhanced the yield. Outcome of the study revealed that biomass protein produced, can replace up to 50% of the protein supplied by sunflower meal with the positive effect on weight gain of the chicks. (author)

[en] Soil boron (B) deficiency has been identified in different parts of world in alkaline and low organic matter soils. However, B application is very tricky as a very small amount of B is required to be applied. Two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate B effect on sugar beet yield, industrial sugar content and B uptake. In first experiment, five treatments carrying different B application methods were used. After harvesting, results revealed that B application significantly increased beet yield, sugar content and B uptake. Another experiment was conducted with four different treatments to test how foliar B promotes soil-B uptake via roots. Boron uptake was significantly improved owing to foliar B spray (1.14 mg pot-1) in treatment where B was applied as foliar plus soil as compared to (0.08 mg pot-1) where only foliage B was applied after subtracting B value from their respective controls. The amount of B taken up by plant from soil was calculated higher in treatment where foliar B was applied relative to only soil-B applied, which suggests that foliar B application induced indigenous soil-B uptake. It was concluded that foliar B application upregulated B transporters which enhanced B uptake from soil. (author)

[en] This paper presents a study related to the assessment of the radiological impact on the environment due to the operation of the Pakistan research reactor-1 (PARR-1) at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology (PINSTECH), Islamabad. The parameters studied include the radioactivity releases in a gaseous form and also those originating from the liquid and solid wastes produced due to the operation of this research facility. The analysis is based on the environmental monitoring data for the last 10 years (1992-2002) and the conclusions have been drawn for the impact of the PARR-1 operation on the occupational workers as well as the general public living in the vicinity of the reactor site. Further, on the basis of this data, yearly average doses and the cumulative doses for the expected life of PARR-1, due to different radiation sources have been estimated. The analysis indicated that the maximum yearly doses at ground level for the occupational workers as well as for the public are a fraction of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) defined limiting values. It is, therefore, concluded that the impact of the PARR-1 normal operation on the environment is negligible and it can be regarded as ''safe to the public as well as the occupational workers''. (orig.)

[en] This Study was performed to evaluate the importance of AgNORs in different grades of Astrocytic Gliomas. It was a descriptive Study and was performed at Lahore General Hospital and Sheikh Zayad Hospital, Lahore. A total of 50 cases were collected within one year, and AgNOR staining was performed on 50 brain tumors and specimens were selected randomly. AgNOR was low, high, higher and highest in Astrocytic Gliomas, grade I (Pilocytic), II, III, and IV respectively as compared to normal brain tissue. AgNOR staining technique is a simple, quick and a cheap method to assess proliferative index in astrocytic gliomas. Proliferative activity is a good parameter to assess the disease outcome in astrocytic glioma. (author)

[en] A study on nuclear fusion reaction between proton and boron (p + ₅B¹¹ 3α + 8.7 MeV) is carried out using laser generated proton beam. The proton beam was produced focussing 150TW Ti:sapphire laser on aluminium 0.75μm thin foil target to an intensity of 10²⁰ W/cm². Natural Boron with 90% purity in the form of pellet is irradiated by the proton beam (energy subMeV to 10Mev) generated at the rear side of the target. Alpha particle emission during the nuclear reaction is recorded by CR-39 track detector kept in front of the boron pellet. Large number of tracks recorded on CR-39 detector confirms the proton-boron fusion reaction. (author)

[en] Three hundred patients of primary malignancies of the lung from Gulab Devi Chest Hospital and other hospitals of Lahore were studied. The history of the patients and their clinical findings were recorded. The sections of the tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin whereas all large cell carcinomas were stained with Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) stain. There were 255 males and 45 females with a male to female ration of 5.7:1. the age ranged from 10-90 years with a mean age of 54.13x10 3.46 years. Different tumours were significantly more (p<0.000l) in males than in females. The mean age in squamous cell carcinoma cases was significantly high (P<0.00l) as compared to adenocarcinoma. Small cell carcinoma cases had significantly low (P<0.02) mean age as compared to squamous cell carcinoma. The difference of mean age in cases of adenocarcinoma approached significant level (0.1> P>0.05) as compared with small cell carcinoma. (author)

[en] The commercially available alginic acid is mainly extracted from sea weeds. Owing to the growing demand and variation in composition of alginate extracted from different species, there is rising interest in synthesis of alginate by bacteria. Therefore, present research was designed with the aim to check the potential of different papaya wastes like peels, seeds and decayed pulp for alginate production by Azotobacter vinelandii. Optimization of physico-chemical parameters was also done. Highest amount of the biopolymer was reported on fermentation of papaya peel at 72 hours of incubation period with inoculum size of 6% (v/v), at pH 7.0, 30 degree C and agitation intensity of 200 rpm. Among different carbon and nitrogen sources tested, sucrose and peptone increased the yield of biopolymer (5.34 g/L). Alginate obtained was 98% pure in comparison to the standard. The present research is the first report on utilization of cheap papaya waste for alginate production and will be helpful to save the foreign exchange. (author)

[en] This study was conducted to see the presence of the antimycobacterial antibodies in healthy household contacts of tuberculosis patients and healthy normal subjects who have never been in contact with tuberculosis patients. A total of 200 subjects, 120 with history of household contact and 80 without such history were included in the study. Routine Haematological investigations were performed and all the sera of 200 subjects were tested who 19M, 19G and IgA anti tuberculosis antibodies using ELISA technique. There was no difference in the average age of the household contacts and non-contacts. The complaints of pyrexia, night sweats and loss of weight was more in house hold contacts as compared to non-contacts. The awareness about BCG vaccination was equal among the household contacts and non-contacts. The combined serological positivity of the household contacts was 65.8% and the combined serological positivity for non-contacts was 34.1%. There was no statistically significant difference in the presence of 19M among household contacts as compared to non-contacts. However both IgG and 19A were present in significantly higher number of household contacts as compared to non contacts. This study concludes that the persons living in the house with a patient suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis (household contact) have more chances of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis as compared to the healthy non-contacts. (author)

[en] Background: N acetyl cysteine and Berberis lycium Royale root bark have been used to treat kidney diseases. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the individual and combined effect of N acetyl cysteine and aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royale root bark in Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. This randomized control trial conducted at Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with NIH, Islamabad in 1 month from Sep to Oct 2020. Methods: Fifty Wister albino rats of 10-12 weeks old were divided into five groups with 10 in each group. Group 1 was normal control given food and water only and remaining 40 were in treatment groups. Nephrotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of Gentamicin (80mg/kg) for 6 days in group 2, 3, 4 and 5. After induction of nephrotoxicity, Group 3 was administered N acetyl cysteine 140mg/kg per oral, Group 4 was given aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royale root bark 400 mg/kg per oral and Group 5 was given both N acetyl cysteine 140mg/kg per oral and aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royale root bark 400 mg/kg per oral for 21 days. Serum uric acid was measured in all groups after 30 days to observe the reversal of renal injury. Results: The results of this study indicate that Group 3, Group 4 and Group 5 showed a decrease in serum uric acid level as compared to Disease Control Group (Group 2). However, Group 5 significantly reduced uric acid (p-0.05). Conclusion: Combined effect of N acetyl cysteine and aqueous extract of Berberis lycium Royale root bark showed improvement in uric acid level in Gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats. (author)