Objective: To determine the frequency of glucose -6phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in jaundiced neonates seen at a tertiary care hospital of Sindh. Methodology: This study was sone in the department of Pediatrics, SMBB Medical College Layari General Hospital, Karachi, Sindh from January 2019 to March 2022. A sample of 352 jaundiced neonates was included by convenient sampling (probability). G6PD enzyme assay was carried out by Color decolorization method (Sigma assay kit). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.0. Results: Out of 352 neonate 48 (12.8%) had G6PD deficiency. G6PD deficient neonates age was 4.91 +/- 2.110 days and 4.76 +/- 2.31 in those with normal G6PD levels (p=0.507). Conclusion: The present study shows 12.8% frequency of G6PD deficiency in jaundiced neonates. Screening of G6PD is recommended for jaundiced neonates presenting clinically.

Objective: The objective of this research is to evaluate the growth metrics, as well as the levels of calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, in children diagnosed with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) who are undergoing treatment with packed red cell transfusions and chelation therapy. Study design: An analytical cross-sectional study Place and duration This study was conducted in Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry Karachi from March 2022 to March 2023.

Mechanical transplanting with mat type nursery is quite a new planting technique for rice.However, optimization of seeding rate for producing mat type nursery is crucial to acquire suitable seedlings and planting density for better yield of mechanically transplanted rice (MTR).Current 2-years field study was conducted to determine effect of seeding rate (80, 90, 100 and 110 g per tray) for preparing nursery mats of fine basmati rice on plant growth, grain yield and economic benefits.Seeding rate significantly affected the growth, yield and related traits of fine basmati rice.Increase in seeding rate from 80 to 110 g per tray successively increased number of plants per tray and per hill after transplanting while decreased the root length and root/ shoot ratio of rice.Plant height was not affected significantly by seeding rate.Highest increase in number of productive tillers (8%), 1000-grain weight (8%), total dry biomass (14-17%) and grain yield (10-16%) was caused by 90 g seed per tray, as compared to 110 g seed per tray.Order of grain yield produced by different seeding rates was 90 > 80 > 100 > 110 g per tray.Economic analysis exhibited that maximum net returns and benefit cost ratio (BCR) was achieved by using 90 g seed per tray.In conclusion, 90 g seed per tray improved the grain yield by enhancing number of productive tillers and grain weight of fine basmati rice; hence, could be adopted for better productivity and economic benefits of mechanically transplanted fine basmati rice.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anemia and intestinal parasite infection in school-going adolescent girls. Study design: A cross-sectional study Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Hamdard University of Medicine and Dentistry Karachi from march 2021 to march 2022. Methodology: There were eight schools in the research area, and three were chosen at random. Each school used universal sampling, and 250 voluntarily participating girls were included in the study. A sample of the morning's stool was taken for microscopic analysis, and hemoglobin levels were calculated. Relevant data were gathered using a structured questionnaire that had been evaluated beforehand, and SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. Results: The most often isolated organism is Entamoeba histolytica, which is followed by Giardia intestinalis (5.2%), hookworm (4.4%), and Ascaris Lumbricoides (3.2%). A total of 36% of patients had intestinal parasite infection, according to the research. Mild, moderate, and severe anemia were found to be present in them at rates of 12.8%, 46.8%, and 25.2%, respectively, with a prevalence of anemia of 84.8%. Anemia, insufficient hand washing techniques, and intestinal parasite infection were all found to be statistically significantly correlated. Practical implication: We can minimize the likelihood of acquiring iron deficiency anaemia, which would increase the morbidity of school-going girls and increase their vulnerability to malnutrition and poor academic performance, by detecting worm infestation early on through routine screening tests. Conclusion: According to the study, female school-going children had a significant prevalence of anemia and intestinal parasite infection. Preventive interventions, such as regular deworming and health education about eating a diet that is nutritionally balanced, taking iron supplements, and practicing good personal hygiene, are required for parents and their children in order to avoid and minimize the burden of disease. Keywords: Anemia, Worms infestations, school-going girls, iron supplements

Objectives: The present study was conducted to detect serum calcium level in neonatal seizures presenting at a Tertiary Care Hospital. Study Design: Case control study. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, Shaheed Muhtrama Benazir Bhutto Medical. College Layari General Hospital, Karachi, Sindh. Period: June 2017 to January 2018. Material & Methods: The sample comprised of 100 cases and 100 controls that were selected through non- probability purposive sampling through inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sera were separated through centrifugation of blood for measuring the serum calcium levels. Data was analyzed on SPSS software (SPSS ver 22.0, IBM, Incorporation, USA) at 95% confidence interval (P≤0.05). Results: Of 100 cases and 100 controls, the male and female were noted as 61 vs. 57 and 39 vs. 43 respectively (P > 0.05). In cases, the mean± SD Ca++ was noted as 4.17±1.58 mg/dl while in control it was noted as 8.15± 1.05 mg/dl. Ca++ levels as low as 3.07 mg/dl were noted in the neonatal seizure cases. Normocalcaemia was noted in 81 controls vs. 11 cases and hypocalcaemia in 18 controls vs. 89 cases. Conclusion: The present study reports hypocalcemia is common in neonatal seizures. Pediatricians must evaluate for timely correction of serum calcium to prevent long term neurological sequelies.

Objective: To determine the frequency of Acute kidney injury secondary to snake bite in patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital. Subject and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the department of General Medicine, Jinnah postgraduate medical center, Karachi, from 10th June 2015 to 10th Jan 2016. Patients with diagnosis of snake bite were enrolled. Detailed history, physical examination and biochemical measurements were recorded. Patients underwent serum creatinine levels for diagnosis of AKI. Results: One hundred and twelve patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were included in this study.There were 90 (83.36%) males and 22 (19.64%) females. The mean ± standard deviation age of study population was 28±0.151 years. On analysis of risk factors it was observed that 33 (29.46%) patients were obese. On analysis of outcome variable, it was observed that 33 (29.46%) had AKI. Conclusion: Around 30% of patients who developed AKI were presented with history of snake bite. However, factors such as age, gender, duration and obesity were not related with the AKI.

Hence such cultivation system and/or sowing method should be adopted which could improve the soil properties such as moisture, temperature and root penetration in order to improve the plant growth and productivity

Critical dates of wheat sowing than optimum exposes the crop to temperature extremes and consequences in altered heat unit accumulation and photoperiod which becomes limiting factor for yield (Arduini et al., 2009).This necessitates that management practices viz.time of sowing and selection of appropriate variety which could impose negative or positive effects on yield and yield formation must be studied for making better Abstract | Climate change has affected optimum sowing time of wheat and yield formation by fluctuation in temperature regimes during sowing season of crop.However, different varieties could differ in their potential for yield formation in response to sowing time.This 3-years study was conducted to ascertain impact of sowing dates on grain yield and critical yield component of different wheat varieties.Wheat varieties (Lasani-08, Faislabad-08, Millat-11, AARI-11 and Punjab-11) were sown on different sowing dates (November 01, November 15, November 30 and December 15).Yield and related traits of all varieties were decreased by delayed sowing.Early sown crop (November 01) had maximum emergence which decreased gradually with delayed sowing.Tillers m -2 , grain weight, grains per spike and yield of all varieties was greater on November 15 sowing and decreased by sowing afterwards (November 30 -December 15).Although Lasani-08 and Punjab-11 both were high yielders but grain yield of AARI-11 was least affected by sowing time.Linear regression revealed that sowing time manifested negative relations with emergence and grain weight of wheat varieties indicating them the most affected traits in response to temporal variation in sowing.Sowing time had negative relation with number of tillers for only Lasani-08 and Punjab-11, while non-significant relation with grains per spike.Nonetheless, tillers m -2 and grains per spike were correlated positively with wheat yield indicating them most crucial yield imparting traits.In conclusion, wheat sowing on November 15 produced maximum yield; and number of tillers was critical yield determining component followed by grains number per spike in response to sowing dates.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of oral zinc as adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea comparing frequency and volume of stool and duration of diarrhea in children. Study Design: Case Control study. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, Shaheed Muhtrama Benazir Bhutto Medical College Layari General Hospital, Karachi. Period: September 2017 to August 2018. Material & Methods: A sample of 200 children, age 5- 15 years, suffering from acute diarrhea was divided into control and cases (study group). Oral zinc therapy (20 mg once daily) was given 14 days and its efficacy was observed in terms of stool frequency, stool volume and duration of diarrhea. Variables were noted at 24 hours and 48 hours and on 7th day of hospitalization. Data was analyzed on SPSS statistical software (version 22.0) at 95% confidence interval (P≤ 0.05). Results: Mean ± SD age in control and study group was noted as 9.1± 5.43 years and 9.5±6.02 years respectively (P=0.053). 89% of children of study group were discharged on 3rd day of hospitalization compared to only 45% from control group. Zinc treated study group shows significant decrease in frequency of loose stools, stool volume and lesser duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: Oral zinc therapy was effective in decreasing the frequency of loose stools and volume and lesser duration of hospital stay in children.

Objectives: Investigating the hazardous effect of Phototherapy on Platelet counts in healthy neonates with Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (NH). Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, SMBB Medical College Layari General Hospital, Karachi, Sindh. Period: January 2018 to May 2019. Material & Methods: A sample of 313 neonates suffering from NH was selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Blood Platelets were counted at baseline, and 24, 48 and 72 hours of phototherapy. Statistical software SPSS 21.0 (IBM, Incorp, USA) was used for data analysis using paired t-test and Pearson`s Chi- square test at P≤0.05. Results: Platelet counts at 24, 48 and 72 hours of phototherapy were found 2.97±0.45×109/L, 3.38±0.48×109/L and 3.52± 0.47×109/L respectively. Platelet counts at 24, 48 and 72 hours showed statistically significant difference compared to baseline counts (P<0.05). A statistically insignificant decline in total population platelet count after phototherapy was noted (P>0.05). However, thrombocytopenia was noted in 9 (2.87%) cases; comprising mild and moderate in 7 (2.23%) and 2 (0.64%) cases respectively. Conclusion: The present study observed thrombocytopenia in 9 (2.87%) of total cases; of which mild and moderate thrombocytopenia occurred in 7 (2.23%) and 2 (0.64%) cases respectively.

Background: Snake bite remains major public health problems worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality in patients presenting with snake bite in population of Karachi, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: It was cross-sectional study conducted at Department of General Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan from 11th June 2016 to 10th August 2017. 300 patients with snake bite were selected. Age, gender, acute kidney injury, vomiting and in-hospital mortality were variables. Except age, all variables were nominal and were analyzed by frequency and percentage. Cox-proportional-hazard regression model was applied and hazard ratios were calculated along with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the strength of association between predictors i.e. age, gender, AKI and vomiting and outcome (in-hospital mortality). Kaplan-Meier and time to event plot were used to investigate all patients who were on follow-up for 7 days from admission. Log-rank test was used to identify the predictors of in-hospital mortality for significant independent influence on prognosis at alpha .05. Results: The mean age of the sample was 27.7±14.58 years. Out of a sample of 300 patients, 221 (73.7%) were males and 79 (26.3%) females. The frequency (%) of AKI was 102 (66%), vomiting 122 (40.7%) and of in-hospital mortality 31 (10.3%). The probability of survival at day 7 was 81.8%. Vomiting [hazard ratio 6.86 (95% CI: 2.78-16.93), p=<0.001] and acute kidney injury [hazard ratio 3.85 (95% CI: 1.75-8.45), p=<0.001] were associated with higher risk of death in adjusted analysis. Conclusion: Acute kidney injury and vomiting are strong predictors of mortality among patients with snake bite. These predictors can be helpful for clinicians in assessing prognosis of their patients more accurately and by early management of these factors, mortality & morbidity can be reduced.

During Kharif (July –October) 2015 a field survey study was conducted to identify the problems in adaptability of direct seeded rice (DSR) from three districts falling in Adaptive Research zone Gujranwala, Pakistan. Sixty farmers who had cultivated both transplanted rice and DSR were selected by convenience sampling method due to time and cost constraint and interviewed for primary data collection. The results revealed that DSR practice was adopted on 21.1% of the rice area on surveyed farms. Additional grain yield (11%) was estimated for traditional transplanted crop than DSR. Major problems raised by the farmers regarding DSR practice were more weed infestation, more disease/pest attack, less yield, more fertilizer requirement and more lodging factor. Total economic cost of production and net income for transplanted rice were respectively 11.3% and 9% higher than DSR. However Benefit cost ratio difference was found non-significant between both sowing methods. Expense on land preparation, labor charges for nursery management and transplanting, and irrigation expense for continuous flooding were the factors for higher cost of transplanted rice production. Therefore it was concluded that both sowing methods might be alternative to each other keeping in view the availability of labor, water and soil type.

A field experiment was conducted to evalute effect of four different seeding densities viz: 22.5 Kg ha 1 , 30 Kg ha -1 , 37.5 Kg ha -1 and 45 Kg ha -1 on the yield and yield components of fine rice (cv. Super Basmati) under direct seeded conditions at farmers field of Adaptive Research Station, Sialkot during the kharif season 2010-2012 with randomized complete block design. The results revealed that see d rate 37.5 Kg ha -1 produced maximum yield during all the three years. The data of number of productive tillers m -2 was found significantly different during 2 nd and 3 rd years but found nonsignificant during 1 st year. The maximum number of productive tillers m -2 were produced by seed rate 37.5 Kg ha -1 during 2 nd and 3 rd year. The data of plant height showed gradual increase in plant height with the increase of seed rate but it only significantly differed during 1 st year. These results showed that 37.5 Kg ha -1 seed rate in case of direct seeded fine rice performed better than low and high seed rates.

A field trial was conducted at Adaptive Research Farm, Gujranwala, Pakistan during the year 2010-12 to check the most profitable cropping pattern for Gujranwala zone. The study comprised four cropping systems viz. rice-wheatrice-wheat, rice-green manuring-rice-wheat, rice-berseem-rice-wheat and ricecanola-rice-wheat. Layout system was RCBD with three replications. Plot size was kept as 15m x 21m. Rice crop (cv. Super Basmati) was transplanted on 26 July, 2010 and 13 July, 2011 while wheat, berseem and canola were sown soon after rice harvesting on November 12, 2010. During 2011 wheat (cv. Seher2006) was sown on November 10 after rice harvesting on 2 November. Maximum yield of rice (4.20 t/ha) was obtained in rice-green manuring-ricewheat cropping pattern due to addition of organic matter which showed positive effects on rice yield and succeeding crop. The highest net return (Rs.315643/ha) was recorded in rice-berseem-rice-wheat cropping pattern followed by rice-green manuring-rice-wheat (Rs. 283441 ha). It was noted that green manuring crop did not contribute to the income. The cost of cultivation was minimum in case of rice-green manuring-rice-wheat cropping pattern (Rs. 83325/ha) followed by rice-berseem-rice-wheat system (Rs. 95175/ha). Maximum benefit cost ratio (3.32) was also recorded in rice-berseem-rice-wheat cropping system. So the rice-berseem-rice-wheat was found as the most profitable cropping system for Gujranwala zone.

The observed response of CR-39 based personnel neutron dosimeters may be influenced significantly by the environment in which the dosimeters are exposed. One of the factors which may effect the performance of the dosimeters is the presence of gamma rays with neutron fields. To quantify this, samples of CR-39 are exposed to neutrons, gamma rays, alpha particles and fission fragments under various conditions. The effect of presence of gamma rays with neutrons on the response of CR-39-based neutron dosimeter is investigated. The influence of gamma rays on etching characteristics of CR-39 is also studied. Our results indicate that high gamma radiation doses significantly influence the response and etching characteristics of the dosimeter.

Ab electrochemically etched CR-39 based cubical neutron dosimeter, reported by Matiullah and Durrani, 1987 several years ago, has been reassessed. The response of the detector is tested experimentally in free air and on a water phantom. The dosimeter continues to yield reproducible results. Through these studies, it is concluded that such a detector assembly would be very promising in routine neutron dosimetry.