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In this study, leaves of three indigenous varieties of Mulberry namely, Morus alba L., Morus nigra L. and Morus rubra L. were investigated for their antioxidant potential and their proximate composition was determined. The yields of 80% methanolic extracts ranged between 8.28-13.89%. The contents of total phenolics (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC) and ascorbic acid (AA) ranged between 16.21-24.37 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 26.41-31.28 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g and 0.97-1.49 mg/g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of leaf extracts was evaluated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(•)) radical scavenging actity, 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS(•+)) radical cation scavenging capacity and ferric ion reducing power and values ranged between 1.89-2.12, 6.12-9.89 and 0.56-0.97 mM Trolox equivalent/g of dried leaves, respectively. The investigated features reveal good nutritive and antioxidant attributes of all the varieties with mutually significant differences.

Copper-nickel bimetallic nanoparticles (Cu-Ni BNPs) were fabricated using an eco-friendly green method of synthesis. An extract of synthesized Gazania rigens was used for the synthesis of BNPs followed by characterization employing different techniques including UV/Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Spectrophotometric studies (UV-Vis and FTIR) confirmed the formation of bimetallic nanoparticles. The SEM studies indicated that the particle size ranged from 50 to 100 nm. Analysis of the BNPs by the XRD technique confirmed the presence of both Cu and Ni crystal structure. The synthesized nanoparticles were then tested for their catalytic potential for photoreduction of methylene blue dye in an aqueous medium and DPPH radical scavenging in a methanol medium. The BNPs were found to be efficient in the reduction of methylene blue dye as well as the scavenging of DPPH free radicals such that the MB dye was completely degraded in just 17 min at the maximum absorption of 660 nm. Therefore, it is concluded that Cu-Ni BNPs can be successfully synthesized using Gazania rigens extract with suitable size and potent catalytic and radical scavenging activities.

Objective: To describe clinical manifestations of COVID-19 infection in Persons with disability (PWD) in Pakistan. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM), Rawalpindi, from Feb to Oct 2021 Methodology: All PWDs admitted in IRF of AFIRM who tested positive for COVID-19 infection were included by convenience sampling. Patients who tested negative for COVID-19 by PCR were excluded. Data of patients and laboratory and radiological investigations, were recorded. Follow-up after one month was done via phone call. Results: Twenty patients tested positive for COVID-19, of which 20(95%) were males. The mean age of patients was 38.6 ± 2.5 years. Most patients had Spinal Cord Injuries followed by amputations, and five had co-existing disorders. 11(52.4%) of patients were asymptomatic. Fever, myalgias and cough were common among symptomatic patients. Those who were symptomatic had only one symptom at the time of presentation. All patients had mild disease and recovered gradually without complications at one month of follow-up. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion of SARs CoV-2 infection should be kept when PWDs present with myalgias or fever inthe current scenario and post-COVID-19 era since PWDs have fewer symptoms of COVID-19 as compared to their peers.Keyswords: Amputations, COVID-19, Pakistan, Persons with disability, Spinal cord injury.

In the current study, cellulose/MoS2/GO nanocomposite has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Reports published regarding efficiency of Mo and graphene oxide-based nanocomposites for environmental remediation motivated to synthesize cellulose supported MoS2/GO nanocomposite. Formation of nanocomposite was initially confirmed by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. Particle size and morphology of the nanocomposite were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found having particle size ranging from 50 to 80 nm and heterogeneous structure. The XRD analysis also confirmed the structure of the nanocomposite having cellulose, MoS2, and GO. The synthesized nanocomposite was further tested for biomolecule protective potential employing different radical scavenging assays. Results of radical DPPH● (50%) and ABTS●+ (51%) scavenging studies indicate that nanocomposites can be used as a biomolecule protective agent. In addition, nanocomposite was also evaluated for photocatalytic potential, and the results showed excellent photocatalytic properties for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol up to 75% and methylene blue and methyl orange up to 85% and 70%, respectively. So, this study confirmed that cellulose supported/stabilized MoS2/GO nanocomposite can be synthesized by an ecofriendly, cost-effective, and easy hydrothermal method having promising biomolecule protective and photocatalytic potential.

Current work describes green synthesis of Fe, Mn (monometallic) and Fe-Mn (bimetallic) nanoparticles using Cannabis sativa leaf extract as stabilizing and capping agent. In order to assess the formation of nanoparticles UV/Vis and FTIR analysis was carried out. In addition, Scanning electron microscopy and XRD studies confirmed synthesis as well as morphology of the nanoparticles. All the nanoparticles were found having particle size 20–80 nm and crystallite 3–20 nm. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized nanoparticles has been evaluated by carrying out degradation of two dyes methyl orange (MO) and Congo red (CR) in the presence of nanocatalysts. Degradation of both the dyes was carried out separately using Fe, Mn and Fe-Mn nanoparticles to compare the efficiency of monometallic with bimetallic nanoparticles. Iron and manganese monometallic particles have completely degraded MO in 18 min and 20 min and CR in 24 min and 18 min respectively. However, due to increased synergistic effect Fe-Mn BNPs completely degraded MO dye in just 12 min and CR in 14 min. In nutshell, this work is actually a step towards the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles using a plant extract with improved synergistic photocatalytic activities which impart various properties to the designed nanomaterial.

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical and nutritional composition of Artemisia annua leaves in addition to determination of antioxidant potential of their extracts prepared in different solvents. Chemical composition was determined by quantifying fat, protein, carbohydrate, fiber, tocopherol, phytate, and tannin contents. Extraction of A. annua leaves, for antioxidant potential evaluation, was carried out using five solvents of different polarities, i.e., hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Antioxidant potential was evaluated by estimating total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) contents, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), DPPH radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation. Efficiency of different solvents was compared for the yield of antioxidant extracts from leaf samples and a clear variation was observed. The highest TPC, TFC, TEAC, DPPH radical scavenging and lowest lipid peroxidation were observed in MeOH extracts, whereas aqueous extract exhibited high ferric reducing antioxidant power; suggesting MeOH to be the most favorable extractant.

Antimuscarinics are first-line medication for management of overactive bladder with solifenacin being commonly prescribed. Angioedema is the swelling of mucosa and submucosal tissue. There are no published case reports of drug-induced angioedema involving solifenacin. We report a case of a 41-year-old man with spinal cord injury who presented with oedema of face, lips, tongue and associated pruritic urticaria after taking 5 mg of solifenacin. All other possible causes including food allergy, insect bite, hereditary angioedema, use of NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors and antibiotics were ruled out. The temporal association between solifenacin and angioedema and complete resolution of symptoms after discontinuing the drug suggest that solifenacin was the most probable cause of angioedema in our patient.

In the current study, cellulose/MoS[sub.2]/GO nanocomposite has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Reports published regarding efficiency of Mo and graphene oxide-based nanocomposites for environmental remediation motivated to synthesize cellulose supported MoS[sub.2]/GO nanocomposite. Formation of nanocomposite was initially confirmed by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. Particle size and morphology of the nanocomposite were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found having particle size ranging from 50 to 80nm and heterogeneous structure. The XRD analysis also confirmed the structure of the nanocomposite having cellulose, MoS[sub.2], and GO. The synthesized nanocomposite was further tested for biomolecule protective potential employing different radical scavenging assays. Results of radical DPPH[sup.●] (50%) and ABTS[sup.●+] (51%) scavenging studies indicate that nanocomposites can be used as a biomolecule protective agent. In addition, nanocomposite was also evaluated for photocatalytic potential, and the results showed excellent photocatalytic properties for the degradation of 4-nitrophenol up to 75% and methylene blue and methyl orange up to 85% and 70%, respectively. So, this study confirmed that cellulose supported/stabilized MoS[sub.2]/GO nanocomposite can be synthesized by an ecofriendly, cost-effective, and easy hydrothermal method having promising biomolecule protective and photocatalytic potential.

Herrin, a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) has been reported. Silver nanowires were synthesized using Psidium guajava seed extract that acted as a reducing agent as well as a stabilizing agent for silver nitrate solution. Synthesis was carried out at 50 °C temperature under continuous UV-irradiation. Silver nanowires were initially characterized by a UV-visible and FTIR spectrophotometer. In addition, morphology and particle size of synthesized Ag-NWs were determined using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Nanowires were found to have 12.8 μm length and 200–500 nm diameter and cubic phase morphology. Furthermore, the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs for the degradation of methyl orange dye (MO) was determined. The selected dye was degraded successfully that confirmed the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs. The authors concluded that Ag-NWs can be synthesized using plant extract having excellent morphological features as well as impressive catalytic potential.

Objective: To study the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for treating pain in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Pain Clinic of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine Rawalpindi, from Sep 2019 to Feb 2020. Methodology: Patients of more than 50 years of age, with grade III and IV Kellgren-Lawrence grades of knee osteoarthritis and at least a score of 4 for three months on the numerical rating scale were included in the study. Measurements were taken on the numerical rating scale and Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index before and four weeks after fluoroscopy-guided radiofrequency ablation of three genicular nerves around the knee joint. . Results: Fifty patients (mean age: 62 ± 6.5 years) were included in the study. The median numerical rating scale scores before and after intervention were 9 (Interquartile range: 7-10) and 5 (Interquartile range: 2-8), respectively (p<0.001). The mean Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index scores before and after intervention were 76.7 ± 13.4 and 50.3 ± 18, respectively (p<0.001). No complications were reported. The reduction in numerical rating scale, Western Ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis index scores after the intervention were significantly better in females than in males (p=0.023 and p=0.012 respectively); however, no significant change was observed for the right and left knee or grades of knee osteoarthritis (p>0.05). Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerves around the knee joint significantly improves pain, stiffness and body function in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis ...