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Background Medicinal herbs are used for the treatment of different ailments since antiquity. Different parts of Anethum sowa L. is used in folk medicine as a carminative for the treatment of flatulence, colic and hiccups of infants and children, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antispasmodic agent. The aim of our present study is to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil, proximate and elemental composition, amino acid, fatty acid profile and thermal behaviour of its root part as well as different pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxicity of the root essential oil. Methods The air-dried roots of Anethum sowa L. were subjected to hydro-distillation to yield the essential oil. The antioxidant activity of the essential oil was studied by DPPH radical scavenging activity. The antimicrobial activity was tested against four Gram-positive, six Gram-negative bacteria and four fungi species. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) for each examined microorganism were determined using the micro-dilution method. The LC50 value of the oil was also evaluated by brine shrimp lethality assay. The subsequent proximate analysis was also done by AOAC methods. The elemental analysis of the root powder was analysed by ICP-MS, AAS and FP system. The fatty acid was extracted by hot and cold extraction method and the analyses were carried out by GC. The amino acid profile was done by the amino acid analyzer. The DTA, DTG and TG of the root powder were taken by the thermogravimetric analyzer. Results A total of 24 constituents was identified and quantified in the essential oil and its water extract portion by GC and GC-MS. Apiol (81.99 and 74.779%) was found the highest phenylpropanoid constituent followed by m-diaminobenzene (10.446 and 8.778%) in the essential oil and aqueous extract portion. On the other hand, β-butyrolactone (5.13%) and isobutyl acetone (3.73%) were found in the major constituents in the water extract part. The IC50 value of the essential oil was found to be 3.07 mg/mL by DPPH radical assay methods. The LC50 value of the brine shrimp cytotoxicity assay of the essential oil was observed at 0.81 μg/mL. The essential oil showed better activity on Gram-negative bacteria than Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The proximate composition showed that root contained 5.29% ash, 2.01% protein, 54.09% crude fibre, 0.15% essential oil and 1.14% fatty oil for hot extract and 0.23% for cold extract on the dried basis. The palmitic (33.81 & 31.58%) and linoleic acid (30.03 & 23.79%) were the major saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the cold and hot extracted root powder respectively. Ca (23,600 mg/kg), Mg (7620.33 mg/kg) and K (1286.15 mg/kg) were the most predominant elements followed by Ni (1187.30 mg/kg), Se (913.79 mg/kg), Li (317.84 mg/kg), Na (288.72 mg/kg) and Fe (206.88 mg/kg). The toxic elements were found to be within the permissible limit. Glutamic acid (19.37%), glycine (14.53%) and lysine (17.08%) were found as the major amino acids. The decomposition rates were obtained by TG, DTG and DTA curve of the powder sample at various temperature ranges. Conclusions The results demonstrated that the root part of Anethum sowa L. is a rich source of mineral elements, essential amino acid and fatty acids. The essential oil is the highly potential as bioactive oil for pharmaceuticals and medical applications, possessing antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. The thermal analysis suggested as a simple, effective and rapid method to characterize the Anethum sowa L. species as well as to assess for herbal formulation.

The essential oil of Zingiber officinale Rosc. was extracted from China and Bangladeshi varieties and yielded 0.21% and 0.23 % by hydro-distillation method on fresh weight basis respectively. Fifteen compounds were identified and quantified by GC-MS. The major constituents of China and Bangladeshi ginger essential oils were zingiberene 38.10 % and 41.49%, β-phellandrene 12.0% and 9.92%, α-citral 11.48% and 9.76 %, α-curcumene 9.22% and 11.58%, camphene 5.94% and 4.60% , β-bisabolene 4.39% and 5.0% respectively. The IC50 (DPPH method ) values were found 61.18 µg/mL and 56.71 µg/mL with the highest inhibition of 78.49 % and 80.77% and the LC50 values in the brine shrimp lethality cytotoxicity bioassay were found 0.4842 µg/mL and 0.7151 µg/mL in China and Bangladeshi ginger essential oil respectively. Both the essential oils showed significant activities against some gram positive, gram negative bacteria and fungi. The proximate composition of the China and Bangladeshi variety showed the ash (7.12±0.151, 8.15±0.18%), protein (5.47±0.19, 6.60±0.16%), crude fibre (4.32±0.10, 4.61±0.12%), carbohydrate (16..06±0.35, 18.38±0.41) and food energy (70.50±0.89, 81.74±1.01 kcal/100g.) respectively. The elemental compositions of the both varieties were found rich in Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Se, Na and K. These results indicate the quality composition of the two varieties may find interest in spice and culinary industries as well as in medicinal preparation.

Land use/land cover (LULC) change has serious implications for environment as LULC is directly related to land degradation over a period of time and results in many changes in the environment. Monitoring the locations and distributions of LULC changes is important for establishing links between regulatory actions, policy decisions, and subsequent LULC activities. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) has the potential ability to identify the vegetation features of various eco-regions and provides valuable information as a remote sensing tool in studying vegetation phenology cycles. Similarly, the normalized difference built-up index (NDBI) may be used for quoting built-up land. This study aims to detect the pattern of LULC, NDBI, and NDVI change in Lodhran district, Pakistan, from the Landsat images taken over 40 years, considering four major LULC types as follows: water bodies, built-up area, bare soil, and vegetation. Supervised classification was applied to detect LULC changes observed over Lodhran district as it explains the maximum likelihood algorithm in software ERDAS imagine 15. Most farmers (46.6%) perceived that there have been extreme changes of onset of temperature, planting season, and less precipitation amount in Lodhran district in the last few years. In 2017, building areas increased (4.3%) as compared to 1977. NDVI values for Lodhran district were highest in 1977 (up to + 0.86) and lowest in 1997 (up to − 0.33). Overall accuracy for classification was 86% for 1977, 85% for 1987, 86% for 1997, 88% for 2007, and 95% for 2017. LULC change with soil types, temperature, and NDVI, NDBI, and slope classes was common in the study area, and the conversions of bare soil into vegetation area and built-up area were major changes in the past 40 years in Lodhran district. Lodhran district faces rising temperatures, less irrigation water, and low rainfall. Farmers are aware of these climatic changes and are adapting strategies to cope with the effects but require support from government.

Sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.) is the leading non-conventional oilseed crop in Pakistan. Nitrogen fertilizer can affect plant growth and productivity by changing canopy size which has an effect on the radiation use efficiency (RUE) of the crop. The response of sunflower hybrids in terms of phenology, fraction of intercepted radiation ( F i ), and RUE to nitrogenous rates (0, 60, 120, 180, and 240 kg ha −1 ) was studied in three field experiments conducted in three various environments: Multan (arid), Faisalabad (semi-arid), and Gujranwala (sub-humid) during spring seasons 2008 and 2009. The treatments were laid out according to a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangements, keeping the sunflower hybrids in main plots and nitrogen rates in sub-plots, and replicated three times. The results showed Hysun-38 took a maximum number of days to anthesis (101) as compared to Pioneer-64A93 (100) and Hysun-33 (99). The mean values of F i were 0.850, 0.903, and 0.978, and the estimated values of RUE for total aboveground dry matter were 2.14, 2.47, and 2.65 g MJ −1 at experimental locations of Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, respectively. The values of RUE for grain yield (RUE GY ) were 0.78, 0.98, and 1.26 g MJ −1 at experimental locations of Multan, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala, respectively. The average RUE GY values over three locations were 2.61, 2.60, 2.43, and 2.36 g MJ −2 in N 4 (180 kg ha −1 ), N 5 (240 kg ha −1 ), N 3 (120 kg ha −1 ), and N 2 (60 kg ha −1 ) treatments, respectively. Increasing rates of N increased RUE GY over the standard treatment N 3 (120 kg N ha −1 ); however, the averaged values over three locations were 1.22, 1.08, 0.99, and 0.92 g MJ −2 in N 4 , N 5 , N 3 , and N 2 treatments, respectively. Therefore, optimum water and N doses are important for attaining higher RUE, which may enhance sunflower growth and yield.

Bangladesh faces substantial inequalities in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), with disparities across sociodemographic groups and between urban and rural populations. Evidence on temporal changes in household WASH access and its determinants remains limited. To assess changes in household WASH and examine the influence of sociodemographic factors on access, using data from two national hygiene surveys at national and urban-rural levels. In this repeated cross-sectional study, differences in WASH outcomes between the 2014 National Hygiene Baseline Survey and the 2018 National Hygiene Survey were assessed using prevalence differences (PD), and associations with sociodemographic factors were examined using generalized estimating equations (GEE). From 2014 to 2018, rural households maintained near-universal basic drinking water, while urban households showed a slight decline. Basic sanitation increased substantially in rural areas (PD = 27.8), driving national gains (PD = 25); urban changes were nonsignificant. Basic hygiene improved minimally across all levels. Higher socio-economic status was linked to better WASH outcomes, while larger households had poorer status. Rental housing was associated with unimproved drinking water (Coef.: 1.9) and lower basic sanitation (Coef.: -0.9) but better overall hygiene than self-owned homes. Urban households had lower access to basic drinking water and sanitation, yet better basic hygiene facilities than rural households. Household WASH improved substantially, especially in rural sanitation and hygiene, while urban areas showed stagnation. Socio-economic status, household size, and housing tenure are key determinants, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable, universal WASH coverage.

The use of digital technology has become ubiquitous in every walsk of our lives. It has had a significant impact not only on social and technological aspects but also on educational areas, including (English) language teaching. Digital tools, the gift of new technologies, have proved to be an essential component of English Language Teaching (ELT). This study focused on finding out the efficacy of teaching pronunciation via digital tools (CDs, digital books, projectors, smart boards, and synchronous and asynchronous online materials) as opposed to traditional methods (printed materials, drilling, and imitating the teacher) to Saudi male EFL undergraduates. To investigate the differences, a quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design (between-subjects) was used. The experimental and control groups (n = 25 in each group) were tested before and after the treatment n similar intra-sentential pronunciation activities at segmental (minimal pairs, word recognition, and consonant and vowel identification) and suprasegmental (stress patterns) levels. The results revealed that the participants in the experimental group learned pronunciation significantly better than the participants in the control group. This means that if students are exposed to digital technology tools, they will learn pronunciation better in comparison to the conventional method of teaching. The study is significant for both teachers and learners as it may help them make use of digital technology tools to improve students’ pronunciation as well as their speaking skills.

Crop nutrient management is an essential component of any cropping system. With increasing concerns over environmental protection, improvement in fertilizer use efficiencies has become a prime goal in global agriculture system. Phosphorus (P) is one of the most important nutrients, and strategies are required to optimize its use in important arable crops like cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) that has great significance. Sustainable P use in crop production could significantly avoid environmental hazards resulting from over-P fertilization. Crop growth modeling has emerged as an effective tool to assess and predict the optimal nutrient requirements for different crops. In present study, Decision Support System for Agro-technology Transfer (DSSAT) sub-model CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton-P was evaluated to estimate the observed and simulated P use in two cotton cultivars grown at three P application rates under the semi-arid climate of southern Punjab, Pakistan. The results revealed that both the cultivars performed best at medium rate of P application (57 kg ha −1 ) in terms of days to anthesis, days to maturity, seed cotton yield, total dry matter production, and harvest index during 2013 and 2014. Cultivar FH-142 performed better than MNH-886 in terms of different yield components. There was a good agreement between observed and simulated days to anthesis (0 to 1 day), days to maturity (0 to 2 days), seed cotton yield, total dry matter, and harvest index with an error of −4.4 to 15%, 12–7.5%, and 13–9.5% in MNH-886 and for FH-142, 4–16%, 19–11%, and 16–8.3% for growing years 2013 and 2014, respectively. CROPGRO-Cotton-P would be a useful tool to forecast cotton yield under different levels of P in cotton production system of the semi-arid climate of Southern Punjab.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is clinically identified as a condition where a percentage of the population reports intestinal and/or extraintestinal symptoms caused by gluten and/or wheat ingestion, and they are tested negative for celiac disease (CD) on the basis of specific serology and histopathology. NCGS should be labelled after the exclusion of CD and wheat allergy. This population reports improved symptoms on a gluten-free diet. Despite great interest and work on NCGS, much remains unknown about its pathogenesis. A positive and improved response to a gluten-free diet for a limited period of time (e.g., six to eight weeks), followed by retrieval of symptoms in case of gluten intake, is presently considered to be the best strategy for confirmation of diagnosis.A middle-aged lady came for medical attention with concerns of weight loss, lethargy and abdominal discomfort. On investigations, her serum transglutaminase IgA was found to be largely raised. The patient was switched to a gluten-free diet with suspicion of CD. Upper GI endoscopy was done one week after being on a gluten-free diet. Both endoscopy with histopathology was negative for villous atrophy and increased intraepithelial lymphocytes. Later human leukocyte antigen (HLA) testing was found to be negative for CD, leading to a diagnostic conundrum. On the basis of remarkable symptom improvement on a gluten-free diet, drop in transglutaminase levels, negative biopsy and HLA testing, the diagnosis was made as possible NCGS. Considering gluten-related disorders are rising and not much is known about NCGS, we aimed to present this case to create awareness and raise questions regarding diagnosis, need for specific monitoring and implications on the management.

Background: Lower level of maternal serum hemoglobin (Hb) concentration may cause adverse pregnancy outcome (LBW, Preterm delivery) have been inconsistent. Many studies have been shown the impact of Hb concentration and protein status on pregnancy outcome in GA<37 weeks of pregnant mother. Objectives: The study was carried out to measure serum Hb concentration correlated with TP level on birth outcomes in GA <37 weeks of delivery mother. Method: This observational study was carried out in the Department of Physiology Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital, Dhaka. A total number of 108 subjects were included in this study. They were divided into two groups among them 27 full term delivery mother gestational age (>37 wks) with their respective neonates (control group). The study group consisted of 27 Preterm delivery mothers gestational age (<37 wks) with their respective neonates (study group). Age ranged of both (control & study) pregnant mother were from 20- 40 yrs. The serum Hb and TP level of all participants were estimated by usual lab technique (Autoanalyser) in laboratory of department of Physiology, SSMC to observe the availability of binding protein. Independent samples t test, and Pearson’s correlation were done by as a test of significance. p value <0.05 was considered as significant. Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS Programme, Version-15. Result: Mean serum Hb level were significantly higher (p<0.01) and serum total protein level were significantly lower in gestational age <37 weeks pregnant mother (study) in comparison to gestational age >37 weeks of pregnant mother(control). Again, cord serum TP concentration of neonates were significantly (p<0.001) lower in gestational age <37 weeks of neonates compared with gestational age >37 weeks neonates of their respective mother. On the other hand, mean birth weight (≥2.5kg) and APGUR score both at 1st and 5th minute (≥8) were significantly (p<0.001) lower in neonates of gestational age<37weeks than that of, gestational age>37weeks neonates of their respective mothers. Conclusions: The present study revealed significantly reduced hemoglobin &lower cord blood protein concentration in neonates and &TP level of their respective mothers whose are gestational age <37 weeks. Abnormal hemoglobin concentrations causes increase the risk of adverse birth outcomes LBW, poor APGUR score; these may be due to poor maternal protein status. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(2) 2020 p.278-283

Sustainability in higher Education can be viewed as a piece of international regulation. This research paper examines the sustainable development in AJK universities and how the concept of sustainability is being incorporated into universities. This study utilizes mix method and triangulation design and from the result obtained, it is possible to build canvas of the main institution that have significantly contributed to the concept of the sustainability in higher education. This study also provide an insight nto emerging trends themes and patterns of research in the area of sustainability in AJK universities. Terms such as regional planning and environmental protection social awareness innovation and guidance to achieve sustainability goals in higher education institutions as well as in the society.