Lathyrus aphaca is an aggressive dicotyledonous weed. The effect of different agroecological components/factors on the germination ecology of this weed was explored under a glasshouse and laboratory condition in 2014. The germination response of L. aphaca was lower at high temperature while maximum seed germination was found at 15/12 oC (day/night). Light significantly stimulated L. aphaca germination; nevertheless, substantial germination occurred under dark conditions. More than 86-90% of L. aphaca seeds germinated at pH level of 6.2-7.5. A significant quantity of seed germinated at 250 mM NaCl. There was no germination at -1 MPa. When the temperature was lower than 20/15 oC (day/night) initiation time of germination and germination index (GI) decreased but time to 50% germination (T50) and mean germination time (MGT) increased. Darkness resulted in increased time to start germination, T50, MGT and decreased GI in L. aphaca when compared with the 10 and 12 h photoperiods. The pH of 6 and above 7 enhanced germination time, T50, MGT but decreased GI. Salt stress above 100 mM increased time to germination, T50, MGT but reduced GI. Osmotic potential above -0.4 MPa increased initial germination time, T50 and MGT as well as decreased germination index (GI) of L. aphaca. Increased seed depth in soil lowered germination percentage and GI but enhanced initial germination time, T50, MGT. It was concluded that L. aphaca can grow over a wide range of agroecological/environmental conditions. These results may aid the development of agronomic tools and strategies for weed management in arable crops for yield enhancement.

Background: All patients with chronic renal failure need vascular access for hemodialysis that is possible with CVP line but it can be retained for only 02-03weeks due to infection. The most suitable and effective vascular access on long term basis is the creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF). The objective of this study was to compare the patency rate of Radiocephalic vs Brachiocephalic AVFs in population of D.I.Khan division, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This randomized controlled trail was conducted in the surgical unit at District Headquarter Teaching Hospital D.I.Khan, Pakistan from January 2017 to January 2020. Two hundred and sixty six patients were randomly allocated by toss method into two groups, one for Brachiocephalic AVF (BCAVF) and second for Radiocephalic AVF (RCAVF). Sex & patency rates were our nominal while age grouping was our ordinal variable. The data for the sample was described by count & percentages & was analyzed for the population as confidence interval at 80% confidence level. McNemar chi-square test was used to test hypothesis to compare the patency rate of Brachiocephalic AVF vs. Radiocephalic AVF at alpha 0.05 with Yates continuity correction using online statistical calculator. Results: The patency was present in 129 (97%, 80% CI 94.45-98.39%) cases & absent in 4 (3%, 80% CI 1.61-5.55%) cases in Brachiocephalic AVF group while it was present in 107 (80.5%, 80% CI 76.04-84.86%) cases & absent in 26 (19.5%, 80% CI 15.52-24.32%) cases in Radiocephalic AVF group. McNemar chi-square test showed p-value of <.0001 (less than alpha). So, the null hypothesis was rejected, showing significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: Brachiocephalic AVF creation is more ideal in terms of patency and maturation as compare to Radiocephalic AVF because of increased vessel diameter and increased arterial pressure at proximal site below elbow joint.

Background: COVID-19 has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of mortality and its distribution by sex and age groups in indoor COVID-19 patients in D.I.Khan Division, Pakistan.Materials Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Gomal Medical College, D.I.Khan, Pakistan. A sample of 438 patients with positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR was selected. Sex age-groups were two demographic and presence of mortality was a research variable. The data type for all variables was nominal, except ordinal age groups. Prevalence distribution were described by count and percentage with 95%CI. The hypotheses were tested by chi-square goodness of fit test.Results: Out of 438 COVID-19 patients, mortality was 43 (9.82%), including 34 (7.76%) men and nine (2.06%) women. The mortality was 0% for 0-19 years, four (0.92%) for 20-39 years, 12 (2.74%) for 40-59 years and 27 (6.16%) ≥60 years. Our mortality 9.82% was lower than expected 20.95% (p=.001). It was higher in men than women (p=.001). It was highest in age group ≥60 years, while 0% in 0-19 years. It was similar to expected by sex (p=.070) and age group (p=.207).Conclusion: Our study showed 9.82% mortality in indoor COVID-19 patients. The mortality was lower than expected. The mortality was higher in men than women. It was highest in elderly, while zero in children and adolescents. It was similar to expected by sex and age group.