Adsorption of trace heavy metals through organic compounds enriched biochar using isotherm adsorption and kinetic models.

Trace heavy metals such as copper and nickel, when exceeds a certain level, cause detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The current study examined the potential of organic compounds enriched rice husk biochar (OCEB's) to remove the trace heavy metals from an aqueous solution in four steps. In 1st step, biochar' physical and chemical properties were analyzed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In the 2nd step, two biochar vis-a-vis glycine, alanine enriched biochar (GBC, ABC) was selected based on their adsorption capacity of four different metals Cr, Cu, Ni and Pb (chromium, copper, nickel, and lead). These two adsorbents (GBC, ABC) were further used to evaluate the best interaction of biochar for metal immobilization based on varying concentrations and times. Langmuir isotherm model suggested that the adsorption of Ni and Cu on the adsorbent surface supported the monolayer sorption. The qmax value of GBC for Cu removal increased by 90% compared to SBC (Simple rice husk biochar). The interaction of Cu and Ni with GBC and ABC was chemical, and 10 different time intervals were studied using pseud first and second-order kinetics models. The current study has supported the pseudo second-order kinetic model, which exhibited that the sorption of Ni and Cu occurred due to the chemical processes. The % removal efficiency with GBC was enhanced by 21% and 30% for Cu and Ni, respectively compared to the SBC. It was also noticed that GBC was 21% more efficient for % removal efficiency than the CBC. The study's findings supported that organic compound enriched rice husk biochar (GBC and ABC) is better than SBC for immobilizing the trace heavy metals from an aqueous solution.

Alleviation of chromium toxicity in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) using salicylic acid and Azospirillum brasilense.

BACKGROUND: Chromium (Cr) contamination in soil poses a serious hazard because it hinders plant growth, which eventually reduces crop yield and raises the possibility of a food shortage. Cr's harmful effects interfere with crucial plant functions like photosynthesis and respiration, reducing energy output, causing oxidative stress, and interfering with nutrient intake. In this study, the negative effects of Cr on mung beans are examined, as well as investigate the effectiveness of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid in reducing Cr-induced stress. RESULTS: We investigated how different Cr levels (200, 300, and 400 mg/kg soil) affected the growth of mung bean seedlings with the use of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid. Experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design with 13 treatments having three replications. Significant growth retardation was caused by Cr, as were important factors like shoot and root length, plant height, dry weight, and chlorophyll content significantly reduced. 37.15% plant height, 71.85% root length, 57.09% chlorophyll contents, 82.34% crop growth rate was decreased when Cr toxicity was @ 50 µM but this decrease was remain 27.80%, 44.70%, 38.97% and 63.42%, respectively when applied A. brasilense and Salicylic acid in combine form. Use of Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid significantly increased mung bean seedling growth (49%) and contributed to reducing the toxic effect of Cr stress (34% and 14% in plant height, respectively) due to their beneficial properties in promoting plant growth. CONCLUSIONS: Mung bean seedlings are severely damaged by Cr contamination, which limits their growth and physiological characteristics. Using Azospirillum brasilense and salicylic acid together appears to be a viable way to combat stress brought on by Cr and promote general plant growth. Greater nutrient intake, increased antioxidant enzyme activity, and greater root growth are examples of synergistic effects. This strategy has the ability to reduce oxidative stress brought on by chromium, enhancing plant resistance to adverse circumstances. The study offers new perspectives on sustainable practices that hold potential for increasing agricultural output and guaranteeing food security.

Impact of psychotropic medications on cognition among older adults: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to examine the cognitive impact of psychotropic medications including benzodiazepines, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, or a combination of these drugs on older adults. DESIGN: Systematic review. SETTING: We searched Medline, PsycINFO, and Embase through the Ovid platform, CINAHL through EBSCO, and Web of Science. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Randomized control trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that used a validated scale to measure cognition with a follow-up period of at least six months were included. MEASUREMENT: The primary outcome of interest was cognitive change associated with psychotropic medication use. RESULTS: A total of 7551 articles were identified from the primary electronic literature search across the five databases after eliminating duplicates. Based on full-text analysis, 27 articles (two RCTs, 25 cohorts) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, nine each examined the impact of benzodiazepines and antidepressants, five examined psychotropic combinations, three on antipsychotic drugs, and one on the effects of mood stabilizers. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic review to examine the cognitive impact of multiple psychotropic drug classes in older adults over an extended follow-up period (six months or more) using robust sample sizes, drug-free control groups, and validated cognitive instruments. We found evidence to indicate cognitive decline with the cumulative use of benzodiazepines and the use of antidepressants, especially those with anticholinergic properties among older adults without cognitive impairment at baseline. Further, the use of antipsychotics and psychotropic combinations is also associated with cognitive decline in older adults.

A "Do No Harm" Novel Safety Checklist and Research Approach to Determine Whether to Launch an Artificial Intelligence-Based Medical Technology: Introducing the Biological-Psychological, Economic, and Social (BPES) Framework.

Given the impact artificial intelligence (AI)-based medical technologies (hardware devices, software programs, and mobile apps) can have on society, debates regarding the principles behind their development and deployment are emerging. Using the biopsychosocial model applied in psychiatry and other fields of medicine as our foundation, we propose a novel 3-step framework to guide industry developers of AI-based medical tools as well as health care regulatory agencies on how to decide if a product should be launched-a "Go or No-Go" approach. More specifically, our novel framework places stakeholders' (patients, health care professionals, industry, and government institutions) safety at its core by asking developers to demonstrate the biological-psychological (impact on physical and mental health), economic, and social value of their AI tool before it is launched. We also introduce a novel cost-effective, time-sensitive, and safety-oriented mixed quantitative and qualitative clinical phased trial approach to help industry and government health care regulatory agencies test and deliberate on whether to launch these AI-based medical technologies. To our knowledge, our biological-psychological, economic, and social (BPES) framework and mixed method phased trial approach are the first to place the Hippocratic Oath of "Do No Harm" at the center of developers', implementers', regulators', and users' mindsets when determining whether an AI-based medical technology is safe to launch. Moreover, as the welfare of AI users and developers becomes a greater concern, our framework's novel safety feature will allow it to complement existing and future AI reporting guidelines.

Barriers and enablers to achieving clinical procedure competency-based outcomes in a national paediatric training/residency program-a multi-centered qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland revised its paediatric training program to a competency-based medical education (CBME) training/residency curriculum. This included a requirement to achieve competence in a number of core procedural skills to progress within the program. Internationally, simulation-based medical education (SBME) is gaining interest as an effective teaching pedagogy for training procedural skill competency. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify enablers and barriers for paediatric trainees to achieve their required procedural competencies, (2) gain insight on the feasibility of achieving the required procedural skills, and (3) explore what simulation-based resources are used as well as their role in achieving the required procedural skill competencies. METHODS: A multi-centered qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was performed. Twenty-four paediatric consultants and trainees were recruited from two academic tertiary hospitals using purposive and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted between March and September 2021, audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Three main themes regarding enablers for achieving procedural competencies were reported and include having protected training time, routine assessments, and a standardized curriculum. Barriers to achieving procedural competencies focused mainly on limited clinical exposure. The use of SBME was recommended by all participants (n = 24, 100%) to assist in achieving procedural competencies and most (n = 15, 62.5%) reported it is feasible to attain the required procedural skills in the paediatric CBME program. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to achieve the required procedural competencies for most paediatric trainees, but this can be improved with protected training time, routine assessments, and a standardized curriculum. Barriers to achieving these skills mainly center on limited clinical exposure, which can be remedied by SBME. Further research is warranted to determine the costs and types of SBME tools available as well as teaching pedagogies to support paediatric trainees achieve their required procedural competencies.

Understanding Decision-Making in the Adoption of Digital Health Technology: The Role of Behavioral Economics' Prospect Theory.

The decision to accept or reject new digital health technologies remains an ongoing challenge among health care patients, providers, technology companies, and policymakers. Over the past few decades, interest in understanding the choice to adopt technology has led to the development of numerous theories and models. In 1979, however, psychologists Kahneman and Tversky published their seminal research article that has pioneered the field of behavioral economics. They named their model the prospect theory and used it to explain decision-making behaviors under conditions of risk and uncertainty as well as to provide an understanding of why individuals may make irrational or inconsistent choices. Although the prospect theory has been used to explain decision-making in economics, law, political science, and clinically, at the individual level, its application to understanding choice in the adoption of digital health technology has not been explored. Herein, we discuss how the main components of the prospect theory's editing phase (framing effect) and evaluation phase (value function and weighting function) can provide valuable insight on why health care patients, providers, technology companies, and policymakers may decide to accept or reject digital health technologies.

Image-guided chest tube drainage in the management of chylothorax post cardiac surgery in children: a single-center case series.

BACKGROUND: In children, chylothorax post cardiac surgery can be difficult to treat, may run a protracted course, and remains a source of morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the experience with percutaneous image-guided chest-tube drainage in the management of post-cardiac-surgery chylothoraces in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective case series of 37 post-cardiac-surgery chylothoraces in 34 children (20 boys; 59%), requiring 48 drainage procedures with placement of 53 image-guided chest tubes over the time period 2004 to 2015. We analyzed clinical and procedural details, adverse events and outcomes. Median age was 0.6 years, median weight 7.2 kg. RESULTS: Attempted treatments of chylothoraces prior to image-guided chest tubes included dietary restrictions (32/37, 86%), octreotide (12/37, 32%), steroids (7/37, 19%) and thoracic duct ligation (5/37, 14%). Image-guided chest tubes (n=43/53, 81%) were single unilateral in 29 children, bilateral in 4 (n=8/53, 15%), and there were two ipsilateral tubes in one (2/53, 4%). Effusions were isolated, walled-off, in 33/53 (62%). In 20/48 procedures (42%) effusions were septated/complex. The mean drainage through image-guided chest tubes was 17.3 mL/kg in the first 24 h, and 13.4 mL/kg/day from diagnosis to chest tube removal; total mean drainage from all chest tubes was 19.6 mL/kg/day. Nine major and 27 minor maintenance procedures were required during 1,207 tube-days (rate: 30 maintenance/1,000 tube-days). Median tube dwell time was 21 days (range 4-57 days). There were eight mild adverse events, three moderate adverse events and no severe adverse events related to image-guided chest tubes. Radiologic resolution was achieved in 26/37 (70%). Twenty-three children (68%) survived to discharge; 11 children (32%) died from underlying cardiac disease. CONCLUSION: Management of chylothorax post-cardiac-surgery in children is multidisciplinary, requiring concomitant multipronged approaches, often through a protracted course. Multiple image-guided chest tube drainages can help achieve resolution with few complications. Interventional radiology involvement in tube care and maintenance is required. Overall, mortality remains high.

Autoimmune thyroid disease in children with diabetes and adolescents: A single center study from south Punjab.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease in children with diabetes. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2019 at the Children Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan, and comprised paediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus patients of both genders. Blood samples were obtained for detailed testing of thyroid functions tests. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 161 paediatric subjects, 83(51.6%) were boys. The overall mean age was 9.7±4.3 years. Thyroid peroxidase antibody was positive in 34(21.1%) patients and thyroglobulin antibody in 27(16.7%). Both antibodies were positive in 17(10.5%) patients. Six (3.7%) patients had evidence of subclinical hypothyroidism, 8(4.9%) had overt hypothyroidism and 1(0.62%) had hyperthyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus was 21%, with hypothyroidism being more prevalent compared to hyperthyroidism.

Odontogenic Keratocyst in a 9-Month-Old Patient: A Case Report.

Odontogenic Keratocyst (OKC) is a benign, intraosseous, odontogenic cyst which originates from the basal cells of overlying epithelium or from the dental lamina remnants. Clinically, they are presented as asymptomatic swellings, although can sometimes be associated with pain. Growth of an OKC leads to expansion and destruction of bone as it infiltrates the tissue around it. It is commonly seen in males between the second and fourth decades of life. The aim of this study is to report on the clinicopathological characteristics of an odontogenic keratocyst in a 9-month-old female patient and posterior rehabilitation with a removable maxillary expander.

Predicting oxidative stress induced by organic chemicals by using quantitative Structure-Activity relationship methods.

Cellular exposure to xenobiotic human-made products will lead to oxidative stress that gives rise to DNA damage, as well as chemical or mechanical damage. Distinguishing the chemicals that will induce oxidative stress and predicting their toxicity is necessary. In the present study, 4270 compounds in the ARE-bla assay were investigated to predict active and inactive compounds by using simple algorithms, namely, recursive partitioning (RP) and binomial logistic regression, and to develop the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models of chemicals that activate the ARE pathway to induce oxidative stress and exert toxic effects on cells. A decision tree based on scaffold-based fragments obtained through RP analysis showed the best identification accuracy. However, the overall identification accuracy of this model for active compounds was unsatisfactory due to limited fragments. Furthermore, a binomial logistic regression model was developed from 638 active compounds and 3632 inactive chemicals. The model with a cutoff of 0.15 could predict chemicals that were active or inactive with the prediction accuracy of 69.1%. Its area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve metric (AUROC) was 0.762, which indicated the acceptable predictive ability of this model. The parameters nBM (number of multiple bonds) and H% (percentage of H atom) played dominant roles in the prediction of the activity (inactive or active) of chemicals. A global QSAR model was developed to predict the toxicity of active chemicals. However, the model displayed an unsatisfactory result with R2 = 0.316 and R2ext = 0.090. Active chemicals were then classified on the basis of structure. A total of 79 compounds with carbon chains could be predicted with acceptable performance by using a QSAR model with six descriptors (R2 = 0.722, R2ext = 0.798, Q2Loo = 0.654, Q2Boot = 0.755, Q2ext = 0.721). The simple models established here contribute to efforts on identification compounds inducing oxidative stress and provide the scientific basis for risk assessment to organisms in the environment.

The effect of i-gel® insertion on the accuracy of cricothyroid membrane identification in adult females: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Identification of the cricothyroid membrane is frequently inaccurate in females because of less distinct anatomy compared with males. Supraglottic airway devices cause ventral displacement of the laryngeal structures. We investigated if this would impact on the accuracy of cricothyroid membrane identification using palpation. METHODS: We recruited 64 adult females who underwent assessment by volunteer participants with and without a sited i-gel® supraglottic airway device. The primary outcome was accuracy in identifying the cricothyroid membrane. Secondary outcomes included distance from participant estimate to actual cricothyroid membrane location and perceived difficulty using a visual analogue scale. Ultrasound images were analysed to determine the effect of the i-gel® on the anatomical structures relevant to cricothyroidotomy. RESULTS: The cricothyroid membrane was identified correctly in 42/64 subjects with the i-gel® in place (66%) vs 23/64 of controls (36%; P<0.001, mean difference 30%; 95% confidence interval, 12-47%). VAS (P<0.001) and distance to the cricothyroid membrane (P<0.001) decreased in the intervention group. Analysis of the ultrasound image series showed a reduction in the mean angle between the cricothyroid membrane and anterior wall of the trachea in the i-gel® group, because of the more ventral position of the cricoid cartilage compared with control images (166° vs 151°, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of the i-gel® improved accuracy of identifying the cricothyroid membrane using palpation in females. The cricoid cartilage was pushed ventrally by the i-gel® in the hypopharynx, creating a more palpable prominence. It may therefore be advantageous to retain a sited supraglottic airway, rather than remove it, before performing emergency cricothyroidotomy.

Perceptions of music therapy for older people among healthcare professionals.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: To investigate the perceptions of healthcare providers on music therapy and their recommendations on wider adoption in a hospital setting. DESIGN AND METHODS: A qualitative exploratory study employing short semistructured interviews using a thematic analysis method of data analysis. INTERVENTION: A qualitative exploratory study, employing short semistructured interviews was conducted in March 2015 in an urban teaching hospital to explore healthcare providers' attitudes towards and recommendations on music therapy. Convenience sampling was used for recruitment of hospital staff from a multidisciplinary geriatric unit. Only staff who had exposure, awareness, or participated in the hospital music therapy programme were asked to partake in an in-depth qualitative interview. MAIN FINDINGS: Themes emerging reflected a belief among hospital staff that music therapy was of benefit to patients and staff; perceptions of how a hospital music therapy programme should be implemented and a desire for expansion of the music therapy programme throughout the hospital setting. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Music therapy is of great importance to patients and healthcare professionals, and thus more attention is warranted to better integrate and advance this programme. This study is important because although numerous studies have examined music therapy from a patient health perspective, no report has analysed the perceptions of healthcare providers on this intervention and their recommendations on further development of music therapy services.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in a neonate.

Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare manifestation with an incidence of one affected individual among 400000 live births. NDM can be divided into Transient (TNDM) and Permanent (PNDM) types. A significant overlap occurs between both groups, to an extent that TNDM cannot be distinguished from PNDM based solely on clinical features. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (TIDM). DKA at diagnosis is more common in young children near the age of five years. Neonatal DKA is a rare occurrence causing it to be missed in the differential diagnosis of neonatal illness and results delay in appropriate management and increase in morbidity and mortality rate.

The percutaneous cecostomy tube in the management of fecal incontinence in children.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate experience with percutaneous cecostomies and their long-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between June 1994 and March 2009, 290 patients (mean age, 10.1 y) with fecal incontinence underwent percutaneous cecostomy tube placement and subsequent tube management. Technical success, procedural complications, and long-term follow-up until March 2012 were evaluated. RESULTS: A cecostomy was successfully placed in 284 patients (98%), and 257 of 280 patients (92%) underwent a successful exchange to a low-profile tube. A total of 1,431 routine exchanges to low-profile tubes were reviewed in 258 patients (mean, 1.6 ± 1.3 routine tube changes per 1,000 days). Eighty-five patients (29%) experienced one or more early problems after cecostomy, and 10 (3%) had major complications. In the total 463,507 tube-days, 938 late problems were noted: 917 (98%) minor and 22 (2%) major. Forty patients had the cecostomy catheter removed and 141 "graduated" to an adult health care facility. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous cecostomy procedure provides a safe management option for fecal incontinence in the pediatric population.

Home fortification with calcium reduces Hb response to iron among anaemic Bangladeshi infants consuming a new multi-micronutrient powder formulation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the recommended dietary intake of Ca in anaemic infants compromises the expected Hb response, via home fortification with a new Ca- and Fe-containing Sprinkles™ micronutrient powder (MNP). DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized controlled, 2-month trial was conducted in Bangladesh. Infants were randomized to one of two MNP intervention groups containing Fe and other micronutrients, with or without Ca. Hb, anthropometrics and dietary intake were measured pre- and post-intervention while family demographics were collected at baseline. SETTING: Twenty-six rural villages in the Kaliganj sub-district of Gazipur, Bangladesh. SUBJECTS: One hundred infants aged 6-11 months. RESULTS: A significant increase in Hb (MNP, 13·3 (sd 12·6) g/l v. Ca-MNP, 7·6 (sd 11·6) g/l; P < 0·0001) was noted in infants from both groups. However, infants receiving MNP without Ca had a significantly higher end-point Hb concentration (P = 0·024) and rate of anaemia recovery (P = 0·008). Infants receiving MNP with Ca were more likely to remain anaemic (OR 3·2; 95 % CI 1·4, 7·5). Groups did not differ in dietary intake or demographic and anthropometric indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Although both groups showed significant improvement in Hb status, the nutrient-nutrient interaction between Fe and Ca may have diminished the Hb response in infants receiving the Ca-containing MNP.

Association of LPP and ZMIZ1 Gene Polymorphism with Celiac Disease in Subjects from Punjab, Pakistan.

Celiac disease (CD) is a complicated autoimmune disease that is caused by gluten sensitivity. It was commonly believed that CD only affected white Europeans, but recent findings show that it is also prevailing in some other racial groups, like South Asians, Caucasians, Africans, and Arabs. Genetics plays a profound role in increasing the risk of developing CD. Genetic Variations in non-HLA genes such as LPP, ZMIZ1, CCR3, and many more influence the risk of CD in various populations. This study aimed to explore the association between LPP rs1464510 and ZMIZ1 rs1250552 and CD in the Punjabi Pakistani population. For this, a total of 70 human subjects were selected and divided into healthy controls and patients. Genotyping was performed using an in-house-developed tetra-amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between LPP rs1464510 (χ2 = 4.421, p = 0.035) and ZMIZ1 rs1250552 (χ2 = 3.867, p = 0.049) and CD. Multinomial regression analysis showed that LPP rs1464510 A allele reduces the risk of CD by ~52% (OR 0.48, CI: 0.24-0.96, 0.037), while C allele-carrying subjects are at ~2.6 fold increased risk of CD (OR 3.65, CI: 1.25-10.63, 0.017). Similarly, the ZMIZ1 rs1250552 AG genotype significantly reduces the risk of CD by 73% (OR 0.26, CI: 0.077-0.867, p = 0.028). In summary, Genetic Variations in the LPP and ZMIZ1 genes influence the risk of CD in Punjabi Pakistani subjects. LPP rs1464510 A allele and ZMIZ1 AG genotype play a protective role and reduce the risk of CD.

Silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar for soil arsenic immobilization and alleviation of phytotoxicity in barley: Implications for human health risk.

Arsenic (As)-induced environmental pollution and associated health risks are recognized on a global level. Here the impact of cotton shells derived biochar (BC) and silicon-nanoparticles loaded biochar (nano-Si-BC) was explored on soil As immobilization and its phytotoxicity in barley plants in a greenhouse study. The barley plants were grown in a sandy loam soil with varying concentrations of BC and nano-Si-BC (0, 1, and 2%), along with different levels of As (0, 5, 10, and 20 mg kg-1). The FTIR spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, and XRD were used to characterize BC and nano-Si-BC. Results revealed that As treatment had a negative impact on barley plant development, grain yield, physiology, and anti-oxidative response. However, the addition of nano-Si-BC led to a 71% reduction in shoot As concentration compared to the control with 20 mg kg-1 of As, while BC alone resulted in a 51% decline. Furthermore, the 2% nano-Si-BC increased grain yield by 94% compared to control and 28% compared to BC. The addition of 2% nano-Si-BC to As-contaminated soil reduced oxidative stress (34% H2O2 and 48% MDA content) and enhanced plant As tolerance (92% peroxidase and 46% Ascorbate peroxidase activity). The chlorophyll concentration in barley plants decreased due to oxidative stress. Additionally, the incorporation of 2% nano-Si-BC resulted in a 76% reduction in water soluble and NaHCO3 extractable As. It is concluded that the use of BC or nano-Si-BC in As contaminated soil for barley resulted in a low human health risk (HQ < 1), as it effectively immobilized As and promoted higher activity of antioxidants.

Potential of amino acids-modified biochar in mitigating the soil Cu and Ni stresses - Targeting the tomato growth, physiology and fruit quality.

Trace heavy metals (HMs) such as copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni) are toxic to plants, especially tomato at high levels. In this study, biochar (BC) was treated with amino acids (AA) to enhance amino functional groups, which effectively alleviated the adverse effects of heavy metals (HMs) on tomato growth. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of glycine and alanine modified BC (GBC/ABC) on various tomato growth parameters, its physiology, fruit yield and Cu/Ni uptake under Cu and Ni stresses. In a pot experiment, there was 21 treatments with three replications having two rates of simple BC and glycine/alanine enriched BC (0.5% and 1% (w/w). Cu and Ni stresses were added at 150 mg kg-1 respectively. Plants were harvested after 120 days of sowing and subjected to various analysis. Under Cu and Ni stresses, tomato roots accumulated more Cu and Ni than shoots and fruits, while GBC and ABC application significantly enhanced the root and shoot dry weight irrelevant to the stress conditions. Both rates of GBC decreased the malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide levels in plants. The addition of 0.5% GBC with Cu enhanced the tomato fruit dry weight by 1.3 folds in comparison to the control treatment; while tomato fruit juice content also increased (50%) in the presence of 0.5% GBC with Ni as compared to control. In summary, these results demonstrated that lower rate of GBC∼0.5% proved to be the best in mitigating the Cu and Ni stress on tomato plant growth by enhancing the fruit production.

Psychological screening in children with diabetes mellitus type-I at the children's hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of psychological problems in diabetic children. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Diabetic clinic of the Children's Hospital and the Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan, from March to December 2011. Diabetic patients aged 7-15 years, who were on insulin therapy for at least one year were included in the study. Demographic data, history and physical examination were recorded. Glycosylated haemoglobin level was checked in all cases, and the Childhood Depression Inventory was used to assess the psychological well-being of the children. A minimum score of 13/54 was used to screen for depression. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Out of 86 diabetic children, clinical depression was observed in 29 (33.7%). Poor socioeconomic status (21/29; 72.4%), longstanding disease (16/29; 55.1%) and adolescence age (20/29; 69%) were the major factors associated with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Depression is a commonly associated psychological disorder in diabetic children, and should be addressed along with medical and dietary management.