: There is minimal literature regarding micronutrient deficiencies in flood-affected regions. In our study, we aimed to find the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, calcium, zinc, iron, and iodine) among preschool and school-age children in flood-hit areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. In this cross-sectional study, a multi-stage sampling technique was used for the selection of 656 households. Serum micronutrient status was detected in the targeted population in the affected districts. The least significant difference test was used with analysis of variance to determine significant differences in nutrient contents in different areas. Of the total respondents, 90.8% of the children were calcium deficient, 88.3% were zinc deficient, 26.7% were iron deficient, 53.5% were vitamin A deficient, and 39.5% were had an iodine deficiency in flood-affected areas. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was found in different age groups of children for zinc (5.7–42.63 μg/dL) and urinary iodine (69.6–85.4 μg/L). The 10- to 12-year-old age group had a lower serum zinc concentration (5.7 μg/dL), whereas the 1- to 3-year-old age group had a lower urinary iodine concentration (69.6 μg/L) than other groups. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between male and female children and various age groups for calcium and iron status. Vitamin A levels were significantly (P < 0.05) different among different age groups (high in age group 4–6 years) and districts. Vitamin A concentration was lower in the Nowshera District, whereas serum iron and zinc were lower in the Dera Ismail Khan District. All the important micronutrients in the population of children were deficient in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Therefore, policymakers should implement potential prevention strategies, such as food security, school health nutrition, food fortification, nutrition in the first 1,000 golden days, nutrition knowledge, and awareness of the local population, to reduce the burden of micronutrients deficiencies in flood-affected areas.

Nanostructure gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are well-known biological active materials, synthesised under different environment-friendly approaches that has gained significant interest in the field of biomedicine. This study investigated a novel, fast, easy, cost-effective and the eco-friendly method to synthesise Au NPs from mediated Viscum album Linn plant extract, where the plant metabolites act as stabilising and reducing agents. The synthesised Au NPs were analysed by UV/Vis spectroscopy that gave strong signals and a sharp absorption peak at 545 nm due to the presence of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed that strong signals of Au NPs appeared at 9.7 and 2.3 keV, as the rays of light passed. X-ray diffraction recognised the crystalline material and provided information on the cell unit that the synthesised Au NPs are face-centreed cubic in structure. The diffraction of X-ray spectra showed intense peaks at 38.44°, 44.7°, 44.9° and 77.8°. The mediated V. album plant extracts and synthesised Au NPs were screened against gram-positive and gram-negative (Enterobacter, Salmonella typhi, Escheria coli and Bacillus subtilis) bacterial strains, confirming their antibacterial potential. Au NPs showed strong antibacterial activity due to its unique steric configuration. Au NPs damaged bacterial cell membrane leading to the leakage of the cytoplasm and death of the cell.

An ethno-botanical study was carried out to consolidate knowledge on folk uses of plant resources of Hazar Nao Hills, District Malakand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. Data were recorded from February 2019 to March 2020 by collecting old information from the local inhabitants including old age males, females and herbalists about different uses of plant resources. Data were collected through a well-structured questionnaire by interviewing 150 local men, women, and herbalists. As per our data, 72 vascular plant species, belonging to 45 different families and 56 genera were used by the local people for diverse native uses. Of all families recorded in this study, except two, all belong to Spermatophyta, a major division of plant kingdom. With regard to the habits of plant species recorded in the area, 36 were herbs, 10 shrubs, 25 trees and one pteridophyte. On a percentage basis, the total plant species (72) collected from the study area comprised 49% herbs, 14% shrubs, 34% trees, and 1% pteridophyte. The highest numbers of species recorded were from families Lamiaceae (5 spp.) and Poaceae (5 spp.) followed by families Euphorbiaceae (4 spp.), Moraceae (4 spp), and Polygonaceae (4 spp). Overall, the field scrutiny showed that overgrazing, deforestation, unscientific collection and agricultural expansion, as well as their considerable use for feed or medicinal purposes are the factors causing a significant decline of native vegetation. Thus, continuous work on plant resources and conservation of Hazar Nao Hills is imperatively needed.