Role of growth regulators and plant water extracts on the productivity and water use efficiency of wheat genotypes under limited water supply / Papel dos reguladores de crescimento e dos extratos de plantas sobre a eficiência da produtividade e do uso da água dos genótipos de trigo sob abastecimento de água limitada

Empowerment of wheat genotypes by application of growth regulators, compatible solutes and plant extracts under water restriction is an important strategy for getting sustainable yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of drought stress on the growth and yield of wheat genotypes and also monitor and compare the role of ABA, SA as well as moringa and mulbery leaf water extracts in improving drought tolerance of wheat genotypes. The work was performed at the research area of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Three wheat cultivars Aas-2011, Faisalabad- 2008 and Triple dwarf-1 were subjected to drought stress (skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage). The wheat genotypes were subjected to treatments viz., T1 i.e. All normal irrigation without application of abscisic acid (ABA), salicylic acid (SA), moringa (MLE) and mulberry leaf water extract (MBLE), T2 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 2µM ABA, T3 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 10 m mol SA, T4 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 15% MLE and T5 i.e. skipping the irrigation at grain filling stage and application of 10% MBLE. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial arrangement and repeated three times. From this study it is concluded that Aas-2011 shown best result under drought condition by applying growth regulators and plant water extracts.

O fortalecimento de genótipos de trigo pela aplicação de reguladores de crescimento, solutos compatíveis e extratos vegetais sob restrição hídrica é uma importante estratégia para obtenção de produção sustentável. Trilha de campo foi realizada na área de pesquisa da Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade de Ghazi, Dera Ghazi Khan, Paquistão. Três cultivares de trigo Aas-2011, Faisalabad-2008 e Triple anão-1 foram submetidas a estresse hídrico (pulando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos). Os genótipos de trigo foram submetidos a tratamentos, T1, ou seja, irrigação normal sem aplicação de ácido abscísico (ABA), ácido salicílico (SA), moringa (MLE) e extrato de água de amoreira (MBLE), T2¬, pular a irrigação em estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de ABA 2µM, T3 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de 10 m mol SA, T4 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no estágio de enchimento de grãos e aplicação de 15% MLE e T5 ou seja, ignorando a irrigação no enchimento de grãos estágio e aplicação de 10% MBLE. O experimento foi exposto no delineamento de blocos completos casualizados com arranjo fatorial e repetido três vezes. A partir deste estudo conclui-se que Aas-2011 apresentou melhor resultado sob condição de seca, aplicando reguladores de crescimento e extratos de água de plantas.

Bioconversion of hemicellulosic materials into ethanol by yeast, Pichia kudriavzevii 2-KLP1, isolated from industrial waste / Bioconversión de materiales hemicelulósicos en etanol por la levadura Pichia kudriavzevii 2-KLP1 aislada de residuos industriales

In the present work, a yeast strain Pichia kudriavzevii was identified on the basis of 18S rDNA, showing maximum growth at 30°C and pH 7.0. Among all the complex polysaccharides used, wheat bran proved to be the best substrate as indicated by the maximum growth of the yeast strain. The yeast isolate was capable of producing xylanase both intra-and extra-cellularly, the dominant form being extracellular. The maximum enzyme activity was determined at pH 5.0 and at 50°C. Na+, Mg2+ and Fe2+ presence caused a substantial increase in enzyme activity while a slight decrease (4.5%) was observed in the presence of Mn2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+. Pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activities were assayed to confirm the presence of the ethanol pathway and PDC activity was much more pronounced (73%) compared to ADH activity (51%). The yeast strain can be employed to utilize hemicellulose containing agroindustrial residues for ethanol production.

En el presente estudio se identificó en aguas residuales de una zona industrial de Pakistán una cepa de la levadura Pichia kudriavzevii sobre la base del 18S ADNr, dicha cepa mostró un crecimiento máximo a 30 °C y a pH 7. Entre todos los sustratos de crecimiento evaluados para esta cepa, que incluyeron residuos industriales y medios definidos, el salvado de trigo demostró ser el mejor en función del crecimiento máximo alcanzado. Este aislado de levadura fue capaz de producir xilanasa intracelular y extracelular, esta última fue la forma predominante. Dicha capacidad enzimàtica mostró ser óptima a un pH de 5 y a 50°C. La presencia de Na+, Mg2+ y Fe2+ causó un incremento sustancial de la actividad enzimática, y hubo un ligero descenso (4,5%) en presencia de Mn2+, Zn2+ y Cu2+. Se evaluaron también las actividades de piruvato descarboxilasa y alcohol deshidrogenasa para confirmar la presencia de la vía del etanol. La actividad de la piruvato descarboxilasa fue mucho más pronunciada (73%) en comparación con la de alcohol deshidrogenasa (51%). Esta cepa de levadura puede emplearse para aprovechar los materiales hemicelulósicos de los residuos agroindustriales en la producción de etanol.

Cases and Causes of Depression among School Going Adolescents in Lahore, Pakistan

Depression is a mental syndrome and lifetime prevalence of depression is found to be 16.2% in general population. Symptoms of depression in adolescent are different in comparison to adults. These symptoms include disrupted sleep, weigh loss or gain, stubbornness, irritating behavior while getting ready for school and loss of interest in sports. Major risk factors for depressive disorder in adolescent are low socioeconomic status, poverty and low parental education. A descriptive study was conducted in which data was collected through a validated questionnaire from more than 15 randomly selected private and government schools in Lahore. Total 478 students (F=190, M=288) from different schools with different socioeconomics background participated in the present study. Around 438 (91.6%) students responded that they have gone through the depression at some phase of their life. 23.2% and 43.9% students answered that they feel ignored and worthless by their family members often or occasionally, respectively. Domestic fights, quarrel and unfriendly environment, like shouting and use of abusive language disturb the psychological health of the children and provoke feelings of loneliness and sadness. Depression is a mental illness and one should not be shy about and feel uncomfortable for getting help. Seminars for awareness should be conducted at Government and Private level to reduce the incidence of depression among teenagers.

Oxidative Stress, Chromium-Resistance and Uptake by Fungi: Isolated from Industrial Wastewater

ABSTRACT Trichosporon asahii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolated from wastewater effluents were identified as chromium-resistant yeasts. Cr(VI) concentrations at 8 mM and 6 mM were inhibitory for R. mucilaginosa and T. asahii. Remarkably elevated GSH (69.88 ± 10.01) and GSSG (11.24 ± 0.96) was observed under metal stress in T. asahii as compared to R. mucilaginosa GSH (18.95 ± 3.19) and GSSG (3.7 ± 2.74) mM g-1 8 level. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher GSH/GSSG ratio in both strains. NPSH (29.84 ± 0.54) level in T. asahii was much higher than in R. mucilaginosa (6.05 ± 0.24). Chromate reductase (ChR) was assayed and its activity was optimum at 50°C (pH 6) in T. asahii while R. mucilaginosa showed higher activity at 30°C (pH 7). Activity of both ChRs was enhanced in the presence of Mg, Na, Co and Ca but strongly inhibited by Hg cations. Cr(VI) uptake capabilities were ranged between 43-97% in R. mucilaginosa and 35-88% in T. asahii. One dimensional electrophoresis revealed enriched bands of cysteine rich metallothioneins suggesting some differential proteins could be overexpressed under Cr(VI) stress.

Pelvic Nodular Histiocytic and Mesothelial Hyperplasia in a Patient with Endometriosis and Uterine Leiomyoma

No abstract available.

Characterization of Lipase from Bacillus subtilisI-4 and Its Potential Use in Oil Contaminated Wastewater

ABSTRACTA lipase producing bacterium was isolated from oil contaminated effluents of various industries from Sheikhupura Road, Pakistan, and, on the basis of biochemical and 16S rRNA ribotyping, was identified asBacillus subtilis. The optimum temperature and pH for the growth of the culture were 37ºC and 7.0, respectively.B. subtilis I-4 had a lag phase of 4 h in LB medium while this phase prolonged to 6 h in oil containing medium. The optimum temperature and pH for the enzyme activity were 50ºC and 7.0, respectively. Maximum lipase activity was found in the presence of Ca ions. Olive oil and Tween 80 induced lipase gene in the bacterium while concentration of oil greater than 2% retarded the growth of the organism. In addition to lipaseB. subtilis I-4 also produced alkane hydroxylase and biosurfactant which could make this bacterium potential candidate for lipase production as well as bioremediation of oil-contaminated wastewater.

Increased Expression of Forkhead Box M1 Is Associated with Aggressive Phenotype and Poor Prognosis in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

Fox transcription factors play a critical role in the regulation of a variety of biological processes. While FoxM1 behaves like the oncogenic transcription factor, FoxO3a is known as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting FoxM1. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of FoxM1 and FoxO3a expression in breast cancer. Expression of FoxM1 and FoxO3a were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining on tissue microarray sections from 236 breast cancer patients, and correlated with various clinicopathological characteristics. Overexpression of FoxM1 correlated with adverse clinicopathological features, such as larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, and lymphovascular invasion. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed no prognostic significance of FoxM1 expression. However, in subgroup analyses with patients of estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancers, FoxM1 overexpression associated with poor disease free and overall survival. No association was found between FoxO3a and FoxM1 expression. Regarding clinicopathological variables, the only association between histologic grade and FoxO3a was observed. In conclusion, FoxM1 overexpression was significantly associated with aggressive phenotypes and poor prognosis of ER-positive breast cancer. These findings suggest the possible role of FoxM1 as a prognostic biomarker and putative target of anti-cancer therapy.

High MicroRNA-370 Expression Correlates with Tumor Progression and Poor Prognosis in Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Deregulation of microRNA-370 (miR-370) has been reported in various cancers, in which it can act as either an oncogene or a tumor suppressor gene. However, the clinicopathologic significance of miR-370 expression in breast cancer has not been studied. METHODS: The expression of miR-370 was determined with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary breast cancer tissues. Additionally, the protein expression levels of previously known targets of miR-370, such as FOXM1, FOXO1, and FOXO3a, were detected using immunohistochemistry. Finally, we analyzed its correlation with target protein expression, clinicopathologic features, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: High levels of miR-370 expression correlated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.009), advanced stage (p=0.002), and frequent perineural invasion (p=0.042). Moreover, patients with high miR-370 expression had poor disease-free survival compared with the low-expression group. However, no correlation was observed between miR-370 and its target protein expression. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that upregulation of miR-370 in breast cancer is correlated with breast cancer progression and that it might be a potential biomarker for predicting clinical outcomes.

Optimization of Cultural Conditions for Cochliobolus heterostrophus Isolates from Infected Maize Plants from Different Agricultural Zones of Pakistan.

Southern corn leaf blight caused by Cochliobolus heterostrophus is a major foliar disease of maize crop in Pakistan. The disease affects leaves, leaf sheaths, ears and maize grains. Suitable physiological conditions which include different nutrient media, temperature, pH, carbon and nitrogen sources were determined for growth and reproduction of the pathogen. Among all media used viz, the best supporting medium was found to be Richard’s agar for the growth of pathogen after 7 days of incubation. Different temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35ºC) were selected for mycelia growth of the pathogen, among which maximum growth was found to be at 30ºC (80 mm colony size) and minimum at 35ºC (35 mm). Maximum radial colony growth of the pathogen was observed at neutral pH (80 mm). Sucrose and potassium nitrate (KNO3) were found to be the most appropriate sources of carbon and nitrogen respectively.

Sequential Application of Plastic Media- Trickling Filter and Sand Filter for Domestic Wastewater Treatment at Low Temperature Condition.

Present research was aimed towards designing and construction of efficient plastic media-trickling filter (TF) for the treatment of domestic wastewater. The hydraulic flow rate through the TF was maintained at 80±2 ml/min at a temperature range of 5-15ºC by selecting treatment time of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. Parameters like COD, BOD5, TSS, turbidity, NO3, NO2, SO4, PO4 and pathogenic indicator microbes were monitored after treatment of 12, 24, 36 and 48 hrs. The efficiency of the TF was improved with increase of time from 12 to 48 hrs. Maximum efficiency of TF was observed after 48 hrs treatment viz. 93.45, 93, 86.25, 57.8, 63.15, 25, 32.43, 99.95 and 86.3% reduction from the zero time value for BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms respectively. Finally 48 hrs treated sample was passed through sand filter (SF) for further final polishing and approximately, 95.72, 95, 100, 73.5, 65.8, 58.3, 37.83, 100 and 91.5% reduction in BOD5, COD, TSS, PO4, SO4, NO3, NO2, turbidity and fecal coliforms was observed. This study showed that plastic media-trickling filter along with sand filter is a promising technology for wastewater treatment and can be scaled up for small communities in the developing countries.

The Study of Evaluation of Drug Use by Using WHO’S Prescribing, Patient Care and Health Facility Indicators in Selected Health Facilities in Province Punjab, Pakistan.

Rational drug use study is important for the patient care, and also act as a measure of the quality of care which is provided to patients, this study was conductedin the outdoor departments of 20 selected health facilities out of total 36 facilities of province Punjab, Pakistan by applying the core indicators of WHO.Average number of drug prescribed was 3.2 per prescription, percentage of generic drugs was 29.7%, percentage of antibiotic prescribed, injection prescribed, and percentage of drugs from NEDL were 64%, 0%, 96.5% respectively while ciprofloxacin was the most commonly used antibiotic. Average consultation time was 2.58 minutes; average dispensing time 88.5 seconds, percentage of drug actually dispensed was 82.9%, percentage of drug adequately labeled 96.9%, percentage knowledge of correct dosage 24%. Availability of NEDL or formulary was 90%,percentage of availability of key drugs in stock was 64.3%.Overall condition of rational use of medicines was not satisfactory in hospitals; this study will promote the rational use of medicines and good clinical pharmacy practice in hospitals of province Punjab, Pakistan by identifying the problems in rational use of drugs.

Antioxidant potentials in sprouts vs. seeds of Vigna radiata and Macrotyloma uniflorum.

Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of two common legumes, Vigna radiata (Green gram) and Macrotyloma uniflorum (Horse gram) for their seeds and sprouts was investigated by adopting various in vitro models such as reducing power assay, DPPH assay, total phenolic assay and total antioxidant assays. The results showed higher antioxidant abilities in the sprouts than their seeds for the various antioxidant tests performed. Sprouts described above are being used in traditional diet as a beneficial source of food with very high nutritional value and support the concept of functional foods and the results are discussed.

Treatment of condyloma acumina with podophyllotoxin versus combination therapy

Condyloma acuminata is growing problem due to its resistance to convertional treatment, increased recurrence rate and its relationship with carcinoma. We have designed this study to evaluate the efficacy, adverse effects and immunomadulating effects of podophyllotoxin as a treatment modality of condyloma acuminate as compared to podophyllotoxin plus interferon alpha-1 cream. Podophyllotoxin as monotherapy and its combinat ion therapy with interferon alpha-1 cream produced complete response in 40% and 68% while recurrence in 48% and 20% patients respectively. Topical podophyllotoxin produced pain and inflammation while after its combination with interferon alpha-1 cream. The incidence of adverse effects remained the same. Lymphoblast tranformation activity and natural Killer activity were performed for every patient before either of treatment modalities and after only in case of combination therepy