Physiological Aspects of Germination and Early Seedling Establishment of Pleurotus sajor-caju Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Expressing Transgenic Rice in Saline Environment.

GPD encodes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme involved in sugar mobilization, particularly glycolysis and gluconeogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine physiological aspects of germination and early seedling establishment of PsGPD (Pleurotus sajor-caju glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) expressing transgenic rice (T5) against different salt concentrations. The T5 line that carried 2 copies of T-DNA and had the highest level of PsGPD expression was used in the investigation. Final germination percentage, amylase activity, reducing sugar accumulation, and chlorophyll biosynthesis were comparatively higher in PsGPD expressing transgenic rice against elevating saline conditions. A slow-paced conversion of porphyrin's precursors was seen through the matrix model and further elaborated by a graphical model. A sustained level of porphyrin was observed in PsGPD expressing transgenic rice. These data were concurrent with the relative gene expression and thermal imaging (thermography) of PsGPD expressing transgenic rice against salt stress. Morphological attributes also favored the salt tolerance exhibited by PsGPD-transformed rice.

A MULTI-CENTER SHIELDING VERIFICATION STUDY FOR RADIOTHERAPY LINAC BUNKERS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN.

The high energy radiotherapy linear accelerators (LINAC) offer considerable risk of radiation hazards to patient, worker and public if adequate safety measures are not taken into the account. Proper bunker designing with appropriate shielding is an important safety measure, which protects workers and member of general public. The present study describes the details of shielding of LINAC bunker in four radiotherapy centers of Karachi city. In order to conduct the study, shielding of five LINAC installed in four radiotherapy centers was assessed by considering real occupancy factor, dose limits for worker and public, etc. to verify that shielding of the bunkers conforms to the national and international standards like International Atomic Energy Agency and National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement. After the assessment, it was concluded that all bunkers conform to the radiation protection requirements and present adequate shielded. This is an important step to achieve as low as reasonably achievable principle and protect workers and member of general public.