Uterine Artery Doppler Pulsatility Index in the First Trimester as a Forecaster of Pre-Eclampsia in Primary Gravida

Objective: To uncover a correlation between a high uterine artery pulsatility index on Doppler ultrasound and the early onset of pre-eclampsia to reduce maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Combined Military Hospital, Multan Pakistan, from Jun 2020 to Dec 2021. Methodology: After Ethical Approval and informed consent, the umbilical artery pulsatility (UAPI) of the patients was measured by a transabdominal scan(TAS) between 75 and 100 days. Raised UAPI was correlated with early onset preeclampsia. Results: One hundred and sixty pregnant women were included in the study, out of which 34(21.3%) women developed preeclampsia, and 126(78.8%) were normal patients. Maternal weight (p=0.001), maternal BMI (p=0.002), gestational age and weight at delivery (p=0.001), and uterine artery doppler pulsatility index (p=0.001) had statistically significant differences with pre-eclampsia and regular patients among the target population. Conclusion: First-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index on Doppler ultrasound is a beneficial technique to recognize the women by risk status and target them to prevent pre-eclampsia

Second Screen Phenomena and News Consumption in Pakistan

The second screen phenomenon is a hybrid media process referring to the complementary and simultaneous use of television and a second web-connected screen for media consumption. The present study examined the impact of demographic characteristics (i.e. gender, age, education, and income) on audience activity for second screen news consumption in Pakistan. An online survey based on snowball sampling was conducted from 400 respondents. The results showed that gender only plays a role in usage during post exposure. The age was comparatively a strong predictor of audience activity. It has a positive relationship with involvement during exposure and usage during post exposure phase of second screen news consumption. Our study contributes to the existing literature by identifying the predictors for changing news consumption patterns in the new media eco-system and helps in a better understanding of contemporary media audiences.</jats:p

Appraisal of nitric oxide priming to improve the physiology of bread wheat

AbstractSeed priming is a pre-sown treatment and it is often used to improve the performance of plants in any environment, especially germination. In the current study, various concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) were used to evaluate its role for the induction of physiological variations within seven different wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. Two experiments were conducted during 2013 and 2014 and the data were statistically analysed for significance. All these genotypes after treatment with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as NO donor at 10−4 and 10−5 M concentrations were sown following randomized complete block design with triplicates in the fields of District Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. The concentration of NO at 10−4 M showed promising results and most of the studied characters were found improved compared to control. Wheat varieties primed with 10−4 M SNP showed highest germination speed and germination percentage. NARC-2011 and Uqab-2002 showed much improvement in physiological attributes at both concentrations of NO priming. However, Uqab-2002 and Punjab-2011 showed a significant increase in chlorophyll contents and leaf moisture content with 10−4 and 10−5 M SNP priming compared to control. Highest relative water content was observed within unprimed Lasani, whereas the relative injury was found to be decreased at 10−4 M SNP primed Faisalabad-2008. Wheat varieties Punjab-2011 and Faisalabad-2008 showed the highest increase in grain yield and biological yield by 10−4 M SNP. Hence, it is concluded that sowing of crops after priming at 10−4 M NO concentration can improve the germination, biochemistry and physiology that ultimately lead to an increase in crop yield.</jats:p

Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoids, Metal Content and Proximate Potential of <i>Solanum xanthocarpum</i> L. (Solanaceae)

AbstractThe current research work is focused on screening of antimicrobial, antioxidant, total phenolic, total flavonoid, metal estimation and proximate potential of four parts (fruits, leaves, stem bark and root bark) of S. xanthocarpum. Antimicrobial potential of dried crude extracts of S. xanthocarpum were evaluated against two gram positive bacteria (S. aureus, P. vulgaris), three gram negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, E. coli), three fungi (A. flavus, F. solani, stolonifer) and two yeasts (S. cerevisiae, C. albicans) by using disc diffusion assay. Five organic solvents ranging from non-polar to highly polar were used for extraction of active metabolites. Amongst all the parts of S. xanthocarpum tested, antimicrobial activity of methanol extract of fruits (14.67±0.33) against P. aeruginosa, ethanolic extract of leaves against P. vulgaris (14±0.58), stem bark methanolic extract against S. aureus (13±0.58) and stem bark methanolic extract against P. vulgaris (17.67±0.33) were found to be more significant. All other extracts also showed promising antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens. Among fungal pathogens, R. stolonifer and S. cerevisiae were found to be more sensitive to extracts of S. xanthocarpum. Gram negative bacteria exhibited more resistance than gram positive bacteria. However, fungi were found to be more resistant than bacteria. All the extracts showed antioxidant activity. However, methanol extract of stem bark of S. xanthocarpum with IC50 value of 0.323102 mg mL−1 showed maximum antioxidant potential. Total phenolic contents ranged from 12.3541±1.73 to 23.2942±1.33 Pmol GA/ug. However, highest flavonoid content was found in the stem bark extract (17.8480±1.75 ugRutin/ug) and lowest in leaves extract of S. xanthocarpum (2.4806±0.59 ugRutin/ug). Total metal contamination in four parts of Solanum xanthocarpum (fruits, leaves, stem bark and root bark) was estimated by atomic absorption spectroscopy and results showed Cadmium contamination in its stem bark and root bark, Chromium contamination in leaves, stem bark and root bark, Copper and Magnesium contamination in all parts of S. xanthocarpum and Maganese contamination in leaves critically above the standard permissible limits. The proximate analysis of the Solanum xanthocarpum revealed that stem bark is a poor source of lipid (3.42%) and high carbohydrate (50.07%) and ash (16.50%) contents. Whereas, root bark has highest wet moisture content (65%), dry moisture content (20%) and lowest fiber (13%). Highest energy (285.455%), protein (8.32%), fat (9.79%) and lowest amount of ash (13%) was found in fruits. This composition shows that the Solanum xanthocarpum could be considered as a good source of carbohydrate, moisture and energy. These results revealed that over all, methanolic extract of the S. xanthocarpum is richest in phenolic, flavonoid and nutritional contents as well as most potent against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Therefore, further investigation is recommended to isolate, screen and characterize their active metabolites.</jats:p