Study of southern corn leaf blight (SCLB) on maize genotypes and its effect on yield

AbstractSouthern corn leaf blight is considered the most devastating disease of maize crop, which causes noticeable reduction in crop yield. Inbred lines are useful because they are genotyped, multiple time phenotyping is possible, and genetic uniformity, genetic stability and its vigor make inbred lines suitable to study in diversified environment. In present investigation, 12 maize genotypes viz: NC-2703 (hybrid), NC-2003 (hybrid), SP-3 (inbred line), NCML-73 (inbred line), NRL-6 (inbred line), NRL-4 (inbred line), Soan-3 (variety), Rakaposhi (variety), Margala (variety), EV-1097 (variety), Local-Y (variety), Local-W (variety) were tested against southern corn leaf blight under laboratory and field conditions. According to disease severity scale (0–5) inbreds SP-3 and NCML-73 were found highly resistant; Local-W moderately resistance and rest of the genotypes were least resistance in in vitro analysis. In field screening, Margala, NRL-4, EV-1097 showed maximum resistance followed by moderately resistant SP-3, NCML-73, NC-2703, NRL-6 and Local-Y maize genotypes. NC-2003, Rakaposhi and Soan-3 showed least resistance during field evaluation. Cochliobolus heterostrophus showed considerable effects on yield of crop. Significant difference was found in grain yield, plant height, ear height and ear weight while ear placement, ear per plant and infected ear data were non-significant. The results clearly showed the effect on maize genotypes and its yield

Effect Of Zinc And Ingredients Of Protein Supplement On Sperm Parameters And Male Reproductive Hormones- An RCT Study

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the protective effects of zinc against injury to sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones brought on by toxic protein supplement constituents. Methods: 30 male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study, of which 10 were in Group 1 (given standard laboratory food), 10 were in Group 2, fed standard laboratory food nutritional supplement powder and 10 were in Group 3, fed standard laboratory food, nutritional supplement powder and zinc. Semen Analysis of Male Sprague Dawley rats of all 3 groups was evaluated after 8 weeks. Sperm parameters and serum levels of Male Reproductive Hormones were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. Results: There was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Mean ± SEM of sperm count millions /ml, sperm motility (%), and normal sperm morphology (%) in Group 2 rats when compared with Group 1. Zinc supplement in Group 3 caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in Mean ± SEM of sperm parameters including sperm count millions /ml, sperm motility (%) and normal sperm morphology (%) as compared to Group 2 rats. Mean ± SEM of serum level of testosterone Hormone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone(LH) of Group 2 rats showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease when compared with Group 1 rats. However, the use of Zinc in Group 3 rats significantly (P<0.05) increased serum Testosterone, FSH, and LH levels when compared to Group 2. No significant difference was noted between serum levels of Testosterone, in Group 1 and Group 3. Serum levels of FSH and LH in Group 3 rats (484.81+ 78.17 ng/ml) were significantly increased (P<0.05) as compared to Group 1 rats. Conclusion: Regular addition of antioxidant Zinc with protein supplements has the potential to restore normal functions of the male reproductive system.

Association Of Maternal Age And Hemoglobin Level With Apgar Score Of Newborns In A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Suburbs Of Islamabad

Objectives: To determine the association of Apgar score with maternal age and hemoglobin. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on mothers (n=306) delivering live, full-term, singleton babies by spontaneous vertex delivery. Women who suffered stillbirths had babies of unknown gestational age or showed co-morbidities were excluded. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Mean + standard deviation, and percentages were calculated. Cross-tabulation and logistic regression were done to see the association between dependent and independent variables. A p-value of <0.05 was statistically significant. Results The ages of women ranged from 20 to 40 years (mean= 25+1.9).  The number of patients aged 24 years with Hb <7g/dl was 6 (37.5%). Out of all, 90 (29.4%) patients had Hb >11g/dl, and their ages were 30 years which was significant (p = 0.000). Apgar score for the neonates showed that 258 (84.3%) had an Apgar score >7 while 48 (15.7%) had a score < 7. Babies of mothers whose age was 26 years had Apgar score < 7(25%) (p = 0.001). Neonatal birth weight, of <2kg was observed in infants born to young mothers of 26 years of age (20%) (p = 0.001), and a weight >3.5kg was recorded in 20 infants (6.5%). The younger mothers had lower Hb, and their babies had low Apgar scores <7 at the time of birth (p = 0.001). Conclusion Women of younger age and lower hemoglobin levels give birth to infants with low Apgar scores and birth weight. Low birth weight in neonates is significantly associated with a low five-minute Apgar score

Study of southern corn

Southern corn leaf blight is considered the most devastating disease of maize crop, which causes noticeable reduction in crop yield. Inbred lines are useful because they are genotyped, multiple time phenotyping is possible, and genetic uniformity, genetic stability and its vigor make inbred lines suitable to study in diversified environment. In present investigation, 12 maize genotypes viz: NC-2703 (hybrid), NC-2003 (hybrid), SP-3 (inbred line), NCML-73 (inbred line), NRL-6 (inbred line), NRL-4 (inbred line), Soan-3 (variety), Rakaposhi (variety), Margala (variety), EV-1097 (variety), Local-Y (variety), Local-W (variety) were tested against southern corn leaf blight under laboratory and field conditions. According to disease severity scale (0–5) inbreds SP-3 and NCML-73 were found highly resistant; Local-W moderately resistance and rest of the genotypes were least resistance in in vitro analysis. In field screening, Margala, NRL-4, EV-1097 showed maximum resistance followed by moderately resistant SP-3, NCML-73, NC-2703, NRL-6 and Local-Y maize genotypes. NC-2003, Rakaposhi and Soan-3 showed least resistance during field evaluation. Cochliobolus heterostrophus showed considerable effects on yield of crop. Significant difference was found in grain yield, plant height, ear height and ear weight while ear placement, ear per plant and infected ear data were non-significant. The results clearly showed the effect on maize genotypes and its yield

Perception, attitude, and preference of trainees towards workplace-based assessment in dental education at a tertiary care institute in Multan, Pakistan

Background: Modern medical education has flourished with an emergent interest in a variety of assessment approaches that entails direct observation of performance and provision of feedback. Workplace-based assessment (WPBA) has been embraced into specialty training in the United Kingdom (UK) within National Health Service (NHS). In Pakistan, this educational framework is incorporated to gauge the clinical proficiency of trainees at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels. The present study was done to identify how WPBA is perceived by dental field postgraduate trainees in Pakistan. Objective: The study explored and ascertained trainees\u27 perceptions, attitudes, and preferences considering their experiences with the systematic organization and execution of WPBA in dental educational settings. Method: This cross-sectional study design involved the clinical trainees of various cadres in a tertiary care hospital in Multan. A structured and validated questionnaire previously used for another analysis was administered among 90 trainees at the institute. The results were analyzed and tabulated using SPSS-21. Influential statistics (Pearson\u27s Chi-Square Test) was performed and the confidence interval was set at 95% (P≤0.05). Results: The response rate was 88%. Opinions were more positive compared to the former surveys. The majority of the respondents (65.8%) have shown a positive attitude towards WPBA and preferred it to be a valuable assessment system as it fosters reflective practices in educational settings. In addition, it was shown that WPBA has the potential to improve clinical training (72.2%) and aid in the effective implementation of clinical practice (68.4%). As the system of digital education has been introduced ever since the pandemic, the highest percentage of participants (56%) preferred a combination of on-paper and online assessment systems. Conclusion: The study reported that WPBA proposes the opportunity to associate teaching, learning, and assessment. The faculty training program is a significant input to upholding the quality of WPBA. Empirical research on WPBA is essential to be carried out to overcome the inadequacies thus endorsing its application universall

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population