Identification of RAPD markers linked to salinity tolerance in wheat

Genetic diversity can be measured by a number of ways, including pedigree, phenotype and allelic diversity at loci controlling phenotypes of interest. A DNA marker for root length in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was identified. The individual plants from F2 population segregation for salinity tolerance and the parents (S-24 and DN-27) were grown in polyethylene tubes under saline conditions (EC 16 dS m-1) for root length at the four leaf stage. The plants were then transplanted into pots supplied with optimum water and nutrients until maturity. Genomic DNA from 50 tolerant and 50 sensitive F2 plants was extracted. The bulked segregants analysis was used in the random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. DNA polymorphisms were observed using 240 primers. The primer, GLE-14 amplified a 970 bp polymorphic DNA fragment and this DNA fragment can be used for marker-assisted selection to breed for salt tolerant wheat. This marker should be further used while selecting different crops under salt stress.Keywords: Marker, RAPD, root length, salinity, wheatAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(17), pp. 2175-218

Impacts of COVID-19 on dynamic return and volatility spillovers between rare earth metals and renewable energy stock markets

We examine the time-frequency co-movements and return and volatility spillovers between the rare earths and six major renewable energy stocks. We employ the wavelet analysis and the spillover index methodology from January 1, 2018 to May 15, 2020. We report that the COVID-19-triggered significant increase in co-movements and spillovers in returns and volatility between the rare earths and renewable energy returns and volatility. The rare earths act as net recipient of both return and volatility spillovers, while the clean energy stocks are net transmitters of return and volatility spillovers before and during the COVID-19 crisis. The solar and wind stocks are net transmitters/receivers of spillovers before/during the pandemic. The remaining markets shift from net spillover receivers to transmitters or vice versa; evidencing the effects of the pandemic. Our results show that cross-market hedge strategies may have their efficiency impaired during the periods of crises implying a necessity of portfolio rebalancing.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Are REITS hedge or safe haven against oil price fall?

This paper studies the hedge against falling oil prices and the safe haven properties of fourteen major country-specific real estate investment trusts (REITs) indices for the Asian, American, European, and worldwide geographies. Our analyses are performed from both, returns and conditional volatility perspectives. Our sample spans from January 2016 until August 2022, covering the COVID-19 pandemics and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine military conflict. We find that during COVID-19, only the Japan REITs, in terms of both returns and volatility, act as a hedge for oil whereas the only hedge during the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the Netherland REITs. In addi-tion, we document diverse degrees of safe-haven and diversifiers properties for REITS from diverse geographies along the full sample and the respective sub-samples for both bearish con-ditions and elevated volatility in the oil market. Our results imply that market regulators should focus on controlling volatility in crude oil and REITs markets, especially throughout times of financial distress, as daily return volatility monitoring is a pivotal requirement for optimized investment management. Our study provides important knowledge for investors, policymakers, and market regulators.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Frequency of HIV in Obstructive Lung Disease Patients

Abstract Background: Obstructive lung disease (OLD) is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Obstructive lung disease is the narrowing of bronchioles mainly due to excessive smooth muscle contraction. The objective of this study is to evaluate the Frequency of HIV in obstructive lung disease patients. Methodology: Samples were collected randomly, and study was completed in almost six months. 100 samples were taken with an informed consent taken from all the patients. EDTA and Clotted blood was collected for HIV ELISA and HIV screening. Results: In this study, 69% Males and 31%Females, 34% Smokers, 26% patients were Hypertensive, 10% patients were diabetic, 3% patients were diagnosed HIV positive by screening and ELISA. Conclusion: The frequency of HIV in obstructive lung disease patients in this research is not very high as compared to the previous researches, showing high frequency and relationship between HIV and obstructive lung disease patients. The reason behind low frequency is due to low sample size so by increasing the sample size we can get better understanding of frequency of HIV in obstructive lung disease patients. Another reason of insignificant results is low prevalence of HIV in Pakistan as compared to the previous researches in certain countries

Volatility spillovers and frequency dependence between oil price shocks and green stock markets

This study uses wavelet coherence and frequency connectedness techniques to examine the time-frequency dependence and risk connectivity between oil shocks and green stocks. The results show that on mid-term and long-term scales, the dependence relationships between the oil and green stock markets are tighter while lead-lag patterns are mixed and time-varying. Total risk spillovers between the oil and green stock markets are mostly conveyed over time. Risk spillovers from the oil market are substantially larger in the green stock market. Furthermore, global crises such as the Great Recession, the oil price collapse, and the COVID-19 pandemic have substantially amplified the magnitude of risk spillovers. Overall, the green stock market has not yet developed enough potential for a larger independence from the conventional energy market. Hence, for participants in the energy and financial markets who have different time horizons for asset allocation and risk management and for committed investors in particular, the examination of time-frequency dependence and risk spillovers can be quite beneficial.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparative Bony Union Time Analysis of Dynamic Hip Screw and Proximal Femoral Plate Implants

Objective: To determine the comparative and effective applicability of the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS), and proximal femoral plate (PFP) in terms of the rapid bony union and complications for treating unstable pertrochanteric fractures. Methodology: This comparative study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedic surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad during a period of 8 months from August 2016 to April 2017. Patients ages of 45 to 90 years, with close fresh unstable pertrochanteric fractures (one week) and of either gender were included. All the patients were divided into two groups. Patients in group A underwent PFP treatment and patients of group B underwent DHS treatment. Patients were followed up after 6 weeks and then every 2 weekly afterwards for a total period of 3 months for assessment of bony union both clinically and radiologically. The data was collected on a pre-structured Performa, and analysis was done using SPSS version 26. Results: A total of 84 patients were analysed, and average age of the patients in the PFP group was 66.57 ± 11.71 years and in the DHS group was 70.14 ± 9.03 years. Females were found in majority in both groups. No union was found till six weeks in both groups, while on 2nd month followup, union was found significantly high 19.0% in cases of the PFP group, compared to the 2.4% in the DHS group (p-0.014). On 2.5th months the union rate was significantly higher 59.5% in the PFP group, compared to the 7.1% DHS group (p-0.014), while on the 3rd month followup the union was almost in all cases in both groups (p-0.557) and the overall average union duration was significantly lower in PFP group compared to the DHS (p-0.001). Conclusion: The proximal femoral plate technique for treating unstable pertrochanteric fractures was observed to be more effective in terms of significant rapid bony union with minimum complications compared to the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS)

Early versus delayed flow diversion for ruptured intracranial aneurysms: A meta-analysis

Objective: The use and timing of flow diversion for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is controversial. The objective of this study is to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare overall complication rate between early versus delayed flow diversion for ruptured aneurysms.Methods: A literature search for all eligible articles was performed using PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases. The primary outcome was the overall complication rate (any complication in the perioperative period), and secondary outcomes were 1) hemorrhage and 2) stroke/death (all hemorrhagic/ischemic strokes and/or death).Results: Thirteen articles including 142 patients met inclusion criteria. Eighty-nine (62.7%) patients underwent early deployment of flow diverters (i.e., 2 days or less). The odds ratio for overall complication rate with early versus delayed flow diversion was 0.95 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.36-2.49, P = 0.42). The odds ratio for the secondary outcome of hemorrhagic complication for early versus delayed flow diversion was 1.44 (95% CI 0.45-4.52, P = 0.87) and of stroke/death was 1.67 (95% CI 0.5-4.9, P = 0.69). The odds ratio of early versus delayed flow diversion for blister/dissecting/fusiform aneurysms was 0.82 (95% CI 0.29-2.30) and for saccular/giant aneurysms was 2.23 (95% CI 0.17-29.4). At last follow-up, 71.6% of patients had good performance status (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2), and the rate of angiographic aneurysm occlusion was 90.2%.Conclusions: This meta-analysis did not show a difference in overall complication rate between early versus delayed flow diversion for ruptured aneurysms. Early flow diversion for ruptured blister/fusiform/dissecting aneurysms carries a lower risk of aneurysm rerupture and overall complications as compared with that for ruptured saccular/giant aneurysms

Development of niosomal formulations loaded with cyclosporine A and evaluation of its compatibility

Purpose: To formulate niosomes of cyclosporine A using nonionic surfactants, and to use the attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) technique to explore solid/liquid interfacial phenomena as well as compatibility between active drug and pharmaceutical excipients.Methods: Niosomes of cyclosporine A were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. Cholesterol and non-ionic surfactants, including polyethylene glycol sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60) and sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), were used as excipients. The ATR-FTIR spectra of all the ingredients, their physical mixtures, and niosomal formulations were studied. The niosomes were characterized for size, polydispersivity index (PDI), zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency.Results: Six niosomal formulations (F1 – F6) were successfully developed. Niosomal formulation F2 prepared at the ratio of 6:4 surfactant to cholesterol, presented the highest entrapment efficiency of 77.28 %. The ATR-FTIR spectra of niosomal formulations did not show incompatibility. The size of the selected formulation (F2) was 1049 nm while its SEM image displayed a spherical nature of the niosomes.Conclusion: The results show that cyclosporine A can be entrapped in niosomes using non-ionic surfactants and cholesterol. Furthermore, there is no significant interaction between the ingredients of niosomes and cyclosporine A.Keywords: Cyclosporine A, Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Niosomes, Compatibility, Non-ionic surfactant