Efficient in vitro

Efficient plant regeneration system has been developed from the nodal segments of chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium L). Nodal segments, after being sterilized with 1.0% mercuric chloride for three minutes, were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) media with varied concentrations of indole acetic acid (IAA), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and their combinations. Different parameters including shoot initiation percentage, average number of shoots per explant, length of shoots (cm), number of leaves per shoot and number of nodes per shoot were studied during the course of study. Intermediate level (0.3 mg/l) of IAA exceeded all the other concentrations of IAA by producing 80.0 % shoot initiation, an average of 4.0 shoots per explants, 5.1 cm long shoots, 11.3 leaves and 5.6 nodes per shoot, when used alone. Similarly, intermediate level of BAP (1.0 mg/l) showed its supremacy over all the other concentrations as it produced 100% shoot initiation, 4.9 shoots per explant, 5.8 cm long shoots, 13.4 leaves and 6.3 nodes per shoot, when used alone. When the combination of different concentrations of IAA and BAP were used, significant results regarding the regeneration of chrysanthemum plantlets were also achieved. MS media supplemented with lower concentrations of IAA (0.1 and 0.2 mg/l) along with intermediate levels of BAP (1.0 and 2.0 mg/l) had a favorable effect on the regeneration of chrysanthemum plantlets using nodal segments of chrysanthemum, as compared to other concentrations and combinations. Satisfactory rooting response was obtained in half strength MS media supplemented with 0.2 mg/l indole butyric acid (IBA), followed by 0.2 mg/l naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and IAA, respectively.Key words: Chrysanthemum, Dendranthema morifolium, growth regulators, in vitro culture, nodal segments, auxins, rooting

The clinical pattern of HER-2/neu oncogene overexpressing breast cancer in Pakistani patients at initial presentation: an analysis of HER-2/neu positive versus negative disease--a preliminary report

Background: HER 2/new oncogene is an important prognostic marker in Breast Cancer and has implications in therapy planning.Objective: To describe the clinical features of HER 2/new positive and negative Breast Cancer in the Pakistani patient population and note clinical differences between the two groups if any.Design: A retrospective analysis of Breast Cancer cases at the Aga Khan University, Hospital.METHOD: Immunochemical staining on formation fixed paraffin embedded tissue using oxidase antiperoxidase method. A total of 152 Breast cancer tissue samples were tested for HER-2/neu gene presence. Of these 43 (39%) samples tested positive and 109 (61%) tested negative. A comparison of the two groups revealed that only a few factors tested for either significance or borderline statistical significance between the two groups. These factors included the estrogen receptor status and the number of lymph nodes involved in the axilla. The progesterone receptor status was of borderline significance.CONCLUSION: Given the large number of factors tested it appears that there is no consistent defining feature which helps to separate HER-2/neu positive versus HER-2/neu negative cases with Breast Cancer

Growth and yield enhancement of carrot through integration of NPK and organic manures

A pot experiment was conducted at Horticulture Experimental Area, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan to investigate the combined effects of NPK and organic manures on growth and yield of carrot, for two consecutive years. The experiment was laid out in CRD with six treatments and four replications. Five different organic manures such as poultry manure (PM), sewage sludge (SS), farmyard manure (FYM), press mud (PrM) and goat manure (GM) were applied in combination with NPK, each at recommended levels for two successive years. A fertilizer check (control) was also included as treatment where no fertilizer and manure were used. The study revealed significant improvements in almost all growth and yield attributes by combined application of NPK and organic manures. Among different combinations, NPK + PM surpassed all other treatments by giving maximum leaves per plant (8.73 and 8.13), leaf length (38.17 and 36.77cm), root length (29.30 and 24.83cm), root diameter (3.10 and 3.27cm), root weight per plant (142.40 and 142.00g), total biomass per plant (169.33 and 166.67g) and root yield (56.67 and 56.83 t/ha), during both the experimental years. Similarly, NPK combination with green manure and sewage sludge also produced better results pertaining to carrot growth and production for two consecutive years. It was also observed during the study that control treatment showed poorest findings and placed at lowest levels

Synergizing date palm seeds-derived oxidized activated carbon: Sustainable innovation for enhanced water retention, efficient wastewater treatment, and synthetic dye removal

Herein, this study explores the efficacy of oxidized activated carbon from date palm seeds (OACDS) as a multifaceted solution for sustainable wastewater treatment and water retention improvement. Through oxidation synthesis, OACDS demonstrates exceptional capability in adsorbing contaminants from water sources, offering a promising eco-friendly option for environmental remediation. Batch adsorption experiments highlight the rapid and efficient removal of Rh-6 G dyes, achieving an impressive 88.06% adsorption rate under optimized conditions of pH 6 and a 70-minute contact time. Moreover, OACDS exhibits remarkable adsorption capacities, reaching 91.3% at a 60 mg adsorbent dose and 94.23% at 55°C. Kinetic and adsorption analyses align with PSO and Langmuir models, indicating chemisorption and mono-layered adsorption of Rh-6 G on OACDS. Thermodynamic evaluation suggests the process's spontaneity and endothermic nature. The regeneration experiment revealed a notable 10.9% decrease in the adsorption capacity of OACDS towards Rh-6 G after five cycles. These findings substantiate the reusability and cost-effectiveness of OACDS, underscoring its potential economic advantages. Beyond wastewater treatment, OACDS showcases notable water retention properties, promising for agricultural applications. Its integration into clay and sandy soil enhances water retention capacities, with the clay soil-OACDS mixture displaying a peak of 16.8 mL. The material's rough and porous surface positively impacts water retention in crops, benefiting agricultural yields. Comprehensive characterization analyses using SEM, FTIR, and XRD support OACDS's effectiveness in adsorption, highlighting its amorphous structure and suitability for environmental applications. This study positions OACDS as a comprehensive solution addressing wastewater treatment and water conservation challenges, encouraging further exploration of agricultural byproducts for sustainable environmental solutions.<br/