Rapid RNA Extraction from Eucalyptus tree and its down processing for cloning of dehydrin genes

Background: RNA extraction from tree species like Eucalyptus is very tedious and difficult task. In this study a very short and efficient method of RNA extraction from Eucalyptus has been described.Methods: A very short and efficient protocol of two steps RNA extraction has been optimized for obtaining high quality and pure RNA from different tissue types of Eucalyptus tree. In first step whole nucleic acid was extracted from plant tissues and in second step RNA was purified from nucleic acid mixture. The newly optimized rapid CTAB RNA extraction method was compared with trizol extraction method for efficiency and quality of extracted RNA.Results: The newly optimized rapid CTAB RNA extraction method was found highly efficient and suitable over the trizol method. Three Eucalyptus dehydrin genes the dehydrin-10 (DHN-10), dehydrin-1 (DHN-1), and dehydrin-2 (DHN-2) were successfully amplified, TA cloned into pTZ57/RT vector, and transformed into Top10F’ strain of E.coli. These three Eucalyptus dehydrin genes have been reported for conferring abiotic stress tolerance to the Eucalyptus plant yet have not been reported to be cloned. These cloned genes would be further manipulated for developing abiotic stress tolerance in plants of interest.Conclusion: Rapid CTAB RNA extraction method is a brief and reproducible methodology for a hard job of RNA extraction from tree plants with high phenolic contents. Keywords: Dehydrin proteins, Eucalyptus abiotic stress tolerance proteins, cloning of dehydrin genes, DHN-1, DHN-2, DHN-1

DNA Barcoding: Amplification and sequence analysis of rbcl and matK genome regions in three divergent plant species

Background: DNA barcoding is a novel method of species identification based on nucleotide diversity of conserved sequences. The establishment and refining of plant DNA barcoding systems is more challenging due to high genetic diversity among different species. Therefore, targeting the conserved nuclear transcribed regions would be more reliable for plant scientists to reveal genetic diversity, species discrimination and phylogeny.Methods: In this study, we amplified and sequenced the chloroplast DNA regions (matk+rbcl) of Solanum nigrum, Euphorbia helioscopia and Dalbergia sissoo to study the functional annotation, homology modeling and sequence analysis to allow a more efficient utilization of these sequences among different plant species. These three species represent three families; Solanaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae respectively. Biological sequence homology and divergence of amplified sequences was studied using Basic Local Alignment Tool (BLAST).Results: Both primers (matk+rbcl) showed good amplification in three species. The sequenced regions reveled conserved genome information for future identification of different medicinal plants belonging to these species. The amplified conserved barcodes revealed different levels of biological homology after sequence analysis. The results clearly showed that the use of these conserved DNA sequences as barcode primers would be an accurate way for species identification and discrimination.Conclusion: The amplification and sequencing of conserved genome regions identified a novel sequence of matK in native species of Solanum nigrum. The findings of the study would be applicable in medicinal industry to establish DNA based identification of different medicinal plant species to monitor adulteration

A Study on Head Teachers Interpersonal Relations in Teachers Enthusiasm towards Job at Secondary Level

The study was conducted to determine the impact of head teachers’ interpersonal relations in teachers’ enthusiasm towards job at secondary school level. Population of the study was comprised of head teachers, secondary school teachers, and students of secondary classes. Sample of the study consisted of 250 respondents including 10 head teachers, 40 secondary school teachers and 200 students of secondary classes with the equal ratio from urban and rural areas. Random sampling technique was adopted for the selection of sample. 22The questionnaire was used as research tool for data collection based on different head teachers’ behaviours. After ensuring validity and reliability of research tools, desired data were collected. The collected data were analyzed by using relevant descriptive statistics through SPSS-21such as frequency, percentage, standard deviation etc. The study found that secondary school teachers were highly motivated in democratic behaviour, mostly in achievement oriented behaviour and then in situational behaviour but least motivated under lassies-fair and authoritarian managerial behavior. The study revealed that head teachers’ management interpersonal relations’ have significant contribution to the teachers’ job satisfaction. Head teachers should apply management interpersonal relations that cause to enhance teachers’ job satisfaction and enthusiasm

WHY DO ENTREPRENEURS LEAVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP? EXPLORATORY STUDY FROM LAHORE, PAKISTAN

The purpose of this study was to find out the factors that are responsible for entrepreneurs to quit entrepreneurship and join the job industry. This qualitative study was designed to fulfill the objectives via interviewing ex-entrepreneurs and getting first-hand information from business owners themselves who had faced the problem in their business tenure. Interviewing the respondents brought out a number of factors that had ultimately forced them to wind up their businesses. These factors were then carved out broadly categorized as internal or external factors which led to either managerial or financial reasons. Conducting this research was a tedious task as people are not willing to share their previous or unpleasant memories furthermore.  They were hesitant to share a part of their personal life experience. Due to limited resources and time the research was conducted in the city of Lahore which and therefore limited in its scope. Nevertheless, this study has produced credible information which can be useful for future entrepreneurs. Keywords: Business failure; Small business; Failure factors https://doi.org/10.56249/ijbr.03.01.26&nbsp

Condition Survey for Evaluation of Pavement Condition Index of a Highway

Pavements are major means of highway infrastructure. Maintenance and rehabilitation of these pavements for the required serviceability is a routine problem faced by highway engineers and organizations. Improvement in road management system results in reduction of time and cost, the pavement condition survey plays a big role in the pavement management. The initial phase in setting up a pavement management system (PMS) is road network identification. A vital element of a PMS is the capacity to assess the present condition of a pavement network and anticipation of future condition. The pavement condition index (PCI) is a numerical index generally utilized for the assessment of the operational condition & structural reliability of pavements. Estimation of the PCI is dependent on the results of a visual inspection in which the type, severity, and quantity of distresses are distinguished. In this research, a pavement distress condition rating strategy was utilized to accomplish the goals of this study. The main targets of this research were to categorize the common types of distress that exist on “Lakhi Larkana National Highway (N-105)”, and to estimate the pavement condition index. Using these data, Average PCI for the highway section was calculated. PCI to assess the pavement performance, 10 out of 19 defects were recognized in the pavement, as stated by the PCI method. Results indicated that the common pavement distress types were depressions, polished aggregate, rutting, potholes, block cracking, and alligator cracking

SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC AND DIETARY DETERMINANTS OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN MALE PAKISTANI ADULTS

The aim of this study was to identify potential socio-demographic and dietary determinants of overweight and obesity in men to provide basis for effective prevention strategies. A stratified random sample of 897 men (aged >30 years and free from any chronic / congenital diseases) were selected for the study from Mardan city located in the North West of Pakistan. Height and weight of the subjects were measured using standard anthropometric methods; body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data on dietary intake, overweight /obesity trend in the families, physical activity and socio-economic status were collected by interview. Pearson’s chi square statistic and chi square trend were used to determine the differences in prevalence of overweight and obesity between different groups. Multiple logistic regressions were used to identify potential socio-demographic and dietary factors associated with overweight / obesity. Using BMI, subjects were identified as normal (<25), overweight (25-29.9) and obese (≥30). Overall, prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33% and 9% respectively. There was an increasing trend in the prevalence of overweight and obesity with increasing age (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12-1.18). Among socio-economic factors; occupation, family history of overweight/obesity, monthly income and physical activity were found to be significant predictors of overweight/obesity in study subjects. In contrast to developed countries, increased income was associated with increased levels of overweight/obesity. Among dietary factors, daily energy intake and subjects’ preferences for fried meat and fatty foods were evident as significant correlates of overweight/obesity. Strong predictors of overweight and obesity included income level, physical inactivity and poor dietary preferences in the study population

The role of computed tomography for identifying mechanical bowel obstruction in a Pakistani population

Objective: To retrospectively review our experience of CT scan in cases with a final diagnosis of surgically confirmed mechanical bowel obstruction. Methods: It is a retrospective analytical study, done from 2003 to 2008. All adult patients having undergone laparotomy in addition to a preoperative abdominal CT scan over a 5 year period were identified through the medical records and their case notes reviewed. Taking surgery to be the gold standard for diagnosing mechanical bowel obstruction, we compared results of the CT with operative findings to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of CT scans. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Results: A total of 271 patient records were reviewed. The mean age was 46 +/- 19 years and (64%) were men. Mechanical intestinal obstruction was found in 104 patients on laparotomy and CT scan had diagnosed 97 of these. The sensitivity and specificity was 93% respectively. CT scanning correctly identified the cause of the obstruction in 72 (74%) cases. The common reasons for bowel obstruction identified by surgery were adhesions 29 (40%), neoplasm 12 (17 %) and hernias 7 (10%). Conclusion: CT scans are reliable at diagnosing intestinal obstruction with a high sensitivity and specificity but they are not as accurate at defining the etiology of the obstruction

Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Sigesbeckia orientalis (St. Paul’s Wort) in alloxan-induced diabetes model

The current study evaluated antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of aqueous extract of Sigesbeckia orientalis L. (St. Paul’s Wort) (AESO) in an alloxan-induced diabetic rat model. Following OECD guidelines safe doses of AESO were assessed in rats for the main study. Serum/bood glucose, α-amylase, and lipids levels and histopathological evaluations were conducted to assess antidiabetic and associated antihyperlipidemic efficacies of AESO. AESO was found to be safe up to the dose of 2000 mg/kg. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glucose and lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides, low‑density lipoproteins) levels was observed in AESO treatment groups. Serum α-amylase, high‑density lipoproteins, and total body weight was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in diabetic rats treated with AESO. Histopathological data showed improvement in hepatocyte and pancreatic β-cells islets architecture. HPLC analysis identified quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, m-coumaric acid and cinnamic acid in AESO which are suggested to be responsible for observed antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic attributes. Further studies to standardise the extract and evaluation of safety profile in long-term toxicity studies are recommended for safe and effective antidiabetic nutraceuticals development

Factors affecting the utilization of antenatal care among married women of reproductive age in the Rural Thatta, Pakistan: Findings from a community-based case-control study

Background: There are differences in antenatal care (ANC) utilization between urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Although multiple factors have been studied affecting the utilization of general health care services, the effect of road network distance particularly on the utilization of ANC has not been assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the association between road network distance from a health care facility and utilization of the ANC among women of reproductive age in Thatta Pakistan.Methods: A community-based case-control study was conducted in district Thatta, Pakistan. Women who did not utilize ANC services during their last pregnancy were considered as cases, while controls were the women who utilized ANC services during their last pregnancy. Questions related to socio-demographic, access-related factors and utilization of ANC were asked from women. Road network distance was calculated from the women\u27s home to the health care facility providing ANC services. Logistic regression analysis was performed.Results: A total of 380 participants were interviewed in this study. Participants\u27 mean age and parity were 28 years (SD 5.65), and 3.5 (SD 2.6) respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that women living at a shorter distance of less than 5 km were 1.21 times likely to utilize ANC services [Adjusted OR. 1.21; 95% CI (0.49-2.99)]. Moreover, nulliparous women were 4.10 times likely to utilize antenatal care [Adjusted OR. 4.10; 95% CI (1.10-15.26)]. Similarly, women who had knowledge of antennal care were 6.60 times likely to utilize ANC services [Adjusted OR. 6.60; 95% CI (3.33-13.05)]. Women having electricity in their households were 3.15 times likely to utilize the ANC services [Adjusted OR. 3.11 95% CI (1.51-6.41)]. Women, living in well-constructed (Pakka) houses were 2.58 times likely to utilize the ANC services [Adjusted O.R: 2.58; 95% CI (1.15-5.82)].Conclusion: Road network distance has no measurable impact on ANC utilization among married women in Thatta district, Pakistan. Nulliparous women having knowledge of ANC living in well-constructed houses equipped with electricity were found to be utilizers of ANC services. It is recommended that awareness and health education sessions should be arranged for pregnant women in rural Pakistan

Host defence peptides in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients with periodontal disease. A systematic review

The aim of the study was to critically assess and review the latest evidence relating the associations between host defence peptides (HDPs), periodontal diseases (PD) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). To explore studies on HDPs, periodontal disease, and DM2, researchers utilised specific key phrases to search the electronic databases PubMed (National Library of Medicine), Embase (Ovid), Medline (EBSCO), and Dentistry and Oral Sciences (EBSCO). Quality assessment was conducted by means of the Newcastle Ottawa scale and the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool. Following a thorough screening process, a total of 12 papers (4 case‐control, 6 cross‐sectional, 1 animal, and 1 in vitro) fulfilled the selection criteria and were included. The majority of research found that HDPs were upregulated in DM2 patients with PD. Three investigations, however, found that HDPs were downregulated in DM2 patients with PD. HDPs play a part in the pathophysiology of PD and DM2. Nonetheless, more human, animal and laboratory investigations are needed to fully understand validation of the link, as the evidence is limited. Understanding HDPs as common moderators is critical, aimed at unlocking their potential as therapeutic and diagnostic agents