Protozoidal activities of Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia arabica woods and their different parts on the entozoic flagellates of Heterotermes indicola and Coptotermes heimi

Different parts of three woods of Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia arabica were analyzed for their toxicity potentials against two species of termites (Heterotermis indicola and Coptotermis heimi). Termite workers were allowed to feed on 2 g complete wood powder of plant species and their parts, including; bark, sapwood and heartwood. Samples of flagellates were collected after each 24 h from the termites’ gut and they showed a significant variation in their mortality rate as per the wood species and their parts used in the experiments. After six days, mortality rates in flagellates were 100% with all wood parts of E. cammeldulensis, whereas it was 87.2, 47.61 and 100% with bark, sapwood and heartwood of D. sissoo respectively. However, in the case of A. Arabica, only bark inflicted 44.5% mortality on the flagellates in termites on the 6th day. It is revealed from the results that different woods or their specific parts have some specific toxic compounds that inflicted varying degree of toxicity on enteric flagellates of termites. Considering the toxigenic nature of different woods and their respective parts, the three woods; E. cammeldulensis, D. sissoo and A. arabica and their parts barks, sapwoods and heartwoods were analyzed for the presence of water soluble constituents such as lignin, benzene-ethanol soluble components and alpha cellulose contents. However, it is highly recommended that such protozoicidal compounds should be isolated, purified and biochemically characterized in order to apply them as commercial products for the control of pest like termites, which cause a huge damage to woody plants, and their products.Keywords: Bark, sapwood, heartwood, Eucalyptus cammeldulensis, Dalbergia sissoo, Acacia arabica, termite flagellate

[5-(2-Fur­yl)-6-nitro-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexa­hydro­imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-8-yl](phen­yl)methanone

In the title compound, C18H17N3O4, the furyl and phenyl rings are inclined at almost right angles [85.77 (7) and 63.25 (7)°, respectively] to the central imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl unit. The structure displays both inter- and intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding

The Effect of some Protozoacides, on the Survival of Symbiotic Flagellates of Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola.

Coptotermes heimi and Heterotermes indicola are lower termites which harbor protists flagellates for the digestion of lignocelluloses, a main component of wood. In the present work effect of anti-protozoan chemicals, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfadimidine, diaviridine, entox and resochin was observed on the workers and soldiers of the two selected termite species and their gut flagellates. Filter papers were dipped in 10ml solution of 2% anti-protozoan chemicals, dried at room temperature and termites were forced to feed on these filter papers placed in the petriplates and maintained at 2

Anthropometric Study of the Human Craniofacial Morphology among different castes of Punjab Pakistan

Background: It appears from the literature that there is a research vacuum in craniofacial anthropometric studies in Pakistani population. Therefore, this study was carried out to characterize the craniofacial parameters among different castes of the Punjab Pakistan.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on population of the Punjab, Pakistan, with age 18-45 years in a normal healthy state and data was collected using a questionnaire. Anthropometric instruments such as standard spreading caliper, round ended caliper, vernier caliper and scale were used for the measurement of craniofacial parameters. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 20.0 and MS Excel 16. Morphological anthropometry of face, head, nose and ears was observed and noted.Results: Hyperleptoprosopic face was most common one in the studied population. The dominant nose type was Leptorrhine while the most dominant head shape was Dolichocephalic. The average ear index was 50.42 and 51.19 of right and left ears, respectively.Conclusion: This data is a base for the anthropometric data bank of the Punjab province of Pakistan. This data is helpful in medico legal cases, forensic investigations, and in facial surgeries. This study is also important for anthropological and forensic research.Keywords: Anthropology, Anthropometry; Craniofacial; Morphology; Populatio

(4-Fluoro­phen­yl)[6-(2-fur­yl)-7-nitro-2,3,4,6,7,8-hexa­hydro-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-9-yl]methanone

In the title compound, C19H18FN3O4, the fused pyridine and pyrimidine rings adopt half-chair conformations. The structure displays intra­molecular N—H⋯O and inter­molecular N—H⋯F hydrogen bonding

What Does Matter? Liquidity or Profitability: A Case of Sugar Industry in Pakistan

Keeping in mind the Keynes of the Pakistan's Sugar Industry in its overall economic well-being, the current work objects to examine the liquidity-profitability trade off in Sugar Industry of Pakistan. Secondary data of the non-financial companies which are listed on KSE is used for sugar industry over the last five years. Present study used different analytical tools like Reliability Analysis, Descriptive Statistics, Multiple Regression Analysis, Correlation and tests of significance to test the causal linkage in liquidity and profitability. Results of regression analysis showed that, hypothesis one is rejected because liquidity generates positive impact on ROA and found significant at 1% level. Hypothesis two of the current study is rejected because liquidity causes positive impact on ROE and found significant at 1% level. According to regression analysis, hypothesis three is also rejected because liquidity influences ROCE positively and found significant at 1% level. Results of correlation analysis discovered that liquidity of Sugar Mills is positively and significantly correlated with all measures of profitability i.e. ROA, ROE and ROCE. Findings of current research suggest managers to come out of the dilemma with respect to liquidity and profitability tradeoff. It is further concluded that managers can increase the firm's profitability and shareholder's value if they invest effectively and efficiently in liquid assets. Finally this study's results make it important for the reason that it is one of the fewer researches going in contrast to the existing knowledge base. Keywords: Liquidity, Profitability, Trade-off, Sugar Industry of Pakistan JEL Classification: G3

(±)-4,12,15,18,26-Penta­hydroxy-13,17-dioxahepta­cyclo­[14.10.0.03,14.04,12.06,11.018,26.019,24]hexa­cosa-1,3(14),6(11),7,9,15,19,21,23-nona­ene-5,25-dione monohydrate

The title compound, C24H14O9·H2O, displays a cup-shaped form. The water mol­ecule is disordered over two set of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.78:0.22. The mol­ecule of the compound has four stereocenters and corresponds to the SSRR/RRSS diastereoisomer. In the mol­ecule, the maximum dihedral angle between the planar benzene rings is 80.40 (4)°. The H atoms of the hy­droxy groups are engaged in hydrogen bonding, forming infinite chains parallel to the a axis. These chains are inter­linked through water mol­ecules, resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional network parallel to the (001) plane. Futhermore C—H⋯O, C—H⋯π and slipped π–π inter­actions result in the formation of a three-dimensional network

Role of Nanotechnology and Gene Delivery Systems in TRAIL-Based Therapies

Since its identification as a member of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family, TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) has emerged as a new avenue in apoptosis-inducing cancer therapies. Its ability to circumvent the chemoresistance of conventional therapeutics and to interact with cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal pathways, amplified its potential as a cancer apoptotic agent. Many recombinant preparations of this death ligand and monoclonal antibodies targeting its death receptors have been tested in monotherapy and combinational clinical trials. Gene therapy is a new approach for cancer treatment which implies viral or non-viral functional transgene induction of apoptosis in cancer cells or repair of the underlying genetic abnormality on a molecular level. The role of this approach in overcoming the traditional barriers of radiation and chemotherapeutics systemic toxicity, risk of recurrence, and metastasis made it a promising platform for cancer treatment. The recent first Food Drug Administration (FDA) approved oncolytic herpes virus for melanoma treatment brings forth the potency of the cancer gene therapy approach in the future. Many gene delivery systems have been studied for intratumoural TRAIL gene delivery alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to produce synergistic cancer cytotoxicity. However, there still remain many obstacles to be conquered for this different gene delivery systems. Nanomedicine on the other hand offers a new frontier for clinical trials and biomedical research. The FDA approved nanodrugs motivates horizon exploration for other nanoscale designed particles\u27 implications in gene delivery. In this review we aim to highlight the molecular role of TRAIL in apoptosis and interaction with cancer stem cells (CSCs) self-renewal pathways. Finally, we also aim to discuss the different roles of gene delivery systems, mesenchymal cells, and nanotechnology designs in TRAIL gene delivery

Application of glucose oxidase for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation

The present study deals with the application of glucose oxidase (GOX) for the production of metal gluconates by fermentation method. It provides a method for the conversion of glucose into gluconic acid and its derivatives using the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOX). Due to the presence of calcium carbonate in fermentation medium the gluconic acid is converted into calcium gluconate. Conditions like concentration of substrate, temperature, pH, fermentation period and different phosphate sources were optimized during fermentation. The maximum GOX activity was observed at 35°C (pH 5.5) after 44 h of incubation at 100 rpm. At the maximum enzyme activity, the percentage yield of gluconates are also maximum; both go side by side. Sulphuric and oxalic acids method were employed for the production of gluconic acid. Derivatives of gluconic acid that is, calcium lactate gluconate, sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate, zinc gluconate and copper gluconate were formed by using double displacement and direct methods. The direct method gave the better yield. The percentage yields were 73, 89.63, 81.93, 92.86 and 81.53%, respectively. Keywords: Glucose oxidase (GOX), metal gluconate, double displacement