Preparation and Characterisation of Gellan Gum and Eudragit E100 Polyelectrolyte Complexes

Over the past few years, polyelectrolytes have been employed in several fields across the world to be very functional. They have been used in a wide array of industries such as pharmaceuticals, tissue- engineering and also cosmetics due to their excellent properties such as their ionic strength, adaptable pH, rate of solubility dissolution and also the viscosity. These polymers are so versatile that they can be tailored to how they need to be used, to do this minimal changes are made to the functional groups which then modify the whole polyelectrolyte and can be designed for a set target. Effective polyelectrolytes can be developed by selecting appropriate polymers which are positively and negatively charged. The aim of this study was to select and prepare polyelectrolyte complexes from oppositely charged polymers gellan gum and Eudragit E100. Furthermore, the ideal complex weight ratio was established after characterising certain factors such as the viscosity, zeta potential and the turbidity. Additionally, the complexes were further characterised using FTIR to confirm complexation, XRD to determine the crystallinity or amorphous properties of the polyelectrolytes, thermal analysis was also carried out using DSC and TGA techniques and surface morphology by SEM. In addition to this, model drugs ibuprofen and propranolol were formulated as part of tablets and also as beads and were then further characterised by dissolution studies. The results collected from the overall data confirmed the anticipated complexes. Overall, the study carried out proved that the complexation reaction between the two polyelectrolytes was effective and provided promising results

Genetic analysis of yield components and fiber quality parameters in upland cotton

The experiment was laid to analyze genetic features, genotypic and phenotypic correlation coefficients, path analysis with regression analysis among yield contributing traits in a selected F3 populations of upland cotton including parents. In this research experiment ANOVA showed significant difference among all individual plants in F3 populations. Monopodia per plant and bolls per plant possessed maximum value of PCV% and GCV%. Maximum broad sense heritability (≥ 90) was found in all recorded traits except seeds per boll, fiber length and lint percentage. Correlation studies revealed that Seed cotton yield positively correlated with all yield contributing traits i.e. plant height, monopodial branches per plant, Number of bolls per plant, boll weight, lint weight, seed index, lint index, seeds per boll, fiber fineness, fiber strength and fiber uniformity at both genotypic and phenotypic level whereas it depicted negative relationship with staple length. Path coefficient analysis showed that maximum direct positive effect was found of lint weight (2.6005) on seed cotton yield followed fiber fineness (1.2628), seed index (1.1449) and bolls per plant (1.0027). Regression study exhibited that maximum value of R2 for lint weight (0.9509) and boll weight (0.3735) depicted that 95.09% and 37.35% variation in the seed cotton yield, due to its relationship with lint weight and boll weight. It is concluded that there is a great genetic potential in F3 populations for mostly yield contributing traits for further enhancing yield. So those traits should be used as selection criteria during breeding for yield

Follicular thyroid carcinoma in a developing country: A 10-year retrospective study

Background: The most common endocrine tumor is thyroid cancer. Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) accounts for 5-10% of all thyroid cancers. Patients with FTC frequently present with more advanced diseases and a higher occurrence of distant metastases because of the propensity of vascular invasion. FTC is mainly treated with surgery while radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy is the main adjuvant therapy according to the American Thyroid Association guidelines.Methodology: This was a retrospective observational study of FTC patients aged 18 and above conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi from January 01, 2010 to December 31, 2019.Results: A total of 404 patients with thyroid carcinoma were sorted, of which 40 (10.1%) were FTC cases. Overall, 50% of the patients were in the age group of 41-60 years, and the female-to-male ratio was 1.5:1. The majority of patients (60%) presented with neck swelling, followed by bone and lung metastasis in 20% and compressive symptoms in another 20%. On fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), 50% had Bethesda category III-IV nodules while 10% had Bethesda category II. Overall, 50% had a total thyroidectomy while 50% had a lobectomy followed by a completion thyroidectomy. On histopathology, 23 (57.5%) patients had minimally invasive FTC while 17 (42.5%) had widely invasive FTC. A total of 17 (42.5%) patients had received RAI 30-100 mCi while 10 (25%) received more than 100 mCi.Conclusions: FTC can present with both local or metastatic symptoms. The atypical presentation of metastatic FTC should be considered, diagnosed, and managed early to limit mortality and morbidity. Ultrasound is the best diagnostic investigation of choice followed by FNAC. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and should be followed by RAI in select cases. Thus, understanding the trend of FTC and proper planning and utilization of the resources will help developing countries in effectively treating the FTC

Relationship between estimated average glucose (eAG) and fasting plasma glucose in a cohort of Pakistani diabetic subjects

Introduction: Scientific literature is scarce on the utility of estimated average glucose (eAG) from Pakistan. Hence, there is a dire need to evaluate the relationship between eAG and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), in order to enhance our understanding of eAG and its usefulness. This study aims to investigate the relationship between FPG and eAG in diabetic patients calculated using HbA1C.Materials and methods: A retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. The medical records of both genders in the age range of 18-60 years, presenting as outpatients at the endocrine clinic, labeled as DM, were reviewed from January 2013 to December 2019. The subjects were divided into three groups A (\u3c130 mg/Dl), B (130-179 mg/Dl), and C (\u3e180 mg/Dl) based on FPG levels. A correlation was compared using Spearman’s correlation. Box, whisker plots, and scatter plots were computed by R studio.Results: After excluding those with missing values for either serum Cr, FPG, and HbA1c and sub-optimal renal function based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) a total of 4,673 cases were analyzed. Subgroup A showed good glycemic control, whereas subgroup C showed poor glycemic control. The difference between eAG and FPG was significant (p \u3c 0.0001). eAG values were found to be elevated than FPG values in groups A and B and almost the same in group C, whereas a moderately significant correlation with eAG and FPG in all three groups.Conclusion: The correlation between eAG and FPG varies with blood glucose control and was significantly higher in the poorly controlled diabetes group. As the association between the FPG and eAG levels varies with the extent of blood glucose control, reporting eAG with HbA1c by a simple formula, at no additional cost will prove to be beneficial for clinical care

Inheritance Pattern and Association of Qualitative and Quantitative Traits in Cotton for Sustainable Breeding Goal

Background%253A Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the most important fiber crop of the world and commonly known as white gold. It plays an important role in the economy of Pakistan. It provides raw material to the local textile industry and generates a considerable amount of foreign exchange. It plays a vital role in the economy of Pakistan. The yield of cotton is lower in Pakistan. Knowledge of association among different traits is important for the development of cultivars with better yield and quality characters. Results%253A In this research, two parents (PB-38 and Jambo Okra) and their crosses sown in randomized complete block design with three replications to sort out best performing genotypes for these profitable traits (plant height, number of sympodial branches, number of monopodial branches, leaf type, boll size, boll shape, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, ginning out turn, 100 seed weight and seed cotton yield). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that parental and their F population showed significant differences for all the observed traits. Correlation and inheritance pattern of all characters provides information of association among all traits and percentage of inheritable attributes. Conclusions%253A The association and inheritance pattern study provides us useful information for effective selection and sustainable breeding programs. Heritability estimations revealed that heritability of traits fluctuate as following order%253B monopodial branchesgt%253B ginning outturngt%253Bboll weightgt%253Bsympodial branchesgt%253Bplant heightgt%253Byieldgt%253Bnumber of bolls plant-1 with heritable percentages 99%25, 90%25, 89%25, 64%25, 60%25, 60%25 and 55%25 respectively

Knowledge attitude and practices of undergraduate students regarding first aid measures

OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices of first aid measures in undergraduate students of Karachi. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at six colleges of Karachi, three of which were medical colleges and three non-medical colleges. Knowledge was assessed regarding various emergency situations with the help of a questionnaire. The target population size was 460, based on 50% prevalence and 95% confidence interval. The eventual sample size achieved was 446. RESULTS: A total of 446 students were interviewed. Seventy eight students (17.5%) had formal First Aid (FA) training. The mean number of correct answers of students with FA training was 10.3 (+/- 3.5) as opposed to 8.58 (+/- 4.0) in those without FA training (p \u3c 0.001, 95% CI) with a mean difference of 7.84%. The mean number of correct answers by medical students with FA training was 11.2 (+/- 2.9) as opposed to 7.2 (+/- 3.43) by non-medical students (p \u3c 0.001, 95% CI) with a mean difference of 18.14%. Students having received formal first aid training scored better than those who had not (p \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION: First aid training programmes should be introduced at school and college level in developing countries to decrease the early mortality and morbidity of accidents and emergencies

Morphological and Yield Response of Pulses Against Drought Stress: A Review

Pulses in Pakistan is used in combination with cereals to balance the diet. Its area and production is decreasing for last many years. In the barren and partly arid regions, water shortage is the major component that restricts yield. Using of drought resistance plant is one of the best ways for good cultivation under drought condition. As the pulses have great nutritional and economical values and drought stress affect their morphological features. The legume yield is mostly cultured in rain fed region of the Punjab where they bear a slighter quantity of water situation resulting in low yield of bean. To overcome these problems it is necessary to get knowledge about the performance of different lines of different pulses crops under water stress conditions. That’s why in this paper the information about the previous literature has been discussed

Biochemical, Molecular and Morpho-Physiological Attributes of Wheat to Upgrade Grain Production and Compete with Water Stress

Enhancing grain quality and quantity is going very perilous with the incessant climate changes and rising population. Under these circumstances, to review the current strategies and researches regarding biochemical, physiological, morphological and molecular perspectives gain more consideration. Hence, its important to have know-how related to this in different parts of the world to utilize possible stratagems to increase our current production. Wheat is one of this foremost considerable crop as it is food of 21%25 of the world population and 77%25 developing countries import and consume wheat annually. Wheat is primarily important in Pakistan as it is staple food but adversely affected because of water and heat stresses. By using the information and approaches of expertise, we can achieve our objectives of high yield and admirable quality. In most of countries, yield is less than the actual potential yield, this can be overcome by utilizing appropriate resources and proper techniques. Advance knowledge and extrapolative capabilities can help us to find out best possible tools to contribute in world food security and to withstand changing climatic conditions

A Review about Cotton Leaf Curl Viral Disease and Its Control Strategies in Pakistan

Cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) in Pakistan is the most serious threat to cotton crops of last two decades. This diseases causes a huge losses not only to the cotton crops but also the economy of Pakistan is under threat. This problem of Cotton Leaf Curl Disease (CLCuD) is still under discussion among the researchers since it first appeared in 1967 and in 1992-93, it came in epidemic form. The dilemma of CLCuD caused decline in the yield down to 9.05 million bales and 8.04 million bales in 1993-94 in Pakistan. For developing resistant cultivars against the virus to screen against CLCuD, different disease inducing methods such as grafting, delayed sowing and whitefly mediated transfer are used. The epidemiology of diseases is changed by abiotic factors specifically temperature and plant age. Management of CLCuD is the only option that can command the disease in various ways inclusive of change in sowing dates, crop nutrition, cultural practices, vector control, buffer crops and systemic poisoning of cotton seed by seed treatment will make the cotton crop safe in initial 40-50 days after sowing. Biotechnology can also help in controlling this disease through transcriptional gene silencing. By using biotechnological tools broad spectrum resistance can be introduced against all viruses present in the field