Role of Molecular Markers and Importance of SNP for the Development of Cotton Programs

Cotton is an important commercial cash crop and cultivated worldwide. It is very important for improvement of desirable traits for development of cotton crop. In this review paper we have discussed the overall Molecular markers and advance techniques with their utilization in cotton improvement programmers. Molecular markers have reliable results and performance increased research of cotton breeding programs. Molecular markers are used to analyze genomic variations, association mapping, fingerprinting and genetic diversity in cotton crop.SNP markers have many advantages for genotyping of large populations as compared to previous marker systems. It is more advance and efficient processing technique. With the help of SNP technique we get more accurate results as compared to other markers in a short time. Overall DNA markers are used in cotton include Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, with their history current development, implication and importance in cotton breeding. Keywords PCR Polymerase chain reaction QTLs Quantitative trait loci RAPD Random amplified polymorphic DNA RFLP Restriction fragment length polymorphism RIL Recombinant inbred line SNPs Single nucleotide polymorphisms SSR Simple sequence repea

A Study on Problems and Malpractices Emerge during Examination of Grade 5 and Grade 8 Students in Punjab

Abstract  Examinations are conducted under some certain rules and regulations set by exam governing bodies. According to Arijesuyo and Adeyoju (2012) credibility of examination depends upon fair and systematic conduct under proper conditions (Ray, et al, 2018). This research was designed to explore the problems and malpractices emerge during examination of grade 5 and grade 8 students in Punjab. Purposive sampling technique was used for the selection of experienced participants of the study (Creswell, 2013).  Twenty-two ECC heads, who had been conducting examination were interviewed. A semi structured interview protocol was used as an instrument of the study. Thematic analysis was used for the analysis of data (Clarke and Braun, 2018). Results revealed that several problems hamper the performance of deputed staff and credibility of examination. These problems consist of malpractices, lack of resources and shortage and misprinting of papers. Moreover, improper training, less remuneration, combine and overcrowded exam centres etc. also created problems for ECC heads. It was also explored that activities of schools suffered due to engagement of teaching staff for exams

Aspects of Mir Sher Ali Afsos’s Poetry

Mir sher Ali Afsos was a successful ghazal poet of his era. He has tried almost all the popular genres of speech. The poetry of Mir Sher Ali Afsos seems to be impressive in the color of despair apart from love, but this color is traditional. A study of Kuliat-e-Afsos reveals that he has used all the essentials of art to enhance the reader's quest for techniques, similes and metaphors in his words, as well as the craft of poetry. Afsos has also used beautiful arts in his speech, all these accessories create a charming beauty in the poetry which makes the poet beautiful. His poetry is romantic. In this article effort is made to analyse his poetry

Electrolyte Disturbances in Patients with Dengue Fever

Background: To determine the electrolyte disturbances in patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever.Methods: In this cross-sectional study 110 patients, with dengue fever, were included. Serum electrolytes levels were measured at the fifth and sixth day of fever irrespective of the stage of dengue infection (DF/DHF). Dengue was confirmed by NS1 or IgM/IgG positivity. DHF was labeled as per WHO criteria of Dengue Hemorrhagic fever. Dengue fever was confirmed in 110 patients by NS1 antigen and IgM/IgG positivity by ELISA. Serum sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations were measured by standard protocols.Results: Average age of patients was 34.02 years with the majority of males (63.6%). Seventy (63.6%) patients were diagnosed as a case of dengue fever (DF) and 40 (34.4%) patients were diagnosed as case of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). Out of the total, 82 (74.5%) patients had NS1 positive, 54 (49.1%) patients had IgG positive and 33 (30%) patients had IgM positive. Although serum electrolytes were higher among patients with DHF as compared to DF but the association was insignificant. Conclusion: Hyponatremia was the most common disturbance in patients with Dengue fever as well as in patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever. No significant association was found in electrolyte disturbances between patients of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever

Contemporary challenges confronting Islamic banking & finance

The philosophy of Islamic economics is "brining economics in consonance with Shariah", guiding Islamic banking and finance to abolish interest from operations, has reported a monumental growth, envisaged the most lucrative and unsusceptible segment of the economy. Islamic finance is undoubtedly flourishing worldwide entails trajectory development but at other front it encounters a number of impediments in development since its inception. The emphasis of this study is to encapsulate in tabular form, the contemporary problems and challenges Islamic finance has encountered during the span of last 28-years from 1988 to 2015. The austere Shariah compliance; regulatory and prudential challenges; misconception among western society about Islamic banking philosophy; unavailability of money and capital market for scant Islamic financial instruments; piercing competition; privation of Islamic banking and finance awareness; absence of uniform reporting standards; complexities of regulatory and supervisory issues; lack of central supervisory body, governance and dearth of consensus among Shariah scholars been the precarious challenges among many others. A unified central regulatory and supervisory mechanism required in converging sprinkled Islamic finance practices and to foster a synchronized and standardized regulatory framework consensus need to be developed among all Shariah scholar

Foliar boron spray for improved yield, oil quality and water use efficiency in water stressed sunflower

Boron (B) is a mineral considered essential for improving sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) resistance to drought. B supplements (0, 15-, 30- and 45 mg L-1) under well-watered and variable water deficit levels (64 and 53 mm irrigation depths) were evaluated for their effects on growth, oil quality and water use efficiency (WUE) in a field study for two consecutive years (i.e. 2011 and 2012). The duration of 50% inflorescence emergence, 50% flowering and 50% maturity stages were reduced with increasing moisture stress. All B application rates improved sunflower growth compared to no B control treatment. The moisture deficit treatments of 64 and 53 mm irrigation depths significantly (p<0.05) reduced the yield-related components. Achenes/head, achenes weight and achene yield under water stress conditions were considerably improved by foliar application of B at 30 mg L-1. An increase in protein contents and a decrease in oil contents were observed with B foliar application under moisture deficit treatments. Foliar application of B (30 mg L-1) on water stressed plants also resulted in increased WUE. The highest net benefits were achieved with B concentration of 30 mg L-1 under well-watered and mild deficit water level of 64 mm irrigation depth. The highest application rate of B (45 mg L-1) gave the best results at the most severe water deficit level. In conclusion, the B rates of 30 and 41 mg L-1 performed best for improving drought tolerance in terms of higher sunflower productivity under mild and higher water deficit conditions

Genetic Variability and Path Coefficient Analysis for Yield Related Traits in Helianthus Annus

The experiment was conducted in the research area of the department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The research material were comprised of 20 genotypes of sunflower (G-16, G-30, G-32, G-36, G-44, G-45, G-61, G-64, G-66, G-68, G-86, A-2, A-14, A-23, A-56, A-60, A-61, A-79, A-133 and A-185). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in the year 2013. Results revealed that the strongest correlation of seed yield was observed with 1000-grain weight at genotypic level, 1000 grain weight and oil contents were positively and significantly correlated at phenotypic and genotypic levels with total achene weight. So the 1000-seed weight and oil contents are important yield components and could be used as selection criteria to improve seed yield. In path coefficient, highest positive indirect effect of chlorophyll was through oil content. While that direct selection for oil contents, Fresh head diameter, Plant height and days to 50% flowering will give the best results for total achene weight per plant. Keywords: G-16, sunflower, 1000 grain weight, chlorophyll and oil contents

ASSOCATION OF NON – MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS (DIABETES, HYPERTENSION AND OBESITY) WITH DYSLIPIDEMIA IN STROKE PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background; Stroke is a global health problem. Stroke is responsible for major disabilities in adult population, and is 2nd leading cause of deaths all over the world. Different studies have reported dyslipidemia as major cause of stroke in different populations. Objective; To determine the association of non – modifiable risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity with dyslipidemias in patients with ischemic stroke at Nishtar Hospital Multan. Material and methods; All the cases of stroke (n=240) Patients having finding on CT scan brain (plain) consistent with ischemic stroke of either sex aged less than 80 years were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from department of Medicine, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Complete history about onset of illness, diabetes, hypertension and cardiac illness of the patients was taken. Baseline laboratory investigations including lipid profile and Hb A1c were done. Results; Of these 240 study cases, 155 (64.6 %) were male patients and 85 (35.4%) were female patients. Mean age of our study cases was 68.37 ± 14.55 years (with minimum age was 34 years while maximum age was 79 years). Out of these 240 study cases, 138 (57.5 %) were from poor families, 53(22.1 %) were diabetic and only 11 out of 53 (20.75%) had controlled glycemic levels. Hypertension was present in 182 (75.8%) of our study cases and 39 (16.3 %) were obese. Smoking was present in 101 (42.1%), previous history of stroke was present in 35 (14.6%) and 83 (34.6%) were Saraikis. Mean duration of illness was 2.24 ± 0.53 months and 135 (56.3%) had disease duration more than 1 month. Mean serum cholesterol level was 202.06 ± 45.36 mg/dl, mean serum LDL level was 91.13 ± 10.24 mg/dl, mean serum triglyceride level was 147.51 ± 20.21 mg/dl and mean serum HDL level was 42.92 ± 3.85 mg/dl and dyslipidemia was present in 85 (35.4 %).  Conclusion; Frequency of dyslipidemia was high among patients having ischemic stroke in our study. Dyslipidemia was significantly associated with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, previous history of stroke and ethnicity. Early diagnosis followed by timely management can help reduce disease morbidity and improve clinical outcomes in these patients. Keywords; ischemic stroke, dyslipidemia, frequency. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/58-03 Publication date: August 31st 201

ASSOCIATION OF ADVERSE PERINATAL OUTCOMES WITH INCREASING AGE IN TWIN PREGNANCIES AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

Background; Twin pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) pose a high risk to mothers and newborns due to inherent biological risks and scarcity of health resources which translate into insufficient care during pregnancy and delivery.  Due to inherent biological factors, twin pregnancies have increased rates of obstetric and perinatal complications such as preeclampsia, post-partum haemorrhage and preterm birth, which are known risk factors for maternal and perinatal mortality. Objective; To determine the frequency of adverse fetomaternal outcome in twin pregnancy in women of advanced age. Material and methods: A total of 181 patients with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy on ultrasound having gestational age more than 24 weeks were taken in this cross-sectional study. Demographic information of patients (name, age, weight) was taken. Informed consent was taken from each patient, ensuring confidentiality and fact that there is no risk involved to the patient while taking part in this study. An obstetrical ultrasonography was done to confirm twin pregnancy. Blood samples were taken from all patients for assessment of anemia. Patients were followed up until pregnancy outcome. Results; Mean age of these study cases was noted to be 34.35 ± 2.41 years. Mean gestational age of our study cases was 34.67 ± 2.25 weeks. Mean BMI of our study cases was noted to be 22.45 ± 1.67 kg/m2 (with minimum BMI was 19.4 kg/m2 and maximum BMI was 32 kg/m2) and obesity was present in 27 (14.9 %) of our study cases. Of these 181 study cases, 126 (69.6%) delivered vaginally while 55 (30.4%) had to undergo cesarean section delivery. Mean hemoglobin level was noted to 8.67 ± 1.40 g/dl while anemia was seen in 126 (69.6%) of these study cases. Preterm labor was observed in 144 (79.6%), abruptio placentae in 19 (10.5%) and low birth weight in 123 (68 %) of our study cases. Conclusion; Twin pregnancy is associated with high risk of perinatal and pregnancy outcomes. There was higher frequency of anemia, cesarean section deliveries, preterm births and low birth weight babies in our study. There is a need for specialised prenatal care to reduce complications and adverse outcome in multiple pregnancies, and the need for ongoing social and medical care beyond the prenatal and perinatal periods to improve perinatal outcomes in these patients. Keywords; Preterm labor, anemia, twin pregnancy. DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/58-04 Publication date: August 31st 201