Phenotypic Diversity among Fennel (Foeniculum Vulgare) Germplasm of Pakistan

Fennel is facing continuous challenge with reference to biotic and abiotic stresses that can be solved with the knowledge of available germplasm of fennel in the country or worldwide. Selection of fennel genotype on the basis of research interest can never been accomplished without gene pool. The aim of the present study was to explore the phenotypic diversity among selective fennel accession and identify lines having high yielding potential. In the present study thirty fennel accessions were sown in PGRI, NARC. Irrigation practice was carried out during the growing period. Data was recorded during different growth stages and after harvesting. Nine morphological parameters under study include plant height, number of umbels/plant, umbel diameter, rays produced/umbel, fruits produced/umble, fruit color and fruit shape. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Tukey Honest Significance Test and Multivariate cluster Analysis using Minitab Software version 20.0. High diversity was observed among the quantitative traits of thirty accessions. Qualitative traits of accessions from similar region had considerable resemblance. Fennel germplasm collected from Punjab gives outstanding performance with reference to phenotypic traits. Accessions were identified as potential sources including: 21293 (maximum plant height, Punjab, Jhang, Chiniot), 21209 ( great height, Punjab, Faisalabad), 21737 (short height, Punjab, Layyah, Karore Chak-84) 21699 (maximum number of rays/umbel, Punjab, Pakpattan) and 21722 (maximum number of umbels , Punjab, Narowal, Talwandi Bhandran in short 21722 due to high yield was identified as potential sources to be included in future breeding programs for the improvement of fennel varieties

THE INFLUENCING FACTORS OF CO2 EMISSIONS AND THE ADOPTION OF ECO-INNOVATION ACROSS G-7 ECONOMIES: A NOVEL HYBRID MATHEMATICAL AND STATISTICAL APPROACH

The present study empirically analyzes the role of eco-innovation in plummeting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in conjunction with renewable energy usage, foreign direct investment, and trade openness for the states in G-7 from 1990 to 2019 in a mathematical and statistical context. Under the dynamical framework, the estimates of mathematical grey relational analyses indicate that eco-innovation holds a stronger degree of association with CO2 emissions. Further, the estimates demonstrate that, compared to the other G-7 states, Japan is the country where eco-innovation is a more striking variable. However, renewable energy utilization seems weaker in Japan, which necessitates adopting renewable energy to curb carbon emissions in the region. Statistically, the odds ratio illustrates a similar pattern, demonstrating that the odds of occurrence for eco-innovation are much stronger in reducing the rising levels of carbon emissions within the G-7 states. Moreover, trade openness and foreign direct investment were revealed to be the leading contributors to carbon emissions in Germany and Canada, respectively, whilst appearing to be significant variables in lowering emissions in the United States and the United Kingdom. The outcomes of this investigation offer significant perspectives for policymakers in formulating holistic and environmentally friendly policies by embracing eco-innovation as a potentially significant component for sustainable economic expansion and environmental health

Comparative analysis of N95 respirators fit testing with commercially available and in house reagent

Background: Due to COVID-19, thousands of healthcare workers have been affected and have lost their lives in the line of duty. For the protection of healthcare workers, WHO and CDC have made standard guidelines and requirements for PPE use. N95 masks are amongst the most readily used PPE by healthcare professionals and it is highly recommended by OSHA that every make and model of N95 should go through a fit test at least once in a year.Method: A total of 30 randomly selected healthcare professionals (who were a regular user of N95 respiratory masks) were subjected to assess in-house (saccharin sodium benzoate) reagent for use for standard qualitative fit testing in our hospital. Threshold testing with the in-house reagent at three different concentrations was performed prior to establish participants\u27 sensitivity to the reagent. After successful completion of threshold testing, fit test was performed on participants wearing an N95 mask.Results: All the participants included in the study passed the sensitivity testing with three concentrations of the reagents, while it was concluded that the concentration of the in-house reagent that was well suited for the sensitivity testing was a concentration of 1g/dl saccharin with 10g/dl sodium benzoate. For fit testing 12g/dl was found to be more appropriate.Discussion: Our study provided a low cost solution to ensure safety of healthcare workers who are regular users of N95 masks following guidelines implemented by OSHA and CDC.Conclusion: The in-house test solution prepared was found to be equally sensitive to its commercially available counterpart

Modified and unmodified arabinoxylans from Plantago ovata husk: Novel excipients with antimicrobial potential

Arabinoxylan is a polysaccharide of Plantago ovata, an indigenous plant of Pakistan and several European countries. In the present investigation arabinoxylan isolated from P. ovata husk was chemically modified i.e., carboxymethylated and was converted into its sodium salt. Physicochemical characterization of modified arabinoxylans was done. The antimicrobial assay of arabinoxylan and modified arabinoxylans was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method against Gram negative and Gram positive bacterial strains. Physicochemical properties of modified arabinoxylans were different from arabinoxylan yet were satisfactory for their use as pharmaceutical excipients.  Arabinoxylan showed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram positive strains.  However, it showed no antimicrobial activity against Gram negative strains. Carboxymethyl arabinoxylan showed maximum activity against S. epidermidis. It also showed activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.  Arabinoxylan-Na showed concentration-dependent antimicrobial activity. This study provides the first report on the antibacterial properties of arabinoxylan and its modified forms

Phenotypic Div Phenotypic Diversity among F ersity among Fennel (F ennel (Foeniculum V oeniculum Vulgare) Germplasm of Pakistan

Fennel is facing continuous challenge with reference to biotic and abiotic stresses that can be solved with the knowledge of available germplasm of fennel in the country or worldwide. Selection of fennel genotype on the basis of research interest can never been accomplished without gene pool. The aim of the present study was to explore the phenotypic diversity among selective fennel accession and identify lines having high yielding potential. In the present study thirty fennel accessions were sown in PGRI, NARC. Irrigation practice was carried out during the growing period. Data was recorded during different growth stages and after harvesting. Nine morphological parameters under study include plant height, number of umbels/plant, umbel diameter, rays produced/umbel, fruits produced/umble, fruit color and fruit shape. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, Tukey Honest Significance Test and Multivariate cluster Analysis using Minitab Software version 20.0. High diversity was observed among the quantitative traits of thirty accessions. Qualitative traits of accessions from similar region had considerable resemblance. Fennel germplasm collected from Punjab gives outstanding performance with reference to phenotypic traits. Accessions were identified as potential sources including: 21293 (maximum plant height, Punjab, Jhang, Chiniot), 21209 ( great height, Punjab, Faisalabad), 21737 (short height, Punjab, Layyah, Karore Chak-84) 21699 (maximum number of rays/umbel, Punjab, Pakpattan) and 21722 (maximum number of umbels , Punjab, Narowal, Talwandi Bhandran in short 21722 due to high yield was identified as potential sources to be included in future breeding programs for the improvement of fennel varieties

Quality of Care for Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) in Pakistan: A Retrospective Study

A wide variation exists in the practice patterns of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) care worldwide, leading to differences in clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the quality of process care and its impact on in-hospital outcomes among AMI patients in Pakistan, as no such study has been conducted in Pakistan thus far based upon recommended guidelines. We investigated a sample of 2663 AMI patients across 11 territory hospitals in Punjab province of Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 8.6%. We calculated compliance rates of quality indicators (QIs) for all eligible patients. The association between process care and in-hospital outcome was assessed using hierarchical generalized linear model that adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics. In addition, we examined the effect of patient composite scores on clinical outcomes. Aspirin (73.08%) and clopidogrel (67.86%) indicated relatively better conformance than other QIs. The percutaneous coronary intervention also showed significantly low adherence. All QIs showed no significant association with in-hospital mortality. In contrast, 4 out of 8 QIs were observed positively correlated with in-hospital length of stay (LOS). The overall patient composite score was found to be statistically significant with in-hospital LOS. The assessment of quality of care showed low adherence to clinical care recommendations, and increased adherence was associated with longer in-hospital LOS among AMI patients. Evaluation of valid QIs for AMI treatment and their impact on in-hospital outcomes is an important tool for improving health care delivery in the overall AMI population in Pakistan. Low adherence to performance measures strongly compel to focus on guideline-based tools for AMI in Pakistan

In Vivo Propagation of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cultivars

In order to evaluate the morphological and qualitative characteristics of potato tubers total 35 genotypes were selected for propagation and trait screening. Consequential differences and diverse characteristics were found in all the genotypes after cultivation, wherein, among all the traits zina red, CIP 07, CIP 12, CIP 22, gave the highest results regarding yield and quality of potato tubers except CIP 03 which has low germination percentage and significant quality characters. The dendrogram was prepared to show the massive variation between potato genotypes. This screening is supportive to the permanent efforts to select the best genotype for the developing processing industry of Pakistan

In Vivo Propagation of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Cultivars

In order to evaluate the morphological and qualitative characteristics of potato tubers total 35 genotypes were selected for propagation and trait screening. Consequential differences and diverse characteristics were found in all the genotypes after cultivation, wherein, among all the traits zina red, CIP 07, CIP 12, CIP 22, gave the highest results regarding yield and quality of potato tubers except CIP 03 which has low germination percentage and significant quality characters. The dendrogram was prepared to show the massive variation between potato genotypes. This screening is supportive to the permanent efforts to select the best genotype for the developing processing industry of Pakistan

In-Vitro Conservation of Sugarcane Germplasm

Lack of in vitro multiplication procedure has long been a serious problem in sugarcane breeding programs. This problem has been solved to maximum extent by In Vitro propagation. In the present study, 6 genotypes of sugarcane (SC 06, SC 04, SC 25, SC 11, SC 13 and SC 30) was acquired & excised for apical and sub apical parts (eyes/ lateral buds). The explants were surface sterilized with Clorox (70% +100%, 20 & 10 min). Results showed that highest survival % was achieved with apical buds (66%) as compared to lateral buds (33%). In addition, effect of different concentrations of rooting media (NAA, 5% Sucrose and 6% Sucrose) and shooting media (GA3, 0.1mg/, Kinetin, 0.1mg/L and BAP 0.1mg/L, Kinetin 0.1mg/L,GA3 0.1mg/L, NAA 0.1mg/L) was studied. Synergistic response was observed on the growth of plant with hormone consortia. Significant differences were observed in No. of roots, shoot length @ No. of shoots at all tested treatments. Highest No. of roots recorded for SC 30 at with 6% Sucrose. Highest No. of shoots was recorded for SC 04 with GA3 @ 0.1mg/L and highest shoot length for SC 06 at 0.1mg/ L of Kinetin