Quantifying Some Physiological and Productivity Indices of Canola (Brassica napus L.) Crop under an Arid Environment

Canola (Brassica napus L.) crop ranks third after soybean and palm among oilseed crops for production of vegetable oil and meal for human and livestock, respectively around the globe. The cultivars of canola crop vary greatly in their yield potential in response to eco-edaphic factors under different production environments. Therefore, research studies were undertaken to evaluate eight cultivars of canola crop 'Shiralee', 'Dunkled', 'Bulbul-98', 'Ac-Excel', 'Cyclone', 'Rainbow', 'DGL' and 'Faisal Canola' for quantifying some physiological and productivity indices  under normal growing conditions. The results showed that various cultivars of canola differed significantly amongst themselves with respect to biological yield, chlorophyll content, protein content, nutrient composition and components of seed yield. Among the cultivars, cvs. 'Bulbal-98' and 'Rainbow' produced maximum biological yield and seed yield,  respectively, Furthermore, maximum yield harvested from cv. 'Rainbow' was associated with higher total seed weight plant-1, while cv. 'Faisal Canola' maintained higher chlorophyll content than other ones. Cultivar 'Dunkled' contained higher K+ nutrient by 21.13 mg g-1 in leaf tissues compared to minimum (9.73 mg g-1) in 'DGL' cultivar. The higher amount of Na+ content (12.16 mg g-1) was determined in cv. 'AC Excel'. Cultivar 'Rainbow' maintained higher photosystem (II) activity and had greater partitioning ability of photo-assimilates in the seed tissues. Of various chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, quantum yield of photosystem II and electron transport performance index could be used as a selection criterion for breeding of canola cultivars

To determine the rate of success of external cephalic version in low risk breech presentations and possible factors affecting its success in POF hospital, Wah Cantt.

Abstract   Background The caesarean section rate  is on the rise for various reasons. One of the reason is breech presentation . External cephalic version is a procedure to manipulate the baby from breech to cephalic presentation externally through the maternal abdomen under USG guidance . Success in ECV decreases the breech presentation and  hence caesarean section rate . Methods This retrospective study was conducted by Wah Medical College in POF hospital from10 Oct 2015- 10 Oct 2019 after approval from the ethical committee .  It included 56 low risk singleton  breech presentations from 36 wks- 40 wks after taking their informed consent  While those with < than 36 wks (primis) and >40 wks gestation, refusal to ECV , with absolute contraindication to ECV& with medical and obstetric complications (ie scarred uterus, liquor <than 8 cm & > than 17 cm, fetal growth restriction, preclampsia, gestational diabetes & abnormal cardiotocography) were excluded  from the study. ECV was performed by single obstetrician in labour room with facilities  of cardiotocograph and emergency caesarean section. Cardiotocography of the fetus  for 30-40 min was done just before & after the procedure of ECV. ECV was declared successful on cofirming head of the fetus occupying the lower uterine segment on ultrasound.  .Number  of successful ECVs & specific factors  of the women & the baby (age . parity, amniotic fluid index ,type of breech, engagement of breech, position of back of baby)  were chosen to observe their effect on success of  ECV. Results External cephalic version was successful in 27 (48.2%)  & unsuccessful in 29 (51.8%)of women .Multiparity , unengaged breech & type of breech (complete flexed) ( with p values .001, .000 & .001 respectively) had statistically significant positive association with successful external cephalic version. Conclusion ECV should be offered to all  women with low risk breech presentations. Knowledge of factors predictive of ECV success can be utilized in selecting cases for ECV &counselling the women regarding the success and failure of ECV.   &nbsp

Reliability Of Transvaginal Ultrasound Measured Endometrial Thickness In Diagnosis Of Endometrial Cancer In Postmenopausal Women

Abstract Objective: Dilatation and curettage have been replaced by ultrasound measurement of uterine endometrial thickness (ET) especially by Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) as a first step in the workup of women with postmenopausal bleeding for many years. Still, there is no unanimity for endometrial thickness cut-off value to define abnormality. We used an endometrial thickness of 4mm as a cut-off value in this study. Methods: This cross-sectional validation study included 120 patients who presented with postmenopausal bleeding in OPD of POF hospital from 01-12-2017 to 1-06-2018.TVS measured endometrial thickness ≥4mm was assumed positive for malignancy and ˂ 4 mm was taken negative for malignancy. The TVS findings of patients were compared with the histopathology report of endometrial sampling, which was performed in OPD by manual vacuum aspirator (MVA). Histopathology report was taken as a reference standard to confirm or refute the diagnosis of transvaginal ultrasound. Results: On TVS, 54 patients had ≥ 4mm endometrial thickness (taken positive for malignancy) while 66 patients had <4 mm endometrial thickness (taken negative for malignancy). Histopathology of the endometrium (reference standard) revealed that 47 (39.17%) patients had malignancy and 73(60.83%) patients did not have malignancy. The reliability of transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) using 4mm cut-off point ET in detecting endometrial malignancy in patients presenting with uterine bleeding after menopause, keeping histopathological findings as a reference standard showed 89.36% sensitivity, 83.56%, specificity, 92.42% negative predictive value and 77.78% positive predictive value & 85.83% accuracy rate. Conclusion: We concluded that there was a low probability of endometrial malignancy in women with ˂ 4 mm transvaginal ultrasound (TVS)measured endometrial thickness (ET).TVS  may replace invasive endometrial sampling in cases of postmenopausal bleeding with ˂ 4mm ET

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Karak, Pakistan: Report of an outbreak and comparison of diagnostic techniques

A total of 339 patients with clinically suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) were studied from March to April, 2010 in three villages of Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan where an epidemic of the disease was in question. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 78.17% (265/339) were observed having CL. Microscopically, however, only 43.06% (146/339) were diagnosed with the disease. This study reports and confirms epidemic of CL in both gender of all ages in the area. Females (70.94%) were noted to be predominantly affected as compared to males (29%). Clinically, 12.38% of patients had more than three lesions, 29.20% had two lesions, while 58.40% had only single lesion. Most lesions were found on exposed surfaces of the body (predominantly hands, face and feet). The present study confirms that PCR was more sensitive than microscopic examination.Key words: Epidemic, cutaneous leishmaniasis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), microscopy, Pakistan

Biochemical Markers of Liver Toxicity among Coal Mine Workers of Punjab, Pakistan Suffering from HCV

Hepatitis C is among the leading hepatic disorders in current period through which about 3 % world population has been anguish among them 170 million were diagnosed as persistent carriers. A great range of alteration in liver biochemical parameters were found to be allied with HCV infestation. Current study was designed to evaluate the extent of HCV mediated abnormalities in liver biochemical markers which includes ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and serum bilirubin. The study was conducted on coal miners of Punjab province, Pakistan. HCV was primarily diagnosed through one step rapid test device after which positive samples were confirmed through ELISA. Biochemical markers were determined through Autoanalyzer by using standard procedure provided with spinreact kits. Simple linear regression analysis significantly explained 24 %, 56.2 %, 68.8 % and 56 % variance in ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) and serum bilirubin level among HCV positive coal mine workers respectively. Results have clearly indicated significant correlation between HCV seropositivity and liver biochemical markers. Findings of present study conclude monitoring of liver biochemical markers is crucial during HCV infectivity as it represents the degree of impairment in liver functioning. In addition to this elevation in these diagnostic markers could points toward the presence of HCV in respective individual

Effects of antibiotic resistance, drug target attainment, bacterial pathogenicity and virulence, and antibiotic access and affordability on outcomes in neonatal sepsis: an international microbiology and drug evaluation prospective substudy (BARNARDS)

Background Sepsis is a major contributor to neonatal mortality, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). WHO advocates ampicillin–gentamicin as first-line therapy for the management of neonatal sepsis. In the BARNARDS observational cohort study of neonatal sepsis and antimicrobial resistance in LMICs, common sepsis pathogens were characterised via whole genome sequencing (WGS) and antimicrobial resistance profiles. In this substudy of BARNARDS, we aimed to assess the use and efficacy of empirical antibiotic therapies commonly used in LMICs for neonatal sepsis. Methods In BARNARDS, consenting mother–neonates aged 0–60 days dyads were enrolled on delivery or neonatal presentation with suspected sepsis at 12 BARNARDS clinical sites in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa. Stillborn babies were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected from neonates presenting with clinical signs of sepsis, and WGS and minimum inhibitory concentrations for antibiotic treatment were determined for bacterial isolates from culture-confirmed sepsis. Neonatal outcome data were collected following enrolment until 60 days of life. Antibiotic usage and neonatal outcome data were assessed. Survival analyses were adjusted to take into account potential clinical confounding variables related to the birth and pathogen. Additionally, resistance profiles, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic probability of target attainment, and frequency of resistance (ie, resistance defined by in-vitro growth of isolates when challenged by antibiotics) were assessed. Questionnaires on health structures and antibiotic costs evaluated accessibility and affordability. Findings Between Nov 12, 2015, and Feb 1, 2018, 36 285 neonates were enrolled into the main BARNARDS study, of whom 9874 had clinically diagnosed sepsis and 5749 had available antibiotic data. The four most commonly prescribed antibiotic combinations given to 4451 neonates (77·42%) of 5749 were ampicillin–gentamicin, ceftazidime–amikacin, piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin, and amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin. This dataset assessed 476 prescriptions for 442 neonates treated with one of these antibiotic combinations with WGS data (all BARNARDS countries were represented in this subset except India). Multiple pathogens were isolated, totalling 457 isolates. Reported mortality was lower for neonates treated with ceftazidime–amikacin than for neonates treated with ampicillin–gentamicin (hazard ratio [adjusted for clinical variables considered potential confounders to outcomes] 0·32, 95% CI 0·14–0·72; p=0·0060). Of 390 Gram-negative isolates, 379 (97·2%) were resistant to ampicillin and 274 (70·3%) were resistant to gentamicin. Susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates to at least one antibiotic in a treatment combination was noted in 111 (28·5%) to ampicillin–gentamicin; 286 (73·3%) to amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 301 (77·2%) to ceftazidime–amikacin; and 312 (80·0%) to piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. A probability of target attainment of 80% or more was noted in 26 neonates (33·7% [SD 0·59]) of 78 with ampicillin–gentamicin; 15 (68·0% [3·84]) of 27 with amoxicillin clavulanate–amikacin; 93 (92·7% [0·24]) of 109 with ceftazidime–amikacin; and 70 (85·3% [0·47]) of 76 with piperacillin–tazobactam–amikacin. However, antibiotic and country effects could not be distinguished. Frequency of resistance was recorded most frequently with fosfomycin (in 78 isolates [68·4%] of 114), followed by colistin (55 isolates [57·3%] of 96), and gentamicin (62 isolates [53·0%] of 117). Sites in six of the seven countries (excluding South Africa) stated that the cost of antibiotics would influence treatment of neonatal sepsis

Natural killer cells enhance the immune surveillance of cancer

Immune system (IS) is comprised of molecules, cells, tissues and organs involved in host defense mechanism from infectious agents or tumor cells. On crossing the cell barriers by these infectious agents, the defense mechanism is alerted by the immune system to respond against these invading microbes. Innate immune response (IIR) and acquired immune response (AIR) are working in parallel to control these invading microbes. IIR is composed of various types of phagocytes and lymphocytes, while AIR is comprised of T and B lymphocytes. All the cells of the immune system cooperatively work against infectious agents and cancerous cells but Natural killer (NK) cells are playing an important role to respond to tumor by enhancing the expression of complementary domain (CD86) on dendritic cells (DCs) and production of IL-12. NK cells demolished tumor through perforin and granzyme, which are important for immune surveillance and death of tumor cells induced by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), Fas ligand (CD178), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-10. These cytokines have inhibited proliferation of tumor by inducing anti-angiogenic factors and maintaining cross talk with other immune cells. Natural products like transfer factor plus, immune modulator mix, ascorbic acid, Ganoderma lucidum, Agaricus blazei teas, nitrogenated soy extract, Andrographis paniculata and several phytochemicals enhanced the efficiency of NK cells in controlling cancers. Further studies will unravel the impact of NK cells in cancer control and how NK efficiency can be further enhanced

Breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping of breakfast in medical students

Objectives: To find out the breakfast practices and factors associated with skipping breakfast in medical students of Karachi.Material and Methods: This is is a Descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted in public sector medical institutes of Karachi from 1st January to 31st March 2019. 382 medical students were enrolled after taking informed consent. Data were collected from included students of this study, who had an age of 18 to 24 years, and all other students having a history of lactose intolerance, anorexia nervosa, and food allergies were excluded from the study. Breakfast outcome (practices and skip or omit of breakfast) data were collected by self-made structured questionnaire and anthropometric data (height, weight) were recorded. Body mass index was calculated as weight (Kg)/height (m)2. Collected data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for social sciences version 22.Results: The mean age and mean Body mass index of students were 20.83±1.54 and 15.53±3.5 respectively. The study outcomes on breakfast practices, among participants, showed 81.4% were taken breakfast, breakfast skippers were 18.6%, gender-based comparison between breakfast-skippers males (14.1%): females (85.9%) were respectively and shortage of time is the main factor (56.3%) associated with breakfast skipping in students. There is no significant (p>0.05) association between Gender-based comparison between factors associated with breakfast skipping.Conclusion: The breakfast skippers were 18.6%, and among the main factors associated with skipping of breakfast was a shortage of time (56.3%)