Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Toxicopathological effects of endosulfan in female Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica)
Get PDFBackground: The current study was planned to investigate the toxico-pathological effects of endosulfan in female Japanese quails.Methods: A total of 120 quail of 4 weeks old were divided into six equal groups (A-F) and administered endosulfan in feed at dose rate of 0, 5, 25, 50, 100, and 500 mg/kg feed, respectively for 90 days. Parameters studied included clinical signs, feed intake, body weight and mortality. Hematology, serum biochemistry, hatchability and fertility were also determined. Gross and microscopic changes on different organs were recorded.Results: The quails of the group B did not show any clinical signs and had significantly lower values of feed intake, testes relative weight and leukocyte number than those of the control group A. The quails of group C and D had mild depression while those of the group E and F showed nervous excitation following ingestion of endosulfan. There was a dose related delay in onset of crowing, appearance of foamy material in the droppings. The feed intake, erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, hematocrit values, and serum total proteins of endosulfan fed quails were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of the group A. The total egg production in groups A, B and C was significantly higher from group D, E and F. The hatchability in group A and B was significantly higher from groups C, D, E and F. The difference of dead in shell % and early dead among different groups was nonsignificant. Infertile egg percentage was significantly higher in group E compared with all other groups except group F. The necrotic changes were observed in all parts of oviduct in high dose groups, similarly necrotic changes and vacuolar degeneration was observed in hepatic parenchyma in high dose groups D-F.Conclusion: It may be concluded that endosulfan leads to dose dependent changes in the quails.Keywords: Body weight; Coturnix japonica; Endosulfan; Haematological values; Histopatholog
Anticancer, antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds of quinoa inflorescence
Get PDFBackground: Chenopodium quinoa is a newly introduced drought resistant crop in Pakistan. Studies regarding the efficacy of bioactive compounds present in this plant are scarce. Therefore, the current investigation was carried out to identify the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer compounds present in ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of inflorescence of C. quinoa.Methods: Dry powdered inflorescence of the test plant was macerated with methanol and partitioned through different organic solvents on the basis of increase in polarities beginning with n-hexane followed by chloroform and ethyl acetate. GC-MS analysis was performed for the identification of bioactive constituents present in ethyl acetate fraction.Results: The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 15 different phytochemicals. Among these, 1,2-benzedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester (15); 9,12-octadecadienoic_acid-(Z,Z) (13); 8,11-octadecadienoic_acid, methyl ester (12); hexacosanoic acid, methyl-ester (11); hexadecenoic acid,2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (14); n-hexadecanoic acid (10); hexadecenoic-acid, methyl ester (8); 2-propenoic acid,3-[4-(acetyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl]-, methyl ester (7); 1,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaen-3-ol,2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-,(all-E)-(9) and undecane (1) were present in moderate to abundant concentrations. Biological activities of the identified compounds were searched in the previous literature.Conclusion: The present study concluded that ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of the inflorescence of C. quinoa contains a diverse range of potent bioactive constituents with antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, cancer preventive, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties.Keywords: Chenopodium quinoa; Antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds
Male predominant association with Apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like 3G variants (rs6001417, rs35228531, rs8177832) predict protection against HIV-1 infection
Get PDFBackground: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, it is a global health concern mainly lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). There are numerous limitations of this infection particularly in the form of host factors which may limit and interfere HIV-1 replication. The most notable host factors which hinder HIV-1 DNA propagation is the apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide- like 3G (APOBEC3G). Any genetic polymorphism of this substantial host factor may impact the host susceptibility pattern to HIV viral infection in different part of the world. The aim of this study to examine genetic variants (rs6001417, rs35228531, rs8177832) effecting HIV-1 infection.Method: Three variants of APOBEC3G gene polymorphism were genotyped while using RT-PCR method. Frequency distribution of these genotypes was evaluated in both the HIV-1 and healthy group.Results: The rs6001417 CG (p = 0.03) and rs35228531 CT (p = 0.01) genotypes were found as protective elements, while rs35228531 TT (p = 0.02) and rs8177832 AA (p = 0.03) genotypes had shown susceptibility against the HIV-1 infection. Our data suggest, rs35228531 CT (p = 0.003) and rs8177832 AA (P = <0.001) genotypes have predominant incidences in HIV-1 male population than healthy control.Conclusion: We predict rs6001417 CG, rs35228531 CT as protective and rs35228531 TT, rs8177832 AA genotypes as a predisposing tool, against the HIV-1 infection in a section of Pakistani population. In addition, male gender was found predominantly high in both protective genotype rs35228531 CT (p = 0.003) and predisposing genotype rs8177832 AA (p = <0.001). The predominant contribution may help the patient to be predict about the status of HIV infection, however, extra efforts are required to study larger cohort of patients to better elucidate the association
Assessment of genetic diversity and genetic characterization of Nili Ravi buffalo breed utilizing microsatellite markers
Get PDFBackground: Livestock contribution to Pakistan’s GDP is 11.2% and it engages 8 million of rural families for their livelihood. Estimated population of buffalo is 40.00 million heads in Pakistan mostly consisting of low genetic worth population resulting in low productivity and pressure on natural resources. Assessment of genetic diversity and genetic characterization of indigenous livestock resources is an essential step towards conservation and to gauge effects of various breed improvement efforts on population genetics.Methods: In present study genetic diversity of Nili Ravi buffalo population was assessed. A total of 196 unrelated Nili Ravi buffaloes from Punjab, Pakistan were sampled in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to amplification using FAO recommended 12 Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) microsatellite markers. Among 12 microsatellite loci, 11 were successfully amplified (TGLA227, BM2113, ETH10, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, INRA23, BM1818, ETH3, ETH225 and BM1824) whereas microsatellite locus TGLA53 was not amplified. Amplicons were resolved by genetic analyzer instrument and gene mapper software. Allele count, frequencies, gene diversity, heterozygosity, polymorphic information content (PIC) and linkage disequilibrium values were calculated by using Microsatellite toolkit v3 and Power Marker version 3.25.Results: A total of 96 alleles were detected in 196 samples with average of 8.73 alleles per locus and range of 5 alleles (ETH 3) to 18 alleles (ETH 225) per locus. Gene diversity ranged from 0.198 (BM1824) to 0.841 (ETH225), observed heterozygosity values ranged from 0.081 (ETH10) to 0.831 (BM2113) and PIC values ranged from 0.191 (BM1824) to 0.825 (ETH225).Conclusion: This study which will serve as a baseline to understand genetic dynamics of Nili Ravi buffalo breed. Highly polymorphic nature of STR markers will help in understanding effects of various breed improvements efforts on genetic diversity of Nili Ravi breed in future studies.Keywords: Microsatellite; STR; Nili Ravi Buffalo; Genetic Characterization; Punja
Effect of Plant Growth Hormones on Shoot and Root Regeneration in Rose under In Vitro Conditions
Get PDFBackground: Rose is a commercially important shrub. This research aimed to observe the influence of different plant growth hormones on development of shoots and roots of Rosa Indica L. in tissue culture.Methods: Various concentrations of N6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) were used in the study. The different concentrations of BAP (2.00, 3.00, and 4.00 mg l-1) and IAA (2.00 and 3.00 mg l-1) were tested for shoot induction. While varying concentrations of IAA and IBA were analyzed for root proliferation.Results: The results of the study indicated that the fastest shoot initiation (17.77 days), the highest number of shoots bottle-1 (3.55), the maximum shoot length (4.72 cm), and the utmost number of leaves bottle-1 (53.67) were observed on MS media containing 3.00 mg l-1 BAP, 3.00 mg l-1 IAA, and 30 g l-1 sugar, while the highest number of shoots bottle-1 were produced under MS + 2.00 mg l-1 BAP + 3.00 mg l-1 IAA + 30 g l-1 sugar. Regarding root induction, the maximum number of roots (4.67) and root length (2.60 cm) were observed under half strength MS media supplemented with 30 g l-1 sugar.Conclusion: The study suggested that MS media containing 3.00 mg l-1 BAP and IAA could be used for tissue culturing rose plants. For root induction, half-strength MS media, along with sugar, could be used. The study gives an insight into potential media compositions for the propagation of rose. The suggested media can have promising uses in commercial multiplication of this important plant.Keywords: Rose; Tissue culture; Micropropagation; MS media; Shoot developmen
Reserve Carbohydrate Metabolism in Crabtree-Negative and –Positive Yeasts at Different Carbon Sources
Get PDFBackground: The fermentation of sugars into ethanol even in the presence of oxygen is referred to as the Crabtree effect. The yeast cells displaying Crabtree effect are indicated as Crabtree-positive yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is Crabtree positive and Debaryomyces occidentalis is Crabtree-negative yeast which does not have Crabtree effect. The reserve carbohydrate metabolism is different in Crabtree-positive and Crabtree-negative yeast cells. The present study aimed to determine the trehalose and glycogen accumulation patterns both in Crabtree-positive and Crabtree-negative yeast species.Methods: In this research, trehalose and glycogen contents of S. cerevisiae and D. occidentalis yeast species were examined in a time course manner in three different carbon sources: glucose, galactose and glycerol. Firstly, yeast cells were grown in rich media supplemented with glucose then all washed and switched to fresh cultures including glucose, galactose and glycerol.Results: In S. cerevisiae yeast cells the overnight accumulated trehalose degraded very rapidly after non-fermentable carbon source replenishment, but this took place in a long time, nearly two days, in D. occidentalis yeast cells. However, whenever D. occidentalis yeast cells shifted to glycerol, all the accumulated trehalose degraded within the twelve hours. Glycogen accumulation in D. occidentalis yeast cells is lower than S. cerevisiae yeast cells both in fermentable and non-fermentable carbon sources.Conclusion: Results indicated that glycogen and trehalose accumulation patterns are completely different in D. occidentalis than S. cerevisiae. Crabtree-negative yeast cells generally, prefer to accumulate glycogen instead of trehalose as reserve carbohydrate. But in our research we proved that Crabtree-negative yeast D. occidentalis, accumulates more trehalose than S. cerevisiae yeast cells in non-fermentable carbon sources.Keywords: Trehalose; Glycogen; Debaryomyces occidentalis; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Crabtree effect
Monozygotic and Dizygotic Twins Differences in Fingerprint Patterns of Swat District
Get PDFBackground: The identification of individual is important for both legal and humanitarian reasons. It is of great importance because every individual exists as an entity in a society and is dealt with as such by the legal system. The most commonly used method for identification is fingerprinting which relies on the uniqueness of ridges present on thumbs and fingers. These are unique in arrangements and remain constant throughout an individual’s life. Fingerprints of no two individuals are same even if they are twins. The power of discrimination of the basis of fingerprinting is about one in 64 billion. The study was designed to carry out analysis of fingerprints from mono and dizygotic twins and to differentiate them on the basis of fingerprinting.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out among 30 pairs of twins including 17 pair of monozygotic twins and 13 pair of dizygotic twins. After taking an informed expressed consent, the participants were asked to press their individual fingers on the stamp pad. They were asked to then put and roll the stamped finger onto an A4 size paper on which blocks for each finger were already made. Both left and right hands were fingerprinted and with the help of magnifying glass, different types were identified including Arches, Composite type, Loops and Whorls. SPSS software was used for data analysis.Results: There was 7.6% of Arch type, 6.1% of tented arches, 1.5% of plain arches, 62.32% of loops, 6.66% of double loop, and 3.83% of central pocket loop, 44.83% of ulnar loop, 7% of radial loop, 0.83% of accidental loop, 29.93% of whorls, 9% of plain whorl and 20.1% of central the pocket whorl.Conclusion: When the left and right thumbs are compared with each other using eight (8) points, there are matches on the first six (6) points, matching percentage for each of these pairs of fingers is 75%. But when the both fingers were rotated on 180° and compared, the matching percentage was 87.5%. These 8 points fingerprinting can be used to distinguish twins.Keywords: Fingerprint; Identification; Twin; Monozygotic; Dizygotic
Colour Vision Deficiency and Consanguinity in Pakistani Pukhtoon Population
Get PDFBackground: Color vision deficiency is an X-linked recessive condition. This is more common among males as compared to females. This inherit from maternal grandfather to grandson usually. This study was aimed to find prevalence of color vision deficiency and consanguinity in Pukhtoon population of Pakistan.Methods: Three hundred and fourteen (314) high school individuals of both genders were screened for color vision deficiency using pseudoisochromatic Ishihara Plates. Consanguinity of parents were also recorded. Frequency of color vision deficiency over entire sample was used to calculate prevalence. Chi-square is used to see association between color vision deficiency and consanguinity.Result: Prevalence of CVD among males and females were 5.32% and 2.06%. Prevalence of consanguinity among parents of participants were 73.9%.Conclusion: Study showed prevalence of CVD among males as comparable to already reported but among females the rate is relatively higher. Rate of consanguinity among study population is also higher than previously reported ones.Keywords: Color vision deficiency; consanguinity; Pukhtoo
Antagonistic, biofilm-forming rhizospheric Pseudomonas spp. isolated from Hail province
Get PDFBackground: The objectives of this study were to characterize Pseudomonas rhizospheric strains, that have a biocontrol activity, in rhizosphere soil in Hail province and study their ability to form biofilm.Methods: Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from rhizosphere of soil plantation areas, to be used for bacteria isolation. The identified bacteria were qualitatively tested for their ability to produce slime and subsequently develop biofilm.Results: The cultural and biochemical identification techniques, including morphological, biochemical and molecular methods revealed that the antagonistic bacteria- from the distinctive rhizosphere soil samples belong to Pseudomonas genus in particular, P. aeruginosa (PF1a, pf2a, PF-8) and P. putida (PF-7). These identified isolates inhibited Aspergillus niger development with percentage of parasitic growth inhibition greater than (48.095 ± 2.182)% for P. aeruginosa (pf-8). In addition, these identified isolates were significantly shown to be able to produce exopolysaccharide and subsequently develop biofilm on polystyrene and glass surfaces.Conclusion: Superior strains of these bio-control and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria will enable for better biological control of fungal and bacterial plant diseases and may reduce chemical pesticide usage. The indigenous strains isolated could potentially have a great impact on controlling plant diseases, in particular, those caused by microorganisms, and could be used as an alternative bio control agents instead of harmful chemical pesticides. Most of the tried microbes produced exopolysaccharides as well as formed biofilm on polystyrene and glass surfaces.Keywords: Biological control, Rhizosphere; Biofilm; Pseudomonas; Antimicrobial
Risk factors associated with relapse of drug dependence after treatment and rehabilitation in areas under the influence of war on terror
Get PDFBackground: People exposed to war on terror are more prone to neuropsychiatric disorders and drug addiction. The present study was aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with relapse of drug dependence after treatment and rehabilitation in areas under the influence of war and terrorism.Methods: Total 57 individuals who had a relapse from the war affected area were included in current study. Retrospective data were collected from Drug Detoxification and Health Welfare Research Center, Bannu, KPK, Pakistan. Along with demographic characteristics, current study also focused on the prevalence of psychological problems due to war, in association with prevalence of relapse.Results: A total of 93% of Individuals with relapse have concurrent stress. Similarly, depression was also common in 78.9% of relapsed individuals. Relapse was more common in Polydrug abusers (66.7%) as compared to single drug abusers. As far as abstinence duration is concerned, subjects having depression and stress due to war, relapsed in less time as compared to individuals with no psychological disorders.Conclusion: Wars are related with mental and psychological problems like stress and depression and these factors significantly contribute to the relapse of drug dependence as suggested by results of current study.Keywords: Drug addiction; Relapse; War on terror; Depressio