An earlier study has shown that Thinopyrum distichum chromosomes 3J1 d, 4J1 d and 5J1 d are primarily responsible for its salt tolerance while 2J1 d and a group 7J chromosome may also contribute. Presently, RFLP polymorphisms and C-bands were used to develop disomic addition lines in triticale for each target chromosome barring 7J1 d. An initial attempt to find PCR-based markers for the critical chromosomes employed sequences of mapped wheat cDNA loci to derive primers for the amplification of Thinopyrum homoeoloci. This approach met with limited success and when the various addition stocks became available these were used to detect Thinopyrum-specific RAPDs that could be converted into SCAR markers. Using the SCAR markers, a range of Th. distichum – triticale secondary hybrids with different combinations of the critical chromosomes were selected and employed in a salt tolerance test. The results confirmed those of the earlier study and showed that certain chromosome combinations rather than single chromosomes were required for elevated levels of salt tolerance. Chromosomes 2J1 d plus 3J1 d appeared to be the only combination of two chromosomes at a time that produced a notable effect. Addition of either of the combinations 2J1 d, 3J1 d and 5J1 d or 3J1 d, 4J1 d and 5J1 d to triticale produced salt tolerance approaching that of the primary Th. distichum/ triticale amphiploid. Attempts to further characterize critical chromosome regions and to develop plant material with introgressed tolerance should therefore focus on the J1 d genome chromosomes 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Testing the successive extracts and coumarin- containing fraction isolated from Macfadyena unguis-cati for antioxidant activity by inhibiting the stable DPPH free radical, it showed high activity (93.9% inhibition) when compared with vitamin C (95.4% inhibition). Also successive extracts and 80% total ethanol extract showed moderate antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of Bacillus cereus (grampositive bacteria) and E-coli (gram-negative bacteria). Fractionation of coumarin containing-fraction led to isolation of two compounds, the first is the coumestrol, 7-hydroxy, 4`, 5` dimethoxy coumestan and the second is 6-methoxy-2-(4`-methoxy-2`-hydroxyphenyl)-benzofuran- 3-carbaldehyde.

Plants are biosynthetic laboratories for many useful compounds those are playing important role in human health. Ingredients of some medicinal plants are very much effective against bacterial growth and can be used to minimize their activities. A study was conducted to assess the possible affects of berberis lyceum Royle against the 18 bacteria, 4 fungi and yeast strains. The root extracts were prepared in methanol and aqueous media. Where as antimicrobial activities were assessed by using Disc diffusion method and Micro dilution assays. It was observed that methanol and aqueous root extracts of berberis lyceum were highly effective against different bacteria and fungi. The methanol extracts (135-260 ?g/l) have inhibited growth of microorganisms more effectively as compared to aqueous extract (120-230 ?g/l). The results obtained in present study indicates that root of berberis lyceum contained some phyto chemicals with antimicrobial activity and could be useful for pharmaceutical industries for development of new drugs for human and animal health.

Diabetes has been declared as one of the major global health hazards by the WHO and it leads to renal, cardiac and nervous tissue complications. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine the specific subclass of ? adrenoceptors that are involved in the regulation of renal haemodynamics in diabetes and cardiac failure induced SD rats. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (55mg/kg IP). Cardiac failure was induced by the combined treatment of caffeine and isoprenaline for seven days. On day eight the animals were anaesthetized by pentobarbitone sodium and the left kidney was exposed. The renal artery was cleared and electromagnetic flow probe was placed on it for renal blood flow (RBF) measurement. The left iliac artery was cannulated for the infusion of saline and all drugs. The renal nerves were stimulated by bipolar electrodes. The reduction in RBF to electrical nerve stimulation (1-10 Hz), bolus doses of noradrenaline (25-200 ng), phenylephrine (0.25-2.0 ?/kg) and methoxamine (1-4 ?/kg were determined before and after bolus doses of amlodipine (200 and 400 ?/kg), 5- methylurapidil (5 and 10 ?/kg), chloroethylclonidine (5 and 10 ?/kg) and BMY7378 (100 and 200 ?/kg). The results obtained indicated that the renal vasoconstrictor responses in this model were attenuated mainly by amlodipine, 5 methylurapidil and BMY7378 but not by chloroethylclonidine. The findings from this study suggest that ?1A and ?1D - adrenoceptors mediate the adrenergically induced renal vasoconstrictor responses in cardiac failure SD rats with diabetes.

The objective of the present study was to identify and explore the perceptions of characteristics of the Clinical Faculty among nursing students and alumni of private university and determining significantly differences in the group of nursing students and Alumni by using NCTEI questionnaire. Nursing students were those students who are currently enrolled in a diploma or BScN or Post RN BScN Programme of School of Nursing (SON) in private university of Karachi. The alumni are those registered nurses who have had Diploma; Baccalaureate or Post RN degrees in nursing from this selected SON, and have been working in the Medical and Surgical unit of selected university, hospital for more than six months. A sample of 154 was randomly chosen from the group of nursing students and Alumni to participate in this study. The results indicated that the category of “teaching ability” was the most highly valued category and “interpersonal relationship” as the lowest amongst the five categories from the NCTEI questionnaire. This study concludes that the respondents’ gave great emphasis to teaching ability of the Clinical Faculty and it needs to be examined closely so that the students can view the Clinical Faculty as supportive member and their learning could be encouraged.

Nutrient concentrations in teak roots as a result of fertilizer application were investigated in Peninsular Malaysia. Plant tissues are generally thought to exhibit pronounced effects of fertilizer and age, especially in tree roots. Numerous studies show that fertilization is most effective when trees are not water stressed. Present study revealed that almost all nutrients concentrations in roots of 1 and 2-year-old plants showed synergistic relationship with fertilizer additions. Nitrogen concentration in fertilized plants was 30%, P 16%, and Ca 5% higher than in unfertilized. Nitrogen, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn and Zn were 183%, 200, 84, 241, 200, 59 and 42% higher, respectively in fine roots than in coarse roots. Results revealed that nutrient concentration decreased with increase in age and size. Highest nutrients concentrations were in roots of 1-year-old plants with >2.0mm diameter and decreased as tree advanced in age and diameter. Teak grows on a variety of geological formations; soil with pH 4.3 to 5.2, adequate porosity and drainage are the best soils for teak growth

Pakistan is one of those unique countries that have rich diversity of flora and fauna living in a variety of ecosystem types, landscapes. Pakistan has nineteen national parks, the Harzarganji Chiltan National Park one of them. This park has given ample protection to Chiltan wild goat (Capra aegagrus chiltanensis), the Chiltan wild goat is endemic to Pakistan. According to this study they fed mainly on leaves of Fiscus palmate (11.6%) Pisticia kanjala (9.1%), Juniper polycarpes (8.3%), Cynodon dactylon (5.5%), Hordium murinum (3.0%) and seeds of Moris alba (3.1%) Rosa lacrans (3.0%) along with Chenopodium sp. (2.0%). Out of 16 plants species Fiscus palmata were consumed intensively. About 20 % of the wild goat diet was due to other plants which could not be identified. This is the preliminary study on diet and required long term studies for better understanding of the food habits of wild goat.

To compare the effects of metformin HCl with diet and exercise on the carbohydrate metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome a clinical trial was carried out on one hundred infertile females having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with ages between 20-40 years. They were enrolled from the infertility clinic of a private hospital in Karachi from 2001 to 2004. The patients were divided into group A (metformin treated group) and group B (diet and exercise treated group) each having fifty patients in all. Group A was given tablet metformin HCl 500 mg thrice daily while group B was kept on 30-60 minutes walk daily along with avoidance of excess sugars, oily food and red meat from their diet for a period of three months. Both groups were subjected to have fasting serum glucose (FSG) and fasting serum insulin (FSI) at day-0 and day-90. Significant reduction was found in group A in both the FSG and FSI which reduced from 92.74±13.0 mg/dl to 86±8.7 mg/dl) P=0.001) and 20.6±11.0 ?U/ml to 9.8±5.6 ?U/ml (P=0.001) respectively. Non significant reduction was observed in group B in both the parameters. FSG reduced from 92±11.1 mg/dl to 91±9.8 mg/dl (P=0.079) and FSI reduced from 18.8±5.0 ?U/mlto 18.6±5.0 ?U/ml (P=0.06). In conclusion metformin HCl increased the peripheral uptake and utilization of glucose probably which in turn increased the insulin sensitivity and reduced the insulin resistance in these patients having polycystic ovary syndrome.

In this study, the mole rat, Nesokia sp. faecal pellets were collected from the infested date-palm orchards of Nok Kundi, District Chaghai, Balochistan. The short-tailed mole rat fed mainly on date-palm fruits (37.6%) and date-palm stem (pith) (18.0%) which jointly accounted 55.6% of the fruiting season. Insects, and grass leaves were consumed much less. About 34% of the faecal pellets contents were not identified. Insects were eaten only sparingly.

Karachi city produces discharge of wastewater of 300 mil gallons per day. There are three sewerage plants in Karachi but they are able to treat only 45 million gallon per day (15% of the total wastewater). A large number of industries discharge deadly and toxic waste into storm-drains, open nullahs or in the Lyari and Malir rivers. These include leather tanning units, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, refineries, chemical, textile, engineering works and thermal power plants. The Lyari River has become a putrid and toxic gutter due to discharge of effluents. Almost all chemical waste is dumped untreated into the river system from where it is taken out to sea. In this study, estrogenic activities of wastewater were determined with the samples collected from seven selected sites of Karachi city. A study of estrogenic activities was done between these seven selected areas, using the samples collected, estrogenic activity found in Site A 1.46 ng/L, site B 2.15 ng/L, site C 0.76 ng/L, site D 7.47 ng/L, site E 0.77 ng/L, site F 0.12 ng/L and site G 0.21 ng/L estradiol equivalents. While the highest estrogenic activity was found in site D 7.47 ng/L estradiol equivalents.

A surface breakdown (flashover) might occur on the surface of an insulator when it was bombarded by electron beam until exceeding a critical value. The strength of SiO2 added MgO to withstand flashover treeing appearance was evaluated by bombarding the samples by 25 keV electron beam generated by a scanning electron microscope. There was a significant increase of bombardment-time to initiate surface breakdown when SiO2 addition was 6 wt%. This compound was about 5 times better in withstanding breakdown compared with materials commonly used in spacecraft such as teflon, kapton and milar materials. It could be considered that 6 wt% SiO2 added MgO became a promising material for spacecraft and space station where space radiation may damage spacecraft body or influence the communication system.

Batch experiments were performed using Activated Alumina as an adsorbent for initial fluoride concentrations in the range of 5-35ppm. It was found that the equilibrium data were explained better by Freundlich isotherm than Langmuir’s. Column experiments were conducted with the same adsorbent using initial fluoride concentrations and Hydraulic retention time as variables. The removal efficiency of fluoride was found to be in the range of 88-98%. The reproducibility of experiments was checked and the error was found to be in the range of 2.6%-5.3% based on fluoride removal efficiency.

In this paper a general dynamic Reynolds equation of sliding-squeezing surfaces with couple stress fluids is derived for the assessment of static and dynamic characteristics of porous bearings. The analysis takes into account of transient squeezing action effects and velocity slip at the porous/fluid film interface by using the modified B-J slip boundary conditions. The numerical solution of two-dimensional plane inclined porous slider bearing is illustrated. Using the perturbation technique two Reynolds-type equations governing the steady performance and the perturbed characteristics are obtained. The steady and perturbed characteristics are then numerically calculated by using finite-difference technique. From the numerical results computed it is observed that there exists a critical value for the profile parameter at which the steady-state load and dynamic stiffness coefficients attains maximum. Further it is found that this critical value of the profile parameter is a function of permeability parameter. The effects of couple stresses provide an improved performance for both steady-state, dynamic stiffness and damping characteristics. This effect is more accentuated for the porous bearings with larger values of aspect ratio.

A laboratory batch experiment was conducted using calcareous (Ishurdi series) and non-calcareous soils (Amjhupi and Dhamrai series) to evaluate the desorption pattern of arsenic under three viz.,5, 10 and 20 ?g ml-1 imposed treatments of arsenic. The desorption was observed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hour residence time with arsenic solution followed by 2, 4, 6 and 24 hour of extraction to release the sorbed arsenic with 0.1 N EDTA solution. Average percent desorption of arsenic decreased with increasing residence time from 2 hour to 8 hour of arsenic sorption irrespective of the calcareousness of the soil. 87.21 % of the sorbed arsenic desorbed back into the solution for the 2 hour sorbed one and the minimum of 3.88 % desorbed for the 8 hour sorption. Quantity wise, a maximum of 9.49 ?g g-1 As was found to have desorbed from soils having 24 hour of sorption that amounted to 11.4 % of the amount sorbed. Desorption of As was more in the non-calcareous Dhamrai soil. Although the highest imposed treatment of arsenic (20 ?g ml-1) caused the highest desorption, the desorptivity of the element however, did not vary widely with solute concentration.

A laboratory batch experiment was conducted using calcareous (Ishurdi series) and non-calcareous soils (Amjhupi and Dhamrai series) to evaluate the desorption pattern of arsenic under three viz.,5, 10 and 20 ?g ml-1 imposed treatments of arsenic. The desorption was observed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 hour residence time with arsenic solution followed by 2, 4, 6 and 24 hour of extraction to release the sorbed arsenic with 0.1 N EDTA solution. Average percent desorption of arsenic decreased with increasing residence time from 2 hour to 8 hour of arsenic sorption irrespective of the calcareousness of the soil. 87.21 % of the sorbed arsenic desorbed back into the solution for the 2 hour sorbed one and the minimum of 3.88 % desorbed for the 8 hour sorption. Quantity wise, a maximum of 9.49 ?g g-1 As was found to have desorbed from soils having 24 hour of sorption that amounted to 11.4 % of the amount sorbed. Desorption of As was more in the non-calcareous Dhamrai soil. Although the highest imposed treatment of arsenic (20 ?g ml-1) caused the highest desorption, the desorptivity of the element however, did not vary widely with solute concentration.

Coronary artery Bypass surgery is the most widely used and reliable treatment option for highly occluded coronary artery. In this study a computational technique is used to estimate the velocity profile and Wall shear stress distribution in a complete anastomosis model. Coronary artery is supposed to be fully occluded and the blood flow issued from the bypass graft is investigated. An optimized bypass model is proposed for Coronary artery bypass surgery. Complex flow patterns are found near the both proximal and distal part of anastomosis. Low velocity recirculation zone are found both upstream and downstream of the stenosis. Wall shear stress distribution is calculated at the different location of anastomosis, which is the main factor in the bypass graft failure.

We define and discuss ?s-connected spaces, ?s-components in a space X and ?s-locally connected spaces.