Monitoring of Insecticides resistance against cotton Jassid (Amrasca biguttutla biguttutla) under laboratory conditions

Development of insecticides resistance mainly hinge with managements techniques for the control of Jassid, Amrasca biguttutla biguttutla. Five insecticides were applied against field collected and laboratory rared jassid populations during the years of 2017 to 2019 to profile their resistance level against field population of jassid through leaf dip method. Very low resistance level was found in jassid against confidor whereas high level of resistance was observed by pyriproxyfen against other test insecticides. Gradual resistance was observed against diafenthiuron. It is concluded that for the management of Jassid repetition of same insecticide should be avoided. The use of confidor may be reduced to overcome resistance against Jassid.

Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Serum Iron Profile

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is reported to be the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in cases of upper gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. There is paucity of research between the possible association of H. pylori and iron stores and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). In this study, we will determine if there is an association between serum total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), serum iron and ferritin levels, and H. pylori infection.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the gastroenterology ward of a major hospital in Pakistan from December 2020 to April 2021. Three hundred patients diagnosed with H. pylori were enrolled along with 300 participants in the control group. H. pylori was confirmed or excluded with the help of Giemsa stained gastric biopsy specimens. Blood was sent to the laboratory to test for ferritin, serum iron, and TIBC. Each sample was drawn in the morning to avoid any fluctuations.

Results: The mean serum iron level was significantly lower in participants with H. pylori infection compared to those who did not have H. pylori infection (110.72 ± 28.38 ug/dL vs. 162.5 ± 21.18 ug/dL; p-value: <0.0001). Serum ferritin level was significantly higher in participants with H. pylori infection (536.82 ± 117.0 ng/dL vs. 391.31 ± 101.54 ng/dL; p-value: <0.0001).

Conclusion: In comparison with the control group, TIBC and serum iron levels were found to be lower in the case group.

Comparison of Lipid Profile in Patients With and Without Subclinical Hypothyroidism

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid hormone affects lipid metabolism. Various studies have shown a contradictory relationship between lipid profile (LP) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Currently, there is a scarcity of regional data on the relationship between LP and SCH.

METHODS

This longitudinal study was conducted in the internal medicine and cardiology units of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan from September 2019 to March 2021. A total of 900 participants, of either gender and between the ages of 40 to 70 years, were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were sent to the laboratory to determine lipid and thyroid parameters. Participants were divided into two groups based on the presence of SCH.

RESULTS

In our study, 179 (19.8%) participants had SCH. Total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was significantly higher in participants with SCH compared to participants without SCH (228.41 ± 35.21 mg/dL vs. 171.21 ± 30.21 mg/dL; p-value: <0.00001) and (131.65 ± 28.22 mg/dL vs. 89.26 ± 18.52 mg/dL; p-value: <0.0001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study found an increased incidence of dyslipidemias in patients with SCH. It is associated with elevated TC and LDL levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Role of Montelukast as Monotherapy in Improving Quality of Life of an Asthmatic Patient in Pakistan

Introduction: Uncontrolled and inadequately managed asthma substantially reduces Quality of Life (QOL) and can lead to premature death. The aim of this study is to understand the role of montelukast in improving quality of life in asthmatic patients by comparing it with placebo.

Methods: This prospective, single-arm, interventional study was conducted from September 2019 to February 2020 in the pulmonology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. All patients were prescribed montelukast (10 mg once daily).

Results: At day 28, participants had a higher score on the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire-Standard (AQLQ-S) overall and in all sub-domains compared to day 0. The improvement was significant overall and for the sub-domains of symptoms, activity limitations, and environmental stimuli.

Conclusion: Montelukast has an effective role in asthma control as well as in improving the quality of life in the Pakistani population.

Evaluation of chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic effect of Artemisia vulgaris extract against diethylnitrosamine induced hepatocellular carcinogenesis in Balb C mice

Abstract The main objective of current study was to investigate the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity of Artemisia vulgaris extract on diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Balb C mice. Diethylnitrosoamine (DEN: 0.9%) was prepared to induce hepatocarcinoma in Balb C mice. The extract Artemisia vulgaris (AV) was prepared by maceration technique. Mice were classified into four groups as follows: Group 1 a control group (N=7) received saline solution (3.5 μl/mg), group 2 (N=14) received diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) intraperitoneally once in a week for eight consecutive weeks, group 3 (N=7) received only plant extract (AV: 150 mg/kg (Body weight) once in a week, while group 4 (N=7) was given in combination of diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) and plant extract (AV: 150 mg/kg (body weight). After eight weeks of DEN administration, mice of group 2 were divided into two subgroups containing seven mice each; subgroup 1 was sacrificed while subgroup 2 was treated with plant extract only (150 mg/kg (body weight)) once in a week for eight consecutive weeks. The DEN injected mice significant decline in levels of albumin with concomitant significant elevations such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alpha feto protein, gamma glutamyl transferase, 5 nucleotidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and bilirubin. The administration of A. vulgaris significantly decreased the DEN induced hepatotoxicity. Present study revealed the potential anti-cancerous nature of Artemisia vulgaris, both in case of chemopreventive and post-treatment of A. vulgaris. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanism of prevention and therapy.

Comparison of Lipid Profile in Patients With and Without Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction

There is ample data available to determine the impact of deranged lipid values of acute myocardial infarction (AMI); however, there is a paucity of data from low-income countries like Pakistan. In this study, we aim to determine the correlation of lipid values with AMI.

Materials and methods

This case-control study was conducted from 1 February 2019 to 30 October 2019 in a tertiary care hospital in Sukkur, Pakistan. There were a total of 421 participants divided into two groups; Case Group (patients with AMI, n=212) and Control Group (patients without AMI, n=209).

Results

Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly higher in patients with AMI and HDL was lower. There was no significant difference between triglycerides in both groups.

Conclusion

Dyslipidemia is an important risk factor for AMI. There is a need for more large scale multi-center studies to further understand the role of lipid profile in AMI and the various factors that influence it.

In vivo induction of hepatocellular carcinoma by diethylnitrosoamine and pharmacological intervention in Balb C mice using Bergenia ciliata extracts

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most frequent primary malignancy of liver and accounts for as many as one million deaths worldwide in a year.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-cancerous efficiency of Bergenia ciliata rhizome against diethylnitrosoamine induced hepatocarcinogenesis in Balb C mice.

METHODS

One percent diethylnitrosoamine was prepared by using 99 ml of normal saline NaCl (0.9 percent) solution to which was added 1 ml of concentrated diethylnitrosoamine (DEN) solution (0.01 μg/μl). Extract of Bergenia ciliata was prepared by maceration technique. Mice were classified into four groups as follows: Group 1 a control group (N=7) received saline solution (3.5 μl/mg), group 2 (N=14) received diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) intraperitoneally once in a week for eight consecutive weeks, group 3 (N=7) received plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week, while group 4 (N=7) was given combination of diethylnitrosoamine (3.5 μl/mg) and plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)). After eight weeks of DEN induction group 2 mice were divided into two subgroups containing seven mice each, subgroup 1 was sacrificed while subgroup 2 was treated with plant extract (150 mg/kg (Body weight)) once in a week for eight consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

The model of DEN injected hepatocellular carcinomic (HCC) mice elicited significant decline in levels of albumin with concomitant significant elevations in tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin. The intraperitoneal administration of B. ciliata as a protective agent, produced significant increase in albumin levels with significant decrease in the levels of tumor markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alpha feto protein (AFP), gamma glutamyl transferase (Y-GT), 5 nucleotidase (5NT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and bilirubin.

CONCLUSION

Bergenia ciliata has potent antioxidant activity, radical scavenging capacity and anticancerous properties. Bergenia ciliata extracts may provide a basis for development of anti-cancerous drug.

Analysis of genetic diversity identified by amplified fragment length polymorphism marker in hybrid wheat

Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers were used to assess genetic diversity in 10 male sterile wheat crop lines (hetero-cytoplasm with the same nucleus) in relation to a restorer wheat line. These male sterile lines were evaluated using 64 amplified fragment length polymorphism primer combinations, and 13 primers produced polymorphic bands, generating a total 682 fragments. Of the 682 fragments, 113 were polymorphic. The polymorphic information content and marker index values demonstrated the utility of the primer combinations used in the present study. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean and principal coordinate analysis of the genotypic data revealed clustering of accessions based on genetic relationships, and accessions were separated into 2 groups with their restorer line. Jaccard's similarity coefficient values suggested good variability among the male sterile lines, indicating their utility in breeding programs. The fallouts of analysis of molecular variance showed large within-group population variation, accounting for 77% of variation, while among-group comparison accounted for 23% of the total molecular variation, which was statistically significant. The molecular diversity observed in this study will be useful for selecting appropriate accessions for plant improvement and hybridization through molecular-breeding approaches and for developing suitable conservation strategies.

Examination of polymorphism in hybrid wheat by using amplified fragment length polymorphism marker

To investigate the polymorphism of two groups of male sterile lines and their maintainer lines, we used amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Of the 64 primer pairs, five reproducibly demonstrated polymorphism. Group I had 27 polymorphic bands, and Group II had 24 polymorphic bands. The maximum number of polymorphic bands was produced by line 2 (18 polymorphic bands) followed by line 7 (15 polymorphic bands). Of the five primer pairs, the highest number of polymorphic bands was produced by primer pair E1/M4, and the smallest number of polymorphic bands was produced by primer pair E1/M2. DNA fingerprinting, germplasm characterization, and cytogenetic research have especially been emphasized in studies of bread wheat; these methods are highly useful to select appropriate accessions for plant improvement and hybridization through molecular breeding approaches to evolve suitable safeguard strategies.

Comparison of small scale methods for the rapid and efficient extraction of mitochondrial DNA from wheat crop suitable for down-stream processes

We evaluated and compared 2 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extraction methods in terms of DNA quality and success of subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications from yellow etiolated shoots of wheat crop (Triticum aestivum). mtDNA ex-traction is difficult because the presence of metabolites interfere with DNA isolation procedures and downstream applications such as DNA restriction, amplification, and cloning. The method (with modification) involved inactivation of genomic DNA by DNase I enzyme, RNA by RNase enzyme, contaminant proteins by using proteinase K, and precipitation of polysaccharides in the presence of a high salt concentration. The DNase I and RNA enzyme ratio was adjusted to 10:8 mL. The purity of mtDNA was confirmed by PCR amplification of genomic, mitochondrial, and chloroplast (rbcL) gene. The mitochondrial COXIII gene of 400 bp was amplified; the b-actin and chloroplast genes were not amplified. A260/A280 (1.89) and A260/A230 (2.07) ratios were calculated using a spectrophotometer. The isolated mtDNA was amenable to amplification and restriction digestion. The technique is fast, reproducible, and suitable for PCR-based markers.

Fitness cost and realized heritability of resistance to spinosad in Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The common green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea is a key biological control agent employed in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for managing various insect pests. Spinosad is used for the management of pests in ornamental plants, fruit trees, vegetable and field crops all over the world, including Pakistan. A field-collected population of C. carnea was selected with spinosad and fitness costs and realized heritability were investigated. After selection for five generations, C. carnea developed 12.65- and 73.37-fold resistance to spinosad compared to the field and UNSEL populations. The resistant population had a relative fitness of 1.47, with substantially higher emergence rate of healthy adults, fecundity and hatchability and shorter larval duration, pupal duration, and development time as compared to a susceptible laboratory population. Mean relative growth rate of larvae, intrinsic rate of natural population increase and biotic potential was higher for the spinosad-selected population compared to the susceptible laboratory population. Chrysoperla species are known to show resistance to insecticides which makes the predator compatible with most IPM systems. The realized heritability (h 2) value of spinosad resistance was 0.37 in spinosad-selected population of C. carnea.

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA using amplified fragment length polymorphism markers of isonuclear allocytoplasmic male sterile wheat accessions and their maintainer lines

To produce a good F1 hybrid variety wheat crop, it is necessary to explore novel cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) lines and their maintainer line. This study aimed to identify cytoplasmic variation in three isonuclear-alloplasmic male sterile lines Aegilops kotschyi (Ae.kots) -90-110, Aegilops ventricosa (Ae.ven) -90-110, and Triticum spelta (T.spelta) -90-110 and their maintainer line, A-90-110, at the molecular level. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was isolated using a combination of centrifugation and density gradient ultracentrifugation, sucrose sedimentation, lysis with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), potassium proteinase, and phenol/chloroform extraction methods. To detect mtDNA purity, specific primers were designed for nuclear (β-actin) and mitochondrial (COXIII) genes. Results indicated that the mtDNA was pure, and therefore suitable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genetic analysis. Comparative analysis of mtDNA was conducted using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Reproducible polymorphisms were detected between the Aegilops and Triticum species and the male sterile lines. Four specific primers were screened from 64 AFLP marker primers, which provided the molecular basis for further studies investigating specific cytoplasmic male sterility characteristics.

[Analysis of three wheat cytoplasmic male sterile lines mitochondrial DNA by AFLP]

Cytoplasmic male sterility is an important way to utilize wheat heterosis. The purpose of thisstudy was to identify cytoplasmic type of three wheat male sterile lines. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) marker technique was used to analyze the wheat mitochondrial DNA. We isolated mitochondria by differential centrifugation and density gradient ultracentrifugation. The results show that the extracted mitochondrial DNA was pure. It was suitable for PCR and genetic analysis. We got 4 pairs of specific primers from 64 primers combinations. Primer E1/M7 amplified 3 specific fragments in ms(Kots)-90-110. Primer E4/M2 generated 2 specific fragments in ms(Ven)-90-110. Primer E7/M6 amplified 2 specific fragments in ms(S)-90-110. Primer E6/M4 produced 2 specific fragments in ms(Kots)-90-110. Four specific primers could be used to identify three cytoplasmic types of Aegilops kotschyi, Ae. ventricosa and Triticum spelta. It provided the molecular basis to further study the mechanism of wheat cytoplasmic male sterility.