Asad Hussain Shah

Detection of drought tolerant sugarcane genotypes (Saccharum officinarum) using lipid peroxidation, antioxidant activity, glycine-betaine and proline contents

Thirteen genotypes of sugarcane were exposed to different drought stress intensities followed by a period of stress relief. Different biomarkers were used to analyze the stress tolerance in leaves which include DPPH activity, proline, glycine betaine, lipid peroxidation and phenolic contents against different doses of Polyethylene glycol. Relatively the concentrations of all biochemical markers were increased when PEG concentration was increased. On the basis of lipid peroxidation, glycine betaine and proline contents, HSF-242, Lho-83, HSF-240, CP-77-400, CPF-198, NSG-45, NSG-60 and NSG-555 were found to be drought tolerant genotypes. In conclusion the drought stress-induced changes are reversible, at the cellular level in sugarcane.

The Effect of Core Temperature on the Success of Free Tissue Transfer

During free tissue transfer, much effort is made to keep patients normothermic. It is feared that hypothermia, which is common in patients having such operations, can induce vasospasm leading to stasis and ultimately thrombogenesis. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of core body temperature on the survival of free flaps in an animal model. Rats were anesthetized with inhaled isoflurane and randomly assigned to one of the following four core temperature groups: 34 degrees C, 35 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 39 degrees C (n = 10 animals per group). Bilateral groin free flaps were then performed (n = 20 flaps per group) while each animal was maintained at the temperature of its assigned group. Flap survival was evaluated on postoperative day 5 by a blinded observer. The best flap survival occurred in the 34 degrees C group, with an overall flap survival rate of 95%. There was a statistical difference between the survival rate of the combined 34 degrees C and 35 degrees C group (survival rate 90%, n = 40) and the combined 37 degrees C and 39 degrees C group (survival rate 67.5%, n = 40; P = 0.027). Hypothermia may have a beneficial effect on the success of free tissue transfer.

Nano Ag-doped ZnO particles magnetic, optical and structural studies

In this work, we report the influences of annealing effects were explored on the crystallinity, morphology and magnetic properties of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles. The XRD, SEM and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to characterize the crystal structures, surface morphology and magnetic properties of doped and pure ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). As synthesized and annealed ZnO NPs were found hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure and the grain size increases while lattice strain decreases due to annealing. From TEM observation annealed samples were shown nanorod like structure found with Ag NPs embedded on the surface. Due to annealing effect, Ag-ZnO shows higher saturation magnetization at RT.

Comparative studies of Mountain Maize (Zea mays L.) ecotypes in Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a major crop in Azad Kashmir. The farmers mainly grow local ecotypes. A study of the performance of six maize ecotypes showed significant variation for almost all the traits studied. The performance of the commercial variety Kisan-90 was comparatively better than the rest, as it produced the maximum number of cobs per plant, had minimum plant height, and took fewer days to silking, as well as tasselling. The other commercial variety, Sarhad white, performed worse than four local ecotypes on almost all measures related to grain production. The study shows the presence of important germplasm evolved and adapted well to mountain areas of Azad Kashmir. This diverse germplasm provides the material to breed new high-yielding corn varieties for Azad Kashmir which may also be a source of resistance to variable stresses such as environmental fluctuations, diseases and insects.