Muhammad Sajid

Genetic diversity of Newcastle disease virus in Pakistan: a countrywide perspective

BackgroundNewcastle disease (ND) is one of the most deadly diseases of poultry around the globe. The disease is endemic in Pakistan and recurrent outbreaks are being reported regularly in wild captive, rural and commercial poultry flocks. Though, efforts have been made to characterize the causative agent in some of parts of the country, the genetic nature of strains circulating throughout Pakistan is currently lacking.Material and methodsTo ascertain the genetics of NDV, 452 blood samples were collected from 113 flocks, originating from all the provinces of Pakistan, showing high mortality (30–80%). The samples represented domesticated poultry (broiler, layer and rural) as well as wild captive birds (pigeons, turkeys, pheasants and peacock). Samples were screened with real-time PCR for both matrix and fusion genes (1792 bp), positive samples were subjected to amplification of full fusion gene and subsequent sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.ResultsThe deduced amino acid sequence of the fusion protein cleavage site indicated the presence of motif (112RK/RQRR↓F117) typical for velogenic strains of NDV. Phylogenetic analysis of hypervariable region of the fusion gene indicated that all the isolates belong to lineage 5 of NDV except isolates collected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province. A higher resolution of the phylogenetic analysis of lineage 5 showed the distribution of Pakistani NDV strains to 5b. However, the isolates from KPK belonged to lineage 4c; the first report of such lineage from this province.ConclusionsTaken together, data indicated the prevalence of multiple lineages of NDV in different poultry population including wild captive birds. Such understanding is crucial to underpin the nature of circulating strains of NDV, their potential for interspecies transmission and disease diagnosis and control strategies.

In vitro regeneration of plantlets from unpollinated ovary culture in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck)

Callogenesis and organogenesis of ovary of sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) cv. Blood red was carried on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of N 6 benzyl adenine (BA), 1-napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and 2,4-D. 1 mg/l BA + 0.5 mg/l NAA on MS medium was the most effective in callus induction and proliferation. Maximum number of shoots (11) was recorded on the medium with 2 mg/l NAA + 3 mg/l BA. The best medium for root induction was MS together with 2.5 mg/l indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) + 2 mg/l indole–3-butyric acid (IBA), where maximum (16) plantlets were rooted. The regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in jiffy pots containing sterilized soil mixture of sand, silt and clay in 1:1:1 ratio to study their response to in vivo conditions. Key words: Citrus, blood red, ovary culture, callus induction, regeneration, plant growth regulators.

Green Leafy Vegetables: A Health Promoting Source

Abstract Green leafy vegetables (GLVs) are a blessing for a safe and healthier life and have been in use for centuries. They are considered as an essential part of the diet to meet the daily nutrient requirements. GLVs can be used fresh as a salad or can be cooked/processed as per the interest of the consumer. These are becoming more popular for the masses day by day due to the increased awareness of consumers about natural and organic foods. These possess a high place in the food pyramid and are an essential part of a balanced diet. The low caloric value of leafy vegetables makes them ideal for weight management. GLVs are a rich source of nutrients, high in dietary fiber, low in lipids, and rich in folate, ascorbic acid, vitamin K, Mg, and K. They also carry plenty of phytochemicals such as β-carotene flavonoids. The good nutrition profile of GLV is beneficial in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. GLVs are also valued for individuals with type 2 diabetes due to their high Mg content, high fiber content, and low glycemic index. These contain a good blend of polyphenols and antioxidants, which render them unique for therapeutic values. They also possess antimicrobial activity and can be used in different food products to extend storage life. The burden over synthetic chemicals can be reduced by encouraging the use of GLVs in food and food products.

Dose optimization of potassium (K) for yield and quality increment of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch) Chandler.

Aims: Strawberry, being introduced recently to the fruit industry of Pakistan, is a new commodity therefore the growers are still unaware of the optimum fertilizer dose needed to obtain better yield. To achieve this goal the present research study was designed to optimize the proper dose of Potassium (K) for strawberry under the agro-climatic conditions of Peshawar-Pakistan. Place and Duration of Study: The Research was conducted in open field conditions at newly Developed Farm (NDF) at Horticulture section, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2011-12. Methodology: Phenotypic parameters such as days to flowering, fruit set, fruit maturity, number of fruit, number of runners, fruit size, fruit yield and physiological aspects such as fruit acidity, ascorbic acid, TSS and pH were evaluated to test potassium dose optimization for better yield of strawberries. Results: The results obtained (for various yield and quality related attributes) were then compared with that of untreated control plants. The evaluation depicted some significantly

Antitumor Perspectives of Oleuropein and Its Metabolite Hydroxytyrosol: Recent Updates: Antitumor perspectives of oleuropein…

Olive fruit is a significant and promising source of potential bioactive compounds such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Oleuropein is the ester of elenolic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl ethanol (HT). It is the main glycoside in olives, the degradation of which results in the formation of hydroxytyrosol in olive oil. Both plays a significant role in the reduction of coronary heart diseases and a certain type of cancers. Both olive oil phenols have an effective role counter to cell proliferation, cell growth, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. They down regulate the expression of BCL-2 and COX-2 proteins, and reduced DNA damage. Hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein inhibited the multiple stages in colon carcinogenesis; initiation, promotion, and metastasis. They also provide protection against various human cancers including colorectal, skin, breast, thyroid, digestive, lung, brain, blood, and cervical. This review article discusses the anticancer perspectives and mechanisms of oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol in cell cultures and animal and human studies.

SMPC: Singular division of Multipath Power Control tree based routing protocol for Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

Due to unique and unreliable characteristics of Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSN), providing scalable and energy efficient services are very challenging. Acoustic communication is used for the data transmission, which has limited bandwidth that causes the performance deficiencies. In this paper, we propose Singular division of Multipath Power Control (SMPC) routing protocol for UWSNs. We divided the network area into vertical sections of equal size and tree based routing strategy is established for the data transmission. Multiple copies of the same data packet are generated by the source nodes and send through its leaf nodes toward surface gateways. Then surface gateways deliver all these packets to the sink. Multiple copies are combined and original packet is generated by sink. Simulation results are conducted on the bases of different parameters, and results shows that SMPC significantly improve the network performance in sense of energy consumption and end to end delay.

Anti-Oxidant Activities, Chemical Attributes and Fruit Yield of Peach Cultivars as Influenced by Foliar Application of Ascorbic Acid

Peach fruit is enriched with natural antioxidants but oxidation caused by biotic and abiotic stresses, reduce these antioxidants and consequently effect the quality and yield of the fruit. Therefore, an experiment was conducted to investigate the role of ascorbic acid to sustain the natural antioxidant activity, improve the fruit quality and yield of peach cultivars (Early Grand and Florida King). The peach cultivars, Early Grand and Florida King were tested against four levels of ascorbic acid (200, 400, 600 and 800 ppm) and compared with control as water spray. The foliar application of ascorbic acid significantly influenced anti-oxidant activity and physico-chemical attributes of peach cultivars. However, the foliar application of ascorbic acid @ 800 ppm significantly increased the fruit weight, fruit yield, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, antioxidant activity of fruit peel, with least percent infected fruits and fruit juice pH as compared to the rest of the treatments. Similarly, significant variation was recorded for peach cultivars regarding anti-oxidant activity and various physico-chemical attributes. The maximum fruit weight, fruit yield, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and TSS/TA ratio were noted in fruit of cultivar Florida King. On other side the foliar treated fruit of peach cultivar Early Grand had the highest percent infected fruits, fruit juice pH and antioxidant activity of fruit peel. It is concluded from the significant findings of present research that the peach cultivar Florida King performed better in terms of maximum fruit yield, whereas the cultivar Early Grand produced better quality fruits with high anti-oxidant activity when treated with 800 ppm of ascorbic acid as foliar spray.ZusammenfassungDie Pfirsichfrucht ist reich an natürlichen Antioxidantien, aber Oxidation durch biotische und abiotische Stressfaktoren reduziert diese Antioxidantien und beeinträchtigt folglich die Qualität und den Ertrag der Früchte. Deshalb wurde ein Experiment durchgeführt, um die Rolle von Ascorbinsäure im Erhalt der natürlichen antioxidativen Wirkung, in der Verbesserung der Fruchtqualität und des Ertrags der Pfirsichkultursorten Early Grand und Florida King zu untersuchen. Die Pfirsichkultursorten Early Grand und Florida King wurden mit vier Konzentrationen Ascorbinsäure (200, 400, 600 und 800 ppm) getestet, mit einem Wasserspray als Kontrolle. Die Blattbehandlung mit Ascorbinsäure wirkte sich signifikant auf die antioxidative Wirkung und die physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften der Pfirsichsorten aus. Allerdings erhöhte speziell die Blattbehandlung mit Ascorbinsäure zu 800 ppm im Vergleich zu den übrigen Behandlungskonzentrationen signifikant das Gewicht der Früchte, den Ertrag, die Festigkeit der Pfirsiche, den Gesamtgehalt löslicher Feststoffe (Total Soluble Solids, TSS), die antioxidative Wirkung der Fruchtschale sowie den pH-Wert des Fruchtsafts. Ähnliche signifikante Abweichungen wurden zwischen den Pfirsichsorten bezüglich der antioxidativen Wirkung und verschiedener physikalisch-chemischer Eigenschaften festgestellt. Maximale Werte im Fruchtgewicht, im Fruchtertrag, in der Festigkeit der Früchte, im Gesamtgehalt löslicher Feststoffe, in der titrierbaren Gesamtsäure (Titratable Acidity, TA) und im Verhältnis TSS/TA wurden bei Pfirsichen der Sorte Florida King festgestellt. Auf der anderen Seite zeigte die Pfirsichsorte Early Grand nach der Blattbehandlung den höchsten Prozentanteil infizierter Früchte, den höchsten Fruchtsaft-pH-Wert und die höchste antioxidative Wirkung der Fruchtschale. Aus den signifikanten Erkenntnissen aus der vorliegenden Forschung wird geschlossen, dass die Pfirsichsorte Florida King besser abschneidet, was den maximalen Fruchtertrag angeht, wohingegen die Sorte Early Grand hochwertigere Früchte erbrachte, mit einer höheren antioxidativen Wirkung, wenn mit 800 ppm Ascorbinsäure als Blattspray behandelt.

Facial Asymmetry-Based Anthropometric Differences between Gender and Ethnicity

Bilateral facial asymmetry is frequently exhibited by humans but its combined evaluation across demographic traits including gender and ethnicity is still an open research problem. In this study we measure and evaluate facial asymmetry across gender and different ethnic groups and investigate the differences in asymmetric facial dimensions among the subjects from two public face datasets, the MORPH and FERET. To this end, we detect 28 facial asymmetric dimensions from each face image using an anthropometric technique. An exploratory analysis is then performed via a multiple linear regression model to determine the impact of gender and ethnicity on facial asymmetry. Post-hoc Tukey test has been used to validate the results of the proposed method. The results show that out of 28 asymmetric dimensions, females differ in 25 dimensions from males. African, Asian, Hispanic and other ethnic groups have asymmetric dimensions that differ significantly from those of Europeans. These findings could be important to certain applications like the design of facial fits, as well as guidelines for facial cosmetic surgeons. Lastly, we train a neural network classifier that employs asymmetric dimensions for gender and race classification. The experimental results show that our trained classifier outperforms the support vector machine (SVM) and k-nearest neighbors (kNN) classifiers.

Morpho-genetic profiling and phylogenetic relationship of guava (Psidium guajava l.) as genetic resources in Pakistan

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is an open-pollinated crop having 25-40% dissimilarity index which promotes heterozygosity and adds new cultivars. Morpho-genetic characterization of 37 guava accessions was carried out for genetic variability and structure of guava germplasm located in Punjab province, Pakistan. Principal Component analysis (PCA) was subjected to analyze the morphological diversity and for genetic analysis we applied cluster analysis, using the PyElph software. PCA distributed thirty one traits into six components and first two components accounted 39.5% of total variation. A dendrogram constructed on the basis of morphological traits which showed 34% dissimilarity index among thirty seven guava accessions and divided them into 6 groups. For genetic characterization 18 microsatellites were used, the size of reproducible and scorable bands ranged from 150 to 320 bp. The 18 primer pairs amplified 85 alleles with an average number of 4.7 alleles per locus and no more than two displayed bands (nuclear SSR loci). The phylogenetic tree based on molecular analysis showed 50% dissimilarity index among selected guava accessions and separated them into 4 groups.

Logical sub-region with sink mobility for throughput maximization and energy consumption minimization in rectangular UWSNs

Due to the limited battery power of sensor nodes, design of underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) is very difficult. Information is not gained efficiently through sensor nodes in aquatic environment and energy consumption is also the major problem in UWSNs. We proposed logical sub-region with sink mobility for throughput maximization and energy consumption minimization in rectangular UWSNs (LSSR). Sensor nodes are randomly deployed in the network field. Two mobile sinks are moving strategically in the network field and gather data from their respective nodes and cover the maximum area of the network field. LSSR performs better in terms of network lifetime, throughput and residual energy as shown in the simulation results.