Development, characterization and use of genomic SSR markers for assessment of genetic diversity in some Saudi date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L. ) cultivars

Background: The present study was undertaken towards the development of SSR markers and assessing genetic relationships among 32 date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) representing common cultivars grown in different geographical regions in Saudi Arabia. Results: Ninety-three novel simple sequence repeat markers were developed and screened for their ability to detect polymorphism in date palm. Around 71% of genomic SSRs were dinucleotide, 25% tri, 3% tetra and 1% penta nucleotide motives. Twenty-two primers generated a total of 91 alleles with a mean of 4.14 alleles per locus and 100% polymorphism percentage. A 0.595 average polymorphic information content and 0.662 primer discrimination power values were recorded. The expected and observed heterozygosities were 0.676 and 0.763 respectively. Pair-wise similarity values ranged from 0.06 to 0.89 and the overall cultivars averaged 0.41. The UPGMA cluster analysis recovered by principal coordinate analysis illustrated that cultivars tend to group according to their class of maturity, region of cultivation, and fruit color. Analysis of molecular variations (AMOVA) revealed that genetic variation among and within cultivars were 27% and 73%, respectively according to geographical distribution of cultivars. Conclusions: The developed microsatellite markers are additional values to date palm characterization tools that can be used by researchers in population genetics, cultivar identification as well as genetic resource exploration and management. The tested cultivars exhibited a significant amount of genetic diversity and could be suitable for successful breeding program. Genomic sequences generated from this study are available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Sequence Read Archive (Accession numbers. LIBGSS_039019).

Day care monopolar transurethral resection of prostate: is it feasible?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disease accounting for 30% of our OPD cases and about 25% of our surgery cases. Various treatment options are now available for more efficient care and early return to work. We wanted to determine the safety and feasibility of day care monopolar transurethral resection of prostate [m-TURP], by admitting the patients on the day of surgery and discharging the patient without catheter on the same day. We also compared the morbidity associated with conventional TURP where in the catheter is removed after 24-48 h of surgery and day care TURP where in the catheter is removed on the day of surgery. A total of 120 patients who fulfilled the criteria were included in the study which was conducted between November 2008 and December 2010. A total of 60 patients were assigned for day care and 60 for conventional monopolar TURP. There was no significant difference in age, prostatic volume or IPSS score. Day care patients were admitted on day of surgery and discharged the same day after the removal of catheter. Both the groups were comparable in outcome. Stricture rate was less with day care TURP. Mean catheterization time was similar to laser TURP. Monopolar TURP is still the gold standard of care for BPH. If cases are selected properly and surgery performed diligently it remains the option of choice for small and medium sized glands and patients can be back to routine work early

Mothers' knowledge about EPI and its relation with age-appropriate vaccination of infants in peri-urban Karachi

To evaluate the relation between the knowledge of mothers about EPI vaccinations and their infant's coverage. Effect of other socio-demographic variables on mothers' knowledge and child's coverage was also assessed. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, utilizing World Health Organization's thirty-cluster sampling strategy. All households with at least one infant were considered eligible. After obtaining verbal consent, the mother was interviewed to assess her knowledge and attitudes towards EPI vaccination. Infant's coverage status was verified by checking EPI card or verbal inquiry. A knowledge score was developed by summing all correct answers. A total of 210 mothers [7 per cluster] were identified and interviewed. The number and proportion of mothers correctly identifying the seven EPI diseases were as follows; Tuberculosis 57 [27.1%], Diphtheria 53 [25.2%], Pertussis 71 [33.8%], Tetanus 70 [33.3%], Measles 85 [40.5%], Polio 91 [43.3%] and Hepatitis B 65 [31.0%]. Only ninety four [44.8%] children were appropriately vaccinated for their age. In the multivariate model, mothers' knowledge was not significantly associated with appropriate vaccination of their children [p = 0.22], however, mothers' education was found to be significant [p < 0.001]. Mothers' knowledge about EPI vaccination in peri-urban Karachi was quite low and not associated with their children's EPI coverage. Mothers' educational status, however, was significantly associated with Child's coverage. This finding depicts a better health seeking behaviour of a more educated mother

Knowledge and attitude of doctors concerning psychotropic medications used in Pakistan

Objective: to determine the knowledge and opinion of doctors regarding psychotropic Medications

Study Design: observational, cross-sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Services Hospital Lahore and Lahore General Hospital from March 2008 to March 2009

Methodology: this study included one hundred and thirty two doctors through non-probable purposive sampling. A 20-item questionnaire was distributed to doctors. The questionnaire included questions regarding the opinions, knowledge and attitudes of doctors- towards psychotropic medication. Socio-demographic data of doctors was also recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Frequency tables were created

Results: a total of 132 questionnaires were completed by doctors. A total of 50% believe that there is a proper use of psychotropic medication, while 38.5% believe that psychiatrists unnecessarily use high doses of psychotropic medication. A total of 69% think that higher doses of psychotropic are not more effective. A total of 73.8% fear psychotropic agents more than other types of medication. Most doctors believe that medication is most effective treatment for schizophrenia [36.5%] and depression [42.2%] and psychotherapy is the most effective method of dealing with anxiety disorders [45.2%]. A total of 75.4% believe that psychotropic is dangerous

Conclusion: our study indicates that the knowledge, opinions and beliefs prevalent in the doctors are not consistent with scientific knowledge

Biodegradation of cypermethrin by pseudomonas in a batch activated sludge process

The biodegradation of Cypermethrin [20 to 125 mg/L] in an effluent using batch activated sludge was studied. Degradation was found to occur to a great extent only in the presence of Pseudomonas [IES-Ps-1] culture. Under aerobic conditions using mechanical aerators, Cypermethrin [20 mg/L] was almost completely degraded in just over 48 h at ambient temperature. Further loading of organic compound in subsequent experiments demonstrated that IES-PS-1was capable to degrade 82% Cypermethrin at 40 mg/L dose in approximately 48 h. When the concentration was increased to 80 mg/L, 50% degradation of this compound was observed. Over this time period the cells could utilize only 17% of Cypermethrin when it was given 125 mg/L, respectively. These findings indicate that increased concentration of Cypermethrin has a marked effect on biodegradation performance of IES-Ps-1 with a modest increased in the duration of lag phase, but did not lead to complete inhibition or cell death. These results proved that IES-Ps-1 is responsible for Cypermethrin degradation. Such finding may be useful in designing a scale-up in situ or on-site hazardous waste bioremediation process for field application