Germplasm screening of Myrtus communius Var. Italica l. for cultivar development from dir lower (Malakand Division), Pakistan

Habb-ul-Aas is a commercial drug obtained from Myrtus communis L and widely used for abdominal disorders in Pakistan. This sclerophyllous shrub is commonly found in the Lower Dir, Malakand Division, Pakistan. This plant is used as crude drug in herbal as well as pharmaceutical industry due to presence of aromatic oil obtained from various parts of the plant. Two varieties viz., italic and baetica of the plant exist in the world; however, no study reported before about the existence of this species up to the varietal level from Pakistan. The current study was undertaken to characterize the existing germplasm by using certain morphometric parameters in relation to physiognomic features. They exhibit high variability among characters, especially for characteristics useful in selecting cultivars for commercial production. Among the various ecotypes, MBT3 possessed high shoot length (29.96cm), leaf area (2.3cm), fruit volume (0.97ml) & fruit weight (0.88g) and pulp (0.87g) and therefore recommended for the cultivar development.

Phytochemical, antibacterial and antioxidant screening of Artemisia santolinifolia various parts

The current study was carried out to explore the phytochemical, antioxidant potential and antibacterial activities of the crude methanolic extract of A. santolinifolia Turcz. Ex Besser. The antioxidant activity was carried out by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay, while methanolic extract displayed the highest scavenging activity (DPPH) was 61.31µg/ml on Artemisia santolinifolia root and the lowest (51.05µg/ml) was record for their leaves. Similarly, in (ABTS) the highest activity (89.16µg/ml) was recorded for roots of A. santolinifolia followed by leaves (68.14µg/ml). In low inhibitory concentration assay, the crude methanolic extracts showed significant inhibition against all tested microbes on different concentrations like 25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, and 100 µg/ml. The leaves extract of A. santolinifolia AsL showed MIC of 12.5µg/ml for B. subtilis, a gram-positive bacterium, 50µg/ml for gram positive bacteria S. aureus and 37.5 µg/ml for gram negative bacteria P. aeruginosa that is almost equal to the response of standard ciprofloxacin. Our current study revealed that Artemisia santolinifolia root (AsR) exhibited a significant antioxidant potential while AsL showed good antibacterial effect which is suggested to be used for treatment and management of different infectious diseases.

Effect of long-term exposure to sublethal concentration of imidacloprid on some biochemical and haematological parameters of Grass carp and Goldfish

During the present research, C. idella and C. auratus fish were exposed to 2-ppm concentration of imidacloprid for 28 and 24 days, respectively, and the effect on biochemical and haematological parameters was investigated. During the study of biochemical parameters, there occurred significant increase [P<0.05] in the serum levels of ALT and creatinine of imidacloprid exposed groups of both species of fish. The level of serum albumin of imidacloprid exposed groups of both fish species was significantly lower as compared to control group [P<0.05]. Serum globulin level in imidacloprid exposed group of C. idella was insignificantly lower as compared to control group, however the serum globulin level of C. auratus was significantly lower than the control group [P < 0.05]. The level of total proteins in serum of imidacloprid exposed groups of both fish species was insignificantly lower as compared to control groups [P> 0.05]. During the study of haematological parameters, TLC of C. idella was insignificantly [P>0.05] higher than control group but the TLC of C. auratus was significantly [P<0.05] higher than control. There was also observed increasing trend in the percentage of neutrophils and lymphocytes of imidacloprid exposed group of each fish species. The platelets count of imidacloprid exposed group of each fish species was significantly [P<0.05] lower than control group. The haemoglobin concentration of imidacloprid exposed group of C. idella was significantly lower than control group [P<0.05]. In case of C. auratus, the haemoglobin level of imidacloprid exposed group was insignificantly lower than control group [P>0.05]. From the finding of the present research it was concluded that 28 days exposure of C. idella and 24 days exposure of C. auratus to 2 ppm concentration of imidacloprid does not cause mortality however the exposure causes alteration in the normal level of biochemical and haematological parameters

Perceptions of insufficient breast milk: a comparison of depressed and non-depressed lactating mothers

Objective: The objective of the current study was to compare the perceptions of depressed and non-depressed lactating mothers regarding breast feeding

Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study

Place and Durations of Study: Bolan Medical Complex Hospital Quetta from March 2010 to March 2011

Material and Methods: All mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were screened with self-reporting questionnaire and Edinburgh post natal depression scale by trained female researchers. A detailed proforma was used to obtain information on demographic, pattern of breast feeding, antenatal information variables. The perception of insufficient milk [PIM] questionnaire was also applied

Results: In this study the majority of the mothers booked for antenatal care 84% but only one third 26% had proper information about breast feeding both in depressed and non-depressed mothers. Most of the mothers were multigravida 73% and about 27% were primgravida. Depressed mothers were 41% who scored >12 on EPDS, while 59% were non-depressed who scored >12 on EPDS. Depressed group 18 [42%] scored less than 30 while non-depressed group 8 [13.5%] scored less than 30

Conclusion: The view of insufficient milk has a significant and control atmosphere in the interruption of breast milk in the postnatal depressive lactating mothers

outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a village of district Dir, N.W.F.P.

To study the frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis at a village inundated by s and fly.A leishmaniasis diagnosis camp was arranged at village Wattangi, district Dir. All patients with suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis having active lesion were recruited in the study. Data of the patients e.g. name, age, sex and site of lesions were entered into a register. Smears were prepared from the sides of the lesions with sterile lancets, fixed with absolute alcohol, stained with Geimsa stain and examined under microscope. Out of 40 examined patients, 37 were positive for Leishmania Tropica [L.T.] bodies. The most common site involved was face and the most common age group affected was less than 10 years. The frequency of cutoneous leishmaniasis is quite high at Watangi village of distt. Dir, due to infestation by s and flies, lack of medical education and low socio economic status in the area