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Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Asian community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) was identified as having risk factors for exposure and specific barriers to accessing testing and reliable health information, rendering them particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection. We sought to investigate the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among South Asian people in the GTA, and to characterize the demographic characteristics, risk perceptions and trusted sources of health information in this group.We conducted a cross-sectional analysis from the baseline assessment of participants in a prospective cohort study. Participants from the GTA were enrolled from Apr. 14 to July 28, 2021. Seropositivity for antispike and antinucleocapsid antibodies was determined from dried blood spots, and estimates of seropositivity were age and sex standardized to the South Asian population in Ontario. Demographic characteristics, risk perceptions and sources of COVID-19 information were collected via questionnaire and reported descriptively.Among the 916 South Asian participants enrolled (mean age 41 yr), the age- and sex-standardized seropositivity was 23.6% (95% confidence interval 20.8%-26.4%). Of the 693 respondents to the questionnaire, 228 (32.9%) identified as essential workers, and 125 (19.1%) reported living in a multigenerational household. A total of 288 (49.4%) perceived that they were at high COVID-19 risk owing to their geographic location, and 149 (34.3%) owing to their type of employment. The top 3 most trusted sources of information related to COVID-19 included health care providers and public health, traditional media sources and social media.By the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, about one-quarter of a sample of South Asian individuals in Ontario had serologic evidence of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Insight into factors that put certain populations at risk can help future pandemic planning and disease control efforts.

Objectives: To compare outcome of conventional treatment of Pre labor rupture of membranes (PROM) with active treatment in term patients. Place and Duration: This study was Conducted in Family Medics Infertility and Maternity Centre Karachi from March 2022 till June 2022. Materials & Methods: We conducted a randomized control trial on 74 registered patients who presented to the labor room with term pregnancy and with the ruptured membranes at thirty-seven weeks or more gestation verified from the last normal menstrual period or a dating scan. Two groups were randomized as either spontaneous labor or active management by Prostin.37 patients presented in Prelabour rupture of membranes were examined as per departmental policy and left for spontaneous labor and 37 women were actively managed by inserting Prostin in the posterior fornix. Main Outcomes Measured: The outcome of interest was intervention vs .non intervention regarding timespan between PROM and initiation of labour in respective groups. Secondary outcome included patients who did not respond to either conventional measures or active treatment and required caesarian section. Results: The time duration between rupture membrane and initiation of labour was less in intervention group as compared to conservative group (6.40hrs vs. 5.03hrs).The rates with respect to normal delivery or caesarian section were same in test and control groups (27 pts. vs. 25 pts.). There was no statistically significant difference regarding complication in both the arms in study. (P-value=0.967) Conclusion: The results of our study showed that there are no differences in outcomes of conservative management of PROM with that of active management. However, patients managed actively in intervention group delivered earlier as matched with patients with spontaneous management. Keywords: Term pregnancy, PROM, Spontaneous vaginal delivery, Emergency Cesarean section. The Registration number of the study specified by the university is JSMU/IRB/2022/-601.

This study paper is trying to find out the difficulties in rhetorical translation and its implicit meaning. Translation of Quranic verses is seriously a difficult job because it includes the tacit relationship of meaning with the words and the structure of sentences. The translation is a scientific and civilized work through which nations rise and flourish and cultures and civilizations fertilize, so we find the nation is the foundation for itself, its civilization and its glory, for the development of the nation and benefit from the civilization of other nations resorting to translating its production in order to be inspired by the human heritage. With the above facts, the paper tries to study the translation of Surah al-Kwathar and find the lapses and shortcomings in the translation of this Surah in Urdu and English and the paper underlined the difficulties faced by the translator in understanding the quranic verses.

Antrhopogenic activities are responsible for exponential increase in temperature in recent dacades. To examine this variation, data from 30 meteorological stations in Pakistan's largest cities were examined to determine the annual average and highest temperatures between 1981 and 2020. A combination of parametric and non-parametric tests, including Sen's slope estimator, the Mann-Kendall trend test, and linear regression, were utilized for the analysis. NASA Power Data Access Viewer provides historical climatic datasets which are reliable and provide promising results. We extracted historical footprints of climatic data from NASA website and mapped the trends. About 90% of the meterological stations had rising annual temperature trends, whereas 10% had declining trends. The average annual temperature increased by 0.49 °C per decade in Gilgit, Hyderabad, Quetta, and Lasbela, which was the largest rate of change. Chitral, Gilgit, Nawabshah, and Quetta experienced the biggest increase in annual temperature that was 0.34 °C per decade. Various indicators e.g., simple linear regression and the Mann-Kendall test, respectively, revealed that the yearly average temperature was rising at a 0.001 % (at the 0.06 level). Annual temperatures were increasing at 27 stations and 23 stations were experiencing 0.002 level of significance (at the 0.06 level). Overall, the findings indicated that all climatic parameters were increasing, but during the study period, the annual average temperature was increasing more quickly than the annual maximum temperature.

Nitrogen is one of chemical gases which has drastic impact on human health. It is also renowned globally as a major component of climate change. Lahore city has been selected as the study area to conduct this research. The basic objective of this study is to assess the temporal and seasonal change of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) concentration in the study area and its effects on human health. For this purpose, the two-phase methodology has been adopted. In the first phase, primary and secondary datasets were collected through an online questionnaire and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), respectively, while in the second phase, satellite imageries were acquired from NASA Earth Observatory (NEO). An online questionnaire survey was conducted for a better understanding and assessment of NO2 effects on inhabitants. The interpolation technique was applied to show a temporal change in Concentration of NO2 from 2010-2022 and for seasonal change in 2022. Findings of this research showed that NO2 levels are high during winters as compared to summers. Whereas, temporal analysis from 2010-2019 revealed that high dense columns of NO2 were found in 2019 & 2020 and less dense columns were found in 2019, whereas this concentration declined due to the arrival of COVID from 2020 to the end of 2021. The main reason of this decline is the lack of transport or industrial exhaust due to lockdown by COVID. The results of the questionnaire indicate that people encountered diverse health problems due to long- and short-term exposure to NO2. Moreover, this study helps to display the drastic impacts of NO2 concentration on human health and the natural environment.

Objective: Postoperative complications are commonly observed during gynecologic and obstetric surgeries that could be controlled by timely management. The factors that involve in these complications could be related with patient or surgeon as well. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the frequency of immediately reported postoperative complications in gynecologic and obstetric surgeries in a tertiary care center. Methodology: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hamdard hospital, Karachi. The duration of this study was 1 year from July 2018 – June 2019. A total of 200 adult female patients of 18 to 65 years having elective or emergency surgical procedure were included in the study. Data was analysed by using SPSS version-16. Mean standard deviation was calculated for age and hospitalization stay. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for presence of comorbidities such as obesity, anaemia and diabetes mellitus and postoperative complications. Results: The study results showed the mean age was reported 32.04±7.79 years and mean hospital stay was observed 3.38±1.08 days. Comorbidities revealed that 26(13.0%) were obese, 89(44.5%) were anemic and 6(3.0%) had diabetes. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting was the most common complication observed in 110(55.0%) women followed by fever that was reported in 69(34.5%) cases. Three patients (1.5%) were found to have Paralytic lleus, 23(11.5%) reported abdominal distention, postoperative gastritis was reported in 15(7.5%) cases, bleeding per vagina observed in 7(3.5%) women. Wound dehiscence was found in 2(1.0%) cases and Wound Infection in 10(5.0%) women. Conclusion: The present study concluded that post-operative nausea and vomiting were observed in most of the patients followed by fever subsequent to gynecologic and obstetric surgeries. Additionally, the incidence of wound infection and wound dehiscence were observed low.

Eclipta alba (L.) is a valuable medicinal plant. However, its medicinal efficacy can be affected by geminivirus infection. Therefore, identification of healthy specimen is essential before to use as medicine. The present study provided the taxonomic characterization of geminivirus infected and healthy E. alba plant by studying apparent morphology and microscopic features through light and scanning electron microscopy. Before taxonomic characterization infected and healthy specimens were separated through molecular detection of geminivirus. Results of morphological studies reported that geminivirus infected E. alba plant showed systematic symptoms of infection like stunted growth, distortion and chlorosis of leaves, decrease in size of root, shoot and fruit, and so forth in comparison to healthy specimen. Anatomical findings reported that in both plants anomocytic and anisocytic types of stomata with multicellular warty trichomes were present. However, variations were observed in quantitative measures such as size of trichomes, epidermal, subsidiary and guard cells. Palynological observations identifies that both plants possessed tricolporate type of pollen but variation was mainly observed in size and shape of pollen, thickness of exine and intine, P/E ratio, pore size, interspecific difference, size of colpi, and pollen ornamentation. Overall this study concluded that both healthy and infected E. alba do not reported much variations in qualitative taxonomic features, but can be differentiated in terms of quantitative taxonomic evidences. Future studies are recommended for pharmacological analysis of both healthy and virus infected plants. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Eclipta alba has incredible therapeutic worth, but due to geminivirus infection the plant is affecting badly. Hence, the present studies give a comprehensive taxonomic report on the geminivirus infected and healthy plant species.

Objective: Preoperative anemia among women has been recognized as a risk factor for adverse postoperative complications following gynecologic and obstetric surgeries. Therefore, this retrospective analysis was conducted to assess the association of postoperative complications and comorbidities with anemia in women underwent gynecologic and obstetric surgeries. Methodology: A retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hamdard hospital, Karachi by using non-probability, purposive sampling technique. A total of 200 women were chosen for this study wherein 89 women were anemic and 111 were non-anemic. Duration of the study was one year from July 2018 – June 2019. Adult female patients of 18 to 65 years having elective or emergency surgical procedure were included. Chi square test was applied to evaluate the association between religion, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and postoperative complications with anaemia. Results: The study results showed that the mean age of studied women was found 32.04±7.79 years and mean hospital stay was reported 3.38±1.08 days. Regarding Comorbidities, 89(100.0%) non diabetic were anemic while 6(5.4%) diabetic and 105(94.6%) non-diabetic were non-anemic with a significant association of diabetes with anemia (p=0.026). Regarding postoperative complications, significant association of fever was found with anemia (p

In 2010, Pakistan experienced a massive flood that took the lives of 1985 individuals, in addition to causing huge damage to livestock, shelters, and domestic goods. Multiple local and international organizations extended support to the victims of the 2010 Pakistan flood. Beside relief support, media highly criticized their relief activities. The study was conducted in the district of Layyah, in the Punjab province of Pakistan. The study primarily aims at determining aspects of the flood relating to: ground situation and extent of damages, quality of services provided by the government and non-government organizations (NGOs). The study gathers data and analysis of data was carried out with simple statistical techniques. Ground situation in the country appeared alarming: flood affected 160,000 square kilometer of land, damaged to crop approached US$ 0ne billion, and affected around 20 million people. In the study area 40 % of livestock could not survive, 94.5 % houses were completed abolished and 38.7 % of domestic goods were heavily damaged. District government role was appreciated by 66.4 % of the respondents. Around 50 % of the respondents reported against the performance of the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and National Disaster Management Authority. 96.2 % of the respondents recognized the role of NGOs while respondents suggested working of NGOs through district governments.

In diabetes mellitus (DM), non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, lipids, and fatty acids is accelerated due to persistent hyperglycemia and plays an important role in diabetes and its associated secondary complications. Glycation has the potential to alter the biological, structural, and functional properties of macromolecules. Glycated products (early and late) are both involved in provoking the immune-regulatory cells and generating autoantibodies in diabetic patients. More precisely, human serum albumin is the most abundant protein in circulation involved in glycation. Glycated albumin may accumulate in the body tissues of diabetic patients and participate in its secondary complications. This chapter compiles the studies focused on changes in the secondary and tertiary structure of proteins upon glucosylation. Various in-vitro and in-vivo approaches involved in investigating such changes are systematically reviewed. Besides, the potential role of glycated albumin in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, as well as its applicability as a diagnostic marker in the progression of the disease, is also highlighted.

For an orthodontist, changes in the width of the arch caused by treatment with fixed appliances are important. Understanding these changes is critical to your physician's planning for treatment. Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare and determine the width of the inter- molar arch in cases of class II, division 1 before and 4 months after fixed orthodontic treatment. Study Design: A cross-sectional intervention study. Place and Duration: In the Orthodontics department of Jam Ghulam Qadir Govt. Hospital, Hub Govt of Balochistan and Bhitai Dental and Medical College Mirpurkhas, for six-months duration from July 2021 to December 2021. Methods: 200 Class II Division 1 malocclusion patients were included by the purposive non- probability technique of sampling. 14 to 28 years was the patients age range. The impressions of the upper arch were measured before and six months after orthodontic treatment, and the maxillary inter-molar width was measured. Standard 0.012 Nitinol to 0.019x0.028 arch wires were used. The width of the inter-molar arch was taken as the transverse distance from the central fossa of the 1st molar on one side of the same arch to the central fossa of the 1st molar on the same arch of other side. Results: 200 Class II Division 1 malocclusion patients were included (120 males and 80 females) with 14-28 years of age range and 18.24 ± 2.8 years of mean age. The mean values of the inter-molar width in the entire sample were 46.01 mm ± 2.58 mm in T1 and 48.201 mm ± 2.70 mm in T2 (Table 2). The mean width of the inter-molar arches in men and women before treatment was 43.7± 2.2 mm and 46.2 ± 2.8 mm. Though, the mean T2 inter-molar arch width after treatment was 47.1 ± 2.3 mm in women and 48.3 ± 2.7 mm in men. Conclusion: There was an average rise in the width of the inter-molar arch by 1.7 mm before and after treatment, therefore the orthodontist should consider the mechanics of expanding the arch, especially when the treatment plan does not include extractions. Keywords: width of the inter-molar arch, shape of the arch, malocclusion class II division 1

Islam looks at the animal world in a realistic way based on its importance in life and benefit to the human being, the Islamic tradition has always held animals in high esteem,” deserving the same level of consideration as humans. The Qur'an opines that “And there is no animal on the earth and no bird that flies with its two wings except for nations like you”. Therefore, we saw animal used in many areas of Islamic thought and legislation the greatest evidence for this is several surahs in the Qur’an, Allah used the titles for them names of the animal e.g. “Surah Al-Baqarah, Surah Al-Anam, Surah Al-Nahl, Surah An-Naml, Surah Al-Anqabut, Surah Al-Fil”. It honors the animal, indicating its position and determining its role in the human life. The Qur'an uses each word for its own connotation and its moral function. The paper has discussed role of animals in humans life, Did they use the apparent meaning referred to by the word or did they use elements that are not of the same type of linguistic units? Birds and animals mentioned in the Quran is an important subject which plays a major role in developing of Human thinking. These names mentioned in several verses for different purpose and action. The reason of mentioning them in Quran is a miracle of Allah. The paper presents the prevalent view of man's superiority over animals and suggests new ways of interpreting the Qur'an.

This retrospective cohort study of cancer decedents during 2004–2015 examined end-of-life cancer care quality indicators (QIs) in the provinces of British Columbia (BC), Ontario, and Nova Scotia (NS). These included: emergency department use, in-patient hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions, physician house calls, home care visits, and death experienced in hospital. Ontario saw the greatest 12-year decrease in in-hospital deaths from 52.8% to 41.1%. Hospitalization rates within 30 days of death decreased in Ontario, increased in NS, and remained the same in BC. Ontario’s usage of aggressive end-of-life measures changed very little, while BC increased their utilization rates. Supportive care use increased in both NS and Ontario. Those who were male or living in a lower income/smaller community (in Ontario) were associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving supportive care. Despite the shift in focus to providing hospice and home care services, approximately 50% of oncology patients are still dying in hospital and 11.7% of patients overall are subject to aggressive care measures that may be out of line with their desire for comfort care. Supportive care use is increasing, but providers must ensure that Canadians are connected to palliative services, as its utilization improves a wide variety of outcomes.

The usefulness of sirolimus (SIR) in the treatment of diseases that involve retinal degeneration like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been well documented. However, the problem still remains probably owing to the peculiar environment of the eye and/or unfavourable physiochemical profile of SIR. In the present work, we aimed to fabricate sirolimus loaded PLGA nanoparticles (SIR-PLGA-NP) and chitosan decorated PLGA nanoparticles (SIR-CH-PLGA-NP) to be administered via non-invasive subconjunctival route. Both the nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, zeta potential, DSC, FTIR and XRD analysis. Quality by Design (QbD) approach was employed during the preparation of nanoparticles and the presence of chitosan coating was confirmed through thermogravimetric analysis and contact angle studies. Cationic polymer modification showed sustained in-vitro SIR release and enhanced ex-vivo scleral permeation and penetration. Further, SIR-CH-PLGA-NP revealed enhanced cellular uptake and thus, reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced free-radicals generation by RAW 264.7 cells. The prepared nanoparticles were devoid of residual solvent and were found to be safe in HET-CAM analysis, RBCs damage analysis and histopathology studies. Moreover, high anti-angiogenic potential was observed in SIR-CH-PLGA-NP compared with SIR-PLGA-NP in chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) test. Overall, the current work opens up an avenue for further investigation of CH-PLGA-NP as SIR nanocarrier in the treatment of AMD.

CRY2 is one of the four central proteins of the cell-autonomous molecular clock in mammals. Numerous missense SNPs have been reported in the cry2 gene which results in missense variants of CRY2. These were correlated with diverse metabolic diseases as well as autism spectrum disorders. Thus, we performed in silico analysis of the human CRY2 (hCRY2) protein, assessing the structural stability and interaction of the protein with the FBXL3 and PER2. Multiple computational tools were used in each phase of the analysis assuring the reliability of the data. The computational study suggests that among 436 missense variants of hCRY2, variants: L74P, L274P, L309P, F315V and Y485H were the most destabilizing missense mutants. These variants were found to alter hCRY2 structure and FAD binding pocket that likely affects the binding of its cofactor FAD and interfering the binding mode of other CRY activating compounds. Structural alterations also reduce the binding affinity to regulatory proteins FBXL3 and PER2, which may cause imbalance in the circadian period length in cells as well as develop multiple abnormalities. These five missense variants warrant detailed in vitro and in vivo investigations to solidify their roles in damaging the protein structure, stability, interaction with protein partners.

Love is a worldwide known phenomenon that affects many aspects of human life, including considering a romantic partner with whom to bond. Thus, developing a reliable and valid measure of love experiences is crucial. One of the most popular tools to test love levels is Sternberg's 45-item Triangular Love Scale (TLS-45), which measures three love components: Intimacy, Passion, and Commitment. However, our literature review reveals that the majority of studies (64%) use a broad variety of shortened versions of the TLS-45. To achieve scientific consensus and improve the reliability, comparability, and generalizability of results across studies, here, we develop a short version of the scale–the TLS-15–which contains 15 items with a 5-point rather than 9-point response scale. In Study 1 (N = 7,332), we re-analyzed secondary data from a large-scale multinational study that validated the original TLS-45 to establish whether the scale could be truncated. In Study 2 (N = 307), we provided evidence for the three-factor structure of the TLS-15 and its reliability. Study 3 (N = 413) confirmed convergent validity and test-retest stability of the TLS-15. Study 4 (N = 60,311) presented a large-scale validation across 37 linguistic versions of the TLS-15 on a cross-cultural sample spanning every continent of the globe. The overall results provided support for the reliability, validity, and cross-cultural invariance of the TLS-15, which could be used as a measure of love components–separately or jointly as a three-factor measure.

Present research work was carried out to clarify the variations among species of genus Paspalum morphologically and palynologically as this genus is taxonomically difficult due to having multiple similar morphologically overlapping characters which make it difficult to identify. Henceforth present research work was carried out to delimit taxa within the same genus by morphological and palynological tools through light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both these tools are considered as the most useful taxonomic characters for taxonomically problematic genera. The results showed a lot of variations among morphological characters. In Paspalum dilatatum, the upper glume was ovate whereas in the other two species, the upper glume was elliptic. The upper glume apex found in P. dilatatum and Paspalum scrobiculatum was obtuse whereas in Paspalum distichum, upper glume apex was acute. Glume nerves showed variation in all three species. Paspalum distichum was 3 nerved, P. scrobiculatum was 5-7 nerved, and P. dilatatum was 5-9 nerved. All three species showed variation in lemma nerves. Paspalum scrobiculatum had 3 nerved lemma whereas in P. distichum 3-5 nerved and P. dilatatum 5-9 nerved lemma were present. In polar and equatorial view, pollen grains ranged from 25 (20-30) to 37.5 (30-45) μm. Paspalum distichum appeared to be the smallest in size whereas P. dilatatum was the largest. Exine thickness ranged from 0.75 (0.5-1) to 1.35 (1.2-1.5) μm. The higher value of pollen fertility was found in P. scrobiculatum as 87.69% and the lowest value was in P. distichum as 78.08%. Morphological keys were also given for correct identification.

The President of The University of Texas at Austin discusses UTIMCO's investment strategy with its Chief Investment Officer.As the administrator of a perpetual endowment for the University of Texas and Texas AM(2) the health of the leveraged loan market;and (3) the search for new and better exit opportunities. All agreed that deal pricing was a perennial challenge, and that PE firms must work to develop a special “edge” in an intensely competitive market, where some firms consider a thousand deals a year to close on just two or three.The founder of Benchmark Capital begins by mentioning his firm's almost exclusive focus on early‐stage ventures and preference for being “the first money in.” He also notes Benchmark's different ownership structure;perhaps unique among venture firms, it is an equal partnership in which all partners have “the same economics,” the new as well as the oldest.The main investment advice offered is that, with interest rates so low, and some public company stocks trading at 30 to 50 times revenue, investors should remain as liquid as possibleThe recent popularity of SPACs is viewed as a response by issuers to “a broken IPO system” whose main symptom is runaway IPO underpricing and wealthy bankers. Noting that the amount of first‐day underpricing of IPOs has risen from $2 billion in 2016 to $30 billion in 2020, Gurley predicts that direct IPO listings, or DLs, will become much more common in the future.As for the recent frenzy of retail trading and the rise of Robinhood, Gurley says of the new trading firm's CEO,He tells the world that he's democratizing investing, but I don't think this is about investing at all. I think he's gamifying speculation… and I strongly suspect that the success rate of retail investors in options is really crappy. It should also scare the Biden administration that a lot of the money in Robinhood accounts came from stimulus checks this summer.

open access article The “Trust Building” initiative, launched in the United Kingdom in April 2016, aimed to dispel myths about Islam and build trust between Muslims and the wider community. This community-led initiative involved trained Trust Building “Ambassadors” delivering workshops at places of work and other community settings to talk about Islam and facilitate open dialogue. Previously, the project reported trust among participants had significantly improved, but the reasons for this were not explored. In this paper, we unpack how and why trust was being built. Providing a forum that permits open dialogue between Muslims and the wider community allowed opportunities for stories and experiences to be shared, enabling negative stereotypes to be uncovered and addressed, and for mutual values to be recognised. With negative media portrayal and rise in hate crime towards minorities, this research is a promising model that has important implications to address the trust deficit seen within our society.

Paspalum is one of the 10 largest genera in Poaceae and is considered as a complex and taxonomically difficult genus due to its similar morphological characters within the species which makes it difficult to delimit taxa within the same genus. The current research work establishes the distinction among species of this genus and resolves taxonomic confusions among this genus. And this distinction is done by micro morphological foliar anatomical characterization by light and scanning electron microscopy. Both the abaxial and adaxial epidermal cuticles of three different species of genus Paspalum were studied and their phytoliths were observed through elemental dispersive spectrophotometric analysis by SEM first time in Pakistan. Results showed great variation in studied anatomical features. P. dilatatum Poir. was comprised of macro-hairs in the intercostal regions only whereas no macro-hairs were found in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. Beak-shaped prickles were found in the intercostal regions on adaxial surface only in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. whereas in P. dilatatum Poir., knife-shaped prickles were present in intercostal regions only on both abaxial and adaxial surfaces of leaf epidermis. No papillae were seen in P. dilatatum Poir whereas in P. distichum Linn. and P. scrobiculatum Linn. papillae were found abundantly. In genus paspalum, P. dilatatum Poir. phytoliths showed lowest mass percentage of silicon as 15.13% whereas P. distichum Linn. phytoliths showed highest mass percentage of silicon as 22.00%. Based on micro morphological foliar characteristics a taxonomic key of studied species is also provided to delimit the taxa.

This project tries to artificially grow one of the most ornamentally significant Petunia hybrida when it is out of season. Murashige and Skoog Basal Medium (MS Basal Medium) was used for in vitro growth of P. hybrida, supplemented with different Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs). Various physical and chemical factors on in vitro growth of P. hybrida using different explants were analyzed. The type of auxin that proved significant for somatic embryogenesis of P. hybrida Vilm was 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/L) using the leaf as explant under controlled environmental conditions, i.e., 92% at 23oC with a 5.8 pH and 16 hours photoperiod & 30g/l sucrose in. Friable calli were also developed from leaf, node, and internodal explants on a tissue culture medium (MS basal medium) when supplemented with other PGRs in certain combinations i.e. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.0 mg/L), Benzyl Amino Purine (2.5mg/L), Benzyl Amino Purine + 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2mg/L +2.5mg/L), Naphthalene Acetic Acid (1.5mg/L), 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid + Naphthalene Acetic Acid (2mg/L+1.5mg/L) and Benzyl Amino Purine + Naphthalene Acetic Acid (2.5mg/L+0.5mg/L) at optimal physical factors under strict aseptic environment. These results may enable one to produce the required type of P. hybrida Vilm during off and on seasons on a commercial scale by using plant tissue culture as a tool.

Aim: To find out possible to determine effect of C. reflexa extract on spontaneous contractions of rabbit jejunum. Methods: Animal experimental in vitro study from 1st October 2017 to 30 September 2018 at Pharmacology experimental lab, Wah Medical College Wah Cantt. Study model was Isolated pieces of rabbit jejunum and ileum. Sampling Technique used was Simple Random. Tissue considered fit for experiment after initial equilibration and stabilization. Result: Three increasing concentrations (0.1mg/ml, 0.2mg/ml and 0.4mg/ml) of C. reflexa extract decreased the response to 3.83±0.40, 2.33±0.33 and 1.33± 0.21mm. Decrease in response was significant with p- value 0.04, 0.008 and 0.003 respectively. Conclusion: Freshly prepared aqueous solution of crude extract of C. reflexa decreases the amplitude of spontaneous contractions of isolated rabbit jejunum. Keywords: Rabbit jejunum, effect of drug