Chemical Investigation of Mesua nagassarium (Burm. f.) Kosterm
Pages 124-128
Ridwan Islam, Iftekhar Ahmed, Al Amin Sikder, Mohammad Rashedul Haque, Abdullah Al-Mansur,Mansoor Ahmed, Munawar Rasheed and Mohammad A. Rashid

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.17

Published: 17 April 2014

Abstract: Repeated chromatographic separation and purification of pet-ether and carbon tetrachloride soluble fractions of a methanol extract of stem bark of Mesua nagassarium (Burm. f.) Kosterm yielded five compounds. Extensive spectroscopic studies, including high field NMR analyses was conducted to identify these compounds which resulted to be friedelin (1), 3β-friedelanol (2),lupeol (3), 3-oxo-betulin(4) and spinasterol (5). Although compounds 1-3 have been reported from various plant species, but 3-oxo-betulinand spinasterol have been discovered from M. nagassarium (Burm. f.) Kosterm for the first time.

Genetic Retrospect of Seedcotton Yield and its Components from a 6-Parent Gossypium hirsutum Diallel Cross Under Water Stress Conditions
Pages 110-123
Munaiza Baloch, Bashir Ahmad Ansari, Moula Bux Kumbhar and Muhammad Ibrahim Keerio

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.16

Published: 17 April 2014

Abstract: A six-by-six complete F₁ Gossypium hirsutum, L. diallel cross of three pre-screened drought tolerant and three drought susceptible varieties (CRIS-134, CRIS-342, SINDH-1, NIAB-78, SADORI and BH-160) was evaluated for genetic parameters during 2009 at Sindh Agriculture University farm, Tandojam. The characters studied were number of bolls per plant, sympodial branches per plant, seedcotton yield per plant and lintcotton yield per plant. The objective of such study was to assess the effect of irrigation stress on the genetic inheritance pattern of above quantitative traits as to how far the genetic parameters are affected due to irrigation stress in the F₁ diallel generation. Irrigation treatments were four; normal seven irrigations schedule, five irrigations, four irrigations (medium stress) and three irrigations up to 150 days of crop maturity (stress conditions). CRIS-134 in seven, Sadori in five and CRIS-342 in four and three irrigations treatments were the most recessive parents contributing increasing boll number into their progenies while BH-160 in seven, CRIS-342 in five and Sindh-1 in four and three irrigations treatments proved to be the most dominant parents responsible for contributing decreased boll number per plant into their progenies. Seedcotton per plant was partial dominant in seven irrigations treatment while it inherited as an overdominant trait in five, four and three irrigations respectively. BH-160 was the most recessive of all with increased sympodia contributing attributes in seven and four irrigations whereas Niab-78 in five and CRIS-342 in stress were the most recessive parents. Sindh-1 was the most dominant parent in seven, five and three irrigation treatments while CRIS-342 in four irrigations yielded decreased sympodia contributing attributes into their progenies. Sindh-1 in seven, BH-160 in five and three and CRIS-342 in four irrigations treatments proved to be the most recessive parents with increasing seedcotton yield attributes while CRIS-342 in seven and five and Sindh-1 in four and three irrigations were the most dominant parents contributing decreased seedcotton yield into their progenies. Inheritance trend of lintcotton per plant was similar to that of seedcotton yield per plant.

The Role of Nutrients in a Dietary Intervention in Improving Blood Cholesterol Profile and Lowering Cardiovascular Risk
Pages 96-101
Augusto Innocenti, Ferdinando Franzoni and Carlo Pruneti

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.14

Published: 11 April 2014

Abstract: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been positively associated to an increase of cardiovascular risk by a large number of epidemiological studies. On the contrary, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol results inversely related to cardiovascular risk. In this contest plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration, and the total cholesterol - high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio seems to be able to predict cardiovascular risk. Diet and its composition affects various plasma cholesterol concentration and their ratios. Particularly, a reduction of saturated fat acids dietary intake is strictly related to both improve of blood lipid profile and reduction of cardiovascular events incidence. On the other hand, the evidences from epidemiologic and clinical studies are consistent in finding that the reduction of cardiovascular risk depends by nutrients used for replacing saturated fat acids. Specifically it has been demonstrated that replacement of saturated fat acids with unsaturated fat acids, either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated ones, is effective in improving cardiovascular risk. On the contrary, saturated fat acids replacement with high glycemic index refined carbohydrate actually increases cardiovascular risk. Despite that, many dietary guidelines do not give any tips about nutrients to use in replacement of saturated fat acids, underestimating the significance. In this perspective Mediterranean diet, represents an attractive dietary pattern for the improvement of blood lipid profile and the reduction of the cardiovascular risk.

Geoelectrical Investigations at Three Bridge Sites, North Nyala, Southern Darfour State, West-Sudan
Pages 80-90
E.A. Elzein Mohammed

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.12

Published: 04 April 2014

Abstract: Resistivity measurements were carried out to delineate the depth of the basement rocks (bedrock) and the lithology of the overlying sediments for the purpose of bridges construction route. The survey was conducted at three sites: Andro, Duma and Manwashi, north Nyala, Southern Darfur State, Western Sudan. These sites (Andro, Duma and Manwashi ) are located along Nyala _ El-Fashir road at a distance approximately of 15km, 42km and 75km from Nyala (respectively). The surface geology of the area is dominated by the basement complex rocks which are overlain by thin layer of superficial deposits

The modeling of the VES data was done using IX1D software. The final results of the modeled and interpreted resistivity data are presented in the form of geoelectrical sections. These sections have shown a close agreement with the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the area. Three zones were identified in these sections, they are the top dry zone (<1m to >3m) representing the superficial deposits, the middle zone (Saturated zone) represents the groundwater aquifer. It varies in lithology from weathered and cracked basement rocks to the Alluvial deposits with a significant heterogeneous nature which varies from clayey, silty, sandy, pebbly and boulders layers. The bottom zone (Fresh basement rocks) represents the bedrock. It indicate an increase of hardness and compaction from Andro , Duma and Manshawi sites respectively. These findings can be used successfully for constructions the bridges of the three sites.

Role of Tissue Specific Plantar Fascia Stretching Exercises Versus Myofascial Released Technique in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Pages 91-95
Muhammad Khan, Syed Shahzad Ali and Rabail Rani Soomro

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2014.10.13

Published: 04 April 2014

Abstract: Objective: The effectiveness of tissue specific stretching exercises and myofascial released technique on intensity of pain and Foot function was compared in chronic plantar fasciitis patients.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Al-Ain Poly clinic Karachi between 2012-13.

Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were enrolled through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned into Stretching Exercise and Myofascial Release Technique groups. Intensity of pain and foot function were evaluated by Visual Analouge Scale and foot function index, respectively. Ten sessions were done for both groups. T-tests and ANCOVA test were used for statistical analysis (p<0.05).

Results: The score of visual analogue scale (VAS) and foot functioning index (FFI) improved in both groups, though the decrease of intensity of pain was more in stretching exercises Group (p<0.01). Additionally, improvement in foot functioning index did not significantly differ between two groups.

Conclusion: The stretching exercises can reduce pain and improve foot functioning in chronic plantar fasciitis.