Tag Archives: 2 (3)

USE OF PASIREOTIDE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENTERO-CUTANEOUS FISTULA

Professor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed
Al-Nafees Medical College & Hospital, Islamabad
 
Enterocutaneous fistulas (ECF) are abnormal communications between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin. Although rare, can result in a number of serious or debilitating complications, varying from disturbance of fluid and electrolyte balance to sepsis. They are associated with considerable morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, patient disability, and enormous cost to health resources. Death related to ECF remains disproportionately high when compared with other surgical conditions. Mortality rates for Enterocutaneous fistulas have been reported to range from 6% to 33% and even death (Rehbour et al 2012), (Allen et al 2014). The patient will almost always suffer from severe discomfort, pain, malodorous drainage fluid, and psychological problems like anxiety, depression etc.
Management of high output entero-cutaneous fistula is always a nightmare for surgeons to treat effectively. Along with other modalities in management, the Octreotide, Somatostatin is among one of the modalities being used in the treatment of entercutaneous fistula. Literature evidence shows its effectiveness with equivocal results and some studies shows no significant fistula output reduction and closure rates (Rehbour et al 2012), (Taggarshe et al 2010),( Philip et al 2011), (Kumar et al 2011). Recently, it is reported that Pasireotide, one of the somatostatin analogue having longer half-life and a broader binding profile by decreasing the pancreatic exocrine secretions is proved helpful in the treatment of CEF or prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula formation (Allen et al 2014). Literature review shows different randomaized controlled trials, meta-analysis and case control studies supporting that the Perioperative treatment with Pasireotide decreases significant (upto 56%) postoperative pancreatic fistula, leak, or abscess formation (Rehbour et al 2012), (Allen et al 2014), (Kumar et al 2011). The investigators also reported that the other somatostatin analogue and octreotide which are being used to treat ECF has not been clearly associated with pancreatic leak reduction as compared to Pasireotide. They suggested that due to longer half-life and broader binding profile (binding capability of four of the five somatostatin-receptor subtypes compared to just two by octreotide) is the main reason of more effectiveness of Pasireotide (Rehbour et al 2012), (Allen et al 2014). Keeping in view the encouraging results from trials in the treatment of ECF, Pasireotide can be used and further clinical trials should be conducted in our setup.

INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC MANURING ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF STRAWBERRY Cv. CHANDLER

Muhammad Younas 1 and Rifat Ali 2*
1Department of Horticulture, 2Department of Plant Pathology,
The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan

ABSTRACT
The research work was conducted at Newly Developmental Farm (NDF), Horticulture Section, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2012. The objective was to find out the optimum dose of Farm yard manure and poultry manure for the growth and yield of Strawberry plants and to find out the survival rate of cultivar Chandler of Strawberry during the frost of the fall season. In this study, organic matter, farmyard manure and poultry manure were used for percent plant survival, plant height (cm), number of branches plant-1 and number of leaves plant-1 of Strawberry Cv. Chandler where the greater percentage of plant survival, plant height, number of branches and leaves were obtained in plants treated with farmyard manure compared to poultry manure.
Keywords: Frageria ananassa Duch, Chandler, Farmyard Manure (FYM), Poultry manure

EFFECT OF POTASH LEVELS AND TIME OF APPLICATIONS ON SEED COTTON YIELD IN ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF RAHIM YAR KHAN

Muhammad Aslam1, Ashiq Hussain Sanghi2, Laila Khalid3* and Shamaun Javed4
1 Senior Subject Matter Specialists (Agronomy, 2 Senior Subject Matter Specialists (Plant Protection)
3, 4 Assistant Research Officers Adaptive Research Farm Rahim Yar Khan.
 
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted in three successive seasons during 2008-10 on sandy loam soil at Adaptive Research Farm, Rahim Yar Khan. The objective was to investigate the response of cotton (cv.MNH-786) to different levels and times of application of potash. The treatments comprised three potassium doses (0, 62.5 and 125 kg ha-1) and applied at different times (full on sowing, full at 1st irrigation and ½ at sowing + ½ at 1st irrigation). Potassium doses applied at different times significantly affected seed cotton yield. On an average the highest seed cotton yield (3030.75 kg ha-1) was obtained when crop was fertilized at the rate of 125 kg ha-1 K (full sowing) followed by 62.5 kg ha-1 K full at sowing (2875.25 kg ha-1). So potassium fertilizer application at sowing proved more beneficial than its split application at sowing and 1st irrigation. The lowest yield was noted in control (2258.52 kg ha-1) where no potassium fertilizer was applied. Hence application of K at economical doses of 62.5 kg ha-1 is recommended in ecological zone of Bahawalpur.
Keywords: potash, application time, dose rate, cotton yield, fertilizer doses

STUDIES ON ORGANIC MATERIALS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE FOR MAIZE WEEVIL CONTROL IN STORED MAIZE

Ahmed Ibrahim Yuya
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Melkassa Agricultural Research Center, East Shoa, Ethiopia
 
ABSTRACT
Experiments were conducted in a laboratory and in storage structures in the field between 2008 – 2009, to assess the amount of the CO2 and O2 produced and the modified atmospheres produced (gas mixtures) as protectants of maize grains against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.).The production of modified atmospheres (MAs) by composting fresh cow dung, chopped fresh sugarcane and chopped dry maize stubble each wetted at 60% moisture content was studied. The MAs were produced in plastic cans (bio-generators). The measurement of the MAs produced using Riken Infrared Gas Analyzer, Model RI-550A for CO2 and portable oxygen meter for O2 indicated that the highest CO2 levels were produced in fresh cow dung (25%) and fresh sugarcane (23%) following 48hr incubation period. These substrates gave the lower O2 content (3.5% and 3.7%, respectively) compared to the dry maize stubble which resulted in lower CO2 level (9%) and the highest O2 content (19%). The efficacy of the MAs produced by these substrates was also studied in simulated storage structures in the field by letting the produced gas mixtures to storage structures containing 3 quintals of weevil susceptible BH-540 maize variety. Analysis of variances showed that application of modified atmosphere to the maize grains stored in airtight storage structures can effectively control maize weevils. Significantly (p<0.01) higher mean numbers of weevils mortality and lower mean number and weight of damaged grains and weight losses were recorded in maize grains treated with Quickphose (fumigant standard check) and modified atmospheres from fresh cow dung and fresh sugarcane. The gas produced from the digestion of fresh cow dung and fresh sugar cane significantly (p<0.01) reduced the progress of maize weevils infestation. Germination test did not show any variation among the treatments. The result of this study showed that the gas from biological digestion of fresh cow dung and chopped sugar cane can be used as control option for maize storage pest in airtight storages. However, rate and frequency of application and economic feasibility should be studied before commercial application of the technique.
Keywords: Maize weevils, fresh cow dung, dry maize, chemical, plastic seal

EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA ALONG WITH ACC-DEAMINASE ON WHEAT GROWTH UNDER AXENIC CONDITIONS

Shabana Ehsan1*, Ifra Saleem1 and Hafsa Zafar2
1 Soil Chemistry section, ISCES, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad
2 Biochemistry Section, PHRC, Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad

ABSTRACT
Phosphorus is one of the major plant growth limiting nutrients and in Pakistan its deficiency found in 90% soils due to alkaline calcareous nature of soils. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria are efficient in supplying nutrients to plants by solubilizing the unavailable/insoluble (P) in soil or by promoting extensive root growth through 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC-deaminase) activity. This study was conducted to assess the effects of phosphate-soluibilizing rhizobacteria and their impact on wheat growth under axenic conditions. Initially rhizobacteria (S1 to S10) were isolated through enrichment by rock phosphate [Ca3 (PO4)2] and ACC as sole P and N source, respecitively. After isolation, identification and characterization of these strains was done for root colonization, P-solubilization, in vitro ACC-deminase ctivity, auxin production and chitinase activity. The results revealed that rhizobacterial isolate S8 was best strain and showed 2.6 fold higher fresh weight, 2.7 fold higher shoot length and 4 fold higher root length of wheat over uninoculated control. Similarly, S8 was best root colonizer in wheat rhizosphere (8.0 x 10-7 cfu g-1) while isolate S9 showed the highest P- solubilization i.e. 14.36 ppm, S2 showed maximum ACC-deaminase activity (1.8 μmol α-ketobutyrate) and S4 showed highest auxin production (36.77 mgL-1). This study concluded that S8 strain efficiently solubilize phosphate alongwith ACC-deaminase trait which improved the growth of wheat under axenic conditions.
Keywords: Rock phosphate, Phosphate Solubilizing bacteria (PSB), ACC-deaminase.

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT NEEM PRODUCTS IN COMPARISON WITH IMIDACLOPRID AGAINST DIFFERENT MORPHS OF MUSTARD APHID (LIPAPHIS ERYSIMI KALT.) ON CANOLA CROP

Muhammad Asif Aziz1, Ali Raza Shahzad1, Muhammad Naeem1, Ghulam Shabbir2
1Department of Entomology, 2Department Plant Breeding and Genetics, PMAS Agriculture University Rawalpindi
 
ABSTRACT
Studies were conducted to evaluate different neem extracts i.e., Neem leaf extract (10%), Neem seed oil (2.5%), Neem seed cake extract(10%), Neem seed kernel extract (10%) in comparison with imidacloprid (Confidor 70 WG) against different morphs of mustard aphid on Brassaica napus L. Among the all treatments imidacloprid and Neem seed oil resulted in maximum (100%) reduction over precount including nymph, wingless and winged adults of Lipaphis erysimi, followed Neem seed cake extract (86.13, 89.90 & 68.48%) and Neem seed kernel extract (77.41, 55.11&34.26%).Imidacloprid and neem seed oil showed negative impact on the population increase index of parasitoids and predators of L. erysimi. All neem extracts had positive population increase index of mummified aphids. Neem leaf extract resulted in negative population increase index in case of predators. Neem seed kernel extract showed positive index in case of green lacewing and lady bird beetle larvae and Neem seed Cake extract showed positive population increase index in case of only lady bird beetle larvae. Maximum repellency effect was observed with both Neem leaf extract and Neem Cake Extract (97.92%) and minimum in case of Neem seed kernel extract (89.58%). Neem seed oil resulted in maximum mortality of aphids followed by Neem Cake Extract. Reproduction (nymphs/aphid) was minimum with Neem seed oil followed by Neem Cake Extract. Highest net income was obtained by application of imidacloprid followed by Neem seed oil followed by Neem seed cake extract. Being effective against aphids and comparatively safer against natural enemies neem products especially Neem cake extract may be used in eco friendly management of mustard aphid on B. napus.
Keywords: Neem leaf extract, Neem seed oil, Neem seed extracts, imidacloprid, Lipaphis erysimi, canola

ESSENTIAL MINERAL AND TOXIC ELEMENTS IN OYSTER MUSHROOM (Pleurotus florida) CULTIVATED ON WATER HYACINTH AND RICE STRAW

S. Bandopadhyay *
Department of Botany, Sonamukhi College, Bankura, W.B., India
 
ABSTRACT
The present study investigated the concentration of three mineral elements (Fe, Zn, Cu) and three toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As) in the cultivation substrate (1:1 mixture of water hyacinth and rice straw) as well as in the cultivated oyster mushrooms Pleurotus florida grown on this substrate. The mean concentrations (mg kg-1 dry weight) obtained for Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and As in the mushrooms were 172, 52.3, 10.5, 2.3, 0.95 and 0.7 whereas in the cultivation substrate were 201.5, 56.5, 11.9, 7.2, 2.7 and 2.4 respectively. The contents of Fe, Zn and Cu minerals are in consonance with the reports in literature. Pb and Cd contents are however slightly higher than some of the reports in literature but are within the of recommended safe dietary intake limits established by FAO/WHO expert committee. The coefficient of accumulation of these elements in the mushroom were also calculated by comparing with their concentration in the cultivation substrate and was found in the order of Zn ˃ Cu ˃ Fe ˃ Cd ˃ Pb ˃ As indicating P.florida as good accumulator of the minerals. In terms of nutritional aspects, taking into account the recommended dietary allowances or provisional tolerable weekly intake recommended by FAO/WHO, optimum dietary intake of average 100 g day-1 fresh mushroom of P.florida grown on water hyacinth and rice straw is beneficial for health and poses no toxicological risk.
Keywords: Mineral, Pleurotus florida, rice straw, substrate, toxic elements, water hyacinth.