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Improved maize populations and cross hybrids can be beneficial alternatives for commercial single-cross hybrids and good elite sources for diverse inbred lines. A set of 22 genotypes comprised 10 population crosses, 10 top crosses, and two check cultivars were evaluated at Cereal Crop Research Institute, Pirsabak-Nowshera, in a randomized complete block design with three replicates in 2014. This research's major aims were to determine the magnitude of heterosis and the degree of character association between yield and its attributes to select superior genotypes from the breeding material. Data were recorded on maturity, and yield associated traits, where significant genetic variability was observed among the genotypes for all the studied traits except days to silking. Mean values for the studied traits ranged from 44 to 52 days for tasseling, 48 to 54 days for anthesis, 49 to 54 days for silking, -1.33 to 2.33 for the anthesis-silking interval, 2.53 to 8.47 kg for fresh ear weight, 12 to 16 rows for kernel rows cob-1, 27.15 to 37.49 g for 100-kernel weight and 2830 to 7649 kg ha-1 for grain yield. Days to silking, anthesis silking interval, and kernel rows cob-1 showed low broad sense heritability (12.08%, 24.84%, 27.59%), days to tasseling, days to anthesis revealed moderate heritability (40.53%, 36.62%), while fresh ear, 100-kernel weight, and grain yield exhibited high broad-sense heritability (94.89%, 82.33%, 90%). Negative and significant heterotic values were observed for maturity traits, while heterotic values were positive and significant for yield-associated traits. Correlation analysis revealed that characters like fresh ear weight (r = 0.93) and 100-kernel weight (r = 0.50) manifested a strong positive and significant association with grain yield. Based on mean performance and grain yield, promising hybrids were 3008F3 x 2007-WC and 3008F3 x 2010. The current study revealed significant genetic variability among the tested hybrids; hence, it can be used in future breeding programs to produce early maturing and high-yielding maize hybrids.Days to tasseling, genetic variability, heterosis, population cross, top cross Keywords: HBV, HCV, ICT, PCR, Risk factors, Mansehra

This study examined psychological health and coping strategies among faculty and staff at a Saudi Arabian university. A web-based self-administered survey was used to assess probable anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and coping strategies by using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and Brief-COPE scale, respectively. Of 502 participants (mean age 36.04 ± 10.32 years, male: 66.3%), 24.1% (GAD-7 ≥ 10) had probable anxiety. Anxiety score was significantly higher in females (p < 0.001), those with a history of COVID-19 infection (p = 0.036), and participants with less work experience (p = 0.019). Approximately 40% of participants met the criteria of probable depression, with females (p < 0.001) and participants with less experience having more depressive symptoms. Around one-fourth (27.7%) of study participants indicated probable PTSD (score ≥ 33), with higher symptoms in females (p

Pain is a sensation a humans sense as a protective mechanism against physical injury. This sensation is closely related to inflammation. It ranges from mild to highly obnoxious. It is well-known that the levels of the inflammatory biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP), increase manifold in acute inflammation and pain. Olive oil, known to have many phytochemicals, has been traditionally used to alleviate pain. Amongst major phenolic compounds in olive oil are oleuropein (OLE), hydroxytyrosol (HT), tyrosol, and oleocanthal. Whether the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in olive oil are due to any specific interections is not known. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the possible anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties in those major phenolic compounds by using molecular docking software MOE 2015, comparing the energy value and binding site of phenolic compounds to that of well-known synthetic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and phosphocholine. The docking experiment showed that all compounds could directly interact with CRP. Oleuropein had the most potent interaction with CRP (-7.7580), followed by indomethacin (-6.0775), oleocanthal (-5.5734), ibuprofen (-5.3857), phosphocholine (-4.3876), HT (-4.2782), and tyrosol (-4.2329). Interestingly, the present study found other phytochemicals in olive oil that can be exploited as potential, safe, and cost-effective lead compound(s) for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, as supported by its molecular docking data.

Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the different combination of testcrosses for morphological and yield relating traits and to investigate general combining ability of the inbred lines. Materials and Methods This research was conducted at The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan during 2016. Line x-tester analysis was used to test general combining ability (GCA) effects of 24 S4 lines of sweet corn. Alpha lattice design with two replications and two checks was used during the experiment. Research data were recorded on various flowering, morphological and yield parameters. Results Highly significant variations were recorded among the testcrosses for the studied traits except anthesis silking interval (ASI), 100-kernel weight. Minimum days to tasseling (48-days) and silking (53.5-days) was exhibited by pop-syn-swt (9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect was -2.14 for tasseling and -2.00 for silking. Maximum value (3.5-days) for ASI was recorded for Pop-synswt 1(8-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for ASI was -0.71. Lowest plant height (129.8 cm) was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(3-3)×synthetic sweet, while GCA effect for plant height was observed to be -14.79. Maximum cob length (16.6 cm) was revealed by pop-syn-swt 1(12-2)×synthetic sweet. For cob length GCA effect of 1.01 was recorded. Maximum 100 kernel weight (31.3 g) was estimated for pop-syn-swt 1(2-1)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect of 1.85 was recorded for 100-kernel weight. Highest mean (7143.9 kg ha-1) for grain yield was recorded for pop-syn-swt 1(9-4)×synthetic sweet. GCA effect for grain yield was found to be 1370.93. Conclusion Generally a low GCA value, either positive or negative indicates that the mean of a parent does not largely vary from its offsprings. In contrast, high GCA value suggests that parent is either superior or inferior to the general mean and it has high heritability and less environmental effects. Based on the findings in this research, the above mentioned testcrosses can be included in future sweet corn breeding programs where early flowering and yield attributes is desired.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures have substantially affected educational processes around the globe, resulting in psychological distress among students. The mental health of students in higher education is of paramount importance, and the COVID-19 pandemic has brought this vulnerable population into renewed focus. In this context, the evaluation of students‘ mental health at educational institutes has gained invaluable popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to ascertain the psychological health and coping strategies among students from a higher education institute in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An online study instrument was used to assess anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), post-traumatic stress disorder—PTSD (Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R) and coping strategies (Brief-COPE). The severity of the psychological distress was classified as per the scoring criteria and correlated with demographics using appropriate statistical methods. Results: Of 1074 students (age 21.1 ± 2.1 years), 12.9% and 9.7% had severe anxiety and depression, respectively. The mean anxiety and depression scores were 7.50 ± 5.51 and 9.31 ± 6.72, respectively. About one-third (32%) of students reported suicidal ideation, with 8.4% students having such thoughts nearly every day. The average PTSD score was 21.64 ± 17.63, where avoidance scored higher (8.10 ± 6.94) than intrusion and hyperarousal. There was no association of anxiety, depression and PTSD score with the demographics of the study participants. Religious/spiritual coping (5.43 ± 2.15) was the most adoptive coping mechanism, followed by acceptance (5.15 ± 2.10). Male students were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with active copings, instrumental support, planning, humor, acceptance and religious coping. Substance use was the least adopted coping strategy but practiced by a considerable number of students. Conclusions: The long-lasting pandemic situation, onerous protective measures and uncertainties in educational procedures have resulted in a high prevalence of psychological ailments among university students, as indicated in this study. These findings accentuate the urgent need for telepsychiatry and appropriate population-specific mental health services to assess the extent of psychological impairment and to leverage positive coping behaviors among students.

Knowledge about genetic composition of a character helps plant breeders to plan their breeding programs. Grain yield and related traits are very important in maize breeding programs. In our experiment four each of parents, F1s, F2s, BC1s and BC2s were evaluated at Cereal Crops Research Institute (CCRI), Pirsabak, Nowshehra and Agriculture University Peshawar. The experimental material at both locations were replicated thrice in randomized complete block design. In all crosses dominance gene action was found to be important in the inheritance of ear diameter, ear length, percent shelling and grain yield. Additive genetic effects were found negative and non-significant in all four crosses for percent shelling. Duplicate type of non-allelic interactions was observed for shelling percentage in all crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in cross, PS-1 × BD-1 and PS-2 × BD-1 for ear length. For grain yield both complementary and duplicate type of epistasis were observed. Additive genetic effects werefound significant with positive and negative magnitude in two crosses each. It is concluded that crosses, where dominant gene action was found predominant, should be effectively utilized in hybrid maize programs for improved grain yield and related traits.

Thirty yellow maize inbred lines were selected from different source populations and planted in isolation with common male testers (YD-2 and YD-4) in 1:4:1 ratio at Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI) Pirsabak, Nowshera during spring-2014 (season–I). On the bases of best seed setting and other important traits, eighteen test-crosses were selected using line × tester approach. The developed 18 test-crosses, nine parental lines and two testers along with two check cultivars (Sarhad Yellow and CS2Y10) were grown in summer season-2014 (July – November) using two replications.Data were collected on various maturities and yield related traits via; days to pollen shedding, silking, ear height, plant height, 100-kernel weight, kernel row ear-1 and grain yield. Significant differences were observed among test-crosses for yield related traits mainly 100-kernel weight and grain yield. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed minimum days to pollen shedding (50.5 days) and days to silking (52.5 days). L-3 using YD-2 as a tester recorded maximum plant height while, L-9 using YD-4 as a tester obtained maximum ear height and length. L-9 using YD-4 as a tester revealed high 100-kernel weight, grain yield and high GCA effect, while L-8 using YD-4 as a tester recorded high SCA effect for 100-kernel weight. L-9 exhibited high GCA effect for grain yield while, high SCA effect was obtained for L-2 using tester (YD-2). L-9 using tester YD-4 revealed maximum mid-parent and best-parent heterosis for ear length and grain yield. For maximum traits, L-9 was the best combiner followed by L-3 and L-6 using the same tester (YD-4) under conducted study.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Terminalia coriacea. Materials and Methods: A methanolic extract of T. coriacea leaves was studied in albino Wistar rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema, an acute model, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma, a chronic model, at 3 oral test doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Aspirin 100 mg/kg was used as a positive control. Paw volume and wet and dry weights of cotton pellets were determined. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison test. Results: The test extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg decreased paw volume and wet and dry weights of cotton pellets. The highest test dose (500 mg/kg) displayed a response comparable to that of the standard drug (p < 0.01) on paw volume. The extract produced similar (p < 0.05) decrease in wet weight of the cotton pellet at 125 and 250 mg/kg, whereas the effect of 500 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of aspirin 100 mg/kg (p < 0.01). The extract of T. coriacea at 500 mg/kg induced the most significant (p < 0.01) effect on wet weight of granulomatous tissue. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of T. coriacea leaves successfully decreased paw edema as well as dry and wet weights of granulomatous tissue in both acute and chronic inflammatory models thus confirming the anti- edematogenic, antitransudative, and antiproliferative properties of T. coriacea.

A complex of Fusarium species, is the causative agent of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB), a devastating disease that affects wheat. Head blight is attributed to the most severe influence of Fusarium contamination on pre-harvest wheat. The overall impact of Fusarium spp. in wheat production is assigned to both head blight and mycotoxin infection of the grain harvested from wheat infected spikes. Spike contamination almost occurs during opening of flowers and is favored by high humidity or wet weather accompanied with warm temperatures. Available possibilities of controlling FHB contain use of cultural practices, fungicides and biological approaches. Three prominent cultural practices are expected to be of prime importance for controlling FHB and the production of mycotoxins: best soil preparation (deep tillage), the choice of the preceding crop in the rotation and the selection of appropriate cultivar, as varietal effects exist. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Sixteen (16) Sugarcane genotypes response were studied in an experiment “genotype x location interactions” in two different agro-ecological zones (Mardan and Harichand) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar-Pakistan during 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in triplicate Randomized Complete Block (RCB) , design with plot size of 67 m 2 (10 m × 6.7 m). Combined analysis of variance was used to identify the presence of genotype x location interactions from replicated multi-environment trials. The data revealed significant variations among the genotypes for percentage germination, tillers, plant height, nodes plant -1 , internode length and cane yield at 1% probability level. It was observed that none of the genotypes could show superiority with respect to all attributes. However, the mean performance over locations and years indicated that the check genotype Mardan-93 remained superior by showing maximum buds germination of 42.26%. The maximum number of tillers (259.17), plant height (189.41 cm), nodes plant -1 (22.23), internode length (16.97 cm), cane diameter (23.29 mm), cane yield (68.42 t / ha), millable canes (87.83), sugar recovery (10.57%) and sugar yield (7.07 t / ha) was recorded for genotypes MS91CP238, MS99HO391, Hoth127, MS94CP15, S97CP288, MS99HO317, MS92CP979, MS91CP272, MS99HO93, MS99HO93, MS99HO93 and MS99HO317, respectively against check genotypes. It was concluded that genotypes MS99HO317, MS99HO93, MS92CP979 and MS91CP238 were superior at SCRI, Mardan (test location-I) based on tillering ability, milliable canes, cane yield, sugar recovery and sugar yield. Sugarcane Seed Multiplication Farm (SSMF), Harichand-Charsadda. (test location-II), the cultivars MS91CP272, MS99HO391, MS94CP15 and MS99HO391 were superior based on tillers, milliable canes, sugar recovery and sugar yield compared to other genotypes. The combined over years and locations performance exhibited that the genotypes MS99HO317, MS91CP238, MS92CP979 and CP89831 were superior in terms of percentage germination, tillers, cane yield, number of millable canes, sugar recovery and sugar yield.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Terminalia coriacea.A methanolic extract of T. coriacea leaves was studied in albino Wistar rats with carrageenan-induced paw edema, an acute model, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma, a chronic model, at 3 oral test doses (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg). Aspirin 100 mg/kg was used as a positive control. Paw volume and wet and dry weights of cotton pellets were determined. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test.The test extract at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg decreased paw volume and wet and dry weights of cotton pellets. The highest test dose (500 mg/kg) displayed a response comparable to that of the standard drug (p0.01) on paw volume. The extract produced similar (p0.05) decrease in wet weight of the cotton pellet at 125 and 250 mg/kg, whereas the effect of 500 mg/kg of the extract was comparable to that of aspirin 100 mg/kg (p0.01). The extract of T. coriacea at 500 mg/kg induced the most significant (p0.01) effect on wet weight of granulomatous tissue.The methanolic extract of T. coriacea leaves successfully decreased paw edema as well as dry and wet weights of granulomatous tissue in both acute and chronic inflammatory models thus confirming the anti- edematogenic, antitransudative, and antiproliferative properties of T. coriacea.

This study was performed to evaluate and characterize 24 sorghum accessions for various morphological and fodder yield parameters. The germplasm displayed considerable variability for leaf color, midrib color, panicle shape, days to 50% flowering, leaf area, flag leaf area, plant height and green fodder yield, while differences of smaller magnitude were observed for number of leaves and tillers plant -1 . Genotype Fsd -sorghum was mature early with minimum days to maturity (63) while maximum plant height (232 cm) was observed for Acc.1692. Moreover, Acc.1827 exhibited maximum leaf area (447 cm 2 ) and the highest green fodder yield at 50% maturity (58 t ha -1 ) was recorded for Acc. 1763. The results of this study indicate that significant genetic diversity exists among the sorghum accessions. The genetic potential of Fsd-sorghum, accessions 1692, 1827 and 1763 can be exploited in future sorghum breeding programs. Further, these genotypes are recommended for commercial cultivation to meet the fodder needs of the country. Keywords: Fodder, Sorghum bicolor, accessions

This study is an initiative approach to assess the genetic variation on basis of enormous morphological and qualitative attributes for future breeding selection. A set of 16 sugarcane clones were evaluated in the fields of Sugar Crops Research Institute (SCRI), Mardan.- Pakistan during the spring cropping season of 2011-12. The clones were analyzed for 40 morphological (qualitative and quantitative) traits in a randomized complete block (RCB), design with four replications. Variations were measured for 16 morphological quantitative traits (1 st germination, 2 nd germination, 1 st tillering, 2 nd tillering, 1 st plant height, 2 nd plant height, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, number of nodes per cane, internode length, weight of five unstrapped canes, weight of five strapped canes, yield, weight of trash and tops and number of millable canes), 20 morphological qualitative traits (cane height, cane color, hardiness, thickness, leaf colour, attitude, leaf shape, legule size, dewlap color, pith, bud shape, lodging, streaks, wax, tillering, pubescence, growth, maturity, tops and trash) and four qualitative laboratory traits (corrected brix percentage, pol percentage, purity percentage and recovery percentage). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, standard errors, variances and ranges) which showed considerable diversity among the studied sugarcane clones. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) exhibited highly significant difference (p 1 and accounted for 84.04% of the total variance in the data. Analysis of the principal components inferred that 1 st and 2 nd tillering, 1 st and 2 nd plant height, weight of five unstripped canes, leaf area, millable canes, 1 st and 2 nd germination were the major parameters of variation. High degrees of variations were observed for most of the traits. Our analysis has described that the promising performance for all the traits and spatially for yield and sugar has shown by the genotype MS-99-HO-317 followed by the genotype MS-91-CP-238. It is concluded from this research that these two genotypes will be released for farmers community in the next year after approval from the VAC (Variety Approval Committee). Moreover, the breeders can use these genotypes in their future breeding program to achieve some better performing lines.

This research was conducted to determine inbreeding depression in S1 maize lines for reproductive and yield related traits, at NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan, in two successive seasons during 2002. Maize variety"Pahari" was selfed for one generation and 63 S1 lines were evaluated using "lattice square design" with two replications along with the parental population. Days to mid silking and mid pollen shed (anthesis), plant height and ear height (cm), and 200 grain weight (g) showed inbreeding depression with varying degrees. Severe inbreeding depression was observed for yield with the average of 709 kg ha-1. Inbreeding depression for 200 grains weight averaged 19 g, while for plant height and ear height it was calculated as 33 and 16 cm. Inbreeding depression for days to mid silking and pollen shed was lower as compared to morphological and yield components. Silking and pollen shed were delayed by 1.8 and 1.5 days on the average, respectively, as compared to the parental variety. Yield was significantly correlated with all maturity and morphological characters. Maturity characters were positively and significantly correlated with each other, showing good synchronization in maturity characters, while they were negatively and significantly correlated with yield components.

Wheat yield of 37 wheat varieties along with a susceptible check, Morocco, was studied under yellow rust pressure across 3 locations of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Pakistan during 2007. Considerable high disease pressure, as revealed by yellow rust severity, was observed at all locations with the maximum (100%) at Cereal Crop Research Institute (CCRI), Nowshera. Disease severity ranged from 0% to 70% for the tested varieties while reached 100% for Morocco with S type of host response. We report the presence of sufficient variability across locations for both yield potential and yellow rust severity. Locations with maximum disease pressure had lower mean grain yield and vice versa. NIFA followed by AUP had higher mean grain yield (5533 kg ha-1 and 4292 kg ha-1, respectively) with lower maximum disease severity values (70% and 80%, respectively). CCRI had higher disease pressure (100% severity for Morocco) with lower mean grain yield (3676 kg ha-1). Bahawalpur-95, Suleman-96, Kohsar-93, Fakhre-Sarhad, Tatara, and Frontana had relatively stable severity across locations in a range of 0% to 10%. Based on overall traits, Kohsar-93, Bakhtawar-92, Saleem-2000, Fakhre-Sarhad, Tatara, and Karwan had better yield and lower yellow rust severity and is recommended for cultivation and further breeding exploitation.