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A glasshouse study was conducted to examine the ameliorative effects of exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) on salinityinduced oxidative defense mechanisms and some vital metabolic attributes in two maize cultivars differing in salinity tolerance. It also aimed to compare the effects of two different modes of NO application on different parameters of plants grown under a saline regime. Two maize cultivars, namely DK 5783 (salt-tolerant) and Apex 836 (salt-sensitive), were subjected to saline stress, and two levels of NO were applied as presowing or foliage spray. Saline stress caused significant suppression in total fresh and dry biomass, maximum fluorescence yield (Fv/Fm), leaf water potential, and total chlorophylls (a + b) in the plants of both maize cultivars. On the other hand, it increased leaf osmotic pressure, proline accumulation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, membrane permeability, and the activities of some key antioxidant enzymes, peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT). Exogenously applied NO in both modes partly alleviated the adverse effects of salinity on plants of both maize cultivars. In most cases there seemed to be no difference between seed and foliar application of NO in alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on maize plants. NO partially improved salt tolerance of maize plants; it reduced Na+ but increased N, K+, Ca2+, and P in the maize plants under saline regimes. The NO treatment conferred enhanced tolerance to salinity by reducing MDA and H2O2 levels and antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, and POD, as well as enhancing photosynthetic pigments under salinity stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the alleviating role of thiourea (TU) on antioxidants and some vital physiological attributes in salt-stressed plants of two maize cultivars. The maize cv. DK 5783 performed better than cv. Apex 836 in an initial experiment. Of the six TU levels used in the initial experiment, 400 and 500 mg L-1 were chosen for subsequent studies. The two cultivars were subjected to saline stress (100 mM NaCl) and two levels of TU were applied presowing or as foliage spray. Salt stress suppressed total biomass, maximum fluorescence yield (Fv/Fm), chlorophyll, and leaf water potential (Ψw), but it increased proline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), leaf osmolality (LO), membrane permeability (MP), and antioxidant enzymes. Exogenous TU application resulted in considerable increases in the dry weight of salt sensitive and tolerant cultivars (38% and 35%, respectively). TU partially improved the salt tolerance of maize plants; it reduced Na+ but increased N, K+, Ca2+, and P in the maize plants under saline regimes. TU regulated the growth of maize plants under stress conditions by reducing MP, MDA, and H2O2 levels, and altering activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as increasing photosynthetic pigments under a saline regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of new N'-[(alkyl/aryl)sulfonyl]-1-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine-4-carbohydrazide derivatives were synthesized. Starting from ethyl piperidine-4-carboxylate (a), first ethyl 1-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylate (1), second 1-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine-4-carbohydrazide (2), and finally N'-[(alkyl/aryl)sulfonyl]-1-(phenylsulfonyl)piperidine-4-carbohydrazides (4a-n) were synthesized by reacting 2 with alkyl/aryl sulfonyl chlorides (3a-n). The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H-NMR, and EI-MS spectra and all were screened in vitro for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme inhibition activities. Molecular docking was accomplished for these compounds to examine their binding interactions with AChE and BChE human proteins. The strategy we applied for this purpose was a direct receptor-based approach. The binding modes of the inhibitors under study were determined using an automated docking program (AutoDock) and were compared with antienzymatic IC 50 values. Both studies confirmed the potential of compounds as excellent inhibitors for AChE and BChE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration both in and out of the county has been playing an imperative function in reshaping the dimensions of distribution as well as redistribution of human settlement. Since independence in 1947 till now, Pakistan has been receiving a huge number of migrants from neighboring countries. These immigrants have added considerably to urbanization and growth of population in Pakistan, particularly in the Punjab and Sindh provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Early Enteral Nutrition Within 24 h of Intestinal Surgery Versus Later Commencement of Feeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," by S. J. Lewis, H. K. Andersen and S. Thomas in the July 2008 issue.

Bera Lake is the largest natural fresh water reservoir in Malaysia. It has vital environmental and ecological importance for human and wild life. Nevertheless, water quality of this lake has been degraded during the last few decades due to land development projects at catchment area. Therefore, a comprehensive water quality assessment of Bera Lake was implemented in order to compare current water quality with the implementation of land development projects. In situ water quality surveying was implemented using calibrated full option Hydrolab DS 5. Eleven parameters viz., temperature, depth of sampling, salinity, Turbidity, total dried solid, pH, NH4(+), N03(-), Cl(-), saturation percentage of dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity were recorded in fifty one stations at 0.2h, 0.5h, and 0.8h depth. National Water Quality Standards for Malaysia (NWQS) and Water Quality were used to evaluate Bera Lake quality based on previous and resultant data. Vertical water quality analysis revealed a clear stratification in Bera Lake water profile in terms of temperature, dissolved oxygen, chloride (Cl(-)), nitrate (NO(3)), pH and specific conductivity (EC) parameters. Results clearly demonstrate the important role of land use changes since 1972 in the physico-chemical condition of water quality at Bera Lake. Classifications of water quality before and after land development project were calculated as class II and class V, respectively. A long-term and comprehensive monitoring of water quality assessment is recommended in order to reach plan of sustainable water resources use with conservation approach.

Congenital Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a rare disease with diverse presentation that can also mimic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and be misdiagnosed. After confirming diagnosis with ADAMTS13, it can simply be treated with FFP transfusion and complications can be prevented. We describe an eight year old girl previously managed as ITP and referred to Children Cancer Hospital for opinion. History, clinical examination and laboratory findings were not consistent with ITP. History of neonatal jaundice, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia favoured congenital TTP. Low ADAMTS13 level and improvement in platelet counts after FFP transfusion confirmed the diagnosis of congenital TTP. So cases with atypical presentation of ITP should be properly investigated to make correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary exposure to drugs and their complications.