Physical activity in prevention of cancer and better prognosis

Cancer is a multifactorial disease with genetic and environmental risk factors. Environmental factors may also be termed as modifiable risk factors and these contribute towards 35% of cancer related mortalities as reported by World Health Organization. Obesity is the leading risk factor in this regard, causing not only deaths due to cancer but also to many other diseases. Among different factors causing obesity, a major contributor is lack of physical activity. In this era of modern technology and digitalization, sedentary mode of life has become a part of life and is mostly unavoidable. At the same time, there is a rise in the incidence of cancer. In the olden times, people used to do all manual work, a lot of walk, exercise and had healthy life style. Such healthy life style may have prevented them from various diseases.             Physical activity as a therapy on daily basis, is associated with a reduction in incidence of various carcinomas. It may improve overall wellbeing of healthy people as well as diseases persons from various ailments. As it is a common proverb that, “prevention is better than cure”, physical activity serves as a preventive measure for various diseases and also for fitness of normal healthy people. Although it is a known fact, yet planned population studies are required to provide evidence. Instead of unorganized physical activities, a structured physical activity may help in improvement of condition of cancer patients, prevention of cancer, cancer related deaths as well we quality of life. Healthcare providers should guide the patients in this regard.             There is lack of awareness among physicians and mostly they don’t refer them to physical therapists. There is also lack of information regarding the implementation of the programs and regimens of physical exercises for different diseases and cancers. Physical therapists may guide the patients in terms of frequency, intensity, duration of exercises which may serve as a betterment of their condition.

Analysis of Morphological and Genetic Variation and Clonal Propagation of Guava

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is a luscious and important tropical fruit crop. It belongs to the family Myrtaceae; is ever green and hardiest among all the tropical fruit trees and exceeds most other fruit crops in productivity and adaptability and is richest source of vitamin C. The research studies were carried out at Institute of Horticultural Sciences, University of Agricultural, Faisalabad and the objectives to determine guava genetic diversity using morphological and DNA markers based approaches and to develop vegetative propagation system to avoid clonal degradation of guava. Tree parameters like growth habit, leaf shape, flowering, fruit and seed was recorded in two districts Faisalabad and Sheikhupura according to the plant descriptor. Ten plants from each accession of guava were selected for tree, leaf, fruit, flower and seed morphological analysis. Data was registered from 25 leaves/flowers/fruits/seed per accession. 15 to 20 young leaves per accession of guava were collected for DNA extraction following CTAB protocol. The extracted DNA was subjected to SSR analysis. For clonal propagation softwood cuttings from five year old trees were prepared from the tips of current season growth. IBA (0, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 ppm) was used to treat cuttings for root induction. The data collected was subjected to different statistical software. During the survey 37 accessions of guava were collected from two major growing areas of district Faisalabad and Sheikhupura for phenotypic genetic variation analysis. Multivariate analysis principal component indicated high diversity for accessions Mota gola, Khata gola, Rough gola, Bangladeshi gola and Surahi in district Faisalabad and Mota gola, Larkana gola, Desi gola, Gola and Sadabahar gola were most diverse accessions in district Sheikhupura. The combined analysis of accessions of both districts indicated Mota gola (SKP), Mota gola (FSD) belonging two different orchards, Bangladeshi gola (FSD), Rough gola (FSD), Surahi (FSD), Moti surahi (SKP), Gola (SKP) and Gola (SKP) (belonging two different orchards) as most divergent accessions. Among tree parameters like, young shoot color, fully developed leaf shape of tips, fully developed leaf shape of base, fully developed leaf color, fully developed leaf curvature in cross section, thickness of outer flesh in relation to core diameter, fruit length, fruit width, fruit juiciness, fruit length of stalk, fruit length/width ratio, fruit relief of surface, fruit size of sepal, fruit sweetness, fruit diameter of calyx cavity in relation xvito that of fruit and fruit ridged collar around calyx cavity and seed size was the most diverse phenotypic markers for guava accessions identification. The phenotypic and genotypic based dendrograms grouped guava accessions into two main groups and many sub groups and sub groups. High diversity was found in all accessions especially Mota gola (SKP) was the most diverse phenotype among all accessions of both districts and Gola (SKP) had most diverse genotype on genetic basis. Sadabahar gola (SKP), Gola (SKP), Gola (FSD), Choti surahi (SKP) and Surahi (FSD) were found quite phenotypic diverse accessions in morphological analysis, and Bangladeshi gola (FSD), Lal gola (FSD), Larkana gola (FSD), Gola (SKP), Moti surahi (SKP) and Sadabahar gola (SKP) were quite genetically diverse accessions on the basis of genetic markers variation analysis. As for as clonal propagation is concerned highly significant results were obtained for all the parameters (number of rooted cuttings, sprouting % age, average number of roots per cuttings, average root length (cm) and survival % age) and all concentrations (0, 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 ppm) for rooting of softwood cuttings treated with IBA and NAA. Highly significant results were obtained with 4000 ppm IBA and 2000 ppm of NAA and IBA performed the best for rooting of softwood cuttings in comparison with NAA. This study revealed the great potential of morphological and genetic variation and clonal propagation technique in guava. However, a comprehensive and detailed inventory for documentation of all guava accessions, supported with gene banks and also an annexed crop catalogue needs to be carried out.