From Northern Arabian Sea bordering Pakistan this is the pioneer study on the diversity, density and effects of mangrove energy flux on zooplankton community structure. The study focusses on three aspects; Mesozooplankton (MZ) abundance, Copepod diversity and effect of mangrove energy flux on MZ. The study was conducted at four stations (OC, HS, SBM and HBM) covering the inshore waters of Manora channel. Annual and seasonal variations in density of 21 zooplankton group was estimated with respect to change in habitat with different environmental influences. Density of these groups were high at 5m depth. The Copepods were the most abundant meso-zooplankton group at all stations except at OC followed by cladoceran, gelatinous zooplankton, nematodes and polychaete larvae respectively. Cladoceran was high in density (127700 Ind-m-3) at OC. Salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen and Chl a concentration was found to effect the distribution of MZ. Cladoceran showed strong relation with salinity and Chl a at OC and HBM. Temperature variation effect the distribution of gelatinous zooplankton strong (F=10.22; P=0.008). Highest density of nematode (12133 Ind-m-3) and polychaete larvae (35600 Ind-m-3) were recorded at HBM and HS respectively. Mangrove stations were highly diversified as compare to other two stations. Even though the high abundance was recorded from OC but highest diversity was attributed to the mangrove stations. High abundance and diversity of zooplankton was found during SWM monsoon season. MDS ordination reveals the 80% similarity between SWM and NEM seasons. Highest values of Chl a were obtained in December at mangrove stations HBM and SBM (59μg-L-1 and 72 μg-L-1 respectively). Classical relation of primary producers and zooplankton was recorded at all stations. From September to November the low concentration of phytoplankton biomass was recorded and at the same time the high zooplankton density was noted. Similarity was noted between SBM and HS as SBM receives hydrological influence from HS whereas, OC receives influence from HBM. A total of 69 species of copepods was recorded during this study. 47 species were identified under the order Calanoida, 17 species in order Cyclopoida and 3 species of harpacticoid copepods were identified. Out of 69 species, 23 species has been observed for the first time from Pakistani waters. The family Temoridae, Paracalanidae and Pseudodiaptomidae were the dominant among Calanoid. Within the cyclopoid copepods Corycaeidae, Oithonidae families were dominant throughout this study and 6 species of genus Oithona were recorded xii first time from Pakistan during this study. Euterpinidae family was the most dominant harpacticoid family with the single genus Euterpina acutifrons. Variations in diversity and density was noted between stations. Eucalanus bungii, Eucheata marina and Pontella securifer was totally absent from station HS. Candacia discaudata, Acartia ohatsukai and Copilia vitrea was totally absent at OC. Rhincalanus Sp., Clausocalanus minor, C. karachiensis, C. chierchiae, C. alocki, Candacia sp., Pontella securifer and Calanopia sp. were not recorded at HBM. Effects of mangrove energy flux on zooplankton community was accessed by the phytoplankton production and its trophic partaking to primary consumers which are zooplanktons. Major nutrients concentrations were determined to study the effects of nutrients on primary production. HS, a polluted station, was rich in NH4 and NO3 concentrations as compared to OC. At HBM substantial relation of NH4 was recorded with the phytoplankton biomass. Although nutrients provide energy for the growth of phytoplankton, other physical variables are also responsible for their growth such as temperature, DO and turbidity. Annual findings illustrate that the omnivore zooplankton were the major consumers in mangrove forest among the functional feeding groups of zooplankton. 56% and 59 % space was occupied by the Omnivore group at HBM and SBM respectively. Only 2-4% of the total zooplankton were detritivores. The tidal cycle was covered at HBM to study the mangrove influence. Overall nutrient concentration was high at MT and low at HT indicating outward flux of nutrients from mangroves. The same pattern was noted for phytoplankton biomass. Zooplankton density was high at HT and LTn as during night the zooplankton moves towards the surface. The phenomena of Dial-Vertical Migration was noted during tidal cycle as indicated through the high density of zooplankton during night sampling. The omnivore zooplankton were high during HT and MT. Inverted energy pyramids was formed at LTs where the detritivore zooplankton dominated the other groups. The out-welling of detritus from mangroves might be the possible cause of high abundance of detritivores at LTs. The results reveals that the study area supports high diversity and density of zooplankton. The variations in species composition between stations indicates the effect of environmental influences. The energy flux from mangroves appears to support the high diversity of zooplanktons not only within mangroves but to the surrounding waters outside the Manora Channel.
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.
The three dehydrin genes of Eucalyptus species, the dehydrin-1 (EgDHN-1), dehydrin-2 (EgDHN-2) and dehydrin-10 (EgDHN-10) were isolated from local Eucalyptus globulus species for transformation in different varieties of potato for developing abiotic stress tolerance. These three lysine rich dehydrin genes of Eucalyptus have not been reported earlier to be manipulated for genetic engineering or for transformation into a crop plant. The genes were amplified from DNA as well as mRNA (through cDNA). The amplified genes were cloned in TA cloning vector. Cloned dehydrin genes were sequenced and detailed in silico analyses were conducted. Complete sequence of EgDHN-10 gene was obtained from DNA including introns. Coding sequence from its mRNA was also complete and found 92% similar with EgDHN-10 of Eucalyptus globulus after DNA BLAST analyses. The sequencing data of other genes obtained incomplete that showed 99% and 98% homology, after DNA BLAST analyses, with Predicted Eucalyptus grandis Rab18 gene and Eucalyptus globulus EgDHN-1 gene respectively. 297bp long sequence of EgDHN-10 that codes for mature peptide was further sub-cloned in E. coli expression vector pET30a. The sequence was submitted to the NCBI (MG948256.1) and it had extra integration of five electrically charged amino acids (two positively charged Histidine, one negatively charged Glutamate, and two negatively charged Aspartate residues) and one Lysine (K). The presence of one extra K residue is very important for enhanced stress tolerance activity of the transformed dehydrin protein due to its role in functions of K-segments. Presence of more charged amino acids in the binding surface of dehydrin protein enhances its capability to bind with other macromolecules, reactive oxygen species and free metal ions.IPTG induced successful expression of EgDHN-10, cloned in pET30a, was detected in E. coli BL21 ii DE3 strain by protein dot blot analysis. After getting excellent expression of Eucalyptus globulus EgDHN-10 gene outside Eucalyptus cell’s environment, the gene was sub-cloned in pCAMBIA 1301 plant binary vector and transformed into Agrobacterium tumefascience. The nodal regions of three potato cultivars, the Cardinal, Sante and Lady Rosetta, were infected with transformed Agrobacterium (through co-cultivation) carrying EgDHN-10. Putative transgenic plants were first screened by GUS assay and PCR. The successful integration of EgDHN-10 gene in potato genome was confirmed by DNA dot blot analysis. The EgDHN-10 gene’s expression was confirmed from potato mRNA by PCR and real time quantitative PCR. In some plants up to 12 folds DHN 10 expression was observed through qPCR. The acquired abiotic stress tolerance was quantified in stressed transformed potato plants by ion leakage assay (ILA) of cell rupture to select the stable transgenic plants. The stress tolerant transformed plants of Cardinal, Sante and Lady Rosetta were maintained in plant tissue culture setup and pots. The transgenic Sante variety was multiplied and maintained in CAMB trial field in an experiment of growth promoting effect of biofertilizer on trial field plants. The stress tolerant Sante plants showed significant difference over control plants in studied plant growth parameters like plant height, maximum root length, number of roots and number of multiple shoots formation, number and weight of tuber formation.