In this study four plants (Chrozophora hierosolymitana Spreng, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L., Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf and Quercus dilatata L.) collected from different regions of Pakistan were screened to identify any chemotherapeutic agents present in them. Seven crude extracts of these plants (leaf, stem and root extracts of C. hierosolymitana, aerial parts of C. leucanthemum, stem and root extracts of E. gerardiana and aerial parts of Q. dilatata) were examined for antimicrobial activity using agar diffusion method and agar tube dilution method, cytotoxicity using brine shrimp assay, antitumor activity using potato disc assay, phytotoxic activity using radish seed bioassay and antioxidant activity by using DPPH radical scavenging assay and free radical induced oxidative DNA damage assay. Two plant extracts of C. hierosolymitana and Q. dilatata showed antibacterial activity. Two plant extracts of E gerardiana and C. leucanthemum showed antifungal activity. Two plant extracts i.e., leaf extract of C. hierosolymitna and root extract of E. gerardiana showed significant brine shrimp cytotoxicity activity (IC 50 171.55 to 523.8 ppm). Six of the seven extracts exhibited tumor inhibition at all the three concentrations tested ranging from 10 to 80%. All extracts showed significant plant growth and seed germination inhibition at higher concentrations against radish seeds. Two extracts of C. hierosolymitana and Q. dilatata showed growth stimulating effects at lower concentrations. Two extracts of C hierosolymitana and Q. dilatata showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC 50 10.52 to 45.9 ppm). Three of the seven extracts i.e., (R) E. gerardiana, (A) Q. dilatata and (A) C. leucanthemum showed DNA protection activity at 100 and 10 ppm while at 1000 ppm showed no DNA protection activity while rest of the four extracts showed DNA protection activity at all the three concentrations tested. Phytochemical tests showed presence of alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, flavones, tannins, phlobatannins and cardiac glycosides at varying levels in these extracts. The crude extract of the most active antibacterial plant extract (A) Q. dilatata was subjected to bio-guided fractionation. Six partitioned fractions of aerial parts of Q. ixdilatata were tested for antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical analysis of these partitioned fractions was also done. Ethanol fraction was selected on the basis of results of bioassays and phytochemical analysis. This fraction was analyzed by RP- HPLC and seven fractions were collected. Out of the seven fractions, AM2 showed antioxidant activity while AM3 showed antibacterial as well antioxidant activity. These two active fractions were again analyzed by RP- HPLC. The subfractions AM3b and AM3c showed antibacterial activity while AM2b showed antioxidant activity. Purified active subfractions were charaterized by comparing their absorption spectra with that of standard natural products isolated from the plants of same genus. The absorption spectra of the active fractions were different from that of the standard compounds previously isolated from the Quercus genus suggesting that these are newly isolated compounds from this genus.
سانوں ایہو اختلاف گل کریے مڈھوں صاف جنھاں سیف ملوک نوں پایا اوہ پریاں وچ کوہ قاف قول دے پکے خوش اخلاق ایہو مرداں دے اوصاف اسیں گناہیں پاپی بندے ربا سانوں رکھیں معاف حاکم یار نوں ملن نہ دیندے ویکھو کیڈے بے انصاف
Background Several changes have been made to the assessment component of Saudi residency training programs. Among those is the implementation of three examinations over the course of the year. Aim We aimed to explore the emergency residents’ perspective on the change in the number of examinations, and the impact of such changes in terms of time management, knowledge gain, and social life. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out from September to October 2022, using an electronic survey targeting emergency board trainees. Results One hundred and nine emergency residents enrolled, of whom 64.2% were male. The majority, 45%, were from the central province. Junior-level residents (R1) represented 26.6% of the sample, while R2 (second year) comprised 18.3%, R3 (third year) comprised 38.5%, and 16.5% were senior (R4) level. More than half of the participants, 56 % (n=61), did not support the change from one to three examinations and believed that it had a negative influence on knowledge gain and clinical skills. The influence of the change on time management stands out as a negative impact, in addition to its impact on social life and annual leave arrangements. Conclusions The support for three examinations throughout the year was low; a contributing factor to this may be the sudden changes effected by those tests on training and time management. A re-evaluation of testing culture and involving residents in decision-making might generate acceptance.
In most of the Pakistani schools, it has been seen that there are inadequate practices for English language teaching and learning, particularly as relates to writing skills (Khan & Khan, 2016). Developing English Language writing skills requires teachers to be familiar with writing strategies that can facilitate students (Khan, 2011). In Pakistani schools, it seems that English language writing skills are neglected in classroom teaching because the English language teachers are not acquainted with the “new practices of teaching English language in general, and teaching of writing skills in particular” (Siddique, 2007, p. 20). The need to enhance effective writing skills in learners, therefore, requires introduction/ exposure to various writing strategies to teach writing skills in an interesting way (Omar, 2016). This study was conducted in the context of Karachi, Pakistan, to explore how mind-mapping technique can be used to help improve students’ writing skills of grade 3. It was a qualitative action research study carried out to design an action so as to attempt to bring a change. The data were collected in three main phases: reconnaissance phase, intervention phase and post-intervention phase. Data collection tools were pre and post-test, observations, focus group discussion, semi-structured interview and field notes. In the light of data analysis of the reconnaissance phase, there were several problems identified as they related to students’ ability to generate, organize and independently write on a given topic. One of the important tools to support learners in this regard is to use pre-writing strategies in writing tasks (Buzan, 2002). In addition, pre-writing strategies can help to boost students’ motivation and engagement with writing and develop them as independent writers (Keen, 2017). Based on the reconnaissance findings, I planned an intervention and conducted three teaching cycles on teaching students mind mapping and how to use their mind map to produce independent texts. The study outcomes suggest that students’ exposure to a pre-writing strategy such as mind-mapping technique did help to improve students’ writing skills. The study participants were able to think, generate and organize their information about a given topic. Study outcomes also reveal that the use of mind maps seemed to boost students’ motivation, their engagement with writing seemed to increase and they were able to function as independent writers. Therefore, this suggests that using a pre-writing strategy such as mind-mapping technique can support learners in improving their writing skills.