The present study aimed to develop effective In vitro methods by means of callus and axillary buds for ex-situ conservation and rapid micro-propagation of a critically endangered, narrow endemic species Haplophyllum gilesii (Hemsel) C.C. Townsend, present in Pakistan confined to Gilgit Baltistan region. Media used was MS basal with various combinations of growth regulators (kinetin, GA3, BAP, IBA and NAA) for shoot multiplication, callus induction, regeneration and root induction. Supplementation of 2.5mgL-1 BAP for 35 days of culture subsequently resulted in maximum number (6.8) of shoots. Healthy roots were induced effectively with addition of GA3 (1.5mgL-1) and (0.4mgL-1) kinetin in half strength MS media. 2.5mgL-1 NAA, 0.25mgL-1 kinetin and 2.5mgL-1 BAP exhibited effective initiation and proliferation of callus while best regeneration was obtained at the medium having 1mgL-1 IBA. Acclimatized plantlets exhibited 100% survival rate for one week, after one month 60%, while survival rate after 5 months in pots was 45%. The protocol developed here can be used effectively for in-situ and ex-situ conservation as well as mass multiplication for production of H. gilesii plantlets and callus to assess its advantages without disturbing wild populations of this plant. There is still need to investigate secondary metabolic and molecular composition of this plant.

The study was specifically designed to assess the allelopathic potential of some agriculture land related trees. The aqueous extracts of five different trees Corymbia citriodora, Juglans regia, Alianthus altissima, Populus ciliata and Melia azadrach were applied on two selected wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivumL.) CM 301 approved variety V1 and a local variety V2. Aqueous extracts of 20g/200ml ratio concentration were prepared separately. The allelopathic effects on morphological parameters of wheat as well as reduction or enhancement ratio of wheat yield were studied. Five Treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) for both varieties were arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications each. The morphological parameters were measured after 40 days of sowing. Data were subjected to analysis of variance through (ANOVA) and least significant differences (LSD) were found by using software (Statistix 8.1). All treatments showed remarkable positive and negative effects on the parameters under investigation. Significant difference was observed by parameters such as number of tillers (0.0183), root length (0.018), flag leaf length (0.0191), flag leaf width (0.0153), numbers of awns (0.0164) and grains weight (0.0193). Some parameters showed non-significant difference like number of spikeslets (0.0930) and numbers of grains (0.1518). While numbers of spike (0.3754), spike length (0.6088) and plant height (0.4461) showed highly non-significant growth. The study concludes that Juglans regia and Melia azedarach showed growth enhancing effect while Populus ciliata and Alianthus altissima strongly inhibit the growth and yield of both wheat varieties.

Adolescence and young adulthood are the most susceptible age groupsfor developing eating disorders and depression, for both males and females. In thisresearch, we aimed to study the association of depression and eating disorders instudents from different universities of Lahore. It was a quantitative and cross-sectionaldesign and the sample constituted of 327 university students of 17 to 25 years of age.Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Instruments 'EatingAttitudes Test-26' (EAT-26) and 'Center of Epidemiologic Studies Short DepressionScale-10' (CESD-10) were applied to assess presence of depression and eatingdisorders. A score of 20 and above on EAT-26 was considered a cut-off to determinesusceptibility to eating disorders, whereas 10 or more on CESD-10 was the indicatorsfor higher risk for depression. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation,frequency and percentage) were calculated for all continuous and categorical variables.Chi square and odds ratio were applied to assess association between depression andeating disorders. The study participants had higher prevalence of depression than eating disorders (58.3% and 37% respectively). The risk of eating disorders was higher in depressed individuals, especially in young females (21 years old and younger), who also had higher susceptibility towards both depression and eating disorders. Individualsbelonging to middle-income families and those who paid rent were more depressed. Significant association was seen between being a day-scholar and higher risks of eating disorders. Although, results revealed that association between eating disorders and depression were not significant (p=0.226), but depressed participants had higher chances of having eating disorders.