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Cadmium contamination in croplands is recognized one of the major threat, seriously affecting soil health and sustainable agriculture around the globe. Cd mobility in wastewater irrigated soils can be curtailed through eco-friendly and cost effective organic soil amendments (biochars) that eventually minimizes its translocation from soil to plant. This study explored the possible effects of various types of plants straw biochar as soil amendments on cadmium (Cd) phytoavailability in wastewater degraded soil and its subsequent accumulation in sunflower tissues. The studied biochars including rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), acacia (AC) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) to wastewater irrigated soil containing Cd. Sunflower plant was grown as a test plant and Cd accumulation was recorded in its tissues, antioxidant enzymatic activity chlorophyll contents, plant biomass, yield and soil properties (pH, NPK, OM and Soluble Cd) were also examined. Results revealed that addition of biochar significantly minimized Cd mobility in soil by 53.4%, 44%, 41% and 36% when RS, WS, AC and SB were added at 2% over control. Comparing the control soil, biochar amended soil effectively reduced Cd uptake via plants shoots by 71.7%, 60.6%, 59% and 36.6%, when RS, WS, AC and SB. Among all the biochar, rice husk induced biochar significantly reduced oxidative stress and reduced SOD, POD and CAT activity by 49%, 40.5% and 46.5% respectively over control. In addition, NPK were significantly increased among all the added biochars in soil–plant system as well as improved chlorophyll contents relative to non-bioachar amended soil. Thus, among all the amendments, rice husk and wheat straw biochar performed well and might be considered the suitable approach for sunflower growth in polluted soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The p-n junction (Ni/Zn)O and its reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites ((Ni/Zn)O@rGO) has been synthesized through the hydrothermal method and used for effective electrochemical determination analgesic drug acetaminophen (AAP). In addition, the XRD characteristic peak and Raman modes confirm the formation of a p-n junction (Ni/Zn)O@rGO nanocomposites. The morphology of the as-prepared nanocomposites exposes nano-sized spherical particles that were well decorated on the rGO sheets, which results in a larger surface area. Further, the incorporation rGO and (Ni/Zn)O induced the catalytic properties and electrochemical performance. The electrochemical characterization of AAP was investigated at ((Ni/Zn)O@rGO/GCE) glass carbon electrode and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were adopted for the quantitative analysis of AAP. As a result, the prepared nanocomposite possessed great sensitivity, selectivity and stability. Further, the prepared sensor shows the wider linear range of 0.009-0.096 μM and 0.096-413 μM with a very low detection limit of 2.2 nM. Moreover, the practical applicability of the prepared sensor was tested in the pharmaceutical and human urine samples. Also, the developed method would widen the application of nanocomposites materials in the fabrications of more novel electrochemical sensing platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heavy metals' associated health risk assessment was carried out in processed fruits' based products. • Concentration of HMs was relatively higher than permissible limits in all products. • CA, PCA depicted strong association between Cr, Co, Pb and Fe. • HRI for Cd, Cr and Pb was greater than unity (<1.0). • THQ and HI of Cd, Cr and Pb were relatively high. • TCR indicates HMs were within the acceptable limit, except Cd. Present study was intendant to assess heavy metals (HMs) concentration and associated health risk in processed fruits' products sold in the local markets of North Pakistan. In total seven metals viz. cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) were quantified in 345 samples of different brands categorized into eight groups (Sauces, Ketchup, Juices, Jams, canned fruits, tomato paste, marmalades and pickles). On the comparative basis, Fe was dominating with highest concentration in pickles, canned fruits and sauces at 143.3 ± 43.2, 83.64 ± 23.19 and 50.17 ± 15.1 mg/kg, respectively), followed by Cd in sauces (22.94 ± 6.91 mg/kg), Cr in juices (12.97 ± 3.91 mg/kg) and Pb in pickles (12.53 ± 3.77 mg/kg). Measured levels of these metals varied significantly and were relatively higher than their permissible limits. Univariate and multivariate analysis depicted strong association among Cr, Co, Pb and Fe and confirmed HMs contamination through natural and anthropogenic sources in processed foods. Health risk index (HRI) for Cd, Cr and Pb was greater than unity (<1.0), particularly in sauces, jams and canned fruits. Target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) of Cd, Cr and Pb were relatively high. But target cancer risk (TCR) assessment indicates that these metals were within the acceptable limit, except for Cd concentration in sauces, jams and canned fruits that may cause cancer to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm forming ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa make them vulnerable, because it makes them recalcitrant against various antibiotics. Quorum sensing (QS) is cell density based signaling that helps in bacterial cell–cell communication, which regulated various virulence factors such as pigment and biofilm formation that contribute in the establishment of chronic infections. The interruption of QS is one of the effective approach to control various virulence factors. Present study was intended with the aim to authenticate antibiofilm potential in different solvents based extracts of selected medicinal plant species viz. Berginia ciliata , Clematis grata and Clematis viticella traditionally used by the inhabitants of Himalayan region of Pakistan to treat various pathogenic diseases. P. aeruginosa PAO1, an opportunistic pathogen and involves in various life-threatening infections specifically in immune deficient patients was used as a model pathogen. Plants were extracted in various organic (ethanol, methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, hexane, chloroform) as well as in aqueous solvents and their ability to inhibit biofilm was measured. Biofilm of PAO1 was grown in Jensen's medium while growing at 30 °C and crystal violet assay was performed to assess the biofilm inhibiting activity of plant extracts. Solvents play a vital role in extraction of plant components and it was found that the plants in various solvents exhibit different activity against the PAO1 biofilm. Comparatively, 1% methanolic extract of B. ciliata (rhizome with skin), showed more than 80% inhibition of biofilm formation without effecting on the growth of the bacterium. Significant correlation between flavonoids content and antibiofilm activity in methanolic extract revealed the contribution of secondary metabolites in P. aeruginosa (PAO1) biofilm inhibition. Our study revealed that plants under investigation more specifically B. ciliata could be a potential candidate for drug discovery to treat P. aeruginosa PAO1, induced infectious diseases especially for its biofilm treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study is to isolate and characterize fibrinolytic enzyme from Bacillus flexus. Fish meal of Sardinella longiceps and anchovy was optimized using a two-level full factorial design (25) and response surface methodology. The significant physical factors and nutrient sources (peptone, maltose, and magnesium chloride) were identified by statistical approach. The properties of a purified enzyme including their effect at different temperature, pH and the effect of metal ions were evaluated. Enzyme yield was improved 3.5 fold than unoptimized medium. Central composite design optimized culture medium enhanced enzyme yield (4711 ± 29.3 U/g of substrate). The fibrinolytic enzyme was highly active at alkaline pH (8.0), 50 °C and the molecular weight was 32 kDa. From these findings, it concludes that this fibrinolytic enzyme could be a novel potent thrombolytic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of specially designed nanoparticles with proteins is the basis of formation of a nanoparticle-protein corona. Silver nanoparticles and molecules have been used in many fields due to their strong antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast and fungi. E. coli is a Gram-negative bacteria that has the genome completely sequenced and determined majority of its protein 3D structures. Nitrate Reductase A is a cellular protein often found in many bacteria that uses nitrate as an electron acceptor during anaerobic growth. The enzyme is composed of three different chains α, β and γ, all having properties of metal binding regions and domains. Bioinformatics tools were used to investigate the structure, domains, interactomes, and docking sites of E. coli Nitrate Reductase A in order to predict the possible site of interaction of silver nitrate AgNO 3 with the protein. The 3D structure of the NAR A protein was predicted with the Phyre2 protein modeling software. The generated structures from Phyre2 were validated and evaluated by analysis of Ramachandran plots using RAMPAGE online software. To understand the evolutionary relationships between the subunits of Nitrate Reductase A, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using Phylogeny.fr. All cysteine and histidine residues in amino acid sequences were identified; 3D structure of subunits predicted together with Ramachandran plots, and the electrostatic potential was computed using various bioinformatics tools. The reactive cationic property of silver ion leads to attachment to specific anionic regions and active sites of the three subunits causing in many prokaryotic cells deactivation of nitrate reductase. Obtained results showed the possible sites of attachment of silver ions and their reactivity with domains that have metal bonding properties. In silico analysis of silver nanoparticles and nitrate reductase is helpful to treat various infections diseases caused by E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chloroplasts genome encodes several key proteins that involves in the process of the photosynthesis and also in other metabolic processes important for growth and development, yield, biomass, and plant interactions with their environment. The present study aimed to sequencing of cp genome of Fagonia indica Burm.f (Zygophyllaceae), -a plant that occurs even in the hot desert condition of the inner zone of Rub′ al-Khali (the Empty Quarter) of south-central Arabia, and its comparative analyses with the representative of the sequence of the different categories [viz. (a) with the other member of the family Zygophyllaceae, and with the representatives from: (b) different clade of the angiosperms, (c) flowering plants occurs in different major habitats, (d) different groups of plants, (e) different group of plants having range of biomass, (f) C3 and C4 plants, and (g) the representative from very common, rare and major high yielding crop of the world] to unravel the genetic pattern of similarity and variations. The comparison of F. indica genome in different categories showed strong evidence and further support for the conservative pattern of chloroplast genome, the coding and non-coding region remains conserved even in phylogenetically distant eukaryotic clades, and might not have the sole roles in organism′s yield, rarity or abundance and biomass, and in encountering the stress. Nevertheless, the result could be useful for molecular phylogenetic and molecular ecological and molecular mechanism of photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (Family Cucurbitaceae) is one of the important plant species used by the Irula tribes of Walayar valley of southern Western Ghats, India for the management of diabetes. To confirm the antidiabetic property of S. amplexicaulis , the present study was addressed using crude methanolic leaf extract of S. amplexicaulis (MeOHSa) and its isolated compound, Forskolin against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood glucose, lipid profile, serum liver markers, antioxidants, hemoglobin and glycogen were evaluated using standard procedure. The oral administration of Forskolin and MeOHSa (600 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days resulted in significant restoration of all these parameters supported by histopathological observations too. The results clearly suggest that the Forskolin (diterpene) possess potent antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities, which may be considered as a lead molecule for therapeutic purposes, and the source of Forskolin i.e. S. amplexicaulis can be further exploited for pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to assess the presence of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Surakarta city river basin in Indonesia. In order to accurately reflect the river basin, a deliberate selection process was employed to choose three separate sampling locations and twelve sampling points. The results of the study revealed that fragments and fibers were the primary types of microplastics seen in both water and sediment samples. Furthermore, a considerable percentage of microplastics, comprising 53.8 % of the total, had dimensions below 1 mm. Moreover, the prevailing hues identified in the water samples were blue and black, comprising 45.1 % of the overall composition. In contrast, same color categories accounted for 23.3 % of the microplastics found in the soil samples. The analysis of microplastic polymers was carried out utilizing ATR–FTIR spectroscopy, which yielded the identification of various types including polystyrene, silicone polymer, polyester, and polyamide. • The presence of microplastics in Surakarta city river basin is investigated. • Three sampling stations were chosen for water and sediment samples. • Fragments and fibers were the primary types of microplastics. • Samples contained polystyrene, silicone polymer, polyester, and polyamide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The alterations in somatic genomes that controls the mechanism of cell division as a main cause of cancer, and then the drug that specifically toxic to the cancer cells further complicates the process of the development of the widely effective potential anticancer drug. The side effects of the drug as well as the radiotherapy used for the treatment of cancer is severe; therefore, the search of the natural products from the sources of wild plants having anticancer potential is become immense importance today. The ethno-medicinal survey undertaken in Al-Fayfa and Wadi-E-Damad region of southern Saudi Arabia revealed that the Caralluma retrospiciens (Ehrenb.) N.E.Br. (family Apocynaceae) is being used for the treatment of cancer by the native inhabitants. The biological evaluation of anticancer potential of bioassay-guided fractionations of methanolic extract of whole plant of C. retrospiciens against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) followed by characterization using spectroscopic methods confirmed the presence of methyl β-lilacinobioside, a novel active constituent reported for the first time from C. retrospiciens , is capable of inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by regulating ROS mediated autophagy, and thus validated the folkloric claim. Based on a small-scale computational target screening, Topoisomerase II was identified as the potential binding target of methyl β-lilacinobioside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, the functionalized carbon black/poly-l-histidine modified glassy carbon electrode (f-CB/PLH/GCE) was fabricated and applied for the amperometric determination of Try. The proposed modified electrode was prepared by non-hazardous, inexpensive, simple electro polymerization method. The successful formation of f-CB/PLH composite was scrutinized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, optical microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy. Besides, the electrocatalytic activity of the f-CB/PLH composite was examined by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric techniques. Remarkably, the wide linear range responses from 0.025-124.98 μM with the lowest detection limit 0.008 μM and an appreciable sensitivity of 1.126 μA mM-1 cm-2 was obtained. In addition, f-CB/PLH/GCE exhibits the good selectivity in presence of various inorganic, biological and co-existing interfering compounds. Furthermore, the practical feasibility of the sensor electrode was demonstrated in milk and human urine samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described a nanocomposite material that consists of gold nanorods self-assembled on functionalized multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (Au NRs@f-MWCNTs). It was deposited on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) which then is well suited for sensitive and selective determination of dopamine. Au NRs are prepared by silver ion-assisted seed-mediated method and the Au NRs@f-MWCNTs was prepared by self-assembly of Au NRs on f-MWCNTs. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman, UV-visible, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrochemical analyses were carried out using inexpensive SPCE to modify nanocomposite and visualized signals by cyclic voltammetry and amperometric instrument. The electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic ability to catalyze the redox reaction of dopamine. The modified SPCE, best operated at a working potential as low as 0.12 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), responds linearly to dopamine in the 3.5 nM to 1550 μM concentration range. The detection limit is 5.0 × 10-10 (±0.82) M, and the sensitivity is 4.04 (±0.58) μA.μM-1.cm-2. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of the method was 16.6 × 10-10 (±1.2) M. The sensor has good selectivity, appreciable stability, and reproducibility. It was applied to the determination of dopamine in (spiked) human serum and rat brain samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimentation was carried out in Sahiwal, Sargodha, Pakistan to evaluate the contamination level in wheat variety (Millat-2011), irrigated with different treatments of household waste water in a Completely Randomized Design with three repetitions. There were five treatments viz. T1 (100% ground water), T2 (25% wastewater, 75% groundwater), T3 (50% wastewater, 50% ground water), T4 (75% wastewater, 25% ground water), T5 (100% wastewater). Analyzed parameters were heavy metal concentration in wheat and soil, metal correlation between food crop and soil, pollution load index, bioconcentration factor, health risk index, daily-intake of metals, and enrichment factor. Current results showed that concentration of heavy metals and metalloids in soil and grains increased due to supply of waste water. Cr, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn showed significantly positive correlation while Co showed positive but non-significant correlation in all treatment groups. Mn showed highest bio-concentration factor and enrichment factor values while Cd showed highest health risk index, daily metal intake and pollution load index values. Level of metal toxicity in humans could increase due to irrigation of food crops with untreated waste water. Hence application of waste water must be avoided or its proper treatment before application to agricultural fields must be done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary intake of contaminated crops with heavy metals causes serious human health risks. The current study focused on the atomic absorption analysis of Zn, Cu, Co, Pb, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Cr in the wheat grains and soil using pot experiment conducted in Sargodha, Pakistan. Results showed that the Zn concentration in wheat grains increased with continuous wastewater utilization. Except cadmium, mean concentration of other heavy metals was within permissible limits in the soil. A significant and positive correlation was also observed for Cu, Pb, and Cr between soil and crop. The application of wastewater for longer period of time caused enrichment factor and health risk index to be increased considerably suggesting that proper management is required for treating domestic wastewater to prevent potential health risks via dietary intake of crops contaminated with heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacterial strains has drawn attention to the quest for new natural antibacterial drugs. Therefore, in the present study, extracts of Rumex hastatus leaves were obtained in methanol and water, and R. hastatus -based silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized. Structural and functional properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles were determined by UV–vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR and SEM. The synthesized AgNPs and crude extracts were tested to check their antibacterial potential against human pathogenic bacterial strains of Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus haemoliticus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli , Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in well diffusion and broth dilution methods. The present investigation has revealed for the first time that the broth dilution method was found more reproducible than that of the well diffusion method even at lower concentrations of AgNPs and crude extracts. UV– Vis spectroscopic analysis of AgNPs revealed a peak at 367 nm. XRD pattern showed a face-centered cubical to the spherical structure of AgNP crystals. FTIR analysis revealed that flavonoids and terpenoids are responsible for the reduction of AgNO 3 to Ag+. SEM analysis determined the spherical structure and 51 nm average diameter of nanoparticles. The antibacterial activity of R. hastatus -based (AgNPs) was found to be significantly higher than aqueous plant extract and silver nitrate alone. Bacterial growth was inhibited by R. hastatus -based AgNPs in a dose-dependent manner. To our knowledge, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of R. hastatus were synthesized and characterized for the first time in this study and, based on the findings of current research work R. hastatus extract-based silver nanoparticles are suggested to be used as an antibacterial drug instead of synthetic drugs for the treatment of various human diseases/infections caused by the tested bacterial strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Essential oils of wild plant, Conyza sumatrensis exhibited excellent insecticidal activity against red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. • Erigeron canadensis and Chenopodium ambrosioides inhibited the growth of Aspergillus flavus. • The major component of C. sumatrensis essential oil was cis -lachnophyllum ester. • Major components of Erigeron canadensis and Chenopodium ambrosioides were limonene and α-terpinene respectively. The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum , and the mold Aspergillus flavus are well known threats of stored grain commodities, causing nutritional loss and poisoning of stored products, respectively. T. castaneum has developed resistance against most insecticides, leading to the use of extensive amounts of synthetic insecticides to protect stored grains. Synthetic pesticides not only toxify the environment but also cause serious health issues in humans using pesticide treated grains. This study aimed to identify plant-based natural pesticides to control T. castaneum and A. flavus. Essential oils were extracted from fresh aerial parts of Chenopodium ambrosioides, Conyza sumatrensis, Erigeron canadensis, and Tagetes minuta through steam distillation and investigated for insecticidal and anti-fungal activities against adult T. castaneum and A. flavus , respectively. GC–MS analysis of C. sumatrensis revealed the presence of 37.7% cis -lachnophyllum ester, 13.4% germacrene D, and 21.6% limonene, whereas in E. canadensis the major compounds were limonene, germacrene D, and cis -lachnophyllum ester (43.4%, 12.9% and 5.9%, respectively). In bioassays with treated grain, C. sumatrensis and E. canadensis essential oils exhibited excellent toxicity against adult T. castaneum with LD 50 of 3.7 and 5.6 mg per 10 g grains whereas in a fumigation bioassay they showed LD 50 of 6.6 and 10.6 mg/L, respectively. The essential oils extracted from C. ambrosioides and E. canadensis exhibited good anti-fungal activity against A. flavus. Our findings suggest that essential oils of C. sumatrensis and E. canadensis can play an important role in protecting stored grains from T. castaneum and A. flavus contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Natural antioxidants possess health beneficial properties and are being substantially used in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. Polyphenolics content, antioxidant activity and HepG2 liver cancer cells' inhibition potential were determined and compared in the fruit of apricot cultivars collected from lower Himalayan region of Pakistan using standard analytical procedures. Comparatively, fruit of AP3 cultivar had highest levels of total phenolics and total flavonoids contents (220.5 ± 15.9 mgGAE/100 g and 382.0 ± 18.0 mgQE/100 g, respectively) on fresh weight basis. Fruit of the same cultivar had maximum DPPH scvenging potential (94.24 ± 4.55%), oxygen radicals absorbance capacity at 4.71 ± 0.12 mMolTE/100 g and inhibition of HepG2 cancer cells (45.80 ± 4.01 µMolQE/100 g). Though, fruit of AP4 cultivar was rich in vanillic acid, caffeic acid, vanillin, epi-catechin and quercetin, but had relatively low antioxidant and anticancer potential. Disparities in the phytochemical composition and properties of apricot fruit are attributed to genetic differences and growing conditions. Total phenolics, total flavonoids and caffic acid depicted highly significant positive association (˃90%) with ORAC, CAA and FRAP. Our findings suggest that being a rich source of health beneficial secondary metabolites, apricot fruit of Himalayan region of Pakistan could contribute considerably in socio-economic development of the local communities and as a functional food in regional and global markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to investigate the rheological behavior and storage studies of sprouted onion pastes from four varieties (Punjab White, Punjab Naroya, PRO-6 and commercial). The storage study of paste samples from raw and sprouted onions packaged in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was carried out at room temperature (25 ± 1 °C) after thermally processing them at 80 °C for 15 min. All the paste samples were periodically analyzed for the change in quality characteristics viz, colour, pH, titratable acidity, TSS(∘B), TS (%), Water activity, Moisture (%), Total phenol content (mg/g), Total flavonoid content (mg/g), Total antioxidant capacity (mg/g), DPPH (%) and microbial count. The rheological properties of raw and sprouted onion paste samples were studied using Modular Compact Rheometer MCR-102 equipped with parallel plates geometry. Sprouted onion pastes were found to retain quality characteristics with lesser color changes, higher total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity and microbial stability than raw pastes during storage. Storage period and its interactive effect with the variety and sprouting had significant (P < 0.05) effect on total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, L*, a* and b* values of onion pastes as revealed by multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA). The rheological studies of onion pastes depicted that the elastic modulus (G′) and viscous modulus (G″) decreased in all the sprouted paste samples which showed their decreased frequency dependency. In addition to the effect of sprouting the paste samples behaved either as a strong gel or weak gel depending on the concentration of the paste. This study showed that variety, sprouting and storage period resulted in onion pastes with different physicochemical composition, antioxidant potential and rheological characteristics. The intensity of change in quality parameters identified the opportunities of using sprouting process to enhance the storage stability and impart desirable rheological properties to onion pastes for various food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]