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Traditional methods of pest control are not able to prevent crop damage due to devastating pests. Therefore, through nanobiotechnology nano-bio pesticides and conjugated nanoparticles are produced ...

It has been shown that plant morphology and pomology are shaped by their genotype and respective environmental changes. We hypothesize that climate induces variability in Juglans regia (walnut) landraces growing in the un-explored area of Pakistan. ArcGIS modelling and cartographic functions were performed for the indication of variation in temperature, precipitation, mean diurnal range, humidity and precipitation seasonality. Maxent Modelling techniques were used to determine the most important variables responsible for the current distribution of the species. Among the qualitative traits, Broad elliptic leaf shape and dark green leaf color were dominant traits in all three districts, while Ovate Nut shapes were noted in district Swat and Upper Dir and Broad ovate shapes were recorded in district Lower Dir. For quantitative traits the Pearson correlation revealed that leaf width (LW) showing positive significant correlation with nut volume (NV) (r = 0.24) and nut diameter (ND) (r = 0.199) only in district Swat. Descriptive statistics revealed that nut volume (NV) showed high variation i.e. 32.97% in district Upper Dir & 32.54% in District Lower Dir followed by 10 KW (kernel weight) with 27.26% diversity in district Swat. It was found that, genotypes representing 21.09% nut length (NL) and nut diameter (ND) 10.72% variation while mean value 28.32 and 83.96 respectively with the annual rainfall of 75.15 mm in district Swat, but with gradual increase in rainfall (99.17 mm), genotypes in district Lower Dir contained comparatively smaller nut length (NL) 13.21% and nut diameter (ND) 8.38% variation with mean value 32.93 and 86.38 respectively. Consequently, the genotypes with the smallest nut length (NL) and nut diameter (ND) of 10.71% with the mean value of 30.00 and 7.43% variation with mean value 85.88 respectively were recorded in district Upper Dir where the annual rainfall recorded was 109.75 mm. The regression analysis indicates that rainfall significantly (p ≥ .045 and 0.012) affect the Nut length and Nut diameter with r = −0.99* and r = −1.00*, respectively. It was obvious that, gradual increase in rainfall reduced nut length and nut diameter. The study gives insights in probable effects of environmental variables on the walnut morphology.

Aim: Meat and its derivatives provide nutrients essential for human health. However, meat consumption, along with excessive fat intake, has been associated with gut inflammation, intestinal barrier dysfunction and alterations in gut microbiota. Herein, we investigated whether and how these changes in the intestinal barrier system affect the gut liver axis and hepatic injury and eventually lead to the progression of liver syndrome such as NAFLD. Methods: Mice were fed with high fat (60% kcal) or low fat (12% kcal) along with soybean (control), chicken and pork proteins (HFCH, HFP, LFCH, and LFP) for 12 weeks. The biomarkers for liver injury were investigated after meat protein intake along with the high fat. Findings: Greater amount of fat vacuoles visible in the H&E staining increased the inflammatory cell infiltration and disorganized liver structures were observed in the HFP-fed mice. Oil Red O staining revealed that the HFP-fed and HFCH-fed mice showed more lipid droplets, confirming the increased hepatic lipid accumulation. Potential serum markers for NAFLD, ALT and AST were increased in the HF meat diet groups. Key genes responsible for hepatic inflammation and lipogenesis, such as MCP-1, IL1-β and TNF-α were upregulated. HF meat protein diet-fed mice exhibited signs of compromised liver with increased levels of endotoxin in the liver and its binding protein in serum, upregulation of TLRs in the liver, and significant increase in TG, TC, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations. Significance: Intestinal inflammation and barrier dysfunction aggravate liver injury and fibrosis due to the intake of HF meat protein diets in mice, which may contribute to the progress of liver injury and associated complications. Gut inflammation may directly contribute to the development of NAFLD, especially of the gut vascular barricade dysfunction.

In plants, soluble inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPA) play an indispensable role in inorganic pyrophosphate hydrolysis. However, the expression and the evolutionary history of PPA gene family remain unclear in pear and Rosaceae species. In this study, thirty-nine PPA genes were identified from five Rosaceae species including pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), apple (Malus domestica), peach (Prunus persica), strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and Japanese apricot/mei (Prunus mume). Based on the structural characteristics of the genes and phylogenetic analysis, members of PPA gene family were classified into two main subfamilies (A and B). Whole-genome duplication (WGD) and dispersed gene duplication were the main force, which drove the expansion of PPA gene family in pear and other Rosaceae species. Purifying selection played a dominant role in the evolution of PPA genes. Subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that pear PPA genes located in the cytosol, chloroplasts or near the nuclear envelope. PPA genes showed multiple expression patterns in different pear tissues. Several members of PPA gene family presented particularly higher expression level in only one of the six tissues, such as PbrPPA2, PbrPPA5 and PbrPPA8. Expression analysis showed that five PPA genes were involved in the growth of pear pollen tube, meanwhile four PPA genes could respond to excess of PPi in pear pollen tube. Overall, we established a comprehensive landscape in the functional characterization and evolution of PPA gene family in pear and Rosaceae species, and provided gene expression data for exploring the functional roles of PPA genes in the growth of pear pollen tube.

Background This study contributes to the current ethnomedicinal knowledge of the Swat Valley, Pakistan. District Swat possesses remarkable biodiversity owing to its varied topographical and climatic conditions, prompting a distinct human-plant association. Our hypothesis is that the presence of such a great biodiversity has shaped into a formal ethnobotanical culture in the area transmitted through generations. We suspect that the versatility of some plant species has greater influence on the culture. Therefore, the prime objective of the study is to understand this unique human-plant relationship in the valley and to create scientific roots for the selection and practice of herbs in the ethnobotanical domain of the district. Methods Primary data were collected using questionnaires and face-to-face interviews with the locals. The data collected were used for calculating some important indices, i.e. relative frequency of citation (RFC), participant agreement ratio (PAR), frequency of citation (FC), Smith’s Salience Index (SI), Relative Importance Index (RII), Cultural Value Index (CVI) and a newly proposed, Ali’s Conservation Priority Index (CPI). Index scores were used as key identifier of the ethnobotanically important plants of the area. Results Residents of the Swat Valley have listed plant uses in 15 use categories. Around 9% of the respondents have a common consensus on the selection and use of plants for the treatment of evil eye with similar results for body cuts (8.2%) followed by psychological/neural ailments (8.0%). Respondents agree that Berberis lyceum Royle. dominates in all five indices. Skimmia laureola Franch. also constitutes one of the central plants of the ethnobotanical domain, ranking second in the SI, fifth in the RII, seventh in CVI, and third in the Cultural Importance Index. It holds the thirty-fifth position in the CPI. Over 80% of the population treat different diseases with herbal remedies. In the common ethnobotanical domain of the area, plants like Mentha longifolia L., Berberis lyceum, and Skimmia laureola are very important and have high salience and importance values, thus suggesting these plants are versatile for their uses in the study area. Conclusion In conclusion, only some plant species are prioritised for their use in the ethnobotanical domain of the community. Medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) usage is widespread in the Swat Valley. The ethnobotanical knowledge could be used as a tool to understand the adaptability of a specific taxon in the area and the possible conservation risk to their existence.

The prime objective of the research was to list the important ethnomedicinal plants of Nawagai village, District Buner. During the survey, 44 plant species from 27 families were observed and collected from the targeted area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Lamiaceae members were the most dominant (54%) followed by members of Asteraceae (30%), Poaceae (18%) and Solanaceae (12%). Relevant information such as field data, GPS coordinates family names, local names, therapeutic uses and plant habits were recorded for each species. For preservation purposes, specimens were mounted on herbarium sheets, and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan, flora of Australia and other relevant floristic records. During this research work all the collected specimens were preserved in the (BG&H, UOM) Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the data were also provided to the Department of Botany, University of Malakand Dir (Lower), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.