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We investigated how different doses of microwave irradiation (MR) affect seed germination in Sorghum, including the level of remediation against textile and surgical wastewater (WW) by modulating biochemical and morpho-physiological mechanisms under glutamic acid (GA) application. The experiment was conducted to determine the impact of foliar-applied GA on Sorghum under wastewater conditions. Plants were treated with or without microwave irradiation (30 s, 2.45 GHz), GA (5 and 10 mM), and wastewater (0, 25, 50, and 100). Growth and photosynthetic pigments were significantly decreased in plants only treated with various concentrations of WW. GA significantly improved the plant growth characteristics both in MR-treated and -untreated plants compared with respective controls. HMs stress increased electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) content; however, the GA chelation significantly improved the antioxidant enzymes activities such as ascorbate oxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) both in MR-treated and -untreated plants under WW stress compared with respective controls. The results suggested that the MR-treated plants accumulate higher levels of HMs under GA addition in comparison to the WW-only-treated and MR-untreated plants. The maximum increase in Cd accumulation was observed in the range of 14–629% in the roots, 15–2964% in the stems, and 26–4020% in the leaves; the accumulation of Cu was 18–2757% in the roots, 15–4506% in the stems, and 23–4605% in the leaves; and the accumulation of Pb was 13–4122% in the roots, 21–3588% in the stems, and 21–4990% in the leaves under 10 mM GA and MR-treated plants. These findings confirmed that MR-treated sorghum plants had a higher capacity for HMs uptake under GA and could be used as a potential candidate for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated metal- and metalloid-induced oxidative stress response in two aquatic (cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) (n = 10), pond heron (Ardeola grayii) (n = 10)), as well as two terrestrial (spotted owlet (Athene brama) (n = 6) and bank myna (Acridotheres ginginianus) (n = 16)) bird species collected from the outskirts of Lahore city, Pakistan. For this purpose, glutathione (tGSH) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)) levels and activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT)) were analyzed as biomarkers of oxidative stress against metal (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) and metalloid (As) concentrations in kidney liver and blood of birds. Our results depicted significant correlation for Pb, Cd, and As with oxidative stress biomarkers in birds. The levels of heavy metals and As and their corresponding effects on oxidative stress biomarkers were comparably higher in aquatic species (p ≤ 0.01) except for Pb and Zn. In comparison of species, SOD and tGSH activities were higher in bank myna and cattle egret, while CAT activity and TBARS concentrations were higher in pond heron and cattle egret, respectively. We deduced that tissues with higher accumulation of metal(loid)s such as liver and kidney were under a great risk to oxidative damage. The overall order of metal accumulation and subsequent oxidative damage among families followed the pattern as Strigidae ≥Ardieda ≥ Sturnidae with their respective trophic levels. Globally, metal- and As-induced oxidative stress is least emphasized in multiple tissues of birds that is needed to be addressed with focus on case-control studies using dose-response approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was performed to assess the effect of Burkholderia cepacia CS8 on the phytoremediation of cadmium (Cd) by Catharanthus roseus grown in Cd-contaminated soil. The plants cultivated in Cd amended soil showed reduced growth, dry mass, gas-exchange capacity, and chlorophyll contents. Furthermore, the plants exhibited elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) under Cd stress. The bacterized plants showed higher shoot length, root length; fresh and dry weight. The improved stress tolerance in inoculated plants was attributed to the reduced quantity of MDA and H2O2, enhanced synthesis of protein, proline, phenols, flavonoids, and improved activity of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and catalase. Similarly, the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity, phosphate solubilization, auxin, and siderophore production capability of B. cepacia CS8 improved growth and stress alleviation in treated plants. The bacterial inoculation enhanced the amount of water extractable Cd from soil. Furthermore, the inoculated plants showed higher bioconcentration factor and translocation factor. The current study exhibits that B. cepacia CS8 improves stress alleviation and phytoextraction potential of C. roseus plants growing under Cd stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a consequence of both increasing population and industrialization in agro-economic sector, Pakistan has inevitably been confronted by multicomplex environmental challenges. Owing in part to poor regulatory framework, pollution due to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) has caused serious problems throughout the country. Resultantly, extensive use of POPs is causing vigorous deterioration of environment and human health. The current study addresses: (1) the general information on associated ecological effects and toxicity assessment by meta-analysis for local fauna and flora (2) their respective occurrence in living organisms; and (3) sources and distribution patterns of various POPs classes in environmental compartments of Pakistan. Based on the study, it can be concluded that the environment of Pakistan is highly contaminated with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DP), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), which is further supported with the meta-analysis. Nevertheless, unavailability of environmental quality standards and food safety for POPs render it a forthcoming challenge of multicompartment toxicity exposure. Therefore, strategies must be planned for risk assessment of biologically active POPs, while the POP waste inventory should be elevated, along with the necessary measures to promote appropriate handling and treatment of POP as a matter of prime importance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Flonicamid is an insecticide which is frequently used in agriculture practices these days. However the excessive use of this chemical insecticide exhibit toxic effects on ecosystem as well as on mammals. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate flonicamid median lethal dose which is 180 mg/kg body weight. Further, investigations involved the repeated oral administration of safe dose of flonicamid i.e 18 mg/kg body weight/day to various groups of rabbits alone, in combination with vitamin C and E for partial sub chronic study of 30 days. Significant increase (P<0.05) in hepatic enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were observed whereas animal body weight, serum protein and serum albumin exhibited significant decrease (P<0.05) in rabbits given only flonicamid. In addition, histological examination of liver tissues of treated rabbits showed alterations of hepatocytes morphology from severe level to mild depending upon type of treatment either given flonicamid only or co-administered with vitamin C/vitamin E. We conclude that supplementation of vitamin C alone and in combination with vitamin E each at 100 mg/kg body weight/day dose significantly reduces the toxicopathetic effects of flonicamid in exposed rabbits and ameliorates the hepatic marker enzymes as well as histological aspects of liver tissues near the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]