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The purpose of this research was to find out whether starting school earlier than four years of age gave any academic benefit to the students in the long run. This research aimed to find out whether the students who started schooling earlier than four years of age are able to achieve better grades and are better at self-regulation at the tertiary level. For this purpose, a sample of 108 students from a private business school comprising both early and late school starters were made to fill in questionnaires reporting their school starting age, their CGPA and answering questions that showed their level of self-regulation. The findings of this study suggest that there is no difference in the academic performance of the two groups, both in terms of their CGPA and their self-regulation skills.

Nitrogen (N), the building block of plant proteins and enzymes, is an essential macronutrient for plant functions. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of different N application rates (28, 57, 85, 114, 142, 171, and 200 kg ha−1 ) on the performance of spring wheat (cv. Ujala-2016) during the 2017–2018 and 2018– 2019 growing seasons. A control without N application was kept for comparison. Two years mean data showed optimum seed yield (5,461.3 kg ha−1 ) for N-application at 142 kg ha−1 whereas application of lower and higher rates of N did not result in significant and economically higher seed yield. A higher seed yield was obtained in the 2017–2018 (5,595 kg ha−1 ) than in the 2018–2019 (5,328 kg ha−1 ) growing seasons under an N application of 142 kg ha−1. It was attributed to the greater number of growing degree days in the first (1,942.35°C days) than in the second year (1,813.75°C). Higher rates of N (171 and 200 kg ha−1 ) than 142 kg ha−1 produced more number of tillers (i.e., 948,300 and 666,650 ha−1, respectively). However, this increase did not contribute in achieving higher yields. Application of 142, 171, and 200 kg ha−1 resulted in 14.15%, 15.0% and 15.35% grain protein concentrations in comparison to 13.15% with the application of 114 kg ha−1 . It is concluded that the application of N at 142 kg ha−1 could be beneficial for attaining higher grain yields and protein concentrations of wheat cultivar Ujala-2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium solani (F. solani) is one of the most important pathogenic fungi, that cause Fusarium dry rot and Fusarium wilt in potato, responsible for low potato yield globally. However, the mechanistic understanding regarding the biocontrol of F. solani remains largely unknown. Here, we investigated the plant growth-promoting and antagonistic capability of Bacillus sp. PM31 against phytopathogen F. solani. The Bacillus sp. PM31, isolated from field-grown potato was analyzed for plant growth-promoting and extracellular enzyme activities. The strain PM31 exhibited phosphate, zinc, and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, siderophore, exopolysaccharides production, and extracellular enzyme activities. The mycelial growth of F. solani was inhibited by strain PM31 with inhibition coefficient of 47.5. Under the storage conditions, inoculation of strain PM31 minimized the development of dry rot symptoms by 57% as compared to uninoculated diseased tubers. Under greenhouse conditions, inoculation of strain PM31 enhanced potato plant growth under fungal stress, while reduced the development of wilting, foot rot, chlorosis, and necrosis of inoculated potato plants by 92%, 75%, 64%, and 82%, respectively, as compared to diseased plants. Results inferred that the inoculation of native antagonistic Bacillus sp., PM31, could aid in global food security through biocontrol of important potato diseases viz. Fusarium dry rot and Fusarium wilt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In modern agriculture, the substrate industry prefers porous materials for plants to provide water and nutrients in soilless cultivation. Composted sawdust is such a substrate. The sawdust industry is interested in avoiding composting sawdust because it is time and labor-consuming. The study objective was to evaluate whether non-composted (fresh) Bombax ceiba (red cotton tree) sawdust with added nutrients could be an alternative to composted sawdust for okra production. The sawdust was mixed with nutrients in the form of banana peels (a potassium source), eggshells (a calcium source), and urea (a nitrogen source). We conducted two independent pot experiments. Treatments were viz.: T1: non-fertilized 100% sandy clay loam soil (control) (vol/vol); T2: non-composted 100% B. ceiba sawdust (vol/vol); T3: non-composted 80% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels (vol/vol); T4: non-composted 60% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels + 20% eggshells (vol/vol); T5: non-composted 60% B. ceiba sawdust + 20% banana peels + 20% eggshells (vol/vol) + urea (@ 91 kg N ha−1). In both experiments, the germination of okra seeds was unaffected by the sawdust mixtures. The phenological development of okra was significantly greater in non-fertilized clay loam soil than in any non-composted sawdust mixtures. Plant height, leaf relative water content, stability index of the membrane, root length, chlorophyll content index, root and shoot dry and fresh weight, stem diameter, and single leaf area of okra were lower in all non-composted B. ceiba sawdust mixtures compared to the control. In contrast to T2, T5 resulted in fewer days before the first flower developed, an increase in the number of pods plant−1, length of pod plant−1, the diameter of the pod, fresh and dry weight of pod plant−1, and the seed numbers pod−1. It is concluded that amending non-composted B. ceiba sawdust with banana peels, eggshells, and urea (T5) enhanced its perspective as a growth medium for okra. Nonetheless, the amendments were unlikely to establish an adequate yield of okra, as was the case with non-fertilized sandy clay loam soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 33% of the arable land around the world is vulnerable to drought, which is a very serious issue affecting the yield and productivity of cereal crops. Two contrasting rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes, HTT-138 (drought tolerant) and (HTT-39 drought-sensitive), under various levels of water treatments, i.e. control flooded (CF) as recommended for rice (control), control saturated (CS) 100% field capacity (FC), 80% FC, and 60% FC without or with foliar spray (100 mg L–1) of salicylic acid (SA) evaluated to enhance the yield for food security. The results showed that leaf gas exchange parameters, water use efficiency and water related parameters reduced under all levels of water deficient conditions. Drought stress increased oxidative stress (superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide) and decreased after foliar spray of SA due to enhancement in antioxidant activity (catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase). Ascorbic acid, total soluble protein, total soluble sugar, total phenolics, proline, anthocyanin, salicylic acid, and amylase activity were reduced under drought stress and increased after foliar spray of SA. HTT-138 showed more tolerance to the drought stress than HTT-39 under the same levels of water deficient conditions. Although drought-stress was ameliorated by the foliar spray of SA which not only increased plant growth, dry weight, and metabolism or metabolic activities but also increased the nutritional status of the plant by decreasing the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the membranous bounded organelles. In conclusion, the foliar spray of SA is useful to enhance plant growth and yield in cereal crops especially those grown in abiotic stress environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop improvement is the fundamental goal of plant biologists, and genetic diversity is the base for the survival of plants in nature. In this study, we evaluated 20 wheat lines for morphological and genetic diversity using eight simple sequence repeats markers from Wheat Microsatellite Consortium (WMC). Morphologically, variations were observed among all of the different wheat lines for the studied trait except for single spike weight. The highest values for different agronomic traits were recorded for the different wheat lines. The maximum days to heading were recorded for Borlaug-16 (128.3 ± 2.52 days). Similarly, days to maturity were recorded and were highest in Markaz-19 (182.3 ± 5.13 days), followed by Borlaug-16 (182.0 ± 4.58 days). The highest plant height was observed for Zincol-16 (122.3 ± 2.51 cm), followed by Markaz-19 (120.0 ± 14.79 cm) and Borlaug-16 (119.7 ± 6.8 cm). The productivity measured by 100-grain weight was highest in the case of Zincol-16 (84.0 ± 7.5 g). In contrast, wheat lines Shahkar, Sehar, and Farid-6 showed the lowest values for the traits tested. The results of genetic diversity revealed a total number of 16 alleles at eight SSR markers with an average of 2.00 ± 0.534 alleles per locus. Out of eight SSR markers, one marker (WMC105) was monomorphic, and six were dimorphic, showing two alleles at each locus. The maximum number of alleles (3) was observed for marker WMC78, in which genotypes AC and AA were predominantly found in high-yielding lines Borlaug-2016 and Zincol-2016 that were distantly related to other varieties. Zincol-2016 was also agronomically distinct from the rest of the 19 wheat lines. The results obtained from this study may be of importance for the scientific community to further explore the underlying genetic polymorphism associated high yielding varieties using marker-assisted selection for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the impact of using educational videos on the academic performance of university students. It examines the impact of exposure to educational videos, attitude toward these videos and motivation for using them on the academic performance. Further, this study also analyzes the moderating effect of area (urban or rural) on the relationship of these three independent variables with the academic performance. A survey was conducted among students of various academic faculties of Virtual University of Pakistan. A total of 400 university students were sampled: 200 from urban areas and 200 from rural areas of the country. The results of this study demonstrate that all of the three independent variables have significant and positive impact on the academic performance of students. However, there is no statistically significant mediating effect of area (urban or rural) on the relationship between each of independent variables and the academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice ranks second among cereals in dietary uses around the world. Rice is deficient in iron (Fe), and these are important micronutrients for infants, men, and women. Fortification of rice with iron would help to minimize nutrient deficiency disorders among humans. The current study aims to introduce nutrient-rich rice. The effects of iron on germination, growth, photosynthetic pigment, antioxidant activity, and reduction of oxidative stress were investigated in four Oryza sativa L. cultivars. O. sativa of four different cultivars (Basmati-515, PK-386, KSK-133, and Basmati-198) were grown under five treatments (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM) of iron sulphate (FeSO4) in soil of pH 7.5, along with control, by using six replicates. The result revealed that Fe treatment significantly affected seed germination percentage, plant growth parameters, biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chl a, chl b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids), antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic activity, and reduced oxidative stress. The findings also showed that Fe application reduced the oxidative stress including malondialdehyde content and hydrogen peroxide, by increasing the antioxidant enzymatic activity, i.e., catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH), and non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds (proline, amino acid, total soluble protein, phenolics, flavonoids, reducing-non-reducing sugar, and carbohydrates) in all cultivars of O. sativa. Furthermore, FeSO4 induced a significant increase in proline, free amino acid, and total carbohydrates in the leaves of all O. sativa cultivars, but Basmati-198 showed the significantly highest content by 169, 88, and 110%, respectively, at concentration of 500 mM. The present research work showed that soil application of FeSO4 improved the seed germination, plant growth, and antioxidants enzymatic and non-enzymatic activity, denatured the ROS (reactive oxygen species) in alkaline soil. In order to understand the underlying mechanisms, long-term field investigations should be carried out at the molecular level to examine patterns of iron uptake and plant growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Plant microbiome is a key determinant of plant health and productivity. Plant microbiome is an alternative untapped source that could be harnessed for plant health and productivity. Microbiome engineering aims to manipulate the microbiome toward a particular community that will enhance important plant functions. In this article, we review the plant microbiome composition, microbial diversity, complex plant microbiome interaction and major challenges that serve as bottlenecks and discourage the approaches of plant microbiome engineering. Rhizosphere microbiome is a dynamic and complex zone of microbial communities. This complex plant-associated microbial community, usually regarded as the plant's second genome, plays a crucial role in plant health. It is unquestioned that plant microbiome collectively contributes to plant growth and fitness. It also provides a safeguard from plant pathogens, and induces tolerance in the host against abiotic stressors. The revolution in omics, gene-editing and sequencing tools have somehow led to unravel the compositions and latent interactions between plants and microbes. Similarly, besides standard practices, many biotechnological, (bio)chemical and ecological methods have also been proposed. Such platforms have been solely dedicated to engineer the complex microbiome by untangling the potential barriers, and to achieve better agriculture output. Yet, several limitations, for example, the biological obstacles, abiotic constraints and molecular tools that capably impact plant microbiome engineering and functionality, remained unaddressed problems. In this review, we provide a holistic overview of plant microbiome composition, complexities, and major challenges in plant microbiome engineering. Then, we unearthed all inevitable abiotic factors that serve as bottlenecks by discouraging plant microbiome engineering and functionality. Lastly, by exploring the inherent role of micro/macrofauna, we propose economic and eco-friendly strategies that could be harnessed sustainably and biotechnologically for resilient plant microbiome engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agriculture is directly linked to human life, providing food for survival and health. It is threatened by a number of challenges, such as climate change, resource depletion, and abiotic stresses, including heavy metals (HMs), salinity, drought, etc. Various strategies have been employed to palliate the phytotoxic effects of these stressors from the soil–plant system. Nanotechnological approaches have emerged as a promising tool for increasing crop productivity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Interestingly, the seed nano-priming approach has shown potential against all of the above-mentioned abiotic stress factors and has improved crop productivity. The application of nanoparticles (NPs) via seed priming is an innovative and cost-effective approach that improves seed germination and subsequent plant growth by activating plant physiological processes and providing tolerance against various stresses. The seed priming with NPs induces electron exchange and increases surface reaction capabilities related to plant cell and tissue components. This review aims to provide an overview of recent advances and research findings on seed nano-priming and the possible mechanism of plant stress-tolerance augmentation against various stresses. Furthermore, we also shed light on gaps in studies conducted in previous years, which will open new avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as lead (Pb)] is becoming a serious global problem due to the rapid development of the social economy. However, accumulation of Pb in plant parts is very toxic for plant growth and decreases crop yield and productivity. In the present study, we have investigated the different concentrations of Pb in the soil i.e., [0 (no Pb), 50, and 100 mg kg-1] to study plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments and gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress indicators and the response of various antioxidants (enzymatic and nonenzymatic), nutritional status of the plant, organic acid exudation pattern and also Pb accumulation in the roots and shoots of the plants of two varieties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) i.e., Roma and Cchuas, grown under different levels of synergic acid [no spray (NS), water spray (WS), 0.3-0.5μmM]. Results from the present study showed that the increasing levels of Pb in the soil decreased non-significantly (P < 0.05) shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, root fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, soluble sugar, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar contents, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), iron (Fe2+), and phosphorus (P) contents in the roots and shoots of the plants. However, Pb toxicity also induced oxidative stress in the roots and shoots of the plants by increasing malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and electrolyte leakage (EL) which also induced increased the compounds of various enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and also organic acids exudation pattern in the roots such as fumaric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, formic acid, malic acid, oxalic acid contents and increased the concentration of Pb in different parts of the plants. Results also show that the Cchuas showed better growth and development compared to Roma, under the same levels of Pb in the soil. The alleviation of Pb toxicity was induced by the application of synergic acid, and results showed that the application of synergic acid increased plant growth and biomass and also increased the gas exchange characteristics and antioxidant capacity in the roots and shoots of the plants. Research findings, therefore, suggested that synergic acid application can ameliorate Pb toxicity in S. lycopersicum varieties and result in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress as depicted by balanced exudation of organic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant microbiome (or phytomicrobiome) engineering (PME) is an anticipated untapped alternative strategy that could be exploited for plant growth, health and productivity under different environmental conditions. It has been proven that the phytomicrobiome has crucial contributions to plant health, pathogen control and tolerance under drastic environmental (a)biotic constraints. Consistent with plant health and safety, in this article we address the fundamental role of plant microbiome and its insights in plant health and productivity. We also explore the potential of plant microbiome under environmental restrictions and the proposition of improving microbial functions that can be supportive for better plant growth and production. Understanding the crucial role of plant associated microbial communities, we propose how the associated microbial actions could be enhanced to improve plant growth-promoting mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on plant beneficial fungi. Additionally, we suggest the possible plant strategies to adapt to a harsh environment by manipulating plant microbiomes. However, our current understanding of the microbiome is still in its infancy, and the major perturbations, such as anthropocentric actions, are not fully understood. Therefore, this work highlights the importance of manipulating the beneficial plant microbiome to create more sustainable agriculture, particularly under different environmental stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium (Cr) is a toxic heavy metal that contaminates soil and water resources after its discharge from different industries. A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of single and/or combined application of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (250µM) and sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) (1mM) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange characteristics, oxidative stress biomarkers, antioxidant machinery (enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants), ion uptake, organic acid exudation, and Cr uptake of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) exposed to severe Cr stress [Cr: 0 (no Cr), 150, and 300µM]. Our results depicted that Cr addition to the soil significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plant growth and biomass, gas exchange attributes, and mineral uptake by S. oleracea when compared to the plants grown without the addition of Cr. However, Cr toxicity boosted the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing the content of malondialdehyde (MDA), which is the indication of oxidative stress in S. oleracea, and was also manifested by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content and electrolyte leakage to the membrane-bound organelles. The results showed that the activities of various antioxidative enzymes, such as superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants, such as phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin, initially increased with an increase in the Cr concentration in the soil. The results also revealed that the levels of soluble sugar, reducing sugar, and non-reducing sugar were decreased in plants grown under elevating Cr levels, but the accumulation of the metal in the roots and shoots of S. oleracea, was found to be increased, and the values of bioaccumulation factor were <1 in all the Cr treatments. The negative impacts of Cr injury were reduced by the application of SNP and NaHS (individually or combined), which increased plant growth and biomass, improved photosynthetic apparatus, antioxidant enzymes, and mineral uptake, as well as diminished the exudation of organic acids and oxidative stress indicators in roots of S. oleracea by decreasing Cr toxicity. Here, we conclude that the application of SNP and NaHS under the exposure to Cr stress significantly improved plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, and gas exchange characteristics; regulated antioxidant defense system and essential nutrient uptake; and balanced organic acid exudation pattern in S. oleracea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of an efficient and eco-friendly technique to break tuber dormancy in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is highly demanded due to the production of two or more crops annually. Several physiological and hormonal changes have been found to be related to the breaking of tuber dormancy; however, their consistency with genotypes and different protocols have not been well clarified. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of four dormancy-breaking methods, that is, plant growth regulator (PGR) dipping in 30, 60, or 90 mgL-1 benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 10, 20, or 30 mgL-1 gibberellic acids (GA3) alone and in the combination of optimized concentrations; electric current application at 20, 40, 60, or 80 Vs; cold pre-treatment at 2, 4, or 6 °C; irradiation at 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, or 3.5 kGy. In addition, changes in endogenous levels of abscisic acid (ABA), zeatin (ZT), and gibberellin A1 (GA1) in six potato genotypes after subjecting to these methods were investigated. Overall, the highest effective method for dormancy duration was the PGR application which shortened the duration by 18 days, followed by electric current (13 days), cold pre-treatment (9 days), and then irradiation (7 days). The solution of 60 mgL-1 BAP significantly reduced the dormancy duration in all genotypes but did not have a significant effect on the sprout length. While 20 mgL-1 GA3 produced maximum sprout length with a non-significant effect on dormancy duration. The genotype x PGR interaction for dormancy duration was more pronounced in short- and medium-term dormancy genotypes than in long-term dormancy genotypes. The genotypes displayed a significant positive correlation between dormancy duration and ABA levels but exhibited a negative correlation between dormancy duration and ZT as well as GA1 levels. From the first to the third week of storage, ABA was decreased in tubers while, however, ZT and GA1 were increased. The obtained results could be useful for the postharvest storage of potato tuber and the related field of physiological investigation in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil salinity is the major abiotic stress that disrupts nutrient uptake, hinders plant growth, and threatens agricultural production. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the most promising eco-friendly beneficial microorganisms that can be used to improve plant responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. In this study, a previously identified B. thuringiensis PM25 showed tolerance to salinity stress up to 3M NaCl. The Halo-tolerant Bacillus thuringiensis PM25 demonstrated distinct salinity tolerance and enhance plant growth-promoting activities under salinity stress. Antibiotic-resistant Iturin C (ItuC) and bio-surfactant-producing (sfp and srfAA) genes that confer biotic and abiotic stresses were also amplified in B. thuringiensis PM25. Under salinity stress, the physiological and molecular processes were followed by the over-expression of stress-related genes (APX and SOD) in B. thuringiensis PM25. The results detected that B. thuringiensis PM25 inoculation substantially improved phenotypic traits, chlorophyll content, radical scavenging capability, and relative water content under salinity stress. Under salinity stress, the inoculation of B. thuringiensis PM25 significantly increased antioxidant enzyme levels in inoculated maize as compared to uninoculated plants. In addition, B. thuringiensis PM25-inoculation dramatically increased soluble sugars, proteins, total phenols, and flavonoids in maize as compared to uninoculated plants. The inoculation of B. thuringiensis PM25 significantly reduced oxidative burst in inoculated maize under salinity stress, compared to uninoculated plants. Furthermore, B. thuringiensis PM25-inoculated plants had higher levels of compatible solutes than uninoculated controls. The current results demonstrated that B. thuringiensis PM25 plays an important role in reducing salinity stress by influencing antioxidant defense systems and abiotic stress-related genes. These findings also suggest that multi-stress tolerant B. thuringiensis PM25 could enhance plant growth by mitigating salt stress, which might be used as an innovative tool for enhancing plant yield and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is the main hurdle in achieving sustainable crop production ps especially in calcareous soils. Using bio-fertilizers like phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) could be a useful approach for sustainable P management as they improve P availability in soil via dissolution, desorption and mineralization reactions. In addition, application of organic amendments with PSB could further ameliorate soil conditions for sustainable management of immobilized nutrients in calcarious soils. Therefore, we performed pot experiment to study the role of PSB in nullifying antagonistic effects of liming (4.78, 10, 15 and 20%) on P availability from poultry manure (PM), farm yard manure (FYM), single super phosphate (SSP) and rock phosphate (RP) in alkaline soils. PSB inoculation improved wheat growth, P availability and stimulated soil acidification over control regardless of P sources and lime levels. Soil calcification adversely affected plant growth, P nutrition, induced soil salinity and alkalinity, however, PSB and manures application potentially nullified such harmful effects over mentioned traits. Individually, organic sources were superior than mineral sources however, the performance of mineral fertilizers with PSB was at par to sole application of manures. Furthermore, application of RP with PSB proved as effective as sole SSP. Therefore, using PSB as bio-fertilizer has huge potential for improving P availability in calcareous soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Mitigation effect of alpha-tocopherol and thermo-priming in Brassica napus L. under induced mercuric chloride stress" published in BMC Plant Biology. The correction involves updating the affiliation of one of the authors, Arwa Abdulkreem AL-Huqail. The original affiliation has been revised to include a specific address. The correction does not impact the overall findings or conclusions of the article. The publisher, Springer Nature, maintains a neutral stance on jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Traditional and ethnic foods, rooted in centuries-old practices, have long been revered for their potential health benefits. In contemporary society, the sustainability and application of these foods for basic health care are garnering increased attention, offering promising prospects for holistic well-being. In our research, we aimed to document the medicinal plants utilized by the indigenous community residing within the study area. Between 2021 and 2022, interviews were conducted with 457 participants, with 100 of them being identified as key informants. The snowball sampling technique was utilized to identify respondents. A group discussion was also held concerning the conservation and challenges associated with medicinal plants and traditional wisdom. The medicinal plants were assessed by applying various quantitative metrics, including Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Relative Frequency Citation (RFC) and Relative Popularity Level (RPL). The study identified 40 medicinal plant species from 22 different families that are employed to treat 33 unique human ailments. It was observed that perennial herbs accounted for 78% of these species in use. The leaves were shown to be the primary plant part in use, accounting for 35% and decoction was determined as the most prevalent preparation method. Some plants, such as Polygonum plebejum with the highest UV and RI values, and Centaurium pulchelum known for its use in treating jaundice with the highest RFC, were highlighted. In contrast to the findings presented in earlier literature, our study revealed a 14% concurrence rate, accompanied by a 6% disparity rate, and notably, 69% of the usages were newly documented. This research serves as the inaugural quantitative investigation into ethnomedicinal practices within the study area, underscoring the importance of indigenous herbal treatments. The sustainability of traditional and ethnic foods offers promising prospects for the future of health care in human society. These foods, rooted in age-old wisdom, not only preserve cultural heritage but also present holistic health benefits. Embracing them can lead to more natural, accessible, and effective health solutions, bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern healthcare needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify the biochemical profile of Vaucheria karachiensis and to evaluate its nutritional, antioxidant, antimicrobial and hypoglycemic potential. The study revealed ash content of 34.98 %, followed by carbohydrates (20.37 %), crude protein (18.74 %), moisture (12.12 %), crude fat (11.20 %), crude fiber (2.59 %) and total energy (122.75 Kcal/100 g). 15 compounds were identified through GC–MS in ethyl acetate extract with major compounds being Pentadecanoic acid, 14-methyl-, methyl ester (31.62 %), Methyl stearate (13.36 %), 9-Octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)- (11.46 %), n-Hexadecanoic acid (7.47 %), Phytol (6.31 %), 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, methyl ester, (E, E)- (5.64 %), and 1-Octadecyne (5.34 %). Whereas 24 compounds were tentatively detected in n -butanol extract with major compounds being Hexadecanoic acid, butyl ester (44.63 %), followed by Phytol (11.49 %), Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (8.33 %), and 9-Hexadecenoic acid (7.31 %). FT-IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydroxyl groups, alcohols, carboxylic acids, carbonyl groups, and aromatic compounds. Moreover, ethyl acetate extract exhibited higher total phenolics (1.743 ± 0.43 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (2.213 ± 0.83 mg QE/g). Ethyl acetate extract demonstrated slightly better radical-scavenging activity (IC 50 62.78 ± 3.23) than n -butanol extract i.e. (IC 50 63.73 ± 5.46). Significant antimicrobial activity was observed by both extracts against tested bacterial and fungal strains. Furthermore, both extracts showed potential hypoglycemic activity in a diabetic animal model, with ethyl acetate extract exhibiting more pronounced effects in lowering blood glucose levels after 24 h of drug administration (262.50 ± 4.85, 239.50 ± 2.74, and 229.17 ± 3.87) at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The findings suggest that V. karachiensis possesses valuable nutritional and bioactive components, highlighting its potential as a functional ingredient in various applications, including food, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. • The study emphasizes macro-algae as nutritionally and pharmaceutically valuable bioresource. • Biochemical profile and pharmaceutical potentials of Vaucheria karachiensis is evaluated for the first time. • GC–MS analysis revealed the presence of important secondary metabolites. • Extract of the alga showed antioxidant, antimicrobial and hypoglycemic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNPs) have gained tremendous attention attributed to their unique properties. It is the most desirable group of nanostructures as far as both structure and properties are concerned. It is an adaptable material that has distinctive properties, such as high sensitivity, large specific area, non-toxicity, good compatibility, and a high isoelectric point, which favors it to be considered with a few exceptions. They are utilized in an expanding number of mechanical items, for example, elastic, paint, coating, cosmetics, supercapacitors, Lithium batteries, color-sensitized sun-powered cells, photocatalysis, biosensors, biomedical and characteristic applications. They have brought a promising potential up in biomedicine, especially in the fields of anticancer and antibacterial fields, which are locked in with their solid ability to trigger plenitude reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation, discharge zinc particles, and instigate cell apoptosis. ZNPs have also been successfully utilized to transport and load drugs to target locations as drug carriers, reducing undesirable toxicity and non-target effects and increasing the synergistic effects. In addition, ZNPs display outstanding light assets and this property has made them one of the chief bioimaging applicants Thus, this paper reviews the biological synthesis of ZNPs by the microbes, the mechanisms of the biological synthesis, parameters for the optimization process and their potential application as an antimicrobial agent and feed supplement in the animal industry as well as their toxicological hazards on animals. Here, we summarize the synthesis and recent advances of ZNPs in the biomedical fields, which will be helpful for facilitating their future research progress and focusing on biomedical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) stress in crops has been serious concern while little is known about the copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) effects on Cd accumulation by crops. This study investigated the effectiveness of CuO NPs in mitigating Cd contamination in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation through a pot experiment, presenting an eco-friendly solution to a critical agricultural concern. The CuO NPs, synthesized using green methods, exhibited a circular shape with a crystalline structure and a particle size ranging from 8 to 12 nm. The foliar spray of CuO NPs was applied in four different concentrations i.e. control, 25, 50, 75, 100 mg/L. The obtained data demonstrated that, in comparison to the control group, CuO NPs had a beneficial influence on various growth metrics and straw and grain yields of T. aestivum. The green CuO NPs improved T. aestivum growth and physiology under Cd stress, enhanced selected enzyme activities, reduced oxidative stress, and decreased malondialdehyde levels in the T. aestivum plants. CuO NPs lowered Cd contents in T. aestivum tissues and boosted the uptake of essential nutrients from the soil. Overall, foliar applied CuO NPs were effective in minimizing Cd contents in grains thereby reducing the health risks associated with Cd excess in humans. However, more in depth studies with several plant species and application methods of CuO NPs are required for better utilization of NPs in agricultural purposes. • Wheat grown in Cd-contaminated soil was subjected to foliar application of CuONPs. • CuONPs enhanced the plant growth, chlorophyll contents, gaseous exchange parameters. • CuONPs increased the grain and biomass yield and reduces the Cd accumulation. • CuONPs increased Fe, Zn, and Mn contents in plants than control treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the physiological and molecular responses of rice genotype '9311' to Cd stress and the mitigating effects of silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO NPs). Cd exposure severely hindered plant growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and Cd accumulation. However, SiO NPs supplementation, particularly the SiONP100 treatment, significantly alleviated Cd-induced toxicity, mitigating the adverse effects on plant growth while maintaining chlorophyll content and photosynthetic attributes. The SiONP100 treatment also reduced Cd accumulation, indicating a preference for Si uptake in genotype 9311. Complex interactions among Cd, Si, Mg, Ca, and K were uncovered, with fluctuations in MDA and H 2 O 2 contents. Distinct morphological changes in stomatal aperture and mesophyll cell structures were observed, including changes in starch granules, grana thylakoids, and osmophilic plastoglobuli. Moreover, following SiONP100 supplementation, genotype 9311 increased peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities by 56%, 44%, and 53% in shoots and 62%, 49%, and 65% in roots, respectively, indicating a robust defense mechanism against Cd stress. Notably, OsNramp5 , OsHMA3 , OsSOD - Cu / Zn , OsCATA , OsCATB , and OsAPX1 showed significant expression after SiO NPs treatment, suggesting potential Cd translocation within rice tissues. Overall, SiO NPs supplementation holds promise for enhancing Cd tolerance in rice plants while maintaining essential physiological functions. • Cadmium exposure diminished nutrients uptake leading to reduction in rice biomass. • SiONPs mitigated Cd toxicity by scavenging ROS and enhancing antioxidant activities. • SiONPs played key role in growth and overall plant health in Cd-exposed rice plants. • By defying Cd toxicity, SiONPs offered a sustainable solution for rice cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference 1 Khan Z, Assad N, Naeem-ul-Hassan M. Aconitum lycoctonum L. (Ranunculaceae) mediated biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles as potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antidiabetic agents. The online version of the original article can be found at https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-023-01047-5 B Correction to: BMC Chemistry (2023) 17:128 b https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-023-01047-5 Following publication of the original article [[1]], the author name "Fatema Suliman Alatawi" was incorrectly written as "Suliman Alatawi". [Extracted from the article]

Hybrid analogs containing molecules are always the choice of different synthetic researcher due to their diverse biological applications and significantly more efficient. Heterocyclic being a good inhibitors against varied disease are most commonly used in drug designing and development. The current study also addressed the synthesis of pyrimidine-based thiazolidinone derivatives (1 – 13) using stepwise processes and their structure was confirmed using various characterization techniques such as 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HREI-MS. Furthermore, the biological significances of the synthesized scaffolds were also explored and proved to be as anti-urease and anti-cancer moieties. Their inhibitory potentials were determined using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the presence of their standard drugs, Thiourea (IC 50 = 8.20 ± 0.20 µM) and Tetrandrineb (IC 50 = 12.30 ± 0.10 µM) respectively. Structure activity relationship (SAR) was established for all the synthesized scaffolds and compared their inhibitory potentials in which scaffolds 3 (IC 50 = 2.30 ± 0.30 and 3.20 ± 0.50 µM) , 6 (IC 50 = 3.10 ± 0.20 and 6.20 ± 0.10 µM) , 7 (IC 50 = 3.20 ± 0.20 and 3.80 ± 0.30 µM) and 10 (IC 50 = 4.20 ± 0.20 and 5.10 ± 0.30 µM) exhibited the most influential activity. These compounds were subsequently examined using molecular docking experiments, which evaluate the binding interaction of ligands with enzyme active sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulacaria afra Jacq (Portulacaceae) is a medicinal plant used traditionally in the treatment of pain and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, toxicity, antinociceptive, and enzyme inhibition potential of P. afra. The methanol extract (PAME) was prepared through maceration and fractionated with ethanol to ethanol fraction of P. afra (ETPA). Both PAME and ETPA were found to be rich in total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC). Similarly, PAME showed the highest antioxidant potential through ABTS 93.16 ± 0.05 mg TE /g of dry extract (D.E.) while ETPA showed maximum results (462 ± 1.44 mg TE/g) in the CUPRAC method. The RP-UHPLC-MS analysis of PAME showed tentative identification of 101 compounds in the positive mode and 14 compounds in the negative mode of ionization while GC–MS profiling gave a total of 15 compounds. The acute oral toxicity study of PAME revealed the safety and biocompatibility of the extract up to a dose of 5000 mg/kg orally in rats. In-vitro data revealed that varying concentrations of P. afra significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited heat-induced BSA denaturation compared to indomethacin in a concentration-dependent manner. PAME suppressed carrageenan-induced paw edema at the 4th hr with maximum inhibition. The analgesic efficacy of PAME was determined by the hotplate, writhing method, and tail-flicking rat models. In the hot plate method, PAME treated groups showed a significant effect (p < 0.0001). While in the writhing model, the PAME treated groups showed a significant (p < 0.0001) anti-nociceptive effect at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg compared to the control group. Similarly, PAME treated groups in the tail flicking model showed a significant (p < 0.001) anti-nociceptive effect at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. A dose-dependent increase in latency time (8.78 ± 0.090 at (30 min), 11.39 ± 0.005 at (60 min), 12.14 ± 0.01 at (90 min) 15.19 ± 0.03 at (120 min), p < 0.0001 was observed, compared to the control group. Similarly, the extract and fraction showed significant inhibitory potential against tyrosinase in in vitro and in-silico studies. Conclusively the current study unveiled P. afra as a novel non-toxic source with good total antioxidant-mediated anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity stress is a barrier to crop production, quality yield, and sustainable agriculture. The current study investigated the plant growth promotion, biochemical and molecular characterization of bacterial strain Enterobacter cloacae PM23 under salinity stress (i.e., 0, 300, 600, and 900 mM). E. cloacae PM23 showed tolerance of up to 3 M NaCl when subjected to salinity stress. Antibiotic-resistant Iturin C (ItuC) and bio-surfactant-producing genes (sfp and srfAA) were amplified in E. cloacae PM23, indicating its multi-stress resistance potential under biotic and abiotic stresses. Moreover, the upregulation of stress-related genes (APX and SOD) helped to mitigate salinity stress and improved plant growth. Inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 enhanced plant growth, biomass, and photosynthetic pigments under salinity stress. Bacterial strain E. cloacae PM23 showed distinctive salinity tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ACC deaminase, and exopolysaccharides production under salinity stress. To alleviate salinity stress, E. cloacae PM23 inoculation enhanced radical scavenging capacity, relative water content, soluble sugars, proteins, total phenolic, and flavonoid content in maize compared to uninoculated (control) plants. Moreover, elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes and osmoprotectants (Free amino acids, glycine betaine, and proline) were noticed in E. cloacae PM23 inoculated plants compared to control plants. The inoculation of E. cloacae PM23 significantly reduced oxidative stress markers under salinity stress. These findings suggest that multi-stress tolerant E. cloacae PM23 could enhance plant growth by mitigating salt stress and provide a baseline and ecofriendly approach to address salinity stress for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]