Search

Abstract This study was taken to evaluate the influence of vehicular pollution on the accumulation of heavy metals and its impact on soil enzymatic activity along the roadside of the Sonamarg forest ecosystem. Soil samples were obtained from three different sites viz., Sonamarg, Baltal, and Thajwas, each comprises of disturbed area (10 mts.) close to roadside and undisturbed area (150 mts.) away from roadside in two seasons (spring and autumn). Soil heavy metal concentration significantly decreased with distance from the roadside. The decrease in the activities of dehydrogenase and urease and soil organic carbon were found in the disturbed area as compared to undisturbed areas. The concentration of zinc (Zn2+) was found to be maximum, followed by nickel (Ni2+), lead (Pb2+), copper (Cu2+), and cadmium (Cd2+) at all the sampling sites. Significant positive correlations were shown by pH with Pb (r = 0.782**), Zn (r = 0.805**), Cu (r = 0.773**), Cd (r = 0.672**) and negative correlations with dehydrogenase activity (r = −0.795**), urease activity (r = −0.825**) and organic carbon (r = −0.764**). Similarly Pb, showed negative correlation with dehydrogenase activity (r = −0.671**,), urease activity (r = −0.673**) and organic carbon (r = −0.860**). A negative correlation was found between Zn and organic carbon (r = −0.821**) as well as between Cu, urease activity (r = −0.632**) and organic carbon (r = −0.757**). The results indicate that vehicular pollution affects the soil quality due to heavy metal contamination in the fragile Sonamarg forest ecosystem.

This study was taken to evaluate the influence of vehicular pollution on the accumulation of heavy metals and its impact on soil enzymatic activity along the roadside of the Sonamarg forest ecosystem. Soil samples were obtained from three different sites viz., Sonamarg, Baltal, and Thajwas, each comprises of disturbed area (10 mts.) close to roadside and undisturbed area (150 mts.) away from roadside in two seasons (spring and autumn). Soil heavy metal concentration significantly decreased with distance from the roadside. The decrease in the activities of dehydrogenase and urease and soil organic carbon were found in the disturbed area as compared to undisturbed areas. The concentration of zinc (Zn2+) was found to be maximum, followed by nickel (Ni2+), lead (Pb2+), copper (Cu2+), and cadmium (Cd2+) at all the sampling sites. Significant positive correlations were shown by pH with Pb (r = 0.782**), Zn (r = 0.805**), Cu (r = 0.773**), Cd (r = 0.672**) and negative correlations with dehydrogenase activity (r = −0.795**), urease activity (r = −0.825**) and organic carbon (r = −0.764**). Similarly Pb, showed negative correlation with dehydrogenase activity (r = −0.671**,), urease activity (r = −0.673**) and organic carbon (r = −0.860**). A negative correlation was found between Zn and organic carbon (r = −0.821**) as well as between Cu, urease activity (r = −0.632**) and organic carbon (r = −0.757**). The results indicate that vehicular pollution affects the soil quality due to heavy metal contamination in the fragile Sonamarg forest ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pathogenicity test was conducted of three beetroot (Beta vulgaris) cultivars using five different inocula of Meloidogyne incognita and Pseudomonas syringae pv. aptata. Plant growth parameters, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were reduced significantly over control when 2000 or more second stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita or 10.0 mL or more P. syringae pv. aptata per kg soil were inoculated in cultivar Rosy Red 555 and Ruby Queen while in Red Express 505, 4000 or more J2 of M. incognita or 20.0 mL or more P. syringae pv. aptata caused significant reductions. A significant increase in proline in Rosy Red 555 and Ruby Queen was observed when 2000 or more J2 of M. incognita or 10.0 mL or more P. syringae pv. aptata were inoculated while in Red Express 505, 4000 or more J2 of M. incognita or 20 mL or more P. syringae pv. aptata caused significant increase. Galling and nematode population was increased with the increase in inoculum level of M. incognita. Bacterial leaf spot indices caused by P. syringae pv. aptata was also increased with the increase in inoculum level of bacterial pathogen. Leaf spot indices were recorded 1–5 scale in different cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tayyba Saher,1 Rizwana Manzoor,1 Khizar Abbas,1 Jahanzeb Mudassir,2 M Asif Wazir,3 Ejaz Ali,4 Faheem Ahmad Siddique,5 Akhtar Rasul,6 Muhammad Imran Qadir,7 Ambreen Aleem,8 Naeem Qaiser,9 Adeel Usman,3 Muhammad Romman,10 Muhammad Sajid Ali11 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 2Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical sciences,University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan; 4University College of Pharmacy, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 5Department of Pharmacy, University of Central Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan; 6Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, GC University, Faisalabad, Pakistan; 7Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 8Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; 9College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; 10Pharmacognosy Lab,Department of Botany, University of Chitral, Chitral, KPK, Pakistan; 11Akson College of Pharmacy, Mirpur University of Science & Technology (MUST), Mirpur, AJ&K, PakistanCorrespondence: Khizar Abbas, Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan, Tel +923228832872, Email khizarabbas@bzu.edu.pkBackground: Nature represents a basic source of medicinal scaffolds that can develop into potent drugs used in the treatment of many diseases.Aim: The present study was planned to evaluate the combined effects of polyherbal methanolic extract of the herbs (fruit of capsicum, bark of cinnamon, rhizome of turmeric and rhizome of ginger) that were individually well known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Furthermore, we aimed to develop hydrogel formulation of this polyherbal extract and to characterize and evaluate its analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential.Materials and Methods: Zingiber officinale (R.), Capsicum annuum (L.), Curcuma longa (L.), and Cinnamomum verum (J.) polyherbal extract (GCTC) was prepared by maceration and evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential. Then, two different types of hydrogel formulation were prepared. One is pH-based hydrogel in which carbopol-940 was used and the other is temperature-based gel in which methocel-K100 was used as gelling agent. Different concentrations of polyherbal extract (GCTC), at 1%, 3% and 5%, were used in hydrogel formulation. These prepared hydrogel formulations were characterized and evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential.Results: Results show that polyherbal extract and all the developed formulations of polyherbal extract (GCTC), at concentrations of 1%, 3% and 5%, have significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects with good appearance, homogeneity, spreadability, extrudability and stability.Conclusion: It was concluded from this project that polyherbal extract (GCTC) and its hydrogel have significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory potential.Graphical Abstract: Keywords: inflammation, formulation, carbopol, methocel, carrageenan

Amina Nazir,1,2,* Yachao Zhao,2,* Manli Li,2 Rakia Manzoor,3,4 Rana Adnan Tahir,1 Xianglilan Zhang,2 Hong Qing,1 Yigang Tong2 1Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, People’s Republic of China; 3State Key Laboratory of Molecular Development Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hong QingKey Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613264286266Email hqing@bit.edu.cnYigang TongState Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing 100071, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail tong.yigang@gmail.comBackground: Multidrug-resistant plasmids carrying replication genes have been widely present in various strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae. RepA and repB1 were found in plasmids belong to the IncFIB, but their detailed structural and genomic characterization was not reported yet. This is the first study that delivers structural and functional insights of repA- and repB1-carrying IncFIB plasmids.Methods: Klebsiella pneumoniae strains A1705, 911021, and 1642 were isolated from the human urine samples and bronchoalveolar fluids collected from different hospitals of China. Antibacterial susceptibility and plasmid transfer ability were tested to characterize the resistant phenotypes mediated by the pA1705-qnrS, p911021-tetA, and p1642-tetA. The complete nucleotide sequences of these plasmids were determined through high-throughput sequencing technology and comparative genomic analyses of plasmids belong to the same incompatibility group were executed to extract the genomic variations and features.Results: The pA1705-qnrS, p911021-tetA, and p1642-tetA are defined as non-conjugative plasmids, having two replication genes, repA and repB1 associated with IncFIB family, and unknown incompatible group, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that relatively small backbones of IncFIB plasmids integrated massive accessory module at one “hotspot” that was located between orf312 and repB1. These IncFIB plasmids exhibited the distinct profiles of accessory modules including one or two multidrug-resistant regions, many complete and remnant mobile elements comprising integrons, transposons and insertion sequences. The clusters of resistant genes were recognized in this study against different classes of antibiotics including β-lactam, phenicol, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, quinolone, trimethoprim, sulfonamide, tunicamycin, and macrolide. It has been observed that all resistant genes were located in multidrug resistance regions.Conclusion: It is concluded that multidrug-resistant repA and repB1-carrying IncFIB plasmids are a key source to mediate the resistance through mobile elements among Klebsiella pneumoniae. Current findings provide a deep understanding of horizontal gene transfer among plasmids of the IncFIB family via mobile elements that will be utilized in further in vitro studies.Keywords: plasmids, repA, repB1, multidrug resistance, structural genomics, bioinformatics

This work presents a numerical simulation performed to study the effect of Reynolds number (Re = 80-200) on fluid flow over a square rod attached to two small controlling rods using the Lattice Boltzmann method. For this reason, the spacing ratio between the control rods and main rod varies systematically from g = 0.5-5. Flow has been subdivided into three flow regimes based on spacing ratios. The first flow regime is considered at a small gap (g = 0.5,1, and 1.5), the second flow regime is obtained at a moderate gap (g = 2, 2.5, and 3), and the third flow regime is considered a at large gap (g = 4-5). Five different types of flow modes were noticed in the given flow regimes. The values Re = 200 and g = 5 were found to be critical due to a sudden change in flow characteristics. The maximum value of [Cd.sub.mean] is 0.869 and the largest percent reduction (65.15%) in the mean drag coefficient was found at Re = 200 and g = 2. Key words: vortex shedding, drag and lift forces, lattice Boltzmann method, control rods, passive control method. Nous utilisons la methode de Boltzmann sur reseau pour completer une simulation numerique de l'effet du nombre de Reynolds (Re = 80-100) sur l'ecoulement d'un fluide passant sur une tige carree detachee avec deux petites tiges de controle. A cette fin, le rapport d'espacement entre les tiges de controle et la tige principale est varie systematiquement dans le domaine g = 0.5-5. Le flot d'ecoulement est divise en trois regimes selon les rapports d'espacement. Le premier regime prevaut pour des petits espacements (g = 0.5,1, et 1.5), le second pour des espacements moderes (g = 2,2.5, et 3) et le troisieme pour des espacements importants (g = 4-5). Nous identifions cinq differents modes de flot dans les trois regimes. Nous trouvons que la paire (Re = 200, g = 5) est critique a cause du changement soudain dans les caracteristiques d'ecoulement. Nous trouvons aussi que la valeur maximale de [Cd.sub.mean] est 0.869 et le plus fort pourcentage de reduction du coefficient de trainee est de 65.15 % a (Re = 200, g = 2). Mots-cles : detachement tourbillonnaire, forces de trainee et de soulevement, methode de Boltzmann sur reseau, baguettes de controle, methode de controle passif., 1. Introduction Fluid force analysis over a bluff body have been receiving great interest by many researchers because of the influence of flow-induced vibration on a large number of systems, [...]

Abstract Effects of Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis alone, and in combinations for the management of Meloidogyne incognita, Pectobacterium betavasculorum, and Rhizoctonia solani disease complex of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), were studied. Application of P. putida or B. subtilis to plants with M. incognita or P. betavasculorum or R. solani singly or in combinations caused a significant increase in plant growth parameters and the activities of defense enzymes. A significant increase in chlorophyll fluorescence attributes, viz., Fv/Fm, ɸPSII, qP, NPQ, and ETR were recorded in plants treated with P. putida or B. subtilis over pathogen-inoculated plants. Inoculation of P. putida results in a higher reduction in galling and nematode multiplication than B. subtilis. Maximum reduction in nematode multiplication and galling occurred when a mixture of P. putida and B. subtilis was used. Soft rot and root rot indices were 3 when Pectobacterium betavasculorum and Rhizoctonia solani were inoculated alone. The disease indices were rated 5 when these pathogens and M. incognita were inoculated in combinations. Inoculation of P. putida/B. subtilis with P. betavasculorum or R. solani reduced soft rot and root rot indices to 2 out of 3, while the use of P. putida + B. subtilis reduced indices to 1. Disease indices were reduced to 2–3 out of 5, when P. putida + B. subtilis were used to plants inoculated with two or three pathogens. The principal component analysis showed significant correlations among the various studied attributes. Two principal components explained a total of 86.1 and 93.4% of the overall data variability. Therefore, the use of P. putida together with B. subtilis had the potential for successful management of disease complex of beetroot.

Numerical simulation of flow around a triangular cylinder placed both in left and right position at Reynolds number Re = 80–200 is presented in this study. The single relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method is used. The results are obtained in terms of vorticity contour visualization, drag and lift coefficients, and force statistics. Regular vortex shedding is observed for both cases, but the vortices generated for a triangular cylinder placed in the right position move toward the top downstream position as the range of Reynolds number increases due to effect of pressure (effect of thrust). The drag coefficient is constant, and lift coefficient is containing negative values from Re = 80–150 for that case, but negative Cdmean values are not observed for a triangular cylinder placed in the left position. In that case, it is due to the reason that the effect of thrust diminishes. The maximum value of Cdmean is obtained at Re = 200, that is, 1.5006 for the left triangular cylinder, but the value of the mean drag coefficient for the right triangular cylinder is zero throughout the cases for Re = 80–200. No fluid forces are produced for right triangular case. The Strouhal number (St) values increased by increasing the Reynolds number, i.e., Re = 80–200, for the right triangular cylinder, and it has a mixed trend for the left triangular cylinder. In literature, a lot of work has been found on rectangular and square cylinders, but triangular cylinder has not been studied much. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current global energy crisis scenario, microalgae are considered an efficient feedstock for the green synthesis of biofuels. Therefore, it is a dire need of time to screen, select and optimizes the growth conditions of indigenous microalgal strains for enhanced biofuel production. This study was designed to optimize the physicochemical conditions required for the growth of indigenous microalgal strains (n=10). All strains were grown in BG-11 media and optimized for different physical requirements, i.e., pH, temperatures, light intensity, NaCl, and chemical requirements, i.e., carbon source (glucose, glycerol, maltose, acetic acid), nitrogen source (urea, ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate), Nitrogen levels, phosphorus level, sodium bicarbonate concentration, and CO2. All strains were grown for 10 days, and growth was monitored by measuring optical density at 650 nm. Results revealed that out of 10 strains, the optimum growth of most of the strains was at 35oC (5/10, 50%), pH 7 (8/10, 80%), light intensity of 2000 lux (5/10, 50%), and 1% NaCl (5/10, 50%). Similarly, most of the strains had higher growth in media supplemented with 40 mM of NaNO3 (7/10, 70%), 2 mM phosphorus (5/10, 50%), 1% glycerol (9/10, 90%) in autotrophic conditions, and 1% glucose (5/10, 50%) in mixotrophic conditions. The overall finding of the study revealed that Scenedesmus AIN01 showed significantly higher growth at 35oC, pH 7, 2000 lux light, 1% NaCl, 40 mM NaNO3, 1.5 mM phosphorus, 1% glycerol, and 0.1% bicarbonate as compared to other strains grown at their optimum conditions. It is concluded that the strains in this study, especially Scenedesmus AIN01, may be grown using their optimum physicochemical conditions for enhanced growth for subsequent use in biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disease complex affecting bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] caused by Meloidogyne incognita and Fusarium oxysporum results in high yield loss and there is a need for their management. Nanoparticles (NPs) and arbuscular mycorrhizae have potential in disease management. The impacts of 0.10 g.L−1 zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) (applied as foliar spray or seed priming) and AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis were determined when applied alone, or in combination, on the disease complex of bottle gourd. Use of ZrO2 NPs as seed priming and foliar application increased plant growth and photosynthetic pigments and reduced disease indices, galling and population of M. incognita. Foliar application of ZrO2 NPs increased plant growth and photosynthetic pigments and reduce disease indices, galling, and population of M. incognita than did seed priming. Use of R. irregularis alone resulted in lessened plant growth and photosynthetic pigments than NPs foliar application alone. Use of R. irragularis with NPs foliar application was best for management of disease complex of bottle gourd than its use as seed priming. Wilt disease indices were rated 1–5. Use of R. irregularis/NPs reduced disease incidence, and disease indices were reduced to 1 in treatment where R. irragularis was used with ZrO2 NPs. Root colonization by R. irragularis was similar when used alone or with NPs. Inoculation of pathogens reduced colonization by R. irregularis. Management of the disease complex of bottle gourd may be achieved by use of 500 infective propagules of R. irragularis with 0.10 g.L−1 ZrO2 NPs foliar application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3×3 factorial arrangement was used to determine the synergistic effects of citric acid (CA) and phytase (PHY) supplemented canola meal (CM) based diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings. Canola meal was used as a main ingredient to prepare diets by replacing fishmeal at graded levels such as: 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%. These diets were further supplemented by different levels of CA (0% and 2.5%) and PHY (0 and 750 FTU kg-1) to formulate a total of 16 test diets. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was followed to add diets to the fish groups. Chromic oxide (Cr2O3) was added as an indigestible marker. Fish were fed at the rate of 5% of their live wet weight. The findings of study revealed that the maximum weight gain% (267.81%), SGR (1.44) and the lowest value of FCR (1.32) were noted when fingerlings were fed on test diet T12 containing 50% canola meal with 750 FTUkg-1 PHY and 2.5% CA supplementation as compared to fish fed on control diet (T1) having 0% canola meal and without any concentration of CA and PHY. Similarly, optimum nutrient digestibility values such as crude protein (75.06%), crude fat (83.31%) and gross energy (66.45%) were noted when fish fed on the same diet (T12). It may be concluded that fish meal could be optimally replaced with canola meal up to 50%, when supplemented with PHY (750 FTU kg-1) and CA (2.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The DRB1 intron 2 (GT)n (GA)m microsatellite was genotyped in experimental flocks of seven Merinoland rams and 249 ewes as well as their offspring (381 lambs) from consecutive lambings. A total of 16 DRB1 alleles were detected, ranging between 353 and 857 bp. In comparison with carriers of other alleles, the ewes carrying the predominant 411 bp allele had higher values of all the recorded fertility traits. For ewes carrying the 394 and 857 bp alleles, the birth weight of lambs was about 400 g higher as compared to the residual group of ewes. The observed associations could be due to differences in disease resistance, cell recognition or tissue differentiation between carriers of various MHC haplotypes which can in turn affect individual fertility and growth performance.