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Antibiotic resistance is a global public health issue and it is even more daunting in developing countries. The main objective of present study was to investigate molecular responses of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The 48 bacterial strains, which were previously isolated and identified were subjected to disc diffusion and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) determination, followed by investigating the production of the three beta-lactamases (ESBLs (Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamases), MBLs (Metallo Beta-lactamases), AmpCs) and exploring prevalence of the two antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs); blaTEM and qnrS. Higher MIC values were observed for penicillin(s) than that for fluoroquinolones (ampicillin > amoxicillin > ofloxacin > ciprofloxacin > levofloxacin). Resistance rates were high (58–89%) for all of the tested beta-lactams. Among the tested strains, 5 were ESBL producers (4 Aeromonas spp. and 1 Escherichia sp.), 2 were MBL producers (1 Stenotrophomonas sp. and 1 Citrobacter sp.) and 3 were AmpC producers (2 Pseudomonas spp. and 1 Morganella sp.). The ARGs qnrS2 and blaTEM were detected in Aeromonas spp. and Escherichia sp. The results highlighted the role of Aeromonas as a vector. The study reports bacteria of multidrug resistance nature in the wastewater environment of Pakistan, which harbor ARGs of clinical relevance and could present a public health concern. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s13205-020-02366-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem and is wreaking havoc in many developed and developing countries. Investigations are being carried out in this field but special attention needs to be paid to antibiotic resistance in environmental matrices. Studies have proven that the environment plays a significant part in spreading antibiotic resistance. Aquatic environment provides ideal conditions for genetic recombination and emergence of antibiotic resistance because of the presence of selective pressure and opportunities for genetic material exchange. Scientific evidence suggests that resistant bacteria and genes are pervasive in the environment, and horizontal gene transfer (HGT) mechanism in particular, with integrons as most common for environmental dissemination of resistance. A number of studies have found correlation of high level of integrons with anthropogenically affected locations, promoting resistance in environment. These locations, contaminated by human activities, act as hotspots for antibiotic resistance development and dissemination. High concentrations of antibiotics in environment are another major concern that is directly promoting selection of bacterial resistance in environment. These sublethal concentrations are promoting resistance and facilitating HGT. To combat and curb this issue, in-depth knowledge and understanding of antibiotics in environment are essential.

Current methods of ruminant ration formulation in Pakistan use foreign-based nutrient availability values. These values may not be optimal for all geographic areas, as variation in environment, agronomic factors, animal species, and diet characteristics may not be considered. The aim of present study was to establish a database of the chemical composition and dry matter degradation parameters of tropical forage commonly fed to ruminants in Pakistan and South Asian countries using Nili-Ravi buffalo and Cholistani cattle at heifer and lactating stages. Six cereal grain and four legume species were grown in 3 locations under standard agronomic conditions and sampled at booting and at 50% flowering stage for cereal and legumes, respectively. Dried and milled feeds were analyzed for chemical composition and in situ dry matter degradation parameters using 1 g samples in bags placed in the rumen of 2 Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers, 2 lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, 2 Cholistani heifers, and 2 lactating Cholistani cows. The forage family (cereal vs. legumes), species, and geographic location of growth significantly influenced (P < 0.001) chemical composition and in situ degradation fractions. Animal species and developmental stage showed no effect on degradation fractions (P > 0.05). Legume-by-heifer interactions significantly increased (P < 0.05), and legume-by-lactating cow interaction tended (P = 0.065), to increase the rate of degradation (Kd). The selected forages were degraded to a similar extent independent of animal species or developmental stage, and legumes are degraded at higher rates and to a greater extent than are cereals. A moderately significant relationship between Kd and effective dry matter degradability (DMD) suggests that Kd could be the single most important predictor of forage degradability in the rumen.

The catalytic system L-arginine/water in the presence or absence of oxygen allows the synthesis either of disulfides such as (II) and (IV) or of vinyl sulfides of type (VII)/(VIII).

The antioxidant potential (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPHo)-scavenging activity) of in vitro regenerated and induced mutant sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) was investigated. Efficient callus induction and shoot regeneration were induced in bud explants when incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). Best callogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 3 mg L -1 2,4 dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 D) and on ½ MS medium with 2 mg L -1 2,4 D after 30-days of culture. Almost 85% shoot organogenesis was observed on MS-medium supplemented with 2 mg L -1 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 0.5 mg L -1 gibberellic acid (GA3) within 30 days. Optimum percentage rooting (89%), were obtained for 2 mg L -1 of BA alone. Mother plant setts were irradiated with 60Co mutagen source. Assay of antioxidant activity of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues was evaluated as gross parameter of medicinal efficacy. Significantly higher antioxidant activity (60%) in in vitro regenerated sugarcane was observed as compared to induced mutant (57%) and mother plant (53%). Key words: Saccharum officinarum, in vitro regeneration, induced mutation, antioxidant.

A variety of important hydroxy-functionalized classes of compounds is prepared under microwave-assisted conditions.

Allylic oxidation of styrene derivatives (I) and (IV) with DDQ provides the corresponding cinnamaldehyde intermediates which subsequently undergo SOCl2-mediated condensation with acetophenone derivatives (II) and (V) to give dienones (III) and (VI), respectively.

The present study reports the distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh (D) factor among the Sunni Muslim population of Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh), north India. The percentage of A (30.5%), B (30%), O (28%) and AB (11.5%) groups and the frequencies of O, A and B alleles were found to be (0.5270, 0.2381, and 0.235, respectively) were similar to previously reported data on ABO system from Jaunpur. The percentage of Rh-positive and Rh- negative individuals is 97% and 3%, respectively.