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This study presents a method for enhancing the photocatalytic properties of strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticles (NPs) through doping with Iron (Fe) and titanium (Ti) ions using hydrothermal synthesis. The materials were characterized using a range of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to ensure accurate analysis of their structure and composition. Photocatalytic efficiencies of the as-synthesized materials were evaluated against the degradation of methyl orange dye, achieving about 98 % removal in 90 min with 3 % doped material. The degradation efficiency was found to be dependent on several factors including pH, initial dye concentration, and catalyst dosage. Optimal conditions were determined to be a pH of 4, an initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, and a catalyst dosage of 150 mg. These findings suggest that the Fe/Ti-codoped SrO nanoparticles hold significant potential for applications in environmental cleanup processes, particularly in the degradation of organic pollutants. The study provides valuable insights into the synthesis and application of doped nanoparticles in photocatalysis, highlighting their efficiency and the importance of optimizing reaction conditions to maximize performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was based on investigating the concentration of heavy metals in Parthenium hysterophorus sampled from the polluted locations of District Mardan and Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during 2015 in split plot design to ascertain its potential of heavy metal uptake and bioremediation of polluted soils. Samples of P. hysterophorus were collected from different Industrial, Agricultural and Dumping sites and were analyzed in the Soil and Environmental Sciences Laboratory at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. The higher Cu content was observed in parthenium leaves (2.7 g/kg) while the lowest content was recorded in roots (2.4 g/kg). Highest Cu content was found in the industrial site (5.1g/kg), while the lowest observed in agriculture site. Highest Fe contents were observed in the stem (42.9 g/kg) and lowest were recorded in leaves (11.6 g/kg). The highest Fe content was found in dumping sites (38.3 g/kg) while lowest in agriculture sites (26.2 g/kg). Similarly the Highest Pb content was observed in stem (145 g/kg) while lowest in leaves (12.5 g/kg). High Pb amount was found in dumping site while lowest in agricultural site. Highest Ni content was observed in the stem (42.9 g/kg) while the lowest Ni content was recorded in leaves (11.4 g/kg). Similarly, High Ni amount was found in dumping site (39.2 g/kg) while lower in agricultural site (18.9 g/kg). Higher Cd contents were observed in the stem (42.9 g/kg) while the lowest in leaves (11.4 g/kg). Amongst sites, highest Cd amount was found in dumping site (39.2 g/kg) while lower in the agriculture site (18.9 g/kg). From the present study it is concluded that that dumping sites were more polluted in heavy metals as compared to industrial sites and the P. hysterophorus growing in highly polluted environments showed the ability of higher uptake and accumulation of different heavy metals in its different parts. This study, therefore, concluded that P. hysterophorus could be an option for bioremediation of highly polluted environments. These results need further confirmation of its potential of bioremediation by specifically growing it in pots with different heavy metal concentrations under contrrolled conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental study was conducted to find out the influence of fertilizer and plant density on weed population in maize crop. The experiment was design in complete block design with three replications. Three levels of planting density i.e. 66000, 56000, and 46000 plants ha-1 and different nitrogen levels including 200, 250, and 300 kg ha-1 were used. In treatments, highest number of weeds (65.33 m-2) was recorded in 300 kg N-1 while the highest fresh weight (1960 kg ha-1) and dry weight (520 kg ha-1) of weeds were recorded in 300 kg N ha-1 and also produced higher grains yield (6119 kg ha-1) of maize. In planting density, the largest number of weeds (64.0 m-2) was found where the planting density was 56,000 and maize grain yield was 5753 kg ha-1. The plant density of 66,000 had 61.33 weeds m-2 and maize grain yield as 5776 kg ha-1. It can be concluded from this experiment that decreasing planting density and increasing nitrogen levels significantly enhanced weeds population and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan during summer 2015 to find out the effect of different plant spacings and weed control treatments on onion yield and its infesting weeds. A two factorial RCBD experimental design was used for the experiment replicated three times. Factor A was termed as plant spacing (10, 15 and 20 cm) while factor B included the treatments of Rumex crispus as mulch, Euphorbia helioscopia as mulch, a hand weeded treatment and a weedy control for comparison. Data were taken on weed density m-2, fresh weed biomass (kg ha-1), plant height (cm), bulb size (cm), biological yield (t ha-1), bulb yield (t ha-1) and the cost benefit ratio. Results of the experiment showed that plant spacing, weed mulches and some of their interactions showed significant effect on growth and yield parameters. Plant to plant spacing of 20 cm significantly increased the weed density, weed biomass and bulb size of onion; whereas minimum weed density and biomass were obtained at 10 cm plant spacing which resulted in increased plant height, biological and bulb yields. Among the treatments of weed control, weedy check resulted in highest weed density, biomass and onion plant height while hand weeding resulted in highest bulb size, biological and bulb yields as compared to the weedy check. The values in the mulches treatments were though lower than hand weeding but better than the weedy check. In conclusion, the 10 cm spacing among onion seedlings and the mulching of R. crispus and E. helioscopia can be recommended as a suitable environmentally friendly weed management method for the enhancement of onion yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Six compounds were isolated as a new source from Parrotia persica C. A. Mey. • Naringenin was structurally derivatized in a single step reaction to new compounds 7 – 9. • Analogues 7 – 9 were found as potent inhibitors of PEP as compared to drug bacitracin. • Compounds 7 – 9 showed mixed type and 5 showed non-competitive inhibition. The current study was aimed to evaluate the prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitory activity of glutinol (1), azadiradione (2), quercetin 3- O - β - d -glactopyranoside (3), catechin (4), quercetin (5), naringenin (6) isolated from Parrotia persica C. A. Mey. Naringenin (6) was further derivatized into 7- O -propargylnaringenin (7), 4′,6′,4″- O -propargylchalcone (8), and 4′,4″- O -propargylchalcone (9). All compounds 1 – 9 were evaluated for their PEP inhibition activity. PEP is associated with several diseases, including dementia, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Azadiradione (2) was less active with IC 50 = 356.80 ± 2.9 µM, whereas quercetin (5) showed a potent activity with IC 50 = 37.12 ± 2.2 µM, as compared to IC 50 = 125.00 ± 1.5 µM of standard drug bacitracin. Naringenin (6) was found to be inactive, whereas its new analogues 7 – 9 were identified as potent inhibitors of PEP with IC 50 = 35.20, 41.20, and 29.60 µM, respectively. Kinetic studies of active compounds indicated their modes of inhibition. Compounds 7 – 9 were found to be mixed-type inhibitors, while compound 5 was found to be non-competitive inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the manufacturing, characterization, and biological evaluation of platinum nanoparticles, which were synthesized by Enterobacter cloacae and coated with Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) and Resveratrol (RSV). The formation of PtNPs was confirmed with the change of color from dark yellow to black, which was due to the bioreduction of platinum chloride by E. cloacae. BSA and RSV functionalization enhanced these nanoparticles' biocompatibility and therapeutic potential. TGA, SEM, XRD, and FTIR were employed for characterization, where PtNPs and drug conjugation-related functional groups were studied by FTIR. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of PtNPs and Pt-BSA-RSV NPs, while TGA and SEM showed thermal stability and post-drug coating morphological changes. Designed composite was also found to be biocompatible in nature in hemolytic testing, indicating their potential in Biomedical applications. After confirmation of PtNPs based nanocaompsite synthesis, they were examined for anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Pt-BSA-RSV NPs showed higher concentration-dependent DPPH scavenging activity, which measured antioxidant capability. Enzyme inhibition tests demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2 and 15-LOX enzymes. In in vitro anticancer studies, Pt-BSA-RSV NPs effectively killed human ovarian cancer cells. This phenomenon was demonstrated to be facilitated by the acidic environment of cancer, as the drug release assay confirmed the release of RSV from the NP formulation in the acidic environment. Finally, Molecular docking also demonstrated that RSV has strong potential as an anti-oxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent. Overall, in silico and in vitro investigations in the current study showed good medicinal applications for designed nanocomposites, however, further in-vivo experiments must be conducted to validate our findings., (© 2024. The Author(s).)