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In a detailed investigation of lichen diversity in different regions of Pakistan, utilizing molecular and morphological techniques, we identified and reported three species – Dimelaena altissima, Lecanora chlarotera, and Usnea lapponica – as new records for Pakistan. Furthermore, nrITS sequences for Evernia prunastri, Lecanora horiza, L. hybocarpa, Peltigera polydactylon, and P. praetextata were generated for the first time from Pakistan. Detailed morpho-anatomical descriptions, habitat information, distribution data, and results of biochemical analyses are also provided for a better understanding of the lichen diversity and ecology in this region.

Abstract This study reported the synthesis and characterization of chitosan-copper nanoparticles (Ch-CuNPs) using a 1% copper sulfate solution in 0.2% w/v chitosan. The Ch-CuNPs, displaying a stable brick-red hue, showed an absorption peak at 572 nm, indicative of monodisperse nanoparticle formation and surface plasmon resonance. X-ray diffraction confirmed the face-centered cubic structure with peaks at 36.78°, 43.38°, 50.56°, and 74.26°, and an average particle size of 87–89 nm. FTIR analysis showed interactions between chitosan and copper, particularly around 3370 –3226 cm⁻¹, 1633 cm⁻¹, and 680 cm⁻¹. In vitro assays revealed that Ch-CuNPs inhibited Macrophomina phaseolina growth by 18–71% at 0.03–0.09% concentrations, achieving complete inhibition at 0.12–0.15%, with PCA analysis confirming that growth peaked at lower concentrations and sharply declined at higher levels. Ch-CuNPs also altered fungal morphology and enzyme activity, with notable degradation at higher concentrations. The Cu uptake by the fungus peaked at 29.9% with 0.03% Ch-CuNPs and decreased at higher concentrations. FTIR analysis showed shifts and disappearance of peaks in fungal biomass treated with Ch-CuNPs, indicating molecular interactions and potential structural changes. This study underscores the potential of Ch-CuNPs as an effective antifungal agent and elucidates their interaction mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of presenting clinical features of asthenopia in madrassa students with different refractive errors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September-November 2022 at different Madrassas in Lahore, Pakistan. Study was performed on a sample of 108 patients, who had different refractive difficulties. Informed consent was taken from the patients aging ≥18 years and from parents/ guardians of patients aging 16 years of age. Common asthenopic symptoms included hazy vision (n=106; 98.1%), headache (n=93; 86.1%), discomfort (n=79; 73.1%), pain (n=76; 70.4%) and eye strain (n=72; 66.7%). Common refractive errors were myopia (n=59; 54.6%), hypermetropia (n=25; 23.2%) and astigmatism (n=24; 22.2%). Severity of refractive errors was mild in majority of cases of myopia (n=24/59; and hypermetropia (n= and moderate in astigmatism (n=16; 64%). Headache, eye strain and blurring of vision had significant association with myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. CONCLUSION: Myopia and hypermetropia are the most common refractive errors; hazy vision and headache are the common asthenopic symptoms. There is a strong association between asthenopic symptoms and refractive errors.

The worldwide demand for making agriculture greener, safer, and more efficient can be met aptly by the application of biopesticides. Vanillic acid is a naturally occurring versatile phenolic molecule with promising antifungal activity, however, there have been no studies of the possible use of vanillic acid for its antifungal activity against a serious soil-borne fungal plant pathogen namely Sclerotium rolfsii. This study was performed to assess the antifungal potential of vanillic acid by analyzing growth, morphological, and biochemical changes in S. rolfsii under laboratory conditions. The results revealed that vanillic acid (0.003-0.10 %) significantly reduced fungal growth, distorted fungal morphology (hyphae, and sclerotia), altered activity of enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase). However, 0.05 and 0.10 % concentrations caused complete inhibition in the fungal growth. The results explained in this work serve as a basis for further research to formulate fungicides using vanillic acid.