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Abstract Salt stress is becoming a major issue for the world’s environment and agriculture economy. Different iron [Fe] sources can give an environmentally friendly alternative for salt-affected soil remediation. In this study the effects of Iron sulfate on Luffa cylindrica (Sponge gourd) cultivated in normal and saline water irrigated soil were examined. When FeSO4 (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 ppm) were applied to salt affected soil, the length, fresh and dry biomass of sponge gourd plant roots and shoots inclined by an average of 33, 28, 11, 21, 18 and 22%, respectively. In plants irrigated with saline water, leaf count was raised successively (23–115%) with increasing concentration of FeSO4 (0.025-0.1 ppm) compared to stress only plants. The use of FeSO4 boosted sponge gourd growth characteristics in both normal and salt-affected soils compared to respective controls. The application of Iron sulfate under salt stress boosted photosynthetic indices such as chlorophyll a (22%), chlorophyll b (34%), carotenoids (16%), and total chlorophyll levels (22%). Iron sulfate application also exhibited incline in primary (total free amino acids, 50%; total soluble proteins, 46%) and secondary (total phenolics, 9%; flavonoid content, 51%) metabolites in salt-affected soils. Oxidative enzymatic activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and DPPH scavenging activity (36%) were also increased by foliar spray of FeSO4 in control and salt stressed L. cylindrica plants. FeSO4 had a considerable impact on the growth and development of Luffa cylindrica in normal and salt-affected soils. It is concluded that FeSO4 application can effectively remediate salt affected soil and improve the production of crop plants.

Soil amendment and foliar application of nanobiochar (NBC: a unique nanomaterial) may enhance soil fertility which ensures that nutrients are available to plants, and increase crop production because it is a suitable source of macro- and micronutrients. From this study, NBC induced modification in two wheat varieties (Akbar, Zincol) yield, growth, physio-biochemical and ionic profiles have been studied. The soil application of nanobiochar was applied in four concentrations [control (0 %), S1 (1 %), S3 (3 %), and S5 (5 %)] at the sowing stage while after 30 days of germination, the foliar application of same NBC concentrations with surfactant (0.1 % Tween-20) was applied in the pots. Each treatment has three replications and experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Results indicated that growth attributes, physio-biochemical parameters and ion contents were significantly increased in both varieties than their respective controls with Akbar variety exhibiting better improvement in Akbar. However, the application of NBC increased the plant height, shoot–root dry biomass and shoot length at the S3F3 level (NBC in soil 5 % + NBC as foliar 3 %) while root length, plant and shoot fresh weight at the S5F5 level (NBC in soil 5 % + NBC as foliar 5 %) root fresh weight and plant dry weight S3F1 level (NBC in soil 3 % + NBC as foliar 1 %), leaf area at S3F3 level (NBC in soil 3 % + NBC as foliar 3 %), number of tillers at S1F5 level (NBC in soil 1 % + NBC as foliar 5 %). On the other hand, both methods of NBC applications significantly enhanced the photosynthetic pigments in both varieties but the Zincol variety showed the highest rate of pigments. Moreover, both applications of NBC significantly affect the primary metabolites (total soluble sugar, protein, and free amino acids), secondary metabolites (phenolic and flavonoid content), antioxidants (Catalase and peroxidase) and nitrogen metabolic enzyme (Nitrite and Nitrate) of both varieties with comparatively higher rate in the Akbar variety. In conclusion, these results showed that the combined applications of NBC as soil and foliar form could be used as a suitable source of fertilizer because of its beneficial effects and high nutritional content.

ABSTRACT Background: Urinary Incontinence is a worldwide problem that remains a highly prevalent cross-cultural and costly condition affecting millions regardless of age and gender. Physiotherapy is among the recommended treatment options for the managementof stress incontinence. Objectives: To assess the awareness among doctors regarding the role of physiotherapy in stress incontinence “management Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among gynecologists, nephrologists and urologists selected from public and private hospitals of Karachi through non-probability convenient sampling; total sample size of the study was 100. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 17. Chi square test was used to find association for qualitative variables and p value

Brinjal is sensitive to salinity, a common factor responsible for reducing its biomass and yield components. Recent research has demonstrated that citric acid/citrates can provide abiotic stress resistance in plants. In this study, Brinjal variety Pusakranti was treated with four concentrations of CA at 0, 100, 200, and 300 ppm applied foliarly under two levels of salt stress (0 mM and 60 mM NaCl) during spring 2021 with four replication per treatment. Salt stress reduced plant growth and yield attributes, pigments as well as metabolites in plants. Antioxidant enzyme activities of the plant increased compared to the non-stressed plants. While 300 ppm CA concentrations oenhanced the shoot and root fresh biomass (75 % and 71.8 %) and dry biomass (82.5 % and 40.7 %), while 200 ppm CA application increased the fruits count by 50 %, fruit diameter by 49 % and leaf photosynthetic pigments by 61 % compared to only salt-stressed plants. Similarly, CA application enhanced the antioxidants both enzymatic and non-enzymatic such as catalase by 42 %, peroxidase by 66 %, superoxide dismutase by 44 %, polyphenol oxidase by 50 % and Glutathione peroxidase by 37 % compared to only salt stressed plants. Furthermore, 300 ppm CA application also promoted the content of primary metabolites such as total protein content by 75 % and total free amino acids by 32 % as well as improvement in secondary metabolites such as total phenols by 31 % and flavonoids by 96 % compared to only salt treated plants. Overall, the above described results suggested that the foliarly applied CA(200 ppm) is a proficient approach which effectively counteract salt stress in brinjal by improving plant biomass, pigments, primary and secondary metabolites as well as modulating the the antioxidant defense system of the studied plant.

Research on nanoparticles (NPs) is gaining great attention in modulating abiotic stress tolerance and improving crop productivity. Therefore, this investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) on growth and biochemical characteristics in two maize hybrids (YH-5427 and FH-1046) grown under normal conditions or subjected to saline stress. A pot-culture experiment was carried out in the Botanical Research Area of “the University of Lahore”, Lahore, Pakistan, in a completely randomized design. At two phenological stages, both maize hybrids were irrigated with the same amount of distilled water or NaCl solution (EC = 5 dS m−1) and subjected or not to foliar treatment with a suspension of CuO-NPs. The salt stress significantly reduced the photosynthetic parameters (photosynthetic rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance), while the sodium content in the shoot and root increased. The foliar spray with CuO-NPs improved the growth and photosynthetic attributes, along with the N, P, K, Ca, and Mg content in the roots and shoots. However, the maize hybrid YH-5427 responded better than the other hybrid to the saline stress when sprayed with CuO-NPs. Overall, the findings of the current investigation demonstrated that CuO-NPs can help to reduce the adverse effects of salinity stress on maize plants by improving growth and physio-biochemical attributes.

Objective: To highlight the clinical characteristics of paediatric patients presenting with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, treatment toxicities, and outcome. Method: The retrospective study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised data of all paediatric patients aged 0-18 years diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma from 2010 to 2020. Demographic characteristics, presentation, treatment provided, complications, if any, and treatment outcome were recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 92 patients, 69(75.0%) were males. The overall mean age was 14.35±5.80 years. The most common presenting complaint was pyrexia 42(45.7%), the most common diagnosis was Burkitt lymphoma 40(43.5%), the most common complication related to gastrointestinal issues 8(15.7%), and most toxicities were reported with the use of FAB-LMB96 (French American-British Mature B-Cell Lymphoma 96) for B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 23(45.1%). Mortality was the outcome in 17(18.5%) cases, while 19(20.7%) patients were lost to follow-up. PFS and OS was 60.4%, and OS 81.3% respectively at 10 years follow-up, median PFS was 17.5 months ([IQR]: 4.5-43.5 months) (p=0.011) and median OS was 33.5 months (IQR: 19.5-84 months) (p=0.007). Conclusion: Early recognition of symptoms, specialist care, and proper planning can decrease treatment-related complications that result in abandonment. Key Words: Child, Retrospective studies, Progression-free survival, Burkitt lymphoma.

It is crucial to synergistically improve the yield and quality of sweet maize by implementing precise and strategic planting methods. However, a comprehensive understanding of how increasing plant density affects the sweet maize fresh ear yield, grain-filling rate, and grain carbohydrate concentration is not fully understood. Thus, a field experiment was performed using a split-plot design in Southeast China in 2021 and 2022, involving four sweet maize varieties (MT6855 and WT2015 were compact-type varieties, XMT10 and YZ7 were flat-type varieties) and three plant densities (D1: 4.5 plants m−2; D2: 6.0 plants m−2; and D3: 7.5 plants m−2). The results showed that an increasing plant density markedly increased the fresh ear yield of sweet maize varieties (MT6855 and WT2015) over the two years. However, it did not influence the fresh ear yield of XMT10 and YZ7. Across all four varieties in 2021 and 2022, the increasing plant density decreased the sweet maize filled ear length, while it did not affect the grain soluble solid concentration and grain residue ratio. The sweet maize grain weight, the maximum grain-filling rate, and the mean grain-filling rate decreased significantly with the increase in planting density across all four varieties. However, plant density did not significantly affect the grain soluble sugar, sucrose, fructose, and starch concentrations across different varieties at most stages during the grain filling. The current study also found that the sweet maize fresh ear yield was dramatically positively correlated with ears ha−1, grains per ear, grain-filling rate, and grain starch concentration but negatively correlated with the bare plant rate. Notably, a parabolic relationship existed between the fresh ear yield and 100-grain weight. These findings suggest that optimizing the plant density, particularly with compact-type varieties, can improve the sweet maize fresh ear yield without decreasing its quality.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the lipid disturbance and oxidative stress in females with subclinical hypothyroidism. METHODOLOGY: This case-control study was conducted at the Department of the Physiology University of Sindh, Jamshoro from April – September 2018. A total of 80 females were selected by random technique and were divided into two groups. Subjects with a history of episodic higher TSH discordant to FT4 levels and current levels of TSH ranging between 4.5mI U/L-

Abstract CNGCs are ligand-gated calcium signaling channels, which participate in important biological processes in eukaryotes. However, the CNGC gene family is not well-investigated in Brassica rapa L. (i.e., field mustard) that is economically important and evolutionary model crop. In this study, we systematically identified 29 member genes in BrCNGC gene family, and studied their physico-chemical properties. The BrCNGC family was classified into four major and two sub phylogenetic groups. These genes were randomly localized on nine chromosomes, and dispersed into three sub-genomes of B. rapa L. Both whole-genome triplication and gene duplication (i.e., segmental/tandem) events participated in the expansion of the BrCNGC family. Using in-silico bioinformatics approaches, we determined the gene structures, conserved motif compositions, protein interaction networks, and revealed that most BrCNGCs can be regulated by phosphorylation and microRNAs of diverse functionality. The differential expression patterns of BrCNGC genes in different plant tissues, and in response to different biotic, abiotic and hormonal stress types, suggest their strong role in plant growth, development and stress tolerance. Notably, BrCNGC-9, 27, 18 and 11 exhibited highest responses in terms of fold-changes against club-root pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, Pseudomonas syringae pv. maculicola, methyl-jasmonate, and trace elements. These results provide foundation for the selection of candidate BrCNGC genes for future breeding of field mustard.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the disease-causing mutation in a family with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH). METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was the continuation of an ongoing family-based study initiated in 2016 at the Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad. The family was selected randomly and recruited from Sahiwal and has three members with MCPH. DNA was isolated from blood samples and the genome-wide scan was performed to map homozygous regions. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify the plausible gene variant. RESULTS: Whole genome data analysis identified multiple homozygous regions, but none of these contain known MCPH genes. Whole exome sequencing (WES) data identified six potentially pathogenic variants but only the Laminin subunit alpha-3 (LAMA3) (c.5260C/T) variant segregates in the family and is also present within the genomic region mapped on chromosome 18. The reevaluation of affected members of the family revealed the presence of blisters on their hands and feet indicating the presence of epidermolysis bullosa along with microcephaly. CONCLUSION: The casual finding of the LAMA3 variant (c.5260C/T; p. Arg1754Trp) and absence of any other MCPH causing variant in affected members of this family expands the phenotypic spectrum of LAMA3 associated phenotype. Therefore, we can conclude that the LAMA3 variant can probably cause recessive microcephaly and epidermolysis bullosa, but additional studies are needed to establish the role of LAMA3 in microcephaly.

Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is one of the mitochondrial genes, an excellent marker used for the DNA barcoding of various organisms. The COI was isolated from twelve different species of waterbirds using the Gene Elute DNA miniprep Kit. The relationship among the waterbirds was assessed by making a phylogenetic tree with the software MEGA-X. The phylogenetic tree's dendrogram showed two main branches in which seven species of water birds aligned one group with four subgroups and the remaining five species aligned with two subgroups based on their similar COI sequences. The Little egret showed 96% similarity with the Cattle egret, Purple heron and Oriental Darter produced 94% similarity with the Grey heron, pond heron shared 90% similarity with the Black-crowned night heron, Asian openbill shared 89% with Pheasant-tailed Jacana and the Common coot 94% similarity with White-breasted waterhen. The pond heron and the Black-crowned night heron showed zero % pairwise distance, but the Cattle egret, Little egret, Oriental Darter, Purple heron and Grey heron showed 12% of the pairwise distance. Twenty-one conserved haplotypes have been shown in their COI sequences based on the multiple sequences alignment. DNA barcoding identifies the species with their genetic property rather than based on their ecology and behvaviour.

Dietary assessment, one of the four basic components of nutritional assessment, is required yet difficult to correctly measure in order to establish accurate links with health outcomes. The current systematic review was conducted to study the effectiveness and limitations of various types of dietary assessment tools as well as to pool qualitative evidence on comparing manual and digital versions of the same tool. Studies published between 2010-June 2021 comparing various types and/ or versions of dietary data collection tools by reporting at least one outcome variable (reliability, feasibility, validity and acceptability) were searched from Pubmed, advanced search in Google scholar, and Cochrane library. A total of 33 studies were considered eligible for final analyses. All studies showed a good agreement between the tested dietary assessment tool and the gold standard adopted (n = 25). The studies conducted to find out feasibility and acceptability of digital versions of tools also showed positive results (n = 9). Technological advancement in dietary assessment can offer promising outcomes in research as well as clinical settings.

The heavy metal ions originating from the various point and nonpoint sources seriously threatening the lotic ecosystem by posing severe health crises to the aquatic organisms of higher trophic levels. The freshwater turtles with delicate body structure and devoid of any hardcovers are prone to higher heavy metal bioaccumulation risks. The present study was conducted to determine heavy metals bioaccumulation in three soft-shelled and hard-shelled freshwater turtle species in Pakistan. We collected the water samples and cadaver turtle bodies at both sites and transported them to the laboratory for heavy metal content evaluation. The skeletal muscles (1 g) and water samples (100 ml) were processed by acid digestion and prepared metals analyses by AAS. The results indicated that the mean concentrations of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Cadmium (Cd) were significantly lower, while Nickel (Ni), Cobalt (Co), Lead (Pb) and Chromium (Cr) were significantly higher at both sites compared with world health organization (WHO, 2004) standards. Muscles of softshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) showed the maximum bioaccumulation of targeted metals than other two species of hard-shell turtles i.e. Cu (7.61 ± 1.88), Zn (49.17 ± 4.11), Ni (2.77 ± 0.41), Cd (0.21 ± 0.02), Co (3.31 ± 0.43), Pb (4.70 ± 0.62) and Cr (6.09 ± 0.39). The mean concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cr were maximum in water and turtle species muscles collected from Trimmu Barrage. In conclusion, the heavy metal loads in water and bioaccumulation patterns in the skeletal muscles of freshwater turtle species illustrated species and location-based variations with overall similar pattern corroborations among the sequence of heavy presence levels.

Majority of plants are linked below-ground through common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs). The formation of CMNs between the roots of conspecific and heterospecific plant individuals influences the distribution of limiting nutrients, e.g., nitrogen (N) among the interconnected plants. In various ecosystems, the availability of N is being increased substantially; however, the effect of elevated N on the existence and functionality of CMNs in semi-arid regions of Inner Mongolia remains largely unexplored. Therefore, to verify the development of CMNs and their functionality under increasing N concentration, we incorporated different levels of N fertilizer, i.e., N0 = 0, N1 = 7.06, N2 = 14.12, and N3 = 21.18 mg kg−1, and established Leymus chinensis (L. chinensis) as a donor and the recipient plant in a specially designed portioned root-box. For the establishment of CMNs among the plants, compartments were separated via 37 μm mesh. The 15N isotope tracer technique and microscopic analysis evidenced the presence of CMNs because the extraradical hyphae originated from the donor side and crossed 37 μm mesh of the recipient plant compartment. The 15N recovery was highest at N1 in the donor (18.38%) and recipient (7.89%) plants, while the average transfer rate of 15N to recipient plant was 21–65% with a maximum transfer rate at N2 treatment. The establishment of CMNs significantly improved the donor and recipient plants chlorophyll contents and plant biomass at low N levels. Moreover, the AM fungal extraradical hyphae also released a special kind of protein called glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSPs) that improved the soil structure in terms of mean weight diameter (MWD), thereby improving the soil organic carbon (SOC). Interestingly, the mycorrhizal network had a more profound impact on its neighboring plants than the host plant. In short, the present investigation emphasizes the presence of CMNs in the typical steppe of Inner Mongolia with vital roles in nutrient transfer and improvement of plant growth and soil properties.

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.

In the molecule of the title compound, C20H17NP+·Cl−, the coordination around the P atom is slightly distorted tetrahedral. In the crystal structure, intermolecular C—H...N and C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds link the molecules. There is a π–π contact between the phenyl rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.702 (3) Å].

This paper discusses the application of reactive multiparticle collision (RMPC) dynamics, a particle-based method, to epidemic models. First, we consider a susceptible-infectious-recovered framework to obtain data on contacts of susceptibles with infectious people in a population. It is found that the number of contacts increases and the contact duration decreases with increases in the disease transmission rate and average population speed. Next, we obtain reinfection statistics for a general infectious disease from RMPC simulations of a susceptible-infectious-recovered-susceptible model. Finally, we simulate a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered model and gather the exposure, infection, and recovery time for the individuals in the population under consideration. It is worth mentioning that we can collect data in the form of average contact duration, average initial infection time, etc., from RMPC simulations of these models, which is not possible with population-based stochastic models, or deterministic systems. This study provides quantitative insights on the potential of RMPC to simulate epidemic models and motivates future efforts for its application in the field of mathematical epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]