Use of wheat dilution to improve digestive function in broilers: application in low protein diets

1. This study evaluated the effect of wheat dilution increasing in particle size in low crude protein diets on growth performance, digestive tract, nitrogen efficiency and litter quality in broiler chickens.2. Ross 308 male broiler chicks (n = 336) were allocated to one of four dietary treatments (each with 7 pens, 12 chicks per pen); Control (CON; commercial pellet diet with standard crude protein, CP: 22.50%), W578 (CON +20% wheat of geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 578 µm; CP: 20.25%), W1326 (CON +20% wheat of GMD 1326 µm; CP: 20.25%) and WW (CON +20% whole wheat, CP: 20.25%), from d 0 to 21 of age.3. Body weight gain was increased (P < 0.05) for birds fed CON compared to the low crude protein diets. However, WW increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain compared to W578 and W1326, while feed intake and feed conversion ratio on CON and WW were similar (P > 0.05). Birds fed W1326 showed the poorest (P < 0.05) FCR compared to CON, W578 and WW.4. Gizzard relative weight (g/kg body weight) was increased (P < 0.05) on WW compared to CON on d 14 and 21, whereas gastric isthmus diameter was significantly reduced on W1326 and WW compared with CON and W578.5. There were no differences (P > 0.05) in the depth of gizzard mucosa of lamina propria between CON and WW at d 14 and 21. Birds fed WW increased (P < 0.05) gizzard tensile strength compared to W578 and W1326, whereas no difference was observed between WW and CON on d 14.6. No significant differences were seen for ileum villus height and mucosal layer between CON and WW on d 21, however, feeding CON increased the extent of the mucosal layer compared to W578 and W1326.7. Nitrogen excretion (g/kg BWG) was significantly lower (P > 0.05) on W1326 and WW compared with CON and W578. Litter nitrogen, moisture, and footpad scores significantly decreased (P < 0.05) for birds fed WW compared with CON.8. Diluting dietary protein content from 22.50 to 20.25% resulted in lower body weight gain in broilers. However, dilution with whole wheat resulted in comparable FCR, reduced nitrogen excretion, litter moisture and footpad dermatitis compared with a standard protein diet.

Depolymerized carrageenan expresses elicitor-like activity on Mentha arvensis L. under arsenic stress: Insights into arsenic resilience and monoterpene synthesis

Heavy metals contaminate agricultural land by limiting the productivity of crops and making them or their products unfit for consumption. Arsenic (As) is a potentially hazardous metalloid that severely impacts plants' survival. Menthol mint (Mentha arvensis L.) bears volatile compounds that are harshly exaggerated by diverse environmental factors like drought, salinity, heavy metal, temperature, photoperiod, and luminosity stresses. In this study, the phytotoxicity of As was examined in M. arvensis L. and its alleviation through the supplementation of oligomers of carrageenan. Noticeably, scanty information is available regarding the effect of irradiated carrageenan (ICA) on As-stressed plants. In order to observe the same in the case of M. arvensis L., the effect of ICA on As-treated plants was explored. The ICA concentration (foliar-applied) selected for the study was 80 mg L-1, 100 mg L-1 and 120 mg L-1, and that of As (soil-applied) was 80 mg kg-1 soil. Excess accumulation of As resulted in reduced growth, enzymatic activities, and yield and quality parameters of M. arvensis L. under As toxicity. However, the foliage application of ICA strengthens the antioxidant machinery and other physiological and oxidative stress biomarkers of the plant by facilitating the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), and proline, and, therefore aids in alleviating the toxicity generated by As. Nevertheless, ICA supplementation proves beneficial in enhancing the monoterpene synthesis (essential oil production and its active constituents) of M. arvensis L. by maintaining a steady-state equilibrium between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and its scavenging process.

Systems biology of chromium-plant interaction: insights from omics approaches

Plants are frequently subjected to heavy metal (HM) stress that impedes their growth and productivity. One of the most common harmful trace metals and HM discovered is chromium (Cr). Its contamination continues to increase in the environment due to industrial or anthropogenic activities. Chromium is severely toxic to plant growth and development and acts as a human carcinogen that enters the body by inhaling or taking Cr-contaminated food items. Plants uptake Cr via various transporters, such as sulfate and phosphate transporters. In nature, Cr is found in various valence states, commonly Cr (III) and Cr (VI). Cr (VI) is soil's most hazardous and pervasive form. Cr elevates reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity, impeding various physiological and metabolic pathways. Plants have evolved various complex defense mechanisms to prevent or tolerate the toxic effects of Cr. These defense mechanisms include absorbing and accumulating Cr in cell organelles such as vacuoles, immobilizing them by forming complexes with organic chelates, and extracting them by using a variety of transporters and ion channels regulated by various signaling cascades and transcription factors. Several defense-related proteins including, metallothioneins, phytochelatins, and glutathione-S-transferases aid in the sequestration of Cr. Moreover, several genes and transcriptional factors, such as WRKY and AP2/ERF TF genes, play a crucial role in defense against Cr stress. To counter HM-mediated stress stimuli, OMICS approaches, including genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metallomics, have facilitated our understanding to improve Cr stress tolerance in plants. This review discusses the Cr uptake, translocation, and accumulation in plants. Furthermore, it provides a model to unravel the complexities of the Cr-plant interaction utilizing system biology and integrated OMICS approach.

Assessment of essential minerals and physico-chemical analysis of floral origins fresh honey produced by Apis mellifera

Abstract Honey is one of the best nutritious substances in the world, having different services in the body functions regulation. Ten elements (K, Na, Ca, Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se) from honey samples were analyzed from 80 different locations of Punjab and ten floras. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality and quantity of minerals and Physico-chemical analysis in honey. A flame photometer was used to measure the concentration of major minerals (K, Ca and Na). The concentration of micro minerals (Co, Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb and Se) was analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. The concentration of macro-elements obtained was as follow (in ppm): K (166-1732), Na (107-418) and Ca (07-99), while the concentration of microelements (in ppm) Co (1-2), Cr (>1), Mn (<1), Mo (1.818), Ni (1.911), Pb (<1) and Se (1.968). The most abundant minerals were potassium, calcium and sodium, ranging between 396-810.5, 17.5-640.63 and 169.88-238.62 ppm, respectively. However, the trace mineral elements of honey were obtained in the order of decreasing Se > Co > Ni > Pb > Cr > Mo > Mn. The findings showed that all the heavy metals like Co, Cr, Ni and Pb were present in trace amounts and close to International Honey Quality Standard. The result of given honey samples represented highest value of moisture (31.23%), color (80 mm pfund), pH (8.23), acidity (72.02 meq/kg), electrical conductivity (0.85 ms/cm) and ash contents (0.83%).

Elemental composition of Talang Queenfish (Scomberoides commersonnianus Lacépède, 1801) in relation to body size and condition factor from Pakistan

Abstract Fish is thought to be the most appropriate for indication of toxicity in water. So, purpose of present study was to determine the concentrations of few metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cd, Pb and Zn) in relation to the body size and condition factor in Scomberoides commersonnianus. A total of 73 samples of marine fish, S. commersonnianus with various sizes that ranged from 93.4-1180 g of body weight and total length 20.5-56.9cm were randomly collected from the Arabian Sea of Karachi Pakistan, for examination of elemental composition. The concentration of Calcium found maximum while Cadmium found minimum in S. commersonnianus. Concentrations of Zn showed highly significant (P<0.001) negative, while Na and Ca exhibited strong positive correlation with the fish size. Correlations of Pb, K and Mg were found least significant (P<0.05) with the wet weight and total length of S. commersonnianus. Whereas, Fe and Cd were remained insignificantly correlated (P>0.05) with the fish size. Condition factor showed highly significant correlation (P<0.001) with all studied metals except cadmium and lead which were found insignificantly correlated (P>0.05) with condition factor of S. commersonnianus.

Xylo-oligosaccharide-based prebiotics upregulate the proteins of the Sus-like system in caecal Bacteroidetes of the chicken: evidence of stimbiotic mechanism

The present study was conducted to investigate the stimbiotic mechanism of xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) in degrading the complex polysaccharides by the caecal bacteria of the chicken, by applying a proteomic approach. A total of 800 as-hatched Ross 308 broiler chicks were equally divided into 4 experimental pens (200 chicks per pen) at a commercial poultry barn, allocating 2 pens per treatment. Birds were fed ad libitum with 2 dietary treatments; CON (without XOS) and XOS (with 0.1g XOS/kg diet) from d 0 to 35. From each pen, 60 Individual birds were weighed weekly whereas caecal content was obtained from 5 birds cervically dislocated on d 35. The caecal bacteria were lysed and their proteins were quantified using label-free quantitative proteomic mass spectrometry. The results showed that XOS significantly increased (P < 0.05) bird weight on d 7, 14, 21, and 28, and body weight gain on d 7, 14, 21, and 35 compared to CON. However, no difference (P > 0.05) in body weight gain was observed from d 0 to 35 between CON and XOS. The proteomic analysis of caecal bacteria revealed that 29 proteins were expressed differently between the CON and the XOS group. Out of 29, 20 proteins were significantly increased in the XOS group compared to CON and 9 of those proteins belonged to the starch-utilizing system (Sus)-like system of the gram-negative Bacteroidetes. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt) is a significant constituent of the human gut microbiota, known for its remarkable ability to hydrolyze most glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides. This microorganism possesses a 5-protein complex in its outer membrane, named the starch utilization system (Sus), responsible for adhering to, breaking down, and transporting starch into the cell. Sus serves as an exemplar system for numerous polysaccharide utilization loci that target glycans found in Bt and other members of the Bacteroidetes phylum. The proteins of the Sus-like system are involved in the degradation of complex polysaccharides and transportation of the oligosaccharides into the periplasm of the caecal bacteria where they are further broken down into smaller units. These smaller units are then transported into the cytoplasm of the cell where they are utilized in metabolic pathways leading to potential generation of short-chain fatty acids, thus improving the nutritive value of residual feed. In conclusion, XOS supplementation upregulates the expression of the proteins of the Sus-like system indicating its role as a stimbiotic.

Silicon dioxide nanoparticles suppress copper toxicity in Mentha arvensis L. by adjusting ROS homeostasis and antioxidant defense system and improving essential oil production

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants; however, the excessive accumulation of Cu due to various anthropogenic activities generates progressive pollution of agricultural land and that causes a major constraint for crop production. Excess Cu (80 mg kg-1) in the soil diminished growth and biomass, photosynthetic efficiency and essential oil (EO) content in Mentha arvensis L., while amplifying the antioxidant enzyme's function and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Therefore, there is a pressing need to explore effective approaches to overcome Cu toxicity in M. arvensis plants. Thus, the present study unveils the potential of foliar supplementation of two distinct forms of silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) i.e., Aerosil 200F and Aerosil 300 to confer Cu stress tolerance attributes to M. arvensis. The experiment demonstrated that applied forms of SiO2 NPs (120 mg L-1), enhanced plants' growth and augmented the photosynthetic efficiency along with the activities of CA (carbonic anhydrase) and NR (nitrate reductase), however, the effects were more accentuated by Aerosil 200F application. Supplementation of SiO2 NPs also exhibited a beneficial effect on the antioxidant machinery of Cu-disturbed plants by raising the level of proline and total phenol as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR), thereby lowering ROS and electrolytic leakage (EL). Interestingly, SiO2 NPs supplementation upscaled EO production in Cu-stressed plants with more pronounced effects received in the case of Aerosil 200F over Aerosil 300. We concluded that the nano form (Aerosil 200F) of SiO2 proved to be the best in improving the Cu-stress tolerance in plants.

Real-World Evidence to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Vonoprazan in Gastrointestinal Disorders in the Pakistani Population

BACKGROUND AND AIM

While proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy has proven to be effective in managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a notable portion of patients who experience GERD symptoms may not respond to this treatment. Research suggests that roughly 30% of individuals with a presumed GERD diagnosis may continue to experience symptoms, whether partially or completely, even when receiving PPI therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases with a novel potassium-competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), vonoprazan, in terms of its effectiveness and safety in the Pakistani population.

METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in Pakistan. This study included 1,642 patients from January 2023 to August 2023, aged 18 years, with gastrointestinal disorders. All demographic data, medical history, GERD severity assessment questionnaire (GerdQ), and laboratory parameters, including stool assessment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), were observed. Patients were orally treated with vonoprazan at doses of 10 mg or 20 mg, once or twice daily. Statistical analysis was done by one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

Out of 1,642 patients, 840 (51.2%) were males and 802 (48.8%) were females, with a mean age of 39.81±14.61 years. The mean GerdQ score at baseline was 20.37±15.87, 7.24±8.15 at the second week of treatment, and 3.70±6.31 at the fourth week of treatment (p<0.001). 90.74% of patients achieved H. pylori eradication. Most patients were acid regurgitation and heartburn-free for >70% of days. Most of the patients, 1,283 (78.13%), exhibited good treatment compliance. Mild adverse events were reported in 37 (2.3%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of vonoprazan significantly reduced the likelihood of GERD by improving symptoms and was also highly effective in the elimination of H. pylori infections. Vonoprazan was generally well tolerated.

Efficacy of oat hulls varying in particle size in mitigating performance deterioration in broilers fed low-density crude protein diets

Dietary fibres with increased particle size may develop foregut more efficiently in meat poultry fed diets moderately low in crude protein. The study investigated the performance of broilers fed low-density crude protein diets with the inclusion of oat hulls increasing in particle size. Ross 308 male broiler chicks (n = 336) were divided into 48 pens, 12 pens per treatment (7 chicks per pen). Pens were allocated to 4 dietary treatments in mash form; positive control (PC), a standard crude protein diet, negative control (NC), around 5% lower in protein with 5% celite as an inert material, OH400: 5% lower protein diet with 5% oat hulls of geometric mean diameter (GMD) 400 µm, OH850: 5% lower protein diet with 5% oat hulls of GMD 850µm. Birds were fed ad libitum from d 1 to 35 in 3 phases; starter: d 0 to 10, grower: d 10 to 24 and finisher: d 24 to 35. Growth performance was calculated at the end of the trial. Two birds per pen were sampled on d 24 and 35 to collect data on proventriculus and gizzard weights and pooled ileal digesta. Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids on d 24, and metabolizable energy on d 24 and 35 were recorded for each pen. Litter was sampled from each pen on d 34 to analyze litter N and moisture content. Footpad dermatitis scores of all birds per pen were recorded on d 35. Overall, no difference (P > 0.05) in body weight gain and feed intake was found between the treatments. However, NC and OH400 showed poorer FCR than PC, whereas FCR on PC and OH850 was similar (P > 0.05). Gizzard absolute weight and relative to body weight, and gizzard to proventriculus ratio were higher (P < 0.05) on OH850 compared to PC and NC on d 24 and 35. Gizzard digesta particle size was reduced (P < 0.05) on OH850 compared to all other diets on d 24 and 35. Amino acids digestibility coefficients for aspartic acid and valine increased (P < 0.05) in birds fed OH850 compared to PC, whereas coefficients for several other amino acids were improved compared to NC and OH400. The apparent ileal digestibility of metabolizable energy was similar (P > 0.05) between PC and OH850. Litter moisture and nitrogen, and footpad dermatitis scores were reduced (P < 0.05) on OH850 compared to PC. In conclusion, the inclusion of coarse oat hulls of GMD 850 µm in low-density crude protein diets can be beneficial for the broilers in developing the foregut, utilizing the nutrients efficiently and reducing litter nitrogen and moisture, and footpad scores.

Melatonin supplementation combats nickel-induced phytotoxicity in Trigonella foenum-graecum L. plants through metal accumulation reduction, upregulation of NO generation, antioxidant defence machinery and secondary metabolites

Nickel (Ni) at a toxic level (80 mg kg-1 of soil) adversely affects the crop performance of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Melatonin (MEL), a potent plant growth regulator, is ascribed to offer promising roles in heavy metal stress alleviation. In this study, different doses viz. 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 μM of MEL were administered to plants through foliage under normal and Ni-stress conditions. The experiment unveiled positive roles of MEL in enhancing root-shoot lengths, fresh-dry weights, seed yield and restoring photosynthetic efficiency assessed in terms of higher Fv/Fm, YII, qP, and lower NPQ values in plants exposed to Ni (80 mg kg-1). MEL supplementation (at 75 μM) effectively restricted Ni accumulation and regulated oxidative stress via modulation of MDA, O2-, H2O2 and NO generation, most prominently. Besides, MEL at 75 μM more conspicuously perked up the activities of antioxidant enzymes like SOD, POX, CAT and APX by 15.7, 20.0, 14.5 and 16.5% higher than the Ni-exposed plants for effective ROS scavenging. Likewise, MEL at 75 μM also efficiently counteracted Ni-generated osmotic stress, through an upscaled accumulation of proline (19.6%) along with the enhancement in the concentration of total phenols (13.6%), total tannins (11.2%), total flavonoids (25.5%) and total alkaloids (19.2%) in plant's leaves. Furthermore, under 80 mg kg-1 Ni stress, MEL at 75 μM improved the seed's trigonelline content by 40.1% higher compared to Ni-disturbed plants, upgrading the pharmacological actions of the plant. Thus, the present study deciphers the envisaged roles of MEL in the alleviation of Ni stress in plants to enhance overall crop productivity.

Nitric oxide induces antioxidant machinery, PSII functioning and artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua under cadmium stress

Soil contamination by heavy metals poses a significant environmental challenge, as the practical implementation of existing remediation technologies in the field has encountered numerous obstacles. This has necessitated the requirement of finding alternate solutions to reduce the harm caused to plants. In this study, nitric oxide (NO) was investigated for its potential to reduce cadmium (Cd) toxicity in A. annua plants. Although NO plays a vital role in the growth and development of plants, information on its role in reducing abiotic stress in plants is limited. A. annua plants were exposed to 20 and 40 mg/kg Cd regardless of the addition of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, at 200 µM concentration. Results showed that SNP treatment improved plant growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, pigment content, and artemisinin production while reducing Cd accumulation and improving membrane stability in A. annua during Cd stress. The results demonstrated that NO can effectively reverse Cd-induced damage in A. annua by modulating the antioxidant system, maintaining redox homeostasis, and improving photosynthetic performance and different fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, ФPSII, and ETR. The supplementation of SNP caused a substantial improvement in chloroplast ultrastructure, stomatal behavior, and different attributes relate to glandular secretory trichomes, which in turn increased artemisinin production; 14.11 % in plants exposed to Cd stress of 20 mg/kg. Our findings highlight that NO could be useful in mediating the repair of Cd-induced damage to A. annua, and suggest that it may play a critical role in plant signaling networks, improving plant adaptability to Cd stress. The results have important implications for developing new strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of environmental contaminants on plant health, and ultimately, the ecosystem.

Exogenous abscisic acid fine-tunes heavy metal accumulation and plant's antioxidant defence mechanism to optimize crop performance and secondary metabolite production in Trigonella foenum-graecum L. under nickel stress

Nickel (Ni) contamination of farming soil has become currently a recurring global menace to agriculture crop productivity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the putative contributions of abscisic acid (ABA) to extemporize Ni tolerance in Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) plants. The outcomes of this study exposed that exogenous supplementation of ABA at 10, 20, 40 and 80 µM considerably enhanced the growth and physiological attributes of fenugreek under 80 mg Ni kg^-1 soil, however, 40 µM of ABA exhibited the best results under normal and Ni-stressed conditions. ABA-mediated Ni tolerance was marked by reductions in Ni accumulation and consequent lowering of reactive oxygen species (ROS) like hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals. Contrarily, NO (nitric oxide) level increased in response to ABA application under Ni stress conditions, accompanied by promoted antioxidant activities through improved levels of secondary metabolites, proline, and perked-up ROS-detoxification enzymes activities. Exogenous ABA at 40 µM concentration applied to Ni-exposed plants (80 mg Ni kg^-1 soil) improved the total content of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins by 14.3%, 10.2%, 15.4% and 7.0%, respectively, over Ni-stressed plants alone. Additionally, seed trigonelline content imparting several pharmacological actions to the fenugreek plant exhibited a remarkable escalation upto 3.6 and 2.6 mg g^-1 DW under '40 µM ABA' and '40 µM ABA + 80 mg Ni kg^-1 soil' treatments, respectively. The findings of the study suggest that ABA plays a key role in enhancing the overall performance of the fenugreek crop under excessive Ni stress.

Elemental composition of carnivorous fish Wallago attu (Siluridae, Siluriformes) from River Chenab, Pakistan

Over the decades, riverine ecosystems is suffering from intense human intervention resulting in degradation and habitat loss as a consequence, many fish species become endangered, particularly in rivers where heavy demand is placed on freshwater. Wallago attu is fast growing catfish belongs to the family siluridae has good market demand having high protein content and nutritional value in it's flesh. The data was obtained for metal concentration in wet and dry body weight in wild Wallago attu. All metal was found under permissible limit as recommended by different international organizations. Calcium was found highest, while cadmium in lowest concentration. Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mn, K, Na, Ca and Mg showed highly significant (P<0.001) positive correlation with wet body weight except Co and Cd showed non-significant (P>0.05) correlation. Metals such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, K, Ca, Mg and Co shown negative allometric pattern with increasing body weight concentration of Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn, Na, Ca and K showed positive relationship (P<0.001) with total length (cm), except for Co and Cd, which indicated non significant correlation (P>0.05). Present Study will helpful to assess toxicity due to presence of heavy metals for researchers and different organizations from River Chenab, Punjab, Pakistan.

Insights into strigolactone (GR24) mediated regulation of cadmium-induced changes and ROS metabolism in Artemisia annua

Agricultural soil contamination and subsequently crops still require alternative solutions to reduce associated environmental risks. The effects of strigolactones (SLs) in alleviating cadmium (Cd) phytotoxicity in Artemisia annua plants were investigated during this study. Strigolactones play a vital role during plant growth and development due to their complex interplay during a plethora of biochemical processes. However, information on the potential of SLs to elicit abiotic stress signaling and trigger physiological modifications in plants is limited. In order to decipher the same, A. annua plants were exposed to different concentrations of Cd (20 and 40 mg kg^-1), with or without the supplementation of exogenous SL (GR24, a SL analogue) at 4 µM concentration. Under Cd stress, excess Cd accumulation resulted in reduced growth, physio-biochemical traits, and artemisinin content. However, the follow-up treatment of GR24 maintained a steady state equilibrium between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant enzymes, improved chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, Ф_PSII, and ETR for improved photosynthesis, enhanced chlorophyll content, maintained chloroplast ultrastructure, improved the glandular trichome (GT) attributes and artemisinin production in A. annua. Moreover, it also resulted in improved membrane stability, reduced Cd accumulation, and regulated the behaviour of stomatal apertures for better stomatal conductance under Cd stress. The results of our study suggest that GR24 could be highly effective in alleviating Cd-induced damages in A. annua. It acts via the modulation of the antioxidant enzyme system for redox homeostasis, protection of the chloroplasts and pigments for improved photosynthetic performance, and improved GT attributes for enhanced artemisinin production in A. annua.

Involvement of abscisic acid in silicon-mediated enhancement of copper stress tolerance in Artemisia annua

Heavy metal (HM) toxicity is a well-known hazard which causes deleterious impact on the growth and development of plants. The impact of abscisic acid (ABA) in presence of silicon (Si) on plant development and quality traits has largely gone unexplored. The effects of ABA and Si on the growth, yield, and quality characteristics of Artemisia annua L. plants growing under copper (Cu) stress (20 and 40 mg kg^-1) were investigated in a pot experiment. During this investigation, Cu stress caused severe damage to the plants but exogenous administration of Si and ABA ameliorated the harmful effects of Cu toxicity, and the plants displayed higher biomass and improved physio-biochemical attributes. Copper accumulated in the roots and shoots and its toxicity caused oxidative stress as demonstrated by the increased 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content. It also resulted in the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes, however, the exogenous Si and ABA supplementation decreased the buildup of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation, alleviating the oxidative damage produced by HM stress. Copper toxicity had a considerable negative impact on glandular trichome density, ultrastructure as well as artemisinin production. However, combined Si and ABA enhanced the size and density of glandular trichomes, resulting in higher artemisinin production. Taken together, our results demonstrated that exogenous ABA and Si supplementation protect A. annua plants against Cu toxicity by improving photosynthetic characteristics, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, protecting leaf structure and integrity, avoiding excess Cu deposition in shoot and root tissues, and helping in enhanced artemisinin biosynthesis. Our results indicate that the combined application of Si and ABA improved the overall growth of plants and may thus be used as an effective approach for the improvement of growth and yield of A. annua in Cu-contaminated soils.

Study of digestive enzymes in marine fish, Terapon jarbua, from Pakistan

Current analysis were performed to investigate the activity of various digestive enzymes, such as lipases, proteases and amylases in gut and their relationship to the other morphometric variables in a wild marine fish, Terapon jarbua. The descriptive data of the studied traits included fish weight, fish total length, gut weight, gut length, relative gut length, relative gut mass, Fulton's condition factor, standard length and Zihler's index. Gut length showed positive correlation with fish total length and gut weight, relative gut length (RGL) showed positive correlation with gut length. Relative gut mass (RGM) also showed positive correlation with total length (TL), gut weight (GW) and gut length (GL). Fulton's condition factor showed positive correlation with fish weight, while negative correlation with fish total length and relative gut mass. Standard length displayed positive correlation with gut weight and gut length while, it showed negative correlation with Fulton's factor. Zihler's Index displayed positive correlation with gut length, RGL and Zihler's RGM while, while showed negative correlation with Fulton's factor and fish weight. Lipase showed negative correlation with gut weight. Amylase and protease activity have no correlation with other studied traits. Lipase activity displayed negative significant correlation with gut weight. Lipase activity showed significantly negative effect on gut-weight. Amylase activity on y-axis (PC2) contributed 13% in variation but not significantly correlated with first two principal components. It showed non-significant negative correlation with fish weight, fish length and Fulton's factor while positive but not-significant correlation with other traits. Protease has positive and non-significant correlation with fish weight, RGL, Fulton's factor, lipase and amylase while non-significant negative correlation with all other traits.

Molecular based identification and phylogenetic relationship by using cytochrome b gene of Pangasius pangasius

Molecular appraoch for identification of unknown species by using Cytochrome b gene is an effective and reliable as compared with morphological based identification. For DNA barcoding universal molecular genes were used to identify the species. Cytochrome b is a specific gene used for identification purpose. DNA barcoding is a reliable and effective method compared to the different traditional morphological methods of specie identification. So,in the present study which was conducted to identify the species, a total of 50 fish samples were collected from five different sites. DNA was extracted by using the Phenol Chloroform method from muscle tissue. Five sequences were sequenced (one from each site), analyzed, and identified specific species as Pangasius pangasius. Identified sequences were variable in length from 369 bp (Site 1), 364 bp (Site 2), 364 bp (Site 3), 352 bp (Site 4), and 334 bp (Site 5). Identity matches on the NCBI database confirmed the specific specie as P. pangasius. A distancing tree was drawn to show maximum likelihood among the same and different species. Yet, in many cases fishes on diverse development stages are difficult to identify by morphological characters. DNA-based identification methods offer an analytically powerful addition or even an alternative tool for species identification and phylogenetic study. This work intends to provide an updated and extensive overview on the DNA based methods for fish species identification by using Cytochrome b gene as targeted markers for identification purpose.

Chromium in plant-soil nexus: Speciation, uptake, transport and sustainable remediation techniques

Heavy metal (HM) pollution has become a serious global problem due to the non-biodegradable nature of the HMs and their persistence in the environment. Agricultural soil is a non-renewable resource that requires careful management so that it can fulfill the increasing demand for agricultural food production. However, different anthropogenic activities have resulted in a large-scale accumulation of HMs in soil which is detrimental to soil and plant health. Due to their ubiquity, increased bioavailability, toxicity, and non-biodegradable nature, HM contamination has formed a roadblock in the way of achieving food security, safety, and sustainability in the future. Chromium (Cr), specifically Cr(VI) is a highly bioavailable HM with no proven role in the physiology of plants. Chromium has been found to be highly toxic to plants, with its toxicity also influenced by chemical speciation, which is in turn controlled by different factors, such as soil pH, redox potential, organic matter, and microbial population. In this review, the different factors that influence Cr speciation were analyzed and the relationship between biogeochemical transformations of Cr and its bioavailability which may be beneficial for devising different Cr remediation strategies has been discussed. Also, the uptake and transport mechanism of Cr in plants, with particular reference to sulfate and phosphate transporters has been presented. The biological solutions for the remediation of Cr contaminated sites which offer safe and viable alternatives to old-style physical and chemical remediation strategies have been discussed in detail. This review provides theoretical guidance in developing suitable approaches for the better management of these remediation strategies.

Soil-applied Nickel Generates Differential Responses in Growth, Physiology and Oxidative Metabolism of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Varieties

This work aims to evaluate the potential of nickel (Ni), an essential micronutrient, as an oxidative stress inducer along with associated morphological and biochemical responses in different varieties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), a chief economically cultivated crop of India. Varietal differences in crop performance upon exposure to 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg Ni kg^- 1 soil reflects that Ni applied at 20 mg Ni kg^- 1 soil offers growth-promoting effects, improved photosynthesis attributes, carbonic and nitrate reductase activities more profound in PEB followed by AFg2, AFg1 and UM185 variety. This study observed a dose-dependent reduction in all the above parameters. Maximum toxic effects were noticed at 80 mg kg^- 1 Ni, manifested in the form of enhanced H₂O₂ and MDA contents, which were efficiently counteracted by augmentation in proline content, SOD, POX, CAT and APX activities in PEB over other varieties, suggesting that the Ni tolerance in fenugreek varieties can be organized as PEB > AFg2 > AFg1 > UM185.

Modifying the health teaching process to increase the patient awareness

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Health teaching is an essential part of the patient journey at any healthcare facility.

Internal audit was carried out in one of the renowned healthcare institutions in the middle east , specifically in the outpatient department. The audit revealed the existence of some issues regarding patients’ familiarity with some aspects of knowledge about their conditions, medications, healthy diets, etc.…. Therefore, it was necessary to assess the patient’s understanding and to re-evaluate the introduced instructions regarding these topics. Nursing leaders in the aforementioned institution were inspired to conduct a quality improvement project that enhanced the patients outcome by assessing patient understanding concerning inpatient health teaching.

Aim

A quality improvement project aimed at assessing patients’ understanding regarding health teaching after open-heart surgeries during their hospital stay.

Process

A survey was conducted to assess the patient understanding regarding healthy diet , wound care after surgery, taking the medications, understanding diagnosis, daily activities, follow-up visits and deal with an emergency. Nurse leaders formed a group of internship nursing students to conduct the survey immediately after a health teaching process.

Data was collected and analyzed. Some interventions were implemented to fill the gap of health teaching process and improve the patients outcome.

Interventions

There were no leaflets or other health teaching materials that could be offered to the patient. 15 health education leaflets were developed to fill in this gap. The health teaching process took place at the time of discharge and the decision was to proceed the patient education from the time of admission. We validated and reinforced the health teaching content with the patient and family before discharge.All patients agreed that their relatives should attend the health teaching sessions and these interventions affected positively the results of survey.

Data Analysis

A group of 100 patients were involved in this survey and results revealed the following. It was found that there was a significant impact of the intervention, as shown in ( Figure 1). 69% of patients were only aware about their healthy diet compared with 92% after intervention. Regarding wound care, there was a 14% increase of patient awareness after the intervention. There was a significant difference in terms of the patient understanding about their own diagnosis after the process intervention that reached 27%. The survey showed satisfying numbers before and after the teaching process of follow up date and emergency contact.

Recommendations

Patient teaching is a continuous process starts from the day of admission.Each patient has a suitable way to cope with the provided information in terms of many aspects such as the education level, availability of relative.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

Exogenous hydrogen sulphide alleviates copper stress impacts in Artemisia annua L.: Growth, antioxidant metabolism, glandular trichome development and artemisinin biosynthesis

A supply of plant micronutrients (some of which are metals) is necessary to regulate many plant processes; their excess, however, can have detrimental consequences and can hamper plant growth, physiology and metabolism. Artemisia annua is an important crop plant used in the treatment of malaria. In this investigation, the physio-biochemical mechanisms involved in exogenous hydrogen sulphide-mediated (H₂ S) alleviation of copper (Cu) stress in A. annua were assessed.. Two different levels of Cu (20, 40 mg·kg^-1 ), one H₂ S treatment (200 µm) and their combinations were introduced while one set of plants was retained as control. Results showed that the presence of excess Cu in the soil reduced growth and biomass, photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll content and fluorescence, gas exchange parameters and induced antioxidant enzyme activity. Copper stress enhanced the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased Cu content in both roots and shoots of affected plants. Exogenous application of H₂ S restored the physio-biochemical characteristics of Cu-treated A. annua plants by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes in Cu-stressed plants as compared with the controls. Hydrogen sulphide also reduced the Cu content in different plant parts, increased photosynthetic efficiency, trichome density, average area of trichomes and artemisinin content. Therefore, our results provide a comprehensive assessment of the defensive role of H₂ S in Cu-stressed A. annua.

Exogenous Strigolactone (GR24) Positively Regulates Growth, Photosynthesis, and Improves Glandular Trichome Attributes for Enhanced Artemisinin Production in Artemisia annua

Artemisia annua is a medicinal plant particularly known for the production of a sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin; a specialty metabolite known for its efficacy in the treatment of malaria by killing different strains of Plasmodium falciparum due to radicals released upon the cleavage of its endoperoxide motif. Considering these facts and the immense medicinal value of artemisinin, the enhancement of in planta production of artemisinin is highly desirable. As strigolactones are known to regulate various aspects of plant growth and development, the effects of foliar spray of different concentrations of synthetic strigolactone analog GR24 (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 µM) on A. annua were studied. As compared to the control group, the foliar application of GR24 had a positive impact on general growth, photosynthesis, and other physiological indices with 4 µM GR24 showing the best results. The results indicate that GR24 application increased the plant biomass and various attributes related to photosynthesis, like total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, internal CO2, and net photosynthetic rate. Moreover, the activity of various enzymes related to photosynthesis like carbonic anhydrase, nitrate reductase, and RuBisCO was escalated. The GR24 also improved certain attributes related to glandular trichomes, with a significant enhancement in content and yield of artemisinin as compared to untreated plants.

Inhibitory effect of polyphenols (phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes) on cancer by regulating signal transduction pathways: a review

Natural products, especially polyphenols (phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes) are suggested to be more potent anticancer drugs because of their no or less adverse effects, excess availability, high accuracy, and secure mode of action. In the present review, potential anticancer mechanisms of action of some polyphenols including phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes are discussed based on clinical, epidemiological, in vivo, and in vitro studies. The emerging evidence revealed that phenolic acids, lignans, and stilbenes induced apoptosis in the treatment of breast (MCF-7), colon (Caco-2), lung (SKLU-1), prostate (DU-145 and LNCaP), hepatocellular (hepG-2), and cervical (A-431) cancer cells, cell cycle arrest (S/G₂/M/G₁-phases) in gastric (MKN-45 and MKN-74), colorectal (HCT-116), bladder (T-24 and 5637), oral (H-400), leukemic (HL-60 and MOLT-4) and colon (Caco-2) cancer cells, and inhibit cell proliferation against the prostate (PC-3), liver (LI-90), breast (T47D and MDA-MB-231), colon (HT-29 and Caco-2), cervical (HTB-35), and MIC-1 cancer cells through caspase-3, MAPK, AMPK, Akt, NF-κB, Wnt, CD95, and SIRT1 pathways. Based on accumulated data, we suggested that polyphenols could be considered as a viable therapeutic option in the treatment of cancer cells in the near future.

A comprehensive review of impacts of diverse nanoparticles on growth, development and physiological adjustments in plants under changing environment

The application of nanotechnology in agriculture includes the use of nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nanoherbicides that enhance plant nutrition without disturbing the soil texture and protect it against microbial infections. Thus, nanotechnology maintains the plant's health by maintaining its soil health. The use of nanoparticles (NPs) in agriculture reduces the chemical spread and nutrient loss and boosts crop yield and productivity. Effect of NPs varies with their applied concentrations, physiochemical properties, and plant species. Various NPs have an impact on the plant to increase biomass productivity, germination rate and their physiology. Also, NPs change the plant molecular mechanisms by altering gene expression. Metal and non-metal oxides of NPs (Au, Ag, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Se, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots) exert an important role in plant growth and development and perform an essential role in stress amelioration. On the other hand, other effects of NPs have also been well investigated by observing their role in growth suppression and inhibition of chlorophyll and photosynthetic efficiency. In this review, we addressed a description of studies that have been made to understand the effects of various kind of NPs, their translocation and interaction with the plants. Also, the phytoremediation approaches of contaminated soil with combined use of NPs for sustainable agriculture is covered.

Exogenous triacontanol provides tolerance against arsenic-induced toxicity by scavenging ROS and improving morphology and physiological activities of Mentha arvensis L

Arsenic (As), recognized as a toxic metalloid globally, has posed a serious threat to soil, plants and aquatic resources. Arsenic restrain fundamental processes of plant grown under the As-contaminated soil which are the worst sufferers for their sustenance. Thus, various scientific strategies are being continuously employed for reducing the soil As. In this regard, use of well-known plant growth regulators (PGRs) like triacontanol (TRIA) shown great efficiency towards heavy metals stress tolerance. TRIA is a plant growth promoter that has been proved effective for growth and development of plants under diverse environmental conditions for many decades. The research work was carried out to examine the toxic effects of As on various morphological, physio-biochemical, yield and quality parameters of Mentha arvensis L. and amelioration of the As toxicity through exogenous application of TRIA. Mentha plants were supplemented with various treatments (i) 0 (control), (ii) TRIA (10^-6 M), (iii) As (60 mg kg^-1), (iv) As (80 mg kg^-1), (v) TRIA (10^-6 M) + As (60 mg kg^-1), and (vi) TRIA (10^-6 M) + As (80 mg kg^-1). Several parameters studied during the present investigation were plant height, fresh and dry weights, herbage yield, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity, several chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), proline (PRO), H₂O₂ content, TBARS content, electrolyte leakage (EL), essential oil content (EO) and yield and microscopic analyses as well as PCA analysis. Arsenic treatment exhibited deleterious effects on the overall growth, photosynthetic, and quality parameters of M. arvensis. However, the toxicity of As was mitigated by the leaf-applied TRIA to the plants, proved advantageous in combating the ROS generation.

Determination of hormoligosis of organophosphate insecticides against Phenacoccus solenopsis

Abstract Cotton mealybug is a highly invasive pest of agricultural crops worldwide. Major agriculturists most rely on the use of insecticides for the control of pesticides. So, the indiscriminate use of insecticides leads to resistance development in recent years. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted using different concentrations of the three insecticides (profenfos chlorpyrifos and triazophos) to check the hormoligosis effects against cotton mealybug (CMB) in laboratory conditions. Investigation of variations for % mortality of adults of CMB after three days revealed that all treatments had statistically significant (P ˂ 0.05). The highest mortality was observed at the highest concentrations of profenofos 2.4% (38.55%). After 7 days, all the treatments were significant with difference in means (P ˂ 0.05). The highest mortality was recorded at the highest dilution of pesticide profenofos 2.4% (77.11%). The values of fecundity and longevity exposed a valid difference among treatments (P ˂ 0.05). Maximum fecundity was observed at the concentration 2.4% (181.41%) and longevity showed (38.46%). The highest mortality was observed at a concentration of triazophos 4% (27.98%). For chlorpyriphos the highest mortality was examined at concentration 4% (24.79%). The fecundity showed a statistically significant difference for different concentrations of triazophos and chlorpyriphos (P ˂ 0.05). The results of the recent study provide valuable information regarding the selection of insecticides and hormoligosis effects. The study can be helpful in the implications of integrated pest management of P. solenopsis.

A comprehensive review of adaptations in plants under arsenic toxicity: Physiological, metabolic and molecular interventions

Arsenic (As) is recognized as a toxic metalloid and a severe threat to biodiversity due to its contamination. Soil and groundwater contamination with this metalloid has become a major concern. Large fractions of cultivable lands are becoming infertile gradually due to the irrigation of As contaminated water released from various sources. The toxicity of As causes the generation of free radicals, which are harmful to cellular metabolism and functions of plants. It alters the growth, metabolic, physiological, and molecular functions of the plants due to oxidative burst. Plants employ different signaling mechanisms to face the As toxicity like phosphate cascade, MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase), Ca-calmodulin, hormones, and ROS-signaling. The toxicity of As may significantly be reduced through various remediation techniques. Among them, the microbial-assisted remediation technique is cost-effective and eco-friendly. It breaks down the metalloid into less harmful species through various processes viz. biovolatilization, biomethylation, and transformation. Moreover, the adaptation strategies towards As toxicity are vacuolar sequestration, involvement of plant defense mechanism, and restricting its uptake from plant roots to above-ground parts. The speciation, uptake, transport, metabolism, ion dynamics, signaling pathways, crosstalk with phytohormones and gaseous molecules, as well as harmful impacts of the As on physiological processes, overall development of plants and remediation techniques are summarized in this review.

Frequency and factors associated with thyroid dysfunctions: An analytical cross-sectional study from a tertiary care center in Kabul, Afghanistan

Introduction/Objective

Endocrinopathies are a commonly occurring entity, particularly those of the thyroid gland, however there is lack of scientific literature from Afghanistan, a country with very limited health care facilities and resources. This is the first study aimed to describe the frequency of occurrence and factor associated with thyroid dysfunction in Afghan population. The aim of this study is to estimate the frequency and to identify factors associated with thyroid dysfunction among individuals coming to a tertiary care facility in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Methods/Case Report

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to Sep 2018 at the Department of Clinical Pathology, French Medical Institute for Mothers and Children (FMIC), Kabul, Afghanistan. Blood samples were obtained, serum TSH levels were analyzed, and the patients were divided into three diagnostic categories according to their serum TSH concentrations: 1) Hypothyroidism 2) Hyperthyroidism 3) normal.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

A total of 127 individuals were included in the final analysis. Majority study participants (77%) were females. A large number of the participants (92%) did not have family history of thyroid dysfunction. (74%) participants in the study had normal TSH levels classified as normal thyroid function, (14%) had lower TSH levels and (12%) higher TSH levels (Table 1) classified as hyper and hypothyroid respectively.

Conclusion

The findings of the current study showed a high frequency of thyroid dysfunctions from a single center. Further large scale studies are needed to find out the prevalence and document this entity for better health outcomes in the country.

Molecular Mechanisms of Nitric Oxide (NO) Signaling and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Homeostasis during Abiotic Stresses in Plants

Abiotic stressors, such as drought, heavy metals, and high salinity, are causing huge crop losses worldwide. These abiotic stressors are expected to become more extreme, less predictable, and more widespread in the near future. With the rapidly growing human population and changing global climate conditions, it is critical to prevent global crop losses to meet the increasing demand for food and other crop products. The reactive gaseous signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) is involved in numerous plant developmental processes as well as plant responses to various abiotic stresses through its interactions with various molecules. Together, these interactions lead to the homeostasis of reactive oxygen species (ROS), proline and glutathione biosynthesis, post-translational modifications such as S-nitrosylation, and modulation of gene and protein expression. Exogenous application of various NO donors positively mitigates the negative effects of various abiotic stressors. In view of the multidimensional role of this signaling molecule, research over the past decade has investigated its potential in alleviating the deleterious effects of various abiotic stressors, particularly in ROS homeostasis. In this review, we highlight the recent molecular and physiological advances that provide insights into the functional role of NO in mediating various abiotic stress responses in plants.

Salicylic acid-mediated alleviation of soil boron toxicity in Mentha arvensis and Cymbopogon flexuosus: Growth, antioxidant responses, essential oil contents and components

Boron (B) toxicity is a notable abiotic hindrance that restricts crop productivity by disturbing several physiological and biochemical processes in plants. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of salicylic acid (SA) in conferring tolerance to B stress in Mentha arvensis and Cymbopogon flexuosus. Boron toxicity led to a considerable decrease in shoot height and root length, fresh and dry mass of shoot and root, and physiological and biochemical parameters. However, exogenously applied SA relieved the adverse effects caused by B toxicity and led to an increase in growth parameters under B stress and non-stress conditions. The treatment of B resulted in its increased accumulation in roots and shoots of both the plants which, in turn, caused oxidative damage as evident by increased content of malondialdehyde and catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase enzyme activities. However, exogenous SA supply significantly affected antioxidant enzyme activities and protected the plants from excess B. Moreover, the essential oil content of two selected plants declined under B toxicity and significantly enhanced in SA-treated stressed plants. The contents of menthol and menthyl acetate in M. arvensis were lowered in B stressed plants which significantly improved in SA treated B-stressed and in their respective SA alone treatment. Similarly, citral-A and citral-B content of C. flexuosus declined under B toxicity, however, SA reversed the negative effects of B toxicity on essential oil components. This assessment stipulated the promising role of exogenously applied SA in alleviating B toxicity in M. arvensis and C. flexuosus by improving antioxidant machinery and limiting B uptake which protects the structural integrity of leaves and also helps in increasing essential oil content.

Enhancing artemisinin content in and delivery from Artemisia annua: a review of alternative, classical, and transgenic approaches

This review analyses the most recent scientific research conducted for the purpose of enhancing artemisinin production. It may help to devise better artemisinin enhancement strategies, so that its production becomes cost effective and becomes available to masses. Malaria is a major threat to world population, particularly in South-East Asia and Africa, due to dearth of effective anti-malarial compounds, emergence of quinine resistant malarial strains, and lack of advanced healthcare facilities. Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone obtained from Artemisia annua L., is the most potent drug against malaria and used in the formulation of artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs). Artemisinin is also effective against various types of cancers, many other microbes including viruses, parasites and bacteria. However, this specialty metabolite and its derivatives generally occur in low amounts in the source plant leading to its production scarcity. Considering the importance of this drug, researchers have been working worldwide to develop novel strategies to augment its production both in vivo and in vitro. Due to complex chemical structure, its chemical synthesis is quite expensive, so researchers need to devise synthetic protocols that are economically viable and also work on increasing the in-planta production of artemisinin by using various strategies like use of phytohormones, stress signals, bioinoculants, breeding and transgenic approaches. The focus of this review is to discuss these artemisinin enhancement strategies, understand mechanisms modulating its biosynthesis, and evaluate if roots play any role in artemisinin production. Furthermore, we also have a critical analysis of various assays used for artemisinin measurement. This may help to develop better artemisinin enhancement strategies which lead to decreased price of ACTs and increased profit to farmers.

Review of potential risk groups for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

The current pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a global issue caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Studies have revealed that this virus results in poorer consequences and a higher rate of mortality in older adults and those with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and prolonged respiratory illness. In this review, we discuss in detail the potential groups at risk of COVID-19 and outline future recommendations to mitigate community transmission of COVID-19. The rate of COVID-19 was high in healthcare workers, smokers, older adults, travellers and pregnant women. Furthermore, patients with severe medical complications such as heart disease, hypertension, respiratory illness, diabetes mellitus and cancer are at higher risk of disease severity and mortality. Therefore, special effort and devotion are needed to diminish the threat of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Proper vaccination, use of sanitizers for handwashing and complete lockdown are recommended to mitigate the chain of COVID-19 transmission.

Exogenous abscisic acid mediates ROS homeostasis and maintains glandular trichome to enhance artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua under copper toxicity

One of the major abiotic stresses that cause environmental pollution is heavy metal stress. In the present investigation, copper (Cu) toxicity caused morphological and cellular damages to the Artemisia annua L. plants but supplementation of abscisic acid (ABA) ameliorated the damaging effect of Cu. Copper toxicity significantly reduced the shoot and root lengths; fresh and dry weights of shoot. However, exogenous application of ABA to Cu-treated plants significantly attenuated the damaging effects on plants caused by Cu toxicity. Copper stress also reduced the physiological and biochemical parameters, but ABA application ameliorated the negative effects of Cu in the affected plant. Accumulation of Cu in plant tissues significantly increased the membrane damage and oxidative enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further, the impact of high concentration of Cu on density, area and ultrastructure of glandular trichomes and artemisinin content was studied. Moreover, the foliar application of ABA improved the area, density of glandular trichomes and secured the plant cells from Cu toxicity. Therefore, this investigation indicated that the exogenous application of ABA protects A. annua plant by increasing antioxidant enzymes activity, which helps in maintaining cell integrity of leaves and results in increased artemisinin production.

Exogenous abscisic acid mediates ROS homeostasis and maintains glandular trichome to enhance artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua under copper toxicity

One of the major abiotic stresses that cause environmental pollution is heavy metal stress. In the present investigation, copper (Cu) toxicity caused morphological and cellular damages to the Artemisia annua L. plants but supplementation of abscisic acid (ABA) ameliorated the damaging effect of Cu. Copper toxicity significantly reduced the shoot and root lengths; fresh and dry weights of shoot. However, exogenous application of ABA to Cu-treated plants significantly attenuated the damaging effects on plants caused by Cu toxicity. Copper stress also reduced the physiological and biochemical parameters, but ABA application ameliorated the negative effects of Cu in the affected plant. Accumulation of Cu in plant tissues significantly increased the membrane damage and oxidative enzyme activities such as catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Further, the impact of high concentration of Cu on density, area and ultrastructure of glandular trichomes and artemisinin content was studied. Moreover, the foliar application of ABA improved the area, density of glandular trichomes and secured the plant cells from Cu toxicity. Therefore, this investigation indicated that the exogenous application of ABA protects A. annua plant by increasing antioxidant enzymes activity, which helps in maintaining cell integrity of leaves and results in increased artemisinin production.

Salicylic acid restrains arsenic induced oxidative burst in two varieties of Artemisia annua L. by modulating antioxidant defence system and artemisinin production

Arsenic is a harmful and toxic substance to the growth and development of plants. Salicylic acid (SA) acts as a signaling molecule, plays pivotal roles in the overall growth and development of plants under various environmental stresses. Artemisinin extracted from the leaves of A. annua helps in malarial treatment. The present investigation is aimed to find out the possible ameliorative role of exogenously-applied salicylic acid (SA) on two varieties of Artemisia annua L., namely 'CIM-Arogya' and 'Jeevan Raksha' under arsenic (As) stress conditions. For this, growth, physiological and biochemical characterization, and artemisinin production was assessed. The various treatments applied on the plants were Control, 10^-6 M SA, 10^-5 M SA, 45 mg kg^-1As, 45 mg kg^-1 As + 10^-6 M SA, and 45 mg kg^-1 As + 10^-5 M SA. Arsenic at 45 mg kg^-1 of soil, reducing the overall performance of both varieties at 90 and 120 DAP. However, the levels of antioxidants were enhanced in As-stressed plants, and the supplementation of SA further increased these antioxidants in SA-treated plants. It has been observed that minimum reduction in growth and yield occurs with enhanced production of artemisinin in the case of 'CIM-Arogya' compared to 'Jeevan Raksha' under As stress (45 mg kg^-1 of soil). Leaf-applied SA significantly increased the content (49.0% & 43.4%) and yield (53.3% & 46.3%) of artemisinin in both tolerant and sensitive varieties as compared to their respective controls. Thus, the variety 'CIM-Arogya' showed tolerant behavior over 'Jeevan Raksha' and is much adapted to higher As stress.

Elemental analysis of sage (herb) using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

In this work, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the sage sample using the calibration-free LIBS (CF-LIBS) technique. The sage plasma is generated by focusing the second harmonics (532 nm) of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with a repetition rate of 10 Hz and pulse duration of 5 ns. The emission spectra are recorded using a LIBS 2000 detection system spectrometer consisting of five high-resolution spectrometers covering a wavelength range from 200 to 720 nm. The optical emission spectra of the sage sample reveal the spectral lines of Fe, Ca, Ti, Co, Mn, Ni, and Cr. The plasma temperature and electron number density of the neutral spectral lines of the pertinent elements have been deduced using the Boltzmann plot and Stark-broadening line profile method, with average values 8855±885K and 3.89×10¹⁶cm^-3, respectively. The average values of the plasma parameters were used for the quantification of the detected elements in the sample. Based on the calibration-free method, the measured results demonstrate that Fe is the major constituent in the sample, having a percentage concentration of 48.1%, while the remaining elements are Ca, Ti, Co, Mn, Ni, and Cr, with percentage concentrations 0.7%, 5.3%, 8%, 11%, 12.3%, and 14.6%, respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of LIBS for the compositional analysis of major and trace elements present in the plant samples and its further applications in medicine.

Impact of Long-Term Copper Exposure on Growth, Photosynthesis, Antioxidant Defence System and Artemisinin Biosynthesis in Soil-Grown Artemisia annua Genotypes

The effects of copper (Cu) exposure on growth and physiological characteristics of three genotypes (CN-12, Cim-Sanjeevani and Cim-Arogya) of Artemisia annua L. were elucidated. The plants were grown under naturally illuminated greenhouse conditions and were harvested after physiological maturity (120 days after sowing). Results suggest that 10 mg kg^- 1 Cu significantly enhanced the growth and physiological parameters like enzyme activities, photosynthesis. At higher concentrations, Cu inhibited the growth, biomass, photosynthetic parameters; while increased lipid peroxidation in all the genotypes. The activities of antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were upregulated by the Cu stress. The highest applied concentration of Cu (60 mg kg^- 1) proved most toxic for plants. Moreover, artemisinin content was increased upto 10 mg kg^- 1 of Cu treatment, compared with control, however, the artemisinin accumulation decreased at higher doses of Cu in all the genotypes. On the basis of studied parameters, Cim-Arogya was found to be most tolerant among all for Cu toxicity.

Oligomers of carrageenan regulate functional activities and artemisinin production in Artemisia annua L. exposed to arsenic stress

Recently, a promising technique has come forward in field of radiation-agriculture in which the natural polysaccharides are modified into useful oligomers after depolymerization. Ionizing radiation technology is a simple, pioneering, eco-friendly, and single step degradation process which is used in exploiting the efficiency of the natural polysaccharides as plant growth promoters. Arsenic (As) is a noxious and toxic to growth and development of medicinal plants. Artemisinin is obtained from the leaves of Artemisia annua L., which is effective in the treatment of malaria. The present study was undertaken to find out possible role of oligomers of irradiated carrageenan (IC) on two varieties viz. 'CIM-Arogya' (As-tolerant) and 'Jeevan Raksha' (As-sensitive) of A. annua exposed to As. The treatments applied were 0 (control), 40 IC (40 mg L^-1 IC), 80 IC (80 mg L^-1 IC), 45 As (45 mg kg^-1 soil As), 40 IC + 45 As (40 mg L^-1 IC + 45 mg kg^-1 soil As), and 80 IC + 45 As (80 mg L^-1 IC + 45 mg kg^-1 soil As). The present study was based on various parameters namely plant fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), leaf area index (LAI), leaf yield (LY), chlorophyll and carotenoid content, net photosynthetic rate (P_N), stomatal conductance (G_s), carbonic anhydrase activity (CA), proline content (PRO), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), endogenous ROS production (H₂O₂ content), catalase activity (CAT), peroxidase activity (POX), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase activity (APX), As content, and artemisinin content in leaves. Plant growth and other physiological and biochemical parameters including enzymatic activities, photosynthetic activity, and its related pigments were negatively affected under As stress. Leaf-applied IC overcame oxidative stress generated due to As in plants by activating antioxidant machinery. Interestingly, leaf-applied IC enhanced the production (content and yield) of artemisinin under high As stress regardless of varieties. The oligomers of IC and As were found to be responsible for the production of endogenous H₂O₂ which has a pivotal role in the biosynthesis of artemisinin in A. annua.

Size-dependent inhibition of bacterial growth by chemically engineered spherical ZnO nanoparticles

The antibacterial effect of ZnO nanoparticles is tested against Staphylococcus aureus, (a Gram-positive pathogenic bacterium) from a particle-size, concentration, and surface-defects point of view. Activation of antibacterial activity was achieved by standard well diffusion agar and minimum inhibitory concentration procedures. Our results show that smaller-sized particles are more effective inhibitors of bacterial activity when used in a certain optimum concentration. To reveal the underlying mechanism of the observed size and concentration-dependent bacterial activity inhibition, we measured the concentrations of Zn²⁺ ions released in each suspension by an inductive couple plasma optical emission spectrophotometer. Additionally, photoluminance spectra of our samples show significant surface defects (mainly oxygen vacancies) that generate reactive oxygen species. The underlying mechanism of the observed size- and concentration-dependent bacterial activity inhibition is attributed primarily to the release of Zn²⁺ ions and generation of reactive oxygen species that interact and penetrate the cell membrane, causing lethal damage to the cell. Finally, the antibacterial effectiveness and maximum sensitivity of our nanoparticles is confirmed by optical density measurements.

Radiolabelled Stripped Mucin, SM3, Monoclonal Antibody for Immunoscintigraphy of Ovarian Tumours

A new monoclonal antibody, SM3, against stripped mucin core protein has been evaluated for the radioimmunoscintigraphy of ovarian cancer. It was radiolabelled with In-111, I-123 and Tc-99m and results showed a sensitivity of 95%, 100% and 100% and an accuracy of 73%, 86% and 100% for malignancy; respectively.

Proliferating effect of radiolytically depolymerized carrageenan on physiological attributes, plant water relation parameters, essential oil production and active constituents of Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud. under drought stress

Carrageenan has been proved as potent growth promoting substance in its depolymerized form. However, relatively little is known about its role in counteracting the adverse effects of drought stress on plants. In a pot experiment, lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Steud.), grown under different water stress regimes [(100% field capacity (FC), 80% FC and 60% FC)], was sprayed with 40, 80 and 120 mg L-1 of gamma irradiated carrageenan (ICA). Foliar application of ICA mitigated the harmful effects of drought stress to various extents and improved the biochemical characteristics, quality attributes and active constituents (citral and geraniol) of lemongrass significantly. Among the applied treatments, ICA-80 mg L-1 proved the best in alleviating detrimental effects of drought. However, drought stress (80 and 60% FC), irrespective of the growth stages, had an adverse impact on most of the studied attributes. Generally, 60% FC proved more deleterious than 80% FC. At 80% FC, application of ICA-80 mg L-1 elevated the essential oil (EO) content by 18.9 and 25%, citral content by 7.33 and 8.19% and geraniol content by 9.2 and 8.9% at 90 and 120 days after planting (DAP), respectively, as compared to the deionized-water (DW) spray treatment (80% FC+ DW). Whereas, at 60% FC, foliar application of 80 mg L-1 ICA significantly augmented the EO content by 15.4 and 17.8% and active constituents viz. citral and geraniol, by 5.01 and 5.62% and by 6.06 and 5.61% at 90 and 120 DAP, respectively, as compared to the control (water-spray treatment).

Molecular diversity of Pakistani mango (Mangifera indica L.) varieties based on microsatellite markers

Understanding the genetic diversity of different Pakistani mango varieties is important for germplasm management and varietal characterization. Microsatellites are efficient and highly polymorphic markers for comparative genome mapping, and were used in the present study to determine the genetic relatedness and variability among 15 indigenous mango cultivars (Mangifera indica L.). Overall, 181 bands were produced using 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Out of the 12 primers used, 10 were polymorphic and two were monomorphic. Genetic relatedness among cultivars was assessed by constructing a dendrogram using the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means. The accessions exhibited coefficients of similarity ranging from 75 to 100%, indicating the frequent use of only a few parent cultivars and the presence of inbreeding. The primers used in the present study were found to be valuable for identifying genetic relationships among mango cultivars.