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A novel therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment is to target altered tumor metabolism. Glucose- 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) has been recently discovered to be implicated in apoptosis and angiogenesis, making it an excellent target in cancer treatment. The current study aimed to screen the plant extracts library to find potent hits against G6PD through enzymatic assay. Protein expression was induced by IPTG and purified using Ni-NTA columns after transformation of the pET-24a-HmG6PD plasmid into E. coli BL21-DE3 strain. An enzymatic assay was established by using purified rG6PD protein, for the screening of G6PD inhibitors. Out of 46 plant extracts screened, the sixteen plant extracts have shown inhibitory activity against the G6PD enzyme. At doses from 1 to 4 µg/ml, this extract demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of G6PD with an IC 50 value of I.397 µg/ml. Moreover, the anticancer activity evaluation against HepG2 cells determined Smilax china as a potent inhibitor of cancer cells (IC 50 value of 16.017 μg/ml). The acute and subacute toxicities were not observed in mice with various concentrations (50, 100, 200 and 2000 mg/kg). Furthermore, to identify the compounds from Smilax china as G6PD inhibitors, a literature-based phytochemical investigation of Smilax china was conducted, and sixty compounds were docked against the NADP+ and G6P binding sites of G6PD. The results of this study showed that three compounds were Scirpusin A, Smilachinin and Daucosterol with MolDock Score of −156.832, −148.215, and −145.733 respectively, against NADP+ binding site of G6PD. Conclusively, Smilax china root extract could be a safer drug candidate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effectiveness of three botanical insecticides (neem, datura and bitter apple), and three new chemistry synthetic insecticides (acephate, spirotetramat and spinetoram) against onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) was evaluated in experimental field plots at university of Sargodha, Pakistan. The influence of these botanical and chemical insecticides on natural predators and crop yield was simultaneously investigated. All the botanicals and chemical insecticides tested caused significant reductions (45–70%) in thrips populations; the botanicals gave more than 60% control of thrips, while among chemical insecticides, acephate was found to be the most effective followed by spirotetramat and spinetoram, respectively, and these insecticides gave better control than the botanicals. The adverse effects of the botanicals on predator populations were negligible compared to the chemical insecticides. All chemical treatments resulted in a significantly higher yield compared to the untreated control. The botanicals and chemical insecticides became less effective by 7 days after treatment. Therefore, it is recommended that treatment with botanical or chemical insecticides should be repeated weekly consecutively at least three times to keep thrips populations below economic injury levels until crop maturity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Scorpion envenomation is a widespread issue in tropical and subtropical countries. In the present study epidemiology of scorpion sting cases and potential treatment options in district Hafizabad, Pakistan are documented. Hafizabad city and the adjacent villages were selected for the data collection. Age, gender, time, site of scorpion sting on the body, scorpion sting symptoms, number of patients obtaining medical attention and the number of fatalities (if any) were noted. Data showed that scorpion envenomation often occurs in people between the ages of 16–47 years. There were more female victims (55%) and most of the scorpion sting incidences (55.49%) occurred between 07 PM and 02 AM Among body parts, both the hands (41.71%) and feet (48.57%) were more vulnerable to scorpion stings. In rural areas, the incidences of scorpion stings were higher (68.57%). The reported symptoms of scorpion stings include pain, hypertension, nausea and allergy. Out of all the victims, only 56.05% sought treatment from health care units as well as traditional medicine practitioners. However, others (43.94%) fully healed on their own without any treatment. People were using different types of plant-based materials and dead scorpions with mustard oil as a potent remedy against scorpion stings. Moreover, in the health care units there was no antivenom available and medical staff usually used common pain killers such as Xylocain and Lignocain for the treatment of scorpion sting. [Display omitted] • Epidemiology of scorpion sting cases in Hafizabad, Pakistan. • Most scorpion bite incidences in females (55%) and people of 35–47 years. • High rate of incidences in rural areas (68.57%). • Hands (41.71%) and feet (48.57%) were more vulnerable. • Potent remedy was plant-based materials and dead scorpions with mustard oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Wearing contact lens requires awareness about possible contaminants, the causative agents of multiple complications. The present study focused on identification of potential pathogens and presence of virulence associated markers in contact lens associated bacteria.Methods: Bacterial contaminants were isolated from contact lenses or cleaning solutions collected from University students. Isolates were identified using conventional methods followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and screened for the presence of virulence factors which included capsular presence, adhesion, serum resistance, iron chelation, haemagglutination and hemolysis. Moreover, antibiotic resistance profile was also monitored.Results: Contamination was observed in 79% (45 of 57) of lenses. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing Bacillus sp. was found to be most abundant (26%). The presence of at least three pathogenic characteristics was recorded in 75.8% isolates. Among the pathogenic characteristics, capsule presence was found to be the most prevalent character (73%) followed by hemolysin production (65%), serum resistance (61%), haemagglutination (56%), iron chelation (50%) and polystyrene adherence (42%). Multiple antibiotic resistance was recorded in 66.13% isolates. Cluster analysis on the basis of virulence markers separated all isolates in two groups. Potential pathogens and non-pathogens were found to be equally frequent among contaminants of contact lens cases.Conclusion: The present work provides evidence that pathogenic bacteria can adhere and survive in contact lens or lens solution. It highlights the need for the development of new methods to protect contact lenses and lens care accessories. Drugs targeting capsule formation may offer a good option for treatment or use in cleaning solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]