Search

The small 3-O-sulfated galactose head group of sulfatides, an abundant glycosphingolipid class, poses the (sphinx-like) riddle on involvement of glycan bridging by tissue lectins (sugar code). First, synthesis of head group derivatives for functionalization of amphiphilic dendrimers is performed. Aggregation of resulting (biomimetic) vesicles, alone or in combination with lactose, demonstrates bridging by a tissue lectin (galectin-4). Physiologically, this can stabilize glycolipid-rich microdomains (rafts) and associate sulfatide-rich regions with specific glycoproteins. Further testing documents importance of heterobivalency and linker length. Structurally, sulfatide recognition by galectin-8 is shown to involve sphingosine’s OH group as substitute for the 30-hydroxyl of glucose of lactose.These discoveries underscore functionality of this small determinant on biomembranes intracellularly and on the cell surface. Moreover, they provide a role model to examine counterreceptor capacity of more complex glycans of glycosphingolipids and to start their bottom-up glycotope surface programming.

The most at risk for occupational toxicity brought on by exposure to heavy metals and PAHs among various vocations are gas station attendants and auto workers. The gonadal and its regulating hormonal pattern were identified in the current investigation in gas station attendants and car employees. Objective: This study's goal is to ascertain the impact of various occupational toxicants on the ovarian health of gasoline station attendants (PPA) and car technicians (AMM). Gonadal steroids and the hormones that control them were examined for this reason and their relationship to gonadal function was established. Methods: For this, blood samples from 19 gas station attendants and 29 auto mechanics were obtained from various gas stations and car shops, respectively. The University of the Punjab in Lahore provided the blood samples for the 24 controls. Using commercially available ELISA kits, the levels of serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone were examined. The significance of changes was evaluated using the one-way ANOVA test. Results: When compared to the control group, there was a little decrease in the levels of estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone among fuel station attendants and car employees. Conclusions: Pertinently, reduced reproductive and their regulatory hormonal levels predispose future risk of manifesting reproductive health issues.

COVID-19 cases in Pakistan are increasing exponentially since last couple of days with over 50,000 infected individuals and over 1000 deaths [1]. Furthermore government has eased the lock down as Pakistan is facing serious economic crisis. A 4% GDP loss is predicted in economy due to disruptions in business activities. Government has also announced a reduction in budget goals for financial year 2020 and 2021. This ease in lockdown is a desperate effort to support collapsing economy and reducing unemployment.Government statistics are predicting many deaths due to hunger if lockdown prolongs

The present study involved the bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using the Euphorbia helioscopia L. leaves aqueous extract to improve the production of secondary metabolites in industrially important sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants. Phyto-fabrication of AgNPs was confirmed by using spectrophotometry, SEM imaging and X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphological and optical characterization manifested that the AgNPs are crystalline and exist in the size range of 30–100 nm. Various concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/L) of AgNPs were applied in combinations on sunflower seeds and crop plants. The effects of biosynthesized AgNPs were evaluated for agro-morphological parameters (plant height, flowering initiation and seed weight), biochemical metabolites (chlorophyll, proline, soluble sugar, amino acid and protein contents) and enzymatic activities (superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase) in sunflower and 60 mg/L concentration of AgNPs on sunflower seeds and foliar sprays on plants in combination were found to be effective to elicit biochemical modifications to improve secondary metabolites. It was also observed experimentally that 60 mg/L concentration of AgNPs improved the biochemical, fatty acid and enzymatic attributes of sunflower plants, which in turn improved the plant agro-morphological parameters. Near-infrared spectroscopic analysis results confirmed the improvement in the seed quality, oil contents and fatty acid composition (palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid) after the applications of AgNPs. The findings of the present investigation confirm the exogenous applications of bio-fabricated AgNPs in combinations on seeds and plants to improve the plant yield, seed quality and secondary metabolite contents of the sunflower plants.

Muhammad Ikram,* Bilal Javed,* Naveed Iqbal Raja, Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46300, Pakistan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Bilal Javed Email javedbilal87@gmail.comMuhammad Ikram Email ikramgondal464@gmail.comAbstract: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have advantages over other nanomaterials because of the promising role of selenium in the stabilization of the immune system and activation of the defense response. The use of SeNPs and their supplements not only have pharmacological significance but also boost and prepare the body’s immune system to fight the pathogens. This review summarizes the recent progress in the biogenesis of plant-based SeNPs by using various plant species and the role of secondary metabolites on their biocompatible functioning. Phyto-synthesis of SeNPs results in the synthesis of nanomaterials of various, size, shape and biochemical nature and has advantages over other routine physical and chemical methods because of their biocompatibility, eco-friendly nature and in vivo actions. Unfortunately, the plant-based SeNPs failed to attain considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. However, a few studies were performed to explore the therapeutic potential of the SeNPs against various cancer cells, microbial pathogens, viral infections, hepatoprotective actions, diabetic management, and antioxidant approaches. Further, some of the selenium-based drug delivery systems are developed by engineering the SeNPs with the functional ligands to deliver drugs to the targeted sites. This review also provides up-to-date information on the mechanistic actions that the SeNPs adopt to achieve their designated tasks as it may help to develop precision medicine with customized treatment and healthcare for the ailing population.Keywords: green synthesis, SeNPs, drug delivery, diabetes, cancer, reactive oxygen species

Bilal Javed,1,2 Zia-ur-Rehman Mashwani2 1Roy & Diana Vagelos Laboratories, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6323, USA; 2Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46300, PakistanCorrespondence: Bilal Javed; Zia-ur-Rehman MashwaniDepartment of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Punjab 46300, PakistanEmail javedbilal87@gmail.com; zia.botany@gmail.comBackground: Physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, the concentration of the AgNO3 and ratio of reactants act synergistically to influence the reaction kinetics, molecular mechanics, enzymatic catalysis and protein conformations that aid to affect the size, shape and biochemical corona of nanoparticles. The present study was performed to investigate the influence of reaction parameters on the bio-fabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using Mentha arvensis and to determine their potential to control the proliferation of colon cancer cells’.Methods: Plant-mediated method was used for the bio-fabrication and stabilization of AgNPs. Reaction parameters were arranged, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) bands of AgNPs were collected by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. NPs were characterized structurally and optically by using SEM, AFM, EDX and DLS techniques. AgNPs and plant aqueous extract were tested against HCT116 colon cancer cells by using SRB assay, Annexin V assay and cell cycle analysis.Results: Spectrophotometric comparison of various reaction conditions manifested that 5 mM of AgNO3, 60 °C in an acidic pH and a mixing ratio of 1:9 of plant extract and AgNO3, respectively, are the optimized conditions for AgNP synthesis. Structural evaluation by SEM, AFM and particle size analysis confirmed that the NPs are < 100 nm and are anisotropic, spherical, triangular and moderately dispersed in the colloidal mixture. SRB assay expressed biomass-stabilized AgNPs as effective cyt