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Abstract Drug resistance poses a significant obstacle to the success of anti-cancer therapy in head and neck cancers (HNCs). We aim to develop a platform for visualizing and analyzing molecular expression alterations associated with HNC drug resistance. Through data mining, we convened differentially expressed molecules and context-specific signaling events involved in drug resistance. The driver genes, interaction networks and transcriptional regulations were explored using bioinformatics approaches. A total of 2364 differentially expressed molecules were identified in 78 distinct drug-resistant cells against 14 anti-cancer drugs, comprising 1131 mRNAs, 746 proteins, 62 lncRNAs, 257 miRNAs, 1 circRNA, and 166 post-translational modifications. Among these, 255 molecules were considerably, the signature driver genes of HNC drug resistance. Further, we also developed a landscape of signaling pathways and their cross-talk with diverse signaling modules involved in drug resistance. Additionally, a publicly-accessible database named “HNCDrugResDb” was designed with browse, query, and pathway explorer options to fetch and enrich molecular alterations and signaling pathways altered in drug resistance. HNCDrugResDb is also enabled with a Drug Resistance Analysis tool as an initial platform to infer the likelihood of resistance based on the expression pattern of driver genes. HNCDrugResDb is anticipated to have substantial implications for future advancements in drug discovery and optimization of personalized medicine approaches.

Grain yields in wheat can be limited by the assimilate supply (source) or by the carbohydrate demand of the grains (sink). Recently, there have been questions regarding the capability of crop models to simulate the physiology of source-sink interactions in crops; however, crop models scarcely tested with source-sink partitioning. DSSAT_CERES_Wheat model was used with details of field experimental data having treatments of manipulated source (i.e., assimilate supply), sink (i.e., kernel number). The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of different levels of nitrogen and source-sink manipulation on wheat crop and to model source-sink partitioning in wheat under varying N-Regimes and climatic conditions. The experiment was conducted during wheat growing seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17, at two locations (Islamabad and URF Koont Chakwal), under five different levels of nitrogen and three source sink treatments (Control (100 % RUE), 50 % shading pre-anthesis (50 % RUE), 50 % spike removal i.e. spike halving) using randomized complete block design. Recommended rates of fertilizer were applied with the exception of nitrogen which was 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha−1, while each treatment was replicated thrice. CERES-Wheat model was calibrated using 2015–16 observed data while model was evaluated using two-year field collected data of two sites i.e. Islamabad and Chakwal. The model was able to simulate treatments impacts on phenology (R2, RMSE and d-index values of 0.89, 2.80 days and 0.97 respectively at Islamabad while at Chakwal R2 = 0.89, RMSE = 2.65 days and d-index = 0.94), leaf area index (R2 = 0.94, 0.94, RMSE = 0.51, 0.38 and d-index = 0.98 and 0.92 at Islamabad and Chakwal respectively), biomass (R2 = 0.98, 0.96, RMSE = 370, 450 kg ha−1 and d-index = 0.96 and 0.95 at Islamabad and Chakwal respectively), grain yield (R2 = 0.97,0.96, RMSE = 0.17, 0.2 t ha−1, and d-index = 0.95 and 0.93 at Islamabad and Chakwal respectively), harvest index, soil nitrogen, crop nitrogen and grain nitrogen with good accuracy. The observed range for biomass water use efficiency (BM_WUE) was 34.1–14.5 kg ha−1 mm−1 while grain WUE remained in the range of 10.3–3.7 kg ha−1 mm−1. The results depicted that model could reproduce observed effects of shading and halving the spikes. Crop response to modified radiation use efficiency (RUE) was variable among sites which could be critical for studying crop environment interactions, improving WUE, estimating genetically and atmospheric CO2-related increased RUE, analyzing impact of solar dimming and source manipulations under biotic stress.

The effect of non-thermal (HPP and semi-HPP-CO2) and thermal (flash pasteurization, FP) treatments on phytonutrients of flowable smoothie prepared from quadrable vegetable blends (FQVS) was investigated using multidimensional methods. First, FQVS gained an acceptability sensorial index (85.7%) compared with other formulas. FQVS/semi-HPP-CO2 showed a greater microbial stability during storage (0–30 d) compared to HPP and FP. Fructose and glucose highly declined than sucrose in all smoothies, where semi-HPP-CO2 steadily declined this reduction during storage. LC/MS-MS analysis showed that semi-HPP-CO2 preserved most of FQVS's phytonutrients and their antioxidant effects measured by ORAC and oxidative enzymes inhibition assays. Semi-HPP-CO2 acquired the lowest apparent viscosity among different FQVS smoothies, showing its post-processing flowability behavior. Most importantly, semi-HPP-CO2 predicted a reduced power consumption for HPP and reduced the gas emission. In conclusion, blending different vegetables assisted with semi-HPP-CO2 could be a novel approach to produce storage-stable smoothies with adequate amounts of phytonutrients and sensorial scores.

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), clustering is employed to extend the network’s lifespan. Each cluster has a designated cluster head. Pairing is another technique used within clustering to enhance network longevity. In this technique, nodes are grouped into pairs, with one node in an active state and the other in a sleep state to conserve energy. However, this pairing can lead to communication issues with the cluster head, as nodes in sleep mode cannot transmit data, potentially causing data loss. To address this issue, this study introduces an innovative approach called the “Awake Sleep Heterogeneous Nodes’ Pairing” (ASHNP) algorithm. This algorithm aims to improve transmission efficiency in WSNs operating in heterogeneous environments. In contrast, Energy Efficient Sleep Awake Aware (EESAA) algorithm are customized for homogeneous environments (EESAA), while suitable for homogeneous settings, encounters challenges in handling data loss from sleep nodes. On the other hand, Energy and Traffic Aware Sleep Awake (ETASA) struggles with listening problems, limiting its efficiency in diverse environments. Through comprehensive comparative analysis, ASHNP demonstrates higher performance in data transmission efficiency, overcoming the shortcomings of EESAA and ETASA. Additionally, comparisons across various parameters, including energy consumption and the number of dead nodes, highlight ASHNP’s effectiveness in enhancing network reliability and resource utilization. These findings underscore the significance of ASHNP as a promising solution for optimizing data transmission in WSNs, particularly in heterogeneous environments. The analysis discloses that ASHNP reliably outperforms EESAA in maintaining node energy, with differences ranging from 1.5% to 10% across various rounds. Specifically, ASHNP achieves a data transmission rate 5.23% higher than EESAA and 21.73% higher than ETASA. These findings underscore the strength of ASHNP in sustaining node activity levels, showcasing its superiority in preserving network integrity and ensuring efficient data transmission across multiple rounds.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that is used in various sorts of malignancies. However, its uses are restricted owing to its deleterious effects on different organs including the liver. Cupressuflavone (CUP) is a plant-based flavonoid which is well known for its biological as well pharmacological potential. Our investigation aimed to evaluate the ameliorative potential of CUP against DOX provoked liver toxicity in rats. Twenty-four albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were distributed into four distinct groups such as control, DOX (3 mg/kg), co- administrated DOX (3 mg/kg) + CUP (40 mg/kg) and CUP (40 mg/kg) only. DOX exposure reduced catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione reductase (GSR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and glutathione (GSH) content while escalating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Besides, the levels of ALT, AST and ALP were increased in response to DOX exposure. Furthermore, administration of DOX upregulated the levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The treatment of DOX reduced the levels of Bcl-2 while escalating the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax. Similarly, DOX intoxication instigated various histopathological disruptions in hepatic tissues of rats. However, supplementation of CUP notably (p

Paraquat (PQ) an herbicide that is commonly used to remove undesirable grasses. However, PQ also causes cardiac damage through reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Didymin (DYD) is a dietary flavone, present in citrus fruits and campanula. DYD displays multiple therapeutic activities i.e., anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and free radical salvaging. Therefore, the present study was planned to explore the ameliorative effect of DYD against PQ instigated cardiac damage. 24 rats were separated into 4 groups, control, PQ administered PQ + DYD co-administered orally and DYD only administered group. PQ intoxication significantly reduced anti-oxidants including (SOD, GST, GSH, CAT, GPx and GSR activities, while increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and ROS levels. PQ intoxication escalated the level of cardiac injury marker i.e., creatine kinase myoglobin binding (CK-MB), troponin, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). PQ also augmented inflammatory markers i.e., (TNF-α, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-6 levels and COX-2 activity). Moreover, PQ intoxication escalated the apoptotic proteins levels (Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9), while decreasing Bcl-2 level. PQ intoxication also prompted histomorphological anomalies in the heart of rats. Conversely, DYD therapy restored all the anomalies and structural abnormalities owing to its cardioprotective potentials.

Buckwheat is a globally recognized, nutritionally rich crop with robust adaptability, serving as a multi-purpose plant for its health benefits. Achieving precise and mechanized plot seed harvesting is a critical step in obtaining accurate results in breeding experiments. However, plot breeding requires no seed retention, no mixing, and ensures no accumulation of seed in the threshing unit. A self-cleaning technology was developed to prevent seed retention, mixing, and accumulation in the multistage tangential cylinder threshing unit. The newly designed cleaning system has five air inlets and a centrifugal fan for pneumatic cleaning. CFD simulations were conducted for each inlet position, coupled with four varying inlet velocities and the rotation speed of the main threshing cylinder. During the post-processing stage of the CFD modeling, a line consisting of fifty points was drawn beneath the threshing drums, and the air velocity at these points was recorded. The optimal configuration of inlet position, inlet air velocity, and main threshing drum rotation speed for efficient cleaning was identified based on the ratio of points beneath the drums where the airflow speed surpassed the suspension speed of buckwheat to the points where the airflow speed was lower than the suspension speed of buckwheat. The optimal configuration for ''inlet_1'' was identified based on the suspension velocity of buckwheat grain, with an inlet velocity of 4 m/s and a main threshing drum speed of 450 rpm.

In this paper, we have theoretically studied the RKKY indirect exchange interactions in a two-dimensional model of Zn1-xMnxO dilute magnetic semiconductor. Under the RKKY interaction framework, we have calculated the exchange coupling constants for four different doped samples of host ZnO, which are 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The carrier density for the respective configurations is taken as 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 hole per dopant, considering long-range interactions controlled by the cutoff scale in the RKKY range function. The variation of magnetic coupling strength with the carrier density is also examined, and the overall magnetic behavior of the proposed 2-D system is estimated.

In this paper, we propose exponentiated XLindley (EXL) distribution. The novel model is adaptable due to the mixt shapes of its density and failure rate functions. The following key statistical properties of EXL distribution are derived: quantile function, moments, hazard function, mean residual life, and Rényi entropy. The parameters are estimated using the maximum likelihood, Anderson Darling, Cramer von Misses, maximum product spacing, ordinary and weighted least square estimation procedures. To examine the behavior of the estimate, Monte Carlo simulation is used. Further Bayesian technique is also utilized to estimate the EXL parameters. The traceplot and Geweke diagnostics are used to track the convergence of simulated processes. The applicability of the EXL distribution is demonstrated by three datasets from different domains such as mortality rate due to COVID-19, precipitation in inches, and failure time for repairable items. The proposed distribution provides efficient results as compared to renowned competitive distributions.

Cadmium (Cd) is a noxious and non-biodegradable heavy metal which instigates various organ toxicities such as cardiac injuries. Pinostrobin (PSB) is a potent dietary bioflavonoid, which shows various pharmacological potentials. The current research was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of PSB against Cd elicited cardiac dysfunction in rats. Twenty-four albino rats were apportioned into four equal groups viz. control, Cd (5 mg/kg), Cd (5 mg/kg) + PSB (40 mg/kg) and PSB (40 mg/kg) only treated group. It was observed that Cd intoxication reduced catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GSR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), activities and glutathione S-transferase (GST) contents while escalating the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Furthermore, Cd exposure escalated the levels of cardiac injury markers such as creatine phosphokinase (CPK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), troponin I and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Besides, the levels of inflammatory cytokines nuclear factor- κB (NF-κB), interleukin 1beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity were upregulated in Cd intoxicated group. Similarly, Caspase-3, Bax and Caspase-9 levels were augmented, and Bcl-2 levels were reduced after Cd administration. In addition, the histopathological examination revealed a notable cardiac tissue impairment in the Cd exposed group. Nonetheless, PSB treatment significantly (p

Nonylphenol (NP) is potent noxious pollutant which is documented to induce nephrotoxicity via escalating the levels of oxidative stress in renal tissues. Aucubin (AUC) is a novel phytochemical having tremendous pharmacological abilities. This research aimed to estimate the efficacy of AUC against NP intoxicated renal impairment in male albino rats. 48 albino rats were randomly assigned into four different groups viz. control group, NP administered group (50 mg/kg), NP + AUC administrated (50 mg/kg + 40 mg/kg) group and AUC treated (40 mg/kg) group. Our results showed that NP intoxication raised urinary proteins, creatinine, urea, urobilinogen, NGAL and KIM-1 levels. Besides, NP exposure lowered the levels of creatinine clearance and albumin. Furthermore, NP treatment lowered level of total protein, activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GSR) & glutathione (GSH) contents along with the level of total antioxidant status (TAS) however, raising the oxidative stress markers levels Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) & total oxidant status (TOS). Additionally, following the NP administration, the levels of Bax, caspase-9, & caspase-3 were augmented however the Bcl-2 level was decreased. Furthermore, rats exposed to NP showed various histopathological disruptions. Whereas treatment with AUC showed a palliative effect against NP-induced renal damage, restoring all alterations to normal levels. Taken together, AUC administration convalesced NP-induced kidney impairment.

Objective: The main aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of mixed herbs on blood HbA1c, and the liver function tests in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental design where no comparison was made with either placebo or control. We examined the effect of herbs namely, coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum), bunching onion (Allium fistulosum), curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), and holy basil leave (Ocimum tenuiflorum) among T2DM patients. Fresh herbs were cleaned, freeze-dried, ground, mixed (25 % of each), encapsulated and fed at 4 g/day to T2DM patients for 90 days. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 31, 61, 91 and 121. The effect was assessed on the levels of HbA1c, creatinine, blood urea and liver enzymes i.e., alanine transaminase (ALT) or serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), among the patients. The data were statistically analysed, and the means were regarded as significant at 95 % CI. interval. Results: Blood HbA1c concentration was highest on Days 0 and 31 and significantly (p

Developing high-performance and low-cost protein purification materials is of great importance to meet the demands for highly purified proteins in biotechnological industries. Herein, a facile strategy was developed to design and construct high-efficiency protein absorption and separation media by combining aerogels’ molding techniques and impregnation processes. Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) nanofibrous aerogels (NFAs) were modified by grafting butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) over them in situ. This modification was carried out using polyphosphoric acid as a catalyst. The resulting EVOH/BTCA NFAs exhibited favorable comprehensive properties. Benefiting from the highly interconnected porous structure, good underwater compressive properties, and abundant absorption ligands, the obtained EVOH/BTCA NFAs possessed a high static absorption capacity of 1082.13 mg/g to lysozyme and a short absorption equilibrium time of about 6 h. A high saturated dynamic absorption capacity for lysozyme (716.85 mg/g) was also realized solely by gravity. Furthermore, EVOH/BTCA NFAs displayed excellent reusability, good acid and alkaline resistance, and unique absorption selectivity performance. The successful synthesis of such aerogels can provide a potential candidate for next-generation protein absorbents for bio-separation and purification engineering.

Seasonal climatic variability is a key challenge in many grape-growing regions across the globe, affecting phenology, growth, physiological responses, and yield at harvest. Unfavourable climatic conditions impair the plant's physiological processes, such as chlorophyll accumulation, gas exchange and photosynthesis in grapevine leaves. It is critical to unlock the complex physiological behaviour of grapevine cultivars at key phenological stages and under varying environmental conditions. The present study was designed to evaluate the key physiological processes, such as gas exchange, chlorophyll contents and water use efficiency (WUE), of four table grape cultivars at key growth stages under varying environmental conditions of the Pothwar region, in a factorial experimental set up (Location× Year × Cultivar × Phenological stage). The physiological responses of the table grape cultivars were recorded at the 5-leaf stage, full bloom, berry set, veraison and harvest during two consecutive vintages (2019 and 2020) in two locations (Islamabad and Chakwal). The results show that the mean photosynthetic activity in colder Islamabad was 30.7 % higher than in Chakwal, and the transpiration rate and WUE were 10.4 % and 28.6 % higher. Similarly, 12 % higher photosynthetic activity, with 13 % more WUE, was observed in the colder vintage of 2020 compared to that of 2019. The vine physiological activity also varied among cultivars; for example, cv. Sugraone was found to have 12 % more chlorophyll and 30 % higher photosynthetic activity than cv. Kings Ruby. Similarly, higher photosynthetic activity and transpiration rates were recorded at the berry set stage, while WUE peaked near blooming. The biplot analysis for the first two principal components also showed cv. Sugraone to be a highly responsive and physiologically efficient cultivar. The findings of the present research will help to better assess the effect of seasonal variability on vine physiological performance and to identify genotypes with higher photosynthetic potential and WUE. It could also assist in devising vineyard management strategies to better adapt to varying environmental conditions.

Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) is a complex and serious form of heart failure caused by the accumulation of transthyretin amyloid protein in the heart muscle. Variable symptoms of ATTR-CM can lead to a delayed diagnosis. Recognizing the diagnostic indicators is crucial to promptly detect this condition. A targeted literature review was conducted to examine the latest international consensus recommendations on a comprehensive diagnosis of ATTR-CM. Additionally, a panel consisting of nuclear medicine expert consultants (n = 10) and nuclear imaging technicians (n = 2) convened virtually from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to formulate best practices for ATTR-CM diagnosis. The panel reached a consensus on a standard diagnostic pathway for ATTR-CM, which commences by evaluating the presence of clinical red flags and initiating a cardiac workup to assess the patient’s echocardiogram. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be needed, in uncertain cases. When there is a high suspicion of ATTR-CM, patients undergo nuclear scintigraphy and hematologic tests to rule out primary or light-chain amyloidosis. The expert panel emphasized that implementing best practices will support healthcare professionals in KSA to improve their ability to detect and diagnose ATTR-CM more accurately and promptly. Diagnosing ATTR-CM accurately and early can reduce morbidity and mortality rates through appropriate treatment.

Abstract Drought tolerant germplasm is needed to increase crop production, since water scarcity is a critical bottleneck in crop productivity worldwide. Auxin Regulated Gene involved in Organ Size (ARGOS) is a large protein family of transcription factors that plays a vital role in organ size, plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses in plants. Although, the ARGOS gene family has been discovered and functionalized in a variety of crop plants, but a comprehensive and systematic investigation of ARGOS genes in locally used commercial wheat cultivars is still yet to be reported. The relative expression of three highly conserved TaARGOS homoeologous genes (TaARGOS-A, TaARGOS-B, TaARGOS-D) was studied in three drought-tolerant (Pakistan-2013, NARC-2009 and NR-499) and three sensitive (Borlaug-2016, NR-514 and NR-516) wheat genotypes under osmotic stress, induced by PEG-6000 at 0 (exogenous control), 2, 4, 6, and 12 h. The normalization of target genes was done using β-actin as endogenous control, whereas DREB3, as a marker gene was also transcribed, reinforcing the prevalence of dehydration in all stress treatments. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed that osmotic stress induced expression of the three TaARGOS transcripts in different wheat seedlings at distinct timepoints. Overall, all genes exhibited significantly higher expression in the drought-tolerant genotypes as compared to the sensitive ones. For instance, the expression profile of TaARGOS-A and TaARGOS-D showed more than threefold increase at 2 h and six to sevenfold increase after 4 h of osmotic stress. However, after 6 h of osmotic stress these genes started to downregulate, and the lowest gene expression was noticed after 12 h of osmotic stress. Among all the homoeologous genes, TaARGOS-D, in particular, had a more significant influence on controlling plant growth and drought tolerance as it showed the highest expression. Altogether, TaARGOSs are involved in seedling establishment and overall plant growth. In addition, the tolerant group of genotypes had a much greater relative fold expression than the sensitive genotypes. Ultimately, Pakistan-2013 showed the highest relative expression of the studied genes than other genotypes which shows its proficiency to mitigate osmotic stress. Therefore, it could be cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions under moisture-deficient regimes. These findings advocated the molecular mechanism and regulatory roles of TaARGOS genes in plant growth and osmotic stress tolerance in contrasting groups of wheat genotypes, accompanied by the genetic nature of identified genotypes in terms of their potential for drought tolerance.

Lead (Pb2+) pollution in the soil sub-ecosystem has been a continuously growing problem due to economic development and ever-increasing anthropogenic activities across the world. In this study, the photosynthetic performance and antioxidant capacity of Triticeae cereals (rye, wheat and triticale) were compared to assess the activities of antioxidants, the degree of oxidative damage, photochemical efficiency and the levels of photosynthetic proteins under Pb stress (0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2 mM Pb (NO3)2). Compared with triticale, Pb treatments imposed severe oxidative damage in rye and wheat. In addition, the highest activity of major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT, and GPX) was also found to be elevated. Triticale accumulated the highest Pb contents in roots. The concentration of mineral ions (Mg, Ca, and K) was also high in its leaves, compared with rye and wheat. Consistently, triticale showed higher photosynthetic activity under Pb stress. Immunoblotting of proteins revealed that rye and wheat have significantly lower levels of D1 (photosystem II subunit A, PsbA) and D2 (photosystem II subunit D, PsbD) proteins, while no obvious decrease was noticed in triticale. The amount of light-harvesting complex II b6 (Lhcb6; CP24) and light-harvesting complex II b5 (Lhcb5; CP26) was significantly increased in rye and wheat. However, the increase in PsbS (photosystem II subunit S) protein only occurred in wheat and triticale exposed to Pb treatment. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that triticale shows higher antioxidant capacity and photosynthetic efficiency than wheat and rye under Pb stress, suggesting that triticale has high tolerance to Pb and could be used as a heavy metal-tolerant plant.

Objectives: The efforts are being focused to utilise sustainable resources such as vegetable oils, which are amenable to chemical transformations producing monomers and polymers yielding protective coatings. The present manuscript describes the preparation of nanocomposite coatings from corn oil (CO). Methods: CO was subjected to amidation followed by esterification by cinnamic acid producing CO cinnamate-amide (COCA). COCA was next enriched with Fe2O3 nanoparticles (COCA/ Fe2O3) and crosslinked with phenol formaldehyde to produce polymeric coatings on mild steel panels. Results: COCA obtained was rich in functional groups: benzene ring, conjugated with an acrylic group, ester and amide functional group with pendant alkyl chain, and terminal hydroxyl group. The multiple functional groups and nanoparticles offered good adhesion, scratch resistance and flexibility to the resulting nanocomposite coatings. COCA/Fe2O3 coatings showed good physico-mechanical properties and corrosion resistance performance in 3.5 wt% NaCl medium and can be safely used upto 225 °C.

In this study, white-rot fungus, Rigidoporus vinctus, collected from an unidentified fallen twig from Pathankot, Punjab, India, was used for biosorption of anionic Congo red and cationic Methylene blue dyes from an aqueous medium. The biosorption efficiency of the live biomass of Rigidoporus vinctus was investigated to optimize biosorbent dosage, process time, concentrations of dyes, and pH of solutions. The results indicated that Rigidoporus vinctus is more efficient than other reported bio-adsorbents for Congo red and Methylene blue dyes. The maximum biosorption activity of Rigidoporus vinctus for Congo red was found at pH 2, and that for Methylene blue was at pH 10, after 24 h of the reaction period. The process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, which indicated that the interaction of both dyes to the adsorption sites on the surface of Rigidoporus vinctus was responsive to biosorption. The biosorption process could be well explained by the Langmuir isotherm for both dyes. The maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of Rigidoporus vinctus for Congo red and Methylene blue was observed to be 54.0 mg/g and 80.6 mg/g, respectively. The seed germination test was carried out, and it was assessed that the toxicity of dyes was reduced up to significant levels. Based on the present experimental findings, it can be concluded that biosorption using the live biomass of Rigidoporus vinctus can effectively decolorize dye-containing wastewater, thus reducing the hazardous effects of dyes on human beings.

Geranyl butyrate and citronellyl butyrate esters are industrially important fruity flavors that are being used in food and as a fragrance in cosmetics. Previously terpenyl fruity flavors have been successfully synthesized in organic solvents using crude seedlings enzymes. The purpose of the current study was to standardize reaction parameters for the optimal synthesis of geranyl butyrate using the best chosen black cumin seedling lipase in an organic medium through direct esterification reactions. Geranyl butyrate and citronellyl butyrate esters were identified, quantified through gas chromatography, confirmed through GC-MS, and partiallypurified through the distillation process. Effect of organic solvents (acetonitrile, n-hexane, pentane, heptane, and toluene), alcohol and acid concentrations (0.125–0.3 M), temperature (20–50°C), incubation time (1–72 h), and enzyme concentrations (0.05–0.3 g) were studied on the synthesis of geranyl butyrate using black cumin seedling lipase. The highest conversion yields of ester (96%) were obtained when 0.25 M of geraniol and butyric acid were reacted at 37°C for 48 h in the presence of 0.25 g of crude seedling lipase enzyme in n-hexane. It was concluded that the germinated black cumin seedling lipase proved to be the best among the selected biocatalysts for the synthesis of geranyl butyrate in n-hexane.

Synchronizing nitrogen (N) fertilization with planting date (PD) could enhance resource use efficiency and profitability of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Thailand. The objective of the study was to assess upland rice responses to four N fertilization rates (NFRs) and three planting dates. Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons under four NFRs, no N applied (N0), 30 (N30), 60 (N60), and 90 kg N ha−1 (N90), and NFR were applied at the initiation of tillering and panicle emergence stages. The planting dates selected were early (PD1), intermedium (PD2), and late planting (PD3) between September and December of each season. The NFRs and planting dates had a significant influence on N uptake, N use efficiency (NUE), crop water productivity, yield and yield attributes, and profitability of upland rice production. A linear relationship among NFRs, agronomic traits of upland rice, N uptake, and crop water productivity was observed, and a significant seasonal effect was indicated. Fertilization at N90 under PD2 enhanced yields, yield attributes, and grain yields, as well as crop water productivity by 56 and 105% during the second and first seasons, respectively. Grain N, total N, and straw N were increased by 159, 159, and 160%, and by 90, 114, and 153%, during the first and second seasons, respectively. Enhanced N efficiencies, including agronomic efficiency, recovery efficiency, partial factor productivity, and N harvest index, at varying NFRs were observed under PD2 during both seasons. Highly significant (p < 0.001) and positive associations were observed among agronomic attributes, N uptake, NUE, and crop water productivity of upland rice in correlation assessment. Profitability from grain yields was observed with N fertilization and N90 resulted in maximum profit under all the PDs. However, the highest marginal benefit-cost ratio was observed at N60 under PD2 during both seasons. The results suggest that the NFR of 90 kg N ha−1 and planting at the end of September or start of October would enhance resource use efficiency and productivity, and maximize profitability. Furthermore, long–term field investigations with a range of NFRs and adopting forecasting measures to adjust the planting date for upland rice are recommended.

Intercropping has been widely adopted by farmers because it often enhances crop productivity and economic returns. However, to increase the comprehensive production benefits of agricultural cultivation and increase the economic benefits of cotton in Northwest Shandong Province, a set of green, ecological, and efficient intercropping mode suitable for Northwest Shandong Province was preliminarily formed. A 2-year intercropping experiment was conducted in Xiajin and Dongping counties in Shandong Province, with six alternative intercropping patterns proposed. After analyzing the experimental data, it was determined that the traditional cotton–peanut intercropping method is not mechanized and that a new intercropping mode has been proposed: four rows of cotton and six rows of peanut. We selected the appropriate intercropping mode for Xiajin and Dongping counties. The production efficiency of 4:4 cotton intercropping in Peanut Ridge was the best in Dongping and Xiajin counties, which was 28–123% higher than that of monoculture. This planting pattern is suitable for demonstration and promotion in the two counties, as well as in the traditional cotton area of the old Yellow River in Northwest Shandong.

Abstract Growth and development of cereal crops are linked to weather, day length and growing degree-days (GDDs) which make them responsive to the specific environments in specific seasons. Global temperature is rising due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and clearance of woodlands for building construction. The rise in temperature disrupts crop growth and development. Disturbance mainly causes a shift in phenological development of crops and affects their economic yield. Scientists and farmers adapt to these phenological shifts, in part, by changing sowing time and cultivar shifts which may increase or decrease crop growth duration. Nonetheless, climate warming is a global phenomenon and cannot be avoided. In this scenario, food security can be ensured by improving cereal production through agronomic management, breeding of climate-adapted genotypes and increasing genetic biodiversity. In this review, climate warming, its impact and consequences are discussed with reference to their influences on phenological shifts. Furthermore, how different cereal crops adapt to climate warming by regulating their phenological development is elaborated. Based on the above mentioned discussion, different management strategies to cope with climate warming are suggested.

A series of cubic porous perovskites with the general formula BaFe1−xNixO3 have been prepared via the sol-gel-citrate route and investigated as a catalyst for the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BzOH) to benzaldehyde (BzH) using molecular O2 as the oxidant under ambient pressure. Doping and the synergetic interaction between Ni and Fe ions in the BaFeO3 perovskites significantly affected the conversion, product selectivity, specific activity, turnover number, and turnover frequency. A BzH selectivity of >99.9% was achieved in the oxidation of BzOH. Among the prepared perovskites, BaFe0.4Ni0.6O3 showed the highest catalytic conversion and specific activity under the optimized reaction conditions. Based on the catalytic performance, further studies on the recyclability, and influences of temperature and catalyst loading were carried out using this catalyst. The catalyst recyclability test showed a negligible loss in activity after five consecutive cycles. Keywords: Perovskite, Surface area, Molecular oxygen, Benzyl alcohol, Catalytic oxidation

We used cell-free culture filtrate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a reducing mediator of AgNO3 to silvernanoparticles (AgNPs) and possibly used as a potential anticancer agent against thyroid cancer cells (TPC1). The bio-generation of AgNPs was firmly established by taking a UV spectrum at 380–500 nm wavelength. The Fourier transform spectrum analysis reveals the association of alcohol, phenol and aromatic functional groups with P. aeruginosa synthesized AgNPs (Ps-AgNPs). By observing under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the size and structure of the Ps-AgNPs were characterized as the size was 30–70 nm and spherical in shape. The concentration-dependent cytotoxicity of Ps-AgNPs on TPC1 cells was observed and IC50 value was calculated. The alteration of oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers in Ps-AgNPs treated cells were observed. The induced apoptosis was determined by staining the Ps-AgNPs treated cells with DCFH-DA, Rh-123 dye, Acridine Orange (AO) and ethidium bromide (EtBr). Increased level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and decreased level of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed in Ps-AgNPs treated TPC1 cells. Moreover, the apoptotic morphological changes were explored, which indicates increased apoptosis by inducing cell membrane damage in Ps-AgNPs treated cells. This biogenic approach will enable an effective and significant improvement in nano-oncotherapy.

Abstract Background We identified a HIV-positive cohort in virologic failure (VF) who re-suppressed without drug switch. We characterized their drug resistance mutations (DRM) and adherence profiles to learn how to better manage HIV drug resistance. A retrospective cohort study utilizing clinical data and stored samples. Patients received ART at three Nigerian treatment centres. Plasma samples stored when they were in VF were genotyped. Result Of 126 patients with samples available, 57 were successfully genotyped. From ART initiation, the proportion of patients with adherence ≥90% increased steadily from 54% at first high viral load (VL) to 67% at confirmed VF, and 81% at time of re-suppressed VL. Sixteen (28%) patients had at least one DRM. Forty-six (81%) patients had full susceptibility to the three drugs in their first-line (1 L) regimen. Thirteen (23%) were resistant to at least one antiretroviral drug but three were resistant to drugs not used in Nigeria. Ten patients had resistance to their 1 L drug(s) and six were fully susceptible to the three drugs in the recommended second-line regimen. Conclusion This cohort had little drug resistance mutations. We conclude that if adherence is not assured, patients could exhibit virologic failure without having developed mutations associated with drug resistance.

The narrow genetic base of modern cultivars is becoming a key bottleneck for crop improvement and the use of wild relatives is an appropriate approach to improve the genetic diversity of crops to manage the sustainable production under different abiotic and biotic constraints. In Pakistan, wild germplasm of grapevine viz Dakh, Toran, and Zarishk belong to Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris and Fatati belong to Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa is naturally present in humid and sub-humid areas of mountainous and sub-mountainous regions and showed varying level of tolerance against drought stress but have not been evaluated as rootstock. In this study, different tolerant behavior of wild grapevines as rootstock in grafted scion varieties were explored under different levels of PEG-6000 mediated drought stress i.e., -4.00, -6.00, and -8.00 bars. In response to drought stress, wild grapevines evoked several non-enzymatic and enzymatic activities. Among non-enzymatic activities, total chlorophyll contents of commercial varieties were sustained at higher level when grafted on wild grapevines Dakh and Fatati which subsequently reduced the damage of cell membrane via MDA. Whereas, to cope the membranous damage due to excessive cellular generation of ROS, wild grapevines triggered the enhanced activities of SOD to dismutase the free oxygen radicals into H2O2, then CAT enzyme convert the H2O2 into water molecules. Higher accumulation of ROS in commercial scion varieties were also coped by wild grapevines Dakh and Fatati through the upregulation of POD and APX enzymes activities. Based on these enzymatic and non-enzymatic indices, biplot and cluster analysis classified the wild grapevines as rootstock into three distinct categories comprises on relatively tolerant i.e., Dakh (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) and Fatati (Vitis vinifera subsp. sativa), moderate tolerant i.e., Toran (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) and relatively susceptible category i.e., Zarishk (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris).

Grain yield stability measurements under varied environmental conditions suggests selection of suitable genotype. Safflower genotypes having different origins were tested for G x E effects on yield using univariate and multivariate statistics in six test environments (three varied climate conditions and combination of years) during 2016–17 and 2017–18. Genotypes were classified as stable or unstable based on multiple stability measures. Comparative yield results reveals different genotypic grain yield response in each environment. High yield (1618.4 kg ha−1) performance and responsiveness of PI-16308 genotype to favorable environment and lowest 1419 kg ha−1 was observed for PI-26748. In lieu of varied climatic condition Env4 showed 37% extra grain yield compared to Env3.The PCA results placed Env1, Env3 and Env5 in one group for producing similar grain yield and rest of the environments showed highest variation. Results of parametric (S2di) and non-parametric (S⁽3), S⁽⁶⁾, NP⁽1⁾, NP⁽2⁾, NP⁽3⁾ & NP⁽⁴⁾) measures indicates that PI-16308 and PI-16315 can be used to improve stability. However, Wricke's ecovalence (Wi2), Shukla's stability variance (σi2), θi, θ(i), S⁽1⁾ and S⁽2⁾ could be considered for improving grain yield of PI-26748 genotype.

This paper deals with some policies, problems and planned suggestions for teacher education and role of teacher in physical education. The goal of this Special Issue was to raise awareness of physical education teacher education (PETE) by expanding the knowledge base and geographical, theoretical, and innovative writing about PETE, physical education teacher educators, and those who shape (policymakers/higher education leadership) and those who experience PETE. The present research paper is based on explorative types of study. This research study is focused on teachers and physical education in India. This present study is basically case types of study, the researcher used secondary sources. The main implication of the study was to the Govt when any policy is introduced, it is the responsibility to checked in ground level, not only in papers.

Long-term corrosion protection of metals might be provided by nanocomposite coatings having synergistic qualities. In this perspective, rapeseed oil-based polyurethane (ROPU) and nanocomposites with calcium and magnesium ions were designed. The structure of these nanocomposites was established through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The morphological studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their thermal characteristics were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrochemical experiments were applied for the assessment of the corrosion inhibition performance of these coatings in 3.5 wt. % NaCl solution for 7 days. After completion of the test, the results revealed a very low icorr value of 7.73 × 10−10 A cm−2, a low corrosion rate of 8.342 × 10−5 mpy, impedance 1.0 × 107 Ω cm2, and phase angle (approx 90°). These findings demonstrated that nanocomposite coatings outperformed ordinary ROPU and other published methods in terms of anticorrosive activity. The excellent anti-corrosive characteristic of the suggested nanocomposite coatings opens up new possibilities for the creation of advanced high-performance coatings for a variety of metal industries.

Biotic and abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures (cold and heat) and oxidative stress, are often interrelated; these conditions singularly or in combination induce cellular damage [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic led overburdened health care systems to deprioritize essential sexual and reproductive healthcare, including abortion and contraception care, while accelerating shifts in healthcare delivery to digital technologies. However, in many countries, including Pakistan, inequalities in access to digital technologies remain, presenting an opportunity for interventions that both increase access to deprioritized sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and overcome the digital divide in delivering digital solutions to those in need of SRHR services. In June 2020, Ipas Pakistan partnered with Sehat Kahani (SK), a local health care NGO and telehealth service, and an existing network of Lady Health Workers (LHWs) to launch a novel hybrid telemedicine-community accompaniment pilot. The model linked women via LHWs with mobile devices to online providers for telemedicine consultations for SRH, including abortion services, contraception, and other gynecological consultations. In June 2020, we trained 98 LHWs and 22 telehealth doctors. Between June 2020 and March 2021, a total of 176 women were referred by LHWs for telehealth consultations. Among women who received abortion services, nearly all (90%) reported complete uterine evacuation. No serious adverse events were reported. Overall satisfaction was high; 81% reported being satisfied, and 86% said it is likely they would recommend the telehealth service to others. Data show that the provision of SRHR services via a telehealth-accompaniment model can be successfully implemented in Pakistan. Outcome data show high satisfaction and good clinical outcomes for women accessing care through this model. However, more data are needed to understand the full potential of this model. Barriers to digital health models, such as poor or inconsistent internet access, remain in places like Pakistan, especially in rural settings. This approach has its limitations but should be considered as an option in settings with similarly established community health networks and inequitable access to digital health.

Ongoing climate change is already affecting crop production patterns worldwide. Our aim was to investigate how increasing temperature and CO2 as well as changes in precipitation could affect potential yields for different historical pedoclimatic conditions at high latitudes (i.e., >55°). The APSIM crop model was used to simulate the productivity of four annual crops (barley, forage maize, oats, and spring wheat) over five sites in Sweden ranging between 55 and 64°N. A first set of simulations was run using site-specific daily weather data acquired between 1980 and 2005. A second set of simulations was then run using incremental changes in precipitation, temperature and CO2 levels, corresponding to a range of potential future climate scenarios. All simulation sets were compared in terms of production and risk of failure. Projected future trends showed that barley and oats will reach a maximum increase in yield with a 1°C increase in temperature compared to the 1980–2005 baseline. The optimum temperature for spring wheat was similar, except at the northernmost site (63.8°N), where the highest yield was obtained with a 4°C increase in temperature. Forage maize showed best performances for temperature increases of 2–3°C in all locations, except for the northernmost site, where the highest simulated yield was reached with a 5°C increase. Changes in temperatures and CO2 were the main factors explaining the changes in productivity, with ~89% of variance explained, whereas changes in precipitation explained ~11%. At the northernmost site, forage maize, oats and spring wheat showed decreasing risk of crop failure with increasing temperatures. The results of this modeling exercise suggest that the cultivation of annual crops in Sweden should, to some degree, benefit from the expected increase of temperature in the coming decades, provided that little to no water stress affects their growth and development. These results might be relevant to agriculture studies in regions of similar latitudes, especially the Nordic countries, and support the general assumption that climate change should have a positive impact on crop production at high latitudes.

ObjectivesCompliant surfaces beneath a casualty diminish the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in clinical environments. To examine this issue in a sporting environment, we assessed chest compression quality and rescuer exertion upon compliant sports safety matting.MethodsTwenty-seven advanced life support providers volunteered (13 male/14 female; mass = 79.0 ± 12.5 kg; stature = 1.77 ± 0.09 m). Participants performed 5 × 2 min, randomized bouts of continuous chest compressions on a mannequin, upon five surfaces: solid floor; low-compliance matting; low-compliance matting with a backboard; high-compliance matting; high-compliance matting with a backboard. Measures included chest compression depth and rate, percentage of adequate compressions, and rescuer heart rate and perceived exertion.ResultsChest compression depth and rate were significantly lower upon high-compliance matting relative to other surfaces (pConclusionProviders of CPR should be alerted to the detrimental effects of compliant safety matting in a sporting environment and prepare to alter the targeted compression depth and rescuer rotation intervals accordingly.

These days, many countries have a water shortage and have limited access to clean water. To overcome this, a new treatment is emerging, namely, the photocatalytic processing of greywater. Photocatalytic processes to remove the organic matter from different greywater sources are critically reviewed. Their efficiency in degrading the organic matter in greywater is scrutinized along with factors that can affect the activity of photocatalysts. Modified TiO2, ZnO and TiO2 catalysts show great potential in degrading organic materials that are present in greywater. There are several methods that can be used to modify TiO2 by using sol-gel, microwave and ultrasonication. Overall, the photocatalytic approach alone is not efficient in mineralizing the organic compounds, but it works well when the photocatalysis is combined with oxidants and Fe3+. However, factors such as pH, concentration and catalyst-loading of organic compounds can significantly affect photocatalytic efficiency.

The study aims to improve fiber traits of local cotton cultivar through genetic transformation of sucrose synthase (SuS) gene in cotton. Sucrose synthase (SuS) is an important factor that is involved in the conversion of sucrose to fructose and UDP-glucose, which are essential for the synthesis of cell wall cellulose. In the current study, we expressed a synthetic SuS gene in cotton plants under the control of a CaMV35S promoter. Amplification of an 813-bp fragment using gene-specific primers confirmed the successful introduction of SuS gene into the genome of cotton variety CEMB-00. High SuS mRNA expression was observed in two transgenic cotton plants, MA0023 and MA0034, when compared to the expression in two other transgenic cotton plants, MA0035 and MA0038. Experiments showed that SuS mRNA expression was positively correlated with SuS activity at the vegetative (54%) and reproductive stages (40%). Furthermore, location of transgene was found to be at chromosome no. 9 in the form of single insertion, while no signal was evident in non-transgenic control cotton plant when evaluated through fluorescent in situ hybridization and karyotyping analysis. Fiber analyses of the transgenic cotton plants showed increases of 11.7% fiber length, 18.65% fiber strength, and up to 5% cellulose contents. An improvement in the micronaire value of 4.21 was also observed in the MA0038 transgenic cotton line. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the fibers of the SuS transgenic cotton plants were highly spiral with a greater number of twists per unit length than the fibers of the non-transgenic control plants. These results determined that SuS gene expression influenced cotton fiber structure and quality, suggesting that SuS gene has great potential for cotton fiber quality improvement.

Abstract Strip width management is a critical factor for producing higher crop yields in relay intercropping systems. A 2‐year field experiment was carried out during 2012 and 2013 to evaluate the effects of different strip width treatments on dry‐matter production, major‐nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) uptake, and competition parameters of soybean and maize in relay intercropping system. The strip width (SW) treatments were 0.40, 0.40, and 0.40 m (SW1); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.50 m (SW2); 0.40, 0.40, and 0.60 m (SW3); and 0.40, 0.40, and 0.70 m (SW4) for soybean row spacing, maize row spacing, and spacing between soybean and maize rows, respectively. As compared to sole maize (SM) and sole soybean (SS), relay‐intercropped maize and soybean accumulated lower quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in all treatments. However, maize in SW1 accumulated higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than SW4 (9%, 9%, and 8% for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, respectively). Soybean in SW3 accumulated 25% higher nitrogen, 33% higher phosphorus, and 24% higher potassium than in SW1. The improved nutrient accumulation in SW3 significantly increased the soybean dry matter by 19%, but slightly decreased the maize dry matter by 6% compared to SW1. Similarly, SW3 increased the competition ratio value of soybean (by 151%), but it reduced the competition ratio value of maize (by 171%) compared to SW1. On average, in SW3, relay‐cropped soybean produced 84% of SS seed yield and maize produced 98% of SM seed yield and achieved the land equivalent ratio of 1.8, demonstrating the highest level in the world. Overall, these results suggested that by selecting the appropriate strip width (SW3; 0.40 m for soybean row spacing, 0.40 m maize row spacing, and 0.60 m spacing between soybean and maize rows), we can increase the nutrient uptake (especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), dry‐matter accumulation, and seed yields of relay‐intercrop species under relay intercropping systems.

Wheat is the most widely grown food crop, with 761 Mt produced globally in 2020. To meet the expected grain demand by mid-century, wheat breeding strategies must continue to improve upon yield-advancing physiological traits, regardless of climate change impacts. Here, the best performing doubled haploid (DH) crosses with an increased canopy photosynthesis from wheat field experiments in the literature were extrapolated to the global scale with a multi-model ensemble of process-based wheat crop models to estimate global wheat production. The DH field experiments were also used to determine a quantitative relationship between wheat production and solar radiation to estimate genetic yield potential. The multi-model ensemble projected a global annual wheat production of 1050 ± 145 Mt due to the improved canopy photosynthesis, a 37% increase, without expanding cropping area. Achieving this genetic yield potential would meet the lower estimate of the projected grain demand in 2050, albeit with considerable challenges.

Genus Ziziphus (Z.) contains various important species in tropical and subtropical regions that are globally famous for their food and medicinal uses. However, no comprehensive study was available on the morphology and phytochemistry of Ziziphus species, mainly under different growth conditions, i.e., irrigated and desert (Cholistan). Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the morphological and phytochemical characteristics of Ziziphus species, i.e., Z. jujuba, Z. mauritiana, Z. spina-christi, and Z. nummularia, found in the irrigated and desert conditions. Our results revealed significant variations for most of the measured parameters, showing a large-scale diversity among Ziziphus species under irrigated and desert conditions. Specifically, Ziziphus species showed better morphology of all measured parameters of leaves and fruits under irrigated conditions compared to desert conditions, indicating that the optimum water availability in irrigated conditions improved the morphological parameters of Z. species. Meanwhile, among all Ziziphus species, the maximum leaf length (7.4 cm), leaf width (4.1 cm), leaf area (30.6 cm2), and leaf petiole length (1.3 cm) were observed for Z. jujuba, and the highest leaf dry weight (55.4%) was recorded for Z. mauritiana. Similarly, the highest fruit length (3.9 cm), fruit stalk length (1.5 cm), fruit diameter (3.6 cm), fruit width (3.8 cm), fruit area (66.1 cm2), seed length (2 cm), and seed diameter (1.1 cm) were measured for species Z. jujuba, while the maximum fruit dry weight (49.9%) and seed width (1.4 cm) were recorded for species Z. nummularia. Interestingly, compared to irrigated conditions, higher values of bioactive contents, i.e., phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity, in fruits and leaves of Ziziphus species under desert conditions indicated the positive impact of desert climate on the phytochemistry of the Z. plants. Among Ziziphus species, Z. nummularia accumulated the maximum fruit phenols (304.4 mg GAE/100 g), leaf phenols (314.2 mg GAE/100 g), fruit flavonoids (123.7 mg QE/100 g), and leaf flavonoids (113.4 mg QE/100 g). Overall, this study demonstrated the significant morphological and phytochemical variations of the Ziziphus species under irrigated and desert conditions, which could be utilized for future studies to improve the production and medicinal potential of the Ziziphus, especially in desert areas.

Toluene has been shown to be highly toxic to humans and animals and can cause damage to various tissues. However, studies reporting its effects on ovarian function are still limited. In this study, we investigated the in vivo effect of toluene using female Wistar rats. We found that toluene exposure decreased ovarian weight and affected ovarian structure by increasing the number of abnormally growing follicles. Moreover, it significantly increased progesterone and testosterone levels. We also showed that toluene exposure decreased GDF-9 protein and its encoding gene. In addition, it inhibited the expression of most of the genes involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, such as Insl3, ccnd2 and actb. The TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis occurred at the middle and high doses only (4000 and 8000 ppm, respectively), whereas no effect was observed at the low dose (2000 ppm). Interestingly, we showed that toluene exposure induced autophagy as LC3 protein and its encoding gene significantly increased for all doses of treatment. These results may suggest that the activation of autophagy at a low dose of exposure was to protect ovarian cells against death by inhibiting apoptosis, whereas its activation at high doses of exposure triggered apoptosis leading to cell death.

Lowland rice is an important cereal crop that plays a key role in the food security and the economy of Thailand. Terminal water stress (TWS) in rainfed lowland areas poses threats to rice productivity due to stress occurrence at terminal crop stages and extreme sensitivity of rice to TWS. A two-year study was conducted to characterize the performance of yield and yield attributes of twelve Thai lowland rice genotypes under TWS, to identify stress-tolerant genotypes using stress response indices and to identify promising stress indices which are correlated with grain yield (GY) under well-watered (WW) and TWS conditions for their use as rapid identifiers in a rice crop breeding program for enhancing drought stress tolerance. Measurements were recorded under WW and TWS conditions. Highly significant variations were observed amongst assessed genotypes for their yield productivity responses. According to stress response indices, genotypes were categorized into stress-tolerant and stress susceptible genotypes. Genotypes Hom Pathum, Sang Yod, Dum Ja and Pathum Thani-1 were found highly stress tolerant and relatively high yielding; genotypes Look Pla and Lep Nok were stress tolerant, whereas genotypes Chor Lung, Hom Nang Kaew and Hom Chan were moderately tolerant genotypes. Hence, stress-tolerant genotypes could be potentially used for cultivation under rainfed and water-limited conditions, where TWS is predicted particularly in southern Thailand to stabilize rice productivity. Stress tolerance indices, including stress tolerance index (STI), geometric mean productivity (GMP), mean productivity index (MPRO) and harmonic mean index (MHAR), indicated strong and positive associations with GY under WW and TWS; thus, these indices could be used to indicate stress tolerance in rice crop breeding program aimed at a rapid screening of lowland rice genotypes for stress tolerance.

The frequency of heavy rains is increasing with climate change in regions that already have high annual rainfall (i.e., Sichuan, China). Crop response under such high-rainfall conditions is to increase dry matter investment in vegetative parts rather than reproductive parts. In the case of soybean, leaf redundancy prevails, which reduces the light transmittance and seed yield. However, moderate defoliation of soybean canopy could reduce leaf redundancy and improve soybean yield, especially under high-rainfall conditions. Therefore, the effects of three defoliation treatments (T1, 15%; T2, 30%; and T3, 45% defoliation from the top of the soybean canopy; defoliation treatments were applied at the pod initiation stage of soybean) on the growth and yield parameters of soybean were evaluated through field experiments in the summer of 2017, 2018, and 2019. All results were compared with nondefoliated soybean plants (CK) under high-rainfall conditions. Compared with CK, treatment T1 significantly (p < 0. 05) improved the light transmittance and photosynthetic rate of soybean. Consequently, the leaf greenness was enhanced by 22%, which delayed the leaf senescence by 13% at physiological maturity. Besides, compared to CK, soybean plants achieved the highest values of crop growth rate in T1, which increased the total dry matter accumulation (by 6%) and its translocation to vegetative parts (by 4%) and reproductive parts (by 8%) at physiological maturity. This improved soybean growth and dry matter partitioning to reproductive parts in T1 enhanced the pod number (by 23%, from 823.8 m−2 in CK to 1012.7 m−2 in T1) and seed number (by 11%, from 1181.4 m−2 in CK to 1311.7 m−2 in T1), whereas the heavy defoliation treatments considerably decreased all measured growth and yield parameters. On average, treatment T1 increased soybean seed yield by 9% (from 2120.2 kg ha−1 in CK to 2318.2 kg ha−1 in T1), while T2 and T3 decreased soybean seed yield by 19% and 33%, respectively, compared to CK. Overall, these findings indicate that the optimum defoliation, i.e., T1 (15% defoliation), can decrease leaf redundancy and increase seed yield by reducing the adverse effects of mutual shading and increasing the dry matter translocation to reproductive parts than vegetative parts in soybean, especially under high-rainfall conditions. Future studies are needed to understand the internal signaling and the molecular mechanism controlling and regulating dry matter production and partitioning in soybean, especially from the pod initiation stage to the physiological maturity stage.

Abstract Planting arrangements affect radiation use efficiency (RUE) and competitiveness of intercrop species in intercropping systems. Here, we reveal that narrow‐wide‐row planting arrangement in maize‐soybean relay‐intercropping system increases the dry matter and competitiveness of soybean, increased the RUE of maize and soybean, and compensates the yield loss of maize by substantially increasing the yield of soybean. In this field study, maize was planted with soybean in different planting arrangements (P1, 20:180, P2, 40:160; P3, 60:140, and P4, 80:120) of relay intercropping, all the relay‐intercropping treatments were compared with sole crops of maize (SM) and soybean (SS). Results showed that P1 improved the total RUE 3.26 g/MJ (maize RUE + soybean RUE) of maize and soybean in relay‐intercropping system. Compared to P4, treatment P1 increased the soybean competition ratio (CR) values (by 55%) but reduced the maize CR values (by 29%), which in turn significantly improved the yield of soybean by maintaining the maize yield. Generally, in P1, soybean produced 82% of SS yield, and maize produced 88% of SM yield, and it achieved the land equivalent ratio of 1.7. These results suggest that by maintaining the appropriate planting distances between maize and soybean we can improve the competitiveness and yield of intercrop species in relay‐intercropping system.

Genetically modified (GM) plants with insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) genes are widely accepted but their commercial utilization highlights the biosafety issues worldwide. The risk assessment of GM crops demonstrates their impact on the ecosystem as well as non-target organisms (NTOs). Among the NTOs, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) demand more critical experimental studies as they play a significant role in plant growth. A comparative study of Bt with non-Bt cotton rhizosphere was conducted, on selected bacterial strains. During the course of the study, biochemical characterization, auxin biosynthesis and molecular characterization was done to assess the effect of Bt toxins (Cry1Ac and Cry2A) on non-target PGPR strains. A significant decrease (p0.05) were observed in other parameters like bacterial population, colony morphologies as well as biochemical activities. Thus, our study demonstrates the safe plantation of Bt crops with respect to soil bacteria.

Background Maize-soybean relay-intercropping (MSR) is a famous system of crop production in developing countries. However, maize shading under this system directly affects the light quality and intensity of soybean canopy. This is a challenging scenario in which to implement the MSR system, in terms of varieties selection, planting pattern, and crop management since the duration of crop resource utilization clearly differs. Methods Therefore, this experiment aimed to elucidate the effect of leaf excising treatments from maize top to fully clarify the needs and balance of light quality and intensity of intercrop-soybean under MSR in field conditions. The effects of different leaf excising treatments (T0, no removal of leaves; T2, removal of two topmost leaves; T4, removal of four topmost leaves; T6, removal of six topmost leaves from maize plants were applied at first-trifoliate stage (V1) of soybean) on photosynthetically active radiation transmittance (PART), red to far-red ratio (R:FR), morphological and photosynthetic characteristics and total biomass production at second-trifoliate stage (V2), fifth-trifoliate stage (V5), and flowering-stage (R1) of soybean were investigated through field experiments for 2-years under MSR. Results As compared to T0, treatment T6 increased the PART and R:FR ratio at soybean canopy by 77% and 37% (V2), 70% and 34% (V5), and 41% and 36% (R1), respectively. This improved light environment in T6 considerably enhanced the leaf area index, SPAD values and photosynthetic rate of soybean plants by 66%, 25% and 49% at R1, respectively than T0. Similarly, relative to control, T6 also increased the stem diameter (by 29%) but decreased the plant height (by 23%) which in turn significantly increased stem breaking strength (by 87%) by reducing the lodging rate (by 59%) of soybean plants. Overall, under T6, relay-cropped soybean produced 78% of sole soybean seed-yield, and relay-cropped maize produced 81% of sole maize seed-yield. Our findings implied that by maintaining the optimum level of PART (from 60% to 80%) and R:FR ratio (0.9 to 1.1), we can improve morphological and photosynthetic characteristics of soybean plants in MSR. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the light environment when considering the sustainability of MSR via appropriate planting pattern selection.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes both superficial and systemic infection and an important candidate that contribute to high morbidity and mortality rates in immunocompromised patients. The ability of C. albicans to switch from yeast to filamentous form and thereby forming biofilms make them resistant to most of the antifungal drugs available today. Thus the development of more effective antifungal drugs are essential and crucial at this point of time. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is an alternative modality to treat such biofilm forming resistant strains. This study aims to investigate the enhanced efficiency of newly synthesized MSN-RB conjugate as an antimicrobial photosensitizer for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against C. albicans. Functionalization of MSN with amino groups was performed to increase the dye loading capacity. Conjugation process of MSN-RB was confirmed using different techniques including UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fluorescent spectroscopy and FTIR analysis. A low power green laser 50 mW irradiation was applied (5 min) for activation of MSN-RB conjugate and RB against C. albicans biofilm and planktonic cell. The comparative study of MSN-RB conjugate and free RB on aPDT was evaluated using standard experimental procedures. Antibiofilm efficacy was determined using biofilm inhibition assay, cell viability, EPS quantification and CLSM studies. The results revealed that MSN-RB conjugate has a significant antimicrobial activity (88.62 ± 3.4%) and antibiofilm effect on C. albicans when compared to free dye after light irradiation. The MSN-RB conjugate based aPDT can be employed effectively in treatment of C. albicans infections. Keywords: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy, Mesoporus silica nanoparticles, Amino functionalization, Conjugation, Lipid peroxidation, Anti-biofilm activity

Wheat crop experiences high temperature stress during flowering and grain-filling stages, which is termed as “terminal heat stress”. Characterizing genotypes for adaptive traits could increase their selection for better performance under terminal heat stress. The present study evaluated the morpho-physiological traits of two spring wheat cultivars (Millet-11, Punjab-11) and two advanced lines (V-07096, V-10110) exposed to terminal heat stress under late sowing. Early maturing Millet-11 was used as heat-tolerant control. Late sowing reduced spike length (13%), number of grains per spike (10%), 1000-grain weight (13%) and biological yield (15–20%) compared to timely sowing. Nonetheless, higher number of productive tillers per plant (19–20%) and grain yield (9%) were recorded under late sowing. Advanced lines and genotype Punjab-11 had delayed maturity and better agronomic performance than early maturing heat-tolerant Millet-11. Advanced lines expressed reduced canopy temperature during grain filling and high leaf chlorophyll a (20%) and b (71–125%) contents during anthesis under late sowing. All wheat genotypes expressed improved stem water-soluble carbohydrates under terminal heat stress that were highest for heat-tolerant Millet-11 genotype during anthesis. Improved grain yield was associated with the highest chlorophyll contents showing stay green characteristics with maintenance of high photosynthetic rates and cooler canopies under late sowing. The results revealed that advanced lines and Punjab-11 with heat adaptive traits could be promising source for further use in the selection of heat-tolerant wheat genotypes.

Phenology algorithms in crop growth models have inevitable systematic errors and uncertainties. In this study, the phenology simulation algorithms in APSIM classical (APSIM 7.9) and APSIM next generation (APSIM-NG) were compared for spring barley models at high latitudes. Phenological data of twelve spring barley varieties were used for the 2014–2018 cropping seasons from northern Sweden and Finland. A factorial-based calibration approach provided within APSIM-NG was performed to calibrate both models. The models have different mechanisms to simulate days to anthesis. The calibration was performed separately for days to anthesis and physiological maturity, and evaluations for the calibrations were done with independent datasets. The calibration performance for both growth stages of APSIM-NG was better compared to APSIM 7.9. However, in the evaluation, APSIM-NG showed an inclination to overestimate days to physiological maturity. The differences between the models are possibly due to slower thermal time accumulation mechanism, with higher cardinal temperatures in APSIM-NG. For a robust phenology prediction at high latitudes with APSIM-NG, more research on the conception of thermal time computation and implementation is suggested.