Investigating the dynamic responses of Aegilops tauschii Coss. to salinity, drought, and nitrogen stress: a comprehensive study of competitive growth and biochemical and molecular pathways

Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) is a highly deleterious, rapidly proliferating weed within the wheat, and its DD genome composition exhibits adaptability toward diverse abiotic stresses and demonstrates heightened efficacy in nutrient utilization. Current study investigated different variegated impacts of distinct nitrogen concentrations with varied plant densities, scrutinizing the behavior of Ae. tauschii under various salinity and drought stress levels through multiple physiological, biochemical, and molecular pathways. Different physiological parameters attaining high growth with different plant density and different nitrogen availability levels increased Ae. tauschii dominancy. Conversely, under the duress of salinity and drought, Ae. tauschii showcased an enhanced performance through a comprehensive array of physiological and biochemical parameters, including catalase, peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and proline content. Notably, salinity-associated traits such as sodium, potassium, and the sodium–potassium ratio exhibited significant variations and demonstrated remarkable tolerance capabilities. In the domain of molecular pathways, the HKT and DREB genes have displayed a remarkable upregulation, showcasing a comparatively elevated expression profile in reaction to different levels of salinity and drought-induced stress. Without a doubt, this information will make a substantial contribution to the understanding of the fundamental behavioral tendencies and the efficiency of nutrient utilization in Ae. tauschii. Moreover, it will offer innovative viewpoints for integrated management, thereby enabling the enhancement of strategies for adept control and alleviation

Big data adoption and knowledge management sharing: an empirical investigation on their adoption and sustainability as a purpose of education

The aim of this paper to develop a model to measure sustainability for education and incorporate the literature big data adoption and knowledge management sharing in the educational environment. This paper hypothesizes that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, and behavioral intention to use big data should influence adoption of big data, while age diversity, cultural diversity, and motivators should impact knowledge management sharing. Therefore, knowledge management sharing influences behavior intention to use technologies and big data adoption would be positively associated with sustainability for education. This paper employed a version of TAM and motivation theory as the research framework and adopted quantitative data collection and analysis methods by surveying 214 university students who were chosen through stratified random sampling. Student's responses were sorted into the 11 study constructs and analyzed to explain their implication of sustainability on education. The data were then quantitatively analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk, and behavioral intention to use big data were significant determinants of big data adoption, while age diversity, cultural diversity, and motivators were significant determinants of knowledge management sharing. The knowledge management sharing, behavior intention to use technologies, and big data adoption succeeded in explaining 66.7% of sustainability on education. The findings and implications of this paper are provided

Heat Stroke in Emergency Department: Diagnosis and Management

Background: Heat stroke is a severe health concern with the potential for multi-organ failure, necessitating rapid and effective management. With rising global temperatures, there is increasing concern regarding the vulnerability of populations in high-heat areas, notably in Saudi Arabia, especially during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Objective: This paper aims to review the epidemiology, evaluation and management techniques of heat stroke, emphasizing the situation during Hajj pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia, and to outline the best practices for emergency management. Methodology: A comprehensive review of literature and studies related to heat stroke, both globally and specific to Saudi Arabia, was undertaken. An in-depth analysis of emergency management, including initial assessment, cooling methods, organ support, medication, and prevention strategies, was conducted. Results: Heat stroke remains a significant cause of emergency department visits, with specific groups, such as men and the elderly, being more susceptible. During the Hajj in 2016, 267 patients were diagnosed with heat-related illnesses, with heatstroke accounting for 29% of these cases. With the threat of global warming, studies indicate a potential tenfold increase in heat stroke risk with a 2°C rise in temperatures. Swift and comprehensive cooling is pivotal for recovery. Management emphasizes rapid recognition, assessment, and varied cooling methods, along with targeted treatments for organ dysfunctions. Prevention strategies play a vital role, given the higher efficacy and practicality over treating organ dysfunctions. Conclusion: Heat stroke is a pressing health challenge, particularly in high-risk environments like Saudi Arabia during the Hajj pilgrimage. While effective emergency management protocols exist, an emphasis on prevention is crucial. It is imperative to incorporate a comprehensive approach to address both the immediate threat and long-term risks of heat stroke, especially with the looming challenge of global warming

Oral semaglutide adequate glycaemia control with safe cardiovascular ‎profile

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that ‎associated with series complication such as major adverse ‎cardiovascular events. Adequate glycaemic control proven ‎to reduce this risk. Orally administered semaglutide ‎promising medication in managing patient with type 2 ‎diabetes.‎AimsTo assess the cardiovascular safety and efficacy of semaglutide, a recently approved glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) for type 2 diabetes.Methods Pub Med, ‎Google Scholar, and EBSCO ‎ databases were ‎systematically search for relevant articles. The terms‎ diabetes‎, Glucagon-like peptide, semaglutide‎ were used. Out of hundred twenty-two records, only ‎four fulfilled ‎the inclusion criteria.Results Four placebo-controlled studies with oral semaglutide ‎were included. Single study concern about the cardiovascular safety of oral semaglutide ‎and showed that, ‎compared with placebo, semaglutide ‎ was not associated ‎with increased in the cardiovascular events. On the other ‎hand, the remaining trials shown that, semaglutide ‎ can ‎effectively control the blood glucose as evident by ‎reduction in HA1c.ConclusionOral semaglutide can effectively and safely lower blood glucose without increase in the major adverse ‎cardiovascular events‎‎ (MACE).

Improvement of salt and waterlogging tolerance in wheat: comparative physiology of Hordeum marinum-Triticum aestivum amphiploids with their H. marinum and wheat parents

Hordeum marinum Huds. is a waterlogging-tolerant halophyte that has been hybridised with bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to produce an amphiploid containing both genomes. This study tested the hypothesis that traits associated with waterlogging and salinity tolerances would be expressed in H. marinum-wheat amphiploids. Four H. marinum accessions were used as parents to produce amphiploids with Chinese Spring wheat, and their responses to hypoxic and 200mM NaCl were evaluated. Relative growth rate (RGR) in the hypoxic-saline treatment was better maintained in the amphiploids (58-71% of controls) than in wheat (56% of control), but the amphiploids were more affected than H. marinum (68-97% of controls). In hypoxic-saline conditions, leaf Na+ concentrations in the amphiploids were lower than in wheat (30-41% lower) but were 39-47% higher than in the H. marinum parents. A strong barrier to radial oxygen loss formed in basal root zones under hypoxic conditions in two H. marinum accessions; this barrier was moderate in the amphiploids, absent in wheat, and was weaker for the hypoxic-saline treatment. Porosity of adventitious roots increased with the hypoxic treatments; values were 24-38% in H. marinum, 16-27% in the amphiploids and 16% in wheat. Overall, the amphiploids showed greater salt and waterlogging tolerances than wheat, demonstrating the expression of relevant traits from H. marinum in the amphiploids

Inoculation with Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Alleviates the Adverse Effects of High Temperature in Soybean

High temperature is foremost abiotic stress and there are inadequate studies explicating its impact on soybean. In this study, a pot experiment was done in a greenhouse maintained at a day/night temperature of 42/28 °C with a mean temperature of 35 °C to examine the effects of high temperature in soybean plants inoculated with and without arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).Various parameters were taken in soybean plants treated with AMF (+) and AMF (−) such as growth analysis, chlorophyll content, canopy temperature, number of stomata, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, seed yield, and its attributes. It was observed that growth parameters like leaf area, stem height, root length, shoot and root dry biomass were increased in AMF (+) as compared to AMF (−) plants. Chlorophyll content, the number of stomata, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, and water use efficiency increased in AMF (+) as compared to AMF (−) plants. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters such as Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, PhiPSII, fluorescence area, performance index, photochemical quenching, linear electron transport rate, and active reaction centres density of PSII were also found to be enhanced in AMF (+) plants. However, canopy temperature, intercellular CO2, Fo/Fm, and non-photochemical quenching were higher in AMF (−) as compared to inoculated plants. An increase in growth and photosynthesis ultimately enhanced the seed yield and its attributes in AMF (+) as compared to AMF (−). Thus, AMF (+) plants have shown much better plant growth, photosynthesis parameters, and seed yield as compared to AMF (−) plants under high temperature. Thus, it is concluded that heat stress-induced damage to the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus was alleviated by AMF inoculum. Therefore, AMF can be used as a biofertilizer in alleviating the adverse effects of heat stress in soybean

Potential of exogenously sourced kinetin in protecting Solanum lycopersicum from NaCl-induced oxidative stress through up-regulation of the antioxidant system, ascorbate-glutathione cycle and glyoxalase system.

The protective role of exogenously applied kinetin (10 μM KN, a cytokinin) against the adverse effects caused by NaCl-induced (150 mM) stress in Solanum lycopersicum was investigated. Application of KN significantly enhanced growth and biomass production of normally grown plants (non-stressed) and also mitigated the adverse effect of NaCl on stressed plants to a considerable extent. Among the examined parameters, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, photosynthetic parameters, components of the antioxidant system (both enzymatic and non-enzymatic), osmotica accumulation, and mineral uptake exhibited a significant increase following the application of KN. Furthermore, KN application reduced the generation of reactive free radical hydrogen peroxide, coupled with a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and an increase in membrane stability. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, and glyoxylase system were found to be promoted in plants exposed to NaCl, and the activities were further promoted by KN application, thereby protecting S. lycopersicum plants against NaCl-induced oxidative damage. Further strengthening of the antioxidant system in KN supplied plants was ascribed to regulation of ascorbate-glutathione cycle, phenols and flavonoids in them. The levels of proline and glycine betaine increased considerably in KN-treated plants, thereby maintaining relative water content. Moreover, exogenous KN application reduced the inhibitory effects of NaCl on K+ and Ca2+ uptake, which resulted in a considerable reduction in tissue Na+/K+ ratio

Sodium nitroprusside and indole acetic acid improve the tolerance of tomato plants to heat stress by protecting against DNA damage

Climate change represents a major threat to agriculture. High ambient temperatures, as a result of global warming, are currently limiting plant growth and development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in combination with indole acetic acid (IAA) on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants under heat stress (HS) and non-heat stress (non-HS) conditions. HS is suggested to induce the formation of reactive oxygen species, such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, which may lead to genotoxicity by damaging DNA, which can be detected by the comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis). HS substantially enhanced proline (Pro), malondialdehyde accumulation, electrolyte leakage (EL), growth reduction, and reduced physiological and biochemical parameters. However, the co-application of SNP and IAA alleviated the adverse effects of HS by promoting catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activities and enhancing the accumulation of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) and Pro with a concomitant decrease in H2O2 and $\hbox{O}_ 2^ -$ content, EL, and DNA damage. Conversely, the treatment of tomato plants with the NO scavenger cPTIO [2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide] along with SNP and IAA further reduced the SNP signal. Therefore, these results suggest that the application of SNP with IAA improves plant defense mechanisms against HS

A mini-review of anti-hepatitis B virus activity of medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are of undoubted value, as they have been used for centuries to treat various diseases and health disorders in almost every part of the world. In several studies, the use of medicinal plants was found effective in treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The World Health Organization has been working for many years to identify all surviving medicinal plants on the earth. An important step has also been taken by the Natural Health Product Regulation of Canada for promotion and usages of natural products. At present, the rapidly growing population of the world is facing many challenges from various infectious diseases that are associated with hepatitis A, B and C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, influenza virus, dengue virus and new emerging viruses. Hepatitis B virus causes a severe and frequently transmittable disease of the liver. Millions of people worldwide suffer from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The drugs available on the market for the treatment of hepatitis B are not sufficient and also cause side effects in patients suffering from HBV infection. The pharmaceutical companies are searching for suitable alternative and natural inhibitors of HBV. Therefore, it is important to explore and use plants as a source of new medicines to treat this infectious disease, because single plants contain a priceless pool of active ingredients which could help in the production of pharmaceutical-grade peptides or proteins. However, the knowledge of the antiviral activity of medicinal plants is still limited

Correction: Rubnawaz et al. Polyphenol Rich Ajuga bracteosa Transgenic Regenerants Display Better Pharmacological Potential. Molecules 2021, 26, 4874

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