In vitro control of Alternaria citri using antifungal potentials of Trichoderma species

The antifungal potential of five species of Trichoderma viz., Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma aureoviride,  Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma koningii and Trichoderma harzianum was investigated in vitro against  Alternaria citri, the causal agent of the black rot disease on a broad range of citrus cultivars. Cultural filtrates of Trichoderma species were obtained by growing them on different media. The effect of different filtrate  concentrations revealed that aqueous extracts of all Trichoderma species significantly reduced the fungal  biomass of the target fungal pathogen. Generally, 100% culture filtrate of the test Trichoderma species  significantly reduced the growth of fungus. On each medium, a different response was observed. Culture filtrate of T. harzianum was found highly effective in suppressing growth (up to 93%) of the test fungal species  grown on malt extract medium. T. harzianum and malt extract medium were therefore selected for fraction  analysis. There was 68% reduction in growth of the A. citri due to 1% concentration of ethyl acetate fraction of cultural filtrate of T. harzianum when grown in malt extract broth.Key words: Citrus, Alternaria citri, ethyl acetate fraction, Trichoderma harzianum, viride, aureoviride, reesei, koningii

Legal Framework to Control at Disposal Point Source Urban and Industrial Effluents of Hyderabad City into Pinyari (Old Phulleli) Canal off-taking from Kotri Barrage, Sindh

Pinyari (old Phulleli) canal off-takes from left bank of Kotri barrage is last Hydraulic structure on Indus river. This canal is passing from periphery of Hyderabad city and its design discharge is 13,636 cusecs which supplies fresh water not only for agricultural, industrial purpose and drinking purpose for the several towns and villages because groundwater in its command area is highly saline and not drinkable. The cottage factories and Hyderabad industrial area are located on nearby banks of canal. Hence, effluents from city and industrial SITE area are directly disposed off into the canal. The disposal of untreated wastewater created health and environmental safety problem. This paper presents that the analyzed results of water quality parameter ie pH, TDS, EC, Na, hardness, K, Mg, Mn, DO and BOD of collacted samples exhibit TDS 6%, K 20%, DO 67% and BOD 54%, respectively exceeded permissible limit. While pH, Na, hardness and Mn found within prescribed limits. Total coliform /E.coli (MPN/100ml) were found positive. Furthermore, the result of Water Quality Index (WQI) model reveals that water quality of canal of collected samples varies from excellent to very poor that reveals canal water is unsuitable for drinking purpose and aquatic life and also causes various waterborne diseases. Therefore, the local people are facing serious health problem by consuming water canal. With an attempt to ensure enforcement of environmental water laws in Sindh province of Pakistan for preventing degrading clean water. These environmental water laws have already been framed, but due to lake of enforcement, water pollution problems are increasing day by day. The enforcement of environmental water laws are very essential to control water pollution for safety of human health, and ecology in Sindh, Pakistan

Analysis and Comparison of Routing protocols in MANET using Simulation

In this paper a comparative analysis among Proactive, Reactive and Hybrid routing protocolis presented using simulation.  As we are well aware that a MANET is self-configuring network and most of the real world scenario involving MANET requires individual nodes to route data. Keeping in view MANET is infrastructure less and at times nodes are free to move in different direction, making routing protocol a vital component for network operational effectiveness and efficiency

Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Peel, Flesh and Seeds Powders

This research work was designed to investigate and utilize all three parts (peel, flesh and seeds) of pumpkin for their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Pumpkin parts were separated, dried, grinded to powder and extracted by using 80% methanol. Percentage yield of pumpkin peel, flesh and seeds extracts, was found 12.37±0.10, 8.84±0.07 and 3.53±0.06% respectively. DPPH free radical scavenging activity (mg AAE/100 g) of pumpkin peel, flesh and seeds extracts was found 13.00±0.08, 10.58:0.06 and 16.53±0.09 respectively. All three types of extracts exhibited prominent antifungal activities against four fungal strains Candida albicans, Fusarium oxysporum, Mucor miehei and Trichoderma spp. Pumpkin seeds extracts exhibited greater zone of inhibition against these fungal strains as compared to pumpkin peel and flesh extracts. For antibacterial study four bacterial strains Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus aureus were used. Pumpkin flesh extracts exhibited greater antibacterial activities as compared to pumpkin peel and seeds extracts. Keywords: Pumpkin, Extracts, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Zone of inhibition, Free radicals DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-6-05 Publication date:March 31st 202

Frequency of Meningitis in Neonatal Sepsis

Objective: The aim of current study was to examine the frequency of meningitis in infants having late onset sepsis (LOS). Bacterial sepsis and meningitis endure to be leading causes of illness and mortality in neonates around the world, predominantly in preterm neonates. They must be discovered and cured as soon as possible to avoid death or disability. Study Design: The Cross-Sectional method was used to conduct a study. Duration and Place of Study: The study period was July to December 2021. Data was collected from Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH) NICU Rawalpindi. Material and Method: The study comprised a total of 110 individuals, both male and female. All of them were older than 3 days and had been hospitalized and diagnosed with late onset sepsis. A neonate was diagnosed with meningitis if his or her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) had > 30 leukocytes/mm3 and any of these two: >200 mg/dl protein or 40 mg/dl glucose. Results: Out of 110 infants having LOS 38 were diagnosed with meningitis in which 21(55.2%) were male and 17(44.8%) were female. Overall mean weight of neonates was 2.38±1.72. A total of 24(63.1%) having low body weight and 22(57.8%) were premature. Meningitis was found to have a significant association with low bod weight and pre-term birth (p value<0.05). Conclusion: Meningitis was considerably high in neonates with (LOS). Low body weight and pre-term birth had significant association with meningitis having (LOS).

Effect of In Vitro Digestion on the Antioxidant and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Potential of Buffalo Milk Processed Cheddar Cheese

The purpose of this study was to develop an in-vitro digestion protocol to evaluate the antioxidant potential of the peptides found in processed cheddar cheese using digestion enzymes. We first studied antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and antioxidant activities of processed cheddar cheese with the addition of spices e.g., cumin, clove, and black pepper made from buffalo milk and ripened for 9 months. Then we conducted an in vitro digestion of processed cheddar cheese by gastric and duodenal enzymes. Freeze-dried water (WSE) and ethanol-soluble fractions (ESE) of processed cheddar cheese were also monitored for their ACE inhibition activity and antioxidant activities. In our preliminary experiments, different levels of spices (cumin, clove, and black pepper) were tested into a cheese matrix and only one level 0.2 g/100 g (0.2%) based on cheese weight was considered good after sensory evaluation. Findings of the present study revealed that ACE-inhibitory potential was the highest in processed cheese made from buffalo milk with the addition of 0.2% cumin, clove, and black pepper. A significant increase in ACE-inhibition (%) of processed cheddar cheese, as well as its WSE and ESE, was obtained. Lower IC50 values were found after duodenal phase digestion compared to oral phase digestion

Crystal engineering with pyrazolyl-thiazole derivatives: structure-directing role of π-stacking and σ-hole interactions

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of 1-(2-(3-(4-bromophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-4-methylthiazol-5-yl)ethanone (7), ethyl 2-(5-(4-bromophenyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl)thiazole-4-carboxylate (8) and 2-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)thiazole-4-carbohydrazide (10) are described in this manuscript. The structure-directing role of a variety of noncovalent interactions has been analyzed energetically using DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Moreover, the existence and importance of halogen and chalcogen bonding interactions have been analyzed by using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the noncovalent interaction index (NCIplot).Fil: Ahmed, Muhammad Naeem. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Madni, Murtaza. Quaiad-i-Azam University; PakistánFil: Anjum, Shaista. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Andleeb, Saiqa. University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; PakistánFil: Hameed, Shahid. Quaiad-i-Azam University; PakistánFil: Khan, Abdul Majeed. Federal Urdu University of Arts; Pakistán. University Road; PakistánFil: Ashfaq, Muhammad. University of Sargodha; PakistánFil: Tahir, Muhammad Nawaz. University of Sargodha; PakistánFil: Gil, Diego Mauricio. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia. Instituto de Química Orgánica; ArgentinaFil: Frontera, Antonio. Universidad de las Islas Baleares; Españ

Antidiabetic potential of Nigella sativa L seed oil in alloxaninduced diabetic rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant potential of seed oil of Nigella sativa L (NSO). Methods: Nigella sativa seed oil (NSO) was extracted with Soxhlet apparatus using petroleum ether, and was given orally at a dose of 2.5 ml/kg body weight to alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits daily for 24 days. Biochemical parameters including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), very low lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and plasma glucose were determined in the treatment and control groups. Furthermore, bilirubin, vitamin C, catalase and mean body weight were assessed. Results: NSO treatment significantly lowered serum blood glucose levels and lipid contents, but increased the mean body weight, HDL-C and vitamin C levels of diabetic rabbits (p &lt; 0.001). Moreover, NSO significantly decreased catalase activity, TC, TGs, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels, but normalized bilirubin levels in diabetic rabbits. Conclusion: These results indicate that NSO possesses significant antidiabetic potential. Thus, it may be useful as an adjunct with antidiabetic medication but further studies are required to ascertain this. Keywords: Black cumin, Diabetes, Hypoglycemic, Hypolipidemic, Antioxidant

Chemistry and Functionality of Bioactive Compounds Present in Persimmon

Extensive research has related the consumption of persimmon with the reduced risk of various diseases and particularly highlighted the presence of bioactive phenolic compounds for their therapeutic properties. Major phenolic compounds present in persimmon are ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid. β-Cryptoxanthin, lycopene, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein are important carotenoids having antioxidant potential. They are important to prevent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, safeguard beta cells of the pancreas, and reduce cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes mellitus, and damage caused by chronic alcohol consumption. In this paper, the chemistry and health benefits of bioactive compounds present in persimmon are reviewed to encourage impending applications and to facilitate further research activities

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570