Evaluation of antagonistic fungi against charcoal rot of sunflower caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid.

In vitro, sensitivity of Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid determined through inhibition zone technique to various antagonistic fungi viz., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum and Penicillium capsulatum amended into PDA medium. All the antagonists reduced the colony growth of M. Phaseolina significantly compared to the control A. flavus was proved to be the most effective (66.00%) in reducing the colony growth of M. Phaseolina followed by A. niger (55.55%), T. viride (51.11%), T. harzianum (26.67%) and P. capsulatum (11.11%) respectively over control. A. flavus due to it antifungal metabolites activities was the most effective while P. capsulatum was the least effective. Seeds of four varieties treated with the culture of A. flavus, A. niger, T. viride and P. capsulatum and there combinations were sown in pots having infested soil (M. phaseolina). Results showed reduction in disease incidence of charcoal rot on sunflower cultivar G-66 with antagonist, A. flavus (100%) followed by A. niger (64.86%) P. capsulatum (63.79%) and T. viride (31.89%) over control. Decrease in disease incidence over control was 100% where seed was treated with combination of A. niger and A. flavus while A. niger and T. viride combination was least effective on G-66 (30.80%). All antagonists reduced the disease incidence on G-66 (Highly resistant), HRBS-1, (Resistant), G-72 (Moderately susceptible) and G-51 (susceptible) but were most effective on highly resistant variety (G-66) while least effective on susceptible variety (G-51).Key words: Sunflowers, Macrophomina phaseolina, antagonistic fungi

MULTI-HAZARD RISK ASSESSMENT OF QURUMBAR VALLEY, GHIZER, GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Being located in a seismically active zone, these mountain valleys are exposed to different hydro-meteorological hazards like rockfall, debris flow, landslide, ice avalanches, and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOFs).  The present study is to investigate different multi-hazards and their prevailing risk in the particular area of Qurumbar valley Ishkoman. In the mid-nineteen and twenty centuries at least six devastating glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) has been recorded, initially, only the Qurumbar glacier was considered as the main cause of this outburst flood, later field investigation and interview from local inhabitant revealed that nine more tributary glacier are existing in the area. The recent outburst of flood in the Badswat area of Qurumbar Ishkoman is also considerable, submerging 12 houses and a stretch of roads. Apart from it, the physical vulnerability of the area is increasing, as new areas are being used for housing with the increase in population. The study area is exposed to several other natural hazards like rock fall, debris flows, ice avalanches, and bank erosion. The present study is based on quantitative and qualitative approaches in assistance with GIS/RS an emergent application. The following methodologies were adapted to gather the primary and secondary data for GIS/RS processing. The primary data comprises GIS data and procurement and development and field data. The field data contain ground-truthing /validation. The community-based Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment (HVRA) was also carried out to know about human perception. Secondary data has been collected from different literature. Both the data were put into GIS for the processing which gives us our final developmental tools in the form of maps. The hazard and risk map of the Qurumbar Ishkoman depict that flash floods, debris flow, bank erosion, and GLOFs account for major hazards in Qurumbar valley. It is concluded based on our outcomes i.e., hazard and risk maps that earthquake is the main hazard of the area while flash floods, GLOFs, debris flow, bank erosion and the bank collapsed are the main hazards of the area. It is very important to systematically integrate map information into the planning and management process which contributes to a safer environment

Crop-based irrigation operations in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. Vol.II: Research approach and interpretation. Final Report

Irrigation management / Crop-based irrigation / Research / Irrigation canals / Water demand / Performance evaluation / Agricultural production / Pakistan / North West Frontier Province

Immunomodulatory interventions in myocardial infarction and heart failure: a systematic review of clinical trials and meta-analysis of IL-1 inhibition

Following a myocardial infarction (MI), the immune system helps to repair ischaemic damage and restore tissue integrity, but excessive inflammation has been implicated in adverse cardiac remodelling and development towards heart failure (HF). Pre-clinical studies suggest that timely resolution of inflammation may help prevent HF development and progression. Therapeutic attempts to prevent excessive post-MI inflammation in patients have included pharmacological interventions ranging from broad immunosuppression to immunomodulatory approaches targeting specific cell types or factors with the aim to maintain beneficial aspects of the early post-MI immune response. These include the blockade of early initiators of inflammation including reactive oxygen species and complement, inhibition of mast cell degranulation and leucocyte infiltration, blockade of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibition of adaptive B and T-lymphocytes. Herein, we provide a systematic review on post-MI immunomodulation trials and a meta-analysis of studies targeting the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-1. Despite an enormous effort into a significant number of clinical trials on a variety of targets, a striking heterogeneity in study population, timing and type of treatment, and highly variable endpoints limits the possibility for meaningful meta-analyses. To conclude, we highlight critical considerations for future studies including (i) the therapeutic window of opportunity, (ii) immunological effects of routine post-MI medication, (iii) stratification of the highly diverse post-MI patient population, (iv) the potential benefits of combining immunomodulatory with regenerative therapies, and at last (v) the potential side effects of immunotherapies

Self-healing performance of multifunctional polymeric smart coatings

Multifunctional nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by reinforcing a polymeric matrix with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with corrosion inhibitor (NaNO3) and urea formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) encapsulated with a self-healing agent (linseed oil (LO)). The developed polymeric nanocomposite coatings were applied on the polished mild steel substrate using the doctor's blade technique. The structural (FTIR, XPS) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses reveal the loading of HNTs with NaNO3and encapsulation of UFMCs with linseed oil. It was observed that self-release of the inhibitor from HNTs in response to pH change was a time dependent process. Nanocomposite coatings demonstrate decent self-healing effects in response to the external controlled mechanical damage. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis (EIS) indicates promising anticorrosive performance of novel nanocomposite coatings. Observed corrosion resistance of the developed smart coatings may be attributed to the efficient release of inhibitor and self-healing agent in response to the external stimuli. Polymeric nanocomposite coatings modified with multifunctional species may offer suitable corrosion protection of steel in the oil and gas industry. - 2019 by the authors.Acknowledgments: This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant 9-080-2-039 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. This research work was also partially supported by QU internal grant-QUCG-CAM-2018/2019-3

Emergence and genomic characterization of the first reported optrA-carrying linezolid-resistant enterococci isolated from retail broiler meat in the United Arab Emirates

The foodborne transfer of resistant genes from enterococci to humans and their tolerance to several commonly used antimicrobials are of growing concern worldwide. Linezolid is a last-line drug for managing complicated illnesses resulting from multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. The optrA gene has been reported in enterococci as one of the acquired linezolid resistance mechanisms. The present study uses whole-genome sequencing analysis to characterize the first reported isolates of linezolid-resistant E. faecium (n = 6) and E. faecalis (n = 10) harboring the optrA gene isolated from samples of supermarket broiler meat (n = 165) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The sequenced genomes were used to appraise the study isolates’ genetic relatedness, antimicrobial resistance determinants, and virulence traits. All 16 isolates carrying the optrA gene demonstrated multidrug-resistance profiles. Genome-based relatedness classified the isolates into five clusters that were independent of the isolate sources. The most frequently known genotype among the isolates was the sequence type ST476 among E. faecalis (50% (5/10)). The study isolates revealed five novel sequence types. Antimicrobial resistance genes (ranging from 5 to 13) were found among all isolates that conferred resistance against 6 to 11 different classes of antimicrobials. Sixteen different virulence genes were found distributed across the optrA-carrying E. faecalis isolates. The virulence genes in E. faecalis included genes encoding invasion, cell adhesion, sex pheromones, aggregation, toxins production, the formation of biofilms, immunity, antiphagocytic activity, proteases, and the production of cytolysin. This study presented the first description and in-depth genomic characterization of the optrA-gene-carrying linezolid-resistant enterococci from retail broiler meat in the UAE and the Middle East. Our results call for further monitoring of the emergence of linezolid resistance at the retail and farm levels. These findings elaborate on the importance of adopting a One Health surveillance approach involving enterococci as a prospective bacterial indicator for antimicrobial resistance spread at the human–food interface

Operationalization of bi-directional screening for tuberculosis and diabetes in private sector healthcare clinics in Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Many countries are facing overlapping epidemics of tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus (DM). Diabetes increases the overall risk of developing Tuberculosis (TB) and contributes to adverse treatment outcomes. Active screening for both diseases can reduce TB transmission and prevent the development of complications of DM. We investigated bi-directional TB-DM screening in Karachi, Pakistan, a country that ranks fifth among high TB burden countries, and has the seventh highest country burden for DM.Methods: Between February to November 2014, community-based screeners identified presumptive TB and DM through verbal screening at private health clinics. Individuals with presumptive TB were referred for a chest X-ray and Xpert MTB/RIF. Presumptive DM cases had random blood glucose (RBS) tested. All individuals with bacteriologically positive TB were referred for diabetes testing (RBS). All pre-diabetics and diabetics were referred for a chest X-ray and Xpert MTB/RIF test. The primary outcomes of this study were uptake of TB and DM testing.Results: A total of 450,385 individuals were screened, of whom 18,109 had presumptive DM and 90,137 had presumptive TB. 14,550 of these individuals were presumptive for both DM and TB. The uptake of DM testing among those with presumptive diabetes was 26.1% while the uptake of TB testing among presumptive TB cases was 5.9%. Despite efforts to promote bi-directional screening of TB and DM, the uptake of TB testing among pre-diabetes and diabetes cases was only 4.7%, while the uptake of DM testing among MTB positive cases was 21.8%.Conclusion: While a high yield for TB was identified among pre-diabetics and diabetics along with a high yield of DM among individuals diagnosed with TB, there was a low uptake of TB testing amongst presumptive TB patients who were recorded as pre-diabetic or diabetic. Bi-directional screening for TB and DM which includes the integration of TB diagnostics, DM screening and TB-DM treatment within existing health care programs will need to address the operational challenges identified before implementing this as a strategy in public health programs

Design and analysis of a photonic crystal based planar antenna for thz applications

Modern advancements in wearable smart devices and ultra-high-speed terahertz (THz) communication systems require low cost, low profile, and highly efficient antenna design with high directionality to address the propagation loss at the THz range. For this purpose, a novel shape, high gain antenna for THz frequency range applications is presented in this work. The proposed antenna is based on a photonic bandgap (PBG)-based crystal polyimide substrate which gives optimum performance in terms of gain (9.45 dB), directivity (9.99 dBi), and highly satisfactory VSWR (<1) at 0.63 THz. The performance of the antenna is studied on PBGs of different geometrical configurations and the results are compared with the antenna based on the homogeneous polyimide-based substrate. The effects of variations in the dimensions of the PBG unit cells are also studied to achieve a -10 dB bandwidth of 28.97 GHz (0.616 to 0.64 THz)

Enhanced mechanical properties of a novel compatibilized recycled polyethylene terephthalate/polyamide 11 (rPET/PA11) blends

This research investigates various proportions of a compatibilizer, Joncryl®, in a newly developed blend of rPET/PA11 having 80 wt% rPET and 20 wt% PA11. The proposed blend exhibits unique and outstanding mechanical properties. A few of the significant benefits of carrying out this research work include recycling the highest amount of rPET, saving natural recourses, and encountering the environmental issues associated with the wastage of polymers. Five different proportions of Joncryl® (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 phr) were introduced to the blend of rPET/PA11 through a twin-screw extruder and injection moulding machine. The blend interface studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicated that Joncryl® boosted the chain extension. The results of tensile strength, Young’s modulus and flexural strength displayed the boost up in properties at all proportions; however, the properties at 2 phr of Joncryl® were unique and exclusive. The tensile strength of blend at 2 phr (Joncryl®) is remarkably increased from 26.8 to 46.24 MPa with a uniquely increased strain% from 3.56 to 196%. Young’s modulus is also significantly improved. The impact strength rose from 147.12 to 667.68 J/m