Plant growth regulators induced urease activity in Cucurbita pepo L. cotyledons

This study is aimed to investigate the activity of urease (EC 3.5.1.5, urea amidohydrolase) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea in 5-day-old Cucurbita pepo cotyledons subjected to various concentrations of different growth regulators. The treatment of C. pepo cotyledons with different concentrations (100–600 μmol) of different auxins [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole butyric acid (IBA), indole propionic acid (IPA) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA)]; or with different concentrations (100–300 μmol) of different cytokinins [kinetin, zeatin and benzyladenine (6-BA)] resulted in a significant increase of urease activity, compared to control. The optimal effects were recorded for each of 500 μmol of IAA and 300 μmol of zeatin treatments. A gradual increase in urease activity was detected in cotyledons treated with various concentrations (0.2–1.0 mM) of 28-homobrassinolide (HBL), in relative to control. A substantial increase in urease activity was observed in cotyledons subjected to different concentrations of triazole (10–60 mg L–1), containing either triadimefon (TDM) or hexaconazole (HEX), compared to control. The combination of 300 μmol zeatin with any of protein inhibitors, namely 5-fluorouridine (FUrd), cordycepin and α-amanitin, resulted in the alleviation of their inhibitory effect on the urease activity

Evaluation of Allelopathic Potential of Rumex dentatus Root Extract and Allelochemicals on Cicer arietinum

The present study aimed to evaluate the allelopathic potential of root extract of Rumex dentatus L. and various allelochemicals on some physiological parameters in roots of Cicer arietinum L. The tested allelochemicals were benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic, ferulic, gallic, sinapic and vanillic acids. Seed germination of Cicer was inhibited by Rumex extract. Lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide production increased gradually in response to extract concentration as well as allelochemicals treatment. The total soluble protein decreased whereas the total phenol increased under the various treatments. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD: 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT: 1.11.1.6) increased continuously with increasing extract concentration. However, peroxidase (POD: 1.11.1.7) increased sharply at 2% (w/v) followed by reduction at the higher concentrations and reached 1.1 U g-1 fresh weight at 10% (w/v) which was still higher than that of the control value. Ferulic acid was the most effective inducer for SOD activity followed by cinnamic acid. The POD activity increased remarkably particularly with cinnamic, benzoic and gallic acids. Sinapic, ferulic and coumaric acids enhanced CAT activity by 150.4%, 139.5% and 124.4%, respectively. The results reveal the possible use of R. dentatus as bioherbicide

Induction, immobilization, modification and natural inhibitors of α-glucosidase from Penicillum chrysogenum

α-glucosidase (EC: 3.2.1.20) was isolated from Penicillum chrysogenum. The enzyme was enhanced by plant growth regulators such as gibberellic acid (GA3), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin. Dansyl chloride inhibited the enzyme at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mM with T0.5 67, 52.2, 34.4 and 23.3 min, respectively. The substrate offered partial protection for the enzyme against dansyl chloride inhibition. The enzyme was activated by Ca2+ and Mg2+. However, Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, Ni2+ and Hg2+ inhibited α-glucosidase activity. The enzyme was immobilized on Ca alginate and the optimal concentration for 3% w/v. The optimal concentration of CaCl2 was recorded at 3 mM. The optimal CaCl2 concentration and the optimum time for immobilization was 3mM and 4hr. The enzyme was inhibited by aqueous extracts of Datura stramonium, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Hyoscymus muticus and Cynodon dactylon. The IC50 values for the four extracts were 59.1, 73.6, 68.5 and 77.1 µg ml-1, respectively

Gamma radiation effects on vitamins, antioxidant, internal and molecular structure of Purslane seeds

Purslane contains the highest amount of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and has better nutritional quality. Gamma irradiation is harmless and dependable method for refining the shelf life and nutritional quality of the stored seeds. The aim of this research is to study the influence of irradiation by gamma on structure, ascorbic acid and phenolic content of Purslane seeds. The results show that, ascorbic acid, phenolic content, carbohydrate and protein content in Purslane seeds decreased after exposed by gamma rays. Super oxidase dismutase, fat and fiber content in Purslane seeds increased after exposed by gamma radiation. The shape, size, interconnection and arrangement of molecules in/or around benzene ring in Purslane cells changed after exposure to gamma radiation

Understanding the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families in the United Kingdom : results of an online survey

Although literature on postdiagnostic support for people affected by young onset dementia acknowledges financial concerns, this topic has remained underresearched. The aim of this study was to explore the financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia on individuals and families. An online survey, comprising binary yes/no, multiple‐response and open‐ended questions, was codesigned with people living with young onset dementia. The survey was promoted via networks and online platforms. Data were collected from August to October 2019. Survey respondents across the United Kingdom (n = 55) who had received a diagnosis of young onset dementia were aged between 45 and 64, were at different stages of dementia and had been diagnosed with thirteen different types of dementia. Of the 55 respondents, 71% (n = 39) had received assistance from family members when completing the survey. The main financial impact of a diagnosis of young onset dementia resulted from premature loss of income and reduced and often deferred pension entitlements. In some cases, care‐costs became unaffordable. Lack of clarity of processes and procedures around needs assessments, carers' assessments and financial assessments by different organisations resulted in some families having to ask for legal advice and, in some cases, involved lengthy appeal processes. Future research needs to involve Adult Social Care and Third Sector organisations to help codesign and test financial management interventions to support people affected by this progressive health condition

Thiolation of Myco-Synthesized Fe₃O₄-NPs: A Novel Promising Tool for <i>Penicillium expansium</i> Laccase Immobilization to Decolorize Textile Dyes and as an Application for Anticancer Agent

Environmental pollution due to the continuous uncontrolled discharge of toxic dyes into the water bodies provides insight into the need to eliminate pollutants prior to discharge is significantly needed. Recently, the combination of conventional chemotherapeutic agents and nanoparticles has attracted considerable attention. Herein, the magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) were synthesized using metabolites of Aspergillus niger. Further, the surfaces of Fe3O4-NPs were functionalized using 3-mercaptoproionic acid as confirmed by XRD, TEM, and SEM analyses. A purified P. expansum laccase was immobilized onto Fe3O4/3-MPA-SH and then the developed immobilized laccase (Fe3O4/3-MPA-S-S-laccase) was applied to achieve redox-mediated degradation of different dyes. The Fe3O4/3-MPA-S-S-laccase exhibited notably improved stability toward pH, temperature, organic solvents, and storage periods. The Fe3O4/3-MPA-S-S-laccase exhibited appropriate operational stability while retaining 84.34% of its initial activity after 10 cycles. The catalytic affinity (Kcat/Km) of the immobilized biocatalyst was increased above 10-fold. The experimental data showed remarkable improvement in the dyes’ decolorization using the immobilized biocatalyst in the presence of a redox mediator in seven successive cycles. Thus, the prepared novel nanocomposite-laccase can be applied as an alternative promising strategy for bioremediation of textile wastewater. The cytotoxic level of carboplatin and Fe3O4-NPs singly or in combination on various cell lines was concentration-dependent

Outcome of endobronchial electrocautery versus external beam radiotherapy or both together in the palliative management of non-small cell lung cancer

Background: Approximately 75% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) present with locally advanced or metastatic disease which renders them inoperable and virtually incurable. Whene the aim of treatment is palliation, radiotherapy and bronchotherapeutic procedures are often recommended. Aim of the work: To evaluate the outcome of endobronchial electrocautery and or external beam radiotherapy (XRT) in the palliative treatment of patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. Patient and methods: 40 patients with unresectable stage IIIA and IIIB NSCLC, 33 males and 7 females, their mean age of 60.82 ± 6.23 years were recruited in the study. Eligible patients were randomly classified into 3 groups: Group I: included 11 patients who received combined external irradiation (XRT) with end bronchial electro cautery, Group II: included 11 patients who received end bronchial electrocautery without external irradiation XRT, Group III: including 18 patients who received external palliative irradiation alone. Evaluation of chest symptoms, chest CT, PFTs, ABGs and quality of life outcomes were done before the interventional bronchoscopy and XRT therapies then one week and one month after the end of treatment. Results: As regards improvement of endobronchial symptoms; one week after completion of treatment, Group III patients was significantly lesser than Groups I and II and one month after treatment, there was no significant difference between all patient groups except in cough which was in Group III of lesser improvement than Groups I and II. As regards patients who had atelectasis before starting treatment: Group I showed 100% disappearance of atelectasis either complete or partial one month after completion of treatment while Group II showed 77.77% disappearance of atelectasis either complete or partial and finally Group III showed 64.29% disappearance of atelectasis either complete or partial. As regards changes in both FEV1% and FVC%; all patient groups showed significant differences pretreatment and one month after completion of treatment and Group I patients was significantly different than patients of both Groups II & III. Conclusions: The replacement of external radiation with bronchoscopic therapy may not be a recommended option, but its addition to XRT may be a relatively simple method of augmenting the symptom palliative effect, providing higher response rates for re-expansion of collapsed lung and reducing endobronchial obstruction endoscopically