Effects of copper on seed germination and seedling growth performance of Lens culinaris Medik.

The discharge of heavy metals in the environment due to anthropogenic, industrial and automobile activities is a worldwide environmental pollution problem. Copper is widely used in different forms in fertilizer, fungicides. Industrial effluents and for the removal algal growth in ponds. In this study the toxic effects of copper (Cu) on seed germination and seedling growth of Lens culinaris were investigated. Germination rate of L. culinaris that showed that increased in concentration of copper treatment at 25 ppm significantly (p<0.05) reduced germination percentage as compared to control. Seedling growth variables i.e. root and shoot length, seedling size and root/shoot ratio also declined significantly (p<0.05) with the treatment of copper at 25 ppm as compared to control. Seedlings dry weight of L. culinaris gradually reduced with increased in all treatment of copper concentration as compared to control. Tolerance indices and seedling vigor index of L. culinaris also decreased with increase in concentration of copper treatment. Low percentage of reduction in tolerance indices and seedling vigor index of L. culinaris was recorded at 25 ppm copper treatment as compared to control. A high percentage of reduction in seedling tolerance indices of L. culinaris was recorded at 100 ppm of copper treatment as compared to control

Meta-analysis of cancer transcriptomes: A new approach to uncover molecular pathological events in different cancer tissues

To explore secrets of metastatic cancers, individual expression of true sets of respective genes must spread across the tissue. In this study, meta-analysis for transcriptional profiles of oncogenes was carried out to hunt critical genes or networks helping in metastasizing cancers. For this, transcriptomic analysis of different cancerous tissues causing leukemia, lung, liver, spleen, colorectal, colon, breast, bladder, and kidney cancers was performed by extracting microarray expression data from online resource; Gene Expression Omnibus. A newly developed bioinformatics technique; Dynamic Impact Approach (DIA) was applied for enrichment analysis of transcriptional profiles using Database for Annotation Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Furthermore, oPOSSUM (v. 2.0) and Cytoscape (v. 2.8.2) were used for in-depth analysis of transcription factors and regulatory gene networks respectively. DAVID analysis uncovered the most significantly enriched pathways in molecular functions that were 'Ubiquitin thiolesterase activity' up regulated in blood, breast, bladder, colorectal, lung, spleen, prostrate cancer. 'Transforming growth factor beta receptor activity' was inhibited in all cancers except leukemia, colon and liver cancer. oPOSSUM further revealed highly over-represented Transcription Factors (TFs); Broad-complex_3, Broad-complex_4, and Foxd3 except for leukemia and bladder cancer. From these findings, it is possible to target genes and networks, play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In the future, these transcription factors can serve as potential candidates for the therapeutic drug targets which can impede the deadly spread

Using the cognitive apprenticeship model to identify learning strategies that learners view as effective in ward rounds

Background: Cognitive apprenticeship model (CAM) is an instructional model for situated learning. There is limited data available on application of the CAM in clinical settings. The aim of the study was to identify learning strategies using CAM, which in the opinion of learners are effective in ward rounds.Methods: Participants were residents and medical students who rotated through internal medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. We sought learners\u27 opinion on a structured questionnaire based on four principal dimensions of cognitive apprenticeship. A previously determined set of 10 defined competencies were compared with CAM\u27s six teaching/learning (T/L) methods (modelling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, reflection and exploration) as well. Mean and SD were calculated. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare scores.Results: Of 195 participants, there were 100 men (51.3%) and 95 women (48.7%). Perceived learning for six T/L methods, ranged from 3.7 to 3.9 (max=5). Coaching and scaffolding had the highest scores. Statistically significant difference between the student and resident groups was noted. Medical students perceived coaching and scaffolding (4.1 and 4.05) and residents rated coaching, articulation and exploration as most effective (3.9 and 3.8). Majority (82.1%) reported a positive learning environment in wards.Conclusions: CAM enabled to identify two T/L methods (scaffolding and coaching) that are important for learning in ward round. Limited differences in perceived effectiveness of the T/L methods indicate that variety can be used to sustain interest in learners. Positive learning environment, team diversity and tasks of increasing complexity contribute to learning

Effect of various factors on wheat production

The study was undertaken in three villages of district Peshawar by taking a sample of 234 respondents using a proportional allocation technique. The selected three villages are Regi, Lakaray and Putwar. Main objective of the study was to find out the cost and return from wheat production and to compare the yield of wheat in respect of education, certified seed and flood affected area. Cost and returns of wheat production were estimated through simple budgeting method, and the profit function was estimated through regression analysis. In estimating the cost of wheat production, land preparation cost, seed cost, fertility inputs cost, irrigation cost and labor cost were taken in to account. Total cost incurred in the production of wheat was Rs. 28286.84 per acre. Fertility input, land rent and land preparation cost were 35.22, 30.30 and 15.18 percent respectively of the total cost of production of wheat in the study area. The average yield of wheat per acre is 1554.63 kg and the average net return from wheat production is Rs. 22465.5 per acre, was recorded in the study area. Farmer’s net return is largely determined by output price, cost incurred and total wheat production. The net revenue of the wheat growers is estimated by profit function. The results show that there is a positive relationship between profit and price of wheat, quantity of wheat, price of by-product, quantity of by-product and also show a negative relationship of profit with the total cost. The effect of literacy, certified seed and flood affected area of the farmers has been estimated. The literate farmers produced 99.9 kg more wheat yield per acre than the illiterate farmers. Farmers who used certified seed have 127.41 kg more yield per acre than the farmers who didn’t use certified seed. Similarly for flood affected area the farmers produce 54.88 kg less yield per acre as compare to the non-flood area

Role of nutrients in bacterial biosurfactant production and effect of biosurfactant production on petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation

Petroleum hydrocarbons' insolubility (due to hydrophobic nature) remains an important factor in microbial degradation of these compounds. The use of microbial biosurfactants significantly decreases the hydrophobicity and increases the rate of hydrocarbon biodegradation. Four bacterial strains, Pseudomonas poae BA1, Acinetobacter bouvetii BP18, Bacillus thuringiensis BG3, and Stenotrophomonas rhizophila BG32, isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soil, were used to test biosurfactant production capacities under different nutrient conditions. The hydrocarbon degradation by biosurfactant producing strains was compared with a non biosurfactant producing hydrocarbon degrading Pseudomonas rhizosphaerae BP3 strain. The percentage increase in biosurfactant production in nutrient rich medium, which was nutrient broth (NB), as compared to nutrient deprive medium, which was Bushnell-Haas broth (BHB), was BA1 = 20.48%, BP18 = 24.81%, BG3 = 16.71% and BG32 = 14.55%. The biosurfactant producing strains showed 16-28% increase in hydrocarbon degradation, as compared to non biosurfactant producing strain. The highest hydrocarbon degradation (96.07%) was exhibited by BA1, followed by BP18 (93.53%), BG3 (89.97%), BG32 (87.10%), and BP3 (74.60%). We concluded that biosurfactant production is influenced by the availability of nutrients. Cell hydrophobicity, surface tension and biosurfactant production influence hydrocarbon degradation, which can be enhanced with the use of biosurfactant producing bacteria.The authors would like to thank COMSTECH TWAS (14-416 RG/PHA/AS C-UNESCO FR: 3240283445 to M.A.), for funding

Magnetic phase transition from paramagnetic in Nb2AlC-MAX to superconductivity-like diamagnetic in Nb2C-MXene: an experimental and computational analysis.

Funder: National University of Sciences and TechnologyTransition metal carbides (TMCs) have recently emerged as competent members among the family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, owing to their promising applications. There are many promising applications of MXenes; however, their magnetic properties lack a wide margin, both experimentally as well as theoretically, which needs to be investigated for potential use in spintronics. In this study, we carried out a comprehensive etching process via selective extraction of Al layers from Nb2AlC-MAX using a wet electrochemical route under well-optimized conditions to obtain fine 2D-Nb2C MXene sheets. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the effective removal of Al followed by confirmation of a 2D layered structure from morphological analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) measurements of MAX and MXene at different field strengths were performed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Magnetic measurements reveal the paramagnetic nature of Nb2AlC-MAX measured under 5 mT; however, this changes to a clear superconductor-like diamagnetic behavior with a shift of the magnetization from positive to negative values at low temperatures when measured under 5 mT and 10 mT for Nb2C MXene. The diamagnetism, however, is changed to paramagnetism at 100 mT, which shows the existence of critical fields known typically for a type-II superconductor. To gain an insight into this unusual behavior in MXene, density functional theory (DFT) first-principles calculation was also performed in Wein2K software using spin-polarized generalized gradient approximation (sp-GGA). The magnetic moment of the compound is calculated to be negative, which corresponds well with the experimental finding and suggests that the negative magnetic moment originated from the d-orbital of Nb2C. The present report provides a pathway to deeply understanding the existence of superconductivity-like diamagnetic behavior in Nb2C MXene, which is useful for future magnetic applications

Influence of silver nanoparticles on the luminescence dynamics of Dy3+ doped amorphous matrix

In this work, we report on the deactivation of Dy3+ ions by increase in concentration of silver nanoparticles (NPs) in a silicate glassy system. The quench in luminescence of Dy3+ ions is consistent with increase in the long and short lifetime of 4F9/2 excited state which develops as the concentration of silver NPs increases by heat-treatment duratio

Genotypic and Phenotypic Composition of Sickle Cell Disease in the Arab Population - A Systematic Review.

UNLABELLED: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disease influenced by ethnicity and regional differences in its clinical course. Recent advances in the management of SCD with newer therapies are being introduced to the Western population. However, many of these treatments are yet to be used in the Arabic SCD population. Understanding the genetic variations of SCD regionally is essential to anticipate the utilization of new treatments. This systematic review\u27s main objective is to pool the available data on the genetic composition of SCD in the Arabic population. Data for 44,034 patients was extracted from 184 studies (11 case reports, 8 case series, 56 retrospectives, 107 prospective observational studies, and 2 clinical trials) using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Male (49%) and female (51%) patients were equally reported wherever gender was available (N=13105). Various SCD genotypes were reported in a total of 14,257 patients, including Hb SS (77%) Hb Sβ0 (9.9%), and Hb Sβ+ (7.2%), while the rest of the genotypes, including HbSC, HbSD, HbSE, HbSO Arab, Hb S/α-Thal, Hb Sβ0 + α-Thal, and HBS Oman were individually reported in SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(PROSPERO):CRD42020218,666. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=218666

Ciprofloxacin-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles against Antimicrobial Resistance: An In Vivo Assessment

Metallic nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have been extensively studied as drug delivery systems for various therapeutic applications. However, drug-loaded-AuNPs have been rarely explored in vivo for their effect on bacteria residing inside tissues. Ciprofloxacin (CIP) is a second-generation fluoroquinolone with a broad-spectrum of antibiotic properties devoid of developing bacteria resistance. This research is focused on the synthesis and physical characterization of Ciprofloxacin-loaded gold nanoparticles (CIP-AuNPs) and their effect on the colonization of Enterococcus faecalis in the liver and kidneys of mice. The successfully prepared CIP-AuNPs were stable and exerted enhanced in vitro antibacterial activity against E. faecalis compared with free CIP. The optimized CIP-AuNPs were administered (500 &micro;g/Kg) once a day via tail vein to infected mice for eight days and were found to be effective in eradicating E. faecalis from the host tissues. Moreover, unlike CIP, CIP-AuNPs were non-hemolytic. In summary, this study demonstrated that CIP-AuNPs are promising and biocompatible alternative therapeutics for E.-faecalis-induced infections resistant to conventional drugs (e.g., beta-lactams and vancomycin) and should be further investigated