Phosphate Solubilizing Rhizobacteria as Sustainable Management Strategy in Agrobiology

Phosphorous limits agricultural productivity due to its limited plant availability. Use of synthetic phosphate fertilizers disturbs soil fertility and ecosystem ecology as it contaminates environment. Plants have developed certain mechanisms to respond to P-scarcity, which involve release of specific chemical messengers through root exudates that attract rhizospheric phosphorbacteria to colonize plant root vicinity. Thus, use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria/rhizobacteria (PSB/PSR) as biofertilizers is a safer approach toward sustainable agrobiology. These PSR are capable of solubilizing soil phosphate from insoluble to plant available form. Due to instability and slow movement of available phosphates in soils, they readily get incorporated with soil particles or chelates as metal complexes. In this scenario, PSR provide continuous chain of soluble phosphate to plants. PSR direct plant root system architecture toward available phosphate zones in soils. Moreover, there is an increased number of roots, root hair and lateral root, increase root absorbing surface area by increasing contact to soil particles. Hence, PSR-based root system morphology is a significant trait in measuring their agronomic efficiency. Moreover, PSB also possess phytostimulatory properties that significantly contribute to agricultural efficiency. Hence, the use of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria can improve crop productivity by increasing soil P-mobility and soil fertility

Auxins-Interkingdom Signaling Molecules

Phytohormones play a fundamental role in the development of plants. Among various phytohormones produced by the plants, Auxins act as a master hormone that plays a major role during plant development and differentiation through cell division. Besides plants, many rhizospheric microorganisms are also capable of producing auxins specifically indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), that act as signaling molecules for the regulation of gene expressions in plants. However, bacterial IAA is majorly linked with the modulation of plant roots architecture and developing positive plant-microbe interactions. Bacterial auxin modifies root morphology by enhancing root length, forming adventitious root and root hair, thereby, increasing surface area for water and nutrient absorption affecting various aspects of plant biology in a number of ways. Bacteria mostly utilize tryptophan, present in plant root exudates, to synthesize IAA that eventually helps bacteria to colonize roots by establishing beneficial associations with plant roots. Auxins also stimulate the formation of exopolysaccharides and biofilms that help bacterial root colonization. Auxins have given the survival benefit to rhizobacteria that make them more competent to establish symbiotic interaction with plants. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions of auxins (both interkingdom and Intrakingdom) with other phytohormones play a key role in plant development and growth improvement

Bacterial Symbiotic Signaling in Modulating Plant-Rhizobacterial Interactions

Rhizosphere is the hub for microbial activities where microbes and plants interact with complex signaling mechanisms. Plants release various metabolites in response to environmental factors which are significant in shaping rhizospheric microbial communities. These microbes develop symbiotic relation with plants by quorum sensing signals and regulate various microbial activities including biofilm formation. Biofilms are important in inhabiting rhizosphere and provide platform for cell-to-cell microbial interactions. Biofilm- forming rhizobacteria can successfully colonize plant roots and establish symbiotic relations with host. During this association, rhizobacteria are flourished by using plant root exudates, while the bacteria benefit the plants by synthesizing phytohormones, locking soil minerals for plant, protecting them from pathogenic invasions and enhancing plant immunity by improving plant tolerance against various environmental conditions. Indole is an effector molecule in regulating bacterial gene expression related to biofilm production. These interactions are coordinated by bacterially released phytohormones mainly auxin which act as key factor in regulating plant-microbe symbiotic interactions. It is characterized as inter- kingdom signaling molecule that coordinates various plant and rhizobacterial activities. Thus, understanding the nature and interacting behaviors of these molecules would lead to the exploitation of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria for better plant growth in agricultural fields

Energy drinks consumption practices among medical students of a Private sector University of Karachi, Pakistan

Consumption of energy drinks has become popular among students and athletes over the past few years. To explore the phenomenon, a cross-sectional survey was conducted through a self-administered pilot-tested questionnaire. Frequency of energy drinks consumption was found to be 121(52%) in a sample of 233 medical students. Red bull was the most common brand consumed 101(43%). The major reasons reported for its usage were to gain/replenish energy by 36(15.4%), and studying for examination by 34(14.6%). Television was reported as the major source of information 153(66%) followed by friends 113(48%). There was a high frequency of energy drinks\u27 consumption among medical students of a private university. There is a strong need to create awareness regarding these drinks, especially among adolescents and teenagers

From tradition to simulation: An experience of team training on management of shoulder dystocia

Objective: To determine if simulation-based team training improves the management of shoulder dystocia compared to traditionally taught obstetrical emergencies. Methods: The prospective mixed-method study was conducted at the Centre for Innovation in Medical Education at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to August 2018, and comprised doctors and nurses having up to five years of labour and delivery experience. The subjects were divided into two equal groups which were further subdivided into four equal teams. Group 1 was taught to manage shoulder dystocia using traditional lectures and hands-on pelvic models, while group 2 was trained in a simulated environment with a simulated scenario of shoulder dystocia. After two weeks, the performance of both teams were assessed and compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 19. A focus group discussion was subsequently conducted on the quality of the simulation experience.Results: Of the 32 subjects, 16(50%) each were doctors and nurses. They were divided into groups having 16(50%) members each, and each group had 4 teams having 4(25%) subjects. The overall mean age of the sample was 31.9±2.8 years (range: 28-38 years). The mean score for performance on technical and communication task of group 2 was 10.25±1.258 compared to 5.7±2.500 in group 1 (p=0.028). Focus group participants agreed that training in a simulated environment was far superior than being traditionally taught.Conclusions: Simulation-based team training in shoulder dystocia management was associated with better feedback than traditional-style teaching

Effects of bilateral arm training on upper extremity function in right and left hemispheric stroke

Objective: This experimental study on 24 stroke patients aimed at evaluating and comparing the effects of bilateral arm training on upper extremity (UE) motor function between right and left hemispheric chronic stroke patients. Methods: Both groups received the same intervention involving 5 functional tasks for 1 hour, 3 days per week, for a total of 6 weeks. Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity and Wolf-Motor Function Test were applied as outcome measures at baseline and after 6 weeks of training to assess the recovery of function in the affected area. Results: Intra-group analysis showed no significant improvement in the wrist and hand function in the left hemispheric stroke (LHS) (p>0.05), while right hemispheric stroke (RHS) patients did not improve significantly in the coordination/speed domain (p>0.05). Inter-group analysis showed no significant difference between right and left hemispheric stroke patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: Bilateral arm training showed beneficial effects in improving UE function in both RHS and LHS patients. Distal UE function in LHS and coordination and speed of movement in RHS patients did not show any significant improvement

Management of obstetric hemorrhage; an observational study highlighting the efficacy of uterine artery ligation

Background: Obstetrical hemorrhage is leading cause of maternal mortality. UAE is termed safe and effective method for resolving hemorrhage. objective of this study was to determine efficacy of uterine artery ligation in management of obstetrical hemorrhage.Methods: This cross sectional observational using non-probability convenient sampling technique was carried out for six months. After ethical approval, females between 18 to 35 years diagnosed with obstetrical hemorrhage, uterine atony refractory to medical treatment, having active bleeding from placental side or having normal coagulation profile were while females with post-partum hemorrhage because of retained products of conception, due to genital tract trauma or with disseminated intravascular coagulation were excluded. Analysis of data was done using SPSS version 23.0. Quantitative variables were reported as mean and standard deviation and for qualitative variables, frequency and percentages. Chi-square test was applied keeping p-value of <0.05 as statistically significant.Results: From 109 females with mean age 47±5.25 years. In comparison of parity distribution, 62 (56.88%) were multiparous and 47 (43.12%) were primiparous. Type of bleeding observed was antepartum 36(33.03%), peripartum 39 (35.78%) and postpartum in 34 (31.19%). Efficacy of uterine artery ligation in management of obstetric hemorrhage was observed to be 35 (32.11%). The efficacy of uterine artery ligation in management of obstetric hemorrhage in three categories of age groups reported significant association (p=0.0005) and type of bleeding (p=0.025).Conclusions: Efficacy of UAE in different types of obstetrical hemorrhage reported in our study was lower than expected in about one-third of females

Anticoagulant potential and total phenolic content of six species of the genus Ficus from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Purpose: To investigate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of Ficus benghalensis, Ficus elasticaa, Ficus palmata, Ficus religiosa, Ficus semicordata and Ficus auriculata, and to determine their anticoagulant potential. Methods: Crude methanol extracts were prepared from the plant leaves, and fractionated using liquidliquid partition with n-hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The total flavonoid and total phenolic contents of the extracts and their fractions were determined. The anticoagulant potential of the six Ficus species were evaluated in healthy human plasma, using activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) methods. Results: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of considerable amounts of flavonoids ranging from 5.3 ± 0.7 to 11.8 ± 0.3 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g, and phenolic compounds ranging from 8.0 ± 0.7 to 86.5 ± 1.5 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g in each fraction of the six species. Results from in vitro anticoagulant potential assays showed significant anticoagulant properties, with prothrombin time (PT) ranging from 17.7 ± 0.7 to 26.7 ± 2.2 s, and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) varying from 47.7 ± 3.3 to 72.3 ± 5.4 s. Conclusion: The results indicate that F. semicordata and F. Religiosa have higher anticoagulant potential than the other Ficus species studied

To Determine the Relationship of Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet/Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) as Inflammatory Markers with Manic Episode of Bipolar Disorder Type I

Objective: To investigate neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) asinflammatory markers in bipolar disorder type I patients with 1 episode and recurrent mania. Study Design:An observational, cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in HBS General Hospital, the tertiary care teaching hospital of HBS Medical & dental College, a private medical college located in Islamabad. The duration of study was from 01/11/2022 to 30/04/2023 for a period of 6 months. Materials and Methods: Forty cases were recruited by consecutive sampling, comprising of 20 1 episode mania and 20 recurrent mania and these were compared to 20 healthy controls (HC). In the patients Young Mania Rating Scale was used to assess the severity of mania. Samples for blood counts were obtained from all the participants in the morning hours. Results: Compared to HC, both 1st episode and recurrent mania patients had significantly higher neutrophil and NLR values, and lower lymphocyte counts. When the two patient groups were compared, first episode mania cases had significantly higher neutrophil counts and NLR than patients with recurrent mania. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed a likely inflammatory pathophysiology in the manic phase of BD. Since 1st episode, drug naive mania patients had greater inflammation as compared to recurrent mania cases, it was conceivable that psychotropic medicines exerted an anti-inflammatory effect in the latter group

Can the use of Proprioceptive Knee Braces have Implications in the Management of Osteoarthritic Knees: An exploratory study?

Background: Use of proprioceptive knee braces to control symptomology by altering neuromuscular control mechanisms has been shown in patellofemoral pain. Though their potential in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) is vast, little research has examined their efficacy. Methods: Thirteen healthy participants were asked to perform a 10cm stepdown task with and without a Proprioceptive Brace. Data was collected using a 10-camera Qualisys system. Individuals with OA completed the Knee Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pre- and post 4-week intervention. Results: During stepdown reductions in knee maximum internal rotation, transverse range of movement, transverse plane angular velocity and maximum internal rotation angular velocity was seen. Ankle plantar flexion and inversion angular velocity decreased while inversion and maximum supination angular velocity increased. Improvements in KOOS were noted across all parameters with brace use. Conclusions: Positive changes in kinematic variables in multiple planes can be achieved with proprioceptive bracing alongside improved patient outcome. These changes occur at the knee but analysis of other weight bearing joints should not be overlooked in future studies. This study supports the concept of neuromuscular reinforcement and re-education through proprioceptive bracing and its application in the management in knee OA