Assessment of heavy metal contamination in vegetables collected from selected localities of Okara, Pakistan

Background: Human health is prone to heavy metals especially which become part of food chain by any means. Previously, no extensive nutritional studies are conducted on local food products and grains. The research work was carried out to observe level of heavy metals in vegetables sold or consumed in different localities of Okara city, Pakistan.Methods: The concentration of heavy metals Nickel, Cadmium, Cobalt, Copper and Chromium in ten different types of vegetables collected from selected sites survey were analyzed using tri-acid method for atomic absorption spectrometer.Results: The results showed that concentrations of all analyzed heavy metals were significantly (P≤ 0.05) different, except values of copper in collected vegetable samples. The average concentration ranged from 5.4 – 44.06 ppm of Cobalt, 5.7 – 9.63 ppm of Copper, 4.49 – 11.13 ppm of Cadmium, 4.59 – 33.77 ppm of Chromium and 8.58 – 13.68 ppm of Nickel. Mean concentrations of metals were found in following sequence Copper < Cadmium < Nickel < Chromium < Cobalt.Conclusion: It was concluded that vegetables can accumulate high concentrations of Cobalt and Chromium while Nickel,  Cadmium and Copper concentrates in low amount,  from which level of chromium and cadmium surpasses the permissible limits by FAO/WHO especially in underground vegetables (Onion and Radish), which could be the cause of serious health issues. Hence, monitoring and assessment of contaminants in vegetables are periodically needed and public safety measures should be imposed.Keywords: Heavy metal; Bio-concentration; Vegetables; Pakista

Atypical Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy with Facial Sparing: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Facio-Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant and third most common inherited muscular dystrophy. Typical phenotype of FSHD initially affects the muscles of the face and upper arm. Atypical FSHD refers to genetically confirmed FSHD with phenotypic variations. Scapulo-Humeral Dystrophy (SHD) is the most common atypical form of FSDH characterized by no facial muscle weakness on clinical examination, while other signs remain consistent with FSHD. We report a 31-year-old male who presented with foot drop and had an unexpected presentation as SHD. Provisional diagnosis of SHD was based on careful medical history, physical examination findings, modest rise in muscle enzymes, and needle electromyography findings of myopathy. Muscle biopsy suggested dystrophic changes which supported the diagnosis of FSHD with facial sparing. Rehabilitation plan included patient and family counseling/education, lifestyle modifications, energy conservation strategies, right ankle foot orthosis, and therapeutic exercises with regular follow-up for monitoring of the disease

Evaluation of allelopathic potential of some selected medicinal species

Laboratory trials were made to evaluate the allelopathic potential of selected medicinal species. The aqueous extracts bioassay on two test plants (wheat and pea) was carried out through filter paper method. Toxicity and non toxicity was assessed by recording their effects on germination and percentage growth of radicle and plumule of test plants. The trials were replicated three times in Randomized Complete Split Block Design. The data was analyzed by using software SPSS v II. The results suggested that Sonchus asper and Melilotus officinalis stimulate the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) up to 150% of plumule and 40% of radicle. These species had significantly enhanced effect on the percentage growth of test plant. The inhibitory effect was more on the wheat, by aqueous extractions of Sisymbrium irio, Cannabis sativus and Oxalis corniculata. The growth of wheat was more enhanced in the aqueous extractions of Gallium aperine and Ageratum conizoides, almost 150% of radicle. But the most inhibitory and retarded effect was observed in case of S. irio, O. corniculata, Rumex dentatus and Parthenium hysterophorus.Key words: Allelopathy, medicinal species, filter paper

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of different solvent fractions from Murraya koenigii shoots: HPLC quantification And molecular docking of identified phenolics with anti-apoptotic proteins

ABSTRACT. Murraya koenigii is known for its health benefits against constipation, diarrhea, bacterial infections, wounds and skin related diseases. Aim of this project is to determine cytotoxic aptitude of antioxidant compounds present in M. koenigii. The fractionation of M. koenigii shoots methanol extract was carried out with different solvents followed by determination of total phenolic content, radical scavenging potential along with phenolic profile. M. koenigii shoot fractions were analyzed for their cytotoxic potential by MTT assay besides evaluating molecular interactions between identified phenolics with Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and MCL-1. The results revealed that butanol fraction contains maximum amount of quercetin, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy benzoic acid and trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxy cinnamic acid. Ferulic acid is abundant in water fraction whereas n-hexane fractions contain sinapic and vanillic acids. The ethyl acetate fraction possess the highest level of phenolics as well as radical scavenging potential. HPLC results show that 9 organic acids are present in ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. The highest cytotoxic activity was exhibited by n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions. Molecular docking studies supports that ethyl acetate and n-hexane fractions are the major sources of antioxidant and cytotoxic compounds. Also, molecular interactions exist between identified phenolics from plant shoots fractions with anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and MCL-1. &nbsp; KEY WORDS: Morraya koenigii, Fractionation, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Molecular docking Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(3), 651-666.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i3.14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

A Comprehensive Review on Impact of Microorganisms on Soil and Plant

Soils have the most diversified microbial communities of any environment on the planet. Bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa are all found in abundance in soil. Maintaining a healthy environment for crops requires a strong link between plants and soil microorganisms that are essential for good crop development. Soil bacteria are key regulators of the nutrient cycle. Mineralization, legume nitrogen fixation, and ammonia conversion to plant-available nitrate would all be impossible without bacteria. Effective microorganisms have the ability to boost crop growth and yield. When used in conjunction with organic amendments, these bacteria performs better than to the sole application. It also contributes to soil health and provides a variety of ecological services. They also help in the cleaning of the environment, landfill disinfection, and the development and implementation of sustainable, closed-cycle organic waste treatment processes across the globe. The whole study remarks a conclusion that the application or presence of effective microbes to soil not only enhance the nutritional capacity, fertility and productivity of soils but also helps to remediate soil problems cost effectively

UV-Light Mediated Biosynthesis of Silver Nanowires; Characterization, Dye Degradation Potential and Kinetic Studies

Herrin, a simple and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanowires (Ag-NWs) has been reported. Silver nanowires were synthesized using Psidium guajava seed extract that acted as a reducing agent as well as a stabilizing agent for silver nitrate solution. Synthesis was carried out at 50 °C temperature under continuous UV-irradiation. Silver nanowires were initially characterized by a UV-visible and FTIR spectrophotometer. In addition, morphology and particle size of synthesized Ag-NWs were determined using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Nanowires were found to have 12.8 μm length and 200–500 nm diameter and cubic phase morphology. Furthermore, the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs for the degradation of methyl orange dye (MO) was determined. The selected dye was degraded successfully that confirmed the catalytic potential of Ag-NWs. The authors concluded that Ag-NWs can be synthesized using plant extract having excellent morphological features as well as impressive catalytic potential

Rehabilitation of hemispatial neglect in stroke

Hemi-spatial neglect (HSN) is a debilitating post stroke cognitive deficit resulting in reduced attention to stimuli presented in the contra-lateral hemi-visual field.  It adversely impacts patient's medical recovery, activities of daily living and quality of life. Early referral to Rehabilitation Medicine specialist for thorough evaluation, prompt recognition of functional impairments and formulation of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan unique to patient is important. It is part of the comprehensive and holistic management of stroke patients with HSN. We summarize the current management strategies used for post-stroke HSN rehabilitation with the options including non-invasive brain stimulation, visuomotor feedback training, robotic rehabilitation and trans-dermal nicotine patch. Keywords: Hemispatial neglect, Stroke, Rehabilitation, Non-invasive brain stimulation, Robotic rehabilitation

DP-CCL: A Supervised Contrastive Learning Approach Using CodeBERT Model in Software Defect Prediction

Software Defect Prediction (SDP) reduces the overall cost of software development by identifying the code at a higher risk of defects at the initial phase of software development. SDP helps the test engineers to optimize the allocation of testing resources more effectively. Traditional SDP models are built using handcrafted software metrics that ignore the structural, semantic, and contextual information of the code. Consequently, many researchers have employed deep learning models to capture contextual, semantic, and structural information from the code. In this article, we propose the DP-CCL (Defect Prediction using CodeBERT with Contrastive Learning) model to predict the defective code. The proposed model employs supervised contrastive learning using this CodeBERT Language model to capture semantic features from the source code. Contrastive learning extracts valuable information from the data by maximizing the similarity between similar data pairs (positive pair) and meanwhile minimizing the similarity between dissimilar data pairs (negative pair). Moreover, The model combines the semantic features with software metrics to obtain the benefits of both semantic and handcrafted features. The combined features are input to the logistic regression model for code classification as either buggy or clean. In this study, ten PROMISE projects were utilized to conduct the experiments. Results show that the DP-CCL model achieved significant improvement i.e., 4.9&#x0025; to 14.9&#x0025; increase in F-Score as compared to existing approaches

Chemical Composition of Artemisia annua L. Leaves and Antioxidant Potential of Extracts as a Function of Extraction Solvents

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