Effect of Mercury on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)

Among the toxic elements release in the environment, mercury is considered highly toxic to the growth of plants. The present studies report the effects of different concentrations (1, 3, 5 and 7 mM) of mercury on seed germination and seedling growth performance of mungbea (Vigna radiata) as compared to control. Mercury treatment in the form of mercuric chloride at 1 mM did not show significant reduction in seed germination of V. radiata as compared to control. Increase in  concentration of mercury to 3 mM produced significant (p<0.05) reduction in seed germination. Mercury treatment at 7 mM-produced significant (p<0.05)  reduction in seedling and root length of the plants. The increase in concentration of mercury treatment at 7 mM was found sufficient to cause significant reductions in seedling dry weight of as compared to control. Mercury treatment at all concentrations decreased seed germination, shoot, and root length and seedling dry weight. Increase in mercury concentration upto 7 mM showed highest percentage of decrease in seed germination (42%), seedling length (70%), root length  (66%) and seedling dry weight (47%) of mungbean as relation to control. V. radiata were more sensitive to mercury stress in seedling growth and root elongation than seed germination. The seedlings of V. radiata showed greater tolerance to mercury at 1 mM (85.83 %) and lowest at 7 mM (34.13%). These results show that there is a negative effect towards germination and growth of mungbean by mercury treatment. Minimum use of the mercury containing compounds in fungicide,  pesticide and nematicide is recommended. Special care should be taken to monitor the toxic pollutants available in the immediate environment. The accumulation of such types of toxic pollutants in larger concentrations by crop can produce harmful effects to crops and ecosystem as well

Why do patients with limb ischaemia present late to a vascular surgeon? A prospective cohort study from the developing world

OBJECTIVE: To look into the factors responsible for delay in presentation of Iimb ischemia patients to a vascular surgeon. METHODS: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from October 01, 2016, to August 10, 2018. Patients coming with delayed presentation of both acute and chronic limb ischemia were included. All the patients were assessed by qualified vascular surgeons. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients, 33(60%) had acute and 22(40%) had chronic limb ischaemia. Mean age of acute cases was 44±23.72 years and it was 60±12.49 years for chronic cases. Overall, the commonest reason behind delay was non-referral by primary physician which was the case with 11(33.3%) patients in the acute group, and 13(59%) in the chronic group. The limb loss in the acute group was 20(60%) and 8(36%) in the chronic group.. CONCLUSION: Delayed presentation of patients with limb ischaemia is mainly due to non-referral. A robust campaign needs to be launched to reduce the rate of limb loss

Exogenous application of low and high molecular weight organic acids differentially affected the uptake of cadmium in wheat-rice cropping system in alkaline calcareous soil

Anthropogenic cadmium (Cd) in arable soils is becoming a global concern due to its harmful effects on crop yield and quality. The current study examined the role of exogenously applied low molecular weight organic acids (LMWOAs) including oxalic acid (OxA), tartaric acid (TA) and high molecular weight organic acids (HMWOAs) like citric acid (CA) and humic acid (HA) for the bioavailability of Cd in wheat-rice cropping system. Maximum increase in root dry-weight, shoot dry-weight, and grain/paddy yields was recorded with HA for both crops. The HA significantly decreased AB-DTPA Cd in contaminated soils which remained 41% for wheat and 48% for rice compared with their respective controls. The minimum concentration of Cd in roots, shoots and grain/paddy was observed in HA treatment in both crops. The organic acids significantly increased the growth parameters, photosynthetic activity, and relative leaf moisture contents for both wheat and rice crops compared to that with the contaminated control. Application of OxA and TA increased the bioavailability of Cd in soils and plant tissues while CA and HA decreased the bioavailability of Cd in soils and plants. The highest decrease in Cd uptake, bioaccumulation, translocation factor, immobilization, translocation, harvest, and health risk indices were observed with HA while maximum increase was recorded with OxA for both wheat and rice. The results concluded that use of HMWOAs is effective in soil Cd immobilization being maximum with HA. While LMWOAs can be used for the phytoextraction of Cd in contaminated soils having maximum potential with OxA

Spectral characterization, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects of ethanolic extract of Calotropis procera leaf and dry latex from Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Traditional healers have used the shrub Calotropis procera (CP) for many years for various therapies. The present study investigated the bioactive constituents of ethanolic extract of CP leaf and dried latex using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. The identification and characterization of the compounds were confirmed by examining the constituents' mass spectrum fragmentations and FT-IR spectra and comparing the results with those in the literature. The tail-flick method was used to investigate the analgesic properties of the extract and its anti-inflammatory activities using a rat model of formalin-induced oedema. Acute oral toxicity in rats was studied per OECD recommendations. Twenty male rats were divided into four groups and received an ethanolic extract of the leaves and dried milky sap of CP (200 mg/Kg) in groups 1, 2, and 3. Group 4 rats were administered aspirin 50 mg/kg as a positive control. The CP dried latex extract has the highest content of lupeol and its acetate derivative compared to its leaf extract. The CP dried latex extract inhibited inflammation more significantly than the ethanolic leaf extract and the drug indomethacin at a higher dosage (200 mg/kg). The ethanolic extracts showed analgesia comparable to aspirin. It suggests that fatty acids and their esters, particularly ethyl linoleate (8.96%), ethyl palmitate (7.99%), ethyl linoleate (6.98%), and palmitic acid (5.18%), may be valuable biomarkers for characterizing leaf and latex samples and describing the medicinal potential of CP

Spectral analysis and bioactive profiling of hot methanolic extracts from Phoenix dactylifera seeds: Antibacterial efficacy and in vitro cytotoxicity insights

Phoenix dactylifera, commonly called date palm, has great importance as a fruiting plant. The hot methanolic extract of date seeds (HMEDSE), was further fractionated into three fractions (F1, F2, and F3) through column chromatography. The three fractions were composed of various bioactive constituents which was analysed through GC-MS and FT-IR analysis. The results revealed remarkable antibacterial properties of crude HMEDSE against various pathogenic microorganisms affecting humans. The spectrum of activity of HMEDSE against various human pathogenic bacteria showed the following sequence based on its efficacy, Escherichia coli (17.6 ± 2.5 mm), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.3 ± 2.5 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (16.3 ± 1.5 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (15 ± 2.6 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15 ± 2 mm), and lastly, Bacillus subtilis (14.3 ± 2 mm). Furthermore, HMEDSE exhibited cytotoxicity, with an IC50 of 73.5 ± 0.5 µg/mL against MCF-7 ATCC breast cancer cells, leading to gradual apoptosis

Do mutual funds have consistency in their performance?

Using a comprehensive data set of 714 Chinese mutual funds from 2004 to 2015, the study investigates these funds’ performance persistence by using the Capital Asset Pricing model, the Fama-French three-factor model and the Carhart Four-factor model. For persistence analysis, we categorize mutual funds into eight octiles based on their one year lagged performance and then observe their performance for the subsequent 12 months. We also apply Cross-Product Ratio technique to assess the performance persistence in these Chinese funds. The study finds no significant evidence of persis- tence in the performance of the mutual funds. Winner (loser) funds do not continue to be winner (loser) funds in the subsequent time period. These findings suggest that future performance of funds cannot be predicted based on their past performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Comunicación corta. Micropropagación de dos cultivares paquistaníes de soja (Glycine max L.) a partir de nodos de cotiledones

Soybean is an important oilseed crop throughout the world and there are continuous efforts to improve it through various techniques from field to laboratory. Although soybean has been grown in Pakistan since a long period, there are no or limited factors involving its improvement through biotechnological techniques in Pakistan. This study aimed to optimize a regeneration protocol for two soybean cultivars, NARC-4 and NARC-7, using cotyledonary nodes as explant. Cultivar NARC-4 showed higher percentage of regeneration (88%) and mean number of shoots per explant (7.3 shoot per explant) compared to cv. NARC-7 with maximum frequency of 82% shoot regeneration and maximum mean number of 6.4 shoots per explant. However, variants of cyotkinins in the media had variable effects on regeneration and shoot length. Generally 6-benzylamino purine was better compared to zeatin riboside and kinetin. The results showed that half cotyledon could be effectively used as explant for direct micropropagation in soybean. The results could also be exploited positively for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation.La soja es un cultivo oleaginoso de gran importancia en todo el mundo y hay un esfuerzo continuo para mejorarla a través de diversas técnicas desde el campo hasta el laboratorio. Aunque la soja se ha cultivado en Pakistán desde hace mucho tiempo, en este país hay pocos factores implicados en su mejora a través de técnicas biotecnológicas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo la optimización de un protocolo de regeneración de dos cultivares de soja, NARC-4 y NARC-7, utilizando nodos cotiledonares como explantes. El cultivar NARC-4 mostró un mayor porcentaje de regeneración (88%) y número de brotes por explante (7,3) en comparación con NARC-7, con un máximo de 82% de regeneración de brotes y 6,4 brotes por explante. Sin embargo, diferentes citoquininas en los medios tuvieron efectos variables sobre la regeneración y la longitud de brotes. En general, la 6-benzilamino purina dio mejores resultados que el ribósido de zeatina y la kinetina. Los resultados mostraron que la mitad de los cotiledones podrían ser utilizados eficazmente como explante para la micropropagación directa en la soja. Estos resultados también podrían utilizarse en la transformación genética mediada por Agrobacterium

Short communication: micropopagation of two Pakistani soybean (Glycine max L.) cultivars from cotyledonary nodes

Soybean is an important oilseed crop throughout the world and there are continuous efforts to improve it through various techniques from field to laboratory. Although soybean has been grown in Pakistan since a long period, there are no or limited factors involving its improvement through biotechnological techniques in this country. This study aimed to optimize a regeneration protocol for two soybean cultivars, NARC-4 and NARC-7, using cotyledonary nodes as explant. Cultivar NARC-4 showed higher percentage of regeneration (88%) and mean number of shoots per explant (7.3 shoot per explant) compared to cv. NARC-7 with maximum frequency of 82% shoot regeneration and maximum mean number of 6.4 shoots per explant. However, variants of cyotkinins in the media had variable effects on regeneration and shoot length. Generally 6-benzylamino purine was better compared to zeatin riboside and kinetin. The results showed that half cotyledon could be effectively used as explant for direct micropropagation in soybean. The results could also be exploited positively for Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation.La soja es un cultivo oleaginoso de gran importancia en todo el mundo y hay un esfuerzo continuo para mejorarla a través de diversas técnicas desde el campo hasta el laboratorio. Aunque la soja se ha cultivado en Pakistán desde hace mucho tiempo, en este país hay pocos factores implicados en su mejora a través de técnicas biotecnológicas. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo la optimización de un protocolo de regeneración de dos cultivares de soja, NARC-4 y NARC-7, utilizando nodos cotiledonares como explantes. El cultivar NARC-4 mostró un mayor porcentaje de regeneración (88%) y número de brotes por explante (7,3) en comparación con NARC-7, con un máximo de 82% de regeneración de brotes y 6,4 brotes por explante. Sin embargo, diferentes citoquininas en los medios tuvieron efectos variables sobre la regeneración y la longitud de brotes. En general, la 6-benzilamino purina dio mejores resultados que el ribósido de zeatina y la kinetina. Los resultados mostraron que la mitad de los cotiledones podrían ser utilizados eficazmente como explante para la micropropagación directa en la soja. Estos resultados también podrían utilizarse en la transformación genética mediada por Agrobacterium

Development and content validation of a financial and functional outcomes tool for diabetes-related foot disease in patients undergoing major lower limb amputation: A prospective observational study from Pakistan

Objective: To develop and content validate a questionnaire to assess the financial and functional impact of major lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes-related foot disease.Design: Prospective observational study.Setting: This study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.Participants: We conducted a thorough literature review and a group interview with 10 participants, resulting in domain identification and item generation. The group included seven patients with diabetes-related foot disease who underwent major lower limb amputation and three caregivers. Subsequently, a focused group discussion was held to assess overlap and duplication among the items, and two rounds of content validation were carried out by five content and five lay experts in both English and Urdu. Question items with a Content Validity Index (CVI) score of \u3e0.79 were retained, items with a CVI score between 0.70 and 0.79 were revised and items with a CVI score of Results: The initial literature review and group interview resulted in 61 items in the financial and functional domains. After the focused group discussion, the questionnaire was reduced to 37 items. Following two rounds of content validation, the English questionnaire achieved the Scale-Content Validity Index/Average (S-CVI/Ave) of 0.92 and 0.89 on relevance and clarity, respectively. Similarly, the Urdu questionnaire achieved the S-CVI-Ave of 0.92 and 0.95, respectively.Conclusion: A 37-item multidimensional questionnaire was developed and rigorously content-validated to assess the financial and functional impact of major lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes-related foot disease. The questionnaire used in this study has shown robust content validity specifically for our population