Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized using Tradescantia pallida Extract

Silver nanoparticles have received much attention, due to their wide range of biological applications as an alternative therapy for disease conditions utilizing the nanobiotechnology domain for synthesis. The current study was performed to examine the antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antifungal potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (TpAgNPs) using plant extract. The TpAgNPs were produced by reacting the Tradescantia pallida extract and AgNO3 solution in nine various concentration ratios subjected to bioactivities profiling. According to the current findings, plant extract comprising phenolics, flavonoids, and especially anthocyanins played a critical role in the production of TpAgNPs. UV–visible spectroscopy also validated the TpAgNP formation in the peak range of 401–441 nm. Further, the silver ion stabilization by phytochemicals, face-centered cubic structure, crystal size, and spherical morphology of TpAgNPs were analyzed by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Among all TpAgNPs, the biosynthesized TpAgNP6 with a medium concentration ratio (5:10) and the plant extract had effective antioxidant potentials of 77.2 ± 1.0% and 45.1 ± 0.5% free radical scavenging activity, respectively. The cytotoxic activity of TpAgNP6 in comparison to plant extract for the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line was significantly the lowest with IC50 values of 81.5 ± 1.9 and 90.59 ± 1.6 μg/ml and cell viability % of 24.3 ± 1.62 and 27.4 ± 1.05, respectively. The antibacterial and antifungal results of TpAgNPs revealed significant improvement in comparison to plant extract, i.e., minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) 64 μg/ml against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa while, in the case of antifungal assay, TpAgNP6 was active against Candida parapsilosis. These TpAgNPs play a crucial role in determining the therapeutic potential of T. pallida due to their biological efficacy

Impact of different levels of zinc and nitrogen on growth, productivity, and quality of aromatic rice cultivated under various irrigation regimes in two districts of Pakistan

Rice is a staple food for more than 50% of the global population and it is one of the most valuable cereal crops. To fulfill the dietary requirement of the ever-growing world population, an increase in per-unit production of rice is direly required. In Pakistan, it stands as the 2nd in consumption after wheat, which is a staple food. A huge gap is observed between yield potential and actual yield of the aromatic rice cultivars at a farmer-field level. The significant limitations responsible for this gap are shortage of irrigation water, inappropriate application of fertilizers, less plant population, deficiency of micronutrients, and improper and poor plant protection measures. A field study was planned to assess the yield response and quality attributes of aromatic rice to three levels of zinc (Zn) and nitrogen (N) under three irrigation regimes (8-, 12-, and 16-acre inches) in the Sheikhupura and Sargodha districts of Pakistan. Irrigation treatments significantly influenced the growth, yield, and quality attributes; however, maximum improvement was observed by the application of irrigation at 12-acre inches. Among the Zn treatments, application of Zn at 10 kg ha–1 was observed to be more responsive to improving the growth and quality parameters of aromatic rice crops. In the case of N treatments, application of N at 140 kg ha–1 produced the maximum total tillers, as well as productive tillers per hill, spikelets per panicle, leaf area index, leaf area duration, crop growth rate, total dry matter, harvest index, kernel length, kernel width, and 1,000-kernel weight. Application of N at 140 kg ha–1 not only improved the growth attributes but also increased the net assimilation rate, photosynthetically active radiation, and radiation use efficiency, with respect to total dry matter and kernel yield. The maximum percentage of normal kernels and minimum percentage of opaque, abortive, and chalky kernels were also recorded by application of N at 140 kg ha–1. The outcomes of current experiments depicted that application of irrigational water, zinc, and nitrogen at 12-acre inches, 10, and 140 kg ha–1, respectively, are responsible to achieve maximum resource utilization efficiency, along with increased yield and quality of rice

Molecular markers-based DNA fingerprinting coupled with morphological diversity analysis for prediction of heterotic grouping in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Cultivated sunflower holds a very narrow genetic base and the efficient utilization of available genetic diversity is very important for a successful breeding program. In the present study, 109 sunflower genotypes were assessed for diversity paneling through a combined approach of morphological and molecular markers analysis. Morphological parameters including days to flower initiation, days to flower completion, plant height, stem curvature, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, head diameter, hundred seed weight, and seed yield per plant were studied. Simple sequence repeats (40 DNA markers) were deployed for diversity profiling. Data were analyzed by both univariate and multivariate statistics. SD and coefficient of variation confirm the presence of significant amounts of genetic variation for all the morphological parameters. Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis further confirm the presence of distinct grouping patterns in the studied material. Cluster analysis of both morphological and molecular analysis revealed that restorer lines tend to group separately from A, B, and open-pollinated lines. Further grouping, at the sub-cluster level, revealed six distinct sub-clusters in each of the two major clusters. In total, 12 genotypes, 6 CMS lines (CMS-HAP-12, CMS-HAP-54, CMS-HAP-56, CMS-HAP-99, CMS-HAP-111, and CMS-HAP-112) and 6 restorer lines (RHP-38, RHP-41, RHP-53, RHP-68, RHP-69, and RHP-71) could be used as potential parents for hybrid development. As genotypes of similar genetic backgrounds tend to group closer, it is deduced that one genotype with the highest seed yield per plant could be used for further hybrid breeding programs in sunflowers

Biofortified wheat for sustainable food supply

Biofortification is the process of increasing the concentration and bioavailability of essential minerals such as Fe and Zn in food. This study focused on genetic improvement of nutrient bioavailability in wheat. The primary aim was to observe the expression of phytate and fructan in semi-dwarf wheat genotypes and to assess the implication of genetic variation for these factors on processing and nutritional quality. Two populations developed from crosses of low phytate and high fructan parents and a Multiparent Advanced Generation of Intercross (MAGIC) population, generated by inter-crossing four Australian cultivars, were evaluated for nutrient, agronomic and quality traits. The phytate/fructan materials were evaluated under contrasting soil-P. Significant year x P treatment x genotype effects were observed for most nutrition traits. Grain phytate varied two-fold, while a fourfold variation was observed in grain fructan. Substantial genetic variability was found for Fe and Zn. Differences among all the agronomic traits assessed were highly significant. Previously identified QTL linked to Fe, Zn and phytate concentration were validated in the double haploid populations and new QTL for Fe and Zn concentration identified in the MAGIC population. In general, little impact of phytate and fructan on processing quality was observed. However, lower phytate tended to decrease protein percentage and lowered flour yield, water absorption and dough development time. Higher fructan was also linked to lower water absorption. While lower phytate tended to decrease grain mineral concentration and protein percentage, this should be offset by the improved bioavailability of these minerals. This research assists the development of wheat materials with improved processing and nutritional quality that are P use-efficient. These genotypes can both improve the nutritional status of food while at the same time reducing P loss from farming systems

Effects of Mood and School Related Stress on Academic Performance: A Mood Induction Investigation

This experimental research has been designed to explore the impact of visual cues (visual clips) of school stress on student’s mood and academic performance. It was aimed at investigating the relation between positive guided imagery and negative mood. Participants in the study included 90 boys and 95 girls (N = 185) with the age range of 10-14 years. The sample was randomly selected from different public and private schools of Multan and Bahawalpur. They were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 had negative Mood Induction Procedure (MIP) only; group 2 was treated with negative mood induction procedure which was followed by a Positive Guided Imagery (PGI). Students completed demographic sheet and School Situation Survey (Helms &amp; Gablem, 1989) prior to experimentation. The results revealed that academic performance decreases after negative mood induction but not after positive guided imagery. Both groups showed insignificant difference at pre and post-induction 1 level, while a significant difference was found between both groups at post induction phase 2.</jats:p

Steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome in children: Frequency of relapse during the first twelve months after completion of six months steroid therapy.

Objectives: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is described as the existence of nephrotic-range proteinuria along with edema, hyperlipidemia and hypoalbuminemia. NS is estimated to be 15 time more frequent in children as compared to adults. Relapse is a major problem while managing nephrotic children. This study was aimed to find out the frequency of relapse in children with first episode of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS) during the first 12 months, after completion of 6 months steroid therapy. Study Design: Descriptive case series study. Setting: Department of Paediatric Nephrology, The Children’s Hospital &amp; the Institute of Child Health, Multan. Period: From February 27, 2018 to February 27, 2019. Material and Methods: A total of 55 children, aged 1 to 10 years, diagnosed with SSNS, 1st presentation of NS (based on history) and who successfully completed 6 months steroid therapy, were enrolled. They were taught to check proteinuria at home by dipstick method and enter daily results on the follow up card provided from the Nephrology department of the hospital. The outcome variable, that is relapse, was noted on the Proforma. Results: Amongst 55 children, gender distribution showed 38 (69.1%) male and 17 (30.9%) females. Children with body weight &lt;20 kg were 33 (60%) and those having ≥20kg were 22 (40%).  Patients with age &lt;6 years were 54.5% and patients with age ≥6 years were 45.5%. Mean age was 5.93± 3.36 years. Frequency of relapse was noted to be 78.2% and patients who did not relapse within 1 year of completion of treatment were 21.8%. Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome is a common presentation of childhood renal problems and is major cause of morbidity in our set up. Relapses are frequently associated with SSNS and most of the patients relapse within 1 year of completion of treatment. Relapses are more common in male children as compared to female children.&#x0D;  </jats:p

Genotype × Environment Interaction for Fiber Quality and Yield Related Traits under Climatic Conditions of Dera Ghazi Khan Division

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a fibre and oilseed crop and offers raw materials to industries and livelihood for the rural poor. During the last decade, climate change has negatively affected crop production all over the world. Under such scenarios of climate change, plant breeders must explore the genetics of crops for better yield and fibre quality. Considering the Extent of Cotton in Pakistan's economy, the present research was planned to evaluate six cotton varieties in different locations for yield stability. Six varieties namely IUB-13, CIM-600, S-32, FH-Lalazar, CIM-616 and Z-33 were surveyed at farmer fields in Rajan Pur, D G Khan and Muzafargarh districts. Data was collected for plant height, fruiting branches per plant, days to flower opening, boll shedding percentage, bolls per plant, boll weight, locules per boll, G.O.T. % age, seed cotton yield, fibre fineness, fibre length, fibre strength, and fibre uniformity. The Collected data was subject to analysis of variance and all the under-examined traits showed significant results except for No. of locules per boll, GOT % age, seed cotton yield, fibre fineness, fibre strength, fibre length and fibre uniformity ratio. In case of overall mean value of seed cotton yield. Genotype G-3 (S-32) showed maximum seed cotton yield in all three locations and thus declared as the highly stable genotype compared with all other genotypes