Biosafety and toxicity assessment of transgenic cotton-harboring insecticide and herbicide tolerant genes on albino mice.

Introduction: Genetic engineering has revolutionized agriculture by transforming biotic and abiotic stress-resistance genes in plants. The biosafety of GM crops is a major concern for consumers and regulatory authorities.

Methodology: A 14-week biosafety and toxicity analysis of transgenic cotton, containing 5 transgenes ((, , , , and )), was conducted on albino mice.

Variation of antibacterial and antioxidant secondary metabolites and volatiles in leaf and callus extracts of Phulai (Acacia Modesta Wall.).

Background: Acacia species are economically significant as medicinal plants that have been utilized since ancient times. Acacia modesta has been reported to possess potent antibacterial and antioxidant properties, but its growth rate is slow. In this study, we hypothesized that inducing callus in vitro from A.

Production of bioactive β-carotene by the endophytic bacterium Citricoccus parietis AUCs with multiple in vitro biological potentials.

Background: Although microalgae and plants are traditionally used for obtaining natural pigments, overexploitation and overharvesting threaten them. Bacteria represent a superior alternative for the production of pigments due to their ability to produce greater amounts in a short time without seasonal restrictions; furthermore, bacterial pigments have a wide range of uses and are safe and biodegradable. This study is the first on the production of ß-carotene as a promising bioactive agent from endophytic bacteria.

Phytotoxic Interference of Culture Filtrates of Endophytic Bacteria Associated with Nerium oleander Leaf Against Seed Germination of the Invasive Noxious Weed Cenchrus echinatus.

Weeds cause destructive agricultural losses, so weed control is an urgent challenge facing agriculture. The extensive use of synthetic chemical herbicides has detrimental environmental impacts and promotes the emergence of resistant species. Therefore, in this study we tried to find a new natural weed control that can ensure biosafety and eco-sustainability.

Drought-tolerant Sphingobacterium changzhouense Alv associated with Aloe vera mediates drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays).

Drought severity and duration are expected to increase as a result of ongoing global climate change. Therefore, finding solutions to help plants to deal with drought stress and to improve growth in the face of limited water resources is critical. In this study, a drought tolerant- plant growth promoting endophytic bacterium was isolated from Aloe vera roots.

Macroalga-associated bacterial endophyte bioactive secondary metabolites twinning: Cystoseira myrica and its associated Catenococcus thiocycli QCm as a model.

Marine ecosystems represent the largest biome on the earth. Until now, the relationships between the marine microbial inhabitants and the macroalgal species unclear, and the previous studies are insufficient. So, more research is required to advance our understanding of macroalgal- microbial interactions.

The endophyte Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EPS modulates endogenous antioxidant defense in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under cadmium stress.

Cadmium (Cd) pollution in agricultural soils induces oxidative stress in plants that in turn is the foremost limiting factor for agricultural productivity. In past few decades, plant-metal-microbe interaction is of great interest as an emerging environmentally friendly technology that can be exploited to alleviate metal stress in plants. Considering these, in the present study an endophytic bacterium strain EPS has been isolated from the roots of common bean.

Antibacterial and cytotoxic potency of thermophilic Streptomyces werraensis MI-S.24-3 isolated from an Egyptian extreme environment.

The need for novel and active antibiotics specially from actinomycetes is essential due to new and drug-resistant pathogens. In this study, 87 actinomycetes were isolated, and 18 strains among them characterized as thermophilic actinomycetes. Further fractionation and preliminary antibacterial activities indicated that one strain, coded as MI-S.

Association of liver biomarkers and cytokeratin-18 in Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients.

Objective: To investigate the association of gold standard liver biomarkers with serum cytokeratin 18 (CK18), serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum aspartate (AST).

Methods: This was cross sectional study. It was conducted at Mayo Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules using fine needle aspiration cytology as the reference standard.

Background: In Pakistan thyroid cancer is responsible for 1.2% cases of all malignant tumors. Ultrasonography (US) is helpful in detecting cancerous thyroid nodules on basis of different features like echogenicity, margins, microcalcifications, size, shape and abnormal neck lymph nodes.

Endoluminal angioplasty of the popliteal artery. Review of 54 consecutive patients.

Aim: To determine the results of endoluminal angioplasty for occlusive or stenotic lesions of the popliteal artery.

Methods: Retrospective study of symptomatic patients having popliteal occlusive lesions treated by endoluminal balloon angioplasty. All patients underwent systematic preoperative and postoperative color duplex scan and preoperative angiography.

Isolation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from some Egyptian foods.

A survey was done in middle Egypt to determine if Escherichia coli O157:H7 was present in 175 samples of raw ground beef, chicken, lamb and unpasteurized milk. The pathogen was detected in 3 of 50 (6%) beef samples, 2 of 50 (4%) chicken samples, 1 of 25 (4%) lamb samples and 3 of 50 (6%) milk samples obtained from slaughterhouses, supermarkets and farmer's homes.

Growth and verotoxin 1 production by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground roasted beef.

Production of verotoxin 1 (VT1) by hemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in food has received limited research attention. A study was therefore conducted to determine the effect of temperature and pH, as achieved using two different acidulants, on VT1 production in ground roasted beef slurry. Slurries (pH 5.

Survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground, roasted beef as affected by pH, acidulants, and temperature.

A study was undertaken to determine the fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground, roasted beef as influenced by the combined effects of pH, acidulants, temperature, and time. There was essentially no change in the viable population of E. coli O157:H7 when beef salads (pH 5.

Survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on salad vegetables.

The influence of modified-atmosphere packaging, storage temperature, and time on survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated onto shredded lettuce, sliced cucumber, and shredded carrot was determined. Growth of psychotrophic and mesophilic microorganisms and changes in pH and sensory qualities of vegetables, as judged by subjective evaluation, were also monitored. Packaging under an atmosphere containing 3% oxygen and 97% nitrogen had no apparent effect on populations of E.