Prospects of iron solubilizing Bacillus species for improving growth and iron in maize (Zea mays L.) under axenic conditions.

Iron (Fe) deficiency in calcareous soils is a significant agricultural challenge, affecting crop productivity and nutritional quality. This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and evaluate Fe solubilizing rhizobacterial isolates from maize rhizosphere in calcareous soils as potential biofertilizers. Forty bacterial isolates coded as SG1, SG2, …, SG40 were isolated and screened for siderophore production, with ten showing significant Fe solubilizing capabilities.

Enhancing cauliflower growth under cadmium stress: synergistic effects of Cd-tolerant strains and jasmonic acid foliar application.

The pollution of heavy metals (HMs) is a major environmental concern for agricultural farming communities due to water scarcity, which forces farmers to use wastewater for irrigation purposes in Pakistan. Vegetables grown around the cities are irrigated with domestic and industrial wastewater from areas near mining, paint, and ceramic industries that pollute edible parts of crops with various HMs. Cadmium (Cd) is an extremely toxic metal in arable soil that enters the food chain and damages the native biota, ultimately causing a reduction in plant growth and development.

Single-Session Endoscopic Ultrasound-Directed Transgastric Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Simultaneous Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Transmural Gallbladder Drainage in Choledocholithiasis and Acute Cholecystitis After Unsuccessful Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

In patients considered high risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, percutaneous gallbladder drainage is traditionally considered first-line treatment option. Recent evidence supports endoscopic gallbladder drainage as a safe and feasible alternate option. We describe a case of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery patient with acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis with unsuccessful laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of difficult operative field, underwent successful single-session endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural gallbladder drainage at our institution.

Bacterial allelopathy: an approach for biological control of weeds.

Weed infestation is one of the most damaging biotic factors to limit crop production by competing with the crop for space, water, and nutrients. Different conventional approaches are being used to cope with weed infestation, including labor intensive manual removal and the use of soil-degrading, crop-damaging, and environment-deteriorating chemical herbicides. The use of chemicals for weed control has increased 2-fold after the green revolution and their non-judicious use is posing serious threats to mankind, animals, and biodiversity.

Predictors of the onset of low handgrip strength in Europe: a longitudinal study of 42,183 older adults from 15 countries.

Objectives: A low handgrip strength (HGS) is a significant risk factor for multiple diseases. However, most relevant studies investigate the complications of a low HGS, while the risk potential of causative factors of low HGS remain poorly characterized.

Methods: We investigated the potentials of quality of life, depression, dyslipidaemia, diabetes mellitus, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, frailty, and difficulties performing daily activities in predicting low HGS (≤ 27 kg for men, ≤ 16 kg for women) in European older adults aged 50 or above from 15 countries (n = 42,183).

Isolation and characterization of chromium-resistant bacteria and their effects on germination, growth, and Cr accumulation in Capsicum annum (L.) under Cr stress.

Chromium (Cr) is a well-known environmental pollutant while less information is available on the role of Cr-resistant bacteria in the alleviation of Cr-stress in chili (Capsicum annum L.) plants. Effect of Cr-resistant bacterial strains on growth and Cr uptake by chili plants was investigated.

Exploring Pharmacist Roles in Telepharmacy for Chronic Disease Management in New York State: A Qualitative Inquiry into Improving Implementation, Patient Communication, and Healthcare Technology Support.

Background This qualitative study aimed to collect information regarding pharmacists' roles in telepharmacy and chronic disease management (CDM). The literature review was conducted on historical overview, CDM overview, social determinants of health (SDOH), disparities, hospital readmissions, adverse drug events, best practices, and global implications of telepharmacy. Materials and methods Eleven licensed pharmacists from New York working in retail or hospital settings were interviewed using 16 questions.

Pathway to environmental sustainability: Assessing the role of productive capacity, remittances, and uncertainty in sub-Saharan Africa.

Unlike previous studies that have examined the association between different economic development parameters and environmental sustainability, the present study utilised an index of productive capacity to offer an in-depth understanding of the ecological impact of improving a nation's productive resources. It also emphasised the importance of remittances in reducing environmental degradation in uncertain economic and political environments. This study applied the system GMM technique and an advanced panel quantile regression technique to 36 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region countries from 2000 to 2022.

Predictors of hip fracture in 15 European countries: a longitudinal study of 48,533 geriatric adults using SHARE dataset.

Unlabelled: We investigated the risk factors for hip fracture in 48,533 European older adults for 8 years from 2013 onward. We identified female gender, age above 80, low handgrip strength, and depression as significant risk factors for hip fracture. Our findings may help identify high-risk populations for hip fractures in pre-clinical settings.

Tracking the Plasma C-Terminal Agrin Fragment as a Biomarker of Neuromuscular Decline in 18- to 87-Year-Old Men.

Objectives: Plasma C-terminal agrin-fragment-22 (CAF22), a breakdown product of neuromuscular junction, is a potential biomarker of muscle loss. However, its levels from adolescence to octogenarians are unknown.

Methods: We evaluated young (18-34 years, n = 203), middle-aged (35-59 years, n = 163), and old men (60-87 years, n = 143) for CAF22, handgrip strength (HGS), appendicular skeletal-mass index (ASMI), and gait speed.

A leaky gut contributes to postural imbalance in male patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aims: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) frequently exhibit an inability to maintain postural balance. However, the contribution of increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut to the postural imbalance in COPD is not known.

Methods: We measured plasma zonulin, a marker of leaky gut, with relevance to postural balance in male controls (n = 70) and patients with mild (n = 67), moderate (n = 66), and severe (n = 58) COPD.

Efficacy of DAP coated with bacterial strains and their metabolites for soil phosphorus availability and maize growth.

Phosphorus (P) use efficiency in alkaline/calcareous soils is only 20% due to precipitation of PO with calcium and magnesium. However, coating Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) with phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) is more appropriate to increase fertilizer use efficiency. Therefore, with the aim to use inorganic fertilizers more effectively present study was conducted to investigate comparative effect of coated DAP with PSB strains Bacillus subtilis ZE15 (MN003400), Bacillus subtilis ZR3 (MN007185), Bacillus megaterium ZE32 (MN003401) and Bacillus megaterium ZR19 (MN007186) and their extracted metabolites with uncoated DAP under axenic conditions.

Insights into microorganisms, associated factors, and the oral microbiome in infective endocarditis patients.

Introduction: Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a rare, life-threatening infection of the endocardium with multisystem effects. Culprit microorganisms derived from different niches circulate through the bloodstream and attach to the endocardium, particularly the heart valves. This study aimed to investigate culprit microorganisms among a cross-sectional cohort of IE patients, their associated factors, and to explore the potential relationship to the oral microbiome.

Biomarkers of Physical and Mental Health for Prediction of Parkinson's Disease: A Population-Based Study from 15 European Countries.

Objectives: Early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is critical for optimal treatment. However, the predictive potential of physical and mental health in PD is poorly characterized.

Methods: We evaluated the potential of multiple demographic, physical, and mental factors in predicting the future onset of PD in older adults aged 50 years or older from 15 European countries.

Upregulation of Nrf2 in myocardial infarction and ischemia-reperfusion injury of the heart.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and is characterized by ischemic necrosis of an area of the myocardium permanently devoid of blood supply. During reperfusion, reactive oxygen species are released and this causes further insult to the myocardium, resulting in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Since Nrf2 is a key regulator of redox balance, it is essential to determine its contribution to these two disease processes.

Safety and efficacy of extended thrombophilia screening directed venous thromboembolic events (VTE) prophylaxis in live liver donors: do we really need extended thrombophilia screening routinely?

Background And Aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hereditary thrombophilia, and stratify its severity among live liver donors in Pakistan. Also, the authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of thrombophilia profile testing directed venous thromboembolic events (VTE) prophylaxis while balancing bleeding risk and the need for routine thrombophilia testing before live liver donation among living donor candidates.

Materials And Methods: Protein S (PS), protein C (PC), anti-thrombin (AT) III, and anti-phospholipid antibody panel (APLA) levels were measured in 567 potential donor candidates.

Fixation of the proximal flange of a lumen-apposing metal stent using a through-the-scope endoscopic suturing system to prevent stent migration in single-session EUS-directed transgastric ERCP: a pilot study.

Background And Aims: With the global obesity pandemic, clinical scenarios requiring urgent ERCP in patients with gastric bypass surgery are on the rise, and single-session EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (SS-EDGE) can effectively address these technical challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate and describe the safe and effective use of a through-the-scope endoscopic suturing system for anchoring the lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) during SS-EDGE.

Methods: Six patients with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) underwent SS-EDGE at our center.

Cannabinoid-Associated Hyperemesis Syndrome Treated With Dronabinol: Killing a Poison With the Poison.

Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is a medical condition characterized by recurrent nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in individuals who frequently use cannabis. This case report highlights the successful treatment of CHS using dronabinol, a synthetic cannabinoid compound. A 21-year-old female presented with severe abdominal symptoms, including vomiting and pain, alongside a history of chronic cannabis use.

Left Frontal Lobe Cardioembolic Stroke as a Co-presentation of Bicuspid Aortic Valve With Severe Stenosis and a Basal Interventricular Septal Aneurysm in a Young Female Patient.

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and interventricular septum (IVS) aneurysms are common congenital heart defects affecting 1.3% and 0.3% of the population, respectively.

Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India.

Background: The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known.

Objectives: We assessed the 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 demographic and health survey (DHS) data from India to investigate trends in the levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in relation to standard socio-demographic variables over a period of 16 years.

Methods: The age range of the population was 15-54 years (n=611,821).

Association of Interferon Lambda 3 and 4 Gene SNPs and Their Expression with COVID-19 Disease Severity: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Expression and certain SNPs of interferon lambda 3 and 4 (IFNL3 and 4) have been associated with variable outcomes in COVID-19 patients in different regions, suggesting population-specific differences in the disease outcome. This study examined the association of INFL3 and INFL4 SNPs (rs12979860 and rs368234815, respectively) and nasopharyngeal expression with COVID-19 disease severity in Pakistani patients.

Methods: For this study, 117 retrospectively collected nasopharyngeal swab samples were used from individuals with mild and severe COVID-19 disease.

The Potentiality of Prostate-Specific Antigen as a Prognostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer.

Background Serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a well-established marker that can be measured as an indicator for screening, diagnosing, and managing prostate cancer due to its advanced tissue specificity. Numerous studies have revealed that free PSA is the predominant molecular form of PSA in breast cancer cases. In contrast, total PSA is prevalent in benign breast tumor cases and healthy females.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Two Wild Soybean () Genotypes Reveals Positive Regulation of Saline-Alkaline Stress Tolerance by Tonoplast Transporters.

Soil saline-alkalization is a significant constraint for soybean production. Owing to higher genetic diversity of wild soybean, we compared the proteomic landscape of saline-alkaline stress-tolerant (SWBY032) and stress-sensitive (SWLJ092) wild soybean () strains under saline and saline-alkaline stress. Out of 346 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) specifically involved in saline-alkaline stress, 159 and 133 DEPs were identified in only SWLJ092 and SWBY032, respectively.

Experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management and safe menstrual products in Pakistan.

Background: The taboo of menstruation, lack of discussion on puberty, misinformation and poor awareness on menstrual hygiene management and limited access to safe menstrual products can negatively impact the physical and mental health of women and girls residing in low middle income countries.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences, awareness, perceptions and attitudes of women and girls towards menstrual hygiene management in Pakistan. Moreover, the study also assessed consumer satisfaction towards locally manufactured organic menstrual products.

The EQ-5D-3L Valuation Study in Pakistan.

Background: To utilize EQ-5D in economic evaluations, a societal-based value set is needed. To date, no value sets exist for any EQ-5D instrument in Pakistan. Previous EQ-5D studies conducted in Pakistan 'borrowed' health preferences developed in other countries.