Gene characterization of Willd. and L. accessions: unmasking genetic diversity.

Unlabelled: The genus L. includes the domesticated seed crop Willd. and the semi-domesticated seed/fodder  L.

Tailoring of spherical nanocellulose via esterification with methionine followed by protonation to generate two different adsorbents for mercuric ions and Congo red.

Herein, we report two different adsorbents from spherical nanocellulose (SNC) in successive steps, for the adsorption of Hg ions and Congo red (CR). Cellulose extracted from pine needles was subsequently converted to SNC through mixed acidic hydrolysis. As-obtained SNC was esterified with methionine at C6 of the anhydroglucose unit to produce SNC-methionine ester (SNC-ME).

Fabricating whole pine needles biomass with phenylhydrazine-4-sulphonic acid for effective removal of cationic dyes and heavy metal ions from wastewater.

We applied a holistic, sustainable, and green approach to develop an effective multipurpose adsorbent from whole pine needles (PNs), a forest waste lignocellulosic biomass. The PNs were oxidized and modified with phenylhydrazine-4-sulphonic acid (ɸHSOH) to OPN-ɸHSOH. The latter was characterized and tested as an adsorbent for cationic dyes, malachite green (MG), methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV), and metal ions (Hg⁺ and Pb⁺).

A two-in-one thiosemicarbazide and whole pine needle-based adsorbent for rapid and efficient adsorption of methylene blue dye and mercuric ions.

Herein, we report the synthesis of an oxidized pine needle-thiosemicarbazone Schiff base (OPN-TSC) from whole pine needles (WPN) as a dual-purpose adsorbent to remove a cationic dye, methylene blue (MB), and Hg ions in separate processes. The adsorbent was synthesized by periodate oxidation of WPN followed by a reaction with thiosemicarbazide. The syntheses of OPN and OPN-TSC were confirmed by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, EDS, BET, and surface charge analysis.

KMnO-oxidized whole pine needle based adsorbent for selective and efficient removal of cationic dyes.

In the present study, we report the chemical modification of the dried and fallen pine needles (PNs) a simple protocol using KMnO oxidation. The oxidized PNs (OPNs) were evaluated as adsorbents using some cationic and anionic dyes. The successful synthesis of OPNs adsorbent was characterized by various techniques to ascertain its structural attributes.

Risk of adverse outcomes following treatment with direct acting antiviral drugs in HCV infected patients with liver cirrhosis.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the second major cause of death in Pakistan. Previously, interferon-based regimens were considered highly recommended therapy for HCV patients. Since 2015, interferon-based therapy has been replaced with interferon-free therapy also known as Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) drugs.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of Zea mays upon mechanical wounding.

Background: Mechanical wounding (MW) is mainly caused due to high wind, sand, heavy rains and insect infestation, leading to damage to crop plants and an increase in the incidences of pathogen infection. Plants respond to MW by altering expression of genes, proteins, and metabolites that help them to cope up with the stress.

Methods And Results: In order to characterize maize transcriptome in response to mechanical wounding, a microarray analysis was executed.

Identification and morpho-molecular characterization of low spore strain in oyster mushroom.

Background: Sporocarps of oyster mushroom liberate enormous spores and cause allergic reactions to workers involved in its cultivation. These spore-related allergies include stiffness or pain in the forearms, limbs, itchy throat, grogginess, and respiratory problems and are major problems during oyster mushroom cultivation.

Methods And Results: In this study, we have generated seven hybrids using single-spore isolates (SSIs) of Pleurotus ostreatus var.

Changes in fatty acids in L. oil grown under two simulated conditions of fluoride contamination.

Rapeseed, the second-most-important vegetable oil source, is cultivated in various areas of India where both groundwater and soil are contaminated with fluoride (F). Furthermore, the frequent use of F contaminated groundwater for irrigation leads to accumulation of F in surface and sub-surface soil. The study aims to compare the morphological and biochemical changes in L.

The History and Current Killings of Polio Vaccinators in Pakistan: A Need for Targeted Surveillance Strategy.

Poliomyelitis has been eliminated from all countries of the world except Pakistan and Afghanistan. One of the major reasons is the stigmas associated with the polio vaccine that has been repetitively discussed in literature, and governments of both the countries are already making serious efforts to control this public health challenge, but till this moment, the state officials have not introduced any surveillance strategy for the security of polio workers in National Emergency Action Plan (NEAP) for Polio Eradication. This report highlights the issue of targeted killing and terrorism attacks on polio vaccinators in Pakistan and also devises a surveillance strategy to provide security to polio workers at immediate possible because the current chaos in Afghanistan will ultimately lead to more terrorist attacks on polio vaccinators.

Evaluation of altered miRNA expression pattern to predict COVID-19 severity.

Outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 affected millions of people globally. After substantial research, several biomarkers for COVID-19 have been validated however no specific and reliable biomarker for the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 infection exists. Present study was designed to identify specific biomarkers to predict COVID-19 severity and tool for formulating treatment.

Gene variants in pro-coagulant and anti-coagulant genes could be prognostic genetic markers of COVID-19 susceptibility.

Background: Present study aimed to identify DNA polymorphisms (variants) which can modulate the risk of COVID-19 infection progression to severe condition. TaqMan based SNP genotyping assay was performed for 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pro-coagulant and anti-coagulant genes.

Methodology: A total of 33 COVID-19 patients, including dead, severe and moderately infected individuals were compared to 35 healthy controls.

Identification of Key Regulatory Pathways of Basidiocarp Formation in spp. Using Modeling, Simulation and System Biology Studies.

(Oyster mushroom) is an important cultivated edible mushroom across the world. It has several therapeutic effects as it contains various useful bio-molecules. The cultivation and crop management of these basidiomycete fungi depends on many extrinsic and intrinsic factors such as substrate composition, growing environment, enzymatic properties, and the genetic makeup, etc.

Spatio-temporal variation of fluoride in groundwater and agricultural soil and crops of Unnao district, UP: Monitoring and assessment.

Fluoride (F) contamination in groundwater of Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh was reported for the first time in 1994, however comprehensive monitoring of F in different environmental matrices remains to be undertaken. The presented study reports spatio-temporal monitoring of F content in groundwater, crops and soil from F affected district Unnao, in pre-monsoon (PRM), monsoon (MO) and post-monsoon (PMO), to establish F groundwater-soil-plant continuum. More than 80% of groundwater samples were contaminated with F> 1.

Nickel and cadmium phytoextraction efficiencies of vetiver and lemongrass grown on Ni-Cd battery waste contaminated soil: A comparative study of linear and nonlinear models.

A comparative assessment of the phytoremediation efficiency of two tolerant grass species viz. vetiver and lemongrass were performed in pots against simulated Ni-Cd battery electrolyte waste (EW) contaminated soil (EW1%, EW2% and EW4% w/w). Ni (μg g) accumulation was higher in shoots (36.

Biochemical Profiling and Cultivation of Medicinal Fungus Isaria cicadae (Ascomycetes) from India.

Isaria cicadae is an entomopathogenic fungus possessing several therapeutic properties and has a potential role in traditional Chinese medicine. The present study was designed to describe the taxonomic details of a new isolate of I. cicadae collected from the Northern Himalayas of India and to study its vegetative and reproductive growth responses under in vitro conditions.

Nutritional and Biochemical Characterization of Panus lecomtei Mushroom (Agaricomycetes) from India and Its Cultivation.

Panus lecomtei is emerging as an edible mushroom found worldwide and particularly in the Northern Hemisphere. The mushroom contains a substantial amount of useful nutritional and medicinal compounds. In the present study, we have examined a specimen of P.

Targeted gene expression study using TaqMan low density array to gain insights into venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) pathogenesis at high altitude.

Venous thrombo-embolism (VTE) is multi-factorial disease involving several genetic and acquired risk factors responsible for its onset. It may occur spontaneously upon climbing at High Altitude (HA). Several studies demonstrated that hypoxic conditions prevailing at HA pose an independent risk factor for VTE; however, molecular mechanism remains unknown.

Venous thrombosis at altitude presents with distinct biochemical profiles: a comparative study from the Himalayas to the plains.

High-altitude (HA) hypoxia exposure is believed to induce venous thromboembolism (VTE) in otherwise healthy individuals, although this needs to be fully established. The present study aims to ascertain the role of HA exposure in aggravating any predisposition toward VTE and to explore whether the etiology of HA-induced VTE is different from that of VTE closer to sea level. We compared manifestation-matched male VTE patients from HA (HAPs) and VTE patients from the plains closer to sea level (SLPs) for 54 parameters, including coagulation-related, fibrinolytic, and thrombophilic variables, as well as markers for stress and inflammatory response and platelet and endothelial activation.

GABA mediated reduction of arsenite toxicity in rice seedling through modulation of fatty acids, stress responsive amino acids and polyamines biosynthesis.

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a free amino acid, which helps to counteract biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. In the present study, two concentrations of GABA, i.e.

Fluoride distribution and contamination in the water, soil and plants continuum and its remedial technologies, an Indian perspective- a review.

Fluorine is an essential element required in trace amounts but gets toxic for human beings at levels more than 1.5 mg F L primarily through drinking contaminated water. It is the 13th most abundant element and constitutes about 0.

MicroRNA-145 Impedes Thrombus Formation via Targeting Tissue Factor in Venous Thrombosis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), the third leading cardiovascular complication, requires more understanding at molecular levels. Here, we have identified miR-145 as a key molecule for regulating thrombus formation in venous thrombosis (VT) employing network based bioinformatics approach and in vivo experiments. Levels of miR-145 showed an inverse correlation with thrombus load determined by coagulation variables.