Exploration of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in gastric cancer patients through next generation sequencing: implications for diagnosis and therapy.

Objectives: The study aims to characterize BRCA1/2 mutations in Pakistani gastric cancer (GC) patients, identifying unique pathogenic variants and evaluating their potential as diagnostic biomarkers, while also exploring therapeutic avenues for personalized treatment strategies.

Methodology: In this study, we investigated the role of Breast Cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and Breast Cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) mutations in Pakistani GC patients and their functional implications using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS).

Results: Through NGS, we identified a total of 19 mutations in BRCA1 and 11 mutations in BRCA2, all with high mutation quality scores.

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.

Occurrence and visual characterization of microplastics from Mahakam River at Tenggarong City, Indonesia.

Indonesia generates approximately 7.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, which 4.9 million tons is mismanaged.

Combined application of biochar and peatmoss for mitigation of drought stress in tobacco.

Drought poses a significant ecological threat that limits the production of crops worldwide. The objective of this study to examine the impact of soil applied biochar (BC) and peatmoss (PM) on the morpho-biochemical and quality traits of tobacco plants under drought conditions. In the present experiment work, a pot trial was conducted with two levels of drought severity (~ well-watered 75 ± 5% field capacity) and severe drought stress (~ 35 ± 5% field capacity), two levels of peatmoss (PM) @ 5% [PM+ (with peatmoss) and PM- (without peatmoss)] and three levels of rice straw biochar (BC = no biochar; BC = 150 mg kg; and BC = 300 mg kg of soil) in tobacco plants.

Effects of humic acid fertilizer on the growth and microbial network stability of Panax notoginseng from the forest understorey.

Humic acid (HA) can substantially enhance plant growth and improve soil health. Currently, the impacts of HA concentrations variation on the development and soil quality of Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) from the forest understorey are still unclear. In this study, exogenous HA was administered to the roots of Sanqi at varying concentrations (2, 4, and 6 ml/L).

Exploration of reducing and stabilizing phytoconstituents in Arisaema dracontium extract for the effective synthesis of Silver nanoparticles and evaluation of their antibacterial and toxicological proprties.

Medicinal plants have been widely used for their antimicrobial properties against various microorganisms. Arisaema dracontium a familiar medicinal plant, was analyzed and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using extracts of different parts of its shoot including leaves and stem. Further, the antimicrobial activity of different solvent extracts such as ethyl acetate, n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, and chloroform extracts were analyzed.

A meta-analysis of photosynthetic efficiency and stress mitigation by melatonin in enhancing wheat tolerance.

Background: Our meta-analysis examines the effects of melatonin on wheat under varying abiotic stress conditions, focusing on photosynthetic parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf water status, and photosynthetic pigments. We initially collected 177 publications addressing the impact of melatonin on wheat. After meticulous screening, 31 published studies were selected, encompassing 170 observations on photosynthetic parameters, 73 on chlorophyll fluorescence, 65 on leaf water status, 240 on photosynthetic pigments.

Synthesis and evaluation of pyridine-3-carboxamide analogs as effective agents against bacterial wilt in tomatoes.

This study focused on developing novel pyridine-3-carboxamide analogs to treat bacterial wilt in tomatoes caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. The analogs were synthesized through a multistep process and their structures confirmed using spectroscopy. Molecular docking studies identified the most potent analog from the series.

Synergistic application of Pseudomonas strains and compost mitigates lead (Pb) stress in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) via improved nutrient uptake, antioxidant defense and physiology.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most dreadful non-essential elements whose toxicity has been well reported worldwide due to its interference with the major plant functions and its overall yield. Bioremediation techniques comprising the application of beneficial microorganisms have gained attention in recent times owing to their ecofriendly nature. Addition of organic matter to soil has been reported to stimulate microbial activities.

Biogenic Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles from sp. L-2 and Multiple In Vitro Pharmacogenetic Properties.

Metallic nanoparticles have received a significant amount of reflection over a period of time, attributed to their electronic, specific surface area, and surface atom properties. The biogenic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeONPs) is demonstrated in this study. The green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is acquiring considerable attention due to its environmental and economic superiorities over other methods.

Reduction of biofilm formation of Escherichia coli by targeting quorum sensing and adhesion genes using the CRISPR/Cas9-HDR approach, and its clinical application on urinary catheter.

Background: Escherichia coli is a common cause of biofilm-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). Biofilm formation in E. coli is responsible for various indwelling medical device-associated infections, including catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).

Exploration of plant growth promoting traits and regulatory mechanisms of Bacillus anthracis PM21 in enhancing salt stress tolerance in maize.

Bacillus species have been reported to reduce the negative effects of salt stress on plants; the involvement of Bacillus anthracis PM21 and the internal mechanisms involved in this process are unclear. The effects of PM21 inoculation on maize plants under salt stress were investigated in this study. The study aimed to assess the ability of Bacillus anthracis PM21 to endure high levels of salinity stress while preserving the concentration of plant growth regulators.

Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles from Green Algae and Their Assessment in Various Biological Applications.

The biosynthesis of algal-based zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles has shown several advantages over traditional physico-chemical methods, such as lower cost, less toxicity, and greater sustainability. In the current study, bioactive molecules present in extract were exploited for the biofabrication and capping of ZnO NPs, using zinc acetate dihydrate and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as precursors. The newly biosynthesized ZnO NPs were characterized for structural and optical changes through UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

Traditional Uses of Wild Edible Mushrooms among the Local Communities of Swat, Pakistan.

Mushrooms play a crucial role in human life as well as in nature, providing food, medicine, and carrying out vital processes of decomposition, nutrient recycling, and developing mycorrhizal association with plants. The traditional system of knowledge about identification, collection, and usage of mushrooms has been accumulated through the shared experiences of many generations. Unfortunately, there have been continuous threats to the folk knowledge of mushrooms mainly due to habitat degradation, urbanization, and contemporary medication.

Ethnogynaecological Knowledge of Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by the Indigenous Communities of North Waziristan, Pakistan.

Background: Since the beginning of civilization, medicinal plants have been used in human healthcare systems. Studies have been conducted worldwide to evaluate their efficacy, and some of the results have triggered the development of plant-based medications. Rural women in Pakistan frequently experience gynaecological disorders due to malnutrition and heavy physical work during pregnancy.

Role of extremophilic Bacillus cereus KH1 and its lipopeptide in treatment of organic pollutant in wastewater.

An effective biosurfactant producer and extremophiles bacteria, Bacillus cereus KH1, was isolated from textile effluent and the biosurfactant was produced using molasses as the sole carbon source. Growth parameters such as pH, temperature, salinity and concentration of molasses were optimised for decolourising the textile effluent with 24-h incubation. The biosurfactant property of B.

Comparative Plasticity Responses of Stable Isotopes of Carbon (δC) and Nitrogen (δN), Ion Homeostasis and Yield Attributes in Barley Exposed to Saline Environment.

Salinity is a major threat to agricultural productivity worldwide. The selection and evaluation of crop varieties that can tolerate salt stress are the main components for the rehabilitation of salt-degraded marginal soils. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate salinity tolerance potential, growth performance, carbon (δC) and nitrogen isotope composition (δN), intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE), harvest index, and yield stability attributes in six barley genotypes (113/1B, 59/3A, N1-10, N1-29, Barjouj, Alanda01) at three salinity levels (0, 7, and 14 dS m).

Identification of Ascorbic Acid and Gallic Acid as Novel Inhibitors of Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein for the Treatment of Obesity-Induced Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) has been reported as major public health issue rising at an alarming rate worldwide, and obesity is the leading risk factor for the development of T2D. Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 () released with inflammatory mediators from adipose tissues constrains the exocytosis of insulin containing granules from the pancreatic islets that leads towards the development to T2D. The significant overexpression of in diabetic patients and its involvement in islet dysfunction suggest its critical role in the development of diabetes.

Gum mediated synthesis and characterization of CuO nanoparticles towards infectious disease-causing antimicrobial resistance microbial pathogens.

Background: In this work biologically active CuO nanoparticle were discussed. The literature suggests that CuO shows very good antibacterial activity on both Gram positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Further, it is used in antibacterial coatings on various substrates to prevent various kinds of medical equipment's.

In-vitro antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of lipopeptide against drug resistant Vibrio species.

Background: The unrestricted application of antibiotics increased antimicrobial resistance in bacteria through horizontal gene transfer of resistant genes from the pathogenic sources and the evolution of multi-drug resistance organisms. The application of antibiotics caused severe risk to human health because animals may transmit diseases to humans. Hence, the search of novel antimicrobial agents from microbial sources is an urgent need.

Isolation of bioactive compounds from lichen Parmelia sulcata and evaluation of antimicrobial property.

Background: Lichens were used as an ailment in the traditional medicine for treating various disorders for centuries. Since there is less evidence in the literature about the medicinal property of Parmelia sulcata (P. sulcata), we made a pioneer attempt to explore the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of lichens.

Larvicidal and repellent activity of N-methyl-1-adamantylamine and oleic acid a major derivative of bael tree ethanol leaf extracts against dengue mosquito vector and their biosafety on natural predator.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa belongs to the family Rutaceae is generally known as "bael fruit tree" occuring across the south Asian countries. The current investigation screened the main derivatives from crude ethanolic extracts of the Bael tree leaf and evaluated activity effects on the larvae and adults of Aedes aegypti (L.